The Rainmaker's Staff

By Tanya Reed

Here is the next part in my very lengthy Relic Hunter story...finally. I apologize for its taking so very long. I hope that it's worth the wait.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Syd and Nige, though I wish I did.

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The forest looked just as dense by daylight, and Sydney could barely see the trail Yorn was following. Nigel seemed to be feeling better, though she kept turning to see him standing close enough to her that if he leaned slightly, his body would be softly touching hers. He looked nervously around them, as if he expected something to drop down on their heads from the treetops.

"It's very quiet," he said in a hushed voice.

"It is a forest, Nigel."

"None of the other forests we've been in gave me the creeps like this."

"It's the Wounded Land." Yorn's voice was also low. Though we are days away, the land here feels its power. Things are uneasy--almost expectant. That's why you only find the worst sort of people here. Well, those and those that have no home to go back to...like Mala."

If Nigel had been born in Telurra, would he have ended up here? Sydney wondered. She knew his childhood pain went deep, and that he felt everything had been taken from him by his brother and God. Would he have felt so lost that his body would have craved getting just as lost?

But he wasn't Telurran, and he was looking around him as if this place were evil incarnate. Sydney could also feel the chill, but Nigel had always been the more sensitive of the two.

It was about noon when the forest opened up in front of them to show a small clearing containing a cottage. Compared to Theri's cottage, of course, it was miniscule, but the sight of it was very welcome.

A large brindle dog came around the side of the cottage barking as they approached. Sydney stopped suddenly before noting that the dog's tail was wagging . Yorn dropped to his knees as the dog headed straight for him, seeming to turn herself inside out in her excitement. Sydney saw one of Yorn's rare smiles come to his face.

"Caree."

The dog licked his face enthusiastically, while he patted her and told her what a good and beautiful dog she was.

The door of the cottage opened and a woman of about Sydney's age appeared. Her hair was long and shone chestnut in the sun. Her dress was plain, but it suited her and her surroundings. Proud blue eyes sparkled in a face that was slightly care-worn but no less beautiful for that. She had a simple and homey beauty that would last long after more flashy types had faded.

"Yorn!" she exclaimed, her face breaking into a small smile.

Sydney immediately liked her.

Yorn's face turned serious once more, and he got to his feet. "Good noon, Mala."

She came out to meet them, eyeing Sydney and Nigel. Her expression was friendly and welcoming. "What brings you here? And who are your friends?"

"Sydney Fox," Sydney answered for Yorn and stepped forward, offering her hand. "And this is my...Nigel."

"Nice to meet you, Sydney, Nigel." She shook their hands, her eyes showing she accepted them immediately. "Friends of Yorn's are friends of mine."

"They're clients," Yorn told her. "They want to find Lesha."

"Lesha?" The woman's face turned thoughtful. "That's a dangerous journey, and you may not find it. Are you after the Staff?"

"Yes," Sydney admitted. "How did you know?"

Mala pointed to the browning grass around her cottage and a patch of earth that must have been her garden. "Someone had to come for it sooner or later. This isn't natural."

"Not natural?" This was the first time Sydney had heard that suggestion.

"I don't believe so. The land is crying over what's being forced upon it."

"Forced how? Do you believe that it's some malevolent force?"

Mala shook her head. "More human in nature, I'd guess."

"We've come for a reason," Yorn said, indicating the horses. "We're going the quick way to avoid trouble. Would you care for our horses?"

"Trouble?" A shadow moved over Mala's face. "What kind of trouble?"

Yorn seemed to trust the young woman implicitly because he quickly sketched in for her the events of the night before.

"Slavers?" she asked.

"That's what I think."

"Well, come in and let me feed you. I don't have much, but what I've got has got to be better than the fare at The Devil's Gate." Then she winked at Sydney. "Your Nigel looks like he's going to faint from hunger. I've got a small stable behind the house. You can settle your horses there, and then fill your bellies."

"All right," Sydney replied. "Come on, my Nigel."

He flushed but followed without comment. Yorn stayed behind to talk to Mala. Curiously, Sydney wondered what about.

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It wasn't long before they were all sated and sitting around Mala's table. She had urged the three of them to stay at least one night. Despite the small size of the cottage, they had agreed and were whiling away the afternoon. Sydney's first impression of Mala had held, and the two of them found they had lots to talk about. Mala told Sydney about her life in the forest, and Sydney told Mala about some of her and Nigel's racier adventures. The men remained strangely silent, Yorn leaned back and watching Mala through half-closed eyes, and Nigel listening intently, but flushing as something he had done brought both women to giggles. Sydney wasn't normally a giggler, but it was rare for her to be able to have a frank and fun conversation with another woman.

The vibe she was getting from the two Telurrans was also an interesting one. There was an undercurrent of longing, and she wondered if they had ever acted on it. They acted nothing if not chaste; they hadn't even touched, that Sydney had noticed. That, of course, could have just been for her and Nigel's benefit.

After awhile, Sydney broached a subject near and dear to her heart. "What do you do for a bath around here? I reek of smoke and ale and horse sweat."

"I do have a small tub out back, though you should have mentioned something earlier. It's starting to get a little chilly."

Though Sydney hated the cold, she said, "Right now, given the choice between goosebumps and dirt, I'll take the goosebumps." Then she looked at Nigel. "And you're having a bath too. I don't want to sleep next to something that smells like a horse that fell in a river of alchohol."

"All right, Syd."

"Come on," Mala got to her feet. "I'll show you where the tub is. You'll have to bathe in cold water. Hot water is hard to come by here. We could heat it on the stove, but it would take hours."

Invwardly, Sydney cringed but said, "That's fine. I hope you have lots of soap."

The two of them went outside, leaving the men together at the table, with the dog at their feet. Sydney was a little nervous about leaving Nigel alone with Yorn. She knew how much the smaller man annoyed the larger.

"Have you known Yorn long?" Sydney asked as they went to one side of the house, where there was a big wooden tub and a stone well.

"Almost ten years. I found him hurt in the wounded lands. A beast had attacked him and he was burning with fever."

Sydney went to the well and dropped the bucket. "Has he always been so...um...disagreeable?"

"He can be harsh, but there is more to Yorn. He's a good man. He loves animals, and he loves being in silence so strong you can physically feel it."

Sydney turned from her task and looked Mala directly in the eye. "You love him, don't you?"

Mala smiled a soft, sad smile. "You ask the one thing that he never has."

Though it wasn't really an answer, Sydney knew it was as much of an answer as she was going to get. Not pressing, she took the bucket over and dumped it in the tub. Mala took an extra bucket she had sitting by the tub and helped Sydney.

"Nigel seems nice. Very gentle."

"He is." Once more, Sydney looked at Mala. "You see in him what I see?"

"I see a gentle man who hates violence and loves knowledge. A man with a big hurt and a big fear, but with a certain inner strength and bravery that he doesn't even know exists. And he thinks you are infallible. This weighs on you, I think."

Sydney blinked. This was more of an answer than she had been expecting. "You saw all that in the few hours you've known him?"

"You're not married are you?"

"No."

"But you care deeply for him, and you'd give your life for him." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes."

"Not many people get a chance to share a friendship like the one I see between the two of you. It's to be protected and cherished."

"Mala," Something suddenly became clear to Sydney, and she knew that such things would be possible in this world. Mages and spells and magic itself were much more common than they were in her own. "Are you empathic?"

It would explain Mala's self-imposed seclusion as well as her need to help those in pain or distress.

She gave Sydney the same honesty that Sydney had given her. "Yes."

"And you came here...?" Sydney waved her arm around the clearing.

"Being around a lot of people hurts. I had to get away. My mother brought me here, but she passed away in my thirteenth summer."

"Does Yorn know?"

Mala shrugged. "I don't know. I've never asked him...There, that should be enough water. I'll go get you a towel."

"Thank you."

Sydney watched Mala go around the side of the cabin, then dipped a finger into the water. She grimaced at how cold it was, but began to undress anyway. It would have to be a lot colder for her to prefer remaining grubby. A sudden memory of the first time she and Nigel had shared a room came to her. She had been even grubbier then than now, and when she had gotten back to the room, Nigel had been in the shower. Sydney grinned as she remembered Nigel's reaction to her threat to join him. It was then that she knew he was different from the rest, and that he suited her just fine. They had come a long way in the two and a half years since then, but Sydney wouldn't trade them for anything.

"Sydney, I'm dead...I'm dead."

The memory ripped through her, tearing the smile from her face. It was still painful and raw, a wound not quite healed. That moment she would trade. It had been just three weeks before, and she had never been so scared in all of her life. All the other times Nigel had been in danger, Sydney had some measure of control, but how could you reason with a land mine?

Pushing the memory away, Sydney hurriedly took off the rest of her clothes. The cold was almost a welcome distraction as she climbed into the tub, and she had already ducked her head under to numb her thoughts by the time Mala had returned with the towel.

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Mala was genrous enough to give Nigel and Sydney her bed while she and Yorn slept in the other room on the floor. As a consequence, Sydney woke up feeling more refreshed and rested than she had in ages. Nigel looked a lot better too. He was smiling and even trying to joke around with Yorn despite the guide's lack of a sense of humour. Sydney watched the two closely, just to make sure Nigel didn't go too far.

Even Yorn seemed to be in a good mood and didn't seem as eager to pull out as usual. This, Sydney was sure, was because he was reluctant to leave Mala's company. Nigel, of course, seemed oblivious to the chemistry between Yorn and Mala. He couldn't even tell when women were attracted to him. He always seemed so surprised when they made their move. Sydney had long before ceased to be surprised when about ninety per cent of the women they met--and even ten per cent of the men--developed an immediate attraction to Nigel. Nigel's innocence was charming, however, and she hoped he never lost it.

Eventually, they found themselves slipping through the trees away from Mala's house. It felt strange to be on foot and so close to one another after so long on the horses. Sydney did like having her bag over her arm and her crossbow within reach again. That was the way she always hunted, and it felt very right.

The woods surrounding Mala's house were very dense, but Yorn seemed to be following some internal map. He moved ahead confidently, with Nigel behind him and Sydney in the rear.

Nigel stumbled along, occasionally grabbing a trunk for balance. Sydney often had to duck one of his branches, when he seemed to forget she was behind him. She scowled as he did it for what seemed like the fiftieth time that morning.

"Watch it, Nigel," she growled.

He turned, looking contrite. "Sorry, Syd."

"Just be careful. You're going to poke my eye out."

"It's these branches. They keep grabbing me. Yorn, are we going to stop for lunch any time soon?"

Yorn stopped quite aways ahead of them and looked at Sydney. "Sydney?"

"We should stop for awhile."

"All right." He immediately dropped with his back to a tree.

Nigel also dropped gratefully to the ground, right in Sydney's path. She had no choce but to sit down beside him.

"Tired?" she asked.

Nigel nodded, opening his pack and taking out the cheese Mala had given him.

"We've got a long walk ahead of us."

"I know. I can make it. I have to. You aren't going on and leaving me in this God forsaken place."

Sydney had been digging in her own pack for something to eat, but froze at his words. She stared at him silently for a few seconds before choking out, "I would never leave you behind."

Nigel smiled reassuringly, reaching out to pat her arm very gently. "I was just kidding, Sydney. I know you'd never leave me." Then he lowered his voice. "I'm not so sure about him, though. I don't think he likes me much."

Sydney scowled, continuing her motion. "Tough. We're a team. If I go, you go with me."

He took a bite of his cheese and looked down, not meeting her eyes. "But sometimes you think it would be easier without me."

This time, Sydney dropped her pack altogether. "What?" He didn't say anything, so she demanded, "Nigel?"

He scuffed the dirt under his foot, making a hole with his heel. "I know I can be a bit of a...well, a bit of a screw up."

Sydney had no idea he felt this way. After all, they had made the transition to equals long before. Sydney was smart and knowledgeable, but Nigel was often the real brains of their team, while she was the muscle. That was the way it worked. It was as she had told Yorn; Nigel had saved her as many times as she had saved him, his aversion to violence notwithstanding. She accepted the fact that he wasn't as coordinated or as flexible as she was, but that didn't make him a screw up. He had to know how valuable he was to her. He had to.

"Nigel," she said through gritted teeth, suddenly angry with herself and not knowing why, "I don't want to ever hear you say that again. You are not a screw up...and if I didn't want you on hunts with me, I would have told you so long ago."

He finally looked at her, his light eyes searching her dark ones. She defied him to find a lie there. Slowly, a soft smile came to his face, the one that Sydney liked so much. Sydney smiled back and bumped his shoulder softly with her own.

"Now, eat your dinner. I'm sure Yorn will want to head back out in a cruelly short period of time."

"Are you two done whispering over there?" Yorn asked, getting to his feet while taking a swig from the container of water Mala had given him.

Sydney raised an eyebrow at him. "You're ready to go already?"

"Don't worry. I'll give you an hour. I just need to heed nature's call."

Nigel sighed in relief. "I was worried there for a minute." Then his eyes started twinkling, and Sydney knew he was going to say something he thought was remarkably clever. She waited for it and wasn't disappointed. "Are you sure you don't want to help him?"

"Nigel!"

"I know I was able to go so much better with your help."

Sydney was about to give Nigel a playful swat when a loud yell froze them both.

"That was Yorn!" Nigel said, jumping to his feet.

She hauled her knife from her boot and pointed. "He went that way."

With Nigel so close behind her that she could feel his breath on her neck, Sydney slipped through the trees. She went very cautiously, not knowing what to expect. They had heard no more from Yorn after that last strangled yell. Sydney did not dare to call out to him for fear of giving away her location to potential enemies.

She was so concentrated on looking ahead, that she didn't see the chasm that appeared at her feet. If Nigel hadn't caught her, she would have ended up tumbling inside. His arms had gone around her quickly, pulling her back and towards him.

"Thanks, Nigel," she gasped, slightly stunned.

"You all right?"

"Yeah, I think so." She peered down into the hole to see that it was about nine feet deep. She also saw a familiar but unconscious form lying at the bottom of it. "Yorn."

Nigel peered over her shoulder. "Is he alive?"

"I don't know. Go get the rope."

As Nigel hurried off in search of rope, Sydney knelt at the edge of the hole to study Yorn. It was strange. Up until that moment, she had thought she didn't like their taciturn guide. It was surprising to discover that she actually did. Maybe it was seeing how he reacted to Mala, she didn't know. Whatever it was had Sydney praying he was alive.

Nigel was back faster than Sydney had expected, both of their packs in his hands. Reaching Sydney, he dropped to his knees and started digging through his.

"Here, Syd. We used quite a bit of it for the bandits, but what I saved should almost reach the bottom of the hole."

"Good. Do you think you'll be able to haul Yorn up with it?"

He nodded. "I think so."

With this assurance, Sydney dropped into the hole. Yorn groaned as she landed beside him, filling her with relief.

"Yorn?"

"Sydney?" His voice was weak and groggy.

"You fell."

"Hole...wasn't here before...hunters..."

She brushed blond curls out of his eyes, studying his face and head for signs of serious injury. There was no blood, but that didn't mean there wasn't a concussion.

"We're going to get you out of here. Can you stand?"

"Leg's broken..."

Sydney frowned. "Which one?"

"Left."

Sydney examined the leg and winced as she saw a buldge under his skin where there definitely should not be one. The leg was already swelling and changing to an ugly color. Getting Nigel to throw down her own bag, Sydney managed to use some wood and two shirts to stabilize the leg enough to get Yorn out of the hole. She wasn't sure what they would do then.

Once she had protected the leg as much as she could, Sydney tied the rope around Yorn's waist. Even though she tried to be gentle, he cried out in pain as she shifted him.

"This is going to get worse before it gets better," she told him, lifting him into a sitting position, "but you'll still be in one piece at the end."

Using her body as a prop, Sydney pulled Yorn to his good leg. Careful not to jostle him too badley, she threw the end of the rope up to Nigel.

"Do you still think you can pull him up if I give him a boost?"

"I'll try."

It took a lot of grunting and groaning, not to mention straining and cursing, but eventually, with Sydney's pushing, Nigel was able to slowly pull Yorn up and over the edge of the hole. As Nigel grabbed Yorn under the arms and pulled him the rest of the way out, Sydney thought she might faint with relief and fatigue. Wearily, she climbed up the side, sliding a little in the crumbling dirt, and hauled herself up to rest a moment on the ground beside Nigel and Yorn. The guide seemed no worse fo his ride up the rope. In fact, he was semi-conscious and mumbling to himself. Sydney tried to make him comfortable, then gave Nigel a helpless look.

"What are we going to do now?" he asked, echoing her thoughts.

"We're going to have to bring him back to Mala's. What else can we do? We can't bring him with us like this."

"How will we find Lesha?"

"I'm hoping he'll be able to draw us a map. He has to, if we have any hope of finding the Staff."

Nigel nodded in agreement. "Do you remember how to get back?"

Fortunately, Sydney had an excellent sense of direction. "Yes," she said, getting up and dusting off her pants.

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Going back to Mala's took a lot longer than travelling away, and it was after dark when Sydney finally saw lights twinkling through the trees.

"Nigel!"

Sydney stopped and set down their homemade stretcher. She rubbed her eyes, hardly believing what they were telling her.

"What is it?"

"Do you see the lights?"

There was a pause, then an excited, "Yes!"

Encouraged, the two of them hurried as fast as they could with Yorn's awkward form between them. They pushed through the trees and into the clearing. The sight of the small cabin nestled in the trees with candlelight in its windows and smoke coming from its chimney was very welcome.

They hadn't even reached the cabin when the door flew open and Mala rushed outside, her chestnut hair in disarray and her eyes wide with concern.

"What happened?"

"He fell into a trap," Sydney told her quickly. "His most serious injury is a broken leg, but the fall stunned him, and he's in a lot of pain."

Mala nodded and drew them all towards the house. "Bring him to the bedroom. We can make him more comfortable."

Sydney and Nigel did as she asked, then left her alone with the guide. She was a healer, and Sydney knew Yorn was in good hands. Tiredly, the two of them settled at the wooden table, just resting limbs that ached from their heavy burden.

"Sydney," Nigel asked eventually, "do you think we'll be able to make it without him?"

"Sure," Sydney assured him, though she felt anything but positive. "How many times has it been just me and you?" Just because we're in a strange world doesn't mean that we can't do it. We just need to work together...and a map from Yorn."

"Do you think he'll be able to give us one?"

"Pretty sure. The lump on his head didn't seem like a serious one. After some of the pain goes from his leg, and he sleeps off the fall, he should be lucid. We'll have to see what Mala has to say."

"I'm just glad he's going to be okay."

"Yeah, me too."

Sydney had a sudden flashback of her threatening to break Yorn's legs. She frowned as she thought of the irony. She also wondered if Yorn would find it quite so ironic.

"What are you thinking, Sydney?"

"Nothing important," she replied, unable to stop a yawn, which she quickly covered.

"It is getting late," Nigel answered her yawn rather than her words.

He got up and started unrolling his bedroll. Sydney watched him a moment before getting up to do the same. The two of them were already inside by the time Mala came out to tell them Yorn was resting comfortably.

She raised her eyebrows asking, "Aren't the two of you hungry?"

"I'm too tired to eat." Sydney had been right on the cusp between being asleep and being awake when Mala entered. "Is Yorn going to be okay?"

"Besides the broken leg, he should be back to his old loveable self in the morning."

"That's goo..." Sydney's comment was cut off by the loud sound of Nigel's stomach growling.

The Englishman clapped a hand to his stomach and gasped, "Excuse me."

Mala laughed softly. "It sounds like one of you could eat."

"Nigel can always eat. I've only seen him refuse food once."

Sydney, I'm dead...I'm dead. The words went through her mind and her hand clenched under the blanket. Once more she saw him face down in front of her, the mine under his chest. She felt the fear, the helplessness. She knew she couldn't save him. If not for Masters, she would have lost the best friend she ever had. Violently, she pushed the memory away, keeping her turmoil from her face.

Mala's eyes widened, and she glanced at Sydney, then quickly away. "Come on, Nigel. We'll find something to quiet your belly."

When Nigel got up, so did Sydney. She just said, "I think I'll take this opportunity to visit the building out back."

She hadn't even reached the outhouse when Mala called her name from the door. Sydney stopped and let the chestnut-haired woman catch up to her.

"What was that about?" Mala asked quietly.

Sydney turned, barely able to see her eyes in the darkness. "What?"

"You know what."

Sydney sighed and dropped to sit on the ground. Mala settled beside her, waiting patiently.

"A few weeks ago, I almost lost Nigel. In our line of work, that's nothing new, but this was different." Sydney brought one knee up and propped her arm on it.

"How was it different?"

"Nigel attracts trouble, but usually it's nasty men or women with gu...with big and nasty weapons, or ones that want to beat him to a pulp. No problem. I deal with those. At times I'm afraid I'll be too late, but I never believe I will be."

"And this time?"

"Your Wounded Lands, Yorn says there are remnants of the Mage Wars there. Unexpected, brainless things that lie in wait for the day someone sets them off."

Sydney saw a slight movement that indicated Mala nodded her head.

"This was like that. For this weapon to work, you have to put weight on it and then take it off. Nigel fell on it. He thought he was dead." Sydney wiped a hand over a face sweating despite the chill night air. "He called to me. I...My heart almost stopped beating when I heard him tell me he was dead." Sydney found she was shaking. It was the first time since the incident that she had really allowed herself to feel the horror and terror.

Mala threw a light arm around her shoulder. "Go on."

"That cold piece of metal, we call it a mine, had Nigel's life in its hands. It was unfeeling and inanimate--completely indiscriminate. I couldn't reason with it. I couldn't fight it. Hell, I didn't even know how to disarm it. If we would have been alone, Nigel would have died. I've never felt so powerless or so helpless. I never want to feel that powerless again. It keeps coming back to me, and I don't know what to do about it."

"But Nigel's not dead." Mala gave Sydney's shoulder a squeeze. "You have him with you. You don't seem the type to be haunted by what might have been."

"I'm not. That's what scares me."

"Does Nigel know you feel this way?"

Sydney was horrified at the thought. "God, no! And don't say I should tell him. If you believed in complete honesty of emotion, you would have told Yorn how you feel years ago."

"Are you afraid Nigel will think less of you if you admit that you are human?"

"He depends on me not to be frightened or to get freaked out. He needs it."

"I think Nigel is stronger than you give him credit for."

Sydney shrugged. "I can do this for him, and I will."

"Whatever you think is best," Mala soothed, no doubt sensing Sydney's bristling.

Sydney sighed again, letting her moment of irritation go. "Sometimes..." She paused, then continued, hardly believing what she was admitting, "Sometimes, I am so glad he is with me, so proud of what he had become, and so awed with his abilities that I just want to hug him and tell him so...and other times..."

"Other times?" Mala prodded.

"Other times I want to send him away, to lie and tell him I don't need him just to keep him safe. I know this would be unfair to him, and I know it would hurt him. But he's my best friend, and it would kill me to lose him."

"But it would kill you even more to leave him behind?"

"Yes."

"And there's something else."

Sydney didn't know why, but she'd felt closer to this woman she'd only known for two days than she had to anyone but Nigel for years. Something about her made Sydney want to tell her things she had never shared with anyone.

"I recently found out that Nigel thinks I don't value him. I tried to tell him I do, but words don't...well, they don't always come easily to me. Not when it comes to those kind of things. I didn't know he felt like he wasn't as important to our team as I am, though I should have. I'm worried that he's picking up my vibes on those times I'm tempted to leave him home to protect him. If he is, I don't know how to fix it. I don't want to hurt him."

"Well," Mala said after a thoughtful pause. "Sometimes people just need to hear the words. Everyone needs to know they are valued, and Nigel...well, Nigel seems to fight a constant battle with self-doubt."

"His brother is a bully. Everything Nigel does, Preston has to do better just to prove to Nigel that he's nothing. The thing is, I've met Preston, and I'm not too impressed with him. He's a silly, petty man with the attitude of a spoiled child. Nigel is a hundred times better man than Preston, but he can't see it because he still feels like the little boy who can't get anything right." Sydney wasn't aware of just how angry she was at Preston until that moment. It came as a slight surprise.

"That's even more reason for you to remind Nigel how much you need him."

"I suppose."

"Can anyone tell me," a voice floated to them from the house, "why women always travel to the facilities in pairs, even when the facilities are just an old outhouse?"

The solemn air of the evening shattered, and Sydney laughed and shook her head. "Oh, Nigel."

"You can't be done eating already," Mala called back. "Did you stop to chew?"

"I got lonely. What are you two doing out here?"

"That's what Caree's for," Mala teased, getting to her feet.

"You know," Sydney said, also getting to her feet. "I think I will take some of that food after all."

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Mala was right about Yorn, and by the time Sydney woke up, he was already awake and making his presence felt. He was in a foul mood because of his leg, but he did consent to drawing Sydney and Nigel a map. He also went on to explain the map, seriously looking into Sydney's eyes to make sure she was absorbing everything. Nigel was also listening, and he had an even better memory than she did.

After they were pretty sure they knew where they were going, Mala packed them up enough food for about three days. After that, they would have to fend for themselves. Nigel grimaced at this, but Sydney just nodded and accepted the hunting bow Mala offered her.

When Sydney and Nigel went to say good-bye to Yorn, he just scowled and turned away. They shared a look and quietly left the guide to himself. Mala follwoed the the relic hunters outside to see them off, and Sydney could see an apology in her eyes.

"Don't mind Yorn," Mala said. "He just doesn't want you two roaming through the Wounded Lands by yourselves."

Sydney looked at her. "Is he afraid that we won't make it...or that we will?"

Mala's blue eyes narrowed. "You know that's not fair to him."

After a moment, Sydney nodded. "I know. He's a lot like me, I think. It would be killing me to know someone was going to find a relic without me because of something as stupid as a broken leg."

"I've been there," Nigel spoke up. "It wasn't that bad."

Sydney smiled at him, her eyes twinkling. "And you still managed to save the day."

He smiled back. "Thank God for shovels."

At Mala's curious look, Sydney waved her hand in an 'it's not important' gesture.

"We want to thank you, Mala, for all you've done for us."

"You're good people, and you're on a quest to save the land. How could I not?"

"I'm still grateful." Sydney gave the other woman a quick hug. "I'm glad I met you. I'll try to remember what you said."

"I'm glad I got to meet you as well."

"Syd." Nigel's voice rose with a slight note of panic.

Puzzled, Sydney turned to see four people melt out of the forest. Three of them were men, and the last was a woman. They all had cold faces and swords drawn.

"Bouran!" Mala exclaimed, "What's going on?"

"This isn't your affair, Mala. Just give us the two adventurers and stay out of it."

"What do you mean, it doesn't concern me? This was still my house the last time I looked."

"We'll leave it unmolested as long as you don't interfere with us."

"What do you want with us?" Sydney asked, dropping her bags and getting reading to reach for the sword at her hip.

An older man spoke up. His brown eyes were as cold as ice as he said, "The Staff."

Sydney had a sudden flashback to the dream she'd had several nights before and goosepimples immediately covered her arms. Instinctively, she stepped in front of Nigel.

"We don't have the Staff."

"And we're here to make sure you never find it."

"Why?" Sydney jutted out her chin. "What's it to you if we retrieve the Staff?"

"Our employers wouldn't like it."

"You!" Mala exclaimed. "You're causing the drought. Bouran, how could you?"

The man shrugged. "You know me, Mala. Anything for coin. Besides, I'm not causing the drought. Do I have any magic?"

"Guilt by association," Mala spit out.

"Enough!" The gray-haired man barked. "Words are meaningless. We've come for the adventurers, and that's what matters. Get them."

With a growl, Sydney finished her motion and pulled her sword free of its sheath. Beside her, Mala hauled a knife out from somewhere inside her dress. Nigel just backed further away.

"Please," Mala whispered. "Don't kill them unless you have to."

Sydney nodded in understanding. She didn't like killing unless it was a last resort, and she wasn't empathic.

The four circled, looking confident. They also held their swords like they meant business. Sydney hoped Nigel would be able to stay out of the way. Unarmed and as unlucky as he was, he would make an easy target.

"Mala, be reasonable," the man named as Bouran said, "Go into the house. We don't want to hurt you."

"I'm not going to let you murder people on my doorstep. These two are my friends, and if you're going to kill them, you'll have to kill me too. You were a good man once, what changed you?"

The man didn't answer, he just joined his companions in circling around Sydney, Nigel, and Mala.

"Don't worry, Mala," Sydney said, "There are only four of them. We can take them."

The empath looked like she doubted as she gripped her knife more tightly. Sydney wondered if she knew how to fight with it. If not, Sydney would have to fight the four adversaries and at the same time keep her body between them and both Mala and Nigel.

As the nearest man reached her, Sydney lashed out, not with her sword, but with her foot. It came up and crunched heavily against the side of the man's head. He had not expected it and fell to the ground, stunned. She completed the motion and met the older man's sword with a clang. He snarled at her, and she snarled back.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sydney saw Mala and Bouran eyeing each other over their blades, but neither attacked. She couldn't see Nigel or the woman, but she hoped Nigel could avoid trouble long enough for Sydney to deal with the gray-haired man.

Her opponent lashed at her again, and once more Sydney caught his attack. Their swords clashed several more times before Sydney made a fake lunge. When the man went to meet it, she ducked sideways and kicked out at him as she had his partner. When her foot connected with his head, he staggered but didn't fall. Sydney followed up by punching him in the face, twice in quick succession. He crumpled, and she kicked the sword from his hand.

Whirling, she saw Nigel flailing a stick at the lone woman attacker. It was a good sized stick, but it wasn't going to protect Nigel for long.

With a yell, Sydney rushed towards them. The woman heard her and turned. When she did, Nigel whacked her over the head with his stick. She staggered, and he whacked her again. She collapsed, unconscious.

Sydney smiled grimly. "Good job, Nigel."

He beamed at her praise. "Thanks."

The two of them turned to see Mala and Bouran still staring at each other. Sydney watched them carefully. The look on Mala's face was challenging Bouran to slay her.

"Mala?"

"He won't kill me," Mala said. "He can't kill me...Bouran is Yorn's brother."

"What?" Sydney shared an incredulous look with Nigel before snapping her sword back into the sheath and slowly making her way over to the two facing off.

Bouran whirled as she got close, lunging for her. Sydney twisted and flipped back avoiding the nasty blade. She came up in a crouch, eyeing the man who now had his whole attention on her.

"I've been paid to make sure you never find the ruins, and that's what I intend to do."

"Bouran is also a guide," Mala informed Sydney. "He must be leading these others to Lesha."

He glanced at her. "Shut up."

When his attention turned, Sydney kicked out, knocking the sword from his hand. Nigel ran to it and picked it up, coming over to point it at the other man.

"I'll watch him," Sydney said, drawing her own sword once more. A feeling of deja vu struck her as she said, "Nigel, go find some rope."

"There's some in the barn." This was Mala.

Nigel nodded, handing Mala the sword and running to the barn.

Before long, they had the four tied up, all still unconscious except Bouran, who said, "We're coming for you, treasure hunter. No matter where you go, you can't hide from us. I know this area as well as my brother. We'll hunt you down and kill you."

"You can try," Sydney told him, tightening the ropes. "You won't be the first."

When all was secure, Sydney hugged Mala again. "Will you be all right with them here?"

"They're more concerned with you than me. I'll keep them a couple of days, then let them go." Mala then hugged Nigel. "Good luck, Nigel. And take care of Sydney."

He gave her a strange little smile but just said, "I will."

They picked up their bags and, after one more wave to Mala, slipped into the trees. Without Yorn to push them, they went at their own pace, and Nigel seemed much more relaxed.

Then, Sydney remembered her promise to Mala. "Nigel."

He was looking at his feet and concentrating on not tripping. "Yeah, Syd?"

"I'm really glad you're here with me."

He looked at her in surprise, failing in his efforts not to trip. Catching a tree branch to keep from falling, he said, "You are?"

He sounded wistful and sweet. Mala was right, Sydney didn't tell him she appreciated him nearly enough.

"Of course I am. I can't imagine being here without you. You're the only piece of reality in this whole strange world. I wouldn't want to be here alone, and I'm really glad it's you I got stuck here with. We work so well together, we can't fail."

The smile she liked so much lit his face. "I'm glad I'm here too."

They didn't talk much after that. Sydney pored over Yorn's hand drawn map, trying to keep them on track. Nigel trudged behind her, letting her think and navigate. The forest around them was quiet, and Sydney could feel some of the hushed expectation Nigel had said was so creepy. They still had several days before they reached the land it came from. She wondered what that would be like, how it would feel.

Though it felt as if the trees were watching them, the day passed without incident. Nigel didn't even have as many tumbles as Sydney expected. Even so, Sydney felt tense as she wondered if the men--and woman--after her had managed to escape Mala. If so, they would be on her and Nigel's trail.

As darkness fell, the two of them made a little shelter with the fallen branches around them. Sydeny made it look as natural as she could and made sure they could not be seen when they were inside. The quarters were tight, but they'd been in tighter. Both of them could stretch out, and there was still room for their things.

Sydney settled down next to Nigel and ordered their light to go out. Not for the first time, she praised Rayzi for making it for them.

Beside her, Nigel wriggled restlessly, bumping her lightly. Sydney had closed her eyes but couldn't sleep with him moving.

"Nigel," she hissed, "settle down."

"Sorry, Sydney. I just can't get comfortable. I have stones poking into my back."

Sydney sighed. "Do you want to trade places?"

"No, there are probably just as many stones over there."

"Well, do something. I can't sleep with you fidgeting like that."

"Maybe if I turn on my side..."

Nigel suited actions to words, rolling over towards her. They were so close that the movement put him curled up against her with his cheek on her shoulder.

"Oops," he squeaked, trying to wriggle away and shaking their shelter in the process.

"It's all right, Nigel," she said, "I'd rather this side was against me than the alternative." She held him where he was. "If you can get comfortable this way, stay here. You always fall asleep on me on trains anyway. I'm used to it."

Nigel sighed and relaxed.

"Comfy?"

"Actually yes. I finally managed to find a position without stones."

"Good." She patted his arm. At least, she hoped it was his arm. "Then go to sleep."

"Yes, Mum," he said, and she could feel him smiling against her shoulder.

Cheeky bugger!