Maggie Furey - Aurian

“Do it tomorrow. I don’t mind sleeping with a dirty woman.”

“You’re just as dirty—” Aurian began indignantly—and fell silent in dismay as she grasped the import of his words. Without the tent to shelter them, they would have to play out the charade of their marriage to the full. Why hadn’t it occurred to her that this awkward situation might arise?

“It’s all right,” Anvar said softly, and wrapping the blanket snugly round her shoulders, he gathered her into his arms as they lay down. The warmth of his body felt good after the cool air of the cave, and soon she was relaxing against him drowsily. It had been so long since she had felt comforting arms around her at night ... As Aurian drifted into sleep, her heart ached with longing for Forral.

The fragrance that teased her into wakefulness reminded Aurian so strongly of the Arena that she opened her eyes expecting to see the white walls of her old cell. Instead she saw Anvar, holding a steaming cup. “I have a surprise for you,” he said. “Your friend Eliizar brought his own supply of—”

“Liafa.” Aurian beamed, reaching greedily for the cup.

“Well! And I thought Eliizar was exaggerating when he told me how much you loved that stuff. That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile this early in the day.”

Aurian stuck her tongue out at him. “It’s all right for some. You look as though you’ve been up for ages.”

Anvar grinned. “The men—being the earliest risers—had the first turn at the.pool.”

All traces of the sparkling dust had gone from his skin. His hair, curled and darkened now by the water, had grown during his time in slavery, and to keep the damp strands from his face he had copied Yazour, tying the errant locks back with a thong at the nape of his neck. It suited him, Aurian thought.

“What are you staring at? Have I missed a bit?”

“Who, me? Nothing.” Aurian floundered. “I’d forgotten what you looked like under all that dust!”

“Well, it’s the women’s turn now, so you’d better hurry up if you want to get rid of your own dust.”

“Suits me.” She put down the empty cup. “It’s a pity, really. I must be worth a fortune in gems right now.”

Nereni was in the pool, splashing and laughing with the other women of Harihn’s household. The Mage shed her dusty clothes and stepped into the water. It was not as cold as she had expected, and while it was shallow enough for standing, there was enough depth to swim. The bottom was coated in a soft layer of gem sand, doubtless shed by generations of dusty travelers. It gleamed underfoot, reflecting the torchlight from the walls. Nereni waded over and handed her a slab of rough soap. “Ah, I see you are returned at last, from the country of dreams.”

“Real soap! Nereni, you think of everything.”

“But of course—and as well, for you warriors!” Her plump face dimpled. “I must go to prepare the day meal, but I will fetch you a cloth to dry yourself, and some clean robes.”

When Nereni had gone, Aurian washed thoroughly, glad to get the dust out of her hair. Mine is growing again, too, she thought. Maybe I’ll get Anvar to braid it for me soon. By the time she had finished, the other women had left the pool, but she lingered for a while, enjoying the peace and solitude. At last, prompted by hunger, she went to rinse beneath the little waterfall before getting out.

The Mage had no suspicion of danger—not until it was too late. As she placed her hand against the smooth wall where the waterfall trickled down, a strident clamor tore the air like the shrieks of a vast, unimaginable beast in torment. The rock seemed to come alive beneath her fingers, trapping her hands, her arms—sucking her body inexorably into its soft, clinging maw. Aurian, despite her struggles, was snatched into the darkness beyond. Within seconds the wall had closed behind her, blank and featureless once more.

Anvar was racing toward the pool before the first heart-stopping echoes could die away. Yazour and Eliizar were close behind, their weapons drawn. By the time they reached the edge he was floundering through the water, searching for any trace of the Mage. They joined him, Yazour diving cleanly beneath the surface, Eliizar breaststroking across the pool. Then the clamor ceased abruptly, leaving only Anvar’s anguished cries: “Aurian! Aurian!”

The atmosphere in the camp was tense with apprehension. The women and children huddled together in the farthest corner away from the sinister pool, guarded by armed warriors. A squad of bowmen had their weapons trained on the still waters, ready to shoot at the first sign of a ripple on the smooth surface. A grim council had gathered by the Prince’s fire, and Harihn looked fearfully round at the faces of the small group. “Some beast must have taken her,” he insisted. “What else could have done this?”

“Sire, the pool was empty,” Yazour protested. “I had it searched thoroughly, and there is no underwater access. There was no blood, or any remains—”

“No!” Anvar cried. The cup of hot liafa that Nereni had forced upon him spilled, soaking into the blanket that she had draped around his shivering shoulders. Yazour glanced at him apologetically, and Nereni took his hand, her tearstained face filled with pity.

“There must have been a creature,” Harihn insisted, with a nervous glance at the pool. “What else could make such dreadful cries? What if it should return? Must others die to convince you?”

“There is no proof—”

“We could search again—” Eliizar and Yazour, wet and shivering in their own blankets, spoke simultaneously, but Anvar heard the doubt in their voices. Harihn shook his head and stood up. “It is pointless. She is surely dead. Prepare to leave, Yazour. We dare not linger in this place.”

“You bastard!” Anvar flung his blanket aside, and leaping over the fire, leveled a punch at the Prince. The blow, with the impetus of his body behind it, knocked Harihn sprawling. Anvar landed on top of him, hitting out at him blindly. “Coward!” he screamed. He was aware of blows on his body, but his rage made him oblivious to the pain. He felt strong arms pulling him, dragging him off the Prince. Anvar fought the new assailants in a frenzy, resisting their attempts to pin him down, until a drench of cold water hit him hard in the face. The shock brought him sharply to his senses. Eliizar and Yazour were holding him down. Nereni stood over him, a dripping bowl in her hands.

Anvar blinked water and tears from his eyes. “I thought you were my friends,” he muttered.

“We are, Anvar,” Yazour told him sadly, “but the Prince, unfortunately, is right.^ He gestured to one side, pointing at the small group of children who huddled together, weeping and terrified. “Would you sacrifice them also?” the warrior asked softly.

“I’m not leaving her!”

“You most certainly are not!” Harihn was scowling, and Anvar noted with satisfaction that his face was beginning to bruise and swell. The Prince kicked out viciously, catching him beneath the ribs, and Anvar convulsed in pain.

“Sire!” Yazour’s voice rose sharply in disgust at the cowardly attack. “He will die if you abandon him here!”

“You have your orders, Yazour. For attacking me, this churl deserves to die! Anvar will be left behind.”

“Your Highness, the man is distraught! You cannot hold him responsible for his actions ai such a time.”

“I’ll have him executed now, if you’d prefer.” Harihn wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, glaring venomously at Anvar, who smiled grimly.

“Any excuse, eh, Harihn?” Anvar said. “Well, at last you have what you’ve wanted all along—but it’s too late. You may get rid of me, but you’ll never have Aurian now!” Turning his head, he spat at the Prince’s feet.