Humayre: The Chronicles of Ronin Wilder

“Are you sure you don’t want to go in by yourself first?” asked Grace as she stared at the white door. “We don’t mind waiting.”

“Yeah,” said Kevin. “Maybe you should talk to her first. See if she feels up to having a bunch of kids in her room.”

“I know what Mrs. Kinney would say,” said Ronin. “She would get mad at me for making you guys wait outside.”

Mike grabbed the silver handle and turned. He pushed the door open and barged in. “Bro’s and Brohina. You guys talk way too much. Less talky more walky, is what my dear old bag of a grandma would say. Bless her leather skin and crocodilian like heart.”

Kevin, Ronin and Grace all laughed as they followed Mike into Mrs. Kinney’s room. A white curtain stretched from wall to wall obscuring everything behind it. Ronin grabbed the curtain and was just about to pull it to the side when Kevin tapped his shoulder.

“Are you going to tell Mrs. Kinney what you and Mr. Wetstone talked about earlier?” asked Kevin in a whisper.

“I don’t know. It depends on what she wants to know,” said Ronin in a whisper “Why?”

“Okay,” said Kevin. “Just wanted to know so I don’t accidentally say something you don’t want me to.”

“I tell her everything.” Ronin smiled as he looked at his three friends. “Don’t worry guys. She going to love you.”

“Baby?” asked Mrs. Kinney. “Is that you?”

Ronin pulled the white drape to the side. Medical machines of every shape and size littered the small room. Mrs. Kinney lay in bed, an I.V. connected to her arm and all sorts of wires attached to her chest. The sight at first shocked Ronin. But then he saw the smile. The smile that he loved more than any other.

“Baby!” said Mrs. Kinney. She started to get out of bed. Ronin burst across the room and gently put his hand on her shoulder keeping her from getting up.

“Please don’t get up,” said Ronin.

Mike, Kevin and Grace stood still by the white drape.

“I won’t get up if you hurry up and give your old Mrs. Kinney a hug.” She held her arms out with the warmest smile Ronin had ever seen. Ronin leaned down. Mrs. Kinney just about squeezed the life out of him. “I was so worried about you, baby.”

Mrs. Kinney released her grasp. Ronin stepped back and looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Worried about me? You’re the one who got hurt.” Just saying it broke his heart. Fighting the tears back, Ronin couldn’t help but to think everything was his fault.

“Baby,” said Mrs. Kinney in a firm voice. “I know that look. None of it was your fault. You got that. None of it. Yer Old Mrs. Kinney can take care of herself. You hear me boy?” She picked up the remote control and turned the volume down on the detective show she had been watching.

“Yes ma’am.”

Mrs. Kinney looked past Ronin. “Didn’t I ever teach you anythin’?” She smiled. “Aren’t you gonna introduce me to yer little friends?”

“Yes ma’am” Ronin turned to his friends. “The big guy is Mike, the other two are Kevin and Grace.

Mrs. Kinney pulled Ronin close and in what she probably thought was a whisper said, “She’s a pretty one. You treatin’ her like a lady? Oh boy, don’t you let me hear about you treatin’ her like anythin’ less than a princess. I watch the television. I see what boys do these days.” She looked past a blushing Ronin and smiled at Grace. She pulled Ronin close once more. “You got yerself a pretty one there.”

Blushing, Ronin looked back to where his friends stood. Kevin and Mike were covering their mouths trying to keep from laughing. Grace smiled, her cheeks were flushed and her heart rate was accelerated. She was obviously embarrassed.

Leaning into Mrs. Kinney, Ronin whispered, “She not my girlfriend. We’re just friends.”

“Oh sweetheart,” said Mrs. Kinney. “You better fix that before some boy comes along and snatches her right up.” She motioned for Ronin’s friends to come closer.

Ronin put his hand on Mrs. Kinney’s arm. “I’m so sor…”

Mrs. Kinney interrupted. “Not another word.” She squeezed Ronin’s hand. The claws caught her eye. She held his hand up. “Now I know there’s things in this world I don’t understand. And I’m not one to poke my old nose into business that ain’t mine. But, baby, whenever you’re ready, you’re gonna have to explain these too me. Deal?”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Ronin. Her reaction to his claws was a huge relief. Often he would lay in bed at night unable to sleep because he was worried Mrs. Kinney would think he was a freak, or worse, be scared of him.

“Okay,” said Mrs. Kinney as she kissed Ronin’s hand. “Now. I don’t want to hear anymore fuss.” She motioned for everyone to come close. “Not another word about me, okay, babies?”

Taking a que from Ronin they all said, “Yes ma’am.”

“Okay, my little darlin’s,” said Mrs. Kinney. “I want to know about everythin’. The school. What you been doin for fun. Everythin’.” She smiled. “That alright with you? Now if you got somethin’ better to do don’t let your old Mrs. Kinney keep ya. But if not, I want to hear about it all.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They all said with a smile.

“Okay,” said Mrs. Kinney. “With that all settled.” She smiled. It was a sly smile, like she knew something she wasn’t supposed to know. “Let’s start off with the Rahvein and Humayre.”

The four friends all looked at each other in shock.

Mrs. Kinney belted out laughing. “Oh, babies. If you could only see the look on yer faces.” Pointing to her side table, she motioned for Ronin to grab the paper laying on top of it. “Be a sweet heart and grab that piece of paper. Give it a good goin’ over.”

Reading through the document Ronin quickly realized what it was. He looked to his friends. “It’s like the gag order we signed when we first got here.” With a smile, he added, “We can tell her everything.”

Three hours passed. Ronin was the only visitor left. Mrs. Kinney looked tired. She had been falling in and out of sleep for the past half hour. A muffled snort came from the bed. She was asleep. He grabbed her hand, her eyes crept open.

“I’m going to let you get some rest,” said Ronin. “See ya tomorrow?”

“Okay, baby.” Mrs. Kinney’s voice was horse. “Maybe you could get Grace to come again?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure she’d love to come”

She smiled. “I like that girl.” Her eyes slowly closed and her head tilted to the side. A soft snore let Ronin know it was time to leave.

After jumping out of the warm carriage Ronin stood still in the center of the BrightWood court yard. The memory of Master Kita’s fight overpowered his thoughts. Sucking in a breath of crisp air, he tried to block out the memory of Cyrus. The carriage driver rubbed his hands together and disappeared through The Great Hall double doors. Ronin was by himself. Snow burdened pines and white fluff gave the appearance of a winter paradise. For the first time in months Ronin felt at peace.

As Ronin trudged through the ankle high snow, The Tournament popped into his head and reminded him that he still had plenty to worry about. The wind swirled. Snow kicked up into the air and pelted his face. He ducked his head down and made his way towards the House Ware door. A scent tickled his nose for but a second. In a panic, he spun around.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard was Raven. He waved and smiled. Ronin stood frozen in disbelief as Raven walked towards him.

“It’s cold out,” said Raven, stopping only feet from Ronin. He stuffed his white gloved hands into his buttoned-up white wool trench coat.

Ronin looked left, then right hoping to see someone.

“Let’s take a walk shall we?” asked Raven.

Ronin took a step back. Once again his eyes searched for help. “I’m not going anywhere.” He couldn’t wrap his mind around what he was seeing. Was Raven crazy? Was he that arrogant? His heart raced as he hoped for Master Kita to show up out of nowhere like he had for Cyrus.

“Oh,” said Raven with a smile “I think you will take that walk.” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and waved it through the air. “If not, I will kill everyone at this school and make you watch as I do it.” An evil smile came over his face. “I know you people have to put ranks on everything. It gives you a false sense of security. To think that you understand something so that you can find where you fit in relation to it.” He laughed. “Well. Let’s just put it this way. And mind you. I am not tooting my own horn here.” He rubbed his chin and looked to the sky. “Well maybe I am a little. Anyway. Let’s not get off point. To make it easy for you, just in case you doubt what I say, I am what you would rank as a class five. Your highest classification, if I am not mistaken?”

With as crazy as it sounded, Ronin feared Raven was telling the truth. The hateful glare burning in Ronin eyes softened into hopelessness.

“Yes. That’s the look I was hoping for,” said Raven. “You’re a smart boy.” He pat Ronin on the head. “Follow me. I have someone who desperately wants to meet you.”