The Bastard’s Pearl

by Connie Bailey

  “You may well look surprised, but once Djeyd suggested it, I could see it was the ideal solution.”

  “You leave Savaan without an heir.”

  “Until your father names another, you are still his heir.”

  “Will you have me rule two kingdoms, then?”

  “We’ll speak of that when Nakhol of Savaan dies.”

  Kholya nodded. “If this is your will, I accept.”

  “Good. We’ll speak more of it later, but I want you to cleanse Taar Muergan and all Muergath of the Red Temple’s stain. Make this place a worthy home for Djulz… or Velvet, if you prefer.”

  “It will be as he prefers, sire. The rest of his life will be one of ease without fear. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Djulyan gave Kholya’s shoulder a squeeze. “See that you do.” He smiled. “And let him visit the Misty Vales from time to time.”

  “Whenever he wishes, and I hope you won’t be a stranger to my court.”

  “You make me hopeful for Kandaar’s future. Perhaps it’s unmanly of me, but I’m weary of war.”

  “I wish Kashyan might have lived to see such days.” Kholya’s lips curved in a slight smile. “I’m not sure where he’d fit in a world without battles, but I wish he had lived.”

  “Walk with me to my tent. There is one more thing I’d like to discuss.” Djulyan cleared his throat as they started off with the royal guards around them. “What will become of Pearl?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ve just made him a captain in my army.”

  “I didn’t think the day had any surprises left in it.” Djulyan cleared his throat again. “Your men are willing to follow a daaksi?”

  “The Black Hawks are. They already have.”

  “I’ve seen Pearl fight, and he’s skilled with that pretty blade of his, but I can’t quite make myself believe it. He’s a daaksi.”

  “I’ve learned a lot from Velvet,” Kholya said. “Daaksim are not inhuman creatures designed for one purpose. They’re flesh and bone like you and I, and they have all the same feelings, the same fears and desires as anyone else. For hundreds of years, they’ve been forced into a rigid and narrow nature that perverts their original purpose.” He took a breath. “I believe Pearl is the embodiment of that original purpose.”

  “You’re an educated man, so I suppose I should accept your opinion. Djeyd agrees with you.”

  “Whether you do or not, Pearl will make you change your mind before he’s done.”

  “What is it he’s doing with your cavalry?” Djulyan asked as they came in sight of his pavilion.

  “To honor Kashyan’s spirit, Pearl has dedicated himself to destroying every trace of Taankh’s worship.” Kholya stopped as the royal guards hailed the sentries outside Djulyan’s tent. “I think this campaign will ease his grief. At the least, it will keep him busy.”

  “Then he has my blessing.” Djulyan turned to acknowledge the guard captain and then addressed Kholya again. “I’ll say good night. Take my best wishes to your companion.”

  “I will, sire.” Kholya bowed and left for his tent.

  Kholya found Luks and Sheyn entwined in sleep and quietly removed his clothing. He blew out the oil lamps and candles and lay down beside the daaksim. Carefully, he pressed himself to Luks’s back and put an arm around him. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but before he knew it, morning had come.

  Chapter 27

  LUKS STIRRED and instinctively nestled into the warmth at his back.

  “Are you awake?” Kholya asked.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Kholya pulled Luks into an embrace, turning the young man to face him. “How would you feel about living in the palace of Taar Muergan?”

  “My lord?”

  “The high king has offered me Muergath’s throne.”

  Luks was quiet for a few moments, and then he asked, “Could Pearl live with us?”

  “If you wish it.”

  “I do wish it. He’s all alone now.” Luks looked over his shoulder at the empty space where Sheyn had slept. “I heard him get up before first light.”

  “He’s probably with the Hawks.”

  “I worry about him so much.”

  Kholya kissed Luks’s forehead. “I know. You’re as beautiful as a daydream, but it’s your kind heart that made me love you.”

  Luks smiled shyly. “Does my lord wish to…?”

  “Of course I do, but I don’t think this is a good time for bedplay.” Kholya sighed. “Kandaar is changing, and I think soon the days will be gone when a man ate, fought, slept, rutted, and shat whenever and wherever he felt like it.”

  “Are you sorry?”

  “I think we’ll be a better people when we stop seeing others as property.”

  “You haven’t answered my question,” Luks said boldly.

  “Haven’t I?”

  “Maybe you have. I’ll think about it. Now, my lord, if you have no pressing business, will you go and see that Pearl is safe? The thought of him alone with twenty-four young warriors….”

  “What do you fear will happen to him?”

  Luks sat up. “Are you joking?”

  “Do you really think a man of Kashyan’s troop would harm Pearl or allow Pearl to be hurt?”

  “They’re men—warriors—and he’s a daaksi.”

  “I’ll go and find him to ease your mind, but I truly believe Pearl can look after himself now.”

  Luks rose and donned a robe of white silk. “I remember when I first saw him,” he said as he went to put the khai kettle on the brazier. “I could see that he was confused and terrified, but no one would have known it by his face. He looked as fierce as a hawk defending a nest. I knew as soon as I saw him he was trouble. I could hardly stand to be in the room with his defiance and Lord Ognyan’s desire to dominate him.”

  Kholya finished putting on his uniform of kilt and tunic. “Ognyan won’t be bothering anyone like that again,” he said as buckled on his sword belt.

  “Ognyan was never Pearl’s master,” Luks said softly.

  Kholya swallowed. “Only one man could have been that,” he said in a voice squeezed small by sorrow.

  Luks came across the floor, and Kholya opened his arms to him. For several minutes they stood in silence with Luks wrapped securely in Kholya’s strong arms, his head resting on Kholya’s chest. “I can’t believe how lucky I am,” Luks said. “I feel guilty being so happy when you’re so sad.”

  Kholya kissed Luks’s auburn curls before he let him go. “I’m truly glad you feel lucky to be with me. I’ll go now and see about Pearl. There’s also the rest of my army to be called from Karkaran Fortress, and your father has asked me to attend him today.”

  At the words “your father,” tears flooded Luks’s eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy. “I’ll begin packing such belongings as we brought with us,” he said. “I’ll be ready to move to the palace when you give the word.”

  “I’ll send the quartermaster a message to loan you some men.”

  “Thank you, but I’d rather do it myself, my lord.”

  “As you prefer.” Kholya ran a hand over Luks’s hair and walked from the tent.

  It didn’t take the commander long to find Pearl. As he’d expected, Sheyn was with the Black Hawks. When Kholya reached the meadow where the cavalry mounts were kept, he found a ring of men, jostling and shouting, and for a moment his heart froze. And then he heard the sounds of metal on metal, and a wave of relief swept through him. Kholya pushed his way into the circle and saw Pearl fighting a Black Hawk called Kaastas. As he watched, Pearl swayed fluidly to one side to avoid a thrust and brought the hilt of his saber down on Kaastas’s wrist. Kaastas’s sword fell from his numb fingers, and he went to one knee in surrender.

  “Pearl!” Kholya called out. “I would speak with you.”

  Sheyn sheathed his sword and followed Kholya away from the troop.

  “You’ve gotten even better with that blade,” Kholya said. “But I’m a little surprised Kaastas
gave in so quickly. Losing your sword is no reason to stop fighting.”

  “This is how we practice. When a man is disarmed, the bout is over.”

  “I see.” Kholya stopped beneath a large tree. “Velvet is worried about you.”

  “I’m honored that someone like Velvet cares enough about me to worry, but I have a mission.”

  Kholya started to speak and then changed his mind about what he would say. “High King Djulyan had given his blessing to your mission.”

  “That’s very kind of him.”

  “Yes, it is.” Kholya glanced at the young man’s face and saw no trace of emotion. “You’ve been riding Karkaran. Would you like to keep him?”

  “Do you think you could take him from me?”

  “Pearl, I know you’re grieving, so I make allowances but—”

  “If it’s too much effort for you, then don’t bother. I don’t need your leave or your tolerance.” Sheyn’s voice grew in pitch. “If I wished it, I would ride from here now with all your men at my back. You speak to me as though I’m still that lost boy Kashyan rescued. You have no idea what I’ve become.”

  Kholya met Sheyn’s eyes for a long moment before he looked away, shaken by the fathomless, frozen dark. “You’re right. I’ve no idea what you are. Do as you please, then. For Velvet’s sake, you’ll have the protection of my name, whether you want it or not.” He took a deep breath. “We move today to the palace. Velvet will set aside rooms for you.”

  “Thank you.” Sheyn turned on his heel and walked purposefully back to the troop.

  Later that day, the Black Hawks conducted their second raid under Pearl’s command. In the town of Gathmaar, they attacked the local temple of Taankh, killing those who resisted and gathering the rest in the town square. The Servants who renounced the God of Death were spared, and those who didn’t were executed. The farmers and merchants who’d lived under the rule of Taankh’s Servants cheered as the men who’d stolen so many of their children were put to death. When the swift beheadings were over, Sheyn called upon the power that came more and more easily to his hand. He no longer had need of the black powder. With a gesture and his will, he blasted the temple with the force of his fiery hate and left it to burn to the ground. And thus the pattern was set for the days to come.

  EACH NIGHT after raiding, Sheyn fell into an exhausted sleep and dreamed vivid dreams of Kashyan. The dreams were always of Kashyan alone in the dark he’d feared so much in life. And sometimes Sheyn woke convinced that the battle with the God of Death had been nothing but a nightmare and Kashyan was still alive. But the illusion never lasted for long, and he rose to plunge into the day’s battle to distract himself from his grief. He vowed he would not rest until all of Taankh’s temples were ashes.

  News of Pearl’s campaign spread, and people spoke with wonder of a daaksi who commanded warriors. After a time, others took up the banner, and Red Temples were burned in every nation. Songs began to be sung about the moon-haired daaksi on the big blue horse who came from the west to destroy the evil cult of Taankh.

  None of this eased Sheyn’s grief as he had supposed it would. After three seasons, the feeling of loss was as keen as the moment the Gate had closed. And when at last he turned Karkaran’s head back toward Taar Muergan, he did so with no sense of joy.

  Luks, however, was delighted to receive the news that Pearl had returned and was in the palace. Throwing a light robe over his loincloth, he hurried to the guest quarters.

  “Pearl!” Luks called out as he entered the chamber set aside for his friend’s use. He got no answer and passed through the antechamber into the sitting room. “Pearl?”

  Sheyn turned from the window with its view of the life-sized statue of Kashyan astride Karkaran with his sword raised in challenge. “I miss him,” he said brokenly.

  “Of course you do,” Luks said as he stroked Sheyn’s hair. “He was your lord and your love.”

  “I miss the way he teased me and ordered me around. I miss the way it felt to be in his presence. I even miss his stubbornness… and more.”

  “Tell me,” Luks said gently.

  “I can’t. It’s too embarrassing.”

  “You miss his body?”

  Fresh tears flowed down Sheyn’s face. He nodded. “I never thought I would miss his touch so fiercely. At times, I remember how he made me catch fire like dry grass and I can scarcely breathe. I burn for him and there is nothing now that can quench the flames.”

  “That’s normal.”

  “Did you miss Yevdjen like this? If you did, I’m sorry I wasn’t more understanding.”

  “No.” Luks wiped Sheyn’s tears away. “I didn’t have a true bond with him, though we each pretended it was so.”

  “But you love Kholya.”

  “With all my heart. He is everything I could wish for.”

  “He’s a good man. The Muergathim are lucky to have such a king.”

  “I’m glad they accepted him so quickly.”

  “They see him as their savior. He delivered them from the nightmare of being ruled from the Red Temple. They don’t have to worry anymore about their children being taken away and used as sacrifices in nasty rituals.”

  “It’s you… and Prince Kashyan they should thank.”

  “I don’t need their gratitude but I rather like the statue. I think Kasha would’ve liked it too.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Luks said. “And looks so much like him.”

  “The sculptor did well enough with the face, but I think Kasha would’ve liked the big sword, and the way Karkaran is rearing with his mane and tail flying.”

  “It’s a grand statue.” Luks watched Sheyn’s face as he talked, alert for signs of fatigue, distress, or madness. He didn’t approve of Sheyn riding with the Hawks and killing Taankh’s priests with his own hands. He didn’t understand why Sheyn couldn’t give his orders and let the soldiers do the bloody work.

  “Because it’s my work to do,” Sheyn said, meeting Luks’s gaze.

  “Don’t!” Luks gave Sheyn a reproachful look. “You promised you wouldn’t listen to my thoughts.”

  “Sometimes I can’t help it.”

  “Why won’t you let Djeyd teach you how to block it out?”

  “Has he been here again?”

  “He’s here now with the high king.”

  “Djulyan’s here?” Sheyn finally smiled. “Did he bring any of your brothers? I truly believe that someday you’ll meet all of them.”

  “He doesn’t have that many sons.”

  “I thought there were thirty, thirty-one counting you.”

  “Twelve.” Luks tweaked Sheyn’s nose. “Are you coming to dinner?”

  “I suppose I have to eat sometime.” Sheyn rose. “Can I assume you’ve provided suitable clothing?”

  “You can.” Luks pointed to a small door in the east wall. “Would you like to see?”

  “How long before we eat and who will be there?”

  “Kholya will be there and Djulyan and Djeyd, of course. I think you should dress now and come keep me company.”

  “I could as soon resist a kitten as that look on your face. Very well. Show me the clothes I’ll be wearing.”

  Sometime later, Luks led Sheyn from Sheyn’s quarters to the royal apartment. Sheyn wore a clinging silk robe of bright Savaani red belted with gold. The small golden discs that hung from the belt chimed together as he walked, creating a musical ringing. His hair had grown long enough for Luks to plait into swirling, bejeweled patterns on the sides. Along the top and back, the loose hair had been coaxed into a mane by Luks’s skill and a jar of beeswax. More jewels gleamed in his recently pierced ears and the wide bracelets on his forearms. It was a look of barbaric splendor, but he found it suited him now.

  “I feel a bit plain beside you,” Luks said. “But wait until you see the gown I’m going to wear.”

  “I look forward to seeing you in it,” Sheyn said as they emerged into the large courtyard in front of the royal quarters. He stopped abrup
tly. “What is this?” he asked.

  “Surely you recognize your own men,” Djulyan said as he came forward.

  Sheyn stared at the twenty-four mounted Black Hawks assembled in the courtyard. Each man wore a new uniform of black leather with a black-and-red hawk crest on the breast. Every horse had new tack of silver-studded black leather. As one, the troopers drew their new swords and raised them in a salute to their leader.

  “Do you like your present?” Djulyan asked.

  “Your Glory,” Sheyn said with a bow. “It’s a magnificent gift.”

  “Consider it a reward for ridding my land of a great evil.”

  “Thank you.” Sheyn bowed again. After telling his men how fine they looked, he dismissed them with orders to enjoy themselves. He turned to find Djulyan with an arm around Luks’s shoulders. Luks’s smile warmed Sheyn’s heart for a few moments. “Thank you,” he said again.

  “You’re most welcome,” Djulyan said. “And now, I’ll leave you to prepare for the feast.”

  The high king left, and Luks and Sheyn continued to the royal apartment. Everywhere Sheyn saw the influence of Luks’s quietly elegant style, and he remarked on it.

  Luks’s blushed with pleasure at the compliments. “I took great enjoyment in having a free hand with the furnishings,” he said as they entered his private sitting room.

  Djeyd got up from a comfortable chair, swallowed the bite of cake in his mouth, and greeted Luks and Sheyn. “I hope you don’t mind. A servant let me in to wait for you.”

  “Of course not,” Luks said. “You can talk with Pearl while I dress.”

  Sheyn shot Luks a glare that said his friend would pay for this later. Ignoring Djeyd, he sat at the other end of the table and heaped a plate with cold meat, cheese, and honey cakes.

  “Would you like some wine or water?” Djeyd asked.

  “Is your blood on offer?”

  “Still so full of anger.”

  “It makes me strong.”

  “It will burn you hollow.”

  “Until then, it will keep me warm.”

  Djeyd yanked the plate away from Sheyn. Sheyn leaped to his feet, reaching for the saber he’d left in his room. They faced each other across the table, eyes locked, each determined not to break the stare first.