Martyr (The Martyr Trilogy) (25 page)

“Sweet!”
I exclaimed, awestruck.  By now even Kuro was smiling.  Without delay and with
renewed confidence I took up the attack, and soon the others were drawn to our
location by the sheer energy of the fight.  Kuro was an excellent foe, but I
moved with a fluency and attacked with an intensity that was not long to be
withstood.  Minutes later he stood defeated, the severed halves of his staff in
his hands.  The few who had gathered cheered, and Maya ran into my arms.  A
lone figure in the shadows trudged off toward the dying fire at the dam.

“I
go through more of these…,” Kuro complained, holding up the remains of his
staff before casting them into the lake.  “I just carved that one today!”  He
walked to me and put his arm on my shoulder.  “I’ve seen what I needed to see. 
You’re ready.”  And then more quietly, only to me, “Don’t worry about Corvus. 
He’s been instructed to play fair.”  I had seen how well Corvus followed
instructions.

The
next morning I showed up at the training arena at dawn.  I wasn’t about to give
Corvus anything to fault me for.  My eye detected a subtle movement in the
tower; a third figure had joined the straw dummies there.  Corvus dropped to
the ground, a distance that would have splintered a normal man’s shins, but he
landed lightly, and was immediately on his feet again.  As he approached me out
of the early morning shadows, I could see that he was shirtless, sword in
hand.  “Lose the ridiculous armor,” he snapped.  It seemed only fair.  I removed
the helmet and slipped out of the upper body gear, setting it to my rear. 
Realizing that I would have no access to my weapon once I removed the leg
coverings, I popped the thigh hatch and collected my staff.  I wondered if
Corvus had hoped I would not realize this, intending to leave me unarmed.  He
would have no such luck today.  Once I had my blade, I removed the leg armor as
well, leaving me only in trousers as he was. 

Without
hesitation he struck, batting my weapon aside and scoring a very real slice
between my ribs on my left side.  It burned with a searing intensity – his
blade was poisoned! 

“You
cheat!” I shouted.  “Kuro said you were supposed to play fair!”

Corvus
laughed roughly.  “Yeah, that’s not exactly how he said it to me.  He only told
me not to try to kill you.  I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. 
I have every confidence in your miraculous healing abilities, Martyr.”  He
laughed again, derisively.

So
that was how he was going to play.  Fine.  At least I knew what to expect.  The
sudden loss of the armor’s weight, albeit minimal, had altered my reaction time
in unexpected ways.  I had been as careless as if my sides had been protected
by the armor.  It wouldn’t happen again. 

Corvus
lunged again, and I parried.  He laughed with sadistic glee, undeterred,
hesitating not a moment before launching another attack, and another.  He
thought to wear me down, I saw.  But I had not been doing nothing since our
last encounter.  I had been training hard, honing my skills.  And I imagined he
had not been training with anything like the same intensity, relying more on
experience and over-confidence in his existing skills.  My side still burned,
but the pain was less than before.  I didn’t have to remove my eyes from him to
know that the healing process was already well underway. 

He
danced before me, trying to intimidate me with the unpredictability of his
movements.  But my senses were sharp, thanks in no small part to Charr.  I knew
instinctively which movements were feints, which were preludes to actual
attacks.  It was so obvious to me that I could almost allow myself to relax
between true efforts, responding only to those actions that required a
response.  It was not that he wasn’t good; he was – extremely.  But simply put,
I was better.  I drew no vanity from the knowledge of this fact, as I knew only
too well that I possessed it only as a function of incredible training coupled
with an unearned innate skill set.  Nevertheless, Corvus himself was slow to
acknowledge this reality.  And the moment when he began to do so could be
documented by anyone watching his face.  The contemptuous aggression gave way
to something very much like fear, and as it did, his fighting style wavered,
his strikes becoming clumsier, less intentional. 

During
one of these I saw an opportunity, and I switched to the offensive.  Something
in the back of my mind tried to remind me mid-swing that he did not possess the
same healing abilities that I did, but it came too late.  I wanted to make him
feel what I had, to understand that the ability to recover from an injury in no
way lessened the pain of the blow, and my weapon was more than willing to
oblige.  In fact, my attack was more severe than I had intended it to be, so
that as my blade liberated a thick ribbon of flesh from his side, I was
sickened by the realization of what I had done.  This feeling lasted only for a
moment.

The
exposed tissue underneath undulated in an unnatural, rhythmic manner.  I stared
at its strangeness, momentarily entranced, before I realized what I was looking
at.  Tiny gears and pistons, their nature betrayed by the glint of shiny steel,
moved within Corvus’ flesh.  “Metal…machinery…,” I stammered, dumbstruck.  Then
as understanding took hold, “This is what Charr did for you…”  I stepped back,
attempting to engage him in a human conversation.  “Why?”

My
question enraged him.  Foregoing an answer, he growled and drove at me again. 
I brought my staff up to thwart him, and his blade met mine and continued to
press.  His occasional jerky spasms told me that he was feeling the injury.  I
held my ground.  His face was inches from mine.  He bared his teeth, and as I
tried to avoid his vacant, icy glare he said, almost calmly, “You do know what
a martyr is, don’t you?  You know what must happen in order for us to win?”  A
grin of pure hatred contorted his pain-wracked face.

“Justin! 
Corvus?”  Jager’s initial assessment had not made it altogether clear who was
at fault in this conflict, but the blood evidence told him that things were not
as they should be.  At the sound of Jager’s voice, Corvus broke off his
attack.  Suddenly self-conscious, Corvus clutched his side protectively and
scampered off to retrieve his armor.  Jager’s news was for my ears, anyway. 
“Reya and her people have arrived.  You won’t…I mean…it’s imperative that you
speak with her at once!”

“Where’s
Maya?’” I demanded, suddenly concerned.

“Maya’s
fine,” he said.  “But…when she…oh, just come!” 

I
followed him back to the dam, riding as fast as the deer could manage.  I
couldn’t imagine what could be so shocking about Reya’s arrival, unless…unless
Maya had already confronted her and it had not gone well.  If that were the
case, I wasn’t sure that was a fight I wanted to, or should, mediate.  I pushed
my deer yet harder, and after what seemed an eternity, we reached the dam.  As
our deer sprinted across its top, I was shocked to see so many people standing
on the far shore, where previously there had never been more than a few at any
given time.  It felt somehow like an invasion of our private sanctuary, even
though I knew these people were friends.  Reya was immediately recognizable as
we rode up, though it seemed strange that she sat at the back of another rider
that I soon perceived to be Denkel.  His deer stood slightly to the fore of the
others, and he looked at me with what appeared to be expectation.  Of what, I
wasn’t sure.  My eyes scanned to his right and I saw a number of other familiar
faces, coming to rest at last upon one that I had somehow not managed to notice
at first, but whose poise and confidence were unmistakable.  But if Reya…  My
blood ran cold.  My gaze whipped back to the figure seated behind Denkel, who
could most certainly not also be Reya…a name formed on my lips.  “Mana…” 
That’s when I became aware of Maya, standing over near the dam, arms crossed,
features drawn tight, one foot tapping.  This was not good.

23

“Good
to see you again.  Nice armor,” Reya said as she descended from her deer.  “I
understand you’ve made dramatic progress in your training since we parted.”

“I’ve
had some excellent teachers,” I said.

She
continued, “I also see that you are, in fact, acquainted with young Mana here. 
So…you knew my double in your own world.  That almost seems like something you
ought to have mentioned during one of our early conversations.”

“Honestly,
it didn’t seem all that important.  Everyone seemed a lot more interested in
pointing out who I resembled.”

“Point
taken,” said Reya.  “Still…” 

“Hah!” 
The exclamation came from Maya, stomping brazenly toward Reya, face burning. 
“You’re one to lecture someone on things that ought to have been mentioned!”

Wow. 
She was going to do this right now, in front of everybody.  Reya was caught
unawares.  She stood frozen, slack-jawed…then her head snapped in my direction.

“Don’t
you look at him…Mother!” she said, placing added emphasis on the last word. 
Her eyes were brimming.  Reya approached her cautiously, and Maya, sobbing,
took a step back.  Reya closed the distance again, proffering a pleading
embrace, and after a moment’s hesitation, Maya permitted it. 

I
was close enough to hear Reya whisper, “I am so, so sorry.  I need you to know
there were reasons for what I did.  Please give me the time to explain
myself…later.”  Maya pulled away abruptly at the mention of a delay in her
expected resolution, turned and marched back to her former spot, leaving Reya
standing.  Reya blinked several times in rapid succession, turned to me once more. 

Denkel
had helped Mana dismount, and she came up to stand beside Reya.  The
resemblance was undisputable, but surreal.  Mana was younger, shorter, and more
petite than Reya, but it was clearly the same person, so to speak.  The
correspondence was not that of a child to its mother, but of a different
version of the same thing, as of a twin raised in drastically different
circumstances and exposed to contrasting experiences.  The same person, but
from worlds apart.  “Justin!” Mana said, and ran to embrace me, planting a kiss
on my cheek.  For the moment, I was glad my field of vision did not allow me to
see Maya’s face.  I tried to appear as indifferent about the show of affection
as possible, in case my body language were being monitored.  “Oh, you don’t
know how good it feels to see a familiar face.  Besides my own, of course!” 
Why was she still hanging on me like that? 

Mercifully,
Reya interrupted the embrace, pulled me aside.  “This is the Mana you know?”
she asked candidly.

“Yes,”
I said.  “But what is she doing here?  Where did you find her?” 

“What
are you doing here?” she replied.  At first I thought she meant here, at the
dam – an odd question coming from the one who had sent me in search of this
place.  Then I realized the question was rhetorical.  “Chaer-Ul had a purpose
for you.  Obviously he has a plan for her as well.  And forgive me for asking
this, but…was she…your lover…in your own world?”

“What? 
No!”  I said.  “Why would you ask that?”

“Well,
besides her recent display of fondness, I do have my daughter’s feelings to
consider.  She’s had enough heartbreak for one day, I think.  Justin, why did
you tell her?”

“It
was an accident, I assure you,” I said.  “But think of it this way: I did the
hard part for you.”  Her eyes became slits, and I thought I saw her hand
sliding toward her dagger, so I quickly redirected, “Look, I think she’s going
to be OK with it, just tell her what you told me.”  She appeared to be considering
what I said, and finally relaxed.  “How did she come to be with you?” I asked.

“She
found us,” Reya said.  “She was lucky not to have encountered anyone from
Magus’ party, as she apparently arrived a good distance to the east, and had
wandered for several days before she found our camp.  Chaer-Ul must have led
her to us.”

“So
she just woke up in this world, like I did?”

“Well,
found herself on a riverbank, as she tells it,” Reya explained.  “But the idea
was the same.  She was going about a normal day in her world when things just
suddenly changed, and then it was the same, but different.  She made her way toward
what she expected to be a familiar highway to hail a ride, and it wasn’t a road
at all, but a rushing torrent.  After that she just walked.  She never passed
out like you did.  Women tend to be able to handle things like that better.” 
She smiled.  I pretended I didn’t hear the last part.  “Justin, we need to try
to figure out what role Chaer-Ul has mapped out for her.  It may be crucial in
the war against Magus.  I know it may create an uncomfortable situation for you
and Maya, but I need you to try to spend as much time with Mana as possible. 
It may be that the connection you share with her through friendship may enable
you to learn something I couldn’t.”

“You
think she knows something she isn’t saying?” I asked.

“No,
I think she may know something she doesn’t realize she knows,” she replied. 
“Will you do this for me?”

I
allowed myself to look at Maya at last.  She had never looked more dejected.  I
shook my head, wanting to help, but fearing what it might do to Maya.  “I’ll do
what I can,” I said at last. 

“Good,”
she said.  “Now, let’s return to the group.  The next bit of news bears on
everyone here.”  Reya strode to a place in front of her people, but facing Kuro
and the others.  I noticed that the assembled throng continued to swell as more
of the people from Reya’s camp completed their journey and fell in behind her,
some on foot, a few on deer, nobody heavily encumbered, and all looking quite
exhausted.  Reya spoke loudly for all to hear.  “On behalf of my people, I wish
to express our gratitude at your willingness to receive us here.  We are many
in number, but we will work hard to minimize our burden to your space and
resources.”

Kuro
closed his eyes and waved his hand in a magnanimous gesture that I knew did not
reflect his growing discomfort with having to accommodate such a large host. 
The altruistic display was premature, as Reya continued, “That being said, I
wish to entreat your hospitality yet a bit further.”  Kuro’s anxiety began to
show as his jaw tensed, fearful of what he would be asked to stomach now.  Reya
didn’t keep him in suspense.  “For too long we of the resistance have existed
as scattered bands, ever susceptible to the coordinated attacks of Magus’
raiders.  Communication between camps is inconsistent and slow.  There is no
unifying goal or plan of attack, and no way of implementing it if there were. 
If Magus were to launch a series of simultaneous attacks on each of our major
settlements, we would fall one by one.  Individually, our bases are weak and
vulnerable, merely existing, surviving.  But united as one, we can formulate a
plan to strike Magus where it counts, to destroy the source of his power and
end this war once and for all.”  Kuro, perhaps anticipating what was coming
next, opened his mouth to voice an objection, but Reya beat him to it.  “To
that end I’ve been in communication with every resistance military base of
which we are aware, and I’ve taken the liberty of inviting them to join us
here.”

Kuro
squeezed his eyes shut once more and shook his head sadly side to side, utterly
defeated.  He ran his hand slowly through his silver-black hair, forced a more
congenial expression upon the unwilling creases of his face, and croaked out,
“Make yourselves at home.”  He then turned briskly on his heel and trudged
toward the dam entrance. 

Reya
seemed surprised at his reaction, looking to me for explanation.  “That’s just
Kuro,” I said.  “I’ll talk to him.  He’ll be all right.”

The
crowd buzzed with chatter, sounds of excitement mingled with fear.  Jager spoke
next.  “What about the matter of treason?” he asked.  “Where does that stand? 
I trust you wouldn’t have brought these people here unless that situation had
been resolved?”

Reya
nodded.  “The traitor has been exposed and dealt with.  Further detail need only
be discussed among the leadership.  It shall suffice to say that he or she
presents no further danger to us.”

Now
Kaire.  “But the other camps…if even one of them has been compromised, then we
are essentially leading Magus right to our door, and now we’ll be conveniently
assembled for him to obliterate in one timely blow.  Then all of this will have
been in vain.”  She was visibly distressed.  “Reya, this is something you
should have discussed with all of us.”

“And
ideally, I would have,” Reya said.  “But given the circumstances, it was not
possible.  What I can tell you is that rigorous internal and external
interviews have been conducted in an effort to eliminate the possibility of
sabotage.  And I am confident that this was the right move to make.”

“How
can you be so sure?” Maya demanded abruptly.

Reya
simply smiled and answered calmly, “I have faith.”

Maya
turned and started in the direction Kuro had gone.  I turned to Reya and said,
“You know this isn’t really about inviting the other camps, right?” 

“I
suppose not,” she said.  “I do want to talk to her, but just now…there are so
many things I need to take care of.  Leadership never rests.”

“I
know,” I said.  “But I know Maya.  And you should make time soon.”  I turned
and ran after Maya.  Halfway to the door, I felt a tug on my sleeve.  I turned
to see Mana’s smiling face.

“Hey
Justin…can I have a minute?”

“You
absolutely can,” I said, “just not this one.  I’m really sorry.”  I made to
pull away, but she held my arm fast.

“Please. 
It’s been such an awful few days, and I’m so scared.”  Tears were beginning to
spill over the edges of her long lashes.  “I need to talk to a friendly face.” 
It was hard to believe that Reya or her people had been anything but friendly
to her, but the truth was, I really had no idea what she had been through
lately.  I knew she needed me, but right now, Maya needed me more. 

I
pulled my arm free and placed my hand on her shoulder in an effort to comfort
her.  “I’m really sorry, Mana.  I’ll talk to you soon, I promise.  I…I have to
go now.”  I turned and hurried toward the dam.  As I did, I heard Charr taking
the initiative to provide some semblance of order in Kuro’s absence.

“Most
of you will be staying in the city you passed on the way up here.  But clearing
space will be a big job, and you must all rest and refresh yourselves first.  I
suggest you pitch your tents here for now, along the lakeshore.  Food is
another priority.  Hunting parties will be chosen from among…”  Her voice was
muted by the door as it closed behind me. 

I
found Maya in our room, as I had expected.  She was lying on the bed, face
buried in her pillow.  I realized belatedly that I hadn’t thought about what I
wanted to say to her.  I had only known that I needed to comfort her.  I
cleared my head, then my throat, and opened my mouth to speak.  I was
interrupted by a jarring noise behind me, a rattling sound that made me jump
forward so that I nearly fell on top of Maya on the bed.  Whipping my head
around as I reached for my weapon, I saw the humbug clinging to the wall above
the door, now cleaning its forelimbs.  Recovering, I said, “You can’t be
bringing that thing home with you!”

Without
lifting her head Maya replied, her voice muffled by the pillow, “Why not?  You
brought your ex-girlfriend home!”

“Maya,
that’s really not fair,” I said.  “You know I had nothing to do with that and
no knowledge of it.  Besides, she was never my girlfriend.”

“Because
you didn’t want that,” she probed, “or because you hadn’t worked up the nerve
to ask her yet?”  Well, no one could say she wasn’t intuitive. 

“What
I may or may not have wanted then is of no consequence.  I’m not the same
person I once was.  My life changed forever when I met you.”  I knew it sounded
like a well-scripted line, but it was also the truth.  I saw her relax.  I
think it was the “forever” that got her. 

She
turned to face me, propping herself up on one elbow.  I could see that she had
been crying.  “Still, I don’t like that she’s here,” she said.  “Why would Chaer-Ul
toss in a complication like this, just when things are going so well for us? 
It’s hard enough to deal with my mother being here.  I liked it better when it
was just us.”