Free the Darkness (King's Dark Tidings Book 1) (35 page)

Rezkin knelt beside Frisha, but she would not look up at
him. She was sitting on a fallen tree at one side of the small clearing,
hanging her head low so that her hair fell over her face. The young man gently placed
his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her head up so that he could tend to
her injury.

Frisha, in her shame, could not meet Rezkin’s eyes.
 Her face was flushed and her eyes were watery, but he did not think the
bruising would be too extensive. The purpling around the eye would require
several days to heal, though. Rezkin felt that recurring tightening in his
chest when he realized Frisha would not look at him.

What must she think of him? He took her small delicate hand
in his own, pressed the compress into her palm, and then maneuvered her hand so
that she held it over her injured eye. Frisha nearly sighed with the immediate
relief the now cool compress provided. Next, Rezkin dipped another swatch of
fabric in the tin cup and used the herbal liquid to clean the cuts and scrapes
on Frisha’s face and arms. He applied a small amount of the ointment to the
deeper cuts. All the while, he said nothing.

After tending to Frisha’s wounds, he moved around the
clearing to tend to Reaylin’s. Reaylin was sitting on the ground with her knees
pulled up to her chest and back against a tree. She was turned away from the
group sulking in her own shame and self-pity. When she first noticed Rezkin’s
approach, he was already within a few strides of her. She tried to stand
quickly to avoid him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back down to the
ground.

Another woman was angry with him, but he would not allow her
to suffer needlessly. He took another clean cloth, dipped it into the liquid in
the cup, and set about cleaning her wounds. The long, deep scratches on her
neck were the worst, and he made sure to apply extra ointment to those. Once he
was finished, he cleaned the cup, repacked his healing supplies and sat down to
eat what was left of their lunch.

Jimson sat silently and watched as the young warrior moved
about the clearing tending to the women’s wounds. He was efficient with a
practiced ease but surprisingly gentle. Rezkin had to have some training in the
healing arts to be so proficient. Whatever training the young man had received
had been quite thorough. Even a poor soldier with healer training was worth ten
average soldiers, and Rezkin was so much more than the average soldier. Jimson
could not see the young man’s face when he treated Reaylin, but there had been
a softness in his eyes when he looked upon Frisha.

After Rezkin stormed off earlier, both young women had
confessed to Jimson and Tam about what happened. Jimson felt guilty for the way
he treated Rezkin now that he knew the real story. The young warrior had only
come running when the shouts of alarm caught his attention, the same as he and
Tam. Unfortunately, circumstances dictated that the man would arrive in the
buff. Having more concern for the women’s safety, he had set aside any worries
over propriety.

Jimson understood, now, what happened, but it had not looked
good at the time. Still, the young man had always acted the gentleman and
seemed dedicated to the Code by which he lived. Jimson should have known Rezkin
was not attempting to take advantage of the women. If he was really honest with
himself, he had to admit that some of his anger and assumptions at the time
stemmed from his own jealousy and desire to protect Reaylin. He did not like
the way the young woman had been staring at the warrior’s body.

After Rezkin ate what he could, he went about packing the
rest of the belongings. Tam strode over to help him saddle the horses for the
women, but the young man sensed Rezkin’s mood and wisely chose not to say
anything. Rezkin kept trying to shake his foul mood, but it was as if now that
the feeling had finally emerged, it refused to let go. Finally, the rest of the
group claimed their mounts and the travelers were once again on their way.

Several hours had passed when Jimson decided it was time to
approach the young warrior. He tried to fool himself into thinking it would be
safer if they were both mounted. Catching up with the battle charger, Jimson
waited a moment before speaking. When he finally did, he was appalled to hear his
own voice quaking in fear. He was an officer in the King’s Army, and here he
was afraid of talking to a young man. He would laugh at himself if the
situation were not so serious. “Rezkin, I would like to speak to you about what
happened earlier.

“Go on,” Rezkin replied dispassionately. Rezkin did not look
at the lieutenant but kept his eyes roving around them in search of hidden
dangers – at least, that was why he told himself he was doing it.

Lieutenant Jimson continued, “You have to see the scene from
my perspective. I mean, there you were standing naked over two women who were
in the water screaming. And, you know, it is my duty, my
honor
, to
protect the innocent people of this kingdom, particularly those with whom I am
traveling. Surely you can understand that.”

Rezkin met the lieutenant’s eyes with an icy stare, “I
understand your duty, Lieutenant, and I know how the scene must have looked to
you. But, I also know that I have never given you reason to doubt
my
honor.
My
duty is to protect and
honor
my
friends
, which
includes at least one of those women, and until I decide about the other I will
treat her has such, as well.

“I have said it before, and I will say it again,” Rezkin
continued. “I have little care for propriety except for that which is necessary
to honor my
friends
. But, when propriety interferes with my ability to
protect my
friends
, I will not hesitate to cast it aside. I heard a
scream and saw people thrashing about in the water. I ran as quickly as I could
to lend aid or protection. My appearance when I arrived was insignificant.”
Rezkin grunted, “I did not expect to arrive and find the women fighting
each
other
.”

Jimson shifted uncomfortably in the saddle and replied, “I
know what happened. The women told me. I was out of line when I questioned your
honor and threatened you. The truth is…” he reached up and nervously rubbed the
back of his neck, “well…I guess I was a little jealous. I got angry.”

Rezkin looked askance. “Jealous of
what
?” he asked in
dismay.

“
You
, of course,” Jimson said. The look of utter
confusion on Rezkin’s face convinced him more than anything that the young man
was oblivious to the real heart of the matter. “Do you know what the women were
fighting over?” he asked.

Rezkin shook his head, “I cannot imagine. Those two have not
liked each other since they met. It is strange to me since I see so many
similarities between them.”

Jimson shook his head and laughed, “You really do not know.
The thing is, I like Reaylin.”

“I like Reaylin, as well,” Rezkin stated factually.

Jimson sighed and replied, “No, I mean, I am attracted to
her. And, it is obvious to me…to everyone, actually…that you are attracted to
Frisha. The problem is that both women want
you
.”

Rezkin furrowed his brow. He was attracted to Frisha? He was
not so certain of that. He thought for sure he would know if he was attracted
to a woman. He was
more
interested in Frisha than Reaylin, so maybe that
did mean he was attracted to her. He would have to ponder the idea another
time.

“So, what was the fight about?” Rezkin asked in confusion.

Jimson rolled his eyes and stated, “You!”

“Why were they fighting about me? I did nothing to anger
either of them as far as I know,” Rezkin asserted.

“They were not fighting over something you
did
. They
were fighting over
you
. They both want you, and they were fighting over
who would have you,” Jimson explained patiently. He was realizing that although
Rezkin was an amazingly talented and intelligent warrior, he was completely
oblivious when it came to women.

“Why would they fight about that? It is not as if the
outcome of the fight would guarantee that I would choose the winner,” Rezkin
remarked.

“Maybe not, but if I were to pursue Frisha, would you not
feel inclined to fight me?” Jimson asked.

Rezkin thought about it and then shrugged, “If Frisha wanted
you, then I would respect her decision. In all, you are a respectable man who
can provide for her. You would be a decent choice. Besides, I have no rightful
claim to the woman. She is to select a husband from among the nobles.”

“What?” Jimson blurted in surprise. “But, I thought…I mean,
she is obviously smitten with you. I thought for certain the two of you were
together.”

Rezkin nodded, “We are together in that I am her
friend
and will protect her as long as I can. She agreed to travel with me, but her
purpose in going to Kaibain is to select a husband. Her uncle is arranging the
marriage prospects as we speak.”

Jimson glanced back at the young woman in question. She was
riding far enough back that she could not hear what was being said but was
watching them curiously. The dark bruising around her eye stood out against her
pale skin.

“I am not so sure that anything her uncle arranges will come
to fruition. I am no expert, but I believe she has already made her choice,”
Jimson stated.

Rezkin looked at him quizzically and then turned to see what
Jimson was observing. When his eyes fell on Frisha, the young woman was
suddenly startled, realizing the men must have been talking about her. She
abruptly hid her face in her long brown hair. She normally wore it pulled back
on the road, but she found herself trying to hide the bruising on her face.

Hating to do it, but needing the assurance, Jimson turned
the conversation back to the original reason he had approached Rezkin. “So, are
we good? You and me?” he asked tentatively.

Rezkin sighed deeply and answered, “Yes, but heed my
warning. I tell you this now because you are my
friend
. As I said
before, if you ever issue that challenge against me in truth, I
will
kill you, because I know I will have done nothing to warrant such a challenge.”

Jimson considered Rezkin for a moment. He had no doubt the
young warrior would follow through with his promise. And, that is what it was
– a promise. The statement was not a threat. Rezkin was truly warning his
friend. If Jimson ever attacked Rezkin without just cause, and Rezkin insisted
he would give no just cause, then he expected the warrior to defend himself. He
also knew Rezkin would win, and he would die. It was a statement of fact
– one that the soldier in him could appreciate.

Jimson gave a curt nod and said, “Fair enough.”

By the next day, the mood of the group had lifted. Rezkin no
longer held a grudge against Jimson, and the women had somehow developed an
unspoken, tentative pact of non-aggression. Rezkin had decided not to confront
the women about the incident. He knew from his studies that many disagreements,
and even wars, had been fought because of jealousy. Never had he considered
that
he
might be the object of such strife.

Rezkin was still not convinced the lieutenant had the right
of the confrontation. The whole scenario seemed illogical at best. His masters
had warned him, though, that matters of the heart were almost always illogical.
The teachings had been warnings so that he would not underestimate the
potential actions of a desperate man…or woman. Women could be every bit as
vicious as men, and they were often more subtle. They tended to use poisons and
deceit rather than steel.

It was still a few days until they reached Kaibain, and the
companions were weary from travel. The morning and afternoon were spent mostly
in silent contemplation with the occasional conversation or story. The normally
quiet Lieutenant Jimson had many interesting stories about his life as a
soldier. While he had not actually seen any true battles or war, his duties in
escorting military supplies meant that he had traveled over much of Ashai.

It was during one of Jimson’s intriguing tales that Rezkin
noticed the slight disturbance in the foliage ahead. Although he saw no
movement, his instincts were telling him they were approaching danger. The
energy that always preceded battle seeped through him like a fiery stream.
Catching Jimson’s eye, he made a few subdued standard military hand signals to
indicate the man should continue talking but be on alert and ready for action.

Jimson continued his story while allowing his horse to fall
back gradually as though he was placing himself closer to his most avid
listeners. Rezkin grinned and nodded in all the right places as though he was
caught up in the story, as well. The lieutenant made a quick motion behind his
back hoping Tam would get the message. Tam was confused but recognized the
change in his companions’ behavior. He anxiously sped up to join Jimson and the
women. Neither Rezkin nor the lieutenant wanted the group strung out during an
attack.

As soon as the travelers reached the location of the
disturbance, the young warrior commanded his steed into battle, charging into
the brush lining the eastern side of the road. Lieutenant Jimson reached out
and unceremoniously yanked both women from their saddles just as a crossbow
bolt whizzed through the air. Kicking his horse into motion, he charged into
the thickets on the western side of the road straight at the exposed crossbowman.
Before the crossbowman could reload, Jimson was upon him. The man turned to
run, but the soldier leaned over from his mount and ended the bandit with a
wicked slash.

Just as Jimson turned to search out other foes, a thick,
serrated dagger stabbed into his thigh. Strong hands clawed at his uniform,
pulling him from his horse. The lieutenant hit the ground with a painful jar to
his injured leg. He scrambled to roll over, expecting the bite of steel at any
moment. When he finally managed to right himself, he found his attacker bearing
down on him, and Jimson knew he would not get to his sword in time.

Suddenly, a foot of bloody steel emerged from the attacker’s
chest. A burble of blood poured from the bandit’s mouth as he collapsed to the
ground.  In his place stood Tam, wide-eyed and shaking. A moment passed
before Tam’s head cleared of panic enough to realize what he had done. He
stared at the dead man, blinking repeatedly as if the act could wash away the
image. Abruptly, his stomach lurched, and he fell to his knees retching. Jimson
retrieved his sword and pulled himself to his feet, doing his best to ignore
the searing pain in his leg. He gripped Tam’s tunic by the collar and yanked
the young man to his feet.

“Get up,” he shouted. “It is not over, yet!”

Meanwhile, Rezkin and his mount stampeded over two of the
attackers, plowing them into the hard dirt. The men were not dead, but they
were injured badly and were moaning in pain. After a quick assessment of the
threat, he decided to allow the two to live for the time being. They might
possess useful information. Rezkin dismounted and drew his swords as he faced
off against he remaining bandits. He cut down the first man he encountered just
as he heard the
snick
of crossbow releasing its quarrel. With inhuman
reflexes, he flicked Bladesunder up in an arc and deflected the bolt before it
struck.  

The three remaining bandits shouted in astonishment when
they saw the blades of liquid silver and azure swirls. They darted in the
opposite direction in full retreat. Rezkin quickly sheathed Kingslayer and
slipped the small throwing ax from his belt, launching it at nearest retreating
bandit. With a sickening squelch, the axe head burrowed deeply into the man’s
back.

In quick succession, two throwing knives sliced through the
air. One bandit was struck in the small of the back, but the other was too far
away and was hit in the leg. Already in pursuit, Rezkin caught up to the man
and removed his head in one clean swipe.