by S D Huss
Her small mouth curled into a smile, and she floated to rest on his shoulder. “I am still not at full strength, Robert… I must recuperate… also… it would seem that you have been followed.”
“What?” Robert asked. “By who?”
◆◆◆
Turak walked his Cro’kan through the blood-soaked mud of the village. Anger boiled in his chest like heated oil, and he seethed with every beat of his heart. No one in his party of eight said a word as they followed, but he could tell they felt similarly. Passing the corpses of Rexunii citizens, hacked and mutilated by the various Dunamis elements, his anger began to peel off into immense sadness. Then, as they continued, they reached the town center; it looked as though two giants had a fight to the death within it.
“What in all the great spirit’s names happened here…?” Demessa asked, fear striking her features.
Turak said nothing, he couldn’t. -Did the Lokkadonians do this?- He thought to himself, fear creeping into his mind as well. The idea that this could have been caused by one of their warriors was terrifying. Suddenly he saw that tattered scarlet of a Lokkadonian cloak stamped into the mud, blue blood staining it. He halted his mount and held his arm up to stop the rest of his party.
There were several moments of shock as he took the time to examine the rest of the battlefield. There were many dead Lokkadonian warriors but killed in the most horrific ways possible. They were torn, crushed, eaten, and eviscerated. Innards and blood littered the area, and confusion set it.
“What could have done this, my Lord?” One of his warriors asked, his voice cracking slightly.
“I…” Turak said, swallowing hard. “I don’t know.”
“Turak!” a familiar voice called from his right. Turak turned to see Prince Reku walking from in-between two shattered structures. He was holding a wounded Dae child in his arms and led what looked like two dozen, who trailed behind him, shaken and silent.
“Prince… Reku?” Demessa asked cautiously.
Robert walked up to the mounted warriors, his grey cloak stained with ash, Dae blood, and some other questionable blotches. “These people need help.” He said.
“Reku.” Turak started. “What happened here? It has been completely destroyed. Did…” He paused at the question. “Did you do this?”
Robert shook his head, and let out a long breath. “It was Dio’Mar… She lost it when she saw what the Lokkadonians were doing here.” He remembered the terrible but brief violence of the raid. “She killed them all… every one of them.”
Turak reeled back at the news. “That’s… impossible… this doesn’t happen here in Eleutheros. Spirits slaughtering villages is… it just doesn’t happen here. Vohnavix maybe, but here?”
“I saw it with my own eyes, Turak.” Robert placed the child in the saddle in front of Turak. “You really think a Dae warrior could do something like this?”
“Yes…” Dio’Mar whispered in his mind. “There are some who can…”
The words made Robert flinch, and he looked back at the surviving civilians. They wept, and grabbed at him, thanking him for their salvation. The gratitude was somewhat unwarranted, as he had nothing to do with it. Seeing the pain in their eyes however, he knew that he could not leave them. -Why save these few if I will leave them to die anyway?- The thought tormented him, but he decided the moment he saw the bodies on the ground.
“Why did you leave?” Demessa asked, unbridled fury in her eyes. “Tell me.”
Robert looked at her, with more resolve and determination than he had ever felt since he had come to this terrible and wonderful world, and spoke. “I needed to see for myself why I was fighting. If I was throwing in with the right side.” He glanced again to the survivors. “I know now that I am.”
◆◆◆
Alektor massaged his brow again, his headache had been much more irritating than usual, but now it was damn near unbearable. The stress he had felt after the sudden disappearance of Robert had caused him to formulate new defensive strategies, but here he was, back in his palace with renewed resolve.
“You gave us quite a scare,” Alektor said, doing his best to remain calm.
“You said I needed to see it for myself…” Robert looked at his feet, acting somewhat embarrassed by the whole situation. “I did, and I wanted to do it alone. No outside influence.”
“Fair enough.” Alektor continued. “So? What did you discover?”
Robert licked his lips. “Well, for starters, spirits are extremely powerful, and we shouldn’t fuck with them.”
Alektor nodded.
“And that if I sit around and do nothing when those bastards get here, I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive myself.” Robert looked to Turak, who still seemed a bit distant after what he had seen. “They were killing everyone. Men, children. And raping the surviving women; I have never seen anything like that before in my life.”
“So now you see.” Alektor continued. “Now you see the level of character these monsters have. The light in which they see our people. In our borders we are villains, in theirs we are slaves. Now they come here to visit their wrath upon us.” He stood from his chair and slammed an angry fist on the stone table. “They will find death here! In my land, we will churn their warriors into pulp, and spit them back out. I don’t care how many they send!” He pointed his finger at Robert and narrowed his eyes. “Are you with us, Reku? Can we count on you in this coming battle?”
Robert swallowed hard, thinking of the companions he once called his friend and lover. He thought of Amynta, who was safe in her forest, studying the ways of the Spirits and more. Then, in a moment, they disappeared into the void of memory, and he said to Alektor, with absolute conviction, “Yes.”
chapter 43
Daniel groaned as he brought his crimson officers’ cloak over his shoulders, feeling the terrible bruises and pain that were the result of a full weeks’ training with Avria. The troublesome woman had been harsh with him after the temporary transfer of responsibility from Oros, and she did little to hide any contempt she may have had.
“Let me,” Rin said, helping him in his struggle.
“Thanks,” Daniel said awkwardly. He had been doing his best to cope with the fact that he now had a servant, but still, he found it very difficult.
Daniel adjusted his belt and blade that now hung at his side, something he had earned the right to do since his graduation from the Proistem Officers School, and looked to Rin. “So? How do I look?”
“Like a general, my Lord.” She said, bowing her head.
“I told you to call me Daniel.” He replied.
“But you are an officer in the Lokkadonian military and the squire under the prince of all Vul De Rah. How can I not show you the utmost respect? My Lord.”
Daniel sighed. “Ok, well sir maybe, but I sure as hell am not a ‘Lord’, you can trust me on that one.”
Rin smiled, but continued to straighten his cloak, tightening the straps across his shoulders and smoothing wrinkles. “It is all about perspective, I suppose.” She started. “From where you stand, there are none here who you would truly call your equal. Well, perhaps Lady Katrina, but everyone here, whether royalty or spirit, pay you a respect that is not common in this land. So, I believe you may not be able to understand. From my perspective,” She bent down to pick up Daniels small satchel of daily supplies and put it over his head and across his chest. “I am a Doulos, and I have many betters. So someone like you… who has shown me more kindness than I have ever received, more than I knew was even possible in this cruel world, deserves to be called Lord. You are probably the only man here who truly deserves the title… so yes, my Lord, you sure as ‘hell’ ARE one.”
Daniel contemplated her words. He never was good at taking compliments. Usually, he would smile and say thank you, back on his own world at least, and that was hard enough.
“Well…” He said, before being interrupted by his door swinging open, revealing a clean and very imperious looking Delmos
.
“By the spirits, I miss this!” He shouted boisterously. “Here I am, living in the officers’ quarters and you are living in the palace. Life just isn’t fair, my friend.” Delmos smiled a toothy grin and looked to Rin. “Servant, get us some wine. And make it quick, I’m terribly parched. I haven’t been drunk in hours! Ridiculous, isn’t it?”
“Hey, Delmos,” Daniel said, unable to keep a smile of his own from crawling across his face.
Rin bowed and hurried to a small table that had a large pitcher of wine, and several very fine-looking bowls.
The two men embraced, and Delmos took it upon himself to lay down on a couch facing Daniel’s balcony. “So, how's my sister treating you? Harshly, I hope. I can’t bear the thought of you living like this and not being absolutely miserable.”
“You would.” Daniel sat across from him on a chair. “Aren’t warriors like you suppose to ask for permission to come see important people like myself? I need a letter, at least a week in advance.”
Delmos barked a laugh. “My dear Dan, don’t you remember what I said about knowing people? Everyone likes me too, so that's a plus.” He looked over his shoulder. “Girl! Wine! I’m dying here!”
“Calm down Delmos, good lord,” Daniel said, glancing over at Rin, who hurried to give Delmos one of the bowls of wine she balanced in her hands.
“It’s so strange to see you with a Doulos, Dan,” Delmos said, taking a long drink. “You always seemed to have something to say about it. I never thought Oros would get you to keep one.” He sat up, suddenly changing his expression. “Have you finally done it!?”
“No,” Daniel said sharply.
“What? No? You mean to tell me you’re still a virgin? Dan, I… this is just unbelievable to me. You have a Doulos here, who obeys your every command, and you have done nothing…”
“Delmos, I’m not a virgin. How many times do I have to tell you?” Daniel shook his head in frustration.
“Oh? You have not slept with a Dae girl yet. So, to me, you’re a virgin. Human girls don’t count. My world, my rules.” Delmos crossed his arms smugly. “So.” He looked at Rin. “Is he telling the truth?”
Rin lowered her eyes and nodded. “Yes, my Lord.”
Daniel cringed at the exchange and stood to face her. “Rin, can you go to the market and bring some food back for me?” He handed her his royal squire's seal. “Take this with you. They will know that you’re there on my behalf and will give you all the supplies you ask them for.”
She nodded her head and smiled. “Of course, my Lord. I will be back shortly.” Taking the seal, she donned a cloak of her own and strode out the door, holding a large basket in her hands.
“My, my…” Delmos said after the guards outside closed the door. “You are serious, aren’t you? You are trying to treat that Doulos like a normal Dae?”
“You see.” Daniel turned to him, his expression serious. “Where I’m from, we don’t have slaves anymore. And frankly, I find the practice to be disgusting.”
“Dan, I’m not going to sit here all day and argue the reasons we do what we do, but I can say this at least. The Rexunii were a terrible and savage group of people who warred and killed for hundreds of years. Their clan would enslave and burn whole cities, clans, houses! It didn’t stop until the Lokkadonian houses stood up and fought back. We used our military might and tactical prowess to kill their king and push them to the south. Any who remained here were given the same treatment they gave others. They were made into second class citizens, forced to work against their will, and if you ask for my opinion, which I know you will, they haven’t yet suffered enough. Lokkon used to be a part of Rexun, now we are our own clan, stronger, and more sophisticated. And soon, all of Rexun will be under our control. They won't stand a chance. My soon-to-be brother in law will see to that.”
“Do the Rexunii have slaves?” Daniel asked.
Delmos sighed and drank from his bowl of wine again. “No, but they used to. I can assure you that the only reason that is, is because we have kept them in check for so many years. If Lokkadonia had left them to their ways, they would have conquered all of Eleutheros by now.”
Daniel still shook his head but did not press the issue further. At the end of the day, this was not his world, and it was the way it was. What power does one man have to change it? What right would he have, as an outsider, to judge them?
“Never mind this ridiculousness,” Delmos said, standing. “I came here to see my friend, not argue about politics. I promise I will leave your Doulos girl alone, you have my word. Besides, if I’m serious for more than a few minutes I get physically ill, so let's try to move on to more positive things.”
“I agree,” Daniel said.
The two left the palace and proceeded to go to the Regios estate, where Katrina and Avria were performing a strange exercise in the training area. Normally, this would have been an unremarkable spectacle. Daniel had seen them training together countless times now. However, this time they were wearing only cloth wraps around their chest, and a very fine towel tied around their waists. The two were locked in a battle stance with their arms outstretched, and their eyes closed. Sweat beaded down their bare skin, while they concentrated on some unseen force.
The sight shocked Daniel, to the point where he stopped mid-stride and stared.
“By the spirits!” Delmos called in horror. “Avria! Put some damn clothes on! What's wrong with you!” He turned to Daniel, who did his best the hide his expression. “Can you believe these women? And getting poor Katrina to join you as well!”
Avria’s eyes opened, and her brow furrowed in pure displeasure. “Delmos, would you please be quiet. Your obnoxious voice makes it extremely hard to concentrate.” She growled. Her eyes turned to Daniel, and though it looked as though it wasn’t possible, her frown deepened. “Daniel, I told you to spend today with commander Glause. What are you doing here?” She stood up, out of her battle stance and put her hands on her shapely hips. The sight brought Daniel’s heart to rest in his throat, and he gulped it back down.
“Sorry about that, Avria. I uh… guess I forgot.” He said, cold sweat dripping down his back.
“Are you…?” Delmos said, his face disgusted. “Are you looking at my sister!?”
“What!?” Daniel said. “Come on.” he scoffed and turned to head over to the Proistem headquarters.
“Daniel!” Avria called, causing him to turn back around. “I suppose since you’re here, you could help us with something. Katrina!” She turned toward the human girl, who stood somewhat sheepishly behind her. “Why are you hiding?” Finally, she saw her covering herself as best she could with her hands, and Avria uncharacteristically blushed a hot blue. “I’m surrounded by fools.” She said. “Get in there and put some clothes on.” She turned to meet Daniel’s eyes, but couldn’t as they were peering at the rest of her. “And you! Wait here until we get back.”
“Of… of course.” He said, clearing his throat.
“Betrayal…” Delmos said dramatically.
“Shut up!” Daniel huffed.
◆◆◆
The two waited for several minutes as Avria and Katrina bathed and donned more appropriate attire. During this time, Delmos managed to make no less than a hundred comments, jabs, jokes, and jibes about Daniel and his apparently disgusting and obvious gawk at his sister. It seemed like a hundred at least, to the human. Still, he took it in stride; he’d not even attempted to hide the fact that he did check her out. He had never seen Avria in such a state, and though she had a hard and deplorable attitude, she was a beautiful woman. -Woman?- Daniel thought, catching the use of the word in his mind. Was he thinking of Dae females as women now? It had been a while, after all. He shook the thought from his mind and tuned in to Delmos’ continuous banter.
“I mean, seriously, does she want us to sit here all day? I have things to do, people to meet, girls to woo. My sister has a tendency to give orders to people first, and think very little on how it could affect their sch
edules.” He scoffed. “Typical.”
“Uh huh,” Daniel said, unenthusiastically. “I know what type of person she is.”
“Do you?” Delmos asked, unfamiliar seriousness entering his voice. “She is a terror to those who she doesn’t seem to like. And you, my friend, are high on that list; trust me. I saw her several days ago, we had dinner, and by the spirits! She hates you. Whew! Don’t let it affect you though, I rather prefer it that way. Avria and I never really mixed friends much.”
Daniel grunted. “I don’t care how she feels about me. There are a whole lot more problems going on than Avria’s feelings.”
“Dan,” Delmos said, putting his hand on his shoulder. “Tell me, please. In all seriousness…” He sighed. “Were you… admiring my sister, in THAT way?”