Green Eyes

Selene passed out almost as soon as she hit her pillow. Her other powers sapped her strength, but she was often able to recover easily enough. But with healing it was different. Just a few moments seemed to drain her life-force away, leaving her a weary shell. She hoped that she wouldn’t have to heal anyone else anytime soon.

Meanwhile Jared and Mara stood in the corner of their room, simultaneously keeping watch on her and the door in case any of the Bats tried for revenge.

“She’s so much like him,” Mara commented as they heard Selene’s soft snores. “At least what he’d be like as a man, assuming the court didn’t poison his heart.”

“I don’t think anyone could’ve poisoned Zeke’s heart,” Jared smiled sadly. “Kindest boy I ever met.”

“I wish I could see them together now,” Mara wistfully said. “He’d only be a few years older than her, you know. If he had lived, then maybe…”

“Maybe,” Jared agreed solemnly. “But he didn’t and so there’s no point in hoping.”

“You and I weren’t supposed to have survived,” Mara pointed out. “Do you think there’s—”

“No,” Jared cut off firmly. “Not unless he managed to survive getting his head cut off.” “Did you…”

“Yeah, I did,” Jared shuddered at the memory.

“How could they?” Mara snarled balling her fists. “He was just an eight-year old boy. I swear to you, if Manasseh comes within a hundred miles of me, I’ll make him sorry he was ever born.”

“Let’s get Selene to Jerel first,” Jared placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Then we’ll worry about revenge.”

“Speaking of which, what are we doing here, Jared?” Mara’s tone became clinical again. “You and I both know that staying here is a huge and unnecessary risk. Yet you caved to her. Why?”

“What do you mean?” Jared furrowed his brow.

“You were that stranger who rescued Deborah five years ago,” Mara accused, “and you’ve been watching over them ever since.”

“You caught that, did you?” Jared sheepishly replied.

“Selene caught that, so yeah, I did,” Mara growled. “I have to ask, are you sure your judgment isn’t clouded at all on this one?”

“I’m not following,” Jared eyed Mara suspiciously.

“Jael, do you have feelings for her?” Mara demanded plainly.

“No,” Jared flatly denied.

“Look I get it if you do,” Mara pressed. “She’s a beautiful, strong, independent woman and close enough to our age.”

“I don’t,” Jared’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “And you of all people should know better than to think that.”

“Okay,” Mara accepted. “So why are we doing this?”

“It’s Selene’s choice,” Jared answered. “And she’s right, this is what a Navi is made for. Whether we like it or not, this is her duty.”

“It’s awfully risky, Jared,” Mara commented.

“We can handle a gang of street thugs,” Jared shrugged.

“It’s not the thugs I’m worried about,” Mara countered. “Nor is it the army. We can deal with those easily enough. But it’s those guys living in that castle fifteen miles northwest of here that have me worried. We can’t fight them and I seriously doubt Selene can either. And after her little performance this morning, they have to know we’re here.”

“They won’t do anything,” Jared waved off. “Not yet, anyway. If they were, we would’ve known it by now. My guess is they’re waiting for Brutus.”

“That’s stupid,” Mara remarked. “They have to know that they can take us now.”

“Intelligence has never been a requirement for sorcerers,” Jared pointed out. “Look Mara, I get your concerns but we’re not nearly in as precarious a position as you think. We’re a day’s ride, a hard day’s ride admittedly, from the Harosheth. If trouble comes our way, we can get to the forest and disappear there. It’s pretty big if you recall.”

“Fair enough,” Mara acknowledged.

“With us, Selene can handle the Bats,” Jared went on. “This will give her real-world Navi experience, something they can’t teach her in Jerel. And this is what a Navi is supposed to do; help those in need. With us watching her back, she should be safe enough. Besides, she’s not nearly as weak as you might think.”

“That’s true,” Mara laughed dryly. “It’s good to see her growing a backbone finally. Let’s just hope she doesn’t grow a big head with it. That could be problematic.”

“Agreed,” Jared chuckled. “But I doubt she’ll be ordering us around anytime soon. Still, this is a good opportunity for her to stretch her Navi muscles.”

“Alright, you win,” Mara acquiesced. “And Jared, it’s okay for you to like Jael. I want you to be happy and she’s a good woman.”

“Some wounds don’t heal, Mara,” Jared shook his head.

“You need to move on,” Mara sighed sadly, wrapping an arm around her brother. “And Jael’s not her.”

“Yeah?” Jared shrugged off Mara’s hug. “Well, I’ve been wrong before.”