Adalginza hesitated for only a moment. "But of course you are right."
"They are never ridden?" Zartos repeated, sounding almost in agony. "You have eight sturmons, and they are never ridden?"
"They are well cared for. And they pull my wagons, when it is necessary to travel."
Of course, Adalginza would never confess — most especially not to Bruna — that she rode the sturmons all the time in the dark of night when no one could see.
"But someone needs to ride them," Zartos protested.
"The knights are very busy with their duties. They do not have the time to indulge me," Adalginza replied.
She was teasing now, for she recognized the eager hint in the boy's voice.
"I'm sure any Knight of the Crescent Sword would be standing below your window, serenading you, at the merest hint of an invitation to assist you," Kalos observed in amusement. "I can only assume there have been no invitations."
"Not for a while," Adalginza admitted. "However, there was one who once assisted me. He rode the sturmons, after I allowed his courtship. His name was Gradi. A knight from the Fifth House, and cousin of the last captain."
"Now he is dead, along with Captain Trelos." Kalos sounded thoughtful in the observation.
Adalginza dropped her eyes briefly, in a show of grief.
"Lost to his family. Lost to me."
"Good fortune has not been with you in Sola Re, my lady."
Lady Redolo was less sympathetic.
"So you accept favor from only captains or members of their family? Very ambitious of you to see appeal in only the highest-ranking males. Yet you have no notion of who they are, or of what character shapes them. You are a beautiful but empty vessel. I pity you."
Zartos then interrupted, somewhat rudely. "When will we see the sturmons?"
Kalos looked openly pain.
"Forgive us, dear lady. I regret that my entire clan — myself included — lack greatly in the area of social graces. We would never thrive in the royal courts of the Prime Continent, dominated as they are so properly by those of the Houses of the First and Second Crescent Moons. But here in the frontier — "
His voice dwindled.
"Here, it does not matter," Adalginza finished for him. "We must live among the savages anyway, so why not behave as they do?"
In the silence that followed, Adalginza reminded herself that she needed to practice more restraint.
She had wanted to add that her people — the savages they so detested — valued each other so highly that they recognized the importance of each member of the community regardless of status or vocation.
While great homage was given to the leaders of their tribes, the respect was returned. They did not waste time with endless ritual. They were too busy surviving.
She had expected to be censured for her remark, especially from Lady Redolo.
Instead, the older woman lifted her eyebrows in an expression that might even be interpreted as approval.
"In any other House, the likening of ourselves to savages would have been interpreted as a grave insult. You took great risk in those words, Lady Adalginza. So. There is fight under that soft voice. Son, you really must be cautious around this one."
"Fight, yes. She is from the Fifth House, after all," Kalos pointed out.
"The sturmons?" Zartos interrupted again. "Plea-a-se?"
"Mother, take Zartos to the stables. Is that the proper trail over there, Lady Adalginza? Well lighted?"
"Very much so. The lamps extend along both rock walls lining the walkway."
"I take it you have exterminated the snakes? Yes? Go then, Mother. I have matters to discuss with the lady. In private. We will join you later."
"Kalos — "
"Go, Lady Redolo. Do as I say, please."
His voice had not changed its inflection in any way, yet there was something about the way Kalos voiced the request, perhaps in the formal use of her name, that made Redolo immediately and unusually compliant.
She simply nodded, placed her hands on the boy's shoulders and steered him down the path until they were out of sight.
"You have no snakes on your property? You are sure?" Kalos watched them go, his calm manner belying the worry of his words.
"I have taken all the precautions. The screens are up. I walked the trail myself, earlier today."
Adalginza, of course, could not tell him that she also could sense no presence — no cold touch to the mind that identified the reptiles.
"Good. I have that which I would like to discuss with you privately. But first — "
His eyes drifted to the closed outer door leading from the abode into the patio. This directed Adalginza's attention to the shadowy presence revealed below the door, outlined in a slit of lamplight.
Kalos lowered his voice to a whisper. "Someone has been taking great interest in our conversation. Any idea who?"
"There is only one other in my household," Adalginza answered sharply.
She knew what she must do. She swiftly ran to the door, and threw it open — catching Bruna in the act of eavesdropping.
The woman reacted quickly, dropping her head and backing off a few steps.
"I came with a message for the lady."
"She has been there the entire time, since you made your entrance," Kalos observed blandly as he strolled up behind Adalginza.
"Thank you, sir," Adalginza replied sternly. "I shall deal with this."
Adalginza grabbed Bruna's arm, and dragged her out into the patio toward the shed where the chopped wood was kept.
As they entered, she closed the door — taking extra trouble to slide the bolt, lest Kalos get the notion to watch. Then, Adalginza reached for the peg holding the branch whip.
Bruna watched with narrowed eyes.
"You have brought this upon yourself, fool!"
Adalginza screamed the words, both to relieve her own frustration and for the benefit of Kalos who she knew was listening outside.
Then, she raised the whip.
3
Adalginza aimed the first lash of the heavy, flexible branch directly at Bruna's shoulders.
Startled, Bruna brought up both hands to deflect the blow.
But at the last moment, Adalginza diverted the arc and slammed the branch with a loud "slap" onto the wall. She followed up with more fake blows, for the sound effect of punishment that she hoped would convince the listener outside.
Bruna broke into a wicked smile, and dared to murmur in Adalginza's ear.
"You wish you could really do this to me, do you not?" Getting no response, Bruna goaded her further. "Were we in different roles and I were the lady, I would not spare you. I would beat you senseless, in front of the captain. I would enjoy the power. Why do you spare me, Adalginza? Is it because you are weak?"
Adalginza answered with an especially vicious blow to the wall, as she lowered her voice in reply.
"Do you think our visitors are stupid? Have you not yet noticed that the captain misses nothing? You are lucky he did not run you through with his sword. He had the right."
Flinging the branch into the corner of the room, Adalginza reached out and tore the frock Bruna was wearing, down and around her shoulders. An insubordinate slave must show some ill effect from the so-called beating.
"Hold this around you, and run quickly past Kalos — straight to your sleep room. Do not look at him. He will see no pain in your eyes if you do."
Bruna gave a quick nod of her head.
As she turned to go, Adalginza grabbed her arm and held it tightly.
"Tell me why you took such a risk. It was not necessary."
"To spy, of course."
"I am here to report what happens and what is said."
"To spy on you as well, Adalginza."
It was no act when Adalginza flung open the shed door and shoved Bruna out so hard that the woman fell first to her knees. Quickly recovering, she made a pathetic sight as she grasped the ripped frock around her and dashed through the door
, into the abode.
Kalos, arms folded, closely watched the performance. Adalginza moved to close the outer courtyard door after Bruna, but he held up one hand.
"Leave it open," he ordered. "A slave so bold might feel compelled to return. And this way we can watch the interior of your abode to make sure no one is there. You say there are no others in the household?"
Adalginza hesitated, wondering how she would explain the possession of only one slave when she seemingly had such wealth.
"I plan to purchase more."
"We have no slaves in our household," Kalos reassured her. "I see no shame in the lack."
He strolled over to the jar of nectar, and ladled two more drinks for himself and Adalginza. He handed a cup to her, as though she were the guest. She drank deeply, watching him curiously as she did so.
"You have no slaves?" she asked. "But — who performs your chores?"
"We do." At her expression, he laughed outright. "Please. You act as though I confessed to relieving myself in the public square. Doing one's own chores has its honor. And what we are unable to do for ourselves, we hire done from among the commoners of the Crescent Houses. Perhaps you should consider doing the same."
Adalginza sat on the wooden bench by the doorway, mainly to keep watch and make sure Bruna did not reappear.
"I had not given much thought to hiring the commoners. Maybe I will take your advice."
Kalos strolled to the doorway, to casually inspect what he could see of the interior of her dwelling.
Then he stood for a moment, as if listening for any sign of trouble from the stables. He gave a quick nod, seemingly satisfied with the quiet. Adalginza could see that he was always the warrior, always on alert.
Kalos turned back to her.
"You have never visited the Prime Continent, or you would better understand the importance of commoners."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. They are the foundation of the Crescent Houses. They teach the children, run the shops, create the goods, transport the merchandise, and otherwise make sure the world functions as it should."
"But they are not high in status. And they cost by far more than slaves in wages."
"Again, spoken like a true lady of the Fifth House." Kalos did not make those words sound like a compliment. "Those of us with royal blood indulge ourselves at the expense of the commoners of our Houses, who so foolishly pay homage to us. It is an unjust system. It should be ended."
"I — do not understand your words," she answered softly.
It was a lie. She understood perfectly that this was a man she could like — immensely — under different circumstances.
"Of course not," Kalos mumbled. "And that is unfortunate."
"Tell me. Why is it that you have no slaves?"
"Different reasons. Security is one. With all this talk of a revolt, does it not worry you that your slave was caught listening at the door?"
"This displeases you still." Adalginza dropped her eyes demurely. "I will have her executed for you, sir."
Kalos held up one hand in protest.
"Not necessary. See this incident only as a lesson in caution. Be aware, too, of the hatred in your servant's eyes when she regards you. I say this only for your sake."
"I understand now. You keep no slaves because you know they can be treacherous."
"There is more to it than that. But, for now, this is an answer that will suffice."
Kalos turned his head in a slow half circle, checking his surroundings and listening carefully, before he strolled over to Adalginza.
He sat beside her on the bench. Then he took her hands, burying them inside his massive ones, as he gave her a beseeching look.
Adalginza did not expect the thrill that jolted her from his touch. But he seemed impervious to the effect he was having on her, as he earnestly spoke again.
"In your own household, become the watcher instead of the watched. If your slave is part of a conspiracy, she could lead us to information that could save many lives. Do you agree to this?"
Adalginza nodded mutely.
"Good." Kalos dropped her hands. "There could be danger."
"I have no fear."
"I believe you, but fear anyway. Fear, too, can save lives."
"Then this is why you wished to speak to me alone?"
"This. And another matter."
Kalos regarded her with almost a dreamy, faraway look.
"I do not wish to offend, for it is clear to me you have lived a very sheltered existence here in the frontier. Still, I must ask something of you that might satisfy what can only be described as lust."
Thinking she grasped his meaning, Adalginza hastily and clumsily spoke to reassure him.
"Sir, I would be most honored to serve as your bedmate. And only your bedmate. In my House, this is no disgrace. I expect no exchange of vows, even of the most casual sort."
Bright spots of red instantly appeared on his cheeks.
"Lady, this is most gracious of you, but… Oh, I am such an oaf. How can I put this?"
"I understand what you are about to say," she interrupted anxiously. "I appreciate what your mother was so hasty to reveal — that you are already as good as betrothed. But, sir. I ask only your companionship for the duration of your service in Sola Re. In turn, I can provide you with much satisfaction. At your convenience, of course. At the appropriate time, any bond between us will be severed."
Adalginza knew she was chattering and behaving in anything but a sophisticated manner. But she did not expect the anguish in his expression.
"I am, genuinely, an oaf."
Captain Kalos smiled painfully at her — then took her right hand, rolling down the glove to expose soft skin that he kissed gently.
The mere touch of his lips on her skin aroused a warm response. And much to her own surprise, Adalginza found herself anticipating the rest of what was to come.
His fingers caressed hers, though the glove. "I am greatly honored. Please know that. But I must reject your kind offer."
Adalginza yanked her hand away, instantly feeling the sting of rejection.
"Why? Because you are about to be betrothed?"
"For clarification, I am not that far along in the relationship. It has been discussed, but there has been no formal announcement. It is my mother who would have it so, though I am — affectionate — toward the lady in question."
"Then why do you turn me away?" Adalginza was genuinely mystified.
"If you will think back, the answer was given already. Our House values learning. Yours does not." His tone was kind though condescending.
"What does it matter? Sir, even without education, I am well-spoken and well mannered."
"I say it again. You are a lady of the House of the Fifth Crescent Moon."
"And in your eyes, I might just as well be a savage." Adalginza spoke in true anger, though she did not miss the irony of her own words.
"Actually — savages educate their young. All of their young."
"I am not even as good as a savage?"
Adalginza leaped to her feet, for this comparison would be an unspeakable affront to any lady of any Crescent House.
Kalos reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her gently back down beside him.
"Please. I did not intend to demean you. I was simply pointing out factual information. A curse of my House. We are always pointing out matters of information that are of little interest to other people."
"I will sit for no more of this — "
Adalginza made a move as if to go, but Kalos firmly held onto her arm.
"Please. Stay. Perhaps at this time I should get to the point of this meeting, before you put your whip to me next."
"Perhaps you should." The haughty anger in Adalginza's tone was not feigned.
"Very well, then. The House of the Seventh Crescent Moon, Lady Adalginza. Have you heard of such a thing mentioned in the frontier?"
"I — " Adalginza opened her mouth to speak further, then closed it aga
in. She could think of nothing to say in response.
"You are shocked at the name spoken aloud, just as I expected you would be. Forgive me." Kalos sighed, then shrugged. "But you already have seen me for what I am. Insensitive and indelicate. So I will continue, as long as your lovely ears can stand to hear the rest."
"And what if I choose not to hear the rest?" Adalginza played along, because she wasn't sure what a civilized lady of a Crescent House should say.
"Please. Indulge me. It means everything to me. What do you know of the House of the Seventh Crescent Moon?"
Bewildered at the unexpected turn of the conversation, Adalginza desperately searched her memory.
The mysterious Seventh House was considered so sacred that it was never to be openly spoken of among the remaining Houses. That much she had discerned through her long association with the invaders.
Still, while the name meant nothing to her, she tried to look appropriately scandalized.
"I know only that we could be imprisoned for speaking of it. Is this a test, then? Will you have me jailed for tolerating your indiscretion? You then would have rights to my property, and your wealth would grow."
Kalos chuckled. "The Fifth House is known for its suspicions of betrayal. And no wonder, considering how most of the royal blood of your House acquired their own riches."
"Now you dare to insult my House and its leaders?"
"Please. I did not mean it that way. Your wealth means little to me. On the Prime Continent, my clan has amassed a fortune beyond anything you can imagine."
"Then why did you come here?" Adalginza was genuinely astonished.
"Not by necessity. I joined the Knights of the Crescent Sword so that I could seek appointment to the frontier. I convinced my family to join me because — well — I am on a quest of sorts. And I needed their help."
"This has a romantic sound to it, I suppose."
"It no longer does to me. I brought death upon my clan because they followed me here."
"I am sorry," Adalginza said, and meant it.
"Zartos is now an orphan, because of me. This weighs heavily upon my shoulders. And yet, may the moon gods forgive me, I still cannot release the thirst. The whisperings are many on the Prime Continent that it is here, in the frontier, where answers about the lost Seventh House can be found."
Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) Page 4