13 – Vara

She stopped halfway up the steps and was forced to sit down, her shaking legs refusing to hold her weight any longer. Quickly, she covered her mouth to conceal her sobs.

Vara found herself regretting every single decision of the past year of her life. She had left her village, knowing she’d never see them again. What has happened to them? Mama? Sister? Kavin…did they survive the attacks? The very thought of Kavin twisted her stomach. He asked me to marry him… Vara had loved him, in a way. He was always nice to her. She could see the love for her in his eyes. He’d shared Vara’s bed the very first time. Not that he was very good. Kavin has always been too plain for her, too boring. She wanted to see the world.

Her village had a small port, and it was there she was offered a chance to leave. It was a Teller’s boat, ran by a woman named Nadel. She’d seen Vara dancing around the fires one evening, and within hours had her convinced to leave in her employ the next morning. Nadel promised her protection, and a chance to travel up and down the river. Vara quickly agreed.

At first it seemed exotic, dancing in shows for those that could afford passage. She enjoyed manipulating her body on the stage. Felt empowered by giving the audience’s visual gratification. For the few months it lasted, it had been wonderful. Then she met the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

Marlot Navorus bedded her the very first night he’d been on the boat. She’d been offered coin by others and refused, but Marlot was the first man she’d actually wanted. By the time Marlot left the boat three days later, Vara had fallen in love with him. And with nothing but a few coins she had saved and the clothes on her back, she left Nadal’s boat. Vara still remembered her words. He’s bad for you, girl.

Vara hadn’t believed her. Marolot promised they would see the richest city in the entire world, the city of Sanguiland. Instead, not three days inland, he sold her into slavery. Now I’m owned by the most disgusting of men.

Her mother’s last words to her haunted her. Vara whispered them to herself, “The world’s dangers will devour you.”

Footsteps above rattled her from her thoughts. She wiped the tears from her eyes and swallowed. Nobody will see me cry. Ever again. Vara knew she couldn’t afford to show how vulnerable she felt. She learned that powerful people preyed on the weak. She climbed toward the upstairs door and almost had her hand on the doorknob when she changed her mind and tip-toed back down the steps.

Vara was relieved to find Animus asleep, his slow breaths even. Quietly she approached and sat next to him. Almost taller than her already, she figured he’d grow to the height of his father. The boy’s face held the sharp features of his mother, but his build and wavy black hair was from his father. He’s already cute. In a few more years he’ll turn the heads of every woman that sees him.

Even in his sickly state, it was obvious boy was smitten with her, something Vara had grown used to. She knew she was more attractive than most women. On the dancing boat where there were other pretty women, Vara drew every man’s eyes. Hungry eyes. Animus lusted after her she knew, only in a younger, more innocent fashion. Will he be a monster like Zalarius? Or would he be like Kavin?

Vara sighed. She couldn’t afford to judge him, for the wizard of the shadows had commanded her to bed him, to make him swoon. Just how would she go about doing that so long as he was sick? And what if he died? The shadow mage will blame me. And she knew what her failure meant. Nobody fails a wizard and lives.

The door upstairs opened. Heavy steps caused the stairs to groan. Vara grabbed the damp cloth and turned away from the door. Gently she dabbed Animus’s forehead until the voice behind her spoke.

“How is he?”

Relieved it was not Zalarius, she turned to see Kas. She did her best to seem confident and calm when she spoke. “He woke for only a moment then fell asleep. Seems his fever is less now.” It was as much as she knew, for Zalarius had taught her nothing of treating the sick.

Kas approached, stopping at the foot of Animus’s cot. “Can we move him?”

“I—I don’t know. Perhaps Zalarius could—?”

Kas’s eyes narrowed. “He’s gone. To the temple.”

Behind him, his wife chuckled. “She knows little, my dear.”

Vara hadn’t heard her come down the steps. It seemed colder with her in the room, repressive somehow. Fear gnawed her resolve and her fingers started to quake. She forced a deep breath and made a fist, doing her best not to show it. Slowly she dipped the cloth back in the still-warm water, soaked it and pulled it out. As she wrung the water from the cloth, she said, “She is quite right. I’m barely able to keep his face wet.”

Kas grunted. “Off with you then. Tell the Stone Priest to ready a bed. We’ll see he gets to the temple.”

Vara dipped her head in assent and rose. She felt Zelicia’s gaze and looked to see a grin on her gorgeous, terrifying face. Everyone in town thinks her a sorceress. Some think she poisoned Leir.

Zelicia spoke. “Where are you from, child?”

Vara nearly choked, “Me?”

“You,” Zelicia said. “You’re not a healer, that’s for certain.”

“A village called Shady Grove,” Vara said. Curse me! Why did I tell her the truth?

“You’re not his apprentice,” Zelicia said. It wasn’t a question.

“I would like to be,” Vara asked.

“Liar,” Zelicia said.

Kas looked at his wife. “Why does this girl matter so much to you? Our son is sick and...”

To Vara’s surprised, Kas stopped what he was saying. “Bah. I’ll get the wagon. Take him to the temple myself. Stay and talk to the priest’s concubine if you must.”

Vara gasped.

Zelicia laughed and clasped her hands together. “Of course! Zalarius always had a weakness for young beauties.” She approached Vara and put her hands on Vara’s chin. “At least you’re of age.” A surge of warmth flowed from Vara’s neck down to her belly. Vara stepped back, brushing against the chair behind her. Zelicia maintained her grip.

“Let me go,” Vara said. She backed away, this time tipping the chair. She stumbled to the far wall that was only several steps away. Vara forced herself to stand tall and stare at the woman.

Zelicia crossed her slender hands under her breasts. “You’re not pregnant.”

“What?” Zelicia asked and realized what the woman had done. A healer’s trick, using a bit of magic to determine life within a woman’s belly. “Of course not! Not from that brute of a—.“ Vara caught the rest of the words from tumbling from her mouth.

Kas had stopped at the stairs. He walked around his wife until he was only a hands reach away.

“He beats you.”

He sniffed, his nose raising and lowering as he looked at her. Vara wondered what he was doing.

Then he opened his palm and extended it toward her. “Let me see your left forearm.”

How does he know? But Vara did as she was told. She held out her arm, seeing no other choice. A sob escaped her, and though she tried, the tears erupted from her eyes. No! I must be strong.

Kas took her arm. He said nothing as his huge hands glided gently up and down her tender arm. He applied just a bit of pressure on the top middle of her forearm and she gasped. Vara sobbed harder. “Please, don’t…”

Kas released her arm. When he spoke, his brown eyes has softened. “Gripped her arm so tight each finger left its own bruise.”

Zelicia walked next to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Who cares about her now, husband?”

Kas shook his head. “It’s nothing to joke about. I won’t allow it.” He looked down at her. “Vara, is it?”

Crying, Vara nodded. She felt her cheeks warm. I’m so ashamed.

“You’ve no more reason to fear him. If he ever lays a hand on you again, tell me, understand?”

Vara nodded, wondering why he was being so nice. “Thank you.”

“You’ll never do his bidding again. Not that kind.” Kas said. As he turned to his wife, Vara saw his jaw set. Everyone’s afraid of her. Except him.

Zelicia said nothing, merely nodding. Kas seemed to take that as agreement, for he turned, walked across the room, and then up the stairs.

They both listened to him walking upstairs until his steps faded. Then, Zelicia sighed. “Such a noble beast, isn’t he?”

Vara knew better than to answer.

“He’d go to war with an entire country over the honor of complete stranger. Do you see what I put up with?” Zelicia asked.

Vara was utterly confused. She speaks as if we’re friends.

Zelicia smiled. “He’ll speak to Zalarius. More like he’ll threaten him. And Zalarius will think you told us about how he beats you.” She leaned close. “You’ll be lucky if the fat priest doesn’t kill you while you sleep. The man thrives on violence. Especially when he drinks.”

Kill me? Vara panicked and tried to yell but Zelicia snapped her fingers. Something invisible covered her mouth. Vara still screamed, yet not sound escaped her lips.

“Go ahead. Shout your pretty little tits off.”

Vara tried, confounded by her inability to make noise. Her breath quickened as sweat beaded on her forehead.

Zelicia watcher her struggle as she slowly moved to check her son’s forehead. “His fever has broken. You were right about that.” She walked back to stand in front of Vara. “Here’s what’s going to happen. My husband will confront your master, and afterward I’ll speak to Zalarius on your behalf.” Zelicia stepped close to Vara. The sorceress put her palms on the front on Vara’s hips, forcing her back against the wall. “I won’t let the priest fuck you anymore. That means I’ll have to buy you from him. You’ll be mine.” Zelicia’s hands moved slowly up Vara’s body until she held Vara’s face by the cheeks. “Understand?” The she let Vara’s go and took a small step back.

Silence filled the small room. Slowly Vara spoke, refusing to be cowed. “I don’t want to be owned. Not by him, not by you.”

Zelicia’s grin disappeared. Her eyeballs became coal black. “What a brave little bitch.”

An unseen force gripped Vara’s injured forearm and squeezed. Vara’s pained squeals were silenced. The pain drove her to the ground until she lay on her side. It’s true. She’s a sorceress.

Zelicia looked down at her, those black eyes boring into her. “You’ll work at the temple during the day. At night, you’ll wait tables at the Inn of the Wayward Soul. You’ll bring every rumor, story, or whatever news directly to me. After a few months, if I deem you worthy, I’ll allow you learn the healing arts. Someday, after you’ve served me well and without question, I’ll free you from my service. Now stand.”

The squeezing sensation on her forearm vanished. Vara lay there for a moment, recovering. She looked up through wet eyes and saw Zelicia looking down at her, her eyes normal once more. Vara stood, so nervous she was shaking. Sorcerous Bitch.

Zelicia pointed toward the door. “Go. Wait for Kas outside. He’ll give you further instruction.”

Vara walked past the woman, but Zelicia gripped her by her bicep and stopped her. The woman whispered in her ear. “If you run, I’ll find you. Speak nothing of our deal to my husband or someone much worse than Zalarius will be your next master.”

Zelicia released her. Vara hurried toward the steps, taking them two at a time. Once up the steps, she out the back door.

Once outside Vara rushed down the muddy street at a run. Only she had nowhere to go. I wish I had never left home. If home was even there. She’d heard of the attack in the North, and knew that even if her village had been spared, her family and Kavin would never have her. He’d never have a whore for a wife.

So she ran and cried, then staggered to a stop. From ahead she saw a wagon led by four horses trudging through the muddy street. She watched it approach, knowing it was Kas come with the wagon. She looked in between two buildings into the night, knowing there was nothing out there for her. Nothing but the shadow wizard, who had also promised to free her if she served his purposes. She wondered why everyone wanted to enslave her.

Vara leaned against a post. She dried her eyes again, just as Kas pulled the wagon to a halt.

He said, “Best stay away from the temple for few days. Till I’ve spoken with Zalarius.” He pointed to the Inn across the street. “Innkeeper’s name is Sculpa. Tell him I said you need a room for a few days. He’ll put you up and see you fed.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“Nobody in this town will ever be a slave, not so long as I breathe.”

What little he knows. How did such an honorable man end up with such a conniving bitch for a wife? One day someone will treat her worse than she’s ever treated anyone. And I’ll laugh.

Just then several lightning bolts arced across the sky. Seconds later, ominous thunder reverberated, so close it shook her.

As large, heavy drops started to fall, Vara hurried across the street. Then she made her way to the Inn of the Wayward Souls, thinking if the name held meaning it was perhaps where she belonged.