Scars of the Earth (22 page)

“Run! Amanda get away from him, run!” He had said. She looked around to try and find Armaan, but he was still somewhere in the brush. Cole had reached where she was and put himself between her and the dark forest.

“Get yourself into the cave, I will cover you.” He said over his shoulder, his dark eyes never leaving the shadowy wall of trees.

“It’s okay Cole Shiphra sent him. He is here to help us. Come out Armaan!” She shouted around Cole who tensed as soon as the name passed her lips.

“You really think that Shiphra sent him Amanda? Have you learned nothing over the past few days? You can not trust a member of the Guard they have been…” His body lurched forward in pain, but he straightened himself quickly as one of the shadows stepped into the clearing.

“I can get that fixed for you.” Armaan said putting a hand to his throat and making a choking gesture. “Shiphra lifted my gag, I’m sure she can do the same for you.” He offered with a wave of his large hand. As Armaan stepped out into the little light left of the day Cole flinched slightly, as if the mere sight of him was a blow.

“Go to the cave please; I don’t want you to see this.” Cole whispered to her. “Leave now and I will not hurt you.” He said to Armaan. His words sent a wave of shock rolling through her and she felt her mouth fall open, but Armaan seemed unfazed.

“What?” She asked in bewilderment. “Did you not hear what I just said? He is here to help us! Cole listen…” She pleaded as he readied his stance.

“Will you be leaving, or not?” He asked again firmly. Armaan scratched the side of his head in false contemplation.

“Um…no.” Armaan said with a smile.

Why does he have to be such and ass? He is making ME want to attack him. Amanda thought venomously.

“She is telling the truth you know. Shiphra sent me here to guide you to her. And I don’t often fail my duty.”

“No you don’t often fail your masters Armaan. I do believe that to be true. Amanda is just confused as to who is pulling your strings.” He said, making the blood rise to her cheeks.

“Don’t tell me that I am confused! You are the only one confused here. I am telling you that he is here to help us, can’t you trust me?” She screamed at his back.

“You know that I trust you, just not with this. He has a silver tongue and can spin a tale. That is why girls listen to him, girls like you. And every one of the pretty little things that followed him around turned up missing. Do you want to know why?” He asked through his teeth. Amanda felt Cole’s anger become more and more concentrated, turning into something resembling hatred. “Because Guard members like to have fun with women, and the women end up…” Cole swayed a little so she steadied him with her hand.

“It isn’t what you think; he hasn’t been working for the Ancients. He has never been a Guard member. All of those girls that you are talking about ended up in New Hovel, the city that Shiphra protects. Nell is there now waiting for us.” She explained hoping that he would listen. She could feel Cole’s doubt, but she knew Armaan wasn’t lying to her. She didn’t know how she knew but she did.

“You don’t understand the things that I have seen him do, the things that I have heard him say.” Cole said in a haunting voice.

“It was all part of the act. I had to pretend to be somebody that made me sick for the greater good. I wish that I could have had your life! You were free to be yourself, you were free to think the worst of me, you could choose to have attachments.” Armaan’s eyes flickered towards Amanda for a longing moment. “I am not going anywhere, and I am not what you think that I am. You remember who I am. We were practically brothers Cole.”

“That was before you became just like your blood brother. You are nothing to me now.” Cole hissed. Her heart fell as Armaan’s despair reached her and she could no longer stay behind Cole’s protective arms. She darted in between the two men and stared into Cole’s dark eyes.

“How could you say that?” She asked. “Can’t you feel how badly you are hurting him? He is coming with us whether you like it or not. And I am not about to let you go running off on your own…”

“I would never run off and leave you!” Cole interjected.

“I know that.” She assured him as calmly as possible. If this trip lasts more than two days I will be completely bald from ripping my own hair out. She thought in exasperation. “You don’t trust Armaan and I do. I see why you are having such a hard time with this, but even though you don’t trust him I know that you trust me.” She stepped closer to him, closing the distance that she had put between them and cupped his cheek.

His eyes bore into her pleadingly and she was lost in them. She didn’t know who had first said that the eyes were the windows to the soul, but she was reminded of how true the adage was. Cole broke the silence that had settled over the clearing and when she came back to herself she noticed that all of the day’s light was now gone.

How long were we like that? She wondered feeling bad for ignoring Armaan for so long.

“She wants you with us so you may come with us, but I will be watching you.” Cole said coldly. Armaan’s face lit up in one of his dazzling smiles.

“Are you sure that you can watch me with her around? She seems to be the only thing you can keep your eyes on.” He said gesturing to Amanda with a wink. A blush rose to her cheek and she wanted to laugh, but instead told him to shut up.

“Do you really want him around twenty four seven, it could be a long journey.” Cole said through his teeth which just made Armaan’s smile stretch wider.

“Stop being proud of yourself for being annoying.” She shot at Armaan. “And yes, I still want him to come.” She squeezed Cole’s large hand and made to let go but he kept it in place.

“Don’t worry we are pretty close to New Hovel, we should be there by tomorrow. And if you tell me that one day of my company is too much to bear it would be a terrible shot to my self esteem.” Armaan said dramatically. She wanted to tell him that a shot to his self esteem would be a good thing, but her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how nice Cole’s warm hand felt holding hers.

“As much as I enjoy standing in the dark watching you look at each other and standing in the dark watching you hold hands bashfully, I’d like to get some rest so that I can watch you do something cute tomorrow with the sharpest of senses.” Armaan announced and bowed formally before walking off towards the cave. She was getting used to Armaan’s embarrassing remarks and barely felt blood rise to her cheeks.

“Has he always been so strange?” She asked Cole in a whisper.

“He has always been different; I thought it was because of how bad his childhood must have been-what with Frey as an older brother. Always making everything a joke, but then he turned into Frey.” He said looking down at her.

“He isn’t like his brother, you’ll see. He has been through so much and he still cares about what you think of him. You should try to be there for him.” She said glancing sideways trying to gage his reaction.

“Don’t worry I do trust you, and if you trust him I will try to.” She was glad that he was trying to trust her judgment, but she wished that he could forget the Armaan that he thought he knew.

“Thanks for letting him stay, you’ll be glad that you did when we walk into New Hovel tomorrow and all of your worries are put to rest. Come on, let’s go.” She said dragging him after Armaan.

When they reached the cave she wasn’t surprised that Armaan had already gone inside. Of course it would open for him. Shiphra made this safe haven and she sent him to help us, so naturally he doesn’t need me to get in. She thought giving herself another reason to believe in Armaan. As they made their way into the light of the cave she saw that Madgie was still deathly pale.

“Oh, Cole! Isn’t there anything we can do for her?” She begged.

“You have already done everything that you can.” Armaan said from one of the stone couches. “Assuming that you’re the one that healed her. Just let her rest and try to pour some fluids in her, you’ll have to guide the water down or she’ll choke on it.”

“Well get your butt off of that couch and warm the water in that canteen, I’ll make her some tea.” She took the bamboo leaves and crushed up the rose buds placing them both into a bit of fabric. She tied it off with more fabric and hoped that it would work as a tea bag. “Have you warmed up the water yet?” She asked Armaan looking over at him. He had the canteen firmly between his hands which were bright red and glowing slightly.

“Yeah it’s steaming, should be good to make tea. So did you tell him you lost this canteen and were trying to weave one out of leaves?” Armaan asked as he handed her the water. She would have been embarrassed in any other situation, but seeing the slight smile that Armaan had put on Cole’s face was worth the humiliation.

“I would have made a beautiful water basket if you had let me finish.” She said, though she knew it was a lie. “Anyway I’m not sure I am skilled enough to get Madgie to drink this without choking her. Will you try to get some in her once the tea is done?” She asked looking at Cole.

“Sure, where are you headed?” He asked as she made her way across the room.

“I’m going to sleep, I’m exhausted.” She said making his face fall a little. She turned around making her way back over to him and whispered in his ear. “I know that you won’t sleep tonight, you don’t trust Armaan enough to, but after you get some fluids in Madgie…” She paused letting her stomach do a back flip. “You can come and lay next to me if you like.” She turned around quickly before she could see his reaction.

What if he doesn’t want to? She wondered. Why did I have to ask that? Things used to be so easy with Cole. I never had to wonder what I should or shouldn’t do or say. Now I never know what is right.

She was tired all over and her body begged for rest, but she couldn’t stop tossing and turning with worries about Madgie, Kayden, and her new found love life. One of these worries was calmed as Cole snuggled up next to her.

“Madgie drank almost the entire canteen, so stop worrying and get to sleep.” He whispered into her hair. She didn’t need anymore coercing; the steady rising and falling of his thick chest had her sent off to sleep in seconds.

Chapter 18

It was a beautiful day in Shanghi, but Nell couldn’t bring herself to enjoy it. She had strategically perched herself on a large grey rock that overlooked the border of New Hovel. The Healer’s city was nestled in the middle of Century Park. She smiled at the people walking by the border, wondering how they didn’t notice the twenty acres Shiphra had hidden from them. Everyone here thought that it was funny to go unseen in one of the most populated cities in the world. But Nell just thought it was sad that they didn’t get to enjoy New Hovel.

Century Park was long ago modeled after it; both had beautiful streams and ponds, spectacular topiary hedges clipped into all different shapes. But as beautiful as Century Park was, it had nothing on New Hovel. She had never seen anything like its green hills or cobblestone pathways. Even the sunlight seemed more concentrated, reflecting onto the water in golden pools so rich she couldn’t stop herself from jumping into the water the first time she walked by the pond.

It felt right, it felt like home, unlike the place she was brought to as a child that was could and dark. She had grown to love it, but not like New Hovel. This place made her forget the old Hovel, the only home she ever had. Unfortunately, even the beauty of this place couldn’t make her forget how much she missed Armaan.

He had kept her company the first day she arrived at New Hovel, but had gone off on some important mission. She tried to make other friends and there were plenty to be had, the children were especially friendly. She was shocked and amazed the first time she saw a small child run by, but New Hovel had them running everywhere. At her old home there were no children younger than ten. The kids followed her like a shadow through most of the day, but Armaan was just such a fun person to have around. She had never felt someone’s absence like she felt his, which confused her. She loved Amanda’s company, and Madgie’s too, but she never wallowed in their absence. So many things were changing for her, and not just location.

She never had a thought about her appearance, and now she couldn’t stop fretting about how she looked. The morning after she got to New Hovel she had sat in front of the mirror in her small bright bedroom for at least an hour scrutinizing her hair. Which, for the first time, she noticed was quite unmanageable. Then when she was finally happy with the way a side swept braid looked, she finds out Armaan wasn’t even around to see the trouble she had gone through.

He had been gone for two days now and she was frustrated at herself for keeping an eye on the clock, and frustrated at the clock for not ticking by the minutes faster. She was going crazy wondering where he was, when he’d get back, and if he was okay.

Nell stood up suddenly and scanned the horizon. A cool breeze sent her long hair into a dance. She didn’t find what she was looking for so she jumped off of the rock, stealing just one more backward glance. She ran down the grassy slope until she came to one of the cobblestone pathways that led to the city. One foot after the other she tried to out run her thoughts.

I wish Amanda was here, so I knew she was safe, and so I could talk to her. Why am I obsessing over some guy I just met when there is so much going on? I don’t even feel like myself. She thought.

She picked up her pace and hurdled the low rock wall that surrounded a deep cool pond. Running hadn’t helped her escape her thoughts so she leaped into the pond, breaking its peaceful gold surface. She hoped that the water would wash away her uncharacteristic thoughts.

Chapter 19

Grey cloaked figures surrounded the small hill that the dead tree was perched on. Amanda pressed herself against the white trunk, attempting to use its cover to get some relief from the downpour. The twisted leafless branches did little to shelter her already soaking body. She was cradling a small shaking child. Putting a hand to her face she wiped away the water cascading over her eyes and looked at the child. Kaedin looked up at her, clutching her arm desperately.