Green Eyes

“Who was that?” Max queried as his daughter came through the door.

“That was Jared, the guy I ran into,” Selene answered. “He gave me a ride home on his horse.”

“I was wondering,” Max said glancing back out the window. “I haven’t seen a horse of that quality since we lived in Jermelek. In fact it reminded me of a horse...Ah, but that’s impossible,” he shook his head as if trying to shake loose a memory. “Anyway, glad to see you’ve made a new friend.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Selene followed Max’s look out the window and down the road that Jared had disappeared. “He was just helping me out.”

“But he was being nice to you,” Max pointed out. “So that’s something. See, things are getting better.”

“No, they’re not,” Selene shuddered as Arioch’s savage expression rose up before her.

Max set down the dishes he was cleaning and looked at her very carefully. “What happened today?” he asked seriously.

Breaking down, Selene finally spilled out everything that happened. Max listened with growing indignation as she described Arioch’s attempted rape. He knew that Selene wasn’t well-liked by the townsfolk but this was going too far.

“I’ll have his head on a spike before tomorrow,” Max snarled. “How dare that bastard touch you?”

“Dad, please,” Selene choked, “just let it lie. I don’t want any more trouble. What happened was horrible, but he didn’t succeed and I don’t think the town would appreciate me raising a fuss over this.”

“I don’t care whether they like you or not,” Max railed. “This is an absolute outrage that I cannot allow to go unpunished.”

“I think Arioch’s been punished enough,” Selene commented.

“Huh?” Max paused and stared at his daughter. “What do you mean?”

“Arioch didn’t succeed because of Jared,” Selene replied. “He stepped in and saved me, plus he broke Arioch’s wrist and knee. I doubt he’ll ever be able to work again.”

“Jared beat up Arioch?” Max exclaimed in disbelief.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Selene had a hard time believing it herself. “But he didn’t just beat up Arioch, he toyed with him. Jared took him down as easily as you and I take a walk. He would have killed him too, if I hadn’t stopped him.”

“Why did you?” Max scrunched his eyebrows. “Arioch richly deserved it.”

“Maybe,” Selene shrugged. “But it didn’t seem right to just kill him like that. That felt more like murder to me and I want no part of that.”

“I certainly raised a noble daughter,” Max shook his head. “This Jared seems like an unusual fellow.”

“He is,” agreed Selene. “In fact he’s got eyes like mine.”

“His eyes are green too?” Max could not believe it.

“No, not green,” Selene shook her head. “But they aren’t brown like yours or anyone else’s. He’s got these incredible blue eyes, like the deepest part of the lake on a sunny day.”

“Did you say blue eyes?” Max asked in a serious tone.

“Yeah, isn’t that strange?” Selene confirmed. “But at least I’m not alone anymore.”

“Selene, I need you to listen to me very carefully,” Max took a seat across from her and locked his eyes on hers. “I do not want you anywhere near this man.”

“But he saved me!” she protested.

Max held a finger up. “And he learned about your eyes,” he added. “Selene people with blue eyes are very dangerous and should never be trusted, especially by you. They will kill you if they can.”

“But doesn’t the king have blue eyes?” Selene queried.

“Yes and he is exactly why you shouldn’t trust people with blue eyes,” Max admonished her. “The king is an evil man and he is the reason we are living out here in the sticks instead of the capital or Endor.”

“Does this have something to do with what happened to my mother?” Selene supposed. “Did the king kill her?”

“Not directly,” Max shook his head. “But he was responsible for her death. And he would kill you too if he knew that you were alive.”

“So because the King has blue eyes, all people with blue eyes are evil?” Selene crossed her arms. “That seems more than a little prejudice.”

“You don’t understand,” Max sighed. “People, Kalashonians with blue eyes all are the King’s servants and work for him. If they found out about you, they would kill you.”

“This is about my eyes, isn’t it?” Selene guessed.

“Yes and no,” Max answered. “It is about what your eyes mean.”

“What do they mean?” demanded Selene. “Jared said my eyes mean something! What is it? What aren’t you telling me?”

“I can’t, at least not yet,” Max shook his head. “The time isn’t right yet. Just stay away from Jared; he is dangerous.”

Frustrated Selene slumped back into her chair. “Yes father,” she acquiesced. “But someday you are going to tell me the truth.”

“Someday,” Max promised. “But not right now.”

*******

The next morning Selene awoke feeling depressed and cooped up. The last few days had been an emotional rollercoaster and she was mentally exhausted. She needed to get away from everything and think.

It was a clear fall day, cool but not cold and the sun was shining brightly overhead. Selene decided to pack a lunch and go exploring the ruins to the south of her home along the lake shore. Dressing she breezed into the kitchen to prepare a lunch.

Jared had been true to his word, she noted. Sometime during the night, her basket of bread had appeared on their kitchen counter. Packing some, along with a few pieces of cheese, she informed her father of her plans and headed out the door.

“Have a good day, honey,” he called after her. “And try to be home by dark.”

Fifteen minutes later Selene emerged from the woods in to the massive clearing that was littered with the remains of an old city. She didn’t know its history; no one seemed to, but it hadn’t been inhabited in hundreds of years. Often Selene would come here, trying to picture what the city would have looked like in its day with high walls, white stone buildings, and people bustling about.

Now all that remained were crumbling walls and stone blocks littering the meadow. A few buildings still stood though Selene doubted for much longer. Instead of crowds rushing here and there, tall grass blew gently in the breeze.

The townspeople firmly believed the ruins to be haunted and never came here. Her frequenting of the place, she noted, was probably just one more in a long list of her oddities that they disapproved of. This, her love of reading, her green eyes, and that she was an outsider.

But it was Selene’s favorite place in the entire world. It was quiet and peaceful here. Sometimes she would come out here and skip from stone to stone along the remnants of the outer wall. Other times she would explore the buildings looking for treasure or adventure. And then other times she would simply lounge around in the sun reading.

Hopping along the wall, Selene was making her way down to the lake shore when a loud snort caught her attention. Nearly stumbling, Selene whirled around to see Jared’s massive horse trotting between the buildings in the center of the ruins. Although she had promised her father to keep her distance from the former mercenary, Selene’s curiosity got the better of her and she chased after the horse.

Coming closer, she agreed with Max’s assessment of the animal: this was truly a magnificent horse. Few of the villagers had horses, most had either oxen or mules, and those that did, had draft horses. But this creature was something different entirely. Tall and strong yet lithe, he held his head proudly. Selene had never seen a war horse, but this is what she pictured one to be like.

“Hey there,” she called gently to the horse, “Remember me?”

The horse cocked his head and eyed her inquisitively, as if actually trying to place her. Cautiously she took another couple steps forward, carefully not to spook the animal. The horse stopped his trotting and stood calmly, waiting for her to come closer. Selene took another few bolder steps, coming alongside the horse. Gingerly she reached out and stroked his chestnut flanks. He seemed to approve, giving a low nicker before snaking his head around and nuzzling Selene’s arm.

“So you do remember me,” she laughed, stroking his snout. “What are you doing way out here? And where is your master?”

The horse ignored her and continued to press his head against her hand. Continuing to scratch him, Selene looked around trying to see where Jared might be. Although she didn’t see him, she did notice that one of the houses seemed to have been occupied recently.

Leaving the horse, who trailed behind her, she walked over to the building. It had been recently reinforced with timber and the grass in front had clearly been walked on. Ducking under the low doorframe, Selene peeked inside.

This was clearly Jared’s home, simple as it was. Against the back wall was a makeshift bed of fur that probably belonged to a bear. Next to it was a small stack of books, most of which were titled in that ancient language the mercenary knew. Closer to her was a newly constructed table with paper and ink sitting on it. A few meager cooking supplies, along with his sword were leaning against the doorframe.

“What are you doing here?” a frighteningly familiar voice demanded from behind her.

Selene spun around to see Jared’s imposing figure standing there, a freshly killed deer in one hand and a bow in the other. His head was bare so Selene could see his cold blue eyes ruthlessly staring her down. A sudden chill swept through her as she remembered what he almost did to Arioch and her father’s warning so she bolted.

Or tried to, at least. Jared was far too quick, dropping the deer and grabbing her around the waist. Gently but firmly he tossed her back inside the small hut, dropping her on her butt. Quaking, Selene slunk back until she felt the wall pressing back.

“You seem to have developed the irritating habit of popping up wherever I am,” he commented dryly as he stepped into the dwelling, setting his bow against the door and unstrapping the quiver on his back. “What are you doing here?” he repeated, eyeing her again.

“Are you going to hurt me?” Selene asked in a small voice.

“Answer my question and I’ll answer yours,” Jared replied, crossing his arms and glaring at her.

“I, uh, come here a lot to think or read or just get away from everything,” Selene stammered out. “No one comes here, so it’s nice and quiet.”

“Doesn’t it strike you as odd that someone who came to be alone trespasses into someone else’s dwelling?” Jared questioned harshly.

“I was curious,” Selene shrugged her shoulders.

“That kind of curiosity will get you killed,” Jared warned. Seeing Selene tense up, he waved a hand disarmingly. “Do not worry; I’m not going to harm you. Although you have a talent for being annoying, you are no threat to me. However I caution you not to go snooping around in other people’s houses; there are many in this world that aren’t as forgiving as I.”

“I’ll, uh, keep that in mind,” Selene tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. “What are you doing out here anyway?”

“Living.”

“Obviously,” Selene rolled her eyes. “But I mean why live way out here?”

“As you astutely noted, nobody comes out here,” Jared answered. “It is quiet and peaceful and I can be alone, at least until recently,” he added, giving her a disproving look.

“Hey,” Selene defended, “I was coming out here long before you showed up.”

Jared snorted but said nothing and ducked back outside. Getting up, Selene followed him and watched as he strung the deer up.

“Can I help?” she asked.

“Do you know how to skin a deer?” he questioned.

“No, but I’d like to learn,” she volunteered.

For a moment Jared looked like he was going to shrug her off as usual, but then relented.

“I suppose it is a useful skill,” he commented more to himself than her. “I hope that dress can stand to get bloody.”

Selene nodded. It certainly wasn’t her best outfit.

“Come over here then,” he motioned, handing her a large hunting knife.

For the next three hours, they skinned, cleaned, and cut up the deer. During that time Jared patiently explained the process and what he would use the different parts of the animal for. Obviously he would eat the meat. Bone he would either sell or use for making traps and various tools. The ligaments and tendons he would make into twine and string, along with the intestines. The hide would be tanned for moccasins or whatever else he might need leather for.

By early afternoon, they were finished. Selene was a bloody mess, but satisfied with her work and having learned a new skill. Jared was just as taciturn as ever.

“I’m going down to the lake to wash up,” she announced. “Then we can eat. I brought a basket of food and I think we can split it well enough.”

Jared shrugged but didn’t refuse so Selene took that as a yes. After cleaning up, they sat down on the roof of Jared’s home, staring out at the lake and munching on some of the bread Selene had purchased the day before.

“Why doesn’t my father want me around you?” she questioned, taking a bite.

That almost drew a chuckle from Jared. “He doesn’t, does he?” he gave her a curious look. “I suppose I am a dangerous person, after all.”

“But not a bad one,” Selene remarked. “After what you did to Arioch, I have to think that if you wanted to kill me, you would’ve.”

“Perhaps,” Jared turned his gaze back out over the lake. “But then again, I have a suspicion you are a very difficult person to kill.”

“What makes you say that?” Selene wondered.

“Just a hunch,” Jared deflected, finishing off the last of his bread and cheese.

“My dad doesn’t like your eyes,” Selene explained. “He seems to think you’ll want to kill me because you have blue eyes.”

“To an extent, he’s right,” Jared surprised her. “There are many Kalashonians with blue eyes that would want you dead if they knew you were alive.”

“What do they mean, your eyes?”

“Blue eyes are the mark of the House of Yarack, the ruling family of Kalashon,” Jared supplied.

“Wait, are you saying you’re royalty?” Selene asked, dumbfounded.

That did make Jared laugh, a dry, humorless laugh. “No, I’m not of the royal family,” he shook his head. “Over the centuries as the descendants of the kings melded into the regular populace, they passed their blue eyes on. Granted most were bred out, but occasionally a Kalashonian with blue eyes pops up.”

“But that means that you have royal ancestry,” Selene concluded.

“I suppose,” Jared shrugged. “But to your father’s point: most Kalashonians that do have blue eyes are directly part of the royal house, king included. If he or one of his family were to discover your existence, they would not stop until you were either dead or in their service.”

That gave Selene pause. “Because of my eyes?” she queried.

“Because of what they represent,” Jared clarified. “I take it Max hasn’t explained it yet?”

“No,” Selene shook her head in frustration. “And I’m guessing you won’t either?”

“It is not my place,” Jared replied. “I am not your father and it is to his wisdom that I yield. If he has not told you, then I assume he has his reasons for doing so.”

“It’s really frustrating not knowing,” Selene pounded a fist against the stone. “I feel like everyone knows what I am except me and no one will tell me.”

“Trust your father,” Jared advised. “And you should probably trust him about me as well.”

“But you aren’t going to hurt me!” Selene protested.

“No, I have no intention of doing you harm,” Jared said. “But I am no friend of the king either. For you to associate closely with me puts you at risk.”

“What’d you do to the king?” Selene queried.

“I survived,” Jared flatly answered.

“Survived what?”

“You need to learn when to stop asking questions,” warned Jared.

“Couldn’t we still hang out here?” Selene suggested after a pause. “I mean no one knows that you live here.”

“Something I trust you keep that way,” Jared cut in.

“Don’t worry about your privacy,” Selene scoffed. “No one would bother you out here anyway. Everyone thinks this place is haunted.”

“Everyone except you,” Jared noted.

“What can I say?” Selene shrugged. “I like adventure. Besides I’ve been out here thousands of times and have yet to see a single ghost.”

“Perhaps you haven’t been looking correctly,” Jared observed. “There are ghosts all around us.”

“What do you mean?” Selene cocked her head.

“The stones are the ghosts,” Jared gestured around them. “And they tell this place’s story.”

“What do they say?” Selene inquired.

Jared took a deep breath and rocked back on his hands. “They tell the story of a place called Beth Ra’anan Ma’im, or House of Green Water. During the height of the empire, it was a busy port city that transported trade from here down the Great River to Endor and across the lake and down King’s Canyon to Plains of Ammon and beyond. People lived here in peace and comfort, enjoying the cool Green Lake and exploring the forest.”

“What happened?” Selene was leaning forward.

“During the collapse of the empire, the last emperor, or first king depending on how you look at it, made his final stand here against the invading Malchians,” Jared told her, his eyes far away as if he could see the battle in his mind. “He was a young man named Joab and he was the last Kalashonian War Master for a thousand years. Although he was outnumbered 10-1, he and his troops stood their ground and fought a life and death struggle for four days.”

“Did they win?”

“Yes, but at a terrible cost,” Jared nodded. “The city was completely destroyed, two-thirds of its people killed. King Joab and only a few of his men survived. They were safe, but the empire would never rise again.”

“That’s terrible,” Selene shook her head, imagining how horrific the devastation must have been.

“Like I told you,” Jared replied, “nothing is without its price. The kingdom was safe, but Beth Ra’anan Ma’im was the price for that safety.

“And speaking of safety,” he stood. “You ought to get home before I have to deal with your father directly.”

“Come on,” whined Selene. “I’m an adult and perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”

“That may be,” Jared answered. “But I would rather not go against his wishes. And I would like some peace and quiet.”

“Fine,” Selene grumbled as he pulled her to her feet.

Whistling, he signaled his horse who cantered over to where they were. Slipping on the animal’s back, he helped Selene mount him and they rode off back to Selene’s home.

She had barely made it in the door when Max pounced on her.

“I just saw Jared’s horse riding off,” he scolded. “I told you to stay away from him.”

“I didn’t intend on running into him,” Selene protested. “I just happened upon the place he’s staying.”

Instantly Selene realized she had said too much. “So he’s living in the ruins?” Max raised an eyebrow. “It’s time I pay this mystery man a visit.”

“Dad, don’t do that,” Selene barred his way. “He’s a good guy. He rescued me from Arioch and has done nothing to threaten my life. He’s the closest thing I have to a friend so just leave him alone.”

“He’s dangerous, Selene,” Max gently but firmly moved her out of his way. “And I’m going to make sure he leaves you be.”

“By doing what?” Selene demanded. “You didn’t see what he did to Arioch. If you threaten him or assault him, he will destroy you. He isn’t our enemy and I certainly don’t want him as one.”

“But look at you!” Max protested. “You’re covered in blood.”

Selene looked down at her stained frock. “He taught me how to skin a dear,” she explained.

“I’m going to go have a talk with him,” Max pushed past her. “Only talk,” he soothed, “just to find out who exactly he is and what he wants.”

“Just be careful,” Selene requested. “And try to keep an open mind.”

“I will,” her father promised.

*******

Even though he didn’t believe in ghosts, Max still found the ruins creepy. It was like walking through a graveyard.

Finding Jared’s abode wasn’t difficult. He must have been cooking something because a small column of smoke rose from one of the ruined buildings in the center. Following it, Max soon found himself outside Jared’s simple dwelling.

“I was wondering how long until you showed up, Maximilian ben Luther,” a cool voice spoke from above. Looking up, Max saw Jared’s hooded and cloaked figure standing cross-armed on the stone roof.

“How did you know my name?” Max asked, feeling more than a little nervous. Now that he was in the man’s presence, he began to understand the awe his daughter had for him.

Light as a feather, Jared leaped down from the roof, landing a few feet in front of Max. “I know many things,” he said in that same lethally calm voice. There was something strangely familiar in his voice. He couldn’t quite place it, but Max knew he had heard that voice before.

“Who are you?” he demanded with as much bravado as he could muster.

“You do not know?” Jared queried as he removed his hood, revealing his face.

Max stared in openmouthed astonishment. The face was a little older and much more world weary, but the eyes were unmistakably the same. There was no question; it was him.

“My lord,” Max gasped as his wits began to return.

He began to drop to his knees, but Jared’s hand caught him, holding him up. “It’s just Jared now,” he said calmly. “No more; no less.”

“Yes, of course,” Max blabbered. “But where…when…how? I mean, you’re supposed to be dead.”

“As is your daughter,” Jared cocked an eyebrow and re-crossed his arms. “It would seem that rumors have been misleading.”

Max studied his big toe, awkwardly thinking about how badly he had misjudged the situation. In his defense, never in his wildest imagination would he have considered this man showing up.

“Why haven’t you told her the truth?” Jared questioned.

“She deserved a childhood,” Max answered. “If I had told her the truth, her childhood would have been spent running for her life.”

“Not if she was where she belonged in Jerel,” Jared pointed out. “Why haven’t you taken her there yet?”

“Same reason,” Max replied. “Her childhood would’ve been spent in an ivory tower being grilled by the monks and other Navi.”

“Instead it was spent being a social pariah,” Jared sardonically noted. “I can see how that was an improvement.”

“It has kept her safe,” Max retorted. “If Manasseh or Brutus found out that a Kalashonian Navi lived, do you think they would let anything stop them from getting their hands on her? They would burn down the world if they had to.”

“Not if she was trained,” Jared countered.

“Maybe,” Max allowed. “But we don’t know that. Besides you of all people know how relentless Brutus and Manasseh are.”

A flash of anger glinted in Jared’s blue eyes. “I need no history lesson,” he snapped. “I was there. You, however, are playing a dangerous game with her. It is a miracle that you have kept her secret this long. How much longer before someone puts two and two together? Even these fools know some stories of the Navi.”

“I’ve kept it quiet for this long,” Max shrugged.

“You and I both know it is only going to get harder,” Jared told him. “The older she gets, the stronger her powers will get. It is only a matter of time before something happens that not even you can hide But then again,” Jared’s eyes narrowed as he studied the older man, “you already know this because something has already happened.”

Max didn’t reply, but instead dropped his gaze back to the ground.

“I always wondered how that fire started,” Jared shook his head. “That poor girl. I suppose that is another reason you’ve kept the truth from her?”

“Some things she is better off not knowing,” Max softly answered.

“That I cannot disagree with,” nodded Jared. “But you are playing with matches around a tinderbox. She needs to go to the other Navi in Jerel and we both know it. You need to tell her and leave while you still can. Once Manasseh and Brutus find out, getting to the Ammonite Road will become almost impossible.”

“I know, I know,” admitted Max, sighing heavily. “It’s really hard to let go.”

“She’s not a child anymore,” Jared remarked. “You need to take her to the temple.”

“I will,” Max promised. “But not until the spring. If we leave now, the dead of winter will hit before we leave Kalashon. We’ll have to stop in Beth Haven or Beth Jehran. Do you like our odds of keeping her secret through the winter there? I sure don’t.”

Jared considered that for a moment. “Very well,” he nodded. “You have until the snows melt to get her out. After that, I will take her myself.”

“I understand,” Max gave a short bow. “And Jared? It’s good to have you back.”

*******

“How did your talk go?” Selene questioned as Max came back home.

He studied his daughter, realizing that Jared was right. She wasn’t a little girl anymore and he needed to stop treating her like one.

“It was…revealing,” he answered enigmatically. “One thing’s for sure: our lives are soon going to change.”

“For the better I hope,” Selene hopped up and wrapped her father in a tight hug.

Max kissed her forehead. “I hope so, sweetheart,” he said quietly. “I really hope so.”