Bloodmines: Cheryl Matthynssens

by Cheryl Matthynssens

  Sordith moved to Keelee’s side and took the woman’s hand. He kissed the back of it, lingering over her small fingers as he met her eyes. Alador watched as Keelee flushed with color and looked away.

  The mage knew he could not be so gallant. He needed to send Mesiande home, not give her reason to stay. At that moment, he was thankful for a bit of discomfort from the night before. It would make it easier to play the cad, rather than the lover. He moved around the table and plopped down in the chair next to Mesiande as if he was dropping down beside one of his brothers.

  “Morning Mesi. I hope you slept well.” He reached across her and rudely grabbed a biscuit.

  Mesiande looked from where Sordith was just letting go of Keelee’s hand and flashed Alador a disappointed look “I did. I waited up, but you did not come back.” She searched Alador’s face worriedly. “Is everything alright?”

  “Of course. We met with Henrick to arrange to send you home, then we went out drinking.” He stated it with a manner that seemed to indicate he had not cared she was waiting back at the Trench Hall. Alador shoved the whole biscuit into his mouth. The last thing he wanted to do at that moment was to eat, but he did want to be as brash and callous as he could.

  “Oh.” Mesiande bit her lip and looked down at her plate for a moment. Suddenly, she kicked Alador under the table.

  “Ow!” Alador rubbed his knee.

  She looked up at him ever so sweetly. “Oh sorry, I didn't’ realize you were so close.”

  Sordith sat down beside Keelee. “So, what have you two lovely ladies been speaking about this morning?”

  Keelee smiled. “Alador’s lack of charm and big heart,” - she smiled at Alador sweetly - “...along with his total lack of awareness when it comes to feminine moods.”

  Alador chuckled and winked at her. “I never heard you complain in my bed.” He did not look at Mesiande when he heard the sharp intake of breath. He knew that had hurt, but this was the route he had to take to get her to go back to Smallbrook.

  Keelee met Alador’s gaze in confusion as she said, “I was sharing with Mesiande that you never stopped going on about her, and how you denied my presence many times because of your love for her.” She looked from Alador to Mesiande and back.

  Sordith was also frowning at Alador. “I think a little more tact is warranted here, brother.” Sordith flashed Alador a warning look as he hissed this through his teeth.

  Alador realized he was not going to pull this off with Sordith criticizing every step. Then there was Keelee, who was obviously trying to reassure Mesiande that she was no threat. “You are right. If you will excuse us, I would like to speak to Mesiande alone. Would you like to see the docks Mesi?” He stood up too quickly and had to bite down the bile that rose in his throat. He swallowed it down and offered her his hand.

  “I ... Yes,” came the confused answer.

  The weather was brisk that morning, Mesiande already had a cloak on, so as Alador pulled her up and led her from Trench Hall, he stopped at the door to retrieve the cloak he had worn the night before. Protected from casual identification by the cowl, he felt a bit more comfortable taking her down to the docks. He held her hand as he led her down the long stairs to the Trench. Her eyes were wide as the stench of the sewage canal assailed her.

  “It will be better down on the docks,” he promised.

  It took a while to reach the end of the pier, leaving Alador more time to consider how he was going to make her want to go home. Mesiande was fascinated by the big, three-masted vessels and stopped often to ask questions and point out things she had never seen. Alador took the time to answer her questions as he knew that soon she would not want to speak to him again.

  He took her hands and looked deeply into her eyes. Every part of his heart was screaming out to find another way. He swallowed hard and finally spoke. “You look quite beautiful in that dress, Mesiande. You would fit in with the finest halls if you were not Daezun,” he offered. He tipped her face up to look at him and kissed her lips gently. A large lump formed in his throat, and he forced the threatening tears down.

  “I...thank you.” She looked up at him. “What has changed?”

  “Changed?”

  “You ... seem different this morning,” she said with a frown.

  “Ah yes, the change.” He smiled and chucked her under the chin. “I have decided you can stay. Of course, the only way you can be close to me in the Blackguard is as a bed servant.” He turned to look out at the breakwater. He could not look her in the eye and do this. “But if you are determined, then you may take your place in my rooms.” He clasped both hands behind him, mimicking Luthian’s arrogant and heartless air as best he could. It also hid the trembling of his hands.

  “A BED servant?” Her voice held both surprise and small amount of shock. “Isn’t that how Keelee came to you?”

  He took a deep breath and turned back to her. “Yes. A bed servant warms their master’s bed, sees to his clothes and room. Of course, there is the pleasure in the night.” He reached out and pulled her close to him as he gazed down into her eyes. “I assure you that will be my most urgent need.” He kissed her passionately before she could speak.

  Mesiande stared up at him until she caught her breath. “I thought… it would be more as housemates?” Her question held her confusion and disbelief.

  “Well, you see, as a housemate, I would have to worry about Luthian using you against me. This way, he will see you as beneath his notice. Of course, to cement that illusion, I will have to loan you to a few other men for their use in the night.” The words seemed to stick in his mouth, but he still managed to spit them out. He turned away from her again staring out at the water, internally bracing himself. “However, if you are determined to stay, then this is the way it will need to be done.”

  “You could do that?” There was an edge to her voice that he did not recognize. “Keelee said you never gifted her.”

  Alador inwardly cursed; the two women had talked more than he had anticipated. It was all Alador could do to hold that mask. Every instinct within him was begging him to explain his coldness, to keep her close and happy. He could not do it here in Silverport, not as long a Luthian drew breath. “Do what?” he asked casually, knowing full well the question.

  “You could send me to another’s bed?” She bit out the words with a terse tone.

  “Of course, just think of it like circle. Women often choose men different from their housemates during circle.” He continued to stare at the water rather than look at her. “I am sure if we had stayed in Daezun lands, you would have taken someone other than me to your furs. Gregor, for example.”

  There was a long silence. He took a breath as he prepared himself to turn and look at her when suddenly there was a firm kick to his behind. Unprepared for such an assault, he hit the cold water face first. When he managed to flail his way to the top, she was standing there with her hands on her hips, glaring down at him.

  It was all that he could do with boots and cloak to get a hold on the dock. He looked up at her with a harsh glare. “What, by the Gods, was that for?” He worked the cloak loose to pull it off and heaved it onto the dock. He was not going to be able to pull himself up, weighed down as he was.

  “I figured you were so full of yourself that I thought I would see if mages really could walk on water,” she growled down at him. “If that is the man you are becoming, then I don’t want anything to do with you." Her hands were still on her hips as she glared at him. She stomped on his fingers, sending him under water again.

  Mesiande knelt down as he came up sputtering. “I didn’t want anyone else to ever be in my furs but you,” Mesiande snapped. “I see Silverport has truly influenced you. If this is who you want to be then I never want you in them,” she hissed. She stood up. “If you decide to be the man I love, come find me.” She picked up her skirt and stomped up the dock angrily.

  Alador watched her go with wide eyes. He had wanted her to go home. He had wanted her to be hurt or
angry enough to go. Now that he had achieved it, he wished he could take everything back.

  It took a great deal of effort, given the height of the dock and the fact that his boots were full of water, to pull himself back up on the boards. A sailor stood nearby watching. “You sure pissed that one off.” He chuckled and shook his head. He strolled off, not even offering Alador a hand up.

  Alador did not move, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He had never felt so dirty in all of his life, as if Luthian’s very presence clung to his skin. Alador knew that he had hurt her in a way that he likely could never repair. But now she would go home, and she would be safe from this evil place, as well as the plotting and conniving of his uncle’s imperialistic ambitions.

  When he had managed to compose himself, he struggled back up to his feet. He cast a drying cantrip, as the wind was cutting through his wet clothes. Slowly making his way up the docks, the bedraggled mage headed for the Trench Hall. He hoped that Sordith and Henrick would have her away before he got there. Alador did not know if he could look her in the eyes at this point. Lost in his thoughts, he started up the lengthy staircase to the hall. He startled when he heard his brother’s voice.

  “You bastard! How could you?” Sordith snarled.

  Alador looked up just in time to see the fist that connected with his jaw. Alador tumbled back down the few steps he had climbed. He managed to get up to his hands and knees when Sordith’s boot connected with his stomach. He lay there gasping as the angry man towered above him. “Let… me… explain,” he gasped, holding his stomach.

  “You better be quick, or I am going to beat you senseless,” Sordith hissed down at him.

  “I had to get her to go home. She wasn’t budging so...I tried to make her hate me,” Alador gasped again.

  “Congratulations, it worked.” Sordith clapped his hands together in a slow and sarcastic manner. He did not bother to help Alador as his younger brother made it to his knees.

  “I had to, Sordith. There was no other way to get her to go and not put Henrick in danger.” Alador was sure something had broken inside besides his heart. Blood filled his mouth. The pain of the kick combined with the taste of blood, a hangover, and the salt water swirled together, and he vomited onto the steps.

  “There were other ways, you idiot! You did not have to destroy her like that.” Sordith moved back and forth like an angry feline. “Find your room and stay there until Henrick and I can get her calm and off to her home,” Sordith finally snarled. The command spat at Alador left no room for argument.

  Alador nodded. “I understand,” he miserably answered.

  Sordith spit just short where Alador had his hands on the ground. “In fact, just stay there till I calm down. I’m not sure I still won’t beat you senseless.” Sordith turned on his heel and stomped back up the stairs leaving Alador kneeling and bleeding on the bottom of the steps.

  Sordith stopped after about four steps and turned to look at Alador. “I don’t ever want to hear how people broke your trust again.” Sordith’s tone was cold and bitter. “What you did today violated that woman’s trust and love. Words cut deeper than any physical assault. She said your words hurt her more than Trelmar ever could.” Sordith’s words were snide, his anger palpable. “You’re no better than those you accuse of having misled and hurt you.”

  Alador’s eyes widened as he stared up at him. The truth of his words wrenched the mage’s heart harder than the words he had spoken to Mesiande. The realization of what Mesiande had said to Sordith drowned everything else out, even the taste of blood. His eyes followed his brother until he disappeared. Alador struggled to his feet staring up at the large manor house. He had done what he must without considering the cost to Mesiande. He was no better than Henrick or Luthian, and the pain of that realization cut through him.

  “By the Gods, what have I done?” he whispered as tears slowly fell down his cheeks.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sordith had not sent for Alador in the last two days, and even Keelee had not been to see him. The one time he had seen Keelee in the hall, she had turned on her heel and gone the other way rather than talk to him. He could not blame them; he knew he had earned their ire.

  Despite his fear that he had gone too far, he knew that there was no other way Mesiande would have followed Henrick’s guidance when they returned. She was headstrong and forceful when something was in the way of what she wanted. He sighed as he stared out his window at the harbor. He could not stay here any longer. He was bored and restless and Sordith’s decree had limited what distractions that he could access. It was time to report to Luthian, he finally decided.

  He put together a few items and slowly put on the armor from the Blackguard. His lower ribs were still bruised where Sordith had kicked him, and he felt the pain every time he had to bend or take a deep breath. In addition, he had lost weight, and the fit was too loose no matter how he adjusted the straps. Once he was dressed, he headed for Sordith’s office. He knocked on it tentatively, having had no idea what reception he was going to get from Sordith.

  “Come.” The tone was businesslike and hard.

  The brisk call only served to raise the tension Alador was feeling. He stepped into the room and eased the door shut. He met Sordith’s gaze. The hard look and narrowed eyes told him clearly that his brother was still angry. “What do you want?” Sordith snarled, throwing down his quill as he sat back in his chair.

  “I came to say good-bye. It appears that I’ve outstayed my welcome, and I need to face Luthian at some point.” Alador drew himself up, his posture more erect and formal, his hands clasped behind him. “I’m very thankful for your help, and though you’re angry with me, I’m still proud to call the Trench Lord my brother.” He saluted his brother across his chest.

  Sordith did not return his salute, letting him stand there uncomfortably. He finally nodded in acknowledgment as he let out a breath of tension.

  “Just because I’m angry with you does not mean I don’t hold that we’re kin.” Sordith leaned forward clasping his hands as he laid them on the desk. “However, you need to seek council more often. You’re like a wild, cornered prang. You bounce here and bounce there in reaction to what’s occurring without a thought to the long term consequences. It’s by the sheer grace of the Gods that you’re not dead,” The Trench Lord rose to move around his desk, clearly not done with his lecture. He planted himself in front of Alador as he leaned back against his desk. “That girl did not deserve to have her heart ripped out and ground under your heel.”

  Alador started to speak, but Sordith put up his hand. “I’m not done yet.” He leaned back on his desk arms crossed. Alador felt like a young middlin standing before the elders. He shut his mouth and remained quiet. “What you’re facing, what you’re trying to do, you cannot do on your own. You need people to help supplement your efforts. You need family, friends, and allies whether you can completely trust them or not.” Sordith stood up and moved to his brother. He placed his hands on either side of Alador’s arms. “You are truly a Guldalian.” Sordith shook his head with a concerned frown. “When you see something, you rush at it without a care to the harm you will cause.”

  Alador stiffened and attempted to pull away, but Sordith gripped him tight. “I know you don’t want to hear that.; -his tone lost its hard edge - “...but I can tell you that by watching from the outside, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the family tree.

  Sordith pinned him with his gaze. “What kind of man do you want to be? You could choose to stumble down the path you’re on right now and end up cold, ruthless, and friendless,” - he paused - “...a replica of your uncle, which, no offense, you show signs of becoming; or you could choose instead to become your own man, geas or no geas.”

  Alador dropped his eyes as Sordith let him go. “I don’t know how,” he admitted.

  “Step one, seek counsel when your emotions run high. Step two: learn to ask for help.” Sordith was holding up fingers as he counted it off. “Step three: acce
pt your circumstances, because you just keep fighting what you’ve no power to change. It’s a waste of your energy.” Sordith dropped his hand. “You’d be better suited to put that energy into areas where you have control and influence.”

  Alador took a deep breath. Sordith’s words were sound and he knew it. He deflated under his brother’s wisdom. “You’re right,” Alador admitted under his breath.

  “What did you say?” Sordith grinned at him.

  “You heard me.” Alador pushed the man back a little in frustrated humiliation. “I react too fast. I can’t control my temper.” Alador ran a hand across his face as he admitted his faults. “I play my hand too loosely. I have been like a small one doing anything to have a friend. I’m constantly focused on things that are beyond my control.”

  Sordith nodded. “Still feel it’s time to leave?”

  Alador contemplated the question. “Yes, I know how I’m going to proceed.” Alador ran a hand through his loose - drab hair. Well, drab except for the strange white stripe he now bore.

  “Then TELL me! Step one, remember?” Sordith moved back to lean against his desk. “Let’s plan, rather than you rushing off into another disaster.” Sordith grinned at him, not letting the point fade.

  “You’d help me with this geas? Would you really help me thwart Luthian and stop the bloodmining?” Alador searched his face. Could he dare to hope that his new-found brother was truly interested in helping the dragons, despite his Lerdenian roots?

  “I’ve no interest in bloodstones, as I’m not a mage. Also, helping you will not impact my profits unless I‘m caught. I’ve no love for the High Minister, despite how well he runs the city. But...I have a more important reason.”