D. A. Houdek

Deb Houdek Rule

Web designer - Science Fiction author - Civil War historian - Genealogy researcher

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Of All the Western Stars

by Deb Houdek Rule

Chapter 33

Lisette yanked her head up when the roan misstepped. Still not fully awake, she coughed and wondered vaguely where she was. Her head ached worse. It made it hard to concentrate, or even see. The night was gone at last, given way to the misty gray of dawn. The rain had ceased battering down on her but she couldn’t remember exactly when it had stopped. Her shoulders twitched uncomfortably beneath the soggy clothes. A fit of shivering racked her and she coughed again. Only by the greatest force of will did she stop shivering.

Blurrily, Lisette surveyed the land around her. She was still on the rolling plains, fog hanging in the low hollows of the grassy land. The dark line of the forest to her right assured her they still moved in the right direction. She hoped they hadn’t come too far.

She shivered again inside the soaking coat and doublet. The morning was chilly but at least there was no wind. Lisette glanced at the diminishing clouds, hoping the sun would come out soon to warm and dry her. Something nagged at a corner of her mind, something important she’d forgotten, but she couldn’t focus on it. Lisette pressed her hand against her temple, trying to will away the pain and focus on remembering. She dropped her hand and sighed. If it truly was important she’d remember soon enough.

She yawned widely, then coughed. Her eyes tried to close again, lulled downward by the steady rocking of the mare’s slow pace.

A shrill whinny caused both of their heads to snap upright. Lisette and the roan turned toward the sound. There, on the crest of a low hill, a horse and rider sat staring at them, as still as though they were in a painting. Lisette gasped and pulled the roan to a halt. The roan nickered, raising its muzzle to the air and sniffing.

Then the rising sun broke through the clouds and the horse and man were bathed in golden radiance. The white horse bugled loudly and reared. The man held his seat with an easy grace. All at once Lisette recognized his form.

"Ashur!" she screamed and jabbed her heels hard into the roan’s sides. Ashur and the stallion were still for a moment then he too spurred his mount forward, racing down the hill toward her.

"Lisette," he called and she praised the sound of his voice caressing her ears. Her heart swelled with joy so great she thought it might burst.

"Ashur, Ashur," she called over and over, each repetition speaking volumes in both thankfulness and longing.

Across the emerald sea of grass they dashed toward each other. Their mounts skidded to a halt scant inches from each other. Lisette and Ashur slid off their horses and she found herself crushed in his arms, his mouth hungrily seeking hers.

As she willingly surrendered to the heat of his lips, returning his kisses eagerly, Lisette felt hot, then cold. The world seemed to spin around her. She thought she might swoon in his embrace.

"Lisette? Lisette?" She heard Ashur’s voice as though from a great distance. She soared to a dizzying height, then crashed down into an enormous black well.

While Ashur’s twenty-sixth century clothes had kept him warm and relatively comfortable even when wet, then had dried almost as soon as the rain stopped, the clothing Lisette wore was drenched and icy. Joy and relief flooded over him as he took her in his arms. Forgetting all respect for her marriage and sixteenth century standards, he’d taken her in his arms, pleased at her quick acceptance as she flowed into his embrace. Then Ashur touched her lips and was astonished at the heat of her. She must be burning with fever. Then she collapsed in his arms and a fear such as he had never known before engulfed him.

Scooping Lisette up in his arms, he glanced at the defiant stallion. He could not risk her on that wild beast. Yet he needed to get her to shelter, needed to take care of her. He needed to find out what was wrong with her. Perhaps the Capellans had gotten to her after all and she was injured. Maybe they were even now following her. She was dressed in men’s clothes, had clearly ridden through the night and the storm as he had, fleeing something… someone.

Ashur looked around quickly. He saw nothing but their two horses. They were too exposed here on this rolling, treeless plain. Catching the reins of the roan he propped Lisette on the animal’s back. Lisette opened her eyes and looked about herself in confusion.

"Ashur?" she murmured and broke into a fit of coughing.

She didn’t seem injured. Was she hurt? Or drugged? Had they drugged her to get her to reveal where he was? God’s teeth! He’d take them apart molecule by molecule. He needed Baby. She could tell him in an instant what was wrong with her. Lisette had been extraordinarily fond of the artificial intelligence unit, hopefully she’d brought it with her.

"Lisette." She jerked her head toward him but didn’t appear to recognize him. "Lisette," he touched her cheek to get her attention. "Where is the A. I. unit? The computer… Baby?"

Instead of a coherent answer she mumbled something about magic and spirits, then shuddered and muttered something about witches. Ashur sighed. He searched the pouch she wore. Baby wasn’t in it. As much as he needed the A. I. Unit, it was a relief that Baby’s power signature wasn’t guiding the Capellans to them.

Awkwardly, Ashur tried to swing up on the roan behind Lisette. He almost dropped her on his first attempt. Trying again, he managed the move with nothing short of levitation. The tired mare shifted at the double load on her back, but obediently started forward at Ashur’s nudge.

Guiding the mare, Ashur tried to grab the white stallion’s reins. With a snort and a triumphant look in his eye, the stallion tossed his head and danced away from Ashur’s grasping hand.

"Fine, then. Do as you wish," he told the beast and urged the mare back into motion, toward the north, back toward his ship, the way he’d come. He didn’t know where else he could take her, and there were medicines and devices there that might help… if he could figure out which to use.

Through the dawn, Lisette’s head upon his shoulder, her body warm in his arms, Ashur rode as quickly as he dared upon the saddleless horse. Behind them, following at a distance half way between embarrassed and obstinate, the white stallion trotted.

They reached the clearing by the ship only a few hours later. The sun slanting down through the green, leafy canopy of trees lit the small meadow in patches of golden light and soft shadows that danced slowly to the melody of a singing lark.

Lisette opened her eyes as a feeling of warmth slipped away from her body. Confused she found herself looking at the glade from her dreams. Only one thing was lacking…

"Lisette," a rich voice touched her ears like music. Looking down into Ashur’s face, she smiled. His strong hands reached around her waist and pulled her down from the mare and into his arms. Lisette was surprised at how weak she felt. Her knees threatened to collapse. She trembled and leaned heavily against Ashur. How good he felt! How safe and loved he made her feel in his embrace. She rested against him for a moment, listening to the beating of his heart, and wishing away all the problems plaguing her.

Taking a deep breath, Lisette called upon all her strength and pushed away from Ashur to stand, somewhat unsteadily, on her own.

Ashur still held his arms out, to catch her. Lisette could see his concern clearly written on his face. His dark eyes beamed into hers with worry.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

She took a deep breath to test that idea. The throbbing in her head had eased a bit. Suppressing a cough, she smiled and answered, "Yes. Indeed, I am. I must have been overtired, and exhausted from the long ride."

Ashur studied her dubiously. "You’re ill, Lisette," he said gently. "And you’ll get worse unless we get you out of those wet clothes."

Lisette ran her hand over the man’s clothing she wore and struggled to remember why she wore them and how she came to be here. The night, the rain, the branches lashing at her, all came as a tangled blur of nightmare images blended with angry, shouting voices and shrill accusations. She shook her head, putting her hand to it as the headache renewed. And Geraint…

"My husband, Geraint, is ill. We must return to him, must bring him medicines."

Ashur shushed her with a finger to her lips. "First we take care of you. I have some dry clothes, they may fit you. Can you stand on your own for a moment?"

"Yes. Truly, I’m fine."

"Okay. I’ll get them from the ship. Wait here." With a quick look back over his shoulder at her, Ashur hurried to a dark opening in the trees.

The word "ship" filled Lisette with sudden excitement. She followed Ashur with her eyes, reaching out with one hand to the roan to steady herself. It took her a moment to discern the ship beneath its cloak of concealment, so well was it hidden. Eagerly she studied the branch-shrouded shape and was disappointed with what she saw. It didn’t look like a thing that could leap up to the heavens and fly among the stars., it was naught more than a wheelless coach made of metal.

Ashur reappeared from the opening a few moments later, several objects in his arms. He examined Lisette anxiously when he reached her. She smiled reassuringly.

"These won’t fit you properly, but at least they’re dry and will keep you warm," he said, holding out a bundle of the type of clothing he wore.

From the snarl of memories one snapped into clarity to Lisette. "Oh! I have proper clothes with me. They ought to be dry. I put them in the saddlebag." She turned and struggled with the lacing of the saddlebag. The bundle was in there, the soft wool still dry, protected by the fine, thick leather.

"All right," Ashur agreed. "You’d probably be more comfortable in your own things anyhow." He set the bundle of his clothes on the grass and fumbled with two other things. "Here," he said, holding a tiny, white object out to her. "Swallow this."

She took the tiny tab. "What is it?"

"Medicine. A general one, but it should help."

She swallowed the tab and drank from the container he offered. She stopped after a sip and looked at him curiously. "Water?"

"Twenty-sixth century water. Go ahead, it’s safe."

The cool water helped ease her sore throat, and she could feel the medicine immediately begin to take effect. Her head cleared and the pain disappeared. She felt much better, but cold and hungry.

She handed back the container with thanks, then looked around for a place to change her clothes. Feeling steadier, she spotted a thick patch of bushes near the pool behind which she could undress. Pointing, she said, "I’ll change there."

Ashur nodded. "I’ll get a fire started, get some food ready."

Lisette felt his eyes on her back until got behind the bushes. She liked the feeling. Even in soggy, shapeless man’s clothing, his gaze made her feel beautiful and desired. It was a sensation that inflamed her own desires. When she’d been with Ashur before she’d been free and didn’t know it. Now she was a truly wedded wife and did know it. Lisette sighed.

Behind the bushes, she could hear Ashur moving about the edges of the glade, gathering wood. As the leaves stirred in the breeze, she caught glimpses of him as he worked. His hair hung loose to his shoulders, rippling waves of black. He moved with an easy grace, but with a control that reminded her of his quick, lethal movements as he struck out at the band of highwaymen.

It felt good to take off the heavy, wet clothes. She spread the coat and doublet on the bushes to dry. Over her head she pulled off the damp, wrinkled silk chemise. Carefully, she spread it upon the grass, fearful the branches might snag the delicate fabric. Peeling down the wool hose, she wanted to sing thanks that the scratchy, wet wool no longer itched at her legs. She hung Geraint’s hat on a twig then removed her own cap from beneath it, freeing her braids. Her hair was soaked through.

Arching her back to relive the cricks from the long ride, she closed her eyes and let the sun bathe her. Naked in the sunlight, its rays caressed her flesh with fingers of pure heat. Opening her eyes again, she studied the little pool of water. It glistened invitingly like a jewel in the sunlight, its sapphire surface sparkling. Her skin craved its cleansing purity.

With a self-conscious peek through the bushes toward Ashur, she saw him working at his fire, moving back and forth to the ship opening, carrying things out to place by the fire. She didn’t think he could see the pool from where he was.

Dipping her toe into the cool water, Lisette sighed and stepped in. Sinking forward into the water to her breasts, she rubbed herself, letting the water clean and soothe her. She pulled her braids over her shoulders, undoing the plaits. Soon the hair floated around her. Holding her breath, she dunked her head beneath the water, wetting her hair. She rubbed her hands through it, wishing for soap.

She surfaced, swiping at the water streaming off her face.

"Here," Ashur’s voice said very near.

Lisette’s eyes popped open. Ashur crouched at the edge of the pool, staring at her with an intensity that partly made her want to blush, partly made her want to lean back in the water and show him more, give him all of her. He held out a colorful packet toward her of a material she didn’t know. She reached out and took it.

"Here," he repeated. "It’s soap. Just squeeze it out. When I, uh, saw you were bathing, I thought you might like some."

She didn’t answer but squeezed the sweet-smelling stuff into her palm. The scent of flowers, flowers she didn’t recognize, tingled her nose. The packet floated in the water so she let go of it and spread the soft soap over her head, working it’s rich foam into her hair. With an uneasy air, Ashur stood and turned away, starting back toward the ship.

"Wait," Lisette called in a low whisper. He turned back toward her, his expression enigmatic. "Join me. I… I could use a little help with my hair."

Ashur stared at her. "Are you sure?" His question asked a thousand things in those three simple words.

Lisette’s mind raced, then became calm and still as the surface of the pool. She smiled up at him.

"Yes."