One Length Later

The usual waves that crashed against the sand were subdued, almost as if they had sensed Theo's intention to take a dip into the water. She had waded out into the ocean until her feet were lifted from the sand and she was floating. A gentle push and pull from the small waves that lapped onto the shore had caused her to drift slightly but she didn't push against the current. Her back was turned to the shore, facing the horizon as she basked in the sun that beamed down from the sky. She was at peace, a momentary respite from the constant obligations she had. She never wanted to get out, knowing that once she did, she was back to having the weight of the world on her shoulders.

The sounds of the ocean that filled her ears were not loud enough to cover up the fact that someone had emerged onto the beach with her. Boots crunched under wet sand, alerting her that she was not alone; but she didn't turn around. Theo instead closed her eyes and sunk herself into the water, pushing the air out of her chest. The bubbles rose to the surface as she dropped down. She sat neatly at the bottom of the ocean, legs crossed over each other, for a minute. Then her lungs screamed at her to breathe. Theo was forced to push up off the ocean floor and she shot through the surface taking a gulp of air as she did.

When she emerged, she was facing the shore and she wiped some of the seawater out of her eyes to find Xyra standing at the edge of the water with a stack of papers in her hands. Theo began to swim herself to shore, taking her time as she did it. Xyra didn't break her stare as she followed Theo's journey back to dry land.

"You here to bring me good news?" Theo asked as she began to exit the water.

"Perhaps it will not be for you, but I do bring good news," Xyra nodded.

"They are here, aren't they?" Theo groaned, "I was hoping for a few more suns of peace and quiet."

"Well, I apologize that you were inconvenienced," Xyra shrugged, not looking very sorry at all, "the last of the ships have arrived at the outskirts of the reef. We are tendering them all in now. Should be a few hours before they are all here."

"I'm cross with you, by the way," Theo walked to her stuff that was laid out on the sand and slipped on a shirt.

"Because?"

"You were the one with this brilliant idea."

"I was not, actually," Xyra reminded, "Cooker was the one that convinced you to take the meeting with the rebellion, and then you were the one that insisted this should be done here."

"Aye, I suggested a meeting with potential stakeholders be held here but you were the one that increased my original list of people tenfold," Theo shot back.

"Your pension for the dramatic has risen as of late," Xyra rolled her eyes, "I increased your original list by perhaps a quarter."

"A quarter too many," Theo mused and Xyra laughed a bit.

"I do not understand why you agree to our suggestions if you are just going to complain about it the whole time," Xyra said with a raised eyebrow.

"Because it was a good idea on your part," Theo grumbled, "but I'm not going to be happy about it. I would rather not have to deal with any of them. If we need their money and their ships, it might be easier just to kill them all for it."

"I agree but that would get our fight for fairness, less brutality and equality off to a bad start," Xyra let out a sympathetic chuckle.

"I know," Theo sighed, "can you carry me back? Just to make it all a little easier for me. Given I have such a big responsibility to carry out in the next few suns."

Theo pouted, poking out her upper lip and blinking her eyes. The walk to the beach had been done without shoes, which was a mistake on her part, and she was trying to avoid any more injury to her soles.

"Only if you promise to be on your best behavior and you won't start any political discussions that are not relevant to our goal," Xyra bargained, "the groups we've invited here are not historically inclined to be in the same camp, so we need to take all precautions and not rock the boat."

"I'm not who you have to worry about," Theo laughed and walked over to Xyra, hopping on her back without getting an official confirmation that it was okay.

"Trust me," Xyra laughed a bit and adjusted Theo on her back before she began walking, "I have lectured Cooker enough about maintaining decorum."

"There is no way she is going to listen," Theo pointed out.

"I am fully aware of that," Xyra sighed and began to trudge through the brush and back to their house, "which is why I have a full security detail on her that will physically pull her away from conversations that look like they are going to take a bad turn."

"What would I do without you?"

"Get kidnapped and tortured by The Center," Xyra joked, "oh, that is right, that already happened."

"That's a cheap quip and you know it," Theo chuckled, "who jokes about their best friends' physical and mental torture?"

"I do," Xyra laughed to herself as she walked into the jungle.

-------------------------------------------------

The corset she had on was far too tight and she was struggling to breathe without it hurting. The handmaiden that usually helped her get dressed had the sun off, thanks to reforms that Ava had insisted be implemented regarding working hours for servants. Unfortunately, it meant that someone who didn't know Ava's preferences for clothing and fit helped her get ready. Ava hadn't noticed how tight it had been until she had sat down and by then it was too late to do anything about it.

So rather than be completely focused on what was happening all she could really pay attention to was taking short, shallow breaths and trying not to think about the sweat that was dripping down her neck. Next to her, a throat cleared, and Ava's attention snapped over.

"Ma'am," Arnelo whispered, "they are awaiting your command."

Ava nodded and focused on what she was there to do. She stood up from her seat atop the balcony that overlooked the great hall. No matter how many times she had been up there, she couldn't shake the initial flip of her gut that came with the view of all the people waiting to hear her speak. Ava had gone from sitting at the back of the balcony and watching her father pass down judgment, to dreaming about being the person dragged through the hall, to standing at the top of the balcony once again but at the front this time.

"Bring in the first prisoner," Ava spoke, her voice echoing through the chambers with minimal effort put into projecting her voice, which was good given that she couldn't speak very loud with the corset on as tight as it was.

The soldiers that were stationed at the door moved in perfect unison to open the doors to the hall. All of the people in the room below her, which formed two large mobs with a pathway in the middle, turned to see who was coming their way. Those in attendance were a mix of constituents with last names and those chosen from the town to come bear witness to the trials that would take place that sun. A middle-aged man was marched through the crowd, hands tied up in front of him. He was pushed to his knees once he reached his mark and Ava waved her hand, causing the soldiers to pull the man's hair and force him to look up.

Arnelo handed her a piece of paper which she read and handed back. She cleared her throat, "According to a report from your neighbor, you were seen fraternizing with another man in a way that breaks Baethan code. How do you plead, sir?"

"Not guilty, Lady Vaith," the man shook his head and held his hands up in almost prayer, "please, she is just a jealous hag that wants my house. I swear it, I didn't do nothing."

"A renouncer and a liar," Ava hummed, her voice carrying throughout the hall, "tell me the name of the man that you were with, and I will be merciful with your punishment."

"I am not a renouncer, it was a false report," the man's eyes were crazed, and he looked desperate.

"A survey of your other neighbors indicates that you have been known to bring men back to your home quite often," Ava motioned to Arnelo who held up the piece of paper, "I will not repeat my offer after this. Tell me his name and you will be spared from the full weight of the punishment that comes with being found a renouncer."

The man shook his head and seemed to be calculating his options. Ava waited patiently; hands folded in front of her. After a minute, he broke.

"His name is Jeorde, he lives in one of the rooms above the fruit market in the east district," the prisoner spoke.

"Very well, you are sentenced to prison and will avoid the noose for the charges levied against you by your neighbor," a soft gasp escaped from the room at large and Ava could see people whispering to each other about the verdict, "however, minutes ago you stood in front of me and lied. Perjury in the court of a noble carries with it the punishment of death. I see no other choice but to send you to the gallows."

"No!" the man tried to stand up, but he was immediately grabbed by the guards, "Lady Vaith, please!"

Ava sat back down and kept herself focused on the marble floor where the man once was. His yells continued until the door was shut behind the guards escorting him out. She waited for a few minutes, in silence as the audience looked up at her. Eventually, she nodded and gave another command.

"Bring in the next one."

------

The water was warm as it enveloped her. One thing she had learned to appreciate since she had been back at the estate was her bathing room. The pool in which she bathed was a large chasm in the middle of the room, one that was easy to get into as the steps descended into the water. The low light from scented candles in far corners of the room made for the perfect ambiance to relax in. Coals underneath the floor kept the water inside the middle of the room hot, almost scalding. It relaxed every muscle in her tense body. Her long hair was pulled up and pinned into a loose bun to keep from falling into the water.

She was facing the window in the room, watching as the sun disappeared from the sky; darkness replacing the light. Everything except for her neck and head was submerged under the water. She had been waiting there for far too long, as she had the past several nights as well. She had resigned herself to another night of solitude and tried to get her tired body to move. Eventually, with much coaxing from her mind, she stood, and the water dropped to only cover below her waist. She took a breath, about to call for Arnelo when her door opened.

"Lady Vaith," Arnelo spoke, "she's here."

"Let her in and leave us," Ava replied without a moment of hesitation as relief flooded her system at not having to be alone with her thoughts.

Seconds later, the door closed, and she heard light footsteps. She didn't dare turn around. Moments passed and noises of disrobing filled the room. She heard feet dipping into the water and then felt its level rise marginally at the presence of another body submerged in the pool. Water lapped at her hips as the other person disturbed the stillness of the water while they walked forward. Ava felt herself being pulled against the person's chest and she let out a sigh she had been holding in. She melted into the embrace, putting her weight against them. Arms wrapped around her waist and Ava felt light kisses trailing up her neck, then down one shoulder, then down the other.

Ava reached back and her hand tangled itself in the other person's hair, trying to pull them impossibly closer, "Please tell me it's all going to be worth it in the end."

"It will be," a voice was in her ear, "it is only a matter of time."