Sunny returned to her room and walked to the windows that framed the forest, hills, and distant mountains of the world of Nu'Ada! woke with the golden sunlight streaming in through the wide arched windows of her room. There was a soft rap on the door and Aria appeared her smile serene as she walked in. "I hope you rested well, Roma."
Sunny turned away from the scenic view and stretched her arms over her head, "Oh yes I did!"
Aria's smile broadened. "Come you must see to your morning rituals and then dress," she said, "You are to see to the quarantine tents today."
Sunny padded into the area where she had bathed the night before. As she entered the separate water closet, she marveled at how much it looked like the toilet she would find in Ballencoo. When she emerged, Aria was waiting. "Come a quick shower bath will revive you."
The shower was like the modern convenience in Arwyn. There was a place near the bathing pool that she stepped into and closed the two swinging doors. Aria had placed a sponge and a large bar of soap on the stone shelf. Hot water flowed in from a waist-high slew. Sunny quickly splashed water over her body and took the sponge and soap and lathered up then when she was ready to rinse, she saw a chain just above her head. There was a round stone pad the size of a dinner plate with lots of holes drilled in it. "Step back and I will switch the flow of water for you," Aria instructed from outside the shower stall.
Sunny did as Aria instructed, and the warm water spilled out over the stone pad and ran through the holes. It was a clever invention and worked extremely well as a shower. Sunny rinsed off and even before she could tell Aria, the woman turned the water off and offered a large bath sheet to her over the panel doors. Sunny toweled off, wrapped the sheet around her, and stepped out. Aria had a fluffy rug on the floor waiting for Sunny to step out on. Aria took each arm and rubbed a fragrant oil making her skin silky smooth. Sunny was surprised at herself as she stood calmly as Aria rubbed oil on each leg and thigh. When Aria finished, Sunny stepped over to the small stool and sat down.
Aria left the small bottle with Sunny so she could oil the rest of her body. The woman left the bathing room and returned with clothing. Aria averted her eyes and discreetly passed the undergarments to Sunny. Everything was done quickly and efficiently without embarrassment or discomfort. Sunny was amazed by how it was done. Aria handed over her trousers, "You and the master will be riding so these will keep the dust from your skin,"
Sunny pulled them on and tied the drawstring belt. They were made of a durable fabric similar to heavy linen. The tunic was of a lightweight material and heavily embroidered around the collar and sleeves. There was a wide woven sash that completed the outfit. Aria eyed Sunny as she stepped out into the main room. "Come we will braid your hair so it will not tangle during your ride." She had Sunny sit before the dressing table, and she brushed and braided her copper tresses.
Across the corridor, Nicodemus Fury was just stepping from his bath. He found his clothing laid out on his bed. He pulled on his shirt and buttoned his trousers. He glanced at his image in the full-length mirror. His long dark hair hung around his shoulders, and Falco usually took pains in keeping his master's hair braided and neat. Fury preferred it that way as well. Falco was nowhere to be found, but the soft tap on his door told him Falco had returned. "Come!"
Falco entered and handed Fury a small scroll. "One of your men arrived and asked this be delivered to you."
"Thank you, Falco." Nicodemus took the scroll, broke the red wax seal, and unrolled the message. He frowned at the information but as he finished the message, he tossed it into the burning fire and watched it burn. Then he turned to Falco who was waiting to tame his long hair into the traditional braid. "Our lady is awake?"
Falco nodded as Fury took a seat and Falco brushed and quickly plaited the length into a sleek rope. "Yes, Aria is with her, helping her prepare for the day."
"Good," Fury replied rose and tugged on his tunic as a final adjustment. Falco had polished his boots, and they were waiting just inside his study door as he walked from his bedroom.
"Shall I prepare for breaking the fast?"
"Yes indeed!" Fury declared with a smile. "I'm sure the lady is famished!"
As Falco hurried off on his errand. Nicodemus sauntered down the hallway to Sunny's room. He paused, hearing Sunny's laughter. The sound of a woman's laughter was completely alien at Ranjai Tor. He paused and let it flow around him and fill him with warmth and sudden desire! He was surprised by the effect Sunny had on him. He realized with a painful yet pleasurable ache, that he was deeply in love for the first time! He crooked a knuckle and rapped on her door.
Aria answered the door and swung it open. "Good morning Rom Baro," she said then stepped to the side to give him entrance.
Sunny was pulling on her soft slippers as Nicodemus came to lean against the door jam, "How did you sleep?" he asked her. ["You look beautiful."] he added the silent observation and saw her blush prettily.
Sunny got to her feet and met him as he walked into the room. She took Aria's hand as she stopped where he waited. "I slept better than I have in a long time! Whatever Aria put into my bath water did the trick!"
Nicodemus glanced at Aria and raised an eyebrow. "You have not told Siobhan, have you?"
Aria lowered her eyes and shook her head. "No, Rom Baro."
"Tell me what?" Sunny asked looking between the two of them.
"I am a Siren. A Ne'Median nursemaid, Roma," Aria replied softly.
Sunny frowned slightly as she studied Aria for a moment. "A Siren? Tell me about your gifts."
Aria met Sunny's curious look and smiled faintly. "You are not fearful?"
"Not at all," Sunny replied. "I just don't know much about the people in Nu'Ada or even those of Ne'Media. That's why I'm here – to learn."
"As a Siren," Aria said glancing at Fury who nodded his consent that she could continue, "I can calm and soothe my charges. As a nursemaid to the ill and infirm, I can create a place of healing."
"But that is not all a Siren can do," Sunny guessed.
Aria nodded sadly. "This is so. I and others of my kind can also create fear and anger as easily as calm and peace."
Sunny considered Aria for a moment then looked at Nicodemus. There were quite a few Ne'Medians in his employ and it was not by accident that they were all at Ranjai Tor. He 'heard' her questions but continued to shield his thoughts from her. "I would like to know more of your people Aria --,"
"That will have to wait," Nicodemus told her, "We have work to do. You can find out everything about Aria and her people when we return," Nicodemus replied as he stepped away into the hall, "Aria's kin, I believe will be helpful when the time comes to administer the serum."
"We're going to the quarantine tents," Sunny said pulling Aria along with her into the hall as she followed Fury. "Are we going there now?"
"First, we eat," Nicodemus said heading for the stairs. He threw an amused look at Sunny, "I would imagine you are hungry, yes?"
"Oh, I'm starving!" Sunny quipped.
Aria seemed alarmed by the thought of her charge starving for nourishment. "Then you must have food right away!"
"We all need food," Nicodemus said and walked down the hallway into the study where he took his meals. Sunny and Aria followed, and Falco was finishing setting the table for breakfast when they walked in.
"Good morning, Roma," Falco said.
"Good morning, Falco," Sunny returned and sat down at the table in the seat Aria indicated.
Nicodemus sat across from her, and Falco began serving them while Aria poured the tea into mugs. Falco and Aria stood by while Nicodemus began to eat. Sunny glanced at the two of them then at Fury. ["I have something I want to ask you."]
After he had sipped his tea he waved to Falco. "We can fend for ourselves, Falco. Go eat with the others and when we are finished, I'll call."
Falco hesitated then he saw that his master wanted to be alone with his lady! He nodded to Aria, and they left the room closing the study door behind them.
"Is it like this everywhere?" Sunny asked as she spooned honey into her teacup.
"Most places," Nicodemus replied as he lifted the cover to inspect the dish in front of him. "Although in most places, like Fra'mora, you will not find Ne'Medians among the household."
"I was wondering why you had so many Ne'Medians in your employ," Sunny said for his ears only, "I'm guessing it's always been that way?"
"Yes," Fury replied.
Sunny grunted non-committedly, placed her napkin in her lap, and began to eat. "I'm wondering about something," she said, and she looked up to find Fury's dark gaze on her. ["What is it you want to know, Acushla?"]
She felt her cheeks grow warm and he leaned forward, "Do you want me to tell you how tantalizing you are?"
"You are a scoundrel, Nicodemus Fury!"
"Very much so," He said. "What did you want to know about?"
"Tell me what you know about the Shai' Alomar dagger."
Fury frowned and sat back away from his meal. "Why do you want to know about that?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I am already jealous of his connection with you!"
She frowned back at him. "It wasn't his bed I yearned to be in this morning, and it wasn't he I confessed my love to. He is not the man I want! So much so, I can hardly breathe!"
A slow smile formed on Fury's face. "You have made your point, my love. I will tell you everything I know!"
Sunny huffed at him and dismissed his words with a flick of a hand. He rose from his chair, pulled her up from hers, and kissed her, leaving her in no doubt of his desire for her! "Forgive me?"
"You are a scoundrel" Sunny whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, and returning the kiss with a soft teasing brush of her lips against his. "But a loveable scoundrel."
His arms tightened around her, pulling her very close to him. Sunny was suddenly feeling enthralled! It was both an intentional and natural response from him and before it went too far he stepped back, giving her a smug smile. He returned to his seat and drew a steading sigh. "The Shai'Alomar was created as a gift to the first emperor from his bride. As the story goes, the emperor took the blade to his magicians, and they placed an enchantment so that when the emperor honored an individual and took him or her in blood oath, they became bonded until death. That blade disappeared and only the ritual remained." He pulled up the right sleeve of his shirt and turned his forearm over to show her the scar that ran across the skin. "Moon-Bear and I are blood brothers through a similar ritual."
"How did that happen?" Sunny wanted to know.
Fury smiled grimly and pushed the shirt sleeve back in place. "He had gotten himself in a lot of trouble. I saved him from being killed by a group of Nu'Adaian mercenaries. After he recovered and began to trust me, we became friends and brothers."
"I don't think Gaddis knew you and Moon-Bear were that close," Sunny murmured. "Only that Moon-Bear reported regularly to you and his father, Stone Tiger."
"The friendship I have with Moon-Bear puts me in a challenging position," Nicodemus told her, "I have not shared his identity with anyone. The less anyone knows about my activities, the better for them and me."
"I understand," she said. "So, let's change the subject, where are the quarantine tents located?"
He sipped his tea. "I had large tents placed at the plateau just below Ranjai Tor." He told her. "If they cannot make the trip here, then there are tents on land that I own near Fra'mora. We need to make sure that anyone who falls ill can be accommodated and be treated."
Sunny frowned at the thought of anyone being turned away at Fra'mora. "Gabriel won't forbid anyone who is too sick to stay on Fra'mora's land until we can bring them here, will he?"
Nicodemus snorted disdainfully, "I have no idea what Gabriel will do. I suspect he will lock himself and his family away to avoid being infected."
"He and his family have already been exposed," Sunny told him. "I carry both the infection and the cure."
Nicodemus smiled wickedly at the thought then sobered when he saw Sunny's shocked look. "I, of course, do not wish ill on my brother – he is so set in his ways it is a wonder he has managed to survive this long!"
Sunny chuckled then sobered, "He wouldn't be so hide-bound that he'd refuse treatment?"
"No, Gabriel will be the first in line along with his family, to receive the cure, no matter how painful it might be," Nicodemus replied. "He remembers what it was like the last time sickness hit us. That year we lost three brothers and many members of the family."
Sunny nodded and they fell into comfortable silence while they ate. Fury finally broke the silence and angled a critical look at her. "Any ill effects from being here in Nu'Ada?"
Sunny shook her head. "I feel fine, the only thing that's a little different – that takes getting used to -- is the light -- there's no glare of the sun. Aunt Fiona warned me about that."
"There is still sunlight that will burn that fair skin of yours." He reached across the table and brushed a thumb lightly over her cheek and the bridge of her nose. "Even here, exposure to the sun will cause burns and exhaustion."
When they had finished their meal, Nicodemus led Sunny downstairs. Built into a wall in the entrance hall was a large storage cabinet. He looked over his shoulder at Sunny, "I had one of the men return to Fra'mora early sunrise to retrieve your bareback saddle. Orion has refused to wear the bridle, but he will submit to the saddle."
"I'm surprised he'll have even the saddle!" Sunny quipped.
"There is no precedence in place," Nicodemus said as he pulled the pad from the cabinet and then reached to the other side and brought out a pair of leather boots, "for what is permissible and what is not. Orion is making his own rules as he sees fit. He submits to the bareback saddle to keep you safe. Otherwise, he would refuse." He handed her the boots. "These will work instead of leather sandals."
Sunny took them over to the bench and sat down. Before she could secure the straps, Fury knelt before her on one knee. He slipped the boots on her feet, wrapped the leather straps snugly around each lower calf, and secured the ties. Sunny murmured her thanks as he got to his feet. It felt odd to have someone perform such a task for her. No one had tied her shoes for her since she was a child!
Fury set her slippers on the shelf and closed the doors. He hid his smile as he clearly 'heard' her internal dialog. While he was in Ranjai Tor, he could shield his thoughts fairly well from her. He did not like being isolated from her and if they were close they could easily 'hear' one another. During those times he had to be particularly guarded. His thoughts of Sunny made even him blush!
They stepped outside and looked across the bailey where the groomsmen waited at the stable entrance. When Fury waved to him, the man disappeared for a moment to retrieve the mount Fury was to ride.
Orion had arrived and stood waiting in the grassy area of the bailey; away from everyone, but within view of the doors. Sunny marveled at the whiteness of his hide. It glowed in the sunlight like burnished silver. Nicodemus joined Sunny on the steps, and she looked over at him in question. "Does everyone here know about Orion?"
"I suspect so," Fury answered. "The outstanding thing is that he is the only of his kind to serve as your guard and only we know that it was mandated by the Ne'Median Emperor to do so."
"That's out of the ordinary, isn't it?"
"It is indeed!" Nicodemus declared. A groomsman brought around a mount from the Fury stables. It was well-muscled and spirited, an offspring of Orion or one of his brothers. The animal was golden copper in color with a dark black mane and tail.
Orion allowed Nicodemus to place and cinch the bareback saddle, then he stepped to one side and gave Sunny a boost to Orion's back. Once she was safely mounted, without even thinking, Fury tucked her foot into the stirrup and patted her booted foot. Sunny noted that Hugh had done the same thing when they rode together. She gathered up a handful of Orion's shaggy mane to have something to hang onto and watched as Fury stepped up into the saddle of his mount. He glanced over at her, "The tents should be already pitched just below on the mesa." He told her as they began to ride toward the gates, "After we inspect the area, we'll head to the valley and make sure Gabriel has done his job."
"So, you don't expect him to bar anyone from coming for treatment, do you?"
Nicodemus shook his head. "No, Gabriel keeps his word. I cannot fault him there. He is just overly watchful and persnickety!"
Sunny laughed lightly and together they rode out of Ranjai Tor. Orion kept a fast and steady pace, measuring the stamina of the stallion Nicodemus rode. Then he slowed his pace as Sunny requested.
They reached the plateau where the tents were pitched for those who were ill and needed treatment. As they got nearer, Sunny spotted a lot of people already at work, carrying crates and sacks. Nicodemus pointed to one tent that was smaller and had four of his guardsmen posted around it. "That is where we will collect the serum and keep it chilled until it is ready for use."
"How are we keeping it cool?" Sunny wanted to know.
"I had ice blocks brought in," he told her. "They will be brought in regularly from the high mountains above Ranjai Tor. I had carpenters build an icebox like Fiona had in her kitchen. Then a tinsmith lined it with tin. McConnell called it a 'cooler'."
Sunny smiled at the way the unfamiliar term sounded when Fury said it. "That's good. I'll try to communicate with Lucy so I can learn – so we can learn the process of drawing and spinning the serum."
Nicodemus nodded. Then glanced over his shoulder back toward Ranjai Tor, "I have contracted with many of Aria's tribe; their talents will help calm wary patients."
"I believe you're right," Sunny agreed. "It's going to be a bit of a shock to be poked with a needle and have something injected into your arm."
Orion stopped just outside the tent and away from any guards that would have approached. Nicodemus was allowed to assist Sunny in dismounting and once that was accomplished and the bareback saddle removed, the Pookah left the area to assume a position on a rise of land where he could watch the comings and goings of men and supplies into the small tent city.
Sunny watched him for a moment then turned and stepped past the two guards. Nicodemus held open the tent flaps for her. She was surprised to see both men and women setting up what looked to her as a triage area. Nicodemus took her elbow and led her over to where women were working on the quills, they were long thin, and needle-like about the length of a cocktail straw. Nicodemus pointed to the table where the three women sat meticulously trimming the ends from each quill and laying on a cloth to one side.
He looked over at Sunny, "Come and see what we have managed for collection vessels." On the other side of the tent, there was a group of men carefully inspecting tall thin cylindrical glasses. Each one was about the circumference of a dime. "We can fill them halfway and then seal the tops with beeswax," Nicodemus said.
Sunny nodded, "Yes, I think that will work fine," She looked around with a sense of ease that everything was moving according to schedule. "Have there been any reports of illness from those coming from Ballencoo?"
"There are a few families that are below near Fra'mora," Nicodemus replied. "They are encamped and if they become more serious, they can be moved here if need be."
"Good," Sunny replied, "And Aria's people will be able to travel safely back and forth into Ne'Media past the daemons?"
Nicodemus nodded. "Yes," he responded as they finished walking through the tent. They stepped back outside for a moment and the calming effect from the sirens lifted. Sunny breathed a light sigh and looked around the area. It was beautiful. The light was strangely different. Sunny looked around for the sun and it was hanging low in the sky and climbing upwards in the turquoise sky. Sunny was reminded of the way the light changed during a partial eclipse, or in a dream, there were no real shadows in dreams. Nicodemus glanced skyward then smiled, "You will get used to the light, some have sun fever, but it passes in a few days."
"Sun fever? What's that like?" She wanted to know.
"Most have a fever, dizziness, and headache," he replied. "A few days inside usually clears it up."
"I don't feel bad," Sunny said, "It just takes a bit of getting used to; in Ballencoo the sunlight is yellow and warm, and the sun here seems a bit cooler, even pink or lavender – if that makes sense."
"It does," he replied. "Shall we see what Lucy can teach us?"
Sunny smiled up at him. As he met her gaze he was once again reminded of how much he adored this woman! He also realized that by her being with him, she was in danger. He knew what he needed to do to protect her and he knew what it could cost him!