by D. R. Grady
“Good morning.” Ari greeted everyone there.
They had come to know her by now, and greeted her in turn, although she received the usual censor from many of them. They all believed she should be waited upon in her bedchamber.
Ari found this notion frivolous and hilarious. She paced to the kitchen table set in one corner, where Kellen already sat.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t allow her reaction to show as she seated herself across from him. He’d likely had the same inclination as her this morning. Arise early and train first thing.
“Good morning.” Kellen tipped his coffee cup to her before taking a healthy sip.
“You decided to train early so we’ll have time to work with our pupils?” Ari sipped her tea. Delicious.
“That was the thought. Even though we’re in the midst of birthday celebrations doesn’t mean we shouldn’t practice today.” He glanced out the nearest window. The sun still hadn’t risen, so it was hard to tell the weather.
Not that the weather mattered. Despite the conditions, they always trained. If it was impossible outside due to a severe storm, then they trained in the ballroom or the large cavern where Vidar and Aern had presided.
One did not make excuses to miss training.
Especially an Aasguard warrior. While Vidar had protected the treasury, he practiced every day in the mostly open space. It did have stalagmites and stalactites, but this had probably aided his agility.
She started on her muffin and the harvest blend and spices burst on her tongue. Ari refrained from groaning, but she had forgotten how delicious the food was at Montequirst.
The tea also proved as stellar. She took a long sip and glanced at her companion. “How spoiled have you grown here?”
A brief grin split his face. “I’m not complaining.”
Her heart beat an extra time. Twice.
It took Ari a moment to collect herself. What were we talking about?
“We do fine in Swiftland, but it’s not like here.”
“We’ve heard reports that things have progressed to such a degree the neighbors are impressed.”
After taking a sip of tea, Ari nodded. “Yes. I can see where they would be. Our progress has been astonishing.” She gazed at the table but didn’t see the pristine surface. “When we arrived, the people lived in shacks. With no source of energized matter. No indoor plumbing, no food, no heat for the winter. Many had died.”
“Meaning no elderly or babies.” His cheek bones looked more pronounced when he pursed his lips like that.
Her heart added an extra two beats again. Surely this couldn’t be good for her health and well-being.
“No. Those had long ago died off. The people were so destitute they wanted for the most basic of needs.”
“Water?”
“They had to travel a distance for that. But with no food, they lacked the energy.”
Kellen winced. “Meaning the people were on the brink of death.”
“Most of the population had hunkered down to die.” Ari shook her head as a knot shot into her throat. “Except for the palace, of course.”
Kellen’s eyebrows soared. “The palace?”
“They didn’t have much food there, either. But their odious king had spent his wife’s money on all these pretentious items instead of seeing to his people.”
“So it was no hardship for them when Lajos killed him.”
“Lajos did them all a huge favor. The man…” Ari couldn’t continue. The over-indulgence of the previous king had made them all long to kill him again.
“Lajos would have needed to find them food first.”
Ari slanted an ironic glance at him. “Lajos is Aasguard. He doesn’t think in those terms.”
“Oh?”
“Stefana supplied nutritional bars, fresh water, and lodging. As well as clothing and blankets. She had seen enough of the country when Ostard kidnapped her that she understood exactly what needed done.”
“She arranged for all those things right away?”
“They arrived in the first of the transports that brought her parents.” Ari was proud of her sister-in-law. “It soon became apparent this amazing young woman knew a thing or two about running a country.”
Kellen’s amber eyes lit on her face. She wished she could read his expression. In the spirit of their training, he was adept at hiding his thoughts and intentions from other Aasguards. “Meaning she came with experience and compassion.”
“She did. Many, many of the Swiftlanders cried when she started passing out the nutritional bars. The mothers broke down at the sight of clean water. The children had never seen water from any source other than the river. Then when Stefana presented the first of the shelters, I think if any of them hadn’t been overwhelmed, they were then.”
“Tell me about these shelters.”
“She and Raene created them for catastrophic conditions. In the event of a fire or storm, and a person’s lodgings are compromised, they made this system available. The walls, ceiling, and floors snap together. There are built-in beds and chairs that slide out of the walls. These systems are very advanced, yet basic.”
“What about bathrooms and kitchens? Are those included?”
“No. She brought separate bathhouses and kitchens. And soon after, Raene and the King of Oxland sent fresh food. Again, there were many tears. Some of the children had never eaten fresh fruit before.”
“There aren’t fruit trees in Swiftland?”
“There are now. But Ostard had left many of them die. He didn’t care about anything other than his own comforts.”
“Obviously.” Kellen’s hands both fisted.
“We all felt exactly as you are right now.” Ari wouldn’t have minded a couple of minutes alone with the vile man. “But, Lajos and Stefana have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those people. Stefana’s parents have worked with them, and the people enjoy employment and housing, with a few actual homes now being built instead of having to reside in the temporary accommodations.”
Kellen paused with his coffee mug part way to his lips. Don’t focus on his lips. “They’ll have to cease building when the winter comes?”
“Yes. But the temporary shelters have heating, and it’s far better than what any of them had prior to Lajos and Stefana’s arrival.”
“How is their morale?”
“They’re all hopeful for the future.” Ari smiled as she thought of many of the people whose lives had been changed. “Many walk with a spring in their step and we’ve several women who are expecting babies.”
Kellen’s lips curved up. “They’re happy.”
“They are. Although we don’t have healer care yet. Stefana and her mother, Stella, have been working almost exclusively on that lately.”
“Do you have a military?”
“Lajos and I are seeing to that.” Ari finished her muffin and pondered a second. “The first thing to do after supplying the basic needs was to build factories and provide employment. We’ve accomplished that. Raene and Eduard have sent builders so we’d have functional factories quickly. Those were finished just in time for the harvest. And they’re in full production now.”
“But what they’re preserving will be for Swiftland?”
“Yes. This year. By next season we’re hopeful we can begin exporting. For now, this will supply everyone in need.” Ari decided on a second muffin. Kellen indulged with her. “The country is stable financially. Lajos and Stefana immediately went through the palace and sold everything of value.”
“Wise.” Kellen sliced his second muffin in half.
“The excess is gone. And good riddance. They also came into the country with personal wealth on both sides, and Stefana’s father has introduced several brilliant programs to increase their wealth and keep the nation profitable.”
“I’ve heard about him. Several have described him as a financial genius.”
“He is. All the income from the items they sold have now been poured into wi
se investments and programs designed to bring financial freedom to the nation. Some of which he’s funneled into programs to keep the people alive and healthy over the winter.”
“I’d like to meet him.” Kellen drained his coffee mug.
“You should see if you can visit. I’m certain Lajos and Stefana will find something for you to do.” Where did that come from?
While Kellen hadn’t expected Ari to invite him to Swiftland, satisfaction still flooded him. Along with intrigue. He ignored the excitement that also pumped his blood a little too fast through his body.
“I’d enjoy that. I don’t mind guarding Raene and Vidar’s treasury, but…”
“But you’d enjoy stretching your abilities, trying something different.” Ari also drained her mug.
He didn’t want to rise from the table yet, but they wouldn’t be able to linger for much longer. “Yes. Now that Vidar and Lajos have branched out, I’d very much like to do the same.”
“You’d like to become a king of your own nation?”
“No!” He held up his hands. “No, I don’t want to be a king. I’m certain that’s not my forte.”
Her grin reassured him. “I feel the same way. Not that Lajos was eager to take over Swiftland, and Vidar only took on the duties because he loved Raene.” She shook her head. “I have no interest in becoming royalty.”
“Lajos and Vidar are both content with their lots though, aren’t they?” It was worth mulling over, but Kellen knew deep down he had no desire to be king. Of anywhere.
“They are. Both of my brothers are exactly where they need to be.” Ari’s front teeth worried her bottom lip. But she must have caught herself.
The tell didn’t last for longer than a second or two. Still, he understood. They weren’t feeling angst so much as the usual unsettledness when between jobs.
Ari pushed to her feet. She stretched, but he forced himself not to look. “I suppose it’s time.”
“It’s going to be a busy day.” He gathered his mug and the muffin wrappings. “How long are you here?”
“I believe the plan is to return to Swiftland tomorrow or the day after. Probably tomorrow as there is so much left to do.”
And at that very moment, a plan popped into his head. One he hadn’t thought through yet, but it bore thinking about. He didn’t mention his half-formulated ideas to the woman strolling beside him.
They entered the training yard where Felicity joined them from another part of the castle.
“You didn’t have a beverage and muffin with us.” Ari greeted their fellow warrior.
“No I’m having a late start this morning. I did drink coffee in my quarters.” Felicity greeted him and then the three of them surged into their training.
The only acceptable time to cease a training workout was due to serious injury. Otherwise, these practice sessions kept them sharp and their skills at optimal levels. Now he sparred with Ari, then Felicity, then Vidar joined them and soon Lajos. Adrenaline surged through him as he combatted others who could claim the exact same skill set as him. They all took turns sparring and when they finally concluded their session, all of them were sweating.
“That session was fantastic.” Felicity voiced what they all had to be thinking.
“This is why we Aasguards need to spend more time together.” Ari sheathed her sword. “Lajos and I spar, but we’ve gotten to know each other’s moves.”
“It’s not been as beneficial as today’s practice was.” Lajos backed her as they all took a moment to wipe away a layer of sweat.
Something Kellen hadn’t worked up in decades. “This felt good.”
“Kellen why aren’t we training together?” Vidar draped the towel over his shoulders and pinned him with a look.
“I don’t know.” Then he glanced at Ari. “Although it sounds like we’d get to know how the other fights.”
“That’s not a bad thing. Knowing each other’s techniques aids us in a major battle.” Ari drank water from the vat kept for the practicing warriors.
“Not that there have been battles of late.” Lajos didn’t state that things had been boring because he’d been plenty busy.
But Kellen had been bored. If he was being honest with himself, and he liked to do that, he had grown weary of protecting someone’s treasury. Even if that someone was a fellow Aasguard.
Truth be known, Vidar and Aern had placed so many safeguards and security measures on said treasury over the years that anyone attempting to steal Raene and Vidar’s wealth would be unsuccessful.
Their wealth didn’t need a protector now. Although it did work better for dragons to remain in the area due to their desire to be close to treasure. They didn’t need it per se, but a dragon’s health improved and remained steady if they could remain close to one, their’s or someone else’s.
He thought of his own wealth. No one guarded it, but it couldn’t be safer. First off, no one else but an Aasguard could locate it, but no other Aasguard would ever touch his treasure. Mostly because all of them had their own they also didn’t know what to do with.
“Everyone knows better than to take on an Aasguard warrior.” Felicity stated this with confidence.
But Kellen shook his head. “On my way here, I encountered an entire army intent on overtaking Montequirst. They had never heard of us.”
Ari made room for the others to quench their thirst. “You defeated them speedily, leaving only two alive to report to their nation about us. Only it is odd that they’d never heard of us.”
No one commented for long moments. Mostly due to their unsettling thoughts. At least his were unsettling. If that distant land hadn’t heard of them, it implied no Aasguard warrior had ventured there in at least a couple of decades.
His eyes met Ari’s. Turbulent silvery-blue ensnared him, and he made to place a hand on her, but one of her brothers beat him to it—a more suitable option.
“We already came to the conclusion that more of us than we suspected have moved on.” Vidar’s inflection didn’t change. Kellen could still tell the man was as unhappy about this as him and Ari.
Lajos’ slow nod and pinched lips told their own story. “I haven’t heard from any of the warriors I sent an inquiry to.”
That in of itself proved to be bad news.
“We don’t want to jump to conclusions.” Felicity offered the voice of reason. “It’s very possible they don’t own crystals or don’t have access to our more modern communication methods.”
True. What she said was realistic. To a point. Most of their number had embraced the new crystal technology because it helped with the loneliness. Yet… He emptied those thoughts from his mind because no good would come from them.
“I believe as we meet warriors who show potential, such as Lukas, that we need to begin their training.” Ari tucked a lock of honey colored hair behind her ear. “I’m flabbergasted as to why none of us thought to train others.”
He could think of several human warriors over the years who would have excelled as an Aasguard. But the thought had never occurred to him to train them.
Stricken silvery-blue eyes again caught him. Fortunately, the others moved away, drifting off to their assorted duties. That left him alone with Ari and he didn’t mind.
“I understand.” It’s all he could offer.
Chapter 9
A breeze whipped their hair as he and Ari meandered from the training field.
“We’ve already ascertained that we need to train people, but why didn’t we start this practice long ago?” Ari didn’t wail. She had been trained to never give in to that desire. And besides, none of their kind would even consider it.
But Kellen didn’t need an explanation. He felt the same agitation spiraling through him within her.
“Did you receive the impression that the others aren’t concerned by this?” Kellen swallowed. “At least not to the extent you and I are?”
“Yes. I certainly did.”
“We’ve got three new warriors. Two of whom are
well on their way to becoming Aasguard. But Lukas hasn’t started the process yet.”
“Kellen, how are we going to train him? Will you take him for a time and then me?” She rubbed her forehead. “Or does one of us take him and the other takes on another student?”
“Good questions.”
“But you don’t have an answer.” Resignation snaked through her statement.
“I might.” He gazed off into the distance.
She gaped, before placing a hand on his arm. “What? What are you thinking?” His answer sounded really important to her. He’d have liked more time to process the growing thoughts.
“Bear in mind that my thoughts are only half formed. They require far more time and consideration.” He brushed a hand over his face.
“Sometimes two minds are better than one.”
He grimaced. “I’ve rarely experienced when two minds weren’t better. Then the other person can tell you when you’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m likely not going to do that.” She indicated a bench in the garden. With fall taking over from the hazy summer days, the foliage glowed with the promise of bright yellow, orange, and purple in the early morning sun. Autumn flowers abounded in the gardens and the temperatures weren’t too crisp to sit outside yet.
Not that he or Ari needed to worry about temperature. They could withstand extremes that would kill a human. Aasguard tended to not even complain about the extremes. It just was. You endured. You put one foot in front of the other, never thinking about the surrounding conditions because they didn’t matter.
They also had the ability to regulate their body temperatures to some degree, so this ability aided them as well.
He followed her to the bench where she sank onto the seat with all the grace and fluidity of their kind. Kellen took a moment to enjoy her beauty. He’d never tire of watching Ari.
The desire to change his entire life weighed heavy on him, and it was from this source that his trepidation derived. “I’m not certain about the details of my plan.”
