“Stay a little longer,” she begged. Nalick sat back down. It hurt him to see her lying in the bed almost helpless. “I really will be fine. This cast will limit how much I will be able to run around the next few weeks, but I will be fine. Maybe I’ll even stay in the castle now.” Nalick didn’t laugh at her joke. “Sorry I worried you,” she said apologizing for not returning to him quicker.
“There is nothing for you to be sorry about. The priest ran immediately to my office and told me what happened. We followed as quickly as we could. We can talk later,” he said while gently stroking her face. “Now get some rest so we can go home.”
For the first time in her life, Leila had a place she truly called home. Nalick noticed her smile and gently kissed her forehead. Thank you, she thought falling back asleep. Nalick left her alone and went into the kitchen where Roger was eating his breakfast.
“So this tracker, Anatolio,” Roger began to ask as he stared at Nalick over his spectacles, “is he the one?”
“Yes,” Nalick replied.
“And she doesn’t know yet, does she?” Roger replied. Nalick stared at the middle aged man sitting in front of him. It was expected, but none-the-less Nalick wondered how Roger knew so much.
“Not yet. I will tell her when the time is right,” Nalick said as the old man went back to studying the stone.
“I love her like my own child,” Roger explained in response to the unsure stare he received from Nalick. “I make sure to know everything that can and will happen to that child.” Roger set the stone down. “One day you will have to tell her. Now off to bed.” Roger watched Nalick walk away.
Leila hobbled to the kitchen as soon as Nalick was asleep.
“Silly child,” Roger complained. “I told you to rest. You just can’t take an old man’s advice.” He was actually surprised that she stayed in her room as long as she did.
“Broth is not dinner,” Leila complained as Roger heated the broth. Leila picked up one of the stones. “So this is what was causing me so much trouble?” Roger nodded.
Roger returned to the table and gave her a cup of broth. Leila wrinkled her nose, but accepted it anyways. “So who is this young man who is watching over you?” Roger asked. “He doesn’t seem to be keeping you out of any more trouble than normal.”
“Trouble? I just had a little misunderstanding with Jahangir. See, he seems to think I am a prized horse, not a fully capable woman.” Leila sipped her broth while Roger chuckled. “Why are you interested in Anatolio?” She had never known Roger to ask about something without wanting direct information.
“Well, he isn’t too good, if he lost you while inside the guarded palace,” Roger commented looking at the stones more.
“It was not his fault. He was drugged,” Leila defended Anatolio. “And besides, he is only a boy. He can’t be much older than sixteen, which would give him at most three to four years experience. He is not trained to keep up with me.” Roger nodded. He was pleased to see she had some sort of relationship with the young man. “Are Ian and Matthew still here?” Leila asked changing the subject.
“No, they both left after dropping you off. They were going to check on Anatolio and Marx. I figured Anatolio could stay at Lou’s until you return. So Marx came to the rescue yet again?” Roger tried to analyze Leila’s response, but all she did was nod. “I’m sure I will get to give him my thanks in person when I drop you off in Cath. He did a good job with your leg so that no further damage could occur on the ride here.” Leila nodded and continued to sip her broth as she waited to finally go back home to Lexia.
After Roger and Nalick had lunch, they loaded Leila onto Roger’s cart. She sat leaning against the driver’s seat which Nalick and Roger sat together in. Leila could hear their conversation slightly, but she did not take much interest.
“Who is Marx?” Nalick asked Roger. “Besides a courier from Canor.”
“You really want to know?” Roger asked. Nalick nodded. “Marx was the first person to ever propose to Leila.” Roger chuckled as he watched Nalick’s expression.
“So she was going to marry him?” Nalick asked with a tone of jealousy.
“No, no,” Roger replied; Nalick gave a sigh of relief. “She has had over a dozen marriage proposals over the years. His was simply the start of it. But if you ask me he was quite foolish. First, you don’t ask a fourteen-year-old girl to marry you, especially when you are eight years older than her, and second, you should ask a girl that is actually interested in boys. At fourteen, Leila was still running wild. She wanted to be riding in the wind more than chasing after boys.”
“She seems to know him quite well,” Nalick commented.
“She should. He has been doing the same job as her for as many years. After Erich died, I taught him a little bit of first aid since he was always the one bringing her home when she couldn’t make it on her own. And times she came back on her own, he would stop by and check to make sure she made it,” Roger explained.
Leila listened to the men continue to talk about Marx. Where would I be right now if I had said ‘yes,’ she wondered. Would I have a family? Would I still be working? Then she paused as small tears formed in the corner of her eyes. Would Erich still be alive now? Leila did not like questions she could not answer.
Leila closed her eyes and listened to a bird singing in the trees. Roger drove the cart directly to Lou’s and tied the horses up. Leila watched as people bustled through the city. As people passed by, she recognized a number of faces from Lexia. So the army came here to wait, she thought. Leila turned to Nalick who was busy helping Roger. As Leila turned back to watch the people passing, someone hopped into the cart with her.
“You know they all stand out like a sore thumb,” Marx complained as he sat next to Leila. “Feeling better kitten?”
“Yes. I truly believe Roger can fix anything,” Leila commented.
“One, two, three,” Marx pointed to the men he was counting and was correct. “I think you might need to teach lessons while you are locked up in the palace.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me of my new sentence. Have you ever tried to teach a soldier how to fit in?” Leila asked. “There is a reason why these men joined the army, and it wasn’t to fade into the background.”
Leila stopped joking and looked at Marx. Marx was his normal happy-go-lucky self. Even after she had told him she didn’t want to marry him, she noticed he wasn’t saddened or even mad. He just smiled and said, “One day you’ll regret it.” Leila wished every man she had turned down was so easy to deal with. Marx noticed her quietness. Leila grabbed his hand and stopped his counting.
“Thank you,” Leila said to him. “I might not have made it out of there alive this time.”
Marx gently patted her head. “You would have been fine. I know it. You are stronger than you think. I wish I could stay and keep you company, but I am sure to get an earful when I get home late. You’re not the best excuse to tell the wife.” Leila laughed. “Now please, give it a rest and stay in Lexia. If I have to run out to rescue you again, I will have to sleep outside for weeks, not just for a night.”
“Don’t you already sleep outside?” Leila asked. Marx’s wife was not a fan of their friendship.
“I mean it. For once in your life, just relax and get better,” Marx begged. “Let that man you love, over there, take care of you.” Nalick was trying to discreetly hide his obvious interest in her and Marx.
“Will you stop by and visit if you are in Lexia?” Leila asked as Marx stepped off the cart.
“Have you ever known me to pass up a chance to see you?” Marx leaned over the cart and kissed her forehead. “’Til then kitten.” He disappeared into the crowd. Leila smiled watching him walk away. Nalick moved back to her side.
Leila turned to Nalick to see a mixture of anger and jealousy. “There is nothing to worry about,” she tried to reassure him. “He is married and devoted to his wife.”
“He may be, but he also is quite devoted to you,” Nalick replied as h
e searched the crowd but could no longer see Marx.
Leila reached over the cart and took Nalick’s hand to pull him closer. “We are just friends. That is all we have ever been or will be.” Nalick stared at her. She was telling him the truth, but he could not help but be jealous. “I have known him since I was fourteen. I told him no then and would again if he asked me to marry him. I am marrying you. I’m in love with you.” Leila kissed the back of his hand, which she was holding.
Across the street Anatolio sat on the stairs to a shop. Anatolio was intently watching Leila with Marx first and then with Nalick; he had been so focused on her that he didn’t see Roger approaching. As soon as he noticed Roger, Anatolio stood up. He had never met Roger in person before, but from the man’s walk and stare, Anatolio knew who he was.
“No need to stand,” Roger replied, sitting down next to Anatolio. “I have heard much about you from my sources and a bit from Leila and Nalick.” Anatolio did not reply as he did not know what to say to Roger. “How long have you been assigned to following Leila?”
“Just over two years,” Anatolio replied, continuing to watch Leila. Every movement she made was being locked into his memory. He was always amazed. Everything she did was calculated and direct. She was trained better than Anatolio had ever imagined a person could be.
“She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever met, inside and out,” Roger said staring over at her also. “Here.” Roger handed the young man a small package that fit in the palm of his hand.
Anatolio took the package and began to question Roger about it, but he was interrupted. “There are directions inside and if you don’t understand them talk to Leila about it. I will be in Lexia in two weeks time to check up on her. Until then, please don’t let her walk around and keep all sharp objects, such as scissors, away from her. As soon as she is sick of the stitches, she tends to remove them herself.” Anatolio nodded. “She can be a pain when it comes to recovering. If you need to, chain her up,” he seriously suggested. Anatolio did not know how to respond not knowing if the man was kidding or serious. “When I return, you will get to see firsthand how I fix her up. It is probably something you should learn because I won’t be able to help her when she is so far away.” Leila relied heavily on Roger anytime she was hurt, and Anatolio was honored that Roger was willing to teach him to be the person she could rely upon.
Both men sat and watched as Leila talked to Nalick.
“How long?” Roger asked Anatolio.
“Ten years,” Anatolio replied rolling the stones in his fingers. They were very small and looked like normal stones, but they had such an effect on Leila.
“And you are willing to wait?” Roger asked staring at the young man next to him.
“Wouldn’t you?” Anatolio replied and Roger laughed. Roger agreed. If he were young and unwed, he would be willing to wait ten years to have someone such as Leila for his wife.
“Who gets to tell her?” Roger asked looking back over at Leila laughing with Nalick.
“Nalick. I am not to tell anyone and have not,” Anatolio replied handing the stones back to Roger. “How do you go about telling someone as strong willed as her that fate has not dealt her the best of hands?” Roger shook his head in agreement. In the past four years, Roger had only seen Leila let Marx into her heart as a friend, but Roger assumed much of that had to do with Marx being.
“Do you have arrangements made to get back home?” Roger asked changing the subject.
“Marx was quite helpful and everything is ready. There is a ship willing to sail us back to Lior and all the way to Lexia if we want,” Anatolio explained. “It seems there are quite a few ships with complete crews that are loyal to her.” Leila would never tell Roger how, but she had friends in many places that helped make her jobs easier.
“That’s one of ours,” Anatolio said standing alongside Roger as another man approached Leila and Nalick. Roger studied the man’s face.
“A relation?” Roger asked Anatolio.
“Kind of,” Anatolio replied as he and Roger walked over to join Leila, Nalick, and Nikias.
Leila smiled as they approached. “Long time no see.” She had spotted him the moment they arrive in Cath. Leila searched his eyes for a response. As normal with others around he made no reply, but he was relieved to see her.
“Arrangements are ready to take you back home,” Nikias said to Leila and Nalick. “There is a ship waiting in the port for you.”
“Well you better get going,” Roger said approaching the group and startling Nikias. “It would be best to get you back in Lior by sunset.”
“Our ships are waiting on the Lior side of the waters. If anyone tries to make a move, you will be safe,” Nikias tried to reassure his king.
“I’ll take you to the port, and then help you get Leila on board,” Roger said hopping back up on the cart and driving them to the port and waiting ship.
“Roger,” the captain called in a booming voice as he extended his hand to the crew as they arrive. “Marx said your courier and a few men needed a lift, but I didn’t expect to see you.” The captain noticed Leila was not moving. “Injured?” he asked, and Leila shrugged.
“A minor setback,” she replied and the man laughed.
“Minor indeed,” he said noticing her leg. “Load her up then.”
“Just remember I am not a package,” Leila said to the large captain who grinned at her.
Once Roger was fully convinced Leila was safe, he stopped one last time to talk to her.
“Promise me you will follow my orders for once,” Roger begged. “Leave the stitches in and stay off your bad leg. Two weeks is all I am asking.” Leila nodded. “I will be there in two weeks I promise.”
Roger bent and hugged Leila. “Please rest and heal.”
“Okay, boss,” she said, hugging him back.
As Roger left he stopped by Nalick, Anatolio, and Nikias. “Please keep an eye on her. She is not very good at resting.” The men nodded their heads. As Roger stood on the shore watching the boat sail away, he hoped for once in her life Leila would follow his directions. She had always been impatient in the past. Twice Roger caught her sneaking off on an assignment before she had fully healed. He could understand that her youth made her impatient and her quick healing actually made it acceptable for her to do what she did, but Roger had worried that a time like this would occur where she would actually need the rest to get better.
After the ship was loaded and began to sail, everyone took their position for the short ride to their own ship across the sea. Leila sat alone with everyone wandering around the deck on their own tasks.
“You can’t even spare a moment to see how I am doing?” Leila asked sarcastically as Anatolio walked by. He stopped and turned to face her. He wanted to lie to her, but it would never work. It was his job to protect her, and he didn’t.
“I’m sorry,” Anatolio said without looking her in her eyes.
“There is nothing for you to be sorry about. You couldn’t help it,” Leila replied trying to make him understand that she did not blame him. Anatolio moved closer and stared at her to see if she was really telling the truth.
“It will not happen again.”
“That’s why I asked Roger to give you the pack he gave you earlier,” she said. Anatolio was surprised. He did not think she was watching him while he was watching her. “It is what we use to build up our endurance to the various drugs out on the market.” Roger was not the best in courier assignments when he was a courier, but he was excellent at analyzing substances. Anatolio kneeled to be face to face with Leila.
“Are you really fine?” Anatolio asked with tenderness in his voice. He kept his hands to himself as he wanted to reach out and touch her to make sure for himself.
“Yes. I can’t say I’ve done worse before, but I am fine now,” she replied. “So I guess training you to fight will have to wait for now.” Anatolio nodded. He had forgotten about their deal.
“I’m still sorry,” Anatolio
said before standing and leaving.
Chapter 21
Two weeks passed quickly for everyone but Leila who had nothing to do but sit around. The day before Roger was to return, Leila sat on the balcony and sulked. She wanted to be down at the market as she watched the people walking towards the center of the town and could not help but be disappointed.
“It’s not fair,” she complained to Nalick who was sitting outside with her reading his papers.
“I know,” he replied without looking up from his work. Nalick was as eager for Roger to come as she was.
“I don’t understand why I can’t be down there,” she added.
“Because it would be obvious to whom you are,” Nalick replied setting down his papers. “Theo promised to bring you back treats from the market.” Nalick stood and moved over next to her. “Roger will be here soon, hopefully. Tomorrow is not that far away.”
“I found him at the market,” Theo said while walking out on to the balcony with someone behind him. Leila strained to turn to see Roger standing with Theo.
“You’re early,” Leila cried trying to stand to greet him, momentarily forgetting about her leg. Nalick quickly stopped her.
“I figure Nalick would need some relief dealing with you,” Roger replied. Theo stood behind Leila vigorously nodding his head. “Do you have a hospital wing in your palace?” Roger asked Nalick knowing the answer. “Is Anatolio around?”
“I will go get him,” Theo replied quickly hurrying out of the room.
“Have you been behaving?” Roger asked Leila.
“As much as I can,” she answered. “Though I am not happy to have to sit in one place all day.”
“It’s good for you,” Roger said. “It should help teach you patience.”
“I have patience,” Leila responded. “I just don’t like to over use it.” Roger smiled and patted her hand. He missed her quick wit and was finding it quite lonely in the north knowing she was not coming back.