Lotus Blood

Lotus Blood Part 12

Chapter Ten

Mum speaks first, "Nam, this is Marshall."

"Hello, Marshall."

"Nam," he says and smiles down at me, but his eyes are heavy with pain. "And, Maenam, daughter and mother. A terrible day." His voice is deep and deeply familiar.

He closes his eyes, gathering himself then holds his hand out.

"Nam's artefact please, Mink?"

Mink hands the small stone to Mum. Standing on her toes, she holds it on up to Marshall. Marshall holds on to Mum's hand. She smiles up at him, her small sad smile. He shakes his head again.

"Maenam."

She murmurs something I can't catch. Marshall lets her hand go and, as if he'd been holding her up, she sinks onto the floor in a small pink heap.

"Mum!"

"I'm okay ..." but her voice comes from a very quiet place, a long way away. Her eyes roll up, the white's showing. Cookie licks at her face, whining.

I shake her shoulder.

"Mum, stop it! Wake up. Mum, please!"

Then Marshall's there, crouching over us.

"Just used up," he says.

"What's she used up? What's wrong with her? Mink?"

But it's Marshall who answers. "She's okay, Nam. Dealing with Krasue takes everything out of her. She'll come back soon."

As if she'd heard him, Mum's eyelids flutter open. She smiles at Marshall and me together staring down at her.

"Don't do that to me, Mum!"

"I'm okay. Just let me have a minute."

"We don't have a minute," Mink says.

Mum raises her head. "Marshall, Nam's artefact?"

Marshall looks down at her, then at Mink and lowers his voice.

"I know what you're thinking, Maenam. But it's beyond wrong. You know it is."

Mum puts her head on one side and smiles her sad smile up at Marshall, her disappointed puppy look.

Marshall sighs. "I'm truly sorry, Maenam."

Mum nods, accepting.

Marshall holds the artefact out to Mink. "Nam goes where she must. You know what to do, Mink."

Mink nods and takes it from him.

"Hurry," Marshall says and helps Mum up. "Nam, go with Mink and good luck."

Behind us the wailing grows, Holders pointing skywards again. I've no idea what is going on, so I just nod.

"Come on, Nam." Mink's voice is quiet, subdued.

"I'll go with them, as far as I can," says Mum and smiles up at Marshall, but her voice is determined, defiant.

"Maenam, I forbid you. " Marshall holds his finger up.

"Just as far as the gate, Marshall. Then I'll be back."

We turn to go and I catch the first flash of movement high above the fans. Bob and Cookie growl, their hackles rising down their backs.

"Good dogs," Mum says and claps her hands at them. "When Nam's gone, the Krasue will go back to their hell hole and left everyone in peace."

"Go then, but ..." Marshall aims this at Mum, his voice low, warning. Mum pats his arm, leans on Mink and snaps her fingers for Cookie to follow her.