by S D Huss
Robert’s eyes narrowed at the Dae girl. “So…” He said his anger building with each breath. “It seems you were right about me. They did pull me apart.”
She sneered at him, but he could see a shimmer of guilt in her eyes. “I will not apologize.” She finally said. “You may have fooled the King and even Turak, but I know what you are. A demon, just like the Espi-Dae say you are. No one could have recovered from what I saw. You were broken. I watched you fall into the Pit of Mar, I watched you beg for death.”
“But here I stand.” He smiled wryly. “Dio’Mar saved me.”
She scoffed. “Dio’Mar.” She said, sarcastically. “Don’t use those religious fanatic’s patron spirit against them. Dio’Mar does not live in the pit.”
“You’re right about that,” Robert said, looking above his right shoulder. “Either way, I am where I am, and you have to accept it. Alektor has asked me to see past any trouble you’ve caused me, and I’m willing to do that… if you are.”
Demessa was silent for a time, her face twisting with frustration. “I will do as my King commands.” She finally said, bringing her mount around to leave the riding area. “But don’t think for a second that I believe any of this. Something is not right here, demon, and I-” Demessa’s words fell silent in an instant as she saw what looked like a woman, shrouded in black smoke, peering back at her with an eyeless face.
Robert smirked ruefully at Dio’Mar’s antics; the spirit had grown again to stand several feet higher than he was, even mounted on his Cro’kan.
“Do you not… have faith…?” The spirit asked, her voice a terrifying hiss. Demessa reeled back from the form, nearly falling from her saddle. “By the spirits!” She said, fear filling her voice.
Dio’Mar cocked her head to the side and slowly dissipated like fog under the afternoon sun.
Demessa turned to see Robert smiling darkly, his eyes meeting her own.
“Y… you.” She said, her voice quivering.
“Yes,” Robert said, his smile broadening. “She is here now, I can see her, and trust me, she is a vengeful spirit. She knows your name, knows your crimes.” Robert began walking past her with his mount. As he did, he leaned in close so she could hear him. “But I told her that I have forgiven you, and so she has allowed you to live. Not even Alektor would go against the word of that spirit.”
Uncertainty painted her face as she looked at him, her fierce green eyes burning with a hundred different emotions behind them.
“What are you? Really…” She asked him earnestly.
He leaned back and looked to the sky. Memories of the last ten month flashed through his mind; the fear, the pain, the loss. “I told you already.” He said. “I am a human…”
◆◆◆
Turak continued toward the palace at a gentle trot, passing vendors trying to sell goods and crowds of people going about their daily business. He inhaled deeply, bringing in the scent of Thule, in all its musky glory. It was real, honest, and held nothing back from all who beheld it. He often liked to make this trek through the streets, it reminded him of where he came from; that he was not born in the golden sheets of royalty, but in the filthy gutter of the world, a Doulos to the Lokkadonian taskmasters.
He worked his way up the main streets of the city until he reached the imposing palace that sat at Thule’s center. He dismounted his Cro’kan, silently handing the reins to a stable boy, and entered the vast halls. He looked at every new detail and took note, remembering the first time he’d laid eyes on them. They were smeared with the blood of the old regime. Their bodies littered the smooth stone floor and their blood soaked the fine carpets. Now he walked them freely as the right hand of the new king.
“Lord Turak.” A seductive voice called from in front of him. He looked up from the floor, which had been the focus of his gaze as he pondered the past, and saw that Lady Daiees was standing before him.
“Now what would trouble my Lord Turak so much that he completely ignores me when I pass him in these halls?” She said a wry smile etched across her face.
Turak chuckled at the comment, he was known in court as a bit of a womanizer but had made sure to steer clear of Noblewomen at this level. Lady Daiees was the daughter of an old and powerful house, she was older than he was, but had a certain undeniable charm to her that she was well aware of.
“I have had much on my mind as of late,” Turak said, seriousness in his voice. “There is a great deal of bloody business that seems to be looming just around the corner, I’m sure you can understand.”
Daiees inclined her head in acknowledgment and began to walk past him. Turak felt a pang of guilt and turned to intercept her. “Not to push you away, of course, my Lady, I am a responsible representative of Rexun now, burdened with these problems. Along with the King, that is. Perhaps we should speak about it sometime soon if you are willing.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips curled at the thought. “I believe I would like that very much.”
“I’m sure he will be too busy.” A voice called from down the hall.
The two Dae turned to see Alektor walking with two grey-clad warriors at his flanks. Turak and Daiees bowed their heads as he approached. “Your Highness.” They said in unison.
“Turak, Lady Daiees,” Alektor said, greeting the two. “My lady, I’m afraid I need to borrow Lord Turak for a moment. I will have time shortly to discuss your trade dispute.”
Daiees glanced at Turak and bowed her head again, turning to walk down the hall.
“You just can’t seem to help yourself, can you,” Alektor said, shaking his head. “Daiees is heir to a powerful house, you can’t treat her like you do the others.”
Turak gave an expression of genuine shock. “What? Alektor, I would never!”
“Sure,” Alektor said, cutting him off. “Never mind that; how did it go with Reku?”
Turak paused, taking a deep breath. “Well enough, I suppose. Demessa arrived, as you predicted. I left them to hash it out.”
Alektor raised his eyebrow.
“Don’t worry.” Turak continued, waving off any doubt. “Demessa is many things, but when I give her my serious face, she does what she’s told. Besides, Reku is royalty now. I doubt she would try anything foolish.”
“I need you to go to Visgo. Lord Irro may be a spineless gurrank, but he is a smart man. The trade situation could be dire; I don’t want my people starving because of this.”
“Then why proclaim independence before the Torre’? You knew this would happen. The trade situation isn’t the only dire situation, we are outnumbered and surrounded as well.” Turak crossed his arms and shook his head. “You never told me.”
Alektor sighed and put his hand on Turak’s shoulder. “Because Dio’Mar is with us.”
“I know,” Turak said. “We have her blessing, but blessings can’t win this war for us.”
“No,” Alektor said, his face serious. “You don’t understand, she is literally here, with Reku. It was difficult to notice at first, just a blur floating around him, but I saw her and heard her speaking to him. She is hiding her presence from us, but she is here.”
Turak looked at his friend for a moment, stunned. “You saw her? How is that possible? Spirits can hide their presence if they wish… it is something we don’t understand.”
Alektor waved off the question with his hand. “Either way, you put far too much faith in the Torre’s ability to control the other clans. If the Visgo join us, we will be able to convince more to join our cause. We aren’t the only clan who have been mistreated by the Torre’.”
“What makes you think the Visgo will join us? Our dealings with them have been good, but they make far more profit trading with the Torre’ or Lokkadonia.”
Alektor sighed again. “Because profits and trade aren’t everything, and the promise of something far greater will appeal to them. Have you met their Queen?”
Turak shook his head silently, letting the king finish.
“She has been friendly wit
h us since my ascension here, offering us far more leniency than we should merit. Though I have not met her, this leads me to believe that she at least has some favor toward our goal here. The goal is freedom from the oppression of the Torre’, and from the lash of the Lokkadonians. So we approach her with this, and give her the opportunity to join us.” Alektor turned halfway to leave. “Even if she does not, we may ask only for a guarantee that they do not invade us from the south. I would prefer to fight a war on only one front.”
Turak let the words sink in, nodding his head. “So, what would you have me do?”
Alektor retrieved a fine leather satchel from one of his guards and handed it to Turak. “I would like you to take this message, on behalf of all Rexun, and give it to Queen Mundiri of the Visgo and come to an accord with her.”
Turak tried to take the satchel, but Alektor clenched his fist around the strap and held it firmly. “Turak, you can not fail at this task. The Visgo are key to defeating the Torre’ at sea.”
Turak nodded in agreement and took the bag.
“Oh, and Turak,” Alektor said, halting his friend once again. “Bring Reku and Demessa with you. I want the Spirit-Sent to show himself, and Demessa needs to learn to play nice with him.”
Turak sighed, but nodded again, this time turning to leave unharassed.
chapter 32
“Shit,” Daniel said out loud, using his weapon to block another attack from Oros. The two had been sparring constantly since he had accepted the Dae’s offer to become his squire. This had brought even more tension to Daniel’s already strained relationship with Avria. The woman was now competing for time with Oros against Daniel, and he felt her gaze every time she came to visit.
“Keep your guard up,” Oros said, thrusting his weapon toward Daniel’s abdomen. With lightning speed, Daniel brought his sword down with the force of a hammer. Oros was a bit stunned when his incisor was deflected to the sand below, but quickly pulled back and stood in a more defensive posture.
“You are just full of surprises,” Oros said with a grin. “I didn’t know you could move that fast. It takes much practice to enhance your speed using the Dunamis and use it correctly. I underestimated you.”
Daniel tightened his grip on his weapon but seemed to relax a bit. -Maybe I should lighten up a bit. I am here to learn after all.- He thought to himself. “So.” He said uncomfortably, trying to remember what it was like making small talk with people other than Delmos. “How is everything going with the new girlfriend?” He said, grunting a bit as he blocked another attack from Oros.
Oros chuckled at the term. “Avria is fine, though I am not sure she would like you calling her my ‘girlfriend’. That does not mean anything here.”
“Well then, why wouldn’t she approve? I mean, if it doesn’t mean anything.” Daniel replied. “Where I’m from, it basically means the girl you’re with at the time.”
“At the time?” Oros asked, curiously, throwing a flurry of blows that Daniel again surprisingly blocked. “You don’t court your females before they become your mates?”
Daniel lunged forward with his sword, sweeping for Oros’ leg. He felt a sharp pain on his shoulder and at the base of his neck before he felt his weapon hit the dirt. -What the?- Was all he could think as he tumbled to the sand below. Oros had moved in an instant, so fast that even with his seemingly heightened senses, he could barely react in time. Daniel closed his eyes, enduring the throbbing pain as best he could, and cursing for letting himself get defeated so soundly. -That is going to be sore tomorrow, for sure.- He thought.
Climbing to his knees, he let out a deep breath. “Of course we still court girls. Just, you know. Sometimes two people meet who are just looking for a little fun, and… ah, never mind.”
Oros chuckled again, his laugh genuine. “Well, that type of behavior isn’t foreign to us. I AM a prince, after all.”
Daniel laughed and held out his hand, which Oros took and proceeded to help the human to his feet. “Yeah, well. You’re a prince with one hell of a swing. What the hell do they feed you in this world?”
Oros stared blankly at Daniel, confusion plain on his face. “Daniel… you know exactly what they-”
“I know,” Daniel said, interrupting him. “It’s just an expression… never mind.”
“Daniel,” Oros said, his voice changing to a more serious tone. “I wanted to speak with you about the term you mentioned before, about the friends who might have come with you to this world.”
Daniel brushed dust from his cloak and looked at him, intrigued. “Yeah, Henry and Angelo. They were near me when we got sent here… we really don’t know how many of us there are here, but,” He shrugged. “it’s really the only thing I want to do, but we haven’t been in a position to do much.”
“I’m looking into something that might be… substantial.” Oros continued. “It’s nothing serious now, but I have heard some very credible rumors. I am close to something, so just be aware that I have not forgotten our agreement. Once we have something more, we will explore it, together.”
The two went to the baths to clean up and prepare for the tasks of the day. Daniel’s schedule had become much more fluid than he had been used to over the last few months in the Proistem. Oros was a great teacher in the ways of battle but often had to be reminded of certain appointments he was on the verge of missing. So the tempo of the day would be very extreme, going to a meeting with a Lord of Vul De Rah, then relaxing as though nothing were to follow. Then realizing that he was about to miss another engagement and going through hell to make it on time and preserve the good name of his father. Though it was frustrating, Daniel was used to it from the military, something he “fondly” remembered as ‘hurry up and wait’. This particular day, Oros had not forgotten his appointment, mainly because it was with a very strong-willed woman he was looking to make his mate.
After they cleaned up, the two made their way to the Regios estate and into the gardens, where Avria and Katrina usually trained in a practice field that was in the center.
As they arrived, they beheld a fearsome battle between the two women. Katrina grunted and yelled as she swung her weapon, very athletically and skillfully, Daniel observed. Avria was defending and swinging counter attacks as she saw openings. Openings that Katrina quickly closed before actually being struck.
-Wow…- Daniel thought to himself. He knew she was growing more powerful every day, but he had never really seen her in action. It was impressive enough for him to feel as though he should redouble his efforts with the sword.
Oros said nothing as they approached, only took a seat on one of the many stone benches that surrounded the practice area.
Neither Avria or Katrina lost their focus, it seemed to Daniel that they weren’t even aware of his or Oros’ presence.
Katrina leaped forward, bringing her weapon down with immense force. As the two swords made contact, several pillars of earth shot from the sand and curved directly toward Avria. The ward stomped her foot into the sand, and a high pitched screech erupted as massive pulses of electricity slithered from the ground and shattered the pillars of stone into a fine powder that flew harmlessly past her. She stepped forward, knocking Katrina back and away from her with a strong push. With a swing of her own, electricity whined and shot from her weapon, slamming into the discombobulated human girl. Katrina fell to the sand, skidding several feet back, but still managed to use her momentum to get back on her feet. She stood, smoke curling from her skin and brought her weapon up, assuming a defensive stance.
“Spirits, you humans are resilient things,” Oros said, clapping his hands together. “Very impressive display Avria, I can see why you are so proud of her.”
Avria did not look at or acknowledge Oros’ comments, she just placed her sword at her side and waited for Katrina to do the same, then bow to her. After Katrina bowed, she mirrored it and then turned to Oros. -Interesting.- Daniel thought, admiring the sheer level of respect the master and pupil had shown for each other.
“It is good to finally see you at house Regios after so many years, Oros. My father will be thrilled that you are here.” Avria gave a surprisingly feminine smile as Oros took her hand and kissed it.
“It has been far too long indeed,” Oros said. “I am glad I made it in time to see the tail end of your lesson.” Oros looked to Katrina. “And I must say that your progress is very impressive. Never have we seen any Dae excel as quickly as you humans. It would seem you have some innate capacity for the Dunamis.”
Katrina bowed her head to him, placing her left hand over her heart.
-She has completely gone native…- Daniel thought to himself. He knew that she had been attempting to cope with the loss and sudden reappearance of Robert, but looking at her now, she has adopted the culture of the Dae faster than he thought possible.