by Leela Ash
She didn't mind him calling her “Princess,” now, it seemed he said it with reverence, whereas before she felt he was mocking her. She was growing ever fond of this man.
“Please, Niyol, stay with me tonight. I fear I cannot do this without your help,” she pleaded with him.
He was glad that she had invited him and entered her home, willingly.
“Here’s my sleeping quarters,” she said, starting to get undressed and giggling at the thought of making love to him again.
“I will sleep in the other room. I am a light sleeper, if you want or need me, just shout out my name, I will be here in an instant.” He kissed her briefly on the lips before bowing and backing out of the room.
“Why, Niyol, why can’t we be together?”
“All would know of this. You do not want them to see your weaknesses. Show the people your strengths. When this is over, there will be plenty of time for us to be together,” he said, and left.
She lay in the darkness, seemingly, for an eternity, trying to sleep. Her mind active with thoughts of how to approach the next few days. How would she defeat her brother? Will it involve huge battles with much bloodshed? She was so engrossed in her worries that she almost missed the noise from the corner of the room, and even then she wasn't sure if she had imagined it.
Glancing over in the direction of the noise, she could see a figure sat in a chair. It was too dark to make out who it was, and she assumed that Niyol must have changed his mind.
“Niyol, so you can’t resist my charms then?” she asked, lightly.
The figure said nothing just sat there, stock still.
“Niyol, come on then, the bed is cold without you?” she pulled back her covers and stepped from the bed, slowly approaching the seated figure. The coldness caused her to shiver. A deep chill ran through her, freezing her blood.
“Niyol?” she whispered, as she cautiously approached the shadow.
“No, dear sister, I am not your lover, but your brother.”
She stared on in horror as she looked at her brother Vaclav, seated in the chair, his face twisted with hatred.
“Welcome home, dear sister,” he said as he stood and thrust a dagger deep into her heart.
***
The screams from the Princess’s room awoke Niyol from his light sleep. He jumped out of his makeshift bed and quickly ran to her bed chamber, pausing only to pick up his sword on the way. He burst through her door, expecting the worse. A relief washed over him as he saw that no one was in the room and the Princess lay safely in her bed, though mumbling words incoherently.
“Princess, wake up, wake up, are you well?” He shook her gently, trying to awaken her.
Tammy sat up quickly and shook her head to clear away the dregs of sleep. Her heart beat so fast that she felt it would burst out of her chest.
“Oh god, Niyol, I had a terrible dream, my brother, he was here, and he... and he...”
“All is well, Tamara, you are safe now, I am here.”
He pulled her close to his own body, wrapping his strong arms around her and holding her tightly. Her slender frame was shaking with fear.
“It felt so real, I thought he had killed me, but it was just a dream,” she cried.
“Not just a dream, Tamara, he knows you are here, and has sent you a warning.”
He still held her close until her shivering settled. Gently he stroked at her golden hair. She had experienced a fright this night, but there was much worse to come.
“How could he do that, Niyol?” she asked, “get into my head like that?”
“He is very powerful, but we will prevail, Princess, I have faith.”
She never thought she’d hear him say those words, and now he had, she felt she could take on her brother and anyone else who messed with her people. She looked up at him, his handsome features were furrowed in concern. She knew, then, that she was falling in love with this man. Lifting her head slightly, she pressed her lips to his and he responded in kind. Just for a few moments, the kiss took away the horror of the night’s warning. Her mind was clear as she was lost in the embrace of her protector.
She fell asleep, safe and secure in his arms, as the both lay on the bed together, as one.
Chapter 8 Jolly Jack
She travelled on horseback. They had offered her the use of a small carriage so she could ride in some comfort, shaded from the Ionian sun, but she had chosen to ride next to Niyol. She informed the elders that he was to be appointed her personal guard. They seemed to look at each other with a knowing smile, the Princess was here to stay.
The people rejoiced as she passed them by. Stopping in villages to speak, hoping their menfolk would join her in battle. Many of them did, fathers, sons and brothers marched with her to confront the Emperor. The army was growing, and training in combat was a daily exercise on this ever moving camp. Princess Tamara even walked about the camp on an evening, mingling with the people and assuring them that this was their land to protect, not hers. She had no intentions of ever taking it away from them.
“This time we will win the battle for ourselves,” she said loudly, in one of her many speeches. “The next battle will be for our neighbors, until all the islands are returned to their rightful owners, the people of the islands!”
The crowd cheered for their Princess, they knew now that Royalty had returned to them, soon all would be well again. Royalty brought wealth and stability, they owned armies and gave guidance. Would not this Princess do all these things for them? They did not realize that they were the only army she had, their wealth would come when they invaded the Princes’ homeland, and the stability would not happen until all the islands were taken back.
However, she would provide guidance, and she was determined to find her magic skills, though this was proving more difficult. Her journey would surely reveal her magic, sooner or later.
***
“I was told she had perished!” the Emperor screamed in fury at the warlord who knelt before him. “Call yourself an army?” he continued yelling, as he turned to one warlord in particular. “You,” he pointed an accusatory finger, “you told me that you personally had seen to it, now I learn that you lied.”
“Sire, I was told she had been taken by an old man who had fallen from a cliff, into the sea. How could I prove this? I could not search the oceans for their bodies. I was informed by a reliable source, Sire.”
“I don’t like people who lie to save their own asses, General,” he turned to the other Generals, who were watching the situation unfold, with unease.
“You, and you,” he said, pointing to a couple of them. ‘Kill him.”
Neither of them responded, instead they looked unsure as to how to proceed. What were they expected to do?
“When you eventually make up your minds,” Emperor Vaclav spoke harshly as he pulled at the collar of his lying warlord. “I want this man’s life ended. Don't make me do it myself, once I get started who knows where I will stop!”
In reality, neither wanted the place by the Emperor’s side, but if they didn’t do as he commanded, they knew they’d soon be joining the unfortunate General. Between them, one forced the General to kneel and the other quickly decapitated the out-of-favor warlord, with one slash of his own sword.
“Excellent,” Vaclav clapped his hands, applauding the performance. “You,” he pointed to the one still clutching the bloodied sword, I’ll have you for now,” he instructed. “Mind that you don’t lie to me,” he added as an afterthought.
These people were so tediously annoying. All of them feared him, he could sense it. And, on top of putting up with them, he had a sister to murder.
“Who, of my warlords, is leading the armies that are attacking the Island of Citheera? What is the ship that he sails upon?”
He looked on at his assembled warlords. Each one of them looked back with fear.
“Fools, I ought to kill you all, you deserve no less, any of you!” he yelled. “See how merciful I am,” he spoke in a quieter v
oice. “I protect you all and look how you treat me!”
“Yes, my lord,” they all said in unison as if they puppets on a single string.
“The Jolly Jack, my Emperor,” a soldier shouted. “It confronts the island where the Princess Tamara is said to be gathering an army.”
Just the mention of her name sent the Emperor into a furious temper.
“She is no Princess, do you hear me?” he screamed at the messenger. “The next man who calls her that, will suffer my wrath as I remove his tongue.”
None of the men dared to speak. Each one kept their heads bowed and their eyes to the floor.
“I’m going, now, I can’t be wasting time on a journey. Gather the troops, all of them, and march on the rebel territories. They will pay for this day with their lives, all of them!” He shouted, waving his hands high in the air. “I will personally deal with my beloved sister myself.”
With that he was gone. He was not a Traveler, so needed no archaic words. He knew the layout of the Jolly Jack, he had personally named the ship and had travelled on it himself. All he needed to do was envision where he wanted to go, and he would be transported there in moments.
Chapter 9 Little People
“Would it be imprudent of me to nip back to my world, have pizza and chocolate, and then nip back again?” Tammy asked of Niyol as he lay naked, beside her, in their now temporary camp as they moved towards the coastline.
“I love you Princess Tamara,” he said, looking into her eyes. “But, I’m not flitting about worlds so you can have pizza. Ionia food is good enough for any Princess.”
“Pah,” she almost jokingly spat. “When I find out what my magic is, I’m not going to share it with you,” she said, sulkily. “All I ask is for pizza, is that so hard?”
“Magic is not to be used lightly,” he said, sullenly. “It is to be used cautiously, and not for the sake of a Princess’s dinner.”
“I know,” she admitted. “I just miss my junk food. You have no idea how addictive that stuff is. This is like going cold turkey,” she moaned.
“We have turkey, if you wish,” he said, happy to supply her with a substitute for her pizza. “I can get you cold turkey, though it is tastier warm and freshly cooked.”
“You are a great oaf,” she laughed. “I have no desire for turkey, hot or cold. Tomorrow we will arrive at the coastline and I fear for all of our lives. I know you’re indestructible, but if my brother’s armies have taken over five out of seven islands, then he must be a force to be reckoned with.”
“The Emperor has many mages,” Niyol took on a serious tone. “He uses magic to keep his stronghold and places fear in the hearts of people. You have rallied these people to fight again. They have freedom in sight, and you have given them that by eliminating the fear he placed there. This is our last hope, you must have faith in yourself.”
“How can I, Niyol?” she questioned. “I can’t even find my own magic skills, let alone lead an army.”
“Patience, Princess, you will find your true magic when the time is right, but for now be content with ridding the people of your brother’s curse,” he kissed her as they lay on the floor, stealing a few moments of passion together before the mayhem of battle. “Your own skill will show itself soon enough. Our people follow you because they see in you all that is good about your family. Your parents were good people.”
“So what went wrong with Vaclav then?” she asked, knowing that was a question that no one could answer
Niyol shrugged.
“Bad blood can turn up in the best of families, even Royalty. All we know is he must be stopped. His magic spells eat into people’s minds, makes them weak, believing all hope is lost. Not only that, but he can transport himself in an instant to any part of this land that he has visited before. This is how he wins his battles. We have been unable to stop him.”
“What do you think Niyol? Do you believe he is my blood brother?”
“I can only say that he represents everything evil, and you are the complete opposite. I truly believe that good will be victorious over evil, and when you beat him I will take you back for pizza. We can stay in your world for as long as you like, so long as you promise this will always be your home.”
“My home is wherever you are, Niyol,” she said, resting her head on his broad muscular chest. Listening to his heart beat, her head moved up and down as his chest rose, and fell, with his breathing. “Though I suppose when we have children, I’ll have to settle down,” she added.
“I can think of no better woman to be the mother of my child,” he told her, smiling at the thought of making babies, and having the tiny feet of little people running around. Yes, that would be perfect, to combine his love with hers, and create life, to continue their legacy.
He reached forward and pressed his lips to hers, the kiss long was deep and passionate. Tammy could feel her juices starting to flow and knew that she needed this man inside of her, tonight, tomorrow they may all be dead.
She pushed him over onto his back, her hands going straight for his erection, hot and throbbing in her fingers. Now she had it in her hands, she realized how big he was and was surprised he hadn't hurt her when they had made love. She straddled him, guiding his member, laying the tip against her opening and just for a moment reveling in the feeling of the touch of his glans against her labia. Then, she pressed her hips back and completely engulfed him inside of her. Both of them cried out their desire as they rode together in perfect unison, his hands on her breasts, teasing her nipples with his fingers and increasing her arousal levels even further. Their love making was slower this time, they both wanted to fully enjoy the sensations of their coupling. Their thrusting less frantic, more loving than lustful, as they rode together on a tide of love and passion.
Her orgasm, this time, was slower to build. Neither of them were in any rush, but when it came, it was still as powerful, thundering through her and sending jolts of pleasure coursing through her body. Again, in unison, they reached release at the same time, but this time more subdued in their outpouring of passion, perhaps weighing heavily on their mind the following days date with destiny.
Afterwards they lay together, Tammy still straddling Niyol as he gently stroked her hair.
Chapter 10 Traitor is Your Name
The people rejoiced, even though they were surrounded by the Emperor’s ships. The Princess was arriving this day and she would save them from her tyrant brother. She was bringing a new army with her to prevent the cruel Emperor from taking over their lands. Princess Tamara was their savior.
As she rode next to her bodyguard, the cheering crowds made her nervous. It was true that she had managed to rally the people’s hopes, but that was only because of their faith in her parents. As she drew nearer to the battle, she had an ominous feeling that she would not be able to save them. What did the elders think she was going to do? Even Niyol believed that she had some trick up her sleeve.
Fearing that this day would only bring with it the massacre of these people on this island, she rode on with a heavy heart.
The road to the harbor was thronged with people surrounding them as they rode down to see the attacking fleet, where her brother awaited her. It had been arranged for them to parley on neutral ground on a small fishing boat not far off shore. As she approached the docks she could see the boat out near the harbor entrance.
She boarded the simple vessel that would take her to him, Niyol by her side was all she needed. They left the loud cheering behind as they set off to the meeting with the Emperor, her brother. She wondered if she should trust this meeting, was it a trap? She had Niyol by her side but was she just leading him into danger too? If her brother was as powerful as these people believed, then they both may perish here today.
The smell of the sea air and the wind on her face felt good, calming her nerves and somehow pushing aside her doubts. She liked the weather, all elements of it, sun, rain, wind and snow. She had always loved the feeling of whatever kind of day it was,
in her modern world, weather felt so good on her skin.
As they neared the rendezvous she could see a single figure stood on the deck of a boat. At last, there he was, and she was not impressed. He was not an old man, but nor was he a youth. Yet he carried his body like a young man. As they stood opposite each other, she could see the hatred in his eyes.
“Sister,” he said, greeting her with the one word. “You are as beautiful as I have heard, I only hope you are also wise,” he threatened.
“I cannot call you brother, as you don’t feel like a beloved brother,” she dared say to him.
He laughed at her.
“Nor can I call you Emperor,” she interrupted his laughter, “you are not my Emperor as I don’t have one,” she said, honestly. “I will simply call you traitor, and murderer,” she finished, not wanting this meeting to linger on.
A deathly silence surrounded her, as those who could hear awaited the response of the Emperor. He looked at her and laughed again.
“Such a shame that our first meeting should end in your death, and with it all the hopes of these foolish people gathered here. I shall kill you this day, sister,” he informed her. “Then you will not need to call me anything, as you will be no more.”
With that he turned to go, but before he left he mumbled something under his breath and a dark ominous mood fell over her.
“I leave you a gift, sister, I wish for you to see the people cower before me, before I kill you. I have cast the same spell that I cast on all of the islands, and I have you to thank for that. I have never been able to get so close to Citheera to enable me to enchant them fully, but now thanks to you, they will soon fall under my thumb. Observe, as your people all cower under my rule. Watch them,” he said, waving his hand at the island. “When you return I think you will find that you are, once again, alone.”
Chapter 11 Discovery of Magic
