by Luna Lais
Kale studied the man closely, while they talked. He was even more handsome than Menas. That was something Kale would have thought impossible. He had sandy blond hair and piercing green eyes. The man had large muscles. The type she would have expected of a soldier, yet this man was no soldier. More than once he had looked at Kale curiously. She felt like he could see the secrets she hid. Her eyes glanced to his sword. It was well worn from heavy use. This man had been in battle before. He wore the finest brown leather pants she had ever seen and his thick white shirt looked as soft as a cloud. A bright blue cape was draped around his broad shoulders and clasped at his neck with a large sapphire set in gold. That was not the only thing Kale saw at his neck. He wore a talisman. One Kale not only recognized, but one she knew the meaning of. Her mind buzzed with questions from Tobias. Kale could only sit there starring at the piece of gold.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Kale," the man was smiling at her. Kale brought her mind back to the conversation Menas was having with the man.
"Thank you," she said blushing, not at meeting a man of such importance, but because he had obviously noticed her starring.
"Tell me what you think of the up coming elections?" he asked her.
"I think we are blessed to have a King that trust us enough to rule ourselves, if only a little." she answered honestly.
"He will be pleased to hear it," the man smiled.
Kale felt the blood drain from her face. Surely this man was not important enough to carry her words to the king. He wore the talisman she remembered. Only the king could place it around a man's neck. It gave the bearer the authority of the king. She moaned to herself.
"Do not fret Lord Palek, I will see your stallion safely back to Rorgrim when I leave at the end of the week."
"Palek!" Kale gasped out loud.
"That's right," the man said narrowing his eyes on her.
Kale scrambled for something to say. "My grandmother's closest friend was named Clarissa Palek," she said making up the lie as she said it. "She was from Hokaren so I doubt you are a relation, but it is an uncommon name."
She could not tell by the man's eyes if he had accepted the lie for truth. "My grandmother's name was Clarissa," he said probing her with his eyes. "She lived in Hokaren her whole life."
Not all of it Kale thought as she smiled at the man. "What a coincidence," she said.
"I do not believe in coincidence, Kale," he said flatly. "Enjoy your meal," he said leaving her alone with Menas again.
"Who is he," she asked Menas still watching the man. He turned to look back at her one last time before leaving the Inn.
"What rock did you crawl out from under, Kale" Menas sighed. "That is Eranen Palek." Kale just cast a questioning stare at Menas. "He is the king's brother-in-law, not to mention best friend and a royal adjutant as well." Menas explained.
"What is he doing in Moristine," Kale found herself asking Menas, more at Tobias's request than her own curiosity.
"Just dropping off his horses. He is heading into the mountains tomorrow."
"Why?" Kale asked.
Menas smiled at her, "I am just a Lieutenant, and I do not rank high enough to know what he is going into the mountains for."
Kale smiled at him. He truly was endearing himself to her. "Do you really head for Rorgrim at the end of the week," she did not have to fake the disappointment in her voice. Menas would have been a nice distraction while waiting for Tobias to come down.
"All the royal guard are being called to Rorgrim since our main forces have left to conquer Pearoandorn." Since the news of war was the last thing she wanted to talk about and Tobias did not seem to be prodding her to get more information, she quickly changed the subject.
"So you live in Rorgrim," she asked smiling at him once again.
They lingered several hours over desert talking about their childhoods mostly. Kale assumed Tobias must have gone to sleep since it had been awhile since he had tried to interrupt their conversation. It wasn't until Menas had walked her to the bottom of the stairs that lead to the rooms above that she knew he was wide awake. The Inn was practically deserted at this late hour. The majority of the candles had been put out for the night leaving just a few to cast a faint glow in the main room. Kale could tell he was working up the courage to kiss her. Just the thought had her heart beating faster. "You can not do this!" Tobias interrupted her thoughts.
"Go to sleep," she said to Tobias in her mind as she flashed a welcoming smile to Menas.
When he finally leaned in and kissed her Kale felt her heart melt. It was not overly long or passionate, just a light brushing of her lips. The way Tobias was carrying on she would have thought she had been permanently defiled.
"Do you think I will ever see you again?" he asked breathlessly.
"I am traveling to Rorgrim before the end of winter," she said. What would it hurt to see him when she took Tobias to see the king?
"Really," he asked excitedly.
She smiled as she nodded, "Really."
"How can I find you?"
"I will be staying at the castle," she said dreamily. "If your there I am sure we will see each other."
Menas looked puzzled for a moment, "At the castle?" he asked.
To late Kale had realized she had said too much. "My grandfather has been asked to attend the Winter's Ball. He was an important man once. He has agreed to take me with him."
"You are a cool liar," Tobias whispered in her head.
Menas just smiled, "I will find you there then. At the Winter's Ball." He gave her another light kiss before turning and leaving the Inn. Kale watched him go.
"Are you pleased with yourself," She ignored Tobias's tone, "Absolutely," she smiled to herself before heading upstairs for bed. Tobias continued expressing his opinion of her behavior all the way to her room. She did not say a word, but smiled impishly as she pulled out her pink night gown.
"Lieutenant," Menas turned at the sound of the voice. He had just walked across the street after leaving Kale at the Inn. He was on his way back to camp.
"Lord Palek is that you?" Eranen stepped from the shadows so the lieutenant could see him clearly.
"How long have you known that your lady?" Eranen asked.
"I just met her this afternoon," Menas answered immediately.
"I have a special assignment for you," Eranen said motioning for Menas to follow him.
The next morning both Kale and Tobias were in a hurry to leave Moristine. Tobias did not want to risk running into Lieutenant Alridge again, although he had finally admitted her dinner with him had proved valuable. Kale was simply ready to return home. She would not have minded seeing Menas again, but she did not like being in town when it was this crowded. At first it was exciting, now she just wished for a moment's peace. Four men had declared undying love for her and proposed marriage to her on the way to the stables. One young lady had threatened to kill her if she looked at her beau again. Kale did not remember looking at the scrawny fellow and assured the woman he was safe from her. After she finally reached the stables she retrieved her wagon and horses from Rooster as quick as possible and headed to for the general store for supplies. Hopefully the store would not be as crowded as the streets. She really wanted to be home by dinner time.
"Kale what a pleasant surprise," old man Simmons said as she entered the store. "Mr. Simmons how are you," she said politely. Kale had never really cared for the man, but his prices were the best I town. "When are you going to leave those woods and run away with me?" Kale could smell spirits on his breath as he spoke, whether from the night before or this morning she couldn't tell.
"Mr. Simmons I am surprised at you, I am a respectable girl," she laughed. "I'd make an honest woman of you," he laughed back.
"And what would Mrs. Simmons say?" a deep voice from behind her said. Kale turned her best smile towards the source of that voice. "Tom, it is nice to see you again!" Tom smiled and took the list of supplies she had clutched in her hand. "Is your wagon out back?" he as
ked heading to the store room behind the counter.
"Yes," she said following him, leaving Mr. Simmons with the other customers. Tom had opened the back door and was already gathering her things by the time she reached him. She stood close to the wall out of his way and watched him work. After taking the first few crates to her wagon he stopped in front of her and grabbed a jug of water that was sitting on top of some other crates. "Tom can I ask you a question?" she said as he took a drink of water. "Do not," she heard, but she ignored it. She had a point to prove. Tom just stared at her waiting to hear what she had to say. "do you think my nose is unseemly?" she asked.
Tom sat the jug back down on the crate and took a step towards her. She instinctively took a step back, but found herself against the wall. He slowly reached his hand up and gently ran his finger down her nose. "I think it is perfect," he said. Before Kale knew what was happening Tom kissed her. Frantic she shoved him away as quick as she could.
"What did you do that for?" she said wiping her mouth with her sleeve. Tom looked a little embarrassed when he answered, "I got the impression last time you were here you wanted me to kiss you," he said quietly.
"Tom," Kale said at a loss for words. "I had just lost my father and my brother. With my grandfather being so ill I was lonely. I am sorry if I gave you the wrong impression." Tom nodded in understanding. "There's someone else," he said turning away to finish her order. "I wasn't fast enough." Kale felt guilty, yesterday morning before she had met Menas she would have welcomed a kiss from Tom. "I am sorry Tom, but there is someone else," she said.
She could not see the tension leave Menas's face. She did not even know he was there listening at the back door. He had almost rushed in and punched the man. Luckily common sense had interceded. She might suspect he was following her if she saw him lurking behind the store. She was his special assignment. Lord Palek had ordered him to watch her until he returned. Menas had not minded the assignment at all. Since the moment he had met her he had been dreading his return to Rorgrim. He did not particularly care to spy on her, but at least he would be near her. He moved back behind some boxes stacked at the corner of the building so he would not be seen when she came out. She had handled Tom well enough. Menas did not think he would bother her again.
Kale was smiling as she headed out of Moristine. "Four marriage proposals and two kisses," she said smugly. "I might have to come to town more often."
"If I wrote you a poem dedicated solely to the beauty of your nose do you think you might stay home?" Tobias asked.
"You write poetry!"
"No, but a friend of mine use to. If he could manage to rhyme together a few words I am sure I could." Kale laughed at his sarcasm. She knew exactly which friend and what poetry he spoke of. "No, thanks" Kale said. "It was enough to hear Tom say it was beautiful."
"I already told you it was lovely," Tobias said offended, "Just not as lovely as others I have seen."
"Yes you did," Kale relented, "but your opinion doesn't count. It's like having your grandfather tell you, you are pretty."
"Grandfather," Tobias exclaimed, "I still have plenty of years left in me." Kale only smiled and let him expound on his youthfulness all the way home. She was only half listening. Her thoughts were on Menas.
Chapter 48
Darien looked over is troops with pride. They had served him well this day. After crossing over the Blue River into Pearoandorn they had immediately been set upon by one of the many sects battling for the throne. Darien's men had been able to coerce the enemy to surrender with minimal loss of life. Already half of the opposing forces had sworn fealty to him and joined his ranks. The first day in the war over Pearoandorn was going well. They had march hard to make it to Pearoandorn within a week's time. They had been victorious in their first battle and Darien wanted to reward his men. It was for that reason he chose to camp his army on the outskirts of Waverly.
It had been a favorite stop of his and Williams as they chased Ashebourn across Pearoandorn. Ashebourn had zigzagged his way across the country for two long years before being caught in Turnsout and then ceremoniously executed. Ashebourn had proven a bad tactician. He had trapped himself outside the little coastal town of Turnsout. With the ocean to his south, mountains to his west, and Maeorus and Darien flanking his east and north his forces had been crushed. Darien himself had captured Ashebourn and led him to Maeorus and his death.
Darien had enjoyed that war. He knew he shouldn't , people had died, but the feeling of rushing head first into battle, the clang of steel against steel and the whine of his war horse seemed to fill him in away that nothing else in life had. He sighed to himself. Those days were over. He was a king now. He could not rush into battle with his men, only stand behind shouting orders.
"Sire," Darien heard called from the other side of the tent flap.
"Come in Lawwe," Darien said recognizing the voice. Lawwe entered the tent and gave Darien a salute. Darien frowned, just for a moment inside the privacy of his tent would it have been so bad if Lawwe would have smiled and called him Darien? Was he to be king every moment he spent outside of the council room? Darien already knew the answer. He was king, nothing could change that. "What is it?" Darien asked.
"The scouting parties have been dispatched per your orders." Darien nodded. While his army camped outside of Waverly his scouts would be looking for other sects. "I have also given the generals instructions on leave for the men as you asked me to," again Darien only nodded. When he had given his orders to Lawwe he had know doubt they would be carried out. He did not need to have everything reported back to him. When Lawwe was finished he stood with his eyes forward, waiting on Darien to respond. Darien wasn't sure if he was waiting for a pat on the head or more orders to carry out.
"Is there more," Darien asked. Lawwe me his gaze at the question. Darien was sure some of the color had also drained from the man's face. "Yes, there is a lady demanding to see you, Sire." Darien smiled at his old friend, "Tell her I am not in the mood for female companionship this evening. You should know if I was I would have already headed for Waverly like my men."
"It is not one of those ladies, my lord. It is a real lady." Darien stared at Lawwe for a moment in thought. Why would a lady of Pearoandorn risk herself in a camp full of invading soldiers far from home? More importantly why would she want to see the leader of the invading force? Darien smiled, nobles never changed. So sure Darien would soon rule Pearoandorn she no doubt wanted to align herself with him now to ensure future favors. "I do not want to see anyone," Darien said. "I know it is still early, but all I really want to do is have my dinner and sleep. She can make arrangements to see me tomorrow if what she has to say is that important." Lawwe gave a quick bow and left Darien alone in his tent.
Darien removed his sword and dagger and tossed them on the bed. He then sat on down next to them and removed his boots. He wiggled his toes in the furs that had been laid down to cover the ground inside the tent for his comfort. He shook his head at the thought. Fighting a war as a King was certainly different from fighting as a soldier. He stood up and pulled his shirt from his pants, then stretched his arms over his head. The past few months of inactivity were catching up to him. The march to Pearoandorn and the first battle had tired him. He had just started unbuttoning his shirt when a commotion outside his tent drew his attention. He was in the process of retrieving his boots to investigate when a woman burst through the flap of the tent.
Darien stood frozen where he was and stared at her. "Sorry, my lord," Lawwe said still panting from having chased the woman. "She found a way back into camp and forced her way past the guards posted outside your tent." Darien continued to stare at her. She looked at him with the same intensity. "My lord," Lawwe called to Darien again.
Darien remembering someone else was in the tent with them looked past the woman at Lawwe. "Leave us," Darien said with enough authority that Lawwe knew there was no room to question the order. The minute Lawwe disappeared behind the tent flap Darien rushed to the
woman and gathered her tightly in his arms.
"Geena," he whispered over her head. He broke the embrace and move his hands to her face unable to believe she was really standing in front of him. Her red hair still looked as if it would burn to touch. Her blues eyes sparkled like jewels and her full lips were more inviting than ever. With no more doubts in his mind he crushed his lips against hers. He was a man lost to the past remembering only painful desire long ago buried against its will. When he had drunk his fill of her lips he pulled back and studied her eyes with his. He was sure he could see a piece of his heart still buried behind them. "Geena," he whispered again. When she smiled he thought his heart would beat out of his chest. "I was worried you would be displeased to see me after all these years," her words were unsteady and breathless.
"The Gods have blessed me to have you here, "he said softly afraid the tiniest sound would break the dream and she would vanish.
"Rumor is you don't believe in them anymore?" she said. She was still taken with him after all this time he was still the same as she had remembered. His steel gray eyes haunted her.