September

Issue 36

        "Inside, wench!"

         Yavar Thain's shoulder struck the door as the guards shoved her in. She bit her lip, refusing to give them the pleasure of hearing her whimper. She barely noticed the clacking sound of the door locking. Through the bars, she caught a glimpse of the guard that had spoken. Someday they would meet again, and his heart would be in her hands. But for now, she had work to do.

         She looked over her sleeping cellmate. Yes, the descriptions matched. Leave it to her brother to know how to bribe the warden. She hunkered down in a shadowy corner, ignoring the sour odors and damp chill, and then kicked her cellmate awake.

         When his eyes opened, Yavar smiled and said, "Good morn, Justin."

         Justin sat up and looked at Yavar. She studied his blue eyes and pale, handsome face with cold detachment. Once, she might have felt an attraction for such an exotic man, but that was before Vrang had placed his curse on her. She had already forgotten what real crying felt like, although she could fake it if she needed to. Acting was often a necessary skill for an assassin.

         "Do they normally lock women up with the men?" he asked. Though his Vangaardian was fluent, he spoke it with an accent that only a Quazonian could have.

         "All Vangaardians learn early how to defend themselves," she replied. "Else, they do not live long enough for it to matter."

         "Barbarous," he said, shaking his head. "Most barbarous."

         Yavar laughed. "This coming from a man whose people practice unnatural magics and have a heretical god for every occasion."

         Justin shrugged. "People should be free to make their own choices and believe what they feel to be true."

         "Even if it's wrong?"

         "What determines right and wrong are the consequences of our actions coupled with the motives in our hearts. It is not my place to judge, only to teach."

         Yavar cocked her head to one side. "I already know the consequences of your actions, foreigner."

         "Do tell."

         "You've been charged with heresy, for spreading teachings contrary to the dictates of Okareon. That's a death penalty."