Page 129 of Bloom
Jed was heading to the fireplace. “We have to go, Jaime.”
Father took Jaime’s shoulder. “Come on.”
He limped over and released him to push on a stone on one side of the fireplace. Opposite him, Jed pushed on another. Metal scraped in the fireplace, and the entire structure shifted slightly. Jed gripped his side and the fireplace swung open like a heavy door to reveal another passage. The floor was rough, and the walls weren’t even. Jaime couldn’t see far.
“But Mother-” he started. If they got her to another physician, they could heal her and make the baby move. Mother couldn’t be dead. Not truly.
“I’ll stay with her,” said Father.
A banging came from the hallway followed by a shout.
“Remember, you’re always a Scaliger. Don’t forget it.”
Father squeezed Jaime’s shoulder and pushed him toward Jed with a pained look.
“It’s been an honor to serve you,” Jed said in a low voice before grabbing the lantern Mother had held.
He picked up Jaime with one arm and didn’t hesitate to enter the narrow tunnel. Jaime grabbed Jed’s shoulders, struggling tolook over him. The fireplace scraped as it slowly closed, and the last thing he saw of Father was his shadow.
“We can’t leave him.”
“Shh. We have to go. I’ve got you, okay?”
It was slow going since Jed had to carry Jaime and the lantern through the passage. The ceiling was low, and he had to keep his head ducked as he moved his bulk through and tried to keep steady on the uneven floor. The sides and floor turned to dirt and tilted down. It widened a little, although it was still a bit too small for a man of Jed’s size. The air smelled strange, and Jaime couldn’t imagine where they were going.
Father had mentioned Rhyo village. Jaime had never been there and had no idea where it was. He remembered Father saying a few days ago that the village had a new lord since the last had died with no heirs. Something about him having a family and how they should invite him. He had a son around Jaime’s age.
Father would catch up. Somehow. He’d get a physician for Mother, she’d be alright, and so would the baby. Everything would go on like before because he couldn't imagine any other way. He told himself that over and over while trying not to remember Mother on the floor.
He was sure he heard a noise that wasn’t Jed’s boots on the hard-packed dirt, and he hesitated for a second like he’d heard it too.
He whispered a swear and started moving faster as the tunnel narrowed again. “Not a word.”
If it hadn’t been for the lantern, they wouldn’t have been able to see anything, and beyond its glow, Jaime couldn’t make out much ahead. Jed was blocking the way they’d come, and it wasn’t long before he heard a steady thumping. Like a man’s boots as he hurried along.
Jaime had the sudden thought that Father couldn’t possibly run. His leg had been hurt.
Jed tried to look behind him. Someone was catching up, and they both caught the faint glow of a lantern. He stopped to set Jaime down and took Father’s sword from his belt.
“Get back!”
Between Jed’s legs, Jaime saw boots and a man’s fine trousers. He recognized the crimson coat with split tails. The man had told Father he was lucky to have such a fine family with another child on the way.
“Give me the kid.”
“Fuck you.”
Metal flashed. In the tight space, they fought for maybe three seconds, although Jaime couldn’t tell who had the upper hand. Jed made a strange sound, and metal scraped.
Jed lurched forward, and the enemy gasped. Blood spattered the dirt, and the man collapsed to his knees with a gurgle. Jed thrust the sword into him one last time since there wasn’t room for proper swinging.
“Fuck!” He jerked back and hooked the sword into his belt before grabbing Jaime again.
“Jed!” Jaime shook and expected more men to appear from beyond.
“I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”
His breathing grew heavier as he carried Jaime through as fast as possible. Jaime was too scared to speak again in case more were following and listening. He wanted to curl up in the dirt, sleep, wake up in his bed, and find it had all been a dream. Maybe it was just a bad dream, and he didn’t know how to get out of it. Mother said dreams weren’t real, so if he woke up, he could run to his parent’s room and get between them in their big bed to feel better.
