A Turn of Curses

The faint light from the mark on Selina's neck confirmed the release of power. When it faded, she sat back and blinked away the dizziness from expending her energy. The room's sparse décor spotted before her, from the bare wood walls to the bed with its handmade quilt.

The boy lying beneath the quilt groaned.

"Toby!" The distraught mother kneeling on the opposite side of his bed bent over and pulled her son into her arms. She kissed his forehead and held him tight until he squirmed away. "Thank you,
Na'Y'dom
! Thank you!" Tears filled the woman's eyes.

"You're welcome." Healing the sick was Selina's calling, although she wished she could heal in other ways. To be chosen as a child of Y'dom was both a blessing and a curse.

The boy reached for Selina's hand and smiled. "Thank you,
Na'Y'dom
."

She gave a gentle squeeze of his hand, glad to know she could do some good. "Avoid the needles of the baru blossom. They don't care who touches them."

"I will."

"Good." She let go and stood, eager to leave the reminder of what she would never have.

The mother released the child and stood with her.
 
She moved around the bed, a worried look on her face as Selina took the sheer, green scarf from her attendant, Beth, and covered her head. The mother spoke in a low voice. "Blessed
Na'Y'dom
. I have nothing to give in return."

"It's my place to serve. I saved your son's life but I won't see it fade because you can't feed and clothe him. I ask nothing but that." The lack of decorations in the small, one-room dwelling proved the family had nothing of material wealth. That didn't matter to Selina. She freely gave of her healing gift, whether the priests of the temple approved or not. All needed healing, rich and poor alike.

The woman's lips quivered, her eyes puffy and blurred with tears. "Thank you!"

Selina smiled and strode from the single room of the house, Beth a step behind. Her green robe over her pantsuit billowed behind her. The gold trim on the high collar highlighted the swirling and looping pattern of the mark around her neck, while allowing the top of the growing mark to show only from the front to hide its progress to completion. Her long brown tail of hair ended at her waist.

Outside in the chill of the night, Selina gazed down the quiet, darkening street splashed by the light of the lantern Beth held. While using her powers to save a life tired her, it also gave her a rush of satisfaction. This time had been different, though. She would never have children.

"Selina?"

"Go on ahead. I'm not tired." Beth knew better. It was late and had been a busy day. Of course Selina was tired, but she needed to get away. She rarely had time alone. Always in demand. Always surrounded by worshipers or servants. She often wished for a quiet, normal life.

"You're sure? You didn't look too well this time. It's been a long journey and we've far to go." Beth had joined her when the request came from the White Prince, Sorvin fay Renald, to make the journey to heal his father. They traveled a full cycle of the first moon already. Selina vowed to make the most of what time remained to her and to experience what she could on the journey. It would be her only true adventure in her short life.

"I know. That's why I need a walk. I'll be sitting the rest of the journey. Some time alone to stretch my legs is what I need more than sitting in a room staring at four, boring walls."

Beth gave her a look of worry. "You shouldn't go off alone."

Selina pointed down the dusty street. Two armored men bearing poleaxes stood near the end. "I'll be fine. See, two of the soldiers patrol the area."

"But the reports of the feyquin, Faldon—"

"I thought you better than to trust rumors. Go on. I'll be at the inn shortly." Selina had heard a few stories—most of them conflicting about the nature of the intelligent, magical creatures.
 
She saw no reason to avoid the feyquin, despite the warnings reported of recent, questionable activities by Faldon's band.

Beth hesitated but held the lantern out to Selina.

Selina waved the offer away.
 
"Moonlight is enough for me."

"I don't like this. I should stay with you."

Exactly what Selina didn't want. "I need time alone, Beth. I don't get that in the carriage. I mean no offense."

"All right. You win." Beth shook her head but turned and walked away with the lantern dangling before her.

Selina took a deep breath and walked the opposite direction. A small walk before bed was what she needed, and she should be safe there. Safe enough for a little walk. She wouldn't wander far.

No one understood what it was like to know one's life would soon end. Such was the fate of any bearing the mark of their god. Selina had only been fifteen, younger than most, when it appeared with the healing power; betrothed but not married, nor did she marry. She would have no children, no family. Beth would. Seeing the mother's adoration for her child cut through her sharper than Selina cared to explain. She needed time alone. Time to think and forget. After four and a half years, the mark around her neck was nearly complete. She would die before her twentieth birthday.

Selina passed the soldiers in their armor and helmets, who acknowledged her with nods. She held a hand up to stop them from following. Always someone. Even alone she was never truly alone.

Cast in moonlight, the trees beyond the clearing at the edge of the small town took on a new life and bowed under the weight of their fruits, a fresh treat to savor and maybe a few for their journey. The people wouldn't mind. She was touched by a God. Any offering to her was as good as those to Y'dom for his favor. There was one benefit of being
Na'Y'dom
.

She reached for one of the largest of the yellow, oblong fruits, her mouth watering with anticipation for the freshness.

A movement among the shadows stopped her. She watched but saw nothing.
Only the wind.
She plucked several fruits. Beth would enjoy the sweet ponan, too.

Selina turned—

And gasped. The fruit tumbled to the ground.

"Go back." The strange man wore a scowl on a face shadowed by wild black and gray hair. She had seen no one approach, nor heard any sound. Where had he come from?

"What?"

"You're not safe here." He brushed his hair aside, giving her a clear view of his features. Shadows defined the strong lines of a face too young for gray hair.

"Who are you?" Untucked shirt and oversized pants... Who dressed him?

"Go back,
Na'Y'dom
. Do
not
set foot in Vastorn."

"Why? Who
are
you?"

He took a step towards the trees.

He wasn't getting away until she had an answer. Selina grabbed his arm. "Tell me why I should return. I've almost reached Vastorn."

"It's not your concern. Go back!" He yanked his arm away and turned to the trees.

She refused to let him go without answering her and hurried to step into his path. "Tell me, so I can understand. Otherwise, I'm going, as I promised the lord of this land." Who had sent the invitation to her specifically of many
Na'Y'dom
in Hallor, her home country.

Besides, the soldiers must have seen him. They should arrive soon. If she could delay him, the soldiers could take him into custody for answers.

"Don't argue! I know your purpose. Sorvin is a coward. You will
not
help him. If you go on—" He turned his head, his body rigid.

Selina peered past him at the faint clink of metal from the approaching guards. Finally!

Before they could arrive, the stranger rushed into the trees and vanished. No! He couldn't escape like that. It wasn't fair! She wanted to know why he didn't want her continuing her journey. Now she might never have that answer.

"
Na'Y'dom
!"
 
The soldiers ran past her to the place where the stranger disappeared but stopped at the edge of the shadows. After a few seconds, they returned to her, their armor clinking with each movement.

"Did he threaten you?" the first asked.

"No...Yes, I suppose." She frowned. "Who was he?"

They looked at each other and shook their heads. "We've never seen him."

"I didn't recognize him, but it's too dark to be sure." The second soldier stretched his arm towards the town. "I think it best if you stay inside."

She glanced again at the trees where the stranger vanished. Who was the strange man? Where had he come from? Why didn't he want her to complete her mission of mercy?

How did he know about her journey?

He might have told her if the soldiers hadn't interfered.

What about her fruit?

* * *

The next day—the day she hoped to continue her journey—clouds moved in and dropped their rain. Selina watched from her room at the small inn with Beth. Where had the stranger disappeared?

"You're thinking about him again."

"Who?"

"The man from last night. What did he do?"

Selina shrugged and stepped away from the window. The encounter affected her more than she expected and far more than she admitted to Beth last night, or even to herself. "Nothing. He made it clear that I shouldn't go any further. He didn't put a hand on me, if that's what you wanted to know."

"Then forget it, and forget him. You're putting credit in his words, when you don't plan to heed them anyway."

Selina sat down on the bed, her mind on the evening before. She couldn't get the man's face out of her head. He ran before giving her an explanation. The lack of closure to the discussion left her needing to know more.

But if he wasn't from Breach's Pass, she might not see him again. The guards hadn't bothered to pursue him, but at least they acknowledged his presence. She wasn't crazy.

A knock on the door yanked her from her restlessness.

Beth crossed the room and opened the door. "Yes?"

A young boy a head shorter than Beth licked his lips, his hands wringing around something. "Ah...I—" His eyes widened when he met Selina's gaze. When her mark first appeared, such reactions startled her; now she ignored it. "I was sent to find you,
Na'Y'dom
. It's your driver."