A Leopard in the Mist

by S E Turner

  Namir was trying to piece together a vision of what the castle would look like now. He had last seen it some four months ago and wondered if Lyall had made any changes in light of what he had seen at Smilodon. Certainly, more living space was needed with the arrival of the clan, and possibly a reorganisation of the fields. He tried to piece together his own interpretation and felt certain that Lyall would have taken a lot of ideas and gotten busy at work creating an even greater fortress. But before he could start making any visions in his head, Castle Dru rose high from the ground, and the three of them spurred their destriers into a gallop and descended on the castle at full speed.

  Skyrah spotted him first and waved frantically from her window. She knew he couldn't see her but she called at the top of her voice to Lyall and Arneb. They thought she was going into labour and so crashed through the door practically tripping over Chay and Meric who had also darted into her room.

  'Lay down, Skyrah. Just take deep breaths,'

  Arneb was guiding her back to the bed.

  'No, Arneb, I'm fine. Really I am.'

  'So, what's wrong?'

  'Look! Look out of the window!' Skyrah was ecstatic and Arneb followed her gaze.

  By now, five faces were pressed against the leaded window pane and Lyall grabbed Arneb.

  'He's back. Look, he's back.'

  This was the best news anyone could ask for. They all rushed downstairs and out into the courtyard. The gates had been opened, and Namir sat there with Gya and Macus in total awe at what Lyall had achieved in such a comparatively short time. He leapt off his horse and ran to his brother. Tears flowed and they embraced for what seemed like an eternity. Neither of them could control their emotions. Lyall stood back to look at him. 'Thank the gods, Namir, thank the gods.'

  'It feels so good to be back. I have missed you so much.' Namir flung his arms around his brother again.

  Lyall could see his saviours over Namir's shoulders. 'Who are these good people?'

  Namir turned to introduce his guardians. 'This is Gya, and this is Macus. I owe my life to these two, because without them, I would have died and been left to rot in the tower forever.'

  'I looked in there.' Lyall was distraught and angered at the same time.

  'They moved me. I saw you all, I called out to you, but you couldn't hear me. But the Emperor knew you would look there, so he moved me to a meadow close by.'

  'Lyall was grinding his teeth now. 'I knew he had done something like that, I just knew it.'

  'But these two people saved me and have been at my side ever since.'

  Lyall went over to them. 'I will never be able to thank you enough. You have given me back my brother, and I am indebted to you. My home is your home, now. We are family.'

  Gya was touched by the welcome. 'Thank you, Lyall, you are most kind. But when you hear my story about what the General and the Emperor did to my family, then you will realise why I am indebted to you.'

  'Whatever it is, dearest Gya, we are indebted to each other. '

  He embraced Gya warmly and shook Macus by the hand. 'I knew I recognised you, Macus.'

  'I'm sorry I didn't say anything at the time,' Macus couldn't shake off the feeling of remorse.

  'Macus, don't apologise. Namir is safe now because of you, and we shall talk about your heroics later. But please, leave the horses here for now. You must come in and I will show you to your rooms.'

  They turned to face the door that led into the castle, and a lone figure had just arrived there. Heavy with child and not long to go, Skyrah was almost silhouetted in the doorway. The party stood still and looked at her. Even Namir took a startled breath as his eyes rested on the vision before him. This guiding light who had shone the torch for him when he was at his lowest point now stood there like the brightest star in the sky. Without taking his eyes off her, he patted his brother on the shoulder and walked slowly over to where she was standing. By now there was a silent congregation around them as news of his return had spread round the castle. Friends old and new watched as the two of them were finally reunited. The lovers brought together as young children had never been apart. Even when first imprisoned at the Palace in Ataxata, she was sure she could see his shadow in the dormitory. But this time, the longest time, it was only his unborn child and his brother that kept her going.

  Under a rising full moon he flung his arms around her and kissed her tear-stained cheeks. She was sobbing as she stroked his hair and touched his face. She squeezed his arms and put her hand on his heart. 'I never gave up hope, Namir. I never gave up.'

  'My love, my love...' He broke down. 'I dreamed of you every night, and every waking hour, I pictured this moment. You kept me going, Skyrah. In my darkest hours, in my lowest times, it was the thought of you and our baby that gave me the strength to survive. And if ever I thought I loved you more than life itself, nothing can compare to what I feel right now.' He kissed her hands.

  'I knew you were alive. Just as I could feel our baby alive in my womb, I could sense that you were alive in my heart.' She hung on to him tightly. She was never going to let him go again.

  He put his hand on her swollen belly and smiled up at her. She felt a kick and moved his hand to where she felt the movement. 'Your son is welcoming you home, I believe.'

  Namir was relieved to feel the baby come to life under the warmth of his hand. 'This is truly a miracle, Skyrah.' He felt the infant kick again.

  The amount of activity inside her womb surprised her as well. There was never usually this much flurry… but then a pain shot through her abdomen and she groaned.

  He moved his hand away instantly, fearful that he was pressing too hard. 'Have I hurt you?' his voice was anxious.

  She grabbed hold of him. 'No, you haven't hurt me, Namir. I think this baby wants to meet his father. Now you are here, he can't wait to see you.' She breathed deeply and doubled over with another contraction.

  'Somebody help her!' he called out frantically.

  Meric rushed forward. 'She is in labour, Namir. Help me get her up the stairs.'

  'What! Already?'

  'Namir, it is time.'

  Skyrah's revelation that the baby was full term caused a brief calculation of dates before Meric spoke again.

  'Come, we must get her back to her room.'

  Arneb rushed ahead to prepare her bed. Chay went to get water and towels.

  'What can I do?' asked Gya

  'Come with me,' said Namir.

  Macus was left holding the horses and took them round to the stable.

  It was a long night for everyone that last day of January. Arneb and Chay never left Skyrah’s side. Lyall and Namir waited outside on the floor for hours. Gya sat with Macus at the top of the stairs and watched intently as Meric went in the room and came out again many times.

  'Any news, Meric?' Namir would say urgently. The healer could only shake his head.

  'Well at least you are back in time to witness the birth, brother,' said Lyall trying to lift Namir's spirits.

  'But I'm not allowed in there. Shouldn't I be with her?'

  'I think it's in case there are any complications,' said Gya trying to reassure him. 'When they know everything is all right, you will be called in.'

  Namir looked at Lyall for answers, but there were none.

  All of a sudden, they heard Skyrah screaming his name. Namir shot up from his seated position and raced to the door. 'I have to go in there. I have to. She needs me.'

  Meric came out and ushered Namir in. He fell at Skyrah's side and wiped her feverish brow.

  Too exhausted to speak, she squeezed his hand and started to push. Sweat poured down her face and onto her chest. Her legs were pulled up and she had them spread wide. Her long gown was covering the baby's entrance, but it didn't hide the blood.

  Namir was more than anxious now when he saw the crimson sheets. He looked silently at Meric for answers.

  Meric's tone was hushed. 'She is giving birth, Namir. Sometimes there is a bit more blood and sometimes it
takes a bit more time.'

  After a few minutes, she screamed again and he felt her squeezing his hand, and with gritted teeth, she bore down to push with all her might.

  He wiped her face and kissed her hand. 'I love you, Skyrah, I love you.'

  She looked at him but still couldn't speak, instead another wave came across her and he could feel all her strength going into the push.

  'I can see the crown,' called Meric, excitedly. 'Your baby is coming. '

  'Skyrah! He's coming. Come on, push him out. Let us meet our son.'

  She bore down, and with one last effort, pushed hard to force her baby out. She fell back exhausted, and Meric handed her the infant to hold.

  'Do you want to cut the cord, Namir?'

  'Yes, I will. Thank you.'

  Meric handed him a clean knife and held the grey and purple cord gently. Namir ceremoniously and proudly severed the life-giving artery in two.

  Meric waited to take delivery of the placenta, but then his face turned an even whiter shade of pale and he looked totally ashen.

  'What's wrong?' said Namir with his own fixed worried expression.

  'There's another one. There's another baby coming out. You have to push again, Skyrah.'

  Meric delivered the second infant easily and gave the child to Namir.

  'It's a girl,' cried out Namir in delight.

  'And I have a girl here,' exclaimed Skyrah.

  'We have twin girls,' shouted Namir at the top of his voice.

  He went outside the room to show off his new offspring. 'I have daughters. I have twin daughters.'

  Inside, Chay and Arneb were cleaning up Skyrah and putting a clean gown and fresh bed linen on for her. When she was ready, the people waiting outside were allowed in. She was sitting up with the first born in her arms. She looked up at Lyall, her pride swelling in quantities. 'Would you like to hold her? '

  'Yes, I would, Skyrah. I would be honoured. But Namir, with all the excitement of your return and the unexpected birth, I have neglected to tell you that Arneb is expecting our own baby in June.'

  Skyrah gave Arneb a knowing glance and Namir knew that Lyall had deliberately waited for a happy outcome before sharing his own joy.

  'That's wonderful,' said Namir enthusiastically. 'I just couldn't be happier for you both, and this has to be the greatest day of my life. To be reunited with my family and have two healthy daughters delivered to me. What more could a man want?' He kissed his new baby on the forehead and couldn't take his eyes off of her.

  'Have you thought of any names?' Lyall asked, looking lovingly at his nieces.

  'Well, not until now, but if it's all right with Skyrah, I would like to name them after the two women who saved my life.'

  'Of course, my love. I think that's a wonderful idea. So, what are their names going to be?'

  'Well the first woman who saved me was Gya, so Lyall, you are holding little Gya.'

  'And your one?' Lyall asked.

  'This is Myra, everyone. Meet little Myra.'

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Namir stretched his feet towards the fire and sighed contentedly. He was getting used to this ritual every evening, and for the last five months, he had never felt so comfortable back in the loving arms of his family. And with the addition of a very affable wolfhound at his side, it somehow added to the familiar sense of security. He stroked the canine gently and patted her head while he rested.

  Meanwhile, out in the Great Hall, the sounds of the tables being dressed and servants scurrying about told him that supper would soon be served. This was a regular occurrence now, as well: dining with his wife, his brother and sister in law, and of course his rescuers, Macus and Gya.

  He found himself reminiscing about clan life and was glad that the camp hadn't been burned to the ground. Especially with his main perpetrator dead, there really was no need for such drastic measures. One day he would take his daughters there, to see where he had been raised, and to stand amongst the menhirs and summon the spirits once again. The thought made him feel warm inside, but this was his life now, and everyone felt safe and content inside the castle walls.

  Gya was the school mistress and taught the children everything. Macus had decided he would rather stay working with the horses and was elevated to Chief Groom.

  This month of June had been another grand month to remember. Arneb had given birth to twin boys: Canagan and Laith. Very fitting, he thought. Macus and Gya had got married—the young hero had finally found the strength to ask for the heroine's hand in matrimony. Skyrah and Arneb were busy organising costumes for the Summer Ball at the Smilodon Fort. Lyall was occupied preparing a Gathering to celebrate their birthdays and introduce the clans to the new heirs, and of course, display his remarkable achievements to their new friends from the colony.

  Namir sat back contently to sip on the finest red wine and pick at the ripened figs at his side.

  Suddenly, the wolfhound sat bolt upright, her ears pricked forwards to a knock at the door. She paced to the front and waited for it to be opened.

  'What does the sentry want at this hour?' Namir said to himself. 'It had better be important.'

  The familiar sound of his twin daughters began to echo faintly down the stairs. Their noise drowned out the activities where the wolfhound was keeping guard. He smiled to himself. The twins certainly took after Skyrah's side of the family, he thought. He could never fathom where they got all their energy from, and neither could he understand why everything they did needed so much noise. A sudden movement caught his eye and he tried hard not to look surprised as Gya slipped into the room. 'Are you all right, Gya?' he asked with a perplexed gaze. 'You look like you've seen a ghost.'

  'I think I have, Namir,' said Gya, totally ashen.

  'Well?' he questioned her with his furrowed brow.

  'It's the Empress; the young Empress Ajeya. The Empress Ajeya of Ataxata. She wishes to see you.'

  Chapter Forty

  A tense silence filled the air when Namir had finished his story.

  'Cruel places breed cruel people,' she said, and hung her head in shame.

  'None of this is your fault, Ajeya. You are here to pledge allegiance and that is the future,' he reminded her.

  A tear ran down her cheek and it didn't go unnoticed. By now, a few torches had been lit and the fire crackled in the great hearth, but most of the Whispering Hall remained in darkness.

  A knock at the door had everyone on their feet when the visitor was announced.

  'Dainn from the Hill Fort Tribe, your majesties.' The golden-haired man rushed in and, bowing before the two men, took Ajeya's hands in his own and kissed them fondly. He then held her within the tenderest of embraces and smoothed the hair from her face to see her radiant beauty. 'Are you all right, my love?' he asked with concern.

  'Yes, I am.' She wiped away the tear.' It was good to talk with Lyall and Namir about everything, and I have no burning questions anymore.'

  He kissed the top of her head and went over to embrace the brothers. 'Thank you for this, Lyall and Namir. It means a lot to both of us.'

  'Dainn, you are one of our most respected friends, a staunch ally whom we have depended on for so many years. It was a small gesture compared to your loyalty,' Lyall offered.

  'We have been through such a lot together and it now looks like you are about to become an Emperor.' Namir put an arm around his friend's shoulder.

  'Well, I don't know about that.' Dainn laughed. 'I seem to recall the last time we spoke about the palace in Ataxata, we had visions of razing it to the ground.'

  'Yes, I remember saying that,' said Namir, feeling a stab of pain from the past.

  'It's up to my dear lady wife, though,' Dainn said, taking his place by her side again. 'It's her inheritance and her birthright, so she must do what she deems fit.'

  She smiled affectionately in response and knitted her fingers in his.

  'Please, you must join us for supper. We have plenty of room for you to stay with us for as long as
you like.' Lyall's request was passionate. 'I know that Arneb and Skyrah would want to meet you both properly.'

  'Thank you, Lyall. It would give me great pleasure to shake the hand of the woman who saved my husband's life.'

  'She saved all of us,' said Dainn humbly.

  'Everyone would like to meet you,' said Namir. 'You are the original hare, the young girl who gave our father the inspiration. Your name is legendary amongst our clan.'

  'Thank you,' said Ajeya, taken aback by the accolade. 'It seems we are all indebted to each other in one way or another.'

  'We certainly are,' said Namir.

  'Gya and Macus will be there as well,' said Lyall. 'They are also a big part of our lives and will be able to fill in any gaps that we may have missed. So, please, follow me. The night is still young and there is much more to tell.'

  Ajeya and Dainn followed Lyall and Namir into the Great Hall where they shared even more stories of heroism, fantastic feats, and dreams for the future all the while feasting on gourmet food and supping on the grandest wines with raucous laughter amid the occasional tear.

  And yet some hundred or so miles away, in a deep ravine, somewhere between the mountains of Durundal and the city of Ataxata, in a dark, damp, hollowed out cave, a lone disfigured vagrant was hunched over a weak fire with a tattered, leather-bound book at his side, skinning a rabbit and planning his revenge .

  To be continued in – 'A Stag in the Shadows.'

  All he could hear was the sound of his own breathing: loud, anxious, agitated. He calmed himself. The light returned, and out of the flames stepped a life form. He didn't know what it was. He backed away, stumbling, slipping, falling. Hot coals ignited the being, and the black charcoaled image stood there burning as ashes around its feet lifted in a frenzy and swirled around the body before disappearing into the orifice of a throat. The blackened skin became young and even skin toned. Long, golden hair grew from the crown of the head. Though shrouded in a fine gossamer, he could see that the face was beautiful, and beneath, the body was perfect. A naked woman stood before him, veiled in plumes of smoke. Fiery amber eyes pierced his own and didn't stray from their focus.