She sighed. And tentatively moved her arm down and felt where the bastard’s kali cut into her chest but again all she felt were tight bandages. She rested her arm on her midriff. She made one small attempt to move her right arm, but the pain, which was hiding close by, reared up once more and bit her. So she went still. She lay there wondering how long it would take her to get back on her feet until twenty minutes later she was sleeping fitfully.
V
“Above all he must like you,” General Clark na Gall said as the carriage rounded a corner and entered the palace grounds. He was here without his wife’s blessing for two reasons; the first was that he sympathized with the plight of the Massi people and second he had a growing hunch that when the High King succeeded in subduing his current targets he would soon turn eyes on King Marc and the Cassinni. Thus far his country had adamantly refused to go to war, despite King Marc’s great loyalty to the High King. King Marc was cautious to a fault, and though timid he had a stubborn streak. He would remain neutral if he could, but General na Gall felt that taking such a position in the face of mounting pressure from the High King was putting the Cassinni in a very dangerous position. He feared for his country and felt they would need allies very soon. If anyone asked, this was the reason he would give for bringing the Massi General, but the true force behind his decision was that he could deny his daughter nothing.
Bock frowned. “Like me?” He asked, as the carriage bumped along the main road to the palace. He was sitting next to Jess, facing her father whom was across from them. He tried to concentrate on what the old general was saying but every now and then na Gall’s leg would be bump electrically into his, innocently caused by the jostling carriage.
Clark nodded. “King Marc is a simple man, with simple tastes and simple reasons for his decisions. But he is also stubborn. If he takes a dislike to you, no amount of persuasion from his advisors will change his mind.”
“Advisors,” Bock echoed flatly.
“Yes, the King has a host of advisors. I’m one of them.”
“You’re his favorite,” Jess said without any attempt to hide the pride in her voice.
Clark looked at his daughter and smiled. “Perhaps…but there are many and Marc has a way of only hearing those who agree with him.”
Bock frowned again as the carriage pulled to a stop. “Well if he’s timid and loyal to the High King, he won’t like what I have to say.”
The Cassinni General nodded. “Your job will be challenging indeed. I suggest you go slowly…try to charm him before you request any action.”
Bock flashed a look of concern at Jess na Gall, but she just smiled at him. “You’re charming,” she said in support, her eyes dancing with Lonogan’s and it was General na Gall’s turn to frown slightly.
Bock stepped from the carriage, then turned and took Jess’ hand and helped her down the step. Her father followed, now paying very close attention to the interaction between the two.
‘My daughter has a lover,’ he thought but was not quite correct, for the two had as yet only exchanged a few kisses. Nevertheless the heat between the two young people was growing and at the moment was trying to burn a hole in Clark na Gall’s heart. But from the beginning of time, a daughter’s passion was a father’s lament.
“General!” A voice exclaimed from the top of a wide stone staircase. Bock turned and saw a short balding man dressed in a dark navy blue uniform. He moved spryly down the stairs of the palace toward them. “Traveler na Gall,” he added and stopped a step above Jess and gave her a quick kiss on each of her cheeks.
“Lovelier than ever,” he said. “I see Miranda in the woman before me.”
“Thank the stars,” Clark said and shook the smaller man’s hand.
“Admiral Seymour, may I introduce General Lonogan Bock of the Massi.”
The Admiral turned, still a few steps above the Massi General and studied Bock for a moment eye to eye, then held out his hand.
“A pleasure,” the Admiral said. “I must say we were surprised by the timing of your visit.”
Bock smiled slightly. ‘The Cassinni must have spies…or they’re kept very well informed by the High King.’ Neither thought was very comforting.
“How so?” he asked, hoping to confirm his suspicions.
The Admiral just looked at him and chuckled. “Ah yes. We mustn’t keep the King waiting. He is anxious to see you all.” And with that, the little Admiral turned and raced up the stairs with seemingly boundless energy. The three followed behind at a much more dignified pace. As they did so, Clark na Gall noticed that Jess immediately turned to Lonogan for support, entwining her arm lightly in his as they climbed the massive staircase. Her strength was just beginning to return to normal. It hurt him slightly that she would turn to another for support when he was so close by her side, but the fact that the Massi General appeared to be ever attentive and willing, cushioned the blow somewhat.
‘Old fool,’ he thought to himself as he climbed behind the young couple, ‘she’s not a young girl anymore. She’s beautiful, probably had scores of lovers…’ General Clark shook the unwanted thought away, but it lingered, like wine gone bad, leaving a nasty aftertaste in his mouth.
Admiral Seymour led them quickly through the entrance hall of the palace and straight back into a wide hallway. The dark mahogany walls were lined with hundreds of paintings depicting Cassinni royalty of old, all in gilded frames. Bock glanced at a few of the portraits as they walked by, but was continually distracted by the Admiral who, from his place in front, would every so often look back at them as if checking to be sure that they were still following. The little man reminded Lonogan of an excited dog out for a walk that would run ahead and then return, then run ahead and return, over and over again. Luckily they reached their destination quickly and the Admiral guided them into a large receiving room. Inside were perhaps a score of people, though a half dozen of these were musicians and there were also three…no four acrobatic tumblers present as well. The Admiral led them over to a group of men attempting to teach another how to walk on his hands.
“M’lord Marc,” the Admiral said over the music which stopped abruptly. “May I introduce…”
“Traveler na Gall!” The King said from his upside down position. The two men who were holding his feet for balance immediately released him and he sprang upright quickly. His face was red from being inverted but he smiled widely and strode quickly to Jess. He embraced her tightly and kissed her on each cheek as if they were long lost friends. It was true they’d met on several occasions, but the greeting was unexpected in any event.
“You’ve been away from your homeland too long,” King Marc said, clearly prizing the fact that the Traveler was Cassinni.
Jess smiled at him and patted his hand. “It would be a danger to our people if I was to visit Cassinni too often or for too long,” she explained, watching the King’s face darken as if a cloud suddenly drifted in front of his mind’s eye.