Elephant Thief

by Lia Patterson

  A reminder that we still had to work hard for a lasting peace. “Will the horses you gifted to Prince Bahram and the emperor be a problem?” I asked anxiously.

  Rhys’s eyes glinted. “Oh, I have a notion where to get them.”

  “Where?”

  “I’ve decided to give Pellyn the opportunity to buy himself back into my good graces. His family runs large herds of horses on the salt marshes by the coast. I’m sure he can come up with the required number. As for the emperor, I already have a horse in mind, a flashy chestnut stallion.”

  “A stallion?” I frowned. “I thought you weren’t going to part with your breeding stock?”

  Rhys grinned. “If they use him to breed, they’ll ruin their horses for the next hundred years. He has no stamina, weak hocks and is as timid as a mouse, but his gorgeous colour makes you forget all that. Perfect for parades.”

  No doubt the emperor would love Rhys’s gift. I returned his grin. “You’re an evil man!”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Surely you knew that from the start. Only it’s too late to change your mind now.”

  Really, how did he know I had even made it up when he had never asked me? The man presumed too much. “I can still do as I please,” I pointed out in my haughtiest tone.

  His eyes crinkled with amusement. “I’m afraid you can’t kiss me in front of the whole army and not carry through. Gently-bred Sikhandi ladies don’t do that kind of thing.”

  “What do you know of gently-bred Sikhandi ladies?” I shot back.

  He snorted. “Admittedly not a lot. My experience has mostly been with a different sort of lady.”

  I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help grinning. “You’re terrible.”

  His hands had somehow wandered up my back, where my robe dipped much lower than I was used to. “I like your new dress, by the way,” he murmured. “Did Prince Bahram send it?”

  “Yes, he knows how to treat a lady,” I said repressively.

  “Hmm, I do appreciate his gift, too.” A finger lightly traced my spine. “Bahram has excellent taste.”

  I fought hard not to betray the shiver of awareness that his touch sent through me. “The prince has been most considerate, hasn’t he?”

  He grinned. “You really have Prince Bahram eating out of your hand, haven’t you, my sweet. Do you realise we couldn’t have done it better if we had orchestrated the whole thing beforehand?”

  That surprised a laugh out of me. “You make it sound like a game of Tafl, cornering the king between us.”

  “Isn’t that what we did?”

  I shook my head, amazed at how light-hearted he sounded. Didn’t he have any doubts about his decision? Suddenly I wanted to know. “Rhys, what made you agree to my plan?”

  He paused in his exploration. “What do you mean?”

  “When I first proposed a treaty, you accused me of luring you off your path,” I reminded him. “Yet now you’re happy to go along with it. What made you change your mind? Something I said?”

  Rhys hesitated. “Yes and no. You were persuasive, I admit that, but…” He slid his hands up to my shoulders and looked at me searchingly. “Arisha, your words appealed to my reason, but my heart still wanted revenge…and then that mage attacked us, burning you.” His grip tightened. “You lay so white and still, for a moment I was sure he had killed you! Only at that point did I realise how much I wanted a world where children can grow up in peace, just as you said.”

  He closed his eyes with remembered pain. “It was as if the Lady had given me a chance, offered a wonderful, precious gift, but I had hesitated too long. I was a stubborn fool and did not deserve her offer, so she had snatched it away again. I had lost you.”

  “Oh, Rhys,” I whispered.

  He opened his eyes and naked need shone in them. “I could not bear that. Not again! I swore that moment that if only you came back to me, I would do anything possible to ensure a peace.”

  I slid my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. “And you have. Rhys, I’m sure it’s the right decision.”

  He stroked my back. “From now on, I will no longer let old hatred and long dead men dictate my actions. This is our chance to change things for the better – together.”

  For a long time we stood there just revelling in the feeling of holding each other close. Then Hami rumbled loudly outside, the kind of deep call that carries for miles.

  I sighed. “He’s missing the other elephants. Perhaps I can take him inside the fort tomorrow to meet them.”

  Rhys hesitated. “Let them come out instead,” he suggested. “We need to take this in small steps.” Slowly he loosened his embrace. “Listen, Arisha, I have to go now. I want to make the rounds of the campfires tonight to talk to my men and hear their thoughts. I really only wanted to check on you briefly.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Only you led me astray.”

  “I did nothing at all!” I protested.

  His lips twitched. “You don’t have to. Just being yourself suffices. It always has, from the very start.”

  “Really?” I asked, surprised. “You never let on.”

  “Of course not. I was much too irritated with myself for liking you at all.” He fingered a strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear, letting his hand linger on my cheek. “But in reality I was lost from that first evening, when you faced me over the Shah board, obnoxious, stubborn, hopelessly gallant.”

  I blushed. “And annoyed,” I reminded him. “Which was a good thing, as it kept the fear at bay.”

  “I’m sorry if I seemed a little harsh.”

  I shook my head in bemusement. How strange that now I could think of no safer place to be than in his arms, when once I had been so frightened. “Just a little,” I agreed wryly.

  “I have to admit I had to work very hard at convincing myself that I did not find you attractive, that you were the enemy,” he said with a grin. “And I only had limited success.”

  “You certainly managed to convince me that you looked on me with nothing but scorn!”

  He drew me closer. “Never with scorn. You were far too annoyingly kissable for that.”

  Remembering my initial irritation with him, I had to chuckle. “For my part, I just thought you extremely squashable!”

  Rhys flashed me a smile and suddenly I found myself pressed against his chest. “So are you,” he murmured and bent to capture my lips again.

  I melted into his arms. Would I ever get enough of the feeling of being held by him? I did not think so. I was a glutton for his touch, wanting more. Wanting him to explore my body and for me to explore his! Not really proper feelings for a mage and well-bred lady, but I didn’t care.

  After a most pleasant but too short time, Rhys loosened his clasp with a groan. “Arisha, it’s getting dark…”

  “… and you need to go and talk to your men,” I sighed.

  He leant his forehead against mine. “Not that I have the least desire to do so. But the men need to see me. I might have spoken to their captains, but they should hear it from me directly and be able to question me.”

  He was right, of course. But what we had between us was so fresh and precious, I was reluctant to let him go. “I’m coming with you,” I decided.

  He touched me on the cheek. “Are you sure? Shouldn’t you rest?”

  “Nonsense,” I declared. “I’ve slept and had a bath, I need nothing more.” My stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly. “Except maybe for some food.”

  He smiled down at me. “I’m sure I can provide something.”

  “Fine, that’s decided.”

  “And come to think of it,” Rhys added, “this would have the added benefit of being able to keep an eye on you. My heart nearly stopped when I saw you in the middle of that river!” His lips curved in a rueful smile. “But I suppose the way you play Shah should have warned me not to leave you to your own devices. Trust you to suborn the womenfolk of my family.”

  I grinned. “Actually, I’m not quite sure if I suborned Lady Lun
ed or she suborned me.”

  Rhys shook his head. “With Grandmother anything is possible. I suspect she knew my heart far better than I knew it myself.” He took my hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “So, lady of mine, shall we go and charm my men?”

  “And feed me,” I reminded him.

  “And feed you,” he agreed gravely. “Didn’t your Rastam tal Nasar say that a wise general will fill his soldiers’ bellies before his own?”

  “Something like it.” I chuckled. “You’re learning.”

  “Indeed I am.” He gave a deep, dramatic sigh. “And then I really must make a start on the difficult task you set me earlier on. Though I have a feeling it won’t be easy.” He slipped his arm around my waist and drew me to the exit of the tent.

  I frowned in confusion. “Do you mean convincing your men? Do you foresee a lot of opposition from them?”

  “Oh no, that should be easy in comparison to what you’ve challenged me to do.”

  He had me thoroughly confused by now. “What are you talking about? What task did I set you?”

  A slow, wicked grin blossomed. “Courting you. Remember, my sweet? You gave me leave.”

  EPILOGUE

  The valley opened up ahead of us when we descended from the hills, the grass parched yellow from heat except where a stream meandered through the meadows. The only sounds that broke the silence were the sighing of the wind and the occasional bleats of the sheep grazing the fields, watched over by a lonely shepherd and his dog. Up in the mountains the first autumn chills had turned the leaves of the trees to glorious gold, but down here the memory of summer still lingered.

  As we slowly drew nearer, the castle came into sight. Though I was expecting it, I drew in my breath sharply. The burnt and blackened ruins thrust up into the deep blue sky like a decayed tooth. So this was Glynhir, the place where Prince Maziar had poisoned half the Aneiry nobility. Not for the first time I wondered if I was doing the right thing by coming here.

  We stopped to set up camp right at the entrance of the valley, as if by common consent nobody wanted to get any closer to a spot where so many people had met a violent end. I dismounted from my horse and stretched. It still felt strange not to ride on an elephant’s back, but I had left Hami behind at the Eyrie to help settle in the two elephants Prince Bahram had given me as a wedding present. They needed to get used to their new mahouts, and anyway, Grandfather was there in case of problems. A smile escaped me. To everybody’s surprise he and Grandmother Luned got on like a house on fire. Kambiz had already extended his stay several times.

  I patted my horse, a beautiful grey mare, and she turned her head round and searched my hand for treats. Nia had been part of my morning gift, the traditional present of horses an Aneiry nobleman offered his wife on the morning after the wedding. Knowing of the tradition, I had suggested to Rhys to include a few culls I could trade to the Sikhandi, but he had refused outright. Remembering his outraged expression, I grinned. When I had told Grandmother about it, she had nearly had a seizure from laughter. Apparently the morning gift was supposed to mirror the bridegroom’s satisfaction with his bride.

  But where was Rhys anyway? He had been uncharacteristically withdrawn the whole day, with none of his usual teasing, and had not been there to help me dismount, though lately he fussed continually as if I were unable to get on and off a horse on my own. I liked to brush down Nia myself – all the exertion I was allowed at the moment – for it strengthened my bond with the mare, but this time I handed the reins over to Wynn, who was hovering nearby.

  “Could you please look after her for me, Hawk?” I asked.

  “Of course, Lady Eagle,” the lad shot back, beaming as always when addressed by his nickname.

  With her usual efficiency, Owl had already posted sentries, and the men were unrolling the thick canvas for our tents and gathering fire wood. I had been amazed at the amount of food packed for our short excursion, but the cook seemed determined to tempt me with fresh delicacies at every stop. At least I had managed to put my foot down on hauling that golden monstrosity of a bath tub along. It was almost funny how everybody treated me as if I were made from spun glass!

  Duach had taken up station next to the cooking pot, hoping for scraps, and looked up at me soulfully, but after a quick scratch behind his ears I continued in my search for Rhys. My husband. The words still tasted a little strange on my tongue, though it had been four moons. Strange but delightful…

  I finally spotted him by the edge of the clearing, looking down the valley. He wore a brooding expression and though he drew me against his side when I joined him, I wasn’t sure if he was truly aware of me. Seeing the lines of pain on his face, I wondered again if coming here had been a good idea. I had thought to put his ghosts to rest, but perhaps instead I had opened up old wounds. Was it presumptuous for a Sikhandi mage to visit this place?

  If only I could have asked Cerwen’s advice, but she had moved to the coast with Taren. At least we would see them again for the harvest fair when we got back home to the Eyrie, and also Owena and Kestrel. Rhys wanted to show them the rapidly rising walls of the castle and discuss next year’s trading with them. I smiled inwardly. Perhaps I could talk them into a few games of Tafl. Though I loved the challenge of playing Rhys at Shah, of pitting my wits against that ruthlessly sharp mind of his, playing on his side was even more exhilarating.

  Suddenly Rhys stirred from his contemplation. “Come with me,” he said, taking my hand.

  Surprised, I followed him as he led me into the woods, taking a narrow deer trail that led towards the ridge of the hills cradling the valley. We passed one of the sentries, but Rhys waved the man back when he offered to accompany us. In the shade of the trees it was cooler, and I enjoyed stretching my legs after the long hours of riding.

  “You know this place?” I asked, for he unerringly chose his way.

  Rhys nodded and held up a branch for me to duck under. “We used to come here as kids. Lord Anyon was a friend of my father’s and his son showed me these hills.”

  “What happened to them?” I asked, though secretly I dreaded the answer.

  “They died in the massacre,” Rhys said as expected. “Cai was an only son and the line ended with him.”

  At that point we had to scramble up a steep bank overgrown with ferns. Rhys gave me a hand. “Arisha, are you all right?” he asked, suddenly anxious. “Should you be doing this?”

  “I’m fine!” I protested, but nevertheless paused to catch my breath. Luckily I had adopted mixed clothing, an embroidered blouse in the Aneiry style worn over loose Sikhandi trousers. A robe would have been impossible to manage in the dense undergrowth.

  After a brief break we continued up the hill through a copse of hazelnut bushes, sending a family of squirrels scurrying up a tree. But suddenly we emerged onto a stone ledge, a wide vista opening up before us.

  Disorientated I swayed for a moment. Rhys steadied me at once with a hand on my elbow. “Careful! Do you need to sit down?”

  I shook my head. “It’s all right.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” I asserted.

  Rhys seemed to recall that he had promised not to fuss too much over me, for he said nothing more. Instead he stepped behind me, slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him, holding me close. I leant back against his firm chest, enjoying the familiar embrace. A breeze had sprung up, sending a gust of cool mountain air around us, but I felt none of its chill.

  His hands rested on my belly, warm and strong, and I was intensely aware of the havoc they could work upon me if he so chose. Unfortunately, this once his thoughts were obviously far away from that.

  Below us the valley spread out, the sheep like little toy animals and the castle looking more sad than threatening. “Glynhir was not a big place and far from rich,” Rhys murmured, “but everybody liked Lord Anyon and came to the wedding of his son.” His voice sounded calm, as if he were talking of long ago events. Which they were really, bu
t always before there had been that raw edge of pain and rage. Now I only heard sorrow.

  “Where do they rest?” I asked. No need to specify whom I meant.

  He pointed to a circle of trees behind the castle, surrounded by a low stone wall. “The surviving servants buried them in the grove after Maziar left. I wasn’t here, of course.”

  I clasped his hand at the familiar self-reproach in his words. “Rhys, you couldn’t have known.”

  He squeezed my hand absentmindedly. “When I got back, we burnt the castle down. It was the first thing I did, destroy this cursed place.”

  Had that given him any peace of mind? I very much doubted it.

  “We piled logs and bundles of straw against the walls, drenched them in oil and set them on fire,” he continued his tale. “The castle smouldered for days afterwards with a thick, dark column of smoke rising into the air.” His voice grew grim. “A warning to the Sikhandi. They didn’t know me then, but they would.”

  It was the Eagle speaking. Somewhere a bird of prey gave a harsh cry.

  “I didn’t go to the grove,” Rhys continued in a softer tone. “I suppose I felt I had failed them.”

  “And now?” The tall oaks within the stone circle seemed to spread their boughs protectively over the grass. Not a bad place to lie really.

  “I think I would like to,” Rhys said slowly. “The place looks different now. Peaceful.”

  I twisted round to look up at him. “Wherever they are, be it with your Lady or on the Wheel, surely your loved ones have found rest.”

  He sighed and touched me lightly on the cheek. “I hope so. You know, all these years the only image in my mind of my parents and Seren was of them dying, and me not there to help them.” He hesitated. “Yet lately I remember other things, happier memories.”

  I nodded, for he had told me about some of them. In the dark hours of the night, lying entwined in bed together, he was slowly learning to open up his heart. As did I. My thoughts went to my father, and I wondered if he was watching me from his place on the Wheel. I hoped that he had found peace there with my mother, knowing that their daughter was happy. For myself, I no longer blamed him for leaving me.