The Shadow Games: The Chronicles of Arianthem VI (3 page)

“You are dismissed,” Nerthus repeated, this time more loudly.

“Oh,” the chief said, turning bright red. “I beg your pardon, your Highness.” He bowed, tripped, stumbled, then turned around and ran headlong into his men who were also disassembling in various awkward ways. The throng lurched away in a tangled mess.

Dallan grinned, a dazzling smile that seemed to brighten the courtyard. She grasped forearms with the Knight Commander, an informal greeting that the chief did not miss as he glanced back over his shoulder. Nerthus was a stickler for formality and thrived on protocol, so the greeting was extraordinary on many levels. The Knight Commander turned to Rika, who placed her hand on Nerthus’ shoulder.

“Future First General,” Nerthus said with a respect she showed few. These women were much younger than her but they had impressed her.

“Knight Commander,” Rika said, also grinning. “It’s good to see you.”

“Is Raine with you?” Nerthus asked.

“No,” Dallan replied. “Not yet. From what I understand, she’s out killing the undead. But I think she will be here on the morrow. And Idonea will be here soon as well.”

This caused a mild flush in the Knight Commander’s pale cheeks, and Dallan carefully controlled her expression. Idonea was a wild one and the Knight Commander had a substantial crush on her. Dallan’s countenance sobered a little when she thought of her next words. “We are to have a strategy meeting at Fireside tomorrow night. You will come?”

Nerthus nodded. “Of course. In the meantime, do you wish to be presented to the Emperor? Do you need accommodations?”

“We are not here in any formal capacity,” Dallan said, “so I would prefer to lie low if possible.”

“My men are loyal,” Nerthus said, glancing to the pack that was still stealing glances at the Ha’kan while pretending to ignore them. “So I think they will keep their mouths shut. If word of your presence gets out, however, the Emperor will expect to receive you with honors.”

“Understood,” Dallan said. “And we do not need lodging because we’ll be staying at Fireside.”

“I don’t blame you,” Nerthus said. Fireside was the most luxurious private residence in all of the empire, rivaled only by that of the imperial palace. The owner was a mystery to most, and Nerthus had been shocked to learn that Raine, whom she thought was a mercenary adventurer, owned it outright. Once she got to know Raine, however, the ownership and its anonymity made perfect sense.

Chapter 3

S
igne, my love, where are you?”

The young woman looked up. She was getting used to the name, although she still had no specific memory of it. Things were growing more familiar to her, but it was the familiarity of a few weeks, not that of a lifetime. Apparently she had taken a nasty spill from a horse and hit her head. When she awoke, she could not remember anything. “I’m here,” she called out.

A lovely woman entered the room. She had fine, white hair that framed youthful features, and a pink blush in her cheeks that matched her pink lips. Her stylish gown flattered her curvaceous, supple figure. The younger woman looked at her in admiration as she settled onto the settee next to her, pressing against her.

“And how is your memory today?” the woman asked as she brushed light blonde hair from hazel eyes. “Is anything returning?”

The younger woman paused a little as the other held her breath. “No,” she confessed, “not really.” The words then came tumbling out. “I feel terrible. I should know you. You are so kind and so wonderful, and clearly we have been—”

“Shhh,” the woman said, placing her finger to the girl’s lips. “Do not struggle so. In fact,” she said brightly, “I have come to a decision.”

“What decision is that?”

“I think that you and I should start anew. The doctor said your memory may never return, so instead of forcing you to remember all the happiness that we have had, I think we should just make a new happiness.”

The younger woman smiled a little shyly. “I think I would like that.”

The older woman’s deep blue eyes darkened with intensity. “Really?”

“Yes.”

The woman leaned forward and gently kissed the girl, and the younger woman hesitantly returned the kiss. This felt right, felt familiar, and the hesitant kiss grew more confident while the older woman’s grew bolder. They turned to one another and the girl’s hands went tentatively to the woman’s waist while the woman’s hand slowly undid the buttons of the girl’s shirt. The hand went inside the shirt and caressed the breast, causing the girl to start.

The woman withdrew slightly from the lips but not the shirt. “Is this okay?” she asked with kind concern.

“Yes,” the girl said, then with growing assurance. “This is fine.”

“Good,” the woman said, then leaned forward and kissed her again. This time the tongue parted her lips and gently probed her mouth as the hand caressed her breast. The hand slowly moved down the slender torso, the well-defined muscles of the stomach, then gently worked their way into the top of the silken breeches. The fingers brushed the sensitivity between the girl’s legs and she again started, but this time the woman did not pull away but kissed her deeper, eliciting a moan in the girl’s throat as her fingers entangled themselves in the long, white hair. The woman pushed her backward onto the couch as the fingers began to work their magic between her legs. She responded from instinct rather than memory, and the hips moved beneath the skilled stroking of the fingers. It seemed her body had a mind of its own as it obeyed the tongue and caresses of the woman on top of her. And finally, there was an explosion of sensation that rippled outward from her center as the circular strokes brought her to a forceful climax while the woman held onto her.

The girl’s breathing came in short gasps until it steadied, then began to slow. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. That felt very familiar.

“Are you all right?” the woman asked, pleased. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Oh no,” the young woman responded, “that was wonderful. Thank you.”

The woman laughed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me, you silly thing. You are my lover. And my—, our bed has missed you.”

The thought warmed the girl as the woman settled down beside her, her arm draped over her stomach. They were quiet for a moment, peaceful in the sunbeam that fell upon the couch from the window. The room was full of fine furnishings, a kind, beautiful woman embraced her, and colorful flowers were visible through the window pain. She felt lucky beyond belief.

“How is your strength, my love? I don’t want to exhaust you. Your injury was severe and as much as I’ve missed you, I don’t want to delay your recovery.”

“I think,” the girl said uncertainly, then with growing surety, “I think I feel fine.”

“Good,” the woman said, outwardly pleased.

Inwardly, the sorceress made a note to herself. She would have to double the strength of the “elixir” she was giving to the girl. She said it would heal the young woman while in reality it was mildly poisoning her to keep her in a constant state of weakness.

Chapter 4

D
allan and Rika were comfortably settled in front of the fireplace with some mead when Raine walked in, accompanied by Feyden and Lorifal. Both Ha’kan jumped to their feet, greeting Raine with no formality and near-worship, and she returned their warm greeting. The elf and dwarf also greeted the two Ha’kan, having grown to respect them during the recent time they had spent in the Ha’kan capital. Lorifal had taken a particular liking to the future First General because she shared his passion for drinking and very near his tolerance, which was rare for any non-dwarf.

The three removed the small armory they were carrying, populating all the decorative weapon racks against the wall, then also settled in front of the fireplace. A servant brought in some wine for Feyden, and an anise liqueur for Lorifal and Raine.

Dallan could not contain herself any longer. “Have you heard anything?”

Raine was touched by the plaintive note in the voice of the Princess and was saddened to disappoint her. “No.” Both Ha’kan looked crestfallen, so Raine was fast to continue. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Dallan was asking about Skye, the young leader of the Tavinter who was friend, lover, and comrade of the Ha’kan. She was greatly cherished by the Royal Staff, and both Dallan and Rika were quite in love with her, a simultaneity that would provoke conflict in any other culture, but was completely normal for the Ha’kan. Skye had been abducted by a powerful sorceress who held a great grudge against Skye’s great-grandfather, an equally powerful wizard. And Skye had only recently become aware of her relationship to this wizard, Isleif, whom she had revered all her life.

Skye was also dear to Raine, but her abduction cut Raine to the quick for other reasons. Raine suspected that Skye had been kidnapped in order to lay a trap for her. Raine had created a connection between herself and Skye to save Skye from certain death when she had been poisoned by the sorceress’ magic. The filament was not magic, it was a physical bond between them, which might reveal Raine’s presence if she approached. It frustrated her that she, the most capable of retrieving Skye safely, could not even look for her. But the filament also allowed Raine to get a sense of Skye’s condition, a condition which relieved and puzzled her.

“You are sure that she is with that sorceress and was not taken by Hel?” Dallan asked.

The mention of the goddess caused Raine to pale slightly and clench her jaw. This was the one she feared, the one who had provided a distraction when Skye was taken, the one who undoubtedly was laying a trap for her.

“Here is what I know: Skye is alive, because I would sense her death instantly. She has not been taken from the mortal realm, and Hel cannot stay here for any length of time. Skye is not in pain or in distress, or I would feel it. And although we cannot be certain who took her, both Isleif and Talan believe that the hand of the sorceress is in this.”

“But how can that be? How could that witch hold her?” Rika asked. “Skye is strong, she’s smart, she’s tricky. She would fight, she would escape!”

“I agree,” Raine said, “it doesn’t make sense.”

“Perhaps the sorceress has her under some sort of spell,” Feyden suggested.

“Skye’s magic has become very strong ,” Dallan argued. “A short time ago she thought she had no magical ability at all, and yet I have seen her do extraordinary things. She would fight off any spell.”

“Perhaps,” Raine said. “Skye’s raw talent is undeniable, and Idonea has already begun shaping that talent to great effect. But as you said, a short time ago she knew nothing of her magical abilities. And the sorceress is powerful.”

“But you’ve heard nothing?” Dallan asked.

“No, Idonea has meditated with both Y’arren and Isleif to see if they can sense her or the sorceress, and they have felt nothing. Which means that the sorceress is also lying very low. What of the Tavinter?”

Skye’s people were the best trackers and scouts in all of Arianthem, and although few in number, they had fanned out and were combing the known world for their beloved leader.

Dallan’s disappointment was again evident. “They have found nothing thus far. And if the Tavinter can’t find her, I fear no one can.”

“Don’t lose heart,” Raine said, “she will be returned to us.”

Just then, Nerthus was ushered into the room and another round of greetings ensued. Nerthus was wearing an attractive ensemble that caught Rika’s eye, for Nerthus was rarely seen without her armor. Previously, Rika had found Idonea’s attraction to the Knight Commander a bit puzzling. Although all sex was pleasurable, their dalliance possessed a passion that seemed disproportionate given the Knight Commander’s gruff and somewhat cold demeanor. Now Rika started to see things in a new light: the Knight Commander’s breasts were a wonder to behold.

Nerthus’ flushed a little beneath the Ha’kan’s pronounced inspection, although the attention did not displease her. Dallan elbowed Rika anyway. The Ha’kan worshipped the female figure and did not hide their admiration, but they were not at home right now.

“We were just discussing the abduction of the Tavinter ruler. Have your sources found anything?” Raine asked.

Nerthus settled with a tankard of mead. “No, and I’ve put the best spies of the Empire to work. No one has reported anything.”

Raine sighed. “The Lady Jorden has put her—,” she hesitated ever-so-briefly, “her people to work as well. They have heard nothing.”

The Lady Jorden possessed a network of spies that rivaled that of the Alfar and probably exceeded that of the Empire. And although several in the room knew of Jorden’s secret identity, it was unlikely that the Empire was aware that “Lagmann,” the allegedly male head of the notorious Guild of Thieves, was actually an imperial noblewoman. It was not Raine’s place to reveal that secret.

“I will meet with the elven ambassador tomorrow, to see if the Alfar know anything,” Raine said. “Which reminds me. How are talks between the Alfar and Empire going?”

“Much better this time around,” Nerthus said. “Most have been low-level, although the Ambassador and the Emperor meet tomorrow. It should be interesting because the Emperor is unused to dealing with someone more arrogant than he is.”

Raine hid a smile. It was an unsubtle jab at Maeva, who was indeed coldly arrogant and a terror to deal with, but it was also a tacit admission that the Emperor himself could be something of an ass. It indicated Nerthus was warming to their company for she never would have made such a revealing comment before.

“Good. Has he met Kiren and been assured of her safety?”

“He meets her tomorrow.”

“Excellent.” Raine’s countenance darkened a shade. “Have you briefed your troops on the threat of assassination?”

“Yes,” Nerthus said, “we are all on high alert protecting the Emperor, and the elven Ambassador as well. Although the security around her is so tight they hardly need our assistance.”

“That is good to hear,” Feyden said quietly. He had felt torn as to whether to accompany Raine or stay by Maeva’s side.