Chapter Twenty:

Celebrating Gone Too Far?

 

          Marium was sitting downstairs, throwing little bits of beef jerky to LW to catch, when Placid came down. She jumped up immediately. “Mr. Placid! Where are you going?”
          He had an ever ready smiled for her, but it was obvious by his cloak and medicine bag, that he was about to travel somewhere.

          “Marium, I am about to go back home. There’s no more reason for me to be here.” He stated, simply. Marium’s heart dropped. Placid was one of her warriors. She wanted to travel with him, too.

          “You know, someone of your healing potential would be of endless help to us on our journey.” She hinted, trying to get him to stay. He gave her a confused look. Okay, so maybe he isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he’s still one of my knights! “Please travel with me and my friends. You’re so nice, and you’d be a great help!”

          Smiling, Placid bowed his head to her. “Priestess, are you sure? All I can do is fix potions. I would be of little help to you in an actual battle. The only fighting skills I have, I picked up from the monastery I lived next to. So I can fight with a staff, but…”

          “You don’t have one? Let’s see.” Marium rubbed her chin in thought. “Jonah’s a weapon smith. The best on Pallas.”
          “I couldn’t possibly…”

          “But I could. Jonah wouldn’t have any problem making a weapon for one of my warriors! He loves to work in his smithy.” Marium consoled him, gently. “Don’t worry, you may not realize it, but I need all my warriors, just for emotional support. The more, the merrier!”

          Placid finally agreed, and Marium stumbled up the stairs to talk to Jonah. When she opened the door, she saw they were all asleep. “Oh… well, I don’t really have to wake him up now…”

          So she sat down in a corner and played with LW until it was dark and they woke from hunger. Placid was out buying the supplies he would need for the journey.

          “Marium? How long have you been up?” Cadillac asked, groggily. Altaire was straightening out his white cloak, and Jonah was rubbing his eyes. Marium shrugged.

          “Oh, the whole time. I’m not tired. Dunno why.” She said, then went back to poking the feerpt on his nose. “LW and I were having the more interesting conversation about my world.”

          Cadillac glanced at her as if he was questioning her sanity. “How would that feerpt know anything about your world?”

          “I told him about it. He’s a really good listener.” She said, then remembered why she’d been waiting. “Hey, I got Placid to come with us, isn’t that great? Jonah, I need you to make him a staff, okay?”

          Faede was sitting up easily, and his breathing was normal. “He’s a warrior of Yin, yes? The warrior of the Goat.”

          Marium smiled. “Hey, I have quite an extensive knowledge of Chinese mythology. Yin and Yang is the symbol of balance… The 12 mythological animals of Buddha, and even the Tao. Hm, I didn’t think that it would ever come in handy.”

          “I’m a rat, if I remember correctly. Which is weird, since the rat is a sign of Yang. And rats get along well with dragons and… monkeys. And oxen too. They don’t get along with snakes or rooster.” Marium recited, since she had heard it from her grandma when she was little. “Hehe! They’re smart and manipulative! That’s not like me at all!”

          She had managed to lose all the occupants in the room. “I thought you guys would know that. C’mon, Cad, what’s your sign?”

          Cadillac slowly understood. “Dragon. I’m the warrior of the dragon.”

          Marium smiled, simply. “See? I’m and rat, and you’re a dragon! We’re compatible. Jonah, you?”

          “I’m the warrior of the dog.”

          The priestess thought for a bit. “Not quite as compatible as the dragon, but still an option. Faede?”
          He blinked. “I was born in the year of the snake.”

          “Not good at all, the snake is too indecisive to maintain a stable relationship. And besides, in the real world, snakes eat rats! Altaire?” she smiled at the priest. Faede was stricken into silence. “Don’t take it seriously, Faede. Remember, it’s not set in stone, you make your own destiny.”

          Altaire thought for a moment, calculating the year of his birth. “Pig.”

          “Pigs are shy, and don’t talk much. Usually the rat person would have to make the first move for any type of relationship to form.” Marium stated. “See, on Earth, my world, these things, Chinese zodiac signs are used at parties as silly things that no one really cares about. Just like magic. No one believes in it.”

          “My grandma taught me that stuff. Also about the western zodiac! I’m an Aquarius! Those aren’t categorized by Yin or Yang, though.” Marium stated, then thought. “I never really thought all of it would be of any use to me!”

          Placid walked in, and stalled at the sight of all the astonished expressions that were being aimed at the priestess. “Uh, I must have missed something.”

          “Nothing much Mr. Placid!” Marium wondered if she could tell him some stuff about medicine on her world, then decided not to. “My world is really advanced. I miss my laptop. And my TV. And my heater blanket.”

          “And my water bed. I loved that bed. And all my brothers and sisters. They probably haven’t noticed I’m gone yet.” Marium sighed, picking LW up by the scruff of his neck. “This whole thing would be easier if we had a car. Dunno who’d drive it though.”

          “Okay, I’m officially lost, Marium.” Cadillac said, rubbing his ears. “I’m thinking that what you’re trying to say is that you want to go home.”

          Marium was silent, then nodded. “I guess that’s it. But then I’d miss all of you.”

          “It can’t be both ways, I suppose. You just have to weigh out your choices.” Jonah added, to help her. “Either way, we’re behind you all the way.”

          “That’s great to know.” She said, comforted. Jonah could be really nice, and he usually was. “Hey, I know! You guys aren’t still tired are you?”

          They shook their heads. “Alright, Faede, how are you feeling?”

          “Pretty good.” Was his short, clipped answer. She nodded to him.

          “Then how about we go celebrate? I mean, this WAS a big accomplishment! Faede isn’t going to die now, and that’s always a good thing. Who would bug me if he was gone, huh?”

          They all agreed to go out for dinner at a nice restraunt, but not too expensive. The group ended up at a fancy tavern. Marium eyed it, wonderingly. “Um, you think they’ve got stuff to drink besides alcohol?”

          “Probably not.” Jonah stated, thoughtfully. He hadn’t had any type of ale since before Marium arrived on Pallas, and he was getting desperate.

          “What ever. I’m hungry, and we’ve looked everywhere else.” Marium sighed, and patted her stomach. She left her armor and weapon back at the inn, and was just wearing her regular clothes. It was almost like going out with Sachi and Tasae, only… they weren’t there.

          She was silently reminiscing about her friends and how they’d gone to school with her since they were little. Now they weren’t there. Gone, just like that. “Let’s go in. I don’t like it out here when it’s dark.”

          Marium hurriedly opened the door and walked in, trying to push the memories back in her mind. Altaire could tell there was something making her mood change from cheerful to miserable. Faede was sensing it, too.

          LW was curled up on Marium’s lap, once they were seated. The waiter came to take their order, but Marium was lost in thought. “Marium? What do you want for dinner?”

          She was shaken from her thoughts by Jonah’s voice. And the answer she would normally give to her mother without thinking, floated out of her mouth. “Cheeseburger with fries.”

          The looks she received from her companions made her want to curl up and disappear. “I mean, um, oh, I’m not very hungry any more.”

          Her cheeks blazed bright pink and she carefully shielded her thoughts from Altaire. She rested her forehead against her hand, and found it to be hot. Like Faede’s had been earlier. “No. I am not getting sick.”

          Marium whispered this to herself, but Placid overheard her mumblings. “Little one, are you feeling alright?”

          She gave a bright, happy smile, and nodded. “Of course! I wouldn’t have suggested we go out if I felt bad.”

          Her smile reassured Placid, and the men went back to talking about wars and battles. Fighting, deaths, why the sorcery guild must be overthrown immediately and without delay. Now that Faede was better they could move on to find that mage knight of Yang. Then they could go find that archer…

          Faede’s smooth, cold voice was even and casual. “Why don’t we forget about collecting more allies and go straight to the source of the problems? After all, we have many powerful mages in our arsenal, and some good warriors, too.”

          “Well, that is one option.” Cadillac stated, then addressed the rest. “Shall we put it to a vote?”

          Everyone nodded, Marium did so blurrily. “Alright, right hand in if you want to go immediately away to fight Faede’s father. Left if you want to search out more members.”

          Faede , Placid, and Jonah all put out their right hands. Cadillac and Altaire put their left ones out. Marium shrugged. “Just as long as something gets done.”

          “Marium, we need your input. You can’t just follow us into battle. It has to be by your own choice.” Cadillac commented, making Marium put out both her hands.

          “Iny minnie miney moe, catch a tiger by his toe, if he hollers let him go, iny minnie miney moe.” Marium’s left hand drew back, and her right went forward. “How’s that?”

          “Marium, be serious. Is that your real answer?” Altaire asked, quietly. Marium nodded.

          “Yeah, that’s fine.” She withdrew into her shell again, and listened to the conversation happening around her.

          “Okay then. It’s decided, we head out for the sorcerer’s guild the day after tomorrow. Any ideas about how we’re going to raid the place?”

          They continued to talk and came up with a plan, thanks to Faede’s knowledge of the hidden passages of the guild’s HQ. “And then we’ll get to him in his sleeping chamber.”

          It was very late when they finally finished the plan, and Marium was beginning to drift off every few minutes. She’d jolt awake, and glance around to make sure no one had caught her. She was thankful when Cadillac finally stood and stretched. “I think I’m ready to go to sleep.”

          “Yeah, we should get ready tomorrow, stock up on herbs and some such.” Jonah added, standing and walking toward the door. Marium was in between Altaire and Faede, and once Altaire stood to leave, she all but ran to the door. She was free from that boring and torturous talk!

          As she passed Altaire, she remembered the meeting plan. “Okay, Altaire, I’ll meet you on the balcony as soon as Cad goes to sleep.”

 

          Cadillac was out as soon as he hit the bed. Jonah was next. Placid followed soon after, but Faede remained awake. Marium noticed that Altaire had already left, and so she too stood and got ready to go to the meeting place.

          “Marium.” Faede’s voice was quiet and icy. “You will have to choose sooner or later. And you can’t blame it on the tie forever.”

          The priestess turned to look at Faede, who was an obvious wreck from knowing that she was sneaking out to meet his rival in what might possibly be a romantic meeting.

          “Faede, you tricked me into becoming engaged to you. I don’t know how much the tie manipulated my feelings for you. And I don’t know how much of what you say to me is true, since you’re still bound by the tie. But, I will choose. When the time comes, I’ll know who… I love.” Quickly, she left the room, shutting the door softly.

 

          Altaire was standing on the balcony, leaning on the wooden rail heavily. He was gazing up at the moon, which was light blue on Pallas, and always full. He felt Marium’s presence as soon as she stepped out onto the wooden floor.

          “Marium, what did you want to meet me for?” Altaire’s mind voice was clear. He was so real to her, everything about him was solid and plain. If he had something on his mind, he made it known.

          “I’m sorry. I did forget the promise we shared.”

          Altaire was surprised. Could she have known that he’d been awake that night? Why had she still said those things to Faede then?

          She put her elbows firmly on the railing and stared up at the moon. “You think that I love Faede the same as I love you?”

          “I don’t know. You’ve shielded your mind to me.” Altaire said, gazing at her face in the moonlight. “And that makes me even more uncertain.”

          “Remember when I said there are some things people do that should be kept private?” she asked, closing her eyes, still tilting her face up to the moon. “I was wrong. Partially. There shouldn’t be anything you’re afraid to tell the next person. I’ll tell you how I felt for Faede.”

          Marium let down her defenses for Altaire to see everything that she’d felt for Faede. “And it’s confusing. Because, without the tie, like this, I can feel what I feel for you. When I take the ring off, my whole world revolves around Faede.”

          Altaire nodded, slightly. “You have the ring on now.”

          She smiled at him, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Altaire, I can’t wear the ring forever. What I need… is to overcome this obstacle. So that I can love who ever I want to love.”

          “I see. Who do you want to love?”

          Marium shook her head. “Right now, all I want is you. What am I supposed to do? We’re going into the biggest battle of our lives, and I’m going crazy because the two men I love might…”

          He stared at her, wordlessly. “Might what, Marium?”

          “Might die. I love both of you. In different ways, but does that matter in the end? All I feel is that I want to be so close to you, always. I don’t understand what I feel for Faede.” She stated, ashamed. Her eyes filled with tears. “How can you love someone like me?”

          “Marium, let me hold on to you. Even if it’s just for now. Let me wrap my arms around you and keep you safe. I want to protect you always, and I will. During the battle, I will watch over you.” He said, speaking earnestly and making her understand. She was wrapped in the circle of his arms.

          It was warm and comfortable inside his cloak, and she felt the solidity of his chest. She did feel safe with Altaire, and enveloped in a bright, endless light. He was so there, so true. She managed to let him know what she was feeling. “Altaire, go out with me tomorrow. After we prepare, just take me away for a while. I don’t want to have to think about anything but my love for you.”

          Altaire’s answer was a simple kiss on her forehead and a gentle hand that pulled her closer to him.

          They sat there on the balcony, gazing up at the stars and moon, for the rest of the night. The warmth they shared was enough to make them not need anything besides Altaire’s cloak.

 

tifmonk@chichiri.com