Tyla laughed. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Now, would you grant me a dance?”
“My lady, I don’t know how to dance.”
“Well, then, I’ll show you.”
Tyne opened his mouth to protest, but Tyla slipped her arm through his and drew him away from his brother. The young man looked over his shoulder to see if the Nazar was annoyed, but Jarrett had stepped back into the crowd.
She led him to the middle of the dance floor and turned to face him. Taking one hand, she folded his fingers around hers, then she reached for his other hand and brought it to her waist. Finally she guided him around in an awkward, stumbling circle. Jarrett wanted to laugh.
The rest of the night, Gauvin occupied Tyla’s attention. Jarrett watched them with a growing mixture of jealousy and irritation. The Prince of Denortosal wasn’t a very good dancer and he held Tyla too close. She was forced to dance with one hand against his chest to keep him from smothering her against him.
Finally Jarrett couldn’t take it anymore and he pushed through the crowded dance floor, stepping up behind Gauvin and tapping him on the shoulder. Tyla glanced around the man and again seemed relieved by Jarrett’s interference, but Gauvin was annoyed.
Jarrett squared his shoulders. He knew Gauvin had to notice that he out-weighed him by at least fifty pounds. “You don’t mind if I dance with my wife, do you?”
Gauvin’s eyes flashed, but he released Tyla and stepped away with a flourishing bow. Jarrett nodded, then moved forward to take Tyla’s hand. Tyla allowed him to spin her around a few times before she pulled her hand free of his and stepped back.
“Thank you, but he’s gone so we needn’t keep up this pretense.”
“What pretense?” he said, moving forward again and capturing her. “I said I wanted a dance with my wife and I intend to have one.” Jarrett knew how to dance. Dancing was a lot like battle, one had to be quick, fluid, and agile.
Before Tyla could protest again, Jarrett had spun her around the floor, their steps flowing easily into one another. As they went, he pulled her closer until he had her crushed against him, his hand sliding from her waist to her back underneath her wealth of hair. Their eyes locked with one another and for the brief moment of the dance, they forgot anyone else was in the room.
Tyla’s lips parted and a flush crept into her cheeks. “Jarrett, let me go.”
He released her and she looked up into his face a moment before she turned and fled.
He could only watch her go, drawing a deep breath.
* * *
“Hold on a minute,” said Kalas, running a hand across his face and into his hair. “You mean to tell me there might be a plague raging through my land and no one has thought to tell me about it.”
“That’s why I’m here…” Dolan glared at him, so Attis begrudgingly added, “…Your Majesty.”
Kalas was seated on his throne. Actually, he was half-seated, half-standing, watching the Cult Commander with a puzzled expression. “A plague that may be raging through both Loden and Nevaisser, and yet I’m only now hearing about it?”
Attis nodded.
“And my sister is planning to travel to an island no one knows about, told to her by a man who is now dead, to find green people seven feet tall and ask them for a cure?”
Attis started to respond, then stopped. He glanced at Dolan. Dolan pursed his lips. It did sound barking mad.
Kalas gave a snort of laughter. “And because that isn’t enough, you came to tell me that Nazarien malcontents are bent on exacting revenge on my sister and the Nazar because of some pledge made ten years ago to another dead man?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Attis finally.
Kalas was silent for a moment, staring out the windows at the motionless streets of Sarkisian. Dolan knew he preferred spending his time in Adishian, but being regent of the entire eastern part of Nevaisser required him to divide his attention between the two kingdoms. In the last ten years, Kalas had grown into the mantle of King. Dolan took pride in his calm, considered demeanor. Kalas never made a rash decision, but when he decided, it was final.
“Do the Nazarien comprehend that I will declare war on them if they harm my sister?” he asked in a deceptively calm tone.
“Try to understand, Your Majesty, those who still follow Tomlin Trauner are but a handful. The majority of Nazarien are loyal to the current Nazar. Yet, this handful will go to any length to fulfill Tomlin’s final pledge, even to the destruction of the Nazarien. They are fanatical.”
“How did you come by all of this information?”
Attis shifted uncomfortably. “We intercepted communication between Chernow and Kazden.”
“Meaning that there are fanatics in your branch of the order?” Kalas’ sarcasm was lost on Attis, but Dolan picked it up. Fanatics in the Cult? Ha!
“We have dealt with our problems. The Cult remains loyal to the peace.”
Kalas slumped in his throne. “Tell me again. The warriors who escorted Jax Paden to Temeron have all died?”
“And those who cared for them are now infected.”
Kalas’ blue eyes shifted to Dolan. “There is no other definition of a plague but that. And it has crossed into Loden as well.”
Dolan inclined his head in agreement.
“And you are sure my sister intends to venture here after this island?”
“That’s what our sources indicate.”
“And yet I’ve been told nothing?”
“I’m not certain why.”
“Leave it to Tyla to come herself.” Kalas scrubbed at his face again. “To an island no one knows, in an ocean as boundless as…” His voice trailed away.
Dolan frowned. Kalas’ eyes were distant in thought.
Attis shared a look with him, but didn’t speak.
“You said Jax Paden was originally from Temeron, right?”
“Right.”
“Land-locked Temeron?”
“No other.”
Kalas’ gaze swung back and pinned Attis.
“Your Majesty,” added the Cult Commander quickly.
“Someone taught Jax to sail. Someone taught him to navigate.”
Dolan’s head lifted.
“Someone showed him this island,” finished Kalas. “Someone in Kazden.”
Attis’ eyes widened. “Which means someone might be able to show us?”
“It also means a particularly clever Nazarien fanatic could find him as well.”
Dolan sighed and curled his fingers around his sword hilt. “We’re going to Kazden, aren’t we?”
Kalas opened his eyes again. He didn’t respond.
Attis looked at both of them, then exhaled. “Across that bloody, damn desert?” he moaned.
* * *
Jarrett sat on the shore of the small lake, allowing the sun to dry his hair. Tyne and Kerrin were playing in the water, splashing each other and wrestling. Jarrett enjoyed watching the two boys. Tyne was actually laughing, although Jarrett knew if he realized he was breaking a Nazarien rule, he’d stop immediately.
He and Tyne had been working with Kerrin since early that morning. The boy was a fast learner and a willing student. Before Jarrett decided to leave them to their play, Kerrin managed to swim, albeit rather clumsily, across half the length of the lake.
He looked up as Tyla paused beside him. She was watching her son intently, motherly concern vivid in her face. “Jarrett, Kerrin shouldn’t be out so far.”
“He’s fine, Tyla. Tyne’s a strong swimmer and I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Tyla took a seat beside him, her eyes still following her son. “I didn’t know he could swim.”
“He couldn’t, but we remedied the problem this morning,” he said, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. She wore a loose white blouse and black trousers that hugged every curve of her body. Her hair was plaited in a single braid that hung down to the belt of her pants. Jarrett breathed deeply and looked away from her.
“You taught
him?”
“Tyne and I, he’s a quick learner. It didn’t take much.”
Tyla turned back to her son. “It never crossed my mind to teach him how to swim. I guess I expected Kendrick to do it. I guess I’ve expected Kendrick to do a lot for Kerrin.”
“Kendrick’s done well by Kerrin. He’s done well by both of you.”
Tyla met his gaze. “Yes, he has, Jarrett. Kendrick’s a part of our family now. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
Jarrett didn’t answer.
Tyne grabbed Kerrin and pushed him under the water. The smaller boy popped up immediately, but he started coughing.
Tyla started to her feet, but Jarrett caught her hand to stop her. “He’s fine.”
She hesitated, but her eyes still followed her son.
“He’s fine, Tyla. I told you I won’t let anything happen to him, but he needs to know the power of the water. How’s he going to learn if he doesn’t swallow at least a little of it?”
She allowed him to pull her back down beside him, but she couldn’t remove her gaze from her son even though he was no longer coughing. Then she became aware that Jarrett hadn’t released her hand. She started to pull away, but he merely tightened his grip.
“It hasn’t been easy raising a boy by yourself, has it?”
She swallowed, but she didn’t try to remove her hand. “I told you Kendrick helped, and my grandfather and Thalandar. Even Allistar’s been there when I needed him and with three boys of his own, he understands what a challenge Kerrin can be.”
Jarrett ran his thumb over her hand. He looked up at the braid that fell down her back and followed the line of her jaw to her lips. Suddenly, he wished they were alone, so he could unwind that dark mane of hair, pulling it around her shoulders. She seemed to sense his thoughts and she looked up, meeting his gaze.
“Why did you bring Tyne here with you?”
“When I went to Chernow, Tyne was only five years old. There was never a more inquisitive Nazarien child than he was and I immediately liked him. Throughout the years, he’s tried to live up to the Nazarien order, but there’s so much life inside of him that he has a difficult time. Next Valhall he comes of age and the Nazarien will drive the last of the boy out of him. I wanted him to see another side to living, another way of being, before he lost all enjoyment in the world.”
“You were very much like Tyne once. Have they taken all the life out of you too?”
“I wish I could answer that.”
For a moment she held his stare, then Kerrin called to her. She pulled her hand away from his and rose to her feet, walking down the bank toward the lake.
“Watch me swim, Mama.”
“All right, but be careful.”
Jarrett watched his son swim toward his mother. When he reached the bank, he stood up and ran into her waiting arms. She caught him in an embrace, water and all, and her laughter floated up to Jarrett. It made him shiver and he wished desperately that he could share it with her.
* * *
Jarrett sat at the table across from Kendrick and Allistar in the Council Chamber of Temeron. Maps were strewn across the table in disarray.
“I figure that once we cross the Groziks, we’ll need to resupply.”
“I’ve been sending regular missives to Kalas the last couple of weeks. He hasn’t responded yet, but I’ve no doubt he’ll give us his aid,” said Kendrick, looking over the Stravad commander’s shoulder.
“Either way, we’ll resupply in Kazden and try to find this Brodie. Hopefully, he’s still alive.”
Jarrett drew a deep breath and combed his fingers through his hair. “I don’t like any of this.”
“Do you have any other suggestions?”
Jarrett rose, turning away from the two men. He walked to the windows and took another deep breath, drawing in the sweet Temerian air.
“There are too many variables.” Turning back toward the table, he glanced between Allistar and Kendrick. “There are too many things that could go wrong.”
“Then it’ll be just like battle, Jarrett,” said Kendrick.
“No, it won’t. In battle you can predict how the combatants will react. We can’t predict any of this.” He caught himself and shut his eyes in frustration. “If this Brodie is dead, like Jax, what then? How do we find the island? This whole plan is ridiculous.”
“Why don’t we take one problem at a time? Let’s not manufacture more before we have to,” said Allistar testily.
“We should also remember we’re on the same side,” said Kendrick.
Allistar’s eyes met Jarrett’s.
Jarrett squared his jaw. “I’m sorry, Allistar.”
Allistar held up his hands to stop the apology. “I feel the same thing you’re feeling, but what choice do we have? You know Tyla as well as I. When she decides something, nothing will stop her. We might as well resign ourselves that she’s going to Kazden and be done with it.”
“You’re right. I’ve just had a lot to take in over a short period of time and my temper’s frayed. I’m sorry.”
Kendrick placed a hand on his shoulder. “We know. We don’t mean to make it more difficult.”
“No, we don’t. I’m sorry I snapped.” Allistar offered Jarrett a weary smile. “Anyway, I’m late for my rounds. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jarrett nodded and watched the Stravad commander walk away. When the door closed, he looked at Kendrick again.
“I know this visit to Temeron has been difficult for you, Jarrett, but Allistar just put into words everything that I’ve been thinking since this ordeal began. Don’t forget Tyla’s history. She hasn’t changed that much. She gets what she wants one way or another. You ought to remember that.”
“I do, Kendrick,” he said and the Stravad nodded.
“I’ve got other meetings to attend,” Kendrick replied, turning away from the table and following Allistar’s steps from the room.
Jarrett rubbed his eyes with the heels of both hands, then snaked his fingers through his hair again and held his head. They didn’t understand. Tyla might not have changed in the last ten years, but he had. Still, one thing remained the same – his love for Tyla. He knew she would get her way. It was inevitable.
CHAPTER 5
Kerrin stood before his father as Jarrett brought the bow into place. Drawing back on the sinew, his hands covering his son’s, Jarrett moved the boy’s fingers to the feathered shaft of the arrow to hold it in place. He looked at the target and nodded.
“See here, Kerrin,” he said, motioning at the hay bale with one finger, “look along that line and spot your target.”
The boy squinted one eye. “I see it. What now?”
Jarrett braced his shoulders, letting the weight of the bow settle in his hands rather than his son’s. “When you’re ready, release the sinew and the shaft of the arrow at the same time.”
Kerrin drew a deep breath and held it, then he released the weapon with a twang. Jarrett felt the bow shift upward in the moment before Kerrin released and he countered the shot, hoping the arrow would strike somewhere close to the mark.
To his surprise, the arrow embedded in the hay bale not far from the red target he and Tyne had placed there that morning. Kerrin leapt into the air and whooped with pride. Jarrett’s eyes danced in delight.
“Good shot,” said Tyne, slapping the boy on the shoulder.
“Let’s go look,” said Kerrin, grabbing Tyne’s arm and pulling him forward. Jarrett let the bow drop against his thigh as he watched the two boys race toward the target.
They inspected the shot and then Kerrin turned, waving to his father. “Come see, Jarrett.”
Jarrett took a step forward, but someone called his name. He turned to find Tyla striding across the meadow toward him.
She stopped in front of him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He frowned. “I don’t follow.”
“Tell me you aren’t showing my son how to fire a weapon.”
Jarrett’s e
yes widened. “I...” he began and then glanced down at the bow in his hands. “I...”
“Really, Jarrett, did the Nazarien take your brains with your heart?”
“Now wait a minute, Tyla, why are you so furious with me?”
She started to answer, but Kerrin and Tyne had jogged up beside them. “Mama, did you see? I almost hit the target the first time.”
Her expression softened. “Kerrin, go with Tyne back to town. I want to speak with Jarrett alone.”
“Why?” asked the boy, glancing up at his father.
“Because I asked you to. Please do as I say.”
“No, I want to stay here.” He took a step closer to Jarrett’s side.
Tyla recoiled as if he’d struck her. Her eyes flashed to Jarrett’s face. He lifted his hand and laid it on the boy’s head, but he couldn’t suppress the wave of emotion that went through him at his son’s words.
“Kerrin, do as your mother asks,” he said, his eyes never leaving Tyla’s. “Tyne, walk Kerrin back to town, please.” He passed the bow to his brother.
Tyne caught Kerrin’s arm and tugged him forward. Kerrin’s eyes shifted between Jarrett and Tyla, but he went with the older boy reluctantly.
Tyla waited until they were almost out of earshot. “I want you to leave Temeron tomorrow.”
Jarrett blinked in surprise. “Are you commanding me to leave, Tyla?”
“If you force me to, I will. Don’t you see what you’ve done? You haven’t been here a week and you’re turning my son against me.”
“I’m not turning your son against you, but he needs a father. How can you deny him that right?”
“Kerrin doesn’t need a father. He hasn’t had a father in the last ten years.”
“Not by my choosing.”
“You can’t just walk in here after an entire decade and try to change things. What right do you have to show him how to use a weapon?”
“The same right any other father would.”
“No,” she said in a deadly calm voice. “No, you don’t. You gave up that right when you chose to be Nazar over Kerrin’s father.”
“You didn’t let me make the choice, Tyla, you made it for me.”
The World of Samar Box Set 3 Page 59