Remedy

Chapter Two The Plexus-4

“Your kind aren't welcome here, scat!” hissed a female voice from the gathering crowd.

“It's too late for that. It's not the first time she's entered these borders.” A tall figure made his way forward. “Who knows what she's doing here, she could be hunting for children, or sowing foul seeds. If we let her leave unharmed what message does that send? How long before she returns with her sisters and snatches your children from their beds?”

The gathering stood a little straighter, paying attention to his words, his resounding voice causing others to stop and listen. “No, she needs to be taught a lesson. Her kind are not, and will never be, allowed to walk these streets.” A small cheer rose from some of the groups, chorused by a small applause. “You've all heard the tales, children and babies snatched from the arms of loving parents. Whisked away only to be found desecrated while the parents are blamed.

“They are evil creatures, and I say we take a stand, here and now, let us cast a clear message to the world. The island of Livingstone will never welcome evil.” A louder cheer rose up. Mothers gathered their children closer, some with the foresight to retreat from the crowd.

Taya moved slowly, trying to make herself small against the shadows as she edged along the building, hoping to reach the corner and make her escape. The figure lashed out, coiling his hand around her hair, dragging her before him and casting her towards the ground. She scrabbled in the dust, trying to pull herself up. Her attempt meeting with a solid strike to her back from the figure's heavy boot. He pressed down on her spine, fixing her in place. “For too long have we tolerated this creature. She befouls our temple, taints the air we breathe. We must do what our honourable Sunniva could never. We must rid ourselves of this tiresome burden.” Cheers met his words this time, his foot shifting from her back to force her face back to the ground.

“I hear their kind don't feel pain like us,” boomed a deep voice.

“It's true.” He grabbed Taya's hair once more, dragging her to her knees before him. “There's only one true way to cleanse the spirit of its evil.” He produced a blade from its sheath, pulling her hair until her neck was exposed. Tears streaked her panic-stricken face. “Decapitation, would do little more than kill the body, and fire could carry her evil to safety so it may return.” He released her again. “We must unite. Ensure her tainted form is cleansed through the punishment of pain. Such is the only way to ensure her befouled spirit finds peace and never returns.

“There is but one method I know, I speak of course of lapidation.” Excited murmurs echoed through the crowd. Those captivated by his speech already searched the ground, securing stones and pebbles, some even prising them from beneath the ground. Small round objects were passed forward, as if someone had stood in wait, ready to supply the need.

The advocate stepped aside, raising his hand, readying his followers. With a single gesture they released their projectiles, leaving him free to vanish within the crowd to watch in satisfaction as another tainted life was cleansed. He relished in each of the rising cheers which signified a projectile had struck its mark.

* * *

Rob forced his way through the unruly crowd. Those recognising him quickly shuffled aside as murmurs of the Plexus' interference passed between them. He reached out, grasping a hand, applying enough pressure to see the woman drop the stone to the ground. His angry glare alone caused her to retreat into the shadows, her own child clutching the back of her skirt as she fled.

He stepped forward, his hands balled into fists. His jaw was clenched so tightly it was a moment before he could force words through the anger. His nostrils flared as his gaze met with each member of the lingering rabble.

“Leave. Now,” he growled through gritted teeth. His hands began to tremble and his fury was a tangible force that caused the crowd to dissipate quickly. But three remained, their hands still grasping the rocks tightly. His cold glare turned towards them, causing two to silently slink away, while the remaining figure stood steadfast.

“You've no right to interfere,” The fair-haired man challenged bravely. His hand lowered slightly as he turned to find himself without support. “Their kind are a blight, and like any scourge it needs to be purged.”

“You make me sick. What gives you the right?” Rob advanced, the figure faltered slightly. “Does it make you feel strong, attacking a woman?” He gestured towards Taya, who still lay curled upon the ground, her arms protecting her head. “You're not even man enough to make it fair, hiding your face in the crowd.”

“Yeah, well, you've no authority over me!” he yelled. He once more glanced over his shoulder, as if to seek support. He released his stone, noticing the approach of two hunters from the Plexus. “Do you know who my father is?”

“He could be a god for all I care. You lost any stature the moment that rock found your hand.” Rob grabbed the youth, shoving him towards the others. “Get him out of my sight.” They did as they were bid without a word.

Rob watched them lead the youth away, forcing himself to take a long, deep breath, his head almost hanging in shame. He turned his gaze to Taya, who had managed to push herself to her knees, despite a bleeding head wound. She winced, wrapping her arms around her stomach protectively. Tears mingled with blood to streak her face. When Rob extended his hand, she flinched. “Don't judge us all by their prejudice.” He forced a softness to his furious tone, offering a weak smile as she accepted his help.

Her balance faltered, causing her to raise a shaking hand to the bleeding wound. Retreating backwards she found the wall at her back and used its strength to support her weight while her head spun. For a moment she thought she saw movement in the distant shadows, but the distortion of her sight made it impossible to be certain. “Here.” Rob slid the top from a small silver tin he had taken from his belt. Inside was a ground powder. When she didn't move Rob placed his fingers within, grabbing a pinch of the powder before applying it to the bleeding wound. Taya's eyes scrunched closed in pain, her sharp intake of breath detecting the scent of yarrow and salt. “It's a styptic powder. It'll stop the bleeding. Do you have any—”

“I can take care of myself!” she snapped sidestepping to place some distance between them. She paused for a moment, her fingers interlocking. “I mean, thank you.”

“What brought you this way?” Rob questioned, aware that his sister was all too familiar with the attitude of this town towards the Méros-Génos. Their prejudice against Taya surpassed any display he had witnessed, but she too was unlike any Méros-Génos he had seen before.

“The priestesses were in prayer, so I brought this for you myself.” Taya placed her hand into the folds of her short cloak, her trembling fingers producing a crumpled parchment. Once rolled and sealed with care it had been crushed flat, the wax breaking away from its damaged edges.

Taya had seen the parchment on the table, and with no one around to prevent her from doing so, she decided to capitalise on a moment of freedom by delivering the message to its intended recipient. By doing so, and returning safely, she could prove to Sunniva that she didn't need such close observation, and perhaps earn a little more freedom. Although she would be lying if she failed to admit that, once upon the steed, she had considered fleeing, never to return.

Rob extended his hand. No sooner had he touched the parchment Taya released her grasp on it, placing yet more distance between them until she turned her back towards him, retreating quickly towards the town's borders where her horse stood waiting.

Rob looked at the parchment, frowning slightly when he failed to recognise the scrawl which had written his name. He unrolled it carefully, his frown deepening as he turned it over a few times. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinised its surface. The parchment itself, except for his name, was blank. An uneasy feeling began to tighten his chest. The same feeling he had just before things went horribly wrong. Rob glanced behind him, surveying the strangely empty streets. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, someone had been watching them.

* * *

Sunniva was worried. A few of the acolytes flitted about the temple, clearing away after morning prayers, a task normally left for Taya's attention. When Sunniva had sent one of the acolytes to summon her, they had found that she, along with the horse, was no longer on their grounds. Pacing, Sunniva looked pleadingly to the statue, as if beseeching it to talk and impart wisdom. Yet Artemis remained silent, her unaltered features maintaining vigil over the temple.

Enquiries revealed the children had not seen her either, suggesting she left before the cook had prepared breakfast. This did not bode well. Taya knew better than to leave Elpída. But there was more to this restriction than simply her appearance. There were so many reasons she should never leave the grounds, her safety being only one of them.

Forcing her shoulders back to adopt a strong and confident posture, Sunniva approached the window that looked out over the forest and plains surrounding Elpída. She rubbed her shoulders, her sight nervously panned the dirt track, willing for Taya's figure to appear.

By the time the scent of lunch filled the air Sunniva had resorted to pacing again. The clicking of her heels marked each passing second. Doubts and fears haunted her. If Taya failed to return, or if she couldn't be recovered, then Sunniva would be held accountable. This was not a fury she wished to face. She had been charged to watch over Taya, to ensure her condition was managed to the best of her ability. The stakes of losing her were beyond measure, beyond recompense.

Wringing her hands she questioned where Taya would run. The harbour knew better than to offer her passage, and the towns here would show her no favour, but what if she knew of Collateral? There was no telling how far she could run should she enter the travellers' city. If she reached this haven all her work, all her sacrifice, would be for nought. Taya would be lost to them.

Her vision shifted to the door, as if staring at it would see her clerics return. Even now, after so many hours, they still searched for her. But with each prolonged minute the inevitability of her return grew more doubtful. Sunniva scolded her own negligence for becoming too accustomed to the children keeping vigil on Taya. But this morning they had been preoccupied with the preparations for the first day of the harvest. The seasonal crops were ready to be picked and stored. It would have been easy for her to slip away unnoticed. Sunniva heard herself sigh, and once more straightened her posture. She would have to enforce Taya's presence in prayers again, regardless of how uncomfortable it made some of her clerics. That was assuming she returned.

Sunniva's focus snapped towards the door as she heard the hurried footsteps of an approaching figure. Her mind raced with thoughts of the ill-tidings being brought at such a pace. The door flew open to reveal Taya's breathless figure. Her bloodshot eyes and reddened cheeks betraying the shedding of tears. Sunniva breathed a quiet sigh of relief, quickly hurrying to embrace her wayward child. She clutched her tightly, whispering thanks to the Gods for her safe return before finally expressing her relief aloud.

“I'm so glad you're safe,” Sunniva breathed, stroking Taya's shoulders lightly taking in her dishevelled appearance. She cupped her face, pausing to assess each of the dark wounds marking her pale skin. She studied the injuries intently. The bleeding from her brow had stilled to form a large scab surrounded by dark, unsightly bruising.

It was clear to Sunniva what had happened. She had seen these types of injury before and had little doubt there would be many such abrasions on her flesh. But she was home now, and the damage seemed superficial. “You look terrible my child. What happened, whatever possessed you to leave without a word?” Sunniva's hands moved to Taya's neck, checking for signs of fever. “You're burning up.” Her words caused Taya's body to flush with a sickly heat. “Come, we must get you to bed.”

Taya allowed herself to be led; her mind strangely clouded as her vision blurred. She raised her hand to her forehead as a wave of dizziness passed through her. Her fingers traced the throbbing wound. The stones must have struck her harder than she had thought.

“I wanted to help,” Taya whispered, struggling to focus her gaze on the floor before her. “There was a letter—” Sunniva guided her to the edge of her bed, gently encouraging her to sit before starting to undress her. Her cool fingers pressed firmly on the bright, angry-looking blemishes which marked Taya's pale skin. Sunniva studied each wound carefully before applying a witch hazel balm. It would heal the bruises. Within days they would have faded completely. She was fortunate there had not been more damage, someone had clearly intervened.

After Sunniva had helped her into her night gown and tended to her injuries, Taya pressed her hands to her forehead, trying to gain some clarity. “What did you ask?” Taya questioned frowning slightly, certain Sunniva had just asked her something. Everything was becoming unclear. The world around her grew faint, dream-like. She heard a strangely familiar voice call her name, causing her to startle. Squeezing her eyes closed several times she attempted to concentrate on Sunniva's words. Each movement caused flushes of heat and nausea to swell within her.

“Come, lie down. Rest, and I'll begin your treatment. You'll soon be feeling better,” Sunniva assured, lifting Taya's legs onto the bed after slipping her boots off. Carefully, she tenderly wrapped the covers around her tucking them beneath the mattress firmly.

“I'm sorry I left,” she apologised weakly, her eyes growing heavy.

“Left?” Unable to see her face Taya could only hear the confusion in Sunniva's voice as her gentle touch caressed her temples.

“To Riverside Quay,” she whispered.

“Oh, my dear, you've not been out,” Sunniva cooed.

“But… I thought—”

“Shush now, you're sick. Close your eyes. I'm going to start now, and when you wake you'll feel much better.”