by Lexy Wolfe
Gareth looked exasperated. “You walked all the way from the palace? It has only been a few hours since—” She just regarded him without saying a word. “You are impossible!”
Jondal’s expression echoed his amusement. “I have it on good authority she defies even divine suggestion to accept aid.”
“If I can walk, I will walk,” Tiwaz rasped in a rough voice. She closed her eyes when Doom caught her against him, keeping her on her feet.
“Tiwaz?” Zuneer approached, his eyes red from his grief. “It’s true. You did live.”
She looked away from her trainer. “Zuneer, forgive me. Tambek—”
“Died protecting you.” The man smiled sadly. “It’s okay. You know better than anyone there is always the risk of death in our art. He could have died many times over protecting Master Alimar. His death was not meaningless. He protected the woman he loved and repaid her protection of him.” He gruffly embraced her, holding onto her as he sobbed. She closed her eyes, returning the embrace, ignoring the physical pain, though unable to ignore his or her own pain of loss.
“Warrior, Thrahx Vaug,” Jondal interrupted. He waited until the moment passed and attention was given to him. “You did a great service for the Empire. You will always have our gratitude.” He settled on his haunches with the aristocratic pride of a feline. “However, with his demise, Alimar’s estate is in need of a strong hand and stronger compassion.” He paused meaningfully, then stated, “We have chosen you both as the new masters of this estate.”
Doom and Tiwaz could only stare. “What? Us?” she asked in disbelief.
“We can’t…We don’t know anything about—” Doom began.
The prince turned to look at the many servants. “Do you know anyone else who would treat them with the compassion they deserve? Who could adequately protect them from those who would take advantage of them? Who else could understand what they suffered than you?” Neither replied, unsure what to say or think.
“I’ll stay for a while,” Simpkins stated. “I know a thing or two about business I can teach you both. Besides,” he added, his jovial tone fading into grimness. “I want to help insure that this place is purged of all the darkness Alimar tainted it with.”
“I’m not going anywhere, either,” Gareth pointed out. “I wouldn’t abandon you. Or them,” he said, gesturing to the former slaves. “You protected them for years. No one would be more loyal to you than them.”
Tiwaz finally nodded, albeit reluctantly. “Fine. But only because of them,” she snapped, glaring at Jondal. The prince inclined his head in gracious acceptance, satisfied.
Zuneer put a hand on her shoulder. “Would you light my son’s pyre?” he asked softly. “I would be honored if you gave him his final freedom.”
Doom hugged her shoulders lightly as she spoke. “If that is what you wish.” She took the firebrand and approached the body of her one-time lover. For several minutes, she only stared at him. At long last, she touched the torch to the base. “I hope one day we will meet again,” she stated. The woman returned to Doom’s side, letting him pull her into his arms as Simpkins raised his own hands, giving energy to the fire so the body burned hot and fast. Ky-Lar stood close to the pair, steadfast and protective.