Future Dreams by T.J. Mindancer

was next to her murmuring reassuring words in her ear. Jame had a way of soothing away her uncertainties. Jame had a way of almost reading what she was feeling. The idea was both frightening and comforting.
    Renat scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper. “Give this to Bede Komlic. He’s in charge of the injury ward in the infirmary.”
    Tigh took the paper and stared at the strong handwriting. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
    She had avoided people for two years and since her capture never had to deal with more than a handful in a single day. To be surrounded all day by people whose initial reaction was fear was enough to fray her nerves to the point where she could fulfill their fears of violence. Remembering the blind uncontrolled rage that had supposedly been cleansed away, she was more afraid of herself than they were of her.
    “Every Guard begins their journey back to society by working in the infirmary,” Renat said. “There have never been any problems.”
    “You know my cleansing wasn’t like the others,” Tigh said. “How can you be so sure I won’t snap and do harm instead of healing?”
    “You’ve always been a unique case,” Renat said. “But I trust Pendon’s judgment on this. If the cleansing hadn’t been successful, your behavior would have reflected it by now. Go to the infirmary and give it a chance. If you need to talk between our scheduled meetings, my door is always open.”
    Tigh knew she’d rather talk to Jame. She was the only person who understood her fears and her ambitions. For that matter, Jame was the only person she had learned to trust. She all at once realized if things got too rough for her she could seek out Jame’s advice. The idea of approaching someone for help because she was a friend impacted on her mind and left her lightheaded. She had a friend.
    Bolstered by this wondrous thought, Tigh nodded. “I’ll give it a try.”
     

    “JAME.”
    Jame turned at the sound of quick light steps echoing in the main corridor of the fortress and saw Pendon Larke hurrying after her.
    “Good morning, Pendon,” Jame said.
    “Good morning to you, Jame,” Pendon said. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the fine work you did in handling Tigh’s case.”
    “Thank you, but I was just doing my job.” Jame studied the floor to hide the rise of color to her cheeks. The last couple of days had been embarrassing for her, to say the least. She had to endure endless compliments and everyone seemed to want to get to know her better. Some of the more ambitious student arbiters were only interested in her abrupt notoriety, while others in the compound recognized that being friends with the skillful future Queen of Emoria was a sound political move. What surprised her was the shy worship she saw in the eyes of the young student arbiters who took to following her around, not to mention the numerous invitations to dinner or for an evening in Ynit.
    “That was more than just doing your job and you know it,” Pendon said. “I observed Tigh during the hearing and she responds to you differently than she does to everyone else. She trusts you and likes you. Consider these things a gift and handle them appropriately.”
    “I consider her a friend,” Jame said. “And thank you for not warning me to be wary of her and to not get too close.”
    “There’s a better chance of you hurting her than the other way around,” Pendon said, laying a thin hand on Jame’s arm.
    “I know,” Jame said. “I want to be her friend and I’ll do everything I can to help her through this ordeal. I would never hurt her.”
    Pendon studied Jame for several heartbeats. “I’m pleased she’s found a trusted friend.”
    Jame glanced at the sandmark clock at the end of the corridor. “Oh no. I’m almost late for class.”
    Pendon laughed and waved her on her way. “Get going. Can’t do for the defender of Tigh the Terrible to be late for class.”
    Jame grinned. “Thank you for having