Under the Stars (14 page)

31.

Drafts of spicy desert air slip through a hole in the window above my bed while I think about what King Zarek offered. My thoughts are lucid. Crisp. They no more appear until they’re gone. Though I’m aware of everything, I can’t pin down the jumble of emotions writhing through my body. If I don’t go, this town will blame me.

Mama needs me.

Mattie needs me.

They
all
need me.

32.

Early the next morning, Mama leaves for work. Mattie snores in the bed beside mine. I have to make a decision, though. If King Zarek leaves today, then he’ll want to get a head start, and that means my answer will be required sooner rather than later.

I slip outside while Mattie’s in his dream world. Chickens squawk in the road. Some children run after the annoying birds. An elderly woman hangs clothes out to dry, which happens quickly in this heat.

Malik materializes at my side. “What’s this about you going back?”

My nose scrunches. “Nobody can keep a secret around here, can they?”

“No, not really. Especially when we’re depending on you.”

“Thanks for the reminder. Like I haven’t heard that every thirty minutes since I’ve returned…”

He blocks me. “Can you please just…
look
at these people? They’re hurting, Andy. Every single minute is spent hoping and praying things will turn out for the better.”

I do glance around. I do see the pain. Like the light has been sucked from their faces.

“I’m not blind, Malik, and I’m not stupid. The King requires a response before he leaves for Valyad, so I’m going to find him.”

Malik eyes the lower part of my body, staring at both of my hands. “Where are your bags?”

I snort, and then pat him on the arm, leaving him behind.

“Wait!” He jogs to catch up with me. “Does this mean you’re not going?”

“Have you ever experienced anything on a grand scale?”

He shakes his head, which is the response I guessed he’d give.

“They wouldn’t allow me to dress like this.” I tug at my threadbare shirt. “When I was in Valyad before, they gave me my own room filled with delicate items and frivolous clothing.”

“So you’ll return?”

“We’ll see.”

Malik marches with me to the town hall, where King Zarek and his men are staying. Inside, the pews have been stacked against the walls and makeshift beds adorn the floor. Distant words fade in and out from somewhere toward the back of the building.

“—so we’ve reached an agreement?” King Zarek’s voice booms through an open door.

A whispered tone replies, but I can’t make out what is said.

“Good! I’m glad this is finalized. Now if only we can—” He appears in the doorway. “Ah, Andrina. Just the person I was expecting.”

I bow.

“Who is your friend?”

“This is Malik,” I respond.

“Nice to meet you,” Malik says.

I nudge him in the ribs and whisper, “You have to address him.”

Malik clears his throat. “Um, Majesty.”

“Tell me, Malik, does your family reside here or are they only stopping through?” King Zarek asks, approaching us with measured steps. Lazar peeks through the doorway, looking defeated, but then takes leave to his office.

“Yes, Majesty.”

King Zarek stops several feet away. “And how long have you and your family dwelled here?”

“For a couple of weeks.”

“I see. And, Andrina, how long has your family been in Legora?”

“The same amount of time,” I say. “Malik and I met during our trip here. His people rescued my family and me.”

King Zarek contemplates this for a moment before asking, “Malik, what would you say if I offered you a position in Valyad?”

“With all due respect, Majesty, I can’t just leave my family,” Malik replies.

“No, no, no. That wouldn’t be feasible.” He rubs the night’s scruff on his chin, his tone changing. “But you would make great money and be able to visit often. How is that for a bargain?”

Something twinkles in the King’s eyes. I’m not sure what he means by all this, but I feel the need to find out.

“I—I don’t know what to say.”

“The polite thing to do would be to thank me and accept. After all, your family won’t make as much money in this lifetime as you’ll see while you’re in Valyad.”

“I must admit that I can’t accept anything right away, but I would like to talk it over with my parents, if that’s all right,” says Malik.

“And what work would you have him performing if he does move to your kingdom?” I ask.

This seems to take the King by surprise. But the blow fades and is replaced by the slightest grin.

“There are plenty of jobs available in my realm. Malik will be able to select what he sees fit. Although, he would be strong enough to join the ranks of my militia, if that’s what he chooses. But I must say this—you have very little time to decide. I’m leaving within the hour.”

“Thank you, Majesty. I’ll immediately explain everything to my parents. Excuse me,” Malik says, bowing and taking off into the inner city.

“And that leaves us to discuss,” King Zarek says. “Have you made your decision?”

“I have,” I say. “But there are certain conditions which must be met if I’m going to leave with you.”

“Oh?”

I name them by using my fingers. “For one, I don’t want anymore talk of beggars. I’ve never been a beggar, and I don’t come from a line of beggars. My family was once prosperous, before my father disappeared.”

He looks like he might burst into laughter, but he contains it. “Go on.”

“Second, I need to know for certain that Legora will receive supplies if I go with you. That is the point of all this, right? I mean, I don’t want this to turn out like it did last time.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes, actually. I think gatherings should include
all
of your people, not just those of high authority. Your people work to provide for their families just like the people of Legora and every other city that remains. Can’t you, maybe once per year, show them a little appreciation? After all, if it weren’t for these people, Valyad wouldn’t be maintained. It might even cease to exist.”

His face turns solemn. “Andrina, there are things—political things—that go on in my territory that women should never be able to speak of. This talk of keeping the peace between the people and me, well, it’s already there. My people
adore
me. Love me, even. If it weren’t for me they wouldn’t have a place to live.”

“But you’re only seeing it from your side. Take it from someone who’s lived the same life as them.”

“I promise I will take it under consideration. Now, we have more pressing issues. Will you be accompanying me to Valyad, or will this be the last time we ever meet?”

The feelings, the
emotions
, swallow me like a tidal wave. Any second now I could lose what little food is in my stomach. But I knew this choice would come. I’ve been thinking about it since it was offered to me yesterday. I lost sleep, and for the first time in my life, I’ve never been as uncertain about something as I am now. Instead, I continue to ride on this never-ending rollercoaster of expectation.

“I will go with you,” I say, having no idea what lies ahead.

33.

“Well, if you knew you’d leave with me, then where are your bags?” King Zarek asks.

I stare at my hands absentmindedly. “I don’t have anything to bring.”

“I’ll see to it you’re taken care of.” He snaps his fingers. “Guards!” Two footmen appear at his side. “See to it that Andrina is escorted to the horses. She’ll ride with me. We’re waiting to see if her friend is joining us. If he’s not back when the sun’s edge reaches the tip of the town’s temple, then we’re leaving.”

“Can I at least say goodbye to my family?”

A hearty laugh leaves his lips. “Of course you can. I’m not keeping you from them. Remember, this was your decision.”

I race to the market, searching for Mama. Isn’t this what she wanted from me—to repair the damage done? She’ll be elated.

Malik isn’t at his mother’s booth. Has he already been here and told Xara the news? He’s most likely packing his bags this very moment.

“Mama, I’m going back to Valyad. I’m pretty sure that, if I go, I can change things this time.”

She steps out from behind her table and embraces me in a warm hug. “I knew you’d make the right choice.”

“Don’t put all your hopes on me just yet. I have a lot of work to do.”

“Either way, I’m proud of you. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye on this subject, but in the end you’ll learn that your family, your
people
, will remember you forever.”

“We’ll see.”

She plants a kiss on my forehead. “Malik just stopped by here and said he was going with you.”

“The King persuaded Malik that he’ll be able to send money to his family and visit here more often. It didn’t take much to convince him.”

“Well, he’s thinking about what’s best for his family. Andy, none of us want to move. I don’t. You don’t. Mattie doesn’t. We all have to think about our families. I believe this is a wise choice for Malik. Xara’s upset, which is to be expected, but she’s proud of her son and only wants the best for him.” Mama tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, watching me like I’ll evaporate and never return.

I grasp her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“You will come back, won’t you? Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that you’re able to get out and see what’s left of our world, but I don’t want you corrupted by the politics of Valyad.”

“Oh, Mama. Of course I’ll be back. You don’t think I’d honestly stay there, do you? I loved the lavish castle and being attended to by a maid, but—”

“You had a maid?” she blurts.

I giggle. “Yes. Her name was Daphne. I wish I knew what happened to her. She was dismissed before I could say goodbye.” What
had
become of her? It’s like they knew she wouldn’t be needed any longer. But it happened so quickly…

“Whatever you do, don’t take any of it for granted. Ever.”

“I won’t.”

“Now, go say goodbye to your brother. This has been hard on him.” She wraps her arms around me yet again, squeezing firmly.

Mattie will not be happy about me leaving, but I’ll do my best to explain that our separation won’t be for an eternity. At the house, he’s curled into a fetal position on his bed.

“Hey, bud.” I sit down on the edge of mine, across from him. He doesn’t say anything. Won’t even look at me. “I know this isn’t easy on you. It isn’t easy on me, either. But you have to think about us as a family. If I succeed, then we’ll be able to stay here for at least a few more months.”

He redirects his eyes, glaring at me. “What about after that?”

“We have to take one day at a time. I don’t know what’ll happen. I wish I could tell you.”

He lays his head back down, watching my pillow with a void expression.

“Bye, Mattie.” I reach over to pat his leg, but he jerks it away.

So this is it. This is the terms we leave on. I won’t press him, though. If that’s how he chooses to act, then I’ll let it be. Eventually it’ll weigh on his conscience.

King Zarek and Malik wait at the front gates.

“What took you so long?” Malik asks. “I think the King was about to leave without you.”

“No, I knew she’d come. Family first. Right, my dear?” King Zarek says.

“Of course,” I reply. Two footmen help me onto the back of King Zarek’s horse. Malik has to share a saddle with another footman, and doesn’t seem thrilled.

“What did Xara say about all this?” I ask before we set off.

Malik shrugs and answers, “She was upset, but happy for me.”

The horses jolt. I feel like a klutz on the back, bouncing and struggling to hold on. Sand and dirt kicked up by the footman riding in front finds its way to my mouth; it crunches between my teeth. Half the trip is spent spitting out waste.

Nobody can talk over the pounding of the horses’ hooves. So anything that needs to be said will have to wait until we’re at the train station. It seems longer then I remember, though. Maybe it’s because I have higher expectations this time around; I know what to hope for.

The crumbling structure comes into view. The train is already at the station, waiting for us.

“Not the sturdiest-looking thing, is it?” Malik asks.

“Wait ‘til you see the inside,” I tell him.

The train hasn’t changed at all. We have to step over missing floorboards just to find seats that aren’t lopsided.

“You actually rode in this?” Malik carefully scoots across one of the bench seats.

I nod. “It scared me the first time. I was afraid I’d fall through.”

“I’m surprised there’s any flooring left.”

“Something needs to done about this. I will speak to the conductor when our trip is over so we can arrange for the train to be fixed,” King Zarek says from the cart behind ours.