by JF Jenkins
"Sometimes I think she does it back." Darien glanced at his brother.
Lance chomped down on his lower lip, and was quiet for a minute. "Lust is usually a physical desire. Even girls have eyes that wander on occasion. It's not like you've never looked at another woman before."
"I don't lust after them though." He glared at Lance. "Yes, I see girls and think they're attractive. What I don't do is stare at them and contemplate how I'm going to bed them. Nor do I daydream about them as if they were mine to daydream over. I wouldn't even want to. I only dream about my wife."
"Because you're a good man. Father raised us all to be like that. It's a good thing. Not all of the humans are good men. My point is, are you sure Tai is dreaming about him? Or is she thinking about him and wishing it were you?" Lance shrugged innocently.
Darien scowled. "I still don't feel comfortable with leaving her there alone. Not yet. I'll think about it over the winter break."
"I don't want to see you go crazy."
"I've been feeling that way for a while, sorry." He rolled his eyes.
For some reason, Lance laughed. "Try to relax. I'll help you with your massive research project. I've been looking for something more to do anyway now that Katelyn is doing everything with the clothing line. She said she doesn't need me anymore. Can you believe it?"
"She did want her own project," Darien pointed out.
"I know. She's come a long way. I love her drive."
"Yeah." Darien looked off to the side. He loved his brother, and Lance's relationship with his wife was inspiring. The two were head over heels for one another from day one. At the same time, they were so sweetly devoted to one another it was disheartening. Darien didn't think he'd ever have the same kind of shmoopy lovesick relationship as his brother. If that was what love was supposed to be like, then he failed.
I'll get back in the game when we return.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The Inero
Another council meeting to attend, and Matt was excited for this one. He tended to enjoy them all, but this one especially had him tingling with anticipation. By nature, Matt was a people watcher. It's what he did best at the meetings. While he took notes on the topics, he also studied the reactions of the Lords and their people. Not as many of the lesser lords would be in attendance this time. These kinds of meetings weren't held often, but at the last one over the summer the Great Lords decided to have one last follow up to see how the young Oceina Lord was faring before having things return to normal. Generous, but unnecessary in Matt's eyes.
He settled into his seat in the front row of the meeting, pulled out his notebook, and got ready to take notes. The subject of this study wasn't going to have anything to do with the discussions. All he was going to do was study the Oceina Lord and see what made this man tick.
The Great Lords entered with their First Council members. Everyone in the audience stood and waited for the Great Lords to sit before returning to their seats as well. The Aero Lord took his usual relaxed position, head resting in a hand and slightly hunched. He didn't ever look interested in what happened. Unless it involved him, or seemed fairly dramatic, his mind went elsewhere. The Terran Lord sat straight as an arrow, eager and attentive to everything going on around him. His father, Lynx, sat and casually crossed his legs, folding his hands in front of him. The young Oceina Lord also crossed his legs; he tapped his knees with his hands and he looked around the room as if he too were trying to watch everyone around him.
Interesting. Behavior is much different than the last time I observed. Subject is more composed, though slightly on edge. He knows not to trust just anyone. Matt jotted quickly in his notebook. He wrote in a special code so no one would be able to read it but him. At the last meeting, the young Lord had been seething with anger as well as unsure and afraid. A whole mix of emotions that made him seem like more of a boy than a man. It'd been disgusting. The new attitude created an interesting twist in Matt's plans.
I'd been hoping he'd grow a back bone; become more aggressive and sure. It'll make it more fun for him to fall. I can't wait for our rematch. Matt licked his lips with anticipation. The night Matt had killed the Great Dragon Lord Orion, his son had been there to witness the whole thing. Originally, Matt had planned to kill, or at the very least hurt him, in order to send a clearer message to the Oceina people. The young man had protected himself using a strong blue fire. Matt had never seen anything like it before, not from an Oceina dragon. Matt wanted a real fight.
"Lord Oceina, how are you faring?" the Terran Lord asked with more politeness than Matt had expected. For someone who was about to turn on the entire nation, the man sure seemed to care a lot. Matt wasn't sure what to think of Taylor in general, though. Weakness had been present when they'd met in his father's office. It was hard to tell if the Terran Lord was going along with Lynx's scheme because he believed it, or because the previous Lord had already made the arrangement and he didn't know how to get out of it. Lord Kinsley had invested a lot of his people into the Inero's cause, something Matt was grateful for. It made the planning stages of his job go much easier. He'd have to watch the new Terran Lord in action.
The young Oceina Lord looked across at the Terran Lord, and put on what appeared to be a genuine smile. "Things have been going smoothly. Thank you for your concern. My staff has been able to catch me up on everything that's been happening." The young man's body then tensed slightly and he glanced over at Lynx.
Matt's pen scribbled across the paper. He knows something is happening. How much, is hard to say, but he's not as naive as I thought.
"Is there anything you would like to discuss?" the Terran Lord asked.
"No, I think I understand what's going on fully." The young Oceina Lord gave a small smirk that caused the Terran Lord to shift in his seat.
Taking his pen, Matt scratched out the last two sentences he'd just written. He knows everything.
"I have something I'd like to discuss," the Aero Lord said.
"And that would be what, Lord Patlih?" Lynx asked, raising an eyebrow. He was the only Great Lord to ever address the others by their first names. A bold move on his part. It could be perceived as disrespectful, but Matt himself thought it a nice personal touch. Though his father might not like the gesture if returned.
The Aero Lord leaned forward, his black almond shaped eyes narrowed. "Why did you close your borders between the nation of Inero and Oceina?"
"Would you like to answer, or should I?" the young Lord Oceina said with a cocky grin. Matt wanted to punch it off of his face.
"I cannot take care of surplus individuals. My nation needs to focus on its own people," Lynx said.
"Understandable," the Aero Lord paused. "So then why have you not closed your borders between your nation and the Terran for the same reasons? Further, wouldn't the increase of visitors encourage trade as well as help your economy?"
He watched his father blink as though startled. Why didn't you prepare for that question? Matt shook his head. Usually Lynx was much more on top of things than this.
The Inero Lord regained his confidence quickly, sitting straighter than before. The Terran Lord shifted his weight in his chair, and did not look at anyone.
"We do not have as much crossover. Nor do we share a large land border like I do with the Oceina. A handful of islands at most. The relationship at the border is drastically different, and it hadn't crossed my mind to have need for it. As far as it helping my economy, the issue in my nation is not one of money. We have great monetary wealth. The problem is supply and demand. As stated at our previous meeting, the produce in my country is not edible. How am I to feed my people as well as visitors? And since the Oceina Lord has decided to not help aide my people, I can't supply the needs of his and my own," Lynx said smoothly.
"I said I needed to look at the needs of my own people first before deciding what I could provide to yours," the Oceina Lord said with a lot more calm than Matt had expected. Especially given how tightly the man clenched
his fists over his legs.
"And have you?" Lynx asked, now turning his gaze to the young water lord.
"Enough to know we have a surplus in grains that I'd be willing to give to your people." The young man stared across the room at the Inero Lord, his blue eyes shining as the light hit them. Another surprise, because if the Oceina Lord did know of the plans Matt's father had, why would he help the Inero nation? None of it was making sense. Things got more interesting by the second.
The Great Inero Lord must have also been surprised, because for a minute he didn't say anything. "Your generosity is touching, but it is not needed. We are getting by now. Should things change, I will revisit your offer."
The entire room grew quiet now. Every so often Matt heard a shifting of feet, or a cough from someone in the audience to fill the empty space.
"The truth is, I'm not sure I want your help," Lynx continued. Matt sat up straighter, a bit surprised by the bluntness. He didn't remember this being part of the plan. His father leaned forward and pointed to the young water lord. "For a long time I have sat by and watched your people live on the land that was once claimed by my family. I grow tired of it. My father tolerated it, as did his, but not me. I had hoped to maybe find some sort of understanding with your father, but he wouldn't hear it. Now I seek this understanding with you."
The young Oceina Lord sat in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly. He too leaned forward. "And what exactly would you like me to understand? I'm not sure I see the problem, first of all, but if it is a land dispute I don't know of a solution that will work out for everyone. As much as I would love to just give you what you want, what about the people who live in my country? Are they to relocate? Or would they simply be forced to adapt to your way of life? Neither one of those options seems particularly fair to me."
For not having any previous experience in politics, the young man had a way with words, and a natural charisma about him. Matt had often wondered why of all the sons, the old water lord had chosen this one. Through his research, Matt had found that the young man was Touched. That had to be part of the decision, but he was the youngest son of the family. Wouldn't one of the elder brothers make more sense? They'd have more life experience and more visits to the council meetings.
The Oceina custom was for the Lord to choose one of his own sons to be his replacement. One family line, passed from generation to generation almost like a kingship. The Inero did things similarly, but could add in cousins or brothers to the mix. One rule was the new Lord had to be over the age of thirty-five. Matt hoped his father chose him next once he was of age to take on the position. Hopefully the man wouldn't pass before that time. If needed however, Matt would overtake the other chosen lord when the time came. That was also allowed, so long as he could get enough of his kin to back up the coup. Not something he needed to worry or think about now. His father was the healthiest person he'd ever met. There was lots of time.
Matt sat on the edge of his seat, curious about what his father was going to do next.
Lynx continued to sit coolly in his chair. "Not any more fair than when the land was taken from us to begin with, no. I didn't think you'd give it over willingly. I'm not a fool."
The Oceina Lord's jaw tightened, his lips closed as though he were forcing himself to keep them that way. Matt really wanted to know what the young man wanted to say then.
"I was wondering when you were going to do this," the young lord said at last. "You had my father killed because he was going to expose you. Now you've decided to do it yourself. You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"
"My people have favor. Please know, it's not anything personal against you per se. Your kin have sewn a crop full of nothing but evil. It is time to reap your reward for this corruption. Unfortunately, a bad harvest is useless and burned, and that is exactly what shall happen to anyone who opposes me. If you were to comply, I'm sure we could come up with some kind of an agreement that would be suitable for us all."
"Fat chance," the Oceina Lord spat. "I don't trust you any more than I could throw you."
Lynx let out a heavy sigh. "This was the answer I was expecting. I do not fault you for it. You believe you are doing what is best for your people. I see it will take drastic measures to convince you of the wrongdoing your people have caused. Which is a shame. I would hate to have to kill anyone else, or enslave your young, beautiful wives."
The glow of blue magic surrounded the fists of the Oceina Lord. His First Council placed a hand on his arm as if to hold him down, and he whispered something. The young lord glared, pulled his arm away, and sat back in his chair saying nothing. Matt wished he didn't hold himself back. He wasn't proving anything by doing so.
His father stood from his chair. "Now, I believe we are done here unless there is more to be discussed?"
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Oceina
"I swear if he tries to touch her, I will kill him," Darien vowed through clenched teeth. It had taken everything within himself to not leap across the room and kill the Inero Lord on the spot. If Lance hadn't been there, he might have tried. "Now, I believe we are done here unless there is more to be discussed." He mocked the man's voice. "How about how he's some kind of a lunatic?"
He, Lance, and Arthur were in the office set aside specifically for his people. It was the only place quiet enough for him to think. He definitely wasn't ready to face the rest of his cabinet members to discuss plans and options. Even more so he wasn't looking forward to the moment where he had sit and say "I told you so" to an entire room full of men who were older than he.
Well, his father had told them so, and they had refused to listen. It might be too late for them to create an effective counter plan. Hopefully someone would know something. He couldn't think clearly at the moment. Not when he was so furious and could hardly see straight. The Inero Lord had threatened his entire people and Tai. No one got away with that. Darien would fight to the death for them both.
"Breathe," Lance said. Why was he so calm? Why wasn't he as angry?
Darien closed his eyes and listened to his brother's advice anyway, taking in a deep, slow, breath. "Fine. I'm breathing. Happy?"
"It's a start." Lance sighed. "He's got a lot of guts to come right out and say all of that. I suppose he doesn't think we're much of a threat, especially with the Terran already on his side. Of course he can just drop the bomb."
Darien shook his head, trying to keep himself calm and not go into another rage. His magic was starting to flare up, and as much as it would have helped him feel better to destroy something, he knew it wouldn't do much good. Plus, he had to set an example. The Council Island was considered Holy and neutral ground. Lashing out at the Inero would be forbidden. Hopefully his kin remembered that. They could not start fights, or they could possibly face execution. Lance and Arthur made sure to drill that rule into his mind. The word was passed to all of the other Oceina present as well. Thankfully, the number of his family had been small, maybe thirty in all which was nothing compared to the thousands that usually attended.
"I wish I knew what was in it for them, so I could understand why they would even do such a great betrayal," Darien said. "The Terran don't like to pick fights. I've never seen them active in any of the past wars between the nations. It's always been the Inero and someone else. Because of the balance in place with our magics, there has never been anything massive. Now that it's disturbed, I don't know how this will play out."
Arthur, who had been on the phone during most of this conversation, finally hung up to offer his own words of wisdom. "The Aero Lord has agreed to meet with you. I'm not sure if we should be optimistic, however. When things are complicated, they don't do too well. They're absorbed in their culture and beliefs. Remember when you see him that honor is very important, and so is humility. He likes you, perhaps more than your father. Don't do anything to spoil this favor."
Darien breathed out a sigh of relief, glad his uncle was one step ahead with an idea. Now that everything wa
s out in the open, he didn't have to figure out how to convince the Aero Lord of what was going on. "All right, I'll be calm soon. I also want to wait until more people have cleared out. I would assume the Inero and Terran that are here have already started to leave?"
"That's what Brian said. He saw a lot of them heading for the docks not too long ago," Lance said.
"I told Lord Patlih that we would see him after dinner in the late hours. It would be more discreet," Arthur said. "Whatever we can keep to ourselves will be to our advantage. And I should add, my Lord, that you performed well today. I know it must have been hard to keep quiet, but it's in our best interest to appear mature as well as strong. He must have figured out you knew more than he anticipated which is part of why I believe he took control like he did. Lord Lynx is not easy to surprise, but you did it. I believe he thought he'd take your land from right under your nose."
"I'm sure," Darien mumbled. He closed his eyes. I did well. Thank you God for the strength. Without it, he knew he wouldn't have gotten through the meeting. Funny, because Darien had never been a man of faith before. His father had pushed it on him during his last days of life, and even then Darien hadn't wanted anything to do with it. It wasn't until after Orion's death that he decided to give it a try. Faith was helping him see and do great things. He still didn't feel as though his was strong, but every little bit counted for something in his eyes. If he didn't believe for anything good, how could he ever do it?
"We will survive," Arthur said and forced Darien to look at him by grabbing his chin. "I believe this with everything in my heart. God will not allow them to win. What they are proposing is blasphemous and wrong."
Lance put a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, how is he going to wipe out an entire species of dragon? You're right about one thing, he is a lunatic."
His jaw still tight, Darien nodded. "He can try, but there's no way he'll succeed."
