Richard Parker - Elsewhere

“Travelers!” Lewis repeated, the idea strange in his mind, but of course it was a possibility. Monde and na Gall were known to be with the Massi.

“The High King should have killed them all,” Lewis said absently.

“No,” Hothgaard replied harshly some of his anger returning…thoughts of the High King seemed to do that these days. “He should have bloody well left them be…I’m amazed he hasn’t made the Tars of Noble our enemies as well.”

Lewis said nothing, too stunned by the idea of fighting the legendary swordsman of Noble to speak.

“Should we send out more patrols?” The sergeant asked.

“What for? They’ll not find anything,” Hothgaard snapped. “Pull everyone in close and I want triple the guards tonight. If the Massi are foolish enough to delay their attack we will strike Manse come first light. When we move, we’ll need to move quickly and batter down the gates so our horses can join in the fight…speed and strength as always, wins the day.”

“Yes Sir!” Lewis shouted, snapping to attention, a wave of relief surging over him with the knowledge that his friend and leader was back to his old self.

“See to it,” Hothgaard said and then turned back to study the breastwork protecting Manse and wondered just what Prince Gwaynn and his commanders were up to at this very moment.

ǂ

At that moment Gwaynn was walking into the hospital tent, hoping that Samantha was awake. She was sitting up in her cot talking to Emm who was perched on the edge of her bed. Emm was not crying but from the looks of her she’d stopped only a short time prior. Cobb, ever present, stood over them both, fidgeting uncomfortably in the sea of emotions permeating the tent.

Samantha looked up as Gwaynn entered and actually gave him a soft smile. It was the most beautiful thing he’d seen in a very long time.

“Emm,” he said softly and touched the girl on the shoulder. She looked up and gave him one of her own sad smiles in contrast.

Emm turned back to Samantha. “I’ll…I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said and shakily stood up. “Come Cobb…you can keep me company,” she ordered and the large man lumbered to her side.

“You needn’t leave,” Gwaynn said, feeling very bad for the girl.

Emm was silent for a moment and then leaned into Gwaynn, who put his arm around her sympathetically. “Thank you…but I’m finally getting hungry…and I’m tired. I’m really tired,” she added and with Cobb in tow they slowly wandered away and out of the tent.

“Will she be alright?” Gwaynn asked taking her place on the side of the cot.

Samantha sighed. “Maybe…but not for a very long time. Krys meant the world to her…she loved him very much.”

“He…” Gwaynn began but had to stop for a moment to control his emotions. “He loved her too…I never understood why when he was alive, but I’m beginning to see the attraction.”

“She’s soft and good despite what was done to her. I think the goodness of her was what attracted Krys,” Samantha tried to explain, but then feel silent.

“How do you feel?” Gwaynn asked looking down at her half arm.

Samantha shrugged. “It throbs, but Linkler gives me willow bark to ease the pain. It helps a bit.”

“Does it hurt terribly?”

“Only when I forget and bang it against something,” she answered and then once again they fell silent, somehow uncomfortable, as if they truly didn’t know each other.

Finally Samantha looked up and stared directly into Gwaynn’s eyes. He held her gaze and wondered at it briefly.

“Gwaynn,” she said softly. “Would you take me to our room?”

Gwaynn sighed with relief. “Of course,” he answered and wondered at the question.

“No,” Samantha said as he stood. “I mean will you take me to our room and love me…will you love me like before.” She knew he loved her, but was anxious, afraid that her deformity might repulse him.

Now Gwaynn understood and with a genuine smile he reached down and threw off her covers and reached to pick her up.

“I can walk,” Samantha said and pushed him gently away, then without much effort she got to her feet and stood. She remained still for a moment and was somewhat surprised that she was not dizzy in the least. Gwaynn moved to her right side, reached out and took her hand. She did not look at him but instead led him from the tent and out into the open. On the way across the bridge and up to the Plateau they passed several groups of people, civilians and troops alike, and Samantha found that with them she was not in the least self conscious about her injury…she thought it would bother her…she thought people would stare, but now she realized she didn’t care what they thought…only Gwaynn.

They reached the bailey and entered the gates. They began walking faster and faster as they drew closer to their room, so that by the time they reached the door they were near to breaking into a jog.

They threw the door open and moved inside then slammed the door closed. Instantly they were in each other’s arms. They kissed long and hard, both thankful to be alive and together, then without pause Gwaynn began to slowly, carefully undress her. Samantha scrutinized him closely as he worked, but was relieved and happy to see that Gwaynn’s face held not a hint of revulsion. And when she was completely naked she stood before Gwaynn and nearly cried with happiness at the obvious love and desire that shone from his face. But he was oblivious to her examination and stripped quickly then he moved to her, easily lifted her up and carried her to his bed.

He hurt her arm only once, but she was very careful not to cry out and when they finally lay exhausted and spent, Samantha drifted off, happy and content without a thought for her missing arm.

ǂ

Just a bit farther to the north in the newly completed Lamb’s Breath Inn, Vio lay awake in the bed she was sharing with Tam, listening to the young girl talk. She’d been yapping for the better part of an hour but Vio didn’t mind. She was not counting on getting much sleep in any case, but it wasn’t the excitement of going to war that raged in her mind, it was thoughts of Gwaynn. Her feelings were once again jumbled up inside her and try as she might to make some sense of them, they insisted on disarray.

Tam was quiet now, though Vio could not have said exactly when it was she’d stopped talking. The girl’s breathing was coming soft and even, the rhythm of sleep and Vio found she envied her, not only for the bliss of unconsciousness, but also for William. Tam had someone. Such a simple thing to say, and something of relatively little importance, that is unless you had no one. Being alone, utterly alone, eroded at one’s very being.

During the past year, Vio nearly convinced herself that she was over Gwaynn. Her heart no longer hurt and he was no longer the last thing she thought about before falling asleep, nor the first thing that came to mind in the morning. But seeing him again…Vio knew she was in trouble once more. Her heart told her so with crushing constrictions at the first sight of his face…a face that had changed, grown older, grown harder, but still it ruled her heart and ruled her mind. She wondered how such a little thing as a face could cause her so much pain; after all she went through her life seeing faces by the thousands. Why should this one be so different? She did not know. But she knew that his face was different and there was little she could do about it. Logic did not work against such power, nor did denial. It was just a fact, when she saw Gwaynn her heart hurt.

Vio tossed and turned, unaware of the time, but she had the distinct feeling that the sky in the east should begin to lighten at any minute. She was about to give up and slide out of bed, when Tam rolled over in her sleep and snuggled close, her face resting on Vio’s bare shoulder. Vio sighed, annoyed at first, but Tam was so sweet, innocent and warm that soon she welcomed the touch, even if it wasn’t the person she longed for.