Chapter 25

Hearts and Noodles

Marinae was having another nightmare, this one more real than the last. Like last time her wrists and ankles were chained and she was lying on a table, but this time it wasn't dark. She could see that she was in a dungeon, and tied to a rack.

"Has she talked?", a voice behind her said.

"Not a word.", another voice answered.

Marinae recognized the voices and was filled with horror. She twisted her head around to look and saw the figures of Drakov and Meech standing next to a Talon whose hand rested on the rack's crank.

"It can't be them.", Marinae thought. "They're dead. I saw them killed. I saw them burned."

Drakov signaled to the Talon who cranked the rack another turn. Pain shot through Marinae's body at she felt the shackles dig in and her spine stretch. She screamed in pain. Drakov walked over to her and watched her closely, delighting in her suffering. When she finally stopped screaming he interrogated her personally.

"Where are the other four gems?!", Drakov shouted at her. "Who has them?!"

But Marinae refused to talk, even when they stretched her so hard that she was passing out from the pain. It was then that Meech came up with a monstrously evil idea. When Marinae woke up again she saw Meech holding Rambis' squirming body over a long spike.

"Tell us what we want to know.", Meech hissed as he held the hissing cat over the sharp point.

Marinae was in tears but she knew that she had to be strong. She had to be strong for her friends' sake. She had to be strong for her people's sake. She knew that no one could be allowed to find the gems and bring Rastinon back.

"I will not give up my friends.", Marinae said. "I will not betray my king."

She watched in horror as Meech lowered Rambis slowly onto the spike.


Marinae awoke with a scream "RAMBIS!", she cried out.

Rambis jumped to his feet. His hair was standing on end. He looked all around. Marinae looked around the room in terror.

"R-rambis?", Marinae said, trying to find her kitty.

"What?", Rambis replied, his little heart was beating a mile a minute.

Marinae's hands covered her face and she rolled off the bed, crying in hysterical relief. Rambis walked over and rubbed his body around Marinae's feet.

"Another nightmare?", he asked.

"Th-thought...were dead! Drakov, Meech, Kend...", Marinae said, sobbing.

Rambis purred as he rubbed up against Marinae.

"Y-you should run away, R-rambis...couldn't resist...them...make them stop...", Marinae choked out as she backed herself into the darkest corner in the room, wondering if she was really even awake.

Rambis followed his mistress and tried to crawl into her lap. "It's okay. It was just a dream.", he purred.

Marinae held on to him for dear life. Rambis purred in Marinae's arms. Trying to give her comfort, but Marinae was more comforted by the dagger at her hip.

There was a knock at Marinae's door. Marinae reacted without thinking. Suddenly her dagger was buried in the door at chest-level. Then Marinae saw the glint of a purple blade appear through the crack of the door and slide downward quickly, chopping through the bolt in two. A second later Lynn burst into the room holding her katanas. Marinae huddled even deeper into the corner.

Lynn sensed that there was no one in the room. She opened her eyes and looked around. "The spirit?", she asked, thinking that he was the only one who could get out so easily.

Marinae slowly looked up. "N-nightmare...oh, Lynn, it was horrible!", Marinae stuttered. "It was like last night, but as if I was seeing a scene continued, like reading a book."

"Kendra...resurrected Drakov and Meech...they were torturing Rambis to make me talk! I can't...", Marinae tried to tell Lynn everything but she collapsed into tears again.

Lynn nodded. She relaxed and fetched Eliza. Soon both women were kneeling next to Marinae.

"I…I'm not supposed to dream...like this....", Marinae whispered to the priestess.

Eliza put an arm around Marinae "It's okay. It was just a dream.", the priestess said, trying desperately to comfort the poor woman. "You're here now. Rambis is okay. Everything is okay."

"It's not.", Marinae hissed back. "It's real. Kendra's got the Hands."

"But you said you put them back.", Eliza reminded her.

"We did! I saw the tomb sealed, myself! Tons of stone...", Marinae replied. "But anything that can be sealed...can be opened again."

And now that memory was becoming more and more dreamlike. Marinae was starting to wonder if it really happened.

"I am losing my mind.", Marinae replied.

"What was your dream?", Lynn asked.

Eliza gently stroked Marinae's hair. She wasn't sure how to help her friend, but she was, just by being there.

"I-I'm tied to the table...I hear voices...Drakov and Meech. They demand the stones...and when I won't tell they...", Marinae said, unable to continue anymore.

"Those men are dead.", Lynn said. But Marinae wasn't so sure anymore.

"We'll figure it out, Marinae. And we won't let anything happen to you or Rambis. I promise.", Eliza said as her voice trembled ever so slightly. She hoped she could make good on that oath.

"I don't know what's real, now. This dream...I felt pain, Lynn.", Marinae moaned. "It's not like the nightmares I've had about that one-man gallows holding me up like a toy."

Then Marinae looked up at Lynn. "Did you say 'the spirit' when you came in?", she asked.

"I felt that maybe it was after you now.", Lynn said softly.

Marinae became furious. "That fucking bastard!", she screamed.

Eliza was startled by Marinae's outburst.

"He was here?", Lynn asked.

"It makes sense. I attacked it at your cottage and then I started having this nightmare.", Marinae replied, thinking hard. "The bastard was whispering in David's ears for quite some time."

"I don't think you should be alone at night until we've solved this.", Eliza advised.

Lynn looked down at Marinae's forearms, but there were no marks on them. Marinae followed her glance.

"I'm probably susceptible by being a sorceress.", Marinae explained. "One has to be open to energies in order to manipulate them. It is time and past time for him to go on into the afterlife like a proper dead man should."

Lynn looked frightened for a moment. "We should check on David.", she whispered.

Eliza nodded and tried to help Marinae up. "We should stick together.", she recommended.

David opened his door. "What is it?", he asked sleepily.

As the situation was explained to David his concern for Marinae was plain. He began to feel worse about bringing trouble to his friends.

David looked at Lynn and Eliza. This was his area of expertise. "The three of us can sleep in shifts. Two sleep while one stays with Marinae.", David said remembering the many times he'd said similar things to his men.

Lynn nodded. Marinae muttered something acidic about babysitting.

"I want this bastard.", the sorceress hissed.

David glanced down at his own arms and whispered, "Get in line."

It was only a few more hours until morning. Lynn volunteered for the first watch.

David nodded. "If anything happens, call out and we'll come running.", he said.

"Can any of you even hit the thing if you see it?", Marinae asked as she looked at her three companions.

David and Lynn both shook their heads.

"I don't need to hit it.", Eliza said, clutching at her holy symbol.

Eliza gave Lynn a brief kiss and returned to her room. She spent some time praying to her goddess. She asked for guidance for herself and protection for her friends. Most of the time her prayers went unanswered, but this time hers did not.

A thought filled Eliza's mind. "Time will heal her wounds."

The rest of the night passed. Lynn watched first, then David until morning. There was no sign of the spirit and Marinae didn't sleep a wink.


Traveling north along the Musarde was quick and mostly uneventful. Tshaya and Weamar reached Thoslow just after noon. After lunch Tshaya wanted to talk some more.

"I gave the innkeeper the gold piece.", Tshaya said. "In exchange he gave us good service and a smile."

"He did. Probably, I'd say, because he was both grateful, and hopeful that more might follow.", Weamar explained almost as if to a child. "Word to the wise though, 'keep the change' is a better way of saying it than 'and I don't expect anything in return'."

"I want you to teach me the gaje ways.", Tshaya said.

"Heh. I don't know that I'll be a good tutor.", Weamar said with a laugh at the irony. "I'll try to help if I can. It must be tough being surrounded by customs you aren't familiar with."

"I can survive with what I already know.", Tshaya said, a little indignantly.

"Oh, I didn't mean to say otherwise.", Weamar said, trying to figure out how to say things to Tshaya without insulting her.

They came to the fork between the Musarde and Arken creek. There Weamar was surprised to see his friend Rikard, fly-fishing. Rickard waved and Weamar waved back.

"His name is Rikard.", Weamar explained to Tshaya as they approached him. "He's an old friend who lives out here in the woods."

Tshaya nodded as they rode up to the hermit, who had a few fish tied to his belt.

"Hi Rikard! I didn't expect to see you gain so soon.", Weamar said happily, hoping to get some less frustrating conversation for a change. "My companion's name is Tshaya.", Weamar said, introducing the young woman. "Tshaya, I'd like you to meet Rikard."

"Pleased to meet you.", Rikard said with a grin, then he looked at Weamar with a knowing look in his eyes.

Weamar met Rikard's knowing look without expression, leaving him to wonder.

"I got tired of waiting for the war to start.", Rikard replied. "So I started coming here to pick up on the latest news."

"We came up through Fylfot.", Weamar said. "When we came to Tricco the town had been cleaned out."

"The Knights?", Rikard asked.

"All the signs of werewolves, no sign of the Knights that I noticed.", Weamar explained.

Rikard cursed under his breath. "That's all that I needed to know.", he replied. "You two need a place to stay for...a few months?", he added.

"I'm taking Tshaya north.", Weamar said. Then he stopped, not knowing where north he intended to take her. He hoped that Rikard wouldn't ask. "You haven't heard of any major movements of Knights that general way?"

"Not a peep.", Rikard said. "Although that will be changing soon."

"No doubt.", Weamar agreed. "When we passed through Alyssum I felt I had to mention Tricco to their mayor. He's, naturally enough, sending words to the Knights."

"What do you know about the Knights?", Tshaya asked Rikard who turned to look at the pretty, but assertive young woman.

"I know that the Knights destroyed Gladehaven.", Rikard said, teasingly. "And I know why, too."

"Why?", Tshaya asked.

Weamar pricked up his ears, hoping to hear more than what Rikard told him last time.

"Money.", Rikard replied. "Why does anyone do anything?"

"Love, power, habit, tradition.", Weamar thought but declined to say.

Tshaya shook her head. "You're wrong.", she told him. "They destroyed my whole kumpania. We had no gold for them to take."

"I hadn't heard about that.", Rikard said. "What are they up to?", he asked himself.

Rikard sat and thought for a while. Then he said, "I'll bet that I'm right though."

Tshaya waited for his answer with her arms crossed.

"Vistani are a financial drain on the community.", Rikard said. "The ride into town, take everyone's money, sometimes without cheating them, they never buy anything, and then they ride away. That's why the Borcan army meets them at the border whenever they try to cross. Or at least they try to."

Tshaya wanted to say something but she couldn't find the words.

"Merchants hate them. They do less business after the Vistani come through.", Rikard continued. "But then, the Vistani are a wicked people who cheat others and place curses on innocent victims. Or at least, that's what some people think. They're in league with the Legions of the Night. So send the White Knights out to get rid of them."

"Lies!", Tshaya shouted. "We are not a wicked people. We do not slaughter gaje."

Weamar observed in a placating tone, "People think many wrong things." He hoped, in vain, that Tshaya would figure out that he meant that towards her as well.

"You certainly don't.", Rikard replied to Tshaya. "Don't get me wrong. People love the Vistani when they are in town, but when they are gone, they have other thoughts."

"They don't trust us.", Tshaya said.

Rikard thought for a moment. "I guess you could say that, yes.", he answered.

"We give them dance, we give them entertainment, we give them joy, and they hunt us down.", Tshaya said, getting angry.

Weamar looked helpless in the face of this outburst, but Rikard seemed to have the answers.

"Tshaya. If you mean 'they' like the church, yes. If you mean 'they' like the merchants, yes. If you mean 'they' like all gaje, no.", Rikard said carefully, but pronouncing 'gaje' dreadfully wrong.

Tshaya frowned. "Explain the difference.", she said in a demanding tone.

Rikard thought for a while. "Are all Vistani your friends?", he asked.

"That's none of your business.", Tshaya said indignantly.

Rikard smiled. He'd hit pay dirt.

"All gaje are not your enemy.", Rikard explained. "For instance, Weamar and I, we share a mutual contempt for the church, and for Borcan merchants. They'd hunt us down too, if they considered us a threat.", he added.

Tshaya looked at Weamar. "Is what he says true?", she asked.

"I'm, apparently, on a wanted list.", Weamar said sheepishly.

"For what?", Tshaya asked, beating Rikard to the punch.

"Association with a book the church wants back .", Weamar explained. "I don't have it.", he added hastily.

"Oh, do tell.", Rikard said with a big smile.

"Do you really want to know?", Weamar asked, but he already knew the answer. "High powered magic, used for bringing nasty things here from elsewhere."

"Yeah, that would do it.", Rikard said.

Tshaya didn't understand what Weamar had meant and so she did what she usually did, she ignored the comment.

"You see. ", Rikard said to Tshaya. "We're on the same side."

In his accounting days Rikard had dealt with clients a lot more difficult that Tshaya. He knew how to handle her.

Tshaya started to settle down. "So they're going to hunt us all down.", she said.

"No, we're not rich enough.", Rikard said. "Remember, they're after gold. You beat them by being broke."

Rikard looked at Tshaya's confusion and then gave off a loud hearty laugh. Weamar smiled broadly.

"Though, if they happen across us, and realize it, then we're in trouble.", Weamar pointed out.

"Maybe. But the wolves will be first. And the Knights will have their hands full.", Rikard said. "They don't know how many wolves there are in Verbrek."

"True, but the way things are shaping up, anyone not a wolf in Verbrek might have the same problem as the Knights.", Weamar said looking Rikard in the eye.

"That's why I'm on the side of the hill facing Borca.", Rikard said smartly. "If they come for me it's a downhill run to the border."

"Oh, one more thing.", Weamar said, glancing nervously at Tshaya. "I ran into Talrak as well."

"Talrak?", Rikard asked, not remembering who that was.

"The chief of one of the werewolf clans.", Weamar explained. "Talkrak Silverclaw. The one they were waiting for."

"I see.", Rikard replied. "Well, my cave awaits...", he said with a smile. He turned to go, but only as part of a little joke.

"Wait, just a moment.", Weamar called out.

Rikard turned back around.

"He's convinced I'm not human.", Weamar added. "He lives up to his name now, he has silver claws, and teeth. As he left he scratched my hand, just slightly. For me it has taken much longer than usual to heal."

Rikard thought for a while. "Probably magic.", he answered.

"Or an allergy to silver?", Weamar countered.

"He's messing with your mind.", Rikard suggested.

"I don't think so, he seemed royally pissed that I wasn't conclusively a werewolf.", Weamar replied.

"So what does he think you are then?", Rikard asked.

"He didn't say, but the silver scratch was deliberate.", Weamar said. "It didn't even bleed, but took days to vanish. Normally I heal very quickly."

"Maybe you've got some werewolf blood in you.", Rikard said as he looked into Weamar's almost frantic eyes.

That caught Tshaya's attention.

"Then there's Jacqueline Renier and Henri DuBois.", Weamar added. "How does wererat take your fancy?"

Tshaya looked at Weamar very curiously, as did Rikard.

"Jacqueline Renier was in love with a man who could have been my brother, I recovered a locket for her which had his picture in it. It looked just like me.", Weamar explained. "In Fylfot an old woman I remembered from my childhood mistook me for the man that attacked her sister…over eighty years ago."

"But you've never changed, right?", Rikard asked. "You've never become a were yourself?"

"Well, not as far as I know. I guess I'd remember.", Weamar answered.

"You'd remember. You'd wake up with blood all over your mouth and hands.", Rikard said. "It's a dead giveaway."

Weamar nodded uncertainly.

"Maybe it's in your blood. But not enough to make you one of them.", Rikard explained. Then he remembered something he'd heard about the Knights and Gladehaven. "And don't let any of the Knights test you for that. They'll think that you're a were."

"Trust me, letting the Knights near enough to test me isn't a priority.", Weamar replied. "Do you know of a better test than just waiting?"

"I don't.", Rikard said. "But if you haven't changed by now I don't think that it's going to happen."

Tshaya watched both men, wondering if she'd placed too much trust in them as it was. But Rikard was right. They were all hunted for one reason or another. So they had a reason to help each other.


Morning came to Chateaunoir and a light rain began to fall. Other than the rain, it looked like a nice summer day. Rambis had no interest in sausages for breakfast, instead asking for some more stew. Marinae gave Rambis hers. She couldn't even keep water down. David ate quietly. He was starting to wonder just how reliable Marinae's reports were and whether Drakov was really dead.

"I begin to doubt my own memories, now.", Marinae said as they got on the road. "But I can remember speaking with Mother! Ellan...the cell smelled of mildew in the privy-corner...the food was awful."

Marinae thought back, some memories over the last few months were clearer than others, but she was having trouble sorting out which were which.

"There is a philosophy...'ereth-cuil', solitude-life...there is no reality other than that of one's own mind.", Marinae said.

Lynn turned her head to Eliza. "Can you help her?", she asked.

"I don't know. I can heal a body but...", Eliza said as she doubted herself. Then she remembered what she felt when she had prayed to Ezra the previous night and decided to wait.

The rain stayed light until noon when it cleared. The group crossed the border into Richemulot and followed the road which lead uncomfortably close to the Falkovnian border. But no raids had occurred for a while and the guards didn't feel the need to warn them. Marinae found herself looking across the border into Falkovnia, and feeling vaguely troubled. As night fell they reached the River's Rest inn in Pont-a-Museau. The group sat down to dinner after the long day's journey. The innkeeper wanted Lynn to sing there once more but she was a little too tired and so she declined.

"Since we're here, I'm going to check in with Lady Renier in the morning. Perhaps she can provide some more information about the state of things up north.", David replied.

A young elf came up to the table to take orders. Marinae didn't notice him until he said her name.

"Marinae.", the elf said, her name rolling off his tongue. "I knew you'd come back."

Marinae blinked up at him in confusion, then she recognized him.

"It is my pleasure to serve you.", Adraiss said. "What would you like to eat?"

"Adraiss...um...soup.", Marinae said, suddenly remembering where she was. "Chicken soup."

Marinae wondered how her hair looked. "Is my hair okay?", she asked Rambis.

"It needs a good licking.", Rambis replied.

"Oh, dear...he must think I'm a ragpicker or, or a vagrant!", Marinae thought to herself as she tried to stay calm.

Rambis hopped down and sniffed at the waiter's feet while he took everyone's order. Adraiss looked down as the cat nearly followed him into the kitchen.

"I do not need this right now. With the nightmares.", Marinae thought, her mind was so full that it felt like it was going to explode.

After the elf had gone, Eliza asked, "Who's that?"

Marinae blinked again. "Who?", she asked.

"The waiter.", Eliza clarified. "He knew your name."

Marinae looked down, paying careful attention to her silverware. "No one special, so far, kind of nice-looking, if one likes elves.", Marinae explained, hoping that she wasn't blushing as brightly as she thought she was. "I like elves.", she added.

"Oh, you're a brilliant conversationalist tonight, aren't you?", Marinae said, covering her forehead with one hand.

Eliza grinned and whispered to Lynn, "I think someone's smitten."

"Me.", Lynn whispered back, leaning into Eliza.

"I am not!", Marinae replied a little too loudly. "I really like this inn...good food."

Eliza took Lynn's hand under the table and suppressed a giggle at Marinae's protest.

Marinae mentally compared Adraiss to Ellan. Adraiss was much younger, more her age, but being a full blooded elf, they wouldn't be the same age for long. Marinae wondered if it really mattered. Adraiss brought back the food. He carefully set Marinae's soup in front of her, trying not to jiggle it. When she looked down she could see that the noodles in the soup made a heart shape. Marinae was thoroughly embarrassed and quietly stirred her soup before anyone, especially Rambis, saw it.

Marinae smiled up at Adraiss. "Thank you.", she said with a smile.

Adraiss blushed a little and bowed graciously. "Can I get you anything else?", he asked.

Marinae could think of several things, some of them illegal, others immoral. Then she shook her head.

"Oh my, Ellan got a few things started.", Marinae thought silently.

"Well, if you need anything, just whistle.", Adraiss said. With a spring in his step he headed back to the kitchen.

Marinae watched him out of the corner of her eye. She was suspicious, but so very curious. Eliza was giving Marinae a look that said 'spill it', but Marinae just smiled back.

"Don't give me that enigmatic elf act. We want details.", Eliza said with a huge smile. She looked at Lynn and David who didn't seem as interested as she was. "Okay, I want details."

"He was just sweeping the floor the last time I was here, months ago. That's all.", Marinae said as she sipped her soup. "Perhaps he was promoted?"

"Hmm.", Eliza said.

"At least we know I wasn't imagining him. I'm relieved I wasn't imagining him.", Marinae said, then she realized all the different ways that could have been taken. "Er...that is...oh, bother!", she said, exasperated and went back to her soup.

The chicken soup went down easily. It felt warm and filling and Marinae was hungry enough to have a second bowl. Adraiss brought a second bowl, again trying not to jiggle it. This time the noodles made out a heart shape with an arrow through it. Marinae found the display somewhat irritating, but remembered the overbearing owner and decided to forgive Adraiss' playfulness.

Between the saucer and the bowl Marinae saw a slip of paper. Marinae discreetly palmed the paper, stirred her soup, and asked for willowbark tea. Adraiss nodded and soon brought out a cup, warmed to perfection by elven tastes. Marinae sipped her tea, casting little glances around the table. David was mostly oblivious, and Lynn was looking at no one in particular, but that was nothing new. Eliza, however, was watching Marinae like a hawk with an amused look on her face. Trying to be discreet, Marinae opened the note below the table and read it. Then she closed the note and glanced at Eliza. Eliza smiled wide. She knew all about note passing from her days in the seminary.

"Right here, on the table.", Marinae said to Eliza.

Eliza looked confused and then blushed bright red.

"No.", Lynn gasped.

"What?", David asked, trying to figure out what he missed.

Marinae grinned impishly. "No.", she admitted.

Marinae passed the note to Lynn. "Don't let Eliza see it, she's too young!", she advised.

Eliza laughed and tried to playfully grab it from Lynn. Lynn tried to keep it away from Eliza, but she failed. She couldn't bring herself to make Eliza suffer, even a little bit.

Eliza let out a triumphant "Hah!" and read the note. "Has it been three months already?", it said.

Eliza looked somewhat disappointed and gave the note back to Lynn. "Very funny, Marinae", she said in a huff.

Marinae laughed.

"He loves you.", Lynn said softly with a smile.

David finished the last of his meal. "There seems to be a lot of that going around.", he said, reminding himself of his unhappy state.

Marinae shook her head. "He will have to be patient then, until I decided whether I love him.", she said primly.

"Three more months?", Lynn asked.

Marinae rolled her eyes. Lynn giggled.

"Before you go trying to make this a case of love at first sight.", Marinae said. "It might be more like nine."

Then Marinae paused. "If I can hold out that long.", she added.

"Well, I'm going to get some sleep before my watch.", David said. He stood to go but paused and said to Marinae. "When you find a good thing, don't wait too long and don't let it away. Else you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Marinae thanked David for the sentiment as the man went upstairs, but thought to herself, "First I have to be able to trust him."

The night passed without incident. Marinae didn't sleep at all, the tea having fulfilled its purpose.