Free Martyr (The Martyr Trilogy) by N.P. Beckwith Page A

our camp.  You could…”
     
    “I
know,” answered Maya, “I saw your tents from the air.  I was trying to bring
‘er in there, but…,” she screwed her face up and simultaneously shrugged in a
goofy yet slightly adorable way, then, “I’m a lot better at take-offs!”
     
    “I’m
not about to complain,” said Reya.  “You’re already one-hundred percent more
pilot - and more air support – than we had a few minutes ago.”  Her eyes
scanned the clearing.  “And I think you’re a fair bit better at landings than
you let on.  My men will come back and see what can be done about this bird. 
Just make sure you take the keys, and follow us.”
     
    “Sure,
but how are we supposed to…” 
     
    Just
then Reya tilted her head back and produced a hollow sound deep in her throat. 
The beast mimicked the sound, both of them tossing their heads back in unison,
an unearthly tone filling the woods.  Before long we could hear the cracking of
small branches and a second puurr-deer burst into the clearing.  Gesturing
toward it, Reya stated matter-of-factly, “Your ride awaits.”
     
    At
the pace of the massive deer we were entering the outskirts of the camp a mere
few minutes later.  As before, we were thronged by members of Reya’s entourage,
but I was spared the awed exclamations of my initial visit, as they seemed
eager to extend hospitality to their new guests.  I was of course attended to,
and more than a couple of giggling children carried my travel packs away and
offered me food and drink.  When we had all dismounted Reya allowed the crowd
to envelop Maya and Doog, who were quick enough to make their own
introductions.  As they moved away en masse, I saw two people approach Reya.  I
recognized them as Greda and Denkel.  They each drew close to her in turn and
hushed conversations ensued.  I was not able to catch enough words to know what
was being discussed, but it didn’t seem to have anything to do with the new
arrivals.  One after the other they finished their business with Reya and
bustled off to disparate points within the camp.
     
    Reya
turned her head to me but kept her eyes fixed on a clod of topsoil on the
ground between us.  “Lots to do tomorrow.  Best get something to eat and get
some sleep.”  She turned as if to head off toward the main camp. 
     
    Lunging,
I caught hold of her sleeve at the elbow and stayed her.  “Not so fast!  What
aren’t you telling me?”
     
    She
drew her lips into a tight line and made as if to pull away and continue on her
intended path, as if she hadn’t quite heard me.  But I held her fast, and so
she soon relented, sighing and turning back to face me.  “OK, but not here. 
Walk with me.”  She led me along the main road I had first come in on, away
from the noise of the camp.  “Greda thinks we need to move soon.  There have
been more sightings of unnatural creatures like those dogs.  And Denkel was
just telling me…”
     
    “Not
about that!” I interrupted.  “That girl.  Maya.  She looks just like you!  A
slightly disheveled version, maybe, but it’s unmistakable.  And you acted
strange when you saw her.  It’s not a coincidence, is it?  Do you know her?”
     
    A
pause.  Then, “She’s my daughter.”
     
    “But
she doesn’t seem to know you.”
     
    “She
doesn’t know me.  That’s probably why she’s still alive.  And I’d like to keep
it that way.  I just wish she hadn’t come here.”
     
    “I
don’t understand.  How could you not be happy to see your own child?”
     
    Reya
answered sharply, “Be careful what you say, Justin.”  Her voice edged with
pain.  “There are things you don’t know yet.”
     
    “I’m
sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.  There’s a lot I don’t know yet.  I’m
trying to understand.”
     
    The
fire slowly burned out of her voice as she continued.  “There was a plague, a
virus.  Almost a hundred years ago.  It was worldwide.  Almost everybody