Chapter Seven
“He’s in such a nasty state, ugh…” a woman’s voice shuddered through the haze.
“She’s lucky he was there, D would have added her to his list.”
Me. They’re talking about me? The lids over my eyes rolled back; a ceiling of warm russet hung above.
Where am I? Where have I seen colors like these…the Infirmary! I sat up almost as fast as the chill fell down my spine. The bed groaned as I backed into the headboard and pulled my knees to my chest. The memories of the previous night deluged upon my mind.
The two women rushed to my bedside. It was clear they were nurses, with their eggshell aprons and matching handkerchiefs over their hair. “It’s ok. You’re safe here,” one of them said.
I didn’t believe, and I didn’t relax. I could feel warm beads hanging from my eyes. Then the taller of the two placed a hand on my cheek, I looked to her. “He didn’t touch you. You are safe.” The scenes flashing in my mind slowed, falling into order. It was as though the nurse had drawn the confusion away like a leech on a poisoned bite.
The other nurse sat down on the sheets next by my feet. Her manners became as placid as her counterpart’s,
I must look calmer then I feel. “You’re very lucky. If Mattek hadn’t been there, it would have been worse…poor boy.”
My eyes dried and the slow swirl in my head stopped. There was one thing, I did remember clearly. “Mattek…”
“Yes dear,” the first nurse had pulled her hand away. “I don’t know when you fainted, but he fought Evil D for you…he was no match sadly. That bastard tore him up like...like…well you don’t need to hear that. Would you like to see him?”
I wanted to say no, but they pulled back my covers and helped me out of bed. How could I refuse them? They wouldn’t believe that he was capable of such an act. They led me through an adjacent hall to another room with an occupied bed. With the morning sun pouring in, the scene had a peaceful quality, despite the lingering metallic stench that hung in the air. About Mattek’s face on the right side was a layer of bandages held in places by lashes across his forehead, nose and under his chin. Their pristine white was fading into brown where stains blossomed through.
Then, I couldn’t help myself. I did feel pity. I still hated him for what he had meant to do. I would have still feared him if he had not been lying helplessly in that bed. Nonetheless, I pitied him for his hurt and the grotesque mark of sin he would always carry on his face.
And what of D? The thought came to suddenly.
The villain that had saved me from this man’s evil…was he not still a villain himself? Yes. He had come for revenge after all…for our violation…not out of some sort of chivalry.
“Don’t worry Sedura,” one of the nurses placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “He won’t die, but it’ll be a week or more before he recovers.”
“Except for his face.”
A quiet sigh escaped. “Except for his face…”
“But this has finally pushed the village to a final resolution. The messenger just got back from Evspat with an
earthscribe!” The other nurse smiled at this. “We don’t know how he got back so fast, but it must be a sign that this Manmas Telfner is very skillful in his art.”
“A scribe?” I asked. The scribes were living legends that I had heard about since I was a small girl, but had never seen. They were men and women who it was said could even rewrite the laws of nature. “I want to see him!”
“If you’re feeling able there’s an orderly in the main room who will accompany you.”
“Thank you…” I turned away, but then stopped and turned back. “Oh one more thing…how did you find us?”
“The man who owned the tannery that you were found behind, he heard you scream, but you’d fainted by the time he’d found you.”
“Oh…I’ll have to thank him later,” I nodded as I left.
When did I scream?
***
“Council,” the courier turned exhibitioner carried his words on a projecting voice, accentuated by broad gestures. “I present to you Manmas Telfner, Master Earthscribe of Evspat!”
Murmurs of respect rippled through the crowd as I rose to receive the village’s attention. We were gathered in a steeped roofed hall with rows of plain, dusty, wooden benches seated with reverent spectators. Towards the front was an open space with a long table on one side where the town council sat. A group of five women and six men, most of whom were as old, or older than I.
The eleven introduced themselves, then the head of the council—a man named Eryet—began the questioning. “Firstly Master Scribe, we are curious how it is that you returned with our courier so quickly? We were not expecting a return for a week to a fortnight, if at all?”
“By coincidence I happened to be present when your messenger arrived…” I surveyed the crowd again.
This is not how this type of meeting should be held. “…I’d rather not say how we returned so quickly, other than to say we both have uncommon stamina.” Another member rose his hand to speak, but I signaled for his patience. “I must request these others leave. Our business must be conducted in secret. As I understand it, my foe…
your foe is invisible. And unseen enemies are the hardest to keep secrets from.”
The council complied despite a wave of protests. I watched vigilantly as the crowd pushed slowly out through the main arch. As they did, the flow parted around a young woman. She must have been in her late teens or early twenties, her face was weathered with fatigue but her dark hair and milky skin gave her a haunting beauty that shone through her disheveled appearance.
I was about to tell her that she must leave when Eryet spoke again. “Master Scribe, this is Sedura Thraus, one of the victims of last nights attack…the reason you are here.”
“Very well. Miss Thraus, please wait outside or nearby, I would like to speak with you afterwards.”
“Please call me Sedura, and I want to stay. I can be—“
“Thank you Miss Thraus, but this will be delicate information that I don’t know you should know.” I could see resistance kindling in the woman’s eyes, but it was unavoidable. I had learned long ago that to accomplish a mission as a scribe, you had to have complete control of information.
People are just pieces in a game of strategy. Pieces don’t need to know anything, except where to move. Pieces that don’t know anything are predictable because they don’t think on their own.
“Master Scribe the Council believes Sedura could be of use to these proceedings. She has most recent knowledge concerning Evil D.”
You don’t know what you’re asking for. “Very well. It’s up to you.” Courteous smiles appeared on each member’s face. “I need you to tell me everything you know concerning the one called Evil D. Especially, the events leading up to the deaths of his parents and his subsequent transformation.”
Stern fear replaced the mannerly countenances. The members leaned in towards Eryet, he listened to each side with an assenting dip of his head. “Sedura, the council asks you to leave, but to stay in the outer chamber.”
“But you just said—“
“Sedura!
The Council asks.”
The woman’s mouth clamped shut but the working of her jaw made me think,
she could be trouble. Still, she bowed and left without another word. The doors sealed behind her, and I turned to the eleven.
“Lies will not help me accomplish my mission. Be honest, I’ve already learned some from your messenger, but…what part did the village play in the deaths of D’s parents?”
This part didn't seem to have the same tone as the rest...it seemed a little off. Maybe it's just me?
