The next morning, he found her sitting in the back doorway, tears running down her face, staring at the mountains in the distance.
"What's your name, little one?"
"Asher du Lac." She said in her most regal voice.
"We should get moving. I have a friend, Louis, who lives northwest of here. He'll take care of you, teach you what you need to know to survive."
"Survive what?" She took the offered meal bread and nibbled on it.
He sat next to her on the stone step. "The Game."
"The Game? What is that?" She was curious now.
"When two Immortals meet, one challenges the other. They fight and when the winner cuts off the loser's head, he receives the loser's Quickening."
"Morbid Game. What's the Quickening?" She stretched her legs out, looking up at the sky.
"All the person's memories and powers. But there are rules."
"What are they?" She looked over her shoulder at him.
"Never fight on holy ground. Always fight one on one and never where mortals can see you."
"Why must we do this? And how do we know if the other person is Immortal also?" She bit her lower lip, digesting the information he was feeding her.
"The feeling you feel around me, the sickness and headache? We feel this whenever we are near another of our kind. It is a warning. When there are only a few of us left, it will be time for the Gathering. The last of us will meet in a foreign land and fight until there is only one left. That last Immortal will get the Prize."
"What is the Prize?"
"No one is really sure." He changed subjects abruptly. "Pack a few things you'll need. We should leave by midday." He left her sitting there and went to pack some food.
She got to her feet and went inside. She climbed the stairs and went to her parents' room. She took her father's traveling bag and went to her own room to pack. She threw two older stolas, her new stola, a nightdress and some underthings into the bag. Her bone comb also went in the bag.
She turned from her room and realized she was no longer wearing the bracelet her father had given her. Hoping it had fallen off and the thieves hadn't gotten it, she threw back her sheets. The sliver band gleamed in the sunlight and Asher picked it. She put it on; making sure it was tightly secured around her wrist and went downstairs.
"Are you ready to go?" He was standing at the foot of the stairs, his bag slung over his shoulder. He held her cloak in his hands.
"Do I have to go? Please, can't we stay here a little longer?" She begged him.
He swung her cloak over her shoulders and fastened the clasp. "There isn't much time. You have to get to Louis so he can begin your training." He took her hand and pulled her out of the house. He was much taller than she was and she was forced into a run to keep up with him.
"Why do I have to go with you? I don't even know your name." She asked him, pulling her hand from his and stopping. He turned to her, his expression showing he was ready to kill and tried to take her hand again. She stayed just out of his reach. "Answer my questions."
"My name's of no importance to you. If you don't go with me, the next Immortal that comes through here is going to have your head." He recaptured her hand. "Now come on."
Again she had to run to keep up with him. "Slow down, please. I can't keep up with you."
This time when he stopped and turned his expression was much softer. "We'll purchase a horse as soon as we reach the next village." From that point on he walked slower.
That night he hunted and brought back a rabbit for them. She had started a fire and collected wood. He skinned and cleaned the animal and roasted it on a sharp branch. When it was done, they sat eating.
Eventually he broke the silence. "I want you to do something for me."
She looked up at him and he was struck by the intensity in her eyes. "What?"
"If ever I am out hunting or away from you and you feel another of our kind, I want you to run, hide, get away from that person. They may be friend but more likely they will simply want to take your head."
"What of you? How will I reach your friend, Louis?" She rolled over and watched him.
"I will find you. Have no worry, I will find you." She nodded and yawned. He crept over to her and crawled under her cloak. He then spread his cloak over both of them. "It's going to be a cold night."
A scream woke him. He sat straight up and looked at the girl next to him. Asher was thrashing in her sleep. She let out another blood-curdling scream and he gathered her in his arms.
"Shh, shh." He soothed her. She woke slowly from her nightmare, sobbing against his shoulder. "You're safe here, little one."
"It was that man. The one who killed me." His robes muffled her voice.
"I'll protect you. He can't hurt you anymore." He rocked her back and forth and she grew sleepy in his arms. Eventually her breathing slowed and he lay back down, her head pillowed on his chest. He pulled up his cloak over them and smoothed back her hair. When he was sure she was sleeping soundly, he let himself fall back asleep.
They woke at dawn the next day. He led her to a dirt road. "We should be at a village by evening. There's an inn where we can get a meal and a bath, if you'd like."
Asher realized she felt quite dirty, partially due to the near rape by the man who killed her. "Thank you."
It was growing dark as they arrived at the village. The man brought her to the inn and requested two rooms, a bath and some food. The innkeeper led them upstairs to two small rooms.
"I'll have the missus bring up a bath for the lady and some food." He turned and went back downstairs.
Asher wandered to the window and looked out on the nearly empty street below. When she turned back, the man was watching her with a funny expression.
"I'll be back. Don't leave this room." He told her in a harsh voice. Then he turned and stormed out. Asher wondered what she had done to anger him but promptly forgot at the site of the large bathtub being drug into the room. The innkeeper's wife filled the tub with water and left her some sweet smelling soap and a large cloth for drying.
"I'll check back in a bit t' see if yer done. Then I'll bring you something to eat."
Asher nodded. "Thank you." The door shut behind her and Asher quickly took off her dress. With a sigh she sunk into the hot water, letting the tension seep from her body. After a while, she reached for the soap and began to scrub the grime away. She lathered and rinsed her hair and when she was finished, she stood and stepped out of the tub, wrapping herself in the sheet.
There was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She called.
"It's me, deary. Are you finished with your bath?" The Innkeeper's wife asked.
Asher opened the door and let her in. "Yes, thank you. I'll have my dinner when you're done."
The wife nodded and proceeded to remove the tub from Asher's room. Asher curled herself into a rocking chair and finger combed through her thick hair. Suddenly she sat up, as the feeling of another Immortal passed over her. After a moment she recognized the feeling of the man she was traveling with and called to him. "Come in."
He was carrying a large tray, covered by a cloth. Under his arm was a thin package. He set the tray down on the table and handed her the package. Asher unwrapped it eagerly. Inside was a wicked looking silver dagger.
Asher looked at the man in surprise. "Thank you."
"You should be able to defend yourself even if you don't have a sword yet."
She skipped over to the screen in the corner. After drying off, she pulled clean underthings and a clean stola. Her hair hung loose down her back. She stepped out from behind the screen.
The man was reclining in the chair she had abandoned. He heard a noise from her corner and looked.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked, wondering about the look that he was giving her.
His face smoothed over into an unreadable mask. "No, you look lovely." He pushed out the chair on the other side of the table. "Come on, let's eat."
On the tray was a plentiful meal of stew and bread. Asher took her bowl and sat regally in her chair, back straight, taking tiny bites of her meal.
"How old are you?" He asked her.
"My 17th birthday was yesterday." A tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away. "How old are you?"
"Close to 3000."
She thought about this for a while. "Is that very old for our kind?"
He nodded. "As far as I know, I am the oldest."
"Why won't you tell me your name?"
"Why do you need to know?" He stood and stretched.
She shrugged. "You know my name. Is it only fair that I should know yours?"
"What power does a name hold?"
She sighed exasperated. "None, I suppose. Why can't you train me? Why must we travel to this Louis person?"
"There are things I must do. Louis, he is a good teacher. You will learn much from him. Now no more questions." He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, little one."
Asher placed the tray on the floor in the hall and went to change into a clean nightdress. She snuggled into the bed and was soon asleep.
The nightmares came again that night. The man rushed to Asher's room and again offered her comfort. When he was sure she was sleeping soundly, he crept back to his own room to sleep.
The next morning, a knock on the door woke Asher. She stretched and yawned. "Who is it?"
"I was wondering if you would like a bath before you leave, my Lady." The Innkeeper's wife called from the other side.
"Yes, please."
The wife dragged the tub into the room and filled it with hot water. "Your man went out just after dawn. Said to tell you to bathe and eat and wait downstairs for him."
Asher nodded. "I'll be down for breakfast as soon as I'm done."
"I'll keep it warm for you, dear." She left and Asher stripped out of her nightdress and sank into the water. When she was done she dressed in one of her old dresses and picked up her traveling bag. Then she descended the stairs into the main room below. The room was warm and cozy and she settled into a chair by the fire.
The man returned just as Asher was finishing her meal. "Are you ready to go?" She nodded and let him take her parcel. They left the inn and went to the town stables. He tied her things to the back of the saddle and helped her into the saddle. He mounted behind her and they rode out of town.
For weeks they rode northwest along the coast, stopping only at night to rest and eat. The nightmares continued to plague Asher and she often slept during the day, leaning against his chest, one of his arms around her.
One day, he woke her during one of her naps. "We'll be there soon."
She turned so she was facing forward. Trees lined the dirt road they rode along and she could no longer see the ocean. "How much longer?"
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Another hour. We'll be there by nightfall. Louis has been waiting for us."
"How long will we stay here?"
"You will be staying until Louis thinks you are ready and no longer need a teacher. I must leave soon."
She turned back to him. "You are not staying with me?"
"I cannot. There is somewhere I must return to." He saw her dejection and rubbed his knuckles over her cheek. She leaned into his touch.
As darkness fell over the land, they rode into the estate. As they rode up to the main house, a tall man came out and waved in greeting. "Hello, Old Man. I was beginning to wonder when you would get here."
"Greetings, Louis." He handed Asher down to him. "This is Asher du Lac."
Louis smiled. He was dark skinned and his bright chocolate eyes sparkled at her. "Enchanted, my fair lady." He bent down and kissed her hand. "Welcome to my home. How long will you stay this time, my friend?"
A young man ran up and took the horse from the man as he slid from its back. "I must leave tomorrow. There are things that still need to be finished."
"Well then come in and we will celebrate tonight." Louis ushered them inside and into a large salon. "I have a meal prepared for you. Would you care to bathe first?"
The man looked down at Asher. "Yes, I think so."
She nodded and smiled. Louis clapped his hands and a young woman appeared. "Yes, Senator?"
"Would you escort Lady du Lac to her room and draw her a bath?"
The servant curtsied. "Yes, Senator. Follow me please." Asher left with the girl and Louis turned to the man.
"You haven't told her your name, have you?"
"Do you think it necessary? Will you tell her?" He asked of Louis.
He shook his head. "Not unless you want me to."
"No. Maybe someday, but not now."
"Tiny thing isn't she? Smaller than I thought she would be."
"She's only seventeen, Louis."
Louis laughed. "Very true. Go, bathe. Then we will have a drink."
The man returned a while later, wearing a clean outfit of silk.
"Wine?" Louis held up a glass decanter.
"Rather have ale."
Louis laughed. "Same as always. Unfortunatly, my friend I have no ale to offer you."
"Wine it is then."
Louis handed him a goblet of wine. "To old times?"
He nodded once. "To old times."
The two men were busy reminiscing when Asher came back into the room. They fell silent as she approached them. The maid had curled her bangs and braided her long black hair, wrapping it around her head. She was dressed in a purple silk stola and the only jewelry she was wearing was the bracelet her father had given to her. Looking at it now, she smiled sadly at the irony of her wearing the symbol for eternal life.
The men stood. Louis walked over to her and took her hand. "You look lovely. Shall we go in to dinner?" She nodded and linked her arm in his, enchanted by his charm. The man followed them into the next room.
Asher found herself seated across from the man who had found her a mere month and a half earlier. Course after course of succulent food was brought to the table. Well-dressed servants served meats of all kinds, vegetable dishes, breads, exotic fruits and puddings. While they ate the man and Louis entertained her with stories from their pasts.
After supper they retired to the salon. Asher sat on a low couch; her feet curled under her while the men sparred.
"Tomorrow," Louis said as he blocked a thrust, "we will get you a sword so you may begin your training."
She nodded sleepily. The two men danced around the room, their swords singing with each strike. She yawned and leaned her head down on the arm of the couch.
The next thing she knew, she woke up to the feeling of being carried. She opened her eyes and looked into green-gold eyes smiling down at her. "You fell asleep."
"Thank you."
He nodded. "You'll be fine here. Safe. Louis will teach you." He kicked open a door with his foot. "Here we are." He set her down, letting her body slid down his.
"You're leaving in the morning?" She looked up at him.
"Yes. I have to." He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Good night." He kissed her forehead gently and let her go reluctantly.
"Good night."
The next morning, the household was up early, preparing for their visitor's departure. Breakfast was a silent, somber affair and too soon, the man rose form his chair and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"It is time for me to go, my friend." He told Louis. They walked to the door of the house. The man's horse was waiting for him.
"Good journey." He handed him a sack of food for the trip.
"Thank you." He turned to Asher. "Come here, little one." He opened his arms to her. "You had no nightmares last night?"
"No." She ran into them and wrapped her own around him.
"Good."
"I'll miss you. But we will meet again."
"You know this?"
"I've seen it."
The man threw his head back and laughed. "The little one has the Gift. She will be a prophetess, I think." His eyes were smiling when he leaned his head down and kissed her softly on the lips. "I don't doubt we will meet again, Asher."
She looked up at the sound of her name. It was the first time he had called her by her name. Her blue eyes were shining wet with tears.
He mounted his horse and smiled at her once more before nudging the horse forward. "Til we meet again, Asher, Louis."
"Good journey, my friend." Louis cried.
"Good journey." Asher called.
They stood at the door waving until he was out of sight. When he was gone, Louis turned to Asher and tucked her arm in the crook of his. "Now we will go inside and you will tell me your story."
"It's not very interesting."
He looked her over and shook his head. "My dear, you will have much of time to collect interesting stories. Why don't you start with that bracelet? What does it mean?"
"It was a gift for my birthday this year. It means eternal life."
Louis laughed a deep rich sound as they went into the house. "Then it will make a good beginning."