Why is it all the ones to cause problems with my plans are female? Keeping the pleasant smile fixed on his face, Ignatius turned back to the current display.
*~*~*
Chapter Twenty Three
You wouldn’t believe the goblin troops didn’t usually perform together. The performance was incredible; all music, some from instruments, others their voices or well timed slaps and claps. The urgent undertone of drumming made my heart race and wrists throb, while the haunting cries from the mountain goblins sent shivers down my spine.
‘Just incredible,’ I said, glancing at Ignatius as he turned back from greeting Loushka with a smile.
He nodded to me.
‘It is. Not many get to see this.’
‘Loushka, have you seen this before?’
‘Once, they performed it at a gathering before your father died, Cat.’
‘So Alek saw it?’
‘Of course, it enthralled him.’
It felt impossible to tire with such music. You could feel the impending battle through their music, the strength needed, the courage required, and the acknowledgement of loss of life. But the underlying theme of victory shone through while the goblins built to a crescendo. I could barely sit still, the music pulsing through my whole being. They gathered their strength then spun on us, their audience, with an unexpected but fantastic battle cry. I jerked back in surprise, smacking into Ignatius who laughed and started to applaud, the rest of the audience joining in. My heart pounded while I laughed and clapped too, unable to stop grinning.
A lull developed when the goblins moved back into the audience, then on the other side of the fire a voice shouted something. Beside me, Ignatius stiffened, sitting straight and another voice took up the shout. In an instant all those in the General Guard, Centaur Cavalry, and Griffon Guard, clapped their hands in time, creating another compelling beat. I moved closer to Loushka, watching in astonishment when all the men stood and the Cavalry soldiers stamped their feet. The urgent, exciting rhythm only picked up when the men started to sing. The voices, loud, strong, and proud, sung in that language I couldn’t understand, the one Alek had used to speak to the other guys when he didn’t want us to overhear.
‘Loushka, what are they saying, what language is it?’
‘You don’t know?’ the griffon asked.
‘Nope, never understood that language.’
‘It’s a military language. Only those in Elion’s guards or cavalry are taught it. They are singing of past victories, heroes that fell in the Norard war. The song promises to do honor, to bring Elion to victory. To shed the shackles and free the innocent.’
The voices stopped, but they kept the loud drumming of feet and clapping of hands in that stimulating rhythm, and my knees bounced in time while I sat cross legged beside Loushka. A single voice started to sing and I’m pretty sure my jaw nearly hit the floor.
Ignatius twisted to see Cat when he sang the solo and her pronounced expression of astonishment caused a hint of laughter in his voice. All those near twisted to look at what made him laugh. He turned to face her, a wide smile in place. The words held a different meaning to him while he sang to her; the victory wouldn’t be in killing that witch, but in the ultimate prize of the crown and the fire Elemental as his future bride. The words rumbled through his chest, promising the victory and honoring the ancient Thalian line.
He lost himself in the song, remembering the first time he’d received the privilege to sing the solo. Both the King and Queen attended the performance, the Queen full with child and breathtakingly beautiful while King Nikias stood beside her seat, a protective hand to the back of her chair. It was well before Ignatius had wed and that night he’d dreamed of the Queen, her lovely green eyes and long gold red hair. To have her daughter smiling up at him now, with eyes as green, made his chest feel tight for an instant. Yet again he wondered how he hadn’t recognized her when she’d first arrived at the castle.
‘Did you know Alek could sing?’
‘No! Really?’
‘Yes, let me show you.’
A recent memory of Alek showed, sitting at a campfire somewhere, with the other guys there too. I frequently forgot the lack of electricity here, but moments like these reminded me. While on Earth we would listen to the radio, or even watch a DVD on a portable player or a tiny computer tablet, here on Gar’nyse singing, story telling, cards and other such games, were the norm. Singing and story telling, of course, the easiest forms of entertainment.
‘Oh Loushka.’
He sat on a low boulder and Loushka sat across from him. I could see Sabyn seated nearby, tossing small bits of twig into the fire while they listened. It felt strange to watch. I would have been so self-conscious to do it but on Gar’nyse it was regarded as normal. Alek’s voice entranced me; not technically perfect but raw, real, and just gorgeous. The hint of roughness, the depth, and the unexpected softness felt utterly alluring. The song sounded like a ballad, slow, with deliberate strokes in the rhythm and—oh god—was it the sexiest thing ever. I felt a flush rising up my neck while I watched Loushka’s memory and bit my lip to stop the silly smile that threatened.
He was so animated while singing, eyes alight, mouth in a teasing smile. I vaguely registered that some of the words were a tad raunchy and heard the other men laugh, Gredel’s laugh unexpectedly loud in the memory like he’d sat close to Loushka. My fingers twitched and heart ached and an absolute yearn for him rocked in time with his voice. I closed my eyes, fully immersing myself in Loushka’s memory.
Loi shot Sabyn a surprised look as she listened to Ignatius and he nodded with a smile.
‘I know.’
‘He’s really good!’
‘Which helps, Rashid can’t sing to save himself and Patel’s voice breaks as soon as there’s an audience larger than ten.’
‘Can no one else perform it?’
‘No. The solo’s reserved for a Lieutenant of the General Guard, as a mark of honor and rank.’
Ignatius grew louder, building, Loi assumed, to the finale. He looked focused on something and she sat higher, stretching to see, and spotted Cat. The dreamy expression on her friend’s face abruptly pulled Loi back from the enjoyment of the song and she scowled at Cat.
Cat!?
There was no response from the redhead but Sian and Kassie tuned in.
What is with that ditzy look?
Please tell me she isn’t falling for Ignatius!
Both girls sounded horrified, like Loi felt. Determined to get through to her friend’s mind, Loi focused harder, with Sian and Kassie piggybacking along. It looked hazy at first, then the vision shimmered and cleared in their minds. The girls gave a collective gasp. Seated by a fire, Alek sung, and Loi’s eyes honed in on Sabyn, looking the same as now except with short shaggy hair.
Where is she seeing this? Kassie thought.
It must be from Loushka.
Wow, he can really sing, Sian thought.
For all we know, they can all sing.
Feeling as talented as a tree stump right now, Kassie thought with Sian agreeing.
Which is particularly talented, Loi teased. Trust me.
Sabyn tapped her arm, breaking her focus.
‘What are you grinning at?’
‘Can you sing too? Cat’s watching a memory from Loushka, showing Alek singing by a fire.’
Sabyn’s face lightened at that and he pulled her back so she sat between his long legs, knees up on either side of her. She leaned back against his chest, watching his smile.
‘Al often sang at the fire. The king taught him all the songs his mother loved but when we began travelling on various missions he picked up lots of songs. It was hilarious to hear the new risqué ones.’
Loi chuckled and Sabyn’s smile grew.
‘He had a good voice. Very pleasant to listen to.’
‘Can you sing?’
‘Yeah. Not so great though.’
‘Sing for me?’
He chuckled then, a
nd ducked his head to press a kiss to her forehead.
‘I will, one day.’
‘I’m holding you to that,’ she said while snuggling closer in his arms.
The song reached its climax, breaking their moment and Sabyn released her to stand with the others who’d settled down for Ignatius’ part. All the soldiers started singing again, joining in what sounded like the final chorus. The goblins with the drums beat in time with the clapping of hands and stamping of feet, in an intoxicating rhythm, and Loi clapped along, throat straining with the urge to join in though she didn’t know the words.
When the song roused the crowd again Loushka dropped the images. The soldiers of the guards and cavalry sang together, while the goblins joined in with their drums. At the conclusion, everyone who hadn’t participated applauded, and I spontaneously made the undulating cry that belly dancers did, making Sian and Kassie laugh in memory of our short lived hobby years ago. The cave rung with noise and voices until Rashid stood at the fire, waiting for everyone’s attention. To give him a hand I flared the fire up and the crowd settled.
In a clear stern voice Rashid began.
‘Finally we’ve reached the eve of our destiny. Tomorrow will bring sky. It will bring battle and an uncertain future. Know we fight for the freedom of all on Gar’nyse. Lives will be sacrificed but we won’t mourn until the deed is done. The tyrant Sorceress will fall!’
The last shouted words made all the soldiers holler in response and I resisted the urge to block my ears. Ignatius caught the slight wince I made and laughed before leaning to my ear.
‘A word of advice, you need to think of some words to say tomorrow.’
‘What?’ I looked at him in horror.
With a look of amusement he shifted closer, the crowd still noisy, and explained, ‘It’s what Alek would have done, as Prince. You’re the Princess. It’s expected.’
Just the thought of speaking in front of everyone turned my stomach. I always went bright red when speaking to a crowd. Always. Even if I kept my voice steady and managed to stop my knees from knocking, I still couldn’t figure out how not to look like a human tomato.
‘Oh great,’ I muttered.
Ignatius laughed and squeezed my knee, making me jump in surprise.
‘You’ll have lots of this when we get home.’
‘If we get home.’
He frowned and shot me a look.
‘We’ll get home, Cat. I’m making sure of it.’
I wrinkled my nose at him and managed a half smile.
‘Oh good, you do that.’
The crowd started to settle and spread out, the performances done and I saw Gredel across the way. He held up the stack of cards in a questioning gesture. Ignatius saw too and smiled at me.
‘Cards?’
‘Yes!’
The usual group gathered for the card game; Belsesus, Larvaste, and Chaieth, several goblins, and the other members of the Griffon Guard along with the girls. It took a bit of organizing, with three card decks being utilized before they really set into the game.
Ignatius felt strangely calm while the evening unfolded. He’d set the first events carefully, arranging to do watch before Leseach, knowing how she liked to one up him and it would be right before the medicine kicked in. A quick check while the others organized the card game revealed the lizard carcasses had vanished, so either the ardwyr had followed or something else lurked in the tunnels. Either way it would work with his plans. Rashid decided to join the card game and Ignatius hoped to use that to his advantage shortly.
‘Psst. Which one?’
Kassie covertly held her cards to Rumal, watching all those around suspiciously, not thinking to look up. If she did she would have noticed the goblin studying her cards with a mischievous expression. Rumal, however, noticed and with a quick grab hauled the creature down, much to the amusement of those in the circle. Ignatius took the moment to shift the bottle of poison, keeping it handy and out of sight—just as Leseach came up with the mug of nellor.
It went without a hitch.
Offering to take the mug, Ignatius graciously gave up his spot by Rashid, who naturally invited the Northerner to sit, explaining the game. In a quick move, while Rashid’s explanation distracted Cat, Ignatius tipped the contents of the bottle into the mug, swirling it carefully. Cat still liked a moment’s privacy in the evenings and Ignatius walked with her to the tent, tucked in an alcove that sheltered them from the sounds of the cave while offering Ignatius a simple direct route to the tunnel without having to step over anyone.
‘You know,’ she said dreamily and he glanced around to check no one watched, knowing she’d fall asleep soon. ‘You’re a very good singer.’
She slumped against him. In an easy motion he dipped through the tent flap, an arm around Cat and got her onto the bedroll. Without hesitation he rolled the sleeping girl over, tugging at the mail suit and quickly stripped it off along with her boots. Leseach would expect her to sleep in her undergarments.
Counting in his head, he had her ready and under the covers in less than fifteen seconds. A moment later, he walked casually to the card game.
‘Is she down already?’ Leseach asked in surprise.
Ignatius nodded.
‘She wanted a good sleep for tomorrow.’
The card game only lasted a few more hours and then he bunked down. To sleep until his turn on watch came.
‘Nervous?’
Rumal’s lips brushed Kassie’s forehead and she nodded silently, swallowing when fear threatened to overwhelm her for a moment.
‘It’s normal, love.’
He didn’t say anything else. There wasn’t anything you could say, really. Kassie wriggled tighter into his arms and breathed deep, inhaling his scent, while desperately wishing with all her might that this wasn’t actually happening. Rumal stroked her hair and tightened his arms around her. The sounds in the cave suggested most were having a hard time getting to sleep. But it crept up, making her eyelids heavy, and the harder she tried to fight it the more determined her body seemed to be, dragging her down.
*~*~*
Chapter Twenty Four
‘Ignatius.’
A voice broke into his sleep and he sat, blinking at the light of the torch.
‘My shift?’
‘Yes.’
With a nod of thanks to the Nyjen, Ignatius stood and accepted the lamp, waiting while the man found his bedroll, then made his way to the high point of the cave, where those on watch stood. With so many armed and ready soldiers, only one person on watch was necessary. The next part of his plan would take some time so he waited until satisfied that everyone slept, griffons and dragon included, then made his way to the tunnels. Nothing revealed itself and he went a distance down each of them, wondering what ate the lizard bodies. With no dirt or even sand he couldn’t track it, but that too boded in his favor. He killed a few more lizards and scattered body pieces around the tunnels, knowing that whatever ate them before would provide the distraction he’d need soon.
I just need half an hour, he thought. Enough time to get it done and everything looking like it should. With that in mind, he moved back into the cave to his bedroll, slipping the second vial and fully charged avine charm in his pockets.
The time came.
Ignatius stood and looked to Cat’s tent, feeling the throb of blood in his wrists while the anticipation grew. The alcove he’d recommended to Leseach for the tent acted like a dead zone, no sound reflecting into it or more importantly, out of it. Moving silently to the tent he whispered, ‘Leseach?’
The tent flap opened and the tall blond alien climbed out, her pupils widening then narrowing in the dim light. When he handed the torch to her he jerked his head toward the tunnels. The Northerner went still for an instant then twisted to look.
‘What?’
Ignatius frowned, working the mounting tension.
‘I thought I saw something, here, give me the torch, you get another hour’s sleep.’
Leseach didn’t budge.
‘Not at all. I’ll investigate it, you watch the Princess.’
It wasn’t a question and he glowered at her, pushing past the desire to grin. The Northerner kept that calm, steady look and moved past him.
‘Sleep well, Ignatius.’
He watched while she stealthily walked amongst the sleeping soldiers, taking the long way around the tunnel. When she vanished from view he counted a long slow measured count to fifty then turned and stooped, climbing into the tent.
Alek appeared in my dreams and I couldn’t help the tears that trickled down when I reached out. He felt gloriously real under my hands.
‘Al!’
‘Hush, kitten, I’m here. Let’s not wake your companion.’
It hurt, that reminder that I dreamed but I didn’t care. I needed this, I needed him. I nodded and beamed when he leaned forward to kiss me. It felt wonderful but in the same moment, wrong. He didn’t smell or taste quite the same, his voice sounded a little different and I felt an instant of panic when part of my mind recognized that my memories had begun to fade. It made me cling tighter, hands smoothing over his chest feeling the light tangle of hair and I lifted my lips to his again, sighing when he wrapped his arms around me solidly. I could feel my bare skin on his even though I knew in the back of my mind that I wore my woolen undergarments. I forced those annoying reminders away, wanting to pretend his existence right at the moment. The caresses felt real, the kisses too, trailing heated paths over my shoulders and breasts. His hair felt real beneath my fingers, and the muscles in his shoulders, and a giggle slipped out when he tickled my wrist with his lips. Needing to confess to someone, I whispered the fears out to him.
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