Temple of the Winds

As they came around a corner, one of those slaves was coming the other way, carrying two steaming kettles of what smelled like lamb stew. She was dressed the same as the other women Clarissa had seen, except Verna. The clothes they wore, like Janet and Amelia, were not clothes as far as Clarissa was concerned. The women might as well have been naked, for all the good those transparent garments did.

When the woman looked up and saw them coming, especially Walsh, she immediately stepped to the side of the hall, out of their way.

Clarissa jerked to a halt, staring at the woman, whose gaze fixed on the floor. "Manda?" Clarissa whispered. "Manda Perlin, is that you?" Manda looked up. "Yes, mistress?" "Manda. it's me, Clarissa. From Renwold. I'm Clarissa." The young woman looked up the length of Clarissa, at her expensive gown, at her jewelry, at her hair all done in ringlets. Manda's gaze met Clarissa's, and her eyes widened. "Clarissa, is it really you?" "Yes."

"I don't hardly. . recognize you. You look so. . different. You look so. ." The spark went out of her expression. "Were you captured back home, too, then? I see the ring." "No. I wasn't captured."

Manda's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, good. I'm so glad they didn't get you, there. It was-"

Clarissa hugged the young woman. Manda had never spoken this many words to her in all the years Clarissa had known her, and the words she had spoken hadn't been decent. Clarissa had always hated Manda for the cruel words, the cruel smirks, the condescending glances. Now, Clarissa felt sorrow for her. "Manda, we have to go. Would you like to come away with us?" Verna snatched Clarissa's arm. "We can't do that."

Clarissa glared at Verna. 'I came here to rescue you. I let you take your friends with us. I want to take my friend out of here, too." Verna sighed and let go of Clarissa's arm. "Of course." "Friend?" Manda whined as her face twisted with untold sorrow. "Yes," Clarissa said. "I could get you out of here, too." "You would do that for me? After all the times I…" Sobbing, Manda threw her arms around Clarissa. "Oh, yes. Oh, Clarissa, please! Oh, Clarissa, please let me go with you!"

Clarissa gripped the woman's wrists and pushed her away. 'Then listen carefully. I give you only one chance. My master has magic to protect your mind from the dream walker. You must swear an oath to him. You must be loyal to him." Manda fell to her knees, clutching at Clarissa's dress. "Yes, I swear." "Then say these words, and you must mean them with all your heart." Clarissa spoke the devotion, pausing to let Manda repeat the words. When she finished, Verna and Clarissa helped the sobbing woman to her feet.

Clarissa had always been so intimidated by Manda, always so afraid of her scorn. How many times had Clarissa crossed the street, her head bowed low, as she tried to avoid Manda's attention?

"Hurry, now," Walsh said. "Nathan told us to get out of here fast." At the entrance, Walsh had to make up a story about His Excellency's plenipotentiary wanting some women. The guard eyed the nearly naked women, smiled knowingly, and slapped Walsh on the back.

They all piled into the coach as Walsh climbed up into the driver's seat with Bollesdun. As the coach lurched and then started out, Clarissa pushed Janet and Manda to the floor, in the center, so she could lift the leather-covered seat. She pulled out a long cloak. She only had one extra; they had expected to rescue Verna and Warren. Since Verna had a cloak, Clarissa gave the extra cloak to Manda, and retrieved blankets for Janet and Amelia. All three women were immensely grateful to be able to cover themselves, at last.

Clarissa sat at the end of the seat, holding the strange black book Nathan had sent her for, with Amelia at the other end, and Manda in the center, clutching at Clarissa for comfort.

Manda kept weeping on Clarissa's shoulder, and thanking her profusely. Clarissa put an arm around Manda and told her that she had expressed her gratitude enough times. It did feel good, though, to have the beautiful Manda Perlin looking up to Clarissa for a change, rather than looking down on her. All because of Nathan. How he had changed her life-changed everything.

They had to stop three times, while soldiers checked the coach. Once, the soldiers made them all get out and line up for a look. The blankets and cloak had to remain in the coach as Janet, Amelia, and Manda climbed out for inspection.

Walsh explained, in very crude terms, what he was doing with these slaves- how he was taking them for the pleasure of His Excellency's plenipotentiary. The soldiers were satisfied by Walsh's explanation, and allowed them to continue on their way.

They turned north at the harbor, and headed up the coast road. Clarissa sighed in relief as she saw the last of the fires and tents finally fade into the distance behind them. It wasn't until they crested a hill, nearly an hour's ride out after leaving the last of the soldiers, that the flash lit the sky behind.