She couldn't allow him to roam free wherever he wanted, but to earn his so-called love, it was one of his requirements. Damn him. She would have to consult with her advisers and weigh the options. She needed more than what her mind immediately seized upon. First thought was to grant him his wish but under heavy escort. Then once she was pregnant it would be alright to kill him and his pregnant wife. Once she had what she wanted, neither of them would really be required anymore. Second thought was to go ahead and kill him and wait for his child to be born, then kill the mother. Raise it as her own. The major downside is the child wouldn't be of her blood line. An option yes, but not a desirable one. She needed more angles to consider but he couldn't be free of the dungeon, at least not yet.
"Put him back in his quarters for now," Darya ordered, looking unhappy. "I have much to consider before winter is done."
As Ryan was led away he did his best not to smile and show any amount of victory on his face. Phase one was a success as the seeds of his requirements were planted. Now he hoped he would survive phase two of this growing plan. One step closer to true freedom for him and his family. It was a fragile thing, likely to fail as much as work, but it was certainly better than nothing.
Chapter Twenty One - Dinner Time
He wasn't in his cell for an hour before another small regiment arrived and re-shackled him for travel. There were no palace guards among them, they wore the armors of the standard prison staff. So he wasn't surprised when they escorted him only a short distance through the dungeon and into a large comfortable room. A roaring fireplace kept the area warm and there was a large table filled with food. Four of the guards took up positions in the corners and a fifth approached him with a key. Several clicks later the shackles were off both ankles and wrists, and the guard who took them glanced a golden eyed warning against mischief, then left without saying a word.
"Please have a seat," a woman's accented voice said from across the room. He turned and was surprised to see Nera enter through a door on the other side. She was wearing a light red blouse with a set of black leather pants with matching black boots. There was a sword and dagger on her belt and light blue hair flowed freely around her shoulders.
"Thank you," he replied carefully, rubbing his wrists.
"Don't mention it," she said casually, regarding him from the corner of her eye as she crossed the room and took a seat. The table was long but narrow, and the empty chair on the opposite side would have her within his arm's reach. It was obvious to him she wasn't afraid and he couldn't figure out why. Alone, his size and muscular build intimidated the hell out of these people just by existing. "Really, please sit and enjoy dinner," she added after seeing his hesitation.
He approached his seat and saw the fork next to an empty plate. She started to serve herself and he understood right away. In fact, he felt more comfortable knowing he could choose his own food without having her freak out on him. As he sat and selected various fruits and a few vegetables he liked, he was watching Nera watch him right back. Nothing in her expression gave a hint of motivation for this meal, but she did take the initiative in starting the conversation.
She picked up her fork and knife and went to slice one of the larger vegetables, then hesitated. "My apologies," she said as if they ate dinner on a daily basis. "My men are just trying to protect me, but I know better. Use this to carve your food." She unsheathed her long dagger and set it down next to his plate.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, eying the dagger as if it was a trap of some sort.
"Oh hell," she said with a smile that reached her eyes. "I owe your wife a silver coin. Myra said you would ask that under these conditions."
"What?" he said, a little too loudly. While his voice didn't bother her, she had to wave back the guards who started forward from the corners of the room. "She's here?"
"No," Nera replied, apologetic and sincere both. "Keep your voice calm please. My men are nervous beyond measure right now with you here and unshackled. With me. Having a nice dinner. Don't make me regret bringing you here."
He inhaled deeply and nodded, realized there was far more to this new development than he could see right now. Alright, he would play along to see what would come of it. "When did you see her?" His tone was more under control and she relaxed.
"My men guarded her in the queen's retreat when she first arrived," Nera explained carefully. "When winter comes, the guards trade their posts including their commanders. I talked with her and got to know her a little, though at first I thought she was merely lying about you."
This was a lot at once for him to take in, but he nodded and accepted all the information he could get. "Is her cell like mine? I can't stand the idea of my child born behind bars if she delivers early."
"Actually, she's in a luxury apartment as the queen ordered. All guards and a locked door, but comfortable and a quality staff that serves three meals a day," she assured him. "You must understand that Darya is more lenient towards women than she is to men by far. Now take a bite before I do get offended, that is my cooking there. The staff here can't fix a decent meal because they're used to prison recipes."
Ryan relaxed but kept his mental guard up as he took a mouthful, using the dagger to slice off a bite sized portion. It was razor sharp and it hit him that she did this because she trusted him for some reason. He needed to know more about that, so he decided to feel out her motives even more.
"Why did you talk to her, or even to me for that matter?" he asked kindly, shifting his tone to a lower key to show he was relaxing in this situation.
"Unlike other wardens, I like to know who is in my prison," she explained, glad to have his attention on this subject. "I like to know which ones are innocent and which ones are guilty of what got them locked up in the first place. I can't do anything about how they got there, but I can make their stay comfortable or a living hell. Depending on their crime, of course."
"So you know I'm not a criminal," he said, understanding her somewhat better. "And my wife is also a victim. Is that all you intend to do, make us comfortable as long as we behave?"
"Of course," she replied, then cocked one of her eyebrows. "I'm no traitor, I can't do anything about your freedom. You did recently misbehave and killed a visitor, though."
"Let me explain," he started but she shushed him with a wave of her hand.
"No need, Lord Za'Ryan," Nera responded, a serious look crossing her delicate features. "I was in the listeners hidden balcony during your interview with Darya today. It wasn't until that moment that I realized Myra spoke the truth about you. That I realized even with a dagger in your hand in my prison, you wouldn't kill me or any other innocent person, even to try an escape."
"That is a dangerous thing to assume," he replied, again careful to how he worded his response. "Freedom is worth dying over."
"I know," Nera said between bites. "If I thought you wanted to escape, you'd still be in shackles and my dagger wouldn't be carving the food you eat by your own hand. No, fleeing this place isn't your plan. If it was you would have been out of here long ago and your wife and child possibly dead before you could get to them."
Ryan sat up straighter and gave her a respectful hard look. "Nera, my apologies indeed. You're a lot smarter than I gave you credit for. It also means my goals aren't achievable by these means."
"Why not?" she replied, looking puzzled. "Just because I got you figured out doesn't mean anyone else does."
"Wrong," he groaned, rubbing his forehead. "If you can see through me so quickly, it won't be long before Darya or anyone else who serves her figures me out too."
"Not really," she offered, then explained after she washed down her final bite with a cup of sweet juice. "Everyone else hasn't spoken to your wife like I have, they think you're as narrow minded and self centered as any other man out there. After you not only saved, but elevated Zon'Jal and Merd'Fen in the queen's eyes, I know you're as honorable as Myra claims."
"You mean those two palace guards?" he rep
lied. She nodded as he continued, "I felt bad about getting them in trouble. Their presence did make my case easier to present though, and for that I owed them. Understand one thing about me, Nera. I reward those who help me as much as I hurt those who are against me. If this goes like I hope, I'll have Darya anxious to do everything I ask within reason. I'm not beyond putting in a rewarding word for you if and when that time comes."
Nera took a moment to think about it, then shook her head. "No, don't get me recognized. When whatever you're going to do doesn't get you in bed with my queen, everything she granted is liable to be reversed. Especially in blood if there's a living name attached to it."
Ryan smiled at her, his face finally showing a measure of hope that his goals and methods might actually go unchanged. "You won't have to worry about that, Nera, I promise. The impasse won't be my fault this time, but Darya's. Trust me, her inability to have sex with me will be her problem in the end. Not mine or anyone else for that matter."
"How?" she asked, wonder and amusement combined.
"You'll have to wait and see," he said, honestly apologetic. "I revealed a lot more than I cared to tonight, I don't want my plans foiled by guards with overly keen ears."
"These guys?" Nera said, trying not to laugh out loud as she gestured to the guards in the far corners of the room. "You have a lot to learn about our people, Lord Za'Ryan. Unlike the Elerians, we have more than one husband. We're a female oriented society, always have been and always will be. Unless they want to be divorced and put into the street penniless, they'll keep their mouths shut unless I say otherwise."
"They're all married to you?" he said with no small amount of wonder in his tone. Culture shock aside, this took him by complete surprise.
"Who better to serve and protect the warden than a roomful of loyal husbands, right?" she announced with a grin and taking delight in his genuine reaction. "Listen," she encouraged warmly. "Our two countries may be at war. On the battlefield we may be enemies, but we really don't have to hate each other. So what do you say, Lord Za'Ryan? Can we at least be friends?"
"Indeed," he replied, picked up his cup of juice and saluted her with it before taking a drink. She returned the gesture and gave a sincere smile. What type of friend he had made, Ryan wasn't sure. Genuine friendship meant a lot to him and he had to make sure she wasn't lying on some level to better serve her queen. As for now, he can only prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
Chapter Twenty Two - More New Friends
Every three or four days, Nera would have Ryan escorted to the same large room for supper to make small talk. He was more careful with his words, knew full well he blabbed far too much in their first meeting. Maybe it was her hair that resembled Myra's so much that dropped his guard. Maybe it was her warm nature, which he was sure could evaporate in the blink of an eye if she was inclined to cause harm. Whichever it was, he made damn sure that any small talk no longer included his goals.
It was the fourth such invitation that things changed a little bit. Four place settings instead of two waited on the table. "What's going on?" he asked the man who unlocked his wrist irons. The golden eyed guy regarded Ryan with the same caution one gives a large tame animal that might turn feral at any given moment.
"You'll know in a few minutes," he replied, still giving the same stink-eye warning the moment Ryan was completely unshackled. As he left through the door and locked it, the farther away door opened and Nera with two men walked in, all dressed casually and without armor. It took Ryan a few moments to recognize and recall their names.
Zon'Jal and Merd'Fen both gave a polite nod as they approached the table. Nera gestured impatiently for Ryan to take a seat. Drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he did as asked. The food smelled good and once they were all settled in, it was Merd'Fen who broke the silence.
"Zon'Jal and I thought for sure we were dead, so you have our thanks," he stated, his skinny companion nodded as he filled his plate with hot vegetables.
"They petitioned me to personally thank you," Nera added gracefully as she served herself. "I figured a moment like this would be a good time to do so."
"Never turn down a free meal," Zon'Jal added with enthusiasm. "That's my motto anyways. A pleasure it is to meet you in person, and thank you for making sure my head stayed on my neck."
"If you really want to thank me," Ryan said casually and without hesitation, "I could use your help." All three froze in their movements and he raised his hand against any coming rebuttal. "Not to worry friends. I won't ask you to betray your queen nor am I planning any escape. Just a favor."
"That's a relief," Merd'Fen replied happily as they all unfroze and finished filling their plates.
"For a moment," Nera confessed, "I thought you were about to make me eat my words to these two about your honor. What did you have in mind?"
"This is concerning the signal fire that kills my wife should it be lit," Ryan explained, his tone softened. "How is it arranged? Wood?"
"No," Zon'Jal replied, a thoughtful look on his narrow face under the splash of dark blue hair. "It's a large vat filled with rock oil. Three large mirrors adorn the edges to focus the light in the direction it needs to go. I can see where you're concerned about this, it can't be lit by accident. There's a heavy lid on top."
"I see," Ryan replied carefully, taking a sip of his juice to think a moment. "What if I asked the contents to be replaced with water? Not today or tomorrow, but when I give the word?"
Both royal guards gave each other a blank look and it was Nera who voiced the concern. "You're going to have to give us better reason than merely owing you. Lives can be lost for such a thing, more than you saved if the queen finds out it can't be lit when she commands it."
"Your queen is impulsive, quick to judge," Ryan offered calmly. Internally his heart was hammering, but he didn't let it show. He could lose whatever favor he had quickly if he screwed his explanation up. "You three know that I don't understand all your customs, and if she grew upset at me for a misunderstanding and gave such an order, by the time I convince her of the error my wife would be dead. As for the rock oil becoming water, do it in such a way it's a secret switch. Nobody needs to know how it was replaced, and it leaves me leverage to recover from one mistake with your queen. It's all I ask. I'll sooth her anger enough so people aren't put to death as best I can, or I'll die trying when and if it ever happens. You have my word."
They considered it in silence, and Merd'Fen leaned forward suddenly as he spoke. "Such a switch can only be secret if done when the guard changes from winter to summer. Nera and her unit will be returning to where your wife is staying, so nothing will come down on her if you anger our queen by mistake and she gives the order."
"As long as I'm not here," Nera confided, "I don't see any need to say anything to anybody about this. The mistake of filling it with water will be corrected when next winter sets in though, when the tubs all over the castle are refilled with fresh rock oil."
"That's fine," Ryan accepted gratefully, making an internal check on his list of things to get done before he made his final move. "When the seasons change is perfect. My deadline to make the queen pregnant is by the end of next summer. My wife and I are both dead if next winter sets in and this isn't accomplished. Or other arrangements are made between Darya and myself." He had hoped to find a way to do this during the summer, but the moment presented itself and he had acted on it with success. The rest of his secret objectives were now between him and Darya. As soon as summer started, he would put things into motion and get free of the dungeon for good.
"After this, the slate is even between us." Zon'Jal added quickly, and Ryan nodded agreement.
"Good," Nera said, relief riding her tone. "Enough of that type of talk, let's enjoy the rest of the evening meal and finish up."
"I concur," Ryan said, smiling at them for the first time since he sat down. He picked up the pitcher of juice. "Refill anyone?" he offered. Smiling back, the two palace guards offered t
heir empty cups.
Chapter Twenty Three - Status Change
Ryan could always tell when the first day of summer started. The cold bite vanished quickly and was replaced with a hug of grass scented warm air. He often wondered what was happening in Ocaza and with the king of that land, a name he struggled unsuccessfully to recall as he had only heard it once. He also pondered who would collect the taxes today now that Avrohom was dead. To Vendegal and the rest of them, he might have merely 'vanished' without a trace. There wasn't any way for him to know until he got his wife and himself free of this nightmare.
A new group of people approached his cell instead of the breakfast crew, only one guard among them and he had the keys out and jangling into the lock. One of the brightly colored robed men stepped in and walked right up to Ryan, took a sniff and curled his upper lip. "You need a bath and fresh change of clothes," he stated unceremoniously. "Behave and all will be well. Don't behave and a certain beacon will be lit and then you'll be killed too. Understand?"
"Yes," Ryan replied easily and without concern. He had planned to be released around this time and the queen had understood the meaning of his previous hints after all, but he didn't expect the royal treatment that was in store for him.
Several servants, both male and female rushed over while fussing with measuring tapes. After they were satisfied, they rushed him out of the dungeon with amazing speed and determination. He was led to a large lavish area with a deep steaming pool of scented water. They literally shoved into it, then stripped his old worn clothes off and lathered him up as much as they dared. When one of them approached a private area, Ryan took the scrubbing cloth and took care of himself. He wouldn't let them have it back right away but there were too many hands to avoid them all.
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