If you meet me with honor and do not try to run, I will not harm your family.
Or you could simply sign your name to the document, and honor your word.
The choice is yours.
Siri Fenel
“Do you have a pen?” He asked the messenger gruffly. Words could not even describe the outrage he felt right now.
She produced a pen and stifled a deep yawn. “Excuse me sir,” she said as she handed it to him.
He ignored her and found a flat piece of wood in the pile, then signed his name to the damned document.
He handed the pen and paper back to the woman and asked; “Where can I find Miss Fenel?” Trying to keep his ire out of his voice.
She cocked her head and looked to be deciding what to say. “Why do you ask, sir?”
“I have some questions for her,” his hand curled into a fist.
Her eyes did not miss that motion. “You can inquire about her at Dothranan Manor in Vallad if you wish to speak to her.”
“Thank you,” Korin said.
“Yes sir. Good day to you,” she mounted her horse quickly and rode like the wind.
He watched her ride off, and Laren poked her head out calling to him; “Honey, is everything alright?”
He turned around and grabbed his bow. “No, it isn't. Get everyone to pack their things. Just what's important. We're leaving,” he went inside and grabbed his cloak.
“Where are we going?” She asked, concerned.
“All of you are going to Handal. We'll have Grik come take care of the livestock,” he said as he grabbed his large quiver and water skin.
“Where are you going?” She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder to stop him for a moment.
He looked into her eyes and said; “To Vallad, to find out what the hell Thorel has gotten himself into.”
* * *
Thorel's tears flowed anew as he stood on the great stone bridge outside the south gate of Vallad. He watched Eliel's ashes being thrown off the bridge by her mother and brother. They took turns taking a handful and casting it into the Dorin River. Their tears flowed freely as well.
Thorel wished he could have come out here before now to enjoy the view. The South Gate came out over the river that ran from beneath the city. The ground was a gentle slope that went down towards the south. The stone bridge they were on went to the east and west, sloping into the roads that went those ways. The west road met a road that came from the north and continued south, and the east road went around the east wall of Vallad.
The river itself was over a mile wide. There were great steel supports underneath holding the bridge from the banks and from Vallad's foundation. The supports had steel cross beams that were connected to each other. The banks on both sides that touched the City's exposed foundation were lined with stone that actually looked to be a part of the City's structure itself. Thorel estimated five-hundred men could march across this bridge abreast.
That is what he would have seen had he not been absorbed in the solemn ritual, watching Mariah and Jax take turns sprinkling Eliel's ashes. He watched as they floated down nearly a hundred feet, into the river below.
When they finished, Mariah hurled the urn with a blood-curdling scream of impotent rage as far as she could. That scream said more about her feelings than anything intelligible she had uttered. She leaned on the bridge's stone rail and wept with her head on her arms. Jax stood there with his tears flowing freely with his hand on his mother’s shoulder. He didn't say a word.
After many long minutes, Mariah stood up and said: “Thank you all for coming. It's good to know my daughter had some real friends.”
Thorel, Nigel, Jack Helgan, his wife and a few others that had come offered condolences and embraces to Jax and Mariah.
When Thorel released Jax from his embrace, he asked him; “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“What about?” He asked suspiciously, wiping his tears with his sleeve.
“I have a gift for you, but it'll take a minute to explain it. I just don't want the rest of them to hear, ok?” He said.
“Ok,” he walked a few yards away with Thorel. Thorel's armored shadows followed at a respectful distance.
Thorel spoke. “I don't know if Eliel ever told you about me, but I'm an apprentice Wizard,” it was strange to actually hear himself say that.
“I don't wanna hang with a soul stealer man,” Jax said, backing up.
Thorel nearly rolled his eyes. “Jax, that's a superstition. And it's insulting. Wizards that steal spirits are executed for it.”
He looked at Thorel, considering. “Well, I didn't mean no insult man, that's just what I always heard.”
“Well, you heard wrong. Hell, my own mother told me the same load of dung. Imagine how scared I was when I found out I could be one?” He said.
“That would be some pretty crazy shit all right. Ok man. If they kill 'em for stealin' I guess I can't argue. So whatcha got for me?” He asked.
“Well, I wanted to give you this,” Thorel pulled the tear drop crystal necklace out of his pocket that he'd picked up in the Hold before he came out here.
“I ain't a girl, and I ain't no man's man either,” Jax told him, looking uncomfortable.
Thorel couldn't help but laugh at that. “No, it's not what you think. Look, when people die their spirits can attach to people they really care about. Like my father. I can see him. He's right there,” Thorel gestured over his right shoulder.
“If you say so, man. What's this..,” Thorel cut him off. “Spirits reflect in crystal, Jax. Even someone who doesn't have the Wizard's sight can see them reflected in one.”
“Well, no shit. Ok. So..,” Thorel held his hand up. “Jax, you seem like a nice guy, but you talk too much. Let me finish.”
“Ok,” he looked annoyed but stayed quiet.
“Your sister's spirit attached to you, Jax. I can see her. And with this, you can too,” he said.
Jax just looked at the necklace then looked at Thorel. “You're serious?”
“Yes. She's right there,” Thorel said, pointing to Eliel's spirit. “Try it,” he handed Jax the necklace.
He looked at it and fiddled with it. Thorel could see his eyes change when he found the right angle though. It was such a mixed bag of emotions, Thorel couldn't even begin to guess what he was feeling at this moment.
New tears sprang from the young man's eyes, and he embraced Thorel again.
“Man, if you need anything, ever. I mean it. Anything.”
Thorel returned the embrace. “Just don't let someone buy her spirit. People are going to try.”
“Fuck them, I ain't sellin',” he said, with feeling.
“If you're ever going to do it, come to me. I'll take her and keep her safe,” he choked.
“You got it brother,” he said tearfully.
* * *
Ari came into the bedroom in a white robe with a scarf to cover her neck. It was nearly the twenty-second hour now, and Thorel started when she'd opened the door: he quickly concealed his naked body with the white robe she'd had made for him.
He accepted that he would eventually earn these things she was giving him, but it annoyed him that he hadn't had the opportunity to do so yet.
“I had the bath attendants outfits changed to something less revealing since you told me that made you uncomfortable,” she said looking at him.
“Thank you, Ari. I'm sure I would have managed, but I appreciate you doing that for me,” he said, looking at her beautiful face.
She walked to him and gave him a peck on the lips. “I will go now. You may enter in ten minutes to get yourself clean,” she said.
Thorel frowned at this. “What's wrong?” Ari asked him.
“You don't have to do that. You're beautiful Ari,” he knew she would get in the bath so she could get soap bubbles to conceal her naked body from him.
“You don't want to see my body,” she said before she kissed him again and padded away quickly. She went through the door and c
losed it. He heard the bathroom door lock.
He heard the door unlock ten minutes later. When he entered, he saw the slaves’ outfits were no longer transparent to his surprise. He saw Ari moved quickly in the tub in front of him: her head was now just above the concealing bubbles.
But he knew what he saw before she had: there was a thick scar around her neck.
“How may I serve you, Milord?” The nearest slave girl asked him.
“I'm just going to get cleaned up. No, I don't need help. Thank you,” he told the pretty girl.
“Of course Milord,” she curtsied with the short skirt and returned to her place by the fire rocks.
He smiled at Ari with some effort as he went by her tub to his concealing screen to get clean. Now I know why she hides her neck. What happened to her? He wondered, feeling a mix of anger and concern.
Whatever happened, it's in the past. If she wants to share it, she will. He knew.
He heard a door close, and a voice. Siri must have arrived. He realized. That was something that disturbed him. She was an older woman, but she was incredibly fit and attractive. She was not one bit shy about it either.
Siri walked right around his privacy screen and addressed him sternly. “Mr. Tangarth, I must tell you if it wouldn't upset the Mistress, I would beat you thoroughly for convincing her that the attendants’ outfits were inappropriate. I found them quite enjoyable.”
Thorel dropped the hose and covered his manhood with his hands quickly. Siri had a look in her eyes like smoldering coals ready to ignite at any moment: he was too shocked by her coming around his screen and the intensity she displayed to respond.
He heard Ari start giggling like a little girl.
Thorel stammered for a moment and said; “I'm sorry, I didn't know it would upset you.”
Siri cooled visibly and said, “I hope you develop your debauchery and return the previous outfits to use soon, Mr. Tangarth,” with a brisk nod to him, she walked away.
Ari started laughing so hard; she was wheezing when she finished. Siri must be making an odd jest at my expense, he realized.
* * *
After Ari had come out of the bathroom, he asked her; “Um, could you explain the jest Siri played on me in there? I didn't understand it.”
“What jest?” She asked quizzically. He was laying in bed, and she hung her robe on a hook revealing the thin silken bed clothing she wore. This set was black. Her bed outfits consisted of long sleeved silk tops that were long enough to cover her behind and had a high neck. She wore a pair of full-length silk stockings that met her silk top.
“About the attendants clothing? You laughed so hard I thought you were going to choke,” he said seriously, turning over and watching her walk about and turn out the glow stones.
She giggled lightly. “Well, I know she was jesting about beating you.”
Thorel thought about that. That's good, considering what I saw her do to that table. He thought. Then it dawned on him. “You mean she likes women, too?” He asked in surprise.
Ari finished turning the stones off and climbed into the huge bed with him. “Well, you are right and wrong. She does not like men at all. Well, not sexually anyway.”
Thorel blinked. He tried to think how that could work with two women, and finally gave up and asked. “Ari, how can two women do anything? I mean, it just doesn't seem like that could work.”
She smiled prettily under the moonlight coming in through the window and said; “If you learn more about what women like, you may understand it.”
Thorel looked into her eyes and could see the invitation there. He kissed her deeply, and they embraced.
When they released, she asked; “Thorel, can I touch you?”
He was a bit confused. “We're already touching, Ari.”
She said, “No. I want to just be able to touch everything; just to feel it.”
“Of course,” he replied, still puzzled.
“You can touch me too,” she said with a slightly mischievous smile.
And she touched him everywhere: his face, his ears, neck, and chest. Everywhere. She ran her fingers over him delicately, tracing the shapes of his muscles, and running her fingers through his hair. Several times, she sent shivers running through him.
He touched her delicately the same way, and he could feel puckered scars through the thin silk she wore. He hadn't felt them like this before: he just took his time and touched her through the silk. He noticed when he did her left breast was round and flat, but her right had a thick nipple that grew hard as he caressed it.
He tried not to think about what might have caused that. Or how much she had suffered when it happened. She would speak of it if she wished to.
Her hand lingered on his manhood, she ran her fingers along it and around it. It responded vigorously. He wasn't embarrassed at all this time though.
She whispered; “You're such a beast,” then giggled.
That annoyed him. So he ran his hand down her belly to her silk undergarments, to test her fortitude. When he touched her there, he could feel the wetness soaking through.
Then she bit his chest. Not hard enough to draw blood. It was a shock how that pain had sent a surge of pleasure through his body that was as erotic as anything he had experienced so far.
“What was that for?” He cried indignantly.
“You are soaking my underwear,” she said with irritation. She turned onto her back and pulled her undergarments off from under her silken top. She tossed them aside carelessly.
She rolled back onto her side and said; “Now you may,” and kissed him where she had just bitten.
They laid there, holding, kissing, and touching each other until sleep found them.
Wednesday May 22nd 1624th year of the First Great City
The Future
Nigel had invited him to come to a tavern to drink with him and Nina tonight, but Thorel declined. He had a lot of homework to do today and needed to get to it without trying to battle through a fog. It seemed the two of them were becoming close friends, they were spending a lot of time together.
With the strongest of the emotions of Eliel's passing flowing behind him now, Thorel thought about the future. He stopped and considered it after he'd finished his academic work for the evening.
His future. It had been so simple in his mind before he'd come to Vallad.
Ari. That was what he really needed to figure out. He knew he loved her for sure now. He just hadn't said it yet. What was he going to do about it was the real question.
Ari. For all the power she wielded, as hard and stern as she was in public, she was just a person. A woman that had been hurt beyond Thorel's comprehension. And while she had seen him completely naked over the past two days, he had yet to see her naked body.
She was afraid to show him is what he suspected. “My body... is hideous,” is what she had told him when she showed him her arm. He would not have held it against anyone but the people that did it to her.
He still didn't feel ready to travel the final road of their relationship, but it was mostly because of the responsibility a father must have for a child. He wanted to more than anything, especially last night. By the spirits, it had been so hard to resist those urges. Especially with the way Ari had moaned when he touched her: the way she had looked at him, the way she kissed him. She hadn't said anything, but she didn't need to. Her feelings were clear.
His mother had drilled the lesson into his mind, and Korin had shown him by example what a good father must be. Thorel couldn't imagine trying to raise a child while doing his academic work.
But the question came down to marriage. Ari had not asked him directly to marry him, but he knew she needed to in order to secure her house. She had confirmed that much. He was glad she was giving him time to wrap his mind around the idea and didn't push it. But at the same time, it confused him. He was a commoner, and she was a Noble. He didn't exactly know what the rules were on that, but he knew that wasn't supposed to happen.
What is she thinking? He wondered.
He looked at the clock and saw it was nearly the twenty-first hour.
He packed his book bag and walked out of the study, heading towards their chambers. His guards fell into step from their place by the door. He still didn't like being followed around by them, but he was starting to get used to it.
He got to the bedchamber door and was admitted by the guards there without remark. His guards took a position on the other side of the hall.
He entered their lavish bedroom and went to the dresser he had his few possessions in and on. When he set his bag on top of it, he saw a note.
I've already taken my bath. Let me know when you're clean.
Ari
After he was clean, he returned to the bedchamber wearing his robe.
“I'm clean Ari,” he thought to her.
“I'll be along in a few minutes,” she replied.
Thorel occupied himself with looking out the window. He could see the west side of the Hold and West Vallad through the window lit by dusk’s fading light. He found he didn't get dizzy when he stayed a good three yards from the window, but it still felt better to hang onto one of the bed's four posts. This was higher than people were meant to be as far as he was concerned. Trees, no problem. He'd never had any issue with climbing to the top of one, but this was a whole different order of magnitude on the forty-second floor of the Manor.
When Ari entered, she was wearing her white robe. She wore one of her silk bed outfits underneath it; this one was red. She held a small polished wood box in her arm with a smile.
Kira followed her in carrying a tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She went to the stand by the bed and set the tray down.
“Is there anything else you need, Mistress?” She asked.
“No Kira,” she beamed at Thorel.
The short brunette excused herself with a curtsy.
“You're in a good mood. What's going on?” Thorel asked curiously.
Spirit of Magik (The Dothranan Chronicles Book 1) Page 37
