Green Eyes

“Welcome back to the world,” Jared’s low, flat voice greeted Selene as she came to again.

“Thanks,” Selene groaned as she sat up, holding her throbbing head. She was getting used to the routine of overextending her power, passing out, and then waking up several hours later, aching everywhere (especially her head) and very, very thirsty and hungry. “Got anything to drink or eat?” she asked.

“Yeah, sure,” Micaela’s voice came in from somewhere nearby. It was dark out and Selene’s vision was having to adjust to the lack of light as well as rebooting. “Hope you like deer stew,” Micaela added.

“Right now I’d eat the deer raw,” Selene replied as she spotted the Esthorian hunched over a campfire. “Water?”

“Here,” Jared handed her a canteen. Selene took it and practically swallowed it whole.

“Thanks,” she said again before belching loudly. “Excuse me,” Selene added with a hint of embarrassment.

“Given that you saved our lives and defeated a sorceress,” Micaela commented as she carried over a bowl of stew, “you’ve earned some societal latitude. Besides, this is hardly the Crystal Palace of Kaiserstadt.”

“You might be better off just giving her the pot,” Jared suggested to the Amazon leader. “After using her powers like that, she eats more than a legion.”

“I’ll get a spoon then,” Micaela went back to the fire.

“What happened to the sorceress?” Jared asked while Micaela fetched the pot and a large spoon for the Navi. “Last I remember is her having you pinned and then getting electrocuted. Next thing I know is Micaela shaking me awake and seeing you slumped over next to me.”

“Unless something has changed, she’s where I left her over there,” Selene gestured to the tree where the sorceress had met her demise, a black patch marking her grave.

Jared looked over and scrunched his eyebrows. “There’s nothing there but a small pile of…oh.” The light bulb clicked on.

“Yeah,” Selene nodded. “How are you, by the way? You got hit pretty hard.”

“I’m not going to lie, that was the single most painful thing I have ever felt,” the mercenary admitted, shuddering slightly. “But, other than a little scarring on my chest, I’m okay. Thanks to you, I’m guessing.”

“Sorry about the scars,” Selene apologized.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Jared waved her off. “You beat a powerful enemy with me and Micaela unconscious and after all that, you still healed me, probably saving my life. If you have anything to apologize for, it’s potentially overextending yourself.”

“Can I see?” Selene asked, taking Jared a back a bit.

“Sure, I guess,” Jared unclipped his belt and pulled up his long shirt, revealing his chest.

Like the rest of him, it was subtly muscled; not overly defined or obvious but he was clearly in supreme physical condition. In the center of his chest, right at the sternum, was a small knot of scar tissue that spider-webbed out tendrils of scar tissue. The scars were white and shiny like new scars always were. Involuntarily, Selene reached out and touched them, shuddering as she realized how close she came to losing one of her best friends and resolved never to let him come that close again.

“Ahem,” Micaela cut in with an irritated look in her amethyst eyes. Selene immediately withdrew her hand and Jared dropped his shirt back down.

“Your soup, Navi,” Micaela handed over the pot and the spoon. As soon as the smell hit her nostrils, her appetite returned with a vengeance. She took the pot and dug into the stew with relish.

“This is amazing!” Selene gushed as she wolfed down her supper. “Since when can you cook like this, Jared?”

“He can’t,” Micaela was standing next to him with her arms crossed. “I cooked the soup.”

“Can you come with us the rest of the way? I could get used to this,” Selene asked, eliciting a laugh from Micaela.

“Seems I’ve been replaced,” Jared dryly remarked.

“Hardly,” Selene smiled. “When she can break your arm in a duel, then we’ll see.”

It was Jared’s turn to laugh and Micaela just snorted.

Selene was feeling good as her belly filled up. She felt relaxed finally. As far as she could sense, there were no sorcerers around and just being in Ammon made her feel that she wasn’t being chased for the first time in forever, even though deep down she knew there was probably a legion hunting for her. But still, she felt she was home free.

“What happened to your shirt?” Selene asked Jared randomly between bites. “Last I remember it was in tatters.”

“I fixed it,” Micaela answered.

“You?” Selene looked surprised. “An Amazon doing such womanly tasks?”

“What can I say?” shrugged Micaela. “I’m an Esthorian; we’re good at arts and crafts.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Selene acknowledged. “Are you sure you can’t come with us?”

“No,” Micaela shook her head. “Tempted but my girls need me, especially now. We’ve got a lot changes we’re going to go through and I need to oversee them. In fact, that’s something that I’ve been wanting to talk to you two about.”

“Oh?” Jared raised his head and looked at her.

“I was planning on taking you as far as the edge of the Harosheth,” Micaela supplied. “But after your fight with the sorceress, I’m thinking that I need to head back sooner. For one, you’re in Ammon with no immediate threats so you can just take the Road the rest of the way. Secondly, I’m getting uncomfortable about being so far away from my women for so long, especially with unfriendly Kalashonians roaming about, all the more so because I’ve clearly thrown our lot in with you. I’ll take you as far as the Road but then I have to turn back.”

“Too bad,” Selene pouted slightly. “It would’ve been have fun having you around, if for no other reason than to get under Jared’s skin every now and then.”

Jared bristled slightly at the observation and Micaela laughed. “Happy as I would be to oblige,” she chortled slightly, “I am needed back at home. I would’ve liked to spend more time with you.”

Her words sounded like she was talking to Selene but Micaela’s violet eyes were on Jared. Although he said nothing and did nothing, Selene thought she could read a subtle agreement in his normally unreadable blue eyes. There was a message there but Selene couldn’t quite read it.

“I understand, at least I think I do,” Selene answered after a moment with a sigh. “Duty to your people comes first. That’s a lesson that I’m starting to grasp.”

“You’re starting to get it,” Micaela replied although her eyes were still on Jared. “The people under you always come first, above your personal wants, frustrations, and grief. It is a harder lesson for some people than others.”

“Some people recognize what is and isn’t their responsibility and don’t grasp at what isn’t theirs,” Jared responded.

“Some people think they do,” Micaela countered evenly. “But can those people really make those calls with their minds so clouded? Perhaps what they think of as humility is really just cowardly grief and spiteful anger.”

Jared’s jaw tensed as their eyes locked in a silent, terse exchange. Selene knew that Micaela’s comments were directed at Jared but she didn’t understand why or how. She just hoped they weren’t headed back there. But then Jared relaxed and shrugged off the insult.

“That was a long time ago,” he said with another shrug. “And what was has little bearing on what is.”

“What was could be again,” Micaela pointed out.

Selene realized that Micaela wasn’t accusing Jared of something as much as she was asking something of him, but what? He was a soldier, a warrior. A very good one to be sure, but that was all he had been. The Navi shook her head and decided that if they wanted her to know exactly what was going on, they would’ve told her.

“What about Mara and Deborah?” Selene changed the subject.

“If you push it, you can probably catch up to them,” Micaela answered. “I sent them to the road, remember?”

Selene’s memory of the day was hazy at best given how much of her power had been drained but she did have a vague recollection of Mara and her foster daughter taking off to the south on Barak.

“Not really,” she admitted. “But that hardly means anything. So they went to the road?”

“It seemed like the safest course of action for Deborah,” Jared put in. “We are in Ammon and Manasseh isn’t going risk all-out war with them, not yet anyway. They can take the road straight to Bashan and wait for us there.”

“Isn’t that—” Selene started remembering how welcomed they had been in Beth Isaac and Beth Haven before realizing that Bashan was in Ammon and therefore Selene and her friends would be of no more interest than any other travels. She let out an explosive sigh of relief. “To be in a city and feel safe and secure,” she said wistfully. “I could get used to this.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Jared warned. “We aren’t staying too long.”

“But we’re out of Kalashon,” Selene replied confidently. “We aren’t fugitives anymore.”

“At least until Kalashon attacks and conquers Ammon,” Jared laconically countered.

“Enough of your fucking pessimism,” Micaela ordered Jared sharply. “You’re in the clear for now, relax a little, dammit. It’s a wonder Selene doesn’t suffer from acute depression being around you.”

“I’m just trying to be pragmatic,” Jared shrugged casually.

“No, you’re being depressing,” snapped the Esthorian as if she were lecturing a child. It was refreshing to see Jared, who so routinely lectured Selene, be on the other end of it.

“If you were trying to be pragmatic, you wouldn’t mention that shitty prospect,” Micaela went on. “One, you have no idea if Manasseh is planning on conquering Ammon any time soon as it is. Secondly, even if he is, he won’t be doing anything until you guys are sitting in Jerel, sipping Quick Stars. So why say something like that?”

“Habit, I guess,” Jared’s back stiffened slightly at the condescension. “It comes with thinking ahead, something you’re not used to it would seem.”

“Fuck you,” Micaela retorted.

“Anytime you wish princess,” Jared flashed a rare, roguish grin.

“Only in your dreams, Kalashonian,” Micaela shot back as her face flushed deep crimson. Selene herself was blushing furiously at the suddenly explicit nature of the conversation.

“Soooo,” she drew out, changing the subject again. The dynamic between these two was just too weird for her. “When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Jared answered. “Unless you’re sensing another sorcerer around, there’s no point in pushing hard through the dark. Might as well get rested and go when it’s daylight.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Selene accepted feeling fatigue take over her again as her dinner began to settle in her stomach. “I could get some more sleep.”

“Since you clearly haven’t gotten enough today,” Jared sarcastically commented.

“She saved our lives so cut her a little slack,” Micaela chided playfully.

“Fair enough,” Jared allowed equally playfully, much to Selene’s confusion. The way they flipped back and forth from at each other’s throats to acting like best friends, it was dizzying.

“Get some sleep, Selene,” Jared added. “There are some blankets on the horse. Go ahead and conk out while we handle things here.”

“Thanks,” the Navi smiled appreciatively as she stood, weakly, and went over to the black horse that stood dutifully where one of the others had tied him up. She found the blankets, pulled them out, and spread them out next to the fire. A minute later she was snoring peacefully.

*******

“It looks like they beat you to the road,” Micaela observed late the next afternoon as they broke through the trees onto the famed Ammonite Road. It was wide, about 30 yards or so across and although not paved exactly, the beaten earth made for a hard, flat surface that ensured smooth travel for carriages and wagons, or as smooth as those things ever were. Overhead the mighty trees formed a canopy that shaded the travelers while also dappling the ground with shadows and sunbeams as light filtered through the leaves.

“Either that or they got lost,” Selene replied.

“We’re talking about Mara, not you,” Jared commented with a smirk. “Not everyone has your talent for screwing things up.”

“Hey!” Selene protested, tempted to knock him on his butt with a little TK but decided against it. Part of her was still a little bit afraid of him.

“It’s possible that we passed them, though not likely,” Micaela surmised her thoughts. “We followed the natural path south which is what I would guess Mara would follow. The difference is that we didn’t kill ourselves getting here and they were probably pushing really hard. But they’re probably worn out so if you push, you should catch up to them pretty soon.”

“Thank you so much Micaela,” Selene sincerely expressed to the Amazonian, grabbing her hands. “You gave us a home for the winter.”

“After ambushing us and threatening to sell me as a slave,” Jared cut in sarcastically.

“And after you broke my arm,” Micaela retorted playfully.

“And after we rescued your lieutenant,” Jared pointed out with a wry grin.

“Who was captured because you brought Kalashonian Blood Guards into the forest,” Micaela shot back.

“Anyway,” Selene cut in before their banter degraded into an actual fight. “You have been amazing to us, especially the last couple of days. We couldn’t have made it this far without.”

“I don’t know about that,” Micaela shrugged. “You were the one who killed the sorceress while Jared and I were unconscious.”

“But you were the one who guided us safely, for the most part, through the forest and got us to the road,” Selene pointed out. “We really couldn’t have done that without you. Not to mention, you fed us and housed us during the winter. We are forever in your debt for that.”

“No, you’re not,” Micaela waved off. “If anything, I’m in your debt. Especially yours Jared. I treated you like shit and you just kept on working your ass off to train my girls. You took us from being a hodge-podge of displaced women into a cohesive fighting group. And if that wasn’t enough, you risked your life to save my lieutenant. I’ll never forget that.”

“That’s all I ask,” Jared replied, unsure of what else to say.

“I guess you probably need to get going, as do I,” Micaela reluctantly said after a long pause. “Good-bye Jared,” she added giving Jared a tight embrace for another long moment, long enough to elicit a raised eyebrow from Selene. Pulling away, the Esthorian grabbed Jared’s hands and locked eyes with him. “Think about my offer, okay?”

“That much I can promise,” Jared returned the eye contact with a soft, almost imperceptible smile.

“And you Selene, it has been a true honor to get to know you,” the short Amazon leader hugged the Navi. “I hope we will see each other soon.”

“Me too,” Selene returned the embraced. “Oh, before I forget, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Oh?” Micaela stepped back and regarded Selene curiously. “What is that?”

“There’s something off about Emmanuelle,” Selene informed.

“What do you mean?” the Esthorian’s violet eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’m not sure,” Selene admitted with a shake of her head. “But when I was healing her, I got this impression that something was not right with her. When you’re healing someone, you get a sense of intimacy that you have to experience to understand. I can’t explain it but you just get to know a person. And I got a bad sense from Emmanuelle. Be careful with her.”

Had it been anyone else, Micaela would’ve fiercely defended her best friend and most trusted advisor’s honor but Selene wasn’t just anyone. She was a Navi and Micaela knew from personal experience that Navi, even inexperienced Navi, knew things. Wisdom dictated that one listened carefully to what Navi told one, even if what they said made little sense to the Navi or the recipient.

“Can you be more specific?” Micaela pressed.

“I got this image of a woman,” Selene supplied. “It wasn’t particularly clear but she was Kalashonian, I think. Pale skin and raven black hair; similar to Jael except a lot taller.” Strangely that made Jared’s head snap around. Selene decided to ignore that. “I couldn’t make out the face, though I doubt I’d recognize her anyway. Sorry,” she finished.

“It’s alright. Thanks for the heads up,” Micaela acknowledged the warning. “Thank you again. Now,” the Esthorian drew herself up, placing her palm perpendicular to her face much like Jared’s Form VII stance, and dipped her head forward slightly. “May the Creator shine a light on your path,” she declared the traditional Esthorian travel blessing.

“And may the Creator bless your home,” Jared returned the blessing with the same gesture. Selene didn’t understand but mimicked Jared, hoping that was what was expected. Micaela smiled appreciatively at the gesture and then a moment later vanished into the forest, her mottled gray, black, and white robes allowing her to blend into the dappled underbrush. Jared stood there, staring at the spot that the Esthorian had disappeared into, a confused look on his face.

“You alright?” Selene asked him.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Jared tore his gaze away from the forest to face his young charge.

“You look like something’s bothering you,” Selene observed.

“What makes you say that?” Jared looked uncomfortable.

“I’ve learned to read people over the last few months,” she shrugged. “I know you pretty well, which makes it easier not that you’re easy to read. Plus, I’m a Navi; we get impressions that tell us a lot, once you get used to them.”

“That’s disconcerting,” Jared snorted. “So what are you getting from me?”

Selene scrutinized Jared again for a moment, placing a thoughtful finger on her chin. “There’s something bothering you,” she surmised, “an offer from Micaela, I think, and you don’t know what you should do and that’s what’s bothering you. Your heart is telling you something but you don’t know how to handle it.”

“When did you learn that trick?” Jared sourly grimaced indicating that Selene had hit the nail on the head without actually admitting such.

“I’ve picked stuff up as we’ve gone along,” Selene shrugged. “That and Micaela knows a lot. She’s a remarkable woman, isn’t she?” Selene couldn’t resist the probe.

“She is,” Jared admitted to Selene’s surprise as he hazarded a glance into the north side of the forest. “By the way, what was that thing about Emmanuelle?”

“I’m not sure,” Selene’s face tightened into a frustrated frown. “It’s just this strange feeling I got from her, like she’s not the friend she appears to be.”

“She’s never been a friend to me,” Jared commented.

“That’s different because you’re a man,” Selene rolled her eyes. “She hates you simply because of your gender and makes no effort to hide that. But what I got was something else entirely,” she pursed her lips again. “It wasn’t the pure hate that she gives you but more of a hidden agenda that’s motivated by something other than revenge. Fear, or power maybe; but I don’t know. Just that it is something cold and calculated; dangerous.”

“Comforting,” Jared grumped. “As usual your powers are just useful enough to make things more confusing.”

“Hey, I’m new at this,” Selene defended. “I’m still working out the bugs.”

“Bugs?” Jared sneered. “You’re so full of bugs to be confused with an ants nest.”

“You have to walk before you can run,” Selene shrugged having gotten used to the verbal abuse. “By the way, do you know who that was?”

“Who what was?” Jared furrowed his eyebrows.

“That woman I saw,” Selene said. “You know her, don’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said brusquely.

“Are you sure?” Selene pressed. “You really reacted when I described her.”

Jared’s eyes suddenly narrowed into a glacial glare. “I said I have no idea,” Jared repeated in his lethal arctic tone.

*******