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Mara

”You think I could help you, my lady?” Frey looks up at me.

I raise an eyebrow. ”Two heads are better than one, so they say. And so I say, as long as the heads have brains in them. I’m assuming there’s a brain in yours.”

He seems to be ignoring this, and says, “But, if you like, we can go ask someone.”

He’s standing by the time he finishes his sentence, looking off as though searching for a knowledgeable person. Then he turns to look at me. I’m sure surprise is written all over my face. Maybe this clued him in to what he just did, for he looks down at his feet in shock.

”Oh look, a miracle. I’ve been cured.” His voice is monotone. Has he been around miracles before?

”Isaias always talked about miracles. He said they were still possible, but I didn’t believe him. But —“ I gesture spastically at Frey’s legs, unable to say more.

”Ah, yes,” he says. “You never know what’s possible.”

Then I notice that he’s holding a cane. “Wait, why do you need that if you’re cured?”

”I don’t,” he says airily. “But it’s been with me through thick and thin, so it’s rather like an old friend. And don’t you think it’s a nice memento of my healing?”

I think he’s smirking again, but I don’t get a chance to say anything about it. The stone wall we’re standing next to gives way with a booming crack. Yet it doesn’t fall. It’s — rolling forward? We back away, at first slowly. When it reaches Frey’s abandoned wheelchair, it speeds up, pushing the chair as it advances. I pinch myself, and it hurts. My brain might be short circuiting. No, not might. It is. I can deal with an angry mob or attacking savages, but a wall?! On top of that, a wall determined to evoke my claustrophobia?!

”The room is shrinking!” I shriek, losing my head.

”Undoubtedly,” says Frey.

He looks like he’s trying to treat this like some joke, but I can tell he’s struggling to keep up the pace the wall is setting. I’m about to grit my teeth and help him when the wall grinds to a halt. It’s then that I notice we’ve been pushed into a new, dark room with a bunch of other people. I wring my hands. Is this a new way of executing people?

”Well done!” A voice emanates from the very stones around us. “For this next challenge, I’ll be requiring each of you to part with your most prized belonging – and no, money doesn’t count.  Refusal to comply will result in mandatory participation in my upcoming fashion show.” Lights flip on, effectively destroying my sight for the time being.

What?

The voice begins naming people, ordering them to give up their most prized possessions. As it does, my eyes adjust to the light, and my brain to the challenge. What is my most prized possession? Easy. Rael, though he’s not exactly a possession of mine. But I bet whoever the voice belongs to wouldn’t stick at that. He’d probably be glad to take whatever would hurt me most. Rael.

”Mara Gobey-Hanad, come forward and make your decision,” the voice orders.

I square my shoulders, stepping toward an odd long platform. “I’m not giving you Rael.”

”Then go stand with the others to the left.”

I obey if only for Rael’s sake.

 

@rose-colored-fancy