We left within minutes. They pushed more of the milk-beer onto the Prince, because, well, alcohol helps to deaden pain and this was going to be fast and painful riding to the portal before it closed. I could almost feel the opening drumbeats of Conan as we sped across the plains. Six of us, all on horses, one having to be carried like a saddlebag, as night came and we pushed through until we could not ride safely under the stars.
We did not have the shelter of the rocks, but we were able to make a small camp on the lee of a hill as the night winds started up in earnest. We walked the horses and I showed the herd how to take care of their horses to make sure there weren’t any saddle sores, or the horses developed muscle cramps by just stopping moving. I didn’t even think of it as unusual, just something that needed to be done, though Nate seemed to be bewildered at some of it.
And I chose. That sounds all prophetic and stuff, but I knew Nate was going back to Earth with us, but I didn’t know if Ilsin would. And all I wanted was to have Ilsin tell me one of his stories and to hold me while we were sleeping.
It was really a group sleeping arrangement, we did not pair off or anything stupid like that. It wasn’t a sleepover. We started out kinda lined up with the Prince in-between Heather and Steve, coats and stuff being used as blankets.
I did wake to Ilsins arm under my head and his hand wrapped around mine. It was the best thing to happen that entire adventure. And, even though I was slightly cold and hurt in places I still can feel, I didn’t want it to end.
I think Nathan got the hint. Not so clueless. But still sweet. One of us started moving, and then all of us seemed to be awake at the same time. Heather and I went one direction and the guys helped the Prince to another direction for us all to do our morning pee and stuff. When we came back together, Nate had found a small red flower and had picked it. I think he should have picked two, but he gave me the flower, with no words. And then he took Heathers’ hand and they went to one of the horses to get it ready.
We all had a little of the milk-beer and some dried meat thing as we started to ride again. It grows on you. And I think it killed whatever was giving me morning breath.
The ride was not as hard that morning. Ilsin knew where we were, and it was about noon when we passed the fishing camp and about an hour later when Steve said that he saw their flag.
I hadn’t even considered that I didn’t know what the place looked like. When they came through, the herd had gone one by one, and Nate, being first through, saw what I had, and made them throw one of my pirate flags through. He had rigged up a small pole with rocks and a lamp base to keep it in place. He’s going to be a good engineer, if he doesn’t do that scientist thing.
We were not going to bring the horses through. All the saddles and bags and stuff were taken off and piled near the flag, saddle blankets left on the horses for right then. It was part of their territory, so the nomads would be able to gather the mob up in a few days.
***
I think that teenagers can be the most destructive force in the universe. We can also be the most positive force. Both of these things were true as we crammed six people into my bedroom and then out into the house.
It was night at home and Mom was in the living room with the tv on. As we came down the stairs, the amazement and horror that went over Mom’s face made me want to cry. She had dark circles under her eyes and was holding one of the stuffed animals from my room. She stood as we led the Prince down the stairs, phonebooks and stuff falling to the floor from where she had been sitting on the couch.
She went from sad to angry in Mom flat, and before I could get out, "Mom, we need to get to the ER,” she was pointing at me and yelling.
“Nothing out of you, young lady! What did you think you were doing? Did you think I wouldn’t notice you were gone?”
Nate paused, but we had the Prince in the sling between us and we couldn’t stop on the stairs. We kept going as I said, “Actually, no, I didn’t. But we don’t have time for that now. He needs to get to the hospital.”
She was still angry and sad and all the other things, but she saw that it wasn’t just the herd and dropped the stuffy toy and grabbed her phone. “Who-?”
I know we all looked like shit. And I mean it. Dirt and blood and bruises, limping and holding a boy who was trying not to squirm as the trip down the stairs was as painful as the ride on the side of the horse had been. And I know she saw that I was barely wearing anything, and except for the boots, didn’t recognize it.
Mom was holding the phone, but hadn’t dialed emergency, yet. Too many questions were coming out, and I really understand her need to know what was going on. “Who are they? How did they get here? Where did you go?”
Steve reached out and took the phone as Mom and I stared at each other, calling 911. We set the Prince on the couch and he started to mumble in his language, Mom looking even more confused. I started to scramble at my translation torque and Nate pushed a few things and it came off. I put the necklace around the Prince’s neck and we could all understand him.
“It hurts so much.”
And then I did the whole sensei/Yoda thing and said, “As long as it keeps hurting, you are alive. The Ambulance will be here soon.” He nodded and tried not to nod. Everything hurt, and I know, really know, how that is.
I felt Mom’s hand on my shoulder, and then on my jaw. She was touching one of the sore spots and I saw tears, but they did not come out. “Are you hurt?”
I nodded and showed her the cuts from being released from the ropes and said, “Nothing I can’t deal with.” I lost it right then. I sobbed out, “Oh, mom!” and we hugged. I didn’t even care that it really hurt.
Steve was still on the phone, but started to realize what we looked like. He started to point at the various things we had to deal with, like pulling the sword from the sheath and hiding it.
I saw Ilsin looking around at things. I knew that everything was weird. I watched him, but was dealing with getting us looking a little more normal before the ambulance got there. I saw him put his hand on Steve’s shoulder and talk, barely hearing what they said to each other. And almost understanding.
“This is a strange place.”
Steve smiled. “Not as strange without Tammi. Thank you for your help.”
My fight mate held out his hand and Steve took it. “I thank you for a look into another world.”
Steve took the hand and they did this slightly different handshake, something I think I saw in the big yurt tent with all the men of Ilsins’ tribe. “And I you.”
Ilsin looked around and seemed resigned. “I should go back. My people need me.”
The Prince tried to sit up, but fell back into the pillows on the couch with a gasp. “I thank you, for your help and your sword.”
Ilsin made some sort of genuflection, and bowed to the Prince. "I am a subject who would be glad to call you King some day.” He held out his hand and the Prince took it without hesitation.
“I would be honored if that comes about.”
I could tell that Ilsin was going to be leaving. I needed to talk with him. I already had stomach cramps, not just from hunger, but from the teenaged brain-need of this guy I had hardly known and had become very important to me. I made a sign to Steve and he took the translation torque off and handed it to me.
I heard sirens at about that point. I put on the necklace and motioned to Ilsin. I went to one of the shelves with the glass figurines and grabbed one of the paperweights I had in with them. Yea, so I had started collecting those silly things, too.
“I want you to have this. I got it when I was traveling last summer, but I want you to have it.”
And that twitter pated thing happened again. He held my hand, holding the paperweight, for longer than needed, but far shorter than I wanted. “Thank you.” He did not move, I did not move. The sirens were right outside the door, Heather going and opening it for the EMTs. “I shall think of you often, Warrior Woman.”
I started crying. Full on couldn’t see anything for a moment, tears going down my face, hurt to sob crying. I was able to get out, “And I you, Shield Companion,” as more people started to crowd into the room.
I realized there were too many people, and led the Nomad back to my room, Back to the portal and back to his life. He was on one side and I was on the other side of the portal. I know he could not see me, but as he stood next to the flag, he smiled and said, “Feisty.”
****
I threw on a skirt and a sweatshirt before I went back into the chaos in the livingroom. The EMT’s talked to Heather, who had taken charge of giving the Prince medicine from her bag of holding. They knew what he had been taking for the last day and could only get a few things out of the Prince before they got him on a gurney and took him out to the ambulance. Mom went with him, but before she left, she grabbed the keys from the hook and tossed them at me.
And, so, I drove the herd to the hospital. And I was not terrified.
I did drive just a little fast, though, and we went through the doors as the Prince and Mom were being unloaded from the ambulance.
The Emts were doing their full on hero medical thing and talking med-tech as we got there. “Multiple fractures of the left tib-fib and broken ribs, possible lung puncture.”
One of the others said something like, “He is stable, but his breath sounds are wet.”
The nurse who was taking the information looked at the kid and then over at us and said, “What’s with the costume?”
“The kids said something about a role playing game while camping.”
The Prince had ahold of Mom’s hand, but started to look around. “I want my companion.” He tried to sit up, but he was strapped in good and could not sit without too much pain. “Tammi!”
I was able to push through the group and put my hand over his and Moms. “I’m here. Relax. It will be all right. Trust them. They can mend things up.”
Nate called over to us, "Good drugs, too.” I laughed, but I don’t know if anyone else did. I regretted laughing right then, mostly because my ribs still really hurt.
Reality kinda hit us right then, but I had seen it coming. “Insurance carrier?”
Mom’s face dropped. “I don’t think he has any.”
Without thinking, I said, “No. Shit.”
“Language, Tammi.” Mom smiled. “But it is crappy.”
I reached into the pocket on the sweatshirt and pulled out dads’ credit card. I hadn’t put it into the pack because I thought I would just disappear for a while. Good thing, as everything I had was gone. “We can guarantee payment with this.”
Mom smiled. It was one of those wicked smiles that I had seen before, but usually right before she pulled something on me, like the trip to the big zoo several years ago. “Might as well have your father be good for something.”
The Prince had heard and understood some of what we were saying, reaching to his pouch just as the gurney was being unstrapped for his transfer to a real bed. Well hospital bed, but not the wheeled thing. “If you need to, this is all I have-“
The pouch came unhooked and fell to the floor with a clang as he was transferred to the bed. Nate swooped in and grabbed it and was pushed out of the way by one of the medical people.
“Uh, guys, I don’t think it will be a problem.” There were several gold coins with the Prince’s father’s face on them in Nates hand.
Heather took one and said, “I need to go back there and get me some of that.”
The lead medical person looked over and had a smirk, saying, "Unless you can put that into check form-“
Mom shook her head and had the credit card in hand. “I will guarantee the payment. Now fix him up.”
Another one of the medical people started to push us out. “If you could all leave, we need to get this going.” They untied the empty scabbard from the broken leg and handed it to the paramedic, who handed it to me. At least I would not have to try to sneak into woodshed to make another one.
The head nurse motioned to Mom and said, “If you are taking care of payment, you can fill out his paperwork.”
I stepped into where Mom had been standing and looked around at the people there. I leaned in and whispered, “You know, I don’t even know your name.”
He was looking a little more relaxed as the IV they had put into him seemed to have some good stuff going through to his arm. “Prince Charles of Winthrop.”
I smiled and held his hand for a moment. “Prince Charles. You don’t have the ears for it.” The last I saw of him that night was a confused look on his face as the nurses finally pushed me through the door and pulled the curtain.
I found the herd crowded around Mom, trying not to get in the way as the paperwork was being done. I helped, some, but not knowing anything about him, or emergency contacts or blood type… With the credit card securing payment, we were given some slack as to who he was.
There was a moment before we found a place to sit to wait for him to get out of surgery when Mom and I just stood there and held each other. It wasn’t a hug, really, we just clung to each other as if either of us could just slip away at any moment. And we cried. But the ER people are really used to that.
***
So. That brings us to this, the first week of my Senior year at high school. You already have met Charles, who is getting around on crutches famously. He is being brought in part time as a freshman, just to get his bearings as his PT gets him ready to go back. At some point. And he cleans up well in modern clothes.
The herd wasn’t sure he would stay. I told them he would. He is even learning English so that he doesn’t have to use the translation thing, as much. He has such a cute accent.
Dad actually stepped up when he knew I was back. he didn’t flinch when the bill for the Prince’s surgery went through. And my own medical stuff for the ribs and a few other things that needed attention when I got back. He even had one of his lawyers help get some papers for Charles so he wouldn’t be deported to a country he doesn’t belong in.
The thing about all of this is, I think I actually learned a lot about myself this summer. I know more about my friends than I ever thought I would, even clueless Nathan. Who finally asked Heather out. I know I have lots more to learn, but now I know that I can go through just about anything and come out the other side. I might not feel the best, but I will survive.
And I surprised my friends. Steve asked if I wanted to go to the movies this weekend. I looked at what was out there and declined. When he asked, I said, “I have some tutoring to do. Anyway-“ And this is the best part for the look on his face, “the only good thing is that sword and sorcery thing. I really don’t feel like seeing it.”
I think the whole group stopped dead in their tracks when I said that. They stared at me, and I had to say something. So I said, “When you've lived it, movies pale in comparison.”
And it is true.
***
Oh, I wanted to add that Nate figured out more of the portal table thing. Not that I wouldn’t have done so myself, eventually. But now, Ilsin and I can talk through the portal. He still can’t see me, but I can see him. He has set up a camp near the flag and is there more often than not. He says that his father still does not understand what happened, but when the messenger from the King came and offered payment for the woman he had sent, his attitude changed.
I am hoping to go back for a weekend, soon. Maybe over my birthday this year. And I’ll bring a rock from here to put on the cairn that is being built up around the flag. Ilsin put the paperweight there, and I can see it when we talk.
And that is what I did on my summer vacation.
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