And Yet I Know Him a Notorious Liar

"No, we'll wait for him to come back before moving out. He may bring news. Change, ya know?"

"I just don't like us all out here any longer than we have to be, sir."

"There are enough of us here keeping watch and armed, I'm not worried."

"Of course not, sir."

Althea feigned sleeping, reached out with all of her senses into her surroundings and painted the picture of what was happening through feel and sound behind her closed eyes. Galen had started to stir slightly, but not enough to be wake. She was left alone in the large kitchen room where she had been laid on the table; the rest of the guards were outside and speaking amongst themselves. She couldn't hear it all, but she could hear the captain quite clearly. He was the one she was most concerned about. All actions waited on his word and revolved at his command.

In moments of silence, which were often, she focused on some kind of plan. So many variables to consider, and she was never known to be a great tactician. She knew that it was imperative to be calculated about the next big moves as there was so much danger, so much at stake, that even the slightest miscalculation would end up dooming her or Galen or both.

But the one truth she knew, and it was an important truth, was how well she knew Durai and how she held no doubt in her heart the extent to which he could manipulate, pervert, and control a situation and the people within it. In this, at least, she was defended against naiveté and the blindfold of love that had trapped her for so long. As long as she kept in her mind and remembered who Durai was and what he could do, she would be stronger and wiser.

Now she was sensing only the Captain and one other guard outside the door, and they weren't talkative. Perhaps the other men were patrolling around the building or the rest of the town. She decided to lay before her what she did know before trying to build the plan she did not yet have formed. These guards were not Mireya's; they worked directly for Durai. This didn't necessarily mean these were villains. That guard she knew from so long ago tried to open her eyes and save her, so perhaps these men just followed orders and not necessarily Durai's unique ethics.

However, even men marching steady to the drumming of specific commands presents its own issues. Hemele clearly held some strong resistance against taking Galen along. Althea may have convinced him to not leave Galen, but once they were on the move, there was no telling how defenseless she might become or what they would end up doing to him. What if they bound her? What if they left him here or some random place once they had her secured? How safe would he be?

No, she felt certain that they were very cautious about her from what she heard from the other men before. It might only be slight, but she held some leverage, some power, in the situation. She would have to find some way to use that hold to keep Galen safe.

The more she thought about it, though, the more she wasn't sure what she wanted for Galen. If she was being hand delivered directly into the den of the devil, did she want to put him in such a perilous position? How would Durai see this man? In her experience, any man with her – innocent or not – was in danger from his possessive jealousy. Should I demand that he just be kept secret and hidden at some home in Courtside? Would Galen even stay put if she asked him?

The more Althea tried to move the pieces on the board the more she lost sight. There were so many elements, so much unknown, that she started to feel overwhelmed by just how little she might be able to do. One thing she knew for certain, time kept steadily on, and her chance to make a move, if any, was quickly vanishing.

She opened her eyes then to the light. As she looked around, she saw only herself and Galen in the room. She turned her head to look at him and found that he had regained consciousness. He was blinking his eyes heavily and hadn't noticed her movements. She deduced he was still hazy with blurred senses just as she had been. She wanted to call out to him, make a move toward him, but she decided to keep waiting. Even the smallest move on her part could set events in motion that she didn't have a confident enough grasp on.

Althea sensed the clouds roll in as the golden light seen through the door was stolen into the grey. The shadows from the sun became darker and deeper, and she began to smell the moisture in the air. A storm was coming.

"Althea?" She turned her head to the music of Galen's voice. She was so happy to hear him with some manner of strength and clarity. However, in the same instant, she held out her hand slightly and looked out towards the door. Galen caught her meaning instantly and quietly listened. He realized then that they were not alone and flashed her a questioning look.

They waited in silence for some small time to make sure that the guards weren't going to come in reaction to hearing Galen. Althea spoke very low, but it was clear enough for Galen. He felt that he could hear her through a thunderstorm. No matter what, he would find a way to hear her.

"These are guards from the castle. They are not the Queen's, though. They've come to bring me to Durai...directly to Durai." Althea could see the protective instinct flash in Galen's eyes and felt both happy for his caring of her and warry of the problems it could present.

"Ok then," he whispered back equally as quiet, "what's the plan?"

Althea laid her head back and closed her eyes in frustration. She let out a sigh and replied, "I don't know yet." Galen could tell then that she had been wrestling with this problem for some time. He wasn't sure how he could help. He wasn't sure even what he wanted. He wanted Althea, he wanted to be with her and protect her, and he wanted to see the other side of this after its ending together with her. But he also didn't want her to come to any harm, and he wasn't sure if he was going to be an added variable that could throw off a precarious balance. What is best? He wasn't sure if there was a difference here between what was right, what was easy, what he wanted, and what he needed.

In the darkness those who were lost looked for a light to guide them home. And the brightest light he knew was her. He would look to her for what was right and trust in her strength and wisdom. If anyone could get them both safely to journey's end, it was her.

"You lead, I'll follow."

She was grateful for his trust and also terrified of failing it.

At that moment, Althea and Galen could hear the sound of a horse and rider approaching their building. Althea gestured for Galen to be quiet and feign sleep as she concentrated on what she could feel out.

"You're back," she could hear Hemele responding to the rider. "Thank you."

Althea could hear parchment rustling as though he was handed a notice he was unraveling. He must have sent this messenger ahead and was brought back further instructions. More silence, but something else. There was a sound like gentle clanking like glass or tiny chimes. Althea strained to hear more, but all she could hear was the increasing wind rolling the darker clouds closer.

"Ok, understood. Let's start packing things up. You, bring some water before we move her out."

Althea knew she had suddenly run out of time. There was no more time to develop intricate plans. The best she could hope for was laying a few advantages as best she could in the little time she had left. She heard him say "move her out," which meant they had no intention of bringing Galen. She started to worry what they WERE going to do with him. And what was in the message from who she could only assume was Durai.

"Hey."

"Yes, sir?"

Hemele started talking to another voice she had heard before. This man seemed to have Hemele's trust and slightly more reverence than the other men under his command. "I don't like it." She heard the parchment rustle again; he must have handed the order to this other man.

"God," the other voice replied after a time.

"Must be doing it to keep her safe."

"You think so?"

"Orders in the end."

Althea felt the coldness in her damp palms as her anxiety started to rise. What was on that order?! She felt Galen's gaze on her, and when she turned to look, he saw panicked concern in his eyes. She even saw the sweat start to form on his face. She realized then that whatever that order meant for her, whatever the cost, her first priority would be to keep him safe. But, Damn, what did that even look like?!

She heard the men enter the room, and she was too tensed and froze in place. Galen closed his eyes to give the appearance of sleep, but it was too late for Althea to try to do the same. She just decided to look over at Hemele and this other man he had been talking to as they entered and tried to appear to be as strong and confident as she possibly could. From what she heard, they were moving out regardless of if she had recovered or not, so feigning further weakness wasn't going to delay anything.

Hemele went to her side and sat beside her. He had a warm, caring smile on his face that she did not trust for a single moment. She had heard the concern in his voice before, and this was a stark contrast. Whatever he was doing, whatever he was going to say, it had to be a lie.

She had experience with lies.

"It looks as though we are getting ready to go. You'll be home soon and safe. I promise you." Hemele even put a comforting hand upon her own hand as he said this last part. Something about his promise of safety did appear sincere. Perhaps he really did mean to hold her safe to the best of his ability. Maybe he didn't truly know that there was nothing safe about where she was going and who she was being brought to. Who can truly tell the innocence of a soul?

"Both of us?" Althea asked as she looked over to Galen and then back at Hemele with a determined look.

Hemele steadied himself to try and be as persuasive as possible. He wasn't the most approachable person; he had no illusions on that. But so much hinged around her trusting him. He wanted to avoid struggling with her at all costs. "Let's be reasonable, I cannot deliver this man to Durai; I was ordered to only bring you." Althea knew that bringing Galen to the devil himself would be too dangerous, but she didn't give away any thoughts to see just how much she could win from all of this. "What I can do," Hemele continued, "is bring him as far as Courtside. I promise to take him somewhere where they will care for him. They have set up something like a hospital, and he can take it from there."

This might have been the best that she could hope for, but she decided to act disappointed just a little longer. Just one last gamble to win something, anything.

Unfortunately, Hemele was stubborn, too, and he had conceded all he would. He leaned in closer to her face. "It's the best I can do, or I can leave him here. Your choice."

Her gamble lost, so she took what she could and dropped the matter.

"Besides," he added as he stood up and began to walk towards the door, "do you really want..." and he suddenly stopped himself. He barely glanced over his shoulders to see if she noticed what he said at all and then quickly walked out of the room.

Galen and Althea were once again alone, and he opened his eyes to look at her. "What are you thinking?" he asked her.

"I can't tell what he's hiding, but he is hiding something." She looked at him. She wasn't sure why, but she suddenly felt sad. "I think that maybe this is for the best. I don't know what would happen if Durai saw you. What he would think, you know?"

Galen tried to fake ignorance as to what she was meaning. But he knew exactly the truth in his heart, and he wasn't sure he could keep his feelings secret in front of this threat. He was sure that, at the first sign of any danger, he would be jumping to her aid and his intentions and affections would be known. From the little he knew about this man, he wouldn't suffer any rivals.

That sound again. Glass? Chimes? What was that?

"How am I going to find you?" Althea heard his question and felt warm inside. And yet, at the same time, she felt some heaviness. She looked at him with all the complicated feelings written all over her face. Galen simply added, "I know they're going to separate us. And I will find you. I just...I don't know how. All I know is I want to find a way to get to you."

"Galen," she said like a sad song, "they'll get me to where I need to go to do what I can to finish this. You don't need to carry me any farther. You did what you said you would. You've kept me safe, and I thank you for that. But you don't need to go along anymore."

He wanted so much to go to her then, say so many things. "Althea, this I ask because it is what I want to do, not what I feel I have to do."

Althea wasn't sure if she wanted him to stop or keep going.

"I guess," he decided to say, "my purpose has changed somewhat. How could it not?"

But so much would remain unsaid as Hemele and the other man came into the room at that moment carrying some packs and some water. "Oh, good. You're awake," Hemele said seeing Galen sitting up and conscious. "That'll make it easier. I guess we'll get you water too, then." He gave a silent order with a nod to this other man, and he left the room.

Hemele came again to sit at Althea's side. "My men are ready. Here are your things." He laid down her pack and her bow beside where she sat on the table. "It's a long ride. You should get some water here while we have it cold from the well. We won't stop until we're safe near the castle."

She took the water he offered to her while she kept her eyes on him. She was glad for the cooling and refreshing sensation of the water. It was almost sweet.

Then she felt Hemele's arms around her as she fell back. Everything fell away in darkness.