Property of Kimra Lelanst, do not duplicate without consent.
Kalika still held the arrow, considering what had just happened. Her grandfather had told her when he gave it too her that it was hers, that it would protect her, but she had never thought into it. A phoenix feather would protect anyone, if it liked them or not it emitted powers that could not be overcome. But it had come to her call, it had protected her need to survive. Her grandfather had never said it would do anything like that.
It was Togne’s weakened voice that roused Kalika from her contemplation. She wasn’t sure what the girl had said but it was enough to remind her that movement would have to continue one day. With a grunt she pushed the weight of Justin’s body off her, rolled him over to face the roof and drew the phoenix arrow out of his throat. It warmed in her grip, giving her the ability to think clearly.
“Kali?” Togne whispered and Kalika turned, the bloodied arrow tight in her grip.
“What?” Kalika demanded, the sound of her voice crackled and she was surprised any noise came out. What ever he had done to her throat seemed weakened.
“Is he dead?” Togne had tears streaking down her face, her large amber eyes bloodshot. Kalika wiped sweat off her forehead leaving a trail of blood, she ignored it as she looked around her. She wondered how long she had been lying below him before Togne had spoken. Her shirt had soaked in a large amount of his and her blood, what had refused to soak in pooled across the ground around her.
“As dead as I’ve seen.” Kalika forced the words out despite the resistance she still felt from whatever Justin had done. Togne gasped at the words, and the tears flooding down her cheeks increased.
“Dead?” She gasped the word as if not entirely believing Kalika. Kalika hesitated as she looked over at the thirteen year old, already bruises where forming around the girls face and neck. “But my lord will kill us!” Togne managed to move, managed to crawl over to the body, she went to cover the wound in Justin's neck but could not bring herself too touch it. Kalika looked away from the girl thinking desperately. Togne was right, Seres might not believe they where attacked and might punish the death of one of his generals. The arrow in her grip hummed with life and she realised for the first time she had the means to escape.
Kalika looked over to find Togne crying in the corner, having cowered away from the corpse. Togne pointlessly tried to flick away the blood that had gotten into her clothes. Slowly making herself stand Kalika walked over to the girl, grabbed her arm and lifted her to her feet.
“Were going.” Kalika growled at Togne’s frightened expression. She had not saved the girl from Justin only to leave her to die at Seres hands.
“Where?” Togne begged as Kalika began to drag her towards the back of the tent.
“I don’t know.” Kalika tightened her grip, but it was weak. There was blood trickling down her arm below the sleave and she remembered she had been injured. “Lets try the cliff face.” Togne fought and managed to pull out of Kalika’s hold.
“I can’t.” Her weak voice made the gasp more pathetic then usual. Kalika turned sharply she was in no mood for the kind of behaviour the others seemed to emanate.
“Of course you can. Its just a cliff. You can carry the arrow, go first, and I’ll follow the path, it’ll work, trust me.” She suspected the arrow would understand it had to share it’s luck, but before she could put much thought to it Togne was moving further away.
“No.” Togne whispered the tears thick again. “I can’t leave him.”
“Who? Justin?” Kalika looked at the body puzzled by the girls resistance. The fight was beginning to show on her wits.
“No!” Togne snapped it must have hurt her throat because she began coughing fitfully. Kalika folded her arms, knowing what the girl was going to say when she could breath again and was too disgusted to believe it possible. “I can’t leave my lord. I love him.”
“You have to be kidding!” Kalika snapped, her throat crackled louder but the resistance was weakening.
“You don’t understand.” Togne retorted quickly, moving back from Kalika, afraid of the expression she could see.
“That his going to kill you?” Kalika’s grip on the arrow increased with uncertainty, she didn’t have the strength to force the girl into an escape. “You said it yourself.” Togne ignored Kalika and began picking up the cushions that where untouched by the blood and delicately moving them to the other side of the room. “What are you doing?” Kalika stared at Togne in bewilderment.
“I have to clean before my lord gets here.”
“What? You think he wont notice the body?” Kalika demanded angrily as she wiped her eyes trying to think. For once the arrow was giving her no indication of what she should do. Togne ignored her as she continued to move everything away from the blood, her hands shaking as she went. Kalika looked back at the tents back entrance. She tried to tell herself that she didn’t care what happened to Togne but her body still did not move towards an exit.
“Maybe if I explain, maybe he’ll only throw me in the slave camps.” Togne was whispering through her tears, she fell as she worked, slipping into the blood. Horrified she screamed. Kalika breached the distance between them quickly and grabbed Togne’s mouth covering it tightly as she looked about the room. The light was still dim inside but the room was a mess.
“Be quite.” Kalika hissed into Togne’s ear although the girl had stopped screaming. Kalika stared at the body, her hand still coving Togne’s mouth. She felt her mind collapse to the inevitable, she could not force Togne to escape, but she could not leave her to a death sentence for something she clearly had no control over. When she was certain the girl wasn’t going to make a noise, Kalika pulled her hand away and walked over to the body. “You need a bath.” Kalika muttered as she stared at the body, he was too big for her to move on her own. When Togne did not move Kalika turned around, she was going to glare in disapproval but instead she smiled calmly. “I need you to go out the back, light a fire, and draw a bath. I want you to burn your clothes then wash the blood off yourself. Put something clean on, and stay outside.” Togne stared at Kalika then nodded leaving the tent quickly.
Kalika tore the sleave off her shirt and wrapped it tightly about the cut on her arm. With the same haste she found one of the harems cloaks and pulled it on over her body. Hot as it was outside she had no way to explain the blood. The arrow still tight in her grip she left the tent in search of help.
* * * * *
Kalika waited in silence, her skirts arranged perfectly around her, hands resting in her lap the arrow sitting before her. She had burnt her clothes, they where no good anyway, a little blood would come out but she had been covered. So she wore her good dress, the greens and blues vivid against her pale skin.
She tried to content herself with the knowledge that it had been her decision to remain but it did not assist the turmoil of her mind. She had managed to find assistance. She did not know how, but she had found it, and the two men had helped her carry the body deep into the forest. There she had watched the possible escape, but it had taken too long. She knew with so little a head start Seres would find her again, even with the arrow. Had she left the second she had the arrow, there would have been a chance.
None of the others moved, they had walked in and stopped, frozen by the sight of blood. There had been no time to clean the blood, and she had wanted to separate herself from it. She had bathed leaving it as it was, bound her wounds neatly and returned to the tent.
Kalika had not responded to the others when they entered. Togne was outside crying, Kalika could hear it through the tent walls, knowing the others could too. She held her tears back they would do little good now.
When Seres entered the tent soon after the girls, Togne could still be heard crying. He looked about the scene taking in the blood, the phoenix arrow, and Kalika. He seemed to hesitate as he thought, eyes not leaving the scene before him.
“Go check on Togne.” His voice was stern and although he looked at none of them Selen was quick to the back exit. “All of you!” His voice rose to a shout that had the other seven leave the tent at a run. Kalika remained, unmoved by his anger. He approached her, very slowly, stepping over blood soaked cushions as he progressed. Before her he paused, then knelt down, bringing his eyes level to hers. With a calm hand he picked up the phoenix arrow. Kalika reached over and stopped his hand eyes locking with his.
“You know what?” She asked, surprised by how reasonable her voice sounded considering the way her mind was jumping about. He did not respond, nor did he try and snatch the arrow further from her. “I wouldn’t have shot either of them.” She frowned at that knowledge, trying to decide why it stuck her at this time. “Because.” Pausing she took a breath, one to maintain her calm and control. “Because if I was going to shoot one of them, I would have. I would never have hesitated.” He did not respond immediately, his eyes where unreadable, even as close as they where. She released his hand, it surprised her that she told him that, but something had to be said, or silence would have hung in the air forever.
He put the Phoenix arrow to the side when his hand was free, not far, still in her reach, had she wanted to reach for it.
“What happened?” He asked in his calm voice. She hated that the sound of his voice calmed her further, he had no right to have such control over her. If not for Togne, she would have surrendered the information immediately.
“Nothing my lord.” The weakness in her voice shamed her, and she looked at the ground between them, there was not that much space. Before her capture she would never have been so weak. He gripped her chin and lifted her eyes back to his.
“What happened?” Again he was calm, or at least maintained the appearance of calm. Kalika held back the tears as she prepared for the fight she knew would happen. She had been preparing for it since she sat down. Now the story she had prepared failed her and she was left with no lie to tell, but the obvious one.
“Nothing my lord.”
He seemed intrigued, not by her response by something else. He pulled her chin a little closer forcing her body to follow it. Then looked out the corner of his eyes at the scene. Kalika fought to remain calm as he glanced at the bloodied floor, it was obvious there had been a fight, although she had bandaged her wounds they where still there.
“I could spend three years learning the spell that would grant me a vision of exactly what happened in this tent, or you could tell me.” He reached his other hand towards her and carefully ran his fingertip along the bruise below her eye. She felt coolness trickle below her skin, searching out the fire of the bruise and pushing it away. She gasped at the feeling and pulled back from his touch. He followed her movement drawing closer to her and she realised he was no longer thinking on the accident.
“What did you do?” She demanded, trying to distract the thoughts she could see in his eyes. He smiled and took her chin again. This time she did not draw away, although her mind told her too. He was still her captor, and he could still kill her if he wanted to. Gently he ran his finger over her jaw bone where another bruise had been threatening to form. The coolness returned and she was almost grateful for the relief from the bruises throbbing.
“I’d be a fool, if I hadn’t learnt some healing magic in my studies.” He outlined her lips as he moved closer still.
“Why?” She gasped trying to think of an escape, his expression frightened her, as did the way his fingers continued to explore the lines of her face.
“A warrior who can swing a sword and not bandage a wound may survive battle, but there’s no guarantee he wont bleed to death after it.” His breath was warm against the coolness of the healing magic. He moved slower then she thought was possible carefully approaching her lips with his. Her heart beat a hundred times for each short breath she took, but she did not move.
Only when his lips met hers did she move, pulling back from him sharply, forgetting her resolve not to fight him. He pulled his body closer to her, gripped her arm and forcefully yanked her back. Before there lips met the second time she cried out, surprised by the sudden pain in her arm where he gripped her. The pain distracted her, and the sudden cry made him let her go.
Released she gripped her arm tightly tears streaming down her checks. She was surprised, it hadn’t hurt half so much when Justin had cut her, but the wound pulsed with new life. She could feel blood trickling over her fingers, through the thick bandage she had bound the wound with. With realisation, she looked up and found Seres frowning at the blood that was now on his hand. His attention had returned to the problem, she was almost pleased to notice.
“Selen!” He shouted his expression tight. Selen entered the room quickly eyes wide, she bowed and stood as quickly as she could manage. She saw the blood coursing through Kalika’s fingers and her lips tightened. “How is Togne?” He asked it carefully, his eyes also locked on Kalika’s hidden wound.
“A few bruises… the worst around her throat, she’s having some trouble breathing. She should see a healer about it. And she’s been sick, nothing…” Selen looked about the room at the mess “she’s not bleeding my lord.” Selen’s words where a plea, and Kalika looked up through her tears to see Selen frowning. It was obvious to Kalika what had happened, but she wondered if that was only because she had seen it happen. Kalika looked back down at the ground her hand still holding the wound tight. Much more blood and she would pass out, she had bound it well enough to stop the worst of the bleeding but he had unsettled the bandage.
“But you are?” Seres mumbled as he gripped her forearm and drew the wound closer. Kalika still gripped it, ignoring his frown. Foolishly her mind told her she could still hide it although it was obvious he knew the wound was there. When he began to draw her hand away she was reluctant but allowed it. He frowned at the thick coat of blood on her dress’s sleave. “What happened?” He released her, and instantly her hand was gripping the arm. What ever blood she could hold in she wanted to keep there.
Her lips set in a tight line at the question and he saw it.
“Very well.” He sat back, away from her. “Selen send Togne in.”
Kalika looked at Selen sharply, blue-green eyes ablaze.
“No!” The command was sharp, but it crackled against the residue of Justine’s spell. This time she wasn’t aware of what was happening, staring at the stunned Selen she was unaware she had his attention, until she was yanked towards him. Unbalanced by the sudden movement she fell against him, but before she could pull away his grip on her tightened, his left hand sliding about the front of her neck.
“Don’t move.” He warned, his voice mixed with anger, and she wondered at the suddenness of it. When heat pressed against her neck burning into her throat Kalika took the warning seriously and froze. Even as the pain his touch caused increased she did not move. It became harder to breath although his grip was not tightening, and the heat penetrated deep into her throat. When the burning stopped he released her letting her fall to the floor and stood, looking about the room sharply.
Released Kalika found herself coughing, fighting against the burning that remained from his magic.
“Did you not hear me Selen?” His voice was dangerous, crackling with rage and power. Kalika tried to get air enough to speak. Drawing it in through a throat that never wanted to work for her again.
“I’ll tell you.” Kalika managed to whisper, his movements about the room stopped and she looked up. He had walked back over to the entrance to examine the room. He watched her carefully, his stony eyes set in anger. “I’ll tell you, just let her see a healer.” She knew he would get the answers from Togne and didn’t want to see Togne any more upset then she was. Kalika had prepared, she was ready to say it, Togne would break down again.
The others watched her, clustered about the back entrance. She couldn’t say for certain if they had heard her last sentence of not, but didn’t really care.
Seres walked across the room to Togne. She had more bruises then Kalika, Selen had been right, the ones about her neck where impressive. Seres lifted Togne’s chin carefully and she gave a soft cry. Ignoring it he examined the bruises on her neck then released her. Togne nearly collapsed against Deril who supported her right side.
“Selen. I want you and the others to escort Togne to the healers tent. Also inform Master Swan that I have a patient for him here.” His frown deepened as he stared at Togne’s bruises. “Do not return until I‘ve sent for you.” His warning voice dismissed them, and they left the tent quickly, Deril and Togne walking slower then the others.
When they where gone Seres turned on Kalika angrily.
“Where is he?” His voice did not startle her it was the words that did. Kalika’s back went straight and she stared at him. The anger in his voice, and body as he approached her made her reconsider telling him.
“Who my lord?” She knew it was foolish, but she hardly paid attention to what she knew. He gripped her uninjured arm and pulled her to her feet.
“Don’t play with me, Kalika.” He push her arm out of his grip and stepped back across the blood. “Do you see this?” He held his hand up, as if holding something and Kalika squinted, there was nothing in his hand.
“No my lord.” She felt her stomach tighten, he had not been this angry before. She stepped closer, ignoring the blood as she walked through it. With a growl he brushed his fingers over her eyes, when his hand left she was amazed to see light flickering in a hundred places about the room. Entranced she went to look at something until he caught her uninjured arm again, keeping her in place.
“Do you see this?” He demanded once more and held his hand closer to her. Kalika was amazed to see empty air had become a strange glowing white band in Seres’s grip, it looked tattered and broken but held in place.
“What is it?” She lent in towards it and he pulled it back sharply.
“It’s a remarkably clever speech spell.” His hand began to glow brighter then the band. “It’s been inversed, instead of assisting your speech, it hinders it. It would take some imagination, or insanity, to have made it. I’ve never heard of anything of the sort, and yet you had it strapped around your throat. The arrow must have broken it a bit.” She pressed her hand against her neck as she watched the band crumble in his grip. “I know you don’t have the ability to make anything like this, or you wouldn’t be here. I also know Togne doesn’t have a scrape of magical ability in her body.” The lights in her vision began to fade and she moved back away from him, leaving bloody foot prints in her path. “I recall hearing this morning that Justin wanted a word with me. I assumed he would know I was working, or he would be redirected when he reached the tent.”
“His a mage?” Kalika made herself sound stupid but Seres’ sharp expression told her it hadn’t worked. She very much doubted Justin had done anything more then buy a pre-made spell and use it.
His voice rose. “No body trifles with my possessions. Do you understand that? No one. Tell me where he is, or where his body is, so I can cut his head off and stick it in the camp square to remind anyone who might consider doing the same thing of what the punishment is.” Kalika backed away from his anger thinking furiously. She did not want to say it, but she knew he would get the story in the end, and he was guessing with better accuracy then she would have thought he could.
“Nobody was trifled with my lord.” Kalika managed to whisper, then realising it sounded weak she turned to look him in the face. “Nobody was trifled with.” She repeated sternly. He doubted her words and she felt her anger appear. “And if they where?” she shouted, making him jump. “If they where, you would blame them? Blame them for being raped? Is that it? Because you’ve broken them all, and they wouldn’t know how to fight if they needed to, that would be there fault?” He stared at her his expression blank, when he went to speak she interrupted him still angry. “No. I will not hear it.” She snapped. “Of course you would! You’d send them out to there deaths for being unfaithful! You wouldn’t care what happened to them, can always steal another girl.”
He struck her then, sending her to floor with the impact. She tasted blood in her mouth before she looked sharply back at him.
“Do not dare.” He growled, his breath was short with anger, his eyes completely unreadable. He seemed to reconsider something and turned from her. “Why don’t you talk to Yan?” He walked out of arms reach before he turned back.
“They don’t like me.” Kalika growled back. She was over her shock and she felt better. He was what he was meant to be at that moment, he was her captor proving his authority. But his expression when he looked at her, shattered the illusion, she had unbalanced him certainly but her words made part of his anger vanish. He rubbed his forehead and sat looking across the distance at her.
“If your telling the truth, if he didn’t trifle with her, it’s good. I wont deny I’ll be more then pleased. But if he did…” he bowed his head a little, deep in thought. “I will be displeased but I would not hold it so forcefully against her as you imply. I have never hurt you, I do not see why-“
“Lord Seres?” A gentle male voice enquired from outside the tent. Seres frowned and turned to glare at the door.
“What?” He demanded.
“I am informed a healer is required in your tent.” The gentle voice returned unaffected by Seres demand. Seres glanced at Kalika’s arm, she still held it, but the bleeding seemed to have slowed.
“Enter.” Seres responded as he stood up. A tall thin man entered the tent his hair a solid white. He looked first at Seres until Seres pointed at Kalika. When the man looked at her she smiled unintentionally, he had the feel of a healer and healers had always done well by her. He walked over to her, his large eyes glimpsing the blood on the ground but his expression remained undaunted.
“And what seems to be the problem with your arm?” He asked carefully as he took a gentle hold of her arm. Reaching into one of the bags that hung about his shoulder he pulled out a pair of scissors, and before she could even gasp at the indignity of it he had cut the sleave of the beautiful dress. The thick wad of bloody bandages surprised him, and she saw approval in his eyes. Still he cut them off as quickly as he had the sleave. He was a bit more careful with removing it from the wound, threads had made there way into the cut but he made it as painless as possible. “Do this often?” He enquired as he mopped the worst of the blood off with her rejected bandages.
“Oft’ enough.” She replied watching his movements. When he went to put a cream from another of his bags on her arm she went to pull away. For a thin old man he was amazingly strong.
“Oft’ enough to know a witch’s brew when you see one.” He added amused. “Not to worry, it’s all for good. Your lord would have my head if I tried to poison you.” He smothered the cream on the wound, then pulled out a thick bandage that he tied about it quickly. “Don’t use it for a month.” He warned as he pinned the bandage in place. “Keep it clean, keep it bandaged. You seem to know how to apply them well enough I wont bore you with a second lesson. Keep it relaxed. Any other injury’s?” Kalika considered the cut on her neck, but it was hardly worth mentioning and she was used to bruises, so she shook her head. The healer put the remaining pins back in his bag and nodded to Seres. “I’ll send some more bandages up tomorrow.” He added as he was walking out the door.
Seres waited until the sound of the doctor walking off was impossible to hear.
“Now.” He began calmly, his voice soothing. “Are you going to show me where you hide General Justin body, or am I going to have to stumble about aimlessly trying to find him on my own. Because I doubt, if you where holding that-“ He pointed to the Phoenix arrow still on the floor behind her. “I have a chance in a million of finding him.” She looked at the arrow then back at him. Carefully she picked the arrow up and grasped it.
“He didn’t take her.” Kalika whispered resigned, he was making sense, everything he had said made sense, leaving her resistance to tell him in the first place looking foolish.
“I believe you.” He sounded sincere and Kalika surrendered further to the knowledge that he controlled her. She handed him the phoenix arrow reluctantly then turned, ready to find the body again.
* * * * *
Kalika woke to ruff hands shaking her. For a second she thought it was her brother, he had many times woken her up at there fathers command.
“Leave off.” Kalika growled and pushed the hands away. They only ever woke her for things she didn’t want to do, otherwise they knew she would get up on her own.
“Kalika get up.” Although familiar despite it’s tight whisper Kalika could not get her sleeping mind to think of it as anyone but her brother, Esarel. She tried to roll over and sleep and his cold hand held her arm and shook it again.
Kalika rolled over to face him “Esal! I said leave-” her throat cut short staring into grey eyes, she only knew one pair of grey eyes.
“Off?” He smiled amused, crouched beside her, his ruff hand still resting on her bare arm.
“Don’t you have work to do, or something?” Kalika demanded, she was angry, her dreams had been a cruel taunt of her childhood, reminding her of times when things had been comparatively simple.
“Yes. Your coming with me.” He gripped her arm and pulled her too her feet. Too surprised and uncertain to argue Kalika allowed him to control her movements. “Selen, no-ones left behind today.” Kalika glanced and saw the sleepy eyed girl looking surprised but nodding. Seres dragged Kalika out of the tent and down the main tent row.
Realising she was still in her night shirt she was glad few guards where awake, those who where only glanced at her once then found something else to do. Obviously Seres display the day before had affected them. The less intelligent stared, she ignored them, focusing instead on Seres behaviour.
“Why am I coming with you?” Kalika demanded as she fought off a yawn. A quick look told her it was at least two turns before the sun rose. His grip on her arm tightened as if he expected her to try and break away.
“It’s not your concern.” His voice was mild and as she went to stop, unsatisfied with his response she realised why he had tightened his grip, it was impossible to break free. She wanted to snap she had the right to know and reconsidered, she was still a prisoner.
When he veered her into one of the tents she was surprised to find it already alive with activity. Wounded men where being tended on many of the short beds pushed against the tent walls. Some where dying, Kalika knew the sight of death well enough to know. Men and women raced about the beds quickly.
The healer from the day before Master Swan appeared before them looking out of place with his calm expression.
“How can I help you, Lord Mage?” Swan asked politely. Seres shoved Kalika closer to the healer.
“Treat the arm.” Seres snapped angrily. Swan made a bow, walked off and returned quickly. Kalika bit into her checks as he pulled the old bandages off and smothered ointment into the wound. Relieved buy the comforting pressure the bandages offered her when he wound them on.
Kalika smiled kindly at Swan, ignoring her pain. “Could you give me some more bandages for tomorrow?” Kalika realised Seres had not yet released her when he pulled her back from the healer.
“Send them up to my tent. Have one of your women deliver them.”
“You know I do not allow them around the camp alone.” Swan replied evenly, Kalika’s respect for the man rose immediately even she would not have dared respond to Seres anger.
“Fair enough.” She told Swan dispelling some of the angry feelings that resinated from Seres.
“Then you take them up, no one else.” Seres compromised. Swan bowed to Seres’ command and Seres dragged her out of the tent.
“Where too now?” Kalika demanded too pleased with Swans ability to deal with Seres to really be angry. Seres didn’t respond as they walked, but she recognised Elgaron’s tent before he pushed her into it.
“Dressmaker!” Seres demanded and Elgaron appeared, ruffled from sleep and looking shocked. “She needs clothes, now.” Seres voice was deadly as he released Kalika and before Kalika had a moment to breath Elgaron had pulled her into the work room.
Elgaron grabbed a brush and shoved it in Kalika’s direction. Automatically Kalika took it, untied her hair and dragged the brush through the knots caused by strange dreams. Kalika watched as Elgaron strode over to a bronze chest.
“I’m sorry dear, it’s all I’ve got.” Elgaron whispered as she pulled out the sheer dress she had shown her the day before. Kalika nodded as she threw the brush to the side and knotted her hair behind her head. Elgaron looked scarred and Kalika could understand it, Seres was being more daunting then usual. When Elgaron handed her the scantly dress Kalika quickly changed, ignoring the feeling of bareness the dress gave her.
When changed Kalika looked up at Elgaron to find the lady holding out a bowl of water, eyes fixed on the thick bandages now visible on her arm.
“Thank you.” Kalika whispered, taking the bowl and splashing her face with the freezing water. She would explain to her friend latter, at the moment she felt more inclined to keep Seres from getting in a worse mood. As Kalika dried her face Elgaron went in search of something else.
“What is taking so long?” Seres ignored all formality and stormed into the room. Kalika felt suddenly embarrassed by the scantly dress and when he looked at her, his eyes lingering with interest she felt the colour rise to her checks. Absently she turned away from him, angry with herself for being so weak as to be embarrassed, especially by him.
“Finished, Lord Mage.” Elgaron thrust a dark green cloak into Kalika’s hand then bowed down, head pressing against the dirt. Kalika felt distaste as she pulled the cloak on, it was expected of his women but she had not had a chance to see how others responded to him. Her friend reduced to bowing when she was by far the superior angered Kalika.
Seres did not seem to notice Elgaron’s bow as he grabbed Kalika’s arm and pulled her out of the tent.
“I am late already.” He snapped almost in an apologetic way, that made Kalika’s attention snap into overdrive. He released her arm several steps away from the tent but kept his pace, and she matched it, struggling to button up the cloak as she went. Those that dared to look now had completely different expressions, and they where expressions she did not like to have directed at her.
As they moved through the tent army Kalika memorised her way, compiling it into the ruff map she had already mentally dawn of the camp. The path they travelled was completely new but that did not stop her remembering it.
When he stopped, not out of breath despite the brisk walk Kalika looked about soaking in her surroundings. At the speed they had been walking she had time to note what was around her but not realise it. Now she stared past Seres at the abandoned ground. There where tools lying about the cleared earth, and the roots of trees sticking out of the ground. Obviously the camp was expanding and the trees where in the way. She would have taken in more detail but he pulled her into the tent.
This tent was different, they went up three steps before they where inside, and the floor was wooden. Under feet that where unused to the flat solidity of cut wood it was uncomfortable.
“You.” Seres made sure he had her attention by clicking at her. “Sit there. Do not move unless I tell you to.” It was an order stated not in his angry voice, but the voice she had realised was the voice not to trifle with. She would tempt his annoyance, but not his icy demands.
Meekly she sat where he pointed, pulling her feet up below her knees. There was a large table sitting in the middle of the room, and from her seat above several large crates she could see it all. Seres watched her for a moment then turned to the table.
“But no one else is here.” Kalika muttered to herself absently and found Seres looking at her again, questioningly. “You said you where late.” Kalika reminded him quickly defensive. “But how can you be late if there is no one else here?” She could see from the chairs scattered unceremoniously about the room and the hundreds of papers sprawled across the tables surface that the room was defiantly used by others. From some of the markings on the maps she suspected the generals.
“I have things I must do before they get here.” Seres replied calmly. “And I am late. Which means no distractions.” He hardly glanced at her with the reprimand before he was seated at the desk eyes closed. For a second the air thinned out around her, evening about the room, and Kalika felt decidedly odd for the sensation. The sensation faded quickly but Kalika kept her eyes locked on Seres aware that he was casting spells.
It was strange she realised as she watched him work, that there wasn’t the typical signs of magic when he used it. The few magical demonstrations she had seen in her life had consisted of bright and colourful lights flashing about the room. Mists of colour pooling around objects and raising them. She wondered if they had been coloured for show, or if he forced the colour out for secrecy. So transfixed by the magic she hardly noticed the time passing until dawn cautiously lit the room.
“Dawn.” A loud voice boomed outside the tent’s entrance making Kalika jump. She was surprised, all noises had been suspended while the magic had been working. She looked across at Seres, wondering if he was finished with his spells and found him watching her calmly, that guarded expression defused by his smile at her discomfort. “Why in the name of Alira must we meet at such a turn?” The voice continued to boom as the door swung open. A burly man entered the room his eyes locking with Seres as if he had known full well the mage could hear him from outside.
“Because this is the turn I called it for, Driken.” Seres was amused as he nodded an acknowledgement to the tall thin man entering behind the first.
“The sun will be bright today.” The second man commented in a whispery voice. Kalika’s vision narrowed onto him, examining every aspect of the man, there was something familiar about him, although he had not been at the generals meal in Seres tent.
“Indeed.” Seres reached to the table and pulled a page out from the bottom of the stack before him. Carefully he flicked it and placed it at the top. “The summers here are longer then Encholalin’s, but shorter then homes.” He added in an off handed way as he read through the paper. Kalika continued to watch the second man, there was something about his small calculating eyes that was trying to trigger her memories.
“I’m sorry.” The man whispered when he caught site of her sitting out of the way. “I didn’t notice you hiding there.” He scrutinized her quickly then grinned savagely. “You’re his tenth aren’t you?” Despite the expression the words where said with the same calm. Kalika folded her arms about her and nodded curtly, she did not trust her tongue to behave and for all Seres looked calmer she was not ready to test his mood. The man turned to Seres who watched the exchange calmly. “Like her do you? Bringing her along like this, don’t want her out of your sight?” His voice was plain although Kalika suspected he was teasing Seres. When he turned to face her completely his expression showed interest and he approached her. Kalika stared into those little eyes trying to pick the memory.
“I know you.” Kalika whispered as she pulled her legs up to her chest, she did not want to be close to him.
“Indeed you where going to shoot me.” His grin broadened as he rested a hand at either side of her body against the crate. “Last time I put that stupid hat on.” She cursed herself realising he had been the decoy in the battle that had her captured. The man in attire that was too obviously a wizards.
“I’d watch my step Gorsan.” Driken chuckled as he pulled a chair out from below the table. “Justin got his head cut off for getting too close.” Driken threw his weight into the chair hardly paying attention to Gorsan but grinning at Seres.
“Seres knows I’m only curious.” Gorsan responded. Kalika looked over Gorsan’s shoulder at Seres but Seres was reading the page before him. “You where the first to get that close.” Gorsan whispered to her and lent a little closer. Instinctively, despising the thought of contact with him she kicked out, knocking him back against the table. Then pulled her legs in against herself once more, making sure the thin cloak covered her entirely. He laughed then, rubbing his chest where her foot had landed, his laugh was whole hearted not angry. His eyes where overbright. “If you get sick of her, can I have her?” Gorsan begged Seres in a joking tone. Seres flicked his paper down against the table and looked over at Kalika sternly.
“I have not moved.” Kalika made her words as solid as she could, she would not be sorry for the action.
“That was movement Kalika, I do not care how stupid you pretend to be.” Seres pushed hair back from his face then looked over at Gorsan who was no longer interested in her. Fleetingly she wondered if he had been trying to provoke her just as Seres often seemed to be doing.
“Why aren’t the others here yet?” Driken demanded and thumped the table with his shoes, leaning back into the chair comfortably.
“I told them half dawn.” Seres looked at Driken as Gorsan took a seat.
“Beraloe is due soon with my new map.” Seres tapped the table, below levels of paper was an older map, one that had chunks of land not drawn on. “This is no good.” The other two nodded agreement, and as they started to talk Kalika recognised the three to be the functional strategic core of the army. The way they worked off each other suggested they had been working together for a long time.
When another man entered, squat and round-faced he carried a large roll of paper. Briskly the three men cleared the table off and the map was rolled out. Tears come to Kalika eye’s as she stared at a very detailed map of her country. And as they discussed plans for invading it she couldn’t listen to them, instead she had to concentrate on holding the tears back, the last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her affected.
When ten other men walked into the room Kalika kept as quite in the corner as possible, though they all noticed her.
“What bring a new general in while we weren’t looking?” One of them teased but the others all kept quite obviously they had been shocked by Justin’s death.
Slowly as they settled and began to discuss the map and her country Kalika settled her feelings and put herself to the task of remembering every word they spoke. She was trained to remember and however boring or upsetting the information was she locked it in.
* * * * *
“Kalika.” Seres voice broke her deep concentration and she found herself looking at him before she was aware that conversations between the generals had stopped.
“Seres?” She asked it blankly, too shocked out of her mood to think clearly. He frowned a little, one of the generals gawked Kalika blinked and turned a little pink at her absent mind. “My lord.” She added meekly and did her best to look timid from a seat that was above his own.
“Fetch refreshments for the generals, They have been here for half the day without a drink.” Seres glanced over at one or two of the generals who looked disgruntled and half asleep. For a second the image of the warriors off set by lack of refreshments amused and befuddled Kalika, then her mind caught up with the situation. She hated having to jump from one frame of mind to another so quickly, it left her over alert until she managed to sleep.
“My lord?” Kalika tapped the crates below her and raised her eye brows. He hardly blinked at her unvoiced demand.
“You will have to move to do so.” Seres added drolly and Kalika jumped off the crate cheerfully. “Do not dawdle.” He warned as she made her way to the door, skilfully avoiding most of the generals who had positioned themselves almost purposefully in the way of anyone who wished to leave. Kalika paused at the door and nodded directly to him, making sure she had eye contact before the movement.
She was not surprised when she left the tent and found a Brusquer on guard. Nor when one began to follow her as she tried to find a food tent. It was as she walked, glancing sideways at the Brusquer that she noticed the all but bare men and women who had begun work on the forest edge. Strolling around them where well armed men, and Kalika realised the workers where slaves. The thought lingered horribly in her stomach, her country was a free country, no person wore chains unless they had committed crimes against another.
Kalika stopped to watch the slaves as they worked. Searching there faces for those that would be familiar. Her guardians would help her escape, if they could, if they did not need more help then she did. By now they usually would have freed themselves, but they where fools, they sometimes forgot there need to survive in order to help her out. Kalika grinded her heel into the dirt below her and pulled the cloak closer. She did not know any of the faces and she understood that was a good thing, if she had known them there would have been nothing she could do to help.
After that she found the food tent quickly, faced the dilemma of deciding what to return with and managed to force the Brusquer to carry most of the trays back to the tent. She paused on the threshold of the tent listening to conversations that had sprung up in her absence.
“-but this is all talk.” One of the more nervous generals battered loudly. “We are no more going to stay here then we did Pripados.”
“But it is essential to have a plan.” Gorsan responded, Kalika straightened wondering if they where more restrained with her in the room, but doubted it. Her presence seemed to only be noticed by Seres, and on the occasion his two friends. When the Brusquer pushed her towards the door slightly she realised Seres probably knew she was there already. She moved the door open and walked in pushing trays onto the paper ridden table. Her eyes caught a formation of tokens on the map which made her stare for a second, then she turned and relieved the Brusquer of the rest of her trays.
“Plan or not.” The nervous general continued. “We can as good plan here as there.”
“We are preparing, not just planing. As we have with the others as we shall continue to do.” Seres calm voice whispered, but he was not looking at them, he motioned Kalika over to him and reluctantly she moved past all the other generals, taking a tray with her, hoping that it was the tray he wanted not her. “Sit.” He motioned to a seat near the creates that stood untouched by the crowd.
“And what if we warn them of our intentions by being here?” Another interjected.
Kalika walked over to the chair and went to sit when he caught her wrist. Surprised she turned, unaware that he had moved from his own seat. “Just a moment.” He added, twinning an arm around her body. Her breath caught as his arm brushed her side but the contact was momentary. He pulled the chair around her and sat it by the table. “Sit.” He repeated, pointing at the same chair, this time at the table. Kalika waited until he moved back to his own chair before she moved yet alone sat down.
“Nonsense.” Driken howled from his seat. He still sat indolently feet on another chair instead of the table.
“I heard a report that there are nine groups of men being prepared to search the lands for threats. If they do so, they will find us, and if not us our remnants.” A barrel chested man growled from his seat.
“They will not be ready to travel anywhere for at least a month, and when they travel there are only nine groups and a thousand crevices and chasms they must search. Do you think these eighty-one men will really find us?” Seres snapped the words, dissolving debates before they could begin. Kalika found herself looking at the strange arrangements of fighting units around the Peresotis castle. Closing her mind from the conversations that made no sense to her she focused on the strategic patterns, picking them apart and fighting the mini battle in her head.
When she was content the battle had been won she found herself pleased. The Warrior Mages armis may have taken many country’s, but people had tried to take Dreieshmikal before and her people had learnt and grown and adapted. They would not fall as easily as everyone assumed.
“Sirs!” A young boy flung himself into the tent ignoring all formalities as he pushed past several of the generals to get a proper view of the majority of the room. “There’s a caravan not near three spans away from the edge of camp. I’m told to get you at once.” The boy gasped a bit, clutched his side and pretended not to have a cramp.
“How large is the caravan?” Driken asked casually, but Kalika noticed he was compiling his papers and setting them aside.
“But six caravans, and thirty beasts.” The boy continued to gasp, clasped at his side once more and tried to steady his weight against the table. Kalika grinded her teeth at the sight, she hated stupid people who couldn’t look after themselves and the boy was ready to collapse.
“Driken I shall accompany you.” Seres stood from his seat and instantly the other men where up. “I believe this meeting was done.” He added casually and the generals began to leave. The boy looked disorientated as he continued to cling to the edge of the table.
“The girl, Seres?” Gorsan enquired his eyes resting on her quizzically. Kalika turned to look up into Seres expression and found him frowning at her. She felt defensive but the expression disappeared before she could react.
“She’s coming with me.” Seres said it bluntly and she saw he didn’t entirely agree with the decision. The two admirals did not say anything else as they left the tent following Seres and a confused Kalika.
* * * * *
Kalika looked the animal in the eye as she rubbed her sweating palms against the cloaks outside.
“Calm down.” Kalika whispered. The horses ear went back as it give a small cry, Kalika wondered if it knew which she was talking too, because as she roughly patted it’s neck she could see her hands where shaking.
“Mount up.” Driken ordered her without a glance. Kalika felt her skin crawl as she ran her hand down the beasts neck.
“Don’t drop me.” She told it sternly and with as effortless a motion as she could manage with her arm tightly wrapped in bandages she pulled herself into the ridding saddle. The horse made another noise which sounded entirely too uncertain for Kalika’s comfort so she patted it’s neck once more. Under her hand it twitched and she gripped the reins tightly. “I am a loyal and good rider. I shall not dishonour the sacred oath spoken by the first king of Dreieshmikal to Takjami. I shall ride true and honest, and protect your life as mine. I shall walk by your side when the sky touch’s the land and make you man where gods do not admit beast. If you do not dishonour the sacred oath spoken by the horse with the mans voice to Johoen. If you ride fast and strong, and protect my life as yours. If you walk by my side when the land rises to the sky and make me beast where gods do not admit man.” Kalika reached forwards and stroked between the horses ears. It flicked it’s head to remove her hand and Kalika cringed.
“What was that?” Driken demanded, he was staring at her oddly and Kalika realised she had the attention of the small platoon.
“It was a prayer Driken.” Seres snapped and he glared at Kalika. “The horse was not to be kept.” His teeth where gritted slightly and Kalika turned her head away from the audience. In whisper’s she repeated the pray and steadied her nerves.
“Why would she keep the horse?” Driken whispered to Seres. Kalika reached out and stroked between the horses ears again it flicked its head.
“They swear themselves to a horse and then consider themselves one with it. When they die and the creature dies they travel the path of death together and shield one another from the different gods.”
Kalika dismounted her hands trembling more then before. Seres looked down at her sharply.
“I can not ride this horse.” Kalika told him sternly.
“Ride the horse Kalika, you’ll never see it again anyway.”
“If I do not trust the beast then I can not ride it.” Kalika snapped in reply, the eyes of many of the soldiers where raised as they watched her. Obviously they had never seen any woman defy a man yet alone a man of Seres authority. Seres lent against his saddle horn and looked down at her.
“Why can you not ride the horse? You’ve done your prayer it’s yours now.” His voice was patient but his eyes snapped. She wondered if this time she should surrender but when she glanced at the horse again her resolve returned.
“It must accept.” Kalika replied hotly. Seres dismounted and strode over to her, bridging the distance quickly.
“Why is it not accepting?” He demanded quickly his voice quitter, he was not impressed by her disobedience but she realised he was not correcting it either. Kalika ignored all thought but the answer to his question that drove into her body. “Kalika!” Seres snapped loudly.
“Because it knows!” Kalika shouted at him, surprised by her anger and the way it poured out in those few words. It did not explain to him nor anyone else what the problem was but she understood. Her father had explained to her once she believed all the silly stories her grandfather told her too much, he had told her it was her emotions not the horses that triggered the response but still she believed in the prayer.
“Knows what Kali.” Seres growled his voice very tight.
“It knows I let Yatala die. It knows I did nothing when you attacked my caravan. It knows I have done nothing to enact any vergence. I was suppose to be it’s equal and I let it die!” Kalika was amazed her voice was screams, she knew her father would be ashamed of her, knew her brother would be laughing in her face. She could even guess at most of her cousins reactions. Seres frowned a little bit, she wondered if he understood what she was saying then he turned from her and walked across to his own horse. When he was mounted she saw he was calm and he rode slowly over to her.
“Very well.” Seres voice was firm as he watched her carefully. “Your horse died, it happens in battles, just as men die. Do not delay this troop any more merely because your horse turns it’s head when it should stay still. Get on the horse and ride it, I do not care about prayers and the enemy is not waiting for you two to get acquainted.” It was an order, again with the voice that was not to be disobeyed.
“You are the enemy.” Kalika whispered as she pulled herself obediently into the saddle. She tried once more to stroke the horse’s head and again it pulled back.
With a few noises of distaste from the soldiers the troop began to ride, Kalika fell to the back of the line and forced herself not to whisper the prayer any more. The horse felt wrong as it moved, more separate and apart then Yatala had been. More obnoxious and stubborn then the horse before Yatala, Quai.
“Do not drop me.” She demanded of it wondering what her grandfather would say, for riding a horse that wasn’t hers she had done before but she had always procured it’s permission first. “The first king would strike me down for such abuse.” Kalika told it gripping the reigns tightly trying not to let her hot hands become sweaty with fear.
When Seres rode back and pulled his horse beside hers, she ignored him.
“If your horses are equal as you claim, then they would know that creatures die in battles. They would understand that not everyone can be saved, and they would forgive.”
“It’s not a matter of forgiveness, it’s a matter of trust.” Kalika returned wondering why he was there, wondering why he had pulled back to try and make her feel better for having practically ordered her to go against her beliefs. Wondering if he was merely trying to flaunt his superiority over her, to remind her that she was his to control.
“For my people, if the rider does not trust themselves the horse will not trust them. But a man who is balanced will never be troubled when riding a horse. A horse can sense that in a man and reacts to it. You are not balanced.”
“You killed my horse and stole my arrow, and threw me into your harem, took away all that was my life and you think I should be balanced?” The horse below her fidgeted as her grip tightened pulling the creature’s head back too far. It cried angrily and went to rear. Seres pushed his horse into hers off balancing the creature before it could rear.
“I think you should calm yourself and ride the creature properly. That is a weapon below you Kalika, and you should never hold a weapon when you are not balanced, angry fine, scared fine, but balance has nothing to do with emotions, balance is a state of the mind and you had better get into that state of mind before you find yourself on the ground with a broken neck.” Seres rode his horse away heading towards the front of the procession.
“Why give me a weapon?” Kalika shouted after him trying to fathom the true nature of her captivity. He seemed to trust her, which was a foolish thing for any captor to do. She knew she could have tried to ride away right then, perhaps warn the caravan they where slowly progressing towards. He did not seem to hear and neither did the other men. Kalika slammed her hand down against her leg allowing the pain to remind her of reality. Roughly she swore a riddle of curses that would have made any of her old friends faint.
She did not know why she did not run, there where a hundred unproven reasons and a hundred she had not wanted to consider, so against everything that embodied her existence she would not think on them, but she followed him to the battle without another sign of resistance.
* * * * *
Kalika bent grabbing the bow and arrows from the dead man’s body. Even in the middle of the battle she felt like she was being watched but she ignored the sensation throwing the sling over her shoulder and gripping the bow tightly. An arrow shot past her head sliding between the horse and her. Instinctively Kalika pulled an arrow from the sling, clipping it into place and drew the string back to her ear. She followed the path the attacking arrow would have followed and found her target. There was no chance of a miss when she released the arrow, letting it burry into the flesh of her countryman.
When her target went down she turned back to the horse. She gripped it’s reins and pulled it’s head down to hers pressing her forehead against the flat spot between it’s eyes and closed her own.
Almost silently she whispered the oath to it, Seres had been wrong, it was not a prayer, it was on offer of equality a chance to trust the horse beneath you as it must trust the human above it. The horse tried to pull away but she kept one hand tight on her jaw and the other gripping the reigns to her. Again she whispered the oath.
“Give me a chance.” Kalika demanded. She heard the hissing sound of another arrow as it passed her. In a fluid motion she drew another arrow, targeted her prey and killed. Without a thought she was facing the horse once more.
“This is not a circus whore.” One of the soldiers rode up beside her and kicked out at the horse teasingly. The horse reared back at the impact yanking out of her hold. Kalika’s anger fuelled her eyes with burning energy but she made herself look away from him. With little more then a chuckle he returned to the battle. Her horse continued to rear. Kalika watched it’s antics then turned from it, looking for the guard. There was anger boiling below her skin, even those who did not believe in the treaty between horse and people treated the horses with a degree of respect. When battle was done the horses where released to the wild not stolen, nor where they harmed in anyway.
Spitefully she drew another arrow, following the soldiers movements. Gently and with more calm then she often had she drew the arrow back, letting the feather tickle her ear she wondered where Seres was keeping her arrow. Silently she took a step back, balancing her weight perfectly. Rarely without her own arrow did a shot feel so secure and certain. So she let the arrow fly watching it’s pathway as it glided past other people, scarcely missing them until it found the soldier.
“Now calm down!” Kalika shouted at the horse, she turned to find it standing still watching her as one ear twitched back and forth. She kept her smile down, perhaps few actually believed in the oath between king and horse, but at certain moments she wondered how they could do anything but believe. Gently she drew it’s head towards her own and rested her forehead against it’s. And almost silently she whispered the prayer, then gently stroked between it’s ears. It’s ear flicked back slightly and she nodded her head absently. “We must build trust.” Kalika told it sternly and released it’s head.
Quickly she clipped the bow and sling to the saddle. Then she mounted the horse again, feeling her arm pull at the movement and she remembered she wasn’t meant to use it for a month. Now aware of it she felt tiny trickles of blood running down her arm. Refusing to touch the wound although her hands seemed to itch to do so she turned the horse to face the battle. It obeyed sedately and her smile split. No matter what happened it was now her horse, even if they took it from her and gave it to someone else, she would ride no other horse.
“I do not know your name, but I trust when you are ready you will tell my dreams.” Kalika looked at the battle properly now aware that the caravan was lost. One platoon of soldiers against such a large caravan had no right to win, but with magic they only seemed to have six casualties, one of which was her soldier.
Seres was sitting on his horse watching the battle but hardly seemed to be paying attention to it. Driken was also watching the battle by Seres side. Kalika rode over to the two stopping her horse beside Seres and looking at the battle.
“Does it amuse you to watch slaughter?” Kalika asked him casually angry. The cold of her blood trickling against her skin made her back tingle, the hot day was beginning to affect her.
“Does it amuse you to shoot my men?” Seres asked stonily from his seat still watching the small efforts the caravan made.
“Perhaps a little more then it amuses me to shoot my men, and I took two of them down.”
“Trying to win trust are you girl?” Driken chuckled. The horse fidgeted a small bit, perhaps Seres was right about balance, but the horse was not trying to affect her this time.
“The last thing I want is trust. I protect when I am attacked, and I am sick of this.” Kalika went to ride away when Seres grabbed her arm. The horse turned sharply teeth snapping at his arm until Kalika pulled it’s head away. It was army trained, trained to defend it’s ridder no matter what. She was almost amused by the idea.
“Where do you think you are going?” Seres demanded tightly.
“I’m going back to your tent.” Kalika gritted the words wishing she did not have to admit it, she was not running, not yet, she would find a time that was right and she would take it.
“You are not here to shoot my soldiers nor are you here as an amusement.” Seres voice implied there was a reason for her being there but at first Kalika could not think of one. Then she realised.
“What?” Kalika demanded with a little laugh, over his shoulder she could see the battle. “You think Justin’s going to crawl out of that pit, pull his head back on and try and rape me again? Maybe your women need protecting but I am very capable of looking after myself. Be it another man trying to have his way, or one of yours being petty.” Kalika kept her voice as even as she could but was indignant at the possibility that she was too weak to protect herself.
“You where loosing.” Seres snapped eyes locking with hers. She thought about it, before the arrow had come to her aid she had been losing there was no doubt about it.
“I jumped in without thinking. It happens rarely.” Kalika gripped the reigns tightly and shifted her weight slowly. Seres glanced at her arm almost for something other to do then continue to stare into her eyes.
“But it happens, and I will not tolerate any of those generals feeling they should take some measure of revenge against you. Because only a fool would think any of my harem but you would have the nerve to kill one of my generals. So you will remain, you will not kill any more of my soldiers and you will return that horse when the day is done.” He locked eyes with her once more but it was not as much of an order as he usually gave, instead it seemed more a plea.
“Afraid for my safety?” Kalika teased absently, amused by the expression that reminded her so much of the times her brother had warned her to be careful before she rode off on duty. Seres smiled and she could see a little more light in his eyes then there had been the moment before, she repented quickly. “Yes lord.” She whispered and directed the horse away from him.
She watched the rest of the battle with as little attachment as she could give herself. She realised how strange the scene was as it progressed. The attack was not to conquer and control, it was to test. Perhaps her caravan had taken them by surprise, with trained guards and nothing worth stealing so they had gone in quickly and finished it off. She recalled the attack, there had been at least twenty dead on the enemy’s side, and her guard of thirty had only lost ten or twelve. This caravan was picked off slowly and carefully, the battle, if it could be called that, lasted half the day. The soldiers remained visible throughout and there where no Bresaur's.
“You offered more resistance then they where expecting. They had not even called me in to view the battle and had I not arrived you probably would have won.” Kalika jumped and turned to find Seres had moved over to her side.
“You won with magic, nothing more.” Kalika growled, though it was not considered dishonourable to use magic to win with her people she needed something to hold against him.
“You only survived because of magic, that I guarantee.” Seres smiled at her, and it surprised her still how handsome he looked when he bothered to smile. He looked at her cloak and his smile became teasing. “Aren’t you hot under that?” His voice was pretending innocence and she looked away sharply, not pleased with the tone.
“Less so then you would be under that.” Kalika nodded to the armour he was wearing and his smile broadened.
“If I take it off will you take your cloak off?” His eyes sparkled with amused interest and Kalika stared at him with all the repulsed anger she could dig up. Briskly she undid the cloak, pulled it off and threw it over the saddles front. She would not barter with him but she would not play his games either.
“My lord.” Kalika snapped at him but his smile was still as amused as it had been. With a joking salute he returned to Driken who had not looked away from the fight. Kalika felt cooler out from under the cloak but she also felt insecure. Determined to compromise she unclipped the sling and bow from the saddle and pulled the sling over her shoulder again, warming the bow in her hands. The fight would not reach her it was too well controlled but the reassurance a weapon in her grip gave her even dulled Seres words from her memory.
* * * * *
Kalika submerged herself in the strongly scented bath water, running her fingers roughly through her tangled hair. Under the water was relaxing, there was no harem watching her mistrustingly, there were no thoughts about what Seres was planing to do with her, everything was put aside for the sheer weight of the water to wash away.
When her head rose out of the water she was glad to find the others where not yet awake. Seres was not returned from his work the night before and she had wanted to bath before anyone had a chance to upset her that morning. The thought of Seres working upset her and she forced her head below the water again. What he did she could not guess most the time. He went to his war meetings once a week, she knew that for certain, although he had only dragged her to three of the meetings in the last two months she knew that’s where he went. But every other day, what kept him away from his women late into the night and some times for days at a time mystified her. The army functioned without his leadership the days he was away, though sometimes she knew he did oversee things that concerned his army. She had to guess he spent a lot of his time dealing with problems from his countries, with at least four of the countries being conquests of his wars she was sure there where problems in abundance.
She came up for air again breathing in the sharp cool tang of air that wafted over the cliff face to meet the back of the army camp. It would be winter soon, summer had lasted too long already and the snows would come. Deistical had the disadvantage of hot summers and cold winters. There was no medium, though she often appreciated the change, she suspected living in a tent in a snow covered land would become uncomfortable. The snows where a few weeks off still, she knew that, but the air tasted like rain and that was just as formidable.
The thought that maybe the army would all die in the cold cheered Kalika immensely. She rose from the cold water and dried herself. There was little to occupy her as a member of his harem, they spent more time trying to think of things to do then actually doing things. Her training had not ceased once since Justin’s death, it had enforced upon her the need to be alert. And had Seres not had her in the company of one of the ladies every time he was not near by Kalika would have sought out a teacher in the slave camps to help her learn a few more tactics she could master.
As she pulled on her pants and top she smiled indulgently at her own defiance. She was still free in many ways. From his body, from his army, and the clothes she wore reflected that better then anything else could. The others never ceased wearing there scantly made clothing while she had not worn anything of the sort but the once. Elgaron had supplied her quickly with some pants and tops which Kalika treasured more then anything else. Seres frowned at the clothes on the odd occasion but did not openly object to her dress code.
Again the thought of Seres interrupted her. She was free from his body, certainly, he had yet to do more then kiss her, but every time she saw him she knew that the time was creeping near when he would surrender any pretence of not wanting her. She did not know what gave her the knowledge, what made her so aware that he watched her waiting for something but it worried her. There was little hope of escape. The more she learnt of the camp the more she understood that to get out of Seres tent and into the forest would be a miracle, but to get beyond that would be an impossibility. There was a rumour within the camp that there was a dragon in the forest edging the cliff to the right and something made her think it was more then a rumour. Dragons where not her friend and she did not want to tempt her fate using that escape.
That the arrow was the only thing that would get her out of the camp and back to safety, was a knowledge she recalled every day. But she did not know where Seres kept it, nor how to find out where he kept it. Any hope of finding it dwindled on a daily basis, something in her body told her it was not anywhere she could reach it, something else told her that if it had wanted her free it would never have let her be captured. The second thought scared her, the arrow was almost an entity in it’s own right, it cast luck where it wanted it helped heal when it wanted and it broke magic where it pleased it too. Magic it had decidedly ignored when her caravan was attacked, magic it had chosen to leave her vulnerable too.
That was the main thought that kept her from attempting a fruitless escape. It wanted her there, and what ever the reason she had to find it out before it would help her leave.
“Kalika!” Togne ran out of the tent in an excited flutter. Kalika tried to smile for the girl, though the interruption played on her patience, she had been enjoying her solitude. Togne had instinctively and quite understandably shed all pretence of dislike towards her after Justin’s attack. Some of the others had even become more friendly if not friends they where no longer enemies. Togne was quite devoted to being Kalika’s friend though there personality’s clashed alarmingly at times and left Togne annoyed and Kalika murderous. Still Togne was loyal and would forever stand up for her. Kalika hoped it would wear away sooner rather then latter but could see after the first month that Togne’s gratitude was as unswayable as everything else the girl decided on.
“Togne.” Kalika replied evenly, she made her smile more real. Any argument wouldn’t be worth the worry this early in the day.
“Our lord sends a command. You’re to go to his tent during the mid day.” Togne stopped out of breath. Kalika noticed she had hardly run a tenth of a span, the girl was amazingly unfit. Then the command struck her.
“Why?” Kalika demanded sharply, her agitation throwing her serenity away without pause. Togne shrugged unconcerned.
“The messenger said it was an order not to be ignored. Seres is in a foul mood. He would have to be. What ever they have him doing now has kept him in his tent, he didn’t even come for Liza last night although he’d requested she take his bed yesterday morning.” Togne continued to rattle away information but the command stank of duplicity to Kalika. His work tent was on the other side of the camp, deep in the midst of the army. He spent time there, she was vaguely aware of having heard that before, but where it was she doubted she could guess accurately yet alone find it. “Liza doesn’t mind though, I guess she’s had him around longer then most of us. Maybe knows him better then most of us. Though when he specifies he rarely doesn’t show up. She’ll probably get his bed tomorrow as well.”
Kalika walked to the tent, and Togne kept by her side still talking. Kalika wasn’t sure if Togne just liked to gossip or if she was trying to make her feel more a part of the harem with all the talk but either way she didn’t care. She tried to be polite it was the least she could do for someone who seemed so determined to shield her from the common insult the others sent at her. But listening to Seres plans for his bed companions was rarely something she wanted to here.
The others looked at her when she entered the tent, they where still half asleep, working there way through there cold breakfasts, Togne had obviously postponed her breakfast to tell Kalika, because she took her place quickly at the low table. Kalika considered joining them but her stomach was in tight knots. She wondered what he wanted of her. She tried to fathom if he was done waiting or if he was just testing her again.
“Who’s coming with me?” Kalika asked watching them all closely. Her question was meet with silence.
“He ordered that you go alone, a Bresaur's meant to escort you.” Pilly snapped when no one else seemed willing to comment. Kalika gave a sigh to hide her growing concern, but the order fortified her worries dramatically. She was allowed nowhere alone, even with a Brea sure in tow it was more alone then she had been for some time. She had not even managed to sneak away and talk with her horse again, although she had tired once or twice. Seres often stopped her before she got near the horses, it amazed her how much he knew what was happening when he seldom was in the tent.
Kalika looked at the food on the table for a moment and was glad she hadn’t eaten yet, she was beginning to feel unwell. The others paid her no more attention then a glance. It was obvious from there silent expressions they where as unsure of the command as Kalika was. Kalika stood for a long time trying to decide on her course of action before she surrendered to the feeling of misplacement she got from her company. With an exasperated sigh she left the tent, returning to the bath area. She sat at the base of a large tree near the edge of the clearing. It was as out of the way as she could get without searching the camp for somewhere to sit.
The small bit of forest by the tent was acceptable passageway for the harem, that meant in Kalika’s opinion that Seres had it so powerfully guarded by magic that he did not think any of them could go deeper into the forest then was safe. Kalika had never really tried it, there seemed an eerie air when she went to deep and often a Brea sure would show up and guide her back.
She did not pay attention as the harem prepared for there day, splashing water and chattering amongst themselves as loudly as they could. All her attention was fixed on the unavoidable meeting with Seres. And all she knew was that she could not continue with the nagging possibility that he would take her into his bed when he felt like it.
* * * * *
Kalika woke a small time past mid day. She heard the resounding call of the watch call and realised she had fallen asleep. The knowledge did nothing to sooth the nerves sleep had put down. They burst into a flurry of activity making it hard for her to remember where she was meant to be going. Stopping herself, catching her breath she forced herself to calm down, and stood.
She winced as she stood, her back pulling a little, it occurred to her that she had become complacent in far to many areas. She wouldn’t have flinched for a nights rest against a tree before her capture. She brushed her hair roughly again, not really caring if I looked a mess. The worst she looked the less he would look at her.
Then slowly and with as much control as she could muster she returned to the tent. The harem where eating there meal but when she walked in they broke into cries of alarm. Kalika ignored them, they would never disrespect a call from Seres, and left the tent. A Brea sure was waiting, looking as impatient as the creatures immobile face could. It lead the way, which was strange, the things rarely took the initiative. She followed it through the tents and roughly complied buildings unquestioningly. It took little time to get to Seres tent then the creature turned around and stopped, it’s expression bland and it’s intelligence seeming to dwindle having done it’s job. Kalika pushed past it trying to be rude and knowing it would never affect such a creature.
When she entered the dimly lit tent Kalika became worried. Virtue thankfully had never been so much an issue with her as she knew it was meant to be but she was still used to her own will being the guide lines for times of indiscretion. In sleep she had forgotten the possible perils of this meeting, away from even the harem there where no restraints that she could think of to hold him with.
“Will you sit?” Seres enquired from within the dark. She suspected him of subtleties in closing the windows so she had to pause and adjust to the darkness where he was already prepared. That she was slightly off her mark she no doubt pleased him. He was sitting on the floor, she could hear from the direction of his voice.
“No.” She replied sternly making her vision adjust. It took less time then she was used too, and she could see him smiling at her response. She frowned as she made the courage to follow through with the last idea she had before falling to sleep. “I’ll make a deal with you Lord Mage.” Kalika kept her voice smooth as she stared into his grey eyes. There was a battle very few could see in there interlocked eyes, a battle neither could win. She waited for a response, a sign that he was listening and relaxed when he smiled, however slightly. She removed her frown wondering if her words would work. “I’ll stay in your harem, I’ll dress pretty, I’ll flutter my eye lids, and I’ll charm your generals when it’s needed.” His smile faded quickly at the words and hers grew. She stood close before him, leaving only the smallest gap between them. “But I’ll do no more.” She kept herself before him however much she wanted to draw away to enforce the words. “My body is my own.” She emphasised and was pleased that her voice managed to keep the cool emotion she had to force her body to convey. It was a hopeless declaration, she had nothing to hold against him but she could not continue wondering every day if he would change his mind about her.
Seres caught her knee and drew it forwards, she was forced to walk closer or loose balance. She kept herself calm even when he stood, his hand running up from behind her knee across her thigh to her waist. He pulled her body firmly against his, staring into her fiery eyes. She settled her mind quickly but it took more time to settle the sudden shaking she felt throughout her body.
“What kind of deal is that?” Seres enquired, his own voice lighter then usual, but his grip did not lessen to match his voice.
“The kind I’m offering.” Kalika replied sternly. His eyes danced with amusement, little sparks of white flickering through the iris’s. Kalika stared at there expression as much determined not to look away in intimidation as she was curious.
“And what if I reject this deal?” His other hand traced the line of her jaw down to her chin.
“You don’t want to know what kind of enemy I can make.” Kalika growled through her clenched teeth.
“Yet you don’t threaten to run.” Seres mused, almost to himself. The words struck Kalika forcefully. Quickly she reasoned with herself, remembering that such a threat would be pointless, if she could run she would not be trying to make compromises.
He pressed closer to her and carefully turned her head away from him, revealing her smooth neck. Delicately he pressed his lips just below her jaw line. Briefly she was reminded of the Irisac, long sustaining there existence by drawing life from the throats of any living creature.
“And you do not flinch.” Seres whispered and kissed further back, closer to her ear.
“I was thinking of the Irisac.” Kalika responded quickly, aware that the press of his lips was getting stronger. Her words had him pull away grinning.
“You think I would take your soul?”
“You would take anything else you wished.” She was blunt there was no other way to be, his lips held a power that drew her in, and if she did not stop them now she doubted she would ever be able to. His smile was not real but he kept it in place, his hand still clasping her to him not even allowing the thought of escape to take hold.
“I have not taken you.” His voice was warm. She was surprised his grip could become tighter, his body pressing harder against hers.
“Yet.” Kalika snapped using her indecision and re-directing it into anger. Seres responded as he always did, which surprised her, he released her and took several steps away.
As if, she realised, he needed to put physical distance between them to think clearly.
“Very well, for the sake of peace within my tent. I swear by the great god Perilias I shall take nothing you do not offer freely.” He had a smile that suggested he was lying or could see around the decree. Kalika ran the words through her head, but could find no flaw in them, after all Perilias was Seres god of promises, and she strongly doubted even Seres would lie to his gods. “However-“ Kalika bulked at the word, he had paused just long enough to convince her he was not going to continue “the particulars of this deal must be discussed.” He sat on the cushions he had been on when she entered and waved her to a cushion near by. She was thankful it was not the cushion beside him, she doubted the deal was legitimate until they had both sorted out the terms, and until that moment she was uncertain if she wanted to be as close to him as he sometimes made her sit.
“You will dress as is appropriate of a member of my Harem at all times. You will smile when addressed by me, you will smile when addressed by others and it is appropriate. You will not ‘flutter your eye lids’-” He glared at her to show he was not impressed with the saying, “-at my generals or anyone else. You will not look in any mans face, nor gain there attention on purpose. You will be respectful of your place among the women. You will forget your horse and go no where near the picket fence unless I specifically command you there. You will obey my commands without question or remorse. You will not kill any more of my men.” His eyes hardened at the words and her back straightened in response to his expression. “You will attempt to converse with the other members of the harem.” It sounded like an aside, nothing he really cared for but thought he should throw it in anyway. “And I will make certain they do likewise. You will remain under guard at all times. You will not venture near the slave camps and you will always remain in the company of at least one of the other members of the harem. You will not ideally speak with any person who is not a member of the harem nor will you go out of your way to see any one else. You will not sneak out of the tent every night and practice your combat skills, it is unbecoming of a lady and a waste of energy.” He stopped to breath and she wondered if he was done. In simple fact, boiled down he was depriving her of any of the few freedoms she had managed to steal. It made her angry, the way he said it calmly, pretending he might continue but she could think of nothing he had left out. He was depriving her of the friends she had made, the freedom she had achieved and the possibility of finding any more of either.
Kalika stared at him for a long time, but he did not even glance in her direction. An achievement for him, she thought bitterly since he was always watching her at other times.
“Good. Now take a drink.” Before the words where completely out a small slave popped out of the shadows carrying a tray. Upon it sat a wine pitcher and two crystal glassed already full of a dark red liquid. To stunned to do anything else she accepted the glass.
“Had you this planned?” Kalika asked a little afraid that she was so transparent.
“That I should take a drink with you? Or that I should swear myself away from you?” His tone was indistinguishable and she chose not to answer. Instead she sipped the wine cautiously. She did not fear poison, as a child her grandfather had started poisoning her foods slowly forcing her body to adapt there own defences. But before Seres she found herself morbidly fearful of wines intoxicating effect. Something told her she did not want to let any of her guards down while confronted with him.
He drank his wine quickly, put the glass down and lay back into the cushions as if unaware of her presence.
Kalika drank her wine more sedately eyeing him with caution. Beyond the tent the camp seemed quite, the temperature had calmed the army down for the day and there would be little movement until the sun set again.
“I don’t agree with your terms.” Kalika felt her voice shaking. She had nothing to hold against him. He probably knew that as well as she did, but she had been hoping for something better then what he had given.
“Indeed?” His voice betrayed a small measure of amusement, but when he sat up and looked into her eyes again there was no amusement visible. “Very well, how about this. You may dress as benefits a proper lady of your people, they do not wander about in men’s clothing. You may keep your horse, but you may not ride it beyond the camp limits unless I am supervising. All other times the guard I assign to you must be present. You will make an effort to befriend and converse with the others of my harem. You will not flirt with my men nor will you anger them on purpose. You will not kill anymore of my men.” He paused making her frown, she suspected the worse. He had compromised far to much for his next words to be something she wanted to hear. He looked over at her and smiled, it was a forced smile and barely existed after it’s creation. “And you will spend one night of every week in my bed.” His voice was stone, and she realised he had planned it from the beginning. He had known what he wanted and gone out of his way to make it sound more reasonable then his other offer.
“Wouldn’t that go against your word?” Kalika asked as calmly as she could. He smiled as if aware of her well hidden emotions.
“I swore to my gods, Kalika. Don’t think me so fickle or so brave as to turn my back on that.” His words confused her but he spoke with such determined strength she was left to try and understand him.
“I’ll not be your whore.” Kalika growled, realising the only way around his word was with her permission.
“Nobody said you had to be.” He remained calm, not even slightly moved by the force in her voice. “It is possible to lie in another’s bed without bedding them.” The way he said it suggested rehearsal, which made her angry. The level of freedom he offered overwhelmed her disgust of him. But he wanted this of her, and she would not surrender so easily.
“I don’t want a guard.” She snapped to delay her need to make a decision. He wasn’t asking for sex, and he had sworn against such an action towards her without her absolute consent, but she was still uncertain of the deal.
“The guard will be to protect you not control you Kali.”
The use of her abbreviated name made her senses sharpen onto him.
“I don’t need protection.” She quipped automatically.
“Yet even before you where taken prisoner you had a guard of thirty. Surely one does not go so wholly against your grim determination to be stubborn.”
“Very well one of my guards then.” She was looking for things to set him into a rage at her. She had no doubt he would not force himself on her, if that where his intensions she realised, he would have done so on her first night there.
“I hardly think my men will show any respect towards a slave. Which would defeat the purpose of a guard. Try something else Kali.”
When had he become so familiar with her that he used her nickname she wondered furiously.
“I maintain the right to kill when endangered.” She prattled with dangerous speed.
“You never had the right to kill my men, but it has been tolerated thus far. Your guard will dispose of any thing that endangers you. It is after all the point of assigning a guard.” Seres pulled a small knife from his boot and began to clean his nails looking every bit as smug as he sounded. She hadn’t seen him use a weapon for anything before and was momentarily distracted by the thought that he kept weapons on him.
“I will dress as I please, especially when I choose to go riding, and when I spend the day within your tent.” He looked back at her sternly, ignoring the knife.
“Outside of the tent you will wear a dress. Unless you are going directly to ride, or returning from riding. You will not linger in the presence of others dressed in riding gear. You will dress well when guests are expected within the tent and you will dress in clean and well made men’s gear, not in the rustic poorly made clothing you seem so fond of.” Seres was watching her closely, trying to detect her response. “I will have a word with the dress maker about your attire before days end.” He smiled charmingly at her and she wondered if he thought the expression did anything to placet her mood. “Is there anything else?”
“I want to be in your war meetings.” She blurted out, clutching at the only thing she could think of that would antagonize him. Maybe he wouldn’t care either way but the generals had not appreciated her presence.
“Fine. I’ll wake you on Eighth day. By then you should have adequate clothing.” He stared deep into her eyes not allowing her to blink. Then reached his hand towards her, she drew away. “A deal has been struck my lady, surely even your people would seal it.”
One night in every ten. Kalika told herself thinking furiously, trying to find an escape as he reached his hand to her again. But he’d said every week. She realised a little shaken by the thought. He wanted her more then the others and that was unsettling.
Uncertainly she reached out and clasped his hand. His grip was strong, but not painful and his eyes grave, not leaving hers as he made sure the deal was complete.
She released his hand resigned. She had sealed herself to his side one night in every eight. But she felt more secure then she had since arriving.
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Property of Kimra Lelanst, do not duplicate without consent. |
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