“Perhaps.” Liurn lowered his gaze to the floor, considering Kaori’s words. “But how will we know when we have given enough time? How much more are we going to take?”
“Unfortunately, we must take a great deal more than we have. Public murder of one family is not enough to risk starting a war, which is exactly what we would face if we chose to take on the Emperor.” The thought was frightening. It hadn’t occurred to Kaori before, though now that it was spoken out loud, she saw it with absolute clarity. Liurn proposed an act which would ultimately lead to civil war. Such a thing wasn’t to be taken lightly.
Leaning back in his seat, Liurn relaxed, seeming satisfied with Kaori’s answer. “You are an intelligent woman, Kaori. Whatever happens, you should know that you have my support.”
For the first time in weeks Kaori felt compelled to smile. The expression was foreign, though genuine. She hoped Liurn would be able to see the appreciation in her eyes even if the curve of her lips wasn’t as noticeable as she would have liked. “I am not sure what I have done to garner your respect. I only hope I never do anything to lose it.”
“It is unlikely you will,” Liurn grinned, rising to his feet in a fluid, graceful motion. “I should be on my way. You and your brother are always welcome at my home if you would like to get out of this house for a while. It might be good for you both to take some time away.”
“We will consider it,” Kaori felt her smile widen slightly. Out of respect for her guest, Kaori forced herself to stand, dipping in a quick, polite curtsy. Liurn was a good man. For one still so young, he possessed one of the kindest hearts Kaori had ever seen. It was no wonder her parents fancied him a suitable match for their daughter.
At the sight of Kaori standing before him, Liurn came to pause in front of her, gently taking her hand in his. With a suave smile he bowed low, his lips lightly brushing the skin of Kaori’s knuckles. “Take care of yourself,” he said softly, the glow of his amber eyes brightening somewhat as he gazed at Kaori. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
Suddenly bashful, Kaori demurely lowered her eyes to stare at the floor, her heart fluttering. Something about the way he looked at her was different than usual. More than the typical pleasantries she was accustomed to when saying farewell to the guests who came to call on her and Sivar. When he finally released his hold on her hand she thought her heart might explode. It was a strange sensation. Never had it beat in such a fashion before.
Confused, she stared after Liurn as he walked through the door, the sound of his footsteps slowly disappearing in the distance, leaving her there in the sitting room, alone with her thoughts. Everything felt different. As if some purpose had been restored to her life. People were counting on her? Liurn had to be mistaken. She was just a child… but no. She wasn’t a child anymore. At times it was difficult to remember that simple truth. Life had thrown her for a curve, but she was an adult now. It was up to her to decide what direction she wanted to go.
“Give it time,” she mumbled to herself as she dreamily paced the floor, hands clasped behind her back, lost in thought. It was too soon to start planning anything yet. They needed to see what the Emperor chose to do with the prisoners arrested for no reason other than their choice of religion. Their culture. It was appalling to think the Emperor was capable of stooping so low, but he could go lower still. Only then would she be able to justify risking everything. Simple revenge would make her no better than the General. But this… if the Emperor chose to continue slaughtering innocent people, retaliation would be far different from vengeance. It would be a reckoning for all the sins committed by the Emperor against the Vor’shai. She only hoped it could be her hand which cut him down.
After her conversation with Liurn, Kaori couldn’t bring herself to remain seated any longer. Enough time had been wasted wallowing in self-pity. She needed to get up and start doing something with her life again.
The sun seemed brighter than usual, blinding Kaori as she stepped outside into the gardens behind the Levadis home. A gentle breeze wafted through the spacious area, bringing with it a scent of flowers to ease Kaori’s senses. It was so peaceful. She had almost forgotten how much she loved being there. So many times she could remember sneaking out of the house after Sivar and their father, curious about the lessons which were passed from father to son. In his younger days, their father had been a prominent soldier in the Emperor’s military. One of the best fighters with a bow. Part of her had always been jealous that their father chose to only teach Sivar how to use such weapons. But she was a girl. Her mother insisted that fighting was not becoming of a lady.
She felt almost guilty standing there now, clutching her father’s bow in her hand. If her mother had known the number of times Kaori disobeyed her wishes it would have broken her heart. But there was no way to take it back. What was done was done. All Kaori could do now was try to take what she had and make the best of it. And right now the best idea she had was to practice. Although she witnessed the lessons between Sivar and their father, it was a completely different task to perform the moves herself. If there was a chance that war would come upon their people, she would have to know how to fight.
A makeshift target was arranged on the far end of the gardens, tucked behind a line of hibiscus bushes. The flowers were in full bloom, brightening the area with their vibrant red hue, adding their fragrance to the air as Kaori positioned herself in front of the target. Reminded of her display while at Therek’s home, she was confident in her ability to utilize the bow properly. Her only concern was honing her accuracy. If she was going to fight, her aim needed to be impeccable. A slight misfire could be the difference between life and death.
Reaching into the quiver at her waist, Kaori retrieved an arrow, placing it on the weapon in preparation to shoot. When she released her hold on the string, she watched the tip of the arrow lodge firmly into the target. Despite her success, she wasn’t satisfied. The arrow may have struck, but it was nowhere near the center. More practice was necessary if she wanted to improve.
Quickly she loaded another arrow, drawing the string back, her concentration focused solely on the bullseye. She could do this. It couldn’t be that difficult. Therek had made it look so easy.
Therek. His name always tended to float into her mind regardless of whether she wanted to think about him. She didn’t know how to feel about that man. It was almost infuriating to recall his actions over the past few months, some of which were beyond helpful while others had been more of a hindrance. His closeness with the Emperor made her hesitant to trust him. He and Sulel were friends and that was enough to make him suspect.
Inhaling a breath Kaori let her fingers fall away from the string, watching in anticipation as another arrow cut through the air, embedding itself deep into the heavy fabric of the target. Closer to the center, but not where she had aimed. Still not good enough for a woman expected to lead her people.
“Not bad.”
Kaori gasped at the sudden interruption, spinning around to find herself staring into the very eyes of the man she had been thinking of only moments ago. “Your Grace,” she exhaled, her free hand coming to rest upon her chest in attempts to slow the rapid beat of her heart. “I did not know you were here.”
“Does your brother know what you are doing?” Therek peered at her quizzically, never once moving from where he stood next to the bushes. For some reason the question irritated Kaori, her eyes rolling heavenward. It was always about propriety with him. One of these days Therek might realize that she didn’t care whether society viewed her as a lady.
“A better question would be whether or not I care.”
What looked to be a smirk played at the corners of Therek’s mouth, somehow seeming out of place on his usually sullen features. “I meant no offense. Honestly, I was not certain if you would even respond. You have not been a woman of many words as of late.”
“There have not been any words worth speaking,” Kaori pursed her lips, turning away from Therek to face the targe
t once again. Her attempts at using the weapon no doubt appeared amateur to one of Therek’s skill. Of all the people who could have witnessed her practice, why did it have to be him?
She didn’t dare let him know the real reason behind why she chose to pick up the weapon. If his loyalty remained with the Emperor, he couldn’t be allowed to know that there had been any mention of an uprising. “I thought it might be wise to learn how to utilize a weapon in case the General’s soldiers ever decide to attack me again. Better not to leave survivors who can embellish the story to the Emperor.”
“You chose the bow?” Therek’s brow rose, inquisitive. He looked amused, as if not fully believing what he was being told. “If the soldiers attack, they will most likely be at too close a range for it to be of any use. You would have better luck with a sword.”
“I do not know how to use a sword, and being female, it is unlikely I would find someone willing to teach me.”
“You give up rather quickly for a woman of such tenacity as you have shown,” he mused. “Did you ask anyone? Your brother, perhaps?”
Sivar? It was a humorous thought. “My brother would never teach me. He much prefers I rely on him for protection.”
“What of Lord Torust?”
“He is too close with my brother. He would never be able to keep it a secret if I approached him about such a matter.”
Therek lifted his chin, looking Kaori over with a scrutinizing gaze. “So what excuse have you concocted for not requesting assistance from me?”
Slowly turning back around, Kaori clenched her fingers around the bow. Him? She wanted to laugh. “You?” she chortled. “I have no need for excuses when it comes to you. There are many reasons why you are an unlikely teacher.”
“Such as?”
“Quite frankly, the distance between our homes is reason enough. You cannot be counted upon to visit Rothdara with enough frequency to be of any use to me.”
“You speak as though you are in some hurry to learn how to fight. As a recreational sport, I could easily offer the time to teach you the basics.”
“I do not want the basics,” Kaori shook her head. How could she possibly make him understand without revealing the truth? The situation with the Emperor was too unstable. At any moment the thread which currently held back the desire for war could snap. “I need to know everything there is to know about fighting. My desire is not for simple recreation. It is for protection.”
He watched her. Intrigued. She could tell by the way his eyes followed her every move that he was trying to decipher the truth behind her words. He was smart enough to know there was more buried within their depths than there seemed. “Do you have reason to believe you are in need of immediate protection?”
Shrugging her shoulders, Kaori tried to appear nonchalant. “One can never know,” she replied flatly. “There is discontent within our country. Everyone can sense it. We cannot sit idly by and assume danger is not a possibility.”
“Does this have something to do with the recent decrees of the Emperor?”
“Do they not offend you?” Kaori asked, firm, unyielding. She wanted to know the answer. Friend of the Emperor or not, Therek was still Vor’shai. His rights were being trampled upon as well as everyone else’s. Surely he had an opinion on the matter.
He was quiet for a moment. Pondering the question before giving a response. “Of course they offend me. I have worshipped the Vor’shai gods since I was old enough to speak.”
“Then maybe you can shed some light as to why the Emperor would do such a thing.”
“What makes you think I have any inkling of what goes on in that man’s head?”
“Because you are practically in his bed. When we were at court, he kept you by his side every waking moment…”
“I remained by his side because of political obligation.” Therek’s voice revealed more anger than before, clearly insulted by Kaori’s claims. “Our parents were close. I spent a great deal of time at the palace as a child. When my father passed away, the Emperor’s father took me under his wing. Treated me like his own son. Sulel was like a brother to me.”
“Is that supposed to convince me that you know nothing of how he thinks?”
“No one has ever known what that man is thinking. He was always rash, even as a child. Violent. Vengeful. Power hungry. His father knew of Sulel’s unscrupulous tendencies, which is why he placed me in line as heir to the throne. Sulel was considered a risk because no one could predict what he would do from one moment to the next.”
At his words Kaori recalled something her brother had said the night she met Therek in Siundel. He mentioned Therek’s consideration for the Imperial Crown. Somehow the detail had left her mind, though when she thought on it now, she realized it might have been a helpful memory to hold onto before making the journey with Therek to Eykanua. His close relationship with the Emperor might not have come as such a shock. “If he is like a brother to you, then why do you not argue with him? Tell him why his decision is unfair.”
“I get the feeling you hold some kind of resentment toward me, Lady Kaori. There is a bite to your tone which exceeds even that which I have become accustomed to hearing.”
Dismissive of his remark, Kaori waved her hand. She saw no difference in her mannerisms toward Therek. From the moment they met, the two of them had always possessed a somewhat hostile relationship. Exchanging jabs and insults at one another. Only now, she had no reason to keep it up. In the beginning she’d felt betrayed by him for disregarding her wish to never see him again. Now, after everything that had happened, she should be grateful to him. He had been there for her through it all, arranging the audience with the Emperor, helping her to reach Rothdara to try and complete the rites. It was only by his word that Pehrona and Liurn were made aware of the plans for Kaori’s parents’ execution so they could see Kaori back to Rothdara.
Still, there remained something. A tiny voice at the back of her mind telling her that Therek couldn’t be trusted. That somehow all of this was his fault. His involvement with the incident which placed her parents in prison never ceased to haunt her. “It is nothing,” Kaori lied, averting her gaze so she wouldn’t have to see the burning azure glow of Therek’s eyes. She knew her anger was misplaced. No matter how much she wanted to direct blame on someone else, she knew it was no one’s fault than her own.
“Actions speak louder than words. Your downcast eyes tell me there is something on your mind. I cannot help if you do not tell me why you hate me.”
“Hate you?” Kaori gasped at the accusation. She didn’t hate him. That was one thing she knew with absolute certainty. “I do not hate you. I merely feel that if…” her voice trailed off, thinking better about what she was going to say. Therek would never understand.
Moving away from the bushes Therek took a step closer to Kaori. He was unrelenting. Headstrong. They were alike in so many ways; it was no wonder they had a tendency to spend so much time arguing. “You merely feel what?”
“I said it is nothing.” Drawing her shoulders back, Kaori let her chin jut out proudly. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of victory over her. Defiant, she attempted to move past Therek to leave the target yard, her body halted by Therek’s strong hand holding firm against her chest, preventing her from passing. Anger boiled inside her at the forwardness of his action, slapping at his hand to try and force it away. “Do not touch me, Your Grace. I no longer desire to entertain your company.”
“Tell me why you are angry with me and I will not stop you from leaving.”
“I am angry because you have put your hands on me without my permission.”
“You were angry long before that,” Therek’s voice remained steady. Perfectly calm despite the heatedness of their conversation. “Do not play games with me, Milady. If there is something on your mind, I suggest you speak it now.”
“I am not the one playing games, Your Grace,” Kaori spat, stepping aside to try and pass Therek again. With incredible speed and finesse he intercep
ted, blocking Kaori’s path with his body, the firm muscles of his chest creating a barrier between Kaori and the house. Fighting down her rising anger she stiffened, teeth gritted. “Leave me alone.”
“Why do I offend you so?”
Fists clenched, Kaori couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. It boiled inside, rekindled from the embers which remained from the day of her parents’ execution. Before she could think better of it, the words tumbled forth from her lips, her eyes staring Therek down, throwing the bow to the ground as her hands pounded against his chest in a heated rage. “Because you could have stopped this!” she cried, retracting her fists to wind back, building momentum for another strike. “You knew the truth about what happened with the soldiers and you just stood there and let the General murder my parents!”
Confounded by the accusation Therek stumbled backward under the force of Kaori’s fists, staring at her in bewilderment. “Me?” he exhaled hard under another rain of blows upon his chest. “You were the one who insisted the Emperor not be made aware of my presence. My silence was upon your request. When the Emperor questioned you as to witnesses, you could have named me in your defense at any time…”
“I was trying to protect you! I thought the Emperor would listen to reason. But you knew he wouldn’t!” Kaori’s screams grew louder, echoing through the gardens. She didn’t care who heard. It felt good to finally let the anger out. “You claim your silence was an act of chivalry but it would have been more honorable to give yourself up to save the lives of my parents. Your friends! Instead, you were too worried about your own damned rank and power to risk losing it when you knew your word would carry more weight than my own.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 23