Deep frustration took the male then, anger also coming at sight of my smile. I had truly fathomed Chaldrin’s intentions, and had negated them by doing no more than speaking truth.
“The demands of honor!” growled the male, as though he spoke of things accursed. “Honor should be left to men, for wenches will ever overdo a thing. For what reason did you fail to believe me?”
“For the reason that I have come to know you,” said I, returning my attention to the snarls of my hair. “Chaldrin is not a male to gloat over having beaten and taken a female against her will. He is not above doing such things, I know, yet is he above gloating over them.”
“He did not do the Hitta as he said?” demanded Wedin, confusion clear in her voice. “War leader, the male lied?”
“He did indeed,” said I, seeing the amusement in Chaldrin over my previous words. The male chuckled to himself, for he knew I had again spoken truth. “Perhaps he would now care to speak of what truly occurred between Ilvin and himself.”
All eyes went to Chaldrin where he sat, and the male returned each gaze before shaking his head. “The beliefs of the wench as to how she must be used were no lie,” said he, a sigh of capitulation taking him. “Well might I have acceded to her needs, for I have no true ownership of her, yet was her manner of informing me of those needs distasteful. Much was I made to feel that my ownership was hers, and also was I moved to suggest, in mockery of her tone, that she need not beat me as she seemed eager to do. The wench immediately informed me that my plea was rejected, took up the switch that Jalav had been swinging all about, then had at me. I found it prudent to take the switch from her, gave to her the number of blows she had managed to give me, then put her to her back. She made no more sound at the feel of the switch than had I, yet was her body afterward eager to give me the pleasure I sought. In no manner is a wench able to deny the man who beats her, for she wishes to placate him so that he will not beat her again.”
The eyes of the male became bland, a hidden smile barely turning the corners of his mouth. Well did he know that I had heard such a statement before from him, immediately following the first occasion he had taken a whip to me. The urge toward anger rose high within me as memory was returned of that time, yet was I aware of the intent of the male, and therefore did I smile rather than frown, and turn my head toward the affronted dignity of the Summa.
“My brother seeks to have us eject him from our midst,” said I, drawing the bristling glare of both warriors. “He knows he will serve me this darkness should I demand it, therefore does he seek to keep the command unspoken. His words of insult are as deliberate as the lies he spoke, for he wishes to provoke anger within me. I would have you understand this, so that no difficulty is given him.”
“By the blessed sword of Mida the Golden,” growled Wedin, her eyes angrily going to Chaldrin. “Another moment and challenge would have been his rather than ejection! For what reason does he seek to avoid serving you, Jalav? Is he now unable due to having used the Hitta?”
“I seriously doubt his inability, Wedin,” I said, turning my gaze to a Chaldrin who was once again wrapped deep in frustration. “He seeks to deny me, as was asked of him by another.”
“Demanded of me,” said Chaldrin, a sourness all through him. “The words were a demand, wench, not a request, nor do I take umbrage at the demand. A man has his rights.”
“As a wench has her needs,” said another voice, and then did Mehrayn appear to seat himself upon the far side of Chaldrin. “Ever has it been the right of a man to see happily to the needs of his wench, as I shall do for you. When our repast is done, my furs are yours.”
“Jalav has no need of the furs of merely any male,” said I, my voice and gaze equally cold. “Jalav will share pleasure with one who does not fear to face her, with one who is willingly called brother. The male Mehrayn may say naught upon this decision.”
“The male Mehrayn has much to say upon a decision such as that,” said Mehrayn, his eyes continuing calm, his voice gentle. “The male Mehrayn has respect for the wishes of she who is the war leader Jalav, yet are there certain matters in which he is not to be gainsaid. A man who feels such love as I feel for you, Jalav, cannot bear to see another man touch his woman. It would have given me far greater pleasure to have slain the filth Nobain with my bare hands, for he caused you great harm and agony and would have forced himself upon you. I feel no similar fury toward Chaldrin here, yet should you persist in tempting him out of anger toward me, I will surely call him out. Do you wish to see him slain through no fault of his own?”
The calm, unangered eyes of Mehrayn remained upon me, perhaps deliberately ignoring the hand Chaldrin had put to his own eyes, as though he were touched by pain. Wedin and Dotil exchanged looks of confusion, understanding little of what occurred, yet was it clear that Chaldrin had spoken the truth earlier in the fey. Although I found belief upon the point difficult, Mehrayn did indeed seek to fill my sleeping leather to the exclusion of all others. Such foolishness might be found among no others than males, and even had I not already determined to turn from Mehrayn, I would not have allowed it to continue.
“He who gives challenge to my brother gives challenge to me,” said I, repeating the point for the benefit of those who had no true understanding of it. “As my brother bears a wound which would slow him, it is I alone who shall stand to the challenge. In a meeting such as this there may, of course, be no quarter given, no thought of keeping back the slaying stroke. When and where are we to meet, male?”
“We are not to meet,” said Mehrayn calmly. “Should the need arise it is Chaldrin whom I shall meet, wound or no, with your approval or without. You shall not stand for him nor even by him, for your insistances make this a matter between men. You have little understanding of this state of affairs, I know, therefore do I attempt to teach you of it. Was there naught between us I would say no word upon your doings, for I would not have the right. Did you not continue to be held by childish anger and petulance I would say no word for there would then be little need. There shall ever be a place for you beside me in my furs, therefore need you no longer torment this man. Come to me and allow me to ease your need as I have done in the past, and we need say no more concerning meetings and slayings. I shall hold you near to me as gently or as strongly as you wish, and we shall both banish all thoughts of anger and disagreement.”
Earnestly did the male look upon me as his words ended, and though I felt the warmth and strength of the arms he spoke of I was also able to recall his vow to challenge the gods. Much did I wish to put my hands to my face and hide myself from the thought of that challenge, but that was impossible. Well did I know that were the male to stand in jeopardy I would not find myself able to deny his need, despite the curling fear in my soul, despite the agony and terror I would face. I would need to face again that which few were able to survive a first time, and my courage flagged and faded with the thought of it. Far better that I send the male from me, to pursue another who was not possessed jealously by the gods.
“The male Mehrayn is mistaken,” said I, again sending the comb calmly through my hair. “There is naught between us to be considered, naught which moves me to a wish for his use. As for my brother Chaldrin, he has been accepted in the service of Mida. Should he be slain, the war leader Jalav shall avenge him, even against one who will not raise sword to her. Then shall there be two who are slain, and Jalav shall continue on in the service of the gods—without males to bedevil her. You seek a thing which is not and never shall be, male. Seek it elsewhere, and all may survive to face the strangers.”