The Fists of Panaria

By John Lasiter III

Chapter 14

The room in which Lorry lay unconscious was unpainted, but shone with care. Sitting upon the chest at the end of the bed, Fingers took in the small silver-framed mirror upon a small chest of drawers, the heavy woven quilting of the coverlets, and the rocking chair beside the window. In a flash of insight he knew this was Wynethra’s sleeping quarters. He glanced at Lorry, whose color seemed to be returning.

“Lorry, you are a fool to have left this place behind,” he murmured. “I suppose we all of us made some questionable decisions in joining up.” He tapped a little tune on the wooden lid of the chest and felt sleep overtaking him… “Wake up, my friend,” Toady said quietly as he nudged Fingers where he sat upon the chest. “Thou art tired indeed to fall asleep sitting up,” Toady smiled as Fingers yawned and stretched. His bones crackled with every movement. “I have brought thee fare for thy consumption.” He handed a slab of bread and some cheese to the smaller man.

Fingers regarded the once well-dressed man soberly. “I see you have sloughed off your mask… Why?” Toady said nothing as he sat carefully on the rocker.

“It doth matter not, mine friend. Suffice it that I be myself once more and have cast aside that wearisome face for mine own. Perchance our senseless friend here hath seen me truly and given me chance to assume myself again. Much as he seems to have done.” Toady silently reflected Lorry as Fingers ate.

“Are we going to make it?” Fingers’ question seemed to deflate the other man. Toady took time to gaze out the window at the gathering clouds.

“Truly I know not, my diminutive friend,” Toady admitted. “But we must not dally. Come, let us rejoin yon companions and see what our commander hath devised for us.” Fingers sighed as he rose to follow Toady out into the cooling air. “We must make straight for Alquabar,” Ahren stated flatly. She did not like the tone this Merrick was taking with her. Nor did she like his eyes constantly flickering over her physique.

“My lady, I am simply suggesting that your enemies will see the same thing, and take appropriate actions against you. I merely suggest you take a slightly more difficult path and save time in the long run.” He smiled kindly at her. “The post Road will certainly be watched and guarded. There is a longer, albeit somewhat safer route if I may simply be heard out.”

“Ahren,” whispered Teneil. “Hear the man out. We have need of sound counsel about now – not that I decry neither your sense nor your leadership.” Teneil put her hand on the woman’s arm. They sat at the table still impatiently biding time for much needed rest and recovery.

The blonde woman sighed and motioned for Merrick to continue. He drew forth a parchment he had fetched a while earlier and spread it on the table between them all. Toady and Fingers walked doggedly up to the group. Ahren’s brows rose.

“He do be resting and his color doth regain its healthful hue,” stated Toady. “For my part, I am exhausted and must say that we must begin anew or rest for a time for I lose volition as we are.” Fingers nodded, yawning once more.

“Without the thrum of bows and the hum of arrows I can’t stay awake much longer,” said the thief. He sat heavily upon the porch and leaned against a banister.

“Very well,” sighed Ahren. She looked to all her soldiers. “Take sack time now whilst we figure out this alternate path. Once we have it, though be ready to move out.” Her eyes slid to the other house. “I hope Lorry will be mobile by then – else we leave him behind.” Merrick smiled as he pointed out there current location and the surrounding land features. Wynethra stood and left them to there quick study, even as the rest of the group already began to doze off. Her steps carried her over and into her house and room. She first checked on Himmel who slept like the dead, but his breathing was smoother and his pallor not so alarming. She deftly checked the bandage and saw that it was in good shape before going to sit on her bed beside Lorry.

She gazed fixedly on his face trying to smooth worry-lines from that face by sheer force of will. Alas, the Mother turns our paths beneath our feet, she murmured to herself. Lorry stirred for a moment, and she tensed. His eyes slowly opened and he took stock of his surroundings.

“I have not awoken to this in quite some time, Wyn,” he laughed weakly. He choked on dry throat and Wynethra quickly went for water in the front room. When she returned, Lorry was sitting up, with a pillow propping him up. He regarded her return with some trepidation.

“I am well enough to travel, Wynn,” he whispered as he sipped the water she offered. “We must make it to Alquabar immediately.” The woman nodded at his words, but put a cool hand on his brow, tracing the lines on his face.

“You return to me after all this time only to leave again? Will you break my heart a second time?”

“It was not my intention then or now, Wynn,” he said earnestly. “It was not in my nature to be so bound to a place.” He paused. “I almost could not leave that first time. This time will be no easier. But I must. Would you bind me thus? Cage me? Even if it be with your love?”

“No. A cage is a cage no matter its method of restraint,” she whispered. “Can you not agree then to come back once your errand is finished? Do I mean so little to you?” Tears were slowly streaking her cheeks. Lorry, with liquid eyes, took her into an embrace.

“If I live, I will return,” he sighed. “Even if only to visit before my next deployment, if there be one.”

“You have other work in the world, Lorithlan. Killing is not thy calling,” Wynethra accused. “I know your touch, I know your heart.” She sat up once more, regretfully.

“If the Mother puts our path before us, then I have been away at her devising.” He sighed and looked away. “I have done evil things. I have been unspeakably cruel, and I know not why,” he whispered. Should my path come back, I would be happy, Wynn. Truly. But it is not to be just yet.” With that said Lorry rolled carefully off the bed and stood. “I have a task before me, Wynn. One that cannot wait upon me. If this be the reason I’m here right here right now, then I must persevere.” He turned and left her there as he rejoined his friends.