ã€ŠMagician&#x27;s Touch (Deadly Touch 3)ã€‹


 Looks Dead To Me (part 1)

    The last time they¡¯d had to pretend Jonas was dead, the answer had been simple: kill him.

    But this time there was no Ajnai tree nearby to bring him back without killing a swathe of flora, fauna and, more than likely in the heart of Turhmos, people. Even if there had been, Llew wasn¡¯t carrying his child; she could no longer bring him back with a mere touch. If she could, he would have been up walking beside her, not dragging along the road with her fingertips dug in his armpits. He would have been fighting beside her. They would have had to fight their way out of Duffirk.

    Instead of being a one-man army, Jonas was topless in the tail-end of winter so his foes could easily recognize the huge, sweeping gryphon tattoo that dominated his flesh; he carried injuries from the exhibit fight in which he¡¯d just been used; and a micro-organism ¨C some sort of tiny bug ¨C was ravaging his body, destroying whatever it was that had made him so powerful.

    Despite the cold and pain he must have been in, he was playing dead. And all Llew could do was play along. And hope.

    Thankfully, most of the lingering people were more interested in comparing notes on the magic and technology on display than paying Jonas any mind. Enough still did to be a nuisance, though.

    ¡°Stay dead this time!¡± A gob of spit landed on Jonas¡¯ rib. It oozed across the black lines of the tattoo, leaving a shiny trail of filth.

    Jonas didn¡¯t flinch.

    ¡°Looks dead to me.¡± Another voice from the gathered crowd.

    ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Llew muttered through teeth gritted at the strain firing through her arms, shoulders and back.

    ¡°Yeah, but he was meant to be dead months ago.¡± The spitter.

    ¡°Just a rumor, though, wasn¡¯t it? I mean, we saw the fight and here¡¯s his body. It¡¯s gotta be real this time, eh?¡± A booted toe jabbed Jonas¡¯ side.

    Llew clamped her lips. Unlike Jonas, she looked local. All she had to do was act like it.

    ¡°Good riddance to him, I say. Filthy Quaven.¡±

    ¡°Where you taking him?¡± Spitty, again.

    Illusions held best when you let people decide for themselves what it was they saw. Llew had lived most of her life across the seas in Aghacia. To her, these people had an accent. To them, so would she.

    Llew kept her mouth shut.

    ¡°Oi!¡± Spitty shoved her.

    Llew lost her grip with one hand and Jonas lolled, convincing in his performance of death yet to rigor. Llew lurched, reaching for his shoulder before he hit the ground, but her other arm trembled in her efforts, threatening to fail, and she settled for easing his descent only. Liberated of his weight, she straightened and glared at the gathering crowd while she caught her breath.

    ¡°Where you¡ª?¡±

    Llew turned her fury on the man.

    ¡°¡­ taking him?¡± Spitty¡¯s voice trailed off.

    Llew blinked and swept her gaze across every member of her audience. Some took a self-conscious step back. Some looked vexed. Most looked confused.

    She stretched one arm behind her, then the other, loosening her muscles some. She rolled her shoulders, shook them out. Then she bent, slipped her fingers under Jonas¡¯ shoulders, curled them into his armpits, took a deep breath to prepare her already fatigued muscles and hoisted him. His head fell back. It had to hurt. She couldn¡¯t imagine how it couldn¡¯t, but still his body hung limp. He didn¡¯t tense, uttered no sound. He didn¡¯t even open his eyes, even though she would likely be the only one who would see. Don¡¯t be dead.

    Surrounded as they were, she couldn¡¯t afford to lift his head or make any attempt at improving his comfort. And so, she simply took one back step at a time, his hair dragging on the ground, his head swinging. Don¡¯t you dare abandon me now, you bastard.

    Not a bastard. Unless you¡¯re dead. So don¡¯t be.

    The small crowd lingered, watching her go. Spitty looked from one of his supporters to another before stepping forward, following Llew. At first he paced himself so he was always a few steps behind, but after a while he lengthened his gait, closing the gap.

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    ¡°I asked where you were taking him. ¡¯S¡¯fair question.¡±

    As much as she didn¡¯t want to, Llew had to agree with him. Jonas¡¯ death had been rumored once before. And these people had either just seen or just heard about a fight involving Jonas, the Immortal Aris and Braph with his magical device. Llew counted herself lucky enough not to have witnessed it, but she had seen Jonas and Braph fight before, and Jonas and Aris had faced each other at her tree. And Llew had heard Braph¡¯s thundersticks just before she¡¯d entered the arena herself. It must have looked so mystical and magical to these folk who had probably never seen the like. If she wanted them off her back, she would have to tell them something. And so she spoke, concentrating on the slight lilt they had. They would hate to hear it, but to Llew they sounded little different to Quavens, only having a greater tendency to pronounce their G¡¯s. She also forced her voice down in pitch. She¡¯d passed as a boy for years and always found it simpler.

    ¡°Kadesh¡ª Ah, I mean, the president¡ª¡± Thank you, Braph. First-name basis with the elite never hurt anyone. ¡°¡ªwants you all to have plenty of time to celebrate the Syakaran¡¯s death. But he¡¯ll stink up the place in a couple of days if he¡¯s not embalmed first.¡± She could thank the late Cassidy for teaching her about that one. ¡°So I¡¯m taking him to the embalmer. And he doesn¡¯t want to have to work with a body covered in your filth.¡±

    Several of the rabble had the decency to look sheepish.

    Spitty held his ground a few more strides, but sensing the others no longer backing him up, he relented.

    Llew looked like them. That helped her lie hold.

    Well, she shared their pale skin tone, anyway.

    She was lankier, longer in the leg and, thanks to her lack of discernible breasts or hips, looked like a young lad of about fifteen. Just the kind of person that would find themselves with the task of dragging a body to its final resting place. Her shirt and trousers enforced the illusion. They were prisoner¡¯s garb, but few would have seen a prisoner from Turhmos¡¯ Aenuk camps.

    Llew was counting on it.

    ¡°Now, my arms and back are already killing me, and I¡¯ve got miles more to go.¡±

    She stepped back, stepped back, stepped back. No one followed.

    One obstacle down. Onto the next.

    If she could find some clothes, then hopefully she and Jonas would be able to move through Turhmos anonymously. Her gaze lingered on his huge tattoo. Such a comfort to her at times, right now it was likely to get them both killed. Everyone knew Jonas had it. Everyone knew only Jonas had it.

    Of course it would matter none if he was already dead.

    She wished she could ask some sign of him, but it was too great a risk while he was so clearly him and they were still in the heart of Duffirk. Their only saving grace for now was that most of the city¡¯s population seemed far more interested in Braph, which left Llew and Jonas largely unmolested once they cleared most of the crowd.

    Despite her own opinion of the man, Llew found herself thanking Braph again. Never again.

    Back and back and back she trudged, Jonas¡¯ boots scraping across the ground, her body aching. The farther they left the fight behind, the fewer people there were in the streets.

    A shudder jolted through Jonas. After all this, had he just died? But the muscles beneath her grip tensed and released, and he grimaced. Not dead, then. Just cold.

    A few stray Duffirk locals forced the pair to continue their charade well into the outer suburbs, where strings of damp laundry offered promise of disguise. Outside an isolated house on the outskirts of the city, Llew dragged Jonas up to a low fence.

    ¡°Sit,¡± she commanded as she eased him back. Now somewhat safe, his eyes opened and he took the weight of his own head. He also shivered.

    She checked the narrow lane in both directions, looked across the field over the road. All clear. She stepped over the fence, keeping the hanging clothes between her and the house. Peering around a sheet, she made sure the yard was empty and she wouldn¡¯t be seen from the house. All clear. Small mercies.

    Llew commandeered a damp, loose green and white striped shirt and a long black coat and returned to Jonas.

    ¡°Are you still with me?¡±

    He nodded, although he looked like he was about to pass out. She pulled him forward and slid the shirt across his shoulders.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to walk. Can you walk?¡± She pulled one arm and then the other into the sleeves, fighting all the way, the damp material clinging to Jonas¡¯s skin at every opportunity.

    He nodded again, tried to speak, cleared his throat. ¡°Don¡¯t know if I can run, though.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully we won¡¯t have to.¡± She passed the coat behind him. ¡°But we¡¯ve got to put some distance between us and Duffirk before Kadesh realizes I¡¯m gone. All this with Braph and Aris will give us a start, but I¡¯d hate to have to count on it.¡±

    Gripping his arm, she hauled him to his feet.

    Jonas took a tentative step and it was clear his right leg could barely take his weight. Llew slipped her arm behind him, hefting his across her shoulders. She still ached all over, but she would be using a new posture and set of muscles now. Let the mercies continue.

    Few people were about this far from Duffirk¡¯s center, so while Jonas¡¯ darker skin drew the occasional dubious look they were few and far between and soon non-existent.

    If they just kept going, everything would be all right.

 Looks Dead To Me (part 2)

    That first night they reached cover beneath a forest and foraged some lingering insect-nibbled rosehips and waxy evergreen leaves that fired the mouth with their peppery heat to stave off the worst hunger pangs. They moved as fast and as far as they could the second day, well aware someone would figure out they¡¯d got away some time. Jonas¡¯s leg ached the whole time, but he did his best to push through it. On the second full day out of Turhmos, they were lucky enough to find a secluded stretch of river giving them a moment to seek normality in cleanliness.

    ¡°Will we ever feel warm, or clean again?¡± Llew asked, splashing water over her face as she crouched on the stones, water lapping at the toes of her boots.

    Jonas answered with a smile that was meant to show her he saw the funny side, the irony, as he sat beside her, in too much pain to hold a crouch, scraping filth from his skin, and water seeping through the seat of his trousers. Truth was, he was wondering the same. Turhmos¡¯s winter was slowly tailing off, and if they didn¡¯t pick up the pace soon, their chance of seeing a real spring day again was slim. If Turhmos¡¯s troops caught up to them, Llew would be caged again, and ¡­ well. Jonas didn¡¯t fancy his chances of being held captive now he was no longer a curiosity.

    Llew¡¯s teeth chattered so badly Jonas could hear them over the river. He barely felt the cold anymore. It was just one of many insults. Near freezing it may have been, but he could no longer bear the sensation of the shirt sticking to his skin where he hadn¡¯t yet had the opportunity to wash his enemies¡¯ saliva off.

    While his whole body ached ¨C he was cut and bruised, and sported a collection of new burns, some hand-shaped, some smears ¨C his thigh throbbed worst of all from striking the wooden post when Aris had hurled him across the arena. The pain was dulling now, his legs desensitized to all but the sharpest pangs. And his foot ¡­ His foot, after almost constant throbbing, now felt like it belonged to someone else. It was there, but it barely felt a part of him anymore.

    At least Jonas wasn¡¯t dead. Not in the ceased-to-breathe-or-pound-heart kind of way. Not yet.

    His Syakaran power was dead, though, and whether that would be enough to satisfy his enemies, it was enough to dissatisfy himself.

    His super-human strength and speed had gone, along with his higher body temperature.

    On a brighter note, so had his need for extra rations.

    But also, his confidence.

    If Llew hadn¡¯t come for him ¡­ He watched her scoop more water with her hands, most of it running through her fingers, or down her wrists before making it to her face. She rubbed her cheeks, forehead, chin, and finally her hair, semi-drying her hands in its strands. She tugged at her collar, lowered her nose, screwed up her face, sighed, shook out her hands as best she could and wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her upper arms. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to strip off further in the cold. At least the grime covering her was all her own.

    He didn¡¯t want to think what would have become of him, but he couldn¡¯t help it. More than likely, he would be truly dead now.

    And Llew could have been a good ways across Turhmos already. She could¡¯ve got away. That she might not because she insisted on trying to save him only built on top of the drool already covering him. He seethed at his uselessness.

    Snatching up a handful of river silt, he scrubbed at his skin, as if he could clean away the self-loathing along with the filthy hatred covering him.

    ¡°Hey.¡± Llew gripped his wrist. ¡°You¡¯ll rub yourself raw.¡± When he didn¡¯t release the silt, she shook it out. ¡°Talk to me.¡±

    He gave her a wry look. ¡°Like you said. Feels like I¡¯ll never be clean again.¡±

    She eased her grip on his arm and watched him, her expression flat, expecting more. He couldn¡¯t hide his self-disgust from her.

    ¡°I ain¡¯t a hero no more, Llew.¡± It stunk to admit it, but in the heart of Turhmos, he needed to be real with her.

    She looked confused for a moment, like she¡¯d forgotten his weakness. Then she turned her whole body to face him, kneeling in the silt, water creeping up her trouser leg.

    ¡°You are to me,¡± she said. She rested a hand on his shoulder, her index finger playing over a thick scab that promised to scar. Years as a soldier had left Jonas plenty scarred, until that first time Llew had brought him back to life with the help of her Ajnai tree. Knife cuts and Aenuk burns from the spectacle fight his own brother had arranged promised to scar him up plenty again. ¡°It seems to me there¡¯s more than one way to save a person, and you¡¯ve been saving me from the day we met,¡± Llew continued. ¡°For the past few months, I have lived. Good or bad I have lived. If we died tomorrow ¡­¡± She floundered, mouth opening and closing on incomplete thoughts for a few moments. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die.¡± She gripped both his shoulders. ¡°I still have dreams. I still want to live free of cages, whether Braph¡¯s, Quaver¡¯s, or Turhmos¡¯s. But that¡¯s no longer all about me. I¡¯m connected to this world now. I¡¯m connected to you, Anya, Quaver. I¡¯m connected to those Aenuks still caged. Your son, my ma. Our children.¡± She whispered the last, pressed her lips together and closed her eyes as they shared a moment of silence. Jonas scowled at the ground before his eyes could burn too bad. He was still angry. He couldn¡¯t do heartbroken too. Not just now.

    Eventually, Llew continued, ¡°I don¡¯t want to die. There¡¯s still so much left to do. But if I died tomorrow, I could go in the knowledge that I tried, and it wasn¡¯t all about me. A few months ago, I might not have cared, but I do now. You did that.¡±

    Jonas was still stuck on their lost family, still trying to swallow that lump that had no business rising in the midst of his internal raging at his own losses. But he didn¡¯t need to be a hero to be a father ¨C a thought that took some heat out of him ¨C and he¡¯d been so close to sharing that with Llew. But he still was a father. His son. Joelin.

    His son who lived with his half-brother, Braph. Braph, who had no use for the child now Jonas was no longer worth baiting. What would he do with the boy now?

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    A man didn¡¯t need to be a hero to be a father, but Jonas couldn¡¯t help thinking Joelin needed a hero now. But how could he get his son back if he wasn¡¯t Syakaran anymore?

    And Braph¡¯s son was Immortal. No doubt Braph had a plan to use that power. Just as Braph had had a plan for his son to absorb Aris¡¯s Immortal powers. An Immortal imbued with the power of another. They couldn¡¯t fight that. They couldn¡¯t have fought it when Jonas was Syakaran. They sure as two hells couldn¡¯t fight it now.

    ¡°Say something.¡± Llew rocked back, settling her ass on her heels. ¡°Please say something. You of all people know I don¡¯t make speeches like that.¡±

    She was right. He owed her a response.

    ¡°I think I might be dyin¡¯, Llew.¡±

    Her open mouth curved up on one side, like she was holding back a laugh, then dropped.

    She shook her head. ¡°No. You don¡¯t get to say something like that after what I just said.¡±

    She waited for him to say something else. But he had nothing.

    ¡°What do you mean you think you¡¯re dying? We¡¯re in far too much trouble for thinking maybe you might be dying. And you don¡¯t just get to die after I dragged your arse from that arena. What do you mean you think you¡¯re dying?¡±

    Using the toe of his left boot, he hooked the heal off his right. Pain burned through his foot, but he continued to slide the boot free. Fighting the cool stiffness throughout his body and biting down on the pain that shot from his bruised thigh, he brought his foot within arm¡¯s reach. He peeled back his sock, hoping his skin wouldn¡¯t go with it. Numbness was spreading, from his toes to his ankle, and he hadn¡¯t taken his boots off in days. He didn¡¯t know what he was about to reveal, but he¡¯d seen enough soldiers succumb to gangrene to know his chances. It wasn¡¯t just his foot, either. A line up his calf muscle could go from numb to excruciating pain in moments. He could walk, if stiff and unstable, so he was almost certain he hadn¡¯t broken a bone. But there was more than one way to break a body.

    Bringing his sock rim to just above his ankle bone, his suspicions were confirmed. He pulled his sock lower.

    ¡°Gods. That¡¯s whiter than I am,¡± Llew said. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Jonas huffed out a single laugh, felt a sneer curl his lip. Of course. The Aenuk who could heal magically simply by touching another living thing had never dealt with gangrene. The Aenuk, who could heal herself, or anyone that wasn¡¯t Karan ¡­ who couldn¡¯t heal Jonas.

    He looked at her flatly as he tried to turn off that thinking. Wasn¡¯t her fault she could heal anyone but him. Wasn¡¯t her fault he was in this mess. It was what it was.

    ¡°I¡¯m a walkin¡¯ dead man, Llew.¡± He laughed again, hollow, his gaze flat. Then he looked away, rested his elbow on his knee, chin in his palm, and chuckled to himself. ¡°Should¡¯ve left me back there.¡±

    Llew gave him a flat look right back.

    ¡°It¡¯s dyin¡¯, Llew. And it¡¯ll spread until it kills me if I don¡¯t cut it off. And for the first time in my life, I ain¡¯t got a fuckin¡¯ knife.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d do it yourself?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d do what I had to to live.¡± Free of his boot and sock, the urge to flex his foot was powerful. But so was the flash of pain that went through it, for little more than a toe tremor. ¡°Or what I had to for you to live. And not in cages, Llew. You gotta get out of Turhmos.¡±

    Llew did what she would always do: reached for his leg. She touched his healthy flesh, just above where the white started. Of course, nothing happened, but Jonas just watched her, waiting for her to go through whatever thought processes were necessary to accept reality.

    ¡°We need one of those things. Braph¡¯s syringes.¡± She sounded breathless, holding back panic. ¡°Then you can use my blood to heal yourself ¡­¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s goin¡¯ to give us one? We don¡¯t have time to get to Brurun, Llew.¡±

    ¡°Merrid and Ard live in Turhmos. There must be others like them. The people of Turhmos can¡¯t all be bad.¡± Her hand trailed a little lower, daring to touch the dying flesh. Even if she could heal Jonas, they were running out of time for her to heal that. But, if she could heal Jonas, it wouldn¡¯t have gone this far. Every time they had touched in the last few days, she would have healed his damage. She rocked back, letting her hand slide from him, her eyes fixed on his dying foot. But she didn¡¯t look on it with pity. Her face was set, calculating, thinking.

    ¡°But they all think we are. Or I am,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Well, we have to do something. We can¡¯t just let you die.¡±

    ¡°You can, Llew.¡± Her face went hard, but there was no way out of Turhmos for him now. It was simply too far. ¡°There are more pleasant ways to go than others. If you drained me gently¡ª¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Her resolve was solid; he already knew he couldn¡¯t break it. ¡°Weren¡¯t you listening? There are good and kind people here. Some of them might be doctors.¡±

    ¡°Surgeon. They would have to be a surgeon. I gotta lose my foot.¡±

    ¡°Not if we can pump my blood into you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d have to hurt someone pretty bad or leave a sign-post to wherever we were hiding out.¡± Yes, he had been thinking about these things as he¡¯d hobbled by her side. ¡°I gotta lose my foot. And even then, I might still die, depending on the skill of the surgeon. And whether or not they want to take the chance to off me.¡±

    Llew nibbled her lip briefly then jumped to her feet. ¡°Then we find someone we can trust. Or threaten. You can lose your foot. I am not losing you.¡± She held a hand out for Jonas to grasp. ¡°Buck up, soldier. You ain¡¯t dyin¡¯ today.¡± She quirked a smile and her eyes sparkled with a fierce determination to ignore the chances things might not work out as she had planned.

 Like Heroes (part 1)

    They left the riverside and pushed on through the day and well into the night, under no illusion that stopping for anything more than a nibble was a sensible idea.

    Anxiety gnawed at Llew. She¡¯d already been worried about his growing weakness, with no idea of when it would end. A ¡®bug¡¯ invented by Braph ¨C of course ¨C shot into Jonas on the tip of an arrow had already stripped Jonas of his Syakaran strength and speed. Braph had explained to her that it attacked the very source of Karan power. Llew barely understood her own Aenuk power, she certainly lacked any understanding about what had made Jonas the fastest and strongest man she¡¯d ever known, but she couldn¡¯t help the feeling that what made him Syakaran was integral to what made him him. And just where would this bug stop? He was merely ¡®normal¡¯ now. Had it run its course? She hoped so. And yet, if it had, did that mean she was too late to restore his powers? She couldn¡¯t be. Too many people relied on Jonas being Syakaran. Llew¡¯s ma, for one. Jonas¡¯s son, also in Braph¡¯s custody, was another. And all the Aenuks still held captive by Turhmos would need a Syakaran hero to show up and release them from their prisons.

    Now he had this sickly foot as well. Another side-effect of Braph¡¯s bug? Or something from the fight? She didn¡¯t know. But it seemed highly unfair for the world to be trying to kill Jonas in two different ways at the same time. She¡¯d lost her ma as a child, and her pa had disappeared just when she needed him most. Since then, she¡¯d never found anyone worthy of her trust and, yes, love. Yes, she needed his strength and speed. But even more, she needed him.

    Exhausted, hungry, and weak, they hobbled through the night and into the next day as fast and as invisibly as Jonas¡¯s weakened leg allowed and always under the cover of forest while it lasted. But whatever head start the confusion over the fight between Braph and Aris had given them had passed. They were too slow, and someone must have realized they were both gone.

    Initially providing a source of drinking water, a little food, and the semblance of normality only bathing could bring, now the river gave them cover. Over its constant hiss they caught the clippings of shouted commands, acknowledgments, and dogs barking. Llew was painfully aware of the time she¡¯d spent in the Turhmosian Aenuk dungeon, sleeping in their sheets, giving the hounds a taste of her scent. To make matters worse, spring was late in coming to Turhmos, or, rather, it was behaving exactly as spring did: like a hangover from winter.

    Llew supposed that was a small blessing. The cold drizzle that settled into their bones gave them no reason to sweat and dampened any odor they may have released to the hounds.

    Mostly, it seemed, the troops and dogs kept to the roads. But, occasionally, a group broke away, crashing through the undergrowth, and Llew learned that while she had little talent for tree-climbing, she did a not too shabby job with Jonas guiding her from below and, with a firm grip on her perch, she could even help haul him up after. He kept the pain and discomfort his foot was causing him to grimaces and clenched teeth, never once putting them at risk by crying out, even when Llew scraped an elbow on the bark and bruised her shin while clasping his hand. She healed off trees, too, but flesh was thinner than bark, the transfer quicker. Unless the tree was an Ajnai. None of those this close to Duffirk, though.

    <hr>

    Braph leaned over his workbench, flicking the tip of this new right index finger with that of his left. The metal pivoted on its joint easily. Too easily, as it folded nearly ninety degrees both forward and back. But that would change as his work continued. The three segments of the finger were attached to a longer metal tube that extended to a partial cuff. Beginnings. That¡¯s all he had. One finger, five metacarpals, and an inelegant germination of a wrist of sorts. Yes, it was a start.

    And, really, what better way for a father to cement his relationship with his eight-year-old son than to work on a project with him. Orin brought the pair of hands where Braph brought the ingenuity. Working alone was more Braph¡¯s style, but Orin was a good boy, a sensible boy, an obedient boy. And the power flowing through his blood ¡­

    On the bench beside Braph sat a newly pressed crystal, so deeply brownish-red it appeared black. When the light hit it right, purple glints fired off its surface, reminding him of the crystals he¡¯d made from Llewella when she had been carrying Jonas¡¯s offspring. But he had no use for her toy jewelry, now. The power in the crystals he was getting from Orin eclipsed hers, though he would only know by how much once he drew it into his own bloodstream.

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    Braph breathed deeply at the mere thought of that power flowing through his veins, but denied himself an audible sigh with this son sat so close. Braph understood other people didn¡¯t like that kind of thing.

    He¡¯d already removed the device Jonas had helped him build and attach to his stump. That bracelet was designed for raw blood, not crystals, and it had been thrown together out on the road. The new device would be superior in every way, made in his own workshop with materials from suppliers he trusted. He¡¯d removed it to eliminate the temptation to draw on Orin¡¯s blood. The tubes of raw blood emptied quickly, the torrent of power so fleeting it was nothing more than a distraction from what he wanted to achieve.

    He spied over his shoulder to where Orin sat at his own end of the workbench, riveting phalanges together. The boy looked up, smiled. Braph smiled back. It was a relationship that worked. Orin wanted paternal approval, Braph wanted the power in the boy¡¯s blood. And Orin was willing to give it. Unlike the Aenuks, Immortals didn¡¯t need to drain life from outside sources to heal. They needed to eat. And eat. And Orin liked to eat: fruits, meats, breads, and cheese. Oh, yes, he liked his cheese. There was no need to restrain the boy. He simply got himself comfortable and inserted the needle, and ate. Braph had already amassed a small collection of his son¡¯s crystals. So close, yet so far. His new device couldn¡¯t be finished soon enough.

    The boy¡¯s smile dropped into a thoughtful consideration, then he asked, ¡°Does it really matter that you¡¯re Karan and not Syakaran?¡±

    The question caught Braph off guard. He managed something of a smile while he schooled himself not to take offense. Being the half-brother of Quaver¡¯s revered Syakaran hero would always be a sore point. He¡¯d dulled it by moving to Turhmos ¨C where Kara were loathed rather than revered; especially Jonas ¨C and further by developing his inventions and, by extension, his mind. He was better than Jonas. He knew it. His brother knew it. The rest of the world was still in the dark. But that would change, and soon.

    ¡°What that man said,¡± Orin continued, ¡°that I was the son of a ¡®mere Karan¡¯. Does that mean I would be a better Immortal if you were Syakaran?¡±

    The boy certainly was more perceptive than Braph might have expected from an eight-year-old. Then again, Braph would be the first to admit he knew little of children.

    ¡°But you¡¯re not just the son of a Karan and a Syaenuk. You¡¯re the Immortal boy who absorbed the power from another Immortal. You contain more power than any human has since Aris himself lost his powers the first time. And this time he¡¯s dead, so he won¡¯t be getting them back. There is no better Immortal,¡± Braph said. ¡°You have more power than any other boy on the planet. You only need to grow into it. And by using that power on your behalf, I can ensure you do exactly that.¡±

    A smile played on Orin¡¯s lips and he turned back to his work.

    Braph watched him awhile. He often wondered how much to share with his son. The boy was only young, after all, and Braph had spent far too little time with him to know him all that well. But in these few days they¡¯d spent together in his workshop, Orin had proved himself a keen listener and learner, and now a true partner. In his son¡¯s eyes burned the same fire, the same desire for greatness. Not necessarily to lord over others; mostly, Braph wanted recognition. Just what he¡¯d always deserved, though never received when standing beside Jonas. But Jonas could no longer overshadow him.

    Braph placed the partial hand on the bench near his son, who snatched it up to attach the remaining fingers.

    ¡°You will be a god among men, and your mother and I your heralds,¡± Braph said. ¡°We will show the world the gifts great power can bring to those who follow, and I see no reason why we couldn¡¯t end the rift between Turhmos and Quaver once and for all.¡±

    ¡°Like heroes.¡± Two words and the glint of an eye reminded Braph he was talking to a child. How fleeting these moments of true camaraderie could be.

    ¡°Exactly like.¡± Braph flashed a shallow smile and turned back to his designs.

 Like Heroes (part 2)

    We¡¯re going home. That¡¯s what she¡¯d promised.

    In the lingering darkness ¨C her back burning under the layer of frost attempting to solidify her shirt, her tummy and one arm warm snuggled against Jonas¡¯s back, her other arm holding the stolen coat firm across his chest to retain what heat she could for him ¨C Llew wondered, once again, where exactly was home.

    Cheer, the town Llew had called home since she¡¯d arrived there with her father some twelve years earlier? No. With no family and no real friends there, she had no ties to the town. And Jonas certainly didn¡¯t.

    Rakun, with Anya? The idea held some appeal. Rakun lay in neutral Brurun, well away from the cells of Turhmos, or the hatred of Quaver. And Llew had never had a friend as loyal as Anya. Rakun also had the added benefit of Anya having planted an Ajnai tree.

    But only one Ajnai tree really mattered anymore: the one in Taither, its roots wrapped around the bodies of Llew and Jonas¡¯s unborn twins, its soul entwined with the soul of the baby not slain by Aris¡¯s blade.

    Taither. In the heart of Quaver. Jonas¡¯s home for many years. The only sway Taither held was Llew¡¯s draw to the tree, and the soul of her baby. Otherwise, thinking on the town only caused pain. Quaver had held her captive there. Her children had been murdered there.

    Home. Where was home for them, now?

    Jonas shifted slightly and Llew sat up, scrubbed her face with her hands. Her throat ached and her eyes felt raw. She didn¡¯t belong anywhere.

    Home. The only place that seemed to fit the word was Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm. Nowhere else had Llew felt safe since¡ª Well, since her father had disappeared. Maybe even since her mother had left. Although, in her father¡¯s sober moments, she had missed her mother less.

    Arms relaxed over her knees, Llew looked over her shoulder at Jonas. He¡¯d rolled onto his back, stared up at the slowly lightening sky. He blinked, assuring her he still lived, but he didn¡¯t meet her gaze, allowing her to look on him a few moments more.

    Bruised and covered in a collection of new cuts after Llew had erased years of scarring, she supposed he might not appeal to all. His nose had acquired a new bump since his fight with Braph. His eyes were often narrowed against the sun, or something distasteful. And yet, any time Llew had a moment to gaze upon him, something welled up inside her. She couldn¡¯t put a name to it. It made her want to keep looking, or maybe reach out and touch, but looking was reward enough. The almost physical reaction in her chest was hard to name. It was much easier to label the emotional impact. Looking at him made her happy. It was that simple.

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    She¡¯d been running her gaze along his jawline when she sensed Jonas looking at her, his gaze lazy, his lips curled ever so slightly, drawing a broad grin from her. That was one thing she would never get enough of. Without saying much, with barely a change in expression, she felt she read him well. He was laughing at her. Not audibly, and not so as anyone else might recognize it, but it was there. And then it was gone. He was in pain, and so was Llew at seeing it.

    She turned away, allowing Jonas his private agony and protecting herself from feeling it along with him. They still had a long way to go. She had to remain strong.

    Damn the Aenuk-Karan barrier. If he was almost anyone else, Llew could have healed him by now with a simple touch. It was stupid. The world needed Jonas to wade in and put the wrong things right. It needed Llew to be able to heal him.

    Braph ¨C damn that man! ¨C had shown them they could circumvent the Aenuk-Karan barrier by injecting Aenuk blood directly into the injured Karan¡¯s body, but that required tools they didn¡¯t have.

    But they did have the tools required to impregnate an Aenuk with her Karan lover¡¯s child. Llew hoped. Unless the doctor had taken everything ¡­

    Llew pursed and chewed on her lips and reached forward, plucking some grass spears to roll between her fingers at the thought. Jonas was injured; he could hardly be expected to, well, perform. But ¡­ Jonas was injured. Wasn¡¯t this exactly what he needed?

    She peered over her shoulder at him, caught his eye.

    Something about the angle, or the crease of his brow and his several days¡¯ beard growth broke the spell. A flash of Jonas¡¯s half-brother, Braph, flashed through Llew¡¯s mind and nausea filled her gut. She turned away, trying to blink the image away, shake the sensations from her body. Her skin still remembered the man¡¯s touch, his heaving, and her involuntary responses. She¡¯d been intimate with Jonas since, and it had been wonderful. Why couldn¡¯t she hold onto that memory? Jonas was here, not Braph: the monster. Why did the mere flicker of a reminder of Braph have to affect her so, and wipe away all the realities of Jonas?

    She flicked the grass free of her fingers, stood and brushed dirt off her trousers, held out her hand for Jonas.

    He needed healing in the conventional way.

    They needed help.

    Jonas gripped her hand and moved to push himself up, but as soon as he put weight on his right leg, he cried out, silenced himself, and fell back on the ground, teeth gritted.

    ¡°There¡¯s got to be a town somewhere up river.¡± Town¡¯s needed water, she knew that much. They were in Turhmos, and there would be no hiding who Jonas was from anyone who could help them, and not a lot of chance of keeping his weakness hidden, either. But what choice did they have? Llew might¡¯ve grown up without anyone close who she could put complete faith in, but she knew a thing or two about warily relying on strangers. There were ¡®nice enough¡¯ people out there. And then there were Merrid and Ard. But the farm was too far to reach with Jonas barely able to walk.

    Jonas reached up for her to grasp his hands and she pulled him up on his left leg alone. He tentatively placed the toe of his right boot on the ground, and his silent grimace told Llew he¡¯d be largely hopping the rest of the way. She slipped under his arm and they carried on much as they had the day before.

 The Good Son (part 1)

    After the frost from a clear night, low cloud moved in, bringing drizzle. Then it took to raining in the afternoon. Now, instead of the beads of drizzle slowly seeping through their clothing, each drop penetrated the cotton immediately, biting at Llew¡¯s skin with its cold. Their hair and clothes clung to them, and Jonas¡¯s shirt proved too thin, as the black lines of his gryphon tattoo showed through, even against his golden brown skin. The shirt¡¯s stripes broke it up, but it didn¡¯t take much to resolve the image if you knew what you were looking for. It certainly wasn¡¯t a disguise they could count on.

    One advantage of simply having no option but to keep moving was that at least it kept Llew somewhat warm against the damp chill even as the dark of another night set in. Their pace shackled by hunger, and Jonas¡¯s injuries, they hadn¡¯t found a town in which to seek help, yet. The uneven ground presented its own challenges in the dark, and Jonas was starting to make more involuntary sounds as they went. She reached out to offer comfort only to find his hand cold and clammy. She cursed under her breath. There was nothing they could do but push on through mud and clamber over rocky outcrops; just keep on moving.

    A little before sunrise, they dared approach a wooden building backing up to the river. The building had no obvious purpose, no trinkets of industry, or decoration. The building was raised, wooden boards hiding an empty cavity beneath, suggesting the currently slow river might flood occasionally.

    All was quiet. The only sign of life: the aroma of freshly baking bread ¨C from humble kitchen or bakery, they didn¡¯t know, but either would suffice ¨C and wood smoke. Desperation reeled them in.

    They loitered around the side of the bakery. The smell only made them hungrier, emphasizing the fact they hadn¡¯t eaten anything substantial for more than a day. Torturous as it was, enveloped in that smell, it was also their best chance of meeting a friendly local.

    The rain eased back to a shower, so they were merely soaking rather than sopping. Time ticked on and Jonas blew out and sucked in shaky breaths, hugging himself in an effort to keep warm. Llew might¡¯ve hugged him herself, but they needed more than that. They needed somewhere warm and dry, like a living space above a bakery. They were running out of options. They would have to take the risk.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go in alone,¡± she said. ¡°If they¡¯re hostile, I¡¯ll get away easier and we can try the next place.¡± Nothing that would smell as good as this, though.

    Jonas nodded and sprayed rain from his lips as he blasted a breath between his teeth. As time went on, he struggled more and more to hide his pain and misery from Llew ¨C or any potential threats.

    They had better not be hostile.

    A door opened, a bell jingled, a door closed. Perhaps a patron leaving the bakery. Llew waited a few moments, giving the customer time to leave before she peeled away to approach the entry. Steps led up to a door with a single word: Bakery, and a painting of a range of loaves beside. Her mouth watered. She hoped they were friendly.

    She gripped the handrail and put her foot on the bottom step. The door opened, its entry bell ringing again, and a young woman about Llew¡¯s age with a jute sack clamped under one arm and about to open an umbrella looked down at Llew. And Llew looked up at her. There was something about the girl. Most would likely call her plain, with brown hair and blue eyes not unlike Llew¡¯s. But there was something else. Didn¡¯t matter. If she wasn¡¯t the baker she was of no use to Llew. Just hurry on down the stairs and away, young lady.

    The girl backed up. The door closed again, the girl disappearing inside.

    Indecision froze Llew to the spot. Why had the young woman returned inside? Could it be she was such a kind soul she was going to buy another loaf of bread for Llew? It seemed too good to be true, and not nearly as convincing as the idea that a description of the escaped Aenuk had been spread far and wide and right now the girl was telling the baker to contact the authorities. Or worse. What if there was a soldier taking shelter in the bakery itself?

    Before she could react, or even decide what she would be reacting to, the door opened again. Without thinking, Llew darted back around the corner of the bakery. She wiped her dripping hair out of her eyes and pressed her back against the wall. Listening.

    ¡°What¡ª?¡± Jonas began.

    ¡°Shh.¡± Llew didn¡¯t mean for it to sound harsh.

    There was a creak that must have been the top step up to the bakery, the wet wood squeaking underfoot. Then nothing over the constant hiss of drizzle and the light breeze sweeping along the road.

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    Llew¡¯s mind was in turmoil. They needed help, but putting their safety in another¡¯s hands meant risking being turned over to the authorities. Think, think, Llew. She looked to Jonas. He had his hands up around his biceps, hugging himself. His breath was ragged. And there was a sheen to his skin that maybe wasn¡¯t due to the rain.

    Another creak and dull thud. Second step? Last? The girl was taking it slow. Sneaking down the stairs. Not well. Maybe she thought she could take Llew by surprise. Well, if she thought she had the advantage in this scenario, she had some learning coming. Llew could take her on, take her down, and take the bread. Then demand directions to a doctor.

    One more dull thud, then soft crunches of feet on mud. Llew tensed, preparing to strike. The girl tottered into the street, sack in one hand, umbrella held up in the other, and her back to Llew. She wore a warm-looking cloak. Maybe even waterproof. But, what was she doing? Her head was to the side, her shoulders angled; her whole back curved.

    With her body poised to attack, Llew¡¯s mind tumbled through thoughts of shoving the woman over, stealing the bread, and threatening her for information. She¡¯d take the coat, too. It looked warm. Only ¡­ she couldn¡¯t.

    Back in Cheer, the crippled children had fared even worse than the other orphans. Some hadn¡¯t even been orphans, not really; just abandoned to the streets. Llew hadn¡¯t known many; only in passing, and not for long.

    The young woman turned and looked directly at Llew. She shuffled closer, her body stiff, legs splayed, one foot turned inward, mouth in a crooked grin. She reached Llew and held out her umbrella. Llew took it without even thinking. Dumbstruck, she opened her mouth to say ¡­ she didn¡¯t know what. Argue? It was raining and the girl had handed her an umbrella while she dug in her sack and withdrew a loaf of bread. Llew accepted the bread. The girl¡¯s hand swung to hover in front of her umbrella again. A bit slow, Llew handed the umbrella back and looked down at the loaf in her hand. She had bread. And she hadn¡¯t had to steal to get it. She was dumbfounded.

    The girl¡¯s hand wrapped around Llew¡¯s on the umbrella handle; gentle, but deliberate, shocking Llew back to reality and the real risk of being identified as an escaped Aenuk. Nothing happened. No transfer of energy.

    Llew slipped her hand out from beneath the other young woman¡¯s.

    ¡°Th¡ª thank you,¡± Llew said, the cold forcing a stutter. Rain dripped into Llew¡¯s mouth, making her slurp on the words. She clutched the bread to her stomach, hunched over in an attempt to keep it dry, and stepped back towards Jonas.

    The young woman looked past Llew and her face went slack. She took a tottering step towards them, eyes locked on Jonas as if Llew had suddenly become invisible.

    ¡°It is you, isn¡¯t it?¡± she said before taking another look at Llew. That glance held no hint of recognition. At least that told Llew her description wasn¡¯t well known, yet.

    Llew wasn¡¯t sure if confirming the girl¡¯s assumptions was a good idea. Generally, admitting a weakness wasn¡¯t, but they could hardly hide Jonas¡¯s feverish state, nor the blood staining their clothing. Informing the girl that Llew was Aenuk might assert a certain power, it might also mean a swift return to the Turhmos¡¯s Aenuk cells. The girl¡¯s apparent awe at seeing Jonas was probably a good sign. There was no reason to draw her focus elsewhere, not yet.

    ¡°It¡¯s him. And he needs help, if you know where we can find some¡ª¡±

    ¡°My mama¡¯s a s¡ª surgeon.¡± Her s¡¯s were soft, though not quite to the point of a full lisp.

    Jonas glanced at Llew, dragged a sleeve under his nose, sniffed deeply, and coughed.

    Llew looked at him sharply. They didn¡¯t need him getting sick on top of what they already had to deal with. But he shrugged his eyebrows and flicked a glance at the girl. Yes, it had been Llew who¡¯d said there had to be other nice people in Turhmos. But caught in the moment, Llew wasn¡¯t so sure. She glanced down at Jonas¡¯s boot, within which his flesh was dying, and had the sinking feeling that regardless of whether they could trust this girl, they were going to have to. If her ma was the local surgeon, meeting her was a gift. Time, and the time to question, was running out.

 The Good Son (part 2)

    Pain without purpose was futile. Braph¡¯s pain was for a higher purpose. For that, he would endure it. While Orin was allowed to view proceedings, Braph had enlisted Orinia¡¯s assistance to connect the metal cuff to his bloodstream, not prepared to trust the steadiness of a needle in a child¡¯s hands. Only, of course, she was now in labor.

    Braph¡¯s study was his domain ¨C a space purpose built in service to his projects. Just inside and to the left of the door were the two chairs affixed to the stone floor tiles, leather cuffs for ankles and wrists from when he¡¯d had to tie Ieaun, and later his daughter Llewella, for his Aenuk blood collections, and the orphans who had healed them, allowing Braph to draw every drop of blood from them several times over in one sitting. Tucked in the right back corner stood the exercise equipment he¡¯d had installed to make sure Jonas was in as peak condition as possible, despite his infection, for the fight intended to score points with the Turhmos public and draw in Aris to his death.

    The rest of the room was dedicated to the crystal-making machinery and Braph¡¯s workbench on which sat contraptions of metal and glass in various states of completion. Thankfully, his nephew, Joelin, was still too short to reach those. Braph¡¯s preference would be for the child to never step foot into this room, but Orinia had insisted that leaving him out of proceedings would be tantamount to neglect and, apparently, that would be bad.

    Abandoning her first attempt at driving the high gauge needle into the visible vein in his upper arm, Orinia leaned into his workbench, groaning. Orin looked pained at his mother¡¯s suffering and quivered like he wanted to reach out to her, but then capitulated and sat back in one of the tall caster-wheeled chairs designed for working at the workbench.

    ¡°Uh oh,¡± said Joelin.

    Expressing his annoyance with a grimace, Braph rolled the tourniquet off over the round stump below his right elbow, hooked what remained of his forearm through a thick elastic band attached to the wall and flexed, keeping the blood flowing, keeping the vein at the surface full. He reached his left hand out, rubbing it over Orinia¡¯s curved back, memories returning of the day Orin was born. She had appreciated back rubs and hot water bottles. But she wasn¡¯t in full blown labor yet. The contractions were still haphazard in timing, length, and strength.

    Her groan turned to heavy breathing, and she relaxed, though she remained hunched over a few moments more. Orin, too, visibly relaxed.

    ¡°What number is this?¡± Braph asked, projecting gentleness for Orinia¡¯s sake. As unattached as he was to this child of the state, his heart felt heavy at the thought of her misuse at the hands of Turhmos.

    ¡°I¡¯ve lost count.¡± Orinia eased herself to stand again. She closed her eyes and slowly released one more controlled breath. ¡°They¡¯re still irregular, but they seem to be getting stronger.¡±

    Braph smiled. ¡°No. I meant the baby. How many half-siblings does Orin have?¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Something crossed Orinia¡¯s face, and he thought she might clam. She hadn¡¯t done much talking since her release from the Aenuk bunker, though she always turned to him when he offered displays of affection; a loose hug, or a kiss on the cheek. Then she spoke quietly. ¡°Seven. This is number seven.¡±

    ¡°Seven?¡± Orin¡¯s jaw dropped.

    ¡°Sa,¡± said Joelin, mostly distracted now by a rolling contraption Orin had fashioned out of some cogs and scrap metal.

    That would be one a year since they took her. A mild pain settled in Braph¡¯s gut. He stopped flexing his elbow, distracted by these unpleasant feelings. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t get to you sooner.¡±

    Orinia shrugged, most of her attention inwards, focused on the baby. She tightened the tourniquet for him. ¡°Better move quickly.¡±

    Braph bent and unfolded his arm several times without resistance. The cephalic vein was visible. That was all he needed. Once he had magic flowing through him, the rest would be simple. Orinia realigned the needle, and hesitated.

    ¡°Go on, before the next one comes,¡± he said. ¡°This is the hard bit.¡±

    Orinia placed the sharp tip to his skin and pushed against the resistance. Braph felt a slight pop and burning as the needle sliced through his skin. Blood emerged from the top end of the needle and dripped onto Braph¡¯s arm. Orinia gasped looked up at him, alarmed. It was nothing new for him, though. All would be well soon.

    ¡°Good. Now the tube,¡± he said.

    Orinia picked up the finely wrought rubber tube, slim enough to slide through the thick needle and into Braph¡¯s vein. The extension of the tube into his vein sent a fiery pain through his arm, but Braph focused on how close he was to tasting the power. All this would be worth it.

    Holding the tube in place, Orinia gently slid the needle over it and out of his skin.

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    ¡°Quickly,¡± Braph muttered, aware that her next contraction could start any time. If he¡¯d waited any longer, they would have three children underfoot. Two was bad enough.

    Sliding the needle free of the tube, Orinia collected the miniature metal cuff parts as Braph had shown her, creating a seal on the end of the tube that would screw into the larger cuff that already had one of Orin¡¯s crystals fixed in place. Braph almost salivated at the closeness of the power. Orinia¡¯s delicate hands twirled the two pieces together, screwing them tight. Braph reached for the crystal¡¯s enclosure, pressing the mini pump a few times. It needed to be manually primed, but once the power was flowing, he could set it to look after itself. Magic was wonderful stuff. The ache where the tube met his body turned to a fizzing sensation then spread beyond the connection site and through the rest of his body. He savored it a moment before turning his concentration to healing his flesh around the tube with plenty of scar tissue to hold it in place.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said.

    Orinia was already distracted, clearly feeling the next contraction coming on. She pushed the crystal casing into Braph¡¯s hand and turned to grab the bench.

    Torn for the briefest moment between comforting her and getting on with things on his own, Braph lined the larger cuff up with his stump. The metal join, where the tube connected to his bloodstream met the tube to the large cuff, kept falling in the way.

    ¡°Orin.¡±

    His son moved quickly, lifting the tube out of the way. Braph gifted him a slight smile, pressed the cuff against his fleshy stump, twisted it a little one way, then back again, and corrected a little more. Only when he was totally satisfied by its positioning did he flick the latch that released the clamps. Eight curved strips of metal dug into his skin encircling his arm, setting off eight points of burning pain not unlike when the cleaver had sliced through his forearm some months earlier. He fired magic through his system, numbing the pain almost instantly, then healing his flesh around these new intrusions. Beside him, Orinia controlled her breathing, dealt with her own pain. Pain that, in Braph¡¯s opinion, was pointless. She didn¡¯t want the baby. He didn¡¯t want the baby. They would deliver it to the Palace soon after it emerged. And then they would move on and consolidate themselves as Turhmos¡¯s premiere family. Syaenuk mother, Immortal son, and extremely intelligent and powerful Karan Magician father.

    For the moment, the magic flowed into him only, dissipating after several minutes as his body broke it down. While it sat in his bloodstream, though, it was a high he didn¡¯t think he could ever beat. Although, a shimmering tree flickered in his mind¡¯s eye. A return to Taither beckoned.

    Filled with magic, in total control of his senses, pain, and dexterity, Braph took a new high gauge, needle and lined it up on his skin where he estimated the brachial artery to be.

    Directing some of the magic to the area he plumped up the artery and shifted it closer to the surface, making it clearly visible. Then he numbed the area and held blood-flow back temporarily as he pushed the needle through his flesh, fed another rubber pipe in, slid the needle out, and healed his flesh.

    He always preferred to work alone. With magic flowing throughout, he was close to a return.

    He held his arm up for Orin to do the fiddly bit: attaching the tube to the cuff. Now the magic could flow through him, and any excess could return to the device to be stored and recycled.

    Orin already brandished the new hand, pride putting a glint in his eyes and plumping his cheeks.

    ¡°Orn. Orn! Orn!¡± The toddler demanded the masterpiece as the good son handed it over.

    As Braph took it, Joelin threw himself on the floor, hitting his head hard and bursting into shrieks.

    Orinia¡¯s contraction had come to an end and she scooped up the child and set about trying to soothe him.

    Tuning out the racket as best he could, Braph took the metallic hand and forearm and fitted its nodule into the nest of the cuff. It slid in easily initially, with a final push needed to click it into place, then it was back to Orin to attach the flexible metal tubes connecting cuff and arm.

    The fingers of the metal hand drooped lazily, clinking together as Braph shifted. The trio waited while the power from Orin¡¯s crystal slowly built up within the system; Braph¡¯s body and the attached gadgetry. After several minutes, Braph concentrated on moving the index finger. It trembled, bent slightly at the two ¡®knuckles¡¯. He¡¯d been trying for a full contraction, but he would accept small victories. He, as well as anyone, knew persistence mattered more than the size of the steps taken to get there. Orin was not so schooled. A muted grunt escaped the child¡¯s throat.

    Braph let his left-hand fall, swung it a fraction behind his hip.

    Without thinking too deeply on the details of how to move a finger, he simply told himself to curl both index fingers in unison. The new metal right index finger folded its two top joints, while his fleshy left did the same out of sight.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Orin bounced on the spot and clapped a hand against Braph¡¯s back, then swiftly pulled both of his hands behind his back. ¡°Oops,¡± he murmured.

    Braph let the slight slide, even shared a smile with the boy.

    Then Orinia broke the moment with a gasp and another contraction. As soon as she placed Joelin back on the floor he fell, smacked his head, and began to wail again.

 Let Me Go

    ¡°Come.¡± The girl turned and started walking, not waiting for them to argue.

    Looking to Jonas for concurrence, Llew received a shrug. No. Llew didn¡¯t know if they were making the right decision either, but it seemed better than loitering. She invited him to lean on her, and they moved off after the girl, catching up to her slowly.

    Once they found their rhythm and it was clear Jonas could support himself with his arm across her shoulders, Llew fought with the tough crust to tear the loaf in half. Finally splitting it, they found a buttery crumb inside, light with air bubbles. The rain did little to spoil it, and after days of making do with what they could forage, it satisfied in a way only baked goods could.

    The young woman initially led them down what must have been a main street, with business banners mounted above or beside doors. It must have been a non-trading day as most stores had ¡®Closed¡¯ signs hanging in a window by the door. Llew sure was grateful the bakery had been open. The rain seemed to keep most people indoors, or heads bowed. Any glances at the trio were brief as people returned to hiding beneath their hoods. So, a couple of days out of Duffirk and Llew¡¯s likeness hadn¡¯t been disseminated and, hopefully, Jonas was still assumed dead. Again. As much as Jonas couldn¡¯t help looking like Jonas, almost no one would be expecting to see him up and limping. For now, they would take all the luck they could get.

    Every couple of steps, Llew thought she heard a squeak that sounded awfully like metal-on-metal; something she¡¯d only heard on the train ¡­ and at Braph¡¯s house. She shuddered. Jonas looked at her and she shook her head. The sound was quiet, not like the train, and she wasn¡¯t even sure if she was really hearing it, or if her mind was playing tricks. Braph wasn¡¯t here. Surely, he had no need to hunt them down now. His son had absorbed Aris¡¯s power. He had already beaten Jonas in a fight. They had to be free of Braph.

    Llew realized the metallic squeaks were coming from the girl in front of them, and Llew felt nauseas. This young woman, leading them couldn¡¯t possibly be working for Braph, could she?

    After watching a little longer, the flash of metal caught her eye. The girl wore some sort of contraption around one of her feet, the one turned a little inward. Llew didn¡¯t know what to think. She¡¯d never known anyone but Braph to wear metal devices, but maybe this young woman simply wore something to aid her walking. Under the long skirt, Llew could see nothing to suggest the device connected to the girl¡¯s bloodstream, but that didn¡¯t mean there wasn¡¯t a connection farther up. That would make more sense, anyway. Braph had mentioned good veins in the thigh.

    But why would Braph offer such power to a young woman such as this? Why would he offer it to anyone? Llew calmed herself with what limited knowledge she had of Braph. He¡¯d invented his magic system for himself alone, no matter how much he might speak of offering it for the greater good. There was no good in that man.

    They turned off the main road and made their way between shuttered apartment buildings. After hobbling several blocks, they approached one door out of three set into a long, two-storied wooden building. A plaque attached to the wall introduced: Flint and Greving. Medical Practitioners.

    ¡°Grieving?¡± Llew asked. That didn¡¯t sound inspiring.

    ¡°Greving.¡± The girl emphasized the softer ¡®e¡¯.

    Llew wasn¡¯t entirely put at ease, but what choice did they have? Pondering choices, and lack thereof, she glanced at Jonas. It hadn¡¯t turned out all that bad, so far, having to rely on him as a protector.

    Catching the ornately swirled lever door handle with her elbow, the girl pushed the door open, collapsed the umbrella and slipped it into a waiting stand just inside by a staircase. Immediately adjacent, a corridor led to the rear of the house.

    ¡°Up. Last door on the left. It¡¯s s¡ª storage now, but we can clean it up.¡± The girl gestured up the stairs. ¡°I need to take the bread to the kitchen. I¡¯ll be up with my mother to assess you.¡± The girl¡¯s smile turned shy, and she bobbed a curtsy, the depth and grace hampered by the limited space as well as her own inflexibility. ¡°We will take care of you. But if my grandfather learns you are here, he would report you immediately.¡±

    ¡°Does he live here?¡± Llew asked.

    The girl let her gaze rest with Jonas a little too long for Llew¡¯s liking before shifting her attention to Llew. She glanced conspiratorially over her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll be s¡ª safe up there.¡± She glanced up the stairs. ¡°My grandfather doesn¡¯t do s¡ª stairs.¡± She gave them a self-congratulatory smile, somewhat deserved, since Llew was a little surprised this girl ¡®did¡¯ the stairs. She¡¯d taken long enough on the few bakery steps.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Jonas peered out from between clumps of drenched hair. He and Llew were both making small puddles on the floor.

    ¡°Elka.¡± She dipped her head reverently, spoke softly.

    ¡°Thank you, Elka,¡± Jonas said.

    Elka¡¯s eyes lit up and she grinned, like Jonas had proposed marriage to her. Still smiling, she turned and rocked her way down the corridor.

    ¡°Can you do stairs?¡± Llew turned to Jonas.

    ¡°Seems I don¡¯t have much of a choice.¡±

    With Llew¡¯s shoulder hooked under Jonas¡¯s arm, they made it slowly, if not silently, up the stairs over a background of muffled voices. One they knew as Elka¡¯s, the others must have been her mother and grandfather, but without the luxury of quick, silent movement, neither could they afford to eavesdrop. Jonas gritted his teeth through his pain, neither of them willing to test Elka¡¯s grandfather¡¯s mobility.

    At the top of the stairs, they turned into a corridor wide enough for the two of them to shuffle and stumble side-by-side, past a couple of doors either side, to the end. Jonas turned the loosely attached dulled brass lever-style handle and swung the door open.

    Dust swirled into the air, soon lost to sight in the dim room. Llew pushed her way between a pair of cushioned chairs loaded with books, pillows, blankets, and stuffed dolls and animals, to the window, beneath which stood a small table big enough for a seat on each of the four sides, though Llew could only imagine bumping knees if so many people sat there. Perhaps just two. Such a simple thought, and yet the memory of sitting at Braph¡¯s breakfast table inserted itself and she had to fight to calm herself again. There were no chairs at this table, anyway. And it held more books, and some folded blankets. No breakfasts to be had. Definitely not seated across from that monster.

    She pushed back the thin curtains. The rain continued outside, the light gray and muted. She turned back to the room. At first glance, the mess overwhelmed. Certainly, Llew was no stickler for cleanliness, but it was clear there had been no intent for this room to be a bedroom any time soon.

    After having visited Lord Tovias¡¯s mansion in Rakun, and the presidential palace in Duffirk, the room was small, and yet, it held the table, two chairs, and a tall, narrow bed not unlike the thin-mattressed one Llew had spent many weeks in, recovering from Aris¡¯s attack, pressed up against one wall. The base was about hip-height, and it, too, was piled with a scattering of books and other discarded objects ¨C mostly contraptions that Llew had no name for ¨C she guessed they had medical applications. Or had, at one time.

    Jonas supported himself on the back of one of the plush chairs, its low seat loaded with books and papers. Once again, he had his eyes closed, breathing deeply. How much pain was he in? He was also cold and wet, as was Llew. A stack of woolen blankets stood on a table corner. They would have to do.

    Llew crossed back to Jonas, cleared the seat, and reached for his shirt buttons. Naked was perhaps not the most proper way to present themselves to their hosts, but there would be no warming in drenched clothing. Jonas straightened to make it easier for Llew to help him, but his attention remained focused inwards.

    Revealing his chest, Llew was struck by the new burn marks.

    Llew had worked the forge with her father. Neither of them had needed the assistance of a doctor to treat a burn, just a living object, usually a tuft of grass growing where it wasn¡¯t wanted anyway. She hadn¡¯t even thought of what assistance Jonas might need after the fight. Although, what more could she have done?

    Her failure as a healer settled deep once more.

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    At least they were in the right place now. She hoped.

    She unbuttoned his trousers and supported him to sit so she could help him work free of them. As he settled himself, she grabbed one of the blankets and spread it across his shoulders. Then it was off with his boots, and socks, which revealed the whiteness of his right foot, as if blood no longer flowed to it.

    Llew gripped the cuffs of his trousers and pulled. Jonas raised himself off the chair to help, then sat heavily again. As the waistband cleared his knees, further damage became evident. A red line trailed up the inside of his calf muscle, fading out near the knee.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    Jonas huffed out a laugh, like she was stupid. ¡°Like I said. I¡¯m a walkin¡¯ dead man.¡± He looked down, his attention inwards again. ¡°Hobblin¡¯. Can¡¯t even walk properly,¡± he muttered.

    The fever must have been playing with his mind. Sure, his injuries and growing fever had slowed him down, but they¡¯d made it here where they would get help. He was not, despite his claim, dying.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think they can help?¡±

    Jonas shrugged.

    ¡°Best to assume they can.¡± Llew retrieved another blanket and laid it across Jonas¡¯s lap, offering modesty and added warmth, then she shucked her own wet clothes and wrapped a blanket about herself, tucking it so it would stay wrapped beneath her armpits. ¡°Does it hurt? I mean, now, while you¡¯re not standing on it.¡±

    ¡°I need to rest it on somethin¡¯.¡±

    Not far from Jonas stood a haphazard pile of books. Llew slid them beneath his heel, then added to the pile one book at a time until he was comfortable.

    Llew stood and glanced around the room again.

    ¡°Well, I suppose you¡¯ll be sleeping on that, so ¡­¡± She wound her way past the other seat to begin clearing the bed.

    ¡°Llew,¡± Jonas grunted.

    Llew hesitated, waiting for him to continue. When he didn¡¯t she returned to him and crouched by his chair again. ¡°You alright?¡±

    He didn¡¯t respond for several moments. He looked at her, but not in the eye. He seemed lost. Maybe the fever. Maybe the fact they were utterly vulnerable. When had Jonas, the Great Syakaran of Quaver, ever been so helpless?

    Suddenly, his hands clasped her head, pulling her to him and his mouth took hers, twisting and prying to open hers to him. Her initial response to anyone grabbing her like that was to pull back and give them a fist. But this was Jonas, so she relented at first. Her lips relaxed and their teeth collided. It was clumsy, sloppy, desperate. Llew tried to pull back to take a breath, but he clung to her, possessing her. Even without his Syakaran power, he was strong enough. He kissed her hard, his several days¡¯ stubble pricking her. Her lips sizzled hot and cold, pulling ghi from him. He released the kiss and chuckled ¨C a cold release ¨C still holding her forehead to his, then let her go.

    She fell back, catching herself on a pile that gave way under her, and she collapsed among the debris, hard corners of boxes and books digging into her, blanket exposing far too much. Trembling, she wiped her arm across her lips.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± he mumbled, his head turned from her.

    Anger flooded through Llew. She jumped to her feet and pushed aside the other chair on her way to the bed where she re-tightened the blanket to shield herself, and set about picking things up off the mattress and dumping them on the floor with little care. He was sick. He wasn¡¯t himself. But that didn¡¯t mean she had to put up with such behavior, did it?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he repeated, louder and clearer.

    She paused; kept her back to him.

    ¡°I was wrong,¡± he continued.

    Llew¡¯s eye twitched from the desire to agree and demand explanation, but there was little to be gained in doing so. Whatever his justification, her anger wasn¡¯t about to dissipate with a few words.

    ¡°You should let me go, Llew,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°Let you go?¡± Llew turned, folded her arms, and glared at the side of his head, his face hidden by a curtain of hair. Had that been his intention? To make her so mad she¡¯d abandon him?

    ¡°This is bad.¡± He indicated his right leg. ¡°Worse than I thought. And I ain¡¯t Syakaran no more. Can¡¯t save you from what¡¯s comin¡¯. All I ever was, was what I could do. Can¡¯t do nothin¡¯. Ain¡¯t nothin¡¯.¡±

    If it hadn¡¯t been for that kiss, that assault, she would¡¯ve jumped to his defense. But in that moment, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do so.

    ¡°If not for yourself, or me, live for your son,¡± she said flippantly.

    Tension slid from Jonas¡¯s shoulders.

    Llew turned back to her task. She wasn¡¯t about to let him go. Despite that kiss, they were good together. Ever since they¡¯d met, they¡¯d just ¡­ fit. Despite Aris. Despite Karlani. Even despite Braph.

    The arrhythmic thumps and discordant scrapes of Elka making her way up the stairs sounded over Llew¡¯s peevish efforts to clear the bed. When the other girl arrived at the doorway, Llew brushed her hands down the front of her blanket as if she could wipe her mood away, and they stood there a while, looking at each other, as seemed to be becoming their habit. Llew still didn¡¯t know what to make of this girl. In some ways, it was easy to dismiss her as a non-threat, but there was nothing wrong with her ability to communicate, and that¡¯s all it would take to call in Turhmos¡¯s troops. Elka glanced between Llew and Jonas, a tiny smile lifting one corner of her mouth and creasing her eyes.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Llew began. ¡°Why are you helping us?¡±

    ¡°I thought it was obvious,¡± said Elka, only slightly taken aback.

    Llew shook her head, arms folded. Not obvious at all.

    Elka smiled, like Llew was simple. ¡°I grew up utterly adoring you.¡± She fixed her gaze on Jonas.

    Jonas didn¡¯t seem to know what to do with that statement from this Turhmosian girl. And a shot of jealousy fired through Llew. She hadn¡¯t even heard of Jonas until a few months ago, and Elka had ¡®loved¡¯ him for years? Some part of her thought She can have him after that ¡­ assault, but she didn¡¯t mean it.

    Elka looked amused. ¡°Well, the idea of you. You inspired me,¡± she said. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I love my life. Me and my ma help people, and we hear all kinds of s¡ª stories from people who live around here, but your adventures took you everywhere, and me with you. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever get to go anywhere, but through your s¡ª stories I did. And it doesn¡¯t hurt that you look like, well¡ª¡± She blushed. ¡°¡ªthat.¡±

    Alvaro had mentioned books about The Syakaran of Quaver. So, Elka had fallen in love with a character? Llew uncrossed her arms and leaned back, gripping the edge of the bed. She didn¡¯t know how to take Elka. Her admiration for Jonas was plain, and there was little doubt that played a big role in their being here, in relative safety with medical care on the way. Well, whatever worked to get them safely on their way again.

    In the meantime, with the reminder of what he had been versus what he now was, Jonas had sunk into himself again, slumped in his chair, his expression dark.

    ¡°Those books gave me more dreams than any other,¡± Elka continued. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll never adventure all over the place like you. But whenever a fell into a s¡ª slump, your tales always picked me up.¡± Elka was watching Jonas¡¯s retreat, but she wouldn¡¯t understand why. To her, he only had a sore leg. How would she feel if she learned he was also weak?

    Jonas glanced up at her, his expression and voice sardonic. ¡°Glad I could help.¡±

 Long Road

    ¡°I have read every twelve s¡ª cinqa short s¡ª story and graphic novel there is about the Great S¡ª Syakaran of Quaver.¡± Elka¡¯s earnestness pleaded with the man before her to consider seeing himself the way she imagined him.

    Llew admired the effort.

    ¡°You¡¯re probably s¡ª surprised how deep your tales have come inside Turhmos.¡± Elka took a step towards Jonas, her body lilting startlingly. Llew flinched with an initial reaction to catch the young woman, but Elka swung her leg through and continued the step as though there was nothing to worry about. ¡°But we have no heroes of our own. At least, nothing to compare to you. Our Aenuks are confined to the military, and no one writes books about them.¡± Elka moved alongside the other chair. ¡°S¡ª sorry, I didn¡¯t get the chance to tell ma about you, yet. I¡¯ll need to s¡ª see what is wrong s¡ª so we can make a plan to fix it.¡±

    Llew cleared the books from the chair into a tiny pocket of space on the floor. She remained by the chair, facing Jonas.

    Our Aenuks, Elka had just said. What did that mean for Llew? Elka¡¯s admiration for Jonas was clear. Surely Turhmos locals liked their Aenuks. Unless they¡¯d been raised to fear them. But, our Aenuks. That had to be a sign of good favor.

    Elka sat opposite Jonas. ¡°Oh. Is that what it looks like?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Your tattoo? I¡¯ve s¡ª seen drawings, but they ¡­ Well, they weren¡¯t accurate, clearly. I¡¯d love to see the whole thing.¡±

    Llew bet she would¡¯ve, especially the tail end curled over his butt cheek. She kept her lips closed on that detail for now, though.

    ¡°Anyway, I am here to look at your foot.¡±

    ¡°It ain¡¯t pretty,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°That¡¯s okay, neither am I,¡± Elka replied.

    Llew had been in the middle of preparing for the sight to come, but instead found herself choking on her own breath. Half of her wanted to defend Elka from her own words, and yet her cheeks flamed, because she couldn¡¯t deny having discounted Elka¡¯s appearance on first sighting her.

    Jonas, too, froze.

    Elka looked from Jonas to Llew, bright with mirth, and Llew and Jonas both laughed uncertainly, then she leaned forward and waved a beckoning motion at Jonas¡¯s foot. ¡°Let¡¯s take a look.¡±

    Jonas lifted his foot from the pile of books and swung it into her lap.

    Elka glanced at the foot briefly then back up at Jonas. ¡°I heard you died. I¡¯m glad that¡¯s not true.¡± She looked down again. ¡°Oh.¡±

    The mood in the room shifted. Elka took a moment to compose herself before somberly taking in the marks on Jonas¡¯s leg. She ran stiff fingers up the red line and beyond, following an imaginary extension past his knee. She pressed against his flesh in several places along or near that line, watching Jonas for reaction. His jaw remained tense, greater discomfort only evident in a twitch of his eyes.

    ¡°I think ¡­ I¡¯m going to have to get my mama involved. I think you need s¡ª surgery.¡±

    Jonas nodded.

    ¡°It may have to come off.¡± Elka held his gaze.

    Llew¡¯s entire body buzzed with the urge to simply reach out and touch Jonas and fix whatever was wrong with him, all her earlier anger pushed aside. Of course, if she could do that, they wouldn¡¯t be here. She knew that. She didn¡¯t want to believe it.

    Jonas¡¯s face hardened and he looked down as he nodded again.

    ¡°I¡¯m s¡ª sorry,¡± Elka said. ¡°It must be difficult for you.¡±

    Jonas looked up at her with a pained expression. How could they talk about their recent troubles with this girl who had faced difficulties since the day she was born?

    ¡°We maybe could s¡ª save it, if debridement is all that¡¯s needed,¡± Elka continued. ¡°But I¡¯m not sure. Ma will have to look when she¡¯s free. It will depend on where the obs¡ª obstruction is. Maybe it¡¯s just the cold, but weren¡¯t you in Duffirk to fight?¡±

    Jonas cleared his throat, and said, ¡°Yeah. Got hit here.¡± He laid his hand over his thigh, just above the knee.

    ¡°Oh.¡± Elka sat back, carefully placing Jonas¡¯s foot back on the pile of books. She reached out and pressed the tips of her fingers to the spot Jonas had indicated, her lips pressing together. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t feel anything, but I hate to get your hopes up. Ma will have to look. Worst case, you lose from here down.¡± She waved her hand mid-thigh watching Jonas¡¯s reaction.

    Jonas remained stoic, holding Elka¡¯s gaze.

    His thigh? He might have to lose up to his thigh? Getting safely out of Turhmos was looking more and more like some fairy tale dream.

    Llew glared at Jonas, willing him to glance at her with some semblance of surprise. Surely this was news to him, too. He didn¡¯t. Just kept looking at Elka, and gave the slightest of nods.

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    Had Jonas guessed all along how much of his leg he might have to lose? Was that why he had been so melancholy? Losing his foot was bad enough ¡­ Then again, with a moment to think on it, it didn¡¯t matter how much of his leg he lost, he couldn¡¯t walk on it. He¡¯d need a walking aid of some type. And, no matter where they cut, he would have an open wound to heal from. At least that part was something Llew could help with, eventually.

    ¡°Either way, you¡¯ve got a long road to recovery ahead,¡± Elka continued, echoing Llew¡¯s thoughts.

    ¡°Do whatever you have to do, then I can heal him.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s expression hardened, watching Elka¡¯s reaction to Llew¡¯s admission.

    Elka said nothing for a moment. Then she looked up at Llew. ¡°Aenuk?¡±

    Llew nodded.

    Elka¡¯s eyes went wide and she looked from Llew to Jonas and back again.

    ¡°I always wanted to meet an Aenuk,¡± she said. All the adoration she¡¯d looked upon Jonas with earlier was now directed at Llew. Llew didn¡¯t know what to do with it. ¡°My mama reckons I wouldn¡¯t be like this¡ª¡± She waved a hand at herself. ¡°¡ªif we had access to Aenuks.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°The cord. Wrapped round my neck.¡± Elka swirled her hand around her head in demonstration, then jerked it up sharply and let her head fall to the side, doing a good impression of hanging herself. She strained, her tongue flopping out. And her eyes sparkled with glee at Llew¡¯s horror and Llew sensed she was being toyed with. Maybe the graphic display was funnier to people who had never been hanged. Elka dropped her hand in her lap. ¡°No. Mama had an accident. Took a tumble with me s¡ª still inside.¡± She pressed her lips together. ¡°Mama reckons maybe some Aenuks could have reversed the damage.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Me and my mama are healers, too. And Aenuks are the people of Turhmos, no other nation has them. But most Turhmos locals never s¡ª see one. Hardly fair, is it?¡±

    Llew shook her head. ¡°Certainly not for the Aenuks in the cages.¡±

    Elka conceded the point with a nod, then her brow furrowed. ¡°But he is Karan, how will you heal him?¡±

    ¡°He can use my blood to heal himself. We just need a needle and syringe.¡±

    Elka¡¯s face relaxed in wonder. ¡°We have those, of course. But how much blood would he need? And you¡¯ll need a source of jin to replenish it, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Llew shrugged. ¡°It took a lot the first time we did it, but he was nearly dead. And, yes. I think I can replace my blood just like anyone else, but while I¡¯m short I¡¯ll drain life from anyone or anything I touch in the meantime.¡± With that thought, Llew was thrown right back to Braph¡¯s home with that room with the cold stone floor and the twin chairs with straps at ankles and wrists, and the children he had brought in to replenish her as he drained her blood. Two dead had given him two crystals made from her blood. ¡°I guess this wouldn¡¯t be as bad.¡± She hoped.

    ¡°If my mama and I do our jobs right, he shouldn¡¯t end up nearly dead, no. It¡¯s just a flesh wound once the infection is gone.¡±

    Once the infection is gone ¡­

    Elka looked pensive a moment. ¡°S¡ª Still, there¡¯s not much around here you could drain off without leaving a s¡ª sign. Unless you used a person ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. But if I had to¡ª It would be simpler if we had an Ajnai,¡± Llew added, wistfully.

    ¡°There haven¡¯t been Ajnais s¡ª since the days of the Immortals,¡± Elka said.

    ¡°I, sort of, stumbled upon one awhile back.¡±

    Elka¡¯s jaw fell open. ¡°An Ajnai tree? You found one?¡± Her enthusiasm reminded Llew of Anya and made her heart ache. Her best friend would be distraught to know they were trapped in the heart of Turhmos with Jonas so grievously injured. But how could she know? The latest she would likely have heard would be of their capture. Even that would have Anya scrabbling to rescue them. But they couldn¡¯t wait around for Anya to save them, nor would Llew wish her friend to try. Brurun resided in peace while it remained neutral. Llew doubted Anya could afford to make demands of Turhmos.

    ¡°Yes, one,¡± Llew said. ¡°Now there is one in Brurun, another in Quaver, and a whole avenue near Hinden.¡±

    ¡°Hinden?¡± Elka asked. ¡°That¡¯s not far from here. Well, not by train. I always wanted to take the train.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll be too young,¡± Jonas said. ¡°The trees.¡±

    ¡°One let me heal Ard¡ª¡± Llew said.

    ¡°And it died,¡± Jonas countered.

    ¡°It knew what it was doing.¡± Yes, she was aware of how she sounded. ¡°And they¡¯ll be bigger now.¡± The Ajnais grew faster than any tree Llew had seen as a sapling, and it had been a fortnight since they¡¯d left the farm with its new row of magic trees. ¡°And maybe we can spread it out over several of them.¡± Llew wished she had thought of that when healing Ard, but doubted Braph would have allowed it. Without him standing over them, they would have plenty of time to coordinate across multiple trees, drawing Llew¡¯s blood and injecting it into Jonas. Just replacing her blood, rather than healing his hounds directly, might very well be less taxing on the trees anyway. As much as Merrid and Ard might wish for Llew to be outside of Turhmos already, she desperately wanted to see the farmers again, assure herself they were okay.

    ¡°S¡ª seems we have a plan, then. Mama and I will fix you up s¡ª so all you need is a little help. It shouldn¡¯t tax your trees too much.¡± Elka pushed herself up from the chair. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Mama. She should be free s¡ª soon. I would offer you more food, a proper meal, but it is not recommended before s¡ª surgery.¡± She surveyed the room. ¡°I think we¡¯re going to have to do it in here. It doesn¡¯t look the best, but me and mama work clean.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tidy it up,¡± Llew said.

    Elka gave her a lop-sided smile and continued on through the room¡¯s debris.

    At the door, she paused, looking at Jonas. ¡°My ma¡¯s s¡ª seen men with no more reason to die than a dark mood do just that, and others with little to keep them alive but a desire to do s¡ª so pull through. This?¡± She waved a hand at Jonas¡¯s foot. ¡°This is ¡­ a shame. But it¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t come back from. You¡¯ve been a hero to many. Now fortune has seen to land here. Time to put your faith in me, my ma, and your Aenuk.¡±

    ¡°Llew,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Llew.¡± Elka nodded to Llew, opened the door, and disappeared through it.

 Are You Sure?

    Alone again, Llew stood watching Jonas. He didn¡¯t look up, lost in his own darkness. Lacking soothing words, and in little mood to offer any, Llew moved to the door and cleared a wider path between that and the bed. Then she shoved things on the floor back to create a narrow semi-circle around what was to be the surgical table.

    Elka¡¯s reminder of their good fortune was as much for Llew as Jonas. They had been incredibly lucky to have evaded recapture and landed in Elka¡¯s hands. That Jonas had to lose his foot ¨C leg! ¨C was a small matter when they could just as easily have lost their freedom or lives by now.

    With the bed cleared, she asked Jonas if he would like to lie down. He declined. Llew briefly considered taking the chair in which Elka had sat, but without knowing what she could say to him, sitting so close to, and facing Jonas felt like a recipe for discomfort on both their parts. So, she jumped up onto the bed and sat, legs swinging and hands lightly gripping the edge. The metal bed squeaked and hit the wall gently with each stride. Squeak, thud ¡­ squeak, thud.

    The mattress was soft, which was lovely to sit on, but she wondered how Jonas would cope if he ended up lying on it for days on end. How long would he have to stay in bed after his surgery? Would it be like after Aris attacked her? Would they spend weeks here? Or could they get away in days? The longer they stayed, the more danger they were in, that was certain. And now Llew would have to look after Jonas while he was incapacitated. She hoped she could do as good a job as he had done for her back in Taither. His strength had allowed him to support her easily. Neither of them had that anymore. Llew had never had to nurse anyone before. Anything he¡¯d needed from her she was always ready to give. She could do it again, with or without magic.

    ¡°Llew, please.¡± Jonas¡¯s pleading tone suggested that the low noise she¡¯d ignored moments before might have been him talking. ¡°Stop.¡±

    Oops. Had she voiced some of her fears? She¡¯d spent so many years alone, talking to herself was just as natural as thinking. ¡°What?¡± She slowed her swinging legs.

    ¡°Do you have any idea how temptin¡¯ it is to add truth to what that sounds like?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± What in the world was he talking about? Squeak, thud. Squeak, thud. ¡°Oh. Ha ha.¡± Now she got it. She swung her legs with deliberation, and a little more omph. Thud. ¡°Quite tempting, I imagine.¡± Pondering the activity that might usually evoke such sounds set her own loins warming to the idea. Skin-on-skin. A moment of abandonment from their worries. Folded in Jonas¡¯s heat ¡­ mmm.

    Jonas turned his head, his profile half hidden by his long hair. She still had no idea how Braph had done that; it had barely covered his ears a couple of weeks ago. She did, however, know exactly how Braph had given Jonas the new bump halfway down his nose. The profile altered forever. It didn¡¯t affect how she felt about it. She would brush his hair aside and kiss that nose gently. She nibbled her lower lip, let her thighs relax. He was probably getting an eyeful.

    Indeed, he looked at her out the corner of his eye, the corner of his lips raised ever so subtly.

    Llew let her legs keep swinging. Tempted, was he? So, why was he still sitting there? Of course, he still had a sore leg. Maybe he couldn¡¯t. She almost felt bad for teasing him, then she remembered that kiss. So out of character for him. But he¡¯d been out of sorts since that day at the farm when he¡¯d admitted his failing strength. Where was his head at right now? Squeak, thud. Tormented, was he?

    ¡°I¡¯m still a man, Llew.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± she scoffed. She¡¯d never said any different. And why would she think otherwise? No matter what he thought, he was still Jonas, even without his Syakaran power, even without his leg. Oh ¡­ Now even that kiss made some sense.

    ¡°Is that what this is about? You needing to prove you¡¯re still a man? You don¡¯t need to prove it to me. Do you need to make some sort of show of proof to yourself?¡±

    Any hint of humor left his face though and he turned away.

    ¡°Go on, then.¡± Llew hitched the blanket, showing a little more leg, even as she pulled the edge across her body, ensuring she was covered.

    He half turned again, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Show me what a man you are.¡±

    Squeak, thud. Squeak, thud.

    He turned away again, his shoulders deflating. Maybe she should¡¯ve let it go. That ¡®kiss¡¯ ¨C for what it was ¨C had upset her, but she should probably let it go for now. Something to discuss later. After¡ª

    Squeak, thud.

    Thud. Jonas¡¯s foot slid from its book-pile rest, dragging the top couple of books with it with their own dulled thuds. Jonas sucked air through his teeth and hunched over his leg. Llew stopped swinging her legs.

    Jonas dragged his dying foot under him, rocked forward, stood, turned. The blanket fell from his shoulders. He held the other before him, scooped it around himself like a skirt, and held it with one hand while he balanced himself off the chair with the other.

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    He looked her up and down, then met her gaze as he took another moment to lean on his vacated chair and breathe through pain.

    Standing there, naked but for the blanket at his waist, he shrugged his shoulders and displayed himself as best he could, still clutching the chair and blanket. ¡°Is this what you want?¡± he asked, a self-deprecating twist to his lips.

    Llew swallowed. She¡¯d spoken on impulse. It was just another case of him having a need and her being ready to fulfill. Well, mostly it was her being brash. But was it what she wanted? Did it matter? Kynas had pushed, pleaded, and coerced until she¡¯d given in and let him in. He wouldn¡¯t have accepted a ¡®no¡¯. It hadn¡¯t been a choice to let him touch her. Braph never even asked. If she said ¡®no¡¯ now, Jonas would sit down again and they would remain in silence while he churned over whatever thoughts filled his head. She could say ¡®no¡¯ to Jonas. But she didn¡¯t want to. If it was what he needed to ensure he was in the right head-space for the surgery ¡­

    She nodded, but Jonas had already read into her hesitation, he paused, giving her a dubious look.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    Oh. Llew closed her eyes, smiled. ¡°I think that¡¯s the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me. Say that again.¡± She opened her eyes to see his response.

    He smiled that quirky smile she liked so much and took a step. ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Mmm.¡± She savored the warm glow his words sent through her with a long blink. ¡°Say it again.¡±

    He winced as his injured leg took his weight, but managed to turn it into a kind of swagger. ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Llew let her thighs relax fully so he could step between them, bunching her blanket to her hips.

    Jonas¡¯s eyes shifted over her face, and Llew found herself smiling. Whatever this was going to be, it was theirs; Jonas and Llew¡¯s.

    Simply entering the room had stirred up the gathered dust, and Llew¡¯s efforts to clear some space had only added to it. Mingled with the dust was the odor of damp clothing, wet hair, road dirt, and even some forest undergrowth. Underneath it all, were their own natural aromas. Her own, Llew didn¡¯t like much, but in Jonas¡¯s, as always, she found a certain comfort and strength.

    She hardly had time to appreciate his musculature beneath the black gryphon tattoo before he gripped her head again, leaned in and pulled her to him, engulfing her bottom lip between his hungrily, then sucking gently, and pulling back tenderly, looking her in the eyes.

    Llew swallowed. That was quite the improvement.

    His blanket fell as he brought his second hand up to cup her jaw and tasted her again. Then he pulled her hips closer to the edge of the bed. He held her gaze as he guided himself into her, and Llew welcomed him, placing a hand on his buttock, and the gryphon¡¯s tail. He reached past her to grip the wall side of the bed, forcing Llew to lean back. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing their torsos together, savoring his heat.

    He was so fragile.

    Almost any other man, Llew would¡¯ve healed the moment she¡¯d brushed up against him. But not Jonas. Not any Karan, no, but Jonas was the one that mattered.

    She couldn¡¯t save his leg, couldn¡¯t remove it for him, couldn¡¯t immediately heal it for him when it was gone. Couldn¡¯t guarantee his safe passage from Turhmos. Nor Quaver¡¯s continued acceptance and adoration when he returned a powerless cripple. All she could do was love him.

    He pressed his head to hers. The memory of Braph doing the same sent a chill through Llew. She glanced down at the gryphon head on his chest. Only Jonas wore that.

    ¡°You know they could probably hear the bed hitting the wall downstairs, don¡¯t you?¡± Jonas murmured beside her ear.

    ¡°Can they?¡±

    ¡°This is a wooden, two story home. Sound travels easily through wood.¡±

    Llew hadn¡¯t known that. Oops. She chuckled nervously. As at Merrid and Ard¡¯s, she didn¡¯t want to upset their hosts, but surely they would be forgiven, under the circumstances. She hoped they would find it funny. She could live with that. And hopefully Elka¡¯s grandfather was deaf.

    Jonas growled through gritted teeth. Cursing his pain? He was so deft at keeping it to himself, Llew had no measure of what he was dealing with. Whatever he was going through, he didn¡¯t let it deter him.

    He pulled back enough to meet her gaze again, and he was with her again, really with her; back from whatever he¡¯d been sunk in since they arrived. Llew tried to kiss him, but the pleasure was building too much to close her mouth on her panting. She clutched tighter to him, bringing their heads side-by-side again. Jonas swore.

    It was a release Llew hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d wanted. But after weeks of heartache, sorrow, fear, and failure, the simple joy of being skin-to-skin in relative safety and comfort brought a rush of its very own. Since she¡¯d told Jonas she loved him, they¡¯d barely been able to touch each other, let alone be together like this.

    Sated, they fell in a twisted heap across the bed. Jonas kept kissing her, all over the side of her face and down her neck. Llew¡¯s skin tingled pleasantly beneath his touches as their breathing settled. He pulled her blanket up her body so she was less exposed. Unnecessary as it was, she appreciated the gesture.

    He pushed himself up on an elbow and leaned to kiss her lips. ¡°I love you,¡± he said in a low voice.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said.

    Jonas chuckled as he nuzzled behind her ear, kissed her again, and let his fingertips trail the edge of her blanket, where it followed the shape of her breast beneath.

    ¡°My answer is yes.¡± Llew craned her head back to look at him, as well as forcing him to stop kissing her and listen. He¡¯d asked her to marry him at Merrid and Ard¡¯s, but Llew had been taken so by surprise she hadn¡¯t even been sure he was serious. ¡°I never really answered you. Mainly because I never planned on getting married ¡­ to anyone. But we could, couldn¡¯t we? Maybe when we get back to Rakun. ¡¯Cause I¡¯ll always have your back ¡­¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll always have yours,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°And it would just be nice to say to the world that whatever we¡¯re doing, we¡¯re in it together, right? And you said things were always easier if you knew you had a soft place to land. And Elka said you¡¯ve got to go into this thing with a plan to survive, and I don¡¯t want you going into it with anything else. And ¡­ I don¡¯t know. I feel like there are a million reasons to do it, but I can only name a few.¡±

    They watched each other, eyes flicking across the other¡¯s face. Llew didn¡¯t know what Jonas was seeking, but she was after some sort of assurance. Sure, it had been him who asked her to marry him and her answer to give, but it had been so long since he¡¯d asked, and so much had happened, maybe he didn¡¯t think it was a good idea now.

    ¡°You know how to light up the dark, don¡¯t you?¡± Jonas¡¯s mouth crooked up at one corner, and his eyes sparkled like they hadn¡¯t since before they¡¯d left Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm; since before he¡¯d lost his powers. She was almost sure it wasn¡¯t the fever this time.

    Llew smiled back.

    Elka¡¯s telltale stilted clamber sounded from the stairs, accompanied by an echo of someone matching pace with her.

 Trust

    Llew helped Jonas back to the seat and rearranged the blankets over him, then tightened her blanket about herself again and opened the door a crack, peering through. Elka was coming along the hallway, accompanied by a woman, older, taller, and straighter than Elka, but otherwise identical. She had to be Elka¡¯s mother. The doctor. The woman carried a leather bag, similar to the one wielded by the doctor on the boat from Aghacia to Phyos.

    Llew opened the door to admit them.

    ¡°Hey.¡± Elka smiled wide and raised her arms to draw Llew¡¯s attention to the pile of sheets and the cotton blanket she carried, then made her way to the bed, using Llew¡¯s new path.

    ¡°Oh, wonderful. Wonderful,¡± Elka¡¯s ma said, taking in the cleared floor space as Elka placed the sheets on the bed. ¡°That would explain the noise then.¡±

    Llew felt her cheeks flame and Jonas suddenly found a need to study the floor.

    ¡°Might want to keep it down in future,¡± Elka¡¯s mother said. ¡°Easier to keep a secret, that way.¡± Her eyes were quick, taking in every detail of the room and the state of their guests. ¡°Yes, those wet clothes wouldn¡¯t have been doing you any good. We¡¯ll get you some dry ones.¡±

    The woman placed her bag on the floor and came to Llew. She reached out for one of Llew¡¯s hands, hesitated. ¡°I won¡¯t get drained, will I?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    The woman splayed one hand for a shake and Llew accepted. ¡°This is¡ª. Sorry.¡± She shook her head as she clasped Llew¡¯s hand in both of her own. ¡°Llew. Nice to meet you doesn¡¯t do you justice. When Elka said Jonas needed our help, I thought we were blessed. Then she told me we had an Aenuk under our roof ¡­¡± She shook her head again. She still had Llew¡¯s hand in her grip.

    ¡°Mama,¡± Elka chastised.

    ¡°Yes. Yes. Sorry.¡± The woman released Llew. ¡°Elka and I have discussed the virtues of Aenuks her entire life. We are honored, to say the least.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not all it¡¯s cracked up to be,¡± Llew muttered then put on her best smile. ¡°And we are grateful for your help, Missus?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Flint. But you may call me Raena.¡± At Llew¡¯s use of ¡®we¡¯, Raena looked past her to Jonas. Her expression sobered. ¡°Time to get down to business,¡± Raena said, releasing Llew¡¯s hand, picking up her bag, and making her way to Jonas.

    If the room wasn¡¯t already crowded, four people certainly made it so. Jonas made himself as small as possible.

    ¡°And you¡¯re Jonas, the Great Syakaran of Quaver, protector of the weak, guardian of justice. What an unbridled privilege this is.¡±

    Llew could hardly believe she was hearing such awe spoken with regards to him this deep inside Turhmos. Even Merrid and Ard had been wary of him.

    ¡°There is quite a trade, both in novels and cartoons, featuring you here in Turhmos. Just don¡¯t tell the authorities.¡± Raena held a finger to her lips and winked at Llew, keeping the tone light-hearted, but Raena¡¯s overall expression said clearly there would be consequences if word got out. Like Merrid and Ard, Llew doubted Raena was a stranger to crossing the line from legal to right.

    Raena returned her attention to Jonas. ¡°You¡ª I hope you don¡¯t mind me saying, you seem smaller in real life, but, I suppose, given the circumstances ¡­ Elka has adored you forever.¡±

    ¡°Mama.¡± Elka¡¯s scowl soon turned into a grin. Not overly embarrassed, then.

    Raena shrugged. ¡°I suppose she never had a choice, since I started reading to her while she was still at the breast.¡±

    ¡°Mama.¡±

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    ¡°Ha ha. Right, yes, you¡¯re not here for those tales. Still, tales of your father, and then you, allowed Elka to dream far beyond what her life offered.¡±

    ¡°None of them were true,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°But you were,¡± Elka said, clearly not easily dissuaded.

    Llew found herself smiling. While her future didn¡¯t exactly sparkle, their present could have been truly bleak. Yet here, once again in the heart of Turhmos, were two generous and kind women willing to help strangers, one of whom should have been their enemy.

    ¡°So, my young Quaven, shall we see what we are dealing with here?¡± Raena pressed the backs of her fingers to Jonas¡¯s forehead and then sat in the chair facing him. ¡°Elka said you¡¯re not in a good way. Your leg?¡± She leaned forward to scoop Jonas¡¯s foot into her lap for closer inspection. ¡°The fight in Duffirk was well publicized; meant to show us all Turhmos had the upper hand now, but few of us have any appetite left for fighting. We have enough to keep us busy day-to-day.¡± She ran fingers up Jonas¡¯s leg, examining the discolored patches then, as Elka had done, traced the red line up his leg and tested his response to pressure in various places. As before, Jonas remained stoic, returning her gaze with only the occasional jaw flex or eye twitch giving his pain away.

    ¡°All that war and posturing nonsense is between the higher ups. None of our business. But it¡¯s us who must wave our children off to join the fight and hope they make it home again.¡± Raena¡¯s lips pressed tight as she continued her examination. ¡°They said you¡¯d been killed, and something about Quaver¡¯s forces weakening. There are families even now sending their sons off to Brurun, just in case.¡±

    Raena finished her examination, rested her hands over Jonas¡¯s ankle and swung an apologetic look from Llew to Jonas. ¡°There¡¯s something dangerous happening, I believe, about here.¡± She circled a finger over an area above Jonas¡¯s knee. "We could fill you up on medicines to take away the pain while your body fights on its own, then this gets worse and you die anyway. Or, we could try opening it up and treating it topically, which would hurt, likely make you feel awful, and there¡¯s still a chance we fail ¨C not to mention the added risk of introducing more infection ¨C and you die.¡± She and Jonas stared at each other while Llew desperately tried to deny what she was about to hear. There had to be another option. She looked to Elka who was on the verge of tears.

    Raena watched Jonas for a few moments before speaking again.

    ¡°I have confidence we can save your life if we move swiftly, decisively, and with no regrets; no ¡®what if¡¯s¡¯,¡± Raena said. ¡°I can make no such promises about saving your leg. Do you understand?¡±

    Jonas nodded. Llew didn¡¯t.

    Raena met her gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Aenuks do their magic at the border before, and it is quite the miracle to watch them work, but even with their help, we had to remove limbs to save lives. A broken bone must still be set properly before accelerating the healing process. We still lost soldiers to infection. We learned to be very careful about when to bring in the Aenuks to close some wounds. There¡¯s little point draining life from your surroundings only to have your patient die painfully days later. It was often too dangerous to open them up again. We¡¯re still learning the science of germs. As far as I know, that is a complication even beyond Aenuks when it comes to healing non-Aenuks. Of course, it¡¯s not an issue for Aenuks themselves. But, in this case, he is Karan, so there¡¯s nothing any Aenuk could do. Trust me when I tell you he¡¯s in good hands here.¡±

    Despite not needing to, Raena seemed to be waiting for Llew¡¯s acceptance to move forward. Llew had no intention of stopping these women from saving Jonas¡¯s life. No matter how desperately she wanted to find another option, Raena was right: they didn¡¯t have time.

    Raena went to Jonas¡¯s side, offering her shoulder to support him to stand. ¡°Please pull the bed out from the wall so we have room to work.¡±

    The blanket fell from across Jonas¡¯s shoulders ¨C his dignity only maintained by a death grip on the one he held over his groin ¨C exposing the bruises, cuts, and burns across his back, along with the mighty, sweeping lines of the gryphon tattoo that represented the strength of his blood; so at odds with his current truth.

    Llew moved to comply, her mind shrieking at her: a complication even beyond Aenuks. But Llew was Syaenuk. That had to mean something. She had to be able to do something to beat the bug robbing Jonas of his Syakaran powers. She just had to. Braph couldn¡¯t win that way.

 Relax (part 1)

    Raena supported Jonas as he maneuvered himself onto the bed and lay down before them all. At first, he seemed reluctant to meet an eye in the room, but once his gaze met Llew¡¯s he held it. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

    Raena lay a blanket across Jonas¡¯s middle, offering him some warmth and dignity. She took a moment to examine his other injuries, rolling him on his side to see the one high at the back of his thigh. Her lips pressed tight, but then she said, ¡°These look clean, at least. We should be able to prevent further infection.¡± She let him roll to his back. ¡°But this ¡­¡± Raena pressed her fingers into various points on Jonas¡¯s leg, beginning with his upper calf and pausing above his knee, once again watching him closely for reaction, then bent over him, hovering her ear over the area she was pressing, her expression grim. And when she nodded to herself, there was no satisfaction in it.

    Raena¡¯s words hung in Llew¡¯s mind: a complication even beyond Aenuks.

    Jonas pressed his lips together and rolled his shining eyes to the ceiling. All Llew could do was squeeze his shoulder. His opposite hand came up to rest over hers, but he didn¡¯t look at her now.

    Elka dug through Raena¡¯s bag, bringing out a small brown bottle, grasped awkwardly in her twisted hand. Llew went to reach for it as Elka appeared to fumble, the bottle toppling against the edge of the bed beneath the mattress, ringing out as glass and metal met before Elka steadied the bottle again, giving Llew a look that suggested she resented Llew¡¯s assumptions about her ability to handle the bottle. Duly chastised, Llew tucked her hands behind her.

    Jonas¡¯s breathing and blinking rates increased, and he didn¡¯t seem to know where to look.

    ¡°Relax,¡± said Raena.

    ¡°You won¡¯t have a choice soon,¡± Elka quipped as she shuffled alongside the bed, approaching Jonas¡¯s head, bottle and rubber hose brandished.

    Llew picked up Jonas¡¯s hand, clasping it in both of hers.

    A few weeks ago he¡¯d been the most physically gifted man alive, apart from, perhaps, the Immortal Aris. When she¡¯d met him, Jonas had oozed confidence. And why wouldn¡¯t he? A man whose advantages were many and responsibilities few. And here he was, already stripped of his Syakaran powers, now left to choose between his leg or his life ¨C no choice, in other words.

    When had he ever been more vulnerable than in this moment? Even as a new-born babe he¡¯d been under the protection of two Syakaran parents. Now? Now, he just had Llew. And her Syaenuk power felt wholly inadequate if things went wrong here.

    Jonas¡¯s eyes stopped darting about to lock with Llew¡¯s again, as Elka opened the bottle, and fed a rubber tube into the top. That look was filled with fear. All Llew could do was breathe deeply and give him some assurance in a smile. Their lives were now in the hands of these two Turhmosian women. Llew had to have faith in them, if for no other reason than to give Jonas peace of mind as he was sedated.

    Raena pulled a belt from her bag, fed it under Jonas¡¯s thigh, strapped it tight and turned back to dig through her bag again.

    Elka offered the free end of the tube for Jonas to take into his mouth.

    ¡°Breathe deep.¡±

    Jonas accepted the hose between his lips, nodding his thanks to Elka before looking back up to Llew. His chest began rising and lowering more slowly and his eyelids grew heavy, but he refused to look away from Llew. She returned the steady gaze, having no idea how else she could support him on this journey.

    A metallic scraping drew Llew¡¯s attention. Raena had extracted a saw from her bag and lay it on the edge of the bed. What was about to happen became very real.

    Thankfully, Jonas¡¯s eyes were already closed.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to s¡ª stay,¡± Elka said. ¡°There¡¯s a room you could wait in across the hall. It won¡¯t take long.¡±

    ¡°Plff. Dmph. Mngrr.¡± Jonas¡¯s eyes opened long enough to make his plea.

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay.¡±

    As soon as Jonas¡¯s eyes closed again, Llew looked back at the saw with its deeply serrated blade. Raena splashed liquid from a glass bottle over her hands and rubbed it in, then picked up a fine blade and waited. Llew felt sick.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to watch,¡± Elka said. She lifted one of Jonas¡¯s eyelids, then nodded to her mother. ¡°He¡¯s out.¡±

    With surprising dexterity, Elka held a cloth to the mouth of the same bottle the rubber tube was inserted into and tipped, soaking the cloth. She shaped the cloth into a loose cone and placed it over Jonas¡¯s nose and mouth, extracting the rubber hose. While unused, her hands were normally either locked straight or curled, but put to use, her thumb and first two fingers proved no less capable than Llew¡¯s own. Elka spared a sympathetic smile for the unconscious Jonas before turning to watch her mother¡¯s progress.

    In the time it had taken Elka to swap the hose for the cloth, Raena had already cut deep scalloped curves through the top and underside of Jonas¡¯s thigh and wielded the saw. Llew turned her head and closed her eyes and wished she could do the same with her ears, but she kept a hold on Jonas¡¯s hand. It took only a few seconds for the bone to be sliced through, but Llew still couldn¡¯t watch whatever Raena was doing. A mere few minutes later, a crinkly sound had her daring to look as Raena wrapped a thin sheet of metal over Jonas¡¯s new stump.

    ¡°To prevent infection,¡± Elka murmured. ¡°Carbolic acid and tin. Seems to keep the bacteria at bay.¡±

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    ¡°Bacteria?¡±

    ¡°Germs. Bugs.¡±

    Braph had mentioned bugs on the train to Duffirk when he¡¯d admitted involvement in Jonas¡¯s loss of powers, but he¡¯d used a different word.

    ¡°Micro¡ª?¡±

    ¡°Microorganisms? Yes.¡± Elka smiled the smile a pleasantly surprised parent might give their clever child.

    ¡°Does it just kill the bugs in his leg? Or can it fight them in the rest of his body?¡±

    ¡°This is topical.¡± Raena pulled a soft bandage roll from her bag and freed an end. ¡°It only acts to prevent infection establishing at the wound site.¡±

    Llew projected a look of curiosity satisfied, not the full disappointment washing through her.

    ¡°We will address his fever while he rests. Hopefully I¡¯ve removed the primary cause,¡± Raena said. Llew hoped so, too.

    Llew allowed herself to be mesmerized by Raena¡¯s quick hands as they wound a bandage over and around Jonas¡¯s new stump. ¡°So fast,¡± she murmured. Not just those hands, either. The whole procedure seemed to have barely taken a minute.

    Raena smiled. ¡°I mentioned working the railways earlier.¡±

    Llew nodded.

    ¡°They brought out a select few Aenuks to work the lines,¡± Raena spoke while she wound the final layers around Jonas¡¯s thigh. ¡°But healing those bigger wounds damaged the environment too much. They can¡¯t risk killing farmland so close to the towns.¡± She sighed as she reached for tape and tore off a section without releasing the end of the bandage. ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel there should be a better way. It wasn¡¯t always like this.¡±

    Of course there was a better way: grow Ajnai trees, free the Aenuks. Llew wondered if that was what Raena referred to with her last comment. If so, it seemed they had found allies as supportive as Merrid and Ard. Another beacon. The thought was more than a little reassuring when she glanced again at Jonas¡¯s bandaged thigh. They weren¡¯t exactly in a position to fight or run any time soon. Still, Llew would feel better with some sort of plan in place. They were still too close to Duffirk as far as she was concerned. ¡°Where¡¯s Keldely from here?¡±

    Raena stepped back and nodded once to her daughter who lifted the cloth cone from Jonas¡¯s face, and said, ¡°Northeast, thereabouts. No train between here and there. A day or two, depending if you walk or ride.¡± She nodded down at Jonas¡¯s thigh. ¡°Though he won¡¯t be doing either of those soon.¡±

    Jonas stirred, ending further conversation. Llew hadn¡¯t noticed the tension in Raena and Elka, but its release was palpable. Whatever Elka had used had acted swiftly and ceased its effect just as quick. Jonas blinked, looking from Llew to Elka, and realization slowly dawned. After a few more blinks, he sighed.

    ¡°It¡¯s done, ain¡¯t it?¡± His eyes flickered through a range of minute expressions; confusion and something dour ¨C Sadness? Anger? ¨C dominant.

    ¡°Yes. All done.¡± Raena¡¯s smile wasn¡¯t that of pride in a job well done. Everyone in the room knew what full physical prowess was to a Syakaran. It was who and what Jonas was.

    Jonas nodded at the ceiling. Then he blanched.

    ¡°Bucket,¡± said Elka. Raena passed one across to her. ¡°This way.¡± With a gentle hand, Elka guided Jonas over the bucket as his body convulsed. He retched once and then heaved. ¡°Many patients react to the ether this way,¡± Elka spoke across Jonas, as if she and Llew were enjoying a conversation over cups of tea. ¡°He¡¯ll feel s¡ª sick for a day or two, but it¡¯s nothing to be cons¡ª concerned about.¡±

    Raena slid the detached leg from the bed, wrapping it up in a sheet and placing it beside her bag, before continuing to place her used surgical instruments away.

    Having had little food or water over the previous days, Jonas was soon dry retching until his body seemed too tired to try anymore. He rolled back, his eyes gaunt and streaming, his skin pale and moist, his hands trembling, his breathing shallow and fast.

    Finishing up gathering her surgical utensils and that great, bloody saw, Raena pulled out a tiny bottle and coaxed Jonas to open his mouth enough for her to administer a dose of clear liquid. She handed the bottle to Llew. ¡°Just when he needs it.¡±

    Llew clapped her fingers around the bottle. Not long ago, she had needed its magic. Now it was Jonas¡¯s turn.

    Raena shook out a woolen blanket, and Llew and Elka helped pull it up around Jonas¡¯s chin as footsteps sounded on the stairs. Llew looked sharply from one woman to the other. Elka had said her grandfather didn¡¯t ¡®do¡¯ stairs.

    ¡°Mama?¡± A female voice reverberated through the door.

    ¡°Leela,¡± Elka whispered.

    ¡°Elka¡¯s sister,¡± Raena clarified, collecting her bag and the bundle that contained Jonas¡¯s leg from the floor. ¡°Elka and I must go,¡± Raena continued. ¡°I¡¯m afraid Leela never understood our admiration for Jonas, and certainly didn¡¯t approve of my encouraging Elka.¡± She turned to go. Turned back. ¡°Elka.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mama.¡± The young woman lingered a moment before reluctantly sidling out from behind the bed and drawing herself away.

    Raena paused at the door. ¡°He should sleep now.¡± She spoke quickly and quietly. ¡°Rest while you can. In fact, we will see to a bath for you soon.¡± Raena and her daughter slipped through the door.

    ¡°What were you doing in there?¡± Leela asked.

    ¡°Just looking for something,¡± Raena said, as the door closed behind them. The footsteps retreated, heading back down the stairs, Elka¡¯s slow efforts continuing several prolonged paces after the other two had disembarked at the bottom.

    Llew turned back to Jonas. He lay, eyes expressionless in an impassive face. Either he was in so much pain he daren¡¯t move, or too exhausted to show it. Or he was simply off wherever the opiate took him.

    In the absence of comforting words, she asked if he was warm enough. The fraction of a nod he gave nearly had him retching, and Llew dived for the bucket. He waved her back, his hand falling heavily back by his side and his breath already slowing.

    Llew let her eyes linger on the blanket covering him. The rounded end of the stump alongside his full-length leg a difficult contrast to fathom, let alone accept. Maybe it was best not to think about it too much.

    Jonas soon slept.

    Llew allowed herself to doze in one of the cushioned chairs, though she dared not let herself sleep; every bump or voice raised within the house pulled her alert. She had to remind herself they were as safe as they could hope to be in the heart of Turhmos, and even with Jonas incapacitated, she could fight for them. She hoped she wouldn¡¯t have to.

 Relax (part 2)

    Leather-encased fingers exhibited more grip than bare metal. Glove fitted, the next stage for Braph was learning to mitigate his natural grasp. Thrice now he had broken eggshells, sending albumen oozing across the leather and yolk dolloping onto the bench-top. It was an improvement ¨C without the glove he¡¯d failed to pick up the egg at all ¨C but far from perfection, and with no haptic feedback he was relying entirely on visual assessment.

    Braph curved the fingers around the fourth egg, magic coursing from the crystal into the device clamped to his stump, through his veins, to his heart, through arteries and back down his arm, back into the cuff and farther to the tiny pistons and pulleys that pulled the fingers closed. By now, his brain thought of the metal hand as his own. He didn¡¯t need to move the left to get the right hand to mimic. It was just a matter of refining these movements so he didn¡¯t spend his life crushing things he didn¡¯t wish to. The fingertips of the glove depressed as they made contact with the egg. Too light a touch would see the egg fall from his grasp. Too tight a grip and he would crack yet another egg. He brought the fingers round a smidgen more, then raised his arm. The egg came up in his leather and metal grasp. He released the pent-up tension. He¡¯d done it. Such a silly little thing, but it was a success, and now he could build on it.

    His cheeks ached, so unfamiliar an expression was a broad grin on his features. And no one to share it with. Orinia rested after a long and difficult labor and birth. At least she had willingly handed over the boy. She had little interest in bonding with the child of Turhmos. There was no way to tell this early if the child was merely Aenuk, or carried the extra Sy abilities, but that no longer mattered to Braph. What interest did he need to maintain in the Syaenuk line when he had an Immortal son willing to share his blood with his father?

    Several more eggs were sacrificed before Braph developed confidence in the new hand¡¯s grip.

    He pushed his tall, caster-wheeled chair back from his bench and swiveled, pulling himself farther along for a closer look at his glass cabinet filled with vials of what would appear to the untrained eye as goop. To date, he had simply referred to it as a micro-organism. One of hundreds, thousands, maybe millions, that existed, but it was the only one, that he knew of, that had been manipulated so thoroughly by a person. One might call it domesticated. And domestic pets had names. It was time to bring it out into the world. It was time to name it. Should he share the glory with his brother and include their family name? His brother was the first full test subject, after all.

    The Vastergaard Bug? The Vastergaard Virus? Hmm. The alliteration tickled his fancy.

    Braph wondered at Jonas¡¯s progress. He didn¡¯t know the full extent of the micro-organism¡¯s effects. He¡¯d tested it on a few cells he¡¯d isolated from himself. All had eventually perished, but there were too many variables to draw conclusions from such a result. He¡¯d tested it on himself, of course, but he¡¯d let it progress no further than to confirm that he felt weaker a day after inoculation. Jonas had weakened so far as to lose everything that made him Syakaran, even Karan, in a matter of days. While Braph had ascertained that the bug had no effect on mundane humans, he didn¡¯t know if a powerless Karan counted as mundane. Orinia had been unable to heal Braph with a touch from the minimal loss he¡¯d suffered. He¡¯d still needed to inject her blood to direct its power himself. He surmised that even in the absence of his Karan power, the Aenuk-Karan barrier persisted.

    Glancing at the nearly black crystal in his cuff to check its luster ¨C no longer high-gloss, perhaps half used ¨C he pursed his lips as he considered another direction in which to stretch his power. Well, one never knew unless one tried, did they?

    Knowing his brother so well, it took little effort to conjure an image in his head. Closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing, he entered a meditative state, then stretched his mind out. He didn¡¯t know in exactly which direction to go, but he surmised he could easily dismiss east, and likely south. He was almost certain they would head for the Ajnai tree in Taither, but he couldn¡¯t dismiss Llewella¡¯s pull to her friend in Brurun. North and west was a vast area to cover, and he did not know how much such a task would tax his power reserve, but Braph had never been one to quit before even trying. Besides, Orin found the extra rations allowed after he provided crystals reward aplenty, especially when offered a sweet treat, and Braph¡¯s staff liked little more than spoiling the boy.

    Braph didn¡¯t know what he was doing, but then, he had done plenty with his magic with little understanding of the mechanics behind it; a strange way for a natural engineer to work, perhaps, but so be it. He knew nothing of healing, yet he healed easily. He knew nothing of propulsion without the use of spinning blades to generate lift, and yet he had flown. An expensive exercise, but both time saving and exhilarating. Now, he stretched his awareness over miles, seeking his brother. It did not feel unlike when he had flown, minus the wind resistance.

    His search ended in blackness. The abruptness almost sent him scuttling back to his local reality, but his breath hitched on his first assumption that Jonas was dead. He had to know for sure. He lingered, finding a calm in the dark, which was not so absolute once he acclimatized. Dizziness washed through him. He held firm, both in his head and with a hand on the edge of his bench. Should he reach some finality, he wanted an anchor to draw himself back.

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    He probed. Again, not fully knowing what he was doing, he mentally jumped and twisted, throwing his consciousness around like a bouncy ball inside Jonas¡¯s head. Light temporarily blinded him. He blinked, and the image flickered before him. Peering into the light, he could only see hazy blobs, no detail. Something slid across his vision, blocking out all else. He blinked again, seeking clarity.

    He had access to more than vision, though. He lay on something soft; a bed, he presumed. On his back, looking up at a white pressed tin ceiling, as was becoming popular in many places across Turhmos. A house of some quality, then. There wasn¡¯t much noise. Breathing. His own, and, yes, a light snoring from across the room. He turned his head to find Llewella seated in a chair, her head hooked back over the top of it, eyes closed, mouth open.

    Pain lanced through his knee. A throbbing pain, deep in the bone. He lifted his right leg, thinking that applying pressure might dull the pain enough to allow him to keep gathering information, but when the leg came up, there was something wrong. Where the knee should have been, there was ¡­ nothing.

    The horror sent Braph scuttling back, returning to his own body still sitting before the vials of goop, his heart hammering. He reached out instinctively for his right knee with his right hand. Only, his right hand wasn¡¯t his, not really ¨C oh, it belonged to him, but it wasn¡¯t him ¨C and while his knee sensed the hand land on it, the hand gave no real feedback, not enough to confirm the knee¡¯s existence, and he already knew his brain could fool him into believing the knee could feel even when it wasn¡¯t there. He¡¯d experienced pain in his missing forearm several times over the past few months.

    He reached across with his left hand to confirm the permanence of his right knee. Only then did Braph breathe a sigh of relief. He was as whole as he had been before his experiment. His brother, though ¡­

    For a fleeting moment, Braph was deeply concerned at Jonas¡¯s predicament. The Great Syakaran of Quaver missing a limb? A leg, at that. No more racing to the rescue for Jonas. No, indeed. Without Braph¡¯s gift for engineering, Jonas would be relegated to clumsy crutches, maybe a wheeled chair ¨C though, those were rare and who would bother with Jonas now he was so useless?

    Jonas lived.

    Braph sat for a moment with that, trying to resolve the unusual sensation in his chest. He supposed it wasn¡¯t contrary to reason to feel some pleasure at the continued existence of his brother. Family, after all. And, of course, Braph had always been drawn to the idea of being the one to kill Jonas himself. Preferably in a fair fight, which clearly was off the table now. That was a disappointment.

    Jonas lived, was weak, and had received medical treatment. That he had received that treatment within Turhmos wasn¡¯t entirely surprising, but where was he?

    Curious as he was, on balance, Braph was in more of a hurry to reach the Taither Ajnai than he was to chit chat with his brother. Jonas could wait, clearly. He wasn¡¯t going anywhere in a hurry.

    Braph had garnered no further information regarding any effect of his micro-organism beyond what he¡¯d already observed. It shouldn¡¯t matter. The micro-organism removed Karan powers. To what extent neither negated nor enhanced its potential. And it didn¡¯t break the Karan-Aenuk barrier. Perfect.

    Dead Kara. Weakened Kara. Either would decimate the Quaven military. Peace would be assured.

    Braph reached out a finger and touched one of his curled up mechanical critters with an empty glass globe on its back. He sent a jolt of power through his finger and the critter unfolded eight legs beneath it and a thin post above that held two pairs of blades that folded out on horizontal planes, slighting offset. The blades spun, clockwise and anti-clockwise, lifting the spider-like device into the air. For years, he¡¯d used similar automatons in the collection of Aenuk blood. Orin had learned to tolerate them of late, happy to aid his father. It helped that Braph allowed the boy to keep one of the non-flying critters as a toy. This new version had a new purpose.

    The critter hovered in the air, sensing its surroundings. Rotating to face Braph, it paused. Then it came at him. Braph swatted it off course, then mentally built a shield to hide his Karanness from the machine. Once righted, it hovered a moment more, then moved off slowly, tasting the air.

    Braph summoned it back with a gesture and zapped it once more to return it to sleep. It curled up like a dead spider, innocuous. The fingernail-sized black crystal atop its ¡°head¡± reflected in full luster, plenty of power still contained within.

    Flexing his metal fingers in the leather glove, Braph concluded it was time to agree to the appointment with the Turhmos president.

 Not On Our Watch

    Jonas¡¯s hollering had Llew on her feet in an instant.

    The blanket tented as his stump rose, both his hands reaching to clasp at it. They overshot, clutched air and blanket where only a day before his knee would have been. He bellowed again, the grunt of pain joined by a wail of surprise and anguish, and he turned horrified eyes on her. Or was that plain, unbridled fear?

    ¡°It hurts,¡± he said, his voice pitched high. ¡°It¡¯s not there, and it hurts!¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t know what to say. All she could do was grasp the bottle Raena had given her.

    ¡°Maybe this will help.¡±

    The laudanum had certainly helped Llew after Aris¡¯s attack. The drug had also provided a distance between the event and her having to deal with the emotional scars. She squeezed the rubber top, filling the glass tube.

    After thumping his stump down on the bed repeatedly, Jonas managed to hold himself steady to accept the measure of laudanum, his hands gripping the sides of the bed, his breathing rapid and ragged. Growling through gritted teeth, he continued to writhe restlessly, slapping his stump down, or drawing it up and reaching to clasp hands over a knee that wasn¡¯t there anymore. Every time that happened, he flailed and looked to Llew, distressed. ¡°How does it hurt so much when it¡¯s not even there?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Llew wished she could offer more, but she had nothing. She wished she could do more. All she could do was be with him, offering a light touch in an attempt to give support, bear witness to his pain. Why couldn¡¯t she heal him with a touch? She wished more than anything she could¡¯ve done so before his leg became septic. They could¡¯ve been most of the way to Quaver by now. If only ¡­

    After some time, Jonas ceased thrashing and lay back, seemingly calm. His breathing was shallow and slow and his head lolled.

    Llew sat back down, heart still pounding, wishing things were different.

    Footsteps on the stairs raised her heart rate further. Who in the house wouldn¡¯t have heard Jonas¡¯s wailing? Their vulnerability in this home settled heavily.

    The hallway floorboards creaked. The door handle squeaked, the latch clicked, and Raena stepped through carrying a tray with a rack of toast, a bowl of eggs, and grapefruit halves. From the crook of her other arm hung her bag.

    ¡°He woke?¡± she asked as she crossed to the table by the window and placed the food tray on a clear corner.

    Llew nodded. ¡°He said it hurt. The bit that¡¯s not there.¡±

    ¡°Yes. That happens. Here. I thought you might like to see one.¡± Raena held out a book, the cover soft with wear and well cracked, the pages yellowed and curled at the corners. In bold text at the top of the cover it read:

    JONAS

    The Great Syakaran of Quaver

    A thickly muscled man, long hair floating in the wind, strode confidently across the cover, his bare chest puffed out clearly showing his tattoo of a gryphon that didn¡¯t quite match reality, while someone else cowered below him, an arm extended up protectively.

    A snigger escaped Llew. Everything about the man on the cover was bigger than real life, except the tattoo, which merely sat upon his pectoral muscle, rather than sweeping around his ribcage. His jaw was large and square, his biceps round, his thighs straining his trousers. It wasn¡¯t the Jonas she knew. Well, the hair and the beard growth matched pretty well, actually. That would be how Elka recognized him. Llew snorted again.

    ¡°I thought you might appreciate that. I suppose you don¡¯t need to look strong when you simply are. Syakaran strength doesn¡¯t seem to be worn the same way a regular strongman might. Please, eat.¡± Raena indicated the food and Llew didn¡¯t hesitate ¨C she was starving. She placed the book on top of a stack of others, hesitated, lifted it again, and the book beneath and swapped their places. She suspected Jonas wouldn¡¯t appreciate seeing it there.

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    ¡°We¡¯ll try to get food into him, too, but going by his reaction to the ether, he may not keep much down for a day or two.¡± Raena fit herself between the wall and Jonas¡¯s bed, so she still faced Llew, and pulled a stethoscope from her bag, fitting it to her ears and warming the chest-piece by rubbing it in one palm ¡°I¡¯ll send Elka up with some water, soon, and we will have a bath drawn for you in the room across the hall; allow you a few minutes to relax.¡±

    Llew balanced one egg in an egg cup and tapped around its crown with a teaspoon, scooped the top off the egg and filled her mouth with the liquid gold that held far more value that any pure metal in that moment. Raena listened to Jonas¡¯s heart for a few seconds, folded and put away the stethoscope, placed the back of a hand to Jonas¡¯s forehead, ran the back of her knuckles down his face. He was still coated in his feverish sheen. Raena pulled a cloth from her bag and brushed it across his skin. ¡°No doubt he would appreciate being cleaned up, too.¡± She stood from her ministrations, watching Llew. Llew paused in her indulgence, looking back.

    ¡°Thank you for landing on our doorstep. You have no idea how lucky we feel to meet you, and to have been able to help him.¡± She pressed her lips together in some regret. ¡°I am sorry for the intervention required.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright¡ª¡± Llew began.

    ¡°But we can offer some help, yet.¡± Raena¡¯s demeanor lightened. ¡°My son, Rowan. He¡¯s a cobbler by trade. He¡¯s good with his hands, and his mind, well ¡­¡± Raena glanced around the walls of the room. ¡°We should brighten up these walls with some of his artworks, shouldn¡¯t we?¡± She smiled again, though Llew wasn¡¯t sure if she truly sought a response.

    Llew focused on her egg. She had no intention of staying long enough for art on the walls to matter.

    ¡°He built the frame for Elka¡¯s leg that allows her to get around short distances without a crutch or wheeled-chair, and he¡¯s made some basic prosthetics for some of my patients over the years. He adores his sister and has never been anything but supportive of her love for the Jonas stories. I believe he will be safe to bring in to help if you agree.¡±

    Again, Llew wasn¡¯t sure what to say. They¡¯d had no choice but to stop here for help, but the fact they remained in the heart of Turhmos couldn¡¯t be ignored. Still, this woman had performed surgery on Jonas, and he still lived.

    ¡°Of course, your friend is going to need several weeks to heal before he can make use of a prosthetic, but Rowan could start working on it now so it will be ready when Jonas is. I¡¯m sure he will be keen to get back on his ¡­ foot as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°No. Thank you for this opportunity.¡± Raena brushed her hands down the front of her, glanced at Jonas again and gathered her bag. ¡°We will see you clean, fed, and well before we part ways.¡± She rested a hand on Llew¡¯s arm. ¡°Elka mentioned you had Ajnai trees. What you and he represent ¡­ We are truly on the cusp of something amazing. We won¡¯t let that die here. Not on our watch.¡±

    <hr>

    Jonas slipped in and out of sleep for the rest of the day.

    Newly drugged, he slept deeply for a time, growing suddenly restless before waking with a start.

    Llew went to him, smoothed his hair, and tried to soothe him with words and shushes.

    ¡°Raena says this is normal for people who¡¯ve ¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t say it. She licked her lips, but she still couldn¡¯t say it. Jonas, Quaver¡¯s hero, had had a limb removed. It had been the right thing to do, she was sure of that, it just wasn¡¯t something she would be used to for a while.

    She hoped she was doing as good a job at being there for him as he had been for her, offering a hand to hold, a calming word, and more oblivion. Raena recommended frequent doses of this last to give his leg a strong start in its healing process. Jonas needed to be as healthy as possible for travel.

    Llew spent the hours alone continuing to sort and tidy the clutter of the room. While she had never considered her childhood lacking while her parents were around, she had never been surrounded by so much stuff. She shifted piles of books against a wall, satisfying herself that they would be less likely to topple. Blankets she folded and piled along an edge of the table. Funny, really, how these domestic tendencies set in. She hadn¡¯t lived in a real house for years, hadn¡¯t had to do much laundry, certainly didn¡¯t need to fold and store. Then again, she hadn¡¯t needed to fill her time in a single room before, either.

    Elka or Raena called in occasionally during the day to check on Jonas, empty the chamber pot, bring a meal ¨C toast, fruit, and small cakes for Llew, soups for Jonas, which he managed to keep down. The consensus was that he was doing well. They had removed his local infection and avoided introducing another. Jonas tried solid food in the evening, which also stayed down, and remained awake for over an hour without the laudanum. His face pinched a few times, but he didn¡¯t give voice to any pains. The sooner he could do without the drug, the sooner they could move on.

    As the days wore on, he refused the laudanum to help him sleep, and instead he and Llew discussed their plans to get out of Turhmos. They would stop in at Merrid and Ard¡¯s and complete his healing from this surgery so they could more easily continue on to Quaver. Llew couldn¡¯t wait to experience another Merrid hug.

 No Threat (part 1)

    The approach to the Presidential Palace was quite different from the last time. Braph had hired a steam carriage this time and, rather than being accompanied by his brother and the Syaenuk he¡¯d traded for Orinia, he had his son Orin, nephew Joelin, the babe recently birthed by Orinia, and Maura his housemaid to help with the younger children. Orinia remained at home. Best not to risk the state reclaiming her, especially after her daughter¡¯s escape. The babe they could have, but Orinia would not be taken again.

    Orin stepped from the carriage and walked with a confidence fitting a boy whose very being carried immense power. Joelin cried and kept trying to sit, or lie, but Maura kept a firm grip on him with one hand while she carried the now-crying babe in the other. Braph would not miss them.

    Spring sun flared off the rounded, bulbous red roof and gave the white walls a golden warmth. Few guards stood atop the walls surrounding the estate; and those that did either chatted or stood at ease. This time there was no Immortal hells-bent on ridding the world of Aenuks. This time, Braph¡¯s approach was unthreatened and not openly unwelcome. He had an appointment, after all. Colonel Salmon ¨C Salmen ¨C was not at the gate. Another man stepped forward.

    ¡°Braph Vastergaard?¡±

    ¡°The very one.¡± Clasping his hands behind his back, Braph gave a very proper nod. ¡°And my son. Kadesh wishes to meet him.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± The guard gave a stiff nod in return. ¡°President Carlile is eager for you both to present yourselves.¡± He scowled and his gaze flicked between the rest of Braph¡¯s entourage.

    ¡°The Aenuk, possibly Syaenuk, babe.¡± Braph nodded to Maura and flicked his head towards the guard.

    Tears trickled from the woman¡¯s eyes, but she stepped forward and held the babe for the guard to receive. The guard took the child gingerly and swiftly passed it to another guard. That guard opened the gate enough for him to slip through and let it close behind him.

    A sob burst from Maura.

    ¡°I told you not to get attached,¡± Braph murmured to the woman, then turned back to the guard while holding out a hand to take Joelin¡¯s. ¡°And I have brought the president a gift. My nephew.¡± The toddler lay on his back crying intermittently, between taking an interest in the goings on and checking to be sure someone was paying attention.

    The guard ¨C showing no sign of joining the dots between Braph and Joelin ¨C appeared doubtful of the president¡¯s interest.

    Maura stooped and hefted the child to standing and brought his hand up for Braph to grasp, murmuring reassuring platitudes to the child that Braph suspected were as much directed at herself. Braph closed his gloved flesh hand around Joelin¡¯s wrist, and the toddler collapsed, trying to fall to the ground again. Having little patience for such behavior, Braph lifted Joelin by the wrist and swung him so he sat on Braph¡¯s hip. The child continued to scream. Braph tolerated it only in his knowing he would be free of it soon. Though, with a thought and a dash of power, he temporarily deafened that one ear. Much better.

    Orin curled a lip at the toddler.

    Braph looked over his shoulder at Maura. Tears wet her cheeks, and she cupped her chin in her hands.

    ¡°You may go,¡± Braph said. One of Maura¡¯s hands left her chin, as if she were going to reach out to Joelin, but she pulled it back and turned to go. Braph had sent the steam carriage away. She would have plenty of time to get to grips with reality on the walk home.

    He turned back to the guard, who had still not opened the gate.

    ¡°Believe me,¡± Braph said. ¡°The president will like it.¡±

    The guard lifted an eyebrow.

    ¡°I have an appointment,¡± Braph reiterated.

    The guard gave him a long look, then opened the gate wide enough for Braph and the children to make their way through single file. ¡°Go to the main entrance and the house guard will show you the way.¡±

    Braph waved a dismissive hand over his shoulder as he sauntered up the path. He knew where Kadesh¡¯s ¨C President Kadeshbarnea Carlile¡¯s ¨C office was. He needed no guide. Still, he supposed letting people do their jobs was the polite thing to do, and if there was one thing that distinguished men of status from riffraff, it was their tolerance for insufferable propriety. And so, Braph allowed the self-important house guard to lead the way and announce their arrival.

    Mercifully, Joelin was too fascinated by his surroundings to continue his tantrum.

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    As previously, a guard stood to either side of the door inside the room, their backs to the wall.

    ¡°Mister Vastergaard.¡± Kadesh stood from behind his elegant desk and offered a hand. Then, before they were even within hand-grasping reach, continued with a laugh, ¡°Now that¡¯s something to get used to. Such a Quaven name. How odd to utter it inside Turhmos without an ounce of disdain.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯d rather you call me Braph. Vastergaard could just as easily refer to my brother, whom I am not.¡± Braph stretched his lips in a false smile as their hands touched; Braph¡¯s metal and gloved, the president¡¯s flesh and bare. While Kadesh chose not to comment on lack of propriety, he grasped Braph¡¯s elbow with his other hand. And while Braph allowed his eyes to flare with his outrage, his smile didn¡¯t falter, and he suffered the other man¡¯s show of dominance without retaliation. This wasn¡¯t the time.

    ¡°You brought your son, and¡ª?¡± Kadesh looked from one child to the other.

    Braph let Joelin slide to the floor. The toddler stood, looking about the room from beneath a suspicious brow.

    Braph guided Orin to stand directly in front of him and placed his hands on the boy¡¯s shoulders. ¡°This is my son, Orin. And that¡ª¡± He waved his gloved, mechanical hand at Joelin. ¡°¡ªis my nephew.¡±

    ¡°Your nephew? So, his father is¡ª?¡±

    Braph nodded. ¡°He is the son of Jonas and a Syakaran woman. He is one hundred per cent Syakaran, guaranteed. You are welcome to him, for what purpose I have little care. But if Turhmos decides against keeping their own pet Syakaran, I suspect he would be worth something to Quaver. Well, for a little while longer.¡±

    ¡°And your brother.¡± Kadesh stated flatly.

    ¡°Powerless, as you are aware. He is of no threat to you.¡±

    ¡°Still, he must want the child back.¡±

    Braph shrugged dismissively. Whether he wanted the child or not had no bearing on whether Jonas could get him back.

    Kadesh pondered Joelin, who stood with a dark scowl on his face. His resemblance to his father at that moment was absolute.

    ¡°He should come into his full Syakaran strength and speed in his later childhood, gaining both incrementally from around seven,¡± Braph said. ¡°By the time he reaches his adolescence you will want to have assured his loyalty.¡±

    Doubt twitched Kadesh¡¯s features. Subduing and keeping Aenuks was a lesser challenge. Turhmos might have several years to develop security measures to keep a Syakaran under control, but Braph still considered behavioral measures more effective when you were physically under-powered. He¡¯d learned much by observing Aris¡¯s control over Jonas over the years.

    ¡°Raise the boy as your own, and in a few years, you¡¯ll have a super talented soldier. A bodyguard, deeply loyal to you alone.¡±

    There it was. Kadesh now looked upon Joelin with a hunger to harness that power for himself.

    ¡°I accept.¡± Kadesh signaled a guard, who stepped forward to remove the toddler from the room.

    As soon as his feet left the ground, Joelin wailed. The noise reverberated around the hallways as he disappeared. Braph would not miss that.

    Kadesh returned his attention to Braph. ¡°A fine gift, indeed,¡± he said, his expression guarded. ¡°You have been busy. Now I see why it took so long to reply to my invitation.¡±

    Braph shrugged. His main reason had been to show that he could. Petty, perhaps. But satisfying.

    ¡°And you did give me my show.¡± Kadesh stepped back, waving his hands wide to encapsulate an imaginary version of the spectacular showdown featuring The Great Syakaran of Quaver versus Turhmos¡¯s best. ¡°I must thank you for that.¡± Kadesh failed to make his smile genuine, but Braph forgave him. He appreciated Kadesh was trying, and accepted he was no adept at false rapport himself. It hardly seemed fair to expect it in others.

    While the invitation to this meeting had been cordial, Braph had little doubt Kadesh didn¡¯t know what box to put Braph in: friend, foe, or nuisance. Braph had lived in Turhmos for many years without calling attention to himself, but somehow word of Orinia¡¯s existence had leaked and they¡¯d come for her. He had kept developing his designs without her, thriving on the relative anonymity he found in this country, but when Turhmos believed he was keeping knowledge from them, they took his arm with his magic device on it. While Braph was certainly miffed at that, it wasn¡¯t exactly easy to uplift his entire household and all his contraptions within. He would rather develop a professional relationship than be at war with the country in which he had chosen to live. Besides, his new hand was officially better than his old, and he would never have considered constructing it if it hadn¡¯t been for the swift strike of Colonel Salmen¡¯s cleaver.

    ¡°Unfortunately,¡± Kadesh continued, ¡°I cannot gage what impact, if any, there might be on the upcoming election. The people are confused, and, at this time, I am unable to offer clarity. Luckily for me, neither can my opponents. And now everyone is aware the Syakaran was powerless.¡±

    ¡°Men still died at his hands.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Kadesh glanced away, his first sign of uncertainty ¨C weakness. ¡°There is that. But I¡¯m afraid that doesn¡¯t exactly provide our people a show of strength.¡±

    ¡°But their bravery was unrivaled.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Kadesh didn¡¯t sound convinced.

 No Threat (part 2)

    ¡°Has anyone inquired as to how my brother came to lose his powers?¡±

    ¡°The overarching conjecture is settling into the belief that the Immortal became such by stealing the powers from the Syakaran.¡± Kadesh waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make sense, but I suppose the theory appeases the little people. Still¡ª¡± he peered at Braph. ¡°That does leave the question of exactly how did this Aris¡ª It was him, wasn¡¯t it? The officer from Quaver? How did he come to obtain Immortal powers? I¡¯m quite certain we would have known about it if he¡¯d possessed them more than a couple of months ago.¡±

    ¡°In that, Mr President, you may find that your little people were onto something. It seems he was already Immortal but lived the last nine hundred years powerless after some mishap.¡±

    ¡°Like the ¡®mishap¡¯ that befell Jonas?¡±

    Braph shook his head. ¡°No, I believe something more natural than that.¡±

    ¡°And how did he get them back?¡±

    Braph chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re learning. I like that.¡±

    Kadesh glowered at him. Braph smiled. Out of the two Turhmos presidents Braph had dealt with, Kadesh was growing to be his favorite despite their history. What was a hand between professionals, after all?

    ¡°To re-obtain them he killed the unborn Immortal child of Jonas and Llewella.¡±

    ¡°The what? Of Jo¡ª. And my Syaenuk girl?¡±

    Braph nodded.

    Kadesh sneered. ¡°That brother of yours spreads himself around, doesn¡¯t he?¡± He folded his arms. ¡°That explains why Gaemil of Brurun was asking after the Syaenuk. Jonas, I could understand, since the weakening of Quaver¡¯s forces is going to have Brurun questioning if neutrality is still their best defense.¡± A smile played across Kadesh¡¯s features and melted away again. ¡°But their questions after the girl had me perplexed. Now I wonder if there was some personal element beyond diplomacy.¡±

    ¡°I can confirm the Syaenuk had ingratiated herself with Lord Tovias¡¯s future bride.¡±

    Kadesh¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Brurun wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with¡ª¡±. He waved vaguely at the floor, beneath which lay Turhmos¡¯s remaining Aenuk barrack, from where Llewella had escaped during Jonas¡¯s display fight.

    Braph shook his head. ¡°You may be surprised how resourceful Llewella can be in her own right. She eluded my efforts to locate her for some years.¡±

    ¡°You and our Syaenuk. Jonas and the Syaenuk girl. None of the histories remember the time of the Immortals fondly.¡± His attention strayed to Orin, and his eyes narrowed. ¡°So, tell me, what did happen out there?¡±

    Braph sensed Orin¡¯s mood darken, but didn¡¯t spare the child a moment. It was true. Humans loathed most that which they feared. He spread his hands in a shrug. ¡°I killed the Immortal, for which everyone, Quavens and Turhmosians alike, is very welcome.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Kadesh¡¯s gaze remained on Orin. ¡°But, what¡ª¡± He waggled his fingers at Orin, perhaps referencing the visible transfer of magic from Aris¡¯s corpse to Orin. ¡°¡ªhappened?¡±

    Braph returned his hands to Orin¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°You have two hands,¡± Kadesh blurted.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Braph raised his right hand, turning it palm up and down. ¡°As is a man¡¯s right.¡± He tugged at each fingertip of his glove, loosening it, before pinching the tip of the middle finger and sliding his new, metal hand free and flexing the fingers. As much as it was his own design and his own handiwork, it still titillated him to see the metal digits move as if they were his own. He supposed they were. And with each day that passed, they became more so.

    As expected, Kadesh seemed as fascinated as repulsed by the sight. The remaining guard shifted behind Braph, but he didn¡¯t deign to spare a glance that direction.

    ¡°Through hardship, a man proves his mettle. Isn¡¯t that what they say, mister President?¡±

    ¡°Well ¡­ Yes. I believe you have. That¡¯s fine work. Fine work, indeed. And does it, ah¡ª Does it do your magic?¡±

    ¡°It does.¡± Braph raised his sleeve, revealing the connections between his arm and the device. He twisted his arm to display the deep violet, almost black, crystal locked in place.

    ¡°Right. Right. Yes. That is rather dandy, isn¡¯t it?¡± Consciously or not, Kadesh rocked back.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Dandy. Pfft.

    Kadesh was fixated on the metal hand, which Braph rested back on Orin¡¯s shoulder. The boy lifted his chin slightly, no doubt proud of the part he¡¯d played in constructing the hand.

    ¡°Yes. Of course.¡± Kadesh pulled his eyes from the hand and met Braph¡¯s gaze. ¡°One of the reasons you are here; I need to know: Where is Jonas now? Clearly, he¡¯s not with you.¡±

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    ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have an exact location for you. But I can tell you he is still within Turhmos¡¯s borders, and not only is he powerless, he is now also crippled after the fight. He has sought medical treatment, which one of your doctors with experience in amputations has provided.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ specific.¡±

    Braph smirked and waggled his metal hand between them.

    ¡°Is my Syaenuk with him?¡± Kadesh asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Braph conceded. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you where they are right now, but I can tell you where they are likely to run for refuge.¡±

    ¡°That farm at which you spent some time?¡±

    Braph nodded, impressed with Kadesh¡¯s perception.

    ¡°You¡¯re confident they¡¯re not there already?¡±

    ¡°Quite confident. My guess is they are within a day or two¡¯s ride from Duffirk, if not still within the city itself. They can¡¯t have gone far, not with the injury it appears Jonas was suffering. And now he¡¯ll need time to heal from a surgery. But, they know how to break the Aenuk-Karan barrier to heal him, though I doubt they would do so without first getting to an Ajnai tree, of which there are several at said farm.¡± Braph smirked again, well aware of the value of the knowledge he imparted.

    ¡°Ajnais? They still exist?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes. And they grow incredibly fast.¡±

    ¡°I will have to visit this farm.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Imagine what your Aenuks could do with an Ajnai in every town, or a forest of them near the Quaven border. You¡¯d never lose a soldier again.¡±

    Kadesh nodded, his eyes distant as he imagined. ¡°You¡¯ve given me much to work with, and I thank you. Now, I still wish to understand the events in the arena more fully, because I suspect my public would appreciate some leadership on the matter, hmm?¡± He smiled like it was something of a joke, but Braph read the uncertainty in his eyes. With an election fast approaching, Kadesh would be growing desperate. ¡°So, please, do tell me about this young man.¡±

    ¡°First and foremost, he is my son.¡± Braph gave Orin a comradely shake. Orin looked up at him with a smile. Perfect. Well aware of his use of repetition, Braph was angling to unequivocally assert his paternal rights.

    ¡°Right.¡± Kadesh licked his lips and considered Orin, then Braph. ¡°And he was Immortal before all the¡ª¡± He wiggled the fingers of both hands at Orin. ¡°Magic, I suppose you would call it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes. Karan plus Syaenuk ¡­¡± Braph brought his hands together in a dramatic clap plus finger-wiggling flourish. ¡°And now, not only is he the first Immortal to be born in over nine hundred years, he is also the first to have absorbed the powers of another Immortal in the same time frame.¡± Braph couldn¡¯t help himself. He smirked and angled his metal hand to show off the crystal made from Orin¡¯s blood again.

    Kadesh¡¯s eyes narrowed as his gaze returned to Orin, his jaw chewing over his thoughts. ¡°His mother is our Syaenuk.¡±

    ¡°Who was free when I found her and under my care when she fell pregnant and delivered the child, before Turhmos even knew she existed. Turhmos has no claim to him.¡± Braph enunciated this final sentence clearly. ¡°Besides, I wouldn¡¯t recommend trying to control an Immortal. Much better to¡ª¡± Coerce, manipulate. ¡°¡ªbe their friend. Family. And, as we know, a mere Syaenuk girl escaped your warren.¡±

    Orin glowed at being someone no one else could control. It suited Braph for him to believe so. Kadesh, however, scowled at the reminder of Llewella¡¯s escape from beneath this very fortress.

    ¡°During the spectacle you arranged.¡± Kadesh spoke lightheartedly, almost in a jocular manner, keeping any hint of accusation from his expression and tone.

    ¡°Come now.¡± Braph smiled. ¡°You gave me the Syaenuk I wanted, and I am quite sated with her love. And as for desiring a source of power¡ª¡± Braph raised one hand to, yet again, present Orin as Exhibit A. ¡°My son cannot make use of his full powers, yet. But I can. I have no interest in Llewella. I can assure you, I did not aid her escape.¡±

    ¡°Fine. You have your son, and your woman. And you¡¯ve given me quite the gift of intelligence today, as well as a Syakaran son. I am, it would seem, in your debt.¡±

    Braph chuckled. ¡°I can also assure you, I have no designs on your leadership.¡±

    ¡°And Quaver¡¯s?¡±

    Braph did laugh this time. ¡°Gods, no. I have no time to meddle in the lives of others. Except, perhaps, that of my brother.¡± He conceded. ¡°In fact, if I am expected to make a demand in exchange for my assistance, that would be my one request; that my brother¡¯s life be spared. He is powerless, there is little to be gained in killing him. And if anyone is to kill him, I would prefer it be me.¡±

    ¡°You wish to kill your brother.¡±

    ¡°In a fair fight.¡± Which was growing less and less likely.

    Kadesh¡¯s grunt suggested he had come to the same conclusion. ¡°You¡¯ve said my Syaenuk knows how to heal him. What chance does she have of returning him to full strength?¡±

    ¡°Very little. My own experiments suggest the micro-organism must be obliterated within the host¡¯s body before a lasting recovery can be achieved. I managed it when I was partially weakened, taking myself nearly to death, but with the wherewithal to remain fully in control. By now, Jonas will be on a downward spiral, growing weaker and weaker until he doesn¡¯t even have the energy to eat or breathe. He¡¯s as good as dead.¡± Braph¡¯s sorrow at the thought reared again. He really had to get over that. His fair fight ¨C the unequivocal proof of which Vastergaard brother was superior ¨C would never happen. Then again, that meant he had already won. He should be happy.

    Braph left the meeting a little while later satisfied that he was a free man, with a woman to love and a son ¡­ if not to be proud of, then at least to provide a delicious power. His brother was dying, and with him Braph¡¯s lifelong vision of brains beating brawn, and he was simply going to have to live with that. Sucking in a breath, he infused his body with a taste of power from the crystal. He could live with that.

    He returned home and went straight to his workshop and woke half a dozen spider-like flying automatons and one by one he directed them into his ¡®goop¡¯ cabinet, had them inject their proboscis down the narrow air hole in a rubber stopper and fill their back-mounted globes with the coagulation. With a focused thought, he raised his I-am-not-Karan barrier again, and instructed one of the metallic creatures to seek Kara, then duplicated that instruction to the rest, and added the command to inject the goop, then he stepped from his workshop, walked down the hallway and opened his front door wide. The automatons whirred out into the street, tasted the air for a few seconds, and then headed off in the general direction of Quaver.

    ¡°It must be much like watching your children leave home for the first time,¡± Nilv spoke behind Braph.

    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Braph felt little more than a quiet satisfaction. He doubted he would feel that over Orin leaving. His exact feelings would likely depend on how successful his journey to the Taither Ajnai was. ¡°They will return while I am away. Please ensure they can access my workshop when they arrive. Orin has provided a number of the mini crystals that should allow them to make multiple trips between here and Quaver, but they will need you to make the switch between the used and the fresh crystals.¡±

    ¡°Yes, master. Quaver will be an interesting place by the time you arrive.¡±

    ¡°It will indeed.¡± And fruitful, hopefully.

 Her Pet (part 1)

    Jonas hardly knew where to look as Raena leaned over him; the rounded, bandaged end of his thigh pressed against her shoulder as she stretched the muscles through his ass. That white bandage covered his leg. He knew it intellectually, and he could feel it as she manipulated it, and yet, when he looked at it, he couldn¡¯t believe it. His leg didn¡¯t look like that. His legs were powerful, whole. His body still believed so. When Raena had first lifted his thigh and maneuvered herself into place, he¡¯d tried to straighten his knee to move his lower leg out of her way. He felt sick every time he was reminded of the truth.

    Pushing his leg as far as it would go, Raena leaned close, closer than even Llew had been in the last couple of days. So far, Raena had been the one to help him with his toilet. She¡¯d shown Llew how to place a bed pan a couple of times, which left Jonas with a sense of helplessness and humiliation he¡¯d never known before, but Raena was used to lifting bodies for such tasks, and had a strength Llew had yet to develop. And, of course, if Llew hurt herself in the process of helping Jonas, it lashed back at him.

    Llew wasn¡¯t being complacent, though. Under Jonas¡¯s guidance, she practiced squats and had found the heaviest bags in the room of junk to lift and strengthen her arms and core. He¡¯d trained enough Karan and non-Karan soldiers to know what worked. Of course, back in Quaver the soldiers were provided with equipment designed for the tasks and space to move. Working in this cramped room with whatever could be gathered wasn¡¯t ideal, but Llew was fortunate that ¨C as they had learned when he had trained her in fighting techniques at Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm ¨C her body adjusted to the regime faster than anyone Jonas had ever trained. No wonder Aenuks made such formidable fighters for Turhmos.

    Llew wanted them to get going as soon as possible, get to an Ajnai. He¡¯d never grow his leg back, but she was impatient to seal his wounds fully, and believed she could, somehow, return his Syakaran strength and speed. He wasn¡¯t so sure.

    Standing back and laying his leg down gently, Raena smiled. ¡°You have excellent flexibility that will suit you well in your recovery. How is your pain?¡±

    ¡°Managed.¡± He was still taking the opiate, but trying to reduce the size and frequency of the doses already. He would need his wits about him on the road. And, if he was honest with himself, he didn¡¯t know if he would ever stop taking the drug if he let it become more of a habit. He already craved the oblivion, even in his pain-free, lucid moments.

    ¡°Good,¡± said Raena. ¡°I sense a man determined to regain his independence.¡± She smiled again, her eyes kind. ¡°Determination will take you far, but you will need help for a while, yet. Don¡¯t let it get you down.¡±

    She was right. He struggled with a range of foreign emotions every time he had to depend on her or Llew, vulnerability the strangest of the lot.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing fine.¡± Raena gathered her medical supplies into her bag and left the room.

    ¡°What do you want to do first?¡± Llew approached as Jonas sat himself up, letting the sheet and blankets fall off him. Raena had promised a change of clothes, but with Jonas largely bed-ridden they had yet to materialize, other than a pair of drawers tied with string. Some heat made it up from the lower level, but the room was still cold.

    ¡°I¡¯ll work on my arms. Even with a prosthetic I¡¯ll be swingin¡¯ on crutches for a while, at least.¡±

    Llew hooked herself under his arm to help ease him to the floor, then shuffled, stooped beside him, as he hopped across the room to the chair. Once he¡¯d gripped the back of the chair, Llew stepped aside, as they had agreed, leaving him to find his own balance. She didn¡¯t like watching him struggle ¨C had said so several times ¨C and kept having to stifle her urge to help, but he firmly believed he wouldn¡¯t get any better unless he learned to look after himself. He was already much more capable, even after a couple of days.

    With small twisting and hopping motions on his foot, he swiveled around to put the chair behind him, pressed the heels of his hands onto the back for support, then set about lowering and lifting himself. It used to be that such exercise was for little more than a demonstration of what others could do to improve their strength, now it had his muscles trembling within a few repetitions. Llew set about picking up her bag of books. It built her own muscles and kept her from hovering, ready to catch him if he overbalanced. He found he was much less likely to do so if there was no one to catch him.

    A tap at the window had them both looking, startled. A small bird ¨C a sparrow? ¨C gripped the window frame, seeming to peer in at them briefly before it leaped away, flitting off again.

    Jonas almost laughed as the tension fell away. He looked at Llew, who returned his smile with an eye-roll. Being cooped up in this room had them both on edge. They resumed their exercises.

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    Steps sounded on the staircase.

    ¡°We need to get you a shirt,¡± Llew said.

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t like what you see no more?¡± Jonas lowered and raised himself again, not letting a little light conversation get in the way of his rehabilitation.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t say that.¡± Llew paused, then lowered the bag again. ¡°What about Elka?¡±

    ¡°What about her?¡±

    Llew squinted and cocked a comical smirk, like he was missing her point, which he was. She shrugged and carried on with her weight training; bringing both her hands, weighed by the bag, to her chin, her straining tendons through her neck evidence of the effort required. Medical journals were dense with knowledge.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯s seen plenty o¡¯ me in those little books of hers.¡±

    ¡°Drawings are a bit different to the real you.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s lip twitched in a self-loathing sneer. Indeed. The drawings of him always showed a tall, muscular man, more like how a Syakaran should look. The inaccuracies never used to bother him because he was the epitome of Syakaran, and whether or not others agreed had no bearing on the truth. It bothered him now.

    The footsteps made their way along the corridor, echoed by another set keeping pace. A polite knuckle requested entry.

    ¡°Come in,¡± said Llew.

    The door opened and Elka stepped through, taking a moment to appreciate Jonas. He¡¯d been blind to such appraisals before, neither needing them nor being offended. Now he didn¡¯t know how to feel about it. The subtle smile told him Elka liked what she saw, but whatever she saw was a lie Jonas could no longer live up to. He felt diminished in the face of her false admiration.

    A man followed and passed Elka; tall, broad-shouldered, chiseled features ¨C the sort of man Jonas more closely resembled when he appeared in comics, though paler of skin in the Turhmos fashion. He reached his right hand out to Llew, his left holding a pair of crutches, and a large tote bag hanging off his shoulder. Elka¡¯s brother, Jonas guessed.

    Llew shook his hand, though her gaze never left his face.

    ¡°Hi.¡± Her face lit in an unreserved smile, her eyes wide like she was trying to save his image for later.

    ¡°Rowan.¡± His eyes sparkled over a smile hinting at humor.

    Jonas narrowed his own. A few days ago, Llew had greeted everyone with suspicion first. Sure, they had little choice right now other than to trust this family, but, still.

    As their hands parted, Llew hooked her hair behind an ear and looked down self-consciously. And was that¡ª? Was she ¡­ blushing? Never had a woman in Jonas¡¯s presence reacted to another man in such a way.

    Rowan turned to him, and Jonas swallowed down the bitterness, meeting the friendly grin with a calm smile, that he hoped camouflaged his gritted teeth.

    Rowan held out a hand and Jonas replied with a firm grip, putting a little extra effort in to cover his growing weakness.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. He is smaller in real life,¡± Rowan spoke over his shoulder to his sister as their hands parted.

    ¡°He could still fold you in half in the blink of an eye.¡± Elka beamed with pride, like Jonas was her pet on display. A pet she hadn¡¯t yet noticed had soiled itself.

    Turning back to Jonas, Rowan continued. ¡°The Great Syakaran himself, eh? So much power in such a small package.¡± Rowan¡¯s face dropped and he waved a dismissive hand in front of him, indicating Jonas¡¯s groin. ¡°Well, not ¡­ I mean, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s adequate. And, wow, I think I need to start again.¡± Rowan smiled and breathed to reset himself. He waved sheepishly at Jonas. ¡°Hi, nice to meet you. I¡¯ll be your assisted-mobility device provider today, and I¡¯m most impressed by the tales we¡¯ve read about you, and I¡¯m real sorry this happened ¡­ to you.¡±

    Jonas didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°I¡¯d love to see a show of your speed.¡± Rowan looked at Jonas with the awe with which most people greeted him.

    Jonas tried to shrug off another kick from the reminder of what he used to be, but all he could do was glance down at his rounded stump. Weakened or not, he wouldn¡¯t be running for a while.

 Her Pet (part 2)

    ¡°Right. Well, I brought these.¡± Rowan brandished the crutches before him and let the tote slide from his shoulder. ¡°They¡¯re adjustable, we can shorten them. They¡¯ll allow you to get moving while your wound is still healing.¡± Aligning one of the crutches against Jonas and eying it for height, Rowan then swung it horizontal and rested it on one bent knee while he loosened a winged bolt halfway down the shaft. ¡°How do your fellow Quavens look upon disabilities such as this?¡± Rowan¡¯s tone was casual as he slid the two sections of the crutch together, making them a couple of inches shorter, then re-bolted them.

    ¡°Not kindly,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Still, being their Syakaran hero¡¯s gotta give you some clemency,¡± said Rowan. He sighted the crutch against Jonas¡¯s right armpit again, smiled to himself and relinquished the crutch into Jonas¡¯s possession before turning to make the same adjustment to the other.

    Jonas grunted as he accepted the crutch and adjusted his grip, testing it for comfort. He hadn¡¯t dared dwell too much on how the Quaven people might react to his powerlessness. Any time he¡¯d let it cross his mind, there was no outcome in which they respected him or let Llew live free¡ªif they let her live at all.

    Once again, the thought crossed his mind that Llew would be better off without him. She could move farther and faster and could quite easily have nothing to do with Quaver ever again.

    He leaned his armpit into the crutch. The irony that he would need to build new muscle memory when he was losing overall vigor wasn¡¯t lost on him.

    Rowan held out the second shortened crutch, and Jonas raised his left arm to accept it and settled his weight into both, a forward lean giving him a 3-point base.

    Rowan stepped back, assessing Jonas¡¯s balance. ¡°You¡¯ll get the hang of it.¡± He bent to open the tote bag. ¡°I¡¯ve also brought this.¡± He brandished a leg. It had a harness for attaching to a thigh and a foot that hung limp at the other end. Rowan stood, rotating the leg in his hands, displaying all its angles and articulations. ¡°After Ma finished on the railway, I kept working on a few designs. This is the strongest and lightest of my above-the-knee models. We can only guess what sort of pressures a Syakaran such as yourself might put on it, but it¡¯s a place to start, eh?¡± He manipulated the knee joint, rubbed a hand inside the bowl-shaped socket. ¡°You¡¯ll need to heal before we can fit it properly, but Ma tells me that won¡¯t need to take so long as other folks.¡± Rowan glanced at Llew. ¡°Still, I¡¯ll need some time to make a few adjustments.¡± He leaned the prosthetic against the chair beside Jonas and pulled a coiled tape measure from his pocket. ¡°Shall we measure?¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°Measure away.¡±

    Rowan stepped up close, easing Jonas back to a more perpendicular stance. Jonas wobbled on his foot, gripped his crutches tight and managed to stay upright.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Rowan said. ¡°I¡¯ll need a good straight line for the first few measurements.¡± Pressing fingers down on Jonas¡¯s shoulders alternatively, Rowan stepped back to check the line. Satisfied, he stooped, stretched the tape from floor to Jonas¡¯s armpit, made a note in a small notepad and duplicated the measure. He moved to Jonas¡¯s other side to repeat the performance.

    ¡°Have you heard of Braph the magician?¡± Llew asked.

    Jonas scowled at her.

    ¡°Heard of him? Yeah,¡± Rowan replied, continuing his scrutiny of Jonas¡¯s physique.

    Jonas grunted and allowed Rowan to manipulate his stumped thigh as he took further measurements ¨C from stump to floor, the circumference of Jonas¡¯s thigh ¨C and continued talking, crouched at floor level, measuring Jonas¡¯s remaining foot.

    ¡°There¡¯re rumors he had his own Aenuk to power his magic; until recently, anyway. Don¡¯t rightly know all he can do. Some thought he¡¯d tip the balance in our favor at the border, but I¡¯ve yet to hear anything concrete.¡±

    ¡°He can fly,¡± Llew said, and Rowan stood to look wide-eyed at her as she continued. ¡°He can fight like a Syakaran, heal himself like an Aenuk, and fly across a country in minutes.¡±

    ¡°Wow. Really?¡±

    ¡°And we need Jonas to be able to do all that.¡±

    ¡°Llew. No¡ª¡± Jonas protested.

    Llew fixed Jonas with a flat look before turning back to Rowan. ¡°We need you to look into how to fit a vial of Aenuk blood ¨C my blood ¨C to that leg and feed it into Jonas¡¯s bloodstream. We¡¯ve seen how Braph does it, so we can help you with that.¡±

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    ¡°Llew¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then¡ª¡± Llew flicked Jonas a look so fleeting he couldn¡¯t hold it. ¡°We need to work out how to make crystals from my blood. Braph used some sort of machine, and he could put a whole body¡¯s worth of blood into a crystal about so big¡ª¡± Llew curled her fingers in an almost complete circle. ¡°Jonas is going to need that to help him heal from his surgery and¡ª¡± She stopped herself from saying too much. She¡¯d already crossed Jonas¡¯s line. ¡°Vials of blood should be enough to start with, but the crystals would be better.¡±

    She was right that he¡¯d need her blood to heal quickly, but he didn¡¯t like where her mind was headed with the crystals idea. He couldn¡¯t go draining all the blood from her body to create a crystal to live off.

    Jonas closed his eyes, recalling the euphoric sensations that had come after Llew had healed him at the site of the ancient Ajnai tree before it had toppled. Intoxicating ¡­ addictive. Wrong.

    ¡°Aenuk blood ¡­¡± Rowan looked Llew up and down. ¡°I wonder how he figured that out.¡± He grimaced. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m guessing I¡¯m better off not knowing that story.¡± He turned back to Jonas, giving him another once-over. ¡°I suppose the blood vial wouldn¡¯t necessarily have to be attached to the leg. Doesn¡¯t Braph wear a wrist cuff, or something?¡±

    Jonas nodded.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want a vial breaking off in the middle of a scuffle, and I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s what you¡¯ve got in mind. ¡±

    Truth be told, Jonas would prefer to never see his brother again, but ¡­ ¡°Braph won¡¯t permit me to live without provin¡¯ himself against me. I don¡¯t plan to seek him out, but I can¡¯t guarantee he won¡¯t come lookin¡¯ for me.¡±

    Rowan glanced at his sister. ¡°Kind of funny how your advantages seem to have driven a wedge through your family. No one has it all together, I guess.¡± Rowan closed his notebook and slipped it and the prosthetic leg into the tote bag. ¡°I mean, here the world has the gifts of Karan strength and Aenuk healing and all we can do is line them up and tell them to kill each other. Sure, the Aenuk healing is dangerous, but I feel like if it was harnessed the right way ¡­ Never thought it was right, them being locked up, conscripted to the army before they¡¯re even born. They are people after all.¡±

    Jonas had been conscripted to the Quaven army before he was born and he hadn¡¯t found it distasteful. But he¡¯d had a childhood, for what it was worth, before signing up. By the time he did, at fourteen, he was more than ready to go. He understood what it was that Llew wanted for Turhmos¡¯s Aenuks: choice. Jonas had had little chance to make his own choices in life until recently, and he didn¡¯t seem to be doing too well at it. Llew had been making her own choices since she was a child, and Jonas thought she was quite adept. As with anything, he supposed, practice was vital. With that in mind, it wasn¡¯t going to be a simple task letting the Aenuks out into the world. They would need guidance. One step at a time.

    As Rowan spoke, Llew seemed to stand taller, her eyes bright. ¡°With Ajnai trees, there¡¯s no reason to keep Aenuks locked up. And that¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do once Jonas is fully healed; plant Ajnais and free the Aenuks.¡±

    ¡°Well, if there¡¯s any way I can help¡ª¡±

    ¡°Me, too,¡± said Elka.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Ma would argue if I volunteered her, too. She¡¯d be right keen to help the Aenuks.¡± Rowan twirled the measuring tape in his fingers, rolling it into a tight coil. ¡°I guess the first thing to do is get this guy back on his feet. I¡¯ll play around with some ideas.¡± Rowan¡¯s attention had already turned inward, focused solely on the challenge he perceived and the creative solutions he might engineer.

    Jonas had seen that look before.

    He glanced at Llew. Her expression was sober, but she smiled when she saw Jonas looking, and raised her eyebrows in encouragement. Rowan wasn¡¯t Braph, and he offered real solutions.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got those, in the meantime.¡± Rowan indicated the crutches. He slipped the tape measure into a pocket and hooked the tote bag over his shoulder as he continued. ¡°Come on, sis.¡± Rowan signaled Elka. ¡°We¡¯ll leave these folk be. They¡¯ll be sick of the sight of us soon enough.¡± He grinned around at them while backing through the door and holding it wide for Elka to follow and Llew chuckled. Chuckled. It had hardly been a joke.

    Almost the instant the door snicked closed; Jonas let the crutches fall. Llew flinched at the sound. Hands gripping the chair for support, Jonas hopped around it and landed heavily in the seat. Anger flooded him. But this time he sensed the truth behind it. Fear. He was weak. He was broken. In the heart of Turhmos. He¡¯d lost his mentor, his best friend, even his horse on whom he¡¯d dumped years worth of frustration, fears, and hurt when there was no one else safe to open up to.

    And he felt jealousy: jealousy over a mundane man. He wanted to laugh it away, but he was mundane now. Mundane and crippled. And not even tall.

    And, if he were hurt, he couldn¡¯t be healed by an Aenuk¡¯s touch.

    Llew crouched in front of him. She gripped his left knee with her right hand and briefly sought his right with her left, but his right knee was gone, so she gripped the arm of the chair. ¡°We¡¯ll be alright,¡± she said.

    ¡°Will we?¡± He managed not to snarl, but it was a near thing.

 Theres More â€¦ (part 1)

    Once again, Raena finished up an inspection of Jonas¡¯s stump and replaced his bandage. She no longer applied tin, just a gauze patch and bandage wrappings.

    Llew lounged in the chair, as pleased to hear positive murmurs between Raena and Elka as she was to have no expectations to meet. Jonas¡¯s phantom limb pain and restlessness had woken him and Llew several times in the night. With them being confined to this single room, though, they were just as likely to sleep in the day when boredom reached a peak. They were both itching to get moving, but weren¡¯t prepared to do so without Raena¡¯s go ahead.

    Jonas wore one of Raena¡¯s father¡¯s ¨C Elka¡¯s grandfather¡¯s ¨C shirts over a singlet. The two women helped him back into a pair of fine wool trousers and pinned up the right leg. His mood had improved since he could wear clothing again. Mr Greving was a good fit for Jonas. And Raena wasn¡¯t too far off Llew. Although the Turhmosian woman generally preferred dresses or a skirt and blouse pairing, she had some dress trousers she hadn¡¯t worn in some time and was happy to pass them on to Llew. Llew hadn¡¯t liked any of the blouses, so Elka¡¯s grandfather had to sacrifice a second shirt. It¡¯s elbows were thinning, so Llew believed Raena when she said it had been due to be tossed anyway and its absence would go unnoticed.

    Quick, heavy steps on the stairway saw the room settle into a tense silence, all eyes on the door.

    ¡°Leela¡¯s out?¡± Elka asked quietly.

    ¡°Yes. She was,¡± Raena murmured in response.

    The footsteps moved swiftly along the corridor, with no care for stealth.

    Jonas pushed himself up to sit, swinging his leg over the side of the bed.

    Llew brought her feet in and leaned forward in the chair, ready to leap up and take whatever action was necessary. The handle turned, and the door swept open. Rowan ducked his head as he stepped through the door and the tension dispersed in a collective sigh. But the furtive glances he directed around the room suggested the newspaper he carried brought no cause for celebration. He closed the door behind him, unfolded the paper and displayed the front page. Disturbingly accurate likenesses of Llew and Jonas looked out at them from beneath the headline: Syakaran lives; on run with escaped Syaenuk. REWARDS.

    ¡°Yes. I did that, too.¡± Rowan nodded to Llew, drawing attention to her gaping mouth. She closed it and glared at the paper, but the print below the headline was too small to discern from halfway across the room. She stood and approached him.

    ¡°Sy¡ª¡± Elka lisped behind her.

    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Raena murmured.

    Llew glanced up at Rowan as she reached for the paper. He looked unblinkingly back at her. A look that was entirely unreadable. It implied no threat and did nothing to deny that he might know more than she and Jonas wanted him to. He let her take the paper and she skimmed the article seeking only confirmation of how much more trouble she and Jonas might find in Turhmos, or indeed this household. And, sure enough, it was all there.

    Braph must¡¯ve spoken to someone, for it was he who received the credit for Jonas now being powerless. She supposed she should be grateful they were wanted alive. That wouldn¡¯t make it easy for the average Turhmosian to collect on the bounty. But how could they have known about the surgery?

    Llew shifted her gaze to Rowan again, not meeting his eyes, taking in his height and build. Taller and thicker set than Jonas, he¡¯d be a tough opponent. But Llew had spent weeks sparring with Jonas and Hisham. She was almost sure she could take him, if need be. Was he the leak?

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a lot harder to move across Turhmos, now,¡± Rowan said.

    Llew examined his tone for a hint of threat but found nothing obvious. She raised her eyes to meet his from beneath her brow, trying to get a read off him, while remaining aware of the rest of his body. If he made a move, she would be ready.

    ¡°But I think we can do it,¡± Rowan finished.

    ¡°We?¡± Llew asked as Jonas queried, ¡°What¡¯s it say?¡±

    With no signs of hostility emanating from Rowan, Llew turned to face Jonas, letting all the defeat show on her face.

    ¡°Everything.¡± She lifted her hands and let them fall against her thighs. ¡°They know you¡¯re powerless, that you¡¯ve had surgery within Turhmos, and obviously they know all about me.¡± It was right there, in the boldest print.

    ¡°Powerless?¡± Elka looked heartbroken as she gazed down on Jonas.

    Jonas repeated Llew¡¯s reaction, studying Raena first, as his most immediate threat to himself, glancing past Elka and finally, warily, taking Rowan in. He may not have been a particularly imposing man under normal circumstances, but Llew was very aware of his presence hulking behind her shoulder. ¡°Who told them?¡±

    Rowan, Elka, and Raena all looked at each other, shaking their heads. Llew looked back at Rowan.

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    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t¡ª I haven¡¯t spoken to anyone,¡± Rowan said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that to my family. We¡¯re a target too now, you know. They don¡¯t know where you are, but there aren¡¯t a lot of surgeons experienced in amputations within a day or two of Duffirk.¡± He crossed the room to the window, looked down to the street then back at those in the room. ¡°People are going to come asking Ma questions. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re not glad we could help, but you two are poison.¡±

    Raena waved her hands in the air, asking for calm. ¡°We would never have turned our backs on you. We knew what we were getting into and are simply awed by your presence. We know of Aenuks, of course, but they are barely real to most Turhmosians. Almost myth, as they¡¯re never seen. I wonder at that paper¡¯s use of Syaenuk. With the Kara and Syakara, it makes sense there might be a Syaenuk to the Aenuks. But what does that even mean? I can¡¯t fully comprehend.¡±

    ¡°It means she¡¯s seen the other side, too many times,¡± said Jonas.

    ¡°You¡¯ve ¡­ been dead?¡± Rowan asked.

    ¡°But how ¡­?¡± Elka spoke quietly.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s see.¡± Llew brought up her hands to count off her fingers. ¡°I¡¯ve been cut by a bottle, hanged ¨C which I think accounted for three times. I¡¯ve been killed in a fight, had my heart filled with arrows¡ª¡±

    ¡°No. I mean h¡ª you.¡± Elka focused on Jonas, who looked pained at Llew¡¯s list. ¡°How did you lose your power?¡±

    ¡°A bug,¡± Llew said. ¡°A micro¡ª¡± She could never remember the rest, and threw her hands up at the lack.

    ¡°Microorganism,¡± Elka finished for her. ¡°So, he is s¡ª sick. Does that mean we can heal him?¡± She looked to her mother, who frowned in contemplation.

    ¡°There¡¯s an Ajnai in Quaver that I believe can do it.¡± Llew caught Jonas¡¯s eye. That tree was a long way off, though.

    With a tug, Rowan drew Llew¡¯s attention back to the paper. He wanted it back.

    ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± he said as she released it, allowing him to open up an internal page. ¡°Your brother¡ª¡±

    ¡°Half-brother,¡± Llew and Jonas corrected in unison.

    Rowan paused. ¡°Oh. Kay. Uhm.¡± He looked back down at the page, giving it a shake, as if that would make it fill in such omissions. ¡°The Magician, Braph, seems to be developing a close bond with our current president. It says here, he¡¯s handed over his nephew, a Syakaran child¡ª¡±

    ¡°Joelin.¡± Jonas¡¯s voice sounded breathless.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be all right.¡± Llew spoke on instinct. ¡°We¡¯ll get him out.¡±

    Jonas held her gaze before dropping an accusing scowl on his own shortened leg.

    ¡°We¡¯ll get them all out,¡± she said, wanting to believe it.

    ¡°So, we get you back to this tree in Quaver, return your Syakaran powers, and sneak back into Turhmos to free the Aenuks? It almost sounds simple,¡± said Rowan.

    Yet again, Llew picked up on his use of ¡®we¡¯, but Jonas spoke before she could question it.

    ¡°And what if we can¡¯t return my powers?¡± The scowl he leveled at her was almost accusing, but she chose to interpret it for the fear that more than likely lingered there. ¡°I can¡¯t die tryin¡¯ to get them back with my son still out there.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you can get him back without them?¡± It didn¡¯t feel good, putting Llew¡¯s own need for Jonas¡¯s powers ahead of a child, but what choice did they really have? Of course, the real possibility that Jonas would die in the process of trying screamed in the back of her head, too.

    ¡°Can¡¯t he fight the microorganism?¡± Elka asked. ¡°Like a cold?¡±

    ¡°There are many conditions people have to live with for the rest of their lives,¡± Raena said. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ve already exhausted my expertise on this matter. Germ-theory is such a new science. We¡¯ve only recently learned the value of cleaning our hands and our tools. Whatever this is¡ª¡± She indicated the entirety of Jonas. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve got nothing more to offer, but your Ajnai theory sounds promising.¡± She finished with a shrug and a sorrowful look.

    ¡°The m¡ª¡± Llew gave up. ¡°¡ªbug is something Braph invented. All I know is he tested it on himself and used my mother¡¯s blood to beat it.¡±

    ¡°Then we know it can be beaten,¡± Raena said with evident relief. ¡°Your mother is Syaenuk, like you?¡±

    Llew nodded. ¡°But Braph didn¡¯t let himself get this sick. I think I can keep Jonas alive with my blood, but beating the bug will take more. We have to get to Quaver.¡±

    Jonas was still watching Llew with a stubborn set to his jaw and a haunted look in his eyes. Llew turned to him, pretending, for the moment, they were the only people in the room.

    ¡°If we can¡¯t return your power, then we go in anyway. You¡¯re still a soldier.¡± She glanced at his stumpy thigh and, for the briefest moment, considered crumpling to the floor and admitting defeat. But some other part refused to do so. She didn¡¯t have all the answers right then, just some sense that if they didn¡¯t fight for the incarcerated Aenuks, or Jonas¡¯s son, or her ma, no one else would. It wasn¡¯t a matter of knowing how they would do it, they just had to. ¡°I can keep you supplied with blood. You know I don¡¯t mind.¡±

    Jonas flexed his jaw and turned to Raena. ¡°Are we done?¡±

 Theres More â€¦ (part 2)

    Raena reacted instantly to the dismissal, gathering her things, and signaling Elka as she said, ¡°Yes. Certainly.¡±

    Rowan leaned close to Llew. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± he asked quietly.

    Llew shook her head, still watching Jonas. Was it so wrong for him to use her blood? To Rowan she said, ¡°We appreciate your help.¡±

    By then, Raena and Elka had reached the door, and Rowan turned to go with them. Before he left, he turned back. ¡°We¡¯re honored to help you. Truly.¡±

    Llew smiled back and waited for him to close the door before facing Jonas again.

    ¡°Tell me truthfully that you would rather die, abandoning me and Joelin, than stay hooked up to a supply of my blood for the rest of your life.¡±

    He paused on a couple of false starts, but he didn¡¯t have an answer to that.

    She went to him, slid her arms over his shoulders, which noticeably relaxed as he looped his arms around her waist and rested his head against her chest. Llew closed her eyes and savored the heat of him.

    ¡°You were right. We should¡¯ve run when you were goin¡¯ to.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I was gonna be the better man. Do right by you. I¡¯ll do better. But using your blood ¡­ It¡¯ll take too much just to keep me alive.¡±

    Llew shook her head and kissed his head and wrapped her arms around it, holding him close.

    ¡°I ain¡¯t treated you right.¡± Jonas¡¯s voice was muffled through Llew¡¯s arms.

    ¡°And I¡¯ve forgiven you. I¡¯m far from perfect.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s hands pressed into her back, pulling her into him.

    Someone raced up the stairway, the thumps on each step reverberating through the house.

    Llew didn¡¯t want to let Jonas go, especially if danger was coming. He tensed momentarily, too, before dropping his hands to either side of her hips and gently suggesting she step back and face the door with a push and a twist. She did no more than turn her head to look over her shoulder.

    Rowan burst through the door. ¡°They¡¯re coming. We¡¯ve got to get you out.¡±

    He ran to the window and brushed the curtain back. ¡°No,¡± he breathed. ¡°Other side.¡± He pushed off from the windowsill and dashed back to the door, where he paused to look back at Llew and Jonas.

    Llew released Jonas and was about to open her mouth to ask who was coming when realization hit, and her world shrunk. The room blurred and only she, Jonas and Rowan existed. They needed to not be there. She hooked a shoulder under Jonas¡¯s armpit and helped hoist him off the bed. He accepted her help and reached his arm across her shoulders, leaning heavily as she took the place of his missing leg. They were ill-practiced and off balance. Jonas flapped his free hand, drawing Llew¡¯s attention and redirecting it to his crutches leaning against the chair, just out of his reach.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be faster,¡± he said.

    Llew reached for the aids, nearly toppling and taking Jonas with her in her efforts, but she hooked them with her fingertips and flicked them within grasping distance. Once Jonas had them under his shoulders, he propelled himself across the room to where Rowan held the door. Llew hurried after.

    A loud banging rattled the door at the bottom of the stairs.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to go through the washroom window.¡± Rowan opened the door of the room across the hallway, where Llew had enjoyed a leisurely bath the day before while Raena and Elka had shaved Jonas and assisted with a sponge bath.

    Jonas hopped and Llew scurried behind him into the washroom paying little heed to how much noise they made before the front door opened and Rowan closed the door behind them, removing the temptation to linger and eavesdrop. Rowan dashed around the bath to open the window.

    ¡°You first, Llew,¡± said Rowan. ¡°I¡¯ll help you to the roof. You should be able to find leverage enough to pull Jonas up.¡±

    Llew spared the briefest possible glance down as she grasped the windowsill, shifting her focus to each foot and hand as she placed them carefully and turned to find handholds above. There was little more than the spouting, and she had to hope she would find more as she was raised up. Rowan stooped to hug her around the knees and heft her up. Thankfully, the roof was a composite, with plenty of texture, and the angle low. With palms and fingers spread wide, she walked her hands up the roof surface as Rowan lifted her higher, his hands walking down her legs until he held her by the soles of her shoes. By the time he ran out of height, she could place her belly on the textured surface and hook a knee to pull herself up easily. Turning on her belly to face downhill was trickier, with vertigo playing havoc with her bravery. But they had no choice. If she failed, they got caught, and at the very least Jonas would end up dead. She snaked her way back to the edge as Jonas reached for it. As she had just done, he found purchase on the textured composite, but he didn¡¯t have a knee to swing up while Rowan hoisted his other foot, so Llew backed up as he progressed and took a hold of his upper arms when he was able to reach no farther alone. Once he was up, his crutches landed at the edge of the rooftop, and Rowan soon followed, pulling himself over the ledge, kicking down once to shut the sash window, the weights in the wall dinging like bells.

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    ¡°Phew!¡± he puffed, taking a moment to catch his breath. ¡°It¡¯s been a few years. The height¡¯s better, but I¡¯ve got some work to do on my arms.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re doing fine.¡± Llew decided against reminding him his arms had lifted her and Jonas to safety as she grasped the crutches and looked over her shoulder to check Jonas¡¯s progress towards the roof peak. Rowan wasn¡¯t the one needing built up as far as his physical prowess went.

    ¡°Keep going that way.¡± Rowan waved up at Jonas who was angling around on his belly just below the peak. ¡°There¡¯s a ladder at the end.¡±

    Jonas paused briefly to narrow his eyes at Rowan, though there was little anger in it, and Rowan¡¯s open face showed no signs of mockery, simply fact stated. Llew handed one of Jonas¡¯s crutches to Rowan to share the load and ran in a crouch the few steps up to Jonas before getting down on her belly beside him. She inched her head over the peak but could see nothing but more roof sloping down the other side and the roofs of the buildings across the street. She could hear a voice, male, but could pick out no words.

    Rowan took the lead, remaining farther down the roof so he could maintain a stooped run without being seen from the other side, and possibly not from the road below. Llew and Jonas followed. Jonas was able to push off on his left knee, but with the stump of his right thigh still healing, all he could manage was a limping grip with his inner thigh on that side. Despite a sense of urgency spurring her on, Llew followed behind, just in case he slipped or faltered.

    But it was Llew who nearly lost her footing when a bird alighted on the apex of the roof. Plain. Not too dissimilar from the sparrows she knew back home ¨C in Cheer. Common, she was sure.

    Its head turned one way, and the other, each eye seeming to look directly at her. It fluffed its feathers and gave a squawk, barely more than a cheep, but too insistent to be considered such, then it flew away.

    Llew looked to Jonas who was looking back at her. He set his mouth in a grim line, then focused on moving forward. Llew did the same. Still, that was two birds, now. Not that there weren¡¯t other birds flitting around the place, but ¡­ There was just something about them. And yet, when she thought about it ¨C birds landing on windowsills or rooftops ¨C she couldn¡¯t claim it as a phenomenon.

    Rowan raced down the ladder and was waiting on the side street by the time they reached the edge. Jonas pivoted on his belly and Llew placed her hands at his armpits, ready to catch him if he slipped. Once he found a rung with his foot, he waved her away. Muscles straining, he gripped the top rung and the side bar and lowered his foot a couple of rungs. Knowing the physical ease Jonas used to possess made it hard to watch him struggle, but Llew could offer him no further help. When Jonas was nearly to the bottom, Llew dropped the crutch she still had to land by Rowan, turned, and started down the ladder. At a crunch of the fine gravel beneath them and an ¡°Oomph¡± she paused to see Jonas sprawled on his side. Rowan hauled him up and handed him the crutches. Llew hurried the rest of the way, jumping the last couple of rungs and nearly toppling herself, before mastering her balance.

    Rowan waved them around a corner, leading the way.

    Llew settled into a skip-walk to match her pace with Jonas¡¯s large, lumbering strides with the crutches.

    ¡°Where¡¯re we goin¡¯?¡± he asked.

    Rowan glanced back at them then beyond. Llew looked over her shoulder too, expecting pursuit despite Rowan¡¯s lack of alarm, but there was no one.

    ¡°Hinden,¡± he said. ¡°Elka said something about trees.¡±

    ¡°The farm.¡± The words almost caught in Llew¡¯s throat in the surge of excitement at the prospect of seeing Merrid and Ard again.

    ¡°We keep moving and don¡¯t get caught,¡± Rowan said. ¡°Elka will catch us up with the carriage.¡±

    Elka? Raena? Llew gripped Rowan¡¯s arm but failed to voice her concerns.

    Rowan gave her a grim smile. ¡°They knew what they were getting into the day Elka brought you home. We¡¯ve worked out a plan. Now, we have to trust them.¡± He patted Llew¡¯s hand. ¡°We¡¯ll meet Elka on the road.¡± His look didn¡¯t invite doubt. He pulled Llew¡¯s hand from his arm, and turned away.

    They pushed on as fast as Jonas could go, zigzagging through several streets. Every bird that dived between buildings, swooping past them, earned a glare from Llew, yet she couldn¡¯t put her finger on what about them unsettled her.

    Jonas growled between gritted teeth. Llew thought he might finally be succumbing to pain, or the discomfort of his crutches, but his face had twisted in raw anger.

    ¡°Get out!¡± he shouted, seemingly at the ground, though Llew couldn¡¯t help feeling the words were somehow for her. Then Jonas clutched his head, allowing his crutches to fall free. Llew instinctively reached out to catch him, but she was too slow, and he tumbled, flailing his arms to grasp the air. When he hit the ground, he clasped his head and growled again.

    Was this like the pain he felt in the part of his leg that was no longer there? Some side-effect of losing a limb? It reminded Llew most of his fight with Braph, when Braph had caused Jonas¡¯s whole body to convulse and writhe. She dropped beside him, kneeling by his head, and placed a hand on his shoulder to let him know she was there with him. She dared not try to hold him still, lest it hurt him. At her touch, he flopped on the ground, breathing hard, suddenly relaxed, and blinking up at her, his eyes flicking here and there, taking in their surroundings. He blew out a relieved sigh. Strangely, Llew thought she heard a second sigh overlaying it. She lifted his head, shuffled her lap under it and let him lie back while she combed his hair with her fingertips.

    ¡°What was it?¡± she asked.

    Hello, Llewella. Braph¡¯s voice filled Llew¡¯s head, muting Jonas¡¯s response.

 Turn Yourselves In (part 1)

    Nausea swept through Llew, her whole body trembling. She looked up and down the street, and up at the roofs above them. That had sounded like Braph. He couldn¡¯t be there, could he? But he could fly. He could be anywhere. A small bird landed on the edge of a roof above.

    Nice to see you, too. How is my brother getting on? He wasn¡¯t particularly talkative. The small bird flew away.

    Even as her insides screamed in alarm, to run, to hide, to prepare to fight Braph, Llew looked Jonas over clinically, as if driven by someone else. She still cradled Jonas¡¯s head, the rest of him lying flat on the dirt road. Her fingers had stopped moving, and Jonas was looking back up at her, his eyes narrowed. Rowan¡¯s shadow fell across them. She looked up at him, but the sun was almost directly behind him, and she had to look down again. Not of her own accord her gaze slid down Jonas¡¯s legs and lingered where his right leg ended abruptly.

    A new family resemblance.

    Are you¡ª Are you in my head? She shuddered anew at the thought, remembering the last time Braph had taken control of her body, using her in place of her mother, whom he would claim to love.

    Ah, there we go. I was trying to find out if it was possible to host a two-way conversation. My brother was unhelpful. Braph¡¯s voice came again. And it is not merely a claim. My feelings for her are as real as yours are for Jonas.

    He could read her thoughts? Get out. Get out, now! Llew¡¯s trembling intensified, her fingers curling tighter in Jonas¡¯s hair. He winced and she forced her fingers to release.

    Soon. I need to offer a proposition.

    Jonas rocked his body in an effort to generate momentum. Llew¡¯s hand gripped his shoulder, keeping him down. He squinted at her, in an unvoiced question.

    Get out! Llew tried sending the thought again.

    ¡°Llew?¡± Jonas queried.

    Llew opened her mouth to respond to him.

    Turn yourselves in. I can¡¯t promise Jonas will live to see his son grow, but you will. And if you cooperate, you could be a part of his life. Braph ¡®spoke¡¯ quickly. That¡¯s the best I can offer. I don¡¯t rate your chances of escape. Llew¡¯s eyes lingered on Jonas¡¯s stump again, though she knew well enough what it looked like.

    ¡°Bugger off!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± Rowan started and took a step back.

    Jonas looked up at her, briefly startled before his jaw set hard. ¡°Braph,¡± he growled.

    Braph¡¯s chuckle echoed through her head, and she wasn¡¯t totally sure it hadn¡¯t escaped between her own lips. Well, I¡¯ve done as I promised. The rest is of no concern to me. Good luck, I suppose. But I suggest you consider the president¡¯s offer. All the search parties know to be sympathetic if you approach them humbly.

    ¡°We. Will. Not!¡± Llew uttered through gritted teeth.

    She felt Braph¡¯s presence lift. Her shaking subsided, and her body wanted to slump at the release.

    ¡°He wants us to surrender,¡± she said even as she caught her breath, like she had just dumped a heavy load. ¡°He believes it would be best for Joelin.¡± In the moment, Braph¡¯s words seemed the voice of reason. Feeling him inside her head, in control of her body had muddled all Llew¡¯s senses, leaving her unable to grasp an entire thought, except the ones he¡¯d planted. ¡°You or I might be able to see him grow.¡±

    ¡°Empty promises, Llew.¡± Jonas rocked forward again, reaching a hand out for Rowan to help him up.

    Rowan had retrieved the crutches and handed them to Jonas again.

    ¡°He¡¯s handed Joelin over to Turhmos.¡± Jonas stopped to clench his teeth on that thought. ¡°You¡¯ll be caged, and I¡¯ll be dead. Neither of us has a place in Joelin¡¯s life in that scenario.¡±

    Llew shook her head and scrubbed her hands through her hair, trying to scrape off the ghost of Braph¡¯s touch. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± She growled. ¡°I hate that he gets to me.¡±

    ¡°Understandable.¡± Jonas reached a hand down for her to pull herself up using him for leverage. ¡°I ain¡¯t immune, myself.¡± He quirked his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s stick to the plan.¡± He looked at Rowan and nodded for him to lead the way.

    ¡°What can¡¯t that man do?¡± Rowan glanced to either end of the street and up at the roofs above them.

    ¡°The list is gettin¡¯ shorter.¡± Jonas turned in the direction they had been heading before Braph¡¯s intrusions and indicated again for Rowan to lead the way.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t see you, Rowan,¡± Llew said. It seemed important to say. ¡°The sun blotted you out.¡± Perhaps that would be enough to keep Elka and Raena safe.

    They continued in silence, every sense heightened and with frequent glances over shoulders. The sound of Braph¡¯s voice, and the feel of him in her consciousness repeated in Llew¡¯s head and through her body. She felt like she should have been able to block him out. Next time she wouldn¡¯t let him rattle her so much, though she very much hoped there wouldn¡¯t be a next time. She glanced at Jonas a few times wondering what Braph had said to him. He often returned her looks accompanied with a reassuring smile but divulged nothing.

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    Eventually, Rowan waved them to a stop in the shadow of a building. They were at a T-junction, and over the road stood a thin strip of forest, with flat farmlands stretching away either side.

    Rowan leaned out cautiously, peering around the corner of the building.

    ¡°They¡¯re watching this exit,¡± he said as he pulled back. ¡°And I presume all the others.¡± He turned introspective. ¡°I don¡¯t think they know you¡¯ve been treated here in Northhollow, so they¡¯ll need to check other towns.¡±

    ¡°But how many towns are within a day¡¯s walk and west, north-west of Duffirk?¡± Jonas asked.

    ¡°So, there¡¯s no reason to assume they¡¯ll give up easily, is there?¡± Llew had a sinking feeling in her belly.

    Rowan thought a moment more. ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea. How agile do you feel?¡± he asked Jonas.

    Jonas shifted uncomfortably. ¡°I¡¯ll make it work,¡± he said.

    ¡°We won¡¯t liaise with Elka until tomorrow, anyway. We¡¯ve got time. Come.¡± Rowan beckoned them to follow and turned back down the street, away from the town¡¯s perimeter. He paused at a corner, holding a hand up behind him to halt Llew and Jonas, then waved them forward again.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been planning this?¡± Llew asked once they were safely across the intersection.

    ¡°We knew we¡¯d have to help get you out some time,¡± Rowan said. ¡°Obviously, we¡¯d hoped for later rather than sooner, but it was always a risk.¡±

    They carried on down one street and another, Rowan taking the lead and checking around each corner before they risked exposing themselves. Eventually, they circumvented a long brick building, disappearing into dense, mature forest.

    ***

    The forest undergrowth was thick with ferns, saplings, and slippery, leaf-fall. Jonas¡¯s armpits throbbed from their new weight-bearing role. His hands, too, ached already, and they¡¯d barely been on the move for a half-hour. Maybe if he¡¯d still possessed his Syakaran prowess it would¡¯ve hurt less, but he doubted it. Even with added strength, this would still be new to him.

    And ¨C just to add to the delight of having to move in a hurry despite his new reality ¨C his back tingled, waiting for an arrow or, at the very least, a shout of recognition. He was wounded prey.

    Now they¡¯d left the roads, he had the added challenge of having to swing the crutch tips over the undergrowth and take care how he placed them, making each and every step slow and hard. Step. He still thought of them as that. Hop seemed too happy, it was something kids did for fun. Jump was distinguished from hop by the presence of a second leg, so it wasn¡¯t a jump. Stride? Perhaps. But stride sounded strong, purposeful. He couldn¡¯t be that under these conditions.

    He glanced at Llew, and she returned a brief smile of reassurance, or shared fear, or something. Whatever her intent, he found her presence reassuring.

    Rowan walked behind; between Jonas and recognition, or an arrow, but Jonas found little comfort there. It used to be he only needed to keep his senses honed and rely on his enhanced strength and speed to avoid trouble. His new vulnerabilities had amplified the moment he¡¯d climbed out that damned window. He didn¡¯t know how to make peace with his weaknesses. For now, he had to forge on, seething at them. Anger, he knew. Fear was an unknown, and he wasn¡¯t prepared to make its acquaintance.

    So far, any time he dared examine his fears, paralysis lurked in the dark.

    Luck held and they delved deeper into the forest. Focused only on moving as quickly and quietly as possible, they didn¡¯t speak for¡ª Jonas didn¡¯t know how long. His attention was firmly locked to how to move between trees with crutches ¨C too often he had to sidle between crowded trees, and almost as often the tip of a crutch would slip on a root or sink deep, and he would nearly topple over in his efforts to pull it back out. Leaving the town behind, Rowan pulled away ahead while Llew stuck close, beside Jonas when she could fit, or slipping behind him when single file was required.

    ¡°Let me help.¡± She moved in when, once again, Jonas¡¯s crutch slipped on a root and sunk into soft bog on the other side. Stifling the urge to sigh, he lifted his elbow so she could hook her shoulder under him. She gripped the crutch with both her hands and pulled against the muddy vacuum. Keeping a hold of the crutch, she slipped her arm around his back and helped ease him forward.

    It felt all kinds of wrong being so helpless, especially in the heart of Turhmos, and yet, a strange warmth settled in his chest as they worked together as a team to keep him moving. Jonas had always been the one to lift the weight, run to aid, dive into the fray. He was the one others relied on, believed in. He did his duty, did as told. Now he was powerless, broken, and yet, somehow, free. He had never had to rely on anyone, well not since he was drafted into the army, earning his own way since fourteen. Here he was reliant on Llew if he were to have any hope of leaving Turhmos, and that thought didn¡¯t scare him at all because he absolutely could count on her.

    ¡°I love you,¡± he said.

    She looked at him, smiled, and squeezed him around the waist. ¡°We¡¯ll get out of here. And when we move back to your farm, with Joelin, you can get all sentimental on me, and I¡¯ll give it back tenfold. Just try and peel me off you, then.¡± She grinned at him, before sobering and glancing at Rowan¡¯s back. Jonas laughed. She could be quite affectionate when they didn¡¯t have an audience, or she forgot they had one.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they call it sentimental when you gotta be peeled off of someone.¡±

    ¡°Sentimental squared, or multiplied, or whatever. I said tenfold. That puts it in a whole different class than standard sentimentality.¡±

    Jonas found one of his eyebrows seemingly raising of its own accord. He didn¡¯t quite understand what she was saying, but it tickled his humor.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get to Merrid and Ard¡¯s,¡± said Llew. ¡°Rowan built that leg. He can build another¡ª¡±

    ¡°Elka¡¯s got it in the cart,¡± Rowan called over his shoulder. ¡°Might as well build on what we¡¯ve already got.¡±

    ¡°There we go.¡± Llew smiled. ¡°Hinden had supplies and Ard¡¯s got a furnace. One step at a time, huh?¡±

    ¡°Or somethin¡¯,¡± Jonas muttered.

    They trudged on in silence again. Well, not talking. There was little chance of silence in the forest. Hours seemed to pass. Jonas¡¯s muscles trembled, hungering for sustenance and rest. He sure hoped Elka made it safely away from her ma¡¯s and wasn¡¯t followed. And he hoped she¡¯d thought to bring food.

 Turn Yourselves In (part 2)

    Llew didn¡¯t want to get up. Her back was deliciously warm curled against Jonas¡¯s torso. Even her bottom and backs of her thighs shared heat with his thighs, and his arm, looped over her waist, provided another counterpoint to the chill biting at her cheeks, and shoulders; one cold and damp against the ground, the other cold and damp from the settled dew and the light breeze whisking through the trees in the pre-dawn.

    She supposed they would warm up faster if they got moving. Still, she took a moment to imagine that a new child may already be forming within her belly and what that might mean. She would be able to heal Jonas with a touch. Would carrying his baby allow her to defeat Braph¡¯s bug? Surely. That shared blood connected them in a way nothing else could.

    Was it too early to know? How had it worked the first time? One day she¡¯d been normal, and the next she¡¯d gained Syakaran strength. She guessed that was the time the barrier between them would¡¯ve broken, too. Would that still happen now, with Jonas weak as he was? She had to hope so. They were hardly in a good space to raise a child at the moment, either, but they would have months to get that right. In the meantime, they needed to break that Aenuk-Karan barrier if Llew was going to keep Jonas healthy. It would almost certainly make it easier when it came time to attempt to return his powers.

    She rolled her hips, pressing back into Jonas.

    ¡°Morning,¡± Rowan said from his watch post only a few steps away.

    Right. Yes. Not this morning, then. Llew sighed. Besides, she still didn¡¯t know if she could grow any baby again. Even Syaenuks couldn¡¯t grow back what was no longer there, and she had no evidence the Quaven doctor had left Llew her womb. At her least charitable, she could imagine him taking the opportunity to stop future Aenuks being born. But they had no time to despair over the unknown. Time to get on the road.

    ¡°Morning,¡± she responded.

    She went to move Jonas¡¯s arm, hoping he would resist, pull her tight against him and nuzzle the back of her neck, or rise enough to kiss her on the cheek, or behind the ear. It really didn¡¯t matter where. Sadly, his arm remained relaxed and unresponsive as she moved it aside. She sat up and rubbed her shoulders vigorously, generating a modicum of heat that soon dissipated again, but it got a little blood flowing, at least. She looked back at Jonas, expecting to find him blissfully asleep.

    His eyes were open, if listless. Lifeless? Like her father in the night.

    ¡°Jonas?¡± she gasped and gripped his shoulder, shaking him. Her eyes burned with the first tears. ¡°Jonas?!¡±

    Jonas¡¯s arm flailed in the air, brushing her hand aside. ¡°Stop. I¡¯m fine. Just tired, ¡¯sall.¡±

    ¡°Thank all that is holy.¡± Llew released a breath and wiped her eyes with her wrist. ¡°I thought you were gone.¡± She slapped his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t do that to me.¡±

    He grimaced, giving her a flat look.

    ¡°Shall we move?¡± Rowan asked through chattering teeth, rubbing his own arms to warm up. ¡°I¡¯m sure Elka will find us today.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s get going.¡± Llew jumped up and held out a hand to help Jonas up.

    He looked up at her for a few seconds, then raised his arm limply, waving it around like he was trying to line his hand up with hers, but he was far from making contact. She¡¯d expected he would half sit up, meet her in the middle. She leaned farther, hoping she remained balanced enough not to topple once she took his weight. His hand met hers, his grip far from firm.

    ¡°Um¡ª¡± she started. She thought of letting go to throw herself forward and grasp farther up his arm, but she was pretty sure she¡¯d end up falling on top of him. As tempting as winding him might have been, she would¡¯ve settled for shaking him. It wasn¡¯t time for games.

    Jonas relaxed his arm, letting his hand slip from hers. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Llew.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why we need to move.¡± Llew swung her arms, faking enthusiasm. ¡°Get the blood flowing.¡± She jogged a few paces on the spot. ¡°Warm up, wake up, and all that¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jonas said. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°¡®Can¡¯t¡¯. Why not?¡±

    Jonas managed a feeble shrug.

    ¡°Are you in pain?¡±

    He shook his head. He hadn¡¯t even lifted it from the ground.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Rowan stepped closer.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Llew studied Jonas. He hadn¡¯t moved at all, except to brush her hand aside and give her funny looks. ¡°Can you feel your legs¡ª leg?¡±

    She got a flat scowl for that one. ¡°Yes, I can feel everythin¡¯. I just¡ª¡± He blew his words out, like he was too exhausted to control the breath. ¡°I¡¯m just tired.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± She drew the word out slowly, forcing herself to remain calm and trying to think of what to ask next. ¡°Do you think you can wa¡ª, you know. Get up? I¡¯ll help.¡± She extended her arm again, bending farther, curving her arm, ready to support more of him.

    He lifted his arm and let it flop again.

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    ¡°No.¡± For the first time, Llew thought she caught the hint of panic in Jonas¡¯s voice.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Rowan asked again.

    ¡°How far is the road? Is Elka going to be able to find us here?¡±

    ¡°No, we¡¯re pretty deep. I was planning on making our way closer to the road today.¡± Rowan frowned down at Jonas.

    ¡°Think you can lift him?¡± Llew asked.

    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°Pick him up, and let¡¯s get moving.¡±

    Braph had said Llew could fix Jonas, but that she might need to kill him to do it. That was when he was merely ¡®normal¡¯. She would almost certainly have to kill him now. She could only hope she carried his baby again, and if not that, the soul in the tree in Taither could connect with him. But Taither seemed even farther away now. If the bug attacking him didn¡¯t stop, he¡¯d most likely be dead before they reached anywhere near the Quaven border.

    She closed her eyes and sent out a silent prayer to whatever deity was out there that might listen as she collected Jonas¡¯s crutches. Her knuckles whitened around the wooden aids and Llew breathed through a brief desire to shake Jonas awake. She¡¯d told him she wasn¡¯t losing him, and she¡¯d meant it. She may have lived alone for seven years, but being with Jonas was better. Damn it all.

    ¡°Which way to the road?¡±

    Grunting, Rowan heaved Jonas over a shoulder. ¡°That way.¡± He waved to their left.

    Llew forged ahead leaving Rowan to follow. She didn¡¯t intend for him to have to carry Jonas for long, just closer to the road where they could keep watch for Elka. When she caught a glimpse of the dusty trail all traffic heading north from Northhollow took, she signaled a stop.

    Rowan stooped and let Jonas slip from his shoulder. Jonas gave every indication of being unconscious, giving himself no aid as he slid to the ground, floppy. But his eyes were open. Rowan puffed out a breath and shook out his arms, rolled his shoulders.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Llew spared Rowan a brief grateful smile then got down on her knees beside Jonas. ¡°You okay?¡±

    Jonas shook his head, and his ¡®no¡¯ was barely audible through the emotion choking him up.

    Llew positioned herself as comfortably as possible, dragged his torso into her lap and pressed his head to her chest.

    Rowan leaned over them. ¡°Are you going to be able to heal him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Llew¡¯s words came out hoarse, and not much louder than Jonas had managed. She wrapped both her arms around him and held him to her like her favorite plush pony the morning she¡¯d woken to discover her father had abandoned her. Not abandoned. Led Braph astray. But she hadn¡¯t known that at the time, just as she didn¡¯t know if she could save Jonas. Things would look different when they were safe.

    Jonas allowed himself to sob silently into Llew¡¯s embrace. He¡¯d lashed out, hiding his fear behind anger when he¡¯d first begun to lose his powers. That he would allow himself to let go in her arms ¨C let her feel his fears ¨C had a strangely empowering effect on her. His fears were well founded ¨C she was scared, too ¨C but his faith that she could bear his burden with him shored up her determination to do so.

    ¡°Stay with me,¡± she whispered against the back of his head. ¡°Your son will fall in love with you once he gets to know you.¡±

    He stilled at her words, breathing deeply.

    ¡°There will be a way,¡± she said. ¡°All you have to do is stay. I¡¯ll do the rest.¡±

    He relaxed into her, as if he¡¯d fallen asleep. Only the flutter of his eyelashes against her shirt let her know he was conscious.

    Rowan rested a hand of Llew¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Llew looked up at him. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said. Whether it was true, she didn¡¯t know. She wasn¡¯t the one drained of everything she had, she wasn¡¯t the one missing half a limb and, at least for now, she still had Jonas, so she supposed she was okay. But she was beginning to panic. She¡¯d thought they could save the Aenuks and Jonas¡¯s son whether Jonas regained his full powers or not, but they certainly couldn¡¯t do it if Jonas could barely stand on his own. Everything she¡¯d come to value and hope for since she¡¯d walked out of Cheer lay crumpled against her chest. ¡°I hope Elka makes it through.¡±

    Rowan squeezed her shoulder. ¡°She¡¯ll make it. Ma wasn¡¯t going to let them see her at the house, so there¡¯s no reason to think she¡¯s compromised.¡±

    ¡°I hope your ma¡¯s okay.¡± Llew was sick of leaving a trail of hurt and destruction behind them. If only the rest of the world would let them be.

    Rowan made a noise in the back of his throat, casting some doubt on his following words, ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Jonas slept, his head in Llew¡¯s lap, his brow furrowed. She kept running a hand through his hair, taking care to work any knots free without hurting him. Less than a month ago his hair had been short. Now, it fell past his shoulders again, magically regrown by Braph to make him more recognizable to the Turhmos public. With that thought, maybe they should have cut it again. She liked it short, and she didn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t deny that a look from him with his hair short and slightly spiky did things to her that his longer-haired self didn¡¯t quite, but there was still an under-current of revulsion at his resemblance to Braph. She turned her thoughts from the magician, not wanting to invite him into her thoughts, her head.

    Rowan placed himself with his back to a tree, just out of clear sight from the road. He nodded to Llew, signaling his alertness, and permission for her to be at ease. With a grateful smile, she let herself forget, for the moment, that they were on the run and hiding. It was just her and Jonas, and they were on their way back to Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm. No hunting parties. No Braph.

 Are We There? (part 1)

    The road remained quiet. Whether that was normal for this stretch, or the checkpoints at every town entrance were creating a lull, Llew didn¡¯t know. The clop of unaccompanied hooves they ignored, hunkering silently, waiting for the travelers to pass. With each growing crackle of hard wheels rolling over the fine stones of the road from the direction of Northhollow, Rowan eased himself around a tree trunk to peek at the road. The sky was just fully light when he gave a yell and waved at the road, then returned to help lift Jonas. Moving as quickly as they could, Llew clambered into the rear of the covered two-horse carriage and helped maneuver Jonas inside. Rowan leaped into the back and climbed straight through to the front with Elka. As soon as he disappeared through the cloth doorway, the carriage lurched forward. The brother and sister¡¯s murmuring voices drifted back through the canvas, but not their words.

    Llew eased herself into a cross-legged position on the floor and pulled Jonas¡¯s head and shoulders into her lap. He had been awakened by the rough handling required to get him into the carriage and remained so. A few minutes later, Rowan returned and sat on one of the bench seats that lined each side.

    ¡°Hungry?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Oh, yes.¡± Llew looked down at Jonas. He managed to lift his eyebrows to express his own eagerness to eat, and even that small gesture seemed to exhaust him, his eyes turning dull and listless. Llew tried to work out how long it had been between his getting struck by that arrow and his beginning to weaken. It didn¡¯t help that he hadn¡¯t disclosed his earliest symptoms to her, but it had been some three weeks since she had learned of his weakness. Did they have so long before this ¡­ bug that was attacking him finally killed him? Or was it something he could live with for years? She didn¡¯t want to consider only having weeks left with Jonas and didn¡¯t even want to consider what a future without him might look like. The pulsating Ajnai tree in Taither came to mind again. They were weeks away from it. But they were on the way. They had to have that long, at least.

    A vibration buzzed against her chest, and Llew was only a little surprised to discover she had drawn Jonas into her and was smothering him against her chest. He must have been protesting.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± she said as she released him.

    His eyebrows gave all the expression he was capable of for now, and Llew found herself delighted by the display of a lingering sense of humor when he glanced towards her chest before meeting her eye and raising those eyebrows twice. His lips managed the slightest of an upward lift. She rolled her eyes in return and smiled.

    Rowan raised a hinged lid that doubled as a seat. He sifted through the contents.

    ¡°There¡¯s sourdough, jerky, apples ¡­¡± He sidled along the bench-cubby, remarkably well-balanced in their rolling conveyance. ¡°¡­ a few varieties of pickled vegetables. You want me to put something together?¡± He looked over his shoulder at Llew.

    ¡°Can we tear into the bread? We¡¯re both starving.¡± Llew thought it safe to speak on Jonas¡¯s behalf. Her own stomach was threatening to digest itself.

    Jonas grunted his agreement.

    ¡°Bread it is.¡± Rowan lifted out a material-wrapped loaf, tore off a hunk for himself, and handed the rest to Llew.

    The loaf was moist and heavy, and the crust had a tough, almost leather quality. Llew couldn¡¯t imagine Jonas having the energy to chew it, so she dug into the soft center, pulled out a handful and offered it to him.

    Jonas¡¯s lips pressed together and his eyes looked in the direction of one of his hands, which made an effort to lift, but he lacked the energy to raise it. With a faint sigh, he let her poke the bread into his mouth in small pinches. In between feeding him, Llew tugged off strips of the tough crust and chewed them. At least the bread was tasty; sweet and sour, balanced just right.

    ¡°I told you we¡¯d do this,¡± Llew said between mouthfuls, and was pleasantly surprised she sounded much more calm than she felt. A thought struck Llew and she looked at Rowan. ¡°Did Elka pack any medical equipment? Such as blood drawing needles?¡±

    ¡°I think so.¡± Rowan shuffled to the front of the carriage and poked his head through the material flap to confer with Elka. When he returned, he went straight to the bench seat on the other side of the carriage, lifted the lid and, after a bit of a dig around, presented the syringe to Llew. ¡°This what you¡¯re after?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Llew shuffled so Jonas could lie back in her lap and took the syringe. She tested the feel of the plunger and found that it offered quite a bit of resistance. She didn¡¯t fancy her ability to draw her own blood. Besides, the road beneath the carriage wheels was far from smooth, rocking them constantly with the occasional larger bump throwing them around. She sighed. Perhaps she had to exercise patience. Not so easy when a part of her kept asking when Jonas would run out of the energy to breathe, or beat his heart.

    ¡°L¡ª Llew.¡±

    Llew looked down at Jonas. His eyes appeared brighter than they had before the bread. Maybe that was all he¡¯d needed.

    ¡°Feel better. Food. Ener¡ª¡± He heaved a sigh. ¡°Better.¡± He finished with a wry twist of his lips.

    Improved, yes, but not much better. Still ¡­

    Llew tore into the remaining bread loaf.

    ¡°Open.¡± She stuffed bread into Jonas¡¯s mouth. ¡°Think you could chew jerky now?¡±

    Jonas nodded.

    Llew looked to Rowan again, who was already returning to the side of the carriage with the food supplies. He handed her a paper-wrapped package.

    ¡°I¡¯ll relieve Elka.¡± Rowan disappeared through the canvas at the front, and Elka made her way into the back soon after. She struggled to keep her balance in the rocking carriage and opted to sit on the floor.

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    As soon as Jonas swallowed one piece of jerky, Llew tore off another mouthful and slipped it between his teeth. And Jonas kept chewing, though he slowed and sighed over the effort a few times.

    ¡°There are jars of lemonade, if you like,¡± said Elka.

    Jonas nodded with some enthusiasm, and he had regained enough energy to aid Llew as she levered him into a seated position. Grabbing his ankle, she swiveled him so he could lean back into the food storage bench, facing Elka, who directed Llew to locate the jars. Jonas took the offered jar in two hands. Drinking was no easier than drawing and dispensing blood would have been in the moving carriage, but Jonas managed to catch small sips as the liquid sloshed around.

    ¡°What else do we have?¡± Llew gripped the edge of the seat that doubled as a pantry.

    Jonas placed a hand on her wrist. ¡°Rations. Not all for me.¡± He puffed out his words with effort and returned the jar to his lips.

    Llew almost pointed out that not eating for a day would likely not kill the rest of them, whereas in his case ¡­ but she didn¡¯t know for sure if what attacked him would kill him, and she didn¡¯t want him carrying the burden of such worries when he was so weakened. She eased herself onto the bench seat beside him.

    Elka opened the top of the seat behind her, fished around a bit, and came out with a clean bandage. She brandished it for Llew to take. ¡°He still requires daily wound care. I have ¡­ lotion, somewhere.¡± Elka lifted the seat again. Soon, she held a bottle and a pair of scissors. She held the scissors out first, and glanced down at Jonas¡¯s stump, currently covered in the pinned-up length of a pair of her grandfather¡¯s trousers.

    Llew unpinned the trousers and unrolled the leg, then took the scissors from Elka. Nervous she might cut Jonas, she checked and checked again where the stump ended within the trouser leg, then cut across. The scissors were sharp, and the material sliced away cleanly. In her care not to injure Jonas, Llew had left length enough she would be able to pin what remained of the trouser leg back up, but she struggled to roll the narrowed knee over Jonas¡¯s bandaged thigh stump and had to cut a slice up the material tube. With his bandaged stump on display, Llew paused. So far, whenever Raena had checked on or cleaned Jonas¡¯s wound, Llew had kept herself busy with eating, or exercises, or talking to Jonas while ignoring that part of his body. She took a breath, peeled off the sticky tape holding the edge of the bandage firm, and began unwinding it. Jonas watched, his jar of sweet lemonade still held to his lips, catching tiny sips when the liquid splashed up to his mouth.

    Eventually, the last twist of the bandage came free, exposing his flesh, and Llew found herself flooded with a strange mix of emotions. She had so often scoffed at Jonas being referred to as The Great Syakaran of Quaver, the most physically gifted man known, but it was who he was born to be. It was who he had been. To see his flesh, soft, rounded, cut up and stitched where a strong knee and lower leg should have been ¡­ The reality before her didn¡¯t gel with what she knew to be true. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was going to have to make some adjustments, get used to their new truth. At least everything looked clean, except for a slight crustiness to the stitches.

    Elka held out a clean, damp cloth.

    Llew took the cloth and dabbed it over Jonas¡¯s stump. She rested his stump on her lap, rested one hand on his thigh and ran the fingers of the other gently over the smooth skin between his surgical wounds. It was ¡­ different, but she could learn to love it, just as she had learned to love the rest of him. She looked up and was pleased to see a light in his eyes that had been missing earlier that morning; Elka¡¯s sugary drink providing much needed energy. Still, he slouched, barely holding his own weight.

    Under Elka¡¯s instruction, Llew wrapped the stump in a figure-eight pattern with the soft roll of bandage and held it closed with a strip of adhesive tape and they pushed on, largely in silence, only stopping for ablutions and sleep. Jonas slept almost as much during the day as at night, leaving Llew to hope it was due to healing and not a sign of getting worse. Each time he woke, though, he could still sit upright and manage light conversation.

    After a few days of traveling, the carriage slowed and pulled to a stop, and Rowan poked his head between the front curtains.

    ¡°Uhm. You might not want¡ª I mean, it¡¯s¡ª Uhm.¡± He scratched behind one ear.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Llew asked. ¡°Are we there?¡±

    Jonas had been dozing against her, and only grizzled a little when she shifted him to the side. The prospect of seeing Merrid and Ard was far too uplifting to worry about Jonas¡¯s condition right then. Besides, the Ajnais meant she could offer him real help.

    ¡°Yeah. I think we are, but¡ª¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t wait to hear more. She jumped out the back of the carriage, glancing to the sky, to gauge the time. Maybe lunch time. Merrid would have a meal ready for Ard after his morning chores, and somehow she would magically procure extra food for their unannounced guests and not complain one bit. Llew could already feel the woman¡¯s arms wrapping around her. For a moment, she imagined falling into Merrid¡¯s arms and letting the weeks of coping in the face of so much going wrong fall with her.

    She turned to walk around the side of the carriage to find herself just yards from bodies swinging from ropes strung from hastily constructed gallows, only recognisable as the farmers because of the clothes they wore and the hair still clinging to their nearly bare skulls.

    Llew¡¯s legs went weak. An unintelligible cry escaped her throat. She started to fall.

    Strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her upright, and for the briefest moment she calmed. But the arms weren¡¯t right. They were a little too bulky, a little too ¡­ not Jonas. And her body recoiled at the horror of being held prisoner, a chill flooding through her, and she thrashed against the grip, and kicked and screamed ¡°Let go of me!¡± Released, she stumbled, fell, landed in the dirt. On hands and knees, she raised an arm, wanting to beckon Merrid to her. She needed Merrid¡¯s hugs. Why were they gone? They couldn¡¯t be gone. It was all too much.

    The bodies. The constricting grip that was not Jonas¡¯s, that she now realized must have been Rowan¡¯s ¨C Rowan trying to help, and she felt guilty for hurting him and humiliated for overreacting and it was all a tumble inside her head, her body, and the only thing she seemed capable of was crying, so she did. She let herself fall to her side, knees to chest, hands clasping head, and bawled, keeping her eyes closed so she didn¡¯t have to see the hanging bodies of her friends, her protectors, her heroes. And she did want someone to hold her, to enfold her in a strong, warm embrace, to tell her everything wasn¡¯t fine, but they would go on, they would hold each other up. But the strong embrace she needed didn¡¯t exist. It was weak and broken, just like her life, and it was all too much. Too much. She just needed to sob. And breathe. And not open her eyes for a few minutes. And breathe. The chaos inside her began to calm simply because if it didn¡¯t, she would break and might not be able to be put back together.

 Are We There? (part 2)

    Llew¡¯s wail woke Jonas like nothing had in the preceding days. His body still weak, his mind suddenly alert. Elka, too, sat upright, listening. They locked gazes for a few moments, then Llew¡¯s panicked ¡°Let go of me!¡± jolted Jonas again. If he¡¯d been able, he would have been by her side in an instant.

    ¡°Rowan!¡± he bellowed, adrenaline providing a volume even his weakness couldn¡¯t sap. He shuffled himself towards the rear of the carriage.

    ¡°Here.¡± Rowan appeared at the back flap, evidently relieved to have some direction.

    ¡°Take me to her.¡± Jonas reached an arm out to hook around Rowan¡¯s neck.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Rowan seemed shaken, his eyes fixed open. He hesitated just a moment before pulling Jonas to him, slipping an arm under his knee.

    Carried around the rear corner of the carriage, Jonas was unsurprised by the sight that greeted him. Gritting his teeth, he focused on Llew in the road dust. Rowan stooped to deposit Jonas beside her and stepped back.

    ¡°Llew.¡± Jonas placed a hand on her shoulder. Her body shook with the erratic rhythm of her sobs. The gaps between grew longer, and the violence eased. Finally, she breathed a couple of shaky sighs, shuffled herself so she could curl into his lap, like a large cat; her back to his belly, her head on his thigh, legs curled up tightly. She sniffed and rubbed at her wet face with a fist and lay, staring ahead, maybe looking at the farmhouse, maybe looking at nothing.

    ¡°We killed them,¡± she whispered.

    Jonas shook his head, but didn¡¯t voice his denial. Llew wasn¡¯t ready to hear it; that the farmers had stepped onto this path with the first Aenuk they¡¯d freed, however long ago that might¡¯ve been.

    ¡°They did so much good, and we led death to their door.¡± Llew¡¯s voice was thick with her pain.

    Jonas smoothed one hand up and down her arm, and combed her hair back from her eyes with the fingers of his other hand.

    ¡°When I was alone,¡± she said, ¡°I never hurt anyone. I survived. And I know others who seemed to have it all together with their families and their friends. It¡¯s meant to be better, isn¡¯t it? Why¡¯s it all gone so wrong?¡±

    The beginnings of a range of philosophical replies flitted through Jonas¡¯s fatigued brain, but he didn¡¯t have the energy to grasp any, nor did he have the energy to defend them against arguments Llew might attempt.

    Llew pushed herself up, swiveled her legs over Jonas¡¯s lap, wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you, too.¡±

    Jonas squeezed his arms around her. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he said. Fatigue crept through his muscles, but he wouldn¡¯t let her go, nor did he know what more to say to make this better. All he could do was hold her.

    Scuffed stones drew Jonas¡¯s attention to Rowan beside him. The man looked awkward, and Jonas had no words for him, either. He gave as reassuring a smile as he could. They just needed a moment.

    ¡°You¡¯d better get inside.¡± A familiar voice drew Jonas¡¯s gaze back towards the farm and he just about boggled. Alvaro stood in the carriageway, sword held loosely at his side. Alvaro, here? Now?

    Possibly even more surprisingly, Anya Orell stood behind him. She lifted a hand and waggled her fingers at Jonas.

    Anya was supposed to be safely settled in Brurun, with her future husband. What was she doing in the middle of Turhmos ¡­ with Alvaro? And no sign of Lord Tovias. Jonas had to admit, it was something of a relief to see the familiar faces. Even Alvaro¡¯s.

    ¡°This is a message. For you, I¡¯d wager,¡± Alvaro said. ¡°Can¡¯t imagine they¡¯re not gonna come past again.¡±

    Llew had frozen stiff at Alvaro¡¯s first utterance. She now lifted her head and slowly turned to look at him. Then, on seeing Anya, she almost hyperventilated on a gasp and went to get up, but didn¡¯t quite seem to know how to disentangle herself from Jonas. She made several utterances that may have been her friend¡¯s name as she tried to work out what to do with her arms and legs. Jonas released her and Anya stepped forward to pull Llew into an embrace. Both girls clung to each other as if they planned to mold themselves into a single new being.

    ¡°Oh, Anya. Everything¡¯s gone wrong.¡± Llew let herself sob into the young blonde woman¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you, but ¡­¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Anya patted Llew¡¯s back, glanced up at the farmers, winced and looked down at Jonas again. This time she must have seen his shortened leg, as her eyes widened before she returned her attention to Llew. ¡°But you¡¯re here now.¡±

    ¡°Come on.¡± Alvaro placed a hand on Llew¡¯s back. ¡°I mean it. They could come back any time.¡±

    ¡°Al!¡± Llew released Anya and turned to wrap Alvaro in a full-bodied embrace, almost toppling him.

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    Jonas clenched his teeth. She had every reason to be pleased to see the other man, but Alvaro had never bothered to hide his interest in Llew, even when she¡¯d made it clear she didn¡¯t return it. Now, though, Alvaro was the better man. Might she change her mind?

    Initially taken by surprise, Alvaro brought his empty hand around to hug Llew back. Then he glanced down at Jonas¡¯s leg and his smile hooked up in the subtlest of smirks. Subtle enough Jonas wasn¡¯t sure if he was attributing what wasn¡¯t there, though he had little doubt Alvaro would find some pleasure in his misfortune.

    Alvaro unhooked Llew¡¯s arm and stepped back. ¡°We¡¯ve got to get inside.¡±

    Llew glanced up at the bodies. ¡°We have to get them down. How long¡ª?¡±

    Alvaro shook his head. ¡°Anya and I got here a couple of days ago, figured taking them down would be like putting a ¡®come get us¡¯ sign out for the scouts.¡±

    He gently guided Llew in the direction of the farmhouse, and Anya slipped her arm around Llew¡¯s shoulders. Llew wrapped her own arm around Anya¡¯s back and the pair started up the carriageway.

    Alvaro stood watching Rowan help Jonas to his foot, before sliding his sword into its scabbard and stepping in to take one of Jonas¡¯s arms across his shoulders, sharing the load.

    ¡°I¡¯ll move the carriage,¡± Elka said, hobbling to the front of the vehicle.

    ¡°There¡¯s a corral and shed around the back¡ª¡± Alvaro started, looking over his shoulder at Elka, taking in her awkward gait. He unhooked Jonas¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯ll help. The horses have to go in the back paddock, and you can probably move faster without me.¡± He said the last to Rowan. ¡°Get inside. Fast.¡± He joined Elka at the front of the carriage and started directing her.

    Rowan stepped in front of Jonas and held out one arm, readying a lift. ¡°Sorry, there¡¯s not much dignity in it ¡­¡±

    Rage and helplessness churned inside, and all Jonas could do was nod. He wasn¡¯t used to moving on a single leg yet, and they had to move swiftly. Rowan stooped, hefted Jonas onto his shoulder and started up the carriageway, keeping to the side to let the carriage pass, leaving Jonas to look at little more than his back, and some of the upside-down world. He twisted his neck just enough to catch a glimpse of the swinging corpses he hadn¡¯t spared a moment for until now. People die around you, Jonas. It had been his curse, now Llew had it, too.

    The bodies were desiccated and half eaten, having hung several days already, but there was no hoping it wasn¡¯t the farming couple. They had been the kindest couple he¡¯d ever met. He¡¯d meant it when he¡¯d said the world would be a nicer place with more men like Ard in it. Now there was one less.

    Of positive note were the Ajnai trees lining the carriageway. They now resembled what in any other tree species would be specimens of five or six years old. Not ancient by any stretch, but a substantial gain considering Llew had planted the seeds only a month prior.

    The transition from bright spring day to shadowed farmhouse kitchen left Jonas blind for a few moments while Rowan slid him off his shoulder and helped him ease onto the bench seat at the dining table. Jonas swung his leg under the table, supporting himself with elbows on the tabletop.

    Llew sat opposite. Or, rather, slumped. Her head rested on her folded arms on the table, and she continued to sob. In light of her being parentless for so many years, only to kill her own father when she found him, and to have to abandon her mother in Duffirk for the time being, the farmers had meant the world to her. Jonas remembered the way her face had lit up the first time they planned to return to the farm, when the ancient Ajnai tree had been felled, and they needed a safe place to hole up in the middle of Turhmos. This farm had been that beacon in the dark, because of them. Jonas felt their loss keenly, too, but kept somewhat detached from it, considering they were still in the heart of Turhmos; no place was safe for him and Llew now.

    Anya sat beside Llew, an arm draped across her back, her head resting on Llew¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯ll check how Elka and your friend are going with the carriage.¡± Rowan touched Jonas on his shoulder, his look offering some sympathy blended with the awkwardness that comes with feeling out of place.

    Jonas did his best to give him a grateful smile, then turned his attention back to Llew, reaching a hand across the table to rest it over hers.

    Her sobs no longer shook her, but she didn¡¯t raise her head. She could very well have fallen asleep. No doubt, this day had taken its toll on her.

    Anya directed a small smile Jonas¡¯s way, then her eyes dropped, like she could see through the table to his leg, or what remained of it. She lifted her gaze again, and he returned it.

    ¡°What happened?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Aris happened.¡±

    Anya nodded and gave the requisite sympathetic look.

    Jonas shifted his gaze to Llew. ¡°But Llew saved my life. Again.¡± He squeezed her hand.

    Llew pulled her hand from under his and placed it on top, squeezing him back. She didn¡¯t raise her head or otherwise engage with him or Anya.

    Jonas felt something in him shift. He couldn¡¯t name it, but the warmth he¡¯d felt in his heart a moment before vanished and he found himself looking upon Llew in simple curiosity. Then he looked at Anya. He knew who Anya was, and yet, he found himself looking at her for several minutes as if he couldn¡¯t quite place where he knew her from. Once recognition was assured, he looked around the room, as if looking for clues as to where they were. ¡°Braph,¡± he growled.

 Its Always Braph (part 1)

    Llew sat up, alert and fearful. And Braph¡¯s presence disappeared, but not before leaving a lingering sense of smug triumph. Jonas pushed it down.

    ¡°He¡¯s back?¡± Llew asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± Jonas gripped her hand in reassurance, but his jaw clenched at the implications. ¡°But he knows where we are, and that Anya¡¯s with us.¡±

    Anya was looking about the room as if she thought Braph might leap from a dark corner or cupboard.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s near,¡± Jonas tried reassuring her. ¡°But he¡¯s workin¡¯ for Turhmos. He¡¯ll tell ¡¯em.¡± He tapped his temple. Anya¡¯s eyes widened. He gave Llew a significant look. They weren¡¯t safe here.

    Llew¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°Damn Braph!¡± she exclaimed. ¡°He¡¯s got what he wanted. Why can¡¯t he leave us alone?¡±

    Jonas could only shake his head over his own lack of insight. He should¡¯ve known his half-brother better than anyone, but he had nothing.

    ¡°He was¡ª¡± Anya swallowed. ¡°¡ªin your head?¡± She looked like she wanted to be sick.

    The door opened, and the others sidled in. Elka eased her medical satchel to the floor while Rowan placed a sack of bread and fruit in the middle of the table and then they didn¡¯t seem to know what to do with themselves, and remained by the door.

    ¡°Oh, thank goodness,¡± said Anya. ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡± She reached into the sack, tore off a chunk of bread and handed it to Llew, then repeated for Jonas and everyone else.

    ¡°There¡¯s not much, but it should plug a gap,¡± Rowan said.

    Alvaro eased himself around the table and stood by the cold coal range, looking down on the three at the table as he chewed bread.

    ¡°Braph knows where we are and is probably telling Turhmos right now,¡± Llew said, almost achieving nonchalance.

    Anya shuddered as she locked her gaze on Jonas. Likely, she was remembering the boat ride to Phyos when Braph had used her to attack Emylia. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°Doesn¡¯t he want to kill you himself?¡±

    Jonas almost laughed, but remembered neither Anya nor Alvaro knew their full situation.

    ¡°He said there was no challenge in it, now that¡ª¡± He flicked his gaze between Anya and Alvaro, and withdrew his hand from Llew, sitting back. ¡°Now that I¡¯m powerless.¡± He looked down; didn¡¯t want to see what they thought of him now. He could guess. Funny how someone like Alvaro, who¡¯d always been kind of useless, could walk around owning his space, yet Jonas felt he could shrink to nothing and he still wouldn¡¯t be small enough.

    ¡°We saw the headlines,¡± Anya said. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Braph.¡± Llew¡¯s sneer resounded through the word. ¡°It¡¯s always Braph.¡±

    Alvaro grunted his agreement.

    Jonas glanced up to see Anya¡¯s pity settled in at full measure and he had to look away again.

    ¡°If they have any reason to believe you¡¯re here, they¡¯ll tear this place apart,¡± Alvaro said. ¡°They know about the bunker. We can¡¯t hide, not this many. And not with¡ª¡± His voice trailed off, but Jonas heard all that remained unspoken. Not with him. Weak and broken, he was nothing but a burden.

    <hr>

    Little felt better than moving inside Orinia, especially when she made those little gasping sounds that told Braph she was enjoying herself, too. Little felt better. Perhaps only flooding his system with Immortal power compared. Now, the combination of coital bliss with one¡¯s true love and the rush of incredible power created something akin to the greatest sensation of all time. Only one thing might be better.

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    Braph¡¯s imagining of the power he could extract from the Taither tree elicited a groan of deeper satisfaction from his lover. Orin stirred in his bed roll nearby and Braph bent down to cover Orinia¡¯s mouth with his own. He cared little about being discovered by his son, but Orinia insisted she couldn¡¯t truly let herself go if Orin might wake, and Braph liked it when she let herself go. He teased her with his tongue, drawing hers into his own mouth, toying with it, sucking. He caressed her neck, across her shoulder, and dimpled her thigh with his flesh hand, supporting himself on his metal one, and with a thought and a slight flex of the muscles in his right arm, drew in more power and generated a vibration through his body he¡¯d never be capable of without magical enhancements.

    Orinia gasped, her eyes flying wide open. In one smooth, deft move, Braph shifted his metal hand under her head to catch it before she hit the ground and covered her exhalation with his flesh hand. He shushed her through a grin and a laugh, and kissed her cheek. Shushed her again as they flexed together in their final tremors.

    They lay on the Quaven bank of the Kulverdeen River, at approximately the same spot Braph had crossed in the other direction with Llewella and Jonas more than a month earlier. While the last time the winter chill had seeped deep inside everyone and coated everything, this time the spring flourished in sync with Braph¡¯s and Orinia¡¯s rediscovery of each other. The last time, Braph had been powerless. This time he was more powerful than he had ever been. Last time, he¡¯d had to make the swim through the icy cold waters. This time, he¡¯d simply grasped a hold of his family, and they to him, and they¡¯d flown across without dipping a toe in the water, powered by Orin¡¯s power pumping through Braph¡¯s veins. A much more pleasant way to travel.

    Braph eased his weight off Orinia, lay his head on her shoulder, cupped her breast, toyed with a nipple, then hooked his flesh hand around her other shoulder in a somewhat awkward but still comforting hug. ¡°How do you wish to travel today, my love? We can walk, commandeer horses from a town on the way, or we could fly again, if you prefer.¡±

    Orinia sighed, as if she hadn¡¯t wanted to be pulled back to reality after Braph¡¯s ministrations. This pleased him. ¡°The journey is pleasant.¡± She allowed herself a sly side-eye glance at him. ¡°I would hate for it to be over too soon.¡± She sighed again. ¡°Although, I suppose being somewhere with a bath would be even better.¡± She angled her head to look at him as squarely as possible with their faces so close. ¡°Would any Quaven inn proprietors put us up for the night?¡±

    ¡°If they wish to be paid handsomely, they certainly will.¡± Braph settled in, savoring the closeness of his lover.

    He drifted back to sleep in the chill morning before Orin finally awoke and they all rose to make their way deeper into Quaver. They didn¡¯t carry bags of supplies, and Braph wasn¡¯t about to eat bush meat. And while Orinia¡¯s Syaenuk healing could allow her to live with little to no sustenance by mouth, Orin¡¯s and Braph¡¯s internally generated magics required more food than the average person. Sure, Braph¡¯s device allowed him to make up for any lack, but that was reliant on Orin¡¯s blood, which relied on Orin being well fed. And so, they sought the nearest town.

    Quaver had towns much closer to the border as Aenuk destruction of the land was reduced compared to the Turhmos side. Braph supposed Aenuks might be more easily overpowered and killed swiftly on the Quaven side, while on the Turhmos side they would find more support, and be that bit more likely to survive while injured, to drain the surrounding landscape. However it happened, he was pleased to reach a small town within half a day where he and his family could enjoy a midday meal hearty enough to make up for the missed breakfast.

    Orinia¡¯s pale skin earned her more than a few wary glances, while Braph bore enough of a resemblance to his brother to elicit double takes, as well as awe and confused wonder. When he folded his metal hand over his flesh arm, the wonder might be blended with, or entirely obliterated by, horror. Regardless, all that mattered was that they be well fed and watered, and Braph paid handsomely to ensure Orinia could bathe unmolested.

    Once sated and cleansed, Braph allowed their trio to rest awhile in the restaurant-bar, and while Orinia played cards with Orin, Braph sat back and closed his eyes, once more reaching out across the lands with his mind.

    The land was vast and the automatons miniscule, but Braph knew them just as well as he knew his brother, and he could calculate their likely location based on their trajectory and speed. While they must have already arrived in Quaver, deposited their first load and departed again, there was no sense of urgency or distress in the Quavens Braph and his family had crossed paths with. Given that less than two hundred of Quaver¡¯s thousands of Kara would be infected, so far, Braph wasn¡¯t surprised. Besides, the concentration of Kara in and around Taither likely served to draw the critters on and past any individual Kara near the border. Braph was confident that the mood in Taither would be quite different by the time he arrived. Chaos would free him to focus on tapping into the Ajnai without interference.

    Scanning the northern Turhmos landscape, the energy signature of the automatons front of mind, he located a group of four south of the border. Hmm. He supposed if one or two had hunted deeper into Quaver than the others, they may remain separated for the rest of the journey. A nuisance for Nilv, no doubt, but of little consequence for Braph, really. So long as his man did his job.

    Stretching out his awareness like this was taxing. Too taxing to make it worth seeking the final two flying critters. He simply had to have faith in his own genius. His creations worked. They would return home to be refueled and reloaded. They were ingenious magical devices within the well-oiled machine that was his life.

    Orinia caught his eye, and they shared a smile.

    He was a blessed man.

 Its Always Braph (part 2)

    Llew stood and sidled out from the table, looking around at each of her companions. ¡°Jonas and I can¡¯t run. Nowhere¡¯s safer for us than right here.¡± All the pain of losing Merrid and Ard, and her anger at Braph¡¯s violation of their sanctuary, settled into cool resolve. ¡°We¡¯re backed into a corner. We¡¯ve no choice but to fight. We need you. All of you.¡± She made a point to look at Alvaro. He was no Jonas, but at least he could fight. ¡°But I can¡¯t ask any of you to give your lives for something you don¡¯t believe in. If you go now, you should be free to do so. Turhmos has no reason to hurt any of you.¡±

    Rowan, Elka, and Alvaro stood impassive, unmoved by Llew¡¯s words. Anya opened her mouth to speak, but, surrounded by silence, she retreated.

    ¡°We¡¯re in.¡± Rowan glanced at Elka, who nodded. ¡°I mean, if that wasn¡¯t obvious from, you know, racing out of our ma¡¯s house with you.¡± Rowan flashed a smile and looked at his sister for confirmation. Elka nodded again. ¡°Anything you need,¡± Rowan finished.

    ¡°Thanks. We could definitely use your practical skills, and Elka¡¯s medical knowledge. We need Alvaro¡¯s sword, if you¡¯ll lend it. And Anya ¡­¡±

    ¡°You need a friend. Someone who will root for you every step of the way; make sure you¡¯ve eaten and can focus on what¡¯s important,¡± Anya said. ¡°I¡¯m here for you.¡±

    Llew was overwhelmed by the love in the room, and the sense of dread. Alone, she¡¯d needed no one. Now, she didn¡¯t know how she could ever go back to that. She used to think that needing others signified weakness, but here, now, basking in the support of her friends, she didn¡¯t think she¡¯d ever felt stronger. Still, she couldn¡¯t deny an uneasiness that she didn¡¯t know what she might end up leading them all into. The bodies hanging outside were a powerful indicator, along with a source of pain that cut so deep Llew had to fight the urge to curl up in a corner just to remain standing and take up the mantle of leadership the situation demanded.

    Her gaze rested on Jonas slumped across the table. One step at a time. First: Save Jonas.

    ¡°Help me get him out to the tree.¡±

    Rowan moved immediately to help, scooping Jonas from the bench seat, while Llew collected Jonas¡¯s crutch, and they ran to the nearest Ajnai that wasn¡¯t dead from Llew¡¯s efforts to revive Ard a couple of weeks earlier. Rowan did his best to lean Jonas against a trunk. The wait for Elka to hobble across the cartway was almost unbearable. Anya walked beside her.

    Alvaro placed himself just off to the side, a scowl darkening his face. ¡°This is one of those trees.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Llew murmured.

    Alvaro¡¯s eyes darted from Jonas slumped at the base of the tree to Llew to Elka and Anya. ¡°Well, don¡¯t you just touch him now? And it works?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s Karan. We have to do it differently.¡±

    Elka placed her satchel down and dug around inside for a syringe, her hands covered in leather gloves.

    Alvaro¡¯s scowl turned perplexed. ¡°But last time¡ª I mean, didn¡¯t you just¡ª¡± He vaguely mimicked Llew grasping Cassidy and Jonas¡¯s wrists, as she had to keep them alive long enough to get them to the Ajnai, while trying not to destroy too much of the Turhmosian landscape.

    ¡°It¡¯s different now.¡± Llew loosened her sleeve, rolling it to expose her inner elbow where Braph had always extracted her blood from previously. Elka approached with the syringe. She couldn¡¯t balance in a crouch, but she managed to sit herself down beside Llew and arrange her legs in a way that was comfortable for her.

    ¡°Pump your fist, like this.¡± Elka demonstrated opening and closing her hand and Llew copied. ¡°There,¡± Elka said after a few squeezes, and pointed with the needle to a blue line beneath Llew¡¯s skin. Llew took a deep breath, preparing herself for the bite. ¡°Ready?¡± Elka looked up at Llew. Llew nodded and turned her head, hoping to reduce her experience of the minor pain if she didn¡¯t see the needle pierce her.

    A moment later, she felt it and was then able to watch Elka suction the blood into the vial.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Alvaro stood over them. ¡°You never had to do that before.¡±

    ¡°This is how Kara can use Aenuk blood to heal themselves.¡±

    Vial full, Elka withdrew the needle, paused, and looked at Llew. ¡°Does it matter where it goes?¡±

    Llew was struck by the question from her medical expert, but of course Elka had never taken part in this particular remedy before. For a moment, Llew even doubted her own knowledge, but she thought back to what she knew of Braph¡¯s devices, and the few times they¡¯d used the needles themselves. ¡°Into his bloodstream. A vein ¡­¡±

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    Elka shuffled closer to Jonas, syringe held aloft, while Llew pressed her hand to the tree, closing her tiny wound and refilling her blood vessels. The tingling lasted little more than an instant. She pushed off the tree and crawled to Jonas¡¯s side as Elka slid the needle into a prominent vein on the back of his hand. Llew spared a glance for their audience. Rowan watched with intense fascination. Anya looked vaguely horrified. Alvaro watched with a stern expression that didn¡¯t entirely give away what he was thinking, but Llew could guess. And he wasn¡¯t going to like her answer.

    Elka depressed the plunger slightly, then paused.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Llew asked.

    ¡°If it bruises, I got it wrong.¡±

    Llew studied the spot where the needle disappeared under Jonas¡¯s skin. She could see nothing. She looked up. The day¡¯s shadows were muted under an overcast sky. She had no idea how much blood Jonas would require to be merely normal again, and get him through the night.

    Elka continued to depress the plunger and withdrew the needle. Llew presented her arm again and, once Elka had refilled the vial, pressed her hand to the tree again.

    ¡°No. There¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling me,¡± Alvaro said. ¡°Why do you need to do that? It worked differently last time.¡±

    Anya reached a hand in his direction, but didn¡¯t touch him.

    ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m not pregnant anymore. Okay?¡± Llew¡¯s heart ached to have to say it, the loss still raw, but she didn¡¯t have the energy to say anything but the truth.

    Alvaro stared at her for a few moments, then turned and stormed off.

    ¡°I could ¡­ talk to him ¡­¡± Anya said.

    ¡°Let him go.¡± Llew presented her arm for Elka again.

    They injected two more vials before Llew clung to the tree a little longer, willing it to be sure she held no injury, then moved to Jonas¡¯s side and took up his hand and stroked the thumb of her other across his forehead. ¡°Come on. You can do this.¡±

    He looked back at her, listless.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your leg, yet. Let¡¯s get some energy back.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡± He stopped to swallow and take a deep breath. ¡°I don¡¯t know what n¡ª needs fixin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°What did Braph tell you the first time?¡± Llew hated to turn to Braph for wisdom, and yet, if it hadn¡¯t been for him, they wouldn¡¯t know how to help Jonas or any other Karan. ¡°You just need to feel better. Maybe that¡¯s all you need to do. Think about how you want to feel.¡±

    Jonas puffed out a frustrated breath. ¡°It¡¯s too much, Llew. I¡¯m tired.¡±

    Llew wasn¡¯t about to admit to everyone the terror screaming through her at the thought Jonas might be too weak to heal himself. He had to heal himself. He was Karan. There was no other option.

    ¡°More blood.¡± She nodded to Elka and extended her arm.

    A couple more vials of blood and Llew was almost certain Jonas¡¯s eyes looked more alive. ¡°Keep doing what you¡¯re doing,¡± she urged, then moved around him, and knelt by his shortened limb, unpinned the cut end of his trouser leg, slid it up over the bandage and set about unwrapping his stump. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can¡¯t fix this, hey?¡±

    The end of the bandage slipped away from his stump. Anya gasped, but otherwise kept her reaction in check. And Llew presented her arm again.

    ¡°Think,¡± she said to Jonas. ¡°Remember at the Ajnai how you healed a bone, and all those cuts and grazes. This is partly done already. You just need to finish it.¡±

    Jonas nodded and kept concentrating. When Llew pressed her hand to the tree again she sensed fear alongside the healing tingle and closed her eyes in acknowledgment. This tree had done all it could. She presented her arm again for Elka, then moved to the next tree in line to close the hole and replace the blood.

    ¡°Rowan, time to put your thinking hat on.¡±

    ¡°My¡ª?¡± He rolled his eyes as if trying to see the top of his own head and patted it with a hand.

    Llew laughed, even as Elka jabbed the needle home again and Jonas¡¯s lack of progress filled her stomach with dread. She lunged back to the new tree, healed, and scurried back to Jonas. She raised his stump, inspecting the wounds where Raena had stitched the skin flaps closed, and she thought¡ª Yes ¡­ She brushed fingers over some of the stitching, and it fell away, pushed through and out of his skin. ¡°It¡¯s working!¡± She cared little if her manic joy showed.

 Its Always Braph (part 3)

    Jonas smiled, and there was a strength behind it he¡¯d lacked the past couple of days. A part of Llew wanted to jump up, whoop with triumph and punch the air, but there was still so much to do. She placed a hand on Jonas¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°We¡¯ll do this every day, if we have to.¡±

    She returned her attention to Rowan as Elka drew more blood. ¡°We have to fit Jonas with a way for him to have a constant supply of my blood, like Braph¡¯s crystals, but I don¡¯t know how we¡¯ll make them out here.¡±

    Rowan nodded, watching Elka inject Jonas. His eyes alight with fascination and hardening as he got to thinking on the challenge before them. ¡°Elka and I will come up with something. She knows more about blood and bodies than I do.¡±

    ¡°Jonas helped Braph build one of his devices, so he knows what went into it and how it connected to Braph¡¯s bloodstream.¡± Llew held out her arm for Elka to take more blood. ¡°For the crystals ¡­¡± She glanced out over the farm buildings and fields. There had to be something they could use. ¡°I remember steam, but I think he pressed them. I don¡¯t know how we¡¯ll do that here.¡±

    ¡°Give us a day or two to explore. We¡¯ll think of something.¡±

    As soon as Elka withdrew the needle once more, Jonas gripped the crutch, dug the end into the dirt and reached an arm up for assistance to stand. Llew instinctively clutched his hand, and a bolt of energy zipped into her.

    She cursed and released her grip. She hadn¡¯t been healing and replenishing from a tree while she¡¯d been speaking to Rowan.

    Jonas fell back hard, his head hitting dirt and the crutch striking up into the air, narrowly missing Llew, before he dropped it, letting it clatter to the ground beside him as he expelled a frustrated breath.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± She dropped to her knees. She wanted to clutch his hand, draw him to her, but she was scared to touch him.

    Jonas shook his head dismissively and puffed out another sigh. Fatigued. Llew cursed, ran to a tree, healed, and dashed back to Elka, her inner arm bared. ¡°How many since I last healed? Three? We need to do at least that many again.¡± Elka nodded and got on with the task, though she held the syringe more awkwardly as her hands seemed to stiffen. She didn¡¯t complain, and was becoming well practiced. She drew Llew¡¯s blood swiftly and administered it to Jonas. Llew returned to her tree to heal and remove any danger she posed to her friends, still cursing herself, and they repeated this dance three more times.

    Llew healed herself once more, pausing momentarily after the final tingle crossed her skin, as Rowan helped Jonas to his foot and passed him the crutch to lean on.

    Llew stood before Jonas and spread her arms, and Jonas lifted his free arm in welcome. She stepped into him, wrapped her arms around him, pressed her nose into the side of his neck and luxuriated as he returned the embrace. One-armed though it may have been, there was strength there, and his eternal warmth. Llew wanted to fall into him, but she held herself up, leaning into him only for his warmth and solidity, his presence.

    Elka shuffled beside them, gathering her supplies back into their bag.

    ¡°You alright?¡± Rowan asked. Llew glanced at him, but saw he spoke to his sister.

    ¡°Just a bit stiff.¡±

    Jonas shifted his weight to lean into his crutch. While he didn¡¯t remove his arm from around Llew¡¯s back, she took it to be an end to their embrace, stepped back, and echoed Rowan. ¡°Everything alright?¡±

    ¡°I have salve.¡± Elka massaged one palm with the thumb of her other hand.

    Llew managed not to roll her eyes. ¡°You good?¡± She checked Jonas was balanced with his crutch.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡ª I gotta¡ª¡± He waved a hand at the far side of the homestead. Oh, right. After receiving so much of Llew¡¯s blood, he would need to pee.

    Llew gripped Elka¡¯s hand. The ghi transfer was minuscule. ¡°It¡¯s that easy,¡± she said, then pressed her hand to a tree.

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    ¡°It¡¯s so easy to forget that, especially after seeing how much harder it is for him.¡± Rowan gestured at Jonas¡¯s return. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s great you can do it, huh?¡±

    Llew nodded and turned to welcome Jonas back. ¡°It¡¯s so good to see you up and about. How do you feel?¡± She beckoned him into another hug ¨C she¡¯d wanted Merrid¡¯s, but his would more than do ¨C and Jonas leaned in, bringing his arm up around her waist in kind.

    ¡°Yeah, good,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m starvin¡¯. I, uh¡ª¡± He stood back, keeping his hand on her waist, glanced at the swinging bodies of the farmers.

    Llew followed his gaze. ¡°Merrid would¡¯ve welcomed us in and fed us very well.¡± Her heart ached at the thought that such warm welcomes would have to be imagined from now on. Oh, to be wrapped in Merrid¡¯s arms again. But she still had Jonas¡¯s. She squeezed his waist, he returned it, and they headed for the homestead together.

    As they climbed up to the porch, Alvaro appeared around the corner. ¡°I need to speak with you.¡± He focused solely on Llew.

    Llew really didn¡¯t want to talk to Alvaro, especially not alone. She looked to Jonas.

    ¡°Not him. You.¡± Alvaro set his jaw and moved off the porch, heading for the Ajnais.

    ¡°It won¡¯t hurt to listen,¡± Jonas said. ¡°I can stand menacingly, if it¡¯ll help.¡±

    Llew looked him up and down. ¡°I think that charade might be blown.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll send Rowan out.¡±

    ¡°That ¡­ might work.¡± Llew turned reluctantly to where Alvaro stood in the shade of an Ajnai, while Jonas entered the kitchen. She took a fortifying breath and stepped from the porch.

    ¡°Thank you for coming,¡± Llew said as she approached him. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t appreciate it. You owe me nothing. If either of us owes the other, it¡¯d be me owing you.¡± She stopped before him.

    ¡°Cassidy wasn¡¯t a favor.¡±

    ¡°I know¡ª I wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± She hadn¡¯t been referring to Cassidy at all. She¡¯d meant his accompanying Jonas to rescue her from Braph and now, chaperoning Anya safely.

    ¡°Llew.¡± Alvaro placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s not fight. We need a united front. You¡¯re not safe in Turhmos. I came with Anya expressly to help get you out of here. Obviously, Jonas isn¡¯t the strongman he was. I get¡ª¡± He grimaced at whatever thought crossed his mind. ¡°I get that you had feelings for him. But keeping him around will only slow you down. We need to get you home to Brurun. Bring back some seeds, set yourself up in the safety of our borders. You know you¡¯re welcome there. And I can protect you. Help you make a home there.¡±

    Reeling at his touch and deliberate choice of words, Llew clutched for arguments. ¡°Not against Braph.¡± Not a good enough argument. Neither could Jonas. Yet.

    ¡°I can come up with a plan for Braph. I¡¯m not stupid. The simple fact is, you¡¯re not safe in Turhmos. Come on, let¡¯s just go.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a plan, I¡ª¡±

    Flustered as she was, Llew was relieved when Rowan stepped from the kitchen and leaned against one of the porch columns, arms crossed, appearing at once both a casual neighbor and an ally.

    ¡°What if you can¡¯t fix him? What if you waste all this time, put your life and the lives of everyone who¡¯s here ¨C for you ¨C at risk for nothing?¡± Alvaro stepped closer. ¡°Even after everything, I will protect you with my life. Doesn¡¯t that count for something?¡± He raised a hand like he was going to brush her hair behind her ear. Llew stepped back and Alvaro¡¯s jaw rippled over clenching teeth. ¡°What you think you had with him was never real. He was all high and mighty, and now he¡¯s broken. You needed him, now he needs you. That¡¯s not real. I¡¯m real. And I love you.¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡± Llew raised a hand. ¡°Just stop.¡± She opened her mouth to chastise him, but her eye was drawn to movement by the road. Her initial prepare-to-fight response subsided at the sight of a single figure at the well. She narrowed her eyes as the figure took a deep drink from the small bucket then leaned on the stone edge as they observed their surroundings. Despite the androgynous prisoner garb just like what Llew had been wearing when she escaped Duffirk, that crown of dark, curly hair was unmistakable. Oh no.

    ¡°Who is that?¡± Alvaro asked.

    Llew¡¯s stomach dropped even as her temper flared hot, as the dark skin tone and general ease within the curvy body consolidated to confirm her suspicion: Karlani.

 Can We Catch It? (part 1)

    They¡¯d thought Karlani dead. The Turhmos paper had reported as much. Memories of the other woman moving in dance-like combat moves with Jonas, and, worse yet, holding Llew down as Aris thrust a knife into her gut, replayed. Sweat tingled across Llew¡¯s skin and fury simmered. A rage tempered by fear. In theory, Karlani could kill Llew before Llew took a breath. How a confrontation between them would play out in practice ¨C a Syakaran with her exorbitant strength and speed versus the draining power of a Syaenuk, if the Syaenuk could get a grip on the Syakaran ¡­ Llew left those what-if calculations to whir in the back of her mind while she assessed the reality of now. She didn¡¯t like her odds.

    Karlani paused her surveillance when she saw Llew looking back at her and crooked her lips in a smug smile. Llew swallowed, forcing Alvaro¡¯s words and intent behind her. Karlani was a new challenge and deserved her full attention. Llew may have bested Karlani in a fight once before, but she no longer had the physical advantage. As much as she loathed the thought, any dealings with this woman would have to be diplomatic.

    ¡°Stay.¡± Llew signaled both Alvaro and Rowan, drew in a breath, and walked towards the well, remembering the first time she¡¯d seen Ard, and him her. On the run in the heart of Turhmos, Llew had stopped for a drink at that well, and Ard had invited her indoors and offered a meal, courtesy of Merrid. Ard had credited the well for drawing in other Aenuk fugitives the couple had helped over the years, hiding them in the bunker beneath their home, and seeing them safely to Quaver or Brurun, or beyond. How many lives had that well saved?

    She used her momentum to perform a graceful swing with both legs clearing the waist-high wooden fence and allowed herself a little self-congratulation for the ease of the move. Petty and meaningless as it may be to celebrate her physical prowess when facing a full-strength Syakaran, she had to take every win. Besides, she still had to approach Karlani from downhill.

    Llew paused briefly, knowing full well that in doing so she lost some of her edge in Karlani¡¯s eyes, and also acknowledging she was too close if Karlani decided to go full Syakaran and attack. Llew¡¯s hands flexed, ready to pass the pain and damage right back, if she had time. Karlani could break Llew¡¯s neck, and Llew would survive, out here on this lush ground. Would Karlani? And how much of Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm would suffer? Not too much, if Llew could grip Karlani in time. Llew judged the farm safe enough should Karlani turn violent. But it was still too much risk for Llew to volunteer the first move.

    She walked on.

    ¡°Technically, that¡¯s thieving, that is.¡± Llew drew strength in emulating Ard as she approached the other woman. The farmer wouldn¡¯t brook nonsense from the likes of Karlani, and neither would Llew. She folded her arms across her chest.

    Karlani pushed herself off the well to stand and hesitated only a moment, looking Llew up and down before retorting. ¡°I suppose you would know all about the technicalities of theft, leech. Aris filled me in on your previous career. He didn¡¯t think too highly of you.¡±

    ¡°The feeling was mutual.¡±

    Llew stood watching Karlani, leaving the other woman to decide what she wanted to do, and still unsure how to take this woman who had done so much to hurt her, but now seemed in need.

    Karlani looked up and down the road, down at the bucket, picked it up, and took another swig. She placed it down and stood back with a casual air, pursed her lips, then looked back at Llew. ¡°Is Jonas with you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Llew filled the word with the assertiveness she needed when facing Karlani.

    ¡°And his friend?¡± Karlani looked beyond Llew, likely seeing Alvaro, for she narrowed her eyes at the unfamiliar man.

    Though Llew kept her mouth shut, she couldn¡¯t help glancing towards the hilled paddock over which Hisham may still have lain. While Karlani believed herself underpowered, Llew had time. She could send Karlani away, but that didn¡¯t guarantee they wouldn¡¯t cross paths again, and next time Llew might not be fortuitous enough to spot Karlani first. Attempting to kill her was a risky option, no matter how much she deserved it. If Llew had a weapon in her hand, if she knew she could strike true before Karlani could defend or counterstrike, the Syakaran woman would be dead already. But she didn¡¯t have a weapon, and she¡¯d mock battled Jonas enough to know he always had the upper hand. Karlani would, too. Llew tamped down the impotent rage that flowed through her. It did no good here. And, though she loathed to consider it, if Karlani would lend her strength, there was little doubt they could put it to use. That fact alone had her cursing under her breath.

    Karlani cast her eye over their surroundings, lingering on the bodies hanging at the main entrance to the property. She lifted her chin at them. ¡°Your work?¡±

    Llew clenched her jaw against tears and shook her head. She gathered her strength through a deep breath and said, ¡°Look, I¡¯ve got work to do. Despite my better judgment, I¡¯m going to give you the choice between joining us or moving on and fending for yourself.¡± Without awaiting an answer, Llew turned for the homestead. Karlani could be a powerful ally or foe, neither of which appealed.

    Llew cleared the fence again and kept walking. She no longer had the benefits of Syakaran strength and speed ¨C or had it been Immortal? ¨C but her own fitness had improved over the preceding months. At least, she didn¡¯t think she had Syakaran strength and speed. No. If she did, she would also have been able to heal Jonas with a touch.

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    The soft crunch of Karlani alighting on the cartway behind her halted any thoughts Llew might have had regarding babies.

    ¡°This is Karlani. She¡¯s Syakaran,¡± she said offhandedly as she passed Alvaro, leaving Karlani and Alvaro to figure out their own next moves, and rolled her shoulders, trying to shake the tingle down her back at having the Syakaran woman behind her.

    Focusing on building her inner strength, Llew didn¡¯t look back again, even when Rowan asked ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± as she stepped up to the porch. She didn¡¯t know how to explain Karlani, anyway, and would really rather not, so she just carried on into the kitchen.

    Anya and Elka stood by the bench and cooking range, having a murmured conversation, and Jonas was standing by the wall at the other end of the table. It took Llew a moment to realize what was odd about the scene. While Jonas still used his crutches, he was stepping forward on his right foot. She blinked, but it remained true.

    Rowan came through the door behind her. ¡°Now he¡¯s healed as much as he can, we thought he should make a start on getting used to a prosthetic. That¡¯s the one I brought with me. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯ll be enough when he¡¯s full power again, but it¡¯s a start. Takes time to get used to them.¡±

    Jonas eased his weight onto the prosthetic and shuffled his other foot along the floor with a hiss between his teeth.

    ¡°It¡¯ll take some getting used to,¡± Rowan said. ¡°Your thigh¡¯s never taken your weight like that before, and the skin hasn¡¯t toughened up. It will.¡±

    Jonas stepped onto his own foot and brought the crutches forward, then swung the prosthetic through again. When he shifted his weight to the prosthetic again, he kept any expression of discomfort to himself, probably for the best, as Alvaro and Karlani arrived at the door. Llew heard them and moved farther into the dim dining area to allow them room.

    ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± Llew didn¡¯t think she¡¯d heard such vitriol from Anya before.

    ¡°I stopped for a drink,¡± Karlani said.

    ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s here because where else would she be?¡± Llew said. Llew still couldn¡¯t decide if it was luck or punishment.

    Jonas eased himself onto the bench seat at the table, leaning his crutches against the far end, in the deepest dark of the room.

    ¡°Whoa. Something¡¯s gone down.¡± Alvaro placed himself at Karlani¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Had a bit of a girly spat, did we? Oh!¡± He laughed. ¡°Karlani¡¯s Syakaran.¡± He looked at Jonas, then back at Karlani. ¡°Did you meet Aris? Jonas is weak and missing a leg, you know?¡±

    Llew had the urge to punch his smug face.

    ¡°Weak?¡± Karlani asked.

    ¡°I ain¡¯t Syakaran no more.¡± Jonas sounded vexed to have to say it. Llew had hoped to hold Jonas¡¯s presumed superior strength, speed, and skill over Karlani a little longer, too. Damned Alvaro.

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s sick. He just has to fight the bug.¡± Llew fought the urge to fold her arms. Despite all the truths standing between them, she did not want to appear weak in front of Karlani.

    ¡°Bug?¡± Karlani glanced around the room.

    ¡°Microorganism. An infection,¡± Elka said. ¡°Ins¡ª side his body.¡±

    Karlani took a step back towards the door. ¡°Can we catch it?¡±

    Llew almost smiled to see Karlani¡¯s fear, but it was justified. ¡°I don¡¯t know. None of the rest of us seem affected, but we¡¯re not Kara.¡±

    Karlani took another step back, putting herself just outside the door again. Alvaro took a step closer to her. He glared at Llew, but said nothing.

    ¡°The only people I know have been infected are Braph and Jonas. Braph did it knowingly and used his magic to fight it before it did too much damage. Jonas ¡­¡± Llew glanced his way to find him scowling at the table, and cursed Alvaro again. ¡°¡­ didn¡¯t know what he was dealing with until it was too late.¡± Llew shifted her weight. For a second there, she¡¯d forgotten this was Karlani she was talking to, until a wave of fear and rage washed over her, neither of which she wanted to show. She lifted her chin. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to leave.¡±

    Karlani shrugged, though she flicked a glance Jonas¡¯s way. ¡°Got nowhere else to be. I can, I don¡¯t know ¡­ maybe help?¡±

    Llew clamped her lips tight on the urge to laugh. As absurd as working with Karlani seemed, there was little doubt a Syakaran was handy to have around.

    Rowan cleared his throat. ¡°Anyone else hungry? I¡¯ll grab what¡¯s left in the carriage and we can all have a decent lunch. Might be enough left to make a good start at dinner, too. That should give us the sustenance to look for more food. This is a farm, after all.¡±

    Llew nodded, and Karlani and Alvaro made room for Rowan to slip past them. ¡°Want to help?¡± Llew said when Karlani and Alvaro refilled the doorway. ¡°Go. Give him a couple of extra pairs of hands.¡± The pair hesitated a moment before following Rowan.

 Can We Catch It? (part 2)

    ¡°Just what we need.¡± Anya grabbed up a cloth and started dusting it over the bench, probably more for something to do than any real conviction to clean.

    ¡°I can¡¯t fight her,¡± Llew said in some effort to explain Karlani to Anya.

    ¡°But you can kill her.¡± Jonas sat straighter, by all appearances his old self. ¡°She¡¯s fast and strong, but even then, the Aenuk grip is hard to beat. I used to be able to get out of it, but Aris never failed to remind me you were different. I could break your hold when someone else was on the receivin¡¯ end, but at the speed you drain ¡­¡± He shook his head.

    ¡°She¡¯s S¡ª Syakaran?¡± Elka asked. ¡°What is she doing here?¡±

    ¡°Going by her clothing, I¡¯d guess she¡¯s escaped from the Turhmos prisons,¡± Llew said. ¡°They must¡¯ve caught her when she was injured.¡±

    Jonas nodded. ¡°They¡¯re built to hold Aenuks, not Syakara.¡±

    ¡°Aenuks who don¡¯t know any better,¡± Llew murmured, then moved around the table to sit beside Jonas. ¡°Do you feel safe with her here? She could kill us all before we knew what was happening.¡±

    Jonas shook his head and smirked. ¡°She¡¯s not that good.¡± He placed a hand over Llew¡¯s fingers on the table. ¡°I believe you can survive her. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    ¡°Stop saying things like that. You have a son out there. I¡¯m not letting you abandon him.¡±

    Jonas pressed his lips together in some sort of wry gratitude and squeezed her fingers gently.

    A deep baying, somewhat ghostly and wholly distressed, sent a chill through Llew. Everyone in the room froze.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Anya whispered.

    The sound came again.

    ¡°The cows,¡± Jonas murmured and Llew relaxed. Of course.

    Ard¡¯s house cows provided the milk for the homestead. How long had it been since they¡¯d been milked? She¡¯d known mothers in Cheer who¡¯d suffered when their babes weaned, or simply didn¡¯t feed well. And Ard had said something along those lines when he¡¯d had Llew help him milk them the last time they¡¯d been here at the farm.

    ¡°Maybe I can help them,¡± Llew said.

    ¡°I can help,¡± said Elka.

    Llew stood, but lingered. If she returned to Anya and Jonas slaughtered ¡­

    ¡°She¡¯s lost, Llew,¡± Jonas said. ¡°We don¡¯t have to like her, but I think we can trust her not to kill us today.¡±

    He was right. Llew bent to kiss him then gestured for Elka to join her outside. As they did so, Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani were returning to the house laden with sacks and carry boxes, Alvaro listening intently to whatever Karlani had to say. Llew nodded to Rowan in thanks for his leadership and carried on to the house cows¡¯ paddock.

    The cows leaned into the fence nearest the shed where Ard had fed and milked them. One simply pushed against the fence, as if she thought she could walk through it. The other pawed the ground and walked agitatedly around its friend. Having little idea what she needed to or could do for the cows, Llew strode over to them. If all she could do was ease their pain, she would start there.

    Their udders were prominent and reddened. On seeing Llew, ears laid back, eyes rolled, and feet stamped.

    ¡°Shh.¡± Llew slowed her approach with a hand raised. The nearest cow took a step back into the other cow, who bayed her annoyance and gave no quarter. Llew managed to brush fingertips over the nose of the closest cow. The head swung away, ceasing the tingling in Llew¡¯s fingers. But then the wide nose came back for a tentative sniff. At this second contact, the nose pressed into Llew¡¯s palm. And she burned.

    The initial intense pain was short-lived, but a subtle simmering continued through that touch. The cow heaved a sigh, blowing damp warmth into Llew¡¯s palm.

    Llew crouched in a patch of grass still green on her side of the fence and sunk her fingers amongst it, then stood and swung herself over the railings, landing softly beside the cow she¡¯d helped, who didn¡¯t flinch. The other cow lunged away but was reluctant to leave her herd-mate. Llew¡¯s own lack of fear standing so near these agitated masses of muscle surprised her, but her need to soothe them was stronger than her need to avoid pain or injury. She reached out with her other hand, sinking fingertips beneath neck hair. The cow froze, wide-eyed as Llew absorbed her inflammation.

    ¡°Mastitis.¡± Elka came to lean on the top rail of the fence.

    ¡°What causes it?¡± Llew turned her attention to Elka while she maintained contact with both cows, aware of a continuing draining of her ghi into them. Whatever she had healed wasn¡¯t the source of their troubles, and Braph¡¯s word ¡°micro-organism¡± echoed in the back of her mind. ¡°I mean, they won¡¯t have been milked since ¡­¡± Ard. Llew blinked against her tears that threatened every time she thought of either of the farmers and she fought the urge to look up at the hanging bodies. Now, there was a job for a Syakaran.

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    ¡°Bacteria,¡± Elka said. Llew nodded, tight lipped, not surprised. ¡°Infection.¡±

    ¡°What do you usually do to fight that?¡±

    ¡°Ex¡ª sternal we can treat by cleaning, and maybe applying ointment, or oils.¡±

    They looked at each other a few moments. What Jonas had wasn¡¯t external. It was deep in whatever made him Syakaran.

    ¡°The farmer probably had some treatments,¡± Elka said. ¡°Let¡¯s look in the shed.¡±

    There were no answers for Llew here, only hurting cows. She swung a leg up and hauled herself over the fence, took a couple of steps and crouched to sink her fingers into the grass on the cartway verge, watching closely as the ring of death spread towards the fence, and beneath. She broke contact before it reached the cows¡¯ feet and led the way to the shed where Ard cleaned and stored the milking buckets. She would have to be careful not to bump into Elka as they worked in proximity.

    ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll need to milk them?¡± Llew remembered all too well the ache in her hands after performing that task the last time she¡¯d been here.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s better to let them dry off while we¡¯re here to treat the infection.¡± Elka scanned the row of bottles, lifting one down to examine its label. ¡°They¡¯re probably due a rest, anyway.¡±

    ¡°Where did you learn about cows?¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯s treated plenty of ladies weaning babes over the years.¡± Elka put the bottle back on the shelf and pulled down another. ¡°And Northhollow has a large dairy farm that supplies the town¡¯s milk, cream, butter, and cheese. We¡¯ve helped them a few times.¡± She turned to Llew, proffering a bottle. ¡°We¡¯ll s¡ª start with this. Your healing of the inflammation will have helped. This can s¡ª sooth in the meantime, and prevent s¡ª secondary infection.¡±

    Llew dashed along the cartway to press her fingers to an Ajnai before running back to open the gate to the paddock for Elka, and the grateful cows stood patiently as Llew and Elka massaged the pungent oil into their udders. Llew could still sense the transfer of ghi from herself to the cow she administered to.

    Elka stood from attending her cow, tottered, and landed on her arse. The now-relaxed cows barely reacted, just mulled around testing the grass by the fence for palatability as Llew rushed to Elka¡¯s aid. As Llew pulled Elka to her feet, Elka sucked in a sharp breath. Llew cursed, shifted her hands to support Elka where clothes protected her from Llew¡¯s touch until Elka was balanced. Llew stooped to collect the dropped bottle, and brushed her fingers through some remaining green grass, leaving a small circle dry.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Elka shook off Llew¡¯s apology as she brushed dust off her dress.

    ¡°We¡¯ll do it again tomorrow morning and night.¡± She favored Llew with a small smile and turned for the gate. ¡°If you can ease their pain, we can fight the cause with that.¡± She gestured to the bottle. ¡°It will take a little time, is all.¡±

    Llew held the gate open for Elka. ¡°It¡¯s different, isn¡¯t it?¡± she asked. ¡°What¡¯s infecting these cows, that we can fight with ointment, isn¡¯t the same as what¡¯s weakening Jonas.¡± She latched the gate behind them and they dawdled to the shed.

    Elka nodded. ¡°It didn¡¯t respond to anything Ma gave him after s¡ª surgery.¡± Elka turned a considering look on Llew. ¡°How often have you been s¡ª sick? Cough, fever, runny nose?¡±

    ¡°Never.¡± She¡¯d never paused to wonder about that before, either.

    Elka smiled. ¡°Anything that hurts you ends up dead before you even notice.¡±

    Well, not anything that hurt Llew. And certainly not anyone.

    ¡°What if I can¡¯t fix him?¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll inject him with blood for the rest of his life.¡± Elka replaced the oil on its shelf.

    That was annoyingly practical, and not the miracle answer Llew was digging for. ¡°Which could be how long, or short?¡±

    Elka shrugged again, pairing it with a sorrowful grimace. ¡°I loved him in the books, you know? But he never got s¡ª sick in them, barely even injured. He just rode into town and dis¡ª spatched the bad guys and rode out again. He¡¯s different than everyone else. Better. S¡ª seems he can be broken and healed like most people. But a bug that can break what makes him him? I¡¯ve never even imagined ¡­¡±

    The question had been rhetorical anyway. Or desperate. Or both. Of course Elka had never seen such an illness before. No one had, except Braph, and even he hadn¡¯t seen it progress this far.

    ¡°If you can think of anything that might help fight Jonas¡¯s infection ¡­ I can reverse the symptoms, but it¡¯s too dangerous to fight the bug itself. Braph said I would have to drain the bug itself, and I don¡¯t know how to do that without draining Jonas, and I¡¯m not sure Jonas can use my blood to fight it himself. If you can think of anything, anything at all.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± Elka said.

    Llew paused to watch the cows a few moments, while Elka carried on to the homestead ahead. One dropped to her knees, then eased her bulk down to rest, while the other kept nibbling the short grass. They would need to be moved to more grass. Ard had pigs that would need checked on, too. And chickens. How many eggs awaited discovery? The farm needed them as much as they needed its sanctuary, while it lasted.

 Lies (part 1)

    Anya looked up from rearranging pans and skillets. ¡°How are the cows?¡± she asked.

    ¡°They have something called mast¡ª¡± Llew looked to Elka for help.

    ¡°Mastitis,¡± Elka supplied. ¡°We will fix that in a few days.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll need a day or two to design what you¡¯re after, anyway,¡± Rowan said from his seat at the dinner table. ¡°And a few wanders around the farm checking on things won¡¯t do my creative juices any harm.¡± He smiled. ¡°It¡¯s nice to be away from the confines of town. And this project of yours ¡­ I¡¯ve got a few flickers of how it could work already. Tomorrow, after breakfast, I¡¯ll pull out my notebook and you can tell me as much as you know about this Braph¡¯s work.¡±

    A shiver ran down Llew¡¯s spine at the mention of the magician¡¯s name. Would he ever cease to affect her like that?

    ¡°They found pork jerky in a smoke house.¡± Anya indicated the table, now spread with plates, mugs, food, and a jug of water. ¡°The only bread we¡¯ve got is what you brought with you, but it should be enough for today. There are a few preserves here, too.¡±

    Llew¡¯s stomach growled. Yes, food would be wonderful.

    ¡°Great work. Thanks.¡± She clambered over the bench seat between Rowan and Jonas and sat. Her shoulder bumped Jonas¡¯s as she pulled a bite from the bread, and she gave him a smile, which he returned. The small interaction lit her up. It felt good to sit beside him. Relief, first and foremost, but also like a quick breath before diving under again. His strength would wane, and she would need to keep propping him up, until they could find a permanent solution. But they had now, and she wasn¡¯t about to ruin that by thinking about then; past or future.

    She caught a glimpse of Karlani¡¯s twisted lips across the table as Alvaro made room for Elka to sit beside him, opposite her brother.

    ¡°Luckily, some of the chickens are laying.¡± Anya continued. ¡°So, we might look to get the range going tonight¡ª¡± She paused, looking between Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani. ¡°If everyone agrees we can afford the smoke coming from the chimney.¡±

    The three assessed each other. Rowan shrugged. ¡°They¡¯ll check this place if we make our mark or not, right?¡±

    ¡°Likely,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make our mark,¡± Karlani said. ¡°I need to eat.¡±

    ¡°I do love a woman with an appetite.¡± Alvaro smirked.

    ¡°You have no idea.¡± Karlani snapped up a large chunk of jerky from the plate in the middle of the table and took a big bite, meeting Llew¡¯s flat stare as she chewed.

    Llew dearly wanted to tell Karlani she had no right to be so cocky in their company, but she kind of did. They needed her strength.

    ¡°If you want to be of help, we need to do Merrid and Ard the dignity of bringing them down and giving them a proper farewell. We also need to be thinking about defense systems; some sort of alarm, at least. We need to know the moment we¡¯re discovered. We need to give ourselves a fighting chance.¡±

    ¡°This place is too big to defend,¡± Karlani said. ¡°I¡¯m Syakaran, but there¡¯s only one of me.¡±

    ¡°Then get creative.¡± Llew had no time for anything less than compliance. She had a mission. ¡°Jonas and Anya might have some ideas.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Anya startled from where she had been pottering at the kitchen bench.

    Llew shrugged. ¡°I figure you¡¯ve probably read something useful some time.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes. Although, I¡¯m usually better at remembering which book the information was in, rather than the actual wording, but I¡¯ll see what I can recall. Oh! Speaking of which, Al, go get the¡ª the thing from the bunker.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

    Anya rolled her eyes and huffed, exaggeratedly bunched the front of her dress and headed for the door.

    ¡°I can get it.¡± Rowan stood. ¡°Whatever and wherever it is.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± Alvaro extracted himself from the table. ¡°I¡¯ll get it. I know what she¡¯s talking about.¡±

    Rowan sat back down, and Llew exchanged shrugging glances with everyone at the table before turning to Anya for answers as the door closed behind Alvaro.

    ¡°Alvaro and I slept down there last night, in separate beds, of course.¡± Anya patted down her dress to ensure it hung properly again. ¡°And¡ª Oh, fine. It would¡¯ve been better to say ¡®ta da¡¯ as he walks back in here, but he¡¯s going to take too long, isn¡¯t he?¡± Anya puffed out a breath. ¡°We found Jonas¡¯s vest with the knives. At least, we assume it¡¯s yours.¡± She glanced at Jonas and grimaced. ¡°Maybe Llew could wear it?¡±

    Huh? Llew looked around the table. Surely someone else would be better suited to wearing the vest. Karlani? Hmm. Llew¡¯s feelings blocked any contemplation of that option, no matter how pragmatic. Alvaro? Urgh, not with the way he felt about Jonas. Rowan?

    He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve got some things in the carriage; besides, my guess is it¡¯s a little tight across the shoulders.¡± He glanced Jonas¡¯s way, who conceded with a nod. ¡°It¡¯s probably best suited to you.¡±

    It surprised Llew how seeing Alvaro walk in brandishing Jonas¡¯s knife vest troubled her ¨C a carelessness that could simply be his own disinterest, or a jibe at Jonas ¨C and she was relieved when Anya took it from him and held it up, opened.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Put it on,¡± Jonas murmured.

    Llew stood and slipped an arm through, turning so Anya could assist with the other, then buckled it. It was a little too big, though not by much.

    ¡°Looks good on you,¡± Jonas said.

    Llew straightened, herself and the knife vest. Yes, she could imagine it did look good on her. All those blades easily at her disposal did boost her confidence.

    After lunch, Rowan set off to survey the land, to see how the sheep, pigs, chickens, and other livestock fared, and to let his imagination play with what he knew of Braph¡¯s inventions and how he could apply that to Jonas. Alvaro and Karlani reluctantly headed out to cut down Merrid and Ard¡¯s bodies.

    After checking that Jonas was still holding up with the blood she had given him earlier, Llew and Elka returned to the cows to check if their earlier ministrations were holding, or if they would need more constant care. The briefest of tingles passed from Llew to each of them.

    Elka inspected the udders and acknowledged Llew¡¯s evident disappointment with a tight smile. ¡°The oil and their own bodies will fight the infection. They already look better.¡±

    ¡°Can I afford to sleep tonight?¡±

    ¡°I think s¡ª so. It won¡¯t kill them to wait the night, but I¡¯m sure they would like relief if you happened to wake in the night.¡±

    The cow Llew was scratching behind the ear leaned into the sensation, drawing a smile from Llew. ¡°Well, I had better not let you down, huh?¡±

    <hr>

    Jonas fell forward on his left foot, swinging the crutches out in front to catch him. So far, so good. He brought his right leg through in a natural motion, but when he shifted his weight to stand on the foot, it wasn¡¯t where it needed to be. Instead of the foot being in front of him, ready to catch him and roll into the next step, the knee was bent, so the calf hung down, and the toe pointed to the gravel directly beneath him, not out in front. He shifted his weight back to his left leg, swung his right leg back, flung it forward again, and leaned into it, catching the heel on the ground and rolling onto the flat of the foot before it could succumb to gravity again. Not a natural stride at all. This was going to take some getting used to.

    He kept the stride on his prosthetic foot short and caught his weight on his real left foot again and shaded his eyes against the late afternoon sun to watch Alvaro and Karlani¡¯s efforts. They¡¯d been discussing the merits of simply cutting the ropes and letting the bodies fall. Luckily, Alvaro had been squeamish enough not to want to risk rupturing anything. Karlani was up the top of the wooden frame, had cut the rope Merrid hung from, and was easing it down as far as she could reach for Alvaro to facilitate the final lowering of the woman¡¯s body.

    It was hard seeing the farming couple that way. They had deserved better, and they certainly hadn¡¯t deserved to hang.

    But it was done, and dwelling on it wasn¡¯t going to change the fact, while practicing walking would improve his proficiency. Back to it, then. He hopped a little farther forward on his left leg to give himself a good arc to swing his right leg through and repeated the weight shift to catch the heel at the right time.

    Footsteps crushed gravel and he looked up to see Llew coming from the cow paddock.

    ¡°How are they?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Good.¡± She pursed her lips as she approached, so Jonas leaned in for a kiss. In a quick moment, Llew smiled her pleasure, glanced past Jonas, looked ever so briefly like she might cry, swallowed that down, then gripped Jonas¡¯s collar and pulled him in for a deeper kiss. He ran his tongue along her top lip and imagined things were different; they were here on their own, he was whole, healthy, they hadn¡¯t lost anyone, and no one wanted them dead. But needing such perfection would doom their real relationship to failure, so he switched off that thinking and focused on the feel and taste of her in the midst of their reality. That reality wasn¡¯t just ¡®good enough¡¯; it was damned near perfect.

    Llew pulled back, resting her forehead against his, and Jonas suspected she was right there with him. Dreams were nice, but reality was better. Always would be, no matter how much it hurt.

    Llew twisted her head so she could see past him while maintaining forehead contact, as Ard¡¯s almost fully desiccated corpse touched the ground. Jonas swiveled to face the same way; shoulder-to-shoulder would have to do.

    ¡°You¡¯ll want to say goodbye,¡± he murmured, for want of something better to say.

    ¡°I wish I didn¡¯t have to.¡±

    ¡°You and me, both.¡± Jonas shifted so both crutches were under one arm and placed his other arm across Llew¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much time we¡¯ll have to do it properly once we¡¯ve got them down. I¡¯m not real clued up on the Turhmos wildlife. There weren¡¯t much at the border, I can tell you that much.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Llew inspected her palms, as if they alone were guilty. ¡°I suppose there wasn¡¯t.¡±

    Movement had them both turning to watch Rowan make his way down the grassy slope. He carried something, like an item of clothing ¡­ Leather. A knife vest.

    Jonas¡¯s blood ran cold, his eyes burned hot, and he was thrown right back to the day Hisham died, when Jonas himself had been little more than a shell and had done nothing but get his best friend killed and Llew caged. The sense of hopelessness and remorse settled in his bones.

    ¡°Hisham,¡± Llew said, slipped free of Jonas¡¯s arm, and started forward as Rowan swung himself over the fence.

    ¡°I hope this won¡¯t offend you, since I figure that must have been your friend,¡± Rowan said as he drew near. ¡°But I also figured he¡¯d rather we put these to use since he won¡¯t be needing them anymore.¡± He twisted the vest, showing off the knife handles. ¡°It¡¯s a bit gross, sorry.¡± He drew the vest back as Llew approached. ¡°It¡¯ll need a clean.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s gaze followed every move of the vest. Holes, rimmed with dark stains, punctured the back, and a last few maggots fell from its folds.

    ¡°Where is he?¡± Llew asked.

    Rowan nodded back over his shoulder. ¡°Just over the rise. It¡¯s been a while.¡± He grimaced.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We need to bring him down, pay our respects.¡± Llew looked back to where Alvaro and Karlani had laid out a couple of old blankets and were positioning the farmers¡¯ corpses on them for transport.

    ¡°It might help that I think I found a family plot. At least, there are several cairns in a paddock in a shallow valley behind the house.¡±

    ¡°Perfect.¡± Llew¡¯s shoulders dropped in relief, and she flashed Jonas a quick smile. ¡°Something tells me Merrid and Ard would welcome Hisham into their family.¡±

    ¡°He loved Merrid¡¯s stew.¡± Such an innocuous thing to say when his best friend lay dead from Jonas¡¯s own stupidity and inaction. What did Jonas believe about reality? It hurt. Regardless, they couldn¡¯t return Hisham to Quaver. ¡°But he would¡¯ve expected a cremation.¡± Though, he supposed it wouldn¡¯t make much difference this long after his demise.

    Llew turned back to Jonas and pulled him into a hug, and he returned it. A salve on a festering wound. They¡¯d lost so many. He squeezed her to him.

 Lies (part 2)

    Karlani insisted on eating before digging burial holes. Jonas couldn¡¯t blame her. The Syakaran metabolism was a boon when based at the Taither barracks or Lord Gaemil Tovias¡¯s estate. It had its downsides when traveling, especially on a budget. Luckily for Karlani, there was a stockpile of reasonably fresh eggs, for now, at least.

    Llew asked how Jonas was feeling, and he had to admit to a loss of vigor already. She showed no distress, which he was grateful for, simply asked Elka to help them, ensuring a barrier between them as Llew replenished her blood between filling syringes.

    Stepping from the house, Karlani paused to watch. She walked closer. ¡°Aenuks can¡¯t heal Kara.¡± Her voice held the barest hint of a question.

    ¡°But Kara can heal themselves.¡± Llew pressed her hand to an Ajnai while Elka lined up needle to vein for Jonas.

    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t fix him, does it? He¡¯s still got the ¡­ bug ¡­ thing.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know how to fight it, yet. But we will.¡±

    ¡°Hm.¡± It wasn¡¯t obviously dismissive, but Karlani backed up and walked off to join Rowan and Alvaro at the family graveyard without another word.

    Once Jonas insisted he felt fit enough to walk to the cemetery, Elka returned indoors to help Anya with dinner preparations, leaving Llew and Jonas to make their way across the yards between homestead and sheds, and across a paddock to a smaller fenced off area already home to several grave markers.

    The land had a gentle, rolling quality to it, meaning not a single paddock was flat. Quite different to much of Quaver, yet Jonas found he liked it. It wasn¡¯t so easy to get around with a false leg and crutches, but there was a tenor about the land itself that touched his core and made him feel like he belonged here. He almost laughed. Him ¨C not just any Quaven; Syakaran ¨C feeling settled in the heart of Turhmos. It didn¡¯t gel with his upbringing, and yet he couldn¡¯t deny that something about this land called to him. This land where Hisham¡¯s journey had ended, where his best friend would be committed for eternity.

    Merrid and Ard¡¯s shrouded bodies lay beside a large, deep hole, and Hisham¡¯s remains, such as they were, lay not far away by a narrower hole, striking a lonely figure in death. If he got the chance, Jonas would see about getting a message to Hisham¡¯s mother, and Gilana. He thought it likely both women would appreciate the closure, if not the reality of it.

    Rowan, Karlani, and Alvaro left the small fenced off area as Llew and Jonas arrived.

    Rowan raised his shovel. ¡°Signal when you¡¯re ready.¡±

    Alvaro reached a hand out to Llew¡¯s arm. ¡°They were real nice,¡± he said, then met Jonas¡¯s eye. ¡°And I¡ª I liked Hisham.¡± He stood a moment longer, like he thought he should say more, then continued on to wait with the other two, leaving Llew and Jonas to their mourning.

    Jonas looked on what remained of Hisham and remembered their years together. So few, now he thought on it. Not even a decade of friendship between them. They¡¯d often farewelled each other at the Quaven-Turhmos border with brotherly love, preparing to never meet again, to return at the end of a campaign to shoulder slaps and bear hugs. It was routine to say what needed said, just in case, but they¡¯d never gone so far as to believe it necessary. At least, Jonas hadn¡¯t. Faster and stronger than anyone else on the battlefield, he¡¯d had little to fear. And he knew Hisham¡¯s abilities. Not Syakaran, no, but a talented soldier, a man always destined to put his body, his everything on the line for a greater purpose.

    But on this farm, on that day, Jonas had been so caught up in his own losses, he¡¯d shut down, while Hisham had stood up. And Hisham had fallen. And, for once, they¡¯d not said their goodbyes. The one time they had needed to. The one time it would¡¯ve counted.

    Llew stepped in close, put her arm around his waist, and he adjusted his crutches and embraced her shoulders.

    ¡°I wish I¡¯d had a chance to know him better,¡± she murmured. ¡°And Merrid and Ard ¡­ It was like having family again.¡± Her voice tremored. Jonas squeezed her gently.

    He didn¡¯t know what he would¡¯ve said had he known it would be his and Hisham¡¯s last time. He didn¡¯t know what to say now. Every fond memory he had of the man was now colored by the betrayal of keeping the secret of what really happened to Kierra and their child, Joelin. Hisham had been a good friend for many years; fun, and a true partner in all their adolescent mischief. But when it had mattered, his loyalty had been with Aris, not Jonas. Maybe he¡¯d considered it as loyalty to Quaver, but Quaver would¡¯ve wanted the child, if they¡¯d known he lived. Aris should¡¯ve, too, if he hadn¡¯t risked whatever deal he¡¯d struck with Braph coming to light. For over a year Hisham had known Jonas¡¯s son lived, and he¡¯d not breathed a word.

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    Llew glanced at Jonas, her eyes questioning, and he realized his anger had leaked through a tension in his arm, and likely showed on his face. He forced himself to relax, gave her a brief smile and rubbed her shoulder, just in case he¡¯d squeezed too hard.

    She returned the empty smile and turned back to the bodies, thinking her own thoughts about Hisham, or Merrid and Ard, and Jonas found himself gazing on her profile. If he¡¯d wanted proof of his friend¡¯s loyalty, she stood before him. She, the Aenuk Hisham had protected at Jonas¡¯s request, against his own deeply ingrained biases. Hisham¡¯s betrayal cut deep, but it was a single failing in years of friendship. And, if Jonas pushed himself to be charitable, he could sympathize with Hisham¡¯s position, being stuck between his friend and what he perceived as his country¡¯s wishes. Llew was Aenuk, and Jonas had learned to see beyond that. He could learn to forgive Hisham. Besides, Joelin still lived, Jonas still had a chance to reclaim him. Hisham was gone, his own dreams gone with him.

    Jonas turned back to the remains and projected a silent apology for his doubts and his own actions that had led to the loss of his best friend¡¯s life. And full forgiveness for that single failure.

    He raised his hand to signal Rowan, figuring there wasn¡¯t much point prolonging things, and the three moved in to lower the bodies into the graves. Rowan jumped into the hole dug for Merrid and Ard and signaled the other two to ease Ard over the edge while he kept the descent as dignified as possible. And so the farmers¡¯ bodies were lowered into their final resting place alongside their ancestors, or maybe even their children, and Jonas lamented they had not known the couple well enough.

    ¡°What¡¯s it all for?¡± Llew kept her voice low, the question just between them. ¡°What did they die for?¡±

    Jonas just shook his head. He understood that the Turhmos troops who¡¯d killed the farmers either did so for a cause they believed in, or simply because that was what they had been told to do. He¡¯d been the same. He¡¯d believed in Quaver, believed Aenuks were evil, and if not evil then too great a danger to allow to exist in any great number, preferably zero. The fact that belief had fractured the minute he¡¯d tested it left him hollow. His life had been dedicated to that lie right up until he¡¯d met Llew. After, if he was honest. Really, it had taken Aris revealing the full truth before Jonas had been ready to let it all go.

    Turhmos may have been right to fight for the lives of Aenuks, but not so they could live in their cages. Cages Merrid and Ard had worked to free them from.

    He had denied Llew the opportunity to run from Brurun to fight for her freedom with a full-strength Jonas at her side. He¡¯d believed that no matter how strong he was, he couldn¡¯t stand up to an entire nation. And here he was, broken and weak, planning to stand up against two. He looked back at the shrouded bodies and acknowledged the cost. Too high. But Merrid and Ard had been prepared to die for the freedom of Aenuks. They¡¯d known the risk when they built their bunker and with each Aenuk they helped out of Turhmos. Hisham, like Jonas himself, had been prepared to die for their entrenched beliefs. Jonas hadn¡¯t been prepared to die for Aenuk liberation, not even Llew¡¯s, but Hisham had.

    What was it all for?

    ¡°Lies.¡± He ground out the word. ¡°Lies planted by Aris that the world can¡¯t afford for Aenuks to live free. Lies upheld by both Quaver and Turhmos; even believed in Brurun, and Aghacia, and maybe farther afield.¡± He met Llew¡¯s gaze. ¡°Lies that I believed for too long. Lies that you and me are gonna rip apart, or die tryin¡¯.¡±

    Llew¡¯s eyes came alive, and she smiled. Then she pulled him into a hug. Only relying on the one crutch, Jonas brought his other arm up around her. Then Llew leaned back, framed his face with her hands and kissed him, pressing firmly, inviting him to respond deeply. He did.

    Karlani¡¯s eye-roll was practically audible as she murmured something about this being meant to be a funeral. Funny how those with the least hurt thought they knew how the heartbroken should behave, for that¡¯s what this was. It hurt just as much to look on Hisham¡¯s shrouded body as it had to see him shot. And Merrid and Ard had not deserved to hang.

    After a while, they pulled back from each other, standing forehead to forehead for a few moments as they sought peace in their pain. And finally, they parted fully as Rowan clambered from the first hole and dropped into Hisham¡¯s, whose remains were sparse and disconnected, and being buried so far from home, and yet, the Karan soldier who had greeted Merrid with such warmth on their return here would likely consider this right. He¡¯d been raised as a ward of Quaver. Jonas believed Hisham¡¯s mother had loved him, but he¡¯d also never sought her out when their time had been less regimented by the army, while he¡¯d blossomed here on this farm, eyes sparkling and a joyful conversation, even over a bowl of dishwater. This farm, so far from Taither, so central to Turhmos, was home. Not just to Hisham.

    Llew kept pace with Jonas¡¯s hobbled stride and they returned to the homestead in silence, only broken before they stepped up to the porch as Llew turned to Jonas, pulled him in to a tight hold, and sobbed into his shoulder, finally letting go. And he held her, cheek to her hair, and gave her every ounce of strength he had to give.

 Genius Bastard (part 1)

    Braph, Orinia, and Orin entered Taither an hour or so past midday, beneath a powerful spring sun masked by a layer of cloud. The streets were quiet. Not surprising given that it was around ten days since first the arrival of his automatons. Braph estimated that the affected Kara would have shown signs of weakness within a day of being injected. By now, the first would be dying. He had pondered that his family may arrive to mass panic, but subdued worry was just as feasible. Quaver¡¯s best were dying and, while they may be able to tie the deaths to the arrival of Braph¡¯s machines, they would have no idea what was happening or what they could do about it. Each minute, Braph sensed his own importance grow as the Karan race became incrementally rarer.

    Despite the first grumble from his stomach, Braph led his family down the streets that would take them to Llewella¡¯s memorial garden. His hunger for the pulsating Ajnai would always trump a mere human need to eat.

    Someone screamed perhaps a street away. Another yell. A door slammed. Another scream. Running feet, fast, catching up. A whirring whine.

    The Karan rushed past, blubbering.

    The flying automaton stopped its chase as it drew level with Braph and matched pace with him. Braph waved a dismissive hand at it and brought up his shield, camouflaging his Karanness. The automaton shot off after the fleeing Karan again.

    ¡°Was that one of yours?¡± Orinia asked. ¡°What do they get out of Kara?¡±

    ¡°I helped dad build some of them.¡± Orin skipped to catch up with the adults and beamed at this mother.

    ¡°Indeed you did, son.¡± A sense of pride washed through Braph and he considered that he might be a good father, having created many an opportunity to bond with his son over the years.

    ¡°These ones don¡¯t suck. They inject.¡± Orin¡¯s eyes sparkled with the opportunity to tell his mother how clever he was.

    ¡°Aenuk blood? Or Immortal?¡± Orinia scowled. Confusion rather than anger.

    Braph laughed. She was right. He wouldn¡¯t be so benevolent. Although ¡­ ¡°A gift to the world.¡± He smirked. ¡°The end of Karan violence. The end of war between Quaver and Turhmos.¡±

    ¡°You are Karan.¡±

    ¡°A non-violent one.¡±

    Orinia considered that a moment. Certainly she had never seen him in a fight. She hadn¡¯t attended the battle with Aris, as heavily pregnant as she had been at the time.

    Braph continued. ¡°And a magician, of course. A man about to change the course of our world.¡± He smiled at her and was surprised to find himself hungry for her praise. ¡°For the better. For our son.¡±

    She clasped his hand and leaned in for a kiss even as screaming filled the air around them. Braph¡¯s automatons had returned to Quaver.

    <hr>

    Llew entered the kitchen numb. Anya scooped her into a hug while Jonas eased himself into a seat at the table. Elka continued to potter at the kitchen bench.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Llew.¡± Anya¡¯s heartfelt effort to comfort landed empty. Of course there was nothing more she could say. Anya hadn¡¯t met Merrid and Ard, could never understand what the world had lost. And she¡¯d had little to do with Hisham. Still, Llew appreciated the effort.

    Released, Llew picked up the water jug, but it was empty. She was about to head for the well with it, when running footsteps sounded outside. What now?

    Alvaro swung the door wide, Rowan puffing behind him.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem.¡± Alvaro said. ¡°Come. There¡¯s a¡ª thing you have to see.¡±

    ¡°A thing?¡±

    Alvaro shook his head. ¡°Just come.¡±

    Llew queried Rowan, but all he would offer was tightly pressed lips and a shake of the head.

    Llew gave Jonas a grimace and he waved her on. He was sore and tired after the walk back, anyway.

    The first thing Llew noticed when she stepped outside was Karlani almost naked by the well, and becoming more so, peeling the leg of her trousers over her heel, her large, unbound breasts in full view. Ard had spoken of the well being a draw to the farm. If anyone happened by now, it wouldn¡¯t be thirst pulling them in. Not for water, anyway.

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    Rowan made a choking sound.

    Water dripped from Karlani¡¯s hair. Trousers thrown clear, she rubbed at her forearm then reached for the bucket and doused her entire body, dropped the bucket, and scrubbed her palms around her ribs, shoulders, chest. Llew wasn¡¯t sure from their distance, but it looked like Karlani may have been crying. She looked sharply at Alvaro.

    ¡°Not that.¡± Alvaro scowled at Rowan, then beckoned Llew. ¡°Come.¡± He led them back to the farm cemetery.

    Alvaro pointed at the ground by what remained of the dirt pile they¡¯d been shoveling over Merrid, Ard¡¯s, and Hisham¡¯s corpses.

    Llew stepped closer. Thin, curved pieces of glass lay amongst the sparse, dry grass and dirt. If fitted together, they might have made a sphere.

    ¡°It came straight for Karlani, like she was what it was looking for,¡± Alvaro said.

    ¡°It¡ª?¡± Llew turned to him.

    Rowan bent down and fished something up off the ground. He held up a fine piece of metal. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such delicate work.¡±

    Llew felt sick and her body tingled with the desire to put as much distance between herself and the metal ¡­ leg ¨C for that was all she could think of it as ¨C as possible. ¡°Braph,¡± she pushed the name out. ¡°Braph made that.¡± It could be no one else.

    Llew¡¯s skin crawled with visceral memories of the metallic critters crawling over her as she was tied down in Braph¡¯s lair, piercing her skin, drinking her blood. She wanted to run, vomit. She most definitely did not want to stay anywhere near these finds. But no one else knew what they were looking at. She pressed fingernails into palms. The real sensation forced down those based on memory, helping to keep her panic in check.

    Rowan collected another prize from nearby, another leg, this one jointed and still attached to a couple of tiny cogs.

    Llew took another step back.

    ¡°It flew around her¡ª¡± Alvaro started.

    ¡°Flew?!¡± Llew looked everywhere, up, down, spinning around. There would be others. Was it really there for Karlani? Or could Braph have sent it for Llew¡¯s blood? He had her mother, and his son. Could his appetite be so insatiable? Her panic rose, but where could she hide from flying machines?

    ¡°The ¨C I don¡¯t know, bauble? ¨C held some sort of jelly.¡± Alvaro pulled his knife and crouched to scoop up a sample from the ground. A viscous liquid partially stuck to the blade while excess sloughed back to the dirt. ¡°Karlani swatted it, but the bauble broke, and she got some on her arm. She¡¯s afraid it could be what Jonas has.¡±

    Llew supposed the critters could inject just as well as suck. Alvaro was saying they could fly now. Llew¡¯s whole body shook. She could think of little worse.

    ¡°It targeted Karlani?¡±

    ¡°Hm hmm.¡± Alvaro nodded.

    ¡°Yeah. It didn¡¯t show any interest in us,¡± Rowan confirmed.

    ¡°It might not have been after Karlani specifically ¡­ It flew?¡± Llew was still struggling with that idea. The crawling bloodsuckers had been bad enough. Her skin tingled and her leg muscles itched to move her somewhere, anywhere, away. But there was no away if those things could fly. ¡°Maybe it was trained to hunt Kara.¡±

    ¡°Do you think this could be what Jonas has?¡± Alvaro lifted the knife slightly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It was on the tip of a crossbow bolt; it might be sticky like that.¡±

    ¡°But Braph is Karan,¡± Rowan stated. ¡°Why would he send these things out to inject Kara with something that would weaken them?¡±

    ¡°Braph¡¯s also a magician. He can probably just tell them to leave him be.¡± Llew sneered, her hatred of the man almost eclipsing her fear of the flying metal creatures.

    ¡°Bastard,¡± Alvaro said at the same time Rowan murmured, ¡°Genius.¡±

    Rowan looked up, perhaps sensing Llew¡¯s horror. ¡°Sorry. I know how you feel about him.¡±

    No. Llew didn¡¯t think he would ever understand.

    ¡°But,¡± Rowan continued, ¡°the man is a genius.¡±

    ¡°And he uses that genius to hurt people. If that¡¯s not his intention, at the very least he doesn¡¯t try to avoid it. But this ¡­¡± Llew waved her hand at the sticky gel Alvaro still balanced on his knife. ¡°That¡¯s got to be intentional. He must be sending them out to target Kara. It¡¯ll devastate the Quaven army. The entire nation.¡±

    ¡°What does it do to non-Kara?¡± Alvaro asked. He stepped back, straightening his arm to distance his core from the gel.

    Llew shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Rowan, too, took a step back from the knife, and took a second look at the pieces of metal in his palm. There were too many ¡¯ifs¡¯. And if non-Kara could be infected, and if contact were enough, Rowan was already in trouble.

 Genius Bastard (part 2)

    ¡°We don¡¯t know that this is what¡¯s hurting Jonas, but I think it¡¯s best we assume it is. If I can cure Jonas ¡­¡± She nibbled her lip. Nothing they¡¯d done so far suggested she could heal him fully without getting to the tree in Taither, and her theory relied on Jonas¡¯s connection to that tree. No one else could count on that. She looked in the direction of the well, though the homestead blocked her view. Karlani was right to fear getting infected. Llew had no idea if she could help the Syakaran woman. Or even if she would. And she didn¡¯t know if she would have long enough to make a choice.

    ¡°Contain it as best you can and come and eat,¡± Llew said. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t want animals spreading it. I¡¯ll talk to Karlani.¡±

    Alvaro gripped Llew¡¯s shoulder before she turned away. ¡°Karlani said this is the second one she¡¯s had come at her. The first was a few days ago, it was heavier, more full. She smashed it with a stick and doesn¡¯t think any of that stuff got on her, but she also had no idea what it was. She¡¯s real scared this time. Some splashed on her skin. And she¡¯s seen Jonas ¡­¡±

    Llew clenched her teeth on a rebuttal. They¡¯d all seen Jonas. A man with so much to live for. Why should he fade and Karlani live? It didn¡¯t seem fair for Karlani to remain unscathed, but she couldn¡¯t speak such an uncharitable thought. Should she even think it? Llew was Aenuk: healer. What would the likes of Raena do when faced with such a choice? Certainly, it wasn¡¯t a choice to be made in an instant. She nodded her understanding and Alvaro released her.

    Llew returned to the homestead ¨C already having noted the absence of Karlani by the well ¨C to find the Syakaran woman in the back corner of the kitchen, still naked and vigorously rubbing at herself with a towel. And sobbing.

    Anya stood by her, pleading with Karlani to let them help her. She turned a helpless look Llew¡¯s way.

    ¡°Al and Rowan will come in soon,¡± Llew said. ¡°We might as well eat.¡±

    Karlani stopped her scrubbing and turned a dark scowl on Llew. ¡°Food? You need me whole and all you can do is talk about food? You need me. You need to fix this.¡±

    ¡°And you saw how it was done. Now, tell me you want my blood injected into you for no good reason. We don¡¯t know if what was in that thing is what Jonas has. We don¡¯t know if skin-contact means you¡¯re infected. And we won¡¯t know if you¡¯re infected for a few days¡ª¡±

    ¡°One,¡± Jonas said. ¡°I knew somethin¡¯ wasn¡¯t right after a day. She¡¯ll know.¡±

    Llew closed her eyes. By the time Jonas had admitted his weakness to her, he¡¯d been suffering in silence for days? Llew wished he¡¯d felt he could have told her, not that she would¡¯ve known how to fix him, and she doubted Braph would¡¯ve helped any earlier. But, still. They could¡¯ve done something.

    Llew took a breath, opened her eyes, placed herself behind Jonas and rested her hands on his shoulders. Why had he not trusted her? A conversation for another time.

    ¡°Well, I suppose, the sooner we know, the sooner we can decide what we¡¯re going to do about it.¡±

    ¡°Decide? What is there to decide?¡±

    Llew held Karlani¡¯s gaze, a fury heating her. ¡°Even if you want my blood, you think I¡¯m just going to give it to you? You who held me down while Aris killed our babies?¡±

    As Llew spoke, the door opened and Alvaro entered, holding the handle of a cast iron pot at arm¡¯s length. He stopped, staring between Llew and Karlani.

    ¡°Bacon and eggs.¡± Rowan stepped through the door, avoiding Alvaro and carrying a bowl, and also paused. ¡°Ah ¡­¡±

    Karlani met Llew¡¯s glare with an impassive gaze, wrapped the towel around her and rolled it to secure it. ¡°Well, yes, I suppose you would bring that up.¡±

    Llew almost laughed off the dismissal, rage trembling through her. She had to focus on not squeezing Jonas¡¯s shoulders too hard, and put the energy into a firm but gentle massage. He partially turned his head in query, but accepted her ministrations.

    Karlani looked Elka up and down, noting her twisted hands, then glared at Anya. ¡°Somebody wash my clothes. And find me something else to wear in the meantime.¡± With a huff, she sat on the seat across the table from Jonas, not looking at anyone.

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    Llew looked to Anya, whose eyebrows raised in question. Indeed; why did they have to put up with the Syakaran woman? While Llew¡¯s first instinct was that Braph¡¯s bug couldn¡¯t have infected a more deserving person, she also couldn¡¯t help harboring some sympathy for Karlani. Underneath every action Llew was taking, every decision she was making, the fact that Jonas might weaken to the point of dying under her watch kept a certain anxiety buzzing at the edge of her conscience. The only thing keeping her going was the shred of hope she could heal him, returning him to full strength. But that belief relied on his connection to the Taither Ajnai. Karlani didn¡¯t have that. But she did have the advantage of early warning, if Llew could bring herself to give blood to the Syakaran woman who had ruined her life.

    Alvaro placed his pot on the stove, glanced at Llew and eased around the table to sit by Karlani.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± he murmured.

    ¡°No.¡± Karlani clipped the word, anger protecting her, but for a waiver in her tone that tugged on Llew¡¯s hint of sympathy that she really didn¡¯t want to feel for this woman.

    Rowan placed his bowl on the bench and looked around the room, seeking Anya who emerged from the main bedroom with a selection of garments.

    ¡°Good,¡± she said, placing the clothing in Karlani¡¯s lap. ¡°Before we do anything else, I think we all need a good feed.¡± She met Llew¡¯s eye with a gentle expression.

    She was right. But Llew was still reeling from the discovery of the flying automaton. They¡¯d just put their good friends in the ground, and now this? Not to mention the heat Karlani set boiling within. She felt crowded in that space, everyone looking to her for guidance and solutions she didn¡¯t have. The wrong string of words could tip Karlani into a despair or violent rage they couldn¡¯t afford. Or Llew might find herself unable to maintain her veneer of strength and she might admit how little faith she had in her own plans.

    She managed to say, ¡°Thanks, Anya. I¡¯m going outside for some air. I¡¯ll be back, I promise,¡± before words failed her.

    ¡°Really?¡± Karlani asked. ¡°You¡¯re running away?¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to Karlani like that,¡± Alvaro snapped.

    ¡°Hey, everyone. Can we have a little calm for a moment?¡± Rowan held up his hands to placate the room.

    ¡°Calm.¡± Karlani rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Just shut up, get dressed, and eat somethin¡¯,¡± Jonas said. ¡°We don¡¯t know anythin¡¯, yet. So all this? You¡¯re just suckin¡¯ energy out of the room. Give us all a minute, alright?¡±

    Karlani glared at him.

    Anya placed a hand on Llew¡¯s arm. ¡°Go,¡± she whispered. ¡°We can manage. I¡¯ll keep something aside for you.¡±

    Grateful, Llew stepped outside into blessed encroaching darkness and silence. Relative, of course, with sheep baaing in the distance, and the constant chatter of the chickens closer. Away from people and their expectations, at least. But those flying critters were out there, somewhere. She let the shudder rock her body this time, then stretched out her hearing, glossing over the warbles and chirps of birds, darting her eyes to follow whatever buzzed in the night, but that was all they were. Perfectly natural. She¡¯d never forget the clackety tapping of the metal legs on the stone floor. Likely, the critters would have a distinct sound when they flew, too.

    She sucked in and blew out a few deep breaths, trying to center herself in calm. It was safe out here, for now.

    The door swung open behind her.

    ¡°You need to fix me.¡±

    Llew closed her eyes and let her breath leave her body before turning to face Karlani again.

    ¡°You might not even be infected. And I¡¯m only asking for a few minutes. Please, Karlani.¡±

    ¡°Karlani.¡± Jonas stood in the doorway, leaning into a crutch, his voice full of the confidence he used to possess, Anya at his shoulder looking ready to take the Syakaran woman on herself.

    Karlani¡¯s eyelids shuttered briefly, and she rocked back on her heals. ¡°Fine. Have your little breakdown, or whatever, but you better pull yourself together, ¡¯cause this looks a whole lot like the beginning of a war, to me. A war you¡¯ll want Syakaran power to fight.¡±

    ¡°And a soldier gives her captain space to come up with a plan before a battle,¡± Jonas stated flatly.

    Karlani laughed, but she stepped back and back, then turned into the kitchen, Jonas let her pass.

    Llew acknowledged Jonas with a nod before turning back to her trees.

 Alone, Together (part 1)

    Braph pressed his fingers to the smooth bark, again mesmerized by the way the tree¡¯s shimmer responded to his touch, appearing to ripple out and wash back. While pale blues and pinks dominated, the full rainbow made appearances, if one watched closely. The effect would be truly impressive beneath a night sky. Romantic, even. But that was several hours away. Lights were pretty, but of no value to Braph.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± Orin murmured behind him obliterating any thoughts of romance. Children and romance did not mix.

    Orinia completed another circuit of the tree, her attention fully captured by the display, despite the continuing panic beyond the garden¡¯s borders. A true island of calm. She appeared not to need to check where she placed her feet; her gaze remained fixed on the rippling branches above, her mouth open.

    ¡°Ajnai,¡± she murmured, having only just learned the name herself.

    Braph was mildly curious at the fact Aenuks knew less about these trees than Quaven natives, but the fact that no modern Aenuks could expect to come across an Ajnai in their lifetime answered any potential questions before they fully formed.

    ¡°None other quite like this, though.¡± Braph pressed his hand flat against the tree. The shimmer washed out from under his touch and back again repetitively, a heartbeat, as if repelled by his touch, but desperate to refill the void created. ¡°Your daughter had this one planted. It is a memorial to your grandchildren.¡±

    Orinia winced each time Braph referred to her daughter. Even now, after he had assured her Llewella was once again free. He supposed there were some complexities when one had to choose between their children; not that Braph doubted for a minute Llewella held any sway verses himself and Orin. Still, Orinia¡¯s freedom had been won at the cost of Llewella¡¯s. A mother might be expected to have some feelings about that.

    At the mention of her grandchildren, though, she stopped and looked at him, all the unvoiced questions clear in that gaze.

    ¡°Yes. My brother and Llewella nearly became parents, but sadly lost the children early on. The unborn Immortals are buried here, beneath this tree.¡± Braph had Orin¡¯s attention now, too. ¡°There are Ajnais in Turhmos, too, but they don¡¯t shimmer like this. One can only imagine the power contained in this tree, what good it might do for the world.¡± For me, at least. He moved his hand, shifting the focal point of the ripples. A pretty light show, but he felt nothing. Likely, to access that power he would have to drain it out, just like with an Aenuk or Immortal donor. Luckily, he had expected as much and come prepared.

    ¡°Did they marry?¡±

    The inane question jolted Braph from his wonder. He shook off his musings and laughed. ¡°No. My brother¡¯s mission is to spread his oh-so-special seed far and wide.¡± He smirked at the revulsion on Orinia¡¯s face. How he loved her for it. ¡°Yes, Llewella got caught up in his apparent superiority. But she will learn.¡± He looked up into the rippling branches. ¡°Along with everyone else.¡±

    Out of curiosity, he lifted his flesh hand from the bark, pulled the glove off his metal hand and pressed it to the tree. He had no sense of touch through that hand, of course, but it was very much a part of him. The tree¡¯s rippling took on a frenetic rhythm. Yes, the tree had an awareness, and it didn¡¯t seem to like him much. He pulled the metal hand back, looked to Orinia. As much as she had looked at the tree tonight, she had yet to place a hand on it.

    ¡°Touch it,¡± he said. ¡°It is family, after all.¡±

    She looked to him before tentatively reaching for it. Just before she touched, Orin leaned in with his hand bared, pressing splayed fingers firmly across its surface.

    ¡°Ha!¡± he exclaimed at the lighting display he had set off; a quick pulsing.

    Orinia¡¯s fingertips brushed the bark gently. She swept them back and forth lightly, initiating an array of lighting effects. Then she pressed her hand flat and a gentle pulse set in around her touch like a calm breathing, revealing the full spectrum of colors in turn, while further around the tree, where Orin touched, the dominant pinks and blues surged out and in and swirled, almost ¨C if Braph allowed himself to believe such a thing ¨C as if the tree were panicking.

    Orin pulled his hand back and knocked the tree a couple of times with his knuckle and laughed at the display. He knocked it harder.

    ¡°Orin!¡± Orinia admonished.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a tree, Ma.¡± He took an inexpert boxer¡¯s stance, punched the tree lightly a couple of times. If he hit harder, he would be the one who hurt. Braph was pleased to see he wasn¡¯t so stupid, but the lighting effects were entertaining to an eight-year-old, he supposed.

    Braph tapped the bark with his metal index fingertip. Time to open you up.

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    He squeezed two sprung clips, pulled off the finger tip and reached into a pocket, released the fingertip into its depths and pulled out a proprietary drill bit that clicked into place via the same sprung mechanism. A brief pulse of magic to start the drill, followed by a lower intensity hum to maintain the rotation ¡­

    Orinia gasped. ¡°You¡ª¡± she began, but had the sense to stop there.

    Braph pressed the tip of the drill to the bark, applying just enough pressure to ease it through the wood without straining the bit or the mechanics behind it. The entire tree sent out surges of color outwards from the point where Braph made contact.

    ¡°You¡¯re hurting it,¡± Orinia whispered harshly.

    Braph gave her a flat look. ¡°It¡¯s a tree.¡±

    ¡°But look at it. It¡¯s reacting. It must feel.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a tree. It¡¯s full of power I can make better use of.¡± Braph stopped the drill to meet her eye and reach out his flesh hand to her wrist in what he thought might be a reassuring touch. ¡°Trust in my vision, my love. This is for the betterment of us all.¡±

    He turned his attention back to his drill tip, fitted it into the shallow divot he had already created, angled upwards. The bit was short, little over an inch, and he drilled until it disappeared. Then, with a thought, he reversed its spin and eased it back out. Sap beaded around the hole, puddled at the bottom lip and rolled down the trunk. Braph caught some with his flesh thumb and brought it to his tongue. Somewhat sweet, unsurprisingly woody, some sort of spicy tang, and a dirty, dusty undertone. He suspected that, like Aenuk blood, ingesting it would have no effect. Still, there was satisfaction in attaining it. Holding his drill fingertip out of the way, he fished in his pocket again and found his tubular funnel, lined it up with the hole, filled his muscles with Immortal magic from the crystal in his device, and gently hammered the funnel into the hole with the tip of his mechanical middle finger.

    He clicked his flesh fingers at Orin. ¡°Bag.¡±

    Orin swung the bag from his shoulders and placed it beside Braph. Honestly, what would be the point of bringing a child if he didn¡¯t carry something?

    ¡°Pot,¡± Braph stated plainly.

    ¡°It got me! I¡¯m going to die, aren¡¯t I?¡± Someone wailed out on the street.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know that.¡± Another voice.

    ¡°Yes we do,¡± the first voice sobbed, continuing past the garden. ¡°They started dying yesterday, too weak to even breathe. Oh, gods ¡­¡±

    Braph lined his pot up beneath the funnel. The sap flowed slowly. This would be an exercise in patience. So much patience.

    <hr>

    Llew hadn¡¯t had a moment alone in days. She needed time with her feelings without having to manage anyone else¡¯s.

    She crossed the carriageway to the Ajnai trees, sat beneath one and breathed. She wished she had Merrid and Ard¡¯s calm wisdom to turn to instead of their loss to mourn, Jonas broken and weak, Karlani possibly weakened, too, and Braph ¡­ Braph with his mind-control and flying machines. Would he ever leave them in peace? She was starting to think she might never find peace again while that man lived.

    She looked up to find Jonas still standing at the door, leaning heavily on his crutch, and gave him a small smile. He accepted his other crutch from Anya and maneuvered his way onto the porch. Llew sat watching him, figuring it more likely he¡¯d want to make his way alone than have her rush to help. Anya stayed at the door, also watching. Jonas¡¯s prosthetic had a cuff cushioned with rags for his thigh to sit in, a hinged knee and a sculpted lower leg and foot connected by a second, less mobile joint. Jonas had to concentrate for each step he made on it. Other than his awkward gait, though, he looked much as he had when they¡¯d met, in shirt and trousers, with long hair and a few days¡¯ shadow covering his jaw. No hat, though. Perhaps there was one amongst Ard¡¯s things. Once he was on the carriageway itself, Anya closed the door.

    ¡°I thought maybe you weren¡¯t wantin¡¯ to be, uh, alone alone,¡± Jonas said as he reached Llew.

    ¡°Depends how much talking you want me to do.¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯t gotta talk. Don¡¯t even have to listen, if you don¡¯t want to. I don¡¯t have much to say. Just thought ¡­ Well, maybe you wanted to be alone ¡­ in company.¡±

    Llew smiled. ¡°That¡¯d be nice.¡±

    ¡°Give me a hand to get up after?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Llew patted the ground beside her.

    Jonas let his crutches drop, leaned on the tree, and eased himself down on his good leg, letting the prosthetic slide out in front. As he sat beside her, he nudged her with a shoulder and grinned at her. ¡°That feels right strange, but at least it don¡¯t hurt, thanks to you and your blood.¡± He grimaced at the last. He didn¡¯t like using her blood like that. Llew didn¡¯t mind and shrugged her shoulder gently against his.

 Alone, Together (part 2)

    They sat in silence for several minutes, Llew¡¯s nerves settling.

    She sighed. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Jonas leaned forward, his elbow resting on his knee, his hand to his mouth, watching her. It looked like he might have wanted to say, or ask, something, but either hadn¡¯t fully formed the words, or didn¡¯t know if she was ready to hear them. Llew was struck by how beautiful his eyes were and found herself smiling. He smiled back. And Llew had to look away. It would be so easy to lose herself in the moment, pretend they were wrapped in a bubble, separate from the rest of the world. But they weren¡¯t. And it wasn¡¯t all about to stop while they took a few minutes just to be Llew and Jonas: young lovers.

    As always, that glimmer of Braph lingered, too. If Jonas had beautiful eyes, then so did Braph, and that thought filled her with revulsion. There was no beauty in that man.

    Damn it. Would she ever be able to openly admire Jonas without also feeling repulsed? They were brothers, perhaps, but they were vastly different men.

    ¡°You know,¡± Jonas drew Llew¡¯s attention back to him. He tapped his shortened thigh. ¡°This might not work quite right anymore. But this¡ª¡± He tapped his head. ¡°¡ªand this¡ª¡± He pressed his open palm to his chest. ¡°¡ªstill do. I know I ain¡¯t been much help to you the last few weeks, but you¡¯re not alone. You don¡¯t have to fix this alone.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    Jonas leaned back against the tree, leaving Llew to be alone, together.

    ¡°If Karlani is infected, I¡¯m going to have to decide if I can handle helping her, or watching her die slowly.¡± Llew¡¯s skin crawled at the thought of giving Karlani her blood. She imagined Karlani would feel the same about receiving it.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have to watch.¡± Jonas watched her reaction to those words and Llew suspected her distaste for the idea of sending a sick woman out into the world alone was clear for him to see. Even if the woman was Karlani. Every inch of Llew hated the idea, but could she really bring herself to help the woman who had helped murder their babies?

    ¡°You know, if I was ¡­ If things were different, she would¡¯ve been dead the second she stepped foot on this land.¡± Anger grated through Jonas¡¯s voice.

    ¡°I know. And I would¡¯ve cheered you on.¡± Llew swallowed. This seething anger was foreign, and yet so deeply a part of her now. ¡°But things aren¡¯t different.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s jaw clenched on his feelings on that matter. ¡°For your sake, I hope she ain¡¯t infected. I hope you don¡¯t have to choose. But don¡¯t forget, she needs us as much as we need her, maybe more. She¡¯s a Karan in the heart of Turhmos. She don¡¯t have friends. Not anywhere.¡±

    ¡°Alvaro seems to like her well enough.¡±

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s no accountin¡¯ for Al¡¯s taste.¡± His eyes narrowed in jest.

    Llew gasped and smacked his shoulder and he laughed. They leaned into each other, shoulder to shoulder, heads close, and Llew joined him in his chuckles diminishing to intermittent titters until they settled to a solemn calm once more.

    ¡°How long before Turhmos soldiers return?¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°Braph knows we¡¯re here. I wouldn¡¯t put it past them to show up tonight. Put Karlani, Rowan, and Alvaro on watch, we¡¯ve still got a chance.¡±

    Llew screwed up her face at relying on Karlani to keep her safe.

    ¡°There¡¯s a reason Aris warned me about you. You¡¯re dangerous, Llew. With my knife, I had a chance if you and I had ever fought. She don¡¯t have a knife. You might be surprised how much time there is between her makin¡¯ a killin¡¯ strike and your Aenuk grip being able to close on her. I got caught out countless times, and I had trainin¡¯, and Karan backup. What she¡¯s had ain¡¯t nothin¡¯. You¡¯re dangerous. Stand up to her like you believe that, and she can be useful.¡±

    His words had the desired effect and Llew felt herself bristle with ¡®danger¡¯, her Aenuk powers sizzling beneath her skin, ready to burn whomever did her harm. I am dangerous.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t lost, yet. You¡¯ve got hands and tools waitin¡¯ for you to put them to use. No matter how any of that lot feels about me, they like you well enough. They¡¯ll all follow you. And, while I can stand, I¡¯ve got your back. I¡¯ve been a lieutenant a long time.¡±

    Llew laughed. ¡°What would that make me? The Captain?¡±

    Jonas shrugged again, smiled, leaving Llew to take the thought wherever she wanted to.

    ¡°My guess is that a captain isn¡¯t meant to ¡­ snuggle with a lieutenant, though, huh?¡± She placed an arm across his shoulders, pulling herself into him.

    Jonas opened his mouth, shut it, shuddered.

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    How could he shudder at the thought of cuddling? Oh. The only captain he¡¯d known had been Aris. She threw her head back and laughed. It had been a long time since she¡¯d done so whole-heartedly and she felt a shift inside, the stresses of recent days falling away. And when she caught her breath and met his somewhat befuddled expression, she saw the man she¡¯d fallen in love with.

    ¡°Thank you. That helped.¡± Llew sighed. ¡°Well, I suppose there¡¯s a whole world of trouble waiting for us. We might as well start with dinner.¡± She stood, collected the crutches, leaned them against the tree trunk and held out her hands. Jonas grasped them and Llew set her feet and bent her knees to anchor herself in place, giving Jonas sturdy support. Once he was up, she handed him his crutches and steadied him as he arranged them under his armpits.

    ¡°Aye, Cap¡¯n.¡± Jonas flicked a hand in a casual salute, inviting Llew to relax into her role and the weird juxtaposition of being, effectively, at war while still having such ordinary needs as eating and sleeping to manage. She¡¯d never had cause to think on it before, and yet, she realized, it must always be thus. Battle plans and basic needs.

    ¡°If I¡¯m Captain, I suppose I set the rules.¡± Llew smiled, turned so they stood side-by-side and wrapped her hands about his arm again, resting her head on his shoulder. ¡°Lucky for me you¡¯re so snugglable.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Ain¡¯t been accused of that before.¡±

    ¡°Being snuggly?¡±

    ¡°I like it.¡±

    They made their way back to the homestead together.

    Inside, Karlani wore a loose shirt and trousers pulled tight at the waist with a belt ¨C something dug from Ard¡¯s wardrobe. The fire in the range flickered behind a window in the iron door, and chunks of bacon simmered in a heavy pan. The lid of the other pot tapped along with the rhythm of the water boiling beneath. A higher pitched tink tink may well have been smaller bubbles popping, but Llew could only imagine it as the metal pieces of the critter floating in the heat currents and bouncing off the pot walls.

    A kerosene lamp sat in the center of the table, casting everyone in a white-yellow glow.

    ¡°Bacon? Eggs?¡± Rowan asked, gesturing to a basket of eggs on the bench by the stove top.

    ¡°You bet.¡± Llew smiled while holding the door open for Jonas.

    Jonas swung through on his crutches and eased onto the nearest bench. Llew sat beside him, bumped his shoulder with hers, and gave him a smile, which he returned.

    Karlani cleared her throat, drawing Llew¡¯s attention to where Elka sat beside the Syakaran woman, stretching a hot, poultice-coated bandage around Karlani¡¯s hand.

    ¡°You got cut?¡± Llew asked.

    Rowan placed a plate of food each in front of Llew and Jonas. ¡°Just a tiny shallow thing; didn¡¯t draw blood or anything, but Elka thought it best to try a poultice, just in case we can draw out that stuff, if it was on the glass.¡±

    ¡°So I sure hope you¡¯ve got a plan.¡± Despite the accusing tone she was trying for, Karlani¡¯s anxiety was palpable. ¡°You need me.¡±

    ¡°You know how it¡¯s done.¡±

    Karlani shuddered. ¡°But he¡¯s not cured, is he?¡± While she continued to sound indignant, her eyes took on a haunted cast. ¡°You¡¯ll have to do that again. And again, and again.¡± She stared at the half-eaten food on her plate.

    So much for the time outside. Llew¡¯s own anxiety fed off Karlani¡¯s.

    ¡°She¡¯ll only do it once for you. If at all.¡± Jonas fixed Karlani with a flat glare. ¡°Now, just eat your food.¡±

    Karlani opened her mouth, but Rowan got in first.

    ¡°Not sure if it¡¯ll help much with your edginess, but we should look at these pieces.¡± Rowan had finished eating and requested Alvaro aid him in straining the boiling water outside. When they returned indoors, Rowan poured the still hot metal segments onto the table.

    Llew¡¯s instinct was to withdraw, but she had to learn, just like the rest of them, so she leaned forward to study the parts under the dull light.

    ¡°We buried the glass as best we could. It was too fragmented, thin and fragile. I hope that¡¯s enough to contain this thing.¡± Rowan gently prodded the pieces apart with the end of a wooden spoon, allowing them to cool faster. ¡°From what I could tell, it must have been a perfect sphere, and possibly flawless. I don¡¯t know any glass-blower quite so capable.¡±

    ¡°Braph uses magic. All he needs is a good imagination,¡± said Jonas.

    A couple of the legs were still whole, jointed, and connected to what remained of the body. They blurred the line between the mechanical nature of the devices and the sense that they lived. With the way they¡¯d crawled over her skin, autonomous by all appearances yet clearly controlled by Braph, they¡¯d certainly seemed alive.

    Karlani maintained a backwards lean, her arms folded.

    Rowan picked up a leg and flicked it with a finger to make it swing on the joint. ¡°Smooth. I¡¯d have no idea how to create something so perfect so small.¡±

    The light glinted off something dark and round, and Llew¡¯s revulsion was overpowered by her need to look closer. Almost of its own accord, her hand reached out and picked up the tiny crystal; such a deep purple it was black except under direct light.

    Her mother¡¯s blood had created red crystals. Llew¡¯s own blood had generated deep red, and later purple crystals, when she¡¯d become pregnant.

    ¡°His son must be letting him bleed him,¡± she said. ¡°This must be from Immortal blood.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s more powerful than ever,¡± Jonas murmured.

 Use It Wisely (part 1)

    ¡°For what purpose, though?¡± Anya asked. ¡°We know he¡¯s smart, and evil, and willing to do whatever it takes to prove that. What¡¯s left for him? You said he has no interest in fighting you now. He¡¯s got all the magic he could ever want. He¡¯s got a family. Is he not content?¡±

    ¡°Not all the magic he could ever want.¡± Llew had suspected Braph¡¯s desires for a while now, but voicing it lent her guess a reality she didn¡¯t want to believe. ¡°The Ajnai tree we had planted over our babies ¡­¡± Llew couldn¡¯t help the wobble in her voice. Anya gave a moan and sat across from Llew, grabbing her hand, and Jonas reached an arm around her waist. Karlani shifted uncomfortably. ¡°It glows in a way the others don¡¯t. And I¡ª I can sense my baby¡¯s soul, or spirit, or something. In the tree.¡± Llew wasn¡¯t surprised to see Karlani¡¯s or Alvaro¡¯s skepticism. Anya¡¯s expression softened from pained to wonder, and Rowan and Elka simply listened. ¡°Braph saw, and I can¡¯t help but think that he wants it for himself. He has an Immortal son. But an Immortal soul entwined with an Ajnai ¡­ No one¡¯s had that kind of power before.¡±

    ¡°But Aris took its power,¡± Karlani said.

    Llew wished the Syakaran woman wasn¡¯t there. She glanced at Jonas. ¡°We need that tree. If there¡¯s any chance to return Jonas to full power, I believe that tree can do it. He¡¯s connected to it as much as I am.¡±

    ¡°What will Braph do to it? He wouldn¡¯t damage it, would he?¡± Anya asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll cut it down. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯ll do to try and access that power, and I¡¯m not willing to put a limit on how far he might go to get it. He¡¯s already used my ma, my pa, me, and now he¡¯s using his own son. He might cut branches, or¡ª¡±

    ¡°They drill trees for syrup in some places,¡± Rowan said. ¡°Could he access its power that way?¡±

    Llew shrugged. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put it past him to try. But it¡¯s all too new to know anything.¡±

    ¡°Drilling shouldn¡¯t kill it, if that helps you feel any better.¡± Rowan¡¯s lips pulled wry, like he expected his words to offer as much comfort as they did.

    ¡°In the meantime¡ª¡± Llew flicked a finger indicating the metal pieces on the table. ¡°¡ªthese can¡¯t be good news for Quaver. And since we need to get to the Quaven Ajnai to fix Jonas ¡­ We can¡¯t pretend like Braph isn¡¯t holding the other end of our nooses. He always has, always will, until the day he dies ¡­¡±

    Rowan rotated the metal limb in his fingers so it flopped about the joint. ¡°Such talent, and he uses it to hurt people,¡± he murmured. ¡°All the people he could help ¡­¡±

    Llew stood. ¡°And I need to help cows, then I¡¯ll be back to do your blood,¡± she said to Jonas.

    Elka joined Llew as she headed out the door, and went to retrieve the fragrant tree oil from the shed while Llew eased the cows¡¯ discomfort and repaired any damage caused by their infection since the morning. After applying the oil, they leaned on the fence watching the cows return to a contented chewing. Llew savored the easy win the cows gave her.

    ¡°Tell me, Elka. What would your ma do if someone who had done her wrong came to her in grave need of her help?¡±

    Elka thought before answering. ¡°She took an oath.¡±

    Llew held her gaze. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±

    Elka pressed her lips together and Llew had to look away. Oath or no oath, Llew had the power of healing. Turning her back on someone felt like breaking an unspoken rule.

    They returned to the homestead, collected the syringes, and everyone gathered beneath the Ajnais for Jonas¡¯s blood transfer. This time, the mood was lighter, with Jonas capable of getting himself to the tree and direct the magic Llew¡¯s blood provided right from the start. Rowan held a kerosene lantern for Elka to see by. Anya, Alvaro, and Karlani kept eyes and ears focused into the darkness. The road remained quiet.

    Reluctantly, Llew offered a full syringe to Karlani.

    Karlani looked at it, looked Llew up and down.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure, if you use this tonight, you won¡¯t need any more than this.¡± Llew wagged the syringe.

    ¡°How do I know it¡¯ll work?¡± Karlani took the syringe between her fingertips.

    Llew shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯t. All I can tell you is to try to do what Braph does. He thinks about what he wants the magic to do, and it seems to work. Jonas does the same.¡±

    Karlani thinned her lips, but rolled up her sleeve and held her arm out for Elka to administer the blood in the dull glow of the lantern. ¡°Oh. You didn¡¯t tell me about this.¡± She closed her eyes and a smile played at the corners of her lips. Then she moaned with satisfaction. ¡°Mm. Oh. Oh, yes ¡­¡±

    ¡°Stop it. That¡¯s gross,¡± Llew stated plainly. ¡°That¡¯s all you get. Use it wisely.¡±

    Karlani had Llew pressed against the tree, a hand round her throat, the syringe beside her head. ¡°Who¡¯s going to stop me taking as much as I want?¡± She laughed and shifted her grip on Llew as the faint buzz of ghi transfer hummed between them.

    Anya hovered, but daren¡¯t get involved. Jonas tried to rise, but with everyone occupied, he didn¡¯t get far before accepting the futility. Alvaro looked over his shoulder from where he had been keeping watch, impassive.

    Llew hadn¡¯t had time to react, but long-ingrained muscle memory allowed her to slide a knife from Jonas¡¯s vest, smooth and economical, and lower her hand. She raised her free hand to grip Karlani¡¯s wrist, and pressed the knife tip into the other woman¡¯s inner thigh. ¡°I will.¡±

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    In all likelihood, Karlani could disarm Llew in an instant, but Llew was willing to bet not before one of them took an injury. And only one of them would have to carry it.

    Karlani laughed, released Llew, and stepped back. ¡°You¡¯re hard boiled, you know that?¡±

    Anya cleared her throat. ¡°I suppose we should get some sleep. What do we want to do about watch?¡± She glanced at Karlani, who had stepped back from Llew and allowed Alvaro into her personal space, but kept a considering look fixed on Llew.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Karlani wouldn¡¯t be stupid enough to hurt any of us.¡± Llew stared right back. I¡¯m dangerous. ¡°I can take a turn on watch, and Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani.¡±

    ¡°How should we arrange the bedding? Alvaro and I have beds in the bunker already. You and Jonas should take the main bedroom.¡±

    Karlani rolled her eyes, while Alvaro watched her with longing.

    ¡°There¡¯s a bedroom upstairs.¡± Anya looked to Elka. She was asking without asking: could Elka handle the stairs?

    ¡°The bed¡¯s good.¡± Llew placed a hand on Elka¡¯s arm, as much in thanks for her help with the syringes and cows as to confirm her preference for Elka to have that bed.

    ¡°There are more beds in the bunker,¡± Alvaro said, his gaze quite steady on Karlani.

    ¡°But I think it would be prudent if Karlani slept upstairs,¡± Anaya said. ¡°We don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll have to defend ourselves.¡±

    ¡°And me, I imagine,¡± Rowan offered. ¡°I can sleep on the floor by Elka¡¯s bed.¡±

    ¡°We might as well all sleep upstairs, then.¡± Alvaro¡¯s tone had grown moody. ¡°Just in the kitchen, or something.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not a bad idea,¡± Anya said. ¡°There¡¯s not much bedding, but we can bring some up.¡± With a determined set to her features, Anya nodded at Llew. ¡°You¡¯ve had a big day. Please, retire with Jonas. The rest of us will make arrangements for our beds.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s had a big day ¡­¡± Karlani protested.

    ¡°Look, Karlani,¡± Anya turned on the Syakaran. ¡°I appreciate you¡¯ve traveled from wherever , and that thing gave us all a scare, and it¡¯s natural to be frightened of what might happen now.¡±

    Karlani scoffed at the word ¡®frightened¡¯.

    ¡°But,¡± Anya continued, ¡°there¡¯s nothing more we can do about it tonight. And, if you want Llew or any of us to be able to help if things go wrong, you¡¯re going to appreciate it if we¡¯re well rested. So, yes, I think Llew needs to retire for the night while the rest of us sort our own sleeping arrangements. You can pester her tomorrow, but don¡¯t think I won¡¯t stand in your way should you be unreasonable.¡±

    Suddenly, Karlani was standing barely an inch from Anya, looking down from her height advantage of about a head. ¡°Am I being unreasonable?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Anya didn¡¯t flinch. Alvaro moved to stand beside Karlani again and Rowan placed himself beside Anya. ¡°I think your reaction is sound under the circumstances, and as such I trust you to do your part in the functioning of this group because, Syakaran or not, I believe you understand how much more we can do together.¡±

    Karlani flexed her jaw then stepped back with a smug smirk. ¡°You lot are pretty ballsy, I¡¯ll give you that.¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t know about that. Her body sang with the anxiety of not knowing how far Karlani might go. Thankfully Karlani settled into working with the rest to bring up bedding from the bunker.

    Llew pressed a palm against Ajnai bark. She¡¯d already healed when Karlani grabbed her throat. Satisfied she wouldn¡¯t hurt him, she helped Jonas stand.

    Despite the inadequacies of the heavy dividing curtain, as soon as the bedroom enveloped them, Llew puffed out a deep sigh, sloughing off the weight of the day¡¯s worries. Jonas shuffled to the bed and sat facing her. Merrid and Ard were still gone and would forever be, and she still had to face keeping Jonas alive, but in that moment, at the end of a most atrocious day, Llew felt free. She was too tired to be anything but.

    She unbuttoned her shirt and kicked off her shoes. A smile lifted Jonas¡¯s lips and Llew beamed her own grin at him. There he was, holding himself up, happy. Just that morning, she¡¯d feared she might lose him. There was a chance ¨C more than a chance ¨C she would wake to him weakened again, but his strength was another thing she would hold in this moment.

    Naked, she moved to stand between his thighs and began working on his shirt buttons. He could undress himself, but there was some luxury in her being able to help him by choice, not by urgent need. As she slipped the shirt from his shoulders, his nose and mouth pressed into her belly. He breathed her in and kissed her lightly. It tickled, and Llew had to resist her compulsion to draw away. She managed to keep her laughter to a mere curling of her lips. They could hear every move their companions made on the other side of the curtain and she had no doubt any noises she and Jonas made would also travel, only dulled while the others bustled.

    Jonas kissed her belly lightly and Llew closed her eyes, tamping down her ticklish flinch and savoring the intent in the touch. Jonas turned his head, pressed his ear to her and brought his arms up around her waist, his hold firm and comforting. And hard won.

    She ran her fingers through his hair, down the back of his neck and over his shoulders. Muscles she¡¯d come to know so well lacked the almost constant buzz they had generated when Jonas had possessed his full Syakaran power, but they still radiated a heat and illusion of strength she would gladly lose herself in.

    She bent, bringing her lips alongside his ear.

    ¡°Tomorrow, I think, we should bring out Merrid and Ard¡¯s bath,¡± she whispered and swallowed down the lump that formed at the thought of the farmers. Now wasn¡¯t the time.

    Jonas shook once with a single laugh juddering through his body before he pulled back to look at her, their noses side by side, their lips almost touching.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind if you don¡¯t.¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t mind.

    ¡°Tomorrow, then,¡± she said.

    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Jonas repeated and lay back, drawing Llew onto her knees over him.

 Use It Wisely (part 2)

    Braph spent much of that night controlling his temper as each hole dried up within minutes, releasing, perhaps, a teaspoon of sweet, watery liquid. He drilled again, the hole quickly framed by beads of viscous sap. He would fit his tap to direct the flow into his pot, wait, watch, hope, despair and start again. Orin and Orinia both slept. Braph did not. And by the time the first glow of morning brightened the sky, he had collected a couple of tablespoons. He had touched the liquid to his lips earlier in the night, savored the bittersweet blend on the tip of his tongue, but such a tiny amount did nothing as far as delivering power. He was uncertain if ingesting it would achieve anything at all. Aenuk blood only worked when injected; he suspected the same might be true of the sap. Still, he would drink some that day to be sure.

    He drilled another hole, pushed in the spile, lined up his pot, and pressed his hand to the tree, attempting to push magic into it and extrude the sap faster. It flowed slightly faster than its steady drip for several seconds, slowed ¡­ ceased.

    Braph gritted his teeth and kept his outburst to a sigh.

    <hr>

    Llew clenched her fist against the burn of the Syakaran knife wound in the pad of her thumb and whisked her other hand from Jonas¡¯s shoulder. No. Her father¡¯s. She¡¯d made that mistake once before. On the run with her pa. Him Aenuk, and yet her Syaenuk draw would drain him dry if she let it. Mustn¡¯t touch. Must wake ready to run in the morning, ready to escape Braph. But that wasn¡¯t quite right, because she hadn¡¯t met Merrid and Ard yet, and Merrid and Ard were dead. Oh, why were they dead? It wasn¡¯t fair! Her heart hurt. Yes. Her heart. Not her hand. Her hand was whole. Her heart was broken.

    Her pa also lay dead and forgotten. Part of Llew¡¯s trail of destruction.

    And this time she was with Jonas, and she could kill him. Or he would simply fade and die in the night if she didn¡¯t check on him. She had to wake. Wake up. The body beside her felt cold. Don¡¯t touch. Wake up!

    Her wrists were bound to a chair, a hand forced to touch, to drain the life of a fellow street urchin. No, this time it was Jonas. Braph laughed. He¡¯d won. He was finally superior to Jonas in every way because he lived, and Jonas was dying. And Llew the conduit, channeling his life into Braph¡¯s crystals. Draining him. Wake¡ª

    Llew¡¯s eyes flew open. She took a moment to gain her bearings. Cocooned in a blanket in Merrid and Ard¡¯s bed. Jonas lay beside her, wrapped in a separate blanket so they wouldn¡¯t accidentally touch in their sleep. Good. That part of her dream couldn¡¯t be true, at least. His back to her, she could neither hear him breathing nor sense his chest moving.

    She sat and reached over him to hold a finger beneath his nostrils. His breath blew warm over her skin in slow, rhythmic waves and she relaxed a little. She pressed her hand to his back to confirm. The blankets also rose and fell in a steady rhythm, no faltering. No signs of weakness there. She lay back. The night was still deep in darkness. Llew tried to force herself to relax over the background anxiety that refused to leave despite her proof that Jonas was alright. What if he deteriorated before she woke again? Could she afford to sleep? Her sleep versus his life. It was hardly a competition.

    Karlani¡¯s chuckle floated through the thick curtain followed by Alvaro¡¯s offended ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. Keep going,¡± Karlani murmured.

    Llew wished she could¡¯ve slept just a little longer as the quiet sounds of their coupling filled her ears no matter how much she tried to shut it out. Then again, it was better than being trapped in her dreams. At least Karlani and Alvaro were trying to keep quiet. Llew wondered if it was out of courtesy to the others or if Karlani hoped to reserve the right to deny it. It should bring an end to Alvaro¡¯s interest in Llew, at least. She wished them well and silently apologized for her intrusion on their intimacy. But she wouldn¡¯t return to sleep. She thought of Cassidy and her heart ached again that his life had been the price of her lesson. Although, what had she learned? She couldn¡¯t remain awake forever. She sighed too loudly and Karlani shushed Alvaro¡¯s moans of pleasure, her laughter lending a staccato to the admonishment and not diminishing Alvaro¡¯s progress at all.

    Llew rolled over, pressed one ear against Jonas¡¯s back and tried to trap her own blanket between her other ear and shoulder. Let them have their fun. She and Jonas just needed to survive.

    She woke with a start sometime later still snuggled against Jonas with layers of blanket separating them. She smiled at their closeness, then remembered she wasn¡¯t supposed to have slept. Rowan should¡¯ve woken her for her turn on watch, at least. She cursed and pushed up on her elbow. Leaning over, she caught the glint of Jonas¡¯s eye and the hint of a smile.

    ¡°Mornin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°How do you feel?¡±

    ¡°Normal.¡± The smile and glint vanished and instead of glancing up at her, his gaze became flat.

    Yes. Llew wished he still had Syakaran strength and speed, too, but he lived, and that really was enough for her. So long as he lived, there was hope.

    ¡°Good.¡± She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a cuddle, pressing her cheek to his, and trying to encircle him in her arms despite being thwarted by the mattress beneath him. ¡°Mm. Snuggly.¡±

    Jonas grunted, and there was humor in it, then he rocked his shoulder, and she sat back as he rolled to his back. He spread his arms and pulled her into a proper cuddle, her ear on his chest, she was deeply satisfied to hear the strong heart. If they failed at everything else, this would be enough. Llew had learned to be alone, to trust only herself, but she would fight to keep this.

    The rest of their group began to rouse. Anya took control, directing bedding tidied away and requesting more eggs. Breakfast would be a repeat of the previous night¡¯s dinner, as would every other meal, until they could dedicate time to the garden.

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Do you or Elka know bread?¡± Anya must¡¯ve been addressing Rowan. ¡°I¡¯ve never learned bread. I think there¡¯s a sourdough in the jar in the corner, but I have no idea what to do with it now.¡±

    ¡°Sure, we¡¯ve made a bread or two over the years.¡± There was a smile in his voice. ¡°Who¡¯s up for a morning coffee?¡± He raised his voice for all to hear as he clunked a heavy kettle on the stove.

    Reluctantly, Llew extracted herself from Jonas¡¯s arms. ¡°You¡¯re a good lieutenant.¡±

    ¡°Aris would disagree.¡±

    ¡°Aris isn¡¯t here. His opinion counts for nothing.¡± She clambered from the bed and held out her hands to aid Jonas to its edge. ¡°How does this thing work?¡± She picked up the prosthetic as Jonas¡¯s toes eased to the floor.

    Jonas took it and lined the cuff up with the rounded end of his thigh, then buckled its straps. ¡°The trousers are still tricky.¡± Llew slid the right leg of his trousers over the false foot and lower leg, then Jonas took over, slid his left foot in, pulled them up to his thighs. Llew helped him balance as he pulled them up to his waist and buttoned them. Llew helped him with his right boot, too, since the lack of ankle flex made it tricky for Jonas. Again, she left him to do the left. Llew helped him stand until he was balanced with a crutch. Then he hopped forward on this left leg and swung his right leg through, each step taking concentration.

    Llew slipped Jonas¡¯s knife vest on, touching each of the knife handles, ready to face whatever.

    They joined the others at the kitchen table.

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling fine. Thanks for asking.¡± Karlani glared at Llew.

    ¡°Good,¡± was all Llew could be bothered saying, and she filled her mouth with egg. While she appreciated she had food to eat, she hoped they could find some new options soon. She liked eggs well enough, but would gladly eat no more for some time. After swallowing that first needed mouthful, Llew met Karlani¡¯s eye again. I am dangerous. ¡°I¡¯d ask you to report if you feel weak or sluggish, but I¡¯ve given you all the blood I plan to give you. If it wasn¡¯t enough ¡­¡± She shrugged.

    ¡°We need her,¡± Alvaro said.

    ¡°And I¡¯ve done all I can for her.¡±

    <hr>

    Braph had been right. Damned it all. Ingesting the syrup from the tree did nothing but leave his tongue and back of his mouth feeling numb. A night¡¯s work, two tablespoons, nothing.

    Well, research wasn¡¯t linear, and he did, after all, have all day. Especially as the Quaven streets grew quiet so Orinia could venture out safely with Orin, ending any complaints about the growing number of holes in the tree, and leaving Braph in blessed peace.

    <hr>

    Elka followed Llew out to the cows, leaving the table in a tense silence.

    Jonas picked at his breakfast, still not wholly pleased at his reduced nutritional needs. He missed his hearty appetite and easy power ¨C a loss even harder to accept with Karlani sat across the table. Karlani, who had played up her victimhood for Llew, now flirted freely with Alvaro. Anya gave the pair frequent side-eyes and moodily shoveled the last of her breakfast into her mouth, then gathered her dishes and Llew¡¯s, placed them on the bench, and headed out to the well carrying the ewer.

    Rowan seemed oblivious to the moods of the others, simply finishing his meal and coffee. As he gathered both his own and Jonas¡¯s dishes, he suggested Jonas bring Hisham¡¯s now cleaned knife vest outside, and helped buckle it while Jonas steadied himself with his crutch out on the porch. The morning sun rose over distant ranges.

    ¡°Ma always reminds her patients of the importance of the mental game when it comes to recovery, or learning how to live with a new disability.¡± Rowan threaded the final buckle, patted Jonas on the shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s how you¡¯re used to looking, eh? And it¡¯s a connection to your friend. You can do it for him, if the motivation to do it for yourself wanes.¡±

    Anya arrived back at the house at the same time Karlani and Alvaro headed out.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go play lookout,¡± Karlani said as she passed.

    ¡°It ain¡¯t a game,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Sure, moody.¡± She saluted and carried on her way, Alvaro in tow.

    Jonas watched Llew making her way back from the cows and signaled to meet her by a tree. She acknowledged and, along with Elka, adjusted her trajectory.

    ¡°She looks tough.¡± Rowan offered support for Jonas to step off the porch, which remained a tricky move. He had been right, though. Something about wearing the knife vest helped Jonas find his center and his balance.

    ¡°She is tough.¡±

    Rowan grabbed the syringes and caught up to Jonas as he reached Llew.

    ¡°You¡¯re fast on those crutches.¡± Llew greeted him with a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

    ¡°Get¡¯n the hang of ¡¯em.¡±

    ¡°Someone¡¯s coming,¡± Alvaro called from the farm gate.

    Llew drew back from Jonas. ¡°Already? We¡¯re not ready,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯re not ready. What do we do?¡±

    ¡°Whatever happens, you live, Llew. Promise me.¡± If Turhmos had arrived, Jonas was a dead man. ¡°I¡¯m no good without you.¡±

    Llew gaped at Jonas, but she had no argument against that simple edict.

 Come Home

    The first rider drew alongside the roadside fence, followed by just four uniformed men. Uniformed, but not soldiers. It was the lead rider that held Jonas¡¯s attention. He rode tall, his hair dark, his face framed by a road beard, but still undeniably Lord Gaemil Tovias of Rakun. A long ways from home.

    Llew released an audible breath.

    Rowan stepped closer to them. ¡°Should I¡ª?¡± He indicated Jonas¡¯s vest, offering to grab a knife.

    ¡°We know him,¡± Jonas murmured.

    Gaemil turned through the gate, taking everything in, and continued to ride right up to Llew and Jonas. Alvaro and Karlani followed the riders.

    ¡°Where is Anyunca?¡±

    Llew seemed lost for words, but she glanced over her shoulder to the farmhouse and Lord Tovias took that as both direction and invitation and urged his horse onward, his men following.

    ¡°Uhm.¡± Llew gave Jonas an alarmed look. He didn¡¯t know whether to be pleased to see the earl, either. Llew took off at a run back to the homestead, giving the horses a wide berth, reaching the door a few moments before Gaemil pulled his horse up outside and swung down from his saddle.

    Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani followed the horses at a brisk walk, and Jonas followed as fast as he could manage; not quite so fast.

    Anya emerged before Gaemil had taken a step up onto the porch, just enough for Llew to stand beside her.

    ¡°My love. I¡¯m so grateful to see you are safe and well.¡± Gaemil placed one foot on the porch and stopped, evidently reading in Anya¡¯s demeanor that she was less than joyous to see him. ¡°It¡¯s time to come home.¡±

    Anya was shaking her head the moment Gaemil started talking. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Why ever not? You¡¯ve ensured Llewella is alive and well.¡± He waved a hand in Llew¡¯s direction, her jaw rippling over clenching teeth. Ah. Gaemil had used her full name. The name Braph had sullied.

    ¡°Her name is Llew,¡± Jonas stated flatly.

    Gaemil stuttered to a halt and looked over his shoulder at Jonas. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You will call her Llew.¡±

    A couple of Gaemil¡¯s guards bristled, taking a step closer, hands hovering over weapons.

    Gaemil raised a hand to steady them. ¡°Ah, Llew. Right.¡± A scowl in place, evidently unsettled by Jonas¡¯s order, he turned his attention back to Anya. ¡°Llew and her friends may return with us. No doubt you¡¯re eager to leave Turhmos.¡± He smiled at Llew, business-like; one of those smiles that fails to reach the eyes.

    ¡°No,¡± Anya repeated.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Gaemil stated. ¡°Your business in Turhmos is complete and we have a tenuous enough relationship with the country as it is. You¡¯re not a civilian anymore. What you do has consequences. You can¡¯t be here without an invitation, and you certainly can¡¯t fight them.¡±

    ¡°Llew still needs me.¡± Anya glanced at Llew, as if asking permission to divulge more information.

    ¡°Brurun needs you.¡± Gaemil shuffled. ¡°I need you. Come home.¡±

    Again, Anya shook her head. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    Gaemil turned to Llew. ¡°Make her see reason. Not that I¡¯m not pleased to know you¡¯re well, and you¡ª¡± He turned to look at Jonas, saw the crutches, but Jonas¡¯s trousers and boot hid the prosthetic. ¡°We heard about your fight. Not surprised you survived it, more surprised you were captured in the first place.¡± He tilted his head in a that¡¯s-a-story-I¡¯d-like-to-hear kind of way. ¡°And Aris. I was sorry to see him turn like that. He¡¯d always been a good friend to me. My condolences. I will miss him, too.¡±

    Jonas nodded his acceptance of Gaemil¡¯s good wishes. He¡¯d lost the Aris he¡¯d loved weeks before the bastard had got his comeuppance.

    Gaemil turned back to Llew. ¡°Ll¡ª Llew, please. You¡¯re welcome back in Rakun while you settle your plans for the future.¡±

    Llew gave a tight-lipped smile. ¡°Turhmos is working with the magician Braph to destroy Quaver¡¯s Kara. I think even Brurun would prefer we fight to maintain the status quo, and we have the only person capable of achieving that.¡± She nodded at Jonas. He both wanted to shrink under that expectation and rise to meet Llew¡¯s belief in him. ¡°But first, we need to fix him.¡±

    Gaemil looked at Jonas, scowled, turned back to Llew. ¡°How do you know Turhmos¡¯s plans?¡±

    ¡°If your guards don¡¯t mind waiting outside, I can fill you in.¡± Llew stepped back, opening the door in invitation.

    Gaemil nodded to his guards, handed his reins to one, and entered the homestead, pausing to kiss Anya on a cheek on his way in. One of his men took up a post beside the door.

    ¡°I¡¯ll, ah¡ª¡± Rowan made a vague gesture at the farm at large. Jonas nodded and followed Gaemil into the house.

    Llew introduced Gaemil to Elka, who had been cleaning surfaces inside, and invited the earl to sit at the humble kitchen table. Then she laid out the pieces of the flying machine and started filling him in with regards what they knew of Braph¡¯s plans and actions so far. She told of her time at Braph¡¯s when non-flying machines had crawled over her to draw blood to make Braph¡¯s crystals. With an apologetic look Jonas¡¯s way, she explained his powerlessness and the loss of his leg and that the broken machine had flown at Karlani, targeting her.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°We believe this is only one of several. What we don¡¯t know is if this one was out in front and we have some time, or if it went off course and the others are already in Quaver infecting Kara as we speak,¡± she said. ¡°What we do know, is that only Kara can be magicians, and with Jonas fitted with a device like Braph¡¯s we believe we can halt their plans, or at least stand in the way should Turhmos decide it¡¯s powerful enough to control all of Phyos.¡±

    Gaemil had remained silent throughout, a deep scowl in place. ¡°If what you say is true, Quaver¡¯s Kara could already be lost. How can you undo that?¡±

    Llew shrugged. ¡°We don¡¯t know we can. But I believe either Aenuks and Ajnai trees can reverse the effects of the infection, if not destroy the infection itself, or a magician can do it.¡± Llew nodded at Jonas like he was already kitted with the device.

    Jonas couldn¡¯t hold her gaze. She was right. They needed a magician to fight a magician, but he¡¯d be lying if he didn¡¯t admit to being queasy about being fitted with tubes and pumped with Llew¡¯s blood at the scale required to match Braph.

    The ghost of euphoria flowed through him as he remembered the day he¡¯d fought Aris by the Ajnai tree and lost. The first time Llew had injected her blood into him, back when he¡¯d still possessed his Syakaran powers ¡­ he¡¯d never forget that feeling. A part of him would always hunger for it. Another part would always watch on in disgust. If he tasted that power again, could he stop himself demanding more? Karlani¡¯s behavior after a single dose didn¡¯t fill him with confidence.

    Gaemil sat back, folding his arms. Anya watched him intently, imploring with a look alone.

    ¡°How long will it take you to build this device?¡±

    ¡°That depends on Rowan.¡± Llew smiled. ¡°He¡¯s our engineer.¡± She nodded to Elka. ¡°And his sister Elka is our doctor.¡±

    Gaemil sized Elka up. Physically, she didn¡¯t look like much, with her twisted spine, legs, and hands, but the young woman brought years of working alongside her mother.

    ¡°I suppose extra hands would speed up the process and you could get on with finding out the truth and getting out of Turhmos sooner.¡±

    Jonas shared a glance with Llew. She mirrored his schooled neutral appearance. There was no need to interrupt Gaemil talking himself into helping.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Gaemil sat forward, elbows on table. ¡°That I am puts the whole of Brurun at risk.¡± He gave Anya a significant look. She had more to consider than herself and her friends, now. The wedding may not have occurred, yet, but their union was already official enough. ¡°But it sounds as though Brurun is at risk, anyway. Our peace has, for a long time, been maintained by the balance between Quaver and Turhmos.¡± He turned to Jonas. ¡°Your own murder of Aenuks had us worried.¡±

    Jonas had to look away. He hadn¡¯t been in his right mind at the time. He was sorry for the innocent lives he¡¯d taken, but he couldn¡¯t give them back.

    ¡°Luckily, myself and the other Brurun leaders worked with Turhmos and Quaver to insure Turhmos didn¡¯t retaliate, and Quaver didn¡¯t feel emboldened enough to act against Turhmos. A peace, of sorts, has prevailed.

    ¡°But¡ª And I don¡¯t mean to doubt your credibility, but you must understand I am simply taking your word, here. If what you say is true, then Quaver¡¯s military strength is about to be decimated by a Turhmos agent. Assuming your brother¡ª¡±

    ¡°Not my brother.¡±

    ¡°Right. Assuming Braph would consider himself such.¡±

    ¡°Even if he¡¯s working alone, Turhmos is benefiting from it.¡±

    ¡°Although, with their own Aenuk numbers in doubt.¡±

    Jonas conceded that. Aris had killed more than twice as many Aenuks in the last few months as Jonas had the previous year. As far as they knew, just one Aenuk barracks remained.

    With a wry smile, Gaemil said, ¡°Seems I¡¯m not doing much to talk myself out of staying.¡± Wry turned to affectionate as he shifted his attention back to Anya, and then stern. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll not do this again.¡±

    ¡°I wish I could.¡± She looked a little remorseful, but also stubborn.

    Gaemil clamped down on whatever he wanted to say to that and turned back to Llew and Jonas.

    ¡°We¡¯re about to help turn you into one of, if not the most powerful man in the world, something I¡¯m only considering because I want to respect Anya¡¯s choices. We¡¯ve spent the best part of a year growing what we have. I certainly don¡¯t wish to throw away our future by choosing to be on the wrong side of history. I¡¯ve known you nearly your entire life, but I thought I knew Aris, too. It¡¯s no easy decision to plan to put so much power into the hands of one man. It¡¯s one thing having Immortals just out there, breeding, but ¡­¡±

    ¡°We know,¡± Llew said. ¡°I haven¡¯t known Jonas as long as you, but I trust him, wholeheartedly. Perhaps it will reassure you to know he will still rely on me to access the power we¡¯re about to unlock. Although, I understand you¡¯ve got no reason to trust me, either.¡±

    Any further doubts Gaemil had, he kept to himself. ¡°Please, tell Anya you won¡¯t need her again.¡±

    Llew opened her mouth to speak, but Anya got in first.

    ¡°Although I do hope you¡¯ll allow me to be Matron of Honor at their wedding.¡±

    Gaemil hesitated only momentarily before following Anya¡¯s context shift. ¡°Naturally. That won¡¯t be held in Turhmos, will it?¡±

    Llew shook her head.

    Jonas found himself picturing marrying Llew the very next day, right here on the farm. They had all the witnesses he cared for, and Anya could just as easily be Maid as Matron. It wouldn¡¯t be quite as he¡¯d hoped, without Ard there to officiate, but Gaemil had the authority.

    Anya continued talking as if Gaemil hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°And there will be newborns to attend to, and cousins to introduce ¡­¡±

    Anya¡¯s vision for their future both delighted and terrified. Jonas couldn¡¯t deny a desire to raise children with Llew, but they didn¡¯t even know if Jonas could survive the next week, let alone where they might live if he did. Once again, he found himself glancing up at the rafters, finding comfort in this solidly built farmhouse. He returned his attention to Llew, who had fallen silent and become still under Anya¡¯s words.

    ¡°They would love to come visit us in Rakun, I¡¯m sure,¡± Anya continued. ¡°You will always be welcome.¡± She placed a hand over one of Llew¡¯s ¡°Of course, the estate has plenty of rooms we don¡¯t use most of the time. You could even live there.¡± She looked to Gaemil, as if his approval mattered after the offer had been made. ¡°If you have nowhere else to settle.¡±

    As often happened in the face of Anya¡¯s rambles, Llew remained stunned to silence, which was soon broken as running feet approached. Super-fast running feet.

    And Karlani burst through the door.

    ¡°Riders approaching. And this time, I don¡¯t think they¡¯re friendly.¡±

 Shes Alive (part 1)

    ¡°How many?¡± Jonas asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Twenty?¡± Karlani said.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be known that I¡¯m here.¡± Gaemil, stood. Grim. ¡°If I get involved, there can be no Turhmos witnesses.¡±

    ¡°There won¡¯t be. There can¡¯t.¡± Jonas pulled two knives from his vest and held them out to Karlani. ¡°You with us?¡±

    She hesitated a moment, like she thought she had a choice, then she took the knives.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to get in the middle of it. It¡¯s the only place you¡¯ll make a difference.¡±

    Lips pressed tight, Karlani nodded and headed back out the door.

    ¡°We were meant to build defenses,¡± Llew muttered. ¡°And have you fixed. We¡¯re not ready.¡± But she stood, rested a hand on a knife handle. She was as ready as she would have to be. ¡°We haven¡¯t even¡ª¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re ready,¡± Jonas assured her.

    Anya let slip a strange mix of a gasp and denial, and Jonas fixed his attention on her and Elka. ¡°You two stay put. They won¡¯t hurt you if you¡¯re hunkered down in here.¡± Of course, such proclamations relied on the other side following the rules. It wasn¡¯t a perfect reassurance, but it was all they had.

    Elka nodded solemnly. Anya¡¯s usual must-do-something stress response had her eyes darting around, but she conceded, relaxing a little at having a clear instruction to follow.

    To Gaemil, Jonas said, ¡°Keep to the rear. Let Llew, Karlani, Alvaro, Rowan, and your guards lead the fight. I¡¯ll support where I can.¡± He grabbed his crutches.

    By the time he, Llew, and Gaemil stepped outside, Rowan, Alvaro and Gaemil¡¯s guards had reached the house. Alvaro darted inside for his sword. Rowan had grabbed a rust peppered machete from a shed.

    The Turhmos riders gathering at the gate hesitated. Likely they had expected a weakened Jonas and Llew, maybe Rowan and Elka. Jonas couldn¡¯t recall Braph¡¯s cognitive connection in the presence of Karlani, and certainly not since Gaemil had arrived. These soldiers wouldn¡¯t have expected a fight at all, never mind near even.

    As far as Jonas could see, the Turhmos soldiers carried only swords, ready for a close battle, which best suited their Aenuk soldiers, but he wondered how many, if any, Aenuks were in this rank. Surely, their numbers were too low to risk sending them out. Well, they would find out soon enough.

    He jumped down from the deck, catching most of his weight on his good leg and accepting the shooting pain up his missing shin as well as his still present thigh, steadied himself. Llew followed, and placed herself to the side and in front of him. Rowan flanked his other side. Karlani and Alvaro joined their posse, leaving Gaemil to command his guards at the rear.

    Jonas pulled a knife, hefted it in his hand, getting a sense of its weight. It was the same style and weight he¡¯d been throwing for years, but it felt different in his unenhanced grip. Still, he reckoned he had the same eye he¡¯d always had. He flipped the blade, caught it, flipped, and caught again, letting his subconscious do the necessaries to make each throw count.

    Their small posse edged forward, helping make Jonas¡¯s throws more likely to count.

    The Turhmos soldiers kicked their horses forward.

    Jonas threw the knife. One of the front riders grunted, but it was only a glancing blow to an arm. Jonas drew another knife, same style, same weight, flung it. The front rider slumped in his saddle, slipped to the side. Other riders had to go around him, their confidence shaken some.

    ¡°Go, go!¡± He nudged Karlani with his elbow. She complied, dashing forward, pulling a rider from his horse, and plunging a knife into him, and continuing onward to find her next victim. Untrained as a soldier, she¡¯d practiced a few mock battles with Jonas at full strength. She knew enough to face these unprepared soldiers.

    Llew must¡¯ve thought he meant the command for her as well, for she surged into the fray. Jonas clenched his teeth. She was Syaenuk, she would survive.

    Rowan and Alvaro followed the women, soon overtaking Llew, much to Jonas¡¯s relief, but it didn¡¯t keep her from the midst of the fight for long, and the opportunity for him to help from the fringes was soon lost, as comrades mingled with enemies. Gaemil¡¯s soldiers joined in, while the earl had the sense to remain clear of the fight.

    Riderless horses loitered by the fences, skittish. Jonas lost sight of Llew. Alvaro was locked in a sword fight with one soldier. Karlani rushed past, administering a deadly blow. She did the same for Rowan¡¯s opponent. And in what felt like mere moments, the fight was over. Silence fell.

    Rowan leaned over, gripping his knees, catching his breath. Karlani returned to Jonas, holding out her blood-smeared knives, disinterested in cleaning them herself. He took them and slid them into the vest, looking past her to measure the outcome and, yes, to check on Llew.

    Alvaro was walking back toward the house, casually swinging his sword. One of Gaemil¡¯s guards lay on the ground, the others crowded around him. Going by the way he kept shifting in discomfort, he was injured, not dead.

    ¡°Llew!¡± Anya ran from the house, past Jonas.

    He scanned the cartway, then finally found Llew¡¯s dusty form, brown trousers, brown vest on the ocher sand. Apart from lying flat on her back, she appeared unharmed. Jonas narrowed his eyes, scanned her form, and the knife handle protruding from her chest. From her heart.

    ¡°Anya?¡± Gaemil followed, but not in a hurry.

    ¡°Anya, stop!¡± Jonas hobbled forward. Fatigue washed through him. He tried to push himself harder, faster, but his prosthetic foot landed wrong and he sprawled to the ground.

    Anya knelt beside Llew. ¡°Llew, no!¡± she sobbed. She placed a hand on Llew¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Get the knife out of her ¡­¡± Jonas was breathless, could barely project the words. ¡°Don¡¯t touch¡ª¡± But his voice only came out as a weak huff.

    Anya took up one of Llew¡¯s hands. Pressed it to her lips. Not good.

    ¡°Tell Gaemil not to touch Llew¡¯s skin,¡± Jonas said to Karlani.

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    She looked at him dumbly a moment before yelling, ¡°Don¡¯t touch the Aenuk!¡± and running closer to where Llew lay.

    ¡°Help me up.¡± Jonas reached an arm out for Alvaro, but Alvaro was already following Karlani as the gathering about Llew grew. Luckily, whatever life survived on the cartway didn¡¯t provide a direct connection between Llew and Jonas; he felt nothing to suggest he was losing jin to her.

    ¡°She¡¯s gripping me back. She¡¯s alive!¡± Anya exclaimed.

    ¡°Let her go,¡± Gaemil said.

    ¡°Rowan!¡± Elka called to her brother from where she now stood beside Jonas.

    He jogged closer.

    ¡°I¡ª Ow! I can¡¯t,¡± Anya was saying. ¡°She won¡¯t let go.¡±

    Jonas reached his arm out again and Rowan helped him stand, but Jonas was barely able to support his own weight. Rowan hooked Jonas¡¯s arm across his shoulder, and Jonas supported his other side on the crutch.

    ¡°Tell them to get the knife out of Llew,¡± Jonas said to Rowan, who relayed the message in a loud, clear voice.

    Gaemil had donned leather gloves and was trying to wrench Llew¡¯s fingers from Anya. He shifted focus long enough to pull the knife free and toss it aside, then returned to his earlier task.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Aenuk reflex. You can¡¯t break that hold. Only Karlani might.¡± Jonas looked to Karlani.

    Karlani screwed up her face. ¡°I¡¯m not touching a dead Aenuk.¡±

    Anya tried to peel Llew¡¯s fingers back and let go an involuntary moan. ¡°It stings. It¡¯s burning,¡± she whimpered.

    ¡°Do it!¡± Gaemil yelled at Karlani.

    ¡°No.¡± Karlani folded her arms.

    Gaemil caught the eye of one of his guards, gave a nod. That guard approached Karlani. She watched him, unmoving until he stood right in front of her. Then she pulled her arm back and punched him. He was dead before his feet left the ground. His corpse flew back several yards, thumped, bounced once. Karlani glared around at everyone, daring someone to become her next victim.

    ¡°You could stop this!¡± Jonas felt a flush of dizziness. He had no energy left to yell again, not if he wished to remain vertical.

    ¡°The way Llew stopped Cassidy dying?¡± Alvaro folded his arms and adjusted his stance nearer Karlani, making it clear he supported her choice.

    ¡°I am not risking my strength for her.¡± Karlani nodded down her nose at Llew. ¡°You need me whole.¡±

    Jonas had nothing left to stand up to Karlani, and Gaemil¡¯s remaining guards wouldn¡¯t face her again. They only had one option left, if they acted fast enough.

    ¡°Carry Llew to an Ajnai. No one else make skin contact.¡± Jonas lifted his arm from Rowan¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Go. Help them.¡±

    Rowan and one of the two uninjured guards took up Llew¡¯s shoulders, while the other guard lifted her feet, and Gaemil assisted Anya to stand. She looked pale.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Anya said, then whimpered, panted, and tried to subdue a moan. Jonas had had brushes with the Aenuk touch, knew how it burned; the worst time being when he had completed Llew¡¯s healing back in Stelt. A dead Aenuk didn¡¯t just burn at the point of contact, they drained from the entire body of their victim.

    ¡°It¡¯s not okay,¡± Gaemil snarled. ¡°You will not die for her.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not Llew¡¯s fault,¡± Anya said, and grimaced against the pain. She was trying to hold that in, even now trying to protect Llew from the guilt.

    The group made it a few steps before Llew gasped, her body convulsing, and they nearly dropped her. Her free arm flailed, swinging up near the face of the guard holding that shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let her touch you!¡± Jonas followed the group as fast as he could, but he was sluggish, his balance unsteady.

    Anya wailed and stumbled, pulling the whole group down.

    Gaemil recovered quickly, was up on his feet trying to lift Anya back to hers, yelling at the others to ¡°Get up!¡± They were only a few paces from the nearest Ajnai.

    Disentangling themselves from Llew¡¯s limp form, Rowan and the guards took their positions again, but Anya kept trying to slump to the ground.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Llew.¡± Tears trailed down Anya¡¯s cheeks, but she didn¡¯t seem to have the energy to put any emotion into her words. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t¡ª It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s mine. My mistake. Please don¡¯t let Llew feel bad for me.¡±

    ¡°Come on, love. Not far, now.¡± Gaemil strained to lift her under her armpits, changed his grip to a hug, clutching her beneath her ribs, but her head hung limp. The men managed a pace. Then Llew¡¯s arm dropped, her grip on Anya¡¯s hand released.

    ¡°Oh no,¡± Jonas muttered. Gritting his teeth once again, he maneuvered himself forwards.

    With the two women no longer linked, the men were able to move more swiftly, soon laying Llew at the base of the tree, Anya beside her. Futility.

    ¡°Gaemil, you¡¯ve got gloves. Hold Llew¡¯s hand against the trunk.¡±

    Gaemil did so. ¡°And then she can heal Anya, right?¡± Jonas said nothing. Gaemil looked up at him. ¡°Right?¡±

    Jonas didn¡¯t want to respond. Llew needed to heal, and she would be upset enough by what she would wake to. She didn¡¯t need anyone adding to that, or sabotaging her. He looked past Gaemil to Rowan. Rowan nodded his understanding and flexed his bare fingers. He¡¯d be at risk if he had to reposition Llew¡¯s hand, but it was unlikely he¡¯d get trapped. as Anya had, with the tree so close.

    ¡°Right?¡± Gaemil repeated in a tone demanding response.

    Jonas returned Gaemil¡¯s hard gaze with sorrow. ¡°What¡¯s been taken can¡¯t be returned. She¡¯s gone. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Something caught his eye and he looked up to see Karlani staring at him, her mouth half open. It seemed she hadn¡¯t expected things to go this far. All Jonas could do was clench his jaw on a desire to curse her out. He didn¡¯t have the energy, and Anya deserved better.

    ¡°No.¡± Gaemil took up Anya¡¯s unburned hand. ¡°Once she¡¯s healed herself, Llew can heal Anya.¡±

    ¡°You know that ain¡¯t how it works.¡± Gaemil was the most well-read man on matters Karan or Aenuk Jonas had met outside of Quaver or Turhmos.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. These trees, they¡ª¡±

    ¡°It ain¡¯t the trees that break the rules, Lord.¡± Jonas settled for formal in the face of the other man¡¯s anger and distress.

    Fury, pain, and denial welled in Gaemil¡¯s eyes, but he held it in and simply sat, clutching Anya¡¯s hand.

 Shes Alive (part 2)

    A subdued moan vibrated Llew¡¯s chest. She coughed. She lay, eyes closed, breathing gently. A few moments of peace. They¡¯d had to fight. Llew had been fighting. That she was lying here, waking up like this, meant she had died. But the voices she was hearing ¡­ Lord Tovias and Jonas. Good news. They¡¯d won, at least. But stupid Llew had got herself killed again.

    She raised a hand, pushed hair from her eyes, and blinked. She glanced around at those she could see. Gaemil was closest. Odd. She didn¡¯t think he cared that much. Now and then she caught a glimpse of Jonas. He stood nearby. Of course, clambering down on the ground with her was a challenge for him these days, and she could look after herself. Just knowing he was okay was enough.

    The leaves of the Ajnai rustled above her, and she reached out for it, just to be sure she was fully healed before she dared touch anyone. A subtle hum of energy passed from the tree and through her skin.

    ¡°As soon as you¡¯re healed¡ª¡± Gaemil¡¯s voice was tightly controlled. ¡°¡ªyou must help Anya.¡±

    ¡°Anya?¡± Anya should¡¯ve been safe in the house. But then, so should Jonas. Llew started to sit.

    Gaemil leaned over her, pressing her hand back to the bark under his leather glove.

    ¡°What¡ª?¡± Llew jerked against his grip, but it was too strong.

    ¡°Has it stopped?¡± Gaemil asked gruffly.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Llew knew what he meant, but she felt smothered, confused. But if Anya was hurt, Llew was no use until she was fully healed. She concentrated on the sensations beneath her palm. There were the usual bumps in the bark interlaced with the added tingle of ghi transference, fading, fading.

    ¡°Has it stopped?¡± Gaemil repeated.

    Llew waited a moment more to be sure, then nodded.

    Gaemil sat back. ¡°Now, save her.¡±

    Llew looked where he nodded. Anya must have been shifted, as she lay on the ground ¨C not sprawled ¨C peaceful. Llew reached out for the hand nearest her, grabbed the wrist, lifted it. The skin of Anya¡¯s hand was red, blistered, burned, as if it had been gripped in a burning hand. Or a dead Syaenuk¡¯s. But, no. No one would¡¯ve let that happen, and Llew was under an Ajnai. She¡¯d been moved. The Ajnai would¡¯ve saved her. Then again, they had been fighting Turhmosian soldiers. Maybe one of them had been Aenuk. Regardless, whether it had been Llew or someone else ¡­

    ¡°What happened?¡± Her voice caught on the two words. She looked to each member of her audience, pleading for someone to say it wasn¡¯t true and saw nothing there to ease her fear. With a resigned expression, Jonas simply shook his head. ¡°I did this?¡± She knew.

    Jonas nodded.

    ¡°No.¡± A sob thickened her voice. She knew, but she didn¡¯t want to believe. She shimmied herself to sit straighter, and gripped Anya¡¯s hand.

    Gaemil sat close, watching where Llew¡¯s hands wrapped around Anya¡¯s. Nothing happened, not even a faint tingle. Anya remained limp, lifeless. Her hand remained red and raw.

    ¡°No. No. No. No.¡± Llew repeated it to herself ¨C each version of the word becoming thicker in her throat ¨C rocking on her seat as one half of her sought to run away from all this. It didn¡¯t happen. It couldn¡¯t happen. But neither could she abandon her friend. Anya would never abandon Llew. She hadn¡¯t.

    ¡°Llew¡ª¡± Gaemil started.

    ¡°No!¡± Llew screamed, her dual anger and anguish unfiltered, even for an earl.

    Gaemil flinched back as if it had been directed at him. It wasn¡¯t. It was for the world and its stupid rules. Llew could heal anyone, except Jonas. Well, no Kara, but the fact that included Jonas was the insult that mattered.

    But then, Llew had broken that rule. Jonas had died. And thanks to Llew, their baby, and the ancient Ajnai, he had lived again.

    Gaemil stood, turned on the spot, fists clenched. He looked like he wanted to unleash his own pain.

    Jonas hadn¡¯t just died. He¡¯d died twice. Once at Braph¡¯s hand. Once under Llew¡¯s. Llew had stolen life from him. And returned it. Surely, she could do that again. Yes, when she¡¯d taken and returned life to Jonas, it hadn¡¯t been to heal herself. She still didn¡¯t know how that had worked, how she had taken and held Jonas¡¯s ghi and returned it moments later. But neither did she know how the sun rose each morning, or how a bumblebee flew. She didn¡¯t know how her body healed itself using ghi from elsewhere. It just happened.

    Llew had failed her father, absorbing his life as they slept. And she¡¯d failed Cassidy by not waking in the night to revive him before it had been too late. She¡¯d been too late for them. But Anya¡¯s skin still held residual warmth.

    Llew pulled Anya¡¯s hand to her chest, and pressed her other palm against the tree.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Llew¡ª¡± Jonas started, but Llew silenced him with a shake of her head. Yes, there were rules, and Llew hated them.

    ¡°Help me,¡± she whispered to the tree and thought about what it felt like when ghi flowed through her, imagined pushing it through her arm, to the hand clasped around Anya¡¯s. Nothing happened at first, but Llew didn¡¯t let up. She could do this. It had to work.

    Nothing happened. The bark remained cool, her skin prickled with nothing beyond the air moving over the back of her hand.

    It had to work.

    Nothing happened for a few moments more, then the tree began to warm beneath her touch.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Llew whispered, and opened herself to the tree.

    Something akin to the gentle pop of tiny bubbles began in her hand pressed to the bark, flowed through her chest and to her other hand. At first, there seemed to be resistance. The bubbly sensation bloomed into intense pins and needles and Llew¡¯s skin felt tight. Then the pressure eased and power streamed through her and into Anya. About a minute later, Llew sensed the gentlest flex of Anya¡¯s fingers. Llew squeezed back.

    ¡°Is it working?¡± Gaemil asked.

    ¡°I think so,¡± Jonas murmured, his voice laced with wonder.

    Llew closed her eyes and focused on Anya.

    Another minute passed and Anya gasped.

    A collective shuffle went through the group.

    Anya tried to pull her hand free and Llew clutched tighter. There was no autonomic reflex for this.

    Anya relaxed into the grip and sobbed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Llew.¡±

    Llew opened her eyes. What?

    Gaemil crouched beside Anya. ¡°It¡¯s okay, love. You saved her.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Anya looked at Llew, her arm at an awkward angle.

    ¡°You saved her. And now she is saving you.¡±

    Anya looked alarmed. ¡°Well, that¡¯s enough.¡± She tried to tug her hand from Llew¡¯s grip again. ¡°I¡¯m back. Don¡¯t kill yourself for me.¡±

    Llew smiled and firmed her grip again. ¡°It¡¯s not me. It¡¯s the Ajnai.¡±

    Llew looked up at the canopy again. More than half of the leaves had turned brown. Llew released Anya¡¯s hand and pulled back from the tree.

    Gaemil pulled Anya into an embrace as Llew stood, still staring into the branches. She circled the tree. It wasn¡¯t the ancient Ajnai Aris had felled. It was only months old. While its roots dug deep in the earth, it still lacked something that only came with time. Its power remained limited, and Llew had asked it to do what shouldn¡¯t have been possible.

    Llew reached out to it again. She carried no injury, so nothing passed through that touch.

    ¡°Thank you, and I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    As before, the tree simply returned an acceptance of its role. Llew tried to convey a promise to be more careful, but the tree either ignored it or didn¡¯t believe her. At least it wasn¡¯t dead. Not fully.

    ¡°Sir?¡±

    A guard addressing Gaemil drew Llew¡¯s attention. Gaemil still held Anya, murmuring to her.

    ¡°Tomas,¡± the soldier stated plainly, and gestured to a body in a matching uniform. One of Gaemil¡¯s guards was down.

    Llew went to him, but he was lifeless. When she looked up, she was surrounded by the rest of the Gaemil¡¯s guards. They all glanced Gaemil¡¯s way but, while he looked back, he didn¡¯t relinquish his hold on Anya, who sobbed into his shoulder.

    Llew directed the guards to carry their compatriot to another Ajnai. Taking up the guard¡¯s hand in hers, she once again pressed a hand to the bark, well aware that her own heart wasn¡¯t in it the way it had been when Braph had shot Jonas, or just moments ago when she pleaded with the other tree to bring Anya back. Llew didn¡¯t know this guard, did not love him, but he would have a family, and he had died here, protecting Llew and her cause. At least, in his case, he had died of normal, if not natural, causes rather than having been drained by Llew, and he wasn¡¯t Karan so, although subtle at first, Llew soon felt the ghi buzzing through her, flowing easily.

    Movement caught her eye, and she looked across to see Jonas ease himself down to the base of another tree, Elka beside him. He looked so tired. Despite the urge to go to him, Llew remained still, even after the guard gasped his first breath, until the sizzle of life stopped flowing through her. Then, ignoring the thanks and awe, she went to the tree one over from Jonas and sat, presenting her arm to Elka, her other palm pressed to the bark, ensuring she held no lingering injury to pass on.

    Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani rounded up three of the Turhmos horses and led them to a paddock behind the house. The remaining horses followed, though one took an interest in Llew and Jonas, walking over to sniff at them before raising its head and tearing off a leaf from a tree. With a snort, it gave a small buck and took off after the others at a collected canter, luckily aware enough of its surroundings and bulk to neither kick Jonas nor Llew, nor topple Elka as it passed between them.

    Elka settled into a rhythm of extracting blood from Llew and pushing it into Jonas¡¯s veins, and soon Jonas was looking across at Llew with a smile brightening his face.

    ¡°Do you know what you¡¯ve done?¡± he asked. ¡°You¡¯ve saved three lives and taken none. You¡¯ve shown us the future.¡±

 Thats All Llew

    The future lay before Llew in the form of dead Turhmosian soldiers, and she was in the unenviable position of having to choose whether to step into it. Could she afford to?

    She glanced at the Ajnai that had given its life to save Ard¡¯s. It was dull, dried, and remained barely two feet tall. The other trees had shot up to around two to three times as tall as she was and their canopies spread nearly as wide. Their trunks, however, remained less than a foot around, nothing like the ancient Ajnai that had been more broad than she and Jonas sitting side-by-side. What did these trees have left to give?

    And then there was the tree that had allowed her to save Anya. It was as tall and broad as the others, and she understood she hadn¡¯t killed it, but it was damaged. She couldn¡¯t call on it again any time soon.

    She looked back at the sprawled bodies, to Jonas, still taking a moment to savor his renewed energy, at Anya wrapped in Gaemil¡¯s arms. The soldiers had come because Turhmos told them to. That didn¡¯t make them bad people. And, surely, giving them their lives back would win their favor.

    ¡°Please,¡± she waved a hand to draw the nearest of Gaemil¡¯s guard¡¯s attention. ¡°Bring that one to me.¡± She pointed to the nearest body.

    The guard glanced at Gaemil who, despite still clasping Anya to him, tuned into Llew¡¯s intent, and nodded. Yes, he¡¯d said he couldn¡¯t afford Turhmos witnesses, but if this worked they would gain allies.

    Once the body was in reach, Llew clasped the cooling hand and kept her other on the tree behind her. It didn¡¯t surprise her when she felt nothing for several full seconds. She tuned her full attention to the sensation of skin-on-skin, as unsettling as that cool touch was, and became aware of the familiar vibration beginning from little more than imagination and growing, filling Llew¡¯s body with hot and cold and a general restlessness. She dug her fingers into a crevice in the tree bark and clasped the warming hand tight.

    The soldier gasped, his breathing settled into a rhythm and, eventually, he opened his eyes, looked from Llew to Anya, Gaemil, and the Brurun guards standing over him, and panicked, trying to wrest his hand free of Llew¡¯s clasp.

    ¡°You¡¯re not fully healed yet,¡± Llew murmured, hoping her words would reassure him, rather than panic him more.

    His gaze met hers as he processed her words, his expression shifting from a wild fear to a leery understanding.

    As soon as the flow of ghi eased, Llew instructed, ¡°Next¡±.

    Once fully healed, the Turhmos soldier stood. He looked warily at his enemies surrounding him, and flinched as Rowan, Alvaro, and Karlani returned but, once it was evident no one intended to attack him, he simply joined the others in watching Llew as she accepted the hand of the second soldier. Again, it took time for the flow of ghi to begin, but begin it did, and soon a second Turhmos soldier returned from the dead, and Llew called for the next, her audience watching on in awed silence. But as the moments ticked past with the third soldier¡¯s cold hand in her grasp, she had to admit defeat and, with a panicked tinge to her voice, she pleaded for the warmest bodies to be brought to her first. She had to get to the most likely to be saved, or she might save no more. A part of her thought making such a call should feel more painful, but those first two soldiers alive and breathing were nearly enough.

    Soon after gasping the first breath of his new life, the fourth soldier reached for a knife and was grappled by Turhmos soldier and Brurun guard alike, and pulled away while Llew got on with healing the next. From then on, one of the Turhmos soldiers ensured hers was the first face her compatriots saw when they returned to life and things went more smoothly, until eight Turhmos soldiers stood, marveling at their second chance, while the following thirteen remained lifeless.

    After holding the final cold hand for a few minutes, Llew let it drop, rested her arms on her knees, and sat in her mixed feelings.

    <hr>

    The living Turhmos soldiers compared notes on their experience and lifted shirts and sleeves, eying wounds and scars that had now disappeared.

    Jonas watched them, remembering the first time Llew had brought him back to life, at the foot of the ancient Ajnai, scarless, and in peak condition. And once Jonas drew their attention to him, they¡¯d realize he wasn¡¯t. As grateful as they may be to Llew, they had no need to be loyal to Jonas.

    He sat a few moments more, watching Llew. What a miracle she was. But, despite everyone around her sparing her frequent glances, mostly filled with wonder, she remained lost in her own thoughts.

    Jonas signaled Rowan to help him stand. Once up, he dusted himself off, deliberately not looking up to see the reactions from the Turhmosians. That could wait. His trousers covered his prosthetic, but Rowan¡¯s aid would not go unnoticed. Still, it was better than struggling in front of these soldiers, showing them exactly how weak he was. Mentally prepared, he raised his chin, and met each of the eight sets of wary eyes calmly and, he hoped, with his usual air of confidence. Rowan gave him the moment, collecting Jonas¡¯s crutches, but not handing either to him until Jonas signaled his want of one. Then Jonas went to converse with Gaemil, who kept a protective arm around Anya¡¯s shoulders. Rowan shadowed him, seemingly aware of Jonas¡¯s vulnerability, taking on the role of bodyguard. Jonas hated it, but shook that off. Someone had to take control until Llew was ready, and it made sense for that to be him, even if he wasn¡¯t the most unifying figure present. He was Llew¡¯s second.

    ¡°What¡¯s your plan from here?¡± Jonas asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Gaemil said. ¡°But that was ¡­ What even was that?¡± He waved a hand between the tree where Jonas had been seated and Jonas himself.

    ¡°That¡¯s how Aenuks can heal Kara. Or how Kara can heal themselves using Aenuk magic. It¡¯s ¡­ It¡¯s what Braph does.¡±

    Not unexpectedly, Gaemil let all his disgust show. ¡°I don¡¯t wish offense, but the fewer dealings I have with Aenuks or Kara, the better. I don¡¯t envy the choices you face. As for my plan? You know I can¡¯t stay. I came for Anya. As much as I wish you well in your endeavors, I have no jurisdiction here. I must return to Brurun and converse with Turhmos and Quaver from there. If you¡¯re right about Turhmos working with Braph, Phyos could be in for a period of great unrest. I need to stand with my people.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Jonas glanced at Anya. She still seemed traumatized, staring at nothing, or possibly Llew, and appearing not to be listening. Gaemil squeezed her shoulders, and she spared him a performative smile and slipped back into herself. ¡°You¡¯ll allow Llew and Anya the chance to say goodbye?¡±

    "Of course.¡±

    Jonas checked the time by the angle of the sun ¨C his empty stomach confirmed lunch time slipping by ¨C then drew Gaemil¡¯s attention to the Turhmos soldiers with his gaze. ¡°Stay for lunch, at least. We¡¯ve either acquired extra hands or a problem. We could use your neutrality to bring them in, and we¡¯ll do our part in counterin¡¯ whatever Braph is settin¡¯ in motion, help settle whatever¡¯s simmerin¡¯ in Phyos.¡±

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Your brother killed Aris, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    The urge to deny the relationship was strong, but of little value here, so Jonas kept it in. Yes, Braph had killed an Immortal, while Jonas was weak and broken. The difference between them was more stark than ever, and Jonas was on the wrong side of the equation.

    ¡°Another problem I¡¯m pleased not to have on my plate.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Jonas saw little value in responding. He stepped back from Gaemil, glanced over at Llew. She still had her knees drawn up and chin resting on arms, but she met his gaze. He went to her and, with some difficulty, sat beside her, facing her, placed a hand to her shoulder.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever want to get used to it.¡± She lifted her chin enough to indicate a body. ¡°Not being able to save everyone.¡±

    Jonas squeezed her shoulder. ¡°You were brilliant. You are. Those eight soldiers standin¡¯ wouldn¡¯t be if it weren¡¯t for you. You gotta take that win. The loss of the rest? That¡¯s not on you. That¡¯s a problem bigger than us. That¡¯s Turhmos and Quaver, and those are mountains we ain¡¯t shiftin¡¯ today. But we made a start.¡±

    One of the Turhmos soldiers approached, his attention fixed on the tree. He reached out to it. ¡°What is this?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re Aenuk?¡± Llew asked and stood, brushed herself off, and held out a hand to help Jonas up.

    ¡°Yes, but ¡­ What is this tree?¡± The soldier kept his hand pressed to the bark, seeming to feel something in that touch.

    ¡°It¡¯s an Ajnai, like the rest.¡± Llew indicated the row.

    One of the other Turhmos soldiers came to stand by the Aenuk, arms folded, posture staunch, and hostile gaze locked on Jonas.

    Llew also drew herself taller. ¡°Jonas is with me. You have a problem with him, you can leave.¡±

    The soldier met her gaze for a few moments before relenting and easing his stance, just a little.

    ¡°Seems Quavens learn more about Aenuks than Aenuks themselves.¡± Jonas tried for a light tone to put the soldiers more at ease. A sense of loss swept through him. He¡¯d never had to consider what others thought about him. He¡¯d just been Jonas, the Syakaran. Anyone took offense, he¡¯d lay them out. Now their opinion of him could get him killed. The fear settled in his gut and manifested as anger simmering just beneath the surface. Impotent as it may be.

    ¡°Know your enemy, I suppose,¡± Llew murmured. Louder, she said, ¡°Ajnais allow Aenuks to heal without killing.¡±

    ¡°Did the tree do this?¡± The Aenuk indicated himself. ¡°Could I do that?¡±

    Jonas shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s all Llew.¡±

    ¡°The tree just lets me do it without killing anything else.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what the Sy means,¡± Jonas said. ¡°She¡¯s Syaenuk.¡±

    Smirking, and with arms still crossed defensively, the hostile soldier looked Jonas up and down. ¡°Still can¡¯t heal Kara, huh?¡±

    ¡°Not by touch, no,¡± Llew conceded. ¡°And you¡¯re going the right way to make me regret bringing you back. Buck up or bugger off.¡±

    The soldier snorted at that, not derisively, though. There was humor in it and he stepped back a few strides before turning to re-join the other soldiers. A win.

    Anya peeled herself from Gaemil and approached Llew, Gaemil shadowing her with an arm braced, ready to catch her. She threw herself into Llew¡¯s arms, holding tight.

    Jonas took this as a sign it was time for him to address the Turhmosians. They watched him warily. Some hands went to where knives had been worn, but Gaemil¡¯s men had removed them, and their stances and expressions eased as it became clear he relied on the crutch.

    ¡°You all have a decision to make. You can remain loyal to Turhmos and leave, or you can stay, help us with the clean up, and be a part of the future.¡± He drew their attention to Llew. ¡°You know what she is. You¡¯ve seen what those trees let her do, how they can allow any Aenuk¡ª¡± he nodded to the one that had identified himself at the tree, ¡°¡ªto heal without killin¡¯. Quaver is to blame for the current fate of Aenuks and, as a representative of Quaver, I will own that, here and now. We made a mistake and locked Aenuks into havin¡¯ to make impossible choices, and captivity. But we have these Ajnais now, plus one in Quaver, and one in Brurun.¡± The Aenuk soldier listened intently. Jonas had little doubt he wouldn¡¯t return to captivity, not with freedom staring him in the face. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you lot, but the future I see looks brighter. You can step into it, or you can try to hold it back. But I think that gets a whole lot harder as more people learn what we¡¯re doin¡¯ here. If you stay, you¡¯re helpin¡¯, and you¡¯re doin¡¯ whatever Llew tells you, and sometimes that might come via me. If you can¡¯t abide that, now¡¯s the time to leave.¡±

    The soldiers¡¯ hostility had eased and they glanced among themselves, the Aenuk fixing each with a determined look ¨C he would not be going back ¨C before one answered. ¡°We¡¯ll stay.¡±

    Llew came to stand beside Jonas, lightly gripping his arm, clearly signaling their unity.

    ¡°We need to find more food,¡± she said. ¡°We need to ¡­¡± She looked at the bodies littering the ground. She swallowed the next bit, so Jonas filled in.

    ¡°Tidy up.¡± They were Turhmos soldiers, just like countless others he¡¯d seen off over the years. Llew still saw them as people, maybe even her people, even more so if their compatriots signed up to her cause.

    ¡°I can buy food in Hinden if the stores here are low,¡± Gaemil said. ¡°It¡¯s not quite on my way, but I have credit I can access. Pick a few people you can trust and I¡¯ll load them up and send them back.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d sure be appreciated,¡± Jonas said. ¡°The farm ain¡¯t stocked for this many people at this end of winter.¡±

    "We¡¯ll need to leave after lunch, then, not diminish your supplies any further, or leave you waiting.¡± He squeezed Anya affectionately.

    Anya, usually so eager to fight her case, seemed too sunk into herself to rally against the early departure. Llew squeezed Jonas¡¯s hand and went to Anya, murmuring thank yous and are-you-really-alrights and Jonas instructed everyone else to get on with shifting bodies and locating enough food for a lunch. Anya¡¯s skill at taking charge in such situations would¡¯ve been helpful. Without her ability to ascertain each person¡¯s natural role, Jonas had to trust that everyone would figure out their place in the process and get it done. He lacked the energy to do more.

 This Hate You Wont Let Go Of (part 1)

    While Elka, Rowan, and a couple of the Turhmos soldiers keen to help in the kitchen and garden brought together a meal for them all, most of the rest of the group started digging a hole for the soldiers Llew had been unable to revive.

    Although unused to being surplus to need, Jonas didn¡¯t mind this time, since every ounce of energy he used cost Llew in blood. While she gave it willingly, he¡¯d assured her he was better than he was after all she had already given to the injured and dead soldiers. He thought it likely he could manage until their usual evening transfer. Still, his muscles fatigued. He sat on the edge of the porch.

    Anya was already there, with her knees up, her dress tucked down between them to preserve dignity, and her chin resting on her arms. Jonas had never seen Anya in such a pose. Llew did it all the time, her preference for trousers not a problem, while Anya followed the protocol for women she had been raised with; tidy dresses, upright posture, gentle tongue. She had also assured Llew she was fine, despite the clear haunted look in her eyes, and now sat watching her friend converse with the Ajnai trees. Jonas thought he understood that look. She had just died and lived again thanks to Llew¡¯s magic. It wasn¡¯t something you went through and carried on with life as you had been. It wasn¡¯t something you could talk through with Llew either, not while you sat in debt to her. She wouldn¡¯t see it that way, but Jonas certainly lived with it.

    Llew placed a palm to a tree and stood a few moments in silence before moving to the next. Jonas understood that the trees spoke to her, though he doubted he would ever fully comprehend it. They certainly didn¡¯t talk to him, even the one planted over his children was silent to him. Something in the Aenuk-Ajnai bond. Something Quaver, under Aris¡¯s urging, had tried to destroy. So many lives lost ¨C Ajnai trees, Aenuks, and the countless people that could have been saved by such a pairing ¨C all for Aris to retain his own. And what had Aris done with that costly extended life? Retained control over a select few individuals with Syakaran power. To achieve what? To live and live and maybe one day regain his powers? And then what? Destroy all Aenuks and Ajnais simply so he could retain his immortality? It seemed the old man had so feared his own death he¡¯d rather have watched the rest of the world burn than face it.

    So, what had it all been for? Cowardice, as far as Jonas could tell. Cowardice and the lies formulated to protect it.

    Gaemil returned from helping to dig the mass grave, pausing to look on Anya with concern. After dealing with the ambitions of Aris and Braph, there was something refreshing in seeing smudges of dirt the on the earl¡¯s clothing and temple, and the dark lines of dirty fingernails. Jonas lifted his chin and gave Gaemil a reassuring wave. Gaemil gave a thin smile and stepped onto the porch to wash his hands at the water basin. Anya remained fixated on Llew.

    Gaemil turned a worried look Jonas¡¯s way once more and Jonas dismissed him with a casual smile. He reckoned he had this in hand, while Gaemil¡¯s anxiety might clam Anya.

    Gaemil headed indoors and Jonas shifted closer to Anya, ready to be an understanding ear if she was ready.

    While she remained still, having not reacted to Gaemil¡¯s arrival nor departure, Anya¡¯s eyes shifted, noting Jonas¡¯s attention before returning their focus to Llew. They glistened, with tears sitting in her lower lashes.

    ¡°Feels like we can never repay what she¡¯s given, huh?¡± Jonas hazarded.

    Anya ignored him.

    After a time, she whispered, ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡± The first tear tracked down her cheek. She wiped it away with the inside of a wrist, sniffed, and returned her chin to her arms, still watching Llew. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I feel this way. I only know I¡¯m not supposed to be here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are,¡± Jonas said it without thinking. He didn¡¯t need to.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be, though. I don¡¯t deserve it. I was so stupid. I know what she is, and she could easily have healed off an Ajnai. But I just ran out, head empty, and grabbed her hand. So stupid. And I know how she¡¯d feel if she hadn¡¯t been able to bring me back, which she shouldn¡¯t have been able to do, but look at her. She¡¯s a miracle. And me? A waste of space.¡±

    Jonas looked at her, but she didn¡¯t meet his gaze. ¡°You¡¯re not stupid. We all make mistakes when it comes to Aenuks. I spent years trainin¡¯ to fight them safely, and I still got it wrong sometimes.¡±

    ¡°In the end, even though I knew she¡¯d be sad, I made peace with it. I was ready to go and pay for my stupidity. And now I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    ¡°Make peace with still bein¡¯ here.¡±

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    Anya looked at him. Blinked. ¡°Don¡¯t make it sound so simple. I¡¯m wallowing.¡± This time, instead of returning her chin to her arms, she pressed her mouth into them. Stifling a laugh? Her eyes gave nothing away.

    He considered a quip like ¡®Wallow away¡¯, but didn¡¯t know how Anya would take it in the moment. It did seem simple to him. Anya was alive. Watching Llew reconnecting with her trees, he hated to think what kind of mess she¡¯d be in if Anya had stayed dead.

    ¡°Llew needs you alive. Whatever else you gotta think or do to be okay with bein¡¯ here, start with bein¡¯ here for her. That¡¯s all she needs from you.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I get it.¡±

    ¡°I know you like to make yourself useful; you need a worthwhile project. You¡¯ve got one in Rakun. Brurun is a great and prosperous country unfortunate enough to share borders with both Turhmos and Quaver. It needs strong leadership now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hardly a leader.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re part of that structure. You have a voice. At the very least, you bring Gaemil joy. I¡¯ve never seen him happier than the day you arrived in Rakun. Start there.¡±

    They sat, Jonas allowing Anya her wallowing and Anya doing just that, until she asked quietly, ¡°What comes after this?¡± She lifted her chin and looked at Jonas, her eyes finally focused on that short distance. ¡°There was nothing.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re never truly gone until a Syaenuk can¡¯t bring you back. What comes after? That¡¯s a mystery you¡¯re fortunate to still live with.¡±

    Anya blinked at him a few times, before setting her focus back on Llew. Or, at least, in Llew¡¯s direction. ¡°Huh.¡±

    <hr>

    The Ajnai that had helped Llew do what shouldn¡¯t have been possible ¨C returned stolen ghi ¨C still clung to life and assured her it could heal, given time. Through her touch, the Ajnais projected images and an emotional understanding as clear as if they had spoken. Despite appearances, these trees were young. They had yet to establish the connections the ancient Ajnai had achieved through its root system and relationships built with a range of underground life ¨C other plant roots, fungi, and a myriad of tiny animals; beetle grubs and worms, millipedes and mites.

    Some of these Ajnai had finally made contact between their roots, but the dead tree she¡¯d used to heal Ard also meant the trees either side had farther to reach. It would take months yet for the entire row to be fully connected. Once they were, the potential for helping Aenuks would grow even faster. Llew asked them when they might sprout seeds so she could spread them even farther and was met with sadness. It could be hundreds of years before these trees could produce seeds. It just wasn¡¯t something such traditionally ancient trees had to do at this stage in their life-cycle, and was usually only a process called on in the throes of death.

    But it gave me seeds when I brought Jonas back.

    The sense she got from the tree she was touching, quietly accompanied by the trees it had contact with underground, felt like a ¡°Hmm¡± and a raised eyebrow. They had opinions about Kara. Opinions planted with each seed.

    ¡°It won¡¯t get any better with attitudes like that. It¡¯s not Kara that are the problem, it¡¯s people who behave like Braph or Aris. It¡¯s this¡ª¡± She waved her hands at the tree. ¡°¡ªhate you won¡¯t let go of. You disapprove of Jonas because of what he is, but he¡¯s a man capable of learning, capable of looking beyond the hate he was born to, capable of loving me, despite a lifetime of learning hate.¡± Llew took a breath. ¡°I get it, I do. The Kara nearly wiped you out, but that wasn¡¯t Jonas¡¯s doing. He¡¯s dedicated to freeing the Aenuks now, and to planting more Ajnais, if that¡¯s possible.¡±

    Llew scanned the tree branches, but there was no hint they were about to produce seeds just because she wanted them to. That meant that when she and Jonas finally freed the Aenuks, there wouldn¡¯t be Ajnai trees dotted all over the place to allow destruction-free healing. A fear of the potential devastation they might wreak fluttered Llew¡¯s heart. Maybe freeing the Aenuks was the wrong thing to do? Such a thought sat uncomfortably in her gut. These were people she was thinking about. People capable of learning and making good decisions.

    The memory of the devastation Llew had wrought in the Aghacian town of Stelt, and since, flitted through her mind along with the imagined demise of the little girl killed by Llew¡¯s power. Yes, she had made mistakes. Devastating mistakes that she wasn¡¯t sure she could ever balance. The other Aenuks would also make mistakes. Potentially deadly. But was that possibility worth their lifelong captivity?

    Llew looked back to the homestead where Jonas sat beside Anya, where Merrid and Ard had lived, where they had housed Aenuks and given them the tools to step into the free world and remain undiscovered. How many Aenuks had the farmers equipped with such knowledge over the years? Probably not many, though they¡¯d likely dreamed of freeing them all. That¡¯s what Llew had to do. Bring Aenuks here, teach them what they needed to know to make it out there. Give them this base to return to if necessary, and send them out to the lives they deserved.

 This Hate You Wont Let Go Of (part 2)

    The Aenuk soldier approached and placed a hand to an Ajnai. Llew watched him, finding a joy in seeing someone converse with the trees as she did.

    ¡°Merrid and Ard, the farmers who owned this place, used to free Aenuks,¡± Llew said. ¡°They¡¯d want you to stay.¡±

    He met her gaze, keeping his palm on the tree. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m staying.¡±

    Llew smiled and held out her hand to shake his. ¡°Welcome to the team,¡± she said when he accepted the gesture. ¡°My name¡¯s Llew, by the way.¡±

    ¡°Sam.¡±

    ¡°Will the rest of your ¡­ countrymen join us?¡±

    ¡°We pledged to join you.¡± He glanced at Jonas, briefly enough he perhaps hoped Llew wouldn¡¯t notice, but she did detect a darkening of his demeanor.

    ¡°Loyalty to me is loyalty to him. You don¡¯t get one without the other.¡±

    ¡°You know what he did?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Jonas had also made mistakes.

    ¡°Lunch!¡± One of the Turhmos soldiers called from the homestead, and the farm settled into a scene of domesticity, with everyone finding somewhere to sit or stand to eat.

    There was still no bread, but the soldiers had foraged a variety of fresh greens, edible flowers, and fruit from around the farm. There weren¡¯t enough plates to go around, but the group broke into smaller groups and made do. Rowan and Elka sat with Gaemil at the table inside, making a plan for things Gaemil could buy in Hinden. The Turhmos soldiers and Gaemil¡¯s guards stood near enough they could eavesdrop on each other¡¯s conversation and laugh or comment on things they had in common. Alvaro and Karlani stood together not far from the house, but not mingling either. Llew¡¯s two favorite people in all the world, Jonas and Anya sat side-by-side on the edge of the porch eating quietly, sharing the occasional observation. Llew placed herself out in the middle of the cartway, right where it was double width, before it diverged between heading to the house or to the sheds around back, and everyone seemed to understand she was content to stand on her own, nibbling, and just being Llew alone; together with everyone.

    And she was nearly overwhelmed by the experience. The only other person she¡¯d been able to count on for many years had been her father, until his disappearance left her entirely alone. Yes, she¡¯d had friends but, as was the way in Cheer, many hadn¡¯t survived childhood, or if they did it was because they knew how to look after their number one, as Llew had learned to do. Share a physical space, but little else. She¡¯d been closer to Kynas physically than anyone, but Llew never tried to kid herself there was more than scratching an itch between them. Well, no. Her final memories of him were clouding her first years on the street. He¡¯d been good to her, then; sharing, teaching, not expecting in return, until something changed and suddenly she owed him.

    Chewing a sweet, immature pea pod, Llew looked around at her hodgepodge crew. All three major nations of Phyos were here: Turhmos, Quaver, and Brurun. Aenuks, Kara, and mundane, all gathered together for a meal on Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm. She thought the couple would have delighted in it, and once more wished they were there to see it. This was their legacy.

    Even the Ajnais. They represented something more than what they were. Perhaps these immature trees less so than the ancient Ajnai had done. Still, their existence felt like a connection to the past ¨C when Aenuks had been free and Ajnais had been everywhere ¨C and the future that would mirror it; somehow, though getting more seeds any time soon didn¡¯t seem likely. The ancient Ajnai had released seeds as it had died, though, and Llew had brought them here when she, Jonas, and Braph had sought succor. The cart was now empty of their stockpile of Ajnai wood. Where had those seeds gone? A job for when things grew quiet around the farm, assuming that would happen.

    After lunch, Gaemil¡¯s guards prepared their horses, and a couple of the Turhmos soldiers ¨C Eirian and Ivor ¨C hitched Ard¡¯s cart to join them. There hadn¡¯t been time to get to know the soldiers, and a part of Llew wondered if they could trust them, but Jonas assured her that saving their lives would have instilled a debt Turhmos itself couldn¡¯t match. That he could find it in him to trust soldiers from Turhmos made it easier for her to do the same. Sam didn¡¯t feel safe leaving the farm, so he would stay.

    Once again, Llew found herself having to say goodbye to Anya. And this time, she couldn¡¯t guess if it might be their last, so they lingered in their embrace, saying how much they loved each other and were grateful to have shared their short journey, tears soaking each others¡¯ clothing. Eventually, Gaemil gently pried Anya away, helped her to mount, and Llew watched them go as best she could through tear-filled eyes. Jonas stood by her, placed an arm around her shoulders and, when she was ready, pulled her into an embrace, letting her sob into his shoulder. Anya was safer away from here. Her place wasn¡¯t beside Llew while Llew¡¯s freedom still drew the ire of Turhmos. Still, Anya¡¯s leaving hurt her heart.

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    But there was work to be done.

    Thirteen bodies awaited funeral rites, as best as could be provided. Karlani¡¯s Syakaran powers helped immensely, as did the decision to settle for a mass grave. Llew had wondered if the living Turhmosian soldiers might find offense, but it turned out most barely knew each other. They trained together under strict command; they were not permitted to socialize. As for Sam, he savored the chance to breathe fresh air and to feel it and the warmth of the sun on his skin. He had seen Llew through his cell door window when she¡¯d escaped, but he¡¯d lacked understanding of what was happening at the time as he¡¯d experienced so little of the world. One room, and the occasional training and exercise session within the palace compound. This was the first time he¡¯d been sent on patrol, and he had intended to follow his commands, capture Llew, and bring her back where she should be. He hadn¡¯t guessed there might be another way, and he thanked her for this chance at another life.

    Llew accepted his and the other soldiers¡¯ repeated thanks graciously, she hoped, with a smile and a nod. She wouldn¡¯t diminish what she had done ¨C the dead were testament to how easily she could fail ¨C and she wouldn¡¯t forget how deadly she could be if it weren¡¯t for the Ajnais. So each thanks she received she considered herself accepting on behalf of the trees, for it was they that protected the farm and all the people on it.

    They lowered the bodies into the ground around late afternoon and, though no one had personal connections to those they farewelled, they paused for a few moments before committing the first shovelful of soil. Llew took it as a chance to forgive these soldiers who had come to capture her and kill Jonas at Turhmos¡¯s behest. They hadn¡¯t chosen their fight. Even if they thought they had, it was based on the lies they¡¯d been raised to believe. That they hadn¡¯t had the chance for enlightenment their fellow Turhmosians had was a tragedy.

    Llew returned to the house cows with Elka. Llew could soothe them and smear the salve herself, but she appreciated Elka¡¯s expert eye. She also suspected that, like herself, Elka found some peace and joy in simply being with the cows and away from the bustle of people.

    ¡°Have you helped your ma with many pregnancies?¡±

    ¡°A fair few.¡± As was her way, Elka watched Llew, rather than asking the obvious.

    Llew appreciated the opportunity to change her mind and save face; pretend she¡¯d simply taken an interest in Elka¡¯s history and experience, and maintain some pretense of polite society. But what value was there in saving face?

    ¡°When I carried Jonas¡¯s babies, I gained their Immortal magic. I was fast and strong like Jonas, and I could heal him with a touch. But I didn¡¯t gain those powers until more than a week after we ¡­ were together.¡± Llew would¡¯ve used the euphemism anyway, but was especially aware of Elka¡¯s feelings regarding Jonas. She wasn¡¯t surprised when it took Elka a moment to process.

    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know. We usually s¡ª see women when they miss their menses, or begin to show in their belly. What happens in the earliest days, I couldn¡¯t tell you.¡±

    Llew sighed. ¡°I guess I¡¯m just hoping for another miracle. I need to save him.¡±

    ¡°Of course you do.¡±

    ¡°Last time was so easy. This time, I don¡¯t even know if I can.¡±

    ¡°Jonas didn¡¯t think you would be able to s¡ª save Anya. Why?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t return what we¡¯ve taken.¡±

    ¡°But you did. Did you know you could do that?¡±

    ¡°¡­ No.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t even bled since losing their babies. Perhaps the doctor really had removed a part of her. Perhaps that path to saving Jonas¡¯s life was gone forever.

    A lump rose in her throat.

    If Jonas died, it wouldn¡¯t matter; Llew couldn¡¯t imagine having a family with anyone else. She wanted to be with him. And she wanted to save his life.

 A Butter Churn (part 1)

    The farm functioned smoothly that night, with a decent, if plain, dinner prepared, Jonas¡¯s energy boosted to get him through the night, and overnight watch negotiated among the Turhmos soldiers. After once again checking and soothing the house cows, Llew luxuriated in a full, deep sleep, bundled beside, though separately from Jonas, and woke feeling ready to take whatever the day had to throw at her. Jonas, too, seemed brighter on waking. Llew had been sure to give him more blood than what he merely needed for sleeping, no matter how much he assured her she¡¯d given enough. It would never be enough, not while he remained infected.

    Sam, who¡¯d taken on the role of primary emissary between the Turhmos soldiers and Llew, reported no signs of search parties in the night. Their own group hadn¡¯t been expected to report back for another day or two, so they supposed they had about that long before anyone suspected trouble in their neighborhood. With so many hands and sets of eyes available, more eggs were found for breakfast, and the first sourdough loaf was baked fresh and sliced to share. Even Karlani didn¡¯t complain at the servings available.

    Conversations were cordial, and mostly about running the farm. Extra hands and extra feet meant the whole farm had been explored between them in the earliest light. Rowan, Karlani, Alvaro, and the soldiers collated what they¡¯d learned regarding how many animals required tending and the paddocks available to keep them over breakfast. Llew took particular interest when conversation turned to a small river several paddocks behind the house. It was generally agreed that the fence markers suggested the river indicated a boundary between properties. Care would need to be taken with regards crossing paths with the neighbors, since they had no idea where their loyalties would lie, but it was a relief to know the whole farm didn¡¯t rely on the well as its single water source. And a wade in an isolated swimming hole sounded a preferable way to bathe than in a tub in such a busy household. She suggested as much to Jonas and he agreed.

    After breakfast, Rowan headed out to dig through more of Ard¡¯s equipment to see what was already on site. Otherwise, he awaited the return of the soldiers who¡¯d traveled to Hinden, though they were at least a day away, yet. Llew asked him to keep an eye out for the seeds from the ancient Ajnai.

    Llew, Jonas, Elka, Sam, and two other Turhmos soldiers, Edwyn and Lyneth, planned to head out to the Ajnais to show the Turhmosians how the blood transfers worked, which would free up Elka. She wanted to study Ard¡¯s ledgers, learn the rhythms of the farm along with plans he¡¯d jotted for the coming months, such as crop and livestock rotations. Sam wasn¡¯t to do the transfers himself, with the risk he might brush up against Jonas and heal his own muscle aches, but he could relieve any aches the others developed in the process.

    As soon as she stepped outdoors, Llew¡¯s eye was drawn to the dead Ajnai; an ache lancing her heart at the sight. She strode straight out to it, everything else fading from her awareness. It was the tree that had allowed her to heal Anya ¨C to give back what she had taken ¨C to break some ancient rule. She touched it and it remained silent. It had assured her it would heal. Why was it now dead? They couldn¡¯t afford to keep doing this.

    She glanced up into the brown leaves. Such a painful sight. But, off the ends of some branches hung bunches of seeds, just like those left by the ancient Ajnai.

    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t ¡­¡±

    Of course, there was no response from the dead tree. She moved to the next one over and placed her palm on the living bark. While it didn¡¯t overflow with joy at the gift bestowed by the dead tree, it gave off a sense of grudging acceptance, even some appreciation, for Jonas and what he had done and promised to do for the Aenuks. And Llew couldn¡¯t help the flush of pride in these trees she and her fellow Aenuks relied on and their acceptance of Jonas¡¯s place in her life.

    She turned back, beaming at the sorrowful faces, and held her arms above her head. ¡°Seeds! It¡¯s given us seeds. There might be enough for one for every Aenuk. Just imagine ¡­¡±

    They did. She could see it in their faces. Sam came forward, evidently, and rightfully, awed.

    ¡°I could plant a tree of my own?¡±

    ¡°I think so.¡± Llew tried to estimate how many seeds now hung from the dead tree.

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    How many Aenuks still lived in tiny, plain rooms beneath the Duffirk palace? Llew wished she could¡¯ve opened every door as she¡¯d run that corridor, but then where could they have gone? Then, there had been nowhere for so many free Aenuks. Now, above Llew¡¯s head hung the way forward: Ajnais everywhere.

    So it was that despite another dead Ajnai in their midst, Llew rolled up her sleeve and they continued on with the planned blood transfers for Jonas while Elka returned indoors to redirect the remaining Turhmos soldiers to locate a saw to bring the dead Ajnai down and collect its seeds. Llew didn¡¯t love the idea of cutting down the tree, but it was already dead and better off making way for a replacement. Unlike the ancient Ajnai, it wasn¡¯t a community of nature in its own right, its demise a tragedy for sure, but a relatively small cost in the long run. Such cold, practical thoughts seemed to be coming all too easily to Llew, such seemed to be the trajectory of her life. Plants, animals, and people lived and died around her. For some, she had the power to help them live, for others she had to learn to let them go.

    Alvaro and Karlani refused to help in any way, disappearing off together and only returning for lunch. By then, some two hundred and forty-seven seeds had been collected from the fallen tree. Sam couldn¡¯t guess at how many Aenuks remained in Turhmos prisons either, so they cautiously only replaced the two trees that had given their lives ¨C for Ard and these seeds ¨C and took the rest of the seeds inside. The store solidified Llew¡¯s plan to bring Aenuks to the farm to give them a chance to learn about the outside world before venturing out on their own, with their very own Ajnai seed. It¡¯s what Merrid and Ard would¡¯ve done, she was sure.

    After lunch, Elka finally settled to study Ard¡¯s records. With so many extra hands available, the farm chores were divvied up and Llew was able to relax as much as one might despite having enemies plotting against her. More Turhmos soldiers would come and they would be dealt with. As for Braph, they could only guess at his ultimate plans and where Llew and Jonas might fit within them, and all they could do was what they were already doing: keep Jonas alive, get him to Taither and, hopefully, heal him fully. If they could achieve that with nary another thought spared for Braph, all the better.

    Of course, Llew couldn¡¯t ignore the niggle that Braph very likely also had plans that involved their tree in Taither. Plus, he could fly ¡­

    And they couldn¡¯t.

    Llew and Jonas took some time to wander, continuing to improve Jonas¡¯s competence with his crutches and prosthetic.

    Rowan stood at Ard¡¯s workbench inside the three-sided shed where the cart was usually housed, sketching ideas, surrounded by plows and other pieces of equipment Llew had no name nor anticipated function for. Resting his free arm over a large wooden contraption on the bench beside him, he pointedly ignored them when first they approached, concentrating on what he wrote and drew. After a while, he gave them an acknowledging smile before scowling back down at his page.

    ¡°A butter churn?¡± Jonas asked.

    Rowan looked up absently, then followed Jonas¡¯s gaze to his armrest.

    ¡°Oh! Yes. It certainly is. For now. Elka¡¯s idea. She¡¯s read that spinning blood in something called a centrifuge can make it separate into different components.¡± He patted the butter churn, then set about illustrating his ideas with expansive gestures, pulling Llew along on his theoretical journey. ¡°We thought, perhaps, if we could isolate the thing in Aenuk blood that allows Bra¡ª people to do magic, it might make it easier to make crystals with the machinery we have here on the farm, compared to working with whole blood. Even if we could inject it, your body wouldn¡¯t have to waste energy healing itself from the damage caused by blood transfusions, which should mean you would need less blood for the same effect. It¡¯s a sound theory, anyway. I¡¯m doing some calculations on what the existing butter churn size and gearing might achieve ¡­ I¡¯m going to have to modify it ¡­ a lot. So, if you were wanting to make butter, I¡¯d do that today.¡± He flashed a grin. ¡°Well, really you¡¯ve got a couple of days. I need parts that will be coming from Hinden.¡±

    ¡°We have no cream,¡± Llew murmured absently, her mind reeling at the new information. She supposed she didn¡¯t have to fully understand what Rowan had in mind. Between him and Elka, they knew more about the human body and engineering than Llew would likely ever comprehend. ¡°The cows!¡± In all the excitement of discovering the Ajnai seeds, Llew had forgotten to check on the cows that morning. She ran back to the small shed, grabbed the fragrant oil and headed into the paddock to soothe and administer to the cows, apologizing to them profusely. She loved the idea of settling here at the farm, but it was going to take some getting used to after a lifetime of only having to look out for herself. She took a few extra moments to check their water was clean and full. The Turhmos soldiers had been taking care of those needs, thankfully. And already there was a clear improvement in their udders. Still, they couldn¡¯t afford for her to forget them like that. She apologized to them again and promised to do better.

    She returned to the large shed, where Rowan crouched before Jonas who had the trouser leg that usually covered the prosthetic rolled up.

 A Butter Churn (part 2)

    ¡°I wanted to see how the leg was holding up so far, given we¡¯ve had a few challenging days.¡± Rowan pressed Jonas¡¯s thigh flesh, pushing it back from where it disappeared into the large cup of the prosthetic.

    Jonas¡¯s eyes flared and he focused somewhere into the recesses of the shed.

    ¡°The prosthetic¡¯s doing fine, but it¡¯s rubbing, huh?¡± Rowan released Jonas¡¯s thigh, pushed the trouser leg down and stood, looking down at Jonas who didn¡¯t bother to meet his eye. ¡°You¡¯re not used to asking for help, are you?¡±

    ¡°Llew helps me. It¡¯s enough.¡±

    Rowan smiled kindly. It was probably best Jonas still didn¡¯t look up at him. Llew suspected he would interpret that look as condescending. ¡°She¡¯s giving you blood to keep you alive. She wouldn¡¯t have to give as much if you said the leg was rubbing and gave me the chance to adjust it.¡±

    Jonas flinched at those words, glancing apologetically at Llew, who had seen no signs of rubbing when she helped him remove the prosthetic at night. But, of course, she gave him blood right before bed.

    ¡°There hasn¡¯t been time.¡± Llew squeezed Jonas¡¯s shoulder briefly. ¡°But we do need to know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t tryin¡¯ to hide it from you. It just ain¡¯t been a problem when we¡¯ve had a moment to talk.¡±

    ¡°We can add padding for now.¡± Rowan gestured for Jonas to sit on a tall stool by the workbench. ¡°Unfortunately, I didn¡¯t have time to grab my tools from my workshop, just managed to pack some basics from Ma¡¯s place. But if our new friends managed to fulfill my entire order ¨C and that mister¡ª Lord Gaemil didn¡¯t balk too much at the prices ¨C I can mold you a new leg specifically for you.¡± Rowan had pushed Jonas¡¯s trouser leg up again and unbuckled the prosthetic, exposing reddened skin, some threatening to blister. ¡°Still, it¡¯s going to do you even more good to take a break from wearing the leg. Probably most of the time.¡±

    ¡°And when the next group of soldiers come?¡±

    Rowan gave Jonas a meaningful look. ¡°Those who¡¯ve joined us will give us more chance of settling things diplomatically than you standing before them on two feet. This isn¡¯t Quaver. You¡¯re not the hero here.¡±

    Jonas froze. He didn¡¯t look angry. More like he¡¯d been smacked in the face with his own worst self-belief.

    Llew gripped his shoulder. ¡°Maybe not to most of those on the farm but you are mine.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± Rowan looked between Jonas and Llew. ¡°Sorry, I suppose that was the wrong thing to say. I didn¡¯t realize ¡­¡±

    Llew silenced him with a shake of her head. ¡°We¡¯re adjusting.¡± She gestured to Jonas¡¯s stump. ¡°And we need to heal that.¡± The syringes were back at the house, the Ajnais in the cartway. ¡°You, stay.¡± She wouldn¡¯t submit Jonas to hopping back to the trees, so she returned shortly after with Lyneth and Sam in tow, and they set about once more pressing Llew¡¯s blood into Jonas¡¯s vein. Sam drew Llew¡¯s blood because he could always heal, even from injuries sustained when Llew accidentally healed off him, while Lyneth injected Jonas, neither of them posing a risk to each other. After only a couple of syringes, Jonas¡¯s skin had cooled and smoothed. Still, Llew insisted on a few more to boost his energy for the afternoon. She headed back to the Ajnais with Sam, and returned to find Jonas standing again, insisting to Rowan his leg felt much better, thank you.

    Llew added her own thanks, which Rowan brushed off as unnecessary and turned back to the butter churn. ¡°Now I need to figure out if I can gear it so anyone can spin it fast enough or if we¡¯re going to have to ask Karlani ¡­¡°

    Llew made a sound in the back of her throat. ¡°Try to gear it for anyone. I¡¯d rather not rely on Karlani for anything.¡±

    ¡°Fair. I¡¯ll see what I can come up with.¡±

    They thanked Rowan again and left him to his calculations.

    ¡°I know he¡¯s a good guy, but that stuff reminds me of Braph,¡± Llew said when they were out of earshot. She kept wanting to reach out with her hand that hung between them, but Jonas¡¯s hands were occupied with his crutches. It it reminded her of the distance between them after Aris¡¯s attack. No, touching Jonas wouldn¡¯t kill him this time, but it would hinder his movement.

    Jonas responded with one of his non-committal grunts.

    They turned past the chicken shed and headed through a gate.

    Sheep stopped to watch them, alert but not running. A few had distended bellies, while most either had lambs at foot or playing in a group nearby. Llew hoped Ard had made good husbandry notes for the sheep. It seemed he¡¯d kept more than he and Merrid were likely to eat in a year. Did he have a family somewhere expecting meat for next winter? Did they sell wool? There was so much to consider in terms of the farm, but Llew wouldn¡¯t be putting much thought to it until Jonas¡¯s life was assured. She almost laughed to think how nice it was of Turhmos to send them helping hands.

    They crested a low, broad hill and looked down upon a most inviting river, its bank dotted by trees; some towering, many stubby bushes providing minimal cover. That seemed not to bother Karlani and Alvaro at all, as they clung to each other, water most of the way up Alvaro¡¯s thighs as he pressed Karlani against a boulder, her legs wrapped around him, barely getting wet.

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    ¡°Uhm. Can¡¯t say I didn¡¯t have much the same in mind, actually.¡± Llew smirked at Jonas.

    ¡°I can¡¯t do that anymore.¡± Jonas¡¯s sense of humor seemed to have disappeared.

    ¡°Well, no. I had slightly different ¡­¡± Llew realized she hadn¡¯t taken her eyes off the couple and turned her back to them, cleared her throat.

    Jonas watched her, deadpan, and turned back to the river.

    Karlani¡¯s moans rose above the ambient cacophony of flowing water, bending leaves, baaing lambs and their mothers. Without looking back, Llew figured it meant Karlani, at least, knew they were there. She and Alvaro had been there when Edwyn gave Llew the directions. As her initial shock eased, Llew could think of a few choice words for the couple.

    ¡°You save her life and this is how they show their gratitude?¡± Jonas looked at Llew again, though he kept his body facing the water, apparently not infected with the same awkwardness as Llew.

    ¡°Well, it is Karlani. I never expected thanks. I¡¯d rather she was gone. It¡¯s just ¡­¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s Syakaran.¡±

    Llew screwed up her face and met Jonas¡¯s gaze. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Jonas held that gaze a few moments, then turned back to watch the now quietened couple. Llew fought the urge to look back. She had little doubt in their current state of undress. Sure, she¡¯d seen Alvaro naked before, and Karlani wasn¡¯t known for leaving much to the imagination. In that moment, Llew wished she didn¡¯t have such a reliable mind¡¯s eye image of the couple. With her thoughts already turning to the prospect of such activities with Jonas, her body had been cultivating the rest of the mood. It wasn¡¯t a combination she relished.

    ¡°I said we were planning to come here, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°You did.¡±

    ¡°And they just ¡­¡±

    ¡°They have.¡± Jonas murmured, still watching the couple.

    Llew didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. Crying was tempting. Certainly, her own plans were shattered. Just a bath, then. But, damn it. Karlani and Alvaro shouldn¡¯t have had that kind of power over her. Besides, if Jonas was going to face Braph ¨C and there was little reason to doubt he would ¨C they needed Llew to carry his baby, if it was still possible. This wasn¡¯t about a frivolous fling. This was a matter of life and death.

    ¡°They¡¯re comin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not even like we¡¯re in a building. They could leave in any direction.¡± Still, Llew kept her back to them.

    Jonas barely had time to inhale before Karlani reached them, slowing to a normal walking pace in time to push between them, knocking Jonas. He flung a crutch out wide, catching himself to prevent toppling completely.

    Karlani turned to face Llew. ¡°The water¡¯s nice. Captain.¡± She flicked a hand by her head in a derogatory salute. ¡°And, ah, the area¡¯s safe.¡± She shrugged.

    ¡°So, you came out here to check it was safe, that it?¡± Llew kept her chin raised. I am dangerous. Even to a super fast and super strong Syakaran. A large part of her trembled at the idea of actually having to fight Karlani ¨C she knew how that would turn out ¨C but she focused on projecting confidence. I am dangerous.

    ¡°Sure. Yeah. Must be something in the air here.¡±

    Llew shared a look with Jonas. His held a glimmer of the anger he would¡¯ve dished out, had he had the energy to spare.

    ¡°What? It¡¯s not like you own it.¡±

    ¡°No. But¡ª¡± Llew didn¡¯t know how to put all her thoughts into words, or if they¡¯d be worth wasting on Karlani if she did.

    In the absence of known heirs, Llew was confident Merrid and Ard would pass the farm to her, certainly out of everyone currently residing there. Regardless, Llew was supposed to be the leader here, however reluctant or out of her depth she was. They¡¯d all agreed that, under the circumstances, it made sense. Karlani¡¯s attitude felt like an unnecessary waste of energy to deal with and, without knowing why Karlani was behaving as she was, Llew couldn¡¯t formulate a response.

    Finally, Alvaro approached the top of the hill at a trudge. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to make it look so easy.¡±

    Karlani rolled her eyes. ¡°Did I unman you with my athletic prowess?¡±

    ¡°No unmanning here, as you well know.¡±

    Llew was tempted to roll her own eyes, but Alvaro was drawing level with Jonas and she didn¡¯t like the way Alvaro eyed him up and down. She took a breath to warn Alvaro not to do anything stupid. Jonas must¡¯ve read something in Alvaro¡¯s manner, too, as he lifted a crutch between them. It wasn¡¯t enough. Alvaro shoved Jonas, sending the weakened Syakaran sprawling, one crutch flying from his grasp and out of reach.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Llew took a step towards the smirking Alvaro. Karlani turned back to face Llew, her hands rising.

    Time slowed to a near standstill.

    Llew brought her own hands up. Against the Syakaran speed, she was far too slow to block. And yet, as Karlani¡¯s hands grabbed Llew¡¯s head, she was aware of her own hand gripping a forearm. Llew¡¯s neck twisted, wrenched. Pain. There was nothing but pain. And a pop. And darkness.

 I Felt Something (part 1)

    Sound.

    Darkness and sound.

    The sound of wind playing through leaves and bending grass, the blades touching in light kisses. Water flowing. A man sobbing. Llew knew that voice. Alvaro.

    Her neck ached.

    A woman whimpered. Herself? She hadn¡¯t felt herself make a noise, but she couldn¡¯t feel anything beyond the burning ache through her neck. She needed to turn it. The crunch ripped through her ears. Pain fired up the back of her head, through her jaw and across her chest. She breathed and it hurt. Light blazed.

    ¡°Do you want to die?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then get off the ground.¡±

    That voice. Flat and authoritative. She knew that one, too. Jonas.

    Llew lay, aches easing. The light turned to the pale grays, whites, and hints of blue above.

    ¡°It was an accident, Llew. You gotta bring her back.¡± Al.

    ¡°Give her a minute.¡±

    ¡°But K doesn¡¯t have a minute.¡± Alvaro¡¯s voice was thick with withheld sobs.

    Llew breathed deeply. All her aches and pains were gone. And she remembered what had happened.

    ¡°Can¡¯t give back what I¡¯ve taken. Besides, she¡¯s Syakaran.¡± There. Simple. The woman who had helped kill her babies was dead and there was nothing Llew could do about it, even if she wanted to. She breathed again and turned her head enough to see Jonas and Alvaro standing near, only boot-covered feet and crutch tips touching the ground. She turned a little further to see the dead grass encircling her. Her hands were empty, clutching no flesh, resting in the grass. She raised them, placing them on her belly.

    ¡°Check her,¡± Jonas said. ¡°She got a pulse?¡±

    Alvaro crouched. ¡°I think? I think¡ª I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t done this before!¡±

    Llew sat up to see Alvaro crouched by Karlani, who lay on her back, her hands raised to her belly, too, and her head and bare neck separated from the bare ground by Alvaro¡¯s coat. She was almost certain that would be at Jonas¡¯s suggestion, saving Karlani. But why?

    ¡°Please, Llew. You can¡¯t let her go,¡± Alvaro said little above a whisper while their heads were close.

    Shifting both crutches under one arm, Jonas reached down, pressed fingertips beneath Karlani¡¯s jaw.

    ¡°Hold on, K,¡± Alvaro pleaded and moved back, giving Jonas space.

    ¡°She¡¯s alive.¡± Jonas stood.

    ¡°What do you want me to do about it?¡± Llew held Jonas¡¯s gaze, determinedly ignoring Alvaro. He¡¯d kept his voice flat, but Llew was almost certain she¡¯d caught a hint of relief.

    ¡°She¡¯s Syakaran.¡±

    ¡°So?¡±

    Jonas pressed his lips together. Yes. Llew had made the same argument, such as it was, but things had changed rather dramatically.

    ¡°Come on, Llew.¡± Alvaro placed himself between Llew and Jonas, as if that would make her listen to him. ¡°It was supposed to be a joke. And after Cassidy ¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say I owe you.¡± She did look at Alvaro then. ¡°It¡¯s not you I owe. And I can never pay Cassidy back.¡±

    Jonas stepped in close to Alvaro. Despite his weakness and Alvaro¡¯s added height, plus the attack moments earlier, he managed to don all his authority and a hint of menace. ¡°You want her saved? Get her to the Ajnais. Llew can¡¯t do nothin¡¯ here.¡±

    Alvaro looked between Llew and Jonas, pained. ¡°It was a mistake. I swear. A stupid joke. Let her live, Llew.¡±

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    ¡°If that was a joke, it was the worst.¡± Llew pushed herself to stand as Alvaro crouched and gathered Karlani in his arms.

    ¡°I know. I¡¯m so sorry. I mean, we knew you¡¯d live.¡±

    ¡°And Jonas would be on the ground!¡± Llew¡¯s anger heated her core and filled her with the urge to hit someone as a full accounting of the situation took shape, yet somehow Jonas found the situation funny as he hissed out a single laugh.

    ¡°We train for years to face the Aenuk reflex. If you get the chance, remind Karlani she¡¯s just a pup. She ain¡¯t got no business messin¡¯ with Aenuks, especially Llew. She¡¯s lucky she¡¯s alive.¡±

    Alvaro paled and swallowed. ¡°We didn¡¯t ¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t know what else to say.¡±

    ¡°Then shut up and get her to the trees,¡± Jonas said. ¡°We¡¯ll follow.¡± When Alvaro was halfway to the first gate, Jonas turned to Llew. ¡°He¡¯s just a kid, Llew.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s older than me.¡±

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t had to grow up like you did.¡± His lips twisted between a smile and a grimace. ¡°I¡¯m glad we didn¡¯t meet when I was eighteen.¡± He re-positioned his crutches under each armpit.

    ¡°Would I have survived that meeting?¡±

    Jonas paused a moment before responding, doing an accounting of his own training by the time he was eighteen. He would already have been in the Quaven army four years. And Llew would¡¯ve been a rough-around-the-edges fourteen year old.

    ¡°Unlikely.¡± Jonas¡¯s usual darkness settled back in place, then he put his growing proficiency with the crutches and prosthetic on display, setting a decent rhythm and pace back down the hill.

    Llew followed, believing him, and still fuming. ¡°I said once, and once only.¡±

    ¡°You can still say that. You don¡¯t have to save her.¡± Jonas glanced over his shoulder, his locomotion unaffected, though Llew caught the pinch of his features before he turned away again. His leg must¡¯ve been aching. The real part he still possessed or the phantom missing part she couldn¡¯t guess.

    ¡°So, what did you go and stop her draining for?¡±

    Jonas stopped. Llew¡¯s momentum took her a few strides past him. She turned to face him but didn¡¯t close the space.

    ¡°She¡¯s Syakaran,¡± he said.

    Llew flung her hands in the air in an aggressive shrug: So? A Syakaran who had suddenly proven herself to be more hindrance than help.

    ¡°I know she don¡¯t deserve it. But if I got what I deserved, I¡¯d be dead a hundred times over. I just wanted to give you the choice one more time before it¡¯s gone. You said yourself¡ª¡± He shifted his weight onto his remaining whole leg and crutches only. ¡°I know how you feel about people as things, but sometimes we gotta use what, and who, we have. Karlani offered herself as a weapon to Aris once. We can ask the same of her. We¡¯re still in the heart of Turhmos. We¡¯ve still got a lot of enemies.¡±

    ¡°Not least of which is Karlani herself.¡±

    Jonas acknowledged that with a wry nod. ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s picked a side, though. She¡¯ll go wherever will take her on her terms.¡±

    ¡°What about my terms? Everyone seems to think I bleed for fun! It¡¯s not fun. The needles hurt! Yes, I heal, but I still feel. I do it for you because you¡¯re you. I can¡¯t do it for everybody. I¡¯m not a¡ª¡± Hot tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Her body remembered being strapped in a chair, mechanical spiders crawling on her, extracting blood, while she was forced to drain the lives of children just like her. ¡°I¡¯m not some sack of blood you Kara can just ¡­ just ¡­¡± She lost the words as her mind caught up with the rest of her. She could remember the sensations, but the mental strain of what Braph had forced on her shut her down. She wasn¡¯t ready to revisit the experience, but it was too close to what she had to do for Karlani; it crashed through her unbidden. ¡°And it¡¯s hardly a choice, is it? What kind of person would I be if ¡­?¡± The so-called choice had been living in her head since the moment Karlani had turned up on the farm. It had never been a choice. Not really. Not for Llew.

    Jonas swung forward on his crutches, hooked them beneath one arm and brought his other around Llew, enveloping her in his strength. Strength he had because her blood coursed through his veins. Because needles. Because Ajnais. Because love.

    Love. The missing ingredient when it came to giving blood to Karlani, or anyone else.

    The smell of him and, yes, that strength calmed her. She breathed him in again and he squeezed her to him, seeming to sense that was what she needed.

    ¡°She killed our babies,¡± she whispered into his shoulder and she tensed again on the urge to lash out at Jonas for forgetting.

    ¡°I know.¡± Jonas¡¯s voice cracked on the words. He hadn¡¯t forgotten. ¡°But she might be the only person who can save mine. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Llew stood back from him, meeting his glistening gaze. ¡°Joelin?¡±

    Jonas nodded.

    ¡°You¡¯ll get him back yourself. You will walk right in there, grab him, bring him home¡ª¡± She splayed her hands to indicate the farm. ¡°¡ªand live happily ever after. That¡¯s how his story goes. And yours.¡±

 I Felt Something (part 2)

    Jonas¡¯s smile was layered in humor, sadness, and doubt, and he shook his head. ¡°I believe in you, Llew. You¡¯re doin¡¯ everythin¡¯ to make that happen. I know.¡± He tapped his temple. ¡°But we¡¯re meddlin¡¯ in things beyond anythin¡¯ I understand. I do believe in you and what you¡¯re doin¡¯. I want to believe it¡¯ll work. But this ¡­¡± He placed his hand over his heart. ¡°I got a hollow feelin¡¯ when I think of the future I want. It¡¯s not real enough for me. Karlani¡¯s strength is real. Today. Or it was.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll live?¡±

    Jonas held out a hand and Llew placed hers in it. He covered it with this other, his crutches safely stowed against an armpit. ¡°I want to, Llew. For you. For Joelin. I really hope I do.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this. I¡¯m not letting you die.¡±

    ¡°I know. I believe that part of all this. I just wish it didn¡¯t cost you so much.¡±

    ¡°For you, it doesn¡¯t.¡±

    Jonas only closed his lips firmly on a response to that.

    Llew sighed. ¡°Well, let¡¯s go and not let this so-called joke be Karlani¡¯s last, I guess.¡±

    ***

    Everyone was standing around Karlani when Llew and Jonas arrived. With so much of Jonas¡¯s energy needed to focus on his footing and pushing through the bouts of pain that still assailed him, they hadn¡¯t talked further, and Llew had grown numb. She had said no more blood. A part of her felt like her hand was being forced, while another insisted she could still say ¡®no¡¯ and damned Alvaro. He¡¯d find another woman.

    She met Elka¡¯s gaze and any pigheadedness about giving Karlani more blood vanished. Well, most of it.

    Still, she would never withhold blood from Jonas, and this was as much for him as Karlani. If nothing else, it would show them that Syakaran strength and speed could be healed through Aenuk blood transfers. Llew sure hoped so. If they failed here, then their future was even more in doubt.

    Without a word, Llew sat beneath a tree, rolled up her sleeve and presented her arm to Eirian then Lyneth and focused on tuning out the hot burn each time a needle pierced her skin. Doing this for Jonas was one thing, but she fumed at each syringeful they pressed into Karlani. She¡¯d said she¡¯d do this once and once only. She understood Jonas¡¯s doubts, and the need for a backup, but this felt far too much like being incapable of fighting back when Braph had used her. Karlani wasn¡¯t restraining her this time, nor holding her captive through magic mind control, but her thoughtless action forced Llew¡¯s hand, if they needed the Syakaran woman to live. And with Jonas still at the mercy of Braph¡¯s bug, yes, it seemed keeping Karlani alive was a good idea.

    This was what her life had come to: repeatedly convincing herself to let Karlani live. It took work.

    And so there she sat, growing more determined to succeed at defeating the bug and returning Jonas¡¯s Syakaran powers. While letting him die had never been an option, she might have been satisfied to have him live powerless, if only to have him live. But if they still needed Syakaran strength and speed, then it had to be contained in Jonas, not Karlani.

    Alvaro crouched by her. ¡°Thank you so much, Llew. I know¡ª¡±

    ¡°No. You don¡¯t.¡± Llew didn¡¯t look at him; kept one arm extended, resting on a knee, and kept the other palm pressed to the tree. Sensations of being held down on cold stone floor washed through her, Karlani¡¯s hands pressing down; that satisfied grin breaking through the grimace of effort. Llew had been strong then, and still not strong enough.

    Jonas stepped in beside them, watching stonily until Alvaro reluctantly moved away, then eased himself beside Llew, laying his crutches beside him and folding his arms across his knee. ¡°I hate it, too, but it¡¯s the right thing to do.¡±

    Llew took a breath against the urge to lash out. ¡°Maybe.¡± She turned to him. ¡°But if you were full strength, she¡¯d be dead.¡±

    ¡°Dead dead.¡± He grinned, and paused as Edwyn and Lyneth returned for more blood, resuming when they returned to Karlani. ¡°But I¡¯m not, and she will be. And Syakaran power can still be a greater good.¡±

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    ¡°Or evil.¡±

    They sat in silence for several rounds of blood-letting. Llew understood why she sat there giving blood, and she was doing it almost willingly. No one physically or magically held her down, and given their situation she would say ¡°yes¡± again, and yet it still felt defiling. She¡¯d said no more, and she¡¯d meant it. And so she seethed.

    ¡°How is she?¡± Jonas asked, when Edwyn returned once again.

    ¡°Breathing,¡± Lyneth said, lining up behind Edwyn, flexing her hands. ¡°Little else, so far.¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± Llew kept one hand pressed to the tree and reached out with the other.

    The price for muscle aches was the barest of tingles to Llew, but Lyneth and Edwyn went away much relieved.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be here all day,¡± Llew whined, having no interest in politeness or decorum.

    ¡°Longer, if you want a Syakaran.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want that one.¡±

    Jonas didn¡¯t dignify that with a response and they settled into a dull day of blood transfers.

    They paused briefly to direct several syringes to Jonas, keeping his energy up in his battle with the micro-organism, but otherwise, the blood kept flowing into Karlani.

    Llew grew sick of pressing a hand to the bark, so she lifted the back of her shirt, pressing her bare back to the tree instead. A cool breeze swept through, but at least she could relax some.

    Edwyn and Lyneth trained the rest of the Turhmos soldiers ¨C Garnoc, Delwynn, and Ianto ¨C to draw and inject blood so they could take a break. A lunch was brought out.

    And Llew¡¯s blood kept flowing.

    Eventually, Karlani was able to sit, though she still looked exhausted for several more syringefuls. Llew had no real concept of the damage done to a body drained by an Aenuk, but if the external burn marks she¡¯d seen on Jonas were anything to go by, she didn¡¯t even want to imagine the internal damage caused when she returned to life with a touch from Karlani, or ¡­ Anya. It must¡¯ve been awful.

    Alvaro sat cross-legged before Karlani, a hand resting on her knee. And Llew¡¯s blood kept flowing.

    The farm chores were carried out around them. The sun began to dip. A dinner was brought out. Llew had to relieve herself, and dearly wished she and Jonas had managed to bathe in the river. She returned to the trees, sat once more, and provided blood to Jonas again. And the blood kept flowing. Llew was aware of Karlani, who was starting to converse with Alvaro, her voice becoming more chipper, but she refused to look the Syakaran¡¯s way.

    Rowan got a small fire started near Llew and added to it log-by-log until its heat warmed Llew¡¯s front in stark contrast to the chill caressing her back, then he retired for the night. Between needle jabs, Llew held her palms up to catch more heat, savoring the simple pleasure against the backdrop of her unwanted assignation. A log popped, making Llew jump and sending orange sparks up, soon caught in the air stream caused by the fire¡¯s own heat, zigzagging into the dark. A moment of beauty. Fleeting.

    Something bumped Llew¡¯s back and she jolted. She looked around at the others. Alvaro still sat by Karlani, the two of them just outside of the fire¡¯s warmth. Jonas sat near Llew, but his attention was inward, his chin resting on arms resting on knee. Garnoc and Delwynn were on blood transfer duty, while Ianto and Edwyn loitered nearby, listening into the night, stretching their senses to detect trouble before it struck. Rowan, Lyneth, and Samlet were indoors, catching sleep while they could. Elka sat near the fire, idly poking at it with a green stick.

    No one seemed to have sensed anything, so Llew eased back into the tree cautiously. A sensation ran up and down her back; a vibration, almost as if the bark itself protruded and poked at her. She sat forward and glared at the tree, cautious not to twist the needle Delwynn had just pressed beneath her skin. It stood, as the trees always did.

    ¡°What?¡± Jonas asked.

    ¡°I felt something ¡­¡± Llew shook her head ¨C she was tired, imagining things ¨C and eased back again, hooking her shirt up once more.

    An alarming buzz rushed through her torso and an image of the Taither Ajnai filled her mind, distinctive with its rainbow ripples, though she¡¯d never seen such a full array of colors in person. Probably an exaggeration so she would have no doubt as to the message. This tree knew about the Taither one.

    Then warmth, like a soothing touch. A mother¡¯s touch. Her mother¡¯s face. This tree had never seen her mother. Had the one in Taither? Could her mother be there ¡­ now?

    An evil visage merged through the tree in her mind¡¯s eye until it resolved into a sneering¡ª

    Gasping, Llew waved her free hand at Garnoc, only able to make an inarticulate moan in plea to have the latest needle removed, and leaped away from the tree, spinning to face it, half expecting to see Braph somehow pull himself from within. A silly fear, and yet her whole body tensed and tingled.

    The tree stood, as they always did.

 Just Fine Without You (part 1)

    ¡°What is it?¡± Jonas grabbed his crutches and, between them and his one good leg, managed to pull himself to stand beside Llew. She looked like she¡¯d seen a ghoul; her cheeks paled, and her focus firmly on the tree she¡¯d been sitting against, as though she expected something to crawl out of it. Or someone.

    ¡°Braph,¡± she breathed. ¡°He¡¯s at the tree. He¡¯s at the Taither tree.¡± Llew¡¯s voice rose in panic. ¡°Or was.¡± Llew closed her eyes. ¡°He¡¯s doing something to it. And my ma. He¡¯s got my ma with him! And we¡¯re still here! We¡¯re still so far away ¡­¡±

    ¡°Llew.¡± He handed his crutches to Garnoc and gripped both of Llew¡¯s shoulders, held steady. ¡°Breathe. Stay with me.¡± Jonas understood the trees showed her things sometimes, usually a memory. A memory could mean Braph was already done, that there was already no tree for them to pin their hopes on. But, no. Jonas didn¡¯t always understand Braph, but he knew his brother¡¯s thirst for power, and that tree had power.

    Llew closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and the tension through her shoulders eased.

    ¡°Tell me. What did you feel?¡± Jonas asked.

    ¡°It was like ¡­ The tree thumped me. And I saw ¡­¡± Llew peered at him, like she expected him to doubt her, so he ensured he returned a steady calm, an ear waiting to assess the situation in full. She closed her eyes again. ¡°I saw the Taither tree ¨C I know because of the colors ¨C and Braph, he¡ª He was just there. And the tree was scared.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Llew had begun to tense up under his touch, so Jonas rubbed her shoulders, hoping to bring her back to the now. ¡°Okay,¡± he repeated while he formulated a better response. ¡°Whatever Braph¡¯s designs are for that tree, he¡¯ll want it still standin¡¯. It comes down, and all he¡¯s got is his son¡¯s blood ¡­ Until he becomes a rebellious adolescent.¡± Jonas dared smirk, and Llew allowed herself a hollow laugh. He¡¯d take that. Even surface humor was better than deep anxiety, especially over something they weren¡¯t in a position to fix right then. ¡°The boy¡¯s Immortal,¡± Jonas continued. ¡°When he comes into his full power, Braph won¡¯t have the same control over him he has now. If the tree¡¯s not his final goal, at least it¡¯s his backup.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s distressed.¡± Llew looked back at the tree behind her.

    Jonas nodded. ¡°I get that. Braph¡¯s a scary guy when he¡¯s not tryin¡¯ to play nice.¡± He rubbed and squeezed her shoulders gently.

    ¡°We¡¯re nowhere near ready to stop him. And he has my ma with him.¡± Her tension eased as she pondered on that thought. ¡°Was¡ª Was she happy? With him? Did you get to talk to her when you went to his ho¡ª house?¡± She¡¯d started to call it a ¡®home¡¯. Braph¡¯s house was not a home, not by any definition.

    I learned to love him once before, Orinia had said when Jonas inquired after her feelings for Braph. Learning to love. Was that happy? He¡¯d once done the same with Kierra. Learned. He would like to think they succeeded. He had been happy enough.

    Had Orinia been happy? He didn¡¯t know. More importantly in this moment: what answer did Llew need him to give? Did she need to spend energy distressed that her mother might not be feeling, or would it be better to believe her mother happy with Braph? If Orinia truly was happy with Braph, she likely wouldn¡¯t take too kindly to Llew and Jonas turning up to kill him. It didn¡¯t feel a whole lot like there was a right answer here.

    ¡°She looked happy,¡± he said, remembering the lingering kiss between Orinia and Braph. She had watched him leave the room like a woman well-versed in love. A woman whose hero had come for her.

    What choice do I have? Orinia had responded when Jonas first asked the question, echoing Llew¡¯s words in regard to her own relationship with Jonas. What choice did these Syaenuk women ¨C wanted dead or captured by nations ¨C have but to tie themselves to men with super strength and speed who loved them?

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    Super strength and speed Jonas no longer had. What choices did Llew have? Plenty. Her ma? Jonas didn¡¯t know.

    ¡°Looked happy.¡± Llew¡¯s voice was thick with the disgust she reserved for Braph. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t believe it. Would you? I mean ¡­ Braph? The man is a monster. He might think he loves her, but I don¡¯t believe it for a moment. Looked happy. But she wouldn¡¯t be, would she; held captive by him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Llew.¡± A part of him wanted his brother to be happy. But not Braph. And with Llew¡¯s ma? No. It didn¡¯t sit well with him, either.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to fight him. Give her a chance to escape, and to save the tree. You have to be able to face him as an equal. No. Superior. And it has to be you. A Syakaran isn¡¯t good enough anymore. We need a Magician. But you need that tree. We have to get you there. How can we¡ª? We can¡¯t¡ª But we need¡ª¡±

    Jonas squeezed her shoulders again. ¡°Just breathe, Llew. Be here, now.¡±

    Llew breathed deeply and met Jonas¡¯s gaze, and she was back, no longer lost in the panic of knowing how far ahead of them Braph was.

    ¡°Braph likely knows as much about gettin¡¯ power out of that tree as we do. And he don¡¯t have the advantage of the tree talkin¡¯ to him. And he¡¯s still Karan. The door to Aenuk magic ain¡¯t one that opens easily to us. We¡¯ll figure things out once Rowan can work his magic. All we can do is keep pushing forward.¡±

    He glanced at Karlani, who sat looking back at them, for once guileless, the fire¡¯s orange glow bounced off her black curls and set her rich brown skin aglow. Everyone in their little camp watched Llew, waiting for her to do something. To continue bleeding for Karlani. He looked to Llew and was met with a resigned expression as she went to sit at the base of the tree again. Jonas grabbed her arm, shook his head. What Llew needed now was allies, and a strong base to move on from.

    ¡°Come.¡± He released her arm and beckoned her to follow him.

    When they stood before Karlani and Alvaro, Jonas kept his chin high, looking down his nose at them.

    ¡°What you did was stupid and beyond careless.¡±

    Both Karlani and Alvaro rightfully lowered their heads under Jonas¡¯s accusation.

    ¡°Your word ain¡¯t worth nothin¡¯ to us, but we¡¯re demandin¡¯ it anyway. I know what it feels like to be Syakaran receiving a dose of Syaenuk blood. I know the power ¡­ the temptation.¡± A door that was closed to him now. The first time beneath the ancient Ajnai, just before its demise ¡­ He understood Braph a little when he allowed himself to dwell in that memory. Little in life had felt better. Little but Llew¡¯s love. Those fleeting moments when she let herself feel and let those feelings bubble to the surface and shared them with him. Such moments rarely lasted the seconds the incomparable power of Syaenuk blood flowing through Syakaran veins did, making them all the more valuable. Jonas found some satisfaction that Karlani would never have such rare a gift, but she would feel Syaenuk power through her veins. Tonight.

    Jealousy rose in a flash of anger hot enough to compete with the fire warming the backs of his thighs. Quick to anger, as always. And just as common, he tamped it down to keep on target. Llew needed more allies, fewer enemies.

    ¡°You¡¯re capable of healin¡¯ yourself to full power over the next few days. We would manage just fine without you. But since you¡¯re here ¡­¡±

 Just Fine Without You (part 2)

    ¡°People have treated Aenuks like they ain¡¯t real people for centuries. But they are. Treat them like toys and you will get burned. Here is where you pick a side. I ain¡¯t gonna tell you which. And I ain¡¯t gonna talk up our chances of winnin¡¯. You know Llew¡¯s mission and you know who and what we¡¯re up against. We invited you to stay and help, and you threw that back in our faces. There are no more chances.

    ¡°There may be nations at stake here, but ¡¯sfar as I¡¯m concerned, this is between me and Braph. Quaver might be about to crumble thanks to his machines. Whether Turhmos takes it as a chance to rise ain¡¯t somethin¡¯ I got the energy to wonder. And Brurun ¡­ Whatever comes, they¡¯re caught in the middle. Llew has a plan that might save Quaver, or it might not. It might prevent a war, or it might start one. We¡¯re fightin¡¯ for our lives, and our families. And Llew demands your loyalty. You¡¯re either with us, or you¡¯re gone.¡±

    He felt Llew¡¯s quizzical glare but kept his firmly on the two before him.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothin¡¯ you can pin your promises to that¡¯ll convince us your words are true. Anythin¡¯ you say now will ring hollow. Only your actions from here on out will speak for you.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Karlani murmured, then raised her head and voice. ¡°I¡ª I¡¯m sorry. You¡¯re right. It was stupid and foolish. And my idea. I won¡¯t waste your time trying to excuse it. All I can do is promise I won¡¯t do it again.¡±

    Jonas hissed a single laugh between his teeth. The promise as empty as he¡¯d expected. Karlani had no loyalty to Quaver, no connection to Phyos, and she¡¯d left her family behind in whatever place she was from. No land and no lives to put on the line for anything.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Karlani repeated. ¡°My promises mean nothing after everything I¡¯ve done. So, I guess I won¡¯t make any.¡±

    Damned right. Jonas only expressed the thought with a raised eyebrow, curious to hear how Karlani would make it more palatable for Llew to offer the blood required to return her Syakaran powers this night.

    Karlani took a deep breath. ¡°Ll¡ª Llewella?¡±

    ¡°Llew.¡± Jonas and Llew insisted in unison.

    Jonas glanced Llew¡¯s way, the urge to laugh rising in the back of his throat, but the dark and ill twist to her mouth was a kick to the gut. His brother had taken that name from her.

    ¡°Llew.¡± Karlani held Llew¡¯s gaze earnestly. ¡°I won¡¯t ask for forgiveness. For any of it. I won¡¯t excuse the choices I made up until this point. I can tell you I¡¯m changed, but I understand why you won¡¯t believe me. So, I make no promises. I only beg for the chance to experience life from my new perspective. I owe you my life. And I know, if you were anyone else, I would¡¯ve paid with it already. I won¡¯t forget that, and I¡¯ll try not to let you regret it.¡±

    Jonas was inclined to believe that of Karlani. Being brought back to life tended to have an effect on people. He shifted his focus to Alvaro, the only one of the four not to have experienced it. The young man sat, watching Karlani. As silence grew between them, he looked up at Llew and Jonas.

    ¡°Um.¡± He looked at Karlani again. She ignored him, still imploring Llew. His gaze followed hers. ¡°Ah, yeah. I guess it¡¯s kind of the same for me. I suppose my promises don¡¯t mean much, either. For what it¡¯s worth, you have them, anyway. I won¡¯t act against you again. Either of you.¡± He flicked a glance Jonas¡¯s way. ¡°I¡¯ve been foolish. I¡¯ll try to do better.¡± He glanced at Llew from beneath brows hesitant to rise, but couldn¡¯t hold it, instead looking at the ground again and trying to make himself smaller. Not lying, no, but not truly prepared to accept consequences for his actions, either. Still, he had safely escorted Anya to the farm, who had been a light in which Llew had been in much need.

    Jonas turned to Llew. ¡°Do you accept?¡±

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    ¡°Yeah,¡± Llew said, and Jonas heard an echo of the words she¡¯d said in Brurun: What choice do I have? Then she firmed her stance. ¡°I accept. With final warning. I offer the power in my blood and the Ajnai trees to you this one last time.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Karlani tried for a friendly smile; hesitant, like she didn¡¯t know how Llew would receive it. Llew didn¡¯t appear to, remaining impassive.

    ¡°I understand.¡± Alvaro continued to try to shrink from attention. Llew watched him a long moment. Just as she seemed to be giving up on expecting more from the young man, Alvaro piped up. ¡°I really am sorry, Llew. I didn¡¯t¡ª. Look, I forgive you for Cassidy, okay?¡±

    ¡°Do not.¡± Llew flared with anger. ¡°You have no right.¡±

    Karlani also turned to Alvaro, her widened eyes imploring him to shut up.

    ¡°My failure to save Cassidy wasn¡¯t about you, and it¡¯s time you let him rest.¡±

    Jonas shifted. A part of him wanted to reach out and shield Llew, soothe her, but it wasn¡¯t what she needed right then. Indeed, she preemptively shrugged her shoulder, anticipating his touch there. When it came to Alvaro, Llew was always better off going it alone. Alvaro¡¯s disdain for Jonas was complete. Good thing it was an equal relationship.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t deserve to be used as a weapon for you to keep beating me with. He was a man of good character who I would¡¯ve been proud to call friend had I had the chance to know him better. I thought the same of you, once.¡±

    Alvaro flinched under her words, but also shrank less, almost like he was grateful to be called out. But he said no more, and Llew returned to a tree, lifting her shirt to expose her back to its bark and re-rolling her sleeve to ensure access to her vein. She sat with her knees up, arm resting across one, closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the trunk.

    Rowan had come outside at some stage during their demands of Karlani and Alvaro. He took a moment to place a couple more pieces of wood into the fire, then came up beside Jonas.

    ¡°Elka said a message came through the trees. Something about Braph?¡±

    Jonas turned to face the fire, excluding Alvaro and Karlani from his conversation. ¡°Braph has reached the tree we need to get to. The one in Taither.¡±

    ¡°Shit. Our equipment won¡¯t arrive from Hinden until the day after tomorrow. Or, today?¡± Rowan glanced up at the sky, but neither he nor Jonas was skilled at time-telling by the stars. Regardless, cloud had rolled in, rendering the sky featureless. ¡°Whatever. He won¡¯t destroy it, will he?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Jonas used to think he would never understand his brother, but he was starting to think he did. No, he would never fully comprehend Braph, but he now knew the hunger Braph had for power. He¡¯d felt it himself beneath the ancient Ajnai.

    ¡°Can he access its power like you can?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Jonas echoed himself and looked over his shoulder at Llew, who sat shut off from everyone while blood was drawn from her by the syringeful and could only shrug. They would always be able to inject him with Llew¡¯s blood while she healed easily touching an Ajnai. Whether Jonas had enough of a connection with the Taither Ajnai to heal through a direct contact with it was purely hypothetical. Whatever the eventual mechanism, that tree was their final hope.

    Rowan crouched to tend the fire, and let out a groan.

    Jonas was about to ask him what it was when the first rain drop brushed the side of his nose, and another hit the top of his head. Just what they needed.

    And Llew began to laugh.

 She Looked Happy (part 1)

    Rain. Of course it had to rain. Why wouldn¡¯t it?

    And so, Llew laughed.

    There was little she could do but allow her blood to keep flowing Karlani¡¯s way. So she did. She sighed. She laughed under her breath.

    Everyone else switched into action. Rowan led Edwyn and Ianto to the shed for some sort of cover. Jonas stepped beneath the Ajnai tree that offered Llew some shelter from the rain drops, but as they grew in frequency, more drops slid through the leaves, growing in size and hitting the ground or Llew with some force. Jonas¡¯s shirt was already soaked through.

    ¡°You can¡¯t afford to waste energy of being cold and wet,¡± she said. ¡°You should get inside. Sleep in a proper bed.¡±

    Jonas grimaced at the suggestion, but Llew was right and he had no come back. Llew scrambled up and puckered her lips for a chaste kiss.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Jonas met her kiss, patting her shoulder. ¡°Goodnight. Get some sleep if you can.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± That would depend how long it took to get Karlani up to strength. Llew was wary of thinking on it too closely. Even contemplating the cost of healing Karlani at the most shallow level of thought set her stomach clenching with anger. A stupid, stupid joke.

    Jonas reluctantly headed indoors and Rowan returned with the two Turhmos soldiers ¨C ex-soldiers ¨C carrying a tarpaulin and some poles, thin rope, and pegs like large, hooked nails. They set about hooking the tarpaulin over Llew. She had to sit again to get under its cover.

    Karlani moved to sit beneath the cover as well. Practically, it was a sensible move, as Garnoc and Delwynn could just sit between Llew and Karlani, handing syringes between them. Didn¡¯t mean Llew had to like the arrangement, and she let the Syakaran woman know with dark glares when she dared look her way at all.

    By the time the tarpaulin was firmly tied to the tree¡¯s trunk, the poles, and the ground, the rain had really set in, soaking everyone except Llew and Karlani, and drowning out any attempt at conversation. Rowan crouched by Llew in an effort to hear and be heard. They agreed it unlikely Turhmos soldiers would strike under these conditions, still they would keep two on watch. Alvaro agreed to be one, and Ianto also volunteered, as well as agreeing to swap out with Garnoc or Delwynn as needed, which allowed Rowan and Edwyn to head into the dry indoors. Llew insisted they keep one person awake at all times ¨C allow Jonas to sleep, but monitor him.

    With those arrangements in place, Llew¡¯s world shrunk to the needle repeatedly breaking her skin and the tree continuously healing her. All else was the drumming rain and the trickle of converged drops pouring from the canopy. She tuned out from the people around her and turned her focus to the tree. What more could it convey regarding Braph¡¯s intentions and progress? The initial shock of his already being in Taither had subsided, so she could now approach the situation with more sensible inquiry. Had he hurt the Taither Ajnai?

    An intense ache thrummed through her palm pressed to the bark, she felt , then a baby¡¯s anguished cry filled her head. And once more, Braph¡¯s face floated before her. She snapped her hand from the tree, causing the needle in her other arm to twist and tear beneath her skin. Delwynn¡¯s hand brushed her and he hissed at the burn. Llew covered her face with her hands and breathed, blocking out all else. Even if Braph wasn¡¯t hurting her tree ¨C her baby ¨C their history left an indelible mark on her very being. Just seeing a vague image of him made her feel ill, angry, and tormented. But he was hurting her tree and her baby¡¯s soul. And he had her mother with him.

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    She looked happy.

    Could her ma afford to appear otherwise? Was her mother even in control of her own feelings? With the power now afforded him by his own son¡¯s blood, Braph could exert control over anyone. Surely, if her mother felt anything for the man, it was false. How could it be aught else?

    So much for sensible. Braph rattled her. Just thinking of him made her skin crawl; every thought accompanied by memories of lying helplessly beneath him, of being strapped to his chair, of machines crawling over her. Machines that could now fly.

    Keeping her face covered, Llew breathed deep, purposeful breaths, well aware of Karlani¡¯s and Delwynn¡¯s attention. There was no sensible when it came to Braph. She couldn¡¯t do it. That ache in her hand suggested he had done something to the tree. Made a hole? Did he think poking a finger into it would allow him to do what merely touching could not? Llew imagined the tree healing itself around his finger, rendering him stuck. The thought filled her with glee and she laughed into her hands. Could the tree do that? Could it heal itself the way they allowed Aenuks to?

    She returned one hand to the bark behind her and waved Delwynn back for now. ¡°Just a moment.¡± She focused on her tree in Taither, concentrating on blocking out everything around it. Just the tree. And a baby¡¯s squeal. Not a frightened sound. Like a child¡¯s delight as their mother bends over the walls of the cradle. Her heart filled with the love and ache she carried for that soul. And she realized she hadn¡¯t named her child. Her children. She would. When she and Jonas returned to the tree, she would take with her names for each of them, even the one that lay silent. But, for now, she hushed the child¡¯s spirit.

    The trees didn¡¯t usually heal themselves. They provided the power for Aenuks to heal. They lived, until they were felled by the Quavens. Llew didn¡¯t know how trees were made, or how they might heal a hole, but not knowing the how hadn¡¯t stopped her before. It seemed to be much more about gathering the available power and directing it with a will. She supposed that was what Br¡ª No. Don¡¯t think it. Stop. Breathe. Ajnai tree. A tree in contact with every other living thing on Phyos. Usually just a channel for power. Now Llew asked it to direct some of that power inward. Regrow what had been cut out from the inside out or the outside in. It didn¡¯t matter. Just grow and heal. Be different. Defiant.

    A sense of resolve flowed through her from her contact with the tree. She had no idea of whether the tree could accelerate its healing. And it would remain a tree, fixed in location, unable to fight as a human, or any animal could, but it was part of a consciousness far greater than Llew could fathom. And that consciousness had a power all its own.

    So, while she didn¡¯t know exactly what the tree would do, Llew was satisfied that it had the tools to protect itself as best it could.

    Then she formed an image of Jonas in her mind, wrapped it up in the concept of fatherhood ¨C the best she could remember of her own father ¨C and pushed it toward the baby¡¯s soul. The tree, too, received the message, but it meant more to the child, so Llew directed it there. He is sick and needs your help. She recalled him, on the outskirts of Northhollow, too tired to stand. We¡¯re coming. I hope you can help.

    An image of Jonas as he had been at their children¡¯s funeral and the tree¡¯s planting came unbidden to her mind: whole, hale, and too heartbroken to speak. Then she was enveloped in Jonas¡¯s heat, as though she was curled in the palm of his hand. Her mind even filled with an image of Jonas¡¯s face, giant, engulfing her world. A memory from the baby? Had Jonas held it? A lump filled her throat. It was bad enough these children had passed from her body while she was barely conscious. She¡¯d nearly accepted they were gone, too small to be consequential in the physical world. But Jonas had held one? Perhaps not. Perhaps the baby was projecting a concept, not a memory. How their child¡¯s soul knew him.

 She Looked Happy (part 2)

    Yes. Llew took a moment to remember Jonas as he had been. Physically strong, and yet crushed at his inability to save those he loved. He was a man who loved deeply, and hurt just as deep. Llew had learned to keep her own heart well protected long ago. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t feel, just that she did so cautiously. Often it had left her feeling numb to the plights of her friends. Feeling all their losses fully would have crushed her years ago. She cherished her good fortune that had placed her within Jonas¡¯s circle of love. From within its bounds of safety, she had been able to let herself love in return. And despite her immediate love for their children backfiring with total heartbreak, she had felt brave enough to still take the risk with Jonas, and her heart was full of him. The joy of that knowledge that came to her through her connection with her tree was a great comfort on this wet night, of being bled for the sake of a woman who had done nothing but cause her pain. No matter what happened, Llew had a deep connection with these Ajnai trees that led straight back to the one in Taither. She would never be Llew alone again. And with that backing, she could achieve anything.

    Keeping her eyes closed, she unfolded her free arm, presenting her veins once more.

    Rain still hammered down, surrounding them in white noise. Fortunately, the breeze remained mild, almost warm, so apart from the increasingly sodden ground and the frequent stabbing pain of the needle, she was almost comfortable enough to sleep. Almost. But, no, she could do nothing about that pain, so there would be no sleeping. Still, she let her head fall back against the tree and tried to let her brain rest amongst the thunderous cacophony.

    Eventually, the rain eased, though it did nothing to stop the water soaking through the seat of Llew¡¯s trousers, or the pain of the needle, it did allow her to hear Karlani release a satisfied sigh.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough,¡± the Syakaran said.

    Llew opened her eyes as Karlani stood, shaking out her limbs. She stepped from beneath the tarpaulin and took off at a run, soon returning, bouncing on her toes, energized.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Karlani jogged on the spot, shaking the last of her stiffness from her hands. ¡°That¡¯ll do.¡± She crouched by Llew. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you have any idea how grateful I am that you chose to do this. I promise I¡¯ll never do something so stupid again. And I am yours, so long as you need me.¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t know what to do with such a declaration, but Karlani¡¯s restraint in taking any more blood went some way to cooling her anger at the Syakaran.

    Karlani hovered at Llew¡¯s shoulder as if she intended to grip it in camaraderie, but wisely thought better of it.

    ¡°I think sun-up¡¯s not far off. You should rest. We¡¯ll keep the place running today.¡±

    Despite everything that had come before, Llew was inclined to believe Karlani. They would never be friends, but they could work together as need dictated. Another reason to fight for the return of Jonas¡¯s powers: to get Karlani out of their lives forever.

    Llew stood beneath the tarpaulin, brushed at the mud on the seat of her pants, leaving her hands wet and filthy. She dried them on the front of her trousers as best she could and thanked Delwynn and Ianto, who had swapped with Garnoc an hour or so earlier.

    ¡°Sorry about the¡ª¡± Llew gestured at Delwynn¡¯s hand, but he just waved her off and yawned.

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    Llew headed for the farmhouse, hoping the farm would escape the interest of any more Turhmos soldiers for today. It had been a late night for them all, and an all-nighter for most. If more soldiers showed up and their exhausted defense faltered, their failure would lie at the feet of Karlani. Yes. A cooled anger, perhaps, but it would simmer for some time yet.

    Jonas slept soundly in the bed, bundled safely as he would if Llew lay beside him. She stripped off her wet clothing, slipped into one of Merrid¡¯s chemises, and climbed into bed, pressing her cheek to Jonas¡¯s blanket clad back. He breathed steadily and Llew closed her eyes, grateful for the cloudy skies diminishing the growing brightness of the day, and was asleep before the household stirred.

    <hr>

    Braph stalked the circumference of the tree once more, peering at it, the truth of what stood before him butting up against his expectations. He¡¯d spent the previous couple of days drilling holes, magically inducing each hole to release more sap, then moving on to drill another.

    He¡¯d slept. He had to. And they¡¯d all had to eat.

    Most of Quaver¡¯s economy ran under the hands of the mundane, and with the garden lying so centrally within Taither, there were many restaurants and coffee shops to choose from. The proprietors and customers eyed Orinia¡¯s pale complexion suspiciously, but Braph was clearly one of them, and Orin shared enough of Braph¡¯s features to pass for Quaven. And Braph still had the knack for quelling questions with a glare. Unfortunately, it meant he couldn¡¯t send Orinia and Orin off to fend for themselves entirely. A stroll down the road wrapped up against the spring chilled air was one thing. Walking into an establishment and demanding service was another. A nuisance, no question. With the crystals Orin had willingly stockpiled while being utterly spoiled with treats before they left home, Braph could keep himself healthy without eating for days. Weeks. Perhaps even months. If no one came to challenge what he was doing. And it was unlikely anyone would. The Quaven authorities were unaware of his presence and would be otherwise distracted. And Jonas ¡­ Well, Jonas was lucky to be alive ¡­ or not. Braph supposed he would keep fighting to live if he had become as ill as Jonas. So, Jonas was lucky to still have the opportunity to live, even if he wasn¡¯t doing much of that now. The point was, he wouldn¡¯t be bringing the fight to Braph any time soon.

    Regardless, Braph wouldn¡¯t waste Orin¡¯s crystals entirely. It never paid to underestimate one¡¯s enemies. Braph had been on the other side of that assumption plenty, rather enjoying the satisfaction that came with proving others wrong. It was never wise to be the one assuming, however. They usually fared poorly, or dead.

    And so, he accompanied his lover and son for meals, and succumbed to sleep. The rest of the time he had spent drilling holes and collecting sap. For two days the Ajnai had become increasingly riddled with holes.

    Now they were gone. All of them.

    Braph circled the tree once more and the truth remained.

    At first, he¡¯d thought he should feel angry about it, but then it dawned on him that each hole had only been useful once and now he had a blank canvas from which to start over. Perfect.

    Of course, he wondered why. Why had the tree tolerated the holes for two days only to heal itself now?

    He could accept the premise that it took several days for the tree to heal the holes. But, then why had the holes drilled only hours earlier closed in the same night as his initial holes? No answers presented themselves immediately. So be it. He was contented to ponder, for now.

    And while he pondered, he would drill.

    He had his suspicions that injecting raw Ajnai sap into his veins would be even less agreeable than Aenuk blood, and the potential healing properties less accessible. So, he dedicated himself to collecting sufficient to sterilize, if not boil down to crystalline. At least a cup. Likely several. At between one and two tablespoons each day, it would take ¡­ some time.

 Say It Again (part 1)

    When a hand gripped Llew¡¯s shoulder, she awoke with a start. She had her back to the bedroom doorway, facing Jonas. Or would have been, had he still been in the bed. A moment of panic took her, but she limited her reaction to one shallow intake of breath.

    She turned her head to find Sam leaning over her. His apologetic grimace that seemed more tense than necessary didn¡¯t fill her with confidence. Her breathing remained shallow while she listened for things to worry about.

    ¡°Jonas is fine. Well¡ª¡± Sam shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s a bit flat. Needs your blood.¡± That grimace returned.

    Llew hadn¡¯t had enough sleep. Her head felt groggy. Didn¡¯t matter. She clambered off the bed, glanced at the still wet and muddy trousers and shirt she¡¯d abandoned on the floor and headed outside in her shift.

    Jonas hadn¡¯t bothered to fit his prosthetic, and had the lower half of his trouser leg tied up the back of his thigh with a leather thong. He looked exhausted, his shoulders hunched, his eyelids drooping. Llew raised her eyebrows at Sam.

    ¡°We wanted to let you sleep as long as possible.¡±

    A fair balance, perhaps. Jonas was alive, and she felt better for the sleep. Still, she hated to see him so drained of energy. He was barely making it through the night now. Neither of them could afford a full night¡¯s sleep anymore.

    She centered herself with a breath, finding her calm.

    She sat beside Jonas and presented her arm yet again.

    Around them, everyone settled into jobs. Lunch was prepared, animals were checked, laundry hung from a line, and more washed. Even Karlani and Alvaro were each engaged in helpful work. Llew hadn¡¯t dared think she might see such a thing. It seemed healing Karlani had been the right thing to do.

    With Jonas so depleted, it took eight syringes of Llew¡¯s blood for him to perk up. They kept going.

    Karlani brought lunch to them. Jonas had eaten breakfast, but it hadn¡¯t been enough to halt his decline. Llew¡¯s blood plus lunch saw him brighten. He turned his thin-lipped expression to Llew as Delwynn pulled the plunger on another syringeful and Llew waved him off with her free hand before he could speak.

    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. You know this is as much for me as for you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± His lips lifted into a reluctant smiled. ¡°I love you.¡±

    ¡°I love you, too.¡± Llew beamed back at him, something about speaking the words making them all the more real.

    Karlani crouched by them to collect their empty plates. ¡°You two are sickly sweet, aren¡¯t you?¡± She smiled from one to the other, completely guileless. ¡°Truly, though, you deserve it. It¡¯s nice to see.¡±

    Llew could hardly believe what she was hearing.

    ¡°I know.¡± Karlani stood back from them, balancing the plates against one hip. ¡°Last night, you gave me the opportunity to look back on my life and how I ended up here. I spent the last few years believing anyone who told me I was the future, but¡ª¡± She gestured at a couple of Turhmos soldiers engaged in their tasks. ¡°You¡¯re the one setting new things in motion. Better things. All I was going to do was support the status quo.¡± She shrugged. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really after a name for myself, just the comfort that came with knowing I¡¯d be looked after. I didn¡¯t come to Quaver to fight for Jonas¡¯s hand. I was told he was a path to the life I wanted. And, heck, it¡¯s nice to feel special while we¡¯re at it, huh? But I never needed special. It was just a carrot I thought I wanted. Anyway, there¡¯s still a chance I can make the life I wanted, or figure out something new. And that¡¯s thanks to you. So ¡­ I¡¯m sorry for the parts I¡¯ve played that have spoiled yours. And I hope it¡¯s not much to ask to be able to help you build your new life. Like, uh¡ª¡± She shifted the plates to her other hip. ¡°That swimming hole is real nice. Maybe I can make sure no one interrupts you while you take a break. But I can be available, if you, you know, need Syakaran strength for help ¡­ or anything.¡± She took a step back, but seemed reluctant to leave just yet.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Llew responded, imagining Karlani standing guard while she and Jonas bathed together. The thought failed to delight. ¡°We¡¯ll let you know.¡±

    Karlani smiled again, and headed off to the kitchen.

    One thing Karlani had right: they did need to bathe. While daily bathing might not have been the norm, Llew had been accustomed to doing so while living on the shores of Big River back in Cheer, and was growing increasingly aware of time passing since she¡¯d given herself a good scrub at Raena¡¯s home. Jonas had only been afforded a damp cloth. While they had relative privacy at the swimming hole over the hill from the homestead, they should use it. Mmm. Even the recollection of sinking into a tub of hot water gave Llew a sense of calm and well-being. She had been lucky enough to experience several warm baths now. Oh. A shudder ran through her. One of them had been at Braph¡¯s house. Damn it. Absent that setting, she still craved the enveloping heat. Being able to have one here at the farm would be luscious. But the homestead was now a hub of people coming and going. There would be no moment of peace found there. The days were mild enough, and growing warmer, that the stream would do just fine. Alvaro and Karlani had enjoyed it well enough.

    Llew didn¡¯t want to think about that, either.

    Delwynn continued transferring syringefuls of Llew¡¯s blood to Jonas for another couple of hours. Karlani took it upon herself to deliver a plate of scones and a cup of water to each of them as the day¡¯s heat reached its peak around mid-afternoon. Elka and Lyneth returned from the stream clad only in clean cotton chemises, their hair still dripping. Despite Elka¡¯s clear discomfort from walking the uneven ground in her leg brace, she shared a laugh with Lyneth as they both eased themselves to sit on the porch and attacked their sodden locks with dry towels.

    Karlani stood near Llew, doing her best be be unobtrusive, but her presence was impossible to ignore.

    ¡°Stop, Llew.¡± Jonas folded her arm, blocking the next needle. ¡°Even if it worked, it wouldn¡¯t last. Each one is givin¡¯ me less improvement. I¡¯ll live till bedtime, I promise.¡± He waved Karlani around to him. ¡°Help me up.¡± She did. Jonas turned back to Llew. Using the tree for support with one hand, he offered the other to her. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the stream. A wash and time in the water will do you good.¡±

    Llew accepted his offered hand and stood, taking most of her own weight.

    Karlani shifted, squaring up her stance and placing her hands behind her back, like she might be a soldier awaiting instruction.

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    Llew shook her head at her. ¡°You can be on watch as much as you like, but you can¡¯t be our personal guard. Certainly not while we¡¯re at the stream.¡±

    Karlani blinked several times. ¡°Understood. I will instruct Lyneth and Garnoc to place themselves within earshot should you need assistance, but to otherwise leave you uninterrupted and unobserved. If that is something you would have me do.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Llew was tired despite sleep and touching an Ajnai tree for several hours. She gratefully let Karlani lift this decision from her shoulders.

    Karlani collected the empty plate and cups and dashed back to the homestead, pausing to speak with Lyneth on her way past. Lyneth nodded and gathered her discarded soldier¡¯s garb to wear once more. There was a lot of work yet to be done before everyone at the farm could be both clean and clean-clothed. Had Rowan included new clothing items on his procurement list from Hinden? Llew would have to wait and see.

    Garnoc soon arrived carrying a couple of towels, a loofah, a bar of soap, and some clothing from Merrid and Ard¡¯s wardrobe. He shuffled these beneath one arm so he could collect and hand one crutch to Jonas at a time.

    Lyneth joined them as they approached the brow of the hill.

    ¡°We¡¯ll wait about here.¡± Garnoc held the towels, soap, and clothing out for Llew to take. ¡°We¡¯ll be sure to keep our attention focused out here.¡± He waved in every direction except the creek. ¡°Should you need us for anything, just call.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Llew accepted the items and guard service.

    ¡°Never needed bodyguards before,¡± Jonas murmured as they navigated the downhill, their pace dictated by his growing but still imperfect proficiency with the crutches.

    ¡°Ah. But now you¡¯re my man, you¡¯re extra special.¡± Llew smiled slyly at him.

    ¡°Your man. I suppose I am.¡± He smiled, though his focus remained on his trajectory. ¡°Never thought about it that way before, even when I was married.¡± He scowled. ¡°I was always Quaver¡¯s man. Aris¡¯s. Kierra was ¡­ I mean, I called her my wife, and I wanted her to be happy with me, but it was always duty to Quaver, you know?¡± He turned a pained look Llew¡¯s way before returning his attention to their path. ¡°I thought I was a better man than that. By the gods, I¡¯ve right ballsed things up. No wonder Cayden had it in for me. Kierra deserved better.¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t comment. She¡¯d never known Kierra but was ready to believe she had been dealt a poor hand. Born a Syakaran in Quaver, she had no doubt enjoyed many privileges attached to that ¨C as a child, anyway. Quaver would¡¯ve assured she was housed, fed, and had ample opportunity to grow into her potential. As a fully grown woman, however, she had well and truly paid her debt to Quaver. But, while Jonas had certainly had it better, he¡¯d been kept to much the same deal; expected to meet Quaver¡¯s demands, and Aris¡¯s, and to make few of his own. He wasn¡¯t a better man, or worse; just a man living within the bounds of the life he¡¯d been given, as Llew had been when she¡¯d had to steal to survive.

    Karlani came to mind. Llew sighed. Waves of anger still bubbled in her belly at the thought of forgiving the Syakaran woman. Even the mildest contemplation of such threw Llew back to the night in the Quaven gaol, held down by Karlani while Aris struck. That pain ¨C not just physical ¨C in the moment one child had died and she became incapable of nurturing the other still reverberated through Llew¡¯s bones if she let herself wallow in it. And pushing it aside left her sick with guilt. Karlani. Llew couldn¡¯t separate the woman from pain, fear, guilt. And yet, like the rest of them, she had been trying to live her life with what she had. Could Llew forgive her? Not today.

    Jonas toppled, throwing a crutch aside so he wouldn¡¯t land on it as he tucked his arm in and twisted, cushioning himself. Llew collected the crutch and waited, allowing Jonas time to curse himself out and be ready for a hand up. He lay for a good few moments, teeth gritted against anger and pain.

    ¡°Real or phantom?¡±

    ¡°Both.¡±

    Her question didn¡¯t distract him from the pain, but he had to take a breath to respond, which did help. He took a few more, moved to a seated position, found his own strength, then accepted Llew¡¯s help to stand.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯ll ever be gone.¡± Llew waited while he brushed himself off, handing the crutch over when he indicated he was ready. ¡°Rowan and Elka might.¡±

    Jonas didn¡¯t voice a response, only set his determination to make the rest of the journey to the stream. The fact remained, he was likely as healed as he would ever be. Llew¡¯s blood could help with the inflammation from the prosthetic rubbing, but if his scarring still ached, and whatever it was that caused him to feel pain from a body part no longer attached to him remained after their hours beneath the Ajnais, Llew struggled to imagine he might yet find relief, even if his Syakaran powers returned. When. When his Syakaran powers returned.

    Approaching the stream brought Llew right back home to the shore of Big River. The sounds and the smells of flowing water, and whatever it was about moving water that seemed to charge the air around it, filled Llew with a calm she found nowhere else.

    Sunlight poured between leaves above them, sparkling off the peaks of ripples and dappling the stony stream bed. Llew couldn¡¯t experience the magic of her own blood the way Kara could, but surely this was close. Better? It was her happy place. Even more so with Jonas beside her. For the time being, the rest of the world did not exist.

    Jonas still looked serious. Pained? Likely. And she could forgive his expression in that case. Still ¡­

    She placed the towels, soap, and clothing onto a dry rock and gripped the hem of her shift as she straightened, raising her arms above her head and letting it fall away from the water. She stepped carefully, her feet no longer used to the shifting stones with an array of smooth, sharp, and oddly rounded surfaces beneath them, coming to stand before Jonas, naked and smiling at him.

    It had the desired effect, markedly lightening his mood.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to undress you,¡± she said.

    ¡°Okay.¡± Such a subtle action, but simply straightening his stance and lifting his chin said so much. An invitation. He was hers. Her man. Hers to do with as she pleased.

    She stepped in closer to him and unbuttoned his top shirt button, deliberately taking her time to splay that section of shirt breast before moving to the second. It wasn¡¯t about exposing his skin ¨C there was little to see, yet ¨C or touching it ¨C she didn¡¯t ¨C it was about savoring this moment in time, fixing her focus on each step: manipulate the buttonhole to open it a little, fold the material to position the button edge between the over-locked edges, slide it through and guide the two pieces of shirt apart. Think of little else. Perhaps deliver Jonas some pleasure in her deliberate petting of the lightly fluffed cotton, luxuriously soft beneath her palms, allowing a hint of Jonas¡¯s heat to radiate through.

    Next button. Pinch, fold, slide, press.

    Bold black ink swooped above the neckline of one of Ard¡¯s singlets, the tired white cotton loose on Jonas.

    Another button.

    Another.

 Say It Again (part 2)

    Llew pressed her palms to the center of the singlet beneath Jonas¡¯s heart and slid them apart, pulling the material taut, revealing the definition between his pectoral and stomach muscles; so deceptively firm, with no hint of weakness or fatigue. The singlet itself pulsed over Jonas¡¯s heart. How much of Llew¡¯s blood still flowed there? Did any linger? Or merely its effects? The latter, according to Llew¡¯s understanding. Still, just minutes earlier, his heart had pumped her blood around his body. There was something deeply connecting about that.

    Nope. Forget Karlani. Llew had no connection to Karlani.

    Llew breathed deeply, pushing out the reality of the lack of poetry in her blood transfers for Jonas. There was nothing mystical or romantic in them. The romance came from this sense of calm and safety Llew would find nowhere else, with no one else.

    Final button.

    Shirt over shoulders.

    One hand lifted from a crutch that thankfully fell against Jonas¡¯s side and not to the ground so he could grip it once the shirt had cleared his hand without spoiling the moment, and repeat on the other side. The shirt joined Llew¡¯s shift. Merrid¡¯s. Llew¡¯s now.

    Now.

    Here. Now.

    No tears for the fallen. They could return later. Right now, she was with Jonas and he was only nearly half undressed. Focus. Here. Now.

    Llew pulled the singlet¡¯s lower hem free of Jonas¡¯s trousers and worked it over his head as fast as they could manage around Jonas¡¯s need of the crutches to maintain his balance.

    Never bulky to begin with, Jonas¡¯s muscles seemed to have lost some condition since they¡¯d escaped Raena¡¯s home in Northhollow. Nevertheless, Llew could gaze upon him all day if the world would let her.

    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful.¡±

    Jonas¡¯s face displayed a range of expressions ¨C surprise, disbelief, tempered laughter. Then he looked her over. Llew had somehow forgotten she was fully naked already.

    ¡°So are you.¡±

    She felt just as Jonas had looked a moment ago, but let none of it show. She was in charge. She stepped in close, placed her hands to his top trouser button. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    He nodded.

    Llew undid the buttons one by one, well aware of his eagerness behind them. She looked up to meet his ironically apologetic gaze and allowed her own internal laughter to show, then focused back on the task at hand. The leather thong holding the empty trouser leg out of the way also prevented Jonas¡¯s trousers from falling away. Llew tugged at its end, unraveling its bowed knot, and it came free. She gathered it into a loose ball and ensured it landed on her chemise, easily seen against the white.

    Problem. Jonas still had a boot on and there would be no removing it while he stood.

    ¡°Um.¡± Llew looked about them. All the larger stones were in the water.

    ¡°I think if you sit down I can use you as support.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Llew sat and held herself steady.

    Jonas let one and then the other crutch fall, gripped Llew¡¯s shoulder, then eased his other hand to the ground, giving himself three-points of contact as he bent his knee and swiveled to sit.

    ¡°Well, that don¡¯t seem to be gettin¡¯ any easier.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s time.¡±

    Once Jonas was seated, Llew got on her knees and untied and removed his boot and sock. And finally they could figure out how to free him of his trousers. It had been relatively simple with a bed to sit at the edge of. Out here it was trickier, with little for Jonas to leverage himself against.

    A cloud moved over them, dropping the temperature and stealing some of the magic. So be it. They were Jonas and Llew. The broken and the fugitive. What magic they had was gone or inadequate. And they were filthy. Whatever moment they might have hoped to create here wasn¡¯t for them.

    Dropping all pretenses of fun and sexuality, Jonas rocked his hips, allowing Llew to tug his trousers free. Then she gathered the soap and loofah as Jonas shuffled himself to the water. Llew joined him and set about soaping and scrubbing him, and he returned the favor. The sun had not returned, leaving Llew disappointingly cold. She had very much wanted this to be a special moment when they could enjoy each other.

    Jonas settled in the shallows, shuffled himself to ensure a comfortable seat and ran his hands over the stones between his legs, removing a few pointed ones. ¡°Come here,¡± he beckoned Llew with open arms.

    She went to him, sitting between his thighs after removing a couple more troublesome stones. He enfolded her in his arms and pulled her back against his chest and belly.

    Ahh. Heat.

    Llew relaxed into him, closed her eyes.

    Jonas rested his chin on her shoulder, his whiskers tickling her neck. Ard must have had shaving gear as he had kept his own face hairless. They would need to look for it. Still, Llew resisted shrugging the sensation away. Not all prickly chins were attached to awful men. It soon shifted as Jonas withdrew to kiss the curve where her neck and shoulder met. And again, further along her shoulder. His hands began to explore, one moving to just beneath her breast, the other settling at the junction of hip and thigh. Despite their nakedness and his kisses, the touches remained chaste.

    ¡°Is that okay?¡± He kissed the apex of her shoulder, and another, moving back toward her neck. Another.

    ¡°Mmhmm.¡±

    The hand at her ribs shifted to lightly cup a breast. Jonas groaned softly as he kissed beneath her ear. It tickled, but not in a way that made Llew want to withdraw. His other hand teased at her inner thigh, inviting her to open for him. She did so, willingly.

    Jonas took his time, his touches neither tentative nor progressing ahead of Llew¡¯s desires. In fact, she began to wish he would demand more even while she luxuriated in his teasing. A delicious balance.

    He shifted behind her to mirror the attention he¡¯d paid to one shoulder and one side of her neck. He explored the shape and texture of her breasts with an expertise in just how to make Llew want.

    She wanted.

    His fingers below crossed the threshold, making Llew lose her breath and nearly plead with him to just take her, but his light yet deliberate petting felt so good. He knew where to touch her and the exact pressure to delight. She allowed herself a couple of panting gasps before controlling herself, letting him work his own kind of magic.

    They continued like that for some time, Jonas exploring her body while demonstrating his intimate knowledge of it. Each time Llew thought she couldn¡¯t take anymore, he would back off, letting her come back from the edge before guiding her toward it once more. And again. And again.

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    ¡°When do we do the next bit?¡± Llew asked during a lull when she could string the words together.

    ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± Jonas paused his ministrations to hug her tightly to him as he kissed her cheek, then lips when she turned her head to meet him, preventing her from leaping up and taking him up on his invitation immediately. Whenever she was ready meant she should take her time and be sure she¡¯d had enough of his other efforts before the finale. He returned his hands to teasing while they tasted each other and he soon had Llew holding her breath then panting while he grinned and kissed her tenderly. ¡°Mmm. You¡¯re amazin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Me? You¡¯re the¡ª You¡¯re the one doing¡ª¡± Llew barely stifled a groan. ¡°¡ªthat.¡±

    ¡°Yes. And you¡¯re so much fun to do it to.¡±

    Llew didn¡¯t respond as she returned her attention to the touch he¡¯d partially withdrawn from her ¨C still petting, but with broader strokes away from her most sensitive places, making her feel like she had to chase his touch. Making her open to him.

    When her breathing returned to normal, his fingertips resumed their earlier work.

    Finally, Llew realized it really was up to her and she couldn¡¯t take anymore. She stood, turned, and lowered herself. Jonas grinned at her, his face alight with humor that slid to a sly sexiness as she gripped him to direct him home. And that look, framed by his several days¡¯ beard growth filled Llew with chills and nausea. Still, she took him inside, and eased down with eyes closed, holding her own weight, trying to push Braph and his smug sneer from her mind. She pressed her face into his shoulder, breathing him in, finding Jonas, not Braph.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± Llew kept her eyes closed, focused on his voice, on the feel of him, his scent, on his comforting grip on her biceps.

    ¡°I should¡¯ve¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shh.¡± Llew breathed, eyes still shut and pressed into him. ¡°I can¡¯t ask you not to smile. I love your smiles. That they sometimes remind me of ¡­ him ¡­ That¡¯s not your fault.¡± She sat back, opened her eyes, met his gaze. ¡°You are not him. I trust you.¡± She squeezed him inside her, bringing about another smile. Nothing like Braph this time. ¡°I love your smiles.¡±

    His smile broadened. Better still. And Llew felt like she was on the cusp of some victory. She held his gaze and rocked her hips. There were hints of Braph there, in the shape of Jonas¡¯s eyes, in the color of his skin, in the line his beard followed across his cheeks. Their brotherhood was undeniable.

    And yet, when Jonas looked back at her, his hunger was for a shared desire, to experience her pleasure with her, and not inflict it on her whether she wanted it or not, or take, take, take, the way Braph approached the world. Maybe he wasn¡¯t wrong in his belief he was owed something. Maybe he¡¯d been unfairly injured and insulted by Turhmos, Aris, maybe even Jonas. But whatever Braph was owed, it had never been her father¡¯s blood, her mother¡¯s love, or Llew¡¯s body. And certainly not Llew¡¯s very own sense of self.

    ¡°Say my name,¡± she whispered.

    A quirk of his eyebrows questioned her briefly, but Jonas complied, holding her gaze sans demand. ¡°I love you, Llew.¡±

    Llew shook her head. She liked his addition, but ¡­ ¡°My name. My full name.¡± She rocked her hips again. Gasped. ¡°Say my name.¡±

    ¡°I love you ¡­ Llewella.¡±

    An involuntary shiver ran down Llew¡¯s spine. Only Jonas was there to say it, and yet she heard Braph¡¯s voice mingled with it. Revulsion. Sorrow. A flare of anger.

    ¡°I love you, Llewella.¡± Jonas¡¯s lips met Llew¡¯s chin.

    Dammit. It was still there. But so was Jonas. She tilted her head, aligning their mouths.

    ¡°I love you, Llewella.¡± Jonas brushed his lips across hers, inviting her to meet him if she so wished, replenishing her with delight as that remembered echo filled her with disgust. Llew focused on that invitation. And what was he doing down below? He nearly sent her over the edge again without obviously moving. How did he do that? Was it like when she squeezed him? Jonas moaned as she did so. ¡°Careful, Llewella,¡± he whispered, and she only heard it in his voice.

    Llew pressed her forehead to his, rolled her hips forward.

    Jonas hissed, sucking in a breath.

    ¡°Say it again.¡±

    ¡°I love you, Llewella.¡±

    Llew rested her head on his shoulder, wrapped her arms around him.

    ¡°I¡¯m yours, Llewella.¡± Jonas hugged her to him, leaned his cheek against hers.

    ¡°My Jonas,¡± Llew whispered against his neck.

    ¡°My Llewella.¡±

    Like their first time, they barely had to move, and yet Llew¡¯s body was awash with pleasure. They held each other tight, as if by doing so they might merge into one, making Jonas whole and giving Llew the strength to face all the world had to throw at her. All going well, there might be some truth to it.

    They relaxed into each other. Llew rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzled into his neck, content. Llewella. A chill tremored down her spine. She sighed. Not fixed. But maybe there was a chance one day she would be able to reclaim what Braph had taken.

    She traced his tattoo with her fingertips. His power. His embrace. Her safety.

    Like being cupped in her hand.

    ¡°Did you ¡­?¡± That lump filled her throat again. ¡°Did you get to hold one? The one Aris didn¡¯t kill?¡±

    Jonas stilled, released a soft sigh. ¡°It was a choice between you or neither of you. No choice at all. I had to let it go.¡±

    ¡°But you got to hold it?¡±

    Jonas¡¯s head pressed into hers, but he shaped no words.

    Llew had wanted to be angry at him for getting to do what she never could. But how could she? It hadn¡¯t protected him from what had come after.

    ¡°It felt safe with you. They know your love for them,¡± she whispered.

    After a time, Llew eased herself from Jonas¡¯s embrace and sunk back into the water. Jonas shuffled toward her, then stopped, cursing, and breathing through gritted teeth as he reached a hand out to grip a part of him no longer there.

    ¡°What hurts this time?¡± Llew asked.

    ¡°Ankle.¡± Jonas managed a laughing growl, though any humor soon passed. ¡°I swear it hurts more now than when it was still there. But it¡¯s not constant.¡±

    Llew sympathized with him, but left him to process the pain as he needed to and allowed herself to enjoy the water, the fresh air, the occasional bird trill, and the play of the leaves in the gentle breeze. As she would¡¯ve back in Cheer, she swept her arms through the water and noted the colors of the sand and stones beneath the water. It was a shame the clouds had rolled in, dulling everything. Still, they had this moment of peace and she would enjoy it as best she could while the man she loved dealt with his pain.

    Her stomach grumbled, and she sighed. Curse this mortal body and its inconvenient needs. They had to wait out Jonas¡¯s pain before they could make the walk back for dinner.

    Eventually, Jonas managed to reach the shallows, still clearly pained. Llew watched him a moment while he turned inward.

    ¡°You¡¯re the strongest and best man I¡¯ve ever known.¡± After a moment of watching the top of his head before he lifted it to look at her, Llew held his gaze while he processed her use of the present tense. He gave a small nod, and Llew¡¯s chest ached to see his vulnerability ¨C an everlasting chasm between Jonas and Braph. ¡°And I love you.¡±

    Again, Jonas held her gaze before replying, ¡°Love you, too.¡±

    His smile was subtle, and Llew didn¡¯t look away. Nor was she repulsed. Not this time. She gave a satisfied smile in return.

 I Want You

    ¡°We need to name them. Our ¡­ babies.¡± Llew had thought the sentence over several times and thought she had her emotions under control, but no, her throat still thickened. ¡°You know, for when we go back ¡­ to the tree.¡±

    Jonas paused in buttoning his shirt. He cleared his throat. ¡°Good idea.¡±

    Llew nodded at him, but she could no longer speak. The way his eyes shone, she suspected he was right with her.

    ¡°Later,¡± she managed while brushing down the front of Merrid¡¯s dress. She would rather a shirt and trousers, but there weren¡¯t enough to go around.

    ¡°Later,¡± he agreed.

    By the time they were dried, dressed, and met back up with Lyneth and Garnoc, the sun had lowered, setting off an orange and pink fire behind the blue-gray clouds, giving the entire landscape a heavy, moody feel.

    ¡°We need to take care rounding the hill,¡± Lyneth said as Llew and Jonas drew near. ¡°Another troop has arrived. Negotiations were going well earlier, but they haven¡¯t yet laid eyes on you, or ¡­¡± She glanced at Jonas. ¡°¡­ him.¡±

    ¡°They know we¡¯re here?¡± Llew asked.

    Garnoc nodded. ¡°Rowan and Sam were leading discussions. And they¡¯ve seen Karlani bringing us updates. Oh, and she knocked a couple of them out when they first arrived. They surrendered pretty quick after that, and once they saw they were fighting their own. Sounds like they¡¯re weighing up if it¡¯s worth standing with us against the rest of the Turhmos army.¡±

    ¡°If they leave, can we trust them not to report our location?¡±

    Garnoc shrugged.

    ¡°How many in this group?¡± Jonas¡¯s voice held his usual hero-of-Quaver authority while fatigue had crept back into his eyes and stance. Llew hoped the negotiations concluded swiftly.

    ¡°Another twenty,¡± Lyneth said.

    ¡°Whatever their officers decide, we can¡¯t expect twenty soldiers to all keep their mouths shut,¡± Jonas said. ¡°And if they stay, that¡¯s a lot of new mouths to feed.¡±

    Llew turned to Jonas. ¡°Both of those statements seem to be saying they¡¯re too much of a nuisance to let live.¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°How many little suckers you flattened to save a few hours itchin¡¯ in your lifetime?¡±

    Llew stared. A soldier he may be, but Jonas wasn¡¯t that callus, surely. Besides ¡­

    ¡°None. I just brush their bodies off.¡±

    Jonas rolled his eyes and eased his stance. ¡°I¡¯m just sayin¡¯, them showin¡¯ up is bad news for us. We can talk to them, ask ¡¯em to play nice, they can say yes, but I wouldn¡¯t bank on trustin¡¯ ¡¯em.¡±

    ¡°How long before Turhmos figures out we¡¯re here anyway?¡± Llew turned to Garnoc and Lyneth.

    Garnoc shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s a chance our report might be missed already. I think we were due to report from the Hinden telegram office.¡±

    Lyneth nodded her agreement. ¡°Our senior officers were among those you couldn¡¯t revive.¡±

    ¡°So this troop will have officers who know more of Turhmos and what¡¯s expected of them?¡± Llew asked.

    Garnoc and Lyneth both shrugged. ¡°Best to assume so,¡± Garnoc said.

    ¡°Well, I guess we won¡¯t know what we¡¯re about to face until we face it.¡± Llew gestured for uniform-wearing Garnoc and Lyneth to lead the way.

    They were granted several seconds to look down at those gathered by the Ajnai trees, still a couple hundred strides distant, before one of the new Turhmos soldiers noted them and alerted everyone else. Karlani firmed her position before the soldiers, a hand coming to rest on the handle of a knife she¡¯d found. Alvaro stood beside her with his sword slung from his belt. Sam and Rowan motioned for calm. Most of the newcomers stood squarely and relaxed, hands behind their backs, unmoving and awaiting orders. Two had been speaking with Rowan and Sam.

    From this distance, Llew couldn¡¯t gauge how their appearance had been received. Certainly, Karlani and Alvaro had readied themselves in case things turned hostile, but the soldiers hadn¡¯t obviously reacted.

    Once again, she wished she had Jonas¡¯s strength, speed, and near decade of training to rely on. She trusted it fully. All she had was Karlani; naturally gifted enough, but with only weeks of training, and only as a spectacle. The Turhmos soldiers wouldn¡¯t know that, though. For all they knew, she was capable of bringing all twenty of them down alone. That might well be true. Karlani had proved herself reasonably well to date, and she wasn¡¯t alone.

    Llew was coming around to the idea she could trust the Syakaran woman. Still, she was Karlani. There would always be doubts while the risk of a better offer remained.

    They continued down the slope as fast as Jonas could manage, losing sight of the soldiers as they dropped behind the stables and sheds, and eventually emerged from behind the homestead.

    The twenty new strangers were more intimidating this close, despite all having dismounted, leaving their horses to wait patiently just inside the farm entrance. Llew drew on Jonas¡¯s words You¡¯re dangerous to pull herself taller and walk right up to Rowan and Sam, projecting confidence in her role of Captain seeking an update before engaging.

    ¡°They¡¯re expected to report from Hinden in the next day or two.¡± Sam kept his voice low. ¡°They haven¡¯t decided what they¡¯ll report. They haven¡¯t turned this into a fight, yet, either.¡±

    Llew held his gaze a few moments more while she churned through the possible outcomes here. As Jonas had pointed out, none of the options were perfect.

    She flexed her ¨C her touch her only weapon, that she hoped she wouldn¡¯t need ¨C and turned to face the leaders of the new group.

    ¡°Dying is one of the most unpleasant experiences I¡¯ve ever had. I don¡¯t recommend it. But I guess I¡¯m lucky I¡¯ve been able to do it ¡­¡± She turned to Jonas. ¡°Six?¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°Dunno. Guess you did it a few times before I met you.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I think it all started just after. Maybe I should blame you.¡±

    Jonas raised an eyebrow and Llew turned back to the officers, shrugging.

    ¡°Too many times.¡± She let the joviality slide from her. ¡°If you start something here, you¡¯ll get to do it once, and once only.¡± Llew kept her chin up and her gaze only shifting between the two leaders for reactions. I¡¯m dangerous, and I owe no one the use of my power. ¡°Did Sam and Rowan tell you about the Ajnais?¡± She gestured to the trees beside them and both officers turned to look. Several of the soldiers behind them looked, too. Llew didn¡¯t. Neither did three of the soldiers; two men and one woman. She noted them. They wouldn¡¯t be Aenuks. And she guessed they were too narrow-minded to be easily swayed from their mission on behalf of Turhmos. The thought crossed her mind that it would be much easier to kill them and be done with the worry. She quietened the thought swiftly, but didn¡¯t discount it fully. No longer Llew-alone-on-the-banks-of-Cheer¡¯s-Big-River, able to uproot herself and go on the run if necessary, she was a free Syaenuk in the heart of Turhmos with an injured and weak Jonas by her side. She had to harden.

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    One officer spoke. ¡°He said you¡¯d killed their entire troop, and brought eight back to life using the trees.¡± He kept his voice flat; summarizing the facts as he¡¯d been told them, not asking, and not attaching opinion.

    At his words, the rest of the soldiers faced forward. Llew noted the two last to pull their attention from the Ajnais. The two most likely to be Aenuks. Two likely allies. The rest she couldn¡¯t guess. Soldiers for Turhmos, yes, but to what extent voluntary? How deep did their loyalty run?

    ¡°We have seeds we would like to give to your Aenuks that would allow them to grow an Ajnai anywhere they choose, and be able to offer their healing without killing anymore. Can you imagine that world?¡±

    Both the soldiers Llew had marked for Aenuks locked their gazes on her. One eased back in his stance, as if withdrawing.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know you.¡± Llew kept her focus on the officers for propriety¡¯s sake, though she considered herself mostly speaking to the Aenuks in the group. ¡°And I don¡¯t know how much of the world you saw before Turhmos drafted you. I don¡¯t know what you know about taking care of yourself. Perhaps the idea scares you.¡± Unsurprisingly, several of the soldiers scoffed at that. ¡°But we have this farm. It belonged to friends of mine¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah. We did that,¡± one of the officers stated, a smile lifting one side of his mouth.

    Llew felt the same stabbing pain in her heart as when she¡¯d first seen Merrid and Ard hanging. Her mouth went dry and her mind went blank.

    Rowan stepped closer to her, placing himself a half step in front. Karlani, too, moved closer, but that just sent another shock of anxiety through Llew, memories of strong hands holding her down on a cold stone floor, a knife hovering, finding its target. She stepped back and came up against Jonas and found calm.

    The officer who¡¯d made the admission looked particularly smug.

    ¡°I can take them,¡± Karlani murmured.

    ¡°We were told you might show up here,¡± the officer continued. He glanced over his shoulder to the makeshift gallows by the farm entrance. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d be presumptuous enough to settle, so we¡¯ve been camped farther north, waiting. But you just tossed the bodies and stole their stuff.¡±

    ¡°You already took everything from them, and left their animals to suffer.¡± Llew found her voice through gritted teeth, though her ears rung. ¡°Merrid and Ard would want me here because they were kind, loving people, and they knew my ma and helped my pa escape the Turhmos army. We can do the same for you.¡± She didn¡¯t bother directing her attention to the officers anymore; spoke directly to the subordinates. With their admission, the officers were already dead to her. The thought gave her the briefest of pauses. Was she that person now? The one who called for someone¡¯s death because they¡¯d offended her? Because they¡¯d followed orders? With hot anger coiling in her stomach, it seemed so. Still, she pushed forward with her initial plan to speak.

    ¡°Together, we can teach you how to live free of Turhmos. How to feed and clothe yourselves. How the Aenuks can provide healing without killing. From there, we can show Turhmos and the rest of the world how it can be done, how Aenuks with Ajnai trees can be a greater good with no need for cages. Aenuks can even heal Kara. We can show you how it¡¯s done.¡±

    The talkative officer¡¯s gaze shifted to Jonas. A look filled with disdain.

    And Llew responded without further thought. ¡°Do it, Karlani.¡±

    Almost immediately, she wanted to retract the words. But it was too late to do so, so all she could do was justify as best she could. Jonas was right: they were too many to feed. She did have a few minutes to bring them back if a second chance at life would change anything.

    Her instinct was to turn and walk, no run, away and hide from the consequences of her words, but Jonas wouldn¡¯t be able to join her and, she supposed, part of the responsibility of leadership was to face the outcomes of her commands. And so she watched as Karlani darted from one soldier to the other, first disabling and disarming if a killing blow wasn¡¯t immediately an option, then coming back through to finish those still breathing. It took mere seconds. Eighteen blood stains spread from eighteen bodies. The two Aenuks had dropped weapons and held their hands up, and somewhere in the carnage, Karlani had recognized and respected the gesture, though she ended her frenzy standing between them, bloody knife in her hand adding dark spots to the coarse sand beneath her feet.

    Llew released a breath. ¡°Well ¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t want to believe this was who she was, but a moment¡¯s hesitation might¡¯ve been Jonas¡¯s death. Eighteen lives for his one. He would balance the scales when he started freeing Aenuks.

    Everyone stood for several more moments not speaking; the Aenuks still held their hands raised. Llew looked over the prone bodies, waiting for the urge to heal them to strike. It didn¡¯t. She felt nothing.

    Though no longer pressed into him, Llew was aware of Jonas behind her. As always, he was her pillar. She met the wide-eyed gazes of the new Aenuks. ¡°Welcome. Sam will get you started.¡±

    ¡°Uhm. Sure.¡± Sam stepped forward and introduced himself to the Aenuks.

    ¡°I¡¯ll sort the clean up, if you like. And ¡­¡± Karlani glanced at the unsettled, saddled horses. ¡°Then I¡¯ll see if I can round up the horses that took off down the road. They usually don¡¯t go too far.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Llew waved over her shoulder to Jonas. ¡°Let¡¯s get some more blood into you.¡± She turned to the trees, the ringing in her ears diminishing, her emotions flat.

    ¡°You did the right thing,¡± Jonas said, following.

    ¡°Maybe. I still hate it.¡± She reached a tree, rolled her sleeve and sat down, ready to wait out the next hour or so. Jonas sat a quarter rotation behind her against the same tree. Doing so carried more risk of Llew accidentally brushing against him when she wasn¡¯t fully healed, but his closeness always felt better than any distance. ¡°I guess I understand why you never pushed for a promotion.¡±

    Jonas grunted. ¡°Never even considered it. Aris had me convinced I needed his hand to steady me.¡±

    ¡°I need yours.¡± Llew turned her head to meet Jonas¡¯s eye around the side of the tree.

    He lifted a hand as though intending to offer it to her, but Delwynn had just pushed the needle into Llew¡¯s other arm and Llew wouldn¡¯t risk even that tiny healing from Jonas. She shook her head minutely and he lowered his hand.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need me, Llew. I¡¯m a nice to have.¡± He raised his one knee and rested one arm on it, leaving the other laid out ready to receive Llew¡¯s blood. ¡°Karlani can fight for you.¡±

    Llew considered not justifying that with an answer, but she had one.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I need you. I need you because I want you. We¡¯re in this together. Ow.¡± The needle pricks didn¡¯t get any less painful.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± said Delwynn.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m normally better at keeping it to myself.¡±

    Jonas had fallen silent.

    ¡°I bleed for you, I hurt for you, I¡¯d die for you if you needed me to. You do the same. And you tell me I¡¯m not evil when I order twenty people killed, and some small part of me believes you. I need you because the alternatives are unbearable. Ow¡ª why is that so much harder to ignore right now?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s because I¡¯m interrupting your conversation,¡± Delwynn said apologetically. ¡°Or it might be stress.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Llew¡¯s attention was drawn back to another grizzly sight before them. Karlani made running dead bodies to the graveyard paddock look easy. So easy, everyone else just let her do it. Ianto, Edwyn and Rowan collected shovels and headed that way to begin digging dirt. Lyneth joined Elka in the kitchen as the evening rolled in and supplies dwindled. The two women were fast becoming friends.

    And Llew sighed, kept her arm extended for the needle.

 Hunger

    The new Aenuks were called Winifred ¨C Fred or Winnie, she didn¡¯t mind ¨C and Blink. Sam introduced them after giving them a quick tour of the farm and making sleeping arrangements. He brought them over to the Ajnais as Llew and Jonas finished up the blood transfers.

    ¡°I was born at the end of a very long day. The guy who named me had apparently run out of ideas.¡±

    ¡°The guy ¡­ Not your father, I take it?¡± Llew asked.

    ¡°Who?¡±

    Winnie also rolled her eyes over a dismissive smile. ¡°I¡¯m just lucky I haven¡¯t taken to pregnancy yet, or I¡¯d still be in my cell growing my part of the latest crop.¡± She focused her attention on Llew as she said this. Blink looked at her, but Llew couldn¡¯t read his expression. ¡°Honestly, this opportunity to live free ¡­ To¡ª to choose ¡­ it¡¯s everything.¡±

    Blink scowled at the ground.

    ¡°Merrid and Ard, who¡ª¡± Llew nearly choked up.

    ¡°We stayed out of it,¡± Blink said. ¡°I mean, it didn¡¯t take twenty to do it, so we weren¡¯t needed, but ¡­¡± He seemed to realize he wasn¡¯t helping and fell silent.

    Jonas placed a hand against Llew¡¯s back, the heat immediately radiating through her chemise. While she still wore what would be considered underwear, the material was no thinner than the shirts she¡¯d worn for years, so it was of little bother to her.

    Llew swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. It didn¡¯t work, but Jonas¡¯s presence gave her the strength to go on. ¡°Merrid and Ard dedicated themselves to freeing Aenuks.¡±

    Both Winnie and Blink shifted uncomfortably.

    ¡°They freed my pa from the Turhmos army and he met my ma who was already free, and they had me ¨C in Quaver, of all places. Unfortunately, Braph the Magician captured my ma, and eventually my pa, too. And me, briefly.¡± She cleared her throat. Memories of Merrid and Ard brought a sad ache while memories of Braph brought a hot anger. How much simpler life had been when it was just Llew. Alone. ¡°Being free isn¡¯t easy. I had to be taught how to live alone; how to feed myself and get by. Merrid and Ard would want us to do that for you here, and it¡¯s what I want to do. I want all Aenuks to live free of cages.¡±

    Winnie got it; her eyes lost focus on the real world as she imagined.

    Blink remained standoffish, skeptical.

    ¡°You surrendered for a reason,¡± Llew continued. ¡°Maybe you just weren¡¯t ready to die with the rest of them, but I reckon some part of you wants to know what it¡¯s like out here; what it¡¯s like to make choices. Well, making choices means making mistakes.¡± She felt Jonas shift his weight behind her, though he kept his hand in place. ¡°It can mean going hungry. It can mean sleeping rough. It might mean having arguments and fights and maybe learning you¡¯d rather be back in the cage. Maybe it is easier having meals brought to you, knowing where you¡¯ll sleep. Maybe it is easier being told where to go, what to do, who to fuck¡ª¡±

    Blink flinched. Winnie curled a lip.

    ¡°¡ªwho to fight. But you¡¯re people. Where in there is the chance for love? Friendships, romance, family?¡±

    Both Aenuks grew still.

    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re fighting for. There are good people here. You might come to like some of them. That¡¯s what freedom has to offer; the chance to laugh, cry, love, hate. The chance to make a mark on the world all your own. The chance to figure out who you are, be who you are ¡­ be a human, not just an Aenuk valued and loathed for what you can do for and to others. We¡¯ll fight with you when Turhmos comes again, so the next time someone needs your healing, you can choose to give it.¡±

    ¡°Did you mean what you said, about Ajnai tree seeds?¡± Winnie asked.

    Llew nodded. ¡°We think we¡¯ve got enough for one tree per Aenuk alive today. They grow fast, so you¡¯ll be able to use them soon after planting somewhere, but they don¡¯t release seeds unless they¡¯re dying, so you¡¯ll need to be sure. That¡¯s why we¡¯re inviting you to stay, learn the basics of life outside of a cage, and then decide where you might like to go.¡±

    ¡°Where would we go?¡± Blink asked. ¡°Our family is the other Aenuks or some of the palace guards. We¡¯ve no friends, no skills besides fighting.¡±

    ¡°Start here. Family is more than shared blood.¡± Llew glanced over her shoulder at Jonas. Again, Karlani came to mind. Shared blood most certainly did not family make. ¡°We have water and food. We¡¯ll build more places to sleep. We¡¯re just getting started.¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°I¡¯m bored.¡±

    ¡°Hello Bored. I am your father and I am occupied.¡± Braph pressed his drill to the bark and set it spinning, pushed, in, reverse spin, out, spile in, bucket, magic, sap ¡­ very ¡­ slowly ¡­ dripping ¡­ dripping ¡­ ever slower.

    ¡°Ha ha. Really, though. This is boring. Gardens are boring. I¡¯m hungry.¡±

    ¡°Let your father work, Orin.¡± Orinia reclined on a bed of weeds she¡¯d pulled over the last couple of days. The garden was almost back to looking like it was regularly tended. The residents of Taither had other things to think about these days, leaving the garden to grow over, and now leaving its daily inhabitants unmolested. ¡°It¡¯s usual to regret when things become exciting. Perhaps find some stones to decorate some spaces with. Or have a sleep.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m too bored to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Then at least shut up, I¡¯m concentrating.¡± The sap dried up and Braph¡¯s anger nearly had him yanking the spile from the trunk, but it was delicate enough it might break and he had the wherewithal to control such impulses. He twisted the spile back and forth to ease it free.

    Orin sighed loudly. Braph gritted his teeth, then ignored him.

    ¡°It will be dinner time soon and we will go for another walk then,¡± Orinia said.

    Orin sighed again and stomped to another part of the garden. Good.

    Braph tilted his bucket. Nearly another couple of tablespoons. He withheld his own sigh, and started drilling another hole.

    A mechanical buzz announced the return of one of his critters. Braph put up his shield. The buzz continued to approach. Braph paused his drilling and reformed his shield.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Orin cried out.

    It took Braph a moment to put the signs together. The contraptions had shown no interest in Orin previously, which meant ¡­

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    He dropped his own shield as he turned, raising his mechanical right hand, and tried to think how to construct a shield over someone else several yards away. Perhaps a flat wall-like barrier would do. But his Immortal son was already in a battle with the flying contraption, swatting it back again and again. Finally, Orin¡¯s fear turned to anger and he lashed out surprisingly quickly at the machine, smacking it to the ground, smashing its globe and splashing goop. The metal body recovered, flying at Orin again. By now, Braph had his own wits about him enough to jab a blast of energy through the air and knock the contraption off course, swiftly followed by another to send it plummeting to the ground hard enough to deform some of its parts. It whirred, trying to rise again, its wing blades no longer able to lift it.

    Orinia was already at Orin¡¯s side. The child didn¡¯t need her healing, perfectly capable of that himself. Still, a cold anxiety lanced Braph. What would the goop do to an Immortal? Surely nothing. It remained possible that none had landed on Orin, anyway.

    ¡°It came at him!¡± Orinia wailed. ¡°It attacked our son, Braph!¡±

    ¡°Yes, love. It sensed his Karan power manifesting.¡± Braph portrayed calm while his mind ran the tallies of his understanding of Aenuk healing, the source of Karan power attacked by the goop, and the combination in an Immortal. Every which way he turned it concluded Orin should be fine, with no reason for his innate healing ability to be sluggish. He didn¡¯t drain like an Aenuk, though, meaning the goop might very well continue to live inside him. A part of him was curious enough to let it run its course, but he was also a father. Still, there was a difference between using magic to hunt out whatever ailed oneself versus doing so for someone else. Identifying self and not-self was something his body could figure out purely from suggestion. Sending an attack through Orin¡¯s body felt too risky to try as an experiment. That left injecting Syaenuk blood into him and seeing if he had the same ability to use it as a Karan. In theory, he would. But that same theory would suggest Immortals should be innate Magicians, and such was not in evidence, even in an Immortal who had absorbed the power of another Immortal.

    A fully fledged Immortal, now, with his strength and speed manifesting, Braph would have to be cautious with Orin. Things should continue as they had been: Braph and Orin, father and son; a team. Braph thought it likely Orin would continue to give blood for Braph¡¯s crystals. Besides, his full strength and speed had years yet to develop. But there would be days when they would bump heads very nearly literally. If Braph had a good stock of crystals from the good days, he might be able to outlast his sons outbursts, but the second his son figured out that he could withhold his blood ¡­ And if Orin could use the crystals himself ¡­

    Braph looked back at the tree. Already the most recent holes were closing. Somehow, the tree had learned to heal itself. He narrowed his eyes at it. He was going to have to figure out how to overcome such a challenge.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, ma,¡± Orin said. ¡°But I¡¯m starving.¡±

    Braph glanced over to see his partially-drilled hole closed and his spile now fixed in place. He picked up his flying machine, pulled the crystal free, crushed the contraption in his metal hand, and threw it against the low garden wall. It fell, disappointingly entire, if disfigured. Braph did release a sigh this time.

    <hr>

    Lyneth proudly pointed out her contributions to the dinner as everyone gathered around a makeshift table outside. Not only did she enjoy spending time with Elka, she was discovering an affinity for the science of food; how doughs and batters came together, and the different flavors she could get out of the small stores they had. Luckily the clouds didn¡¯t seem inclined to rain as yet, as the group remained too large to gather all together in the kitchen.

    And Llew wanted to bring more Aenuks here. A problem their many heads and hands could tackle, she was sure.

    Lyneth and Elka had managed to put together a range of spring vegetables as finger food with dipping sauces to excite the tongue, and more sourdough had matured and baked, while some of the chickens had also laid several eggs after breakfast, making them available for this evening meal. But Merrid and Ard¡¯s farm had been reliably feeding just two people plus an occasional guest, and while Elka had found Ard¡¯s plans to have some excess to take to Hinden, it was not stocked to feed over a dozen people for any great length of time.

    Rowan kept watching the farm entrance, but it remained clear.

    Once the food was gone, Karlani, Alvaro, and several of the Turhmos soldiers returned to the paddock of bodies to bury them. Karlani hadn¡¯t said anything as the last morsel went into a mouth, but her lingering look over the empty table before she left spoke of a Syakaran still hungry.

    Rowan walked out to the road but saw no approaching cart.

    ¡°It¡¯s still within the realms of ¡®don¡¯t panic¡¯ for their return,¡± he said to Llew on his way back to work on his designs by the last of the evening light. ¡°Hopefully tomorrow, though.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Llew didn¡¯t love the set of this shoulders as he continued on to the shed. She hoped he was right, and turned her attention to Jonas. ¡°How much more food does Karlani need than you or me?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s been workin¡¯ hard. About two or three times what anyone else needs.¡±

    Llew asked Lyneth and Elka to make something extra for Karlani that evening and to factor in her added needs as best they could with what they had for breakfast. Luckily, their additional Aenuks didn¡¯t come with such needs.

    Jonas practiced with his prosthetic for a while after dinner; he and Llew walked several paddocks, checking water troughs and looking for additional foods. They found a grove of edible mushrooms tucked in the shade of a fallen tree. They wouldn¡¯t feed everybody, but they would extend what fare they had.

    Rowan met them at the edge of the porch to inspect the rub marks on Jonas¡¯s thigh before they went to the Ajnai¡¯s for the evening¡¯s blood transfusion. His changes had improved things, but given how little Jonas had worn the prosthetic that day, the marks were still disappointing. But Rowan could do nothing more until their supplies arrived.

    While Delwynn and Garnoc transferred Llew¡¯s blood into Jonas once more, Rowan again stood staring down the road to Hinden.

    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Llew said in what she hoped was assurance when he returned.

    He only responded by pressing his lips thinner.

    <hr>

    ¡°That thing¡ª¡± Under looks from the staff and the few Quavens dining, Orinia brought her voice down from close to a full yell to a forceful whisper. ¡°¡ªcame directly for our son, Braph.¡±

    Orin ignored them, focused fully on his meal.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±

    ¡°Aware.¡± As if the word disgusted her.

    ¡°He is nearly nine, right at the threshold when Karan strength and speed begin to manifest. It must have detected it.¡±

    ¡°It splashed him. Do you know what that stuff will do to him?¡±

    ¡°Probably nothing.¡± Braph shifted his attention to his food, took a mouthful, and sliced off his next mouthful of juicy steak. He rotated his fork, studying the shades of brown through gray and pink. Avoiding meeting Orinia¡¯s gaze? Perhaps. It was a good cut, though, cooked close to perfection.

    ¡°He¡¯s our son, Braph.¡±

    Braph swallowed, filled his mouth, and cut another bite while he chewed. He swallowed again before responding. ¡°He¡¯s Immortal, love. Do you know what that means?¡±

    ¡°Of course I do.¡± She was still angry, but her sails deflated some. ¡°He can still be¡ª¡± She censored herself, glancing Orin¡¯s way.

    ¡°He¡¯s an Immortal who has absorbed the power of another Immortal. He is the most naturally powerful person alive. Almost nothing can hurt him.¡±

    ¡°Almost ¡­¡± Her voice held skepticism, but her demeanor relaxed. Much better.

    ¡°Can I get another serving? I¡¯m still hungry.¡±

    Braph held Orinia¡¯s gaze. Orin would be fine.

 Horrific

    Llew woke to voices outside and thumps and bumps. Gentle thumps, like people trying not to make too much noise. And the voices were mostly steady, also kept low, only now and then rising in volume and speed. Excited. One of the voices belonged to Rowan. Llew didn¡¯t recognize the others, but she probably wouldn¡¯t know the voices of the two Turhmos soldiers who had gone to Hinden. She had to work to remember their names. Ivor and ¡­ Hopefully she would hear the other before she needed it, otherwise she would have to ask, and she wasn¡¯t sure if that would be insulting. Probably.

    By the sound of it, their supplies had arrived from Hinden. Most excellent.

    Already smiling, Llew felt a pressure in her belly and her smile broadened as she relived Jonas¡¯s and her time by the river just the day before. Too soon for a baby to settle. Too soon after Raena¡¯s home? Maybe not. Perhaps she had been carrying Jonas¡¯s child all this time. Perhaps today was the day she would feel its presence and gain its powers. Might today be the day that it and the Ajnais outside could help set things right?

    Jonas¡¯s ministrations by the river might not have resulted in the seed for this child, but they were well worth recalling. Strong or weak, Jonas¡¯s touch was certainly magic.

    Supplies and a baby to break the Aenuk-Karan barrier? It was going to be a grand day.

    She sat up and swung her legs off the bed and felt something in her belly drop, and a dampness beneath her.

    Oh. Oh no.

    She stood, clamping her bare thighs together and inspected the sheet where she had just sat. Not so bad. A slight reddish-brown smudge on the off-white linen. She reached behind her, locating a wet patch on her chemise, and her fingertips returned with a smear of blood. A little piece of her heart broke.

    ¡°Uh.¡± She redoubled her thigh clamp. ¡°Help?¡± She said it quietly, not really wanting help ¨C well, not wanting to need help ¨C and Karlani brushed aside the heavy curtain and stepped into the bedroom, alert; first looking to Jonas¡¯s form on the bed, then Llew.

    Jonas also rolled over, his effort speaking of exhaustion. His lazy eye shifted between Llew and Karlani, questioning. It seemed he didn¡¯t have the energy to voice a query.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t make a fuss, but I need ¡­¡±

    ¡°You need ¡­ some stuff,¡± Karlani agreed. ¡°Do you mind if I ask Elka? She¡¯ll have a place for those things.¡±

    Llew sighed. ¡°Fine.¡±

    She dared not move while Karlani was away. Thankfully Karlani¡¯s Syakaran speed brought her back swiftly with a belted wad of clean linen in hand.

    ¡°Get¡ª¡± Llew started as she accepted the awkward gift.

    ¡°¡ªJonas out to the trees,¡± Karlani finished for her. ¡°On it.¡±

    Llew fitted the belt, donned a clean shift and camouflaged herself in one of Merrid¡¯s less shapely dresses. Only when she was seated at the base of an Ajnai and Delwynn was administering the first syringe of blood to a listless Jonas did Llew finally let herself process and accept: she did not carry Jonas¡¯s child. There would be no miracle cure today.

    Her jaw ached from the effort of holding back her tears. What good would crying do? They hadn¡¯t been counting on a baby saving the day, anyway. In fact, Llew had been doubting she could have babies after Aris¡¯s attack, which meant this was a good thing. Her body was whole. She should be happy. But for a brief few moments, she¡¯d thought all of this ¨C the needle pierced her skin again ¨C was over, that she could heal Jonas with touch alone and they could make their way to the Taither tree where they could figure out how to get that tree to help Jonas heal close to fully. If she had carried his child might she have been able to return his Syakaran powers right here on the farm?

    Emotionally flat, Llew let her gaze settle on watching the Turhmosian soldiers, Karlani, and Alvaro empty Ard¡¯s low-sided cart, carrying heavy sacks into the kitchen or to the cool sheds behind the house. That was something, at least. Their supplies had arrived. It would alleviate worries about food. Llew sighed, shifted so she leaned a bare arm into the tree, stretched out her legs and let herself slump dejectedly.

    Food was good. Great, even. Karlani would be pleased.

    Damn it. Deal in realities, Llew. Despite Jonas¡¯s poor health, he lived, and there was still a chance he could be healed to the point of having his Syakaran powers back.

    It dawned on her that it wasn¡¯t a child she mourned, but the easy mechanism to heal Jonas. As much as she¡¯d been prepared to love the children she¡¯d carried months earlier, this wasn¡¯t them, and she¡¯d never sought to be a mother in the near term, anyway. She still wished she had her own.

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    No healing Jonas through touch alone with the aid of an Ajnai tree but, despite being in the heart of Turhmos, they had found support. Friends even. Such things could be considered miracles in their own right, so she¡¯d heard.

    Cheer hadn¡¯t been the kind of town to foster much of a belief in gods, though preachers of one sort or another had arrived with promises of saving souls. Street kids had never needed or deserved saving, though, only the men digging gold. Only ever having seen souls saved in exchange for a small jar of flakes or a tiny nugget, Llew had never thought much of these men of the gods, had never witnessed a different outcome for the miners who¡¯d handed over such levies and those that didn¡¯t. And she¡¯d never figured what gods would want with gold.

    Could they desire the freedom of the Aenuks, even absent gold?

    She rolled her eyes. How presumptuous to believe she, Llew, had attracted the attention of a god?

    Reality. All she had was what she had before her. Shelter, food, and many hands helping. A lover. A hero. And her blood keeping him alive.

    Several syringefuls later, Jonas sat straighter. They didn¡¯t speak. Having the energy to sit and having energy to celebrate good health, or even sustain a conversation were two very different states. A little more patience was required. A little more blood.

    Rowan approached, a grin on his face and valise hanging from a hand.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if he could do it, but it seems money talks, or that Lord Gaemil has a persuasive manner. Either way, he did it.¡± He placed the leather satchel beside Llew and crouched to open it, half lifting metal parts from the bag to show them off without handling them too much. ¡°With this, we can hook you directly to Jonas, and let the blood flow without the pause to fill and empty syringes. It should speed this process up and make it safer. It won¡¯t exactly make the process fun, but should make it more efficient, which is almost the same thing, eh?¡±

    Llew spared a laugh. It was good news.

    ¡°It¡¯s called a Gravinator. Elka said they advertise them in Ma¡¯s medical journals, though Ma hasn¡¯t got around to getting one, yet. She might have to. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t sure if the Hinden doctor would have one, either, but thankfully he did and Lord Gaemil got him to part with it. This is progress.¡± He looked at Jonas, who rolled his shoulders, still largely in his own head. ¡°Still early days, but we¡¯re getting there.¡± Something passed across his face, then he turned a smile on Llew, seemingly meant to reassure. It didn¡¯t. ¡°You been counting?¡± He lowered his voice.

    ¡°No.¡± Llew also spoke quietly, though with Jonas sitting so close, she doubted he couldn¡¯t hear them. ¡°It¡¯s taking more, isn¡¯t it?¡± She wasn¡¯t surprised. They¡¯d figured Jonas would continue to deteriorate. Still, Llew couldn¡¯t deny she¡¯d held a spark of hope that these blood transfers might fight back against Braph¡¯s bug somehow.

    Hope. Slipping through her fingers.

    Rowan shrugged, watched Delwynn hand a syringe to Garnoc and step back, flexing his fingers. ¡°I wasn¡¯t paying close attention.¡± He turned back to Llew. ¡°Seems so, though.¡±

    Especially as their conversation failed to elicit a response from Jonas himself.

    Rowan patted the leather bag. ¡°But this, this is going to help. I promise. I¡¯ll talk to Elka about the finer details of getting it set up out here and we¡¯ll get your blood flowing.¡± He flashed an empty smile, though there was sincerity in it, too.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± And Llew did feel lighter for knowing they had a better option in front of them. Maybe they could keep up with Braph¡¯s bug. Maybe this was the hope she needed.

    <hr>

    Taither was becoming more pleasant day by day. Just enough people to keep services ticking over, but not over-crowded. No doubt, animated discussions were happening behind the walls of the military base, but that was of little consequence to Braph. He had a lover and son to take care of, and Taither¡¯s restaurants were hungry for custom. And, yes, Orin was just plain hungry. That boy could put food away.

    The restaurant they¡¯d enjoyed dinner at the previous night had taken extra care to ensure Orin¡¯s satisfaction, especially when the family¡¯s discussions turned to future meals.

    They had not, however, chosen to return to that establishment for breakfast, with Braph preferring to spread good will far and wide while he could. The more people out there wishing he and his family good health, the easier everything became. Taither¡¯s culture had been built around its military training facility and Karan child-rearing. With Kara of all ages currently in hiding ¨C despite the flying machines¡¯ disinterest in those under eight ¨C the mundane folk who kept the city alive no matter the contemporary tensions with Turhmos were open to the idea that average Turhmosian¡¯s themselves might be decent people, at least if they traveled in Braph¡¯s company.

    And so the family had eaten breakfast in the restaurant attached to their overnight accommodation ¨C a fairly decent inn that was at least clean and had accepted promise of payment at the end of their unspecified stay ¨C charging the food to their room.

    On their way back to the garden, Braph called into a hardware store. While he still didn¡¯t carry Quaven currency, he retained the knack for assuring people his credit was good, and he emerged from the store with a pair of new drills, copper bowls with handles, a large metal pot, several spiles, and a gas cooker large enough for the pot to sit on.

    Orin was excited to explore his developing Karan powers that, while still inferior to Braph, gave him natural speed that could rival an adult who trained to improve and show off such things. Braph had never seen the point in such exertion when one could use one¡¯s brain and a little donated blood to achieve the same. He did understand his son¡¯s desire to explore his natural advantages, and especially appreciated it when it meant Orin was keen to assist with tree drilling.

    Orinia, however, was less enthusiastic as Braph and his son began their work on the tree, both drilling at the same time, fixing spiles in place, and hooking bowls on to catch the sap. After watching the lighting display, her mouth hanging open in abject horror, she took herself to the far edge of the garden and set about actually killing plants she decided didn¡¯t belong in the soil here, ripping them out roots and all and leaving them to dry in the sun. How that was less horrific than drilling small holes in a tree that would still be standing at the end of the day, Braph could not fathom. Not that he had a fondness for the weeds. Tree, weed, whatever. They were all just plants sitting around doing nothing, waiting to be eaten by an animal, rotted by some fungus or bacteria, or put to use by a human.

    Little matter. While Orinia kept herself occupied and her emotions to herself, Braph could focus on his work.

    Two drills in the hands of Braph and Orin made for speedy work and saved magic for when it was needed. They soon had ten holes tapped, each dripping into a copper bowl. At that point, Braph placed his hands on the bark and pushed magic into the tree, speeding up the flows for several minutes until the drips ran dry. They worked the spiles free before the tree could heal around them, and started the process again.

 Promise

    If Llew had thought sitting at the base of an Ajnai, having blood drawn from her arm and injected into Jonas¡¯s one syringe at a time had been mind-numbing, she had not been prepared for the Gravinator.

    Elka and Lyneth had come outside with Rowan to assess what they had to work with versus the ideal setup as far as Elka could recall from the medical journals. The doctor in Hinden had provided neither written nor drawn instructions. Luckily, Elka had a good memory, though that only went so far when the patient receiving the blood was expected to be bed-bound and only need a relatively small amount of blood ¨C not the continuous supply Jonas needed. And, unfortunately, Elka both stumbled over some words and lacked the dexterity to draw what was in her head. But Lyneth and Rowan had a lot of patience for her, and between them they worked something out.

    Chairs were brought out and stabilized on the uneven ground ¨C one for Llew to sit on and one to clamp the Gravinator to ¨C and soon blood flowed directly from Llew to Jonas without interruption. As Jonas had already received a number of syringefuls of blood, it wasn¡¯t long before he felt able to be up and about, and with Rowan yet to be ready to process Llew¡¯s blood, Llew also had some hours free.

    The first thing Llew did was draw Jonas into a hug and they simply stood wrapped in each others¡¯ arms for several minutes while most everyone else settled to tasks around the farm.

    Rasps, hoof clippers and knives had been procured in Hinden, so several of their herd could have hoof trims at the same time, though it would still take days to get around them all. Llew had lost count, but between two Turhmos troops, Alvaro¡¯s horse, Rowan and Elka¡¯s carriage horses, and Merrid and Ard¡¯s own carthorse, there were certainly more than the farm could sustain for any length of time.

    A practical matter to be considered later. Right now, Llew stood in Jonas¡¯s arms and she would enjoy it.

    A voice rose in song from the farmhouse. Lyneth, Llew thought, joined by an off-key Elka, and punctuated by giggles. Llew smiled, holding onto the joy in the knowledge those two young women might never have met if it hadn¡¯t been for Llew and Jonas¡¯s misfortunes.

    Jonas shifted his chin on her shoulder, tilting his head to listen. ¡°I think my ma used to sing that one.¡± Their embrace stilled as they listened. ¡°Mmm.¡± The sound from the back of Jonas¡¯s throat vibrated through his chest and Llew. She almost purred back. ¡°Makes me wonder where it came from, if it¡¯s sung in both Quaver and Turhmos.¡±

    ¡°Makes me wonder whatever really divided them,¡± Llew said. ¡°I don¡¯t know many Quavens, but from what I know of Turhmos and Cheer, it seems like people are people everywhere. All the kids I grew up with wanted was to be able to play, eat enough, and sleep warm and dry. Merrid and Ard seemed pretty content being here, with a good home and plenty of food. They grew things and made things. And they were ¡­¡± Ah. Darn. There it was again. The hot eyes, the pain deep in the throat. They had been lovely people who didn¡¯t deserve to die just because they had been nice to Llew. And Llew couldn¡¯t help the passing thought that if she¡¯d never entered their lives, Merrid and Ard would still be here. Still farming, gardening, cooking, mending. Still contented.

    Jonas squeezed his arms tighter briefly, and leaned back, hobbling a little on his foot, and managed to keep his hands on her shoulders feeling like a soothing contact, even though he did also need to hold on to maintain his balance as he had yet to fit his prosthetic. ¡°They were good people ¨C the best ¨C who deserved better. And a part o¡¯ me wants to throw the blame square at Aris¡¯s feet, but I ain¡¯t entirely sure about that. I mean, growin¡¯ up, I was Jonas the Syakaran, right? And before I knew anythin¡¯ else about my fellow soldiers, we were friends simply ¡¯cause we all hated Turhmos. Hated ¡­ Aenuks.¡± That discomfited scowl pinched Jonas¡¯s face, as it always seemed to when his past with Aenuks came up, and he wobbled on his foot, like he¡¯d wanted to shuffle his feet, but of course he couldn¡¯t. ¡°Aris may have planted that seed, but I can¡¯t be sure we wouldn¡¯t have found some other reason to fight if he hadn¡¯t. Maybe we could¡¯ve allied with Turhmos against someone else. Maybe Brurun would¡¯ve been flattened years ago. I don¡¯t really know what I¡¯m sayin¡¯ anymore. There are good people, and I wish the world was shaped by them, but it ain¡¯t. I¡¯m not sure it ever will be. The people who don¡¯t mind tramplin¡¯ over others always seem to make their way to the top. Mind you¡ª¡± Ivor was walking by, and Jonas caught his attention, gestured at his stump, and said ¡°Grab my foot, would you?¡±

    Ivor acknowledged with a lazy salute and headed into the house.

    Jonas turned back to Llew. ¡°You¡¯re good people.¡± He gave a wry smile as Llew squirmed on the inside. She¡¯d always been the street rat, the filthy Aenuk, the leech ¨C words that had seeped in no matter how staunchly she stood up to them. Jonas looked over his shoulder as Ivor emerged with prosthetic in hand, then turned back to Llew. ¡°You know how I know?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. ¡¯Cause you like me?¡±

    ¡°Ah, well. That depends how much faith anyone wants to put in my opinion. Ain¡¯t been a winnin¡¯ strategy before.¡± He lifted a hand from Llew¡¯s shoulder and rested it on Ivor¡¯s as Ivor bent to help line up the cushioned cup of the prosthetic with Jonas¡¯s stump and strapped it in place. Ivor stood and watched while Jonas shuffled from real foot to false and back again, testing his balance and comfort and let the trouser leg fall again. Jonas dismissed Ivor with a nod, and the ex-Turhmos soldier returned to whatever task he¡¯d been in the middle of.

    Jonas returned his hand to her shoulder, no longer needing her as a point of contact with the ground. ¡°You know how I know?¡±

    Llew shook her head. All she could think at that moment was that she wasn¡¯t Braph, and that seemed to be enough to mark her as not bad, at least. But good?

    ¡°Because you give hope a chance. You didn¡¯t have to even try to save that first troop of Turhmos soldiers. You owed them nothin¡¯. You didn¡¯t owe Karlani nothin¡¯, either ¡­¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do that for her.¡±

    ¡°You could¡¯ve said ¡®no¡¯.¡±

    Llew shook her head again. ¡°I really wanted to. I wanted it to be too late; for the choice to be gone. Am I still good?¡±

    Jonas shrugged. ¡°Do you need to be?¡±

    ¡°Well, Turhmos isn¡¯t exactly going to think too highly of us when we get around to freeing Aenuks. And I¡ª I can¡¯t imagine living free and happy in a world in which Braph still lives. That¡¯s evil, right? To want someone dead?¡±

    Jonas managed a blend of bashful incredulity. ¡°I think I¡¯ve mentioned the lack of wisdom in lookin¡¯ to me for absolution. Ain¡¯t mine to give. I¡¯ve a deficit myself.¡±

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Then what are we even doing here?¡±

    ¡°Cuddlin¡¯?¡± Jonas lifted his hands from Llew¡¯s shoulders, splaying them either side of her, inviting her to step in close again. She did, and he wrapped his arms around her again. ¡°I should¡¯ve tried to kill him, though. I should¡¯ve tried.¡±

    ¡°But he was your brother.¡±

    ¡°Was.¡± Everything about him tensed as he said it: his jaw on her shoulder, his arms wrapped around her, his stance.

    Llew believed he meant it. She also believed he struggled with the idea of truly leaving Braph in the past. It was hard to reconcile her own feelings about Braph with his.

    He stood back, hooked some loose hair behind her ear. ¡°Braph is ¡­ not the boy I grew up with. My future is with you.¡± Llew smiled at him and leaned into his hand still hovering by her ear.

    With the entire morning given over to getting blood into Jonas, it was soon lunch time, and everyone gathered to eat. This time there were muffins and cheeses, and some carrots that hadn¡¯t been grown on the farm. They were no better tasting for all their miles traveled, but they did augment their pantry, so Llew wasn¡¯t about to complain at bland carrots.

    Talk turned to work needing done and how to divide the labor. Elka and Lyneth were keen to keep working in the kitchen and no objections were raised to that. Rowan had substantial mental and physical work ahead of him as he continued his calculations, tweaked his designs, and began building the devices he believed would work to make Llew¡¯s blood even safer for Jonas. Rowan and Elka were confident that within a few days, they would get better results for the same amount of blood. Though, with the look Rowan flicked Llew¡¯s way, she couldn¡¯t help thinking there was an unspoken so long as Jonas doesn¡¯t deteriorate too much further. So Jonas¡¯s main job was to reduce his need for Llew¡¯s blood; to do very little. That left plenty of other hands free to start work cutting trees for the new accommodation with rotations to the lighter task of watching for approaching trouble.

    Llew and Jonas sat themselves on the edge of the porch to clean and peel potatoes for dinner.

    ¡°I think it does matter,¡± Llew said, not looking up from peeling her third potato. ¡°Whether or not I¡¯m ¡®good¡¯. If the reason I¡¯m fighting is wrong, then why fight at all? I mean, I can¡¯t not fight to keep you alive. I love you. I do. I¡¯ve never¡ª It would hurt. To lose you. But my feelings aren¡¯t the center of all things, are they?¡±

    Jonas paused in his peeling, which was good; he needed to conserve his energy. ¡°I¡¯m mighty grateful to be a part of them.¡± By the sound of his voice, he was looking at her, but Llew kept her focus on her hands and potato.

    ¡°But I think, beyond my feelings, on balance, the world is better off with you in it, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Jonas laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t think my opinion holds weight on the matter. I like bein¡¯ here. With you, ¡¯specially.¡±

    Llew couldn¡¯t help a smile at that. She let her potato slide into a large pot of water and picked up another. ¡°I can¡¯t free the Aenuks without you. I know you¡¯ve said Karlani could do it, but she is only Syakaran. You can be a Magician.¡±

    ¡°Karlani could be a Magician,¡± Jonas said barely over a whisper.

    Llew¡¯s fingers tightened around her potato. ¡°No. She can¡¯t. I don¡¯t know what she would have to do to earn that kind of trust for me to give her that kind of power, but, no. I can¡¯t see it. She¡¯s doing the right things, and she seems alright now, but no, she can¡¯t have that kind of power. Not from me. Not over me. You¡¯ve said yourself, it¡¯s addictive.¡±

    ¡°Would you risk it if I failed? If she was Joelin¡¯s only hope? He¡¯s not a greater good. He¡¯s ¡­ just my son.¡±

    Ever since learning there was a greater world outside of Cheer, that Turhmos and Braph each wanted her power for themselves, that Quaver wanted it snuffed out, all Llew had wanted was a return to anonymity, a return to a simple life. She had power she would rather keep hidden and not draw the eyes of those who would capture or kill her. She wanted to hide behind Jonas the Magician and send him out to free Aenuks and his own son. She wanted him and his power to shield her from the consequences of being her and having her power. She would provide it to him, their unity allowing her to remain in the background. Never mind that it was her Turhmos were after. With Jonas beside her, it was never just her; it was them. It was him, with her power behind him.

    She didn¡¯t know what to say to him. It would never be the same with Karlani. That kind of unity, trust, would never be there.

    ¡°I still gotta face Braph, don¡¯t I?¡± Jonas said.

    ¡°Someone has to stop him hurting our baby, and free my ma.¡± She couldn¡¯t meet his eye, her imagination filling with the times Braph had subdued her, physically or otherwise. She wanted Braph out of their lives, but it seemed he would always insert himself while he lived.

    ¡°And Karlani would fall to him, unless you made her a Magician and told her to kill him. She would, you know? She¡¯d do it just ¡¯cause you told her to.¡±

    ¡°To my heart, she¡¯s more disposable than you. And you tell me I can trust her now, but I¡¯m not ready to. If I power her, she becomes more powerful than you, even if I powered you, too. There¡¯s no getting round your leg, or the fact you¡¯re fighting Braph¡¯s bug. She could overpower you and be the next Braph. No. I have to have faith in you. I can¡¯t muster it for her.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t fight fearless if all I fight for dies with me. If you¡¯re sending me out as your blade, don¡¯t dull my edge. I need to know that if I fall to Braph, you¡¯ll do everythin¡¯ in your power to live free of him and Turhmos, and to get Joelin back. Tell him about me. Tell him I tried.¡± He shifted his seat, shook his head. ¡°I want him to know me. I want to know him. But if I have to fight my way past Braph before that even becomes an option ¡­ I can fight through pain. I can fight till my dyin¡¯ breath and I¡¯ll be sure to take him with me. But if cold doubt takes me at the wrong time, that¡¯ll get me killed for nothin¡¯.¡±

    ¡°You need to have faith in me.¡± Llew said it more to herself than to Jonas. He had more to live and die for than she did.

    Jonas didn¡¯t say anything, seemed bothered to have implied he doubted. Llew placed a hand on his.

    ¡°Buck up, soldier. You¡¯re not dyin¡¯ today.¡± She quirked a smile, inviting him to return it. He did. ¡°So, it¡¯s agreed, then. You¡¯ll promise to fight with everything you have to be with me forever, and I¡¯ll do everything in my power to help you keep that promise. And if we fail at that, then I¡¯ll at least keep your promise to Joelin, even if it means I have to team up with Karlani.¡±

    Jonas held her gaze. ¡°Agreed.¡±

    ¡°I refuse to sleep with her, though. She¡¯s not to my taste.¡±

    ¡°Mine, neither.¡±

 Always Hungry

    Braph poured watery sap from the small collecting bowl into the large pot that already sat bubbling away over a blue gas flame. There were certainly challenges ahead, what with no guarantee he could access the tree¡¯s power through sap crystals, and the sugar and mineral makeup of the sap contaminating whatever magic might be in it, but his tendency to push through unknowns had served him in the past. He wasn¡¯t about to let doubt stop him now.

    ¡°That smells so good,¡± Orin leaned over the pot, then pulled back as the hot steam engulfed his face. ¡°Ooh, hot. But it just smells so good. It¡¯s making me hungry.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re always hungry,¡± Braph said, assessing the boil and dialing down the gas. He¡¯d calculated he¡¯d get a couple of pints of syrup from the full pot after several hours of boiling. He didn¡¯t want syrup, though. More than likely, he was going to end up with something resembling hard toffee. He didn¡¯t want that, either, despite what Orin might say. The final trick would be in attaining something the same size and shape as his blood crystals to fit his device. It wouldn¡¯t be simple, he knew that. He¡¯d spent years learning how blood behaved under various heat and pressure conditions. He had little doubt tree sap would behave quite differently. But what was the point in sticking with what he knew? Science advanced through trial and error, accidents and miscalculations. With tools to hand, a tree that could heal itself between drillings, and an Immortal son still willing to provide blood, Braph was under little time pressure. Yes, Llewella and his brother had their own intentions for the tree, but they were many, many miles away and Braph would be surprised if Jonas survived long enough to make it to the tree. As always, he found himself surprised by the slight weight that settled in his throat and chest at that thought. He wouldn¡¯t miss Jonas when he was gone. He didn¡¯t miss Jonas now. Why did the thought of Jonas dying affect him so? Such thoughts wouldn¡¯t help him with the sap questions, so he shrugged them off. What he needed to figure out was how far to boil the syrup down in the large pot. If he allowed it to simmer right down to the crystalline state, he could imagine how difficult it would be to scrape out of the bottom. He was going to have to come up with some intermediary steps. Tipping it into a smaller ves¡ª

    ¡°When can we have dinner? Can we go back to that place we had lunch? That smell makes me want more ice cream. That was so good. Can we go back there, dad?¡±

    Braph gritted his teeth, about snarled at the boy to shut up, but caught himself just in time. It wouldn¡¯t do to scare off the child while Braph still relied on his blood, especially now the boy had his strength and speed coming in. Hmm. If Braph wanted a ticking clock for making progress with the sap, that was it. He¡¯d never been one for appeasing people. He really didn¡¯t want to have to start now, but he supposed he had to. And, well, if he wanted Orin¡¯s blood, then Orin had to eat.

    ¡°Fine. Yes, we will go for dinner.¡± Braph turned the gas off and invited Orinia to loop her hand through his elbow. ¡°But it¡¯s Orinia¡¯s choice where we eat.¡±

    <hr>

    While most of the farm¡¯s occupants settled into the evening hours with card games, or reading by candlelight, or an early night, Llew and Jonas returned to blood transfers after dinner. Llew had to sit in a backed chair now, no longer able to lean into a tree with her shirt bunched up. Rowan had hooked up slings of leather for each of her wrists, one for the hand touching the tree and one for the arm connected to the Gravinator. For the first several minutes, she¡¯d struggled to shake memories of leather straps buckled tight and holding her down in a chair at Braph¡¯s whim. But she was not buckled in, only held in place by her own desire to be available for Jonas¡¯s needs. This was different.

    With a few deep breaths, and experimentally lifting her wrists from the slings several times, Llew relaxed as much as she could into the process and Rowan inserted the Gravinator¡¯s needle.

    While the single prick was preferable to many repeated ones, sitting so still for so long was its own challenge and Llew grew fidgety. Jonas, too, struggled with the boredom, as they¡¯d spent such a quiet afternoon and he wasn¡¯t especially drained, but they wanted to ensure he would make it through the night.

    ¡°Happy?¡± Rowan asked, taking a step back to assess his work.

    Llew gave him a wry smirk. ¡°Good enough. We¡¯ll be fine without a supervisor, anyway.¡±

    Rowan acknowledged that with a nod. ¡°Right. Well, I¡¯ll be¡ª¡± He gestured at the house.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Llew closed her eyes as Rowan walked away, focused on her breathing, and tried to doze. Her palm pressed to the Ajnai began to tingle. She lifted her wrist from the sling, wondering if she was cutting off proper circulation to her hand. Of course, when she broke contact with the tree the tingle ceased. She laughed at herself. Simply through transferring ghi such tingling was normal. It just felt different through her hand rather than the broader contact with her back. Luckily with the Gravinator already attached, there was no risk of anyone else suffering from Llew¡¯s overreaction. The device was already proving its benefits.

    Llew took a couple of deep breaths, centering herself, and relaxed back into position, reconnecting with the tree. The vibration resumed, definitely more intense than when she leaned her back into the tree, but she knew why and would become accustomed soon.

    The soft thump of footsteps around the homestead and the occasional voice reached them even out here. Beside her, Jonas sighed. He sat on the ground, lightly cushioned with a blanket they could spare, the Gravinator connected to his arm, and his eyes closed, his features calm and maybe even blissful.

    ¡°As dull as it is tryin¡¯ to sit still, this almost feels good.¡±

    ¡°Like the first time?¡±

    His expression hardened, a frown creasing the bridge of his nose. ¡°Not ¡­ Not that good.¡±

    ¡°You always seem so uncomfortable when it comes up.¡±

    Jonas glanced at her and away. ¡°It feels weird¡ª wrong to want that again, knowin¡¯ what you have to do for me to get it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯d be better than this, though.¡± The vibrations through her palm became a distinct thrum, with the occasional knocking, reminding her of a couple of days earlier when an image of Braph had filled her mind; a message from the Taither tree. Just thinking of Braph made her want to shimmy away the chills, but she couldn¡¯t afford such a movement with the Gravinator¡¯s needle inserted.

    ¡°But it wouldn¡¯t be a need. If I was Syakaran again, I hope I wouldn¡¯t ask that of you. But I¡ª I have ¡­ thoughts that scare me. A hunger to feel that again and what I might do ¨C to you ¨C to get it. I don¡¯t want to, but I do want. It¡¯s simple for now. This don¡¯t feel anythin¡¯ near like what I got that first time. Even if it did, I can¡¯t do anythin¡¯ about it. But, if we succeed somehow ¡­¡±

    The thrum became distinct beats beneath Llew¡¯s hand and her vision clouded. A part of her wanted to disconnect from the tree, end this before a clearer message came through ¨C she already knew she wouldn¡¯t like it ¨C but, of course, Jonas surviving the night was vital, her comfort less so.

    A mess of colors filled her head. Confusion. Distress. Her mother¡¯s face ¨C as Llew had seen her beneath the Duffirk palace, though healthier, less gaunt ¨C anxious. What was Braph doing to her? A boy. Joelin? No, surely too old. Joelin would only be a year or eighteen months old. Braph¡¯s so¡ª Oh. Llew¡¯s half-brother, his expression as evil as his father¡¯s, which soon followed. And the pain. It somehow bypassed her hand, didn¡¯t seem to travel at all, just filled her head. A brutal ache. Still, she kept her palm to the tree as the blood flowed from her other arm.

    ¡°¡­ if I became Syakaran again, I don¡¯t know. I worry that hunger, that want will be too strong.¡±

    ¡°I trust you,¡± Llew pressed through clenched teeth, though her tone remained as light as she could manage.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t. I ain¡¯t no bastion of self-control.¡±

    ¡°I trust you.¡±

    ¡°And I want to be worthy of it¡ª Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Llew blew a breath through her teeth, sucked in another. Her body now ached all over, like she was being stabbed, hot points of pain in her belly, legs, arms, chest, head. Head. Hip. New throbs. New aches. Still, colors filled her head, blooming, shimmering, pulsing.

    She clenched her eyes against it all. There was no escape.

    The needle was ripped from her arm ¨C a pain all its own, as her skin had healed around it. A final healing buzz passed through her as that damage closed, but the colors and thrumming alarm still raged up her arm from her contact with the tree. Spots of pain still pummeled her like a horse prancing over her.

    Arms wrapped around her, breaking her contact with the tree and pulling her from her chair and onto Jonas as he fell back onto the ground, maintaining his embrace. His stumped thigh came up, curling her legs, pushing her into a fetal curl on top of him. She wriggled, but he held firm.

    ¡°Shh.¡±

    She didn¡¯t fight ¨C not wanting to cost him more energy ¨C and relaxed into him. Her shoulder must have been digging into him, but when she tried to shift he pulled her tighter, shushed her again.

    Some part of her wanted to share her rage at how hard it was to receive such messages through the tree, but the words weren¡¯t there, and he wanted her to calm, so she did. A little, anyway.

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    Jonas released one arm and brushed her hair from her face.

    ¡°We promised,¡± Llew whispered.

    Jonas didn¡¯t detectably respond.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard.¡±

    Still no response.

    ¡°But we promised. I have to let you be prepared to die. You have to let me hurt.¡±

    ¡°Not tonight,¡± he murmured. ¡°Give me tonight.¡±

    <hr>

    Despite Orin¡¯s grizzles, Orinia had expressed a desire to walk in Braph¡¯s company for several city blocks, and so they ate some distance from the garden. Braph trusted the space to remain unexplored, so he walked light of heart and a little heady with love, Orinia by his side, Orin a few steps behind, scuffing his shoes loudly across the stone surface ensuring his parents couldn¡¯t forget about him even for a moment of lovers¡¯ bliss.

    They enjoyed their preferred meat selections accompanied by lightly dressed spring rocket, lettuce, and early spinach leaves. Braph had a gravy-drizzled lamb tenderloin ¨C an early arrival from the current year¡¯s flock ¨C while Orinia ate a pan-fried chicken breast and Orin discovered lamb¡¯s fry, though not their origin.

    Braph leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting over the other, tempted to doze in the pleasant surroundings while Orin dug into a bowl of ice cream.

    The restaurant door swung open, permitting entry to a uniformed Karan of a deep skin tone, impressive height, and an even more impressive array of badges pinned to his chest. Behind him, two equally well presented Quaven soldiers entered and placed themselves neatly behind and to each side of their superior, hands behind waist ¨C though one held a purse of some sort ¨C and heads pointing straight and level. It was an impressive display, and set Braph to feeling both honored and suspicious.

    ¡°Mister Vastergaard.¡± The superior officer ¨C Braph had never bothered to familiarize himself with the specifics of military ranks ¨C stood before him, hands neatly behind his waist, but in no way submissive.

    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re addressing my father. Or my little brother. Call me Braph. I am a mere Karan after all.¡±

    ¡°No nation values the Kara as highly as Quaver.¡±

    ¡°And only the Syakaran more.¡±

    The officer stilled even more so, measuring Braph. Braph also remained unmoved. A contest of stoicism, by all accounts.

    ¡°Speaking of; have you heard from your brother recently?¡±

    Braph smirked. The officer didn¡¯t seem to like that. His expression darkened.

    ¡°Jonas and I are not on the best of terms.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The officer took a few breaths before making his next move. He gestured to the soldier with the purse, who stepped forward and upended it over the space recently vacated by Braph¡¯s plate. Fine glass fragments and metal pieces spilled onto the table. The soldier obediently returned to his place by his peer.

    Again, Braph schooled himself to appear unmoved despite the warring disappointment and the sense he¡¯d been caught in some scandal which, he supposed, he had.

    ¡°One of yours?¡± The officer pushed.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to have one¡¯s art recognized, I must say.¡±

    ¡°Your art is decimating the Karan population.¡±

    ¡°In the name of peace, you understand. After what Aris did to Turhmos¡¯s Aenuks, there were some concerns over the balance of power. A balance needed to keep the peace.¡±

    ¡°We had no intention of drawing Turhmos into a fight any time soon.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps not, but it seems to only take a little math to convince some in power of the value of a fight. And Quaver¡¯s powers-that-be have not changed in over a decade. I¡¯m well aware of their history.¡±

    ¡°It is not your place to direct Quaven foreign affairs.¡±

    ¡°Neither yours, as I understand it.¡±

    ¡°Direct, no; maintain, yes. Your ¡­ art has now killed several Kara and weakened dozens to the point they can¡¯t get out of bed. It¡¯s killing children. What is the cure?¡±

    Orinia listened, watching the soldiers warily; now she turned her attention to Braph. She was such a soft heart. The kind of mother he should have had, and did, in those earliest years. This officer was rattling her, but Braph trusted her to draw the line between loved children and children of a state. She had, after all, handed over her own flesh and blood with nary a whimper nor a farewell sob. Such a child had grown in her womb, but was not hers.

    ¡°Ah.¡± Braph sat forward, slid his finger over the table surface, creating an s-shaped path through the fragments of his tiny flying machine. Back and forth, back and forth. ¡°Now, see? This is why we need balance. And peace.¡±

    ¡°What is the cure, Mister Vastergaard?¡±

    Braph sat up, gave the officer a narrow-eyed smirk. Thought he could rattle Braph with little irritations, did he? He gave a lazy blink and set about explaining. ¡°What you need to do is, within hours of infection, pair the Karan up with a willing Aenuk who will supply blood to inject into the Karan, and then the Karan can use the resulting magic to defeat the micro-organism themselves. It has to be within hours, though. After that, the infection is too far spread to be reversed.¡±

    ¡°So all our infected Kara are condemned?¡± The officer glanced Orinia¡¯s way, his gaze pausing on Orin before returning to Braph.

    Braph simply held that gaze. He had, after all, already stipulated the blood donor be willing. ¡°Balance, Captain¡ª?¡±

    ¡°Lieutenant General. Kasal. I¡¯ve worked with your brother. I¡¯d be very interested in an update on him. Is he infected?¡± His professional bearing slipped, concern making itself evident.

    ¡°He was the first. He was infected before he faced some of Turhmos¡¯s best in the stadium.¡± Braph studied Kasal. He saw no fear that Jonas might be dead. ¡°And still he lives, sound the bells. But you knew that.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve had word he lives. But that was some days ago. He does have a willing Aenuk ¡­¡±

    ¡°Very good. You do listen. I like that. Indeed he does. And she keeps him alive, but he won¡¯t be Syakaran again. Balance, Lieutenant.¡±

    ¡°General.¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡±

    ¡°How many of these machines are still out there?¡±

    ¡°How many have you struck down?¡±

    ¡°Three have been reported to me.¡±

    ¡°I sent out six.¡±

    ¡°So there are three more out there?¡±

    Two.¡± Braph looked at Orin who paused his scraping out the final dregs of his ice cream to look surprised by the attention, rather than guilty. ¡°Two unaccounted for.¡± He turned back to Kasal. ¡°They may very well be scrap, too.¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping. This balance you speak of, surely it is achieved.¡±

    ¡°Well, how many Kara would you say Quaver has lost?¡±

    ¡°Mr Vastergaard, as far as Quaver is aware, you work for Turhmos.¡±

    ¡°I can assure you I don¡¯t. I am very much my own man. It just so happens to be that my family squabbles draw international interest. Regardless, I¡¯m sure you have your own spies down in Duffirk. Neither will Turhmos be ignorant of Quaver¡¯s troubles.¡±

    ¡°Mister Vastergaa¡ª¡±

    ¡°Braph.¡± Unfortunately, his tone betrayed a hint of his frustration. He was not his father or his brother, and in a perfect world, he would never be associated with either again.

    Kasal¡¯s smirk was barely a twitch of the corner of his lips.

    ¡°Master Magician Braph, if we must be formal.¡± That the Lieutenant General was having such an effect on him was just another cause for a temper flare. Braph pushed his chair back and stood. Orin and Orinia followed suit. ¡°And with that in mind, I have my own work to get back to.¡±

    Kasal¡¯s bearing hardened. ¡°Work that benefits Turhmos?¡±

    ¡°Work that benefits me. And my family.¡± Braph placed his hand lightly to Orinia¡¯s hip, guiding her from the table, keeping her beside him. The soldiers stood between them and the restaurant door.

    ¡°M¡ª Braph.¡± A concession. ¡°Quaver has need of an Aenuk, and it seems you have an Aenuk right here, within the borders of Quaver¡ª¡±

    ¡°I said you would need a willing Aenuk. Orinia is neither willing, nor is she on offer. Now, I suggest you let us pass, or I will be forced to show you what a Karan supplied with Immortal blood can do. And don¡¯t overlook how very much I would enjoy doing that.¡± He moved out from the table, placed himself between the soldiers and Orinia and his arm across her shoulders, and beckoned Orin to join them. Once he had safely shuffled his family close to the door, he turned back to Kasal. ¡°I suggest Quaver gets on good terms with Turhmos. It would lead to great things for both nations. And I hope you will be sure I get a mention in the history books. I¡¯ve cracked the eggs. It¡¯s time to fold that omelet.¡±

    ¡°That knife is Quaven property.¡± Kasal nodded at where Jonas¡¯s blade hung at Braph¡¯s hip.

    ¡°That knife is a Vastergaard family heirloom. I am the eldest son of Marnin Vastergaard. The knife is mine.¡±

    He opened the door and guided Orinia and Orin through before following them out into the cool, dark street.

 Sooner The Better

    Back at the glowing Ajnai garden, the syrup had cooled to a thin putty. Still hot, but well off the boil, and when Braph scooped some in a ladle he could press a finger into it without scolding, so he palmed some and rolled it around. Not as easily transported as a crystal, but rather pleasant to handle. As he flattened and rolled it, it left a light sheen on his skin, and after only a few manipulations he became aware of a growing sense of well-being. Huh. Enough to do targeted magic? Unlikely just yet. He kept rolling it around, squeezing it in his fist, balling it and squeezing again.

    Orin leaned over the edge of the bucket and sniffed. ¡°Yum!¡± He reached into the depths. ¡°Ow!¡± He shook out his hand and reached down again, soon coming up with his own handful. He swapped it into his other hand, shaking out the groper, then he put it to his lips, testing the temperature before unleashing his tongue.

    ¡°Orin!¡±

    The boy flinched at his mother¡¯s alarm and pulled the malleable sap from his face, which twisted in preparation for unleashing a whine.

    ¡°The Syaenuk mother of an Immortal child and still so protective. I¡¯m quite sure he would be fine, love, even if he was mundane.¡± Braph considered demonstrating but had no interest in dealing with the stuff sticking to his teeth. Besides, when an alternative test subject volunteered it seemed sensible to allow them to provide their services.

    Orinia conceded with tight lips and Orin immediately took that as a go-ahead, biting into his soft ball and tugging. And tugging, his hand a foot from his face, attached via the thick sap. He laughed and brought his other hand up to wrangle it, delighted by the exercise.

    No, not something Braph wanted to do. Certainly not with an audience. He was quite content, for now, to mold and re-mold his handful. Maura had procured an amber necklace for Orin during his infancy, meant to aid with teething pain. It seemed Ajnai oils crossed the skin much as those in amber were theorized to. Fascinating.

    Eventually Orin manipulated a break in the taffy and, while his hands toiled to keep it from dragging in the dirt, he worked his jaw hard to part his teeth and attempt to move his mouthful about, but it was well stuck. Once he had the stuff gathered in his hands, he dumped it over the side of the pot, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Braph, but he could only keep his eyes closed on his spike of anger at the contamination briefly, as curious as he was in his son¡¯s actions. Orin poked a finger into his mouth, trying to peel the sap from his teeth. Interesting how it rolled around a hand so easily, and yet in the mouth it was quick to stick.

    Braph slowly released his breath and fury. He had to boil the syrup another hour or more yet anyway, whatever contamination his son had introduced would likely be dealt with in that process.

    ¡°Please tell me you intend for us to return to the hotel tonight,¡± Orinia said. ¡°Syaenuk I may be, but I still value a comfortable sleep.¡±

    ¡°Of course, love.¡± Braph draped an arm across her shoulders, drew her to him. ¡°I understand the difference between surviving and truly living. And I shan¡¯t subject the love of my life to sleeping beneath settling dew.¡± He beamed at her as she raised her head to meet his eye, smiling. Ah, what a prize she was.

    Orin made a sickly, hacking noise causing both his parents turn to him, but he has making commentary on their flirtation, not choking on the gooey sweet, which he had now collected on the end of an index finger. Disgusting. And yet priceless. Still disgusting.

    Braph rolled his own handful back into the large pot. As much as he wished to take it with him, he could only see it collecting lint and dust on its travels. He would collect more fresh sap and experiment with further simmering the next day. For now, though, he had to admit his own need for sleep.

    ¡°Don¡¯t return that to the pot. Eat it or¡ª Just eat it.¡± Braph couldn¡¯t bring himself to be okay with the sap being left in the dirt, not doubt to be stood on and stuck to a shoe. ¡°Eat it, and you can give me a full report on how it made you feel in the morning.¡± He rubbed Orinia¡¯s shoulder. She was starting to shiver in the evening¡¯s cold. ¡°Let¡¯s retire to our hotel rooms. I believe I have a date with the most beguiling woman in history.¡±

    Orin stuffed the sap into his mouth and his fingers into his ears and attempted to say ¡°La la la¡±, but it just came out in strange slurps and clicks. And then he coughed on his own spit and Orinia extracted herself from Braph to thump the child¡¯s back and catch his mouthful, and Braph turned away before he lost his appetite.

    <hr>

    Cold!

    Still half asleep, Jonas reached for the blanket, but it was nowhere within the reach of his hand. Growling to himself, he grudgingly shook off the last comforts of sleep, opened his eyes and sat, only to find Llew standing beside the bed holding the blanket up. Behind her, murmurs and taps and furniture scrapes said the rest of the household was also awake. It was still dark.

    Llew opened her mouth.

    ¡°No.¡± Jonas lay back and rolled slightly onto his stomach, trying to curl in on what heat was left in the mattress.

    ¡°I see why Quaver revered you above all others.¡±

    ¡°I ain¡¯t that man no more.¡± Llew¡¯s tone had been light and Jonas¡¯s intent was to mirror it, but he couldn¡¯t. Not when it came to that.

    Llew let the blanket fall and sat, reached out and rubbed his back. ¡°No. But that¡¯s exactly why we have to get you up and outside. How are you feeling?¡±

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    ¡°Cold.¡±

    ¡°Other than that.¡±

    Of course he¡¯d known what she meant. He¡¯d spoken the truth, though. The morning chill seeped through the old, loose long-sleeved singlet he slept in and was rapidly cooling the exposed bedding. And today he just wasn¡¯t in the mood for dealing with that. Still, he took a moment to assess himself. Cold? Definitely. Tired? Not as bone-heavy fatigued as he had been but, he surmised, there was a reason the cold bothered him more than usual: he lacked the excess energy needed to tolerate the added discomfort. His body wasn¡¯t on the verge of shutdown, but yes, he was tired. And the only way to address that was to get up and face the cold outside. Just grand. He heaved a sigh.

    Llew helped him into his clothing and brought his crutches. His prosthetic proved uncomfortable while sitting receiving blood, so it could wait. They grabbed a quick breakfast of toasted sourdough and whipped butter and Jonas downed a milk-cooled coffee. He usually preferred it black, but he couldn¡¯t afford movement while attached to the Gravinator, so he just had to drink while he could. No sitting and enjoying the occasional sip for him.

    Rowan and Delwynn joined them outside to connect the Gravinator.

    ¡°You¡¯re looking brighter this morning than yesterday,¡± Rowan said while he inserted the Gravinator¡¯s needle into Jonas¡¯s arm and strapped it firmly in place. ¡°We must¡¯ve got things about right yesterday.¡± He stood back, watching Delwynn check Llew¡¯s connection to the contraption then turn the valve that allowed the blood to start flowing.

    As always, the sense of heat struck Jonas first. It began at the point the blood entered his veins and flowed up his arm. Boring as the process was, it wasn¡¯t passive. With no obvious injury to focus on, he had to call on all the self-control and mindfulness training he¡¯d failed to master over the years and enter a meditative state; aware of his entire body, yet trying to direct Llew¡¯s power to heal what was broken. And what was broken? He had no idea. He had an infection raging through his body that did nothing but leave him weakened. He could repair whatever damage it did, but he didn¡¯t seem able to fight it.

    ¡°If you feel ready, I¡¯d like to collect some blood to trial in the centrifuge.¡± Rowan turned his attention to Llew. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll need much for a test run, not a full load, anyway, especially as there¡¯s a chance we¡¯ll have to toss it.¡± He grimaced, rightfully. ¡°You should get some time to move about the farm today.¡± His thin-lipped smile said everything he didn¡¯t want to say. Jonas needed a lot of blood ¨C and more each day ¨C just to stay alive. The implication that Llew may find herself permanently attached to a tree and the Gravinator was a far too likely future. One Jonas wouldn¡¯t share, if Rowan¡¯s theory could be made reality.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± Llew said it without thought and it made Rowan pause before he acknowledged with a nod.

    ¡°I¡¯ll run a couple of empty cycles and get Karlani to put it through its paces, and let you know if today is the day.¡±

    ¡°Sooner the better, huh?¡± The tone of her voice was like the light going out of her eyes; expressionless, resigned.

    Jonas burned with both guilt and sympathy. And the only way he could lessen Llew¡¯s suffering was to tolerate it and make the most of it.

    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Rowan murmured and shared a look with Jonas. Neither of them liked seeing Llew like this. ¡°Let¡¯s look to the future.¡±

    For the first few minutes after Rowan and Delwynn headed away, Llew sat staring off into the distance. Jonas had his own work to do, directing the magic from her blood, so they didn¡¯t speak, but Jonas kept looking up to check in on her. One of those times, she had her eyes closed, her breathing had quickened, and though her face was set almost neutral, she couldn¡¯t hide the flickers of concentration, or pain.

    ¡°We promised.¡± Her eyes hadn¡¯t detectably opened, but she must¡¯ve caught him looking.

    He turned away, but that made no difference. All he could think about was that Llew was in agony and she was doing it for him. It riled him right up, stirred rage and anxiety. And what good would that do? They¡¯d promised. She had to be prepared to accept his death and go on without him. He had to accept her pain. And being angry only used more of the precious energy her blood gave him. He closed his eyes and breathed deep. For Llew¡¯s sake he had to center himself fully, close himself off from her, there was only her blood and his body. Occasionally a shaky breath beside him pulled him back, lanced him with secondhand agony. Llew was working hard to contain her pain, he had to accept it and shut it out. That was their deal.

    He hated it.

    <hr>

    The taffy had hardened in the night, but softened over a low heat. Braph rolled a small ball in his flesh hand while he developed quite the rhythm with his metal one, drilling, fitting spiles, hanging collection buckets, drilling again, tipping watery sap into the big pot over a higher heat, drilling again ¡­ Only a part of him was a true machine, but with that handful of putty leaving its sheen on his palm, the rest of him worked just as much like clockwork. His mind was clear, thoughts concise, his muscles unburdened by any of the work. One might almost accuse Braph of dancing.

    Orinia and Orin had opted to take a stroll along the street, particularly as the tree¡¯s light displays upset Orinia. Why she chose to interpret them as anything other than a dazzling exhibit, he didn¡¯t know. It was just a tree, after all. It didn¡¯t have feelings. Chemical reactions to having its bark broached, perhaps. Not emotional outbursts. No, that was the domain of women, children, and angry Syakara.

    One of Orin¡¯s crystals was fitted to the mechanical hand. Could Braph attempt to use the tree¡¯s power without it? Not yet. It wasn¡¯t enough. But was that all that was available from the sap? He hoped not, or all this work would be for naught. And what would he do when Orin refused him blood? He wasn¡¯t an Aenuk, easily overpowered with brute force. Braph would need another plan.

    The power was in there. It had to be. He just needed to work out how to access it all.

 A Humble Captain

    A Humble Captain

    Llew burned with multiple points of pain all over her body. Each disappeared after a time, but only seemed to reappear elsewhere. The overall effect was constant pain. Being Syaenuk had not made her immune to pain itself, but accelerated healing had kept most episodes short. This was something she¡¯d never endured before. She would now. Her pain for Jonas¡¯s life. For freedom of Aenuks. And Joelin. Maybe even her mother. For the end of Braph whose face floated in her mind constantly. Eyes closed or open, Braph was there.

    She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed when Rowan¡¯s voice broke through. He was checking in on Jonas. Jonas responded and there was movement. Still, Braph lingered. After another few moments, the sling supporting her hand swiveled, breaking her contact with the tree, silencing Llew¡¯s body and mind. She sat in that peace a little longer, eyes closed. Braph lingered still.

    She felt a body move in beside her. Jonas, obviously. That comforting warm aroma that was purely him confirmed it.

    ¡°Let go, Llew,¡± he murmured and slid an arm across her shoulders, shattering the lingering vestige of Braph; freeing her. A gentle tug against her shoulder invited her, without demanding, to lean into him. Eyes still closed, she did and took a deep, calming breath. An island of still.

    ¡°You need to drink.¡±

    Llew opened her eyes to find Karlani crouched before her, a cup in her extended hand.

    ¡°Sorry, I get that you need calm right now, but you need to drink. And eat.¡± She lifted the cup, centering it in Llew¡¯s attention. In her other hand, hanging over one knee, she held a muffin.

    Llew looked at the cup, the muffin, and Karlani. Cup, muffin, Karlani. That last still setting off a wave of anxiety, though diminished from what it once was.

    Jonas withdrew his arm and said ¡°I gotta¡ª¡± He waved a hand vaguely. ¡°¡ªanyway. Help me up, would you, Rowan?¡±

    Rowan did, and insured Jonas was settled with his crutches before stepping back, allowing Jonas to go and find his post blood-transfer relief.

    Llew accepted the cup and gulped down the water. The farm¡¯s well water was tastier than that of Cheer¡¯s Big River, if she was honest despite the urge to defend her one-time home. With every day that passed at the farm, it felt more and more like home now.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She passed the empty cup back to Karlani and accepted the snack.

    ¡°That girl, Elka, and the Turhmos soldier Lyneth are really hitting their stride in that kitchen, even if the cripple does ass-over when she gets too excited to keep track of her own feet around the furniture in there.¡± Karlani held Llew¡¯s gaze. ¡°I never had a reason to hate Aenuks growing up, you know? Never even heard of them until I landed in Phyos. I like what you¡¯ve started here. I believe in it.¡±

    Llew swallowed her mouthful as she returned Karlani¡¯s gaze. She didn¡¯t know what the other woman wanted from her and gave a simple acknowledging nod.

    ¡°I¡¯m grateful to be part of it.¡± Perhaps sensing Llew¡¯s discomfort, Karlani excused herself and returned to the farmhouse.

    ¡°Can you handle a little more blood-letting?¡± Rowan asked.

    ¡°I can handle it,¡± Llew said, even as her body threatened to make her a liar, awash with the desire to run. For Jonas. For the Aenuks. She had to force her hand up and into the leather stirrup, and even then ¨C so close to the tree¡¯s trunk ¨C she had to push her palm the final inch, fighting herself the whole way. Offering her other arm for connection to the Gravinator was simpler.

    ¡°Just a few vials,¡± Rowan attempted to soothe her.

    Jonas returned as Rowan finished fastening the needle in place. He watched Rowan attach a glass vessel in place of the needle he himself had been injected with moments before and met Llew¡¯s gaze as Rowan loosened the valve. Then they all watched the blood flow, filling the vial swiftly.

    The thumps began again beneath Llew¡¯s palm. Then a stab of pain near her spine. A whimper escaped her, drawing Jonas¡¯s attention, his expression pained. But Llew couldn¡¯t carry both his agony and hers and she had to close her eyes. Glass clinked as Rowan swapped vessels. Llew breathed through the shifting pain points and disturbing imagery the tree pushed into her until Rowan once again severed the connection, freeing her from straps and contraption. Her blood now half-filled eight thin stoppered glass vials Rowan had balanced in a wide bowl.

    ¡°Enjoy your freedom.¡± Rowan tried for a beaming smile, though his eyes remained haunted, leaving Llew to wonder if they mirrored her own. Certainly her body and mind had yet to fully clear away the ghosts of torment from her connection to the Ajnai. ¡°If this works¡ª¡± he lifted the bucket of blood-filled vials. ¡°¡ªit should only take about an hour to find out if we¡¯ve got something we can isolate. Then we might as well test it as soon as possible.¡± He headed for the farmhouse and Jonas firmed his stance on leg and crutch and offered a hand to Llew.

    She was tempted to dismiss it, but she suspected it would mean something to Jonas to help her stand and she wasn¡¯t averse to the gesture, so she accepted. Once Llew stood, Jonas drew her into a lingering hug. Perhaps they could pass the next hour just like that. Llew certainly wouldn¡¯t mind. Wrapped in Jonas¡¯s arms, her mind could take a break from worry. Their next step was in Rowan¡¯s hands.

    Rowan¡¯s and Karlani¡¯s, evidently, as Rowan leaned through the farmhouse door, spoke, then stepped back as Karlani joined him outside. Alvaro followed her to the doorway, stopped, arms folded, watching her walk with Rowan until they disappeared from his view around the corner of the house. He cursed under his breath and stalked after them.

    ¡°Uh oh,¡± Llew murmured.

    <hr>

    Despite her utterance, Llew remained in Jonas¡¯s arms. Jonas had glimpsed Alvaro at the doorway and pulled back from Llew to see what she saw: storm cloud Alvaro sulking after Karlani. At his withdrawal, Llew voiced a disappointed grumble, making Jonas laugh, and giving him the impulse to ruffle her hair.

    He acted on it as he said, ¡°She can look after herself.¡±

    Llew screwed her face up at him, though not without the hint of a smile, and ran her fingers through her hair, settling it back in place. ¡°Yeah, but, that blood is precious. And I don¡¯t know how many spare vials Rowan ordered from Hinden.¡±

    She had a point. Jonas scowled at the point he¡¯d lost sight of Alvaro, silently cursing the loss of his leg. Once more, their fate lay in Karlani¡¯s hands and anxiety was an unwelcome guest.

    ¡°I should put my leg on,¡± he said.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Llew supported him to the porch and insisted he wait while she went inside to collect the prosthetic. It was easier to fit the leg to a fully bare leg, so Jonas shuffled his thigh free and sat in his drawers with one full trouser leg halfway up his left thigh. Far from dignified. He was learning to let that go. What use was dignity, really? The idea of being weak, though ¨C despite his inability to fight or hide it ¨C was a step beyond acceptable. He couldn¡¯t do it. He was Jonas, the Gr¡ª the Syakaran. He was power, or he was dead. In between couldn¡¯t remain true.

    Llew returned and fit the prosthetic. As she helped guide the false foot into the trouser leg, a horse thundered down the cartway and they both looked up to watch Alvaro urge the horse faster, careening through the gate, turning sharply for Hinden.

    Llew turned back to Jonas. ¡°Did we need him?¡±

    ¡°We really don¡¯t.¡±

    Llew thinned her lips. ¡°I hope he¡¯s okay.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine.¡± Jonas stood to fasten his buttons and belt. He¡¯d never liked Alvaro, for no particular reason. He just thought the kid could do with becoming more worldly, or accept that he wasn¡¯t and still had learning ahead. Instead, he¡¯d been too eager to be seen how he wanted to be seen, regardless of the depth, or lack thereof, beneath that.

    Jonas¡¯s opinion, though, didn¡¯t soothe Llew at all. She remained looking toward the road. Jonas shuffled from foot to foot, insuring his thigh stump was well settled and comfortable, then put what he hoped was a reassuring hand on Llew¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s made his choice. Let him live it. Besides, Rowan told you to enjoy your freedom. How do you want to spend it?¡±

    To Jonas¡¯s relief, she turned to him. ¡°Karlani didn¡¯t bring you a snack. You should eat.¡±

    Jonas crooked an eyebrow, suppressing his mild urge to laugh. ¡°I could eat. Food or ¡­ you. Hmm, that sounds like a mighty fine way to pass an hour, to me.¡±

    Llew¡¯s mouth dropped open.

    In a move that was either going to be sexy or stupid, Jonas dropped his hand to hers, tugged her a step closer, stepped into her, and claimed her top lip between his for a few seconds, then pulled back to check her response. It was a break in their growing habit of asking first, but Jonas couldn¡¯t help himself. He could blame her blood coursing through him, but the cause didn¡¯t matter. All that mattered was the desire washing through him and the sense that, right then, he and Llew could be the only two people in the world and that would be perfect.

    Llew¡¯s lips were still parted. She blinked. Seemed he was a few steps ahead of her in his thought processes. He could back right up, or see if he could catch her up.

    She looked back to the gate Alvaro had disappeared through moments earlier and Jonas¡¯s mood cooled.

    He lifted her hand to his lips. "Sorry, Cap¡¯n. That was bold of me, and not at all lieutenantly behavior.¡±

    She turned to him with laughter in her smile. ¡°I said I wanted you to be a snuggly lieutenant, didn¡¯t I?¡± She leaned in so only their joined hands separated their lips. ¡°Seems to me you¡¯re fulfilling the role as requested. Perhaps you even deserve a reward for your bravery.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve got to talk about resettin¡¯ your expectations. You think I¡¯ve been deliverin¡¯ reward-worthy snuggles? Just you wait until we can afford to hold each other all night. I¡¯ll never let you go.¡± Despite the ridiculousness of that word, he managed to keep his tone serious and hold her gaze in what he hoped was smoldering want, and nothing that would remind her of Braph.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe I get to have you.¡±

    ¡°Nor I you.¡± He released her hand and invited her in for a snuggly cuddle, and they past several minutes simply holding each other, and Jonas marveled at his lack of both fatigue and anxiety in that moment. All thanks to Llew¡¯s blood.

    ¡°I feel safe with you,¡± Llew said, her head resting on his shoulder.

    Jonas responded by firming the hug. He¡¯d never cared to be a safe space before. He liked it now.

    She pulled back. ¡°You should eat, though. If Rowan¡¯s work gets you anywhere close to Syakaran again, you¡¯ll starve in minutes.¡±

    Wishful thinking if ever Jonas had heard it. And yet, he sure wanted to be moments away from being his old self again.

    Inside, the house was warm from the range always cooking, yet with all the windows open, it wasn¡¯t stifling. Lyneth sat at the dinner table scrubbing soil off carrots with a coarse brush and a shallow bowl of water, while Elka rinsed lettuce leaves at the kitchen bench.

    Jonas eased himself onto the bench seat just inside the front door.

    ¡°What happened to Alvaro?¡± Lyneth asked. ¡°He quarreled with Karlani, but he¡¯d promised to bring in more carrots.¡±

    ¡°He left.¡± Llew lifted a cloth from a basket of muffins on the bench and handed one to Jonas. ¡°He took a horse and he left. For good, as far as I can tell.¡±

    Lyneth sighed. ¡°Fool boy.¡±

    Jonas agreed.

    ¡°What did they argue about?¡± Llew slipped behind Jonas, to the end of the table where Lyneth worked, placed the last two uncleaned carrots on the table and lifted the basket they¡¯d been resting in. ¡°I can bring you more carrots.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Another dozen should do us.¡±

    ¡°A humble captain,¡± Jonas murmured and smirked at Llew. She poked her tongue out at him.

    ¡°Alvaro told Karlani she should put his needs first, not yours, s¡ª since she isn¡¯t your lover,¡± Elka said without pausing her work.

    Jonas failed to fully stifle his snort as Llew ¨C unsurprisingly ¨C blanched.

    ¡°Of course she isn¡¯t. Ew. Not that¡ª Not ¡¯cause she¡¯s a woman. Because she¡¯s ¡­ her. Ew.¡±

    ¡°Evidently Karlani didn¡¯t think Alvaro was hers, either.¡± Lyneth started cleaning another carrot. ¡°She said it was too early and what you were doing was more important for now anyway. Seems he liked that even less than we thought. I like it here.¡± She glanced at Elka, breathed deeply the free-flowing air, and splayed her hands ¨C one holding the vegetable brush, one holding a half-scrubbed carrot. ¡°Granted, I can only compare it to the compound I grew up in. If he¡¯s got something better to go to, he must live like a king.¡±

    ¡°I just hope he¡¯s not too hard on that horse. I¡¯ll bring in those carrots.¡± Llew stepped outside, leaving Jonas to eat his muffin in the presence of these industrious women.

    Despite his many and fulfilling visits to kitchens, mess halls, and dining rooms over the years, Jonas had never paid much mind to those bringing the food to his table. All he¡¯d ever had to do was focus on himself; make sure he was the strongest he could be, the fastest he could be, and that he knew how to use his knife when it mattered. And he¡¯d thought himself, the so-called Great Syakaran of Quaver, mighty important.

    He ate his muffin in silence.