10 Hands Off My Woman!

After lunch, the men went back to their sun worshiping routine.

What the Ashryans called 're-energizing', to Mira, just looked as if they were sitting cross-legged outside on the stone pavers, sunbathing. Their eyes were closed, their bodies stilled, and nothing happened, at least as far as she could see.

While the men sunbathed, Mira went back into the kitchen and prepared a few small items for Zander. If he could not find the fissure he had made, then it was status quo, and he would be having a late dinner with the rest of the motley crew. If, however, Zander could return to Ashryan, she didn't know if he would have a chance to eat anything.

Into a small bag went packs of dried nuts and trail mix, a handful of granola fruit bars, some dried fruit, and a small bag of chocolate chip cookies. After thinking about it a bit, she also added a small plastic bottle of water. Clean drinking water was sometimes more valuable than food or money.

The men did not stop the recharge process until an hour before sunset.

Zander Tamein and De Erick Rashak were in one corner of the garden, discussing in serious tones about something that Mira could not hear.

Daran was practicing slashing the air with his broadsword, which he had taken out and cleaned.

And then there was Quill. Mira never did quite understand him much, since he rarely talked, and hardly did anything that seemed constructive. All she ever saw him do was fly about, not doing much of anything but observing everything that happened around him.

Mira wandered out to join the two Ashryans in the garden. She wanted to hear their conversations, hoping to find out what their plans were, but as soon as they saw her, they broke off their discussions and turned to greet her.

"Ummm. Sorry to barge in but I have a quick question, Zander."

"You are not barging into anything. It is always a pleasure to be in your presence."

Mira laughed. Zander was always so serious, it was stinking cute. "I just wanted to know if you experienced bad headaches when you are going through a fissure."

Zander hesitantly nodded. "There is a certain amount of pressure on the ears because of the differences in frequencies between the worlds. As the fissure widens, the different pressures on each side, try to stabilize by compensating the differences. I try to stabilize it as much as I can, but until I can get a portal set up, it will remain unstable on both sides. "

"How do you deal with it?"

Zander sighed. "I have to expend a lot of my inner energy to protect myself."

Mira nodded. "I think I might have something that will help with that. Are you going to be leaving us tonight?"

"If I can find the fissure, I need to leave immediately. If I can't, then I will try again at the next twilight, which will occur before the sun rises."

"Weren't you running away from some dangerous people trying to kill you? If you go back, won't you be running back into danger?"

Zander laughed. "I'm just the Royal Wizard. My place in the kingdom is assured, no matter who ascends the throne. I'm not the one they're after." He glanced at Erick. "My main concern was getting the crown prince to a safe place, and then finding a cure for his poisoning. Thanks to you, he seems to be doing much better, but until he has regained his health, he is safer here with you, for the time being."

Erick Rashak sniffed in feigned outrage, but held his tongue. Whatever words the two Ashryans had exchanged earlier had effectively silenced the man. He looked to be following their plans, at least for now.

"You all just got here a week ago. Why do you have to leave so soon?"

Zander looked pained. "There are things in my kingdom that have to be resolved as soon as possible. With the crown prince in hiding, I have to ensure that it does not turn into permanent forced exile. I am unable to divulge much at this time, but please be patient with me while I work through the tangled knots of our politics."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. I will try to return within ten twilights."

"That means you'll be back in five days."

He smiled. "I hope so. Look for me when twilight colors appear."

Mira nodded and held out her hand. In her palm was a small orange plastic bottle. It was her prescription for headache pain that she had received from Caroline earlier.

"What is this?" He reached out with hesitant fingers, not daring to touch the bottle.

"It's headache pills. It will keep the pain down to a reasonable level." She looked down at the prescription label. "There are twenty pills in here. Take one, half an hour before twilight. It should help you with the pain, and hopefully, conserve some of your energy."

Zander's eyes blazed with elation, tinged with reluctance. "This is such precious medicine. How can I ever repay you?"

"There's no need. Just take these and make good use of them." She pressed them into his hands. "If you run out, I can get you more, so don't try to save this stuff. Use it, and get back to us safely. Oh. Let me show you how to open the cap--" she took the pill bottle back from him. "This is a childproof cap. You press down and twist. See? It's not hard to get it open."

Zander looked at her demonstration with curious eyes. She made him open it himself before she was satisfied that he was not going to destroy the bottle just to take a single pill out. Then, she gave him the bag filled with dried goodies. "I don't know if you will be able to find food over there, but here is a bit of travel food that might help a little."

Zander took the bag, and without a word, pulled her into his arms. He was so tall, her face barely reached his chest. She could hear the rapid beating of his heart, and that familiar mint and sandalwood scent that followed him wherever he went.

The hug surprised Mira more than anything. This was a man who became embarrassed over the touch of a hand. Maybe he was starting to get used to her.

"Hey! Hands off my woman!" An irate Erick Rashak growled as he reached out to pull Zander off Mira.