Soldier at the Door (11 page)

“Out here, beyond the gates, we have the feed barns to the east.”

They marched out of the northeastern gates as Zenos gestured.

“Beyond that is the beginning of the canal system that connects to the Edge River. It waters the farms here and extends all the way to the southern reaches of the world.”

The recruit groaned with annoyance as Zenos blathered on about grasses and trees, and then became irrationally excited when he saw a gopher watching them from the cover of a bush.

The recruit’s gait slowed slightly, however, as he realized Zenos was heading straight for the forest.

“And in front of us is the most feared enemy of the Army of Idumea.” Zenos held out his arms wide as he marched straight to the trees.

“Hey,
hey!
” called the recruit who stopped suddenly in his tracks.

Zenos stopped as well, several paces ahead of him and
right before the tree line.

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

Zenos looked at him innocently. “Why, to show you the fort. In a way, the fort grounds extend all the way to the tree line. You should know it better than anything else here. Why? Are you scared?”

The recruit folded his twig-like arms. “Of course not! It’s just that, I thought the rules were that no soldiers were allowed in the forest.”

Zenos smiled. “I didn’t say I was giving you a tour of the
forest
, now did I? I only want to show you some features along the
edge
of it. Plenty to see. Quite fascinating, really. There’s even a fresh spring where the captain has us water the horses when we’re on patrols. Look down the line and you’ll see three groups of soldiers patrolling along the edge. But if
you’re scared,
well then—”

“I’m not scared! How ridiculous.” The recruit walked briskly up to Zenos. “Show me.”

Zenos grinned and slapped him on the back. “Follow me and I’ll show you what’s called a mud volcano. Right over here. Not too impressive, is it? Just a pile of mud that bubbles every few seconds. Blub, blub, blub, blub. I swear you could keep time by it. Now, follow me down here. About thirty paces away, right over there is the fresh spring I was telling you about.”

Zenos led him down a gentle slope towards a marshy area. “The water is really quite good.” He took a few deliberate steps into the forest by the trickling stream.

The recruit paused at the edge of the trees, watching.

The private squatted near the head of the spring, cupped his hand, dipped it in, and took a drink.

“I promise, best tasting water you’ll ever drink. Just come try it. This really isn’t off limits. It’s the only part of the forest that isn’t.”

The recruit sighed and walked easily into the trees and over to Zenos. He squatted by the spring and—

Several of the trees moved. 

Before he could gasp, a cloth was shoved into his mouth and quickly secured by a cord tied around his head, while his hands were bound behind his back.

Zenos stood calmly by, watching the forest incapacitate the new soldier.

The recruit flailed against his attackers as they tied his feet t
ogether, but it was useless. His captors, four of them, were far larger and stronger than he was. In their mottled green and brown clothing they melted into the forest.

The recruit’s eyes darted around him in a panic and he saw se
veral more hidden men, some even covered in leaves and sticks, surrounding the area.

Zenos shook his head slowly. “For someone trained to know the forest, I’m a little surprised you were so hesitant to walk in. The ca
ptain’s right. The trees
do
talk to me, and they’ve told me your intentions. I’m sorry about this, really. Understand, I don’t exactly have an aggressive nature. But it seems there’s been a slight
communication problem. You see, Shin is mine.” Zenos stepped closer to the shocked young man.

His reluctance and fear had returned, this time genuinely.

“And Shin will be mine for quite some time. Your presence is no longer required. I’ll make your apologies to the captain. You were spooked by the noises from the woods and decided to go to someplace like Vines where there are no trees. Don’t worry,
soldier
, I have things well in control here. I’ll take care of everything, especially Shin. I wish you a good journey.”

Zenos nodded to the men who picked up the recruit and jogged him deeper into the woods and out of sight. He saluted sloppily to those who remained as they stepped quietly back into the trees and dissolved into them.

The private took another drink from the spring, wiped his hands on his trousers, then walked back to the fort.

---

“I should be able to figure this out!” Mahrree groaned, but no one would’ve heard her over the wails of her son in the baby sling strapped to her front. She bent over carefully so as to not disturb him further—as if the infant could have been more irritable—and grumbled as she picked up the small new potatoes that rolled on the ground.

Jaytsy had just thrown them,
again
, from the miniature wagon she was riding in.

“I’ve been a mother to two small children for three moons. You think I should know what I’m doing by now!”

By the glares she was receiving in the market, others were thinking the same thing.

But she
couldn’t
figure it out. When was the right time to go to the market when both children were never content at the same time? When Peto was happy with a full belly, Jaytsy was growing fussy and wanted a nap. When Peto was ready for a nap, Jaytsy was waking up and ready to go for a walk or a ride in the small wagon her father made.

Mahrree could never get the timing right, and she tried a diffe
rent time every week. Once both children were happy at the same time, but then two days later at the same time of day they were both wailing at the top of their lungs while she tried to haggle over the price of carrots. She was ready to shove one into each crying mouth to see if that would quiet them until she finished at the butcher’s.

Today sh
e tried going to the market right before Peto’s nap time, hoping he’d be lulled to sleep as Mahrree walked, but once again her plan failed. He was grumpier than ever, and now, moments ago, Jaytsy learned to throw.

Mahrree was gathering the last of the rolling potatoes when she looked up to see Jaytsy holding a small red projectile in each chubby fist. She cocked her right arm and let fly another potato.

“No!” Mahrree moaned, but Jaytsy beamed proudly. Mahrree watched as the little potato flew in the opposite direction and landed in the hand of someone wearing a blue uniform.

“That’s a great arm!” the catcher said encouragingly. “Try the other one now.”

Mahrree’s mouth dropped open as Jaytsy smiled at the stranger and threw her other potato. Its trajectory wasn’t as impressive, but the young soldier stepped up quickly and caught it before it hit the ground.

“She must be right-armed,” he chuckled.

Mahrree still didn’t know how to respond to this soldier encouraging her daughter to throw food.

“Any more potatoes for me?” he grinned at Jaytsy. She began to look around the wagon, but Mahrree already had the rest in her co
tton bag. “Then I’ll give these to your mother,” he said, walking over to Mahrree.

“Uh, thank you,” she said, surprised as she opened the bag to let him drop in the potatoes. The soldier didn’t even seem to notice Peto’s wailing.

“Any time, ma’am,” he tipped his cap. “I’m rather an expert at cleaning up thrown food messes. Was a bit of a rambunctious child myself. You’re Mrs. Shin, aren’t you?”

“Uh, yes—yes I am.” She evaluated the handsome face that smiled at her. His light brown hair was nearly the same color as hers, and he had big happy sky-blue eyes. Mahrree wondered how old he might be. His looks seemed too boyish to be a soldier, yet his build was surprisingly large and strong. Not as big as Perrin, but then again, no one was as big as Perrin.

He tipped his cap again. “I’m Private Shem Zenos, ma’am. Just signed up officially with your husband earlier this week.”

Mahrree smiled. “That’s right!” She lowered her voice, al
though it wasn’t necessary because no one in the market around them would have heard her over Peto’s continued crying. “You were volunteering for him before. You’re the one who’s spoken to the
Guarder!
”

Zenos was surprised. “Uh, yes, ma’am.” He leaned in closer to her. “I didn’t realize you knew about that.”

Mahrree shrugged. “I’m probably not like the typical officer’s wife, and I’m very intrigued about Guarders.”

Zenos looked around quickly, clearly uncomfortable to be di
scussing Guarders in the market. “How about I help you get home, ma’am? I can pull your daughter in the wagon while you calm down your son.”

Mahrree was tempted. As much as she wanted him to walk her home so she could ask him some questions, it was far beyond his responsibility as a soldier. “I appreciate that, but it’s not fair of me to ask that of you.”

Zenos grinned, and it was almost dazzling. “You didn’t ask it—I
offered
it!” He bent down and picked up the tongue of the miniature wagon, then took the bag of potatoes out of her hand. Before Mahrree could protest he started pulling Jaytsy along.

“But Private—”

“But nothing!” he smiled back to her. “I insist on helping you home.”

“But you’re doing a terrible job of it,” she told him. “I don’t live east, I live north!”

The private stopped suddenly, blushed, and gestured for her to lead the way.

Mahrree chuckled and pointed in the correct direction. She took Peto out of the sling and tried holding him in another position. He arched his back uncooperatively.

The private winced in sympathy as he walked alongside, pulling the wagon. “He looks hungry.”

Mahrree glanced at him. “And you know this because . . .?”

He shrugged. “Because he’s a boy, and boys are always hungry?”

Mahrree nodded. “I’ll believe that.” She turned Peto so he faced away from her, and instantly he stopped wailing. “Or maybe he
wanted to see where he’s going.” She smiled in relief that her ears now had a break.

The soldier nodded back. “Not much fun never knowing where you’re going, is it?”

Mahrree glanced around her to make sure no one was near. They had left the market and were now heading north along the neighborhoods. “Now that he’s quiet, Private, can I ask you some questions?”

Private Zenos blinked. “I suppose so, ma’am.”

“I want someone else’s opinion. Tell me about
Guarders
,” she whispered the last word.

Zenos pursed his lips. “Tell you about Guarders? What do you want to know?”

“Do you think all the stories about them are true?”

“Stories?”

“Yes,
stories.
My husband’s reluctant to share much with me, probably because I tend to go off a bit at times,” she admitted, “But there are always
stories.
So are they true?”

“Which stories?”

Mahrree grumbled. “How long has my husband been training you?”

“Ma’am?” he looked at her.

“Training you to evade questioning by answering every question with another question!”

Private Zenos smiled bashfully, likely understanding what Mahrree meant by “go off a bit.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t realize I was doing that. Try again. I’ll see if I can give you a better answer.”

“All right then,” Mahrree said. “How fearsome are Guarders, Private?”

Zenos thought for a moment. “I’ve only spoken with one, ma’am, and he’s not too fearsome. He’s a little strange, to tell you the truth.”

Mahrree sighed. “I already know that. Captain Shin told me several weeks ago about some of the odd things he told you.”

Zenos nodded. “Although I think planting corn in small hills with a piece of fish, instead of in rows, is worth trying.”

“Corn?” Mahrree asked. “I didn’t hear about corn. Or fish.”

Zenos just shrugged.

“I guess what I really want to know is,” Mahrree said in a low voice, “can they be
negotiated
with?”

He gave her an odd look. “Negotiated with?”

Mahrree glared at him for his inadequate answer again.

“Sorry, ma’am.” He cleared his throat. “It’s been my experience you can negotiate with anyone, if you offer the right enticements.”

“But that’s the key, isn’t it, Private?” she groused. “Knowing what to offer so your opponent capitulates to your will? But if you know
nothing
of your opponent, what do you entice them with? Negotiations are useless, then!”

Zenos smiled and looked at her askance. “Yes, you
definitely
know more than the average officer’s wife.”