Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera

by Tamara H Hartl

  A thrill of fear shot through Drace and he moved onto his elbow to try and see her. The fire was low and gave off little light. Drace realized that if there had been any danger to either one of them she wouldn’t have left him there; she certainly wouldn’t be calling out.

  He laid back down and let sleep reclaim him. When he awoke, Ki was beside him again, her bare breasts pressed tight against him as she sought his warmth. He found the end of the blanket, pulled it over both of them, and fell back into an untroubled sleep.

  It was well after dark the following day when Ki and Drace rode, exhausted, into the stronghold. A couple of stable boys met them and took the tired horses to be fed and rubbed down.

  Estelle greeted the couple in the kitchen and came up with a simple but hot meal and cold ale for them. She roused a couple of kitchen maids to bring hot water for their baths. At the news of the couple’s bonding, she had the bath set up in Ki’ chambers and made arrangements for the rest of Drace’s things to be brought up the next day.

  Estelle led the way, carrying thick towels. She offered them congratulations then left them to their baths, hoping that tomorrow the news they obviously carried would be revealed.

  Drace helped Ki wash her hair then took his own bath while she combed her hair dry by the fire. He sat in the tub, knees practically under his chin, but comfortable enough to watch her, mesmerized.

  Ki felt his gaze and turned to meet it. A slow smile graced her face. “What is it, my Lord?”

  “You,” he said. “I’m trying to decide how tired I am.”

  “And why are you deciding that?” she asked coyly, running her comb through the long locks of tawny hair.

  A yawn caught him by surprise. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I was deciding if I had the strength to make love to you or would I embarrass myself.”

  He grabbed a towel and stood up, water sluicing down his firm belly. Drying himself, he came to stand beside her, enjoying the warmth of the fire on his bare buttocks and back. When he turned to warm his front, Ki gasped.

  “What?” he asked, looking over his shoulder, and raised his eyebrows at the look on her face.

  “Your back, does it hurt?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Stings a bit, but its not too bad, why?”

  She got up from her chair and traced each scratch down his back and the two on his lean flank. His breath hissed as she touched a raw spot where his shirt had rubbed.

  “Lay on the bed, my love, and I’ll put some cream on it. I am very sorry. It was not my intent to cause such hurt.”

  Drace touched the bruise on her collarbone and then the ones on her upper arms. “I know what your intentions were, and I’d say we’re probably even.”

  Ki pulled away and rummaged through the top drawer of a small chest. With an ‘ah’ of satisfaction, she pushed him towards the bed and gestured for him to lie down.

  Drace sprawled face down on the huge bed, and Ki gently spread some of the ointment on one of the lesser scratches.

  “Mmmm, that feels nice,” Drace groaned as the cream took the sting away. He followed that with a yelp when it burned for a few seconds on the deeper ones. Soon, though, the same soothing sensation replaced the stinging one.

  “Shall I continue?” Ki asked with amusement in her voice.

  “Yes, please,” Drace answered, and then asked a question of his own. “What was going on last night when you went big-cat on me?”

  “I heard the pride some way off, headed in our direction. I was letting them know we were there so they would not stumble upon us in the dark. We were upwind of them, so that was the polite thing to do,” she explained as she continued her application of the ointment.

  “And when you left camp?” Drace asked, his voice muffled against his arm.

  “I wanted to inform them of the trouble coming from the south, and to see if they had any news.” She patted Drace firmly on his naked backside and said, “Finished.”

  There was another muffled response from under his arm. Ki smiled and pulled a blanket up over his sleeping form. She put the jar of medicine back in its drawer and climbed into the bed next to him, curling close. Drace sighed and mumbled something. Ki put an arm across his back and answered, “I love you too, Drace,” and within moments she was sound asleep herself.

  Chapter Seventeen

  THE NEXT TWO WEEKS were a whirlwind of activity. Ki and Drace were up before dawn each day and the rising sun found them in some tenant’s field helping with the harvest, no matter if it was hay, grain, or garden.

  Drace proved very knowledgeable about farming and agriculture, and she watched him one day as he stood talking to an older man and his son. He stood in a relaxed stance, booted feet apart and his head tilted as he listened to what the man was telling him. Drace squatted and picked up a handful of soil, stood back up, and let the dirt fall from his fist. He gestured at the field as they discussed it, the man nodding at something Drace suggested. After some more conversation Drace threw his head back and laughed. The man slapped him on the back. They shook hands and Drace walked back to her, the smile at the joke still on his face.

  He was like that every place they worked, getting along with all the tenants, working side by side until long past dark.

  This particular day Drace was throwing cured hay into a large wagon with a pitchfork. A small group of children were in the wagon, stomping the hay down tightly as he flung hay on top of their pile. Ki was in another group with large rakes, pulling the loose hay into piles in a line that Drace’s wagon was following.

  A small child of about five ran up to Drace with his arms raised, wanting into the wagon with the others. The wagon was almost full so the hay was high along the tall sides of the wagon.

  “Ahsa hoy!” Drace yelled playfully, and gave the little boy a heave up, dumping him in a spot free of children. The boy landed with a giggle, jumped to his feet, and started stomping for all he was worth, hay sticking out of his hair.

  Picking the pitchfork back up off the ground, Drace winked, and grinned at Ki as he resumed loading the wagon. When it was full it went to a large barn to be unloaded and another took its place—a new group of children ready to help pack it.

  Drace stopped for a drink of water next to Ki. His shirt was tied around his waist and he removed it to wipe his face.

  “I did not know you were learning Werren,” Ki commented, removing a bit of hay from his hair.

  “I listen and learn,” Drace commented dryly. “Ahsa hoy is ‘up, you’ right?” he said, and then took a long pull from the water skin, his throat working. The afternoon had turned quite warm and sweat dewed his chest and back.

  “Yes, my Lord, that is correct. What else have you heard and learned?”

  Drace leaned over and whispered something in her ear, drawing curious looks from the others in her group. Ki’s face flamed red.

  “Where ever did you hear that?” she exclaimed, putting one hand on a hip.

  “I believe you said that to me last night, my Lady,” he answered with a sly grin.

  Ki’s blush deepened, and she grabbed a handful of hay and threw it at him.

  Drace’s deep laugh matched his grin and he walked back to his line, pitchfork propped on his shoulder until he reached the next pile waiting to be loaded.

  Ki ducked her head and raked furiously, but her companions did not miss the smile she tried to hold back as she worked.

  That evening, Cearan and the two elves returned to the stronghold. They arrived in time to wash and join in the evening meal.

  Drace could tell Ki was keeping a tight rein on her impatience, shifting in her chair as she waited for her brother to finish eating.

  “Ki, you’re squirming like you have fleas. Let the poor man eat in peace,” he scolded gently, in a voice for her ears only.

  Ki looked up in shock and outrage. “I beg your pardon?” she snorted un- ladylike. “I can assure you there are no fleas in my hall much less anywhere else,” she snapped.

  Drace and Cea
ran burst out laughing then quickly each turned it into a coughing fit. That caused Vashti to giggle into her hand and Ka’Ril to chuckle softly.

  Ki moved her hand dismissively at Drace and Cearan. “Pah!” she grumbled, cheeks flaming. She stood and commanded, “Cearan, when you finish, please attend me in my chamber.”

  Cearan nodded, mouth full of food, making an effort to keep from laughing again.

  “Drace, will you be up soon?” she asked, still fuming.

  He was hiding his face behind his mug of ale. After carefully arranging his features to appear impassive he looked up at her. “Of course, my Lady, I’ll be up momentarily.” He couldn’t stop himself. He waggled his eyebrows at her then winked.

  Ki’s mouth dropped open for a second, the flush returning. She closed her mouth quickly, turned, and muttered a curse in Werren that made Cearan choke.

  Everyone stood respectfully as she left the hall, her back stiff with ire.

  Ki stood looking out one of the tall windows when Drace and Cearan came into her sitting room. She did not turn as they entered and took seats by the fire.

  “Ki, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” Drace started, but she waved the apology off and turned toward him. She looked very tired.

  Drace rose and went to her with concern. “Ki, let Cearan’s news wait until morning. You’re exhausted.”

  “No, I would not be able to sleep until I knew what information he brings,” she insisted and came to sit in the chair he had just vacated. Drace went to stand behind her, one hand moving to lie gently on her shoulder.

  “I know you jested with me below. After I thought on it, I figured out your meaning,” Ki said, touching his hand briefly. She turned her attention back to Cearan. He had brought a goblet of wine with him and sat studying it, shadows of tiredness beneath his eyes.

  “What news, brother?” Ki asked, leaning back. Drace felt her tension beneath his hand.

  Cearan leaned forward. “The dwarves will be most helpful; you may rest easy on that. They seem to enjoy you when you are surly, though they did say it gave their women ideas.” A slight smile showed on his handsome face when Ki scowled at him. She did not find his jest amusing.

  Cearan looked up at Drace. “Dwarves are a scrappy lot by nature and enjoy a good brawl,” he explained. “If the southern army brings any help, such as Zakara or an Earth Man,” he leaned back, spreading his free hand for emphasis, “they will just love to kill those.”

  Cearan drained the rest of his wine and continued, “King Gabal has offered at least two hundred foot soldiers. When word gets out he assured me there will be more volunteers.”

  “What of the High King? Will he leave his lair to help?” Ki asked, reaching for a wine decanter on a small table. She leaned forward to refill Cearan’s glass.

  Cearan snorted, “Hah! He, himself, will not leave the castle any more, much less come south to us. He will send his war chieftain to lead his forces. He seemed reluctant at first to send any warriors. I argued that if we were to be defeated there would be a mass exodus to his lands in search of shelter and protection; very costly. Not to mention the southern armies behind them to take it all.”

  Ki gave a wicked smile, canines gleaming in the firelight. “And what did he say to that, I wonder?”

  “Yeager is a tight fisted old bastard, you know. I could see him calculating from across the table. Then when he heard that the elves and dwarves were sending aide he could not be deprived of some glory. I expect at least two hundred horse soldiers and three hundred footmen. And…. of this I am most proud, I convinced him to send provisions for men and horses for six moons as I would not starve our own to feed his. If this lasts past that he will be asked for more, but I doubt we would get it. He grumbled of having his troops return sooner and, I quote, ‘you and your sister be damned.’”

  Ki’s laugh was sardonic at that comment, “I see. Yeager is most generous, with a little arm twisting.” Ki leaned back in her chair again and Drace’s hand went to her shoulder. “How is the lovely queen?”

  “Dead, two moon ago. Yeager said the quiet was a nice reprieve from her sharp tongue, but he has been secluded and unwell sometimes in his mind since then, I was informed. I believe he misses her. ‘Twas thought a fever of some sort. The healers tried everything but…,” he waved his now empty goblet in a low arc.

  “I thought Yeager had a sorcerer of his own,” Ki mused, tawny brows drawn together in speculation.

  “That was the strange thing. The man disappeared just before Yeager’s wife died.”

  Drace spoke up for the first time, “This could be very bad.” He moved around from the back of Ki’s chair and stood by the fire. “You know where he has probably reappeared.”

  “Yes,” Ki and Cearan answered in unison.

  “That would explain where the Sunnons got a sorcerer, but not why,” Ki said.

  “I’m sure he was promised riches and a powerful position, possibly overlord of the northern lands,” Cearan guessed. “Whatever this new king, Meadon offered, you may bet it was more tempting than what Yeager gave him.

  “Warriors from the outposts have been arriving since word went out. Skeleton forces will stay at each outpost until there are signs of trouble then they will ride for the stronghold immediately,” Drace told Cearan. “Constant contact is being maintained with each location to be informed of their safety.”

  Ki looked at Drace with pride. It had been Drace’s idea to use men who were no longer able to fight, whether it be because of age or injury, for the messenger tasks. He seemed to know that it would make them still feel useful and their experience and maturity would come in handy if there was trouble. They would keep a much cooler head in a crisis situation.

  “Will we be able to house everyone?” Drace asked.

  “We will house as many as possible in the barracks. High-ranking officers along with the female warriors will be housed in the castle itself. The rest will have tents between the walls.

  “Women?” Drace asked without thinking; his eyebrow raised.

  Cearan saw the quick flare of temper in Ki and tried to warn Drace with a look. Drace either missed it, or ignored it.

  “What women?” Drace continued on, to his folly.

  “You are not thinking that the women would only be for servitude, are you?” Ki answered, her tone taking an ugly, sarcastic note.

  Cearan muttered something in exasperation. He rose wearily and went to the chamber door. “I will leave you two to your discussion. Good night.” He slipped out quietly as Ki glared at Drace, and Drace was quickly realizing his mistake.

  Drace held his hands up in front of himself defensively, “Now Ki, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

  Ki rounded on him, “You thought it, even if it was only for a moment. Poor women—defenseless and in need of protection!” she accused.

  Drace backed away from her. “Well… maybe for a second, if I’m being honest, but I know how well you can take care of yourself.”

  “Now you are just being condescending!” Ki growled, advancing on him.

  “No hon, I swear. I know how great a warrior you are. I’ve even seen the two other women warriors who reside at Oralia. I spoke without thinking of how it sounded. I only meant… ah …that….”

  The back of his legs caught a low stool and he landed on his backside with a loud thud. “Damn it woman,” he groused. “I spoke without thinking. I’m sorry, okay? Just leave something for Cearan to bury, please?”

  Ki looked down at him, giving him her best ‘I am going to stomp a mud hole in you and you know I can’ look. It was hard for her to hold it at his pained expression. She almost pulled it off until he gave her a sheepish look, rolled up on his knees, and pressed his palms together. A giggle escaped her and she covered her mouth with one hand.

  Drace crawled up to her, still on his knees, and buried his face in her lean belly. He nuzzled her there, and then looked up at her. “Please forgive my foolishness,” he begged and adde
d suggestively, “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “What did you have in mind?” she asked, raising an eyebrow with an arrogant expression.

  Drace slid a hand under the skirt of her dress and up the back of her bare leg.

  “Mmmm,” Ki responded, her anger and insolence left her as she closed her eyes.

  She later lay bonelessly relaxed in front of the fire beside Drace, sweat drying on their skin. She stroked his bare thigh lazily.

  “Am I forgiven?” he asked drowsily.

  “Most assuredly,” was her answer.

  By the end of the next week, the harvest was complete and the open areas around the stronghold were starting to look like a tent city. All breeding stock horses and other livestock were taken to pastures and pens outside the stronghold to allow room for the steady arrival of warhorses.

  A few of the villagers were enlisted to come and help with the extra demands of cleaning and meal preparations. More would be summoned as more forces arrived.

  Vashti and Ka’Ril had returned to their home in Ferndale and would return to Oralia as soon as the weather cleared in early spring.

  Drace watched Ki handle the extra demands of housing the men and women warriors, and the arrangements for their needs. She was the Ki that he had seen when he had first arrived; arrogant, demanding, and unbending, but he knew her warriors would follow her into the heart of Sunnon if she ordered it.

  Calvary tactic were practiced on the plains closest to the keep. Drace was given command of a number of men in a horse troop, with Cearan overseeing his education. The lives of those men might depend on his knowledge and bravery and Drace did not take that responsibility lightly.

  Despite his own tiredness, he lay wakeful most nights, long after Ki was asleep, trying to remember movies and books that might have details he could incorporate in his training. He had also been learning more of the Werren language, and reviewed new words in his head. Most of his commands would be in that language as some of his men spoke little of the common tongue.