“According to legend, the great God Arahtok, the lion god, had given this land to us and our people were going to take it back.
“Two summer turnings of war and finally we were victorious and the northern lands were ours once more, but at great cost. Only a small number of the many men returned. Again our women and babies faced starvation. The few men who had come home were weak from the wars. The women gathered and together they prayed to Arahtok to save them. They stayed together for a seven-day, praying day and night for deliverance. At last, their prayers were answered and Arahtok himself appeared before them, together with his mate, Tala, the goddess of women.”
Cearan paused for affect, looking at each member of the party. The others had heard the tale many times, but Drace sat enthralled, Ki watching him intently. Cearan continued. “All the women fell to their knees. ‘Help us, O Great One! Please hear us.’
“Arahtok spread his arms for silence. ‘I have heard the pleas of the faithful. My mate has heard them. She has wept many tears. I will help you. Despair no more.’
“Arahtok spoke again to the women, ‘I will give you part of the soul of the lion, panther, or snow leopard. You will become these at will and you will be able to hunt for your families. Your men will become strong again and will be able to hunt at your side. There are many women and few men. The women who have lost their mates will be visited by a great lion who will breathe his essence into them and they will conceive a great warrior child.’
“It is thought that the great lion that visited the women was Arahtok himself in his other shape,” Cearan explained to Drace, and then he continued, “Arahtok told the women, ‘in exchange for these gifts I ask you to protect this land fiercely and all that live on it. Only kill what you need to survive, or in self-defense. Some land must be kept so the dragons that have lived and fought at your side will have hunting grounds. They have powerful magic. Look to them for guidance and as guardians. Become the allies of the elves and dwarfs. Together you will prosper.’
“The northern people had not been the enemies of the elves and dwarfs but had been afraid of them for they were much older races and had prospered in their own lands.
“The women were frightened, but agreed to this. Arahtok continued, ‘I will grant this, but understand in other worlds the lion part of your spirit would not survive long and you would eventually perish. Beware of magic that tells you differently. I will separate the northern lands by great mountains except for one pass and the sea. Not all southern people are evil and you may trade with the good, but guard this pass well. In winter none may enter your lands this way so that you may rest along with the land. The southern people will always covet these lands, but with these gifts you will survive. There will come a time you will need these gifts again. The dragons will be there to help.’
“Arahtok was finished and he left to make his mountains. The earth trembled terribly as the mountains rose and blocked the south. Tala, who was good and kind, instructed the women on the use of the lion powers and the limits. Then she too left to help her mate build the mountains. In the next few years, the grazers had very good breeding years and their numbers increased quickly. The crops were plentiful and the people began to flourish, thanks to the gifts of Arahtok.”
Cearan spread his arms wide and then lowered them to his lap. “That is how the clans came to be. Arahtok deemed the Lion-kin clans would rule and be the main protectors of all the others as we are in his image. It is a great honor, blessed be Arahtok, blessed be his mate, Tala.”
Ki and the two warriors of the clan bowed their heads and repeated the blessing.
Cearan rose to his feet. “I will take first watch with Zol.” He moved to the man who had stood outside the group and together they melted into the dark.
Ki excused herself, went to her tent and disappeared inside. Drace sat, staring into the fire, thinking on Cearan’s story. Ka’ Ril gently touched Drace’s arm, after Tren excused himself and went to the tent he was sharing with Zol.
Drace looked questioningly at him. “Go on,” Ka’ Ril encouraged. “Do you understand what makes her the way that she is now? She could not change if she wanted to, for it is ingrained very deeply into the souls of all Werre.”
Drace nodded and stood, then went to stand outside her tent. He scratched the cover and asked to enter. The tents were fashioned to be transported for battle use. Three short boards fit together to form a triangular support for the front and back, and three longer boards fit into the triangle’s points to make the sides. Elk hides, tanned to suppleness almost like canvas, were stretched over the frame.
Vashti saw Drace duck into the tent and then gazed at her husband, “His reaction today was of the heart, not his head.”
Ka’ Ril looked lovingly at his wife, “I know the feeling well,” he informed her, then stood and held out his hand to her. “Come, you have next watch with Tren. Let us get some sleep. Wake me after your watch and I will get Drace.”
Drace had been admitted into Ki’s tent and knelt inside under the low cover. Ki lay in her bedding in just her long shirt. She beckoned him to lay with her. He sat down next to her to pull off his boots and realized some of the bedding was some he had gathered that morning. He raised an eyebrow in her direction.
“Vashti, I think; or perhaps Ka’Ril,” she offered and lay back with a yawn.
“Tired?” Drace asked as he pulled off his shirt.
She had left her hair braided and was toying with the end of it. “A bit.”
Drace sat there for a moment, feeling hesitant with her, “I’ll be back in a minute,” he said and crawled back out.
Ki heard him somewhere behind the tent urinating. He stepped on something on the way back and cursed. Drace tried to hop on one foot and duck through the opening at the same time, which didn’t work; he flopped gracelessly beside her. They both burst out laughing.
“It’s getting cool out there,” he commented as he crawled under the blankets.
“I thought it might or I would not have hunted.” That comment seemed to put a damper on things for a minute.
Ki put a hand on Drace’s bare chest, “You are cold. Come, let me warm you.” She scooted closer to him and curled against his side. He lay on his back with an arm behind his head. He pulled her closer with his free arm.
He stared at the top of the tent, saying “You almost gave me a heart attack today.”
Ki rubbed her check against his skin. “I am sorry for that.”
“Don’t be. Listening to this legend helped me understand this is who you are. I can’t change that, nor would I. I must accept that things are very different in this world.”
Ki lay still next to him but Drace could feel her tense, “Drace, do you want to go back to your world? You can if you wish it.”
“Yeah, I know. Nimbus told me that weeks ago.” He rubbed her arm, alternating between his whole palm and his fingertips. He was getting drowsy now that he was warmer. “I think I’ll stick around for awhile if you don’t mind.”
He felt her instantly relax beside him. The hand that rested on his chest now started to make its way south.
His eyes were closed but he was not asleep.
“You seem to have a problem, my Lord,” Ki quipped
Drace lay still, letting her touch him through his pants, “It’s only a problem if I’m trying to sleep.”
The lace at the top of his breeches came loose and she slipped her hand inside. “We’re not exactly alone here,” he reminded her.
“I think I can be quiet,” She moved under the blanket and straddled him.
He smiled up at her, “I don’t know if I can, if you bite me like this morning.”
He felt her laugh as she freed him from his pants then tugged them down further. He gasped as she sank down on him, already eager for him, and he arched under her, sinking deeper into her. His breath hissed through his teeth, and then he sighed, “Mmm, now I’m warmer.”
He took her by the hips but let her set her own pace
. He was going to die. They would find bits and pieces of him in the trees and bushes for months to come because he was going to fly apart with the intensity of the pleasure.
He heard a whimper from her and felt her release coming. If she felt what he was feeling she was not going to be quiet. He reached up quickly and pulled her into a deep kiss at the same time he exploded deep inside her, catching her moan in his mouth. His hips came back on the ground as she slid boneless against his chest, complete in her pleasure as well.
He settled her beside him and tugged his pants up with one hand. The laces were just going to have to wait until later, along with finding all the scattered parts of him.
Drace could tell by how still Ki had become she was already asleep. He pulled the blankets back over them and lay listening to the crickets and night birds for a moment until he too fell asleep.
Chapter Ten
DRACE WALKED BACK into camp with Ka’ Ril as the sun rose. The smell of frying meat and something familiar assailed his nostrils. “Oh my God, please tell me that’s coffee.”
Ki handed him a steaming mug. He sniffed it and rolled his eyes skyward with pleasure. He took a cautious sip. It wasn’t exactly coffee. It was better. Those high priced coffee shops could go hang for all he cared. He took another sip then kissed Ki full on the mouth in front of everyone.
She gasped and he could tell she was getting her dander up about the public display. He leaned over to her, “Relax darlin’,” he drawled, “I think they have all figured it out.”
Ki held out a second mug and hoped he did not notice the slight shaking of her hand. She cleared her throat. “I have some hot water if you wish to shave.”
“Oh cool,” he said and downed the rest of his coffee.
“No, it is hot. I checked it myself.” Her brows were drawn together in confusion.
“No, Ki, that’s an expression. I meant that was very nice of you. Thank you.”
He took the cup of hot water from her and went to their tent for his razor.
Ki watched his loose-hipped walk. He moved gracefully for such a large man. She blushed as she admired him. Embarrassed by her thoughts, she turned back to help Vashti with breakfast.
The group had been on the road for an hour when Ka’ Ril spotted a cloud of dust. He rode ahead and came back within minutes, saying, “It is the foresters heading for the stronghold; five wagons and eleven men.”
“Is Solomon’s mate with him?” Ki asked.
“Not that I saw.” Ka’ Ril turned his horse back in the wagon train’s direction.
Ki looked at Drace, “The foresters trade firewood with us, and they make the best lances. Solomon will be bringing in a load I expect,” she explained
“Come,” she said. She kicked Valor into a canter. “Let us see if he has any news.”
The rest of the group followed, meeting up with the wagon train in a low spot on the plain. The land was starting to get hillier, the wagons’ tracks disappearing over a rise.
The five wagons were each pulled by a four-horse team. Four were loaded to capacity with firewood, and the fifth one was loaded with horse lances, complete except for the metal tip; each about fifteen feet long and close to twenty pounds.
The man Ki had referred to as Solomon drove the wagon, which contained lances. Seated beside him was a young man who, judging by his likeness, had to be his son. Drace deduced that the men belonged to the snow leopard clan. All the men had rather short, mottled, white blonde hair and roundish faces with big yellow green eyes. They weren’t very tall, around five-six or seven; although it was hard for Drace to tell as they were all sitting. None of the men were built big, but each was broad chested and appeared strong, including the youngster. Two men rode on three of the four wagons.
Three sat on the last wagon. All eleven looked to be related.
Ki was already in conversation with the older man. “Drace, this is Solomon and his youngest son,” she introduced.
Drace stood in his stirrups and shook the man’s hand. He noticed that the gentleman seemed a bit nervous.
Ki must have noticed also as she asked, “Where is Dura and your eldest?”
“I sent Lask back for his mother. She took the notion to clean while we were gone. The boys and I came across some dogue sign and I thought to fetch her to us to be safe. They should have been here by now I would have guessed,” the man replied.
“We are headed that way. We will check on the situation,” Ki offered. Solomon nodded, “Thank you, my Lady. That is most kind.”
She motioned to the two warriors and had them give Solomon both hindquarters from the elk. “That will save you time hunting.”
Ki looked over at Drace, “I would introduce you to all his sons but not even Solomon can remember all their names.” She gave the patriarch an amused smile.
“These are all your sons? Well, that’s, um, great sir,” Drace said, amused as well. He could only imagine what it would be like to keep up with so many sons.
Solomon laughed, “They are the results of long winters, forcing us indoors.”
Solomon’s team of horses suddenly jumped in their traces. Everyone’s hands went to their weapons and they looked around. The other four teams were also becoming agitated. Pride’s ears came up, and he squealed, which took Drace by surprise.
One of the packhorses jerked loose from Zol and took off bucking. Ki, Cearan, and the two Werren warriors drew their swords while the elf couple produced bows. Solomon’s family bristled with various weapons; they came from every cranny of the wagons. Drace hand went to his sword hilt; he was unsure why.
Pride raised his head in the direction of the wagon’s trail and squealed again, this time he kicked out with one hind leg.
“Oh shit!” Drace whispered as a lathered horse galloped madly over the hill, carrying two riders.
The woman was holding on for dear life to the man in front of her as he lashed the horse onward with its reins. The horse stumbled, managed to right itself, and ran on.
Drace caught the sound of a strange barking behind it as Ki informed, “Dogue.” The one word sounded like a curse. Ki spurred her horse towards the oncoming rider; the rest of her group followed.
Drace grabbed a lance from the wagon; thankful the lances were carefully stacked, but not strapped down. He kicked Pride into a gallop, settling the lance in an attack position as they flew toward the riders. The black stallion’s ancestry of warhorses came to the front as he pinned his ears and went forward willingly.
Over the hill came three dogues. They were much larger than the hyenas he had seen on television and in zoos, but were built the same. The dogues were colored like zebras, although the stripes were more muted. Drace was certain they were intent on killing the horse and the riders they pursued.
Cearan and Ki rode toward the beasts, intent on separating them from the man and woman, but their horses were beginning to panic and were losing speed. Drace and Pride galloped past, the stallion with ears pinned flat against his neck, and teeth bared, the man with set determination on his face, lance ready.
The horse with its double load flew past the end of his lance and Drace caught the closest dogue in the neck as it leapt to attack the horse’s rear legs.
Pride had nowhere to go but up as Drace absorbed the impact then let go, and the dogue rolled underneath the stallion, snapping the lance.
Pride jumped the downed animal, ran on for a couple of strides then spun around with only Drace’s legs for instruction.
Drawing his sword as they turned, Drace realized he was no longer needed. Cearan and Ki were slashing the second one to death while Ka’ Ril and Vashti put several arrows into the last dogue, each one a fatal hit.
Drace’s pulse thundered in his ears; he started to tremble as the adrenaline rush subsided. He realized he was bleeding from where the lance had ripped the skin from his palm; it began to sting.
Pride danced under Drace as he trotted back to Ki and Cearan. Although the air was cool, sweat trickled down Drace�
�s back.
The man and woman had dismounted from the winded horse. It stood head down; sweat dripping. Everyone gathered around them while Solomon held his mate in his arms.
When Ki’s party returned to the wagons, Solomon looked up at her with tears in his eyes, “My Lady, if you had not come along…,” he swallowed, unable to finish.
“Do not thank us—thank Arahtok. It is by his grace we came along. He guided the MacKinnon’s lance. Drace is the one who saved your mate and son.” Ki told him, returning her sword to its sheath, and then tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She did a quick survey of everyone, making sure there were no injuries, her gaze lingering longest on Drace.
Solomon placed a hand on Drace’s boot and the other on Pride’s neck. “I am in your debt, MacKinnon. My family almost had a great loss today. Thank you.”
Drace sat thoughtfully before he replied, “My lance was provided by you and it was guided by someone much greater than myself. It was my honor to be of assistance,” he leaned over in the saddle and placed his hand on the older man’s shoulder. Suddenly, he felt lightheaded. He nodded his head to Solomon’swoman and rode off alone. Ki watched him as she talked to Solomonand his family. Solomon would take them on for another mile or so to get away from the dogue carcasses. They would camp for a day to rest the exhausted horse.
As they spoke, Ki saw Drace dismount and grab a fistful of Pride’s long mane. He remained straight, but both man and horse were feeling the effects of the fight. Pride rubbed his nose against Drace’s chest and Drace gave him an affectionate pat. They stood there with their backs to her for some time, then Drace took a deep breath, patted Pride once more and remounted. He rode over to Cearan and the rest as they waited for Ki
Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera Page 9