by Kealohilani
Drakne scowled as he finished scanning the wreckage. His men cringed whenever they even came close to making eye contact with him. He stepped forward deliberately and stopped in front of the newly-self-proclaimed leader of Kelamosa. He paused to glower at the man and spoke slowly— enunciating every syllable with excruciating clarity— as the man cowered before him.
“Brenar Kansata. Explain to me again how two warriors—” Drakne held up two fingers for emphasis and his black leather gloves creaked as if they too were trying to control themselves “—managed to kill more than forty of your men and escape without your even knowing in which direction they departed.”
Brenar shifted his weight from one foot to the other and closed his eyes with a grimace, as he forced each word out of his mouth— each sounding worse as he spoke it than it had in his head.
“It was over before we even knew they were here. We only found out what had happened from a wounded man who was left for dead. In fact, he did die— moments after relating the tale… Your Excellency. We did not see them ourselves.”
“Oh,” Drakne said. “You did not see them. Well that makes all the difference. It couldn’t possibly be your fault, because you did not see them.”
“We were, um… you see…”
“Silence, you fool! You do not realize what you have lost through your moronic behavior! I know full well what you were doing.
“You were fighting amongst yourselves for who would be the next to lead. You idiots took more than fifty of your own men out for them! I assume you won?”
“Yes, Your Excellency… I did.”
“A short-lived victory, to be sure. Vranah will not be pleased by this gross incompetence,” spat Drakne, nearly hissing as he turned to two of his own men. “You two take him to Lord Vranah, now!”
“No, please! Please, Your Excellency!”
Brenar fell to his knees and grabbed Drakne’s boots.
“Get your hands off of me!”
Brenar instantly let go and held his palms behind him as far away from Drakne as he could while keeping his head low. Drakne scowled at Brenar.
He formed a glowing yellow energy ball in his hand and dropped it calmly into Brenar’s back. Brenar curled in at his midsection, as if he had been kicked in the gut— writhing and gasping for air as he clawed his fingers into the dirt beneath him.
“Touch me again and in that instant you shall die!”
Brenar nodded slowly as he recovered his breath— keeping his face low to the ground and his hands in the dirt. Drakne turned to leave just as Brenar began to speak again.
“Please! I beg of you, show mercy, Lord Drakne! Mercy!”
“Mercy?”
Drakne stopped in his tracks and rounded on Brenar with a twisted half-smile. His voice sounded as if merely speaking that word tasted bad.
“What do I know of mercy? I do my master’s bidding! I am the most powerful man in this entire world next to him. Do you think I got here with mercy? Mercy is not a quality Vranah prizes…”
Drakne’s voice trailed off for a moment, but he quickly snapped back into his normal demeanor.
“Besides— even if mercy were something I was capable of granting— you have done nothing worthy of it. Get him out of my sight before you two meet the same end as he will!”
It was done.
“As for you…” Drakne continued, referring to the last two survivors of the camp. “You will take the place of the men who are escorting that idiot to Vranah.”
The two of them placed their fists over their hearts and bowed their heads.
“You should know, however, that if we do not find the escaped prisoners— or if I see any such display of ineptitude as was demonstrated here last night— you will meet a worse fate than that of your comrade’s. I will not tolerate failure or cowardice in any of my men.”
“Yes, sir!” the two men replied in unison.
“Now get out of my sight.”
The two men fell quickly into the back of Drakne’s ranks. Drakne turned his back on his men and placed two fingers of his very tense right hand against his temple. His eyes rolled closed for a brief instant and he took in a deep, but livid, breath and exhaled quietly through his gritted teeth.
He was always surrounded by idiots, morons, and imbeciles! He was sick of them all! He began to think that he stood a better chance of accomplishing his mission by himself.
Where have those blasted rebels gone?! It could not be far. They would not have chosen the mountain pass to Zenastra. That journey would take weeks just to reach Zenastra— never mind Destavnia.
They were less than a week away from Destavnia if they had taken the direct path beyond the meadow through the trees— either through the main trail or through the winding trail. However, to avoid another attack— they would not have wanted to be unprotected and in the open of the main trail. That left only one route.
“Follow me— double march!” Drakne ordered, as he led the way.
Lani awakened slowly as morning found its way into the hollow of the tree she had been sleeping in. She became instantly and acutely aware of her pain. She felt nauseated and dizzy.
Her eyes fell on the figure of a man sitting in the entryway and she scrambled to her feet in alarm. Once she realized it was Jharate, she relaxed and sat down again. However, her feelings toward him were still decidedly mixed.
She felt deep gratitude that he had saved her— but she was still hurt over being abandoned in the first place. She knew it wasn’t his fault, but she needed a place to direct some of her pain. Feeling something— anything— other than helpless violation, was a welcome distraction.
“Lani?” Jharate asked quietly. “May I come to you now?”
Tears formed in Lani’s eyes from the gentle way in which he had just spoken to her. She had almost forgotten how she had shoved him away from her at the camp the night before. Had he waited all night, watching over her, just to ask her this question?
Her heart melted a little. She could not bring herself to say anything. She simply nodded her head and scooted over slightly, so there would be room for him to sit next to her inside of the tree. She didn’t want to come out yet.
Jharate quietly moved beside her and slowly put his arm protectively around her. At this, she wrapped both of her arms around him and started to cry on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair. With his other arm he embraced her— holding her close and secure.
“You are safe now,” he whispered gently. “I am here.”
“But, you weren’t,” Lani sobbed.
“I am profoundly sorry. My deepest desire is to always stay near you and protect you. I did not wish to leave you— even for one moment. It breaks my heart to know how much pain you must have endured when you realized I had left your side.
“Arante saw the horse before it emerged from the tree line. She quickly pulled me behind a nearby tree. I have learned to trust her instinctively, without question. Once behind the tree, I looked for you immediately— as I waited for her explanation.
“It was only then that I saw you and the others being ambushed. I began to run to your side to be with you— to protect you. Arante immediately seized my arm and implored me to remember that I could not save you if I were captured as well.”
“What took— what took you so long to save me?”
“The plan was to wait until nightfall. Then we would come for all of you under cover of night to magnify the element of surprise to ensure our success. However, several hours later— not long before sunset— I had a vision of the future… of the way events would unfold if I waited any longer… and of what would happen…”
“What would happen to me, you mean?” Lani asked between her sobs.
Jharate closed his eyes and his chest shuddered during his exhale. He lowered his head before opening them again. He hugged Lani closer and kept his arms around her as he loosened his hold a little, choking on the answer to her question.
“Yes.”
An icy feeling jol
ted through Lani and her tears continued to fall. She was glad that Jharate had been warned of her peril— and therefore had been able to come to her rescue in time— but she worried about how much he had been forced to see, and how hard that must have been on him.
Had he only seen himself rescuing her before anything could really happen— or had he seen the consequence if he had failed to do so? She shook at the thought and squeezed him in appreciation for what he had done and also to comfort him for what he had been through.
“I ignored Arante’s protests and ran to save you that very instant. I knew she could not understand my actions. However, I also knew that there was no time to lose in explaining.
“From what I observed when I arrived… I reached you with not a moment to spare. Although I desperately wish I had been able to arrive faster! I cannot imagine what you must have endured! Please forgive me for not being able to be at your side sooner…”
Lani continued to cry on his shoulder, holding him tightly, her hands clutching his shirt as if she might fall. She felt horrible that she had ever doubted him.
“I am here, Lani. I am here for whatever you require. Whether you wish to speak to me, or simply wish to cry, I am here.”
Lani trembled in his arms.
“I can’t stop seeing his face— I can’t stop hearing his voice. I can’t make the memory of that horrid— I can’t make it go away.”
Jharate closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it as he swallowed the words that had not come. He leaned his head down and gently kissed her on the top of her head and held her closer to his heart.
“I-I’ve ne-never been so scared in my entire life. I thought for sure— I thought he was going to…”
Her sobs overpowered her and prevented her from speaking further. Jharate resumed stroking her hair and held her securely as he kissed her on top of her head once again.
“I am so sorry that you were forced to wonder if help was coming to you. I promise— I will never let anything happen to you again.”
“I-I believe you.”
Lani’s sobs continued, but slowed. Her tears kept falling, but her gasps for air and sharp sighs were slowing. The severity of her near-hysteria and the intensity of her shaking started to subside. Her thoughts turned to the other issue that was plaguing her and filling her soul with another kind of terror.
“Jharate?”
“Yes?”
“I… I killed a man. I’ve never wa—”
“You had no choice,” Jharate insisted ardently. “It was kill or be killed.”
“But… You don’t understand. I wanted to! I was so angry. I thought it was Asharen… I wanted to kill him! I…”
“That man was going to kill you— or worse— if given a chance. He was no different from Asharen.”
Lani looked up at him with tears in her eyes in a way that made it clear that, in her mind, that did not matter. She lowered her eyes after meeting his gaze.
She did not even feel worthy to look at Jharate. She had taken a life, and she had wanted to. That went against everything she had ever stood for.
Jharate gently lifted her chin so that she could see his eyes again, and stared at her intently.
“Listen to me, Lani. You are not a murderer. You did not kill him for a foul or self-serving reason or with any malice aforethought.
“You simply acted in defense of your own life and virtue— and rightly so. I repeat— that man would have done the same as Asharen attempted to do, given the opportunity.
“You acted by instinct alone. You are not a murderer. I have been forced to kill many people in my life. In the heat of battle you must focus on survival. Everything in your body and mind prepares you to do so.
“You want to kill your attacker. However— the difference between people like the two of us and people like those we fight, is that we act in defense of our families, ourselves, our country, and to preserve the lives of others.
“We do not feel fulfilled by killing. It is deeply scarring to us. Our conscience tells us that we are carrying out a horrible deed. We are not perfect. However, we are good people. And good people would never kill anyone for anything so trivial as money, power, or any other such worldly reasons.
“We believe in the sanctity of human life— and even more in the nobility of the human soul. We are striving to reach our most elevated state. We want to be truly good.
“We only kill when we absolutely must— and then we regret having to do so. You are a good person, Lani. In fact, after having the privilege of being able to speak with you at length and the privilege of beginning to discover who you truly are over the past weeks— it is now my sincere opinion that you are the best person that I have ever had the honor to know.”
Jharate paused for a moment. He let go of her chin and smoothed her hair behind her ear. He looked from her hair, to her eyes, to her soft full lips. He felt a lump in his throat and his voice changed from a determined tone to a gentle and sincere near-whisper.
“You are also the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. Your eyes are the sapphire blue of the Manaleina Ocean at twilight. Your lips have the magenta hue of a Kelamosan dawn flower, and your own fragrance is even more intoxicating.
“Furthermore, just as any flower blossoms in the sun— when its rays kiss your skin and turn it golden brown, it sets your creamy white skin aglow. When I first saw you, I was astonished to find that you were even more beautiful than my previous visions of you had led me to believe. And, you grow more beautiful each day.
“When I learned that your morality and intelligence surpassed your beauty— I was dumfounded. You are forthright and articulate and witty and the sound of your laugh fairly takes my breath away.
“From the moment I met you, I knew my heart would never be in my possession again. It has belonged to you ever since that first day and you will continue to hold it for eternity.
“I should have told you all of this long ago. I suppose what I am attempting to say, Lani, is… I love you.”
Lani’s eyelashes fluttered in surprise. She felt happily dazed by his words. A warm feeling surrounded her wounded heart like a blanket on a cold night. For one glorious moment, she forgot all of the pain that she had just been through.
“I love you too, Jharate.”
Exhilaration rushed through her entire body. It seemed as though she had been aching to hear those words and to say them back forever— from long before she ever knew he existed. She saw the love brimming in his eyes.
He watched as her eyes sparkled blue again and her ruby lips formed a smile. Jharate kissed her forehead gently, then her cheek, and then the other cheek.
Lani could feel his heart racing and heard his breathing become slow— almost to the point of not breathing at all— as he held his lips on her soft, smooth cheek before letting them drag slowly to her cherry lips. They kissed.
Passion such as Lani had never felt erupted within her in a fantastic wave of heat. But there was something more— Lani felt warmth inside her soul. There was something about his kiss.
It was so gentle and loving, so selfless, so protective— so everything nice there ever was about love.
She felt that she had finally found her Prince Phillip— her other half— the one person in the world who would do anything for her, and love her back with as much love as she had to give. She kissed him back fervently. When their lips parted she rested her forehead against his and laughed softly.
Jharate smiled at her and leaned in for a second kiss. His kiss warmed her from her head to her toes. She felt as if she could fly if she wanted to. Her heart had entwined with his forever. She wished this moment would never end.
“Ahem.”
Arante cleared her throat to announce her arrival. The happy couple started— surprised that there was anyone on the planet besides the two of them.
“I’m sorry to— hmm— interrupt,” she said, looking at them in a slig
htly irritated manner that matched her tone, “but we have to move. Drakne and his men have reached Asharen’s camp. It is only a matter of time before they set out to look for us.”
“Thank you, Arante,” Jharate answered coolly. “We will join you shortly.”
Arante nodded her head once, looked down at the ground, and turned to leave the two lovebirds alone again.
“Her timing is impeccable.”
“That’s okay,” Lani sighed. “She’s right.”
Jharate kissed her sweetly, once more, on the lips.
“Shall we go then, my darling?”
Jharate stood up and offered his brawny hand to her. She took it and followed him out of the hollow. She stopped for a moment to look back as she stretched daintily.
This little place had suddenly become quite lovely to her. As they turned to go, the fire pixie hovered a few feet in front of them, as if asking permission to be dismissed.
“Your light made a miserable time more bearable for me. Thank you so much!”
“Think nothing of it, dear lady!”
“I am deeply grateful to you for watching over her when I could not.”
The fire pixie bowed graciously to Jharate.
“My pleasure, Your Highness.”
The fire pixie bowed once more and flew quickly away into the forest. Lani noticed her perfectly-clean sword and smiled. She took it and placed it back in its sheath.
“Thank you for cleaning my sword.”
Jharate took her hand and kissed it gently as he moved his hand to intertwine his fingers with hers. They looked at each other and smiled happily, as if they would never let go.
Despite his hands being much larger than hers, it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable at all. It was as if her hand had been made to fit into his. Jharate leaned down to kiss her one last time before the two of them rounded the trunk of the tree to join the others, who were now ready to go.
Lani marveled at the now-lantern-less flowering canopy above her as she took it in for the first time. How she wished they could stay here! It was magical!