The Men of Anderas I: Jardan, the King

by C. J. Johnson

  “Look, Robin Hood,” she ground out between clenched teeth, “you play with swords and bows and arrows. Remember? Conan was the barbarian who grabbed women by the hair and dragged them off to his cave. Let go!”

  “Now there’s an interesting prospect.” JarDan grinned wickedly, giving the long braid a quick tug. “I’ll carry you to my cave where you can play with my sword.”

  Realizing she still held the garden shears, Melodie quickly and effortlessly snipped the thick braid in half, releasing herself from JarDan’s hold and continuing on her way back to the castle -- and she refused to acknowledge his suggestive banter.

  “She cut her hair.” He muttered in shock as his wife left the field. “The woman cut her hair!”

  JarDan looked around him at the men who suddenly found something more important to do than stand around and watch their prince and princess.

  With a growing sense of outrage, JarDan threw his head back and yelled. “Melodie!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  JarDan stormed toward the castle, intent on confronting his wife with the braid still clutched in his hand. What, by all the stars above, did she hope to accomplish by cutting her hair? For weeks he’d dreamed of her glorious hair.

  Spread across his pillow.

  Tangled in his fingers.

  Covering their naked bodies.

  Last night, all of his fantasies faded in the light of reality. Now, in a fit of defiance, Melodie had ruthlessly slashed her braid in half. By the Beard of the Prophet, she would answer for this.

  Rounding the corner into the courtyard, he heard the trumpeted signal from the tower warning of the approach of an unidentified group. Shoving the hank of hair inside his vest, he raced toward the battlements to search the surrounding countryside for this newest threat.

  He shook his head in confusion when he met Dak on the wall. He quickly scanned the area but he saw no advancing army, no mounted threat, not even a cloud of dust to mark the travel of a wagon on the open road. The clear afternoon sun shone across the hamlet and ripening fields. Farmers stopped working to hasten their families to the protection of the castle compound in response to the alarm. Herds of cattle and sheep still grazed in contended ignorance of any possible danger. What caused the alarm?

  “Send the guard to me, Dak. The one who raised the alarm.” JarDan continued to search the surrounding fields while Dak went in search of the guard. There wasn’t a hint of danger, not even the slightest movement among the trees. His well-trained guards wouldn’t issue a warning without cause.

  “Sire?”

  JarDan turned to face the burly guard standing at attention beside Dak. “What did you see, Kord?”

  A brief expression of confusion passed across the guard’s face before he turned and pointed in the direction of the mountains. “I’m not certain. It could be nothing, but with the threats against your family …”

  “I understand and appreciate your concern. Tell us what you think you saw.” JarDan hoped the man was overreacting, but he couldn’t deny the increased reports of attack by the outlying farmers. Where they once had one or two incidents a week of a stolen cow or hog, they now had two to three dozen reports. The earlier problems were usually based on a debt one farmer felt another owed and occasionally revenge. These newer acts of violence were random acts of destruction, not theft. Cattle slaughtered and left in the fields to rot; crops burned; entire fields poisoned. No witnesses. Nothing to lead them to the ones responsible. Only the scrolling M -- Morandoni’s signature -- to confirm their suspicions.

  “There,” Kord pointed again to the foothills, “where the old mining road drops out of sight. I thought I saw a flash of light like … you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I swear it looked like lightening, only … it was green.”

  “Green?” Dak asked the guard. “What could possibly give off a flash that color?”

  “I don’t know, Captain Beldon.” The guard answered. “That’s why I sounded the alarm.”

  “You did the right thing, Kord.” JarDan assured him. “You may return to your post.”

  “What do you think he saw?” Dak asked when Kord was out of hearing distance.

  “I don’t know; but, like Kord, I don’t think we can risk ignoring this. Assemble a scouting party and be ready to ride in ten minutes. Pass the word to the remaining guards that when everyone is safely inside, I want the gate barred. No one gets in or out until we return.”

  JarDan reached the bottom of the tower stairs when Dak reached out and grabbed his arm.

  “JarDan,” he whispered, “I think you should stay here. Let me …”

  He shook off Dak’s hand. “I’ll not hide behind these walls like an old woman. You have your orders. I’ll meet you in the courtyard in ten minutes.”

  “There’s no need for you to put yourself in danger. You have a mate to …”

  “Nine minutes, Dak.” JarDan yelled as he ran across the courtyard toward the castle.

  It took him several minutes to make his way through the increasing number of people inside the castle. Children raced around the huge hall oblivious to the possible danger. Mounds of sleeping pads and blankets quickly became small family areas. King Zeth’s emergency drills passed this latest test and from what JarDan could tell, his subjects remembered their training.

  His father was near the main staircase directing the distribution of another load of bedding. His calm directions and unquestioned authority kept worry from becoming panic and disorder from becoming chaos.

  “Father.” JarDan called when he was a few feet from the stairs. “Will you join me in my room? Where’s Melodie?” He scanned the crowded hall but couldn’t see his wife’s dark head above the scores of women.

  “She’s around somewhere. I saw her just a few minutes ago. What danger do we face, son?” Zeth asked as the two men climbed the stairs.

  “One of the guards saw a flash of light on the old mining road. It could be nothing, but Dak and I are going to investigate. We leave in a few minutes.” He pushed open the door to the room he now shared with his mate. “Melodie?” He called as he gathered his battle sword and shield from the wall. Silence greeted his call. Her wet, muddy gown was the only evidence that she’d been there all day. The heavy leather pants and vest he wore for arms practice were damp and muddy, but he didn’t have time to change. He only needed to add the shirt of finely woven metal links to be ready for battle.

  “Melodie and her maid have commandeered the ladies solar for expectant mothers and mothers with young infants. She feels the main hall is no place for a baby to rest.”

  JarDan grinned at his father. “I can imagine the reaction she got from that announcement.”

  “Your wife’s ladies-in-waiting have been most cooperative. She can be … assertive when she feels it is necessary.” At his son’s raised eyebrows, the king chuckled. “I believe the phrase she used with a few of the more reluctant ladies was move over or move out. Apparently, they wisely chose not to test the truth of her statement. Tiana has opened her quarters to anyone who doesn’t wish to share the solar with others.” A deep frown wiped the smile from the king’s face. “I’m afraid I’ve been too lenient with that child.”

  “There you are,” Melodie exclaimed as she rushed into the room, “I’ve been looking all over for you. What’s going on? Are we under attack? Why are you wearing that fence thing?”

  “Fence …? Melodie, what are you talking about?” His relief at seeing his wife quickly became confusion. He buckled the heavy leather belt around his waist without looking away from her, unconsciously adjusting the sword at his side.

  Melodie fluttered her fingers in the air near his chest. “That chain-link shirt … thing.” She turned and smiled warmly at her father-in-law. “How are you doing with all this turmoil?”

  JarDan took her shoulders between his hands and gently pushed her into the nearest chair. “This is chain mail, love,” he quietly explained, “and I always wear it when …” He glanced at his father who star
ted for the door.

  “I’ll wait for you at the top of the stairs, Son.”

  When the door closed softly, JarDan turned back to Melodie. Kneeling at her feet, he took her hands in his larger ones, smiling when he felt their softness. Gone were the calluses that once covered her palms. Stroking his thumbs across her knuckles, he marveled again at the strength in her. He prayed her courage would be strong enough to see them through the next few days.

  “Stalling won’t make it any easier to say.”

  Her shaky smile couldn’t completely hide her fear from him. Rising, he picked her up before sitting in the chair with her settled firmly in lap. He wasn’t surprised that she didn’t mention his wet clothes that quickly spread dampness to her dress. The only demand his wife made for herself was to return to Earth and he thanked every lucky star in the galaxy that she no longer asked to leave him. His heart swelled and he pulled her closer. She didn’t fight the embrace but she didn’t relax against his either.

  “The tower guard spotted something unusual near the mountains and Dak and I are taking a few warriors to investigate. There’s no reason for you to worry. This is just a routine scouting patrol.”

  He squirmed beneath her direct gaze. He had the feeling she was seeing into his soul.

  “Bull. You don’t move everyone into the compound for a routine investigation. It’s different this time, isn’t it?” She asked.

  “Yes.” He finally whispered. “This is different. The patrol is waiting for me but I couldn’t leave without clearing this misunderstanding between us. I’ve never spoken of your fears to anyone but Dak and my father -- and I felt it was necessary at the time. Please believe that your secrets are safe with me, despite the evidence. When I return, we’ll find out who’s lurking at keyholes.”

  Removing the silky cap covering her head, JarDan released her hair, surprised when it curled possessively around his hand just below the middle of her back. Without the weight of the added length, the midnight strands were alive with curls and waves.

  “Hiding your hair won’t make me forget what you did." He smiled to take the sting from his words.

  Melodie jumped from his lap and faced him. “What I did!” She demanded, crossing her arms across her chest. “It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t grabbed me. A simple wait would have worked much better.”

  “Easy love,” he soothed, pulling her back down onto his lap. “I didn’t come to argue.” This time she curled against his chest, her face buried against his neck.

  “I know,” she whispered against his skin, “you came to say goodbye.”

  JarDan lifted her chin until her lips were directly below his. Slowly, he lowered his head until his mouth settled softly over hers. When she melted against him, he deepened the kiss, wanting -- needing -- the taste and feel of her. With a groan of unfulfilled desire, he drew back, smiling at the deep purple color of her eyes. Those eyes would always betray her emotions to him.

  "I have to go.” He whispered, standing with her in his arms. “Dak and the men are waiting.” He released her legs, letting her slide against his body. “You need to change into dry clothes again before you go back downstairs.” He didn’t try to hide his reaction to her nearness -- a reaction unfazed by the chilly dampness of their clothes. “You’ll be safe as long as you stay inside the wall.”

  “What about you?” She asked, tracing his jaw with her fingers. “All you’re wearing is your sword. Aren’t you taking guns or tanks or something?”

  “There are no guns on Anderas, Melodie. We fight hand-to-hand. You know that.”

  She jerked away from his embrace. “That is so stupid!” She railed, stomping across the room to the window. “You travel through space. You have every imaginable bit of technology available in the MediCenter to make sure you all live to be a hundred and fifty or more.” She turned and faced him again. “There’s more to living than just being alive. It’s not natural to force everything to remain frozen in time -- especially a time that was past and brought back to life. Everything has to change, JarDan, or it dies.”

  “This is our way, love.” He answered softly. He walked to the window where she stood facing him. “I’m not going to die. I give you my word. Remember, I never lie.” He kissed her quick and hard before stepping away from the warmth of her body. “Take care, my love.” He whispered before leaving the room.

  His father was waiting for him near the top of the stairs. “I wish I could go with you, Son. Waiting has never been one of my favorite pastimes.”

  “You're forbidden to leave the safety of the castle in times of danger, so you're going to have to come to terms with your frustrations. Your safety is a priority. I only hope we can catch one of Morandoni’s henchmen this time. He’s like a wisp of smoke -- gone before you realize he’s there. His Minions of the Dark managed to breach the castle at least once before and Morandoni has already made an attempt on Melodie’s life. What if he tries again?”

  “Rest easy, my son,” Zeth assured him. “I will protect her with my life.”

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. We’re only taking ten warriors and we should be back by early morning. I’ve left orders to bar the gates when everyone is inside.” He grabbed his father’s hand in the traditional wrist-to-wrist salute. “Take care, Father.”

  “And you, my son.”

  Dak and the others were just mounting when JarDan reached the courtyard. He swung into the saddle, controlling the prancing of the spirited stallion with practiced ease. Turning to his father on the stone steps, he bid the man a final farewell.

  “If you haven’t heard from us in three days, assume the worst.”

  JarDan lead his small band through the gate, slowing their pace only when they encountered villagers on their way to the castle. Once past the hamlet, he gave Storm his head. The mighty war steed stretched powerful muscles in a ground-eating gallop. Each man knew his responsibilities and acknowledged the danger he faced.

  * * * *

  Between arranging meals and sleeping arrangements for the hundreds of people from the village, Melodie had no time to worry about JarDan. The gates closed within an hour of his leaving. All the villagers who lived in the hamlet were safe inside the walls and most had found places to bed down for the night. Now that the last child was asleep, the fires banked and the staff dismissed until early morning, she convinced her father-in-law to seek his bed.

  Slipping into her own room, she pulled a chair over to the window. She could see the mountains rising in dark splendor against the pale illumination of the first moon rise. Somewhere out there JarDan and his men searched. After all the bustle and noise of the hall, she needed the blessed peace and quiet of her bedroom.

  “You should rest, Melodie. Come,” ArDell indicated the vanity stool, “let me braid your hair for bed.”

  Melodie jumped at the sound of her maid’s voice. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.” She returned to her watch by the window. “I can’t sleep knowing someone may be trying to kill him.” She whispered.

  “The waiting is the hardest when you love someone. At least let me get you a gown and robe.”

  With a weary nod, she allowed ArDell to help her into a soft white nightgown trimmed with golden ribbons and a matching robe. White and gold – JarDan’s colors. Was he sleeping out there beneath the light of the moon? Did he miss her as much as she missed him? What if Morandoni succeeded in killing him? Her heart thundered in her chest. He couldn’t die. Not now.

  * * * *

  Six hours of hard riding brought JarDan and his band of warriors to the junction of the old mining road and the more commonly used trade roads. According to the description Kord gave Dak, they should reach the sight of the unusual green lightening within a half hour. At his signal, the column of men and horses slowed to a walk and carefully picked their way through the trees to the stream that flowed down the mountain.

  “Ten minutes,” Dak ordered in a quiet voice. “Relieve yourselves and water the horses. Make as l
ittle noise as possible, we don’t know who’s listening.”

  JarDan visualized the road ahead of them while Storm drank from the cool water. As boys, he and Dak spent many hours exploring the mountains and valleys of Falcon Tor. There wasn’t a road anywhere he hadn’t traveled. He couldn’t remember the last time he rode along that road but he did remember the hundreds of places where a few well placed men could hold off an approaching army -- or ambush an unsuspecting patrol. The road was built along the bottom of a natural gorge. Steep walls rose beside a path barely wide enough to accommodate two war horses side-by-side, making a rapid retreat impossible. If this was a trap, it was well set. The burning hatred for the evil wizard that was born within JarDan aboard the Destiny grew with each passing day. After twenty years he suddenly had a target for revenge. He would avenge his mother’s death -- and the attack on Melodie -- and rid his home of Morandoni’s malevolent presence at the same time.

  “It’s a trap.” Dak announced, voicing JarDan’s concern.

  “Yes,” JarDan answered on a sigh, “but we’ve got no choice. If the men are ready, let’s ride. I want to get there before the sun sets.”

  Within minutes the mounted patrol galloped along the road. If they were riding into a trap their enemies already knew they were coming. If not, walking their horses through the gorge would only delay their arrival.

  Darkness came faster inside the steep walls of the gorge. The deepening shadows shifted with the play of clouds overhead, giving them the appearance of living beings. JarDan slowed the patrol to a walk, the sound of shod hooves striking stone echoed through the canyon. Storm danced from side-to-side until he leaned over and patted his neck, whispering assurances he didn’t feel himself. All of the horses were acting skittish -- fighting their commands to go forward. Signaling to his men, JarDan dismounted. Wrapping the reins securely around his hand, he gripped Storm’s bridle and led the nervous horse through the rocks. Without a word, each man scanned the sides of the gorge, straining in the failing light to see any hint of movement, any sign of impending attack.