Mary's Journey

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The camp

Kopa walked around the camp inspecting tents, weapons, equipment and talking to the people. He introduced Mary as they went, and she was amazed at the respect they showed her. She was used to being almost at the bottom of the social order, and now it suddenly seemed like she had taken a step or two up.

She didn’t really know how to handle it. As they walked between two groups of pepople, Mary turned to Kopa.

“I thought Nihal was responsible for the riders” she said.

“That’s right” Kopa replied.

“But if he’s in charge of the riders, why are you doing the inspection?” She was never afraid to ask Kopa a question, she felt safe with him. He wouldn’t make fun of her just because she didn’t know something. He looked at her appreciatively.

“I’m responsible for Tariana’s personal guard” he replied. “It’s therefore my job to make sure she’s safe, so I usually do an inspection to make sure safety is up to my standards” he continued. Mary nodded.

“But what does Nihal say about you doing it?” she then asked, knowing that in Dermes it had been very strict who had what responsibility and you did not step into someone else’s territory. Kopa smiled at her a little.

“He’s not too fond of it,” he admitted. “But I don’t care. Tarianas’ safety is more important than keeping Nihal in a good mood.” Mary nodded, she understood but at the same time thought that Kopa was brave for daring to stand up to Nihal.


Kopa appreciated the company that Mary gave him on his round. He was also pleased to realize that she was using the brain the gods had given her.

He felt proud of her thoughts around his and Nihal’s responsibilities. It showed logical and tactical thinking. It shouldn’t surprise him, he thought, after the nights he spent playing Kai with her.

Kopa also saw the looks that many of the younger riders and some of the older ones, gave her. Mary, however, seemed completely unaware of their attention. As usual, she seemed engrossed in her own thoughts.

Kopa was sure that non of the men would do anything, but that didn’t stop him sending one or two sharp glances in their direction to make sure they knew she was under his and Tariana’s protection.


The evening was a bit chilly but Mary didn’t feel cold as long as she and Kopa moved from one campfire to the other. The men and women were nice and respectful and, as always, she enjoyed Kopa’s company.

She learned a lot during their round. She tried to listen to the conversations that were being held in Salamis and discovered that she already recognized a few words here and there.

Not enough to give the conversation meaning, but it was encouraging to at least recognize some of the words. Kopa had made sure to keep the conversations in common when she was around, probably so that she wouldn’t feel left out, Mary thought.

But after listening to a conversation between two of the gray-clad men, she had to ask Kopa about the meaning of a few words. He answered her question in amazement and then asked if she had understood what they were talking about. She shook her head.

“No, not everything. A little, a few words, but the words I asked about felt important,” she replied.

“Where did you learn salamis?” he asked, still surprised.

“The Lady, Mildy and Leana have been trying to teach me some. I want to be able to talk with people if I’m going to live in Salmis” Mary replied.

They had stopped in the middle between two camp fires and Kopa was looking at her. Then he smiled and asked her what words she knew while he started walking again. For a while she repeated the words she had learned, he corrected her pronunciation a couple of times, and then he began to teach her new words.

After a while, Mary heard someone calling her name. She turned around and saw Leana walking between the tents.

“There you are Mary, Tariana wants you to come” Leana said. Mary nodded and turned to Kopa and said goodbye before following the aari through camp.

Mary was glad she didn’t have to find her way by herself. She felt completely confused and felt that the camp lacked a logical structure. But she realized that there was probably some kind of logic behind it, she just hadn’t been able to understand it.

After weaving their way through the tent landscape, they arrived at an open area, Mary guessed that they were about in the middle of the camp. There were a couple of campfires burning and there were small groups here and there talking to each other.

Leana led Mary to one of the groups where the Lady stood. The Lady turned around as they got closer.

“Thank you Leana, where did you find her?” the Lady asked.

“She had accompanied Kopa on his round.”

“I should have known,” said the Lady with a smile.

“I apologize if I did something I shouldn’t” Mary said, looking down.

“Not at all my friend,” the Lady said, laying her arm around Mary’s shoulders. “I just wanted to know where you were, the camp can be a little bit of a mess and confusing even for those who’ve been here before. The darkness doesn’t help.” she said, smiling.

“Besides, I thought it was time we got some food in our bellies, and I should show you where to sleep” she continued. Mary nodded and with her arm lying about Mary, the Lady led her towards one of the tents that stood around the large opening.

It was the largest tent, Mary realized, and on either side of the opening stood standards, flapping in the wind, and two grey-clad men kept watch.

“This is my tent, I thought you could share it with me” said the Lady as the grey-clad men pulled the tent tab aside so they could enter. Mary looked at her wide-eyed.

“This is the awning” the Lady continued. “Kopa sleeps there” she said, pointing to a bunk who was lined up in the corner.

“I’ve been trying to get him to sleep in his own tent for years. He says it’s his duty to protect me. I try to explain that in a tent someone with malice in mind, might as well come from the back and cut their way in. Kopa’s solution was to put guards around the tent and continue to sleep in the awning” the Lady said, laughing softly.

Mary felt that Kopa had done the right thing, it seemed the most logical solution, on the other hand, she felt that most of the things Kopa did was the right one.

They stepped through another opening and got into a larger room. There were chairs, they were simple, but they looked comfortable. There was also a simple table. At one wall was another table with a single chair. On the table were paper and writing tools. Mary looked at the paper longingly. The Lady followed Mary’s eyes.

“Can you read and write?” she asked Mary.

“Yes” Mary replied. The lady smiled happily at her.

“If you want, you can use my desk and everything you find there, both paper, ink and pens. But first I think we should eat.” Mary nodded and felt a longing to be able to write with pen and paper.

“Thank you very much,” she said.

“It’s my pleasure. Behind that tent tab is our bedroom. It’s not big or lavish, but I think it will be enough for us during the trip. Take a look,” said the Lady with a smile.

Mary stuck her head through the opening and saw an oblong room with a bunk at each end of it. The room was not as large as the bedroom she had had in the tower but much larger than what she had had when working in the kitchen.

At one short side of one of the bunks stood her chest. On the bunks there were blankets, a pillow and a fur. Mary couldn’t help but had to step forward and put her hand on the fur that lay on her bunk.

She had never felt anything like it in her life. The fur was soft and warm, she wondered which animal it had come from. The Lady who watched her from the opening seemed to have read her mind.

“The furs come from wolves, it’s not often we trap wolves in Salmisara, but every now and then it is necessary. There’s hardly anything better to huddle down in on cold nights,” she said.

Mary nodded and tried to tear herself from the soft fur, but she eventually followed the Lady and returned into the larger room. Four fireboxes were set up around the room provided both warmth and light.

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