Zara the Wolf (14 page)

"I agree. I've changed my mind. You and one other, ride
to Castra. Tell Duke Dewan what happened, charter a boat to Calle, and report
to Duke Wetzel. He can either send replacements back with you or instructions,
if he wishes us to return to Calle."

"But—"

"No arguments, Lieutenant. I'll wait here until your
men have recovered and Earl Arriaga has offered a detail to escort me back to
Castra. By then you should only be a few days from returning," Shelly said
decisively. I agreed that was a very sensible idea. It would be at least a week
before the more seriously injured could travel. "If I'm not in Castra when
you arrive, join me here in Jquedit. I may just choose to wait for you. It
would give the wounded time to heal properly."

"Yes, Lady Shelly. That would make Duke Wetzel and me
feel better." He smiled, then saluted and ran off to make arrangements. He
and his uninjured corporal departed Jqedit shortly after noon.

* * *

By the end of the first week, I was sure there were several
nobles in Jqedit who were considering having Lady Shelly's chaperone killed or
otherwise disabled. At first it was, ‘Lady Shelly and I need to discuss
something in private,’ or ‘Lady Shelly is safe with me,’ or ‘There is no need
for you to be here ...’ When that didn't work, a few tried having their
retainers attempt to stop me from entering the room or garden—a knife at
the throat usually won me admission.

"Zara, have you noticed how unpopular you are?"
Shelly asked one evening while managing to look serious.

"I'd say I'm getting very popular. A few have offered
me a gold to get lost."

"Who?"

"That would be telling. I imagine it won't be long
before some noble will challenge me to a duel. They are getting
desperate."

"Maybe I should turn down the charm, but it's fun and
has reduced the boredom."

"Lieutenant Eaton should be returning soon. Tomorrow is
twelve days."

"I'm scared. The Indians ... that was bad. How do you ...?"

"When you take on something that could result in your
death or injury, you need to make sure your reason for doing it is worth your
death or injury. When the Ojaza captured me, I decided I'd rather be dead than
a slave. Death didn't scare me—being a slave did."

"And now?"

"I don't know where I belong. I hate the Ojaza, so I don’t
belong there. I was comfortable at the Manola Community but didn't feel it was
where I belonged. Having saved you is very satisfying, because I've found you a
person worth saving." I paused as Shelly gave me a hug. "The duke's
cause also seems worthwhile, and in the process, I hope to find where I fit in
Aesona society. That is important to me. And the Cheyo Monk convinced me I had
a reasonable chance of surviving. So in the end, the reward is worth the
risk."

"A good lesson. You have to understand the risk and be
willing to accept it. So, I need a reward worth the risk." She stopped to
sip at the berryjuice she seemed to prefer, idly playing with a strand of her blonde
hair. "When I agreed to go on this mission, I didn't understand the risks.
I had a young girl's dream of adventure, with no thought of men dying or the
chance of being ... raped and killed." She lapsed into silence and ordered
our midday meal served in the room.

"What are my chances of surviving rape and death?"
she asked, coming to stand over me, looking down at where I sat at peace on the
floor. Not the kind of a question you answer without some thought, so I said nothing.
She seemed to accept my silence and folded into a sitting position next to me.
It was much later when I felt comfortable answering her.

"I'd say your risk of being raped is small now that you
carry a knife. Your chances of injury or death are about the same as
mine."

She laughed. "That means I'll probably live through the
experience, but I'll be scared. All right, I think helping identify the Sirens
and the experience is worth the risk. Another lesson. How do you overcome the
fear? Like when we were attacked."

"Close your eyes," I said, thinking about what
Dewan's Monk had taught me. "Find a place and time in your life where you
felt safe or when you were happy. When you do, each day you will need to spend
at least one hour there, content to think of nothing. When bad things happen,
you will want to find that place. It will calm you and enable you to think
clearly. For today, stay there until your ladies come to get you dressed."

* * *

Lieutenant Eaton
arrived two days later with six male and two female soldiers. I was surprised
to see Lutz among them.

"Lady Shelly,"
Eaton said, bowing low. "Duke Wetzel asked me to give you this letter. He
sent eight replacements so I could send the wounded troopers home. Since dukes
don't like more than ten soldiers from another domain roaming their
providences, he sent Lutz and three mercenaries. They will be acting as
merchants. They brought three mules, which accounts for our delay."

"Lady
Shelly, I've heard you have had some interesting times with my friend
Zara," Lutz said, bowing.

"You know, her?"

"Oh, yes.
We served on a caravan from Oberen in the east. Except for her, I believe I'd
be dead." He turned to me, smiling. "Interesting job you found."

"It was
going in the right direction," I quipped. With that, he and Eaton wandered
back toward the barracks.

"Oh, I'm a baroness!"
Shelly said, waving the letter at me as she whorled in a circle. "And I
have land."

"One step
closer," I said. I imagined the title was an acknowledgement that
providing me a cover story was a very dangerous task, and a show of the duke's
appreciation.

"Yes,
Thanks to you."

"If we
don't leave quickly, the young nobles are going to be challenging me to duels
for time alone with you." Shelly's value had just tripled. Before, she was
a beautiful young single woman, but now she was a beautiful single woman with a
title and land. She giggled and locked her arm in mine as we walked toward the
castle.

* * *

We left early the next morning for Budia, a four-day trip.
We were again going to come close to the Forlorn Mountains and possible Indian
trouble, so each night, Eaton, Lutz, and I worked with the new troops, teaching
them the Indian style of fighting. I was glad to have Lutz along. He was a good
friend, although I had to admit Eaton's attitude had changed after the Indians'
attack. He was not only more receptive but actually sought my advice.

"How did you wind up volunteering for this job?" I
asked Lutz when we finished an after dinner workout.

"As I said, I have a good reputation, and the duke is a
hard man to refuse. Besides, when I heard you were on the caravan, I couldn't
resist. Nobody I'd rather have at my back. The duke didn't share what he hired
you to do, but he was insistent that my crew and I watch your back. Oh, and the
pay is excellent." He laughed.

Back at Shelly's fire, I found her sitting off to the side,
meditating. I sat down a few feet away and sought my place of comfort. Slowly,
I could feel my body extending roots into the ground, anchoring me like a
thousand-year-old oak. And then they touched Shelly's thin roots and her eyes
shot open.

"How?"

"I don't know, I'm still learning, but I did notice you
are making good progress. How does it feel?"

"Wonderful. When I finish, I feel refreshed and my
thoughts are clearer. Thank you." She stared at me for a moment. "You
and Lutz are friends?"

"I was a cook on a merchant's caravan where he was the
senior guard. He's a true professional and was interested in my short sword and
how the Indians fought."

"Yes, I noticed. Eaton is a good swordsman, but Lutz is
better. I'll wager he's here to guard your back." She smiled. "Meditation
clears the mind of clutter. I love it."

"Duke Wetzel is doing everything he can to protect you
and me. Somehow, he knew Lutz and I were friends."

"We'll be passing the tip of the Forlorn Mountains
tomorrow. Any concerns?"

"We need to be alert, but I can't see the Indians attacking
a caravan this size. Not because they couldn't take it, but because we have
little of what they consider valuable enough to take the risk. Of course, I
thought that before and was wrong."

"Well, I'm glad the duke sent Lutz. I do worry about
you," she said as she rose and headed toward her tent with her ladies following
like little chicks. She was maturing before my eyes. I settled back down, and
before long the camp and surrounding area were a blue haze.

We arrived in Budia in the early afternoon of the fifth day,
having chosen to take an extra day rather than travel late into the night. Budia
sat perched on a high plateau in the foothills. The city walls were high but
not particularly thick, made to protect against Indians or large bands of
mercenaries—not armies—and everyone appeared to live within the
walls. The guards at the city gates seemed to be expecting us, and we were admitted
with only a minor delay while
Merchant
Lutz paid a small entrance fee. The castle sat on the highest ground, and the
walls appeared better able to sustain a minor siege. When we reached the
castle, we were met by a thin old man with bright eyes. He surveyed each man
and woman in the caravan, and I'd wager evaluated and categorized each
correctly. His eyes lingered on me a few seconds longer.

"Welcome to Budia, Baroness Shelly. I'm Minister
Cardas. Earl Purvis sends his greeting and wishes to meet with you after you
have refreshed yourself. A private meeting before dinner."

"Thank you, Minister Cardas. I look forward to meeting
Earl Purvis."

"Dori will see to your needs while you are here."
He waved to a young girl, who ran forward.

"Lady Shelly, if you will follow me, I'll show you and
your ladies to your rooms." She curtsied and awaited acknowledgement, a
lanky girl no older than fourteen, but she appeared at ease.

"Lead on, Dori. We are in need of hot water and a wash
after five days on a horse and sleeping on the ground," Shelly said
cheerfully. Dori nodded and began walking.

This trip had been an education for me. The difference
between the nobility and commoners was extreme. Guests of the ruling noble were
assigned rooms larger than many commoners’ dwellings. They ate meals a commoner
couldn't afford but once a year if then. They spent most of their time pursuing
their own pleasures, and worse, they had a distorted view of life, thinking
their nobility made them smarter and cleverer than everyone beneath them. In
reality, most had their positions because of their birth and were very average
people, even with their better educations. Duke Wetzel and Shelly appeared to
be exceptions.

After we had washed and changed clothes, Shelly rang for Dori.
Shortly afterward, we were escorted to the earl's study. Shelly had insisted I
go.

"I want you at my side. Now that I'm a baroness, I
guess I don't need a chaperone," she giggled like a small girl, "So
you are now my companion and security. Besides, following me you are more
likely to find what you are looking for."

"Yes, Lady Shelly," I said without a smile. Although
I liked her and felt we were friends, as a titled noble, she could give me
orders and enforce them if she chose.

She stopped and gave me a hard stare. "Yes, I'm a noble
and you're a commoner, and we can't change that, as much as I'd like to. We
also can't change that you are my friend and mentor—and in charge, and I
won't forget that."

Earl Purvis stood as we entered, his smile almost lost in
his full beard and mustache.

"Welcome and congratulations, Baroness Shelly. I think
you are now the youngest baroness on Aesona." He sounded amused. He dwarfed
Shelly, standing a good eight inches taller and triple her girth. His head of
curly red hair and his full beard gave him a wildman-look, which contrasted
with his friendly greeting and expression.

"Thank you, Earl Purvis," she said, handing him
her letters from Wetzel.

He read each page carefully and then nodded. "I know
it's exciting for you to visit all of the earls, but it’s also dangerous. Some
of our cities are close to where Indians and bandits are prone to raid. You may
want to reconsider those along the Wild Mountains. You were very lucky at
Jqedit."

"Good advice, Earl Purvis. Many died to keep me
safe." Her eyes became misty as she talked.

"Zara is your companion?" Purvis asked, looking toward
me.

"Zara keeps the wolves at bay." She grinned.

"That must be a full-time job, protecting a beautiful
young woman who is single and a baroness. But according to the rumors she is up
to the task. And you were both slaves?"

"Yes, my brother..." Shelly went on to briefly
explain her capture and my negotiating her freedom, and then I was required to
give a brief account of my capture and escape. Purvis was a good listener and
asked perceptive questions.

We arrived for dinner several minutes late, and to my
surprise, he had me seated at the main table with Shelly, his wife, and two
sons. I sat next to Lady Harriette, who was very interested in the Indians and
my experience with the Ojaza. From my advantage seated at the main table I had
an excellent view of the guests and residents of the castle. During the meal I
noticed two individuals with intermittent blue tinges: a young man, Jerrie, who
Harriette said was the son of Baron Kazuko and his younger daughter, Renna, who
appeared to be within a year or two of Shelly's age. I watched them through the
meal and entertainment, looking for clues as to their possible intentions.

Jerrie sat between a wealthy merchant and a very attractive
young woman; however, he spent most of his time talking with the merchant, much
to the annoyance of the young woman. Renna spent much of her time talking to a
son of a baron. Halfway through a magic performance, my head felt woolly, and
when I looked to Shelly, she appeared to be staring at the table. I leaned my
head close to hers and pointed to the magician—who was making balls appear
and disappear—and I pinched her thigh. Her face turned toward me.

"Shelly, find your place of comfort and anchor yourself
there. Someone is invading your thoughts." I leaned back and looked in the
direction of the magician, periodically checking Shelly. She was cleverly
rubbing her forehead with eyes closed as if she had a headache. I dared not
quiet my mind, for fear of invoking that higher level of awareness and drawing
their attention. I would have to work with Shelly, since this would probably
happen again.

"Lady Shelly, are you unwell?" the earl asked,
which brought her out of her meditation.

"A minor headache, nothing serious, My Lord," she
said, excusing herself when the entertainment ended. Back in the room, her
ladies prepared her for bed and departed when Shelly said she didn't need them
anymore that night.

"Sirens?" she asked.

"Yes, the son and daughter of a Baron Kazuko. I believe
they were trying to get into your mind—that fuzzy-headed feeling you
had."

"Nothing happened at first, but as I rooted myself, the
fuzziness decreased, then stopped suddenly."

"I suspect they stopped trying when it wasn't working.
You and I need to work on your meditation, because I don't believe this is
going to be the last time someone tries to influence or get into your mind. Now
you at least know what it feels like and what you can do to defend
yourself."

"That was scary. I'm ready." She immediately sat
and closed her eyes. I did the same and sought my place of comfort. The room
became bathed in blue light and I could see Shelly—faded on the floor in
the real world and clearer in the blue … dimension. It was obvious she couldn't
see me. I sat wondering how the Monk and Sirens entered another person's mind.
This was a world of imagination and imagery. I needed inside her mind, so I
imagined a tiny flying bug and shrunk it so small it couldn't be seen. I had it
fly into Shelly's ear and into her brain. Inside looked to be bigger than the
castle, bigger than the city, with thousands of scenes taking place
simultaneously. As I watched, the place became foggy until I could see nothing.
I left and opened my eyes to find Shelly staring at me.

"You were in my mind," she said.

I nodded. "Whatever you did blocked my view."

"What did you see?" she asked, blushing with
excitement.

"I think I saw your memories, but you covered them
quickly."

"I wonder if I will ever be able to see you or others
on the ... that other level of awareness."

"The Cheyo Monk said only a few had the talent and that
it required a lot of practice, so I would guess the answer lies in meditation.
I would think you had some talent, as you were able to block the Sirens and
me." I would have to discuss it with the next Monk I ran across. Knowing
Shelly, meditation would be a nightly regimen.

* * *

The next day, I convinced Shelly to visit Lieutenant Eaton
and Lutz. I needed an excuse to visit other parts of the castle and see the
people. Sirens could be soldiers, maids, ministers, or ... We found Eaton and
Lutz working with the soldiers and got a tour of the training area. It was
immediately obvious that one of the two Budia lieutenants was a Siren. I didn't
look too closely, but I would wager he was younger than he looked and not as
physically fit. I would have loved to know how he became a lieutenant. It was
almost impossible to work your way from enlisted to officer. Usually, those
positions were given to sons and daughters of barons and earls.

"Unless one of you has a reason not to, I'd like to
leave for Hipula the day after tomorrow." She looked at each of us, and
seeing no objections, she nodded. "Day after tomorrow, at first light. I'm
told it's a nine-day trip. Let us try not to make it any longer." She walked
slowly on the way back to the main building. "Did that help?"

"Yes. I identified another Siren, a lieutenant."

* * *

I had no trouble from the brother and sister Sirens over the
next two days. I wondered whether that meant they didn't consider the incident
at the dinner important or whether they did and would arrange something on the
road to Hipula. It was a delicate task Wetzel had given me: I couldn't kill
every Siren I found without being discovered, but I couldn't let them discover
I knew they had talent without killing them.

"It's almost funny," Shelly said as her horse was
being brought to her. "I'm going to hate these next nine days, and you're
going to love them."

"Perhaps there is a lesson there," I said, considering
her perceived problem. She laughed and nodded. "Alright, try not to make
the day good or bad before it happens. If you do, you run the risk of being
disappointed if a day you thought good turns out bad, and conversely, you may
miss the chance to have a good day by assuming it must be bad. Today is just
another day. Good things may happen or bad things. Deal with them as they
arise. You and I know even bad things can have value." I watched as she
thought about what I had said. It was one of the things I liked about
her—the ability to think before she acted. Eventually, she nodded.

"That could eliminate bad days," she said as she
mounted. "Then I wouldn't have anything to complain about." She waved
for Eaton to go. Maybe Duke Dewan's Monk was right—the Ojaza had given me
a gift. A quiet mind helped clear away the distractions and bring into focus
what was important, and if it weren't for the Ojaza, I would never have
developed that gift.

We made good time the first three days. The weather stayed
good, and the road was in decent condition. The land between Budia and Hipula
had few settlements as there was little water, frequent periods of drought, and
bands of roaming raiders. But with the size of our caravan, we had little to
worry about—a caravan with royalty had soldiers as guards.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, Eaton called a halt when
he was notified that a large group of riders were approaching with Earl Purvis's
banner of Silver and Green. A short time later, twenty mounted men came into
view with the Siren lieutenant from the castle in command.

His men spread out in an attack formation, with ten troopers
on each side of us but ten horse lengths away. Their swords remained in their scabbards
as the lieutenant continued toward Shelly at the head of the line.

"He's the Siren lieutenant," I said quietly,
leaning toward her.

Eaton and Lutz arrived about the same time as the
lieutenant.

"Baroness Shelly, I'm Lieutenant Culver. I've been
directed by Earl Purvis to place your companion, Zara, under arrest by order of
Duke Brodka."

Shelly’s face drained of color. "On what charges, lieutenant?"

"For the murder of Lady Hathorn in Munda."

I leaned toward Shelly. "Have Lutz guard you until I
return. I'll rejoin you before you reach Hipula," I said, and spurred
Greystone into a gallop before she could answer. Only Culver was within thirty
horse-lengths of me, and I had caught him by surprise. When he realized what
had happened, he spurred his horse after me, drawing his sword and waving to
his detail.

"After her! Don't let her get away," he screamed.

As I galloped, I evaluated the land. My strategy was simple:
run Greystone until she was tired but not exhausted, leave her and continue on
foot, then circle back for her after the troopers' horses could go no farther. I
suspected this had something to do with the incident with the Baron Kazuko's
son and daughter, and that Lieutenant Culver had thought arresting me would
cause Shelly to come back with him so he could find a way to kill us on the way
back to the castle. I hoped to pull him far enough away to let the caravan
reach Hipula before he could, so I headed back in the direction of Budia. I doubted
Duke Brodka of Hipula or Earl Purvis knew anything about Culver's actions.