Hunter: Warrior of Doridia (The Saga of Jon Hunter Book 1)

by Ronald Watkins

  Lonnan had held the main gate and thought to man the smaller ones as well. Zagos had been denied the support of his men from the countryside who were left futilely pounding on the massive doors, unable to enter. All those not of Taslea, and there were many such in the employ of the House of Khonos, were cast weaponless from the city following their surrender. Some native to Taslea had been banished. Others were removed from the list of Sekers, and thus relegated now to remain in the Low Caste.

  It was said that some time after the death of the usurper, a band of fifty odd outlaws had descended on the peaceful farms and marched arrogantly upon Taslea. The farmers without the aid of Zagos’s patrols who were outside the city walls attempting entry had massed and slain all of the intruders with baling hooks and pitchforks. The tale of the death of the outlaws was quite gruesome.

  Tanah cared for my wounds silently and I even slept briefly on her table beneath her skilled hands. When I awoke she spoke.

  “Master, you are now High Caste.”

  “Yes, but so are all the Sekers of Taslea.”

  “I heard what you did this day. I am glad that you were not killed.”

  “Thank you, Tanah. If none have spoken for you this night, go to my furs and await me when your duties are finished.”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied, smiling brightly.

  A Seker approached me. “Honored Seker,” he said. “Urak Rahdon requests your presence in his private quarters.” He then grinned. This was not the usual manner in which a Seker was summoned to one’s Urak. But we were now of the High Caste and our treatment would differ from that day on. I took the time to don a fresh tunic and went, unescorted, to the Urak’s chambers.

  I stood at attention before him. His eyes, clear and sharp, searched my face before he spoke. “You are a man of many surprises, Hunter. You lead a revolution yet refuse to take power. My Slave Master tells me you are gentle with the slaves, yet you are a ruthless swordsman. You have friends who would lay down their lives for you. A rare tribute to any man. You take my daughter into the wilderness a vain, pompous child and she returns this very day, still virgin, a glorious woman who can speak nothing but praise for you.”

  I raised an eyebrow at his comment that the Lady Shelba was in Taslea.

  “Yes, she refused to remain in Runah as you arranged and arrived this afternoon. She is after all of Taslea and is of the Great House of Rahdon.

  “I am one of few who approves of what you did this day. The Council has long

  allowed abuses of our Sekers who have deserved entry into the High Caste for many years. Without them there would be no Taslea, for it would fall to any warring city.

  “The women of the High Caste now have real men to marry and bed. The effete pansies of the old High Caste will find few willing to tolerate them now. The women will soon learn the joys of serving a true man. Yes, I thoroughly approved. The High Caste has long needed an infusion of real men.

  “After you left the Council Chambers, I nominated you to be raised to officer. The Council approved, for they would not refuse my request. We still retain many of our prerogatives you see. I now appoint you First Officer of the Great House of Rahdon. The Council also designated Sekers the lowest Subcaste within the High Caste.”

  “No one will object,” I said.

  “I thought not. The prize of the High Caste is enough in itself. You have done well this day. You will find gifts in your new chambers as First Officer. I have need of one such as you. There are matters we should discuss but that can await the end of the celebrations. For now, enjoy your popularity, riches and new position. You have my thanks, sir, and my respect,” he said, rising to his feet and bowing to me.

  Before departing I asked a boon of the Urak which was granted. Lonnan awaited me outside the Urak’s private quarters and escorted me to my new quarters. They were impressive as were the riches within. One small chest was filled entirely with gold coins.

  “It seems I am a rich man,” I commented.

  Lonnan’s grin quickly faded. “I must ask a favor of you, Hunter.”

  “Of course, Lonnan.”

  “You spent much time alone with the Lady Shelba. Perhaps, now that you are High Caste and First Officer you will ask the good Urak the right to court her.” His manner was casual but I saw my answer meant much to him.

  “No, Lonnan. She is a magnificent Lady and as any man would, I much desired to take her but I do not wish to court her or have her as my wife. She is my friend and I count myself fortunate to have her as one.”

  “Then you do not object if I court her?” he blurted.

  “I do not,” I replied. With a quick goodbye he left me running and I remembered

  what the Lady Shelba had once told me in the forest. Lonnan and Shelba would make a grand couple indeed.

  I filled a pouch with coins and left to walk the city as dusk fell. I had owners open a few shops and I made some small purchases. Things had gone well for me, I thought, walking the streets back to the Great House. This was not my home but I must make it mine, for there was no going back. I had adjusted well enough here. In many ways I was more suited for this place than my own world.

  All of known and unknown Doridia stood before me. There was much to experience and I did not intend to remain within the walls of Taslea but rather to seek the unknown.

  Returning along the street which passed the Four Feathers I spied Ctesias and Koptos singing and laughing as they entered the tavern. A sign announced slave dancers from Runah. I had never seen them but for now I had other business to attend.

  I returned to my chambers and redressed in the luxurious tunic of an officer of the High Caste. I placed a rich crimson cape upon my back and hung the finest steel from my side. Upon my breast I fastened the badge of First Officer.

  I went to the slave quarters and requested Lena be brought to me. She, along with Zelia, had been returned to Taslea following the aborted effort to escort the Lady Shelba to Lathanah in secret. She approached me, eyes downcast.

  “Lena, do you not recognize me?” I said.

  “Master, I did not! It is you. I was only summoned to the First Officer. Oh, how fine you look, so noble, so rich!”

  I could not but laugh at her excitement in seeing me. I had once been a slave with her but she showed no enmity because of my good fortune, only pride in me and happiness that I was no longer a slave as she.

  “But, Master, you are hurt!” she cried, reaching for my arm.

  “It is nothing. Come with me.” I took her outside the House into the streets of Taslea alive with celebration.

  “It is a glorious night, is it not,” I commented as we walked.

  “Yes, Master ... for the high born who were saved and for the Sekers.”

  She spoke the truth. Sekers were but a small part of the total population. What had taken place this day meant a great deal to them but did not change the condition of others, especially the slaves.

  We walked for a time in silence.

  “Have you ever wondered what became of your parents, Lena?”

  “I try not to think of them, Master, for it only makes my unhappy. No doubt they prosper but worry for me.”

  I remained quiet. We had reached the market place beside the main gate of the city. Caravans set to depart at daybreak spent their last night here. Many were gathered for winter was nearly upon us and they wished to return home before it set in.

  “Stop over here, Lena,” I said, motioning to a darkened alleyway. She obeyed me as a slave must.

  “Remove your clothing.”

  She obeyed but said, “Here, Master? We can go to your chamber if you wish to take me.” Then she stood before me naked. I felt a hot rush of desire for her.

  “Put these on,” I commanded handing her a bundle.

  “But Master...”

  “Do as I say,” I ordered. Silently she put upon her slender body the flowing robes of the Free Woman. I gave her sandals for her bare feet and placed a purple cape about her frail shoulders. I
led her to the edge of the market.

  “The caravan before us leaves at first light. It has journeyed this past season to many cities and has made its last stop here. It returns tomorrow... to Teeves, its city of origin. You will return home with it.” Reaching to her neck, I removed her slave collar. Dropping it to the cobblestone I crushed it beneath my heel as custom decrees when freeing a slave.

  “You are free,” I pronounced. I gave her the scroll attesting to her freedom, the boon signed by the Urak at my request, along with a pouch of gold coins. “Allow me to escort you to the caravan, Free Woman.” I took her speechless to the first wagon.

  “Merchant of Teeves,” I said to the portly man who greeted me. “This is the Free

  Woman of Teeves for whom you have been paid passage.”

  “Greetings, Free Woman,” he said, bowing to Lena in respect. She said nothing. “Call the Sekers to me,” I directed. The two approached us.

  “This man,” I said, “has taken gold from me to escort this Free Woman of Teeves

  to her parents. You are both Sekers of Teeves?” They nodded.

  “I charge you on your honor as Sekers to see that he does his duty. You will protect this Free Woman with your lives.” Any Seker would protect a Free Woman on a caravan to which he was assigned but the same Seker would protect a Free Woman of his own city to his death.

  I turned to Lena as the men moved away a respectful distance. “I return you to the family and life from which against your will you were taken. Your parents have wondered too long what befell their little girl who went looking for driftwood.

  “Go, Lena. Marry the man your father selects and bear him many happy children. I ask only this. Some nights, when your husband sleeps contentedly beside you, think kindly of me for I can never go home.”

  Tears streaming down her face she threw her arms around me and sobbed. In time I left her, safely with her own.

  I walked the cobblestone streets of Taslea, breathing deeply of the crisp, rich air. Winter would soon be upon us. I walked, a warrior of Doridia, towards my friends at the Four Feathers. We would celebrate this night and later I would go to Tanah, waiting in my love furs.

  Thank you for reading Hunter: Warrior of Doridia! If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends and take a moment to post a positive review. If the interest is there, in a few months you can look for Caravans of Doridia, the second in the Jon Hunter series. Hunter, Warrior of Doridia is also available as an audiobook. Thanks again.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Ronald J. Watkins was born in Phoenix, Arizona where he lived most of his life. He is the author of more than 30 books. He now lives in South America. You may visit him at www.RonaldJWatkins.com.