by Xenia Melzer
He turned to Daran with a stern face. “You’re not going. It’s too soon. I’ll go see Renaldo and tell him you’re not ready yet.”
He got up to do exactly that, but Daran stopped him with raised hands.
“Master! Please. I really want to go. This is my chance to prove myself to the lords. Please don’t ruin it for me.”
The pleading tone only managed to stoke Kalad’s anger. The voice of reason in his head scolded him for being an infatuated, overprotective fool who didn’t act even one notch better than the Angel of Death, but Kalad ignored the nagging. He would not allow his precious darling to get into any danger. Determined, he shoved Daran aside and was just about to open the door when Aegid entered. One glance was enough for the giant to realize how loaded the situation was. His brows shot up in question.
“What’s the matter? You two look as if you’re about to go at each other’s throats.”
Before Daran could open his mouth, Kalad started to talk.
“Renaldo is seriously planning to let this fledgling lead the escort for the caravan to the mines. I’m on my way to end this foolishness.”
“Don’t do that, Master, please. I’m looking forward to it!”
Daran’s voice was still pleading, but there was a hint of anger blooming in his features. He obviously didn’t plan on giving in. Aegid furrowed his brows. Normally he was more levelheaded than Kalad, always having the bigger picture in the back of his mind. Yet now he could feel his emotions taking control of his decisions.
“You may be looking forward to it, Daran, but Kalad is right. You’re still too inexperienced. We won’t allow it.”
Aegid’s tone showed clearly that for him the last word concerning this matter had been said. He stepped aside to let his brother through to have a talk with the Angel of Death.
Daran shook his head vigorously. “That’s my first big command! Why do you have to ruin it for me? I’ve already led four missions successfully, and you didn’t object to those!”
Aegid’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t used to serious opposition from Daran, and it irritated him that the young man didn’t submit to his will as usual.
“Because those missions were minor, nothing that could have us worried. And we don’t want to ruin anything for you, it’s just that we have hundreds of years of experience concerning this business, and you can believe us when we say you’re not ready yet.”
“Lord Renaldo seems to have a different opinion than you. And he’s even older than you are.”
Daran’s tone had become more aggressive. This, and the fact that his argument was well substantiated, made the desert brothers angry. Kalad grabbed the thief’s wrist and glared.
“Watch your mouth, Daran. Our patience does have its limits.”
Fiercely, Daran yanked his arm free. “You’re hurting me. Concerning the limits of your patience—you no longer have the right to order me.”
The words hung in the air like a curse. It was obvious how much Daran wished he could take them back, but when he became aware of the unrelenting fury in the desert brothers’ eyes, he stuck out his chin in defiance.
“I think it’s better if I don’t spend the night here. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be back in eleven days.”
He turned around and left his lovers’ chambers in anger for the first time since they’d known each other. Aegid and Kalad were thunderstruck. Of course they had noticed how much Daran had changed since his training had begun, and until now it had filled them with pride to see the sometimes-precocious boy turn into a real man. But real men made their own decisions even when their lovers did not approve.
“He’s growing up way too fast,” Kalad murmured with a certain amount of regret.
Aegid placed a hand on his shoulder. “Unfortunately, yes. I still feel proud. He really dared to defy us. At the beginning of this year, he wouldn’t have dreamed about it! He’s going to be a great warrior.”
“Shall we follow him?”
“And make his determination waver? No. He’s made his decision, and now he has to live with it.”
Kalad grinned with a hint of malice in his face. “Our pretty little thief will have a sleepless night, don’t you think?”
“Definitely. But it’s going to teach him about consequences. All we have to do is live through the next ten days without him.”
Kalad sighed deeply. “It’s going to be hard. Especially since we’d planned so many interesting things for today. Once he comes back, he’ll have to take responsibility.”
Thinking about how they would make Daran pay for his decision lifted the warriors’ spirits considerably. They had been living long enough to savor the prospect of pleasures to come as much as the pleasure itself.
“HEY, DARAN! You’re making a face as long as a fiddle! This is your first command. You should be beaming with joy!” Lukan steered his horse next to that of his leader, the brows in his open, round face furrowed. “Or are you worried? Lord Renaldo wouldn’t have chosen you if he didn’t think you were ready. Plus, this is routine. It’s perfect for your first time.”
On this innuendo, the warrior’s eyes lit up mockingly. He was two years younger than Daran and could take endless pleasure from such jokes.
Daran tried to manage a smile and failed miserably. “It’s not the command, Lukan. I’m confident enough to believe I can lead the escort. Unfortunately, my masters are of a different opinion.”
Lukan whistled silently. He knew immediately where the problem lay. “You had a fight with Kalad and Aegid.”
The pain in Daran’s face was answer enough.
“For the first time since we met. I mean, we did have some minor quarrels, but nothing this big. I’m feeling so ghastly, I can’t find the words.”
Soothingly, Lukan placed a hand on the thief’s shoulder. “It will pass. You’re a free man, a warrior in the Pack, and to top it off, the first immortal after the Emeris. It’s only natural for you to find your own way. Considering how possessive those two are, it’s no wonder you had a run-in. When I went on my first command, Elua refused to talk to me for a week. We’re still together, though.”
Daran sighed deeply. Lukan had come into the Valley last winter, not as a slave but as the lover of Elua, a mercenary ten years his senior. She was an experienced warrior whom Canubis often sent where the battle was worst. About fifty men and women—like her, specializing in fighting with long daggers—obeyed her command. Her fighters were able to bring severe losses to the enemy and usually went right to the center of every skirmish.
She had met Lukan in a small town south of Kwarl and spent some pleasant nights with him. That the third son of a local noble would fall in love with her hadn’t been planned, but in the end she had yielded to his persistent wooing and taken him to the Valley. Once they had arrived, Lukan had done everything in his power to make her his own, with the outcome that they were now married. After some epic and violent arguments, Lukan had decided to serve under a different commander, since his wife wasn’t very good at keeping her protective instincts under control. This was the reason Lukan was riding with Daran now, who truly liked the cheerful noble. Lukan represented everything Daran had never had: respectable ancestry and a carefree, perfect childhood in a loving home. Talking to Lukan was like a balm. His balanced personality easily soothed Daran’s churning emotions. Grateful, the thief smiled at him.
“I know I shouldn’t be taking it to heart, but this is the first time we’ve been separated. And after an argument as well. I’m feeling as if somebody has roughed me up.”
Lukan sighed. “This may sound like pure derision to you, but enjoy the feeling. Believe me, once you’re back, they’re gonna make you pay.” His blue-gray eyes lit up in mockery. “When you think you can’t take it anymore, imagine the make-up sex you’re going to have once they’ve calmed down. It always helps me to get through my quarrels with Elua.”
Upon these words, Daran felt a shudder run through his body that wasn’t entirely born from
lust. Having two lovers, especially seasoned ones like Kalad and Aegid, meant he was driven to his limit and beyond practically every night. On the few occasions when he had had make-up sex with the desert brothers, Daran had lost consciousness during the act more than once, and afterward it had taken days until he had been able to stand on his own again. He was perfectly fine with having normal intercourse with his masters.
“I’d prefer not to waste too much thought on that. I like being able to walk on my own.”
Curiosity woke in Lukan’s eyes. “What’s it like, having two men in your bed?”
“Exhausting. Terribly exhausting.”
“Doesn’t sound like fun to me….”
Daran sighed. How was he supposed to explain something he didn’t really understand himself? “Of course I like it. But believe it or not, even lust can be too much. When those two are taking me, it’s like I’m drowning. I’m completely helpless and reduced to receiving them. I don’t have any control left and can only endure it because I trust them absolutely.”
Lukan frowned. “But you’re immortal as well now. You should be able to match them.”
“That’s what I had hoped, but I’m still too young. And their mere presence is simply too overwhelming. They’ve conditioned me perfectly. If they use a certain tone or way of looking, it’s like I go into heat. My body is like an instrument they have tuned to their liking.”
“And yet you love them.” It was more a statement than a question.
“More than anything else in the world. They are my life. Everything I am and own, I owe to them, which is why our argument is concerning me so much. I feel like I’ve betrayed their generosity.”
Lukan shook his head in wonder. “You’re a lot more complicated than I thought, Daran. Seen from the outside, your relationship is so harmonious it could make one sick. I would have never thought you could feel anything but bliss.”
The worry in Lukan’s voice was so obvious, Daran had to smile. It was nice to have comrades like him.
“Strictly speaking, I am in perpetual bliss. I’m truly happy. It’s just that my life is really intense. And because I was a weak mortal until not too long ago, it’s a little too much sometimes. But I can assure you, if I had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn’t change one thing. Even my time in Kwarl—if it’s the price I had to pay for being able to live with Aegid and Kalad, then so be it.”
“Seems like love turns us all into fools.” Lukan grinned broadly. “But I’m happy. Everything else would be plain boring.”
Daran laughed. “You’re so right! And now let’s end this deeply philosophical discussion before one of us starts crying.”
Slightly more at ease than before and determined to make up with his masters after his return, Daran edged Rajan on.
“HOW DOES concluding your first command successfully feel?”
Lukan was grinning broadly at Daran. They were about a day’s ride from the Valley, and he was looking forward to seeing Elua again.
Daran made a face. The closer they had gotten to home, the more reclusive he had become. “First of all, we’re not home yet, and secondly, I can hardly think about anything but my fight with Aegid and Kalad. As you well know, Lukan.”
The noble lifted his hands apologetically. “I was just trying to get your mind off it. That’s what friends are for.”
“I appreciate the effort, but I’d rather you don’t. I don’t know how to face them.”
Lukan rolled his eyes heavenward. Daran’s obsession with his lovers was as bad as theirs for him. It was more or less impossible to get him to think of something else. Lukan was just pondering what else he could do to lift his commander’s spirits when he glimpsed movement from the corner of his eye. His hand grabbed the hilt of his sword in one fluid movement while his voice resounded clearly in the fresh morning air.
“Enemy! Get ready!”
He hadn’t finished his warning when hollow clay spheres started shattering all around them. A thin, treacherous dust rose in the air, burning the mercenaries’ lungs when they inhaled it. Lukan had the presence of mind to press his cloak against mouth and nose before he tried to get an overview of the situation. More and more of the strange clay spheres shattered on the ground. The beasts of burden pulling the heavy carts of blue steel were getting increasingly nervous, and their loud roaring didn’t help to calm the confusion. Lukan started to blink. The ground seemed to be moving toward him; the air was filled with colored lights, and a sound like an approaching thunderstorm resounded in his ears.
“It’s a drug! Try to get away!”
Daran’s voice was far off. Lukan had trouble understanding him. When he finally realized what the words meant, he tried to steer his mare away from the dust with hands that were too clumsy to hold the reins. He could feel his mind getting numb and fought it desperately. In front of him he could see Daran, who was swaying on the back of his horse but somehow managed to lead Rajan away from the caravan toward clean air. Lukan didn’t know how he accomplished the same feat.
Just when breathing became easier again, the main attack happened. Armed men appeared from all directions. They all had wet cloths wrapped around their mouths and noses and their eyes were protected by thin veils. With the efficiency of seasoned highwaymen, some of them killed the helpless coachmen while the rest took care of the disoriented mercenaries. Lukan gripped his sword harder. As soon as he and Daran had gotten out of the dust, his mind had started to work again. The two men exchanged a glance, knowing well that the caravan was lost. Judging from Daran’s determined expression, he wasn’t willing to give in so easily. He turned toward the massacre happening right in front of them. Due to the drug, the mercenaries didn’t stand a chance against the well-organized attackers.
“Lukan, go and get help. Move it!”
“Daran, this is madness! You are heavily outnumbered. There’s no chance you’re going to survive this!”
With a weak smile, Daran turned around.
“I know. But I owe it to these—to my—men. And I’m going to come back. You know that. Now get going. The Wolf of War must know what has happened.”
Lukan hesitated for one more moment before he gave in. He had received a direct order from his commander, and even though everything inside him was thirsting to join Daran, reason told him that informing the lords was even more important. Determined, he spun his horse around and started galloping. He had barely made five strides when something hit him hard below the ribcage and almost swept him off his mount. Panting, he held on to the saddle, fumbling for the arrow that had buried itself in his body. Disgusted, he broke off the shaft and threw it away, then urged his mare on.
DARAN DIDN’T see it when Lukan was hit by the arrow; he was too immersed with the task in front of him. Only a handful of his men were still alive, and they stood no chance against the superior numbers of the enemy. Whoever had planned this attack had been quite thorough and knew the Pack’s weakness. The drug had turned the powerful, perfectly trained warriors into a bunch of disoriented, helpless children who were barely able to fend off the clumsy attacks from the highwaymen. Daran, too, felt the effect of the drug dust, but not as badly as his men, which was probably due to his immortal nature. The horses and oxen seemed to be completely unperturbed by the effect, a small blessing for which Daran was grateful. If Rajan had been affected as well, he wouldn’t have stood even the smallest chance.
He was painfully aware of how brutally they were outnumbered, and he had no illusions that they would not all find their death here. Still, he felt the obligation toward those men who had accepted his command to kill as many enemies as possible. And even though his body didn’t obey him like it used to, Daran managed to take five of the men down and wound as many before the highwaymen could finally defeat him. When the cold steel of two swords entered his body simultaneously, Daran slid into darkness with a feeling of gratitude. Once he woke, he would be faced with the anger of the Wolf of War, a prospect he wasn’t looking forward to.
> 2. ECHEND’DIM
WHEN LUKAN was absolutely sure nobody had followed him, he reined his mare in and oriented himself. Luckily his mount had instinctively turned toward the Valley. Yet they were still too far away for him to make it alive. The arrow in his side had caused more damage than Lukan had first assumed. With every heartbeat he could feel his life trickling out of him. The saddle and the fur of the mare were already sticky with blood. At least his mind was working perfectly again, so Lukan knew what he had to do. With his own blood, he wrote the exact location of the raid and the information about the drug on his coat. Then he tied himself to the saddle with the rope that was standard equipment for all members of the Pack and patted the mare’s neck, grateful she was one of the horses trained by Casto.
“Sirana!” The dun snorted when she heard her name, her ears playing nervously. She could sense that something was amiss. “Sirana! Alan nioma! Nioma!”
Lukan whimpered when the mare started running. No matter what happened now, or who would try to stop her, she would bring him back to the Valley or die trying. For a moment he wondered how Casto managed to condition the horses to spoken commands like this, but the pain stopped his musings almost immediately. He knew he didn’t have much time left and decided not to waste his final lucid moments pondering the enigma that was Casto.
A weak smile flickered across the face of the dying man. Elua. Even though he had wished to spend more time with her, he didn’t regret following her. Never before had he been as happy as with this woman. The only thing he felt sorry for was that he couldn’t tell her anymore. But when she followed him into the Green Lands one day, he would do so immediately.
Sirana flattened her ears. She could feel that the man on her back was no longer alive, and had she not been trained so perfectly, she would have given in to temptation and tried to get rid of the burden. Instead, she ran on, determined to fulfill her rider’s last command.