Green Eyes

“Hey, wait up,” Jared heard Micaela call to him from behind.

The mercenary stopped, holding Barak’s halter with one hand and a large ceramic storage jar in the other as Micaela came puffing up to him. She was carrying a couple of packs awkwardly strapped to her back with her personal effects.

“What do you want?” Jared suspiciously asked her.

“Nothing,” Micaela shrugged. “Just want to hang out with you a little bit. I thought we buried the hatchet. We did, didn’t we?”

“Sorry; old habits,” Jared allowed a tiny smile.

“It’s okay,” Micaela replied as she fell into step with him.

For an awkward minute they walked in silence together. They had spent so much time fighting they didn’t really know how to be civil to each other.

“Thanks for helping us move,” Micaela finally broke the ice.

“It’s not a problem,” Jared told her. “I mean we started helping you guys so we might as well finish it. Although I do find it interesting that the Blood Guards didn’t retaliate. They had to know that your camp wasn’t too far away.”

“Maybe Selene bloodied the Bloodies noses too much,” Micaela joked, chuckling at her little pun.

“Unlikely,” Jared snorted. “If anything it made them mad.”

“I don’t know,” Micaela countered. “That was a pretty impressive display of raw power from what you tell me. Still, it’s wise not to tempt fate. I remember you having more of a sense of humor,” she added.

“I remember you being nicer,” Jared deadpanned.

“Touché,” Micaela mocked a wince as they settled into another awkward silence.

This time Jared broke the ice. “It’s really pretty here,” he remarked looking around.

Micaela twisted her head around to take in the scenery. In the month since the fugitive trio had arrived, winter began to admit defeat and give way to spring. Although the days were still cool, the sun was making more frequent and longer appearances. Small green leaves were appearing, giving the formerly grim looking deciduous trees a decidedly more cheerful expression. Underneath their feet the first grass shoots were beginning to pop through the ground as the ferns and shrubs started to unfurl their leafy-greenness. It was as if the Harosheth was breathing a massive sigh of relief at winter being essentially over.

“It is,” Micaela agreed as she drank in the brightening scenery. “You know there are times during the winter that I sometimes question my sanity for running away. It’s cold and wet and dark. The Harosheth isn’t exactly the most cheery place in the winter. But then the first day of spring comes,” she breathed in deeply, “and I am reminded that I might be the luckiest woman on the planet to live out here. Not even the Temple in Jerel can match the beauty of the Harosheth in full bloom. It’s like being surrounded by living stain glass,” the Esthorian smiled contentedly. “And it’s on days like this that I know there is nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“I believe it,” Jared said as they continued pushing along an invisible path that everyone was following to the new site of the Amazon camp. “I wish I could stay here.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Micaela replied, drawing a curious expression from Jared.

“That’s got to be a first,” he dryly remarked.

“This is weird,” Selene commented to Mara twenty paces behind.

“I agree,” the older woman nodded beside her as she carried a bundle of swords. “I almost wish they’d be back at each other’s throats.”

“Yeah,” concurred the Navi. “At least then the world made sense. I wonder when this happened?”

“Last night, I think,” Mara supplied. “I remember Micaela asking me about Jared and then I didn’t see her the rest of the night.”

“I can’t imagine the effort it must’ve taken for those two to swallow their pride,” Selene shook her head. “I probably had an easier time blowing a hole in Beth Haven’s wall.”

Mara had to laugh at that. “Weird as it is, I am glad that they finally realized that they are actually on the same side,” she said. “Maybe your little blast knocked some sense into them.”

“I can’t take credit for that,” Selene chuckled. “It would take more than a telekinetic wave to get through their thick skulls. Still, now that I see them together and not about to kill each other, they do make a cute couple, don’t you think?”

“I think we said the same thing about Jared and Jael and look how that turned out,” Mara sharply retorted. “Let’s not start that again, okay?”

“Fair enough,” Selene shrugged. “But you have to admit, she is perfect for him. After all, she’s the one woman that can actually stand up to him. I mean, that’s not related to him,” she hastily added, getting a glare from Mara.

“Like I said, let’s not scare him off, okay?” Mara repeated.

Selene just shrugged again. “Where are we going?” she switched topics.

“In the Harosheth anywhere is the same place as anywhere else,” Mara cryptically answered. “To be more specific, we’re going about two days north and a little west. The Amazons needed breathing room from the road, especially after what happened to Emmanuelle. How’s she doing, by the way?”

“Fine, for the most part,” Selene responded, having healed the girl the rest of the way early in the morning. “Her new muscles need to learn how to work, but other than that, she’s as good as new.”

“How are you doing?” Mara inquired knowing how much effort healing took.

Selene unsuccessfully tried to repress a grimace. “Tired,” she answered. “Thankfully we were able to patch Emmanuelle up enough that I didn’t have to do too much, but it still really takes it out of me. Micaela said that when I heal, I’m literally transferring my life force to the other person in addition to using my power. That’s why it’s so draining. In fact she said that that would kill a normal person; only because my Navi powers recharge my life force can I do it.”

“That’s frightening,” Mara considered. “While I appreciate the saves, barring life-threatening injury, how about you let me heal on my own from now on?”

“It’s up to you,” Selene shrugged. “Small stuff isn’t really a big deal; it’s the big stuff that—”

Selene broke off suddenly midsentence and she dropped the basket she was carrying. A chilling sensation was building in her gut and slowly creeping up her spine. She wanted to pass it off as being cold, but the day was warm and the sun was shining. Besides she’d felt this before and knew exactly what that feeling meant.

“Selene are you—” Mara stopped short when she saw the Navi’s pained expression and it took her even less time to figure out what that meant.

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” she growled. “Jared! Get back here, now!”

Jared and Micaela paused and turned to see Selene standing stock-still, eyes wide and clutching her belly. Instantly Jared sprinted back the twenty or so paces to where they were standing.

“Is this what I think it is?” he asked Selene. Selene just nodded.

“Sorcerers,” she breathed.

“What makes you say that?” Micaela quickly questioned.

“I get this cold feeling in my gut when sorcerers are around,” Selene explained having recovered from the initial shock and was breathing normally.

“Fuck,” Micaela snarled clenching her fists. “How many and how far?”

“She doesn’t know,” Jared answered for the Navi. “That power doesn’t work quite like that.”

“Are you an expert on Navi?” Micaela snapped back. “Selene, concentrate. Can you locate them and how many?”

“How?” Selene asked.

“I don’t know,” Micaela replied.

“I thought you were an expert on Navi,” Jared jabbed.

“I know a hell of a lot more than you,” Micaela retorted, shooting him an amethyst glare. “Sorcerers, on the other hand, are more of mystery. Partially because they aren’t exactly forthcoming about their secrecy and partially because there has always been a question among our scholars how much about sorcery should we know. And when it comes to sorcerer-Navi interactions…no one but Navi know about that and they don’t ever talk about those.”

“Fascinating but how is that helpful?” Jared questioned.

“Your barbs aren’t helping either,” Micaela countered sharply. “Besides, you’ve been with her around sorcerers before so you guys probably know more. Any ideas?”

“They have to be inside ten miles,” Jared recalled. “She didn’t sense any of the sorcerers in Witch Haven and we were never closer than ten miles.”

“And she hasn’t been able to sense individual sorcerers and specific locations,” Mara added. “Mostly it’s just a proximity alarm.”

“No, wait,” Selene suddenly held up her hand. “There’s only one, coming up from the southwest. I can’t tell how far.”

“How do you know that?” Mara looked confused. “You couldn’t tell anything about the sorcerers in Beth Haven.”

“She’s gotten a lot stronger over the last month,” Micaela offered.

“No, not that,” Selene shook her head. “It’s like being able to tell where a sound is coming from. I think I couldn’t place those things in Beth Haven because there were so many sorcerers that it was like trying to listen to specific voices in crowded room where everyone is talking very loudly. It was just overwhelming.

“But this is quieter, like a single voice, distant,” Selene described. “My guess is the person, I can’t tell the gender, is still several hours away but closing. They know where to find me.”

“Micaela you need to get your people into hiding quick,” Jared advised. “Sorry we can’t help you with the rest of your move, but for your sake we need to get Selene out of here pronto.”

“Can’t she take on a single sorcerer?” Micaela questioned.

The three travelers all winced. “The last time I tried, I got tossed around like a bean bag,” Selene sheepishly admitted. “Granted it was Brutus but I couldn’t even touch him with the one shot he let me take before mentally wrapping me up and whacking me against the pavement like he was trying to beat a fish to death. I had no chance at all.”

“Couldn’t we help her,” suggested Micaela.

“You know what Selene did to the Bloodies the other night,” Mara reminded. “Sorcerers are unlike any enemy you’ve ever faced. Unless you yourself possess special powers, you stand absolutely no chance against them. You can’t fight someone you can’t touch, can paralyze you from fifty feet, and kill you with a single thought.”

“I was told that you two defeated Brutus,” Micaela was confused.

“Defeated Brutus?” Jared nearly laughed. “Each of us fired an arrow at him to distract him long enough for me to grab Selene and us to bolt like bats out of hell. That’s it.”

“More than that, I doubt us mortals could survive a battle between Navi and sorcerers,” Mara continued. “Remember the TK wave that Selene unleashed on the Bloodies? Imagine those waves going back and forth, smacking everything in the air, us included. Throw in fire, lightning, ice, and Creator knows what else getting tossed back and forth. That kind of power in conflict tends to be very hard on those on the sidelines. Very hard.”

“Good point,” Micaela acknowledged. “You, Heidi,” Micaela snapped her fingers at her fellow Esthorian. The silver haired woman trotted over to where they were gathered.

“What do you need, my lady?” Heidi requested formally.

“Find Emmanuelle and bring her here immediately,” Micaela ordered tersely.

“Is there a problem, my lady?” questioned Heidi.

“Just get her,” Micaela shooed her off. “I don’t want to create a panic, since that won’t do any good,” she explained to the others. “So what’s the play?”

“We’ve got to get Selene out of here pronto,” Jared informed her. “I feel bad ditching you guys in the middle of your move but if we stick around then you’ll have a lot more company than you’ll want. We know that sorcerers can sense her at least as well as she can sense them which means she’s the flame for the moths. Getting her away from you is the safest thing we can do for you.”

“I figured that,” Micaela nodded her understanding. “You’ll—”

“Excuse me Micaela, you wanted me?” Emmanuelle interrupted.

“Yes,” the shorter woman replied. “I’m going to be taking these three to the Ammonite edge of the Harosheth. I want you to lead the girls and set up the camp. You know where to go and what to do, yes?”

“Yes ma’am but I don’t understand why?” Emmanuelle looked confused.

“Neither do I,” Jared added.

“While I’m certain your woodsman skills are fantastic,” Micaela answered. “You’ll need a guide so that you don’t get lost and do lose your stalker. And while you don’t know these woods that well, I do. I know the Harosheth better than anyone else in the world. I can get you to the other side in less than a week.”

“I’d rather you stay here where it’s safe,” Jared told her.

“Cute as your concern is,” Micaela gave him condescending smile, “but I am more than capable of taking care of myself. After all, I’ve led these women for nearly fifteen years without much incident. And again, you need someone who will safely get you out and that is me.”

“And your Amazons?” Jared wondered.

“Emmanuelle knows what to do and she can hold things down until I get back,” Micaela answered. “You need me and I’m coming with you and you might as well just accept it.”

“There’s no way to talk you out of it, is there?” Jared despondently asked.

“Nope,” Micaela smiled defiantly. “Face it buddy, you’re stuck with me at least until the edge of the Harosheth.”

“Fine,” Jared reluctantly acquiesced.

“Emmanuelle,” Micaela turned back to her subordinate, “you’re in charge. Get the girls to the new camp site and keep them out of sight. I will join up with you in a couple of weeks, alright?”

“Yes my lady,” Emmanuelle bowed and headed off, already giving out orders to keep moving.

“How much time do we have?” Micaela asked Selene.

“I don’t know,” Selene shook her head. “Close; maybe a few hours out, I’d guess.”

“Either way, we need to move. Now,” Jared clarified heading to unload Barack of his extra luggage while Mara did the same with the black stallion they had “requisitioned” from Jasper’s castle six weeks earlier. Two minutes later they were ready to go.

“Which way master guide?” Jared asked Micaela with a wry smile.

“This way master follower,” Micaela returned the smile with a sweeping gesture. A minute later, they vanished into the Harosheth Hagoyim.

*******