Queens (The Wielders of Arantha Book 2)

by Patrick Hodges

  Vaxi fielded numerous questions about her tribe, their intentions, and their Wielding abilities. All seemed willing, under the circumstances, to forge an alliance with the Ixtrayu and their leader, Protectress Kelia. Vaxi, for her part, agreed to continue in her role as the Ixtrayu's impromptu goodwill ambassador.

  Torvin was the first to embrace Vaxi as an ally, giving her a kingly bow and a paternal hug. This did not surprise Aridor, as Rhys was the only kingdom on Elystra to allow its women to train as huntresses and warriors. Vaxi's courage in the face of Callis' assault, not to mention her reputed archery skills, had impressed Torvin to no end, causing him to draw comparisons between Vaxi and his eldest daughter, Jagra.

  Largo and Zendak took slightly more convincing, but the inadequacy of their respective realms' defenses against an attack prompted their eventual cooperation. Aridor sent for Taron who, along with the royal scribe, drafted a treaty wherein the countries of Darad, Imar, Agrus, and Rhys would ally with the Ixtrayu, provide them protection and resources if need be, and promise to recognize the Ixtrayu tribe as a sovereign nation, provided Kelia agreed to join the war against their mutual enemies. All three kings, as well as Zendak, signed the document with their royal seal.

  After that, the royals agreed that Promontory Point, the westernmost outpost in Darad, would be the place where all the combined armies of Darad, Imar, Rhys, and, hopefully, the Ixtrayu, would muster before they took the battle to Elzor. Largo and Torvin would return to their countries and amass their fighting forces the following day.

  Over a sumptuous yet subdued celebratory dinner, Aridor informed Vaxi that the following morning, he, Mizar and two hundred soldiers would accompany her back to her village. Vaxi expressed alarm at the size of the company, but Aridor assured her that it was merely a precaution, in case they encountered a Vandan raiding party or, worse, the Elzorath while en route. Warran would stay behind to prepare most of the Daradian army to move out that same day.

  Aridor watched with wry amusement as Warran kissed Vaxi's hand before leaving the Hall, causing the young huntress's face to redden. Mizar, too, said his goodnights before returning to his study.

  When Vaxi pushed her chair away from the table and rose to her feet, Aridor stood as well. He couldn't help but cast an admiring eye over her. She was a beautiful young woman, tough and capable, and yet with a vulnerability that made her even more fetching. Despite being a stranger in a strange land, having to deal with men for the first time in her short life, she'd held herself with remarkable strength and dignity.

  She turned to face him. Worry flashed through her eyes and knitted her brow, and her muscles tensed. “May I have your leave to depart, Your Highness?” she said, her low voice magnified in the empty room, silent but for the sound given off by the many burning torches providing illumination.

  “Of course. But before you go …”

  “Yes, Your Highness?”

  “History is a fickle thing,” Aridor said, speaking soothingly. “No doubt whoever emerges victorious in this war will be the one to write it. I can assure you, young Vaxi, that if I have anything to say about it, your name will appear prominently in our history from this day forward.”

  She bowed again, her face flushing. “You honor me, Your Highness.” When their gazes met again, her eyebrows had lifted. “May I speak plainly?”

  “You may.”

  “When I first came to Darad, I was not sure where my path … where Arantha's path would lead me. I despaired that I would never be allowed to return home; that I would die, alone, far away from my sisters. I never expected that my path would cross with those of such noble, learned men. I am grateful for that.”

  He spread his arms wide. “We are all Arantha's children, even those who do not embrace him with their whole hearts.”

  “Indeed,” she said. “I only hope that my return home is untroubled, and that the Protectress and the Council share our desire to coexist peacefully.” She smiled. “Though you are just a man, you are a good man.”

  Aridor's chuckled quickly grew into a raucous laugh. “Get some rest. We have a three-day ride ahead of us, and we will be departing at daybreak tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” she said, bowing again before leaving through the antechamber door.

  The King listened as Vaxi's footsteps grew fainter and fainter. Casting a glance around the now empty Hall, he offered a short prayer: Arantha, let today's efforts not be in vain.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Maeve felt fingers weaving through her hair and a light heat glancing off her cheek. The gentle rhythm of breathing, hers and someone else's, filled her ears.

  Her eyelids fluttered open to see Kelia's magnificent face just inches away. As the last vestiges of sleep faded, she became aware of her lover's body draped over her own. Cool air filled the room, but the heat of Kelia's skin against her own shot a thrill of pleasure through her.

  “Good morning,” Kelia purred.

  Maeve craned her neck to peek at the sunlight streaming in through the window. “Wow. Did we really sleep straight through the night?”

  “We did expend a lot of energy.”

  “That we did.” Maeve folded her arms around Kelia, bringing their lips together for a rousing good-morning kiss. “I haven't slept that well in … God, years.”

  “Nor I,” said Kelia, cupping Maeve's cheek.

  “Was that really your first time since …” Maeve trailed off, realizing she may have touched on a sensitive subject.

  Kelia's smile faltered. “Since Ilora?”

  “Yes.”

  Kelia nodded, a tinge of sadness flashing through her eyes. “Was this your first time with another woman?”

  All the blood in Maeve's body rushed to her face. “Well … not exactly.”

  “Really?”

  Maeve exhaled, adopting a sheepish look. “On Earth, teenagers attend a place of learning called 'university'. The day I finished, I went out to celebrate with a bunch of my friends. I danced, I drank, I drank some more …” She chuckled. “The next morning, I woke up stark naked next to a girl I barely knew.”

  “Is that a tradition on your world?” Kelia asked, quirking an eyebrow.

  “The drinking? Yes. Sweating up the sheets with a total stranger … well, I wouldn't call it a 'tradition' as much as a total lapse in judgment. For what it's worth, I don't remember a damn thing about that night.”

  Kelia brought their faces close together, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. “Do you have regrets?”

  “Everyone does stupid things they regret, especially when they're young. You either grow up and move on, or you don't. A few months later, I joined the Space Corps, and I never looked back.” Maeve smiled. “I've never told anyone that story before. Not even Richard.”

  Kelia shook her head slightly. “What I meant was, do you regret … what we did?”

  Maeve stared deep into Kelia's shining brown eyes, considering her answer. It was a simple question, one without a simple answer.

  For the last three weeks, Maeve had felt like the weight of the world—no, two worlds—was on her shoulders. She searched her soul for the stress, the indecision that had tied her up in knots, but they were gone. No more rocks in her stomach. No more guilt burrowing a hole through her brain. She was at peace. “No,” she said, smiling. “Not for a moment.”

  Kelia returned the smile, moving her hand to caress Maeve's bare neck and shoulder. This relit the fire within Maeve, who tightened her arms around Kelia and held her close. She did not want to let go.

  Maeve's lips crashed down onto Kelia's as she flipped her Elystran lover onto her back, straddling her and moving her hips back and forth. Maeve wondered if another bout of lovemaking would ensue when an “ahem” came from the door.

  Both women turned to see Liana, still dressed in her sleep robe, staring down at them with her arms folded over her chest. “Ama,” Kelia said, pulling up the nearest blanket.

  Maeve blushed. In that moment, she was fifteen
again, spluttering a feeble excuse to her dour-faced mother after being caught during adolescent shenanigans with a boy. Liana's expression was exactly the same as her mother's.

  However, it didn't last long. Liana held her hands up as if in apology, and she bowed her head. “Forgive me, nima,” she said. “I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to inform you that in light of our early start, Aarna has arranged for our morning meal to be brought here.” The older woman locked eyes with Maeve, who was relieved to see a broad smile wash across Liana's careworn features. “Maeve.”

  “Councilor,” Maeve said.

  Liana bowed again, and exited with a swish of the kova-leather curtain.

  Maeve stood, the pelts falling from her body, helping Kelia to do the same. The two women faced each other, shedding any lingering self-consciousness.

  “I should be getting back,” Maeve whispered. Her tongue suddenly felt like cotton. She hoped like hell Davin hadn't noticed her absence.

  “Yes,” Kelia replied. “I have seen to it that your and Runa's chavas are well-fed, healthy, and laden with provisions; all you could need for your journey.”

  Maeve embraced Kelia again, extending their tryst for a few more blissful moments. “Thank you, Kelia. For everything.” They shared one last long, lingering kiss.

  Kelia donned her tunic and rust-colored robe while Maeve pulled on her exercise clothes. Maeve nodded to Kelia, and turned to leave.

  “Return to me soon, my love,” Kelia said.

  * * *

  My love?

  Kelia's farewell, spoken with absolute sincerity, echoed through Maeve's mind as she rode her chava, Zob, across the Praskian Desert. She felt Davin's arms wrapped around her midsection, his head on her neck as the beast achieved breakneck speed.

  Off to her right, Runa rode alongside them, astride her chava, Tal. Head down and with her sand-colored robe billowing behind her, the tall huntress cut an impressive figure. Were her skin lighter and had she carried a sword instead of a bow, Runa would resemble one of the Valkyries of Norse mythology.

  After changing into her regular clothes and grabbing a quick bite to eat, Maeve and Davin—who, thank God, did not hear Maeve leave or enter their abode—had a brief conference with the Council, who assured them that the evacuation would begin immediately. The previous day's clear blue sky had given way to a cluster of storm-clouds drifting ominously toward them from the north. Kelia had blanched when she saw them. There was no way to know whether this particular storm was the one that heralded the attack of the lightning-Wielder and her army, but they could not take that chance.

  The Council had agreed that the Ixtrayu not participating in the defense of the Plateau would take refuge in the caves near Lake Barix, two hours' ride by chava to the south. Every chava would be weighed down with as much food and water as it could carry, along with one or possibly two Ixtrayu. With luck, they could clear the Plateau of all but the combatants by sundown. This would ensure the villagers would be safe if the attack indeed came tonight.

  With even more luck, Maeve would reach the Talon with enough time to secure the other Stone and pilot her ship back to the village. No matter how powerful Proda's daughter was, the sight of the Talon hovering above the Plateau, in all its interstellar glory, would give that bitch pause. If only we'd had the means to install some plasma cannons, Maeve thought with a grimace.

  Just before establishing a quick telepathic link with Zob and hauling herself onto his back, she and Kelia shared a heartfelt yet wordless goodbye, her dulcet my love etched into Maeve's brain.

  Perhaps it's just a term of endearment.

  Or maybe Davin was right after all.

  * * *

  The approaching thunderclouds loomed like a portent of doom as the trio drew their chavas to a stop. After three straight hours of riding, Maeve's rear was screaming for a break, as were her ears, the recipients of Davin's harsh grunts that seemed to coincide with every one of Zob's hoof beats.

  Both of them half-jumped, half-flopped off the enormous rhinoceros-like animal, staggering like drunkards as mother and son struggled to remove their undergarments from places they weren't meant to be. Maeve gave a jealous snort and a scowl in Runa's direction as she hopped off Tal's back, landing as effortlessly as if she were climbing out of bed.

  Davin excused himself within seconds, practically sprinting a hundred yards away for a much-needed pee break. Maeve pulled a small bag of juva-berries from one of Zob's saddlebags, loosening the drawstring and popping one into her mouth. She closed her eyes as she savored the succulent taste, which reminded her faintly of fresh strawberries. A second quickly followed, and a third.

  She became aware of a large presence behind her. She turned to see Runa staring at her from only four feet away. Maeve hadn't even heard her approach, which was unbelievable given the loose, gravelly terrain of the desert. Startled, she took a half-step back, colliding with Zob's massive torso. “Runa!” she gasped. “How can someone as … tall as you move so quietly?”

  Runa tilted her head slightly. “I just do.”

  Maeve was glad to have Runa along on this journey. Kelia had sung her praises almost since they'd met, even claiming Runa's stealth to be a gift from Arantha herself. Even so, it was impossible not to be intimidated by her muscular frame and her stony countenance. “How bad a storm do you think is coming?” Maeve asked, gesturing at the slate-gray clouds making their own trek south.

  “I do not know. It's the season for storms,” Runa said. “The Ixtrayu depend on the rain for their crops, but the dryness of the air usually diminishes the storms' severity. However, I have seen many storms take on a life of their own. Sand, dirt, wind, and water can be a lethal combination to the unprepared. I believe that is why my ancestors chose to make their home in the Plateau, so they could be as protected from nature's fury as possible.”

  “Have you seen any signs of life?” Maeve asked, scanning the horizon. “We don't know from which direction our attackers will come, and it would be inconvenient to run into them out here.”

  Runa thought for a moment. “From what I've been told, the lightning-Wielder and her brother are journeying to our home from Agrus. If we assume they have skilled trackers within their ranks, they are likely taking the most direct route, which would put them far to our north. We shouldn't be in any danger.”

  Maeve nodded, hoping Runa was right.

  “When we reach your craft, how long will it take to travel back to the village?” Runa queried.

  “Assuming it hasn't sustained any damage in our absence, I'll need fifteen minutes to fire up the Talon's engines and plot a course. It's three hundred miles, but I think we can be back home in twenty minutes, give or take.”

  Runa's jaw fell open. “Twenty minutes?”

  “Give or take.”

  The tall huntress shook her head with a sharp exhale. “You called the village 'home'. Does that mean you have decided to stay with us?”

  Maeve turned away, unwilling to meet the tall huntress's gaze at that moment. She replaced her bag of berries in the saddlebag, extricating a wrapped bundle of dried meat. “I don't … I mean, I haven't …” she stammered, then squeezed her eyes shut. “Davin and I are thinking about it. That's all I can tell you.”

  When Runa didn't respond, Maeve turned. Again, not a flicker of emotion was apparent on Runa's face. “Damn, you'd be a great poker player,” Maeve said.

  Her other eyebrow raised. “What is that?”

  “It's a game back on Earth. How you play is …” She shook her head. “Never mind. How would you feel if we stayed?”

  “My opinion doesn't matter. If my Protectress, the Council, and Arantha decree that you are our sister, then I will not question it.”

  “Good to know.”

  “But …”

  “But?”

  Runa sighed, a deep susurrus Maeve could hear over the slight desert breeze. “The Protectress is, and always has been, my closest friend. Though she is our leader and the most powerful of
the Ixtrayu, I still feel somewhat protective of her.” She took a step forward. “I would ask that if you harbor any doubts regarding your feelings for her, that you do not pursue them. The life of a Protectress is difficult. Do not make it more so.”

  Maeve gulped. “I promise.” She separated two strips of meat from the bundle and passed one to Runa, who tore off a large bite. They chewed in silence for several moments.

  “C'mon, give some here,” said Davin's voice from behind her.

  Maeve smiled at her son, who seemed to have recovered from the first leg of their trek. She passed him the bundle, and he took two strips.

  “We should go,” Runa said, moving toward Tal. “We have far yet to travel.”

  Davin groaned. “Mom, can I ride in front this time?”

  Maeve cast a glance at Zob, who looked at her expectantly. She placed a hand on the leathery skin of Zob's snout, marveling at the smoothness of the larger of the two horns protruding from it. Watery black eyes blinked back at her as their minds touched.

  She turned back to Davin with a crooked smile. “Zob says it's okay.”

  His eyes widened. “She does?”

  “Uh-huh. She says it's a new experience being ridden by a male. She likes your scent.”

  The look Davin shot at Zob was the most comical thing she'd seen all week. The equally amusing, almost flirtatious chuff the chava returned made her burst out laughing.

  Davin swallowed his last bite of meat and hauled himself onto Zob's back, grumbling, “So not funny.”

  * * *

  The sun had dipped low in the sky s Zob limped to a halt. There, in front of them, the Kaberian Mountains loomed.

  Zob had trodden on a large chunk of rock two hours before, its edges sharp enough to pierce the skin on the sole of her left foreleg. They'd stopped, and Maeve had used her fledgling abilities to try to heal the wound. Zob's tough skin was difficult to patch together, and it took nearly an hour before they were able to resume their journey. Maeve had maintained a telepathic link with her ever since, trying to use her Wielding to block or suppress the beast's pain. However, with every mile they distanced themselves from Kelia's Stone, the more tenuous and faint the link became. The last thing Maeve did before their bond was severed was to promise Zob to heal her wound once they reached the Talon. It was the best she could offer, but Zob seemed to accept it. Their mount's stamina was incredible, but the injury had also caused them to slow their pace, and Maeve guessed they only had a couple hours of daylight left to find their ship.