Green Eyes

“You two, halt!” a stern voice shouted.

“Great,” Jared grumbled next to Selene. “So much for just slipping in. Keep your eyes lowered,” he ordered drawing his hood low over his face

“No problem,” Selene grumbled back. “That’s one skill I have down.”

Part of her was annoyed at Jared for making her fall back to that demeaning habit. Now that she knew what her eyes meant, she wanted to show them off proudly. But she also knew that that would mean trouble, a lot of trouble. Not that she was worried about dealing with the trouble; she just didn’t want to irritate Jared.

“Who are you and what is your business in Beth Isaac?” demanded a soldier gruffly, barring their way into town.

“My name is Nathaniel and this is my wife Hadassah,” Jared answered taking Selene’s hand in his. She instantly felt herself blush. “We are on our way home to Endor and would like to rest up a couple of days here before catching a boat to Endor.”

“Where are you coming from?” the soldier questioned.

“Visiting her parents in Lakeside,” Jared replied. That much at least was remotely truthful.

“Lakeside huh?” the soldier scratched his bearded chin. “There was a big ruckus up there a couple of weeks back as I recall. The lord was killed by an escaped prisoner or something like that. Do you know anything about it?”

“There was a disturbance shortly after the king’s anniversary,” Jared said in a slow, thoughtful voice. “But we were leaving shortly afterwards and did not find out much.”

“Pity,” the soldier grumped. “Why did you come the long way down instead of going through Canyon Town? Could’ve just as easily caught a boat to Endor from there.”

“It was…blocked off,” Jared supplied.

“This time of year will do that, I suppose,” the soldier admitted. “Very well, you may pass. But keep an eye out for the traitors from Lakeside. Rumor has it that they may be coming through here.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Jared dipped his head.

“Long live the king,” the soldier saluted as he let them pass.

“Long live the king,” Jared replied in a flat, even tone that Selene knew meant precisely the opposite.

“You can let go now,” Selene griped as she wrenched her hand out of Jared’s, wincing. “And you didn’t have to keep such a tight grip. It’s not like I don’t have enough bruises as it is.”

The last week on the Kidron Plain had been brutal. In addition to the bone-chilling cold, Jared had insisted on traveling at night when it was colder and resting during the day when it was warmer. It may have kept them from freezing to death, but Selene never felt rested.

Then there was Jared’s ruthless training. For two hours at least a day, he pushed her to her physical and mental limits drilling Form I into her skull. Of course she never came remotely close to landing a punch but she was managing to last more than four or five seconds against him. That didn’t prevent her from getting tossed around like a rag doll and feeling like a walking bruise. Her healing powers were in overdrive.

“It kept you quiet,” Jared remarked coldly as they walked past the first houses into the town.

“You don’t trust me very much, do you?” she asked.

“I don’t trust anyone,” Jared retorted, “least of all naïve little girls.”

Selene was trying to think of some witty comeback when she first noticed the people. “Hey,” she said looking around, “what’s wrong with them? They’re all so skinny and dirty.”

Although Beth Isaac didn’t cover much more area than Lakeside, there were at least twice as many people crammed in the small spaces. But it was far from a prosperous. The people she saw bustling around were terribly gaunt, despite being wrapped in several layers of clothing. Their houses looked overcrowded and most were falling apart. Selene could have sworn that most of the children she saw didn’t have shoes. At this time of year, that could be lethal.

“Meet the charity of Lord Jasper and our dear and beloved king,” Jared spat out.

“What do you mean?” Selene asked.

“Even before Manasseh usurped the throne,” Jared explained anger tingeing his voice, “Beth Isaac was a sorry excuse for a town. It should be one of the most affluent cities in the kingdom because it sits on the Great River. Every day, trade from all over the world passes through here on its way to Endor or Portsmouth or back up to Canyon Town, but the people see none of it.”

“Why not?”

“Because Lord Jasper takes everything and leaves the people to live on the scraps he so generously deigns to hand out,” Jared answered sarcastically. “His father started it about fifty years ago, buying up land and trading rights, driving everyone around him into poverty. The people were forced to sell themselves to him to survive. So now he profits off all the trade and the people of this town starve.”

“These people are slaves?” Selene gasped in horror. “Why hasn’t anything been done?”

“Because for the most part Lord Jasper and his family have been too powerful,” Jared replied. “The old king’s kids, the crown prince and princess, started to force Jasper to free his slaves and let them build legitimate lives for themselves. But Manasseh took over before they could do any long-term good and they were killed. Our new king, may he live forever,” Jared snarled, “has decided to give Jasper a free hand. I suppose it helps keep the general populace in line as well as lining the Crown’s pockets.”

“You don’t like the king very much, do you?” Selene queried.

“Let’s just say we don’t see eye to eye,” Jared tightly responded.

“Well the more I hear about him, the less I like him,” Selene agreed. “Especially with him hunting me like a dog.”

“Not so loud,” Jared hissed. “Do you want to get us killed now?”

“Sorry,” Selene apologized, lowering her voice.

“And you wonder why I don’t trust you?” Jared sardonically questioned.

“I said I was sorry,” Selene pouted. “So what’s the plan? Start a slave revolt?”

“No,” Jared rejected. “The plan is to lie low in an inn for a couple of days, rest, resupply, and then get a ship to Endor.”

“But what about these people?” Selene protested. “We’ve got to do something for them!”

“And just what would we do?” he rounded on her. “You, a Navi with bipolar powers and me, an ex-mercenary against at least three legions? We’d both get ourselves killed or worse, you’d get captured and then these people would be truly without hope. There is nothing we can do for them right now.”

“I can’t just do nothing,” she looked sympathetically at the freezing children sitting apathetically in their broken doorways.

“Today, you must,” Jared firmly commanded her. “There may, there will, come a time when you will free these people for real, but it is not today. If you really want to help these people, then get yourself to Jerel, get trained as a real Navi, and come back and do some real good.”

“But…” she started to protest again but gave up. “You’re right,” she sighed. “I’ll be patient.”

“Good,” Jared let out a sigh of relief. “Now let’s get ourselves to an inn.”

*******

Selene had never thought she’d miss four walls as much as she had. She nearly burst into tears when they checked into the Laughing Inn twenty minutes later she was so happy to be out of the cold and warm again.

In keeping with their cover story, they checked in as a couple, much to Jared’s annoyance, which meant a single room. Barak was led away to a warm stable, something that the horse seemed rather pleased about. In the last two weeks, Selene had learned to more or less understand horse.

But her joy was short-lived. As soon as they deposited most of their gear in the room, Jared immediately dragged her back outside into the cold.

“Where are we going?” she complained as the winter wind hit her in the face.

“We’re not here to laze around,” Jared answered. “We’ve got some supplies to get and you need some new clothes and a sword.”

“A sword?” Selene raised her eyebrows.

“I think you’re ready for Form II,” Jared replied. “It’s the best fight for your talents or lack thereof. Normally I’d want you studying Form I a lot longer, but considering the circumstances, you have enough to move on. So we get you a sword.”

“Where?” Selene had a hard time believing that anyone would be allowed to sell weapons.

“I have a friend here who’s a blacksmith,” Jared told her.

“You have a friend?” Selene blinked.

“More of an acquaintance,” amended Jared. “I haven’t seen him in a while, but he should still be here. Anyway, let’s go.”

It was midafternoon when Jared and Selene found the blacksmith’s shop on the far side of town.

“Is this Micah’s shop?” Jared requested of a young apprentice working the bellows.

“It sure is!” a loud voice boomed over the hammering. A large, heavy set man with graying black hair and fiery brown eyes strode over to where they were standing. “What can I help you with? Be quick, I’m about to close up.”

“She needs a sword,” Jared jerked a thumb at Selene. “I was wondering if you could help us out.”

“A sword, huh?” Micah scratched his chin while he appraised Selene. She suddenly felt two feet tall. “Sure, I think we can manage. How soon do you need it?”

“Tomorrow would be best,” Jared replied. “We’re not staying here long.”

“Who would?” snorted the blacksmith. “Very well. Form II, III, or IV user?”

“II,” Jared answered. “And not the strongest person either.”

“Didn’t think so,” Micah agreed. “I’m guessing about 27 long, double fuller to lighten it. We can have it ready by tomorrow night, if that’s alright?”

“Should be fine,” Jared nodded, fishing in the folds of his robe for something. He finally produced a liquid red coin about the size of his thumbnail. “Will this cover your troubles?”

Micah took the coin with reverence, examining it carefully. “Real Edomite,” he marveled. “Yeah, this should call it even. By the way, do I know you?”

“It has been a long time,” Jared removed his hood. “But we have met before.”

Micah squinted at him and then his eyes went wide with recognition. “I don’t believe it,” he grinned. “Jared, it’s been almost twenty years! You’ve hardly aged a day,” he added in awe. “What happened to the sword I made for you?”

“Lost it in a battle with a hydra eight years ago,” Jared informed. “I killed the beast, but there wasn’t much of a blade left when I was done.”

“If it took a hydra to take down one of my weapons, then it was a good end,” Micah beamed proudly. “Do you want me to make you another one?”

“No, I have a blade of my own that is good,” Jared politely refused. “Just one for her is all.”

“We’ll get on it right away,” Micah started gesturing to his helpers. Lowering his voice, he added. “Heard about that trouble in Lakeside and figured you had something to do with,” he said. “Is she really?”

“The less you know, the better,” Jared cautioned.

“I suppose,” Micah turned to Selene. “All the same, it’s an honor to make you a sword, though I doubt you’ll have much use for it. And I’m mighty glad to have your kind around again.”

“Thank you sir,” she bowed.

“Thanks Micah,” Jared clasped the man’s forearm. “We’ve got to get going, but we really appreciate this.”

Micah held up the red coin with a smile. “You’ve thanked me enough, old friend,” he said. “We’ll have that blade ready for you by this time tomorrow.”

“You two seem to have a history,” Selene commented as they exited the smithy.

“Not really,” Jared shrugged. “When I first fled Kalashon, I came through here needing a sword. Micah was just an apprentice back then but he was willing to help and made me a good blade. I’m just glad he remembers me.”

“He seems to have come a long way since then,” Selene looked back at the bustling shop.

“Don’t let his helpers fool you,” Jared cautioned. “They are all Jasper’s slaves. Because they arm the army and blacksmithing is such a physically demanding job, they get better rations than most, but they are still slaves. That Edomite I gave him will make a huge difference in his life.”

“What is Edomite?” Selene abruptly changed the subject.

“Here,” Jared pulled another coin from his pouch and dropped it into her hand.

The bright red metal never actually changed its shape, but it seemed to roll around her hand like a liquid drop. Selene carefully placed her free hand underneath, scared that she would drop it.

“I’ve never seen anything like it!” she gasped.

“Living in Lakeside, I’m not surprised,” Jared nodded. “It’s a very rare metal from the Malchian highlands that, though it is solid, looks like liquid. Coupled with its rarity, it is the single most valuable material in the world. That coin you’re holding is worth a hundred gold coins.”

Selene immediately handed the coin back. “You’d better hang on to this,” she said. “I’d probably lose it.”

“Probably,” agreed Jared, pocketing the coin. “But I’ve got plenty more.”

Again Selene’s eyes went wide.

“I’ve spent much of the last twenty years as a mercenary,” Jared replied with a shrug. “Especially the Ammonite War.”

“Ammonite War?”

“Ten years ago, the Malchians invaded Ammon,” Jared answered. “I helped the Ammonites beat the Malchians back and they were grateful, very grateful.”

“So it would seem,” Selene shook her head. “You are full of surprises.”

“A few here and there,” Jared shrugged. “Here’s the market; let’s get some supplies while we’re here.”

The market, such as it was, was essentially a bunch of booths set up in the town square. This time of year there wasn’t much variety available, even with so much trade going through the town. Jared and Selene spent much of the rest of the afternoon sorting through breads and various vegetables.

“That’s the last of it, thank you,” Selene heard a woman’s voice say behind her.

Selene frowned, wondering why that woman’s voice, of all the people milling about, had caught her attention. Turning around, she saw a young woman of average height and athletic build load a box of bread into the back of a cart. Still there was something strangely familiar about her. Maybe it was her sandy brown hair that was the exact same color as—

A loud crash suddenly jerked Selene’s attention away from the woman. She turned around to see Jared surrounded by a pile of bread and cabbages. Following his gaze, she saw that he was staring intently at the woman who had just hopped into the cart and was driving off.

“Quit staring at her butt,” Selene admonished jokingly. “It’s not very gentlemanly.”

Jared seemed to ignore and kept staring at the space the woman had just occupied.

“Hello, anyone home?” Selene waved a hand in front of his face. “I know she’s cute, but isn’t this overreacting a bit?”

Jared blinked and snapped out of it. When he looked down at Selene, his face was white as a sheet.

“Are you okay?” she questioned. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I think,” Jared’s voice was raspy and shaken, “I think I just did.”