by Mari Collier
“Tis agreed then. Do ye object to us joining ye against the Sisters?”
“Why would I? Your force tis most welcome. The numbers alone should convince them to surrender. If nay object, I will visit my elder, Lamar, and Don will be in Betron within the hour.”
Magda appeared briefly. “Ye will need to let me ken if Medicine tis needed. For now we are busy enough.”
There was a chorus of agreement, and Llewellyn switched to the Don channel. Lorenz considered the move futile as each House monitored the other, but politeness required the Tris not ken the conversation of the Houses. Llewellyn leaned back in his chair and proceeded to speak.
“People of Don, your Maca thanks ye for your calmness and your assistance. The Sisters here are defeated and will be judged. We are joining forces with the other Houses to confine the rest of the rebellious Sisters. If your homes and families are missing loved ones, keep in contact here. Nay all the Sister stationed at Ishner wish to be there and your Council of the Realm will weigh the evidence. The Council of the Realm will meet in Donnick ere the week has passed. The troopers that assisted with this fight have forty-five minutes to eat and rest. They will then accompany us to Ishner. I'll keep ye updated on the results. If ye have nay heard, your Guardian, Lamar, tis recovering.” He blanked out the display and swung around to face Lorenz and Ishmael.
“Does that improve your mood, Lorenz? Lamar tis Guardian again.”
“He should have stayed that way.” Lorenz started to turn.
“Ye will need that armored uniform, unless ye have decided nay to accompany us.”
Ishmael stared at Lorenz in bewilderment. “Does nay your land honor obligations?”
Lorenz looked at Ishmael and realized that he seemed to be the only one sickened by Llewellyn's raping a woman. What was wrong with these people? Worse, if it had it been him helping Ishmael, he would have felt that there was an obligation to make sure that his family and their possessions were safe.
He turned and retrieved the armor. “As long as I don't need to put it on until we're over Ishner. Let's go grab something to eat and see if Leta needs something brought in.”
Llewellyn spoke to their backs. “Lorenz, would ye go with me to Lamar's? I also need information about the Kenning Woman. Has she agreed to return here?” He watched his laddie's back stiffen and Lorenz turned, his shoulders squared, and his chin jutting forward.
“That's right, as Maca, y'all control everything here. It's your say-so whether she returns and gets medical help, isn't it?”
Llewellyn stood. “That tis the way of Thalia, however, if ye say she needs Medicine, I will support ye. Tis she ill?”
“No, her bones didn't heal right. She needs them re-broken and straightened. Right now, she's probably suffering from arthritis too. Thalians or the Justines can cure arthritis; Earth can't.”
Llewellyn considered. “I dinna if Medicine will agree.” He saw the flash of annoyance on Lorenz's face. “Although, by custom a Kenning Woman accepted by House, tis a Tri. If Medicine refuses, we will ask Gary for medical.”
Ishmael stared at Llewellyn like he was possessed. “Maca, she tis Ab.”
Llewellyn smiled at them. “There are certain customs that Thalia must admit are too harsh. Now, Lorenz, if ye dinna wish to call upon Lamar, please see to our guest. I must attend.”
Lorenz turned to Ishmael. “Would y'all give me a minute?”
Ishmael looked at both, nodded, and withdrew.
“Why the hell is everyone congratulating y'all for rape?”
They faced each other, Lorenz stiff and tense, Llewellyn with that bemused look that he wore when watching people.
“The first fight I won was in the House Arena after the Council of the Realm meeting and the dinner shared among the Houses. Nay but members of House are permitted at the dinner, and the fight was for the bedding, nay the fight. Beauty should have bedded with me ere they turned me over to the Justines, but she demanded I be turned over to the Justines first. Why do ye think she has been so determined to see me kicked out or destroyed?”
“I figured it was because y'all threatened her power.”
“Aye, granted, but she kenned people compared her build with mine, and she would lose again. She had to bear the whispers of people calling her traitor and coward.”
“It's still rape.”
“What I did today tis legal under Thalian law and the debt tis now paid. I would nay dare to do that again, and frankly, I dinna wish to. Tis nay my idea of a proper bedding.
“Since ye are weighing whether to stay in Thalia or nay, once we finish in Ishner, I wish the Kenning Woman brought here to thank her and name her. Then we'll install her in the Shrine of the Kenning Woman. That will validate the status of Tri.”
“The what? People worship her?”
“Nay, however, they would go to her for comfort. Usually a Kenning Woman can tell them nay, but she can listen. There are times when she can fulfill their requests for a vision.”
“But that doesn't make Daniel eligible for Warrior status, or her for marriage to someone in House, right?”
Comprehension lit Llewellyn's eyes. “So that tis it. Ye looked into a pair of lovely Thalian eyes and wish to wed her. Like a good fither ye are concerned for your laddie's future. That tis why ye are ready to fight me. Ye thought I would oppose any mating. There are solutions to these situations, and we shall find them. Ye will also need help in being a Thalian fither to Daniel, or any other lads or lassies ye may have.”
Lorenz was staring at Llewellyn wondering how his father knew him so well.
“How the hell did y'all know about the eyes?”
“And what was your first description of Antoinette? It was, 'She has the prettiest blue eyes. They're so blue they are almost violet.' Now I'll wager this lassie has eyes different from the dark brown of most Thalians.”
Lorenz let out his breath. “One more question. Would y'all have done that if Mama were here?”
“Anna tis nay here, nay would she have come here.” His voice was hard. “She kenned more about our ways from my telling of Thalia than ye. If she still lived, I would nay be here. She tis still in my heart, but she tis gone and I am here. As I told ye, your customs there, mine here. If I had nay taken what was mine, I would be diminished and Don tarnished. I am Thalian.”
Lorenz realized that question had been unfair. What was true for his father was true for him. If Antoinette still lived, he would not be here. Still he persisted.
“That doesn't make it right.”
“In your Earthman's moral code, aye. It was the same for me on Earth.”
“I figured your moral code was ours. Y'all helped teach me, remember? And I was damn certain I never lived up to it, or you.”
Llewellyn shook his head. “Lorenz, I told ye Thalia tis different. Do ye now mean to leave us?”
“Right now I can't. I'd like to object to everything y'all said, but I just remembered Daniel crawling into my lap. No self-respecting Earth son at the age of twelve would have done such a thing. Randall would have been too proud, Kendall too fearful of being judged a baby, and if Antoinette lived, I would not be here and worried about Daniel and his mother.”
Llewellyn was smiling at him. “That means we shall make more arrangements than just her living quarters and healing. After a suitable time, I can appoint her Director of something. That will automatically make her House.”
“Y'all aren't objecting?”
“When have I ever told ye nay?”
“The time I tried to gut shoot y'all comes to mind, and I still don't like what y'all did. Y'all were always so damn perfect.”
“I am nay perfect. Your own beliefs teach ye that. I am a man and nay else. I canna ease your mind on our ways, but ye are my laddie.” Llewellyn's voice was rising in irritation.
Lorenz yelled back at Llewellyn's roars. “And you're my father and neither of us can change that.”
Llewellyn's eyes lit up. “So your solution tis what?”
“I guess we go see Lamar. He's a brave man. On the way there, I'll tell y'all about the Tri village, LouElla, and the child who will be the new Kenning Woman.”
Llewellyn stared at him. “Dear Gar, ye have been a busy man again.”
Chapter 51: Aftermath
“The Guardian of Ayran.”
Jolene was admitted into Llewellyn's office. Since she had sent the crystal he so desperately needed, Llewellyn assumed she was here to collect her favors for the crystal and the troopers.
“Welcome, Guardian of Ayran. Tis early, but would ye like a brew?”
Jolene smiled. “Of course, Maca of Don, tis never too early for a brew.” They greeted each other and she settled herself into the chair.
“I was checking with my Director Jennie who tis overseeing the work of restoring the machinery and electronics in the Flight factory,” was her subtle reminder of another obligation.
“Thank ye,” she said as Llewellyn handed her a mug and sat across from her. Both were dressed in their traditional colors, but Jolene had added a black sash around the middle. “Jennie needed to be caught up on the workings at Ayran. By the way, where did ye find your electronic technician? I may have need of his services. That, of course, tis nay why I came.”
Llewellyn smiled. Jennie had nay doubt told Jolene everything about Labin.
“My visit concerns the future.” Jolene smiled a gentle smile and settled back. “I wish to be Guardian of the Realm. Without Don's support that would nay be possible.”
Llewellyn found his mouth open and quickly forced words out. “Ye mean when Betta begins her decline?”
“Your political skills need honing, Llewellyn. The next Guardian will be LouElla. I dinna think ye would vote against your own mither. Nay would I expect it. My time tis when LouElla relinquishes her role.”
Jolene continued. “Betta will nay be the Guardian to try Beauty. She will step down. Ravin will wish to be Guardian then. I dinna trust her. She will twist some of the laws to reflect the Sisterhood philosophy. She prefers women in charge. Rollo has nay say in what transpires in Rurhran. He follows her blindly.” Jolene's voice and face had hardened.
Llewellyn sat back and took a sip of his brew. He was over his initial shock and had wit enough not to say but ye intend to rule over all. His brown eyes filled with amusement and admiration.
“What makes ye think Ravin will try to be Guardian?”
“Llewellyn, that has been planned by the Sisterhood for years. When Betta declines, it tis to be Ravin, then Ishmalisa, then Beauty. Nay would consider me.”
And that, thought Llewellyn, tis how they made ye their enemy.
“Jolene, I have one question. How were ye able to produce the crystal and the special clothing when the Justines destroyed technology and the knowledge data bases?”
“They left part of the equipment. They and the Kreppies wished the crystals for jewelry. They forgot that many Thalians retained the knowledge in their minds. Before they came, I mentioned to several how desirable it would be if the duplicate crystals were taken and hidden. I told my people that all knowledge crystals were destroyed and that we needed to teach our wee ones what we kenned. My workforce tis fluid; Tris and Abs come and go.”
“Jolene, ye are a true Thalian, but how can ye be certain Mither will take the Guardianship. She tis an excellent Guardian of Flight.”
“She tis aging and she kens it. Nay have ever turned down the Guardianship, and I believe ye are better qualified as Guardian of Flight than she or Lamar. Lamar canna administer anything as Beatrice does it all. LouElla tis an excellent Commander and fighter, but she will become bored with the details of training, administration, and manufacturing. Ye handle them well.”
“Thank ye, but I do have assistance from my House.”
“Aye, the help tis from your laddie, your youngest, and from Beatrice. The rest are mostly Tris who have thrown their support to ye.”
“Members of House have come forward.”
“Llewellyn, all of Thalia heard the threat to cut off their brew and their food.” She smiled at him. “Ye ken who works the hardest, and I believe ye are quite sensible. Too many House members swell with importance and do nay. When did ye learn how hard a Tri will work to become House?”
“My laddie's land tis a country of Tris that beat all the expectations of the old Houses. I nay forgot their lessons.”
“Good, now do ye agree to support me as Guardian when the time arrives?”
“Aye, that I will” He was sure Jolene would find some way to retaliate if he did nay agree.
“Ye are right. I will vote for Mither as Guardian, however, I owe ye for the crystal.” He leaned forward.
“I ken that I am nay the only House that has requested the red crystal. I have nay heard an answer from ye.”
Jolene's face was complacent. “Why, Llewellyn, I'll start work on those as soon as I have the support of all that I need. Ye can secure the votes of Don, Betron, Troy, and Flight.”
“I canna promise how Troyner and Brenda will vote.”
“My dear Llewellyn, of course, those two will follow your lead. I nay need their word now; just yours.”
“Ye have that, Jolene. I think ye will make an excellent Guardian of the Realm.”
* * *
“Ye canna permit it.” Lamar came roaring in after Jolene left
Llewellyn had started to rise to welcome his Elder Lamar, but the sudden outburst stayed him.
“Permit what?”
“The false Kenning Woman in your House. The gossip tis that Lorenz plans to wed her. He tis trying to prove he is nay and canna ever be Thalian.”
Llewellyn neck muscles swelled and he roared back. “He tis my laddie, given to me by Gar and my Anna.
“How can ye say she tis a false kenning woman when I and my grey-eyed laddie are here?”
Lamar's face remained set. “He canna bring an Ab into our House. Ye must rid us of her and her laddie. Lorenz tis nay House. He tis nay but an alien…”
“Stop now, ere ye say more and forever end your tenure as Guardian.” Llewellyn's eyes were black obsidian and his voice a full roar. “Ye are serving as Guardian at Lorenz's insistence. Get out now, ere I forget that ye are my elder.”
Bafflement filled Lamar's face and he whirled and left. There had been nay greeting, nay goodbye.
Llewellyn let out his breath and sat in his chair. Then his fingers poked at the circles on his desk and a face appeared on the pop-up screen. She was smiling that glorious smile just for him and her white hair was unbound and curling around her face and flowing downward. He'd taken it on one of their excursions to the Golden One.
His eyes were intent and slowly his face softened. “Darling, lassie, ye left me too early. Just your eyes and smile can calm me. I ache for ye, my beloved. I sorely need your counseling. Just when I think everything tis settled and the rebuilding commencing, there tis always another problem or fracas in my own House.
Our laddie tis happy again. He has found a lassie to wed. I shall wed too, but that is to have a Thalian wee one. I could nay risk your health again.” He smiled at the face and pressed a button. The screen blackened and disappeared into the desk.
* * *
Di sat in her bedroom staring out the glass door at the still water in the outside pool as though it would tell her something, anything. Boredom filled her every waking hour here except when her Wee Da was near or she exercised in the gym room. There were no herbs to gather, no need to hunt for food or firewood. Even the cleansing room was near and required little effort on her part. Da would return when he and Leman finished studying under the direction of someone named Stann.
The pool gave her no answer. Should she risk going to Donnick with the Laird? Could he really stop the Houses from killing her? Lamar was still there and would try to silence her. He wanted nay words about the events of seven years ago. Did Rurhran still fear her hold on Rocella? Jolene was like a queen of an ant colony waiting to take her revenge. If she returned
to Bi's village, her status as Kenning Woman would vanish within ninety years or sooner, and she would gradually starve to death.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
She looked up at the man standing in the doorway. First surprise, then a wild look of joy washed over her and she tried to rise rapidly.
“My Laird, ye are back.”
“Will y'all start calling me Lorenz?” He was beside her, drawing her into his arms. “I've missed y'all. Where's Daniel?”
“He tis studying.” And she forgot that this was nay possible. She was kissing him as fiercely as he was kissing her. When they stopped for breath, she looked at him in wonderment.
“Papa wants y'all to meet with him. He wants to give his official thanks and present y'all to the Council of the Realm as the Kenning Woman. You're to stay at the Laird's Home until the Kenning Woman's Shrine is reconditioned. No one has been there for years.”
Di made a face. “The old Kenning Woman died but fifty years ago. She had lost her visions and nay did for her as the Sisters forbid it.”
“If she lost her abilities, how could she tell y'all your mission?”
“She kenned that vision years ere she found me in a place safe enough to tell me. Laird, uh, Lorenz, I canna live at the Shrine. Wee Da would need to be there too. He must stay with ye, and I will return to Bi's village.
Lorenz shook his head. “Y'all don't understand, ah, ken. It's just long enough for Medicine to heal y'all and then Papa can appoint y'all as a Director of something. After that we'll be wed.”
“We what?”
They were the same height and were looking straight at each other.
“Diana, y'all are,” he gave a quick grin, “magnificent. I'm in love with y'all. Your laddie is my laddie. Will ye Walk the Circle with me?”
Di closed her eyes. This man took her breath, her heart, her reason, and she could nay tell him nay. All she could do was kiss him again and taste of him before thinking of a way to tell him nay. When they broke apart she saw his smile. His grey eyes danced with warm light and the smile changed the hard planes of his face.
