Chapter Twenty-Two
The Ones We Live For
Lina stepped into the room, aware of the eyes upon her. For safety, they tried to change the places where they met. Tonight, they were meeting in the home of another Senator.
It was much like Gavenus' house, richly appointed, columns supporting an archway outside, no burns on the table though.
Lina was too excited to sit down today. It looked like their plans were finally coming together. Soon, they would be able to strike, depose Shabarra, and bring Princess Mirana back to take her rightful place. Misrule would be free, or at least it would be treated fairly. The people of the Imperium would no longer have to live in fear.
Lina had worried about how Mirana might act once she was on the throne. Some had said that she was spoilt and expected everything to be given to her. Kashurra had assured her otherwise.
Though she was still a little uncertain about Kashurra, he had been crucial in planning this rebellion. He was up to his neck, maybe more, in this plot, too much so to be a spy. He had even managed to turn up on time for this meeting.
'My friends,' Gavenus approached the table, unfurling a map of the city across its surface. 'We have come a long way since those early days of our conspiracy. Soon, we will be ready to strike. My thanks to Viceroy Kashurra in particular for helping with this plan.
Every day, the common people grow angrier. Dissent is growing, and Kashurra believes that it is only a matter of time before rioting begins. When this happens, Turlenas will allow areas under his jurisdiction to fall, claiming that he does not have the manpower to hold them.'
'I have spoken with my men and doctored the records.' Turlenas announced. 'If anybody asks, a large number of my men have been stricken with plague after patrolling the slums. Rest assured that when the time comes, they will be ready to fight.'
'When the riots spread past the Old District and into the Merchant Quarter, Shabarra will be forced to declare martial law. He will call in the nearest Legions to suppress the uprising.'
Marsian stepped forwards. 'And my soldiers happen to be the closest. Again, you can thank the Viceroy for this stroke of good fortune.'
Kashurra had deliberately sent the nearest legions not under Marsian's control to confront the Stonehall soldiers on the border. He had then suggested bringing in Marsian's legions to protect the city in their absence. It had all gone much smoother than expected. Though he was loyal to Shabarra and a good warrior, the current Grand Legate was not the best of strategists, nor was he particularly clever.
'The bulk of Marsian's soldiers will enter through the gates, as expected. However, once inside they will secure the gates to keep reinforcements out. A second group, bolstered by mercenaries, will use the Wraith's barges to enter the Merchant Quarter and secure the Causeway.' The Causeway was a road which ran above the street, flush the wall and slightly lower than the battlements. It made it easier for merchants to transport their wares to and from the markets. It was also an ideal way for Shabarra to escape, so it had to be blocked. 'Another group will travel through the tunnels Marsian has secured and guard the palace gates. Shabarra will believe that they are there to protect him, but in reality they will keep him from running.'
Kashurra took over. 'Turlenas, what we ask of you will not be easy.'
'It will be easier than you suspect, Viceroy, though I take no pride in it.' Turlenas clenched his fist at his side. 'I will return to the barracks of the watch with a few men and relieve Watch Commander Prien of his command. If he resists, we will kill him and announce that he fell down the stairs, but at that point it won't change anything. I will take command of the city watch and allow the rioters to close in on the palace. My men will assist Marsian's soldiers in securing the city.'
'You must keep the riots under control too.' Kashurra reminded him. 'Deposing Shabarra is our ultimate goal, but there needs to be a city left for the Princess to return to.'
'Once we make it clear that we're against Shabarra, that should not be difficult.'
'That is where Lina comes in.' Gavenus said. 'At that point, she will be taken to the palace gates and will rally the common folk to support us. With them, Turlenas' guards and Marsian's troops, we will have more than enough people to overcome Shabarra's Sun Guard.'
'If I may, Senator Gavenus,' Kashurra interjected, 'It may be better to keep the civilians away. Let them guard the escape routes and have the soldiers enter the palace alone. Callardis is a ruthless Commander, and his Sun Guard are loyal and well trained. If we throw civilians at them, the loss of life will be appalling.'
'We also have Garrisan on our side.' Lina agreed. 'And he has promised to bring along as many gladiators are possible. They are skilled warriors, and many of them are slaves or prisoners thrown into the arena because of Shabarra. They will be more than willing to fight for us.'
'Senator, all we have to do is remove Shabarra from power.' Kashurra continued. 'Callardis will likely fight to the death regardless, but he is just one man. Once Shabarra is gone, his Sun Guard will have no reason to fight. They will be disgraced, and for a Sun Guard, that leaves three choices: suicide, death in battle or pledging their services to a new ruler. Although his Sun Guard are loyal, they are not the same men chosen by Garrisan. They are ruthless, not brave. I expect that many of them will surrender.'
'Could we bribe them?' one of the Senators suggested. 'It worked for Shabarra.'
'Doubtful.' Kashurra answered. 'The Emperor was dying when Shabarra planned to usurp him. Many eyes were on him, which allowed Shabarra to carry out his plans. Even I was distracted. Callardis is no fool. He watches his men carefully.' Kashurra considered his moves carefully. 'But I may be able to reach out to a select few.'
'Please try, but only if it is safe for you to do so.' Gavenus said. 'Even one Sun Guard on our side would be a tremendous advantage.'
'It may be possible.' Kashurra conceded. 'Janulus is a problem, but I have a plan to remove him.'
'Good. May I ask how?'
Kashurra considered. 'He is but a man, and all men have weaknesses. More than that, I cannot say. This is for your safety. Mine is a dangerous gambit, and if I fail I will have to take certain steps.'
Nobody asked him what these "steps" might be. Every member of this conspiracy had agreed to one thing: if compromised, they were to take any means necessary to protect the others. If Kashurra failed and was caught, there would only be one course of action left to him.
'Back to the plan.' Lina said eagerly. 'What happens when we enter the palace?'
'We find Shabarra and force him to abdicate, or kill him.' Gavenus answered simply. 'Violence displeases me, but Shabarra will be unwilling to just give up the Solar Throne, even when faced with death.'
'Shabarra is many things, but he is not a warrior, nor is he brave.' Marsian stated. 'I'd wager that he'll try to run once we breach the palace gates.'
'Which is why we need the people to secure every exit.' Turlenas reminded him. 'Shabarra will be caught like a fish in a barrel. He will be at our mercy. There must be only so many places he can hide.'
'How did Mirana escape?' Lina asked, recalling what Garrisan had suspected.
'A secret passageway.' Kashurra answered. 'Shabarra and his guards are not aware of it. It was a secret trusted only to the Emperor, to me, and, in his final years, one other: I personally told the Princess' handmaiden about it. That is how the Princess escaped.'
Marsian spluttered. 'Wouldn't her handmaiden have told others? They gossip!'
Kashurra fixed the Legate with an intense eye. 'Marci would never betray the Princess, nor is she a fool. I swore her to secrecy for the sake of the Princess. For Mirana, she would gladly keep any secret, and willingly sacrifice herself. You never knew them, Legate, so I would ask you not to judge them.'
'Of course,' Marsian conceded. 'Forgive me.'
'Once Shabarra has been neutralised,' Gavenus continued, 'I will call upon the Senate to convene. We will ensure that Lina is given temporary stewardship of the Solar Throne and announce that Princess Mirana is returning. It goes without saying that we will dispatch soldiers to find her and bring her back here.'
'I just hope that she is willing.' another Senator murmured. 'It's been six years.'
'She will return.' Kashurra assured her. 'This is her home. The Solar Throne is her birthright.'
'If all else fails, Lina can hold the Solar Throne until the Senate names a new Emperor or Empress.' Gavenus said. 'By this time, the people will have rallied behind Lina. With Marsian taking the place of Grand Legate, he can also declare martial law if he needs to, and Turlenas will have command of the guards.
Ladies and gentlemen, my friends, we stand on the eve of rebellion and the birth of a new Imperium. Let us bring it into the light of the sun.'
Lina sighed, amused. 'You're doing it again, Gavenus.'
Gavenus smiled. 'I think this is a good moment for a little drama.' He pressed a small book into her hands. 'You should practice, dear Lina. You're going to have to be eloquent soon.'
Fymryn sighed. 'I'm bored.'
'Fymryn,' Mirana sighed, 'this was your idea.'
'That doesn't mean I can't be bored.' Fymryn tilted her head round, laying it flat against the wooden deck of the raft.
'You were bored yesterday too.' Mirana stated.
'It's not been an easy journey.' Davion remarked, leaning back to look up at the sky. 'Savour it.'
He had a point. Though they had left the bodies of Kalin, his men and the lifeless village far behind, Fymryn knew that she would never forget any of it. When she had set off for the Temple of Mene, she had craved excitement and adventure. The reality was starkly grim compared to her fantasies.
Sagan had been relieved of most of his saddlebags, and he was hunched in the middle of the raft. He did not seem to be enjoying himself. Marci was sitting on the edge of the raft, watching the riverbanks, occasionally whistling, mimicking the songbirds. The noon sunlight glowed in her auburn hair and brightened her amber eyes.
Davion chuckled. 'They'll think you're one of them. Maybe we should start calling you "Songbird".'
Marci's face creased for a moment, the smile which followed was sad.
'Did I say something wrong?'
Marci made the sign for "home".
'Her parents used to call her that.' Mirana explained in a murmur.
Marci whistled Davion's name and slowly signed at him. It's all right.
'When we find the lotuses and you return to your temple, will you both be safe?' Davion asked. 'Will they try to find you again?'
'They'll never stop.' Mirana sighed. 'Not until we're dead. But we will be safe in the Nightsilver Woods. We were safe there for five years. You could be safe there too, if you wanted to be.'
Marci looked round at Davion, her expression hopeful.
Davion smiled at her. 'A change of pace would be nice.' That was assuming that they could cure him. Still, he held onto hope. That was one of the few things which kept him going now.
Marci beamed at him, her eyes lighting up.
Fymryn paid close attention to Mirana too, but she guarded her emotions well. She was not really sure why she cared, given that she would likely never see these strange humans again after guiding them to the Invoker. They were also serving the enemy of her goddess.
She should have hated them. Yet she could not.
She had killed to protect them, and not simply because she had sworn to bring them to the Invoker alive.
Marci started to whistle again. Davion seemed content to listen to her. Fymryn had thought that the noise would annoy her. She was starting to grow accustomed to it, and she had to admit that it was soothing.
What did Marci sound like when she was singing? Fymryn still did not understand why she was unable to speak, though she was starting to guess that Marci was not mute by choice.
'Davion?' Fymryn asked. 'Can you sing?'
'Sing? No.' Davion shook his head. 'Make your ears bleed? Yes.'
Marci huffed with mirth and signed at Mirana.
'Yeah, I can't hum either.' Davion concurred.
'Marci's saying that she didn't mind.' Mirana told him. 'She enjoyed it.' She looked confused, but Marci gave Davion a knowing look. She meant that she had enjoyed being held by him back in that cave.
To Fymryn's surprise, Davion's cheeks started to flush. It was a small thing, but in the brief time she had known the man, she had never expected to see him embarrassed. Had he been lying? Were he and Marci really lovers?
There was something there, that was certain.
'I can sing.' Mirana declared.
Marci nodded in agreement.
'Go on then,' Fymryn encouraged. 'Sing for us.'
Mirana considered. 'Marci? Do you have a tune for me?'
Marci pursed her lips and started to whistle. Mirana opened her mouth.
Sagan stood and growled, his hackles raised.
Everybody froze, tense and alert.
'What is it?' Fymryn whispered.
Marci whistled quietly and indicated something in the water. Davion peered over the edge and saw something long undulating under the surface. He pulled Marci back. 'Stay away from the edges.'
'Davion?' Mirana hissed. 'What's down there?'
'Water drake.' Davion answered quietly.
'A dragon?'
'Distant relative.' Davion whispered. 'Stay still and stay quiet. They can detect vibrations.'
Marci was partially crouched, her brow furrowed. Maybe she was trying to figure out where to punch it. Sagan was still growling.
Mirana had her bow in her hand with an arrow on the string. 'Sagan! Shh!'
Marci whistled to the lunar tiger. His hackles remained up, but he stopped growling.
Fymryn watched the water as Davion tried to recall what he knew about water drakes and their bigger relatives.
This river was wide and deep, but too small for a water dragon. That was a relief.
On the other hand, water drakes were extremely dangerous. It was bad luck to find one here, they preferred lakes over rivers. Where they appeared, it became commonplace for fishermen and river-based merchants to vanish. They were very distantly related to water dragons, but were not considered true dragons. Maybe that was why the song in Davion's head had not changed.
How would it attack? It would have seen the raft, now it would be trying to determine if there was anything worth eating on it. They were not too smart, but nor were they stupid. Their eyesight was poor, but they could detect even the faintest of vibrations, and like sharks they could smell a drop of blood in the water.
That explained why it was here. All of the bodies Kalin had dumped in the river must have drawn it out here, like a beacon fire guiding ships to safe harbour.
If it sensed them, it would come up fast and try to snatch them in its crocodilian jaws. There was no escape from those jaws, they would lock around their prey and stay locked until the water drake decided to open them again. They would drag their prey under and hold their victim until they drowned or bled to death.
Davion caught Marci's attention, then Fymryn's, then Mirana's. He indicated his nose, his eyes, his neck and his belly. They were the best places to strike an attacking water drake. He then indicated his mouth and shook his head.
Hopefully, if they stayed still, quiet and did not bleed, the water drake would decide that there was nothing on the raft to eat.
Davion carefully turned his arm. The bandage was stained red, but not dripping. Nobody was moving, nobody was making a sound.
Davion glanced around at them carefully. He gazed at Marci's hands. She noticed and lifted her arms so that he could see her knuckles. Bruised as usual, no blood. Mirana was also uninjured. Fymryn was unscathed.
Davion's arm was not a problem, thanks to Mirana. They were safe.
But the drake was curious. Curious water drakes deliberately bumped into things.
The raft shifted abruptly and they staggered, Mirana yelping as she overbalanced and fell. She looked up, staring with fearful eyes. She had scraped her arm on the wood, which was now bleeding.
Davion grimaced. 'Shit.'
It was a good thing he was not wearing any armour. It was also fortunate that they had relieved Sagan of his saddlebags.
Water drakes were not completely stupid. This one knew that there was something bleeding on the object above, which meant food.
How to get that food? Simple.
For such a large creature it was extremely quick. It rose up, faster than a ballista bolt, and struck the left side of the raft, smashing through the wood and tipping the disintegrating raft up.
Marci was on that side. It was only because of her superb reflexes that she survived. She leapt backwards and disappeared over the side as the long jaws of the drake rose from the water. Its hide was a mottled grey, and its scales were an astonishing shade of turquoise. Bulging yellow eyes roved in search of prey and its massive nostrils distended as it sniffed.
Fymryn screamed as she lost her grip and fell into the river. Mirana tumbled head over heels after her. Davion held on, but managed to drop the greatsword. The piece of the raft he clung to tipped and started to sink. With a yell, he too fell into the water.
Davion propelled himself up to the surface and came up amongst a chaotic jumble of splintered wood and sacks spilling their contents into the river. Fymryn spluttered behind him, clinging to part of the raft. Mirana came up next, gasping for breath, pulling her long hair away from her face. Davion spun, looking for Marci and Sagan.
Marci surfaced, coughing but unhurt. Sagan had already reached the shore, where he stood looking soggy and miserable.
'Get out of the water!' Davion shouted. Staying quiet would not help them now. Mirana was still bleeding, and so was Fymryn now. The drake would also be able to detect them treading water. All they could do was get to the bank as quickly as possible. Although they were technically amphibious, water drakes were poorly suited for pursuit on land and hated being dry.
Davion was about to start swimming when he heard Mirana cry out. 'HEL—' The rest was lost in a gurgle as she was yanked under the surface.
Marci reacted instantly and dived under the surface. Davion swore, sucked in a breath, and submerged.
Now he knew why water drakes had poor eyesight. He could see little in the murky water. All he saw of the drake was a vague serpentine shape moving in the dislodged sediment.
He sensed movement next to him and saw Fymryn swim past, staring around and holding one of her knives. Davion had no weapon save for the blade in his gauntlet.
He ejected the shard, which served only to make the murk gloomier and more impenetrable. He could not even see if Marci's amulet was glowing.
Fymryn was forced to surface to breathe. Davion persisted for as long as he could, then followed her back up.
Fymryn was cursing in elvish as she gulped down air. How long had they been under? Thirty seconds? A minute? More?
Davion spun around, praying to see Marci and Mirana surface again. 'Marci? Mirana?'
Nothing.
Davion cursed. He was about to go under again when he noticed bubbles rising, along with something else.
Mirana came up gasping and coughing, thrashing as she fought to stay above the surface. Davion and Fymryn both swam to her and grabbed her, pulling her back towards the shore.
Water drakes did not just release prey on a whim. Something had forced it to release Mirana, and he knew what: Marci had obviously managed to hurt it.
Or she had presented herself as more tempting bait.
He could imagine it all too easily. All Marci would have needed to do was cut herself, move in close and provoke the creature. It was the sort of thing she would do without hesitation if it meant saving Mirana.
'Where's Marci?' Davion demanded.
'She... she isn't...' Mirana coughed up more water, choking as she tried to shout. 'Marci! Marci!' She spat out another mouthful of water before screaming: 'MARCI!'
Davion let go of her and allowed Fymryn to drag her away, still screaming.
Marci was strong. She was stubborn. Surely she would survive. She could not be...
Davion felt his heart sinking. It had to have been at least two minutes, if not longer. Either the drake had taken her or she had drowned.
Fymryn had reached the shore, and was now trying to wrestle Mirana to the ground. Mirana was trying to fight her way free, to jump back into the river, desperate to find Marci.
Davion refused to give up on Marci too. He had thought that she would die back amongst the Broken Peaks, but she had defied death then. She could do it again. He just had to find her.
Davion ducked under the surface again, hoping against hope. There was still a chance provided the drake had not eaten Marci. But every second lost...
He saw movement. Not Marci. Something huge.
Davion surfaced, his shard ready. It would probably just annoy the drake, but he would still fight. If it had killed Marci, he would rip its guts out or die trying.
The drake erupted from the water, facing him yet too far way for it to be attacking. It was snarling and writhing.
Incredibly, impossibly, Marci was clinging to the side of its head, driving her fist into its eye over and over and over again. Even from where he was, Davion could see tiny golden lights in her eyes.
She had completely pulped the bulbous yellow eye. Her clothes were red with blood. The drake was trying to shake her loose, its jaws snapping at water and thin air.
Davion hastened to the other side as the drake thrashed, trying to dislodge the woman steadily punching her way through its skull. He kicked past the snout, avoiding the snapping jaws, and reached under the neck. He stabbed blindly, driving his blade into the neck repeatedly, driving it in deeper each time, wrenching it back and forth. Blood rose around him, staining the water red.
The drake gurgled and its struggles weakened, its strength ebbing. It stopped moving after another moment, then sagged and started to drift.
Marci's grip slackened and she fell back into the water. She came up a second later, spluttering. Davion kicked around the drake's head and grabbed her.
It was amazing that she still had enough strength to try to swim. The golden light faded from her eyes as he helped her to reach the shore, still coughing up half of the river.
'Marci!' Mirana cried as Davion pulled her onto dry land. Marci tried to stand, flopped back down onto her backside, and continued to cough. Mirana scrambled to her and held her, shaking, her chin quivering.
Marci retched, expelling more of the river, before straightening up and managing a weak smile.
Mirana sobbed out of pure relief, then lightly punched Marci's shoulder. 'Don't do that to me, Marci!' She then wrapped her arms around Marci, her shoulders shaking.
Taken aback, Marci held her uncertainly.
'Mirana has a point.' Davion said. 'You scared us all to death, Marci.'
Marci shrugged. Now that they were safe, Davion noticed that Mirana's quiver was gone. Evidently the water drake had seized it. Either it had torn free, or Marci had freed Mirana. Knowing Marci, Davion thought the latter more likely.
Mirana finally released Marci. 'You have a death wish, Marci.'
Marci shook her head and simply indicated Mirana, then placed her open palm against her own sternum.
'I know, Marci.' Mirana wiped her sopping hair away from her face. 'I know you swore to defend me, but I don't want you to die. Do you hear me? I order you not to die for me!'
Marci scowled and shook her head.
'Marci!'
Marci shook her head again.
Mirana groaned. 'Gods above! You are so bloody stubborn!'
'Hey, I like that in a woman.' Davion winked at Marci.
'Don't encourage her, Davion!'
'She did just save your life, Mirana.'
Mirana sighed. 'I know.' She stroked Marci's arm. 'And I am grateful, Marci. I really am. I just... I don't want to lose you, Marci.' She stood up and approached Sagan. 'We've lost all of our supplies.'
'We're still alive.' Fymryn stated, joining her. 'Sagan still has his saddle, so we can ride him if we need to.'
'All four of us?' Davion was not sure if Sagan could manage that.
'Davion,' Fymryn indicated herself with a flourish, angling her hips, 'do you think I'm too heavy for him?'
'I suppose not.' Davion accepted. 'Maybe if he just carries you, Marci and Mirana—'
'He can manage, Davion.' Mirana interrupted. 'He has no saddlebags now. The real problem is getting to the sage before we starve. Marci? Have you... hold on. Where is she?'
As if answering that question, Marci emerged from the river, hauling something with one hand as she moved. Davion shook his head, amused, as she walked towards them carrying the greatsword and one of Sagan's saddlebags. Mirana's bow was slung across her back.
'For the love of Selemene, Marci!' Mirana yelled. 'Stop showing off!'
Marci's smile evaporated. She tilted her head down and stared at her feet.
Mirana huffed. 'I'm sorry. Just... let's just rest for a moment, then we can worry about trying to salvage our stuff.'
'I have some good news.' Davion accepted the sword from Marci. 'Thank you. You didn't have to do that.'
Marci half-smiled, pointed at him and made the motion for "weapon".
'Yeah. I can't punch nearly as well as you can.'
'What was the good news?' Fymryn asked, retying her plaits.
'We have food.' Davion gestured at the corpse of the water drake, which had come to rest, half-submerged, in the shallows.
'Seriously?' Mirana stared at it. It hardly looked appetising.
'Trust me,' Davion told her. 'They're delicious.'
'Isn't that cannibalism for you?'
'Dragons eat other dragons, and this thing is more like a cousin twice removed.'
Marci raised her eyebrows, then shrugged and patted her stomach, giving him that hopeful look which said: Please. I'm so hungry.
'That settles it.' Davion shouldered his sword. 'Marci deserves a hearty meal.'
Davion insisted on cooking the drake meat himself. He had been a squire when the Dragon Knights he had been with had killed a water drake. They had lured it up and impaled it with spears and shot it with crossbows. Marci's method was... original, to the say the least.
Fymryn had managed to find one of the saddlebags in the shallows, which contained spare clothes. They left those to dry by the fire. After surviving the drake, dying of pneumonia would have been simply embarrassing.
Unless more stuff was close to the shore, their supplies were lost. Most of their rations would have been destroyed, and their map was history.
If Davion remembered correctly, there was a settlement nearby. It was another village, hopefully not filled with assassins this time.
Marci was unusually slow in eating, and not because she disliked the food. She regretted upsetting Mirana. Mirana had spent ten minutes trying to insist that Marci not take such risks again, no matter the circumstances, but Marci remained stubbornly devoted. Mirana had given up, annoyed.
Their chances of success had also plummeted. Yes, they were on the right side of the river now, but unless they got lucky, they would starve long before they found the sage.
Davion looked to Mirana, who was busy trying to sort through the other items Fymryn had found, including arrows and some flasks.
'Hey,' Davion moved closer to Marci, then put his finger under his chin and lifted his head. Chin up.
Marci smiled weakly.
'It was risky,' Davion said.
Marci sighed and turned away, picking at her food.
'But I thought you were amazing.' Davion continued.
Marci looked round again, her spoon between her teeth. She raised an eyebrow.
'It could have been different though.'
Marci turned away again, restraining herself from rolling her eyes. She was expecting another lecture.
'I know this might sound bad,' Davion said, unfazed, 'but I wouldn't have minded giving you the kiss of life.'
Marci looked round again, staring. Davion winked at her and she started to blush. Slowly, a smile spread across her face again. She lifted a finger and moved it back and forth between them. I'd have done the same for you.
'Really?' Davion leaned in a little closer, smiling broadly at her. 'Sounds... tempting. Maybe you'd like an opportunity?'
She bumped his arm with her fist, then tapped his forehead with two fingers. Dummy. She was grinning though, her eyes sparkling in the firelight.
Something rustled next to Davion. Fymryn was edging over, grinning mischeviously. 'Don't stop for me,' she giggled. 'I've never seen humans court before. Can I join in?'
Marci frowned and shook her head.
'Come on!' Fymryn slithered around Davion's broad back and ran her fingers down Marci's forearm. 'Sharing is fun. You must be fun too. You're very athletic.' she purred, leaning around Davion and moving closer to Marci, 'You must be very... flexible. I like that in a partner.'
Marci moved away and made a pushing gesture with one hand, her gaze reproachful.
'Ah well.' Fymryn sighed. 'Worth a try.' She was silent for a moment, thinking. 'The drake was better than I thought. You're a good cook, Davion.'
'I'm not as good as Marci.' Davion said. 'But I have cooked one of these before.'
'You're better than me, that's for certain.' She peered past his back. 'Hey, Marci?'
Marci had just finished eating. She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
'Can I ask you something?'
Marci nodded.
'Erm... why don't you talk?'
Davion glanced up. Mirana was still busy trying to figure out what was still useful to them, and still in a bad mood.
Marci stared at Fymryn, then looked away. Davion shook his head at Fymryn.
'I'm just curious.' Fymryn said. 'I just wondered if you'd taken a vow of silence or something.'
Marci huffed, her brow furrowed.
'I bet you have a lovely singing voice.'
Marci's face creased. She glanced down, sighed, and then turned to Fymryn, tapped her throat and shook her head.
'What does that mean?'
'Fymryn.' Davion muttered warningly. 'Leave it.'
Marci sighed again, then reached up and pulled her collar away from her throat, angling her neck so that Fymryn could see the scars.
Fymryn stared and her mouth fell open.
'She was attacked.'
Davion and Fymryn both looked round in surprise as Mirana joined them by the fire. She looked to Marci, who nodded.
Mirana picked up a stick and poked at the embers. 'It happened when she was eight years old, back in Rasolir.'
Davion stared at the scars still exposed on Marci's throat. 'Why? Why would someone do that?'
Marci looked at him sadly and mimed punching something half-heartedly.
'Back home, Marci used to defend other children from the ones who bullied them. They became angry. They...' Mirana glanced at Marci, who nodded again. 'Some of them banded together and lured her into a trap. They tried to kill her. One of them attacked her with a knife and... she was lucky to survive, but the knife destroyed her vocal cords. Not even magic can mend them.' She moved around the fire and reached out, squeezing Marci's shoulder, her eyes glittering with remembrance. 'That was the day we first met.'
Davion felt disgusted that somebody could have done such a thing to Marci. Worse, that they had tried to kill a child for protecting others. Fymryn had gone alarmingly pale, horror-struck.
Marci signed at Mirana, smiling again. Davion managed to catch enough to understand. I'm glad we met, no matter how it happened.
Mirana smiled back. 'You're so sweet, Marci.'
'I'm sorry.' Fymryn whispered. 'Marci, I'm so sorry.'
Marci signed, with Mirana translating for her. 'It's all right. It's in the past. I've learned to live with it.'
Davion could not imagine how hard it must have been for her. He had experienced horror and pain early in his life too, but it was somehow worse for Marci.
Dragons had destroyed his family, but they had just been doing what was in their nature. He could not think of any reason which justified what had happened to Marci. Especially since she had been trying to protect others.
He looked at her, gazing at the scars as she covered them once again. She covered them to avoid awkward questions, but also because she was ashamed of them. He felt no shame when it came to his scars. Women seemed to admire them, Marci included. They thought they proved his bravery.
Marci was braver than he was. He had never known anybody so willing to face death just for the sake of somebody they cared about.
'I'm sorry my idea didn't work.' Fymryn murmured.
'It's not your fault, Fymryn.' Mirana said gently. 'We were just unlucky.'
Some good luck would have been a welcome change on this journey. Davion doubted that things were going to get any easier.
Mirana went back to packing what they had into the few saddlebags they had salvaged. Fymryn, perhaps feeling guilty, went to help her. Marci put her bowl aside and slowly walked down to the river again. Davion followed, wondering if she was going to try to scavenge more stuff from the riverbed.
Marci did not go back into the water, she just stood and gazed at the sky. The sinking sun cast a fiery glow about her, enriching the hue of her hair. She seemed small and vulnerable, doubtful and unsure, unlike her usual self.
'Marci?'
She turned her head, watching as he moved to her side. He had known what he wanted to say, yet now, as he gazed into her soft eyes, he faltered. It was as if his voice had got stuck in his throat, and he felt an unusual shifting in his stomach, like butterflies taking wing within.
This was strange. Really strange.
Normally, Davion had no problem talking to women, even the very beautiful ones. He'd just been flirting with Marci, why was this so hard?
She continued to watch him, waiting patiently. The sunlight caressed her skin, lighting her brown eyes with that beautiful golden amber hue.
'I... I don't want to lose you either, Marci.' Davion managed at last, feeling tongue-tied. When had he struggled to talk to a woman before? Not even the first he had somehow clumsily seduced all those years ago. 'Mirana wants you to live. Can you... can you stay alive for me too?'
Marci gazed at him, that pretty blush starting to flow into her cheeks and neck. Her lips parted slightly. Davion felt his pulse quicken.
Slowly, she moved closer, close enough to touch. He could see every freckle dotted across her nose, see the little flecks of gold in her pale brown eyes, he noticed the way the breeze fluttered through her auburn fringe.
She stood on tiptoes, angled her head, closed her eyes and touched her lips to his.
It was the lightest, smallest of kisses, more of a gentle touch against his lips. Yet it sent a pleasant warmth through Davion, and it somehow felt as though it was the first time he had been kissed. Davion felt his cheeks grow warm, and he wondered if he should kiss her in return. His mind went wild with panic alien to him.
Marci bobbed back down onto her heels, still maddeningly close, wonderfully comforting. She opened her eyes and looked into his for a long moment, maybe an eternity. She smiled sweetly up at him, then turned and returned to their makeshift camp.
Davion watched her go, his gaze locked on the back of her head rather than her hips. His thoughts were spinning. Had he just... had that really happened? What was this? What had just happened?
Davion stood on the riverbank, the sun warm against his back, watching Marci as she settled down against a tree, a little dazed herself, and he wondered...
Was he falling in love?
I made the water drake up. I considered a dragon, but thought that would probably be too big.
