Green Eyes

“Aunt Selene!” squealed Deborah much later that night as Jared and Selene stumbled wearily into Mara’s camp.

“Hey Deborah,” Selene tiredly smiled as she embraced the small child.

“Thank the Creator,” Mara wrapped her arms around her brother in a tight embrace. “I was terrified that I would never see you again,” she admitted, visibly relieved that he was okay.

“I told Miss Mara that you would beat any bad person that attacks you,” Deborah declared confidently, squeezing Selene’s waist again.

“Good to know that someone has confidence in me,” Selene shot both twins a warning look. “You guys led us on a merry chase.”

“Miss Mara was scared,” Deborah informed. “We ran the whole time.”

“Really?” Jared raised an eyebrow.

“You would too if you were being chased by a sorcerer and were responsible for a six year old,” Mara retorted. “By the way, I assume the sorcerer has been dealt with.”

“She’s currently a pile of ash, yes,” Selene confirmed before relating what happened.

After she finished a minute later Mara let out a low whistle. “Wow,” she shook her head in awe. “Are you okay?” she turned to Jared.

“Thanks to Selene, yeah,” Jared nodded. “She incinerated the sorcerer and then healed me while both Micaela and I were unconscious.”

“Well, mostly healed you,” Selene amended. “I ran out of juice before finishing up so there are still some scars.”

“Not the first ones he’s gotten,” Mara commented with a smirk. “Although there some of the few I didn’t inflict.”

“What?” Selene’s eyebrows shot up.

“She’s the only one who can legitimately challenge me,” Jared shrugged. “Besides, it isn’t like I haven’t given her my fair share.”

Mara mocked a wince and rubbed the left side of her ribcage, eliciting a laugh from Selene. “That’s true,” the older woman smiled. “We grew up beating the living daylights out of each other and that’s why we’re as good as we are. So we’re taking the road the rest of the way?” she suddenly changed the subject.

“Yeah,” Jared nodded. “We’re in Ammon now so we should be safe enough, at least from the army so there’s no reason to slink through the woods.”

“Are you sure about that?” Mara interjected. “That sorceress didn’t seem to be bothered by the border?”

“That’s a sorceress and they play by their own rules; we all know that,” Jared rebutted. “Besides, she was alone and probably was a rogue element. Like I said, sorcerers play by their own rules and the number one rule is to do whatever it takes to get ahead of everyone else. The Navi is the ultimate prize and so I imagine that they are bucking at the chance to be the one who took down the great Selene. The sorceress must have gotten loose.”

“And what’s to keep others from getting loose and hunting us down?” Mara crossed her arms.

“Nothing,” Jared shrugged. “But that can’t be helped. The best thing we can do is get as far away from here as possible as fast as possible so we take the road. It’s not like we can hide from them with Selene acting like a flare so there’s really no reason not to just take the road and get out of here.”

“Fair point,” Mara acquiesced. “She does draw them like moths to a flame.”

“You guys do realize I’m standing right here, don’t you?” Selene suddenly demanded.

“Quiet honey, the adults are talking,” Jared cut her off with a dismissive wave. “Anyway, we shouldn’t dawdle.”

“Leave at first light then?” Mara questioned with a cocked head.

“Yeah,” Jared nodded. “If we push it, we could probably make it to Bashan in a week or so.”

“And then we’re safe?” Selene queried.

“For the time being, unless Brutus and his minions come tearing across the Harosheth after us,” Jared confirmed. “But we shouldn’t have anything to fear from the army. Manasseh isn’t going to risk open war with Ammon, not yet anyway.”

“Unless he knows something we don’t, which is likely, given history,” Mara pointed out. “Still I agree; it’s extremely unlikely that they’ll cross the border.”

“Most importantly,” Selene added cheerfully, “we won’t have to hide from everyone. We’ll finally be in a place where we aren’t wanted.”

“It’ll be nice,” Jared sighed deeply. “I have to admit that I’m tired of being chased.”

“I think we all are,” Mara agreed. “You said you had friends in Bashan, right?”

“‘Friends’ is a strong word,” Jared replied. “They were people that I fought closely with during the Ammonite War and they’d be willing to let us stay for a couple of days.”

“And then what?” Selene inquired.

“Then,” Jared breathed in deeply, “we’ll take the road to Jerel. It’ll probably take us three weeks, more or less, to get to there.”

“Another month?” Selene groaned. “That long?”

“It’s a fair step across Ammon,” Jared informed. “The distance from Bashan to Jerel is more than twice the distance from Lakeside to Beth Isaac. The roads will be a lot nicer and we won’t have to hide along the way. Traveling across the world takes time, my dear.”

“Thanks,” Selene snorted. “You know, you guys could certainly curb the condescension. I’m not the helpless little girl you met six months ago.”

“But you are still very ignorant of things outside the little bubble you grew up in,” Jared chided. “You’re learning but you still have a long ways to go. We have a lot more experience than you, so leave these kinds of decisions up to us.”

“This is still about me and ultimately my life is what’s on the line,” Selene countered. “They’re after me, not you. So I would very much appreciate it if you keep that in mind and include me in these conversations. I’m getting really tired of you guys talking about me like I’m not even here. Would a little respect kill you?”

Jared and Mara shared a silent conversation and a shrug. “We’re all a little tired,” Mara concluded. “And we have a long day tomorrow so let’s get some sleep.”

“As you wish,” Selene allowed gruffly. It wasn’t the apology or promise she was hoping for, but from those arrogant jerks, it was as good as she was going to get. And admittedly, Selene was very tired; she and Jared had had an arduous day and her muscles were aching. So, upset as she was, Selene rolled over and went to sleep.

*******