"He means a lot to you."
"Who, Garret? No, just a friend."
"More, I would say."
"Then you’d say wrong!"
"Touchy." He grinned, then sobered. "Now that we’re alone, you can ask me anything. You know that, don’t you?"
"Will you answer me truthfully?"
"On what I can, yes."
So, there were hidden depths to this man. She regarded him with new eyes.
He smiled crookedly. "Don’t look so perturbed."
"Was I?"
"Plain to see. What bothers you now?"
"You’re not my little brother anymore," she said quietly. "You’re a man I don’t really know."
"That goes both ways. You’re an enigma in so many ways to me. Let’s take the opportunity to get to know each other."
She nudged the horse into a slow walk. "I don’t reveal much easily, I warn you."
"Understandable. You were always good at keeping secrets. Who will start, you or I?"
"Me."
"I thought you’d say that."
Silence fell for several minutes.
"Come, Dana. I feel there’s something you really want to ask me."
She took a deep breath. "You own slaves?"
"Several."
"Do you ever..." Bloody hell, this was hard! How the hell could she ask what was troubling her?
"Yes?"
"Do you... If the women are unwilling..."
"Do I force them?" he asked bluntly. "No. I’ve never forced a woman in my life."
Relief filled her. "I’m glad. Not that it’s my business."
"No, it isn’t." He grinned suddenly. "But that’s all right."
"Troll."
"Next question."
"Did you miss us? Mother and I?"
"Intensely. But time dulled the pain until you were just a memory."
"I see."
"I’ve hurt you."
"Nothing can hurt me."
He cast her a closed look.
"Your turn," she said.
"Have you ever found true love?"
"Hells bells, what a question!" She stared at him. "Of course not!"
"Why ‘of course’?"
"Well, after... Next question."
"You said truthfully."
"You said on what you could, so the same applies to me."
Eyes so like her own regarded her thoughtfully. "It’s because of the past, isn’t it?"
"You don’t hear so good, do you? Tell me, have you found true love?"
"Next question."
"So much for getting to know each other."
"Great progress so far."
They rode further in silence, Rominac leading her around the last building to start down one of the streets.
She noted that the buildings were structured the same as Southland, of wood and cement blocks. The women seemed to be either well cared for, some seeming content, while others were distinctly unhappy, and watched broodingly as they rode by them. Male children played separately from the females. Passing a school, she couldn’t help but note that the occupants were male children only.
"Keep the women uneducated, eh?"
"I hear the bite in your voice, sister. Yes, that is the decision, made when I was a child."
"When Diago took over."
"Exactly."
Before she could retort, a man suddenly stepped up beside her horse, grabbing the reins and drawing it to a halt.
Immediately Dana tensed. "Back off, Northlander, before I slice you open!"
Quickly he backed away, eyes on the dagger she’d pulled so swiftly from her boot top. "Please, I mean no harm."
"Right."
"What is it, Kal?" Rominac asked quietly.
The man’s eyes nervously shifted from Dana to her brother. "We’ve heard how this woman saved you from Southland. There is a question I would ask of her."
Rominac nodded, settling back in the saddle, his hands folded easily upon the pommel.
Dana raked the man before her with a threatening gaze. "What do you want to ask me? If you wish to know what the Southlanders look like, for possible slaves in the future, you’ve got the wrong person."
Her brother frowned but didn’t interrupt.
"That’s not what I wish to ask. However, there is one woman--"
"Forget it." She slapped the reins lightly and the horse started moving.
"No!" The man grabbed the reins again, causing the horse to sidestep uneasily. "Please, this woman, she is my..."
"Your what? Escaped slave?"
"More than that." The man glanced around before returning beseeching eyes to her. "She means more to me than a slave. A woman with golden hair, blue eyes. About this high." He held up his hand. "Thirty years of age."
"Oh, for--"
"Wait." Rominac placed a hand on her arm. "It is important to Kal, Dana. The woman is the mother of his son."
"Then it shouldn’t be too hard to replace her."
Kal’s mouth tightened. "No one can replace her. Have you seen her?"
"I saw many women."
"Please, if it will help, I will tell you that she means a lot to me."
"Valuable?"
His face darkened and he stepped back. "I was mistaken. You have no idea what some of us feel. Thanks for nothing."
"Wait, Kal." Rominac leveled a stern look on his sister. "He loves this woman. At least ease him by revealing your sighting of her."
Dana stared from one man to the other. "What the hell is going on here?"
"Just answer him. Please."
After several seconds of silence, Dana looked down at the Northlander. "I can’t say truthfully whether I saw her or not." Seeing at Rominac’s frown, she snapped, "That’s the truth!"
He sighed. "I believe you. I am sorry, Kal."
The man nodded curtly to them both before turning and entering the store from which he’d just come.
"Are you going to tell me what’s going on?" Dana demanded.
"Is it so inconceivable that emotional attachments do form between the sexes?"
"On this world, yes."
"It wasn’t always like this, you know."
"Something must have happened, because by the stars it is now!"
"There’s no arguing that, but suffice it to say that love still abounds between some."
"So why don’t they do something about it?"
Rominac cast her a long-suffering look. "Society isn’t changed overnight."
"It’s been more than one night since this started. Surely someone must have been in love over all this time--or is it just happening now?"
"Sarcasm comes so easily to you, doesn’t it?"
"If you don’t like it, don’t listen."
"Don’t tempt me."
Anger crackled, a darkening of mood that settled between them unhappily.
They’d covered over half of the distance of the city before Rominac glanced sideways at her.
Determinedly she kept her gaze forward, chin up aggressively. Bloody males! They were all the same!
"I think we just had our first disagreement."
"You think?"
"Are we going to have another, sister?"
"I’m not sure. Introduce a subject and we’ll see."
He started laughing.
"I’m glad you’re so amused," she said hotly.
"You have a wicked temper. How does Garret put up with you?"
Her head shot around to face him. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing." He raised his hands in an innocent gesture. "Just... you know."
"No, I don’t, and you’d better tell me or I’ll--"
"Got you." He grinned. "I win."
She gaped at him for several seconds, then scowled. "Very cute. If you think reminders of childhood teasing is going to placate me--"
"I still win."
"Damn it, Rominac--"
He winked, looking so like the mischievous boy he used to be all those years ago that he
r anger melted away.
Turning to face the front again, she swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and growled, "You’re a bloody troll, Rom."
"But a winning one," he teased, coming up beside her to take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
A reluctant smile curved her lips. "I’m not giving in on that."
"No need to. We both know I won."
She squeezed his hand back. "No, we both won. We found each other."
They exchanged glances, smiling ruefully.
"Troll."
"Witch."
~ * ~
As promised, Garret awaited her outside the door to Rominac’s home. Seeing them approach, he straightened up from the leaning position against the house and moved forward to assist Dana in dismounting.
She grimaced, the aches from the fight making themselves known after the horse ride.
"Mayhaps this was not such a good idea." Frowning, he supported most of her weight with one arm around her waist.
"Having a meal here?"
"Get that hopeful look off your face, lass. Nay, I meant the ride."
"I’m fine."
Rominac opened the door hurriedly. "Come, sister, let’s get you settled comfortably."
"I’m not elderly and will thank you to stop treating me as such."
"Sorry. Your hobbling led me to believe otherwise."
She aimed a cuff at his ears but missed.
Smiling, he ushered them inside and they found themselves in the dim coolness of a long corridor. To either side opened doors into large, richly furnished rooms.
"Nice," Garret commented.
"Harrumph."
"Behave yourself, lass. Oh, here come the rest now. Red, you look hungry."
"Hungry enough to eat the horses outside being led away by a fetching little wen--er, aye, I am."
Dana glared at him and chagrined, Red looked away, clearing his throat.
Rominac grinned as the rest of the traders filled the corridor, making the vastness appear amazingly cramped. "I suggest we go to the dining room and ready ourselves for the evening meal. I trust you’re all hungry, not just Red?"
Cam sniffed the air appreciatively. "Just lead the way and I’ll demonstrate."
"Aye," Jase agreed. "Actions speak louder than words!"
The Northlander led them down the corridor and into a room near the back of the house.
Dana glanced around, seeing the long table surrounded by straight-backed chairs with red satin cushions. Paintings of sceneries hung on the walls, and vases of flowers sat on the sideboard and a little table in the corner. Plates were already set at the long table.
"Take a seat anywhere," Rominac instructed.
Garret assisted Dana to a chair and sat beside her. The rest of the crew sat gingerly, uncertain that the chairs would take their weights. A couple creaked alarmingly, but held, and they relaxed. Rominac sat opposite Dana.
Before anyone could say anything voices sounded, coming closer, and Dana recognized Diago’s as one of them. He strode into the room followed by a young woman carrying a bowl of steaming food.
With a nod to the watchers, he took the seat at the head of the table. "I’m pleased that you chose to join us for a meal, Dana."
Twelve
"I chose to join Rominac. Unfortunately, you came with it."
"’Tis good of you to have us," Garret said smoothly.
Dana scowled.
Unperturbed, Diago shook out a lap-cloth and laid it across his knees. "Not at all. It’s nice to have some time with visitors."
Which is all I am to him, Dana thought angrily.
Rominac smiled to the slave and, with a quick nod, she left the room.
"One of yours?" Dana asked.
"Yes. Larla has been here many years. Indeed, I’ve known her almost all her life."
"Have you ever considered sending her to Southland?"
Garret winced inwardly and Simon cast him a worried glance across the table.
"No woman goes to Southland unless she escapes," Diago said.
One fine brow arched. "And have many escaped?"
"Only one lately." Briefly he glanced at his son, who met his gaze coolly. "Tell me, how are the Southlanders?"
"Free." Dana replied meaningfully.
Garret nudged her knee warningly under the table with his own.
"This I know already." Diago spooned some vegetables from the large dish onto his plate. "Please, help yourselves to the food."
"There is also a meat dish coming," Rominac said, correctly interpreting Red’s questioning glance around the table.
Picking up the dish of vegetables, Red helped himself to a generous serving before passing it around the table.
Food was the last thing Dana felt like, but her companion gave her no choice, spooning it onto her plate before she could refuse. Sourly, she thought she must remember to thank Garret later... as he deserved.
Diago watched Larla enter with a platter of mixed hot meats.
"Thank you," Rominac said to her. "Go now and seek your own meal."
With a surprisingly affectionate look at him, she bowed and left.
Wondering what Diago thought about the pleasantries bestowed upon a mere slave, Dana looked squarely at him. "Does that display turn your stomach?"
"Display?"
"Being polite to a woman," Rominac explained, unfazed.
"How he treats his slave is of no concern to me."
"How surprising. As leader of this lovely country--"
Jase choked and Cam pounded him helpfully on his back.
"--I would have thought anything to do with the slaves would be of interest to you."
"I have slaves of my own to contend with," Diago returned tightly.
"Obviously you don’t contend with them well, for some of those living in Southland were undoubtedly yours."
The strike hit home immediately, she could see it by the tightening of his jaw. Good.
Taking a sip of wine, he replaced the goblet on the table before meeting her challenging gaze. "Speaking of which, how is Zar?"
Rominac went still, his gaze switching from his sister to his father.
"The champion of the runaways? Doing very well."
Chewing a piece of steak, Garret listened to the exchange thoughtfully. The lass was holding up well and going straight for the jugular vein every chance she got. He couldn’t really blame her; Diago had a lot to answer for. Unless the conversation appeared to be in danger of getting out of hand, he decided that it was family business, and he’d do best to simply observe.
"Hmm." Diago speared a piece of green vegetable and turned his gaze to Jase. "I understand you had a taste of her hospitality?"
"Aye," he replied shortly.
"Not to your liking?"
"I’ve had better."
"And how did you find Zar, Dana?"
Her chin lifted. "I like her."
A humorless smile touched the straight lips. "That doesn’t surprise me. Still hardheaded, is she?"
"I would say that men have made her so."
"Perhaps. How did you find the male slaves? A little more palatable?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I haven’t heard you comment on them." He regarded her steadily.
"You know my feelings on slavery."
"But you haven’t said anything about the male slaves."
"I detest slavery and anyone dealing in such!"
The occupants of the table went silent, all except for Diago, who continued to eat.
How could he be so calm? Dana gritted her teeth. She couldn’t believe that she was sitting here, sharing a meal with this carrion-eater! It turned her stomach. Abruptly she started to push her chair back.
Immediately, Garret’s hand on her thigh stopped her. Glaring at him, she followed his pointed gaze, and turned to see Rominac biting his lip, his eyes troubled.
Damn it all to hell and back! How could she disappoint him?
"As a mercenary in the Outlaw Sector
, surely you fought and made slaves of the conquered?" Diago asked with mild curiosity.
Indignation flared to life. "We never made slaves of anyone. We fought for whomever paid us and left immediately after."
"Didn’t you wonder about those you left behind?"
For several seconds she stared at him, then a mocking smile twisted her lips. "As you did Mother and I? Oh, I forgot, you thought we were killers. Well, what do you know? In our own ways, we each thought identically. Leave those we don’t care about behind to their fate. After all, they must deserve it, mustn’t they?"
Nobody bothered to pretend to be eating. The Daamens watched the fury burning in their friend’s eyes, Rominac sighed quietly, and Garret was ready to prevent the enraged lass from flying at the older Northlander if she took it into her head to do so.
Placing down the cutlery, Diago eyed her before saying softly, "Are we even yet?"
"Not on this side of hell," she hissed.
"I see." He stood, inclining his head. "It seems that none of you will be able to enjoy the meal with my presence being here. Please, do eat up."
"Father--"
"Later, Rominac." With a regal inclination of his head, Diago walked out of the room.
Garret looked at Rominac. "I’m sorry it ended like that."
"It never started," Dana said dourly.
"I understand your feelings, sister, I really do, but couldn’t you have tried, even a little?"
"That was my best. He baited me just as much. And what gave him the right to question my actions and thoughts? Biologically he’s my father, but he’ll never be so in my heart!"
"Settle down, lass," Garret said quietly.
"I’m truly sorry." Rominac ran one hand through his hair. "I shouldn’t have expected you two to sit and be amicable to one another."
"It would take a miracle." Red nodded. "They seem to share the same stubbornness--"
"I share nothing with him!"
"Of course not, that’s not what I meant. Your being stubborn is entirely different to his. Not the same at all." Red spooned a big enough mouthful of meat into his mouth to prevent any more mistakenly helpful comments to emerge, and cast Simon a pleading look.
"So," his friend said. "This is a nice dwelling, Rominac. How long have you lived here?"
"Hmm? Oh, most of my life. Not long after we arrived here, actually."
"Where did you live before here?"
"We traveled around a bit."
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