“The memories of this darkness must remain strong within me,” said he quite softly, his face no more than a finger from mine. “I shall not again have the use of my wench till my return, which may be quite some time.”
“Where does Ceralt go?” asked I, knowing the question must be asked, yet nearly lost in the nearness of the hunter. So strong was the heat within him, such pleasure was he able to give!
“I ride with others in search of the third Crystal of power,” Ceralt replied in a murmur, his lips upon my face. “We have heard of a place where it might be found, and shall make our way there as quickly as may be. My hunters shall provision the party as it goes, and aid as best we may upon our arrival there.”
Speaking presented great difficulty, for my hands stroked the strong back of him as his hands held me to him by the hair, yet was I able to say, “I shall accompany Ceralt upon his journey, therefore shall he find no lack of Jalav. To whence do we ride?”
Again Ceralt chuckled, and his head moved in negation. “Jalav does not ride,” said he with amusement. “Jalav shall remain within the house of Ceralt, there to practice the reading and writing of her letters, and there to greet him properly upon his return. Truly great shall my need be then, therefore I give you warning now: rest well in my absence, wench, for little rest shall you find upon my return.”
“I care little for letters and rest,” said I quite firmly. “Already have I decided to accompany you. To whence do we ride?”
“You, my girl, do not!” said Ceralt with equal firmness, his face a shadow in the dark. Again he pressed his lips to mine with strength, then were his hands gone from my hair, and to my fury was the collar again clapped about my throat! Little sense was there in struggle, yet struggle I did as the Mida-forsaken male laughed at my outrage, then pulled me to him once more. A final memory he took unto himself, then he arose and clothed himself while I lay, angry, upon the platform.
“You shall remain as you are till our party has gone,” said he, smug in his satisfaction. “I shall leave the key to the collar with others, though you well deserve to be left upon the bed till my return. Galiose has given me his word that no lash shall be taken to you till I am able to see what may be done with your stubbornness, yet his patience grows exceedingly thin. Behave yourself in my absence, Jalav, else shall I find the need to add to the hidings you have already received.” He paused and approached me slowly, then his hand touched my cheek. “Better a hundred hidings, my girl,” said he, “than one taste of the lash. Never again shall you be beaten while I live.” Again he hesitated, then his hands raised to the leather which held my life sign about his neck, and quickly he removed the life sign and slipped it again about my own neck, in its accustomed place. I was speechless at such an action, yet Ceralt left it so, gave his lips to me a final time, then hurriedly left the room.
The silence of the darkness sat heavily upon me as I lay there, the metal of the collar tight about my throat, the strong male smell of Ceralt still upon me, my hand clasped firmly about my life sign. The chain of the collar did not allow a sitting position, so short was it, therefore did I lie upon the platform as I had been, my eyes upon the swing of the door by which Ceralt had departed. Again had I my life sign about my neck, my soul again secure, and thus did I know that Mida once again smiled upon her warrior. Yet was I disturbed that Ceralt had returned it then, as he prepared to ride in search of the Crystal, for surely did such action mean he thought it possible he would not return. Great pain was there in the thought of the loss of him, and he had even refused to speak of where he rode! Quickly must I find myself and my warriors free, so that I might ride to his aid. Blessed be Mida that she had already revealed to me the location of the Crystal!
Many hind passed before my release, so many hind that I fell asleep where I lay upon the platform. At last I awakened to the presence of Inala beside the platform, and with a smile she showed the small bit of metal upon her hand.
“The key was brought but moments ago,” she informed me as she reached toward the collar. “You are now allowed the freedom of the house, yet are you forbidden to leave it.”
“None save Mida may forbid the actions of a Hosta,” said I, pleased as the collar opened and fell from me. Briefly, I rubbed my throat, then rose to find and don my clan covering.
“There are Guardsmen here to see to your obedience,” said Inala softly. The female stood quietly in the white of her covering, and deeply concerned did her dark eyes appear. “Mistress shall find the need to obey,” said she, “for the Guardsmen have been instructed by the High Seat.”
“Galiose does well in adding to my annoyance,” I muttered. “Much pleasure would I find in facing him with sword. What number of males has he sent?”
“There are three,” said Inala with a frown. “Surely, Mistress will not attempt to....”
“All shall be seen to,” said I with a gesture of my hand, which silenced her. “Let us now look upon these emissaries of the High Seat.”
Without further speech, Inala proceeded to the lower level, I in her wake, and there we found the three males, each in leather and metal, each armed with sword and dagger, and each with a grin upon his large, broad face. Larger were these males than any I had ever seen, larger, even, than Telion, Ceralt, or Galiose. Full amused were they that I saw weapons before me, yet was unable to make them mine. With dignity and lack of concern I passed these males, and allowed Inala to lead me to the room of red silk, where awaited my provender. The males entered as I seated myself, and watched silently as I partook of the foods and drink, yet when their eyes were upon my pot of renth, I sipped but slowly with the thought that had come to me. The thought seemed an excellent one, therefore did I call to Inala and hold high the pot of renth when she appeared.
“I would have this drink brewed before I partake of it further,” said I to her. “Do you know the manner of doing so?”
At her indication of ignorance, I explained the proper manner of brewing, then ordered her to brew an amount sufficient for the balance of the fey. At these final words a light began to gleam within her dark eyes, and most hastily did she withdraw to do my bidding. The males watched her departure with smiles of approval for her grace, yet they remained within the room as I fed quite slowly, awaiting the brewing of the renth.
Some reckid later, the female returned, a large pot held carefully before her, the strong aroma of brewed renth arising from it. Not as pleasing as daru was the aroma of renth. yet the males fastened their eyes to the pot, and watched carefully as my drinking pot was filled therefrom. I sipped at the brewed renth with satisfaction, and then smacked my lips most heartily.
“Excellent,” said I to a smiling Inala, who stood beside me with the pot. “It still has not the body of daru, yet has brewing done much to improve it.”
“I have prepared much of it, Mistress,” Inala said, again in innocence. “Your slave hopes that there shall not be too much.”
“It shall be seen to,” I assured her, taking a further, much pleasing, sip of the renth, and the males glanced upon one another in indecision. The largest of the males, he in the center, drew the back of his hand across seemingly dry lips, and then he stepped forward.