Silk and Steel
Marz grit his teeth and leaned heavily upon a near by tree one hand upon the wound in his side and the other still clutching his war scythe. The pain was terrible, far worse then anything he had ever felt in all his years in the army, or ever would feel he imagined. With every move, no with every breath, he could hear as well as feel the flesh tearing further causing more blood to join that which he had already lost. He cursed feverently the name of the man whose blade had inflicted this wound upon him. Only a true follower of Kiri Jolith could have caused such pain.
He felt himself growing lightheaded. If he did not find aid soon he would be relating the details of the battle to Sargonnas himself, and he was not ready for that yet. So, shaking his head first to clear it, the Minotaur captain pushed himself away from the tree and staggered onward. He knew he should not be standing let a lone walking with a wound like this but he knew also that he could not afford to stop for too long. Stopping would lead to sitting, and then laying down, and then sleep, and sleep would eventually lead to never opening his eyes again. So he kept on. Not knowing exactly where he was going for Taladas was mostly alien to him still since he himself had grown up in Mithas. Had he not been ordered to do so he would not be here at all.
These petty squabbles over which god the Minotaurs should follow, either Kiri Jolith or Sargonnas, were not Marz's idea of battle. In his many years of service Marz had fought real wars, those that had emerged out of the chaos that the War of the Souls had left behind. He had fought in the name of Sargonnas and had known glory; he had not known it since. Unfortunately however he did not have the option of choosing not to fight. He was a soldier and was honor bound to obey orders, just as the men who served under him were bound to obey his orders.
The wound tore again, this time worse then before, he stopped again, choking down a cry of pain. A brief smile whipped the agony from his face as he thought what a fitting flesh and blood tribute he would make to his god, crimson blood staining black uniform and body. He should have been dead a long time ago and he knew it. It was only by the grace of his god that he had lived so long.
He remembered the battle only in sections. The first charge, his first kills, the blow that had sent him backward to the ground where he had hit his head and blacked out. When he woke up the field was empty save for the bodies of the dead that had yet to be retrieved by their comrades. Instead of waiting for help, and possibly dieing long before its arrival, he had gotten up and started walking. Only now did he regret doing so. Just as he was about to give up on himself the grass gave way to packed earth, a road. Marz was so glad he could have wept but instead he turned his steps left to follow the road, praying that someone would happen along soon.
After ten minuets he caught the sound of wagon wheels on the breeze. He looked over his shoulder and there sure enough, not but a few hundred feet away, was a single horse drawn wagon approaching.
"Praises be to Sargonnas," he breathed moments before falling to his knees.
* * *
Mara had woken early that day to gather the herbs that her small garden had grown. The money that her brothers earned from being in the service of the Imperial League was more then enough to keep them in all they needed but she liked knowing that she could also earn her own, for she did not plan on living with them for the rest of her life. She bound the herbs in small bundles, put them in individual baskets, and then loaded them up into the cart to take them into town. She had made good money today and had sold most of her crop for which she was rather proud of herself. With her money she had purchased bread and chicken, only for herself for Kalas and Khurn where away and there was no telling when they would be back.
Having done this she packed her self and her dinner into the cart and headed for home. A little more then half way down she saw a man standing by the side of the road. She did not think this anything to be concerned over at first for pedestrians were not uncommon things but when he fell to his knees it was clear that something was wrong. Pulling up next to him she leaped down.
"Sir what's…oh dear gods" she gasped once her eyes alighted upon the wound in his right side.
"Please….help me" his voice shuddered with the pain. Mara nodded.
"Of course. My wagon is only a few steps away, you can make it?" she took hold of his left arm, being careful to mind his war scythe, and helped him to his feet. Once he was in the wagon she climbed up into the drivers seat again. "My home isn't far. I shall try to keep the ride as smooth as possible just stay awake" she whipped up the horse then and started down the road once more.
Arriving at the house Mara stopped outside the front door, opening it before going to the back of the wagon for Marz. She helped him to the guest room, the wound tearing dangerously. Marz choked down exclamations of pain and blinked away tears as he sat upon the edge of the bed. She removed his boots and set his war scythe against the wall next to the bed before removing his tunic and leather armor to get a better look at the wound.
"Was it a sword?"
"An axe" Mara nodded and inspected the wound in silence for five minuets before looking up at Marz.
"This is bad, I'm going to have to ask you to lie down"
"No argument here" Mara rose to her feet and helped him to lay down upon his left side. As soon as his head hit the pillow his tenuous grip on wakefulness broke and the world went black.
* * *
Marz woke in that exact same bed, dry mouthed and fog headed but still very much alive for which he was astounded as well as thankful. He put a hand to his wound, feeling the quality of the stitches and marveling at the skill with which they had been done. He removed his hand carefully and his eyes traveled to where his scythe still stood, blade now cleaned and polished so it gleamed. His uniform lay cleaned and pressed atop his leather armor upon the bedside table and the dirt and mud had been brushed from his boots so now they looked like new. Marz smiled and for a moment he wondered if he was dreaming. But the sound of footsteps and the smell of bacon frying soon removed that thought from his mind. Mara came in ten minuets later with a plate of eggs, bacon, and potatoes, along with a cup of tea on a tray. She smiled at him.
"Good your awake. I wasn't sure if you would be but I made you some breakfast just in case"
"Thank you" she nodded and set the tray down before helping him sit up. "Did you do all this?" he indicated the stitches as well as his cleaned cloths and scythe. Mara nodded.
"Yes, I have two older brothers who are soldiers too so I've had to patch quite a few wounds, the washing and weapon maintenance just comes along with it"
"Well your masterful at it. I know healers back on Mithas who could not have done a better job" she laughed lightly and placed the tray in his lap.
"You flatter me"
"Not flattery at all it's the truth. I would never think of insulting such an intelligent woman as you with flattery" while saying this he cut a piece of bacon and placed it in his mouth, his eyes lit up. "Not only a master healer but a good cook too. By Sargonnas this is delicious"
"I'm glad you like it" she took the now empty stool and sat watching him. This was in all truth the first time she had really seen a man's body. Oh she had seen her brothers before but she didn't count that. He was handsome that was certain, with a strong body honed in battle and blacker still then the night sky. He was…
"Something wrong?" she realized only now that she had been staring.
"No nothings wrong its just…well I had wondered why I had never seen you around here before and well now I know. Its because your from Mithas, right?" he smiled at her and nodded.
"That's right, born and bred"
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Sent here by my superior officers and if your brothers are soldiers you know what for" Mara nodded.
"Yes, I know"
"Oh by Sargonnas where are my manners? Here you've done so much for me out of the kindness of your heart and I haven't even introduced my self yet. I'm Marz" he set down his fork and took hold of her hand. "And it's a pleasure to meet you miss?"
"Mara" she smiled at him and he returned it, gently pressing his lips to her hand.
"Mara, that's a beautiful name"
"Do you really think so?"
"I do in fact, if I might be so bold as to say, it almost equals the beauty of the one it belongs to" Mara felt her heart skip a beat, no one had ever said that to her before.
"I…thank you"
"Your more then welcome" Marz let her hand go slowly and returned to his breakfast. Once he was finished Mara took the empty plate to the kitchen. When she returned she walked to the right side of the bed and pulled the blanket aside to look at the stitches.
"These should be ready to come out in a week. That is if you don't do anything that will tear them" she looked up at him and smiled. "That means no fighting or horses, do I make my self clear?" Marz smiled and raised his left hand in salute.
"Yes mum" Mara chuckled and looked back at the wound, or at least that's what she wanted it to look like. What she was really looking at was him. Her fingers brushed up past the stitching, so warm. Her hand wandered to his stomach, he did not say anything or make any attempt to stop her. His abs were hard and full of strength. She stood up slowly her hand wandering to his chest, she could feel his heart and her own answered it. Her eyes met his and she smiled.
"Your heart is strong. Means you wont have to stay in bed tomorrow"
"Well, that's good news" she nodded, took her hand away, replaced the blanket and went to the stool again.
"How long was I out for?"
"About a day and a half. Its what I expected considering the amount of blood you lost"
"Day and a half huh? Humph they must think I'm dead for sure"
"Your family?" for some reason the thought made her heart ach slightly. Marz shook his head.
"No, well not really. See the army is kind of like a family to me. My father died in the field, my mother joined him about a year ago. One of my uncles was a general so the men who serve me, and those who knew my uncle, are the only family I realy have left. I'm supposed to have other relatives somewhere but I've never thought to look for them"
"Why not?" Marz shrugged.
"What would I say to people I have never seen before? Besides that they've never made any effort to find me"
"Does that matter? They're still your family and you don't have to say anything other then hello and how have you been? Think of it this way, one of these days even if you want to see them you wont be able to" a silence passed between them then and Mara wondered if she had offended him until she heard him chuckle.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're just as smart as you are beautiful?" Mara shook her head.
"No one like you"
"Like me?" Mara's honey color could not hide that she was blushing, her fingers twined nervously in her lap.
"Well…what I meant was…um" Marz chuckled again and placed his hand over both of her's.
"Its all right I know what you meant" did he? Or was he trying to say that he did not feel the same? Feel the same? What was she thinking? They had known each other barely a day how could there be any feelings between them already? But despite that she knew that she felt something, her heart fluttered at his touch and she found her self not wanting for him to let go. But he did let go and she restrained a sigh as she stood.
"I had best see to the dishes and then I have other chores to do. I will call on you again at the lunch hour" Marz nodded.
"Alright, see you then" she smiled at him and departed.
The rest of the day past with surprising swiftness for Marz as he too tried to reason out his feelings. At first he tried to put it down to the fact that he had not had much in the way of female company for quite a fair space of time so perhaps then all he was experiencing was bare lust. But that couldn't be. He had felt lust before and had been victim to it and this wasn't it. He then tried to put it down to the loss of blood making him delusional. But no amount of blood loss had ever made him feel like this, nor would it ever. So what was it? Not love, surely not so soon. He only knew her name and that she had two older brothers. It wasn't enough, it couldn't be enough, but the way his heart moved when he saw her the way her hands had felt upon his skin, so soft, so warm, perhaps it was love. He didn't know.
* * *
Marz woke to the sound, or rather the absence of it for the house was empty. Curious he sat up, wincing slightly as his wound sent a twinge of pain rippling across his flesh. Placing his leather kilt about himself he walked out into the main house, Mara was nowhere in sight. On the kitchen table was a plate cover and beside it was a folded piece of parchment with his name on it. He walked over slowly and picked it up, unfolded it, and read:
Morning,
Went back to town to pick up some spices. Your breakfast should still be warm. Be back soon.
Mara.
Marz smiled, sat, and lifted the plate cover to find a stack of pancakes and a sausage, still warm. Once finished he took the plate to the sink and cleaned it, he cleaned the others that were there too, thinking that it couldn't hurt after all the kindness he had been shown. This done he wandered the house, hoping to learn more about Mara and her brothers.
The house had but a single floor with the sitting area and dining room close to one another in the front. The kitchen was to the left of the dining room and a short hallway connected it to the bedrooms and the study at the far end. There were four bedrooms all together, one for Mara, the other shared by her brothers, and a guests. The last bedroom, the one closest to the study, was locked and all the windows shuttered. Marz was curious but he knew better then to open locked doors, especially within a house where he was merely a guest, so he left it and went outside.
Judging by the vast stretch of field and forest it appeared as if there was not another house for quite a few miles in either direction. Marz breathed deeply, the air was so fresh. His own house, two storied and made of gray stone, was a fair distance from the city but still he could spit upon the doorstep of his nearest neighbor. Out here the only sound was of the birds singing, and the odd call of a cicada. No barking guard dogs, the rumble of wagon wheels, the clatter of horses, drunken voices shouting, no city noise at all. Marz found him self-regretting that he would have to leave. In the back of the house was a small herb garden that showed signs of having been harvested and replanted not too long ago.
The sound of wagon wheels alerted Marz of Mara's return. He walked around to front of the house to greet her to find that she was not alone. There were two other Minotaur with her, one white, the other a dark mahogany. Seeing him Mara waved and brought the wagon to a stop at the front door. She jumped from the drivers seat and came to stand before him.
"Was your breakfast alright?" Marz nodded.
"Just fine"
"Good I'm glad"
"Mara? Who is this?" the mahogany Minotaur came to stand behind Mara, who smiled and said,
"This is Marz, Kalas, remember the one I was telling you and Khurn about on the ride here?"
"Ah yes, I understand you were wounded sir" Marz nodded.
"That's right, and its Captain Marz"
"Well captain I am Kalas, Mara's older brother" Kalas put forward his hand and Marz shook it firmly.
"An honor to meet you"
"And you" his eyes spoke different and Marz lowered his hand slowly, licking his lips. After tending to the horse the white Minotaur came to stand with the other two.
"What's going on here you two?" Kalas turned to him.
"This is captain Marz, Khurn. The soldier that Mara nursed back to health"
"You don't say. Well I'm glad to make your acquaintance" Khurn smiled and put forward his hand. Marz took it and mirrored the younger Minotaurs smile.
"And I yours"
"When do you think you will be well enough for travel Marz?" asked Kalas. Marz's smile became a grin as he looked to Mara.
"As soon my nurse says so" Mara chuckled.
"Well seeing as how your up and about today I see no reason why you wouldn't be fit enough to travel as soon as you wish"
"Would today be too soon?" rumbled Kalas.
"Kalas!" Mara glared at her brother.
"Now Mara, he's right. I've been away from Mithas too long already. The family will be worried" he winked and her smile returned slightly. He looked Kalas square in the eye. "I'll go get my things together and be on my way" Marz walked past them to the house and Mara followed him. Kalas watched and snorted, Khurn turned to face him.
"What by Kiri Jolith was that about? Only just met him and already you don't like him?"
"He's from Mithas"
"That's hardly a reason not to like him"
"Isn't it? I didn't start these damn battles"
"I never said you did, and he didn't start them either. He's just like us, in the way that he fights because his superiors tell him to"
"Fine but what about the way he was dressed? And in the presents of our sister" Khurn shrugged.
"I can well imagine that he was wearing much less then that earlier" Kalas glowered and Khurn laughed. "You know that's not what I meant. You know as well as I that in order to dress a wound properly, especially one like what Marz has, the person's clothing must be removed. Don't you trust Mara at all?"
"I trust her but I don't trust him" Khurn laughed again and placed a hand on his older brothers shoulder.
"You also know that Mara can take care of her self. If Marz touched her, or even attempted touching her, she would have had him out on his ass, wounded or not. Now come on, let's get inside, I'm starving"
"After the breakfast you had? I find that hard to believe"
"Well that was a good few hours ago" Kalas laughed and flung and arm around his younger brothers shoulders.
"Alright buts lets get that wagon put properly away first" Khurns own laugher joined his brothers as the two set to work.
* * *
"I'm sorry about Kalas. He thinks he has to protect me from everything" said Mara as she leaned against the doorframe, watching Marz as he finished dressing. The black Minotaur shrugged as he pulled his tunic on over his leather armor.
"Don't worry about it Mara. If I had a sister like you I figure I would be the same way" while saying this he sat to pull on his boots. Mara nodded and looked over her shoulder to the kitchen.
"I could through something together for you for the trip to town if you like"
"That would be nice, thank you"
"Be back in a few minuets then" Mara went to the kitchen and Marz fastened his war scythe securely to his back. Mara came back carrying a small leather sack, which she handed to him.
"I put some bread, cheese and dried meat in there with a small flask of whiskey"
"Thank you" he tied the sack to his belt and met her gaze briefly before she turned her eyes away. Now, it had to be now.
"Mara, please look at me" she did as he asked. He took hold of one of her hands. "I know that we have only known one another for a few days and so I am not quite sure if my heart is telling me what I think it is. But I do know that I would like to see you again sometime. That is only if you wish it also" Mara felt her heart flutter and she nodded.
"Yes, I would like to see you again too" Marz smiled.
"I will send you a letter when I get home and we'll figure something out from there, alright?" Mara returned his smile.
"Alright" he raised her hand to his lips.
"Till next we meet Mara and thank you again for everything" he let go of her hand then and walked out to the main house. He passed Kalas and Khurn on the way out and turned to them.
"Again it was a pleasure meeting the both of you. May our paths cross again under more pleasant circumstances" Kalas frowned.
"For your sake you had better" Khurn clapped a hand over his brothers mouth.
"Let us hope and a safe journey to you captain" Marz bowed to Khurn, casting Kalas an equally cold stair before turning and heading off down the road.
* * *
It was nightfall by the time Marz reached the town and boarded a ship to Mithas. A crowd awaited him at the dock; he would not have been surprised to know it was half of the army. After shaking the hand of every man there they offered him drinks, which he declined, saying that he was tired and wished to go home. A few grumbled but none could argue with their captain.
His home sat upon a small hill in the far eastern section of the city. Some might have called it grand but when compared to the lordly houses dotted about the city his was rather humble. He went strait to his room and took his dinner there before writing the letter to Mara. After folding it he took one of the three doves from their cadge near the window, placed the letter in its beak and pointed it toward Taladas. He watched it till it was lost to the darkness of the night and then still he stood at the window unable to banish Mara and her smile from his mind. Only now that he was home did he know that he loved her.
