CHAPTER 19

Theresa froze as she paid more attention to the two visitors.

“You don’t have necklaces! You’re transgressors!” Theresa shouted as soon as she noticed that the two strangers were without their necklaces.

“Oh, great... By Valhalla... another hysteric.” Lÿarah rolled her eyes.

“By the numbers!” Theresa said, pointing at Lÿarah. “What is that? What is she? A savage?”

“Savage? I don’t bite... but, if needed...” Lÿarah said, visibly impatient.

Theresa hides behind Alex.

“Help. This woman with the strange accent... she... who is she... what is she?”

“Can you tell me why you’re hiding behind me?” Alex asked.

“Why? What do you mean, why?” Theresa said, irritated. “You’re my fiancé, my husband; I don’t know... It doesn’t matter. You need to defend me.”

“Sorry, dear. But he’s already MY husband.” Lÿarah said, showing the scar on her palm.

“What? What kind of dirty, calloused hand is that? Are you really a woman? And what are you trying to tell me with that?”

“Can’t you see? We performed the ceremony. He’s blood of my blood.”

“What kind of madness is that? What do you mean? Ceremony? Did you get married at the Temple of Precision? Did a Physicist bless your union? Was there a party, a celebration? Is there a wedding ring on your finger?”

“Ring? No... There isn’t... So what?”

“So you’re not married!”

Theresa looked irritated at Alex.

“For all that is sacred... now tell me: what’s going on here?”

Lÿarah, even more irritated, pushed the girl away from her husband.

“What happened is that I already married him. While you’re just a ‘fiancée.’”

Theresa started pacing back and forth, completely distraught.

“No... this is too unlucky... too unfortunate... something was wrong with my plans... it just has to be..., but the numbers never lie... How can this happen?”

“The thing is, this business of ‘the numbers never lie’, ‘destinies are perfect’ is a big lie!” Lÿarah said.

“HERETIC!” Theresa shouted.

“Okay, I think that’s enough. Can I take care of her?” Lÿarah said, turning to Alex.

“No! Wait!” Alex tried to calm Lÿarah. “Let’s find out first what’s going on.”

Theresa sat in the living room armchair and hugged her knees.

“What a misfortune... What a misfortune... What’s going to become of me? What’s going to become of me?”

“Ah... excuse me... I know you’re there in your moment of... despair, I suppose..., but can we talk a little?”

“What?” The girl said, surprised.

“So... I was out of the house for a few days, and when I came back... I found you here inside. Can you explain how that happened?”

The girl looked Alex straight in the eyes.

“I’m not going to tell you anything.” She said, turning her face away.

“But what is it?”

“Let’s go, Alex. Leave her there... It’s better for us if we don’t get involved.” Lÿarah said.

“Leave me here? Are you guys crazy?” The girl protested.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It turns out the entire squad of Executioners is after you, kid,” Theresa said emphatically. “Where do you think you were, disappearing like that? You didn’t fulfill your plans, didn’t go to work, didn’t report your days, and you weren’t here to greet me!”

“They’re after me?”

“Of course! You disappeared for weeks! They opened an investigation to find out what happened... The worst part was my luck!”

“What happened to you?”

“Our wedding was scheduled... and where were you? My luck was already tied to yours. I was marked as the fiancée of a possible missing transgressor. I hoped that you had been in an accident, or had been killed by a real transgressor... So I could be free from the curse of having my name linked to yours. To the name of a... of a... MISTAKE.”

In a society that valued perfection and accuracy, being called a “mistake” was the greatest insult someone could receive.

Alex’s expression at being insulted that way was disgust, as if he had heard the most obscene curse word come out of her mouth.

“Mistake? Mistake? Wash that mouth out with soap, young lady... what a horrible word to say! But forget that... tell me, why were you at my house?”

“I was given the task to stay here and take care of your house until you return, since I am your fiancée and, technically, responsible for looking after you. I’ve been living here for days.”

“Oh, so that’s it?”

“Then I found out that you and I... were married in secret. I think my parents managed to do that to, well, you know, cover up the scandal.”

“Scandal?’

“Of course! Imagine the gossip that would spread; have you thought about it? How would society perceive me? A fiancée without a groom? Left alone at the altar?”

“That’s so complicated!”

“They staged a ceremony to make it look like a union celebrated in a very close circle. It seemed to convince people for a while, but they’re starting to suspect, after all, where is this husband who doesn’t show up?”

“So you were pretending in front of the whole town that you were living with me at my house?”

“Of course! If by any chance you were declared dead, I could inherit your belongings...”

“Wait! You were going to keep my things if I didn’t come back?”

“You talk as if this house and these things are a big deal. Listen, why would I want your stuff? This house with its horrible furniture, this outdated silverware... Good heavens! What am I going to do?”

Alex turned to Lÿarah.

“I think it’s okay for you to end her now.”

“Calm down, don’t panic. Young lady, you too. Calm down.”

“How can I not?” The young woman shouted. “Now I’m married to this... this...”

“This?”

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter... I’d rather you were dead... now they find out you’re a transgressor... my name will be linked to yours forever... People will say that the numbers and math only brought us together because we were both corrupted... I’ll never be able to marry again... or work... I’ll be an outcast!”

“Young lady, you’re not married to him. I am.” Said Lÿarah, grabbing Alex by the arm and pulling him close.

“Wait... and this woman? She doesn’t speak like us... what accent is that? And how come you married her? Can you explain what hell you got yourself into and what you did?”

“Well... She’s Lÿarah. She’s a warrior and...”

“A warrior woman? What kind of nonsense is that?” Theresa said, stunned.

“She’s a warrior... I know it’s strange, but it’s even uncommon among her people. Just accept that so that this truth will hurt less.”

“Her people? You mean she’s not from here?”

“Exactly. She lives outside the walls. She’s from the free people of Nidhogg.”

Theresa laughed as if she had heard a joke.

“Does she live beyond the walls? Are you crazy? No one lives beyond the walls; you must be lying.”

“Well, a lot of people live beyond the walls. If not, how would merchants do business beyond the horizon?”

“Yes... I mean... I know there are people outside the wall... but a people... free? What do you mean free? What is 'free'?”

“That's right, girl. I am free! I’ve never taken orders from anyone, and I've made all the decisions I’ve made for myself.” Lÿarah boasted.

Those words hit Theresa like a punch.

“That’s impossible... You’re an infidel... you... Have you never obeyed a command?”

“Never.”

Theresa sat back down, almost falling backward as the pressure eased.

“Heaven... I’m finished... My fiancé got involved with a wild, heretical foreigner... What will become of me?”

“Calm down, girl...”

“Theresa. My name is Theresa.”

“And my name is Lÿarah. Stop calling me wild!”

“But you’re dressed like one. What is that you’re wearing? It looks like animal skin. Where’s the fine fabric? Where’s the silk?”

“Silk? Why would I want that? Where I come from, we need leather and animal pelts to keep warm.”

“Besides, you all smell terrible!” Theresa pointed at both of them.

“Really? I didn’t even notice...” Alex said, sniffing his own clothes.

“Cut the drama, girl,” Lÿarah said, trying to calm the situation. “Here’s the deal: you have two options. The first is to report us, but I guarantee you won’t live long if you do.”

“Why? Are you going to kill me?” Theresa challenged Lÿarah.

Lÿarah simply took her blade and stuck it on the table.

“Ah! I see... you’re going to, right?” Theresa swallowed hard. “Well... what’s the second option?”

“You help us hide. Once we finish what we came to do, we’ll leave, and no one needs to know you found or helped us. Alex will be out of your life; he’ll be cleared of the transgression for lack of evidence and treated as missing... I suppose... and you’ll be free to have your name dissociated from him, maybe even be engaged to another man deemed more suitable for you. That’s because you’re too incompetent even to decide who to love, ugh.”

“And if you get caught? What about me? Will I be arrested for... Oh, I don’t even want to imagine... for helping transgressors!”

More explosions were heard outside.

“There’s chaos outside! You... It’s because of you, isn’t it?” Theresa wanted to know.

“No... I mean... almost... Actually, when we arrived, they were already fighting in the streets.” Lÿarah explained. “When we got here, it was like that.”

“We saw Lÿarah’s Mother of Logic guard facing the royal guard of the Mathematician,” Alex said.

“Yes... Something happened at the Temple of Exactness. Early in the morning, no one got the usual commands... The whole city was paralyzed... Like everything had stopped... Then the fighting started... I guess these explosions are because of the conflict. Am I right?”

“Yeah... I believe so.” Lÿarah lied. She wasn’t going to tell what happened in Muspelheim.

“Never has a foreigner entered the city, and just when something extraordinary happens, you show up here? Nothing will make me believe that this is your fault...”

“Enough!” Lÿarah lost patience. “We’ll do everything to stay invisible. If Alex disappears for good, you just need to claim he might have been one of the victims of this civil war, right? Isn’t that cool? That way, you can go on with your life. Can we handle the situation this way?”

“You still haven't answered me.” Theresa retorted. “And what if you get caught and Alex is exposed? What will happen to my life?”

“Well...” Lÿarah pondered. “Since you're technically also married to him by your people's laws... I think you could come with us.”

“Wait! What do you mean?” Theresa said, scandalized.

“How?” Alex was even more shocked than Theresa.

“Well... in my culture, some men have more than one wife... or a wife and some concubines... I wouldn't mind, as long as I am the wife and you are the concubine.”

“What? How can there be more than one? That doesn't exist! A marriage is only between one man and one woman.”

“So... but, in practice, we both are married to him. Out of respect for that, as long as you help us and, if things get complicated, you come with us.”

“No... no... no... living outside the walls? In extreme cold? And with both of you? I’ll start to smell bad and dress like a savage too?”

“I'm changing my mind. If she calls me a savage one more time, I’ll end her.” Lÿarah said, turning to Alex.

“Calm down... I feel a little responsible for her luck now... can't we...”

“You feel a 'little' responsible?” Theresa said, tears in her eyes, interrupting Alex. “Are you crazy? If you hadn’t disappeared... none of this would have happened to me.”

Lÿarah rolled her eyes again.

“I am a fair woman,” She said. “I will take responsibility for you too, since you are ALSO my husband's wife.”

“What?” Theresa said, stunned. “Are you sane?”

“You need to decide... since we're at an impasse. Will you help or not?”

Theresa looked at the blade stuck in the table.

“As if I had many options.”

The doorbell rang.

All three looked at each other.

Theresa signaled for them to hide, making gestures with her arms.

Alex hid behind the armchair and Lÿarah behind the curtain near the door.

Theresa looked through the crack in the door and saw an Executioner subordinate at the gate.

“Yes?” She answered nervously.

“We are increasing searches for transgressors during recent conflicts. Please stay at home. Was there any incident you need to report? Any news about your missing fiancé?”

“Huh? Oh, yes! Thanks for your concern and... no... nothing to report.”

While trying to hide behind the curtain, a very furry little animal started purring between Lÿarah’s legs.

“What is that? Stay quiet! Go away, go away!” She said, fumbling with the animal.

“Is someone with you?” Asked the soldier.

“No, no, imagine. It’s just my Miah!”

“I see.” Said the soldier. “Any transgression, no matter how small, could have been the trigger for the current crisis due to the butterfly effect. Please alert us immediately if anything strange happens.”

“Yes... of course... I will. Thank you.”

“Turn off the heaters for now; there might be new explosions.”

“What? Let the house freeze?”

“You heard me. More explosions could happen. Dress as warmly as you can. Avoid using the Muspelheim pipes.” The man explained. “Take care and good night.”

“Thank you... Good night.”

As soon as Theresa fully closed the door, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Listen, no one saw you come in, okay?” She said, turning the key in the door lock.

“No. Don’t worry.” Lÿarah reassured her.

“Now there’s no turning back... I had to lie! I’m a transgressor too... What will become of me?”

The little animal reappeared, but this time jumped into Lÿarah’s arms.

“But what? What is that?”

“This is Miah. My pet.” Theresa said, picking up the animal and placing it on her lap. “Strange... she’s skittish and doesn’t get along with anyone... How was she so natural with you?”

“They say animals can see into people’s hearts.” Lÿarah smiled. “But, seriously... thank you for not reporting us. I would have hated to fight them and be forced to kill you.”

“Huh... thank you for letting me keep breathing. Very kind of you...”

“Now we can rest for a while.” Alex sat on the living room sofa.

“Well, since you’re going to be here a while... I guess you must be hungry. I made soup.”

“Is it hot food?” Lÿarah asked.

“Huh? What do you mean? All food is hot, isn’t it?”

“Then I want some.” The warrior said, salivating.