The Binding

Chapter Fifteen

   My arms and stomach muscles protested bitterly as I stretched across the bed. I peered into the envelope and spied bulks of paper. I dumped it out on the bed in front of me. A passport, driver's license and credit cards; there was even vaccination documentation and a library card. Everything I could need to prove myself. I picked up the passport and ran my fingers over the dark blue and gold cover. It was Canadian. I wasn't surprised to see the photograph of me smiling back, but I was surprised it was the same image from my current passport.

   "Eva Michaud," I read quietly. It was issued from Montreal. The driver's license also has a Montreal address. I wondered idly if the address was real and if I'd find a fully furnished apartment showing every indication that I had been living there for years. "My French isn't good enough to pass for French-Canadian, and I think I'd be more convincing if I'd ever actually been to Canada."  

   Wu laughed lightly. "A fault that will correct itself soon enough." He stood up and walked toward the bedroom door. "Don't worry, Young One, no one will question you."

   Are we going to Canada? My stomach growled, but I still felt no desire to eat. I sighed, easing out of bed and slowly followed the strange man out of the room.

   I waddled awkwardly toward the kitchen. I needed something hot to drink, and I wanted to find Ezra. I groaned and forced my legs to keep moving.

   My mysterious friend had disappeared, but someone else was in the kitchen. I couldn't decide if I should be startled or not. I chose not to worry when she jumped and gasped when she saw me. She was startled enough for both of us. Long and lean, she looked to be in her forties with lines around her eyes countered by a full, rich mouth. She had pale strawberry blond hair pulled back at the nape of her neck.

   "My goodness. You're out of bed!" She bustled quickly toward me and shook her head. "Incredible. Three days and you're already walking around." She spoke with a vaguely European accent that was throaty and moved leisurely across the vowels.  

   "Three days?"

   She nodded and pulled out a chair for me to sit. She smoothed my hair with her hand as I lowered myself into the chair. The gesture felt oddly motherly, and I relaxed immediately. "You've slept through most of it. We arrived yesterday. It really is remarkable. Esther was three thousand years old, and here you are up and about in just a few days." She moved back to the stove, and the kettle whistled.

   "Where is Ezra?"

   "Making arrangements. You like tea?" 

   I nodded, "Yes, please." I was grateful that I wouldn't have to make it myself. "Are you with the man who was in my bedroom?"

   She laughed heartily. "Yes, that would be my husband, Sun Wu. My name is Ása. The second Leif called us we were on a plane. Wu just had to meet you. He is fascinated by the idea of a child warrior." I felt a small jolt at the name Sun Wu. I tried to remember when Leif or Ezra had talked about him. But nothing came to mind. Sun Wu... I knew the name was familiar. Then the image of Shauna's ex-husband came to me along with the memory of listening to him talk endlessly about old battles and military strategies. Most of these memories were more like a faint buzzing in the background. My mind wandered whenever he got into one of his tangents. Analyzing strategy was not something I found particularly fascinating. He had a well-worn copy of Art of War by his desk with many notes in the margins. 

   "Sun Tsu? Is your husband Sun Tsu?"

   Ása smiled. "Yes. Tsu was just his title."

   My mind was reeling. Sun Tsu was Avati. I thought of the small man in the chair studying me and was astounded. One of the greatest military generals in history was watching me sleep. Creepy... and exhilarating. I looked around, wondering where he had vanished.