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Scene #24
Tolron pulled Tesa to her feet and watched carefully as he let her
go. Once assured that she could stand on her own, he hurried out of
the wagon after Mantala. The river glinted in the afternoon sun.
The ferry, a large raft with low side walls, glided over the river
with half a dozen Marthongs and a few steeds aboard. Two men
conversed at the shore, waiting for the ferry to return.
Mantala was scowling up at the wagon, waiting. "What were you doing
with her?" Tolron drew back his head. "I was helping her.
She had collapsed. Did you see her? She was as pale as an egg."
"I saw her, with your arms around her. I saw how you looked
when I discovered you." "Mantala, this morning you
wanted me to comfort her. Would you have me be indifferent toward
her this afternoon?" "Now I see how it is between
you." She strode away toward the tollbooth. Tolron stood with his
mouth open for a moment, puzzled by her anger. Was this jealousy?
He quickened his pace to catch up to her. He trotted
to her side. "There is nothing between us but predicament. She was
unconscious when I found her. What would you have me do? Pour cold
water on her?" Mantala stopped and eyed him sternly. "I
would have you be careful, Tolron. I have seen many a warrior fail
—even to his death—because he let love get in the way of duty.
It is our duty to protect her. You took that duty when you agreed
to this journey." Tolron voice rose slightly. "I know
my duties, Mantala. I am ever conscious of my duties! One is to
keep you and Tesa well. That duty is requiring more of my attention
than I imagined. And if I care about you both—" his voice
softened, "would that not make me more diligent in protecting you?"
The ferry had landed on the other side, and Mantala looked
across the river at the ferryman tying the lines to the shore.
After a long moment, she turned again to Tolron, scowling. "It is
Tesa, not I, who requires protection. She is not just a woman; she
is like a jewel, and Kur wants her to gain his crown. The war is
won or lost based on her fortunes. We must guard her well. If you
let emotion guide you, it will be harder for you to do the right
thing." "But she is a woman," Tolron said. "We must
have compassion for her. She is no machine for us to use—she has
feelings. And she is no jewel to keep in a vault as Kur has done.
If we would guard her, we must guard all of her—her body, mind,
and soul. If you would be so cold about her, consider this: She is
no good to anyone if these visions destroy her." Mantala
let her warrior’s face soften. "Tolron, I like Tesa, and I honor
her. I see how frail she is today, and I worry. It is because she
is frail that you must be careful. If she depends on you to sustain
her, she will not be strong. Do not coddle her; help her to be
strong. If you fall in love with her . . ." "Mantala,
that is foolishness." "...you will not be objective about
her welfare, and neither will she. You will both be hurt. I have
seen too many good friends die. I do not wish to lose you, good
friend, so mind that you keep your wits about you." Tolron
shook his head. "Have you ever known me to lose my wits for a
woman?" "I have never known you to look at a woman the
way I saw you look at her today. And when I saw you with her just
now, I worried." "Your worries are unfounded. I ask
you, be gentle with Tesa. She has had a great shock, witnessing the
slaughter in Calva Bend. It will take time for her to heal."
"We do not have much time. We will be in the mountains soon,
on horseback. She will need to be strong by then." "After
tomorrow, we can start training her to be strong. Truly, she has
strength. She does not know it yet." Mantala started off
again, taking long steps up the hill to the tollbooth. "She will
know it by the time we reach Ronasho Borgen."
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