Dearra clapped her hands like a happy child, content to wait in bed while water was brought. Darius went to take up his position against the wall. “Oh no, you’re not staying! Go away, Darius. Go find something to do outside these walls.”
Stunned by the dismissal, Darius walked from the chamber and down the steps, hardly knowing where his feet were taking him. The wolf pup followed closely at his heels. He eventually found himself outside the entrance to the Great Hall, and almost shyly, entered and found an empty table. The puppy, who had tripled in size over the last five weeks, threw himself on top of Darius’s boots. The same kitchen girl who had brought him food on the first day was beside him again. He thanked her for the offer, but he had no wish for food. He felt awkward and alone.
“So, she’s turned you out at last,” Jacob taunted.
Darius had heard mutterings about the man standing beside him. He was wholly unimpressed with the irritating troublemaker, and he did not turn his head to recognizeJacob as he spoke.
Angered to be so ignored, Jacob tried a different approach. “I feel sorry for you, Breken dog. Now that she is well, perhaps she is too much woman for you. Perhaps you prefer to take advantage of weak, unconscious girls who lack the strength to fight you off.”
The foul implication pushed Darius too far, and he rose swiftly to his feet. Sensing his master’s anger, the wolf pup was beside Darius in a flash. A deep, puppy growl rumbled in his chest.
“You would dare to say such things? You would dishonor her name with your filthy words?” Darius spat.
“The dishonor would not be hers, Breken. What could she do if you forced her? Of course…”
“Of course, what?” Darius said, simmering with rage, begging the pig to finish his sentence and give Darius an excuse to snap his neck.
“Of course, there’s always the chance she enjoyed it,” Jacob said in a low tone, so only Darius would hear. “Then I would need to punish her.”
Darius acted without thought and sprang at Jacob from across the table. Jacob wasn’t as big as Darius, but at 6’2” and about 220 pounds of solid muscle, he was a formidable opponent. Darius had momentum in his favor, and when he crashed into Jacob, the two men slammed into the stone wall behind them. Darius braced his arm against Jacob’s throat. The wolf kept up its vicious snarls and growls. A split second later and Jacob was holding a knife to the Darius’s chest.
Daniel strode through the hall toward the two men who remained locked in combat. “Darius! Jacob! What’s going on here?”
Darius pushed away from Jacob, and Jacob sheathed his knife.
“Nothing, Daniel,” Darius said, his voice calm. “Jacob was kindly offering me instruction in Maj fighting techniques.”
“Is that right, Jacob?” Daniel said, sharply.
“Of course!” Jacob seemed almost shocked at the thought it could be anything otherwise.
Daniel couldn’t remember the last time he had been around this much fertilizer at one time and shrugged. “If you’re done with your instruction, Lord Hugh wants to see Darius.”
Jacob nodded curtly and left without another word.
Darius trailed Daniel out of the Great Hall and followed him to the tower where Lord Hugh slept.
***
At Lord Hugh’s chambers, Daniel opened the door and held it wide to allow Darius to enter first. He was closely followed by the young wolf.
Hugh stood as Darius entered the room and said without preamble, “My daughter has recovered. I think it time you took up residence in your own chamber.”
“Lady Dearra has already removed me from my place in her room. I believe she is bathing, and if I could guess, I would say she plans to join you for the evening meal.”
A delighted grin lit Hugh’s face at the thought of Dearra beside him at the family table, as it was one place Darius couldn’t follow.
“There was a bit of trouble in the hall between Darius and Jacob, Lord,” Daniel informed.
“Really?”
“It was nothing, Lord. Jacob was showing me some of the training techniques of the island, and we got a little…carried away.”
“Hmm,” Hugh said. He paused for a moment, reached beside his chair, and held Darius’s sword out to him, hilt first. “Well, if you’re going to ‘practice’, you’ll need your weapon back.”
Darius grasped the sword in his hand and felt an immediate and overwhelming sense of relief, as if he felt whole again. He nodded his thanks to Lord Hugh and strapped the sword to its place at his side.
Hugh still wasn’t sure giving the sword back was a good idea, but he was committed to this course now, and would see it through. He looked the young Breken squarely in the eye and said “And Darius, about Jacob: if you’re going to lie to the Lord of Maj, you may want to practice a bit first. You’re terrible at it, boy. Go on now. I must get ready to dine with my daughter.”
***
Four hours later, a weakened but smiling Dearra entered the Great Hall with the assistance of Carly and Ann. She beamed with pleasure when the people of Maj clapped and cheered at her return. Hugh stepped from the raised platform that held the family table and met his daughter halfway to take over as her support. He kept a steady hand at her elbow as she took her seat, and then he turned to face the crowd of people.
“Today my daughter rejoins us!” The cheers that had stilled erupted once more to fill the room. Hugh waited for them to quiet before speaking again. “The she-wolf who threatened our children and our livestock has been destroyed, and though Dearra was gravely injured, all is now well, and we are grateful to have her back with us, safe and whole.”
Dearra’s smile slipped for a moment. The way her father told the story made it sound as though she had been wounded in battle with the wolf rather than from her own clumsiness, but it would do no good to argue the point. Her father would choose to remember the incident his own way. Her eyes scanned the room looking for Darius, who she found, smiling at her from the back of the room. Though there was plenty of room at his table, young Royce was the only one who sat with him.
Hugh supported Dearra as she stood to speak. “I am very happy to be among you again,” she said, “and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make me well, especially Ann, who rarely left my side, and surely deserves an award for putting up with my temper these many days and weeks.”
Laughter ran around the room. There were a few nods of agreement from those who had heard Dearra’s more colorful speech, especially in the last week when she had begun to feel like herself again.
“But there is one who I have yet to thank. Darius saved me from the male wolf after I killed the female. I would surely have died if not for his brave actions.”
Darius looked as though he were trying to disappear into the wall behind him. Heat spread to his face as everyone turned to look at him.
“Darius came among us as an enemy. I tell you, now, I am proud to call him my friend.” Dearra sank to her chair again.
The people of Maj were stunned to silence at Dearra’s confession.
Damn, thought Hugh. But what could he do about it?
He spoke his next words loudly, so all could hear. “Darius, you have saved my daughter and she names you friend. I welcome you to share my table as our honored guest for as long as you are with us.”
Damn, thought Darius, but what could he do about it?
He stood and walked to the head table.
Dearra beamed at him and nodded to the chair by her side.
The people of Maj had finally found their voices and roared their approval.
Darius sat, staring at Dearra in awe. In one swoop this tiny, wonderful warrior had named him friend. They still might not trust him, but they no longer looked at him with contempt and fear. Nothing could mar this perfect moment for Darius, not even the sight of Jacob, who stood against one wall, arms folded, and a look of pure hatred upon his face.
Darius looked away from the people in the hall, away from Jacob, away from even Lord Hugh, pre
ferring to lose himself in the sparkling blue eyes of Dearra instead.
Chapter 16
Well, girl, are you feeling better, then?
Brin’s haughty tone did nothing to dim Dearra’s enthusiasm. It was a glorious fall day, and she was going to enjoy it. “Yes, thank you, Brin. I’m feeling wonderful,” Dearra said aloud. She still felt funny speaking to the sword only in her thoughts, and she was alone, besides.
“You know, Brin, I was thinking.”
How very unusual. Did you enjoy the experience? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you started to make a habit of it?
“Ha ha. You’re just too, too funny today. What I was going to say is that I was thinking about when the male wolf was attacking me.”
Yes?
“Well, you said my name. You called me Dearra.”
I most certainly did not!
“Yes, you did. You said, ‘Dearra, behind you,’ but maybe your memory isn’t as good as mine,” she taunted.
I suppose it’s possible that in the heat of the moment, and all that was going on, I may have slipped. You know, just for a moment.
“You know what I think? I think you like me and didn’t want to see me get hurt.”
Now, now, let’s not be hasty. I may have had a slight concern for you for a moment, but it had absolutely nothing to do with me liking you. I simply don’t wish to return to that musty old box. I was bored stiff. You may be a nuisance, but at least I can get out and about a bit. It’s as simple as that.
Dearra paused to reflect on Brin’s explanation before saying with certainty, “Nope, you like me!”
Humph.
“Now that we have established, beyond a doubt, that you do like me, maybe you could be persuaded to call me by my name?”
I’ll see what I can do, Fuzzy.
Dearra laughed aloud at the stubborn sword and bounced from her room.
***
Darius was waiting for her in the Great Hall as usual. The rapid growth of the little, white ball of fluff that was the wolf cub amazed her. Most of the people of Maj would keep a respectful distance from such an animal, but Dearra saw him and rushed to greet him. The wolf stood on his hind legs and put his paws on her chest. She stroked the top of his head in greeting.
“Who’s the most handsome wolf ever?” she crooned “Who’s the bravest, most special, most—”
Oh, sure! The wolf she praises! But do I ever get a kind word? Noooooo. I’m just the sword who hangs around all day waiting to protect her life, and at great risk to my beautiful blade, I might add.
Oh, Brin, you know I think you’re wonderful. Who saved me from the she-wolf? Don’t pout now.
Darius chuckled from his place at the table, probably amused by the way she spoke to the puppy. “Come on, pup. Get down now,” he said.
“Oh, Darius, leave him. He’s so cute.” Dearra smiled and scratched behind the wolf’s ears.
“How cute will he be when he outweighs you by forty pounds?”
“Okay, down, now,” Dearra said. She sighed. “You know, Darius, you need to name him. He can’t just be Pup for the rest of his life.”
“The Breken don’t name animals. They are beasts of burden or weapons. You name him.”
“What’s the Breken word for ‘faithful’?” Dearra asked.
“There is no Breken word for faithful, Dearra. The concept is so at odds with who we are as a people we find no need for it.”
“Okay, what about ‘friend’? Do they have a word for that?”
Darius had to think back quite far to come up with the word. “I guess Reo would fit. My people mostly use the common speech, but in ancient Breken, Reo means ‘ally’. That’s about as close as we get to the word ‘friend’, and even that word is little used.”
“Reo,” Dearra said, trying the word in her mouth. “I like it!”
“What do you think, Reo? Is it a good fit?” The pup gave a yip and jumped on Darius, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
“I think he’s smiling, Darius,” Dearra said with excitement.
“Yes, but I think it has more to do with his anticipation over chasing rabbits than the new name we gave him,” Darius said.
“Well, I guess you would know best, but I still like the name.” Dearra sat beside Darius at the less formal side table, and stole a piece of toast from his plate.
“Dearra!” Darius’s scolded. “You’re eating more than that!”
“Oh, Darius, don’t spoil my fun! Tomorrow is Harvest Celebration. It won’t be a very joyous occasion without Pip here to share it, but it is an important part of our lives to give thanks for what we have. It’s also the time we celebrate the new additions to our community over the last year.”
“What has that got to do with eating this morning?”
“Nothing, really. I am just anxious to go down to see how the ship is coming along and check on the preparations for tomorrow’s feast.”
Darius sighed. “You win, Dearra. It seems I can’t deny you anything, but you are surely pushing this friendship thing to its limits. I may not be familiar with all the rules, but it seems you shouldn’t be able to win every fight.”
“Don’t be silly, Darius. There are no rules. And we’re not fighting. I’m just saying what I want, and you are realizing I’m right.”
He couldn’t argue with her, but even if he tried, she would find a way to twist his words and get her way. Instead, he shook his head and pushed another piece of toast into her hand.
Dearra jumped from the table, ready for her outing.
“Where to, then?” Darius asked with a resigned sigh.
“To the docks, please. I’m anxious to see the progress.”
***
Dearra skipped ahead. Reo followed closely behind her, darting off every few minutes to give chase to a rabbit or squirrel that had dared get too close.
They descended the slope to the harbor to a flurry of activity. Laborers scurried in all directions. The ship, when complete, would be a caravel. It would have a shallower draft than some of the other ships they normally used, which would make it much faster and more maneuverable. The special trees needed for the masts were not yet in evidence, but they would eventually tower from the deck to provide three sturdy masts to hold the sails. The foremast and mainmast would use square-rigged sails, and lateen (or triangular) sails would be used on the mizzenmast to help make changing direction easier and faster. The whole ship, when finished, would weigh around 200 tons.
Being fast was a necessity if they were forced to make a hasty retreat, but building a caravel would mean they had less cargo space, and could only take about twenty people, on board and that wasn’t very many when it came time to venture into unknown Breken territory, but if all of Maj came, there wouldn’t be enough to face the horde of Breken that would descend on them if things went badly. Their only hope was stealth, deception, and the knowledge Darius brought to them.
“I see Daniel!” Dearra said. “I’m going to hear what he has to say on our progress.” She was gone almost before she was done speaking.
***
Darius was happy to have a little time to himself as he and Reo walked down the sandy beach, toward the east. He needed to work things out in his head, and it was hard to concentrate on anything when he was around Dearra. Even when he was away from her, the memory of her blue eyes blazing with golden fire was distracting. What had happened to him? Things had changed so dramatically in such a short amount of time. When did this scrap of a girl worm her way so solidly into his heart?
None of it made any sense. She had gone from being his jailor to…well…something else entirely. When she had cut herself on the mighty sword and casually ignored the wound to pursue the threat to her people he had been impressed. When she had shown such courage against the she-wolf he had never been more proud. When she had fallen ill he had been terrified. When she had awoken after the long weeks of unconsciousness and asked for him he had been so relieved and filled with emotion, he thought his heart m
ight shatter. And when she was well and had sent him away from her he had been lost, completely and totally lost, with no thought of where to go or what to do with himself without her by his side.
Oh, this was bad. Very, very bad. He absolutely couldn’t fall in love with a Maj.
He would have to think on it later.
At least two things were in his favor:one, she only considered them friends, and two, her father was unaware of Darius’s growing affection for his daughter. Thank the gods for that. If Hugh knew, Darius imagined he would regret not killing him when he had the chance.
Darius returned to the ship to notice Royce sitting on a rock a little ways from all the activity. “Watching all of the excitement, Royce?” Darius asked him.
“Watching is all I’m allowed to do.
“Darius? Have you ever wanted something so badly it drove you crazy, only to have it withheld from you? Have you ever had the thing you wanted most in the world right in front of you, day after day, and not be allowed to touch?”
A look of panic crept into Darius face as he considered the boy. What did the child know? Were his thoughts that transparent? He swallowed hard and forced his next words to sound calm as he spoke. “I’m not sure what you mean, Royce.”
“All I’ve ever wanted was to go to sea! And now here they are, building a brand new ship and getting ready to make a voyage none have ever made before, and I am left out! It’s not fair!” Royce said, practically moaning in frustration. He was so caught up in self-pity he missed the relief that washed over Darius’s face.
“Well, Royce, everyone is so focused on getting this project done and preparing for Pip’s rescue that they may be blinded to what an asset you could be to them. Don’t be too hard on them. Sometimes people can’t see what’s right in front of them.”
“I suppose, but it’s a hard thing. Now, with Dearra well again, you don’t even need me to help with the pup.” A pout spread across his face.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, Royce. I am very disappointed in you. Here I thought we were going to be partners in Reo’s training, and the next thing I know you’ve completely abandoned us.”
The Destiny Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3 Page 15
