Lexin's Quest (Knights of Kismera Book 2)

by Tamara H Hartl

  No one in Lexin’s party wished a repeat of the larger river’s dangers so they did not mind that it would take two extra days to reach Raparia overland.

  Raparia was reached without incident and as they rode into the city, Lexin rode beside Riordan. “I think that, until we reach Oralia, you should not mention your true name of Greer. I do not believe you are in danger, but let us not draw unwanted attention.”

  Riordan gave him a rather belligerent look. “Riordan is my true name, despite what you may know.”

  Lexin raised a hand to halt any more argument. “Understood.” He gave a teasing grin, “My lord prince.”

  Riordan pulled Marlhowh to a halt in the middle of the street. “That is enough of that nonsense,” he snapped.

  Lexin put spurs to his horse and trotted down the street laughing, leaving Riordan to sit Marlhowh while gritting his teeth. He did not move until the others had gone past.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Early morning sunlight shone gently on Cerise as Lexin watched her from where he sat at the foot of the bed. His chin rested on his raised knee and his other foot rested on the floor.

  While he watched her sleep, he reflected on the last few days. Overwhelming relief filled him. He had been sure that everyone whom he cared about would shun him. That the sins of the father or in his case, mother, would follow him and become his. But he was been wrong. He was sure too that, although Riordan did not blame him for what had happened, he knew the man was hurt and confused.

  Everyone had shown support and understanding. Now he was returning home. Lexin smiled to himself as he studied Cerise who lay on her side, one hand by her face, her red gold hair spread over the pillow. He was returning with a woman he loved more than he thought possible.

  With Tala’s blessing he could give her another child if she wished it. At that thought, warmth flowed through him. A babe. He had seen what a babe could do to one of the fiercest warriors in all of Kismera when he had seen Ki with her son Brann.

  Cerise stirred and rolled onto her back. Her eyes slowly blinked open and when she could focus, she saw Lexin staring at her with a pleasant but strange look on his face.

  “Good morning,” she whispered in a sleep husky voice.

  “Yes, it is a good morning,” Lexin returned, slowly moving so that he was over her, resting on his elbows and knees. “A very good morning indeed.”

  Cerise moved the hand next to her face to cup his cheek, enjoying the feel of his morning stubble. “You are in a strange mood,” she whispered, gazing into his dark amber eyes.

  “Shh,” he breathed and leaned in further to kiss her softly. When she sighed into his mouth he moved back. “You are so lovely, Cerise, with the sun in your hair and your mouth swollen with my kiss.”

  She started to say something, but he halted her words when he leaned in to kiss her again.

  “Hush now, woman,” he murmured against her lips. “Let me love you.”

  Cerise giggled. “You did a fine job of that last night, my dear.”

  “Be still. Last night was just practice. This is serious business.”

  Cerise sobered. While his tone was gentle, it was not teasing. “Lexin, what is going on? Are you feeling alright?”

  “I am feeling better than I have felt in a long time,” he said as he removed the shirt he had put on when he first woke. Now his skin burned against hers.

  “You do wish for another babe in you, do you not?” he asked as his mouth found the sensitive curve of her neck.

  “Mmm,” she replied as heat shot through her.

  “Is that a yes, ehmar?” He moved to her earlobe and felt her shudder.

  “Mm hmm,” she answered and then sighed with pleasure when he cupped her breast and followed with his mouth.

  “Then I shall give you one now,” he whispered and tugged her nipple gently with his teeth, making her writhe in pleasure.

  Cerise buried her hands into his thick hair and lost all thought of anything but the wondrous feelings he was drawing from her. She lost count of the times he made her peak before he took his own pleasure, losing himself with a throaty groan against her neck.

  “I have given you a child, ehmar,” he whispered as he panted for breath. He felt Cerise tense under him.

  “What? How can you be so sure?” she questioned as she absently stroked his hair.

  Lexin raised his head so that he could look into her eyes. “I do not know how I know, only that I do. I think I felt Tala’s blessing as I watched you sleep.”

  He rolled onto his side, pulling her with him so that she lay against him and rubbed at the scar over his heart with her free hand, feeling his heartbeat slowing to its normal rhythm.

  “Go back to sleep, Cerise. Rest while you can. We take ship in two days.”

  Once she slept, Lexin dressed and left her to find the other men and begin preparations for the return trip.

  The Blue Gull was a large sailing ship with more sails than the Kestrel. Lexin and Cearan assumed it would be a fast ship. The ship’s master corrected them, stating that it was a very sea-worthy vessel, but that it would take them closer to six seven-days, instead of the Kestrel’s four.

  Riordan found the two brothers at the front of the ship as it headed from the harbor. He took hold of a rope that held a straining sail and braced himself as the ship hit some choppy waves entering the open sea.

  He looked pensive. “I have never been farther than Raparia,” he informed them. “This will be an adventure.”

  Cearan laughed at Riordan’s words. “With luck, cousin, your whole life will be an adventure. Everything you will need is in Kismera.”

  “All I need is a good blade, a good meal and a warm woman,” Riordan stated. “Not necessarily in that order.”

  All three men laughed at his words. They were joined on deck by Cerise, Merrick and Vashti.

  Cerise slipped her arms around Lexin’s waist and looked up at him. “What do you gentlemen find so humorous?”

  “It was manly conversation, duur, nothing for you to worry over,” he said and pinched her backside.

  She gasped and blushed. “Lexin!”

  Cearan had been ignoring them and stood facing Raparia. “I mean no insult, Riordan, but I for one hope I never see this side of the sea again.”

  Riordan did not answer as he watched the seaport fade in the distance. He knew the option of return was there for him, but in his heart he felt certain that he was seeing Raparia for the last time as well.

  He turned around and studied the group he now traveled with and found wonder at being accepted as part of it.

  Looking now in the direction of Kismera, Riordan knew he would stand on that shore as Riordan Lionblade.

  Three weeks went by rather uneventfully but then three things happened that let Cerise know that the baby Lexin had been so positive of making was a sure thing. All smooth sailing was over for her.

  First, her period was late, and then she fainted on deck, scaring everyone but Vashti. And lastly, soon after her swoon, she began to vomit every morning. By the end of the week, the very smell of food had her hanging over a bowl or the rail.

  Vashti found a pale Lexin standing near the bow of the ship late one evening. It was quiet except for the creak of the ship and the occasional pop of a sail.

  Lexin turned his head to see who was joining him. He nodded when he recognized the elf woman.

  After a moment of silence he looked down at his hands on the ship’s rail. “I am worried, Vashti,” he admitted quietly. “It is very early in Cerise’s pregnancy. Her first one was not this bad. If this illness grows worse, what will happen?”

  Vashti laid a hand on his arm. “My lord, each pregnancy is different. Cerise is strong.”

  Lexin snorted at that. She had not looked very strong with her hair soaked with sweat looking pale and listless that morning.

  He left their cabin an hour before when Cerise had threatened to shoot him with a weapon h
e had never heard of, possibly in his manhood. The deck at the moment was safer.

  Vashti squeezed his arm. “I considered what I might have to treat her on the voyage and I stopped at an herbalist before we left. I have made Cerise a tea to settle her belly and I added something to help her sleep.”

  “Thank you,” Lexin said, patting her hand, which now lay beside his other one on the rail. “I felt so proud to have sired this child and now I feel like such a fool. I should have waited until we were safely home.”

  Vashti laughed at his words, a sweet sounding laugh. “Oh, Lexin,” she said, mirth bubbling in her words. “My lord, if it was Tala’s will that Cerise conceive then that is what was to happen.” She laughed again, finding it funny that Lexin was questioning a goddess’ wisdom.

  “I am so glad you find the humor in that, sorceress. I do hope that you have brought enough of your herbs to make it to Trevess.”

  Vashti smiled at him as she turned to go to her small cabin. “Yes, my lord. I think it safe now to return to her.”

  “I think I will give it a bit more time, thank you,” he replied as she walked away.

  A giggle reached his ears as she disappeared below deck.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Trevess appeared on the horizon at dawn three and a half weeks later. A crew member called out that it was in view. Lexin was the first on deck, followed soon thereafter by Riordan.

  As they drew closer, Riordan was practically hanging off the side in his eagerness to see the city.

  Lexin began to point out various sites, including the Ysgol, as their ship came to the mouth of the harbor.

  Riordan watched as the Blue Gull sailed into the harbor and went past the Ysgol, which stood on the highest point in the city.

  “I could attend this Ysgol if I wished?”

  Lexin chuckled. “Yes, if you want. Actually, you will be in a position to do almost anything you want, within reason. Has Deverell ever spoken to you of Werren laws?”

  Riordan took his attention from the view for a moment to look at Lexin. “Yes. He taught them as codes of conduct, especially in regard to women and children. I am not sure for what he was preparing me, but I think he had something in mind.”

  “Do you think maybe he was planning to return you to Bellmore himself?”

  “I do not think so or he would have revealed everything to me a long time ago. Maybe it was out of a sense of guilt.”

  “Maybe he just wanted you to be the best man you could be?” Lexin added.

  Riordan nodded in reply. “Perhaps,” he added, distracted.

  In a short time the Blue Gull was tied to the dock and the horses were unloaded.

  Marlhowh had begun a major protest at the harness attached around him and Riordan walked to him and placed his hand, palm down, on the stallion’s wide forehead, whispering calming words.

  The stallion immediately settled and let himself be raised and then lowered to the dock. Lexin could only shake his head and walk away.

  The towers of Oralia had come into view and Lexin reined in, bringing the group to a halt behind him.

  It had been an uneventful return trip, although for Riordan it was full of new things to see. He had heard of Zakara and had seen them for the first time at a tavern in Lodehar. Even the Forever Woods had not intimidated him.

  Now, facing Oralia, Lexin could tell Riordan was nervous. Outwardly, there was no sign, but Lexin could smell uneasiness radiating from him. “Are you ready, my lord?” Lexin asked him.

  Riordan returned Lexin’s gaze, unused to the formal address. He breathed deeply. “Yes,” he answered, although he was not as sure as he hoped he sounded.

  Lexin touched his horse’s sides lightly with his spurs and they were again underway, Riordan by his side. Cerise rode behind them with Cearan, and Vashti and Merrick brought up the rear. They rode this way during early afternoon through the first gates of Oralia and then on to the inner gate.

  Lexin led his party to a large clearing where a number of warriors were practicing. Ki and Drace were scrimmaging side-by-side against three other warriors.

  When Lexin pulled up at the edge of the practice field, he heard a sharp inhale from Riordan.

  “She is magnificent,” Riordan breathed. “And the man beside her, he fights as if the sword is part of him.”

  He turned in the saddle to look at Lexin. “Is that the Lady Ki?”

  “Yes,” Lexin answered, grinning at the look of wonder on Riordan’s face. Most men reacted to Ki in that fashion. She was a beautiful but deadly warrior. MacKinnon was the only man who had ever been brave enough to mate with her and now he was her bond mate.

  On the field together they fought as if they could read each other’s minds. Soon, all three opponents were either on their backs or disarmed.

  The sound of clapping had the couple turning toward the new arrivals. Each sheathed their swords and walked to them.

  Once in front of Lexin and Riordan, they stopped and Ki looked up at Lexin. “Cousin,” she greeted with a smile. “It is so good to see you returned in one piece.”

  She turned her attention to Riordan and surprised him when she dropped to one knee and bowed her head. Drace followed her example.

  “My lord,” she said, submissively.

  Riordan looked over at Lexin in confusion. “Why does she greet me this way? What do I say?” he whispered, not noticing Ki’s smile widen slightly.

  “She is honoring you as heir. She is waiting for your permission to rise,” Lexin answered seriously, although his own amusement showed in his voice.

  Riordan turned, obviously flustered. “On your feet, please, my lady, my lord,” he said, color flushing his cheeks.

  Both Ki and Drace rose to their feet as Lexin’s party dismounted behind him. Marlhowh sidestepped as Cerise rushed past and flung herself into Drace’s arms.

  He caught her and held her tightly, laughing and turning a circle. “I’m so glad you’re back, C. We were getting so worried.”

  Drace set her back on her feet and stepped back to study her. “You look a bit thinner but you are positively glowing.” He enveloped her in another hug.

  When they broke apart the second time they turned to watch Ki greet Riordan after he dismounted and stepped forward.

  Ki came to stand immediately before him. “You are Greer?” she asked, awed that Lexin’s quest had proven successful. “You must be. The resemblance to Yeager is astonishing,” she said, huskily.

  “I do not answer to that name, my lady. I was given the name Riordan by my foster father. It is the name that has become part of me,” he answered, standing tall and proud.

  “I see,” Ki replied with a touch of arrogance. “And what of the name of Lionblade?” She moved to circle him as if inspecting him. “Will you denounce that as well?”

  When she stood once more in front of him, she gave him a challenging look, her hand resting idly on the hilt of her sword. “It is not an easy clan in which we belong. There is much responsibility.”

  Riordan returned her gaze, equally challenging. “So I have heard. I am not unused to responsibility, my lady, nor afraid of it. I also understand that those of that clan are close and protective of each other…a family.”

  Ki held his gaze for a long moment before a smile graced her full mouth. “Aye,” she said, “family.”

  Ki surprised everyone then as she stepped forward and embraced him. “Welcome to Kismera, Lord Riordan, and welcome to our family.”

  Stiff for a mere moment, Riordan relaxed and returned the embrace. “Thank you, my lady cousin,” he whispered next to her ear.

  Moving apart, Ki wiped at an eye and cleared her throat then moved to Lexin. She hugged him as well. “I am so happy for your safe return, and for the success of your search, Lexin.”

  Ki looked over at Cerise as the other woman came to stand by Lexin’s side. “I am happy for all of your safe return,” she said with a smile.

  A
t the clearing of another throat, Ki turned to her brother who now stood behind her. “Oh Cearan,” she cried softly as he opened his arms to hold her.

  Turning away from the siblings, the others began to remove their belongings from their saddles, giving the two a moment of privacy.

  “You seem overly emotional, sister dear,” Cearan whispered in her ear as he held her. “Just like the last time as I recall.”

  Ki tilted her head back to see Cearan’s face. “You know me too well, Cearan. Only Drace has suspected.”

  Cearan released her as he added for her ears only. “You are not the only one. Cerise shares your malady.”

  “Oh really?” Ki replied. “Lexin’s?”

  At Cearan’s nod, Ki grinned. “How wonderful!”

  Remembering her manners, Ki looked at the group. “Come inside, friends and family. We will get you to your rooms to bathe and I will have Estelle fix a feast. You all must be hungry after your long journey.”

  “Let’s dine in our setting room, my love,” Drace added, taking Ki’s arm in his. “I think a private meal would be nice for Riordan’s first night here.”

  “I agree, brother,” Cearan agreed as they made their way into the castle. “I think it best not to announce Riordan’s ties to the family just now. Let us give him a chance to acclimate first.” He looked at Riordan at his side. “Do you agree?”

  Riordan nodded. “Yes. This is all so overwhelming. Let me get to know all of you. I am interested to see these lands without the encumbrance of a title. But what of the men who saw us arrive?”

  Ki laid a hand on his arm as they came into the main hall. “I will take care of that, Riordan. Worry not.”

  Ki found Estelle in the main hall and introductions were made, Riordan giving the name of Canif as his clan. The matronly older woman greeted him as any other visitor, taking him under her wing immediately.

  Her sharp eye took in Cerise and Lexin standing closely together and with a slight toss of her salt and pepper hair in its haphazard bun, she began to issue her orders.