~Chapter 17~
"Where have you been?" Ven questioned Mae as she returned to the Inn room.
"I was having a dinner date, with Nimaro. Oddly enough, not the worst date I've ever been on," she replied, her cheeks burning. "Probably one of the best."
"Have you been drinking?" He sounded surprised as she removed her hat and placed it onto the table.
"Yep. Something called Pomme-Kitar? I think that was it."
"How much did you have?" he questioned with a disapproving glare.
"Enough to keep me enjoying myself. And don't look at me like that. I split a bottle thing with Nimaro, and he drank way more than me."
"The Nimaro? Aspect of nightmares, purveyor of fear, bringer of chaos? That Nimaro?"
"One in the same," she replied, sitting down so she didn't fall over. "But entirely different at the same time. He's not what I was expecting and his reputation is… I don't even know the right word for it; misguided, maybe."
Ven filled a glass with water and set it on the table for her. "Drink that, it will make you feel better. And you're going to have to explain what you mean by 'misguided', because I don't understand how one can be 'misguided' about what he is."
"Oh, no, he is incredibly terrifying, you weren't wrong about that. Just being near him almost gave me a heart attack. I've never felt that kind of fear before. But it isn't real. He doesn't want to hurt anyone. I had a really nice time with him tonight, especially after Omb sold me out and split, leaving me to fend for myself. Lucky for me, I didn't have to."
"Careful Mae, it almost sounds like you're smitten with the Nightmare," Ven said as she took a drink. "Are you smitten with him?"
"No. Don't be absurd. I'm fascinated with him; by him. The Ji'vie are more alien to me than you or Karanosi. And his people are so unique, with their akress and their hive mind. If he hadn't insisted that I return here, I would still be there, listening to him talk. Maybe even making plans for him to show me around the Quarter. He made it sound so beautiful down there."
"He had to tell you to leave? He didn't walk you, did he? Did he make you walk here alone?"
"No, of course not. He had Me'Lau, his priest, walk me back. He wanted to do it himself, but he said his presence wasn't good for the citizens. He didn't want to frighten anyone, and he didn't want anyone to be afraid of me or for me."
"Regardless of what experiences you think you had with him; I still don't think he's safe to be around. I've heard far too many stories of what he and his people are capable of."
"Well, you got one thing right in that statement Ven, he isn't safe to be around. But you have the reason entirely wrong. He wouldn't be the one to hurt me. Enough with the lecture though, where's Karanosi? If I am going to be read the riot act, I'd rather not have to listen to it twice."
"He left the city after Omb took you to Nimaro's temple. We bought tickets to the theater's last performance tonight since we were uncertain of when you'd return. He should be back around sundown, so that gives us about an hour to relax."
"Good. Any chance you're interested in going down to the bath with me?"
"Yeah," he replied with a sigh. "Go get ready and I'll take you down. And while you're soaking, you can fill me in on what you and your fascinating new friend spoke about for the last two and half hours."
Once she was ready, Ven walked her down to the Inn's bathing area where there were three separate rooms. Each had a small changing area with a bench and place to hang up cloths and towels, and beyond a sliding wooden door, a large soaking tub, bucket, shelf, bench, and a display of crystals and stones secured to the wall by chains. There was also mechanical means to fill up the tub, but it was a hand pump, and that seemed a work out on its own. Going into the only unoccupied room, Ven closed and locked the door. Using a stone, he pulled from his pocket, Ven went into the bathing area and cleaned the entire room, while she took a seat on the bench with the basket of toiletries, she had carried down with her. It didn't take Ven long to work his magic, and once he had filled the tub, heated and purified the water, he swapped places with her. While she bathed, he sat on the bench, eyes closed, and she explained to him everything about what Omb had done and how now, Nimaro was just as motivated for her to succeed. Then she told him of the offer Nimaro had made to her. He listened to all of it without saying a word, and when she finished speaking, he didn't share his thoughts. They returned to their room when she'd finished her bath and spoke little as they prepared to head to the theater.
Once they were ready, they met up with Karanosi just outside a rather drab, plain looking building. As Mae had learned earlier in the day though, the outward appearance could belie the beauty within; the theater being yet another perfect example.
The inside of the theater was an exemplary display of extravagance on a scale she had not yet seen in that world. Masterfully carved reliefs in Davibas wood were displayed along the walls, depicting grand tales and epic battles. Statues of caridons, dragons, and other creatures, unknown to Mae, wrapped around the support pillars that held up the balcony and roof. Golden lanterns illuminated the halls and walkways, and massive chandeliers of glowing white crystals lighted the auditorium and stage. Rich sea green drapery, dark wooden floors, and gold-colored railings and accents, finished the décor with an elegance, as they found their way to the 'opera' box, Karanosi had reserved.
Attending the theater seemed to be an event for all the citizenry to enjoy and this was the first time there seemed to be any distinction between the wealthy and the poor. Although, there was far less of a gap between them there, than there was back on Earth. Here it seemed more about splurging on comforts than displaying wealth, and how much participation you wished to contribute to the overall show. The floor seats, were, Karanosi would explain, more highly coveted, while the premier looking boxes, like the one they were in, were considered less desirable. Mae came to understand why as the show went on, and the floor audience came to be just as much a part of the play as the actors, while they were left to observed with an unobstructed view at the majesty of it all. This was a type of community event, and everyone below seemed to belong, to know one another, and to get along. The vibe of the theater being a more condensed version of the atmosphere of the city as a whole, and it was profound, entertaining, and beautiful.
Even Karanosi seemed to be walking on air when the theater let out, and along with the other patrons that flooded onto the streets, they headed to one of the many restaurants nearby for a drink and snack.
Life played out so similar to the way she thought it should be. They laughed as they drank, relived the performance as they ate, and shared the experience over again between themselves. And when the time got late, and the city began to grow quiet, Mae and Ven parted ways with Karanosi and returned to the Inn to settle in for the night.
"You should stay," Ven muttered as they laid in their beds staring up at the ceiling.
"One trip to the city and you're already trying to get rid of me?"
"That's not what I meant," he replied as she turned and looked at him. "You can't trust them. What happened to you was tragic, Mae, but are you really willing to compound that with the misery of others?"
"You make it sound like that's an inevitability."
"Because it is. Strativar Stroff, is the deposed King of Ix. No one is going to let you just walk in and take him. How many people are you willing to kill to find your way home?" he questioned as he turned away from her, leaving her to ponder in silence.
His questioned weighed heavily on her mind. Omb had left out the minor detail of Strativar's identity, and it left her to wonder what purpose Omb would have with such a man. Mae suffered through another sleepless night as she thought over every detail of the options Omb had given to her when they first met, and she wondered if walking away was still even an option at all. If she allowed Nimaro to take his payment early, would Omb then force her to complete the task regardless? Would she even care? She had signed the agreement assuming there would be no repercussions if she didn't keep up her end, after all, it didn't cost Omb anything unless she succeeded, but now she wasn't so certain.
When morning came, Mae awoke to Ven packing their things.
"Here," he said, handing her a sealed letter. "Someone slipped that through the door this morning."
"What time is it?" she groaned as she sat up, taking the letter.
"It's time to go home. Get dressed, we check-out in a half hour."
Setting the note aside, she prepared for the day and packed. When everything was ready to go, she sat at the table with the letter in her hand.
"Are you ready?" Ven asked as he sat across from her.
"I can't even read my name. I need you to read this for me," she replied sliding the letter to him.
She watched as he picked it up and cracked the seal, opening the letter, a necklace made of a fine silver chain, with a small bottlecap sized, black pendant fell out onto the table. Reaching over, she picked it up and admired it, with a feeling of concern.
"It says, 'Mae, I thank you for your company. Enclosed you will find a medallion I had made for you. Hold it in your palm and speak my name when you have made your decision, and I will come to find you. Journey unto paradise.' Signed, Nimaro. How long did he give you to make your decision?"
"Until the day after the next full moon."
"That's four days from now," Ven replied as he folded up the letter and handed it back to her. "Regardless of what decision you make, you should treasure that. It's not every day someone gets a gift from him."
"To be honest, I'm just grateful that it wasn't from Omb."
Mae carefully put on the necklace and tucked it beneath the collar of her dress, before putting the letter into her backpack. Gathering their gear, they check-out of the inn, met Karanosi on the street, and left the city of Tag'thyr.
Four hours later, they arrived back at their home in the mountain valley of Horizn's Deep. Mae had managed to get some sleep on the way home, and once everything was unpacked, Karanosi called Mae outside.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked as they walked down the path towards the garden.
"Not really. The sleep helped but I could use a solid night for a change."
"Have Ven brew you some of the Talmec about an hour before bed tonight. It will help."
"Why did you ask me out here?" she questioned, wanting to skip the small talk, hoping he would just get to the lecture she felt was incoming.
"Your mount. I wanted to be here when you summoned it," he replied as he stopped and looked around. "We should be far enough from the house now. Whenever you're ready."
"Right, my mount," she muttered setting her hand over the cuff on her wrist.
"You were so excited before, why hesitate now?"
"It's because it came from Omb," she replied as he turned towards her. "She used me as a bargaining chip with Nimaro. She offered me up like I was hers to give. Did I become hers when I used her name to get this? I thought I understood what was happening, but clearly I missed something and you haven't said a damn thing about any of it!"
"It's because there is nothing to say. You want to go home. We went to Tag'thyr for answers. This is the answer you received. Complete a task, return home."
"And if I fail? Can I fail? Can I walk away and forget the entire thing?"
"No, Mae. You cannot fail. If you do, you can never go home."
"And if I decide never to try? Just walk away and forget the whole thing?"
"The result will be the same."
"Will Omb come after me?"
"I don't believe so," he replied turning to look out across the fields as the wind swept over them. "Nimaro is a different question though. Depending on what value you hold to him, he may be inclined to see you follow through on your end of the deal."
"I'm not worried about him. He's made me his own offer, but if I accept it, walking away may no longer be an option."
"And if you do accept?"
"He will be my greatest ally. And with his help, I truly believe that I'll be able to rescue Strativar."
"It sounds to me that everything went as you had hoped. Why have you not agreed?"
"I had been drinking," she confessed, "I didn't want to make a decision without thinking it over, with a clear head."
"And yet you are still struggling. Why are you hesitating?"
"It's because of something Ven said. He asked me how many people I would be willing to kill to find my way home?"
"You didn't like your answer?"
She paused and he turned towards her once again.
"I don't have an answer. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I don't think I have a choice. If I try to rescue Strativar, someone is bound to get hurt or killed. And all to free a man that may very well belong where he is. Why else would Omb want him? What is he to her?" She paused once again, lowering her eyes to the ground. "I thought I would be willing to burn this entire world to ash just for a chance to go home, but what is the point if I can't live myself after?"