The Road To Cordia

  Ja'Nil's short hair had dried into a curly mop. Ee'Rick's hair, longer than hers, thick and dark blond with glorious platinum streaks caused by the sun, was still damp. From the corner of her eye, she watched as he unbraided it and tried to get a wide toothed comb through it.

  "To the Seven Hells," he muttered.

  "You're not supposed to swear."

  He looked at her for a long moment, and then smiled a surprisingly sweet smile, not his usual teasing grin. "I apologize," he said. "I did not mean to offend you. I'm annoyed because these have broken." He held up the string of beads that had been woven into his braids. "My brother says I care too much about how I look and not enough about—," he broke off.

  But Ja'Nil didn't notice. "They look Jadẵ to me," she said.

  "Oh, the beads are fine. It's the string that's broken. It's too short to use."

  The beads were multicolored, interspersed with little round bits of gold.

  "They're no good to me," Ee'Rick said. "Do you want them?"

  She put her hand out and he lowered the broken string into her outstretched hand. "Maybe you could make a bracelet with them but you're going to need something stronger than this string," he said.

  Ja'Nil stared at the lovely beads. He was right; the string was too worn and fragile to trust. She needed something stronger. Something strong, but flexible and very thin. Her eyes fell on the ruined ring of Lady Fayre. Clearly visible was a very thin scarlet wire that the parchê had been shaped around.

  While Ee'Rick finished washing his muddy clothes, Ja'Nil carefully extracted the wire from the crumbly ring (saving as much of it as she could) and strung the beautiful beads along the wire. Up close, she could see that each bead, although of similar size, had an individual shape. The combination of the different colors and the different shapes made it sparkle and glow. Only the golden ones were all of the same round shape.

  "They almost look real," she said.

  "They are," he answered carelessly.

  "Real gold?"

  "Real gold, real gems," he said.

  "You're giving them to me?"

  He didn't bother answering.

  She stared at him in amazement. He was not only brave and strong and beautiful to look at, but also rich! For some reason that knowledge depressed her.

  "Jadẵ," he said briskly. "Ready to go are you?"

  Ja'Nil quickly fashioned the wired string of beads around her narrow wrist, it went around twice, and got to her feet. She grabbed up her still damp, but at least clean, pack, stuffed the crumbled remains of the ring into her pocket, and nodded to him.

  "Off we are, then."

  "You're not limping anymore," she said.

  "The hot pool has medicinal qualities."

  "It does?" Maybe that's why she felt so good. No aches and pains from her Funnel Storm bruises. She looked back over her shoulder at the sparkling steamy pool. Whoever owned it was not only powerful but philanthropic as well.

  CHAPTER 20

  The Royal Palace in Cordia was huge, and right now, very crowded. The death of Queen Ten'Aj had brought nobles and commoners, statesmen and regional governors, the curious, the worried and the ambitious from every corner of the Queendom. Most of them believed or hoped they were important enough to be granted room in the Palace itself. The head steward was quietly going mad trying to discern who really mattered and who could be ignored.

  The crowds did not concern Lord Raptor. He had his own permanent and very luxurious apartment in the Palace. The idea that he might share those rooms was out of the question. When the head steward approached him with that idea, Lord Raptor hadn't bothered answering. He had just turned his back on the red-faced idiot.

  The steward had hastily bowed himself out of Lord Raptor's presence and out of the coveted rooms. This was just as well because, in the end, Lord Raptor found he did have to share. His wife, A'Ta, was announced and ushered in with great ceremony. Naturally, he was delighted.

  A'Ta was not beautiful. Like her husband, she was of the Cloud People. She had the typical long slender neck but her skin was an unfortunate blotchy green and her dark green eyebrows tended toward bushiness, which she controlled with ruthless plucking. Her thick white hair was worn in an elaborate style and she dressed in the height of fashion whether or not the it suited her rather thick body. She did have beautiful posture and, even though not very tall, managed to look down her nose at just about everyone.

  Only around Queen Ten'Aj had she walked carefully, but now, finally, that problem was taken care of.

  "My dear," said Lord Raptor, bowing slightly, and giving her a very light kiss on the check.

  "I knew you would want me here," his wife said, as he helped her off with her cloak.

  "When have I ever not wanted you?"

  She studied him carefully. There was always this feeling of distance with him. Then she smiled; it didn't matter anymore.

  "This is our time," she said. "With my family's connections you will automatically be appointed Regent."

  Lord Raptor stiffened. His wife was fond of reminding him of how powerful her family was. Well, of course they were, why else did she think he had married her? He just didn't like being reminded of it so often. He wandered over to the window, idly following the flight of a green-tailed hawk.

  "It won't be a lengthy Regency," he pointed out. "Princess Lil'Li is almost of age."

  "Then we must marry her off to my nephew as soon as possible."

  Although that had been the original plan, Lord Raptor scowled. He had taken a tremendous risk by disposing of the Queen. If Princess Lil'Li married that weak-willed idiot nephew of his wife, her family would have a major influence over the young couple. Lord Raptor wasn't at all sure he wanted to share what he had worked for and planned for so long.

  He studied his wife as she examined the room, running her fingers over the furniture in distaste. "Don't they ever clean?" she asked.

  "When I let the servants in," he answered. "As you know, I like my privacy."

  She smiled her sly smile and crossed the room to stand before him. "We like our privacy," she corrected in a throaty whisper. She slid her arms around him, stood on tip-toes, and kissed him lightly. Her breath smelled of peppermint, which clashed with her flowery perfume, and underneath it all was the slight smell of dried sweat. Another man might have found it unpleasant, but Lord Raptor did not. Overall, he had found married life with A'Ta quite satisfying. Pity.

  "We make such a wonderful team," she said. Her hands stroked his chest.

  He smiled down at her. "I believe you would do anything for me," he said.

  Her expression became very fierce. "For us," she said. "We will be the salvation of Cancordia." Then she smiled more softly and nestled her body against his. "My beloved husband," she purred. "can you convince Princess Lil'Li to marry where you will?"

  He laughed. "Always to the point, my darling wife." He turned her gently so that her back was flush with his front, facing a large mirror. Both watched themselves in the mirror.

  Lady Raptor's eyelids were heavy with desire; she licked her lips and rubbed herself against her husband. He could feel his body responding. Should he act immediately or indulge himself, indulge both of them, first? His hands went to her breasts. He lowered his head and kissed his wife's soft neck. "She will marry as I direct," he assured her.

  "You will be resolute?" she asked.

  He hesitated.

  "You must be resolute," she said.

  "Aye," he said.

  She smiled at his reflection in the mirror. She was still smiling as his right arm came up across her neck and his left hand clutched her across her forehead. She was still smiling as he jerked her head around and snapped her neck.

  The smile was still intact as he stepped away from her dead body and let it fall to the floor.

  "Aye," he said in a gentle voice to the corpse at his feet. "As I direct, the Princess will marry me."

  CHAPTER 21

  There was nothing like being cle
an to lift one's spirits. The farther Ja'Nil and Ee'Rick traveled from the site of the Funnel Storm, the more beautiful their surroundings became. They mostly traveled silently. Unlike O'Keeven, Ee'Rick was not a constant talker, nor was he trying to charm her. It didn't matter if he talked or not. Ja'Nil was just happy. It had been a long time since she was happy: four years to be exact.

  Was it because she was with Ee'Rick? Yes, partially. After all, it was nice to be traveling with a beautiful companion who incidentally had saved her life and who treated her with respect. But it was not just Ee'Rick. She was happy because she had a mission: several of them, in fact. She was going to get a Healer for her village, she was going to find the children's father, and she was going to deliver a message to the Queen herself!

  Her buoyancy lasted quite a while, but tiredness finally began to nibble around the edges. She didn't want to sound weak, but Ee'Rick looked as if he was prepared to travel through the night. Didn't he ever get tired?

  It was after she had stumbled and almost fallen for the second time that she worked up enough courage to stop. "Ee'Rick," she said. He turned and looked at her. "How much farther to Cordia?"

  "Are you tired?" he asked.

  She wanted to deny it. She wanted to say, "Oh, no, just curious." Instead she nodded yes.

  He came back to where she had stopped. "Sorry," he said. "I forgot you were… " His voice died off.

  "I'm what?" She glared at him.

  "I forgot you were not used to long land trips. After all, Fisherfolk usually travel by boat, right?"

  "Umm."

  He was looking around. "Actually, there's a good camp site just over there." He pointed to an umbrella-like tree that stood not far from the trail and near a narrow stream. She followed him to the tree.

  "You start a fire," he said. "I'll go see if I can run down some meat for dinner."

  She nodded wearily and dropped her pack next to his. A moment later, when she looked up, he was gone. All around her, the darkening forest stood silent. She hurriedly began gathering stones for the fire ring and wood for a fire. This place was too dark, too quiet and now that Ee'Rick was not around, way too lonely and scary.

  Luckily, there were plenty of windfalls within easy reach. Ja'Nil quickly built a small fire. Both suns were down now. There was only a faint glow off on the horizon. As the wind picked up, the woods around her cast dark, moving shadows. She could hear the creak of swaying branches, and off to her right the rustle of leaves as some nocturnal creature made its way through the woods. She jumped in terror as a sudden agonizing scream told her that some creature had met its destiny. Shivering, she held her hands over the flames.

  "Oh, Lord of the Circle," Ja'Nil began to pray.

  "Good fire," said Ee'Rick stepping out of the shadows.

  Ja'Nil gave a little squeak, which Ee'Rick politely ignored.

  "Dinner," he said holding up two rabbits for her inspection. He had already gutted them but their pelts were still on.

  She took out her knife, preparing to skin them. "These are teeth marks," she said after examining the two dead animals. "What did you do? Take them away from a wolf?"

  Ee'Rick didn't answer. He was busy whittling points on two long, thin sticks. After Ja'Nil finished skinning the rabbits, Ee'Rick handed her the two skewers he had made. Within minutes, the rabbits were threaded onto the skewers and cooking over the open flames.

  "Too bad we don't have any salt," said Ja'Nil as the juices dripped down into the fire, causing it to sizzle and snap, sending out a delicious aroma.

  Ee'Rick reached into his pack and handed her a paper spill of pink crystals.

  "Salt!"

  He grinned. "Be prepared," he said. "Family motto." Then he took a small multi-reed flute out of his pack and began to play softly and skillfully. Although the tune was unfamiliar to Ja'Nil, the feeling of comfort and gentle happiness the music evoked was universal.

  He played until the meat cooked through. Ja'Nil handed him the largest rabbit. They sprinkled the pink crystals on their dinner and for a while, only the sound of satisfied munching could be heard.

  Ee'Rick finished first. Ja'Nil had eaten about half of her rabbit. "Do you want the rest?" she offered.

  "Don't you want it?"

  "That's too much for me," she said.

  "You didn't eat very much," he said. "Don't you like rabbit?"

  "Ee'Rick, that was a big meal."

  He shrugged. "More for me then." He finished off the rest of the rabbit while she washed the grease from her face and hands.

  Ja'Nil's eyelids grew heavy but she didn't want to fall asleep. In the firelight, her bracelet made up of the beads Ee'Rick had given her sparkled and glowed. "They're so pretty," she murmured as she stroked the beads so that they moved smoothly along the wire holding them in place.

  Ee'Rick, watching her was embarrassed at how happy she was with his gift. To him it had been a nothing special, just something that no longer fastened his braids, as they should, something that had been half washed away by the storm. If Ja'Nil hadn't wanted them, he would have tossed them away. She was really very sweet, he thought. And pretty. Of course, she was just a kid, not an adult as he was, with all his seventeen years. Well, almost seventeen years. By the time he returned from this mission, he would be seventeen. She smiled up at him. Yes, she was very pretty.

  As for Ja'Nil, now that the fire had pushed back the darkness, now that she had a full belly and was able to rest her tired legs, the woods no longer crawled and creaked with unknown dangers. Tomorrow Cordia could be faced with equanimity. Now that Ee'Rick was here all was well with the world.

  "I'm so glad we're traveling together," she said.

  "Are you, little one?"

  "It makes everything nicer."

  He was sitting cross-legged his arms loosely clasped around his knees.

  "Ja'Nil," he said.

  She looked up at him. Without changing his position, he leaned his head down and very gently kissed her. Her eyes opened wide in surprise. She moved her head slightly away the better to see him. He had kissed her! He was looking down at her, a wry smile just touching the corners of his mouth.

  "Are you making fun of me?" she asked in a breathless voice.

  "Nay."

  She sat up abruptly, put her arms around his neck, and leaned forward for another kiss. This time it was not a feathery touch on the lips, this time it was hard and demanding, and wonderful.

  It was Ee'Rick who broke the kiss. "By the Goddess," he muttered.

  "What?" She was dazed, shocked by the intensity of feelings that were racing through her, as if she been struck by lightning.

  Ee'Rick gently removed her arms from around his neck and stood up. "Enough," he said. "It's time to go to sleep. We have a fair piece to travel tomorrow."

  "Go to sleep?" she almost wailed. She didn't want to sleep she wanted him to kiss her again.

  "Go to sleep," he ordered.

  He seemed angry with her, but what had she done that was so awful? Just kissed him back. Maybe he was the one who wanted to do all the kissing? That was Jadẵ with her; he could kiss her anytime he wanted to. Should she tell him that?

  Without even a glance at her, Ee'Rick pulled his blanket out of his pack, rolled himself in it, turned his back to her, and seemed to instantly fall asleep.

  Well, that seemed to be that. Slowly Ja'Nil got out her own blanket, moved to the other side of the fire, rolled herself in her blanket, turned her back on Ee'Rick, and stared dry-eyed into the dark forest. What had she done wrong?

  * * *

  Ee'Rick couldn't believe he'd kissed her. She was just a kid! He was older, bigger, and tougher; he was a male for the Lord and Goddess's sake. He was supposed to be protecting her! But she was so pretty, so eager. He had to grin when he thought how she had reacted to his kiss. Practically devoured him, she had. Uh-huh, best not to think so.

  He turned to check on Ja'Nil. She was all the way on the other side of the fire, her slight form rolled tightly in he
r blanket. Fast asleep she was. Obviously, the kiss was not important enough to her to keep her awake.

  He turned over again. He'd kissed lots of girls… well a few. He'd followed through on a couple of those kisses, too. So, why was he tossing and turning like some inexperienced cub?

  She barely has breasts! Not true. Jadẵ, so they weren't all that big but he could see from the way her tunic clung that they were nicely shaped. They had a sweet bounce that practically begged for his touch. He gritted his teeth; this was ridiculous. At this rate, he'd never get any sleep. Pushing his blanket aside, he rose to his feet and moved off into the dark forest. He was going for a run.

  Ja'Nil, who was wide awake, heard him rise and go into the woods. She had heard him tossing and turning. Was he thinking about her? We're they both going to spend a sleepless night? It would be so much nicer if they could sleep together. Under the same blankets. Maybe with their arms around each other. Maybe he would kiss her again. Only this time a better kiss, a different kiss. Not the kind you would give some little kid.

  He thinks I'm just a kid.

  Maybe she could show him she wasn't. After all, if she had the money she was old enough for the adult ritual ceremony; old enough to be a full citizen.

  He would be back soon. Abruptly but quietly she stood up. There was no sound of Ee'Rick returning. She picked up her blanket and crossed to where his lay in a crumpled heap. Straightening it, she added her blanket and lay down, being sure to leave enough room for Ee'Rick when he returned.

  What would he think?

  Maybe he would be angry. Maybe he would laugh at her. She couldn't stand that. Maybe he would just take his blanket away and go lie somewhere else, completely ignoring her. She could feel her body heating with embarrassment at that thought.

  Oh Lord of the Circle, what am I doing?

  She sat up; still no sight or sound of him. She stood up, grabbed her blanket, and fled back to her side of the barely glowing fire. When he came back, would he notice his blanket was in a different position? Would he realize what she had done? He was probably standing just outside the circle of light watching everything. Waiting tensely for his return she imagined a dozen different scenarios, each one more embarrassing than the other. She waited and waited.

  * * *

  In the morning, Ee'Rick was there. Ja'Nil awoke to the smell of roasting Gundi bird. Barely awake, she scratched her stomach just above her belly button. For some reason she always had an itch in the exact same place every morning. Then she twisted around onto her front and stared blearily at Ee'Rick who was busy tending to not just one but two Gundi birds.