Outlanders War

“Shalimar. Wake up!” Rick cupped his hands around his mouth. “Shalimar!!”

The woman merely stirred in her sleep, rolled onto her side and tucked a hand under her jaw. Rick smiled down at her. She looked so… soft and gentle in sleep; so exhausted.

“No good, Rick. C’mon, let’s go.” Harley tugged on his sleeve. He shook her off and glared.

“This is too important, Harl.” Rick murmured and crouched down to brush the blonde strands off Shalimar’s forehead.

“The sun rises, pal, and we know what happens then, don’t we.” She said and tugged harder.

Rick sighed, his shoulders slumped and he rose to step away. The darkness was being pushed back. He could see the outline of the trees’ foliage. Rick lifted his eyes. Stars still sparkled in the night sky but there was a… silence, as if the world held it’s breath for the majesty of sunrise.

Harley was right: he had to go, but he’d be watching; unlike the supposed guards of this camp who dozed at their posts. He shook his head in disgust and sorrow.

“This rebellion will fail if we don’t do something, Harley.”

“I’m aware of that, Rick, but bitching about it won’t get it done. And we will get it done if it’s the last thing I do.”

The fire in her eyes reflected her determination, her thirst for vengeance.

Whether they could achieve that was another matter; Shalimar was the key and he stared down at her.

Rick lifted a hand to his heart and rubbed his sternum. The ache in his chest came whenever he saw her, as did his longing.

He forced himself to move away, to turn his head to the forest, to follow Harley deeper into the forest where the sunlight was barely a memory.

* * *

“The Sprites will not help us.” Shalimar tossed a twig into the fire, her frustration evident. The sun was low in the morning sky, but already the forest was warming. She’d awoken feeling lost, alone and tearful; a dream of Rick lingering in her memory.

“We must have allies, Shalimar!” Eaden growled. “The Aristocracy has to be destroyed.” He thumped a fist onto the ground. A puff of dust rose.

“I know, Eaden, I know. I don’t want the outland to dry up anymore than you do. Everyone wants it to rain again.”

Eaden rose, paced in front of the fire. “Bastards! Control the weather, control the water and you control the population.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and stared off into the still green trees.

“Already, fresh produce brings a premium price.” He muttered. “And all we can afford is here,” He turned in a circle, arms out to indicate the forest, “around us, and precious little of it is edible.” Fists on his hips, he turned to Shalimar. “Why won’t the Sprites help? We need them; they need us!”

“Gee, I wonder if it’s because you called yourself the ‘King of the Forest’?” Shalimar pushed up from the ground and walked around the fire to him. “You offended them, you idiot.”

“It was a joke!” He protested and threw his hands up. “A bitter joke on me; from corporate king-pin to forest dweller. Who knew they didn’t have a sense of humour?”

“Rick knew.” Shalimar murmured and felt his name echo within her. She lifted a hand to rub the ache in her heart.

Eaden grabbed her upper arms and dragged her to her feet. “Don’t you speak about my brother, Shalimar. You have no right.”

Shalimar winced and lowered her head. Not from Eaden’s tight grip, but from guilt, remorse and hurt.

“No, I don’t. Is he… okay?” She asked and looked into his eyes.

Eaden shook his head and dropped his hands. “I don’t know, Shalimar. I’m an outcast, too, now, while he…” Eaden looked off into the forest, in the direction of Mademar City.

‘Yeah.” She followed his gaze. “He betrayed us both.”

She never saw him move, but her head rang from the punch to her jaw. Shalimar blinked, stunned, her face throbbing as Eaden stood over her, his fists up and ready should she try to retaliate.

She lay there for a moment trying to regather her thoughts.

“You will not mention it again.” He spat on the ground, between her knees, and walked off into the forest.

Everyone in the camp had turned to watch. Shalimar couldn’t meet their eyes; her shame wouldn’t allow her.

Slowly, she got to her feet, touched her mouth. It stung and her fingers came away bloody. If that was the only damage she took in the coming campaign, she’d be lucky. But. She expected to die.

Without the Sprites and the other forest dwellers, their rebellion wouldn’t last long: the first battle would see an end to them.

She lifted her eyes to the stark blue sky. With only humans, most of them untrained, against the might of the Aristocracy’s powered weapons and shielded city…

Shalimar looked away. This afternoon would be her last sunset; by the next one, she would be dead. They’d have one last hurrah, then; one last attempt to destroy the Aristocracy’s brutal power and free the world.

Her lip curled with self-condemnation. Free the world; like she was some kind of superhero.

And after the rebels were slaughtered, the rest of the population would see the folly in not supporting them. They would die slowly, painfully, pleading and praying for the water that wouldn’t come. What did she care? She’d be dead and buried by then.

Shalimar went to her sleeping roll and drew her sword out of its leather sheath. Time to make sure it was as sharp as a razor. If she was going to die, she’d damn well take a few of those assholes with her.

* * *

“We need a plan.” Rick said as he sat by the sleeping Shalimar.

“Oh, gee. Really?” Harley said, but didn’t look at him. Her focus was on the rest of the camp, none of whom noticed them.

“We need to get her away from here, temporarily, Harley. I know I cannot save her from her course.” He waved a hand around the encampment. “Nor them. What she must do, she must do.”

“Blah, blah, blah, if they do not attack tomorrow, they never will and everyone outside the city will die. I know all this, Rick.”

He glared at her. “You could try to be more helpful, you know.”

Harley got into his face, her expression tight. “Listen, pal, I want this as much as you do. I want the head of that prick of a Lord Garia on a spike. Or a sword, or gutted like a fish, or…”

Rick turned away from her and studied Shalimar; blocked out Harley’s vengeful diatribe; he’d heard it all before. Ad nauseum. A betrayed mistress was a tiresome thing.

He lay down next to Shalimar, his lips caressed her ear. “Shalimar, wake up, honey.”

“Rick.” She murmured and turned towards him; her eyes remained closed.

“Shalimar, I need you.” He said and kissed her ear, the ache in his heart bringing tears to his eyes. Oh, why had he thought he could…

“Rick…” Her eyes slowly opened and he was struck again by the pure emerald depths. She blinked at him, then focused as he smiled. Her lips began to lift…

“Get on with it.” Harley muttered above him.

Shalimar bolted upright; rubbed her eyes then slowly turned to him. “You…” Her glance swept the camp site, but no one was awake. “You…. can’t be here!” She whispered harshly.

Rick sat up slowly and got to his feet. “Come with me, there is much to discuss.” He said and she winced at his loud tone.

“Shh. You’ll wake everyone and they’ll kill you!” Shalimar scrambled to her feet.

“But not you?” He asked, amused.

“Oh, Rick!” She turned away so he couldn’t see what was in her expression. But he knew anyway.

“This won’t take long, Shalimar, I promise, but I must speak with you.” He moved towards the forest and then glanced back at her.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured as she lifted her sword and followed. A disgruntled Harley brought up the rear.

* * *

Five hundred metres from the camp, Shalimar saw Rick sit on a log and turn his head toward the sky. His profile was similar to Eaden, with a high forehead, long nose, an oh, so kissable mouth and a pugnacious jaw.

“Ah, shit.” She muttered. A year away from this man and nothing had changed. She never cared that he’d betrayed them to the Aristocracy, but she wanted to know why before letting him go. She glanced back at the scowling woman. She didn’t want to ask; it hurt her soul to ask, but… “Are you and he…”

The woman shook her head and snorted with disgust. “Not even. I’m doing this for revenge.” She growled. “Not anything touchy-feely.” Her lip curled. “Besides, it’s you he has eyes for; no one else, not now, not ever.” She came to a stop and sighed. “Go on, it’s important.”

Shalimar tilted her head, relieved. The woman was attractive in a sharp-featured way; pointed chin, a blade of a nose, cold, crystal grey eyes and black, black short hair. She had a sharp tongue too. Rick would easily be tempted by her opposite.

She turned to face Rick.

Such thoughts were useless. She had to find out what her former lover wanted.

Shalimar approached and sat cross-legged before him. “What is it, Rick?”

He lowered his head and stared at her with such love she had to look away, a lump in her throat and pain in her heart. She wouldn’t betray her comrades; surely he wouldn’t ask her to? If he did… that would be the final betrayal. The one she couldn’t forgive no matter how much she loved this man. She had to live or die with her decisions; he did not.

“Oh, honey.” He reached out with a hand, but didn’t touch her. “I wish… I truly wish things were different.”

Her hands lifted towards him without thinking until he drew back, out of reach. It hurt and she dropped her hands.

“The Sprites are ready to parley.” He said and she stared at him. Business first, then.

“They’ve refused Eaden.” She said and cleared her throat of the huskiness.

“They will not refuse you.”

She snorted. “I’m not the leader of the rebellion.”

“No, sweetheart, but you understand their ways. They are well aware of what’s going on, but their pride is such that they won’t deal with someone so arrogant.”

Shalimar nodded over the surge of relief. Maybe they wouldn’t all die after all. The hurt of his refusal to touch her remained and it took all her willpower to suppress the tears or to press a hand to her heart.

“Better yet, the fairies are coming.”

“Fairies have no wish to involve themselves in the matters of Men. They have stated that over and over again.” Shalimar got to her feet. “They would prefer to stay hidden and wait until we destroy ourselves.” She said bitterly.

“Indeed. However, the Aristocracy will destroy the outland and protect their own cities. The outland, if you recall, includes the land of Fairy, and Sprite, and…”

“Demon, Elf, Vampire, Were… She gets it, Rick, move on!” The woman called over.

Shalimar glanced at Rick’s companion. How could she hear them from thirty metres away? Shalimar wondered, then put it down to the forest’s acoustics and faced Rick.

“Rick…” She began but he held up his hand.

“I don’t have much time, Shalimar, in fact, I should be going. I just wanted to tell you about the Sprites. To… see you…”

“But…”

“No, Shalimar. Listen… go the Sprites, now. They represent all of the Outland, by consensus. Speak to them. You’ll have their support and their legions. The Aristrocracy will fall, but you must act quickly, before the sun rises.” Rick stood and went to Harley. “Now, Shalimar.”

Shalimar threw up her hands. “Okay, okay, I’m going. I’ll… see you later?”

He gave her such a sad smile that she felt it all the way down to her very core.

“Go, sweetheart and remember I love you. Ever and always.” He turned away and vanished into the forest.

“And I, you, Rick. Ever and always.” Shalimar murmured. On a sigh, she turned and began walking towards the home of the Sprites, deeper in the forest.

* * *

“You don’t look well rested at all, Shalimar.” Eaden walked over to the fire where she sat.

Shalimar didn’t lift her head. The pre-dawn was chilly and the warmth only seeped into the front of her. “The Outlanders are going to be here before we go in.” She said without preamble.

Eadon sat across from her. “What? But I thought…”

Shalimar lifted a shoulder. “I went and saw them last night. I had to try, Eaden.” She raised her gaze to his.

His smile was so much like Rick’s, she blurted: “Rick told me to go to them.”

The smile vanished and he paled. “You… didn’t… You couldn’t have! By the Gods, Shalimar…”

“Eaden! Calm down. He told me to go to them because they wouldn’t deal with you. We have the allies we need.” Her grin was fierce. “We are gonna kick the tripe outta the Aristocracy, Eaden!”

But he wasn’t as cheerful as she expected; he simply rose and came to sit by her side, threw an arm around her shoulders. Something he’d never done before. In fact, he was positively averse to touching her. She thought it was because of her relationship with his traitorous brother. Was it something else?

“Shalimar,” he said hoarsely and swallowed. “It couldn’t have been Rick. He’s… he’s…” He sighed and hung his head. “Shalimar, you know my spy resources are quite good, don’t you?”

She snorted. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to even enter the city.”

“Do you remember when we escaped?”

“Sure.” She murmured and stared into the fire, saw it all happen again. “Only three of us knew of the complete plans to over throw the Aristocracy.” She said quietly. Eaden didn’t interrupt as he, too, stared into the fire. “You, me and Rick. When the troops arrived, it was Rick who showed them where we were; he was with them. You and I ran for it.” Her mouth twisted. “You had to drag me away. I couldn’t believe what Rick had done.” She had been tainted by Rick’s betrayal because of her relationship with him. It was to her shame that she could have done something, anything, and had failed. Eaden had escaped the mistrust due to his fiery relationship with his brother.

“He knew everything, Shalimar, and thought that if the Aristocracy could get me – his overbearing, arrogant, selfish brother - they’d spare you; he was wrong. Lord Garia planned to murder us. Rick tried to trade me for you. They caught him, Shalimar, tortured the truth out of him and he tried to make a deal. And when we got away… they…” Eadon took a deep breath. “They killed him, Shalimar. Rick is dead, and has been for a year.”

Shalimar shook off his arm. “What bullshit, I spoke with him last night!”

“I… I couldn’t tell you, Shalimar, I knew how much he meant to you; how much you meant to him.”

Shalimar shook her head. “You’re wrong, Eaden, I spoke with him; he told me to go to the Sprites! He’s not dead!” Her voice rose and she pushed away from Eaden. She stood and turned; smiled. “There, you see? He’s standing right over near that burned stump!” She began walking towards Eaden’s brother. “Rick! Tell him...” Then she saw it and stopped. The blood drained so quickly from her head that she felt light-headed. She could… see through him to forest beyond. His companion, too.

“Rick?” She asked faintly.

“I told you this was a bad idea.” Harley bit out. “Now, she knows!”

“Rick?” She asked again and staggered forward reaching out to him.

He stepped forward, nodded to his brother. “Eadon. You finally told her.”

“I did, brother.”

“Well, finally!” Rick grinned then looked at Shalimar and his smile faded. “I’m sorry, Shalimar, so… desperately sorry. I only wished to…”

“You died on me? For the past year, I had hope that you… that I… that we…” Her voice jammed up in her throat and she couldn’t speak.

“You expected to die today, Shalimar, and I couldn’t let that happen.” Rick said and reached out to her, cupped her jaw, though Shalimar only felt the brush of chill air, some of it blocked by the warm tears. “Now, you have a chance to live.”

“God, Rick… without you? I can’t!” She fell to her knees, renew grief surging. “I… can’t…”

He crouched down in front of her. “I know this is hard, Shalimar,” he said softly, “and I wish it could have come at a better time, but honey? You know I love you. I know you love me. But there is a greater love: that for the people; all peoples.”

She lifted tear flooded eyes. “The people won’t keep me warm at night or share my bed, my home, my life; I’m lost without you Rick.”

His smile was sad and sweet. “When this is done, Shalimar, you’ll see the value in what I say. Now, my warrior woman, go and kick some lordly butt. Free this world. Destroy the weather machine and let the peoples live without oppression.” He leaned in closer, and spoke for her ears alone. “Eaden will be waiting for you, as he has done for all these years.”

Her head came up. “Eaden?”

“He has loved you, too.” Rick’s eyes filled with glee. “What we had was flash and spark; with him, you’ll have passion and a deep abiding love. I’ll be watching over you… Shalimar.”

“Rick?” She asked and saw he was fading.

“Be safe, Shalimar, I’ll be waiting for you.” He rose and nodded to his brother. “Take care of her, Eaden, or I’ll be back.”

“Farewell, brother.” Eaden reached out his hand, but he touched nothing. “Know that I, too, love you.”

Rick’s image became more solid. “I love you, brother.” He grinned and walked into the forest.

* * *

“Did you have to lie to them?” Harley asked sourly.

“Yes, Harley, I did.”

“Why, for the Gods sake?”

“Because if I didn’t plant the idea, Shalimar and Eaden would spend the rest of their lives alone. They’re love for me…” He shook his head. “They’re love for me would blind them to ever finding someone else; and no one, no one should walk through this life without love.”

“Huh. It worked for me.” Harley said smugly.

“Oh, gee, and look who you’ve got as a companion shade? Did you ever think that the Gods might be trying to tell you something?”

(c) J. Armstrong 2006