Remembered (23 page)

“Then he must have stolen it from somewhere,” Sara said.
“Nephlus has been dead for some years, and I doubt he would have left anything
of importance to Lionel.”

“Do you think that Lionel was afraid that I would conceive
Kellus’s child?” Annie asked.

“That’s exactly what I think,” Sara agreed. “When Kellus
turned seventeen, Lionel came to tell us that he had reserved a position for
Kellus to join the next apprenticeship, in two years’ time. I found it odd as
Kellus had never displayed any of the talents that the Citadom find preferable
when recruiting. I know they’re taught many different skills, but they have a
gauge, a sort of ideal, since they only have ten positions every five years.”

“At first, Kellus showed no interest in a life at the
Citadom, but Lionel was persistent. He visited many times and in the end,
succeeded in convincing Kellus that he would enjoy that life,” Tol added.

Sara nodded. “I was uneasy with his decision at first. I
felt he’d been persuaded at an impressionable age, but he was a man at that
point, so I had to take his word that he knew what was best for himself,” Sara
said.

“So, Lionel wanted Kellus to take a vow of celibacy upon
becoming a man,” Cora said.

“And then when he became a full-fledged peaceman, he would
be unable to have children,” Zifini added.

“But why would Lionel want to prevent this, if it was true?”
Max questioned.

“Because a great peaceman would see him as the fraud he is,
and throw him from the Citadom before he got a chance at the top position,”
Markum concluded.

“Perhaps,” Tol replied. “Who knows what his reasons are?”

“And why would he involve a woman?’ Cora asked.

“I don’t know,” Tol answered. “But I do know this: he may
have been generous enough to spare Annie’s life before, but if he finds out
that she’s back, and able to bear witness against him, he’ll kill her
this
time.”

Annie swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Annie, you must not leave this house at all. Do you
understand?” Tol said.

She nodded slowly.

“I want someone with her at all times,” he continued.
“Markum, I’d like you to stay close to her, and please teach Max how to use a
blade. We have to take every precaution until we can figure out what to do
about this.”

“What about Kellus?” Markum asked. “Shall I go fetch him
from the Citadom?” He stood as if to leave immediately.

“No!” Tol said firmly.

“Why not?” Markum questioned.

“He can’t know Annie’s back yet,” Tol answered.

“What?” Markum asked incredulously. “How can we be so cruel
to him? He’s still yearning for her. His heart’s still breaking.”

“Can we not give him some peace?” Zifini added.

“He’ll have no peace, whatsoever, if his wife has returned
only to be murdered,” Tol responded. “Think about it; whatever Lionel is up to,
we can assume he’s keeping an eye fixed on Kellus. Any changes in Kellus’s
behavior may cause Lionel to grow suspicious. As cruel as it seems, it’s in
Kellus’s best interest at the moment.”

Annie knew that Tol had a valid point, but she longed for Kellus
with everything inside. She had gotten so close, yet he would still be kept
from her.

“He has leave this coming weekend,” Tol continued. “I’ll
close up the shop early on Friday and wait for him. I can explain everything to
him on the ride home.”

“This weekend?” Annie screeched.

“Yes,” Tol nodded. “You won’t have to wait too much longer
to be reunited with your husband.”

Annie lay awake for hours that night, swirling everything
she’d learned around her head. It was not far off dawn when she finally slipped
into unconsciousness.

After a late breakfast the following morning, Markum led Max
into the back garden to begin instructing him on how to use a sword.

Cora walked out behind them and stood next to Max.

Annie and Zifini threw each other a quizzical glance and
went out after Cora to see what she was up to.

“What are you doing, Cora?” Markum asked.

“Learning how to use a blade,” she answered flatly.

“Really?” he asked with amusement.

“Why the grin, Markum?” Cora questioned. “Do you think
self-defense is only for men?”

Markum pondered this momentarily before responding. “No, I
suppose not.”

“So, you’ll teach me?” she queried.

“Yes, but I’m going to insist that Zifini learn also, and…”
he turned to look at Annie. “It seems that you might need to defend yourself as
well. Do you want to learn?”

“Yes, I would love to,” Annie answered.

“Okay then, if someone would run to the shed and grab a
bundle of wasters, we can begin.”

“A bundle of what?” Cora asked.

“Wooden swords,” Markum explained. “We’ll be practicing with
wooden swords until you get the feel for handling the real thing. I wouldn’t
feel comfortable watching you spar with sharp blades.”

Cora ran to the shed and returned moments later with an
armful of fake swords. “Why do you have so many of these?” she asked.

“Our father used to be a sword master,” Zifini answered. “He
used to teach.”

Markum nodded. “He began training Kellus and me at the age
of eleven and ten, along with some of the boys from our school,” he added.

“Are you very good?” Annie asked him.

“I won’t lie to you, Annie; I’m exceptionally good if I do
say so myself,” he answered, “but, unfortunately, no match for your husband. He
inherited my father’s talent for swordplay. He was the first apprentice ever to
be named sword master at the Citadom.”

“Really?’ Annie responded, feeling pride swell inside. What
other hidden talents did her husband possess?

“He didn’t tell you that?” Markum questioned.

“No,” she said, shaking her head.

They stood in a row and listened to Markum’s instructions.
“Before we begin, I would like to make a few very important points,” he began.
“First, remember, all of you, that if someone approaches you with a sword
pulled, they mean to do you harm, and they
will
, given the chance. If
you’re not prepared to kill in self-defense, there is no reason to be here.”

Annie winced at the ugly thought. Would she be prepared to
kill? She guessed that she would if her life depended on it.

“Next,” Markum continued, “try to hit the closest target
available. If you can only hit fingers, do so. No fingers means no holding a
weapon. Also, remember that speed is not as important as timing and distance.
After some practice, your opponent’s next move will become obvious. However, a
skilled opponent will be able to deceive you. Don’t worry about your size, especially
you ladies. Balance, a keen eye, and good intuition far exceed physical
strength.”

He gestured for Max to come forward. “Ladies, watch us
carefully.”

Markum held the wooden sword straight up in front of his
face. “This is a vertical cut, named so because the sword is vertical to the
ground. I will attempt to bring the sword straight down on your head,” he told
Max. “You will raise your sword up high over your head with both hands, and
slightly to the left.” On the count of three, Markum brought his sword straight
down, but Max quickly blocked the strike. “Well done, Max,” Markum praised.

He continued to demonstrate different striking positions
along with the corresponding defensive moves: the cut to the right and left
shoulder, the right and left leg, and the thrust to the torso. Max blocked each
attack.

“Me next,” Cora said, walking forward.

“Come then, little eager one,” Markum teased. He showed Cora
the same moves and she, like Max, blocked every strike.

Zifini’s lesson followed, and then finally it was Annie’s
turn.

“I’d like you to practice with each other,” Markum announced
after he felt confident that they all understood the basic moves. “I can
observe you better if I’m not involved in the match. Max, pair up with Zifini.
Cora with Annie,” he instructed.

Max’s cheeks flushed red. He looked down at the ground as
though he was suddenly uncomfortable. It was obvious to Annie that he didn’t
like the idea of pairing with Zifini. She wondered why Max would have an
aversion to the girl. Zifini and Cora were together all the time. It was clear
they were the best of friends. She wondered if something had happened to make
Max feel so opposite from Cora.

“I’ll spar with Max,” Annie said, giving her brother a wink,
and noted his obvious relief.

Markum walked around in circles through the two pairs,
firing suggestions at them. “Max, go on the offense, Annie block him. That’s it
Annie, anticipate his next move. Your arms are too low again. Move your feet,
Zif. See how Cora swings the blade? Excellent, Cora. Watch how she does it,
Zif.”

After an hour of training in pairs, Markum was ready to spar
with each one individually. “You first,” he called to Zifini.

Zifini stood still while Markum approached her. She blocked
his moves three times, but was on her back within minutes, having tripped over
his foot. “Not bad for the first time, and I hadn’t warned you to anticipate
being tripped up,” he said, helping her to her feet.

“You next,” he called to Cora. She approached with
confidence. “Keep your eyes on me, Cora,” he reminded. Markum moved towards her
and swung his wooden sword. She blocked him easily. Then he swung down low, but
her weapon was there to keep his at bay. He pressed forward, pushing Cora back
in an attempt to trap her against the wall of the house. She ducked under his
arm and was facing his back in a split second, but Markum was quick to turn on
his heels. Again and again their swords banged together.

Cora was a natural, like she was born for this.

Finally, Markum had her where he wanted her: pushed up
against the wall with no escape. His sword pushed hers back towards her face,
but she would not give up. Her whole body trembled with the effort to hold him
off. Sweat glistened on her forehead, teeth locked, she grunted loudly.

“Enough!” Markum called. He backed away, staring at her in
awe. “I’m speechless, Cora. You’re absolutely astounding…unbelievable.”

Cora smiled smugly, but had no breath to answer.

“Zif, I want to see you as good as her soon,” Markum told
his sister. “I want to see you able to take her down.”

Max went next. He was every bit as talented as Cora, but
with the added advantage of physical strength. He had Markum working hard.

“Very impressive,” Markum complimented, “and neither of you
ever trained before?” It’s hard to believe.” His eyes fell on Annie. “Okay,
let’s see if it’s a family trait.”

Apparently, it wasn’t. Annie held on only a little longer
than Zifini, but all too soon, she was on her back, the tip of Markum’s sword
under her chin.

“A fair enough attempt, but I’d hoped that you shared the
talents of your brother and sister,” Markum said, helping her to her feet.

It was unanimous that they break for lunch, so they headed
for the house together.

“You’re a very good teacher,” Annie said to Markum as they
walked along beside each other, towards the backdoor.

Markum put his hand on her elbow. “May I have a moment with
you…alone?” he asked.

She stopped short and watched the other’s enter the
backdoor. “What is it?” she questioned.

“I…I want to apologize for the way I treated you yesterday,”
he stammered uncomfortably. “I was unfair to you. I can see now how much you
love my brother and had no business doubting that.”

“And I can see how much you love my husband…and understand
your position completely,” she replied. “We were never acquainted, so you owed
me no loyalty.”

“I owed my brother loyalty, though, and I betrayed that
loyalty when I insulted your character. Please understand, Annie, Kellus is
much more than a brother to me. He’s my best friend. It hurt me to see him in
so much pain…and, Annie…I thoroughly believed you were dead. When I saw you
standing in the kitchen yesterday, in one piece, and looking completely
healthy, I didn’t know what to think. I thought that maybe you regretted the
marriage and ran off.” He shot her a sad, apologetic smile. “Please, forgive
me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. It’s in the past.” She took
Markum’s hand in hers and squeezed it gently.

By late afternoon, they had begun to learn other moves, such
as the one Markum had used successively on Annie and Zifini: how to trip, as
well as ducking and jumping.

They stopped for the day when the sunlight started to fade.

“Just in time to help with dinner,” Sara said as they
paraded through the kitchen door. “Annie, would you mind helping Cora set the
table this evening?”

“Of course not,” Annie replied, feeling grateful for finally
being treated like everyone else. She grabbed seven plates, and Cora followed
with the silverware.

When they reached the dining room, Annie turned to make sure
no one stood behind her, and then gestured for Cora to tilt her head towards
hers.

“What?” Cora whispered.

“Have you noticed anything strange in the way that Max
behaves when he’s near Zifini?” Annie questioned, checking over her shoulder to
make sure no one else had entered the room.

“Yes,” Cora answered flatly.

Annie stared at her sister, putting her hands on her hips in
expectation.

Cora rolled her eyes in her typical fashion. “He’s
infatuated with her.”

“Oh, is that all? I thought he didn’t like her.”

“No, quite the opposite, he likes her too much,” Cora
mumbled.

“And does she know?” Annie asked. “How does she feel?”

“They seem to expend great effort to avoid one another, but when
they’re forced to interact, they both turn into awkward fools. It’s obvious to
the rest of us, so I don’t see how she could
not
suspect. But, that
said, it isn’t something that she and I have ever discussed, nor do I care to
get involved,” Cora explained.