"It is I, Palomas."
"Pass in safety, and welcome home," came the reply.
22
I feel this web unbroken.
My love's voice has not yet spoken.
Mara looked down into what could only be a deep valley. She could see many lights twinkling in the distance. The lights seemed to beckon to her, like a lighthouse sending out its beacon to an oceangoing vessel, showing the way to a safe harbor. Which of her conflicting emotions should she trust, she wondered. Her fear, or the promise of a haven from the storm?
At one point the lights towered over the rest of the City, and Mara did not need to be told that she was viewing the palace and her destination.
She paid little heed to the punishing winds nor to the snow that had begun to fall, but set her eyes on the distant lights, and rode toward that goal. As they reached the outskirts of the City, the streets appeared to be deserted. How strange, Mara thought. The hour was not late, and yet there was no sign of life. When they reached what could only be the palace, Palomas halted his horse, dismounted, and helped Mara down. With Andrew in one arm, and the other about Mara's shoulder, Palomas led the way up the wide steps.
Mara wished it was not such a dark night. She would have liked to be able to see her surroundings. Even in the dark she could tell it was a great city, with paved streets and stone buildings. For sure, it was no obscure Indian village.
She paused when they reached the top step and looked at the huge doors. She gasped when she saw the doorway was inlaid with gold and turquoise. There were two warriors standing guard, one of them opened the door and then stood aside so Mara and Palomas could enter. It did not escape Mara's notice that neither of the guards had even looked at her.
On entering the room, Mara stared in awe. She could not believe her eyes. The room was huge, with very high ceilings that rose at least twenty feet into the air. The floor was of highly polished marble. There were many white leather couches scattered about the room. The tables were made of polished wood and had gold edging. A raised dais was at the end of the room, with two golden chairs that had a crimson-colored canopy above it. The room was dimly lit, only a few torches burned from golden wall sconces. Mara noticed a wide stone staircase that led up to the second floor. There was a guard stationed at the bottom to prevent anyone who did not belong from climbing the stairs. No doubt they led to Tajarez's living quarters, Mara thought.
Mara had half hoped her brother and his wife would welcome her on her arrival. She knew Tajarez would not be there to greet her. She was alone, with the exception of Andrew and Palomas, and the guard, who seemed to ignore their presence.
"Come, you will be quartered in the room off of the anteroom," Palomas said as he led her forward.
Mara looked about her as Palomas steered her through the huge anteroom. Jeffery had been right, there was great wealth in this city. Gold, silver, and precious stones were in evidence everywhere she looked. Eyeing the gold sheeting on the wall, she saw that it had something engraved on it, but the room was too dimly lit for her to see it in detail. That would be the hieroglyphics Jeffery had told her about, she thought.
They left the great room and Mara followed Palomas down a corridor. He stopped before a door and opened it, allowing her to pass before him.
Mara was stunned into silence as she glimpsed the lovely room. There was a wide bed covered with white ermine skins. Silver sheeting ran the length of one wall, polished mirror-bright. Soft Indian rugs covered the white marble floor. At the foot of Mara's bed was a large cradle, with a royal cobra carved into the wooden surface.
What a contrast to the loft room she had occupied at the cabin with Jake and Zeke! Suddenly she wished she was back in that loft. There had been no impressive furnishings there. She had felt loved and wanted in that cabin.
A young Indian girl rushed in and smiled nervously at Mara. Mara noticed that the girl watched her closely. Perhaps she should know her, perhaps she was Jeffery's wife, come to welcome her, after all.
"You must be Sasha," Mara said, smiling brightly.
The young girl bowed her head. "Oh no, I am Falon. It is my duty to wait upon you."
"I am pleased to know you, Falon. My name is Mara."
Falon looked at her as if undecided for a moment. Palomas handed Andrew to her, and gave her a guarded glance.
"Did you not hear her, Falon—she said her name is Mara," he said quickly.
"I have a message to you from my king, M . . . Mara. He told me to bid you welcome, and to inform you that the medicine man will shortly call on you and your son, to make sure the long journey was not harmful to either of you."
Palomas walked to the door, then turned to her before he left. "Mara, I shall be across the hall from you. Should you need me, you have only to call and I will hear you."
"Thank you," Mara said, somehow comforted by the fact that Palomas would be nearby. She had become accustomed to his presence and was glad he was not abandoning her as everyone else had.
When Palomas had gone, Mara looked at Falon. "Will my brother come to see me tonight?"
"I was told that no one will disturb you tonight but the medicine man. The king thinks it best if you rest, since you have had such a long journey."
"How kind," Mara said sarcastically, but Falon did not seem to notice the bite in her tone. She was staring at Andrew.
"Your son is truly wonderful. I did not know if you wanted me to put his bed in my room, which is just next-door, or if you would prefer to have him in the room with you. The king said you would want him with you."
"The king was right, Falon. I would not like to have Andrew anywhere but with me," Mara said, taking her baby and laying him down in the cradle.
"Mara, I took the liberty of having a bath prepared for you," Falon said, opening a door that led to a small room just beyond the bedroom.
"That sounds wonderful," Mara said, removing the heavy wrap she wore.
Falon took the wrap from her, and when Mara entered the room where her bath was waiting she saw the tub was made of solid gold.
"I have brought all of your clothes and hung them up for you, and here are many things that Vista sent for Andrew."
"Who is Vista?" Mara said, eyeing the golden bathtub in disbelief.
Falon felt the sting of tears in her eyes. Oh, the poor queen, she did not even know the woman who looked after her twins. She had been told what to expect, but it hurt her to see her queen look at her through the eyes of a stranger.
"Vista is the woman who looks after the royal prince and princess."
Mara glanced over her shoulder at Falon and could feel her temper flaring. "What kind of things did Vista send for my son?"
"Merely some clothing the royal prince had outgrown. She thought they might be useful to you."
Mara clamped her mouth tightly together, not wanting to vent her anger on this gentle Indian girl.
How dare this woman send her son the cast-off clothing of Tajarez's son? She did not want Andrew wearing anything that had belonged to his son. There was no reason to make an issue of it, she thought bitterly. It would be childish for her to send them back. She would simply not use them.
As Mara reclined in the warm, scented bath, she felt her body begin to relax. How good it felt to close her eyes and let the soothing water wash the soreness from her body!
Evidently she was to be pampered as a guest in the palace. At the moment she was too weary to offer any resistance. How good it would feel to awaken in the morning and know she would not have to mount a horse and ride all day in the cold.
When she stepped out of the bath, she saw a white cotton nightgown and robe. It was lovely, she thought, as she slipped into it. There was lace at the wrists and collar, and it had evidently cost a great deal of money. Walking into the bedroom she saw Falon turning the covers down.
"Falon, who does this belong to?" she asked, indicating the gown and robe she wore.
"They belong to you, Mara. You left them behind when you went to
visit your brother. There are many others for you to choose from if this one is not to your liking."
"No, this one will be fine." Mara climbed into the soft bed, and Falon set a tray across her lap.
"Mara, I have seen to it that Camdon, the cook, prepared your favorite honey cakes. Knowing you do not like to eat a heavy meal at night, I told him to prepare something light."
“Falon, as I am sure you have been told, I have lost my memory. I do not remember you, nor do I know why you know all my likes and dislikes. Are . . . were you and I good friends?"
Falon bowed her head, and when she raised it to look at Mara, Mara saw sadness in the young girl's eyes. "I am saddened that you have this forgetfulness, Mara. I was your servant girl before you went away, as was a maiden called Minet."
"I am sorry, I did not know. Where is Minet?"
"Her parents live in one of the other Cities, and her father is gravely ill. The king gave her leave to be with him."
Mara looked down at the tray and tried to remember that the food it contained was supposed to be her favorite. She picked up the honey cake and took a small bite. It was indeed delicious. She was surprised to see that there was a cup of hot tea, and, taking a sip, she found it to be very much to her liking. Seeing that Falon still stood beside her, she smiled at the girl.
"Sit beside me Falon. I have many questions to ask you."
Falon pulled up a stool and sat down, folding her hands in her lap. "I will try to answer some of your questions, if I can," she said, remembering the king had said Mara was to be told nothing about her life as queen.
"Is this the room I occupied before?" Mara asked, taking another sip of the hot tea.
"Yes, you did sleep in this room at one time."
"Do my brother and his | wife have quarters nearby?"
"No, they reside on the third floor," Falon answered, fearing Mara would ask her a question she had been forbidden to reply to. Standing up she picked up the tray, since Mara had pushed it away from her, indicating she was finished with eating.
"I will remove the tray and send the medicine man, Tabo, to you now," Falon said as she left the room.
Mara conjured up a mental picture of the medicine man. Perhaps he would have feathers in his hair and even a ring through his nose, and would be waving a stick about and screeching incantations.
There was a light tap on the door, and Mara called for the man to enter, preparing himself to face him. She was speechless when she saw the tall, distinguished gray-haired man in a pale blue robe. He smiled at her kindly.
He sat down on the stool and took her hand. Falon had returned and stood at the front of the bed with her hands folded in front of her.
"I cannot tell you of the happiness I feel, that you are back with us again, Mara," Tabo said kindly. "I am told that you have suffered a memory loss, so I would like to ask you a few questions."
Mara nodded her head. She had still not spoken to the man.
"When you first awoke, and did not recall who you were, had you received a bump on your head?"
"No, nothing like that," Mara replied, thinking that this man was asking her the same questions Dr. White had asked her.
"Have you had any flashbacks, any thoughts of your past life?"
"No, nothing, it is as if I was born the day I was found by the two trappers."
"I see," he said, examining her eyes. He stood up and smiled at her reassuringly. "Try not to let it upset you unduly. Sometimes these things take time."
"Tabo, I wish you could help me. Sometimes I am very frightened."
"I will do all I can, Mara. Let's just give it more time."
"Time seems to be the one thing I have plenty of, Tabo."
He smiled and patted her hand. "Mara, the mind is one thing that has stumped the medicine man of the Lagonda for a very long time. I am capable of treating many parts of the human body with great success, but the mind must cure itself." He looked over to the cradle where Andrew lay. "I was told by the king to examine your son. I hope you will not object, Mara."
"No, of course not," she said, biting her lower lip. Even if she wanted Andrew to be examined, she resented the fact that the order came from Tajarez.
Mara watched as Tabo poked and prodded her son. He was very thorough, examining every part of Andrew's body, while the baby gurgled and cooed at the man.
"He is in fine health, and no worse for the long journey he has made. A fine boy. You must be very proud of him."
"Yes, I have great pride in him," she replied.
Tabo smiled warmly at Mara. "I will see you tomorrow. I must now go to report to the king. There is no need for my skills here; there are no sick people in this room."
"Tabo, are you certain there is nothing you can do to help my memory return?"
"Mara, I cannot say when or even if your memory will ever return. I do not want you to be unduly distressed. Should your memory return, it will happen without anyone's help." He folded his hands in a hopeless gesture. "I must caution you against becoming too upset. I want to observe you for a few days, then I may have some suggestions."
Mara sighed and sank down beneath the soft fur. It seemed that no one could help her. She watched silently as Tabo withdrew. Falon bowed her head slightly and left also.
The warmth of the fur robes was seeping into Mara's cold body. Her mind could not deal with all the wondrous things she had seen tonight. Glancing at Andrew, she saw he was drifting off to sleep. And Mara, too, fell asleep.
Tajarez stood up slowly and turned to face Tabo. "I do not see the harm of telling Mara she is my wife. I have been patient long enough. You cannot imagine what it is like to have my own wife look at me with contempt."
"You must give me a few days to study her. What is a few days when you will have a whole lifetime with Mara?"
"How easily you speak of waiting, Tabo. I have never been long on patience. Would it not be better for Mara to know I am her husband? I told you I have already been with her on the journey home. You cannot imagine what she thinks of me, whom she believes to be married to another, while seeking to pleasure myself with her."
"This will all pass. Give me the few days I ask for," Tabo said, knowing full well his king was not a patient man.
Tajarez nodded grimly. "I will give you a little more time, but do not make it too long. You said my son was in good health?" Tajarez said, deciding to change the subject.
"Yes. He reminds me of you when you were his age."
"I want him moved to the nursery, where he can come to know his brother and sister. It is not good for him to be kept from them."
"Mara would object strongly should you take the baby from her at this time. I suggest you wait."
Tajarez glared at Tabo. "Is this all you can say to me: wait? I do not like to treat my own son as if he meant nothing to me." Tajarez's eyes blazed dangerously. "I am sick of waiting. I have hidden my feelings, trying not to let Mara see that the heart inside of me felt every pain she was feeling. I have stood by while she accused me of being faithless, and I could not defend myself to her." Tajarez walked away from Tabo and climbed the stairs that led to his bedroom. Halfway up the stairs he turned to the medicine man. "Make it soon, Tabo."
Jeffery watched Sasha from a reclining position on the bed. She tucked the covers about his son, whom they had named John, after Jeffery's father. When Sasha turned to him, he could read the sadness in her eyes. He held out his arms to her and she rushed into them.
"Do not be sad, Sasha. You will see Mara tomorrow," he said, lying her down beside him.
"I do not see the harm it would have done to see her tonight. It must have been frightening for her arriving here where everything is strange to her, with no one to greet her."
"Tajarez thought it would be difficult for her if she had to face strangers."
"I cannot bear to think Mara will think of me as a stranger," Sasha said, hiding her face against Jeffery's broad chest.
"Sasha, even I, her own brother, am a stranger to her. At t
he moment she does not think too highly of me, thinking I betrayed her for the sake of my king."
Sasha looked into the handsome face she loved so dearly. "I am glad you are home, I have missed you so badly."
Jeffery smiled as he began to loosen the laces that held her dress together. "Show me how much you welcome me, Sasha," he whispered.
Andrew woke Mara the next morning before the sun made its appearance. She fed and bathed him, dressing him in one of the white flannel gowns she had made for him, which was almost too small for him now. He was growing so fast. She looked at the huge stack of neatly folded baby clothes that had been sent to her for Andrew's use. Even if she had to dress her son in rags, she thought bitterly, she would not let him wear the cast-offs of Tajarez's son.
She had just placed Andrew in the cradle when the door opened and Falon entered carrying a tray. "Good morning, Mara. I hope you slept well."
"Yes, I did not awaken all night," Mara said, sitting down on the bed. Falon placed the tray across Mara's lap. There was a white napkin covering the food, and Falon removed it.
Mara tasted the meat, which was seasoned with some kind of spice, and found it to be very delicious. She ate almost all of the meat, and two honey cakes, finishing it off with a cup of coffee.
"Falon, last night I had tea, and today coffee. Where does it come from?"
"I am told that the king has it brought in. Mara, the king will be so glad when I tell him that you ate so well. He is concerned that you are too thin."
Mara felt her temper rising, and she did not attempt to stem the angry words that tumbled from her lips. "I was not aware that your king took an interest in my diet. Has he nothing better to do with his time than to worry about my weight?"
Falon looked distressed. "I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you. The king said no one was to cause you distress," Falon said, not knowing she was adding fuel to Mara's already rising ire.
"The only thing that distresses me, Falon, is your king. I am not one of his subjects, and I will not tolerate his interfering in my life."
Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) Page 26