Into the Deep Wood

Marat waited across the street from the shop for hours. He had no intention of being far or occupying himself otherwise. Theodora had promised him that no pain or humiliation would come to the girl, and he trusted her word, but something inside him still ached with foreboding.

Marat moved closer when the physician exited the building through a back door. He stood at the front, unnecessarily and closely examining the wooden doorframe's structure. Then, he reluctantly opened it and went inside. The empty parlor full of chairs and tables seemed so dark and gloomy. It was so dusty he could see it in the air. They needed to get Theodora’s help and leave.

There was more to the examination than purely academic pursuits. When Theodora had proposed the trade, one of the terms Marat set forth was that Val be examined for any signs of a curse or hex. She exhibited the manifestations of any number of them, but he lacked the skills that Theodora had at her disposal.

He could search, sniff out, crawl all over the inn - but the time it would take him to find out would mean just that much more time that Val would wither away. She looked worse and worse, her skin graying and the darkness under her eyes hollowing them out. Her hands were dry, and her nails brittle. It had only been a few days.

Theodora opened one of the two double doors.

“Join us.” She said to him, and he followed.

This was a frightening woman in a way that a rushing river was frightening. You hear about it, but standing over the vastness and the power of the currents, hearing it, understanding that it could mean certain death - that was Theodora. She was older than Marat, well-spoken, and although very stern, she was also somehow feminine and elegant.

She was raised in high society, an academic and a marketeer of all the rarest of the curios the four kingdoms had to offer. She’d quickly negotiated exclusivity from the brothers, once upon a time, and always gave only the best prices for their finds. The only rule was - it came to her first.

Although Marat had known her longer than that.

Theodora held several offices in the courts. A noblewoman through and through, she commanded anything that her husband’s title brought. Some would even forget that he still lived when he was alive. She was a strong voice among the others and did not bend to Aisultan as easily.

But, she was diplomatic and not one to go to war for a cause. Because of this, she had established herself in the Midtrade City and away from the politics of the four states.

She had connections everywhere, and while Marat had been a part of the noble circles, he spent quite a bit of time in her company. She was unlike anyone he had met before. And, when he had very little, she made him feel like an equal. His father, his noble status, it was all gone. Yet here stood a blonde, blue-eyed beauty with soft, oil-adorned skin, smelling of peonies and honey. It was a young infatuation for him, and he suspected only a way to pass the time for her.

After he’d traded their freedom for Erlan’s debts, his affair with Theodora was discovered. Of course, the courts were full of adultery, and noble circles ran rampant with disease of the loins. But, he was a disgraced son of a duke. And it now mattered that he was the married baroness’ paramour. He was effectively a slave now. And, when it came time to answer for it, Theodora stepped aside.

She had a reputation and political career to pursue, and she allowed him to take the full of the consequences. And she had everything to lose, and he had nothing. He understood that.

Had he loved her? Perhaps. He did not hate her afterward. She’d been the sole reason he and his brother could find work for a long time. She was the secret benefactor of so many of their expeditions.

And now, he knew he had come to her, possibly for the last time. It was a small favor, nothing that she couldn’t fulfill. An invitation, her vouching for his and Val’s names. But he no longer had anything to trade with her. He could not hunt. Even with the leg that she had gifted him when he first returned, he was not the same man anymore.

Things had run their course overall. Her presence, although still intimidating, felt like a life lived long ago.

“As promised.” Theodora handed an envelope to Marat. “The man with whom you will enter the Cathedral is the diplomat from the West. All had been arranged, and you need not explain yourself or make up a good reason to be there. No questions will be asked.”

“Thank you, Theo,” Marat said, giving her a truly grateful look. Val saw the eye contact between them and felt a certain ping of uneasiness. Even with what the woman had told her, she saw that there was a way Marat had gotten nervous around her.

She dropped her eyes.

“I’d like to speak to you, alone, on some business matters before you two leave,” Theodora told Marat. He nodded. “I have called a coach for the two of you to return to wherever you are staying. It is already outside.”

She looked at Val.

“My darling, would you make yourself comfortable in it, and your companion will follow you shortly.” She said. When Val paused, she ensured that it was clear this was not a request. “It was so lovely to meet you, travel well.”

Val looked at Marat, but he did not meet her eyes once again. So, she stood and left the room.

“Now then,” Theodora said after the second set of doors fell shut with an audible thump. “I do not feel that I owe you the findings of this examination, but because we have been friends a long time - I will tell you.”

“Anything you can give me.” He nodded, appreciative.

Theodora paused, her eyes settling on the one ray of light still left pouring through the window. She seemed to be gauging how much and what she was willing to share.

“My physician is the best that money can buy, Marat.” She said. He nodded again in acknowledgment. “And yet, money could not buy me this knowledge. Not really. Nothing about the girl was abnormal. Nothing indicated the source of her particularity.”

She sounded disappointed. Clearly, this opportunity had been highly anticipated and ended up leaving her disheartened.

“And, the other thing?” He asked, trying to mask his greater interest in this subject than the former.

“You should know better, my darling.” She answered him. “Trust yourself more. She is not cursed, not hexed. She isn’t ill with anything that plagues man. Although she looks ghastly, her body wilting away.”

“Ah.” Marat felt the frustration rising again. Dead ends; even Theodora could not help him.

“However,” She continued, “I believe something may be clouding your mind, my friend. Seems that your normally sharp thinking is distracted by something or someone.”

“What does that mean?” He was beginning to get annoyed.

For someone who boasted her forwardness, she was playing games. This was not new; she was short and to the point in business. But when it came to him, she dangled things before him and took every ounce of enjoyment from their interactions for herself.

“You are looking for a mark when she is the mark.” She said, satisfied with his frustrations.

Marat looked past her, thinking of what her words meant. With the absence of Erlan and the loss of his complete mobility, it felt as if every aspect of that life had begun to slip away.

She waited patiently.

“A parasite.” He said finally. “Something had attached itself to her.”

She nodded, knowing that he was on the right path.

“It’s a kikimora.” He said. Theodora smiled, pride showing on her face.

“Be on your way, my darling.” She told him, closing their conversation and inviting him to leave. “I do not expect to see you anytime soon. I see you have other priorities now - and thank the All-Father, it’s time.”

“Thank you, Theo.” He said again, quietly and thoughtfully. “For everything.”

“No need to thank me. You are always welcome here, my friend.” She said, following him to the double doors. He opened one, meaning to walk out, when her hand on his arm stopped him.

“One more thing, my darling, the examination,” she acted as if she’d forgotten this small detail all along, “the girl, despite her best efforts - is not barren.”