“I think it’s turned into more than just that,” Xander said.
“Me and my friend, Saul was his name, were nothing but a pair of guardsmen at the time. Just a couple of turds like you and any of your friends,” Arkouda said motioning at Caedmon. Caedmon smiled. “Anyway, we were in the eastern provinces at that time. Things were looking bad for Gaia so they decided to send a few boatloads of Thalassans and a couple dozen of their own less fortunate individuals to quell a couple tribes uprising over there.”
“What were they like?” Xander asked. “The easterners, I mean. I’ve heard stories but… Are they really that savage?”
“You certainly wouldn’t call them savages to their face,” Arkouda said. “Unless you were certain they weren’t able to retaliate. The Gaians take them for slaves sometimes. There’s not much to be had over there but sheer dominance, so they make use with what they can. They aren’t exactly the most sociable of people, but who would be with Gaia’s yoke around their neck? Anyway, we were on this patrol into a territory controlled by one tribe that had really expanded over the year prior to that.
“They must have controlled about three or four hundred square miles of territory that was now dangerous for the empire to set foot in. Every one of them knew to engage us. And they are all deadly with bows. While we were over there I think every boy I saw above the age of seven or eight constantly had a bow with him.”
“Are you gonna’ get to your friend?” Xander asked. “Sir.”
Arkouda laughed and clapped the soldier on the back. “My apologies, you two. Saul and I were leaving the enemy territory in a quick hurry, all our friends and even the high guardsman dead in the dirt, when we ran into two more of these bastards—”
“Whoa,” Caedmon said abruptly. “You can’t just do that. What happened to your team?”
“Well, they were killed,” Arkouda replied. “We had only gotten maybe two or three miles into that tribe’s territory before they ambushed us. There were so many arrows raining from all directions, you never had time to reload. At the time we would take both a rifle and a pistol on patrols with us. The first thing I did was fired my rifle into the nearest tribesman, dropped that, and then fired the pistol. After that they were useless. And they never came within twenty meters for a proper fight.” He tapped his pommel. “Saul hadn’t even taken one arrow, that sly bastard, but was able to practically dodge those shafts. I took one in the thigh but I snapped the shaft and pushed it through. We didn’t have time to wrap it right away. Once everyone was dead, including that turd Gaian, we just turned and ran back from whence we came.
“Our little base was not too far off in the distance when we came upon those two tribesmen. A man and a woman. See they let their women fight just as much as their men do,” Arkouda said distastefully. “So there’s nothing for it when you have to shove your blade into one of their bellies as well.”
“You had to kill this woman?” Xander asked.
“No,” Arkouda replied. “Saul did. He ran like a rabbit up to the two of them while I knelt to reload my pistol. What do you expect? I was green back then. I should have done the same as him but I didn’t. He took the woman first, running her through like a spear through trout, and turned to the man after. I think he wanted it to be a surprise. That man had fully expected Saul to go for him first. He had dropped his bow and pulled an ax free. I remember he just stood there dumbfounded when that woman was run through. He had the same look on his face when Saul stabbed him in the thigh.”
“The thigh?” Xander asked.
“You two took him back for questioning,” Caedmon said.
Arkouda smiled. “See? I told you. Just like Saul.” Caedmon allowed a smile. “Aye, we stopped for a minute so my thigh could get bandaged up while his could drain out a bit. Then we took him back for questioning. Saul did most of that too. I don’t think I heard him talk too often when we were out on our patrols… but he must have had a long conversation with that bastard. He was gone for over two hours. When he came back he was bloody handed, and I was bloody tired of that place…” Arkouda stared down the bar for a few moments. “We didn’t leave for another nine months after that.”
“Well,” Xander said suddenly. “You should be glad we’re not in a ‘proper war,’ then.”
Arkouda smiled but there was something melancholy about it. “Here come a couple lookers.”
Saija and Ana walked to the bar and Xander could not help but compare the two women. Ana was small and delicate where Saija was tall and wired muscle. They both were womanly but in different ways. Saija would not be called tall compared to a man but Xander guessed she must be around five and a half feet from heel to crown, while Ana was at least four inches shorter than that. Saija wore sailor’s clothes designed for a short man while Ana wore dresses made for short women.
“Short, eh?” Ana said in greeting.
Xander burst into laughter. He no longer tried to conceal his thoughts from the young Gaian woman. They were around one another too much. Numbers and deceptive throw-offs would be constantly fluttering around his mind. Instead he was not only free with his thoughts but saved certain ones for certain times as well. It was a sort of game the pair played.
“We got a table,” Saija announced. The lean woman was much more direct and to the point than Ana, but Xander knew that was because she was not as close to him as the Gaian woman.
“Would you like to join us?” Xander asked the bear-like knight.
“No, boy, you have your fun,” Arkouda said absently. He turned to Stefan at the bar and found his mead already refilled.
Xander and Caedmon followed the two women to the freshly-cleaned table at the back of the tavern. Though the serving girl had just wiped it, the table still looked to have ale in a thin sheet of liquid every few inches being soaked up by the birch. They all seated themselves and ordered more drinks, Xander wanting another cup of mead, Saija and Caedmon wanting ale, and Ana desiring mulled wine.
“Gruff company,” Caedmon said with a nod toward Arkouda at the bar.
“I like him,” Xander said enthusiastically. “He and his family know how to get shit done.” He apologized to the women for his language and then remembered Ana and Caedmon had never met. “Ana, this is Caedmon. He has been my closest friend for as long as I can remember.”
“Don’t lie,” Caedmon began, “your only friend.”
Xander laughed and Ana smiled. “You already know Saija, I see,” she said. “She is ever serious in her duties but once disembarked she remembers how to smile.”
Saija laughed. “Sometimes.”
“How did you know I knew her?” Caedmon asked. “I hadn’t said anything about the Victory to you.”
“I am Gaian,” Ana said softly.
“Ah,” Caedmon said with a forced smile. “Well that explains it then.”
The conversation in The Saving Grace grew stale for the four but Xander knew it was probably just because of the new addition into the setting. The newest guardsman on Brennus’ vessel was silent for the most part, observing the others with watchful blue eyes. Saija seemed bored with anyone’s topics but Ana’s. The only time she could talk about things feminine was with Ana, but Xander had a suspicion that these past few months had been the only times ever that she had had the conversations.
The moon hung high over Triton as Xander and Ana bid farewell to Caedmon and Saija. The pair walked towards the docks and Xander began to lead Ana to his house for a small dessert. It was a tradition that had become routine after a night in the tavern, but he never tired of it. They spent Sundays looking at goods in the bakery, and there they would buy enough to last through the week.
The pair sat before his hearth and Xander unwrapped the last two powdered cookies he had. They were small but thick, more like balls than discs, with a taste of crushed nuts and honey. Xander laughed as he wiped some of the powder from Ana’s nose.
She giggled and suddenly grew serious. “Your friend doesn’t like me.”
�
�What?” Xander said. He licked his thumb clean. “Caedmon?”
“Yes,” Ana began. “He doesn’t trust me because I’m a Gaian. His mind wandered there many times at the tavern, though he tried to compel it not to. He wonders if I have cast some sort of spell on you.”
“That’s absurd,” Xander said. He stood from his chair and began to pace the fire-lit room. “He just doesn’t know anything about Gaians other than that our people ha—don’t like them.”
“He doesn’t like us either,” Ana said matter-of-factly. “I wish he would, if he’s as good a friend to you as I think.”
Xander looked at her for a long time with a tilted expression. “Why is that?”
Ana paused in search for words. For someone who always had a few at the ready to say that was odd. “Because if he is to be around often I wouldn’t want things to feel uncomfortable.”
Xander’s heart was beating quickly and Ana was gazing at him with anxiety in her wide eyes. “He will just have to get to know you,” he said. Xander took a deep breath to try to calm himself. “He is my best friend. He should want to know the… the woman I love.”
“You… what?” Ana asked. There was excitement in her voice but fear as well.
Xander moved to her and pulled her up from the chair to stand before him. They looked at one another for a long time, neither of them quite knowing what to do next. “You heard me correctly,” Xander finally managed to say. “And I know you must know.”
“I love you too,” Ana squeaked out.
She drew her arms down his back to clasp her hands on his waist. Her delicate fingers stayed there a long time and Xander smiled because it felt good, but what was more it felt right. He drew her in and kissed her on her full lips, tasting the powdered sugar that lingered on her breath. Ana shuddered and Xander pulled her in closer, pressing her breasts against his chest and kissing her passionately until she moaned softly. All those days, weeks, and months that had gone by since they first met and he had that initial attraction to the young woman compounded into the kiss. Xander could have slapped himself for waiting so long or perhaps give his own hand a shake for making certain his feelings were true first.
“I want you,” Ana whispered when they pulled apart.
Xander’s blood quickened as he noticed her tensed nipples showing like gems hidden beneath her blue dress. This only made him want her more. From previous conversations Xander knew that Ana had never known a man before, but his heart was lifted and he knew that despite her lack of experience this night was to be the most beautiful of his life.
“You have me,” he said.
Roselyn
Roselyn put a hand on her largely swollen belly. She was well into her pregnancy now and she had been having a rough time of it lately. Patrick was tender and loving, and she could not have asked for a better partner to help her through this. The nicer he was, the more she hoped that she would not be suspected of anything when she had her baby sooner than everyone expected.
She was making herself presentable for dinner, and she was anxious for it to start so it would end. Xander was in the castle and would be joining them tonight to discuss news from Triton. Roselyn knew he was now directly under the former constable on the other island, so it was his duty to keep the king informed. She rolled her eyes at this. Of course it would be his job to come here. The fates are most certainly punishing me by throwing the object of my sins in my face.
“Are you ready, my love?” Patrick had entered the room quietly, giving her a fright. He quickly walked to her side with a concerned look on his face. “Are you all right? Is there something wrong?”
“No.” She breathed heavily. “You startled me, is all. I am doing much better today.” Roselyn had been having pains lately, and this was the first night in a while that she would be eating her supper at the table with her family. As she gracefully took her husband’s hand to stand from her vanity, she wondered if she should fake a pain in order to stay in her chambers and have her ladies bring her food to her. She could avoid Xander that way.
“I’m very pleased that you’ll be joining us tonight.” Patrick said, kissing her dainty white hand. “I’ve missed sharing my meals with you.”
Roselyn smiled, deciding against feigning illness to avoid the dinner. Besides, she would hate to lie about something like that in case she inadvertently caused real pain on the baby. “I’m pleased to get out of this room,” she said sincerely. She really had grown tired of staring at the same four walls all day and night.
“Well,” Patrick started as he led her by the hand out of their room, “you have been speaking of your need to become more involved in matters of the state, so tonight you will have a chance at that. Xander will be here to discuss the various sea skirmishes they’ve had between our vessels and Gaia’s.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“I suppose you would. Everyone speaks so freely in this place. I can see how nothing is ever a surprise to you.” They had reached the bottom of the stairs and were making their way towards the great hall. Patrick chuckled at his wife as she waddled at his side, and laughed out loud when she glared at him with contempt. “You’re beautiful.”
Roselyn smiled in response and looked away. She did not feel beautiful. She felt like she took up all of the space in the room, and wondered idly if she would even fit between the armrests of her chair. She sighed in relief as moments later she lowered herself easily onto the cushioned seat. She greeted her mother and father, and nodded politely toward Xander. The men had risen when she entered to sit down and Roselyn noted that her father winced slightly as he took his seat. She was worried about him. His health had been failing lately. More and more often King Philip excused himself to the latrine. He retired to his quarters earlier every day.
Thalassa’s princess seated herself across from Patrick’s usual seat, on the right hand of her mother. King Philip sat at the head of the table and Xander had accidentally taken Patrick’s spot but the nobleman gallantly sat on his left as though it had never happened. Roselyn recognized Lord Thanos of House Xiphos at the other head of the table as well, flanked by the two lords Emil and Glauco of Houses Herre and Lehnsherr, respectively. They each held governances over the islands of Anapos, Varuna, and Glaucus. Their unprecedented appearance at King Philip’s table made Roselyn uneasy.
“Shall we proceed?” Roselyn’s father began. He took a sip of his wine.
Xander looked about nervously. Roselyn arched an eyebrow upon noticing a silver chain draped about his neck as indication of his latest status. His armor was much the same as she remembered, hand-me-downs from soldiers prior, but other than that he looked to be a new man with his blue woolen cloak trimmed in yellow. “I suppose I shall begin,” he said. “Triton has lost two ships since my last report, with nothing in the means of gaining.”
“Two ships lost?” the king inquired. He seemed to suffer from a stomach bout for a heartbeat. “Who did they belong to?”
“Both belonged to House Niall of Phorcys,” Xander answered. “They lost sixty-four men in the battle, with eight looking to recover from their wounds. The rest were picked up by another ship in the skirmish and are safe.”
“Well thank the gods for that,” the king said with little hint of sarcasm. “Phorcys should not have contributed men to Triton anyway. Their mines are too important to be lost over Triton’s battles.”
“Phorcys is also nearly as close to Gaia as Triton,” Lord Thanos pointed out. Roselyn stole a glance at the gruff man. His grey eyes were calm enough, but his short cropped hair and beard gave him a rugged exterior. He wore the typical brown and black of his house, but there was little else to distinguish his status. The noble looked almost of the same status as Xander, with only a silver chain to denote his rank and a brooch of silver and jet to fasten his mud-colored cloak. His armor was of steel, however, gleaming nearly silver in the candlelight of the room.
“An excellent point, Lord Thanos,” King Philip allowed with a grin. “This is why you shal
l send one of your brothers to ensure the safety of the Phorcian mines.”
Thanos leaned back in his chair and took a long drink of his wine. “I already have a brother stationed on Triton. If I send another he will take another three hundred men with him, leaving Anapos with none but six hundred to defend it.”
“Anapos is the farthest island from Gaia,” Glauco of House Lehnsherr pointed out. “The distance keeps you safe while we all worry over our shores.”
Thanos heaved his shoulders in evidence of his argument’s defeat. King Philip smiled and held a goblet aloft to toast the noble. “You have nothing to worry over. I am proposing a notion that will fill all of our ranks swiftly here tonight anyhow.”
“Continue, Your Majesty,” Emil said with a sycophantic smile. He was a man of modest stature and sat low in his seat in comparison with the two men around him. His face was clean-shaven but he would have done well to keep a beard so as to hide the scars of the pimples he suffered from in adolescence.
“If you’re all in favor of it, I propose that every male orphan we have growing up in any island be placed in the military henceforth. Once reaching eighteen years of age, of course,” King Philip declared. He wore a grin like a child that had just secured the last piece of a puzzle into place.
“An excellent notion,” Emil said instantly.
Glauco and Thanos were a bit more apprehensive. “I suppose as their jobs are already assigned to them this may not be seen as any more unfair than before,” Glauco stated. “However, the men chosen for military service now are chosen based on their personalities. The rest fit the description of whatever else they’re sent to do, be it servants, barkeeps, merchant apprentices, and what have you.”
“Xander here is a son of Nemo,” King Philip said with a gesture to the young man at the table. Xander suddenly flushed red and took a drink of ale. “He has done right well for himself in Thalassa’s service. Would you deny that privilege to any other?”
Severance (The Sovereign Book 1) Page 25