by M. K. Eidem
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Ynyr couldn’t believe how stupid and undisciplined these males were! Couldn’t believe their lack of control. Fighting… because another brushed against you… He now had five warriors needing the repair unit and a destroyed room.
“Captain Dai!”
“Lord Ynyr.” The Captain immediately responded.
“I want you to gather every Warrior, every Trainee that served under Bertos and have them on the training fields in five minutes! I also want all of our warriors there!”
“Even the ones guarding the walls?”
“Leave a minimal number, everyone else! Is that understood?”
“Yes, Lord Ynyr.”
Korin stood at his Lord’s side as the males of House Bertos began to file into the training fields. Many were stumbling and bleary eyed, their uniforms barely on, testifying to them being roused from sleep. They weren’t even forming lines, just standing around.
Entering after them were the Warriors from every Tornian House, striding tall and proud, their eyes alert and every uniform perfect, even those Korin knew had just gotten off duty. They formed perfect lines on either side of the field, corralling the other males.
The glaring discrepancy shamed Korin. What could he have possibly been thinking to bring Mabon into this House? Looking to his left he saw his Lord standing tall and proud as he watched them enter.
Ynyr’s eyes traveled over the group before him. In it he saw the wide fearful looks of the first years beside the arrogant looks from those who had been Bertos warriors. None stood at attention. None stood according to their rank or position. So be it.
“I am Lord Ynyr,” While Ynyr didn’t shout his words were easily heard. “And this House is mine! Look at the males that surround you. LOOK!!” Ynyr roared when his order wasn’t immediately followed.
“Those males are Warriors! Fit and worthy Warriors from every House in the Empire! Look at them! Do you see how they stand? How they act? How they present themselves? Each one of them knows he represents his Lord and would never shame him by presenting himself the way you have! They have trained hard. Worked hard. To gain the position they now hold and they would never shame themselves by being presented as you are! They work together to achieve their goals, for each one knows that the male beside him may one day save his life. They are brothers-in-arms!” Ynyr paused, his eyes moving to the males involved in the fight. “They do not fight amongst themselves over petty things.”
“The Emperor has charged me with turning this House into an example every other one will look to. Warriors from this House will be in great demand for everyone will know they have more than earned that title and are truly fit and worthy. None of you that now stand before me are worthy of that.” Ynyr heard the shocked and angry rumble that traveled through Bertos males.
“As of this moment the only Warriors in this House are the ones that stand before and around you.” Ynyr gestured to the males from the other Houses. “Everyone else, every one of you, are now trainees.”
A roar of protest went up from Bertos’ remaining warriors. “We’ve earned our position! You cannot just take away what another Lord has given!” The male called Wasaki shouted at Ynyr. He was the one that started the fight earlier.
“That is correct Wasaki.” Korin watched as Wasaki crossed his arms over his chest, smiling arrogantly as he thought he had just bested the new Lord. “Bertos gave you that honor, I cannot remove it. Any of you that wish to retain the title of ‘Warrior’ that he gave you, there is the gate!” Ynyr drew his sword and pointed to the rising gate. “Go now and offer your services as a Warrior of Bertos’, a male deemed unfit and unworthy by the entire Empire and see just who will take you!” Wasaki’s smile disappeared.
“I will give you until mid-day meal to decide!” Ynyr’s eyes traveled over the males. “All those that stay will be deemed a trainee in my House! The warriors you see around you will evaluate your skills and divide you into proper training groups. NO ONE! Past Warrior or first year trainee is guaranteed a place in my House. You will have one week to prove that you have the potential to be here, that what you have learned under Bertos has not destroyed your honor or your fitness to serve me. Any trainee who is not selected to advance will be returned to his manno along with the fee he paid to Bertos. After that… the real work will begin. You will be taught proper strategy and skills. You will learn to honor and respect your brother trainees. You will work harder than you ever have in your life and if… if after all that, I deem you worthy of the title Warrior, then the entire Empire will know it is truth!”
Turning Ynyr left the training field.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“My Lord, may I have a moment.” Korin asked following Ynyr off the field.
Ynyr slowed at Korin’s question. “Walk with me.” He told him. “What did you need Captain?”
“I would like to thank you for allowing me to check on Mabon yesterday. I know my duty was to be at your side.”
“You were Captain, after you performed your duty to your brother.” Ynyr said entering his command center. “Shut the door.” He ordered as he moved to stand behind his desk. The two males just stared at each other for a moment and Ynyr realized he owed this male his truth.
“I am still not sure I want you as my second Korin. I’m not sure I can trust you. You have spent your entire life in the service to Bertos, that does not inspire confidence.”
“I understand my Lord, but not my entire life was spent here. My first year of training was spent in House Luanda.”
“Excuse me?”
“I had just completed my first year training when King Grim was injured. My manno then sent me here.”
“That is why King Grim wished you for Luda.”
“That I do not know. He never spoke of it to me.”
Ynyr looked over Korin’s shoulder for a moment gathering his thoughts. Because of Abby he now knew this male had sacrificed his future to give his brother a home. He had then sacrificed his honor to keep him safe. Ynyr could respect that and wondered if he would have been willing to do the same. He turned his eyes back to Korin.
“As I said, your service to Bertos doesn’t inspire confidence but your actions in protecting Queen Lisa and in your being willing to admit to your actions before the Assembly, do. You have also been forth coming with your evaluations of the males remaining in this House. I only wish you had been as forth coming with why you remained in the first place.”
“My Lord?” Korin gave him a confused look.”
“Part of that is my fault. I never asked the simply question. The question of why you remained. Abby did.”
“She is an extraordinary female.” Korin told him and quickly continued seeing Ynyr frown. “She has already shown more kindness and caring to the males of this House, in the short time she has been among us, than we have received from any other female in our lives. She is all the first years can talk about.”
“She is all that and it is because of her that I now understand what drove you to remain part of Bertos’ House. You have honor Korin. You protect the innocent. It is what a fit and worthy Warrior does, even if it costs him his own life.
Korin couldn’t believe what Ynyr was saying to him. He hadn’t expected it. He had only come here to reassure Ynyr that Mabon would not interfere with Korin performance of his duties.
“Because of that, I find that I am more inclined to believe the Emperor may have be correct in demanding you be my second.”
“I… pardons my Lord?”
“I believe you are going to be an asset to my House Korin and want you to work with Captain Dani so you can begin to take over some of his duties.”
“I…” Korin couldn’t believe it. He knew he and Dai were going to butt heads but if he could survive Bertos he could handle Dai. “I can do that my Lord.” He told him standing straight and tall.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“Abby!” Lisa’s excited voice had Abby’s voice clogging with t
ears. While she hadn’t known Lisa long, their friendship had been instantaneous and hearing her voice…
“Abby what’s wrong? Let me get Grim.”
“No… no don’t bother Grim… I’m fine… I… it’s just… hearing your voice… I didn’t get to say goodbye or to thank you for remembering my trunk…”
“Turn on your video Abby.”
“What? Video? What do you mean?”
“Didn’t Kim show you?”
“She showed me how to work the comm.”
“But forgot about the video…” after following Lisa’s instructions Abby was ecstatic to see Lisa’s smiling face on her wrist unit. “It can also be done from a communications unit,” Lisa told her, “it’s kind of like Skype.”
“Oh wow… that’s so cool! I mean I was excited to just be able to contact you, but to actually see you, see the girls, this is going to be great!”
“It is. Now what’s wrong?”
“I need your help…” Abby went on to tell Lisa all about what she had found not only in House Bertos but in Risa’s chambers. What she had done so far and what she needed help with.
“Wow…” Lisa’s eyes were wide as she looked at Abby. “I never even considered…. What was in the female’s level when I arrived on Luda was… I mean it filled our House… but to have that times five!!!!”
“I know! What am I supposed to do with it Lisa? I mean it was Risa’s!”
“Yeah, I hear you, she was a bitch, but Abby, she’s gone. She can’t taunt or harass you anymore.”
“I know that, but so much here just feels ‘wrong’. Do you know what I mean? I mean I’ve gotten rid of most of Bertos’ things but these things…. Lisa these things are valuable. Males worked their whole lives to acquire them. How do I just throw them away?”
“You don’t.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
“Go through it Abby. Yes, it will take some time, but it will give you something to do while Ynyr is getting his House secure. Once it is, then you can start making it a home.”
“But…”
“Just listen, I understand your concerns. Goddess just thinking about having to touch the same things those two did…” Abby saw the shiver that went through Lisa. “But not everything can be that way… just like the bed frame you told me about.”
“Agreed.”
“So go through it and decide if you want to keep it. If you don’t and it is valuable then I’m sure there is something that can be done with it. Maybe it can be sold and the proceeds go to help someone else. Wouldn’t that just burn Risa’s butt to know that her things were being used to help someone.”
“Goddess… she’d roll over in her grave.”
“Kind of makes you want to do it, doesn’t it.”
“Goddess yes.”
Abby and Lisa finished their talk and Abby actually got to speak to Miki and Carly, who had come rushing in to tell Lisa how Grim taught them to flip on the trampo. Ending the transmission Abby was smiling and not feeling nearly as overwhelmed as she had.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“Everything is alright, my Lady?” Paganus asked.
Abby turned to find him standing just inside the resting chamber’s door. “Have you been there the whole time Paganus?”
“Oh no, my Lady. I would never intrude on your privacy.” Paganus was aghast at the thought. “I was just bringing you your midday meal.” He looked down to the platter, he carried.
“Midday meal?” Abby’s eyes flew to the windows and saw the sun shining brightly. Had she really been on the comm that long? “My goodness I hadn’t realized… I’m sorry Paganus.”
“For what my Lady?” Walking over, he set down the platter.
“For letting time get away from me. I’ve kept you waiting.”
“It is what I am here for my Lady and once you eat I will have the new mattress brought in.”
“It’s done?!!”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Then have it brought in! Oh, I’m so excited.”
“But… your meal…”
Abby waved a dismissive hand. “It can wait,” she said not realizing she had shocked Paganus.
“If that is what you wish my Lady.”
“It is.”
Turning Paganus walked over to the double wide doors and opened them, revealing Mabon, Lotem, Pranav and Bron standing there struggling to keep the massive mattress upright.
“Bring it in.” Paganus ordered and the four quickly obeyed.
“What about sheets Paganus?” Abby asked.
“I had some made my Lady but I am not sure they will be to your liking.”
“Why not?” Abby asked, frowning at him.
“The only material I had available was not to the standards Bertos or Risa demanded and is white. I can get some,” he quickly informed her, “I just need to know what color you wish.”
“I see.” Abby stared at Paganus for a moment. “This material you are using, would anyone other than Risa and Bertos find it adequate?”
“Oh yes, my Lady.”
“Then it will be fine as for the color… what should it be?”
“Many chose their House color my Lady.”
“Oh… well, I’m not sure what color Ynyr is going to choose for that so white is fine.”
“Yes, my Lady.” Paganus turned to the trainees. “Get to the training fields.”
“Yes Master Paganus. My Lady.” They all chorused then hustled out of the room.
“Training fields?”
“Yes, my Lady. Lord Ynyr has ordered all trainees to the field so they may be evaluated as to whether they shall remain within his House.”
“I see.”
“There is something else my Lady.”
“What is it Paganus?”
“Woodworker Cairbre has arrived.”
“Who?” Abby gave him a confused look.
“Woodworker Cairbre, my Lady. My relative,” he reminded her.
“Oh! The one who might be able to make furniture for me.”
“Yes, my Lady.” Paganus nodded.
“But I thought you said he wouldn’t come?”
“I… convinced him that it would be in his best interest my Lady.”
“Convinced him… Paganus what did you do?”
“He threatened to have my shop and home destroyed!” The angry voice had Abby spinning towards the door and Paganus drawing his sword.
“How dare you enter my Lady’s resting chamber?!!” Paganus placed himself between him and Abby. “You were told to wait outside the Wing.”
“This is the Lord’s resting chamber.” The male argued, “It was where I was ordered to come and here I am!” Cairbre’s eyes traveled to the small female that stepped out from behind Paganus, shocked at what he saw. She was tiny, not at all like a Tornian female. Her hair a light golden color with darker streaks in it and her eyes were a startling blue. Who was this creature?
“My Lord and Lady rest together! This is their chamber and you will not enter without permission! You will apologize to my Lady. Now! Or you will meet the Goddess this day.”
“Paganus, it’s okay.” Abby put a gentle hand on his sword arm. “I’m sure Woodworker Cairbre meant no offense. Did you Cairbre?” While her words were soft and gentle the eyes that met Cairbre’s were not.
“I… Of course not… ” the male stumbled over his words, not sure how he was to respond. This female was speaking directly to him. She had touched Paganus. What in the name of the Goddess was going on? “I was told I was needed to see to the piece of furniture in the Lord’s chamber… it is why I entered.”
“I see… so Warrior Navon and Warrior Morio just let you enter this wing? Unannounced?” That had been one thing Ynyr had told her before he rushed out. That Navon and Morio were now assigned to her as guards.
“I know not the names of the warriors.” Cairbre said, eyeing her warily.
“Warrior Navon and Warrior Morio are not at the door my Lady. Lord Ynyr gav
e them time to become familiar with the House before their return.” Slowly Paganus sheathed his sword. “Menawa and Oscosh are at the door. Yet I find it hard to believe they would just let Cairbre pass.”
“I was helping the trainees with the mattress.” Cairbre finally admitted.
“And they did not question you!” Paganus was outraged. “This must be corrected!”
“Yes, it must be.” Abby agreed. “No one should be allowed to just enter this Wing. What if Ynyr had been resting.” Abby missed the shock on the males’ faces that her concern was for the Lord and not herself as she studied Cairbre. He was older than Abby had expected, somewhere in his sixties if she were to guess. His long black hair starting to have hints of gray in it and his skin was a light tan. He was smaller than a Tornian male, by about half a head and the shape of his eyes was different more oval than round. It was then that Abby realized it had to be because he wasn’t a full blooded Tornian.
“So Woodworker Cairbre, Paganus here tells me you make amazing furniture, that members of your family were the Master Woodworkers for this House at one time.”
Cairbre’s eyes shot to Paganus before he spoke, unable to believe the male had shared that information. “That is truth.”
“And that they lost that position because one of them Joined with a non-Tornian female and had offspring.”
“Yes, my Lady.” Cairbre’s entire being stiffened waiting for her revulsion at the fact that he was not full Tornian, instead he was shocked.
“Good for your ancestor. He stood up for what he knew was right, even though it cost him something. Few can do that.”
“I… yes, my Lady… that is true…” Cairbre frowned at the little female, looking at her with new eyes. He had expected her to be just like every other Tornian female, especially after the way he had been ordered here. Selfish and demanding and petty.
“It is and I will apologize now for what Paganus threatened to do to get you here. He knew how very much I wished to speak to you, but he should not have threatened such a thing.” Turning, she looked up at Paganus. “It will not be done again is that understood Master Paganus? This House will no longer use fear and intimidation against the people of Etruria. Lord Ynyr is not Bertos and I am most definitely not Risa! I thought you of all people understood that.”