Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) (79 page)

“And
I am the luckiest man in the world. I do not know how I could have been so
fortunate.”

A
mischievous smile played with Zimma’s lips. “Two women in your bed will pose a
challenge, do you not agree?”

Jeff
blushed at the prospect, and it deepened at Zimma’s bubbling laughter. “Oh,
Jeffrey, my delightful earthling, you are such a joy.” Putting her wineglass
down, Zimma stood up and held her hands out to him. “Come. This evening I feel
it time to put your renewed strength to the test.”

The
creaking, surging mattress briefly awakened Balko. Dropping head between paws,
he closed his eyes smiling a wolf smile.

That
night marked a turning point in his recovery. Jeff awoke feeling energized and
ready to get on with life. They roamed the city from end to end in company with
Balko. Long lunches and shopping, shared laughter over Balko’s exploits, slow
evening meals and cuddling in front of the fire—it was the first quiet period
they had ever had together.

Day
by day, Jeff felt himself falling in love with Zimma in a new, deeper fashion.
The only frustration in his life was trying to hook up with Helwin. He might as
well have been searching for a ghost. Jeff thought he knew the reason.

Ethbar
took note of Jeff’s return to health and suggested it was time to have a
Telling. Zimma and Jeff quickly agreed. They set a date and Jeff sought out
Elke and Wulfern.

“I
believe it were wise that I not accompany you to our camp. Do you understand
why I say this?”

“Yes,
Captain,” Elke replied. “It has been a painful time for the lieutenant.”

“Please
give her my greetings and let her know that we will have a Telling one week from
this day.”

“She
might not wish to return, Captain.”

“And
I appreciate her feelings, yet her presence is required.”

“Yes,
sir.”

On
the appointed day, extra chairs were being moved into Ethbar’s sitting room
when Belstan and Rogelf drifted in. They were early, but by design. Ethbar
bustled into the room, pulled them to a table set with coffee cups and picked
up a fresh carafe of brew steaming on a charcoal brazier.

The
steward was mortified that Ethbar would do such a thing. He hurried over,
snatched the carafe from Ethbar’s hands, and gracefully poured a round. Ethbar
winked at the steward before concentrating his attention on Belstan and Rogelf.

“Now
then, my friends, I will admit to being intrigued by the trade prospects you
anticipate with the West and East. Would you be so kind?…” The trio wandered
toward the fireplace deep in conversation.

Gaereth
and Rengeld sauntered in some time later, followed by Jeff, Zimma and Balko. It
was a raw spring day, the room was quite cool, and the vast fire burning on the
grate drew everyone close to warm their hands and backsides. It was the first
time they had all gathered at the same time, and enthusiastic conversations
filled the room.

While
chatting with Ethbar, Jeff frequently glanced at the entryway. “I’m quite
concerned about Carl. If he does not arrive soon, I will most certainly drag
him here if necessary. He has been so sad of late.” Jeff pursed his lips and
frowned worriedly. “I haven’t seen Carl for well over a week. We cannot have
this meeting without him.”

“And
we shall not.” Ethbar nodded toward the doorway.

Jeff
turned quickly to see Carl walk in with a stunning blond on his arm. Jeff
whistled under his breath. “What a beautiful woman. Way to go, Carl. That
explains why I haven’t seen him, but where did she come from?” Jeff did a
double take. “It’s Helwin! I didn’t recognize her.”

She
was wearing an ankle-length, light blue gown made of winter weight wool, and
had a long cape of darker blue picked out with cream embroidery thrown about
her shoulders. Helwin’s blond hair, which trailed down to her waist, had been
brushed until it gleamed and was gathered with a pale pink ribbon. Although
still quite thin, that only added to the sense of elegance she projected.

Carl
and Helwin stopped just inside the room to look around. Carl appeared flustered
and nervous, but Jeff hardly noticed. He had not seen Helwin since their return
and could not take his eyes off her. Memories of their winter together rushed
to mind. They were so strong that Jeff was carried far south by the impact.

Helwin
was more than nervous and anxiously scanned the room. Her head stopped when she
saw Jeff. Electric blue and yellow-green eyes locked together, forming a
conduit for the exchange of memories: bitter cold, starvation, death, shared warmth,
loving. The room faded from Jeff’s perception as his spirit drank the bitter
and the sweet.

Conversing
with Gaereth four or five steps away, Zimma turned as Carl and Helwin entered.
So did the rest of those gathered, and conversations trailed off to silence.

A
hand fluttered to Zimma’s throat when she saw the way Jeff and Helwin were
looking at each other. Gaereth circled Zimma’s shoulders with an arm, and
whispered, “What Jeff and Helwin must be feeling is not to be long endured. I
am also deeply concerned for Carl. We must intervene before all three come to
harm.”

One
glance at the stark fear in Carl’s expression and Zimma squeezed Gaereth’s arm.
“I shall see to Helwin and Carl, will you attend Jeffrey?” Gaereth nodded
quickly and hurried off.

Zimma
walked up to Helwin and hugged her. “You are so beautiful, Helwin. Carl is most
fortunate.”

When
she broke eye contact with Jeff and realized who was holding her, Helwin’s
cheeks turned a soft rose. She did not avoid Zimma’s eyes.

“Thank
you for finding a place for me in your heart.”

Extracting
a square of embroidered linen, Zimma dabbed at the tears in Helwin’s eyes and
stepped back. They shared a long look that conveyed volumes.

“I
feel so fortunate that you were with Jeffrey. Thank you for loving him.” Zimma
planted a kiss on Carl’s cheek. “I was becoming concerned about your solitary
life, Carl. I am so happy for you both.”

Inserting
herself between Helwin and Carl, Zimma led them toward the fireplace and a
circle of intense interest. When Helwin had been introduced around, Zimma
hurried to be with Jeff.

Letting
out a relieved gust of air, Ethbar muttered, “Thank the gods for Zimma and
Gaereth. It was a near thing.” He raised his voice to be heard. “Please attend
me. I believe a good beginning would be made by asking Rengeld to relate what
occurred after Jeffrey and Helwin left for the south.”

Everyone
hurried to the semicircle of chairs arranged to face the fireplace.

Placing
his back against familiar stonework, Rengeld nodded toward Jeff. “You were not
gone many weeks before the siege engines had been rebuilt. Shortly they were
relentlessly employed to hurl firepots and stones into the city, for having
constructed city walls the Salchek knew them to be proof against such assault.

“Two
times they attacked and were repulsed, moving siege towers first against the
south then the west wall. Sorely had they underestimated our ability to man the
walls, losing many lives during each attack.

“However,
unbeknownst to us they had constructed a mighty ram protected by thick shields
deep in the forest. This they did apply with great vigor to the south gate one
moonless night, at the same time moving siege towers and many ladders against
the east wall.

“Time
and again they won their way onto Rugen’s battlements only to be thrown back.
Yet despite valiant defense they did finally succeed. When their foothold was
secure, the Salchek directed large numbers of troops into the city and advanced
on the palace, savage resistance notwithstanding. Throughout it all, the ram
continued its thunder on the gate and soon its hinges began to weaken.

“It
was then that Lord Carl’s explosives were employed to devastating effect.”
Rengeld paused, shaking his head as he remembered. “The ram’s shields were
shattered by the first explosion, exposing those handymen left standing to a
rain of arrows. Other bombs were hurled to destroy men and machines alike. At
the height of Salchek terror, Alemanni warriors descended upon them in main
force, called up by the good offices of Lord Gaereth and Gurthwin of Valholm.

“Falling
upon their rear like a lightning bolt, this attack forced the Salchek to
abandon their assault on Rugen in order to preserve their lives. When the
Alemanni withdrew by design, they left the Salchek Army in ruins. The abject
fear inspired by our ally’s wolf companions can only be imagined, for at least
four packs engaged the enemy. And so the Salchek’s main thrust was broken, and
those who had won entry entirely destroyed.

The
several attempts on this city thereafter were paltry affairs of desperation.
Although a modest offensive would have forced an unconditional surrender, I was
loath to unnecessarily expend more lives. During quiet moments of reflection I
have regretted that decision.”

Rengeld’s
face became grim. “Then the snows came. I am a man of war, but sorely was my
soul tried as the Salchek began to struggle among themselves. Soon they were
dying by the hundreds from wounds and starvation. As they came to understand
that the long-awaited caravan was not to arrive, all order disappeared.

“Desertion
became rampant as winter deepened, yet to what safe haven could they flee?
Disease soon marched among them, and many hundreds more died. Unable to endure
observing such dishonorable and wretched death, we accepted their pleas and
offered succor. Some eight hundreds were all that remained and gratefully
accepted.” Rengeld bowed and sat down, his face a study in sadness.

Carl
gave a brief summary of the city’s losses, which amounted to four hundred
counting injuries and deaths from stones that were tossed over the walls.

The
mood in the room had become somber. Jeff threw a question at his friend that he
thought would break the spell.

“How
did your hospital work out?”

“Outstanding!
I think we must have saved fifty people just from using antiseptic technique.
Only had to do two amputations. Those books Gaereth brought really saved the
day.” Carl indicated that Gaereth stand and take a bow, which he overdid,
leading to a round of laughter and applause.

Ethbar
announced a break for lunch and there was a general rush toward the buffet.
Jeff lingered behind until he could speak to Zimma with some privacy. First
thing, however, he kissed her with such passion that she blushed and pulled
away.

“Jeffrey!
Think of the people!”

“That’s
just too bad, sweetheart,” Jeff said with a big grin. “Thank you for being so
loving and thoughtful. Greeting Helwin in such a generous fashion after having
been informed of Magda could not have been easy for you.”

“It
was not, Jeffrey,” Zimma replied, looking down at the floor. “You and Helwin
have shared so much, had so much more time together than we have. When first I
viewed Helwin upon your return, then again while encouraging her to seek out
Carl, I thought it likely she had shared her body with you. Helwin’s eyes have
now confirmed this and made no apologies.”

“She
is direct.”

“Which
I cherish. Helwin is a woman of great character, much as I know Magda to be.
Thus I also understand your loving was not frivolous. Yet it was difficult.”
She abruptly looked up and smiled, but tears lurked in the corners of her eyes.
“Please, Jeffrey—you must avoid being thrown together with any more such
women.” Tears flooded over and she rushed into his arms

Jeff
held Zimma and rubbed her back while she sobbed quietly. “Your part has been
hard and long, sweetheart. One of endless waiting.” Jeff gently untangled
himself and looked deep into Zimma’s eyes. “Your conclusions are correct—our
loving was not frivolous or frequent, rather a coming together to sustain life
and hope. But know that rather than risk losing my place in your heart, we will
leave this day and journey north. There we will be done with partings, done
with war, done with grief. I cannot live without you, Zimma.”

Zimma’s
tears brimmed over again. Throwing herself at Jeff, she crushed her lips to
his. When she released him, they had to gasp for air and it was Jeff’s turn to
blush. Glancing around the room, he saw that everyone was pointedly not looking
at them.

“Think
of the people, Zimma!”

Brushing
away her tears, Zimma took Jeff’s hand and pulled him toward the buffet. “How
did you phrase that, Jeffrey? That’s just too bad? Now come, let us take food.
Your place in my heart will never be given up, war must be pursued, and of more
immediate importance, our appetites attended to.”

Later,
Jeff and Zimma strolled out of doors to help the food and emotions settle. “I
need to speak with Helwin before the Telling resumes, Zimma. Will that be all
right?”

“Yes,
of course you might. She is a lovely woman and perfectly honest.” Zimma stopped
to face Jeff. “It has been our time apart when you were denied to me that has
torn at my heart, not Magda and Helwin. I need you, Jeffrey. Need to grow and
share with you. I love you so much.”