by Xenia Melzer
Casto regarded him calmly, trying hard to hide his contempt. Treating him as if he were nothing but a nuisance came naturally. “Thank you, but I do know how to behave. I just sometimes decide that it’s not to my advantage to do so. And in case you think you can impress me with your shouting, I want to remind you that I fight with the Barbarian on a regular basis. I can assure you, once you’re unperturbed by the wrath of the Angel of Death, the fury of a master smith is not impressive at all.
“To get back to the debt you owe me, it was your fault I had to go to the mines. So I definitely have a right to ask for satisfaction.”
Noran hesitated. The calm Casto radiated had unsettled him, and he saw a cold, ruthless determination in Casto’s eyes that commanded his reluctant respect. With the exception of Canubis, Casto was indeed the only one who dared to oppose Renaldo, so he was brave enough not to be intimidated by a few loud words. And if it was true and Casto was really Renaldo’s heart, then it was wise to tread more carefully around him.
Noran decided to switch tactics. “Why would you think it was my fault? I wasn’t the one who stole the pin.”
Casto reacted to the change in Noran’s behavior like a bloodhound to the scent of its prey. If he played it smart now, Noran would do what he wanted him to before he even realized what had happened. “No, you didn’t do that. But if you had fulfilled your responsibilities as Sic’s master and educated him according to his talents and status as your personal slave, he would have been wise enough to know that Damon was lying. But you only toyed with him. You gave him a collar but denied him the privileges that come with it. He was easy prey for the priest, and that’s your fault alone.”
Noran stared. As much as he resented it, the young man was partly right. If he had taken Sic’s training more seriously, Sic probably wouldn’t have been fooled by that bootlicker of the Good Mother. Also, Casto’s expression made clear that he was determined to battle this one out to the bitter end. Noran’s respect for him went up a few notches but was already shadowed by anger. Would this pretty boy really manage to outsmart a seasoned Emeris? Noran would be damned. With a sickly sweet smile, he agreed with Casto. “I acknowledge my fault. You’re right, without my negligence, this would have never happened. So, you’re asking for Sic’s life as compensation?”
Casto nodded. Victory was at the tips of his fingers, and he had to remind himself to stay calm. “Yes. I do.”
“Then let it be. I’ll reclaim him as my slave. But since I can’t stand working with a traitor, you’ll have to take responsibility as well. I’ll inform you about the details later.”
Relieved, Casto exhaled. Noran was setting conditions mainly to save face, but Casto was willing to go along. The only thing that counted was that Sic got another chance. Casto had been thinking about it for a while and realized that his anger was simply too great. Because Sic had been Casto’s only friend, his treason weighed heavier. But Casto had liked having Sic’s friendship, and he felt nauseated.
He would have to face the fact that true friendship didn’t exist. Having Renaldo as his lover and Lys as his brother would have to suffice. During his time in Ummana, that was more than he could have ever dreamed of.
Noran was looking at him expectantly. Hastily he bowed. “I thank you, Lord Noran. I deem your debt as paid in full.”
The gigantic man smiled darkly. “I’m glad to hear it, Casto. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The polite phrase left Casto’s lips without him thinking consciously about it.
In the end, his political upbringing did have some merit. He left the smithy in the knowledge that he had just gained a victory he would have to pay a hefty price for in the future. Noran would surely not let it pass without comment or retribution.
ON HIS way to the stables, Casto banished his musings about possible consequences in favor of a more pressing problem. It had been almost two and a half weeks since he had been able to follow the training plans for the horses entrusted to him. Because the beasts had barely been worked during his absence, he would have to change, if not dismiss, his former plans.
He decided to start with the chestnut stallion Kalad had given to him. The steed was promising, teachable, and intelligent. Casto hoped to start the day with a positive experience that would help him deal with the drawbacks to come.
When he left the stables with the saddled stallion, he told one of the stable boys which horse he wanted to ride next. The boy nodded and promised to get the mare ready for him.
But upon his return, neither the horse nor the boy could be seen anywhere.
Instead, Sindal and Elwan, the demoted workers, were waiting for him with their arms folded. Casto steeled himself for a fight. The higher he had risen in the favor of his master, the more intense their hatred burned. They were his enemies for life. Acting as friendly as he could bear when faced with such open hostility, he asked after the horse.
It was no surprise when they ignored his question completely, but they shot him pejorative looks that began to get on his nerves.
Finally, Sindal said, “Look who’s dodged his just punishment again, Elwan. It seems the arrogant tart has managed to soothe the Angel of Death once more. What a lucky guy.”
Elwan chuckled maliciously. “I don’t think that has much to do with luck. My guess is the pretty boy has just waved his ass and Renaldo, blinded by lust, spared him.”
“When I think about all the things you’ve managed to pull with the lords, I’m asking myself whether the rumors are true and Renaldo only thinks with his dick where you’re concerned.”
Both men started to laugh and failed to notice the dangerous flame in Casto’s eyes. He didn’t care when the two idiots insulted him—he was used to far worse—but when they started involving the Barbarian, he lost his patience. Before he could show them their place, a cold voice resounded from the entrance, and it made Casto shudder.
“What’s going on here? Who dares to speak in such a disgraceful manner about my brother?”
Canubis approached the three men, his amber eyes glinted as coldly as those of the two huge wolves accompanying him.
Sindal and Elwan kneeled immediately. Casto bowed low but refrained from getting down since the stallion he was leading wasn’t too happy in the presence of the predators.
Canubis turned to Casto. “I ask again. What’s going on here? And before you give me your answer, I want to stress that I’m no friend of lies, Castolus.”
The prince stared at the master of the Valley in blind panic before he remembered that he’d told Renaldo his secret. Of course Renaldo had shared it with his brother. He straightened his back, unwilling to show weakness in the presence of the unrelenting warlord. “It’s only a small incident, Lord Canubis. I ordered that a certain horse should be prepared for me, and those two thought I could do that on my own as well.”
A dangerous glint entered Canubis’s eyes His gaze almost stabbed Casto, forcing him to continue telling the truth. “For how long have there been—incidents between you?” Canubis’s tone showed how aware he was of the understatement in Casto’s words.
Casto felt crimson tinging his cheeks, but he had no intention of showing weakness. “Since I arrived here, Lord Canubis.”
“Since you came back, or since my brother first brought you here?”
“Since your brother first made me his possession.”
The lethal gaze now turned toward the kneeling men. “I understand.” Then he addressed one of the wolves. “Get me two overseers. Tell them to bring whips.”
The powerful predator dashed away with a threatening growl. Canubis looked around. “Hey, you!”
A stable boy who had tried to slip away unobtrusively froze in place.
“Take Casto’s horse, and see to it that everybody in the stables gathers at the front.”
The stable boy hurried off to do Canubis’s bidding.
“And you, come with me.” The cold, commanding voice was directed towa
rd Casto.
Terrified, yet unwilling to admit it, Casto followed the demigod outside into the snow. He would never understand why most people in the Valley were more afraid of Renaldo than of Canubis. At that moment, the Wolf of War was so intimidating that Casto had to control himself not to fall down whimpering and begging for mercy. The warlord’s sheer presence was like a hammer blow to the stomach.
Two overseers arrived at the stables and dragged Sindal and Elwan out of the building and into the semicircle where the other slaves had gathered. They all were on their knees, eyeing the Wolf of War with fear.
Canubis spoke in a voice devoid of emotion, a sure sign that he was seething with rage. “I had to observe a serious problem with discipline here in the stables. These two worthless creatures dared to badmouth my brother. Even worse, they’ve been denying his favorite due respect.” His gaze lingered on the cowering slaves. “I’m not going to waste my precious time finding out who backed them in their obnoxious behavior, but rest assured, should I hear the slightest rumor of something like this again, you all will be put to death. I do not tolerate irreverence toward me or my brother. It’s high time you all remembered who the masters are in this place.”
With that, he nodded toward the overseers, who dragged Sindal and Elwan up. The two stable workers had been caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, but they finally realized that their lives were forfeit, and they started to beg.
At that moment, Casto couldn’t say that their fate interested him in the least. The way they were trying to wiggle out of the situation was as dishonorable and pathetic as their previous actions.
Canubis seemed to think the same because he ignored their begging. Without mercy, he gave his verdict. “For your impudence, you both lose your tongue. After that, you’ll be whipped and displayed for four days. Should you survive, you may stay in the Valley, but you will serve in the lowest positions possible.”
He nodded to the two overseers, who pried open the mouths of the two men and adjusted pliers to their tongues. Then Canubis stepped forward, moving as fast as a striking snake, and with a sickening sound, two men’s tongues hit the ground. Before the lumps of meat could color the snow crimson, the wolves were there.
Only with an effort was Casto able to suppress the urge to gag when confronted with the brutal punishment. He was used to Renaldo’s quick dealings, but his elder brother was even more merciless.
When the overseers started the whipping, Sindal and Elwan screamed wordlessly through the cold air, like the voices of angry demons. Canubis grabbed Casto’s wrist and dragged him back into the stables.
The coldness had gone from his voice, and now he let his anger show openly. “You little idiot! For five years those lowlifes have been acting like that and you never thought of telling my brother? How stupid are you? Do you think this is some kind of game? A pastime from the court of Ummana?”
The state of shock Casto had fallen into when Canubis had taken over so brazenly finally dissipated. Outraged by the accusation, he felt like a child who’d been scolded by an adult, and he didn’t like it in the least. He met the demigod’s gaze, and before he could think twice, he answered sarcastically. “Please forgive me, Lord Canubis, that I didn’t talk to the man who had taken away my freedom more than absolutely necessary in the beginning. And yes, the behavior of those men did remind me of my life in court and warmed my heart. I enjoyed not being able to talk to anybody, knowing none of them would help me, that I was on my own in everything I did. Indeed just like at home. I’d have rather hacked off my right arm before admitting to the Barbarian that I was having problems with the other slaves. There are things that have nothing to do with you or your brother. That is my problem, and I’d have dealt with it in my way.”
Canubis looked as if the earth had opened up and tried to swallow him. Never before had anybody dared to oppose him when he was angry. Not even Noemi would speak a word of defiance in such a loaded situation, and this young man had just told him very bluntly to mind his own business.
He was so thunderstruck his anger dissipated in an instant, a reaction his brother had already told him about where Casto was concerned. Suddenly Canubis understood in a completely different way why Renaldo loved the young man so much. Not only was Casto beautiful when angry, it was refreshing to be told an opinion so directly. Except for Renaldo, and occasionally one of the Emeris, nobody was bold enough to do something so outrageous.
Touched by Casto’s bravery, Canubis explained the problem calmly instead of punishing him for his impudence. “As much as your stubbornness and independence suit you, this is definitely not your problem but that of my brother and, yes, mine as well. Here in the Valley we have a set of strict rules and laws that everybody who lives here has to obey. Those who break the laws lose the right to be protected by them. By not telling Renaldo about the actions of the men, you undermined his authority.
“You were his favorite, his lover. Now you’re his heart. Whoever disregards you does so to my brother as well. That there weren’t any consequences for the crime for so long has only increased the lack of respect. Creatures like those two wastes of space out there have risen above their rightful place. They’re paying a hefty price for it, something that wouldn’t have happened if you’d shown a little more regard to our customs.”
Canubis expected the young man to give an angry answer, but Casto had turned pale.
“I’ve never seen it that way.” Casto’s voice trailed off as if he was talking to himself. “I always thought this was solely about me, and I’m used to solving my problems on my own. But you’re right, I misjudged the whole situation.”
Slightly lost, Casto stood amid the stalls. He eyed Canubis ruefully, his inner battle showing clearly on his features. Suddenly he knelt down. It was plain how much he resented being in the wrong, but it didn’t keep him from doing what was right. “I beg your forgiveness for my willful behavior, Lord Canubis. I made a mistake and I’m truly sorry for it.”
Casto lowered his gaze and waited humbly for the reaction.
Canubis felt a throbbing in his loins that he instantly suppressed. But the handsome young man who had no fear of opposing him and yet was willing to admit a mistake and submit to him was simply too alluring. Like a dream made flesh for which Canubis envied his brother. He cleared his throat. “I forgive you. But I expect you to tell Renaldo about what happened today. Unless you want me to do that.”
With his gaze still cast down, Casto answered. “I thank you, Lord Canubis. I’ll tell my master about this, even in your presence, should you so wish.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary. You’re a man of honor, Casto. Go back to work, we’ve already dallied enough as it is. I don’t think you’ll have reason to complain about lack of obedience in the near future.”
Silently Casto got up, bowed once more to Canubis, and left the stables.
IN THE evening, Renaldo was already waiting for his lover when Casto entered the chambers, tense to the point of snapping. Renaldo knew immediately that something was off.
“Casto, what’s happened? Has Noran refused you? I told you, the chances for that were great.”
Casto shook his head as if he was trying to get rid of an annoying sound. “No, Barbarian. Everything went smoothly with Lord Noran. He’s going to reclaim Sic as his slave.”
Renaldo furrowed his brow. He had half expected Casto to be successful, but it was still a surprise. Changing Noran’s mind was like talking to the weather—nothing would come out of it.
“That’s good news. At least for Sic. Why aren’t you happy?”
“Because I made a grave mistake today, one I know has to be punished, and I’m not looking forward to the discipline I’m going to receive from you. Plus I’m somewhat angry with myself for letting things get that far.”
Slowly Renaldo was losing his patience. He hated riddles. “Casto, I don’t intend to play ‘guess and answer’ the entire evening. You’re telling me what happened right now or I prom
ise I’ll punish you without knowing your mistake.”
Casto lowered his gaze. When he started talking, his voice was distant, as if he was retelling something that had happened to somebody else. It was obvious that he was trying to put some distance between himself and the situation at hand.
“Ever since I came to the Valley, I’ve been having problems with the other slaves, especially those working in the stables. They always viewed me as an upstart and meddler, and they only suffered me reluctantly. It went so far that they even sabotaged me openly. Today, the two who chained me in front of your tent started again. They first picked only on me, but then they started to slander you as well.”
Casto rubbed his temples with the tips of his fingers as if he were an old man, tired of the ways people behaved. “And your brother heard. He was beyond furious. The men were punished brutally and everybody from the stables had to watch.”
Remembering how ruthless Canubis had acted, Casto fell silent for a moment. Long enough to give Renaldo a chance to start yelling.
“Damn it, Casto! Why didn’t you tell me? Are you aware of what you’ve done? How stupid you’ve been?”
Casto’s chin went up and he glared at Renaldo.
“Your brother was kind enough to tell me about the consequences of my actions in detail. I’m afraid I told him quite bluntly that I don’t share his opinion.”
Renaldo stared at him in horror. What he had just heard made his anger dissipate like fog in the sun, and worry took its place. “You talked back to my brother?”
Casto concentrated on his hands, nervously playing with a tail of his shirt. Slowly but surely the severity of the situation was sinking in. “I told him to mind his own business. I was very impolite, but he refrained from sanctioning my irreverence. Instead he explained in detail the stupidity of my mistake. Then he left it to me whether I wanted to tell you myself or if he should do it.”
