“I would love to hear it. Guard, bring us some food; our guests must be famished. Please, do tell me the story, kDira.”
kDira proceeded to tell the complete story of Malak and his betrayal, of how they had come to know the Survivors, and how Malak had set the catastrophe in motion, forcing them to flee to the west.
“Fascinating. So now you are without a home?”
“That is correct. We were hoping to find a place here on the water to call our new home.”
“Then let me be the first to offer Ravengard as your new home. You would be welcome with us, to come and go as you please, but I would very much like to try to breed with your strongest males, if that is not too much to ask.”
“You have no other breeders here?” kDira asked.
“I am the only breeding female.”
“But certainly, with all the males here,” Miss Davis asked, “you would have no trouble producing offspring?”
The Queen turned and looked at Miss Davis, more serious than she had been since the Blackhorn arrived. “Outsider, none of our males are capable of producing offspring.”
Miss Davis and kDira looked at each other with eyebrows raised.
cHAPTER 8
After food was brought into the chamber, the Queen invited everyone over to a large wooden table, with matching chairs padded with a soft cushion covered in a red fabric. The table had two platters, each with a fish the length of a warrior’s arrow, and of a type none of the Blackhorn had ever seen. The fish were cooked whole, steam rising, and surrounded by several types of green vegetables. Around the platters were several sliced loaves of bread and many more bottles of wine.
Tina Davis picked up one of the bottles and read the label out loud:
LABYRINTH
PINOT NOIR
CUVÉE STEPHANIE
2012
“Those are strange words, but I am excited to hear them,” Queen Lehentis said. “Please, everyone find yourself a seat. Ari, here, come sit next to me.”
The ever-present guards found places along the outskirts of the room and stood at attention.
kDira looked over at Ari, who was noticeably taken by the leader of the Ravengard. kDira watched as Ari took the seat across from her, somewhat concerned that the Queen had made no extra effort to invite kDira to also sit next to her.
Everyone enjoyed the meal and drink. The conversation was light, and the sunset through the massive windows was awe-inspiring.
“Do you get sunsets like this every night?” Ari asked.
“Almost always. You are welcome to come up whenever you want and experience them with me. Would you like that, Ari?”
“I would like that very much,” Ari said, finding herself lost in the eyes of her host.
“Good! But now, my new friends, it is getting late, and I fear we must find you all a place to stay tonight until we can settle you into more permanent lodging. That is, of course, if you wish to stay with us here at Ravengard. We can discuss that further tomorrow.”
The Blackhorn stood up from the table, wiping their faces on the soft cloth napkins provided, and bowed instinctively toward the Queen.
“Guard, please show them down again to be with their people. Have the General find them rooms for the night and a stable for their beasts.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
“Ari, could you stay for a few minutes? I would like to speak to you, if you do not mind.”
“Queen Mother, would that be all right?”
kDira hesitated but thought better of the possibility of estranging her friend further or upsetting their new host. “Sure, of course. Have fun. We will see you down below when you are done.”
As kDira and the others left, she could hear Ari and the Queen chuckling back and forth. “Come,” the Queen said, “Let us watch what remains of the sunset together.”
“She didn’t even hesitate,” kDira said to Agis and Winter, who were finishing up their meal of fish and bread while sitting in chairs that had been provided by the Ravengard warriors.
“This bryne is a bit strange, don’t you think?” Agis replied before finishing his glass of the tart liquid.
“Did you even listen to what I just told you?” kDira asked of her mate, pacing back and forth, waving her hands around to emphasize her point.
“I heard you. Ari is up there with the Queen of the Ravengard. She is a big girl; she can take care of herself.”
“I don’t trust this Queen. Something about her strikes me as off. She’s too interested in us, especially the males.”
“The males? Why? She has plenty.”
“She says that none of the Ravengard males are capable of producing offspring. And if you look around, there are no other females. None.”
Agis looked around, then back at kDira. “Hmmm, you are right. I don’t see any Ravengard females. But do you suppose we could enjoy at least one night here without starting a war? I have just eaten my first real meal in weeks, and I am feeling pretty good: after drinking enough of this nasty bryne, my knee no longer hurts. Do you suppose we could work on conquering these people and taking over this side of the world tomorrow?”
“Shut up, kreb,” kDira said disgustedly, turning and walking away.
“You really know how to get her riled up,” Winter said, shaking her head.
“Seems just a bit jealous, if you ask me,” Agis replied.
“I was going to say the same thing.”
“But, kDira is not… that way.”
“Maybe not, but she does love Ari, and as more than just a sister or good friend, I think. It’s hard to explain, but I think if you weren’t here, she might… you know.”
“Bah! I don’t see her doing that. But it doesn’t matter, she’s upset, and I can’t go running after her.”
“Neither can I, father, neither can I.”
“What a great pair of warriors we are. As long as we can fight from a chair, we will be fine.”
Winter laughed, and then leaned over the side of her chair and vomited.
Under the last of the sunlight and the flickering glow of torches, the Ravengard cleared an area outside the Palace and erected a tent larger than any Blackhorn had ever seen. The General personally saw to the project, and once the tent was set up, it was filled with small beds, cots they were called, as well as blankets and pillows enough for everyone. Once the task was complete, the General invited everyone to go in and make themselves comfortable.
“The Queen apologizes for not having more permanent lodging for you,” he said, catching kDira before she went into the tent, “but the hour is late, and there wasn’t enough time to get everyone settled into something nicer.”
“This is fine, General. You have been very helpful.”
kDira was about to step into the tent to settle in herself when she noticed Ari walking out the main doorway of the palace. kDira ran to her, trying to show sincere happiness that her friend was able to spend some time with the Ravengard Queen, even when not truly happy about it.
“So, did you have a nice visit?” kDira asked, using her most friendly tone.
“It was… nice,” Ari replied, turning to marvel at how high up the Queen’s chambers were. “The sunset was spectacular from up there,”
“Please, come inside. We have a bed for you.”
“Oh, I am not staying down here. The Queen has asked me to spend the night with her.”
“Oh? Hmm… how nice for you.”
“Isn’t she beautiful? I have never seen such beauty in a female before. It’s almost intoxicating, like after too much bryne. You know…”
“She is beautiful. Go enjoy yourself, my friend, you deserve it.”
“Thank you, Queen Mother… kDira,” Ari said, stopping to wrap her arms around her friend. “Thank you.”
Ari pulled away, and with a wide smile and a twinkle in her eye, ran back to the doorway and slipped inside.
“Have fun, my friend, have fun,” kDira said under her breath.
The last rays of
the sun disappeared from the sky, and all but a few torches were extinguished. The cool breeze from the ocean slipped under the base of the tent, and everywhere there was a gap between walls. The sound of nearly one hundred people sleeping in close quarters was not enough to drown out the crashing of the waves upon the shore.
kDira listened and imagined the water that was making the sound. Tomorrow, it was her goal to touch the ocean and taste the salt. She found herself imagining Ari there with her, making jokes about how she wanted to be more than a friend to kDira, and laughing off the possibility as she always did.
Suddenly kDira was sad; sad in a way that she could not explain to herself. And she worried; worried that she was leading her friends and her tribe into a trap.
She remembered the times Ari had saved her life from the Karn, and from the Midlander leader that had kidnapped her. She tormented over the idea that something – someone – was now coming between them, and she felt bad about feeling sad. kDira wanted Ari to be happy, to find that special someone that she has desired for so long, but never found. If it had been someone within the tribe that was making Ari happy, kDira was certain she would feel differently, but Queen Lehentis was a stranger to the Blackhorn. kDira knew nothing about her, except that she was beautiful and powerful. She also knew that something just didn’t feel right.
kDira didn’t get much sleep that night.
cHAPTER 9
kDira was up and out of bed long before the sun broke above the mountains in the east, the cool ocean air calling to her. She slipped out of the tent unnoticed by any Blackhorn, Agis snoring loud enough to cover any sound she might make. As she pulled back the flap from the tent, she was met by a Ravengard warrior.
“Is there something I can help you with, Queen of the Blackhorn?”
“Do you suppose you could urinate for me?”
“No, Queen kDira, I cannot.”
“Then I can handle it. Tell me… are there any rules or laws that say I can’t go down to see the ocean?”
“No, there are none. You may come and go as you please. Those are the orders of Queen Lehentis.”
“Oh good. I wouldn’t want to overstep my bounds,” kDira said, heading toward the sound of the crashing waves.
Cresting the small dune of beach sand that separated the shore from the palace property, she could finally see the full magnitude of the ocean. The dark-blue sky blended into the blackness of the ocean horizon while the light of the full moon danced and twinkled on the surf as far as she could see. The waves crashing on the shore were beginning to pick up the orange of the sunrise, shining it back to kDira.
She walked down toward the water until the waves began lapping at the tips of her boots. Her toes could feel the cool ocean water on her toes as it seeped through her leather boots. She stopped before it totally soaked her feet. She stood there, watching… listening.
“Mum?”
kDira, startled, turned around to see little Star standing behind her, appearing to be a bit concerned.
“What’s wrong, my precious Star?”
“I couldn’t sleep with father growling all night.”
“Neither could I. He does that sometimes.”
“So, this is the ocean? Wow.”
“It is amazing.”
“Can we taste the water?”
“Let’s taste it together.”
kDira bent down, Star beside her, and they each cupped their hands together, waiting for the next wave to push some water up to them. They each captured a bit of the surf and brought it up to their lips. They looked at each other before sipping a small bit, swirling the cool, foamy, ocean water around their mouths before enthusiastically spitting out the briny liquid.
“And that is why they call it salt water,” kDira said. They shared a laugh and stood up. “The ocean is beautiful, isn’t it, Star?”
“It’s amazing!” She paused for a moment. “Mum?”
“Yes, Star?”
“Ari didn’t come back to the tent last night.”
“No, she didn’t. She stayed with the Queen of Ravengard last night.”
“Why, mum? Does she love their Queen more than she loves you?”
“What do you know of such things?”
“I know Ari loves you; I can see it.”
“Ari must do what she feels is right. If she’s happy with Queen Lehentis, then we have to be there for her.”
kDira felt strange telling her young daughter these things when she hadn’t fully convinced herself that she was okay with what Ari was doing.
“If Ari stays with the Queen, would you miss her?”
“Yes, Star, of course, I would.”
The two stood there, looking out at the waves crashing to shore, the sun continuing to rise in the east.
“Did you sleep well, Ari?”
The Queen, half-covered by the magenta bed sheets, held Ari close to her with her left arm. She kissed Ari’s head and softly brushed the hair from her eyes.
“I have never slept so well before,” Ari said, looking up with her eyes to see the Queen’s smile. “These blankets are the softest I have ever felt.”
“They are called satin. They are very soft, aren’t they?”
“Oh yes! I may never be able to sleep on a bedroll again.”
“Perhaps you won’t have to…”
Ari pulled back just a bit, surprised at the suggestion.
“I do not want to pressure you, Ari. I know this is happening fast, but I have never met a female like you. You are strong, a warrior. Would you be my personal guard? My personal protector?”
“Please, Queen Lehentis, do not take this as an insult, but I will have to think about it. I am still loyal to my own Queen.”
“I understand, but what if the Blackhorn become one with the Ravengard? What if kDira were made part of my council? The possibilities are endless.”
Ari sat up, suddenly feeling a bit vulnerable, holding the sheet to her chest. She looked back at the Queen, who was surprised by Ari’s reaction.
“I don’t see kDira accepting that. She is the Queen Mother of the Blackhorn. The tribe exists because of her. I don’t think—”
“Do not trouble yourself with all of that right now. There is no rush, no pressure. Let us just see how this all works out. Come, lie back down with me.”
Ari looked back at the Queen once again, then threw her legs off the bed.
“I must get down to the tribe. Would you like me to speak to kDira of your plan?”
“No, my dear. I will send for kDira to come up and see me in a few hours. I would like to get cleaned up and have some breakfast. I will see that food is brought down to everyone, and then we will lead the Blackhorn to a more permanent settlement. We will get all of this worked out, and it will be wonderful for all. You will see. But you, dear Ari, are welcome to make my home your own.”
“So many things to think about,” Ari said, pulling on her clothes. “I will think hard about your offer.”
“Until later…”
Ari found her way to the door and down the stairs.
kDira and Star were just coming back from the shore when Ari walked out of the building. Ari and kDira exchanged glances for a moment, then Ari went ahead and entered the tent.
Moments later, kDira and Star entered the tent. Agis was sitting up on his cot as Ari walked by.
“Where did you go?” Agis asked. “I wake up, and you and Star are gone. I thought maybe I was going to have to rescue you again.”
“Shut up, kreb,” kDira said gruffly, following Ari past Agis.
“What did I do?”
“I think getting out of bed was your first mistake, father,” Star teased. “You shouldn’t do that. You should know better.”
“You are funny, young kreb.”
“Young Queen!”
“Let’s start with Princess, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Ari, what’s wrong?” kDira asked as Ari stopped at an empty cot.
“Nothing… no
thing is wrong. I just need some space right now.”
“My friend, you can have all the space you want. I am just concerned.”
“Concerned? Or jealous?”
kDira took a breath. “I want you to be happy. If you don’t want to talk to me, that is fine too,” she said, turning to walk away.
“She wants me to stay with her.”
kDira stopped and slowly turned.
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her I needed to think about it. She wants me to be her personal guard, to become one of the Ravengard.”
“I would miss you.”
“I would miss you, too.”
“What do you see when you look down upon the newcomers below?” the General asked the Queen as they both watched out the window of her massive chamber.
The Queen, in a graceful move, shook a few strands of her shiny, multi-colored hair from her shoulder to her back to get the hair out of her line of vision. The General seemed to take no notice of her as she stood at the window, her naked curves beginning to reflect some of the light that was awakening the Earth before her.
“Ants,” she replied, as though she had contemplated the question before. “I see ants waiting to be squashed under my foot should the mood strike me.”
“But certainly you have an attraction to the warrior female.”
“I do at that,” she said with a smile. “She is a magnificent female, the likes of which I have never seen nor experienced before. She, I will keep, at least until she proves untrustworthy.”
“And what of their leader, Kah-deer-rah?”
“She might have to go away.”
The General turned to look out the window once more. He could see the Blackhorn milling about the tent and getting their first morsels of food for the day. And he laughed to himself.
“You see, General? From up here, they do look like ants.”
cHAPTER 10
kDira and the band of travelers that had all blended together to become the Blackhorn were led west along the beach to a red brick structure, three levels high, shaped in such a way that it folded back upon itself, with the opening to the ocean. Miss Davis called it a “U” shaped building for reasons kDira did not understand but did not question either.
The kDira's World Anthology Page 49