“How did you escape? I want to know the whole story,” said Shandar, signing for Naia’s benefit.
‘Later,’ said Naia. ‘You must be tired and want food. Let’s go eat and we can talk.’
Amaroq nodded. “You look like you could use a meal, Aiden Cerik,” he said, smiling.
Aiden laughed. “A few. Fighting Zander took the rest of my energy.”
Amaroq put an arm around his mother’s shoulders, hugging her into his side. “Then let’s eat,” he said, heading toward the cliff before them.
* * *
Aiden accepted the cup of brandy Dolan handed him. “Thank you.”
The ex-Nazarien inclined his head and moved to sit behind his King. Aiden lifted the drink to his lips and took a sip. The spicy warmth of the brandy heated him to his toes and he sighed in pleasure.
Kalas smiled at him. “Good?”
“Better than good.” He’d eaten with Naia’s family, helping Naia and Le tell their story to Amaroq and Shandar, then he’d bathed and dressed in clean clothes. A healer had seen to his cuts and bruises, easing the pain with Stamerian, and now he sat across from Kalas Eldralin in a cave far more luxurious than the other Nazarien quarters. “How often do you come here, Your Majesty?”
Kalas leaned back in his chair. “Let’s drop formal titles while we’re alone, shall we?”
“Agreed.”
“This is my second visit. Tovan informed me this cave is held for the Nazar.”
Aiden took another sip. “How come you didn’t know about your brother before this?”
“He’s been a very well kept secret, apparently.”
“How have they hidden him? His paternity’s obvious.”
“He’s never left Tirsbor before. Well, not until Naia went missing.”
“Never left Tirsbor? Eldon’s star, that means he’s been stuck in this canyon for…”
“His entire life.” Kalas fingered his own cup. “He’s an empath, he feels the emotions of others. It’s difficult for him around a large group of people, especially Humans. I think it’s easier around the Nazarien, since they subvert their emotions so much.”
Aiden nodded.
Kalas studied him. “I’m not going to lie. I’m a little surprised you survived what you’ve been through.”
Aiden gave a bitter laugh. “So am I, but if it wasn’t for Naia and Le, I’d be dead.”
“Le? The boy?”
“Yes.”
Kalas rubbed the back of his neck. “Aiden, how does this work? The situation with the girl?”
“How did it work for you? You married a Nazarien yourself.”
“Ah,” said Kalas, holding up a hand, “but I wasn’t already married.”
“I wasn’t lying to you, Kalas. My marriage has never been a marriage. It’s been a chore both of us have endured.”
“She defended you, Carona. She demanded Adison do something to find you. She stood by you when it was necessary.”
Aiden absorbed that information. After doubting everyone around him, it was good to hear someone had stood behind him. “I’m glad of that, but it doesn’t change the way things are. I love Naia and I intend to be with her. I’ll provide for Carona and she can remain Queen, but I’m not going to be locked into a marriage of force either.”
“We’ll figure that out later. What we need to discuss is how to restore you to power. My military commander is at Duard’s homestead right now, awaiting help from Terra Antiguo. I sent a message to Chernow, but it’ll take days to muster out troops. Beyond that, we have no idea who attacked you. I can’t just have you ride back into Dorland without knowing.”
Aiden reached into his pocket and pulled out the message from Alasdair. “I know who attacked me, Kalas.” He handed it over. “My brother Adison.”
Kalas’ eyes widened as he read the message.
Aiden drained his cup and Dolan rose to refill it.
Shaking his head, Kalas gave Aiden a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Aiden.”
Aiden nodded, lifting the cup and drinking.
“I suspected as much, but I had no proof,” said Kalas.
“He always wanted the crown, felt it should have gone to him when our father died.”
“Clearly, your father made the right choice, but why did he deny it to him?”
“He sensed something in Adison, something that concerned him – a cruelty, a lack of concern for our people. I don’t know. He never shared it with me. I heard most of it from Lyell Vito after he was gone.” Aiden shook his head. “Still, I never expected Adison to do something like this. It’s taken the wind out of me, I can tell you. I don’t even know how to accept it, process it, live with it. He’s my brother. How could he do something so horrible?”
Kalas looked down. Aiden didn’t expect him to have anything to say. There was no way to spin this into anything other than what it was – a complete betrayal.
“We’ll wait for the Nazar to arrive with troops. My military advisor will come as soon as Terra Antiguo sends their men.”
“I don’t think the Nazarien are going to help me retake my kingdom, Kalas. Not after I opposed them about Naia.”
Kalas gave him a slow smile. “Ah, but there you’re wrong. I have an ace in the hole.”
“You have an ace in the hole?”
“It’s an ancient’s saying.”
“I know what it is. What is yours?”
“Me.”
“You?”
“Yes. I am Talar Eldralin’s heir, therefore, I can take command of the Nazarien. And if not me, well, there’s always my brother.”
Aiden couldn’t help but smile. “You Eldralins always amaze me. I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“For too long Dorland and Sarkisian were at war. I’m pleased to have you as my ally, Aiden Cerik, just as my father was proud to call your father friend.”
* * *
Kalas found his brother, sitting on the riverbank, watching the current. He took a seat beside him and nudged him with his shoulder. “What’s on your mind?”
Amaroq tugged up a blade of grass and began splitting it. “So many things, Kalas.”
“Tell me.”
Amaroq looked around the canyon. “This has been my home my entire life. I never wanted for more until my sister went missing. I don’t know what I thought. I don’t know if I thought everything would just go back to the way it was once we found her, but it’s not. Everything’s different.”
“You’re different.”
“So is Naia. She says she loves this Human King.”
“He says the same, Wolf.”
“But she plans to go to Dorland with him. She plans to leave Tirsbor forever.”
“Well, she wouldn’t be the first. Near as I can figure, there isn’t much for women in this culture and even less for a woman like Naia.”
“This is all I’ve known for my entire life. I never questioned it. I never thought that it might not be right.” He tossed a piece of the grass blade away. “I knew our father ran away from the Nazarien, but I never asked why. I didn’t want to know, I didn’t want to know about him, I didn’t care. Then Shandar started telling his stories about my mother and…” He braced his head with his hand, his elbow on his tented knee. “I don’t know if I can stay here, Kalas. I don’t know if this is enough anymore.”
Kalas nodded. He was glad to hear it. “Well, I have a proposal then.”
“Go on.”
“We help Aiden Cerik regain his kingdom.”
Amaroq gave him a speculative look, making Kalas laugh.
“Hear me out. We help Aiden Cerik regain his kingdom by taking control of the Nazarien together. The purpose of the Nazarien is to protect the Eldralin line. They have no choice. Our father did it when he needed to get the refugees to Terra Antiguo. Together we can do it.”
“I’m not certain what you mean to do.”
“Aiden was betrayed by his brother. We ride into Dorland and oust his brother from power. Adison isn’t strong enough
to oppose my men and the Tirsbor warriors. If necessary, we can call up more warriors from Chernow.”
“And you think this man should be King again?”
“I do. I think Dorland was better with him at the helm.”
“What about my sister?”
“I think that’s between her and Aiden. She survived the slavers, Wolf, she’ll survive whatever happens with the King of Dorland.”
Amaroq nodded, his expression pensive. Finally he sighed. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
“Good, then after we’ve done that and we’re sure Aiden’s secure, you come with me to Adishian and meet my wife and daughter.”
Amaroq gave him an alarmed look. “I had a difficult time handling Raimondi, Kalas. How will I survive a city as large as Adishian?”
“How do you know how large it is if you’ve never been there?” teased Kalas.
Amaroq frowned. “I have an extensive education, Kalas Eldralin.”
“Right. Well, here’s the thing. We’ll only stay long enough to pack enough supplies. Once I’m sure Dorland’s secure, we can go to Temeron for a visit. I’m past due. There you’ll meet our sister and Wolf… she can teach you to control your gift.”
Amaroq considered that. “Why do you believe that?”
“Because she taught herself how to control her own.”
Amaroq fell silent, staring out over the river, the sun shining in his brilliant blue eyes, the same eyes that Kalas himself had. He couldn’t believe how much he wanted his brother to say yes, how important it was that he accept this offer. These last few days weren’t enough. Kalas needed more, wanted more. He understood Aiden’s deep hurt. He’d never thought about having a brother before, but now that he did, he wanted to know him, be part of his life. But he knew he couldn’t push. This was a decision Amaroq had to make on his own.
“We see Aiden Cerik restored to his throne,” said Amaroq. He looked over at him and a smile touched his lips. “Then we go to Temeron.”
“Ha!” said Kalas in delight, slapping his brother’s shoulder. “Then we go to Temeron.”
* * *
Amaroq watched his mother and sister argue in sign language. Shandar sat across from him, following it as well. They’d been at this for hours now. Kaelene didn’t understand why her daughter wouldn’t accept the obvious protection of a man like Zander. Amaroq had to admit, it was a good match. Zander had always conducted himself well and he seemed to genuinely care about Naia. He’d made an effort to learn her language, which was more than the rest of the Nazarien had done. Still, Naia persisted in her conviction that she loved the King of Dorland and they’d find a way to work it out.
Aiden had wanted to be with her tonight, but Shandar had convinced him Naia’s family needed time with her alone. Finally, he’d relented and went back to his quarters disappointed. Occasionally Naia would looked at her brother, pleading him with her eyes to help her out, but Amaroq had wanted to hear her conviction himself before he intervened.
When she covered her face with her hands and bowed her head, Amaroq couldn’t help but laugh. Her frustration was clear.
“Mama,” said Amaroq.
“Talk some sense into her, son.”
“First I want you to tell me something.”
“What?”
“When Shandar came to Kazden after Naia’s birth, what made you decide to go with him?”
Kaelene frowned, her gaze shifting to Shandar. “Where’s this coming from?”
Shandar scratched his forehead sheepishly. “He wouldn’t shut up and go to sleep at night unless I told him a story. Just like a little boy. You know I’m not good with your Nazarien fairytales, so…”
“So you told him about us?”
Shandar shrugged. “It’s a good story.”
“Why do you want to hear this, Wolf?” she said. “It’s an old story.”
“I just do. Shandar told us up to the point when you were in the cafe. I have a vague memory of that, but how did that one meal turn into a lifelong commitment to each other? Why did Dryden let you leave?”
“He didn’t want her to go. He didn’t want to lose you,” said Shandar.
Kaelene shook her head. “This is an old story.”
“Tell it anyway, Mama,” said Amaroq. “I want to know.”
* * *
Kaelene returned to the Cult after the meal with Shandar and put both children to bed. Dryden entered her room, carrying a uniform jacket. She rubbed her lower back as she faced him.
He held the jacket out to her. “One of the buttons has come off. Fix it.”
She took the jacket and threw it on the dressing stand. He came forward and touched her cheek. “Return it to my room when you’re finished with it. You can stay there tonight.”
She backed away from him. “No, you can pick it up in the morning. The children are asleep.”
“So? They won’t stir for the rest of the night.” He shot a look at the cradle, which held Naia. “Besides, that one doesn’t make a sound. She won’t bother anyone if she wakes.”
“Which is why I have to be here. She can’t cry and alert me. I need to hear her moving around.”
Dryden shook his head in disgust. “I shouldn’t have let you keep that child. This isn’t our way.”
Kaelene felt fear move through her. He was always saying things like this. “Stay away from her.”
Dryden held up his hands. “As you wish. Have that button fixed by morning.”
Kaelene placed a chair against the doorknob after he left, then she picked up the sewing. She was so tired she just wanted to go to sleep, but she fixed the button, stripped off her clothes, put on a nightshirt, and brushed the hair back from her sleeping children’s faces. Then she climbed into bed herself, sighing at the blissful comfort.
Dawn had just broken when Kaelene was brought violently out of sleep by someone banging on her door. Amaroq sat up in bed, his eyes wide with fear, but Naia slept on, oblivious to the noise. Kaelene scrambled out of the covers and grabbed the chair, pulling it away.
Dryden stood on the other side, his features contorted. “You met with Shandar in town?”
Kaelene blinked, unable to comprehend what he was saying. She pushed the hair back from her face. “What?”
“Talar Eldralin’s brother’s in Kazden?”
“Yes.”
Amaroq came to her side and wrapped his arms around her waist. She hugged him to her.
“And you met with him?”
“He bought us a meal.”
“You should have told me this.”
“Why?”
Dryden’s gaze shifted to Amaroq. “Did he see the boy?”
Kaelene tilted up her chin. “He did, and then he told me Talar’s dead.”
Dryden dropped his gaze at that.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you hide that from me?”
“You didn’t need to know. I don’t want you seeing Shandar anymore.”
“You can’t tell me who I can see.”
He caught her under the chin, his fingers digging into her face. “I can. It’s by my mercy that you’re allowed to live here with the boy. If you displease me, I will cast you out. You and that defective get of yours.”
“She’s your daughter,” said Kaelene, yanking away from him.
“She’s not mine.” His gaze lowered to Amaroq. “But he is.”
“Dryden?” One of the acolytes stood in the hallway behind him.
He never removed his gaze from Kaelene as he responded. “What do you want?”
“The brother of Eladra is here to see you.”
Dryden shifted at that. “Here? Now?”
“Yes. He’s demanding an audience.”
Dryden looked back at Kaelene. “This is your doing?”
“No, but he knows the boy’s Talar’s.”
“The boy belongs to me.”
She shook her head, hugging Amaroq closer to her. “He belongs to no one.”
“I took you in when y
ou had need.”
“And I’ve repaid you a thousand fold.”
“Commander?”
“I’m coming,” Dryden snapped, then he turned and went down the hall.
Kaelene shut the door and slumped against it. What did she do now? How did she protect her children and herself? Dryden would never let her leave with Amaroq, but she was becoming afraid of his feelings toward Naia. At first he’d accepted that she might get better with time, but as that didn’t seem to be happening, he was growing more and more hostile.
He’d threatened repeatedly to have the baby removed. Kaelene feared what that meant. She had to get out. She had no choice. She had to take her children and run, but they’d hunt her down. Dryden was a vengeful man. He’d take Naia away from her just to punish her.
Amaroq laid his head against her side, feeling her fear. Kazden was becoming a nightmare for the child. He could feel everything that the people around him felt. In the sequestered Cult, he fared better, but the more she took him to town, the more he became overwhelmed. Where would he be safe? Where would they be protected?
Tirsbor.
She and her mother had left so many years before because her mother couldn’t stand the thought of Kaelene being subjected to the Procreation Ceremonies. She’d believed they could disappear into a large city, but that city was harming her son now.
Tirsbor was sheltered, and if she took Amaroq to the Nazarien there, they would protect her from Dryden. She had no choice. She had to get to Tirsbor.
Hunkering down, she pulled Amaroq in front of her. “We need to get dressed and gather our things.”
“Why?”
“I need you to be brave. We have to get out of here.”
“Leave?”
“Yes. Yesterday was a sign. Do you remember the man who bought us the meal?”
“Shandar.”
“Yes, he’s our sign that it’s time to leave, but I need you to be brave.”
He nodded.
“Good. Now we have to hurry.”
Kaelene dressed, pulled together some clothes for herself and the children, then she let Amaroq pick out a stuffed toy and a wooden dog that Naia liked to chew on. Finally, she strapped the baby to her chest and took Amaroq’s hand firmly in hers. Going to the door, she paused and looked around the room. Fear moved through her, but she tamped it down for her son’s benefit, then she pulled open the door and headed to Dryden’s private office.
The World of Samar Box Set 3 Page 128