Danier wasn’t about to be silenced or humiliated. “No, Emperor, if you let that ship of men land here, they will be nothing but this vampire’s minions. He must have raised them from the dead!”
Annoyed, the emperor rose to his feet again and took a step toward the general, frowning. “And even if this man is a vampire as you claim, how could he have resurrected your men? Did you not feed them per the Holy Laws of our people? Would that not have kept them immune?”
Danier’s eyes went wide. Their diet was mandated to contain garlic per their religion, and neglecting to provide appropriate food to his men would have been a serious crime.
“But of course I did, Emperor!” Danier snapped. “This man has great and terrible black magic, though, and he must have other means of—”
“Enough! You disobeyed my order to keep to our side of the river! You executed a hasty invasion during the height of the Tordanian winter, and you failed!” Betram shot back. Deep lines set into either side of his mouth in his anger. “Finding the Aroothi woman was a blessing, but even that has fallen from your achievements!”
The general turned his eyes toward the prisoners, knowing he’d have them killed the moment they were away from the emperor. His entire political career was in dire threat of being destroyed, and that scared him more than anything else. He grew silent, simply not wanting to enrage Betram further.
Keiran offered Danier a small grin, his fangs still absent. Jerris smiled, too, glad to see the general get knocked back a few pegs.
The Tordanian King finally saw his chance to test his diplomacy, knowing it was their only real hope of pulling through the situation alive. “Your Eminence, I didn’t come here to cause such trouble for you. I know the woman was of great importance, but she escaped on her own. There was no way for me to infiltrate the palace and aid in her flight.”
Emperor Betram calmed down a bit and turned toward the captives, choosing to give Keiran an opportunity to speak his mind. He had no doubt the women had left on their own, having seen their method of escape.
Sensing the emperor’s more relaxed frame of mind, Keiran went on. “What I truly came all this way for was to seek a meeting with you. You must understand I cannot just cede parts of my territory to another land. It has come to my attention you’ve worked with the Ibianese and set up trade agreements. I would be honored if you would consider a trade agreement with me. We do have more coal than we can use at this point, and with both our countries having docks on the river, moving the commodity would be a simple matter.”
“We do not trade with Tordanians!” Danier shouted out, his patience at an end. Standing by and watching the wretched vampire propose such a thing to the emperor was more than he could take. “We will take that land from you and kill all of your people!”
The emperor closed his eyes and shook his head, more than done with the general. After just a quick snap of his fingers, General Danier was tackled by three guards and knocked to the floor. After a brief struggle, he was overpowered and dragged from the throne room.
Once he was gone, the emperor gave a curt order for the bindings on Keiran and Jerris’ wrists to be removed. He went to his seat again and landed heavily before looking at his guests.
“The general is a passionate man but impatient and arrogant,” he said apologetically. “His tribe held control of this country for generations before my reign, and he has always had eyes on reclaiming his people’s control of the Sador Empire. I ordered the end to foreign invasions when I took the title of Emperor years ago, but Danier has always disagreed with it. I do apologize for his actions.”
Keiran rubbed his wrists, looking Jerris over quickly to make sure he was all right. The guard offered him a pleased smile and a nod, motioning back toward the emperor for Keiran to continue his negotiations.
“Perhaps a meeting between the leaders of our respective countries was due,” Keiran said, taking a slow step forward. “I was impressed to hear of your trade with the Ibianese, and as I said, I would be very honored to forge an agreement with you. Knowing the invasion into my country was the work of an out-of-control general and not on your order, I’m quite happy to work with you. If you would allow it, Emperor Betram.”
“We do need coal. Our glass and metal smiths have been suffering from a dearth of fuel for their trades.” The emperor steepled his hands before his chest and grew thoughtful. “And what of ours would you be interested in?”
Keiran was caught on the spot but knew the start to a new relationship between their countries was too important to mess up. It would have the added benefit of reducing his dependence on trade with Athan’s homeland.
“We intend to increase our steel production and our only current source of ore is Talaus, but I would be much happier getting it from you,” Keiran said.
The iron ore the Tordanian needed was something their country had in abundance. There was an entire stretch of desert within the Sador Empire where the land was literally black from the ferrite sands there. Beneath it was a vast supply of what Keiran needed. It was nearly worthless to the Sadoris, the supply far beyond what they needed for their own metal production.
“Yes, this is a very favorable trade offer. I will have my advisors work out a proposal about it, and I see no problem with getting it approved by the asashis. Many of their tribes would profit greatly,” Betram replied, nodding to himself.
The vampire’s ears perked, and he took another step forward. “That would be wonderful. Not to change the subject, but I’ve heard the term ‘asashi’ now a few times, and I’m afraid I must admit I don’t know what it means.”
The emperor looked up toward the ceiling, still upset Thana had run away. “An asashi is a tribal queen. The woman Danier brought back from Tordania was the only living female of the Aroothi tribe, qualifying her to become an asashi. However, if she crossed the river, it no longer matters.”
Keiran gave a small nod, hoping Thana had made it. He frowned a bit, his concern for the woman overtaking him. Without trying, he projected his own emotions outward, the strength of his feelings for Thana making it easy.
The notion she’d qualified for a title, however, was noteworthy.
Watching Keiran’s reaction and subconsciously feeling a connection to his worry, Betram frowned again. “The good news is if she is alive on the other side, you may have her. She is no longer of use to us, and I would ask you to accept her as a gift.”
As much as he wanted to ask why she wouldn’t have lived through the crossing, Keiran held his tongue and forced up a smile. While he didn’t appreciate Thana being discussed like a possession, he wasn’t in a position to protest.
Deciding on the better half of decorum, he gave a small bow, realizing the emperor was saying he would be allowed to go. “That is quite generous of you. It is growing very late, and I would hate to keep you away from your other business any longer, Your Eminence.”
Emperor Betram pushed himself up from his seat again and toddled over toward the Tordanians. He took up Keiran’s right hand and touched it to his forehead. “I apologize for the general’s conduct. I know we will have a good working relationship between our countries. I will send an envoy with the proposed contract within a week by ship to your capital.”
Keiran took the emperor’s right hand and copied the Sadori’s gesture before giving him a smile. “And I will return the men Danier left behind as soon as I can get a ship up the river. If you have any reservations at all, simply offer each of them a spoonful of that garlic you’re so fond of. Trust me, if they’re vampires, they’ll run screaming.”
The old man gave another smile, wagging a finger at Keiran. “Funny man. Now, my guards will provide an escort back across the bridge unless you would like to stay for the night.”
Jerris looked at Keiran wide-eyed, shaking his head. There was no way he was going to linger in the palace in the chance the Sadoris changed their minds. Of course, he feared it was all a ruse anyway, and once back in the courtyard, the guards would kill the
m.
The vampire nodded in return, taking a step back from the emperor. “I appreciate the hospitality, but we shall take our leave.”
The redhead’s fears proved to be unwarranted as the Sadori guards returned their weapons and escorted them onto the bridge. When they reached the halfway point, the guards halted, allowing Keiran and Jerris to walk the rest of the way into Ibia.
Keiran didn’t stop to revel in the fact they’d made it out of the Sador Empire, however. His only concern was getting back to Thana, and he was soon running in the direction of Etras’ home.
***
Etras had gotten Thana to his humble tent before the woman had bled to death. Upon entering, he called out for his wife. She immediately set to work getting a tourniquet around Thana’s arm.
Her well-practiced routine was set into motion, and within half an hour, the limb was dressed and bound tightly against Thana’s chest. The older woman had sedated Thana with a strong drink kept for such events. Mercifully, this allowed Thana to make it through the various treatments needed to clean and sterilize the wound.
Once Thana was resting and her treatments completed, Arin sat back, staring down at her own right wrist. Her hand had been amputated nearly a decade before. While Etras made their money acting as a travel guide, Arin had earned a reputation for being the best healer in their small village. Having suffered her own amputation at the time of her exile, the woman had gained the medical knowledge to help others.
Etras and Arin were both from wealthy families in the Sador Empire. However, Arin’s monogamous relationship with Etras had been frowned upon. The two had been secretly wed, a practice long outlawed for the upper class in the Sador Empire.
A man wanting Etras’ job in the government eventually ratted them out to the authorities. Arin was held accountable for bewitching Etras and coercing him into the forbidden union. She had been sentenced to exile and her right hand removed. Etras had turned his back on his career with the government to follow the woman he loved.
Etras had picked up on the relationship between Keiran and Thana the moment he saw them together. While he’d not wanted to get involved in any serious trouble, he’d realized he needed to help them. What they were trying to hold onto was the same thing he’d given up his prior life for.
He sat quietly at Arin’s side once the flurry of activity needed to save Thana’s life subsided. Etras took her remaining hand and told her about the Tordanians and the woman they had helped. He confided in her the wealthy man had, indeed, been the King of Tordania.
Arin took it all in stride, listening to the story without interruption. She agreed he’d done the right thing, and all they could do now was wait to see if the two men were going to make it back.
When Keiran and Jerris entered the tent, Etras and his wife both jumped up.
The vampire looked around the tent, spotting Thana lying on a thick bed of pillows and blankets. Her dress had been removed so her arm could be bound to her chest properly, though the wrapping covered her in a discreet enough manner. Her lower body was still clad in the loose-fitting leggings she’d been given to wear under her dress back at the palace. He moved to her side and looked at her, not understanding what had happened.
Jerris and Arin stayed back, but Etras moved over and knelt at Keiran’s side.
Keiran saw Thana was breathing, but she was otherwise completely unresponsive. He looked at Etras. “What in the world happened to her?”
Etras shook his head and picked up the bracer that had severed Thana’s hand from where it sat beside her bed. He held it out toward Keiran. “She was wearing this, and it took her hand off the moment she left the Sador Empire.”
“What?!” Keiran’s eyes went wide, and he took the heavy device. “What in the hell is this damned thing?”
He looked at the bracer, seeing the multiple arced blades crossing each other within, making the shape of a five pointed star. The sight of Thana’s blood upon it hit him hard. It caused his stomach to turn, and he looked down at the woman, her handless wrist evident beneath the wrappings.
“It is an Asashi Awari,” he whispered quietly. “It is a Queen Maker. The women who wear them keep them on for life. It is the certification of their status, but if they leave the Sador Empire, it sentences them to exile on its own. If I had known she was an asashi, if I had known she was wearing it beneath the sleeves of her dress, I swear to you I wouldn’t have brought her across the bridge.”
Keiran heard something in the man’s voice and looked over, seeing tears tracing down Etras’ cheeks. He hadn’t noticed it on Thana’s arm and couldn’t fault the man for missing such a thing.
Thana probably hadn’t known the consequences of wearing it across the border, either. Suddenly, the emperor and Danier’s statements questioning her survival made much more sense, and his fear over Thana’s condition worsened.
He knew well enough amputations often proved fatal. “If we’d only known… Did you treat her?”
Arin finally stepped forward, having heard her husband’s voice waver. She knelt on the other side of Keiran, extending her own abbreviated arm from beneath her robe for Keiran to see.
She did her best to speak to Keiran, not accustomed to the Tordanian language. “I did the treating. I have much training.”
He looked at her wrist before meeting her eyes. The fact her right hand was missing had been concealed in the long sleeves of her robes, and neither he nor Jerris had noticed. Now, he understood why Etras lived on this side of the river, and he was grateful to have found this family. There were tears burning in his own eyes, and there was nothing he could do to stop them.
Keiran feared the answer but asked regardless, “What are her odds of living? Most die when they suffer such an injury.”
Arin reached out, placing her left hand lightly onto Thana’s brow, finding it cool to the touch. “We see this much, and for it, we have good medicine. I treat her fast enough. She has great chance to live. I give her something to not feel the pain, to sleep.”
Keiran took her statement to heart and bowed his head before reaching down and picking up Thana’s remaining hand, holding it to his chest. He may have had an audience but it didn’t matter. His emotions were boiling over, but instead of anger, it was abject sadness.
As the Tordanian broke down and started to draw in shuddering breaths, Etras and Arin quietly moved away, opting to give him space.
Jerris heard everything. With the others moving away, he rushed to Keiran’s side. He put an arm around him and was a little shocked when Keiran turned toward him more, embracing him in return. It was evident with Keiran’s harsh breathing he’d begun to cry.
The redhead remained there and patted Keiran’s back, uncomfortable to see his friend break apart but willing to remain there through it.
“Keir, she’ll make it. You know she’s in good health otherwise. Arin seems to know her craft,” he said.
The vampire pulled back a bit and looked at Thana again. “I’m guilty for all of this, Jerris. I didn’t know she would follow me and end up like this, but I should have done something…”
Jerris shook his head, leaving his arm around the other man’s shoulders. “There is nothing we could have done about that, Keir. We don’t even know why she followed you.”
“Something must have happened to make her do it, Jerris,” he replied quietly, wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand. “She wouldn’t have gone after me without a damned good reason.”
“Well, I suppose you’ll get the chance to ask her when she wakes up.” Jerris didn’t really know what else to say. He had absolutely no idea why Thana would have done what she did.
Etras came over with two small trays a while later and set them next to where Keiran and Jerris sat. They were covered in fruit and bread, a small knife provided to cut up the food as they liked.
“Arin and I will be just on the other side of the tent. If you need anything tonight, or if anything changes with her, you get us, yes?”
&nbs
p; “Thank you,” Keiran replied. The food didn’t really appeal to him, but he saw no harm in keeping it close in case Thana awoke and needed to eat something later.
Etras gave them a smile and moved away, settling in with Arin for the night.
Jerris, seeing Keiran regain some of his composure, took his tray of food and moved off a short distance to eat. He watched as Keiran shifted around, finally getting somewhat comfortable lying at Thana’s side.
The redhead was close to Thana, too, even though he tried to push it away and make light of Keiran’s affection for her. Seeing her injured made him sick inside. As he thought about what she must have gone through with the severing of her hand, Jerris abandoned his food. He opted to simply try and sleep.
***
Danier spent the entire night chained to a wall in the dungeon beneath the emperor’s palace. His back and arms were in severe pain from hanging with his feet barely touching the ground. There were no signs of time passing as the dungeon was kept in absolute darkness.
Aside from the cold stone against his back and the stink of human waste, the only other stimulus to be found was the scratching of rats, and the occasional moans and laments of the other prisoners.
His arms went numb, and he lost consciousness from being upright with his breathing restricted for hours on end. A sentry eventually appeared and undid the chains binding him, sending the general crashing to the floor. As much as his body hurt while hanging, he was cast into another dimension of agony once freed as blood and sensation returned to his extremities.
Unable to walk, he was hoisted up roughly by his upper arms by two more men and hastily marched from the dungeon. His legs were moving but not contributing to his forward momentum. The tops of his feet struck the edge of every stair as they climbed upward toward the courtyard.
They emerged out into the glaring morning light, and Danier was rendered completely blind. He clamped his eyes shut, physically unable to open them after being kept in the dark for so long.
“I’m certain you’ve taken the time overnight to think about what I may be upset over,” Emperor Betram said.
The Queen Maker Page 25
