by Susi Wright
Ji wondered if he had ever seen her more beautiful than now, her eyes sparking with all the colours of the rainbow, pupils dilated with passion. He was breathing heavily, his expression strained, as he struggled to rein in his desire. Admitting to himself that he knew little more than her about these things, he now regretted giving her the advice to stop thinking and follow her heart. She had listened to him and by giving over to her deepest feelings, had unwittingly invited much more than a kiss.
He sighed, then laughed, dissipating the tension of the moment, continuing in a whisper, “I take it that you do love me . . . more than just a little!”
She seemed to gather her senses, smiling dreamily. “I don't think I am entirely sure . . .”
His smile faded, replaced by an incredulous look.
“What? Surely you felt . . .”
Espira's thought cut him off. I mean – perhaps one more kiss would help– just to be sure? She looked away shyly, then her eyes crept back to him, eager, expectant. Remnants of desire lingered in their depths, naïve but tempting. There was a flicker of realisation, as she sensed Ji's discomfort, his internal conflict.
“Ji, what is it . . . are you in pain?” She frowned, slightly confused, inadvertently switching between words and thoughts. It was amazing! I felt you, liking it very much . . . she ended petulantly, “I am not mistaken!”
Ji shook his head. She had no idea what was going on here. He could not believe the irony. With all the Elite training she had received, and with a father and family of the most percipient beings in the Known World, she had almost reached adulthood with little or no instruction on physical love. He really hoped she was reading his mind now!
Her indignant expression told him she was.
She hated being discovered in ignorance of something, though with her sharp intuition, it never took long to work things out.
“I am not stupid, Ji! I understand now!” She gave him a pointed look. “Pain and pleasure together,” She smiled recklessly. “I'm not afraid, it feels right!”
Ji laughed explosively. “Well! So now you know all about it,” he said with a sardonic smile. “Surely you must agree, there is some danger here . . . we are playing with a fire, neither of us fully understands. I think you might have been right in the first place! Forget what I said before – I just wanted to know that you love me. I know it now. The rest, I want to do properly!”
His expression softened, love shining from his eyes; he gently tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. “Oh, sweet Essie, as much as I want you, and I know we could creep back here later tonight – our activities hidden by your shield – I also know that is not proper. You deserve much more than a quick tumble in the forest!” He grinned. “I admit, I have dreamed of it! I was so glad, when you sent Ardientor away. You know he suspects something; I have long thought, it would not take much for him to find an excuse to do me harm. Besides, above everything, I know what your father would say about this – No – he would not say a word! If he were even half-conscious, he would be right here, with my mind in a mental vice and my throat in a death-grip! He could recover at any time and I might not die tomorrow . . . then what? Do you have insights on that?”
Her reply was more serious for the softness of her tone. “Like I said, I have only good feelings about you – about us. I know it now.” Her smile was confident. “I love you! Perhaps, there is nothing more to know than that!”
She took both his hands and tugged gently. “A minute more, then we will go back to camp and get some sleep. Just hold me, once more. Somehow, you give me strength. I will try to do the same for you. There is no harm . . . it is one need which can be fulfilled!”
They clung in an achingly tender embrace, exchanging the special energy given by love, something wonderful to fuel them through the trials and horrors of the coming days.
Suddenly Espira stiffened in Ji's arms, alarmed, but he had heard nothing of an intruder.
Do you see anyone . . . in the bushes right behind me? Someone just hid there. Now he is watching us!
Ji looked quickly over her shoulder, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword. Noticing the lack of leafy cover nearby, he scanned the trees a bit further away. He could spot a rabbit from that distance; the tree-trunks in that direction were too thin to hide a man.
There is no-one . . . or whoever it is, is very good at hiding.
His eyes met hers, speculative.
Shuul! Espira knew it and Ji realised the same thing, changing his choice of weapon, to draw his dagger slowly between their bodies.
Now, he goes too far! He needs to be taught a lesson! His mouth was set in a grim smile. The threat bordered on murderous.
Espira could see dire ramifications.
No Ji! You might kill him . . . how could that be explained? Worse – he might kill you! Let me send him away – I have done it before.
Ji's body tensed with menace. Essie, I know him. He is an arrogant, stubborn man, and he is set on you! If I do not stand up to him, he will never give up! He grinned wolfishly. How about . . . you disorientate him so I can see him . . . and I beat him, to within an inch of his life?
Essie gave Ji a pained look. She could and should put a stop to this, but something in his fierce possessiveness urged her to allow Ji a little satisfaction, a little power. To take control now would seem like an insult. She was relieved to note he had put his dagger away. He had it all worked out.
I can throw him down that gully over there . . . 'discover' him later on, and everyone will think he fell going to the privvy in the night. He will know it was me, but keep it to himself. He is too proud to admit a human beat him. I guarantee he will think twice before bothering you again!
Warring with her better judgement, she blinked and nodded once. Make it quick, before anyone hears the disturbance! Ready?
Ji saw the dazed voyeur materialise, less than a few metres away. He pounced, throwing punches left and right at Shuul's jaw.
Espira used subtle influence, allowing Ji his moment of protective zeal.
Shuul flailed around, certainly not himself, but he was the taller man with a long reach and a lifetime of fighting. Some of his returning blows found their mark. One knocked Ji to the ground, but he was on his feet in a second, laying a good number of punches into Shuul's face with relish.
A little too spiteful, Ji. Essie had begun to regret her part in this and withdrew her help.
Ji capitulated, by resisting further blows with his fist, but wrestled his half-conscious victim to the ground, rolling with him towards the edge of the gully.
Face-to-face, Ji had Shuul by his neck-tie. The man's eyes were puffy, his cheeks swollen and Ji hoped he had dislocated the chiselled jaw. An earring dangled askew, from a somewhat bloody, torn lobe. Ji moved in closer, knowing Shuul was awake enough to hear his parting words; he whispered emphatically in that ear. “I thought you were my friend . . . so much for that! This is plain bad manners, in any land. Lady Espira is my woman . . . understand that, Cymbian! No more prowling!” Then, Ji stood and with a foot to Shuul's ribs, shoved him over the steep rocky bank.
As Ji strode back to her, Espira thought he looked altogether too pleased with himself, regretting the prank even more. She was very concerned now about injuries Shuul could sustain in the fall.
Don't worry, Essie! The gully is not so deep . . . he will easily survive! He is definitely unconscious, though . . . He grinned. Besides, I will come back soon to find him, so the wild animals don't get him!
She sighed, sincerely hoping the brawl had cleared the air of rivalry before the real battle began. They had to be on the same side!
Coming up beside her, Ji winked giving her hand one last squeeze and let go, before they headed back to camp.
Espira held his eyes in appeal, whispering, “We will not speak again, until after the battle. Promise me, Ji, you will be careful. Despite our connection . . . I don't think I can protect you more than any other!”
“Do not
forget, Essie,” Ji grinned widely, “I'm a grown man. I can take care of myself – I may be human, but I have skills. You be careful too. Remember, I taught you to ride – at least in the beginning – keep that instruction in mind when you ride the dragon into battle. All creatures need kind, wise and subtle mastery to fulfil a partnership with man.”
Espira smiled patiently. “Dragons are quite different to any other creature, Ji!”
“Be that as it may . . . but I still believe the Laws of Existence and Nature apply, now the creature lives in our realm!” He was adamant.
Espira nodded, knowing in essence he was right.
As they walked back to camp, side by side, Ji whistled as if he had not a care in the world while Espira's mood was weighed with guilt. Already there was trouble. Had she made a mistake with all of this?
Shortly, when everyone was asleep, Ji did as promised; he returned to the gully and hauled Shuul back to the Cymbian encampment. It was not an easy feat to drag the larger man up the slope, but determination won out. Finally he dumped the unconscious man unceremoniously on the ground beside his tribesmen. The movement woke the nearest one and Ji explained his version of what had happened.
The man gave him a sceptical look, taking in Shuul's injuries and Ji's own developing black eye, but Ji shrugged. “It is indeed puzzling! I, too, would have expected a Cymbian to be more careful. This country seems to be full of hidden sink holes – most treacherous in the dark! I, myself, tripped, trying to get to him. He is lucky I found him, before the forest-cats . . . or at all!”
He finished by tossing a small tin of Prian to the man, and strode off to find his bedroll, leaving the tribesman to make whatever conclusion he might. It worried Ji not in the slightest, what the man thought. It was notable that he had brought the injured Cymbian back to camp and provided the healing ointment, instead of leaving him to be eaten by night creatures. If the favour was ignored, it would always be his word against a known trickster!
He believed he had made his point to the womanising fox, Shuul.
From his close association with samblars and observing the behaviour of other creatures including man, he was a firm believer in the statutes of Nature. There was, however, a tiny frisson of doubt. He hoped the primal laws of male dominance applied at least as well in Cymbian culture, as everywhere else!
Chapter 31 : STRANGE MOONS
Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions?
No; to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved.
-William Shakespeare
The first hour passed in amicable conversation, providing an opportunity for the companions who hailed from different origins, to become further acquainted.
The human soldier, Beris, a Sivan cavalryman from the south of Baram, was the most talkative. Leading the harness animal and sled was a common-place task for him, requiring very little attention. The effects of frostbite were barely visible now, though his skin was leathery and weathered. Middle-aged and battle-scarred, his cheery nature belied the horrors he must have seen through more than a score of campaigns in various parts of the Known World. He was definitely a die-hard adventurer. Thriving on excitement, he seemed to relish whatever this mission might throw at him, by the way he chattered affably on to pass time, during the lull of the plodding pace.
“Soldiering's my life, y'know . . . has been, ever since I was fifteen summers. Couldn't resist the call to arms, not a single time! I took a wife once. A bucksome, blond lass . . .” His expression showed a hint of regret which quickly vanished. “I enjoyed being away more than staying home with her . . . and she ran off with the baker! I can't say I blame her, bless her pretty self!” He chuckled, a frequent punctuation to his narrative.
“Myself, I've never suffered loneliness. Adventure, the danger of battle, has a way of filling life. And, in my travels, there's been a good woman or two. I've seen many strange sights, I can tell you – some I couldn't describe to a young lad, such as yourself – ” he gave Ardientor a look of feigned propriety, before glancing sideways, to check if there was any response from their Gaian companion, Lor.
Still the only one who had not said a word since the outset, the warrior stared ahead, sitting ram-rod straight in the saddle, uncomfortable and proud but weathering his unaccustomed mode of transport like champion.
Beris did notice that Lor's neutral expression had changed almost imperceptibly. In fact, one would almost need second-sight to notice the difference. Spending a great deal of time in the company of these enigmatic warriors trained a man to see the subtleties. Hells, if there was ever one of that race more seriously-principled than Lor, Beris had yet to see it!
The human cavalryman's mood was so buoyant, his character so companionable, Ardientor found himself opening up as never before. Experiencing such comradeship for the first time, the boy found he enjoyed the company and many things in common with this crusty old campaigner. Ardi's youthful exuberance surfaced.
“Yes, Beris, this is also all I have ever wanted . . . to go on quests, fight battles, kill monsters – ” Ardi looked down at the travois, “like my father. I wish he could see . . . all that I can do . . . that it turns out I am his protector, after all!” There was longing in the silent moment which followed.
Beris easily recognised from experience, a son's desire for his father's approval. “I was always loyal to the government, fought many times in defence of Siva and in places along the coast of Lealand, against invaders from the Southern Sea . . . did what I thought was right. My old man was a hard sod, though I'd wager probably no more than most! Anyway, when I was a boy he took the strap to me at least once a day; many times he sent me to bed without my supper, all in the name of making a man of me, I suppose. He paid no mind when I joined the militia . . . no farewell, no words of advice.
“Over the years, he never once welcomed me home, never said goodbye. Come to think of it, he rarely spoke to me at all! I have since heard tell, that many a son never sees what his father really feels – mine took it to his grave!” His eyes were hard.
“Years and years later, I went back to my city. I happened to meet up with some distant cousins who told me over a few ales, how much my father spoke of me while was off soldiering. They said, he never stopped blabbing on about how he missed me . . . was proud of me! How's that, eh?” Beris slapped his thigh and chortled, as if he had just shared a joke.
“I thought the ale had addled them, but both my cousins swore on their mother's bones it was true!”
He shook his head. “To this day, it is hard to believe!”
Ardientor's interest was piqued to assess Beris more deeply. Beneath a tough shell, the man was raw and sincere. He had a sense of humour about life which demonstrated surprising insight. There was also sympathy from him, one son to another, despite their difference in ages.
This sentiment drew out confidences, long unspoken.
“I must tell you, brother Beris . . . I have always felt unnoticed by my father, hidden in the shadow of my sister. Everyone has more or less fawned over her since she was born! You have lived these last few years in the Capital have you not? You've seen how she is cherished – the first hybrid ever born – a symbol for the success of the Alliance. Her name, do you know, means 'hope'. She always shone so bright, more so now than ever! And on top of that . . . her talents increase daily. She can control a dragon with her mind!” He had been truly happy riding with her on the creature's back. Now the same feeling seemed elusive, his resolve bitter.
“Destiny seems to have chosen her to lead men many times her age and experience.” Sometimes, as now, the bile of envy rose, unworthy as he knew it to be. His expression hinted a strange mix of respect and resentment. “Tell me Beris, what do you really think of taking orders from a woman, not much more than a girl?”
Ardientor knew he would be able to measure Beris' attitude, even if the man was reluctant to voice it. He hoped
to glean some trace of discontent from his new comrade, to justify his own. He winced inwardly, not sure why he needed it, when it should not matter. He was bound for glory anyway.
Beris was canny enough to see where the question was leading. The flash of envy in the boy's eyes was obvious when he had briefly dropped his guard. In this case, though cautious in his choice of words, the soldier was relieved to be able to answer truthfully, knowing no deceit would escape hybrid perception.
“I have been loyal to our lord Luminor, ever since I joined the forces of the Alliance, ten years ago. I will be loyal to my death!” He put his fist to his heart for emphasis. “The orders come first from him, and it is not for me to question them!”
Ardi saw Beris' deep conviction. In this matter, he had not found an ally. Covering his momentary vulnerability, Ardi smiled, quite unconcerned what Lor thought, adding a deliberately enigmatic comment which he knew would completely confound Beris.
“I too, am loyal to Destiny! I hear and welcome Her call . . . above all else! This mission which my sister ordained for me . . . I had already chosen, for myself!”
That effectively ended the conversation for some time.
Beris picked up the pace of his samblar to a brisk walk, whistling softly to himself to lighten the weight of too much silence, particularly the mysterious kind.
The taciturn Lor, average in perceptive talent, kept his eyes trained ahead. He pursed his lips thoughtfully, catching a fleeting insight of something precarious. As they pushed on, he took the forward position, redoubling his vigilance. An excellent tracker, he busied himself studying the road for signs of recent travel.
This slow trudge through the night, with the prospect of at least two more days riding ahead, even on a powerful samblar, was arduous compared to cloak-flying. Being on the ground, one felt more vulnerable to attack from night creatures. This defied logic, since there was likely to be just as many flighted predators here as there were beasts that hopped or ran on various numbers of legs.
