Scene 6-11
June 10, 2009I fell asleep on the futon and woke in the heart of night. The master’s room took on a sleepy quiet. I pushed off the blankets and swung my legs over the edge to sit up.
‘Yah feel better?’
I glanced at the master’s desk and saw Edde sitting in the chair.
‘Edde,’ I breathed out and rushed to her with a hug.
‘Okay – okay,’ she brushed off and pushed me back to take a good look at me. She checked my forehead and cupped my cheeks in her hands. ‘Yah look tired.’
‘Nah – been sleeping all day.’
‘Not what I mean.’
I sighed and perched on the edge of the desk. ‘What happened Edde?’
‘With meh or yah?’
‘Both of us.’
Edde released me with a smile, ’some how Branwyn found out about my help with yah girls. She threatened evidence – took it to the sisters. Her that Sister Malia are close, so didn’t take much to convince the head-sister to punish meh. They’ve always wanted an excuse.’
She inclined her head to one side and peered at my face for a long time before speaking. ‘Yah give them a big surprise. Not expectin anything from yah – least magic.’
‘Kalia.’ I leaned forward. ‘She’s okay?’
‘Yep. She got her sight back – they all did.’
Edde went to futon and busied herself with tidying-up. I watched her face, noticing the changes of expression behind her eyes, as if folding blankets and straightening cushions was helping her sort out her mind.
‘Why this happening?’
She paused and faced me. ‘Trouble I guess.’
‘Right.’
Edde sighed and sat down, her weariness revealed on her face. I can’t believe I brought this to her. Wolf was right – I was stupid.
‘I’m sorry Edde.’ I sat on the edge of the futon.
She stared me in the eye and unexpectedly told me her story of her arrival to The Zone. She was born into a family of horse-breeders who raised the infamous Western Rangers. While most horses were good for cart pulling and the odd travel, the Western Rangers were revered for being steadfast in battle and hardy travelers. The Emperor, himself, favored the gallant steeds amongst all others and ensured his knights rode no other. The families who bred the horses were respected and given a status of grand importance. Edde’s young life saw visiting nobles, dinner parties and the finest of everything including education. Life was a pleasure until the year she turned eight when a whole herd of stock fell victims to a foot and mouth disease carried into the High Plains of Nordia by common Tempra horses. Four healthy stallions were the first to lose their lives,. Within a full moon cycle, all of the stock had died. Her parents were unable to fulfill orders. They had to return lein and favors received as pre-payments. Their home was seized upon by Merchant Huntsmen who repossessed furniture, slaves and all manner of personal items then the house itself. After loosing all they had ever known and treasured there was still one final tax her parents needed to pay. Her parents had no choice but agree to the Empire’s conditions of payment by slavery. Edde and her brothers were handed into an imperial office to clear the last dishonor from the family name.
‘Bane, meh brother, and I were taken here. I never saw the others again.’
‘Where’s Bane now?’
‘He was taken to the South Hold to be a henchman. Dunno after that.’
‘Thanks Edde,’ I whispered, not really sure how to take what she told me but grateful she had.
She flashed a weak smile then resumed her tidy-up of the master’s room. I helped her clean up the bench and master’s desk.
Footsteps entered. We faced the door and saw Master Asuras.
‘Good you’re both here. Gather things for a journey girls. You’ll find a knapsack near the cot and all items required in this room. When you’re ready meet me in the library.’
‘We going somewhere now?’
‘Yes Neven – now.’ The master turned and left the room.
We did as he ordered, picking up things, putting them down or in the sack Edde carried. My eyes touched the titles of the books on his shelve and saw a common theme amongst all of them – tsazcuths.
‘Master’s life work.’ Edde came up behind me.
‘What are tsazcuths?’
‘Who knows – who cares,’ she brushed off and gave me a nudge toward the door.
I followed her into the library where the Master waited for us near the desks. Torch light flickered across the Master’s face, highlighting a sober expression.
Shuffles came up behind us. I turned and saw Kalia. I wanted to pull her into a hug and tell her I was sorry but caught an awkward look in her eyes and refrained.
‘You, er, okay?’ I whispered.
She nodded her head and fiddled with the ties of the gray robe around her neck.
‘Here.’ The master threw Edde and I a gray bundle. I unraveled a long woolly robe, the same as Kalia’s, and a pair of sackcloth boots. I felt horrible Edde and Kalia had to leave this way.
‘Master – surely Edde and Kalia don’t have to leave for my crime?’
Master Asuras regarded me for a while before answering. ‘They have the choice to stay but have decided to journey with us.’
I flashed Edde and Kalia a look then frowned and shook my head.
‘Please don’t do this, especially you Kalia.’
Kalia smiled. ‘It’s my choice.’
‘No,’ I shook my head harder. ‘You have a safe life here.’
‘Exactly,’ Kalia butted in. ‘Besides – I think I’ll drive Cora and Les crazy after awhile.’
‘Edde?’
‘Meh time here’s ended. Time for change.’
‘Master?’ I faced the master and was taken-back by the sternness in his eyes. Was he expecting them to tag-a-long?
‘We need to leave now. Master Vega is expecting us at the Temple of Equala by noon-light in two days.’ He turned and headed for the opposite archway.
I sighed and placed on my cloak and boots. We followed him down the marble corridor to the end statue door of Anwar. The master stopped at the door and glanced at our robes and the knapsack on Edde’s shoulders.
‘I trust you’ll keep the girls inline with the laws of The Zone Edde?’
Edde nodded her head.
‘It’s a long trek I take you on girls. Make sure your cloak is on tight.’
Edde did a final check of the knapsack.
The master place his hand over a glimmering rosebud resting between Anwar’s breasts and gave it a good push. The statue gave way to a night sky and a sleeping courtyard. We followed him through.
