Day 9

Morning came and Viola awoke very early.

A rooster kept crowing. At least there were no roosters in the forest, just crazy amazon women. Everyone carried on as usual and Xoma made eggs for breakfast.

Viola liked her eggs.

“How did you sleep?” Viv asked.

“Very well” Viola lied

“How about you?” she asked.

“Not as well as I would have liked.”

Viola watched them while sitting next to Jacob.

“The man who dropped his knife came back for it. Turns out it was a pain in his foot.”

She watched them exchanging looks.

“It was a simple return of lost property. You must have slept right through it.”

Viv carried on as if everything was fine, they all did, and Jacob said nothing as if this type of thing wasn’t so bad. He didn’t even say anything about her lying.

Viola watched them while trying not to be obvious. They seemed like a normal happy family. They made jokes while eating and Xoma had to tell Jacob not to play with his food. Viv was kind and considerate and Rider was a grumpy guy.

She would never have guessed they were… hiding something. She didn’t want to fish but she wanted to know. Yet part of her just wanted to run and save herself from whatever it was she was going to get involved in.

“I think I should go find my sister. I was told she was headed towards the castle.” Viola said.

“Maybe we can travel together. We have business in the outer courtyard of the castle.” Xoma said convincingly.

Jacob spoke up

“That would be great then you can teach me how to fight.”

“I am sure you can fight already.” Viola reassured.

“I want to learn more.” He babbled.

“Why don’t you practice with Rider? I am sure he is a great warrior.” Viola fished.

“Oh yes, he is. But he says I must be ten cycles before I can use a real knife.”

Viola saw a reason not to teach Jacob.

“I must help clean up after eating. What a terrible guest I would be if I didn’t help.”

Jacob accepted that for then.

So, Viola washed and cleaned even more then she would for herself or at her granny’s house. She wanted to say thank you for the hospitality and gain their trust.

“Would you accompany me to market I have some things I wish to buy.” Viv asked Viola.

“Only if I am not needed here.” Viola replied.

“Go please enjoy yourself.” Xoma said smiling.

Viola and Viv walked into the main street. People had tables with things they were selling. Almost everything you could want, food, clothes, shoes, blankets and oils. Viv showed her the beautiful materials and weird foods. Viv seemed excited to be in such a place with so much variety.

Viola to her surprise found clothes she liked. But she didn’t have money.

“Tell me about the lilac eyed girl” Viv said.

She’s been sent to fish for information, Viola thought, how sneaky.

“I don’t want to intrude but tell me about your father?” Viola asked instead of answering.

“He was a good man. He loved me and my mom very much. But the sickness came and my mom passed. I was only seven cycles when she passed.”

“I’m sorry for your loss” Viola hadn’t expected that.

“It was a long time ago. Then my dad met Xoma, her husband was killed during the uprising against the royal family. She and her son Rider were alone. So, at first Xoma traveled with us for safety and once we arrived in Haven, they become bonded and had Jacob. We have lived in Haven ever since. But then my father was called to war, and Xoma has cared for us ever since. We know he has passed on. We would receive a letter every week from him. Then the letters stopped. We wrote and asked about him and we were told that the lost are still being counted. We never heard from them again. It is presumed that he is dead. We know in our hearts that he is. Now that I am older, I can help care for my family. It’s not all on Xoma to provide.”

Viola was moved. If this was the truth which she thought was so. Then they had all been though too much.

“The child with lilac eyes was named Tilihah. She was about fourteen years, I mean cycles. She had short white hair and she believes their leader is always right. She follows orders and that’s all I know. Oh yeah and she kissed me on the lips. It was weird and uncomfortable. Then she could understand me and when she kissed me on the lips a second time and I could understand them. Everyone really.”

“Was she the only Viden there?” Viv asked.

“Viden?” Viola queried.

“Yes Viden, they have lilac eyes and they are the knowledge keepers because they can know everything you know by kissing you. One kiss they know it all.

“Oh Yes, Viden.” Viola paused “I only saw her. Do all Viden’s have white hair and lilac eyes?” Viola asked.

“Yes” Viv answered.

“And she knows everything I know. Everything about me?” Viola asked.

“Is that a problem?” Viv inquired.

“It’s invasive. On earth we value privacy. The privilege to share things with people of our choosing.”

“Earth sounds wonderful. Do they have farmers there?” Viv asked.

“Yes, we do, everything needs to eat.”

“I want to go to earth with you.” Viv said longingly.

Viola didn’t know how to tell her earth doesn’t like aliens well not the alive kind. People love the idea of super powers or being friends with an alien… but the fact is if an alien was discovered then they would be locked up and tested. Poked and prodded and finally dissected. People have the capacity for great evil.

“Maybe” Viola lied.

“Just remember to never tell anyone what the Viden did. Giving you the ability to understand and speak.”

“Why” Viola was confused “I told your family.”

“Viden are knowledge keepers not knowledge givers. I have never ever heard of a Viden being able to give knowledge. This is a secret you must keep.”

“I really think we could have been friend in another life.” Viola said.

And she meant it. She liked Viv.

“In another life?” Viv was confused.

“It’s an earth saying which means if things were different, we would be friends.”

“I would like us to be friends.” Viv said.

Viola just smiled

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

“Am I in danger?” she asked Viv.

“No!” Viv was emphatic

“Why would you think you are in danger?” Viv was looking around.

“The Viden giving me the ability to speak and understand your language?”

“Only if you tell people. Otherwise, you’re safe.”

Viv finally asked the question Viola had been expecting.

“Last night, the man who came for his knife. What time did he come?”

Viola wasn’t sure what time but around midnight or so she thought.

“Around midnight” she answered.

“Did he stay long?”

“Longer than I would have liked but not too long. Why?”

“Oh, I am just wondering.” Viv replied casually.

“How protective are you of your family?” Viola asked.

“VERY! It’s my family.”

“What would you be willing to do to protect your family?”

Viv looked at her questioningly

“Why are you asking? Do you intend us harm?” Viv asked.

“Not at all. I think you are all lovely, well everyone but Rider.” Viola smiled.

Viv laughed

“He’s really not that bad, once you get to know him.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Viola replied.

They stopped at another shop. It had the beautiful clothes Viola liked. Viv bought a bright red dress which really looked good on her.

“Viola, choose something for yourself?”

“I don’t have any money.” Viola replied.

“Our treat for being so kind to Jacob, please choose something.”

She picked out the outfit she liked. It was very masculine, pants with a belt and a long sleeve top, with string tie up near the collar.

“How about a dress as well?” Viv offered.

Viola objected one outfit was already too much. But Viv insisted so Viola got a black and blue dress.

Upon returning to the inn Rider met them in a hurry, it sounded like he had been running. Panting he said.

“Jacob is gone! Someone attacked Xoma and when she awoke, he was gone!”

Viv went pale, then red with anger.

“Stay here in case he returns” She ordered Viola.

“Let me help find him.”

“No! Stay here!”

Rider and Viv ran out the door.

Viola decided to visit the intruder from last night.

He was very distressed to see her, his condition was… bad. He was not the one who took the boy. But maybe he knew who did.

She asked the doctor for a few minutes alone with him. The doctor kindly obliged.

“Who knows about the boy?”

She got straight to it.

“I don’t know. I swear I don’t know.”

“How did you find out about the boy?” she asked.

“A man at the bakery, he gave me the job.”

“Tell me everything, leave nothing out.”

So, he began to tell her

“I went to the bakery. That’s were assassins get work. A man approached me and offered me the job of taking out the competition. He told me there is a ten thousand gold pieces reward, for the one who kills the queen. He told me that the assassin family were here staying in the inn and they have a child who will be their weakness…. The assassin family are legends I didn’t believe they were real until I got the job. One ruby upfront, five once I deliver the boy to the bakery.”

“Where is the bakery?”

“They will kill me.” He pleaded.

Viola didn’t care

“Where is the bakery?”

“You can’t mention my name!” his voice quivered

“It’s passed the tanner on Cobble street.” he reluctantly reviled.

Viola left for the bakery.

Viola collected herself and walked into the bakery. It was a bakery, breads and baked goodies where in baskets on shelves. It smelt really good. Like fresh bread. She looked around for anyone who seemed assassin like or dodgy, but she didn’t see anyone. Not wanting to waste time going back to the man for a name she asked the man behind the counter.

“Where is the boy? I have payment for his captor”

“Who are you?” the baker asked.

Talking her way into information, she was good at.

“My uncle sent me. You know my uncle. So, stop messing about I have a reward to deliver.”

She didn’t want to show any uncertainty or weakness. Being a woman on this world was bad enough.

The baker hesitated,

“He took the boy to the docks.”

Viola waited looking at him expectantly as if his answer was insufficient.

“Leave the rubies with me and I’ll deliver them.”

The baker ventured.

“Know your place!” she barked.

He looked offended.

She raised an eyebrow, as if saying you and what army.

She held the confidence of someone truly sent by the boss. How else would a woman dare to speak to him like that?

“The boy was put on the boat Slug.”

Viola interrupted

“I’m not here for the boy, my uncle wants to see the man or woman who caught the boy. He’s not feeling very patient today.”

“He should be at the tavern near the docks.” The baker said.

Viola left the bakery and asked her way to the docks.

The docks were on the river. Boats designed to go up and down the river took supplies between cities on the river. Sometimes a load needed to be moved by cart or carriage if a waterfall blocked the direct path in the river. However, Point was between two rivers. The river which had the docks was not the river where she and Fiona had met Ranger.

Viola looked at the boats and the scum hanging around the docks.

She was conflicted. Save Jacob or look for Fiona.

Jacob was a child. Fiona however could be with Ranger which would mean she would be safe.

“I missed my boat. I was meant to be on the Slug but I’m too late” she told the dock control.

“The Slug?” they asked surprised.

“Which is the next boat going? I must be on it.” She faked panic.

“You’re trying to go to Hegga?” their surprise was evident.

“Why are you so surprised?” she asked.

“Just you look to…” he shrugged. Made some indecisive hand gestures “to be going there.”

“I’m looking for my son. I want to buy him back.”

They looked understandingly.

“It’s too late” they said sympathetically.

“I have to try.” She insisted.

“The next boat leaves in the morning at dawn. The Fiddler, it will be expensive to get aboard.” He warned.

“Thank you”

She asked around the docks if anyone was going to Hegga. She discovered it was an Island in the middle of a giant lake. The only way there was by boat. People had the same odd response to it. She was getting the feeling that Hegga was not a nice place to be.

A pirate’s paradise. A den of questionables.

She returned to the inn where she found Xoma. She was pacing.

“Are you alright?” Xoma asked her.

“Yes, I am. Have you heard anything about Jacob?” Viola said.

“Where were you?” Xoma asked.

“Finding Jacob.” Viola replied.

“Did you find him? Is he safe? Is he here?” Xoma asked not giving Viola a change to reply.

“Did you find out anything about Jacob?” Viola asked again calmly.

“No! Nothing.” She stress-paced again, up and down.

“He’s in Hegga” Viola answered.

“What!?!”

Xoma was frozen

“How do you know this?” her voice strained and weak.

Viola told her about the man who came to fetch his knife and how he wanted the boy. She went after hearing he was missing to visit him and find who wants the boy. The trail led to the docks. He was on a boat called the Slug. The Fiddler was leaving at dawn for Hegga.

Xoma hugged her.

“Thank you, for trying to find my son.”

Xoma insisted on seeing the man who, came for his knife.

But once they arrived, they heard the bad news that he was dead.

So, they got to him, Viola thought.

They then went to the bakery and Xoma went in to buy something. She watched and listened and made sure she saw the face of everyone in there. Then she bought six honey filled balls. Xoma then asked Viola to go back to the inn and wait for Viv and Rider.

Viola walked down the cobble street wondering how bad an idea it was to leave Xoma at the bakery. When arriving at the inn Viv was there, pacing.

Here we go again, she thought.

“Have you seen Xoma?” she asked.

Viola took a deep breath, truth time!

“Did you find anything about Jacob?” Viola asked.

“No! Nothing. It’s impossible that no one knows anything. Xoma was meant to meet us here and she’s not here. I’m worried pink.”

Viola wondered if she, miss translated that last part. Now was not the time to ask.

“Xoma is at the bakery on Cobble Street, past the tanner.”

“How do you know things?” Viv asked wide eyed.

“I was just with her there. She might need you.” Viola said.

“Rider!” she called outside the inn window

Looking up at the window

“Rider! Get down here!”

Rider came down from the room, looking like he had lemons for every meal of the day.

“Come with me, we have to go.”

Viv ran down the street with Rider in toe.

Viola considered all she knew.

* The next boat leaves at dawn

* Xoma now knows that Viola knows they are assassins

* Xoma didn’t confirm or deny that they were assassins

* She hadn’t found her sister Fiona

* Hegga sounded dangerous

Viola gathered her weapons. She didn’t have enough. She decided she was going to visit the blacksmith that night. Maybe not the blacksmith, just his shop.

She also contemplated leaving the inn. The family secret was reviled and maybe she shouldn’t hang around too much longer.

She packed her things and as she opened the door to leave Rider was there at the door.

She smiled and tried to pass him but he filled the door way and refused to let her passed.

“Um… you’re blocking the door” she said, heart beating like a drum in her chest

“You are trouble. I knew it from the first time you joined us on the road. You talk of earth and tell impossible stories as if they are real, sucking my family in like a fly into a spider’s web. Now they are caught and unable to see their death approaches.”

He loomed over her with crazy eyes.

I’m going to have to kill him, Viola worried.

“You helped us, and for that I will say thank you. But you should leave us now.” He continued.

“I’d love to leave.” Viola said trying not to let her voice shake.

“Why?” he asked.

Viola blinked, was he bipolar or something?

He stopped looming and being scary and went back to being grumpy and distant.

“I’m going to leave now.” Viola mustered all her courage and walked back to the door, where she was met by Viv.

Viv hugged her.

Viola stood like a statue. This was getting too weird for her.

Viv finally stopped hugging her

“Thank you.” She said.

“I knew we could trust you. You are sent to us. I really believe it and now I want you to join us. Clearly you are a woman of talent and we have talked and agreed to bring you into the fold. So, what say you?”

Viola’s jaw dropped, she swallowed. They’re not planning to kill me… well Viv isn’t, yet… Viola didn’t know what to say.

“Do I have a choice?” she asked.

“Yes, silly it’s your choice.” Viv answered.

“Explain how and why?” Viola asked buying time and checking escape routes.

“Well after you found out what happened to Jacob and since you already know about us and haven’t reviled our secret, nor were you afraid of us. We decided you are made of cloth we like. We want you to join our family. Also, we have a job and your ability to get information without violence could really be useful.”

Not afraid, Viola thought, my brave face, be brave.

“How did you become… like you are?” Viola asked.

Xoma was standing in the doorway. Viola hadn’t noticed her there

“After my husband died, we were poor. We had nothing. I had three children to feed. I heard some men discussing a job that paid well for this rich man’s demise. It was that or sell myself. So, I filled the job. I took a finger to prove I had done it just in case they refused to pay me for the job done. I took the rich man’s purse. I demanded my money. They didn’t want to give it to me instead they beat me. I went home and Rider cleaned my wounds. He found out who had done that to me and left them a gift. But the money I stole was enough for a short while. As things happen, I was confronted by Viv and Rider as to why I was where. I told them the truth. We are a family after all and we stand or fall together. So, Rider taught us to fight at night. He took lessons with a man in the village and taught us. It’s important we don’t draw attention to ourselves. After a few jobs we could buy a piece of land which meant we could farm a little. This provided food and a new source of income. It also provided an excuse for the money we had. I am blessed with the best children in the world.”

Viola didn’t know what to say. This woman’s story was gripping, it tugged on her heart.

“Does Jacob know?” she asked.

“Yes and no. We don’t lie to him but he knows there are things that he must ten cycles before we can tell him. It is how we have chosen to manage our situation. He understands that families keep secrets. He must never repeat what he hears or sees.”

“Why are you trusting me and telling me this?” Viola asked.

“We have a good feeling about you. Sometimes a leap of faith is required.”

Xoma paused, took a deep breathe then continued

“If we want Jacob back, we must kill the queen. That is the price for his safe return.”

“You want me to help you kill the queen?!?” Viola asked shocked.

Where they being serious or did they like to play with their prey.

“No. We will kill the queen. If you help us get into the castle. There is a meeting, a call for peace talks. Lots of people will be in the castle. If we can get in, we can blend in. Shoot a rope out of a window. Signal to us that it’s safe by leaving a torch outside that window. We will do the rest.”

“Why do you think I can get into the castle when you can’t?”

Xoma smiled. We managed to find out more about where Jacob was by talking then what the three of us found together. You have skills.”

“Are you like some kind of… assassin on earth?” Viv asked expectantly.

Viola didn’t know what to say.

“I want to help Jacob. But if I do this, can I still walk away afterwards?” Viola questioned.

“Yes. You are in no danger from us. We can make a covenant.” Xoma said.

Viola looked confused and worried

“I’ll take your word for it.”

So, they packed their things and headed for the castle. The family hid near the tree line. While Viola talked her way into the castle. It was already dusk. She watched and listened gathering as much information as she could. Waiting just before shift change, so the guards would be tired and not in the mood for extra work.

She made her approach.

“I’m here with a message for the queen. It’s very important”

“Who are you?” they asked.

“General Stone’s daughter. I have a message for the queen, about the peace summit.” Viola lied.

“Take her to the general.”

So, she walked into the castle and was escorted to the general.

The general was not up for the task. He was tired and Tẽra, changing things didn’t help.

“General Stone’s daughter from the north. I have a message for the queen.” Viola introduced herself.

“Set her up in a room. Get a maid to bath and change her for an audience with the queen.”

The general paused

“Where is your horse?” he asked.

“At a stable in the outer courtyard. I would never presume to have the queen or her men take him to the stable. I am a general’s daughter. I understand protocol.”

This answer pleased the general. He sent her to a room were a maid brought hot/ warm water and filled a shallow metal basin.

“May I wash you?” The servant asked.

“No, but some food would be appreciated my journey has been long.”

The maid left.

Viola washed her face and took the fastest bath she had ever taken; she changed her hairstyle as to appear ready for the audience with the queen. Then she took the rope which made her belt and wrapped up her stomach, and shot it out the window. Then she put the torch outside the window. She made sure the rope was tightly tied to the wall. Everything on her side was set.

The maid arrived with some food.

“I hope you find this fitting.”

“It’s perfect. Let me know when I may see the queen. Until then I would like to rest.”

“Yes.”

The maid left.

The food was… dry but it was food and Viola was hungry.