“I heard.” She let out a breath and dropped her eyes. Facing him was harder than she thought. “You are right.”
“Why?” Surprise tinted his tone.
Ishar shrugged. “I thought it would be easier.” She swallowed and turned back placing one hand on Simi’s withers; the other holding the rag on the mare’s back. Before she could continue with the wipe down, she heard a step. She felt his presence as he covered her like a cloak, his hands stilling her own. For a moment Ishar stood there and enjoyed the feel of his warmth and strength as it poured into her.
“Do not do this,” Traevyn muttered. “After all that has happened, do not shut me out.”
She heard him take a ragged breath. “Traevyn—”
“Hear me out, I beg of you.” His voice was strained and weary. “I know how you must feel. I should have trusted you. I should never have let Lysandr place you under arrest. It nearly led to your death. All I ask is that you give me a chance to earn your forgiveness.”
Ishar blinked. Her forgiveness? He wanted her forgiveness? She slipped around and found herself trapped between Traevyn and Simi’s bodies. She tried to wiggle to give him a hint to back off. He was either not good at hints or ignored her. Ishar raised a brow and glared as she spoke. “I am not mad at you about the arrest, Traevyn.”
He frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Lysandr was right to arrest me. There was such anger over Eira’s injury. He probably saved my life. No. This is about us. I thought distancing myself would make our jobs easier in the future as we prepare for war.” She had thought it an honest assessment of their situation.
“Easier,” he repeated in confusion.
“Yes,” Ishar stated sensibly. “We will more than likely have to work together in the coming months as we merge our troops together into an army. I do not wish it to be difficult for you.”
Traevyn’s eyes narrowed. He took a step back. “Difficult for me.”
She frowned. “Why do you keep repeating everything I say?”
“Because nothing you have said in the past made sense,” he muttered with resentment, “until now.” Traevyn took a step away from her for a moment, a look of anger growing as he took several deep breaths. Bitterness glared from his eyes as he turned back to face her fully. His words, when spoken, were laced with resentment. “Fear, I can understand. It is something that claws at each and every warrior at some moment in their life. Cowardice? That is more difficult for me. However, I see you understand its nature all too well.”
Ishar felt anger rise at his words. “I am not a coward,” she hissed.
Stepping forward with boldness, Traevyn took her chin and brushed his lips across hers. Ishar closed her eyes and stilled the response. She opened them to find him studying her.
“Who is the one running?” he whispered. Traevyn spread his arms wide. “I am here. Standing. Waiting. Where are you, Ishar? Running? Hiding within?”
She stared at him incredulously. “You would have me throw away my people’s standards and my honor?” She snapped with fury at the insult.
“I thought we were to be a united people.” His words were clipped with scorn as he continued, “A united Alsaar against a common threat. Those were your words. I heard them plainly.” His dark eyes probed as he continued, “Or did I? Is this unity only for the Tourna’s invasion? When this is over, will we once more become separate entities who stare with suspicion at any who are unlike and contradictory to us? Will we become as we were, reduced to fighting and killing those we once called allies in the name of border disputes and differences of opinion?”
Ishar stared with confusion. “You do not understand.”
Traevyn waved a hand to halt her. “I understand. I am not stupid, Ishar. I hear the words plainly that you speak. The problem is I do not think you hear them.” He stepped boldly up until they were once more touching. “You always speak of your honor. I know a warrior’s word is their honor.” Traevyn leaned his head to hers. “Answer me this, Ishar. Do you care for me? If you can look at me and honorably say no, I will walk away. I will speak no farther of these things.”
She clenched her eyes close. His breath blew gently on her cheeks and her throat was gripped tight at the contemplation of lying, even with the passing thought that it might remove the tempting irritation Traevyn had become. Ishar let go of the tightness within her and whispered, “Yes.”
A shiver ran through his body at her words. Traevyn lifted his head and glanced down with a slow smile. “Thank you,” he replied softly.
He acted as if she had shouted of love at the top of her lungs and Ishar could not help but return the look. It was as if the tightness within had been released by her single word. His gentle reply humbled her and she could not help herself. She reached up and stroked her fingers down the side of his face. Traevyn lowered his head and brushed his lips once more across hers. She sighed and placed her hand on the front of his shirt. “Traevyn, this does not change things. It only makes them worse.”
He chuckled softly, shook his head and stepped away to lean against a wooden post. “Yes to the first. No to the second,” he replied with a continued smile. “And before you speak, let me add I refuse to let you back down from your word.”
Ishar frowned. “I still have a warband to lead. A warband who will expect me to live by the same standards that applies to each one of them. What kind of leader would I be if I failed to be the example they should follow?” She sighed.
“You should be an example of what they should follow,” Traevyn stated slowly, “An example of our future.”
She knew immediately what he meant, and her frown deepened. “It is too early and you forget I am in a position of distinction that requires I conduct myself above other warband leaders. I am the daughter of Ryen of the Haaldyn. I cannot be seen scattering my people’s ways to the far winds. It would be inappropriate and feed the resentment people like Fenric want sown. I will not be the cause of that.” He frowned and did not speak in the silence she left and a twinge of fear slivered up her spine. Would he leave in anger at her words that refused to see his path, she wondered.
The look Traevyn finally gave her was one of reproof. “Have I asked you to, as you say, throw your ways aside?”
Surprised, Ishar shook her head in confusion. “I do not understand. Have you not?”
“I have only asked for you to confess the truth within you.” He sighed. “I understand the feelings regarding your warband. How does stating a truth change that?”
Her brow puckered. “I cannot become a wife or mother while I wear the mark of a warrior. I thought you understood this.”
His jaw clenched tight. “I understand. I spent all week holed up in a room understanding. If you would have had the courage to face me alone, I would have told you then what I tell you now.” Traevyn took a deep breath and let it out. He took a step closer and placed his hand on her chest. “I make a vow to you, Ishar. I will not ask again for you to pledge yourself to me until this war is over. The only one who can change this vow is you.” He stepped back and dropped his hand.
Ishar blinked. “But why ask me to admit it?”
“Is there something within your code of honor that says we cannot admit our love for each other?”
She shook her head slowly, coming to grips with a dawning understanding.
“Then I will live with what I can have, and that is, at this moment, your admittance that you care for me.” Traevyn gave a weary sigh.
Ishar studied Traevyn warily. “And you will be acceptable with this?”
He chuckled. “I wish for more but I will have to be content with this, for now.”
“Even being seen together might cause trouble,” she said. “Some might not like that I have chosen a man not of my people.” She saw him stiffen and quickly reached out to grab his shoulder. “I did not say that to infer it would alter my choice.”
“Your choice,” he muttered with hope.
Biting her lip, she stared with ap
prehension at him. “If you can abide by the words you have spoken to me, then I can at the least admit to you my feelings.” Ishar hesitated, the words heavy as they crawled out from the depths. “I care for you, deeply, and if you are truly willing to wait until this war ends, I will pledge myself in honor to you.” She shivered at the spoken words, at the power they held as they bound her to this man, as firmly now as they would in the future.
“The truth?” he spoke with vehemence. “Now is your chance, for I will surely hold you to this vow.”
“My words already do this,” she said haltingly before placing her right hand over her heart and her left one over his. “I swear these words to you and you alone on my word of honor as a warrior.”
Traevyn placed his hands over hers. “And you have my word as a warrior that I will honor my vow.” He smiled. “Perhaps a kiss, to seal our pact?” At her raised brow he answered, “I promise this in no way violates my promise to not make you a wife or mother.”
She chuckled. “It muddles the waters.”
But she did not halt his lowered head or fight the lips that claimed her own. For the first time, Ishar let herself enjoy the moment. After a moment Traevyn eased up and drew a ragged breath. “Perhaps there is a truth in your words,” he grumbled. She watched with fascination as he looked at her with desire. “What have I agreed to,” he muttered.
“Ishar,” a voice roared out from outside. It was Volker.
She glanced at Traevyn. “I will honor our pact, but give my people time to settle before they must come to grips with the fact that their leader has chosen an outsider. It will not be easy for some and I know this is not right or easy for you but still I ask.”
Traevyn studied her softly, then assented with a nod.
Ishar smiled and brushed her lips once more against his. She stepped back just as the sound of footsteps entered the building.
“Ishar, there you are.” Volker’s voice boomed down the alleyway.
Traevyn looked down at her. “Be conscious of that time,” he murmured, “I am not as patient as I once thought myself.”
She turned to face her second in command. Volker stopped short of her presence and gave a short bow of his head. “Brya wishes to have your thoughts on a certain group of Britai she has watched in training. Do you have time?”
Ishar gave a nod. “Of course.” She turned to Traevyn. “I am glad to see you recovered. I will speak to you later with the other Raanans at the gathering place. I still owe Davaris a drink,” she smiled.
For the first time Volker seemed to take in the Raanan’s presence. He frowned slightly and Ishar wondered if he noted Traevyn’s close proximity that all but shouted of familiarity. She wondered if Volker would take it as soldiers’ solidarity and friendship. How long would it be before he realized she and Traevyn were more than fellow soldiers? And what troubles would this cause? Ishar let these thoughts slip away as she gave a nod to Traevyn and moved forward and past her second. She turned back. “Volker?”
Her second still stared at Traevyn with a frown. He turned to her and gave a slow nod of acknowledgment. “Siobyn,” he spoke quietly. Ishar turned and made her way from the horse shelter. Volker followed, their long strides covering ground. She did not look back. She knew he watched her go. A smile grew slowly upon her lips as she thought of the coming evening spent among new and old friends. Then Ishar let all thoughts of the future slip away as she made her way through the inner gate to where Brya waited patiently. The older Haaldyn woman gave her a quick nod of greeting before returning her eyes to the group before her with a furrowed brow. Ishar’s eyes narrowed on the men, her focus intent on any weakness. There was work to be done. The Tourna were coming.
THIS ENDS THE FIRST CHRONICLE OF: BATTLE FOR ALSAAR
Glossary
Ayden – The capital over all the Haaldyn Provinces, set in the Hanjar Province; and Holding of Ryen of the Haaldyn, Ishar’s father.
Buali – A local fruit used to make porridge. Uncooked, the fruit has a sweet but pasty taste. Cooking rids the food of the chalky taste and brings out the sweetness.
Burda – Fur-lined overguard, capable of being worn in battle with freedom of movement. Some end at thighs, others go to the knees. A Haaldyn garment.
Daiwen- Lute name for their woodland home; means ‘dark safety’. Tourna once tried to set it on fire to drive out the Lute, but a strange west wind blew it back toward the Tourna, burning them alive. This is but one reason the Lute feel their grove is sacred in that it protects them.
Dwæn – Short, heavy dagger that is easily conceable. A Haaldyn weapon.
Etu River – River that bisects the island; boundary line between the Lute and the Britai (somewhat, as the Lute go where they will). A Lute word.
Gihuad – Lute word for anything they consider complete weakness; translates to ‘hollow emptiness’. A crude term for the Haaldyn and the Britai.
Hadwri – Earthwork being rebuilt on the beaches the Tourna landed the last time they came. It is natural landing site for many boats. A Britai word.
Lendyr, Battle of – One of the fiercest battles fought between the Haaldyn and the Lute where the Haaldyn defeated their enemy by forcing their numbers off a cliff called Hwarsträ or ‘blood drop’ by the Haaldyn, and Swarbua or ‘soft shadow’ by the Lute.
Lyell – Haaldyn town located in Uhlan Province, where Ishar meets with Fenric.
Nagarnri – The ‘haunters of nightmares’, a word used by Haaldyn parents to their children to describe undescribable terror. It is a Haaldyn word Ishar uses to describe the Tourna.
Osguaru – People the Raanan warriors were helping when the Tourna came and raided the Raanan people.
Paera – A fruit. A drink is made from this that can be served fermented, or not. A Britai word.
Pwuta Blades – Specially angled cutting blades that one’s hands slide into; can be used as punching blows and slices and stabs. A Raanan word.
Siobyn – Title for leader of a warband; a commander of fifty. A Haaldyn word.
Supai – River fish; breed excessively when the river rises from snow melting. Strong swimmers that stay below the top current but can be lured up with the right bait. A Britai word.
Suri – A respectful title for a member of a warband. A Haaldyn word.
Taryn – The name for the Holding of Varyk; in the southlands.
Twyndur Mountain Range – Mountains that slice across the northern part of the island. A Haaldyn word.
Wædym – Haaldyn word for an immoral woman; one who sells her favors on the streets.
Waisu – The name of a porridge made from the Buali fruit, eaten by many to break the fast of night.
Wërn – Name of Britai village next to Taryn Holding.
Wörie – Haaldyn word meaning ‘wild wolves’; name given to Ishar’s soldiers who wear the black Hanjar wolf emblem upon their chestplate.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenny Rebecca Keech was born in Belhaven, North Carolina in 1973. She spent her childhood around the local farming community of Terra Ceia, frequenting such historic places such as Bath: a haunt of the pirate Blackbeard, Kitty Hawk: the Wright brothers' first place of flight, the beautiful Outer Banks and Pamlico Sound area many times. While she has traversed many areas of the state, she now resides once more along the southeastern coast of North Carolina in Wilmington. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina of Wilmington with a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and enjoys the water, hiking the mountains of North Carolina, white water rafting and horseback riding.
le(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) Page 28