“Should a Midanna war leader indulge in tantrums, it is scarcely I who likens her actions to a city wench,” said he, caring naught for the continuing insult he gave. “Do you also mean to spit upon the promise of safety given us, as if you had no idea of honor? Your posturings demand no respect, wench, solely do they call for a strip of leather to be applied to your insolence, with strength and with frequent repetitions. Surely do you. . . ...
“Enough, brother,” came another voice, and I stood before Telion with fists clenched, my fury attempting to burst out of control, looking up into the mockery in his eyes, so greatly enraged that at first I knew not who had spoken.
“What reason is there for me to cease, Ceralt?” asked Telion. “As I raise no weapon they none of them may halt me, therefore may I address her as I please.”
“You forget that I gave no such vow, Telion,” said Ceralt very softly, so softly that the male before me lost the power of his anger. “Though we have truly become brothers through the trials we faced together, I cannot allow you to speak to her so. You give her uncalled-for pain, brother, and I will not allow her to be given pain.”
“I had not seen it in such a light, Ceralt,” returned Telion in a murmur, a quiet smile now upon him as he moved away from me. Ceralt then stood in his place, directly before me, no ridicule or condemnation in the light eyes which looked down upon me. “As you demand it of me,” said Telion, “I shall certainly cease at once.”
“Satya,” said Ceralt, his hand raised to my cheek, his gaze held to mine, his voice striking me motionless with all the emotion to be heard therein. “It has been a lifetime and more since last I touched you. Are you well?”
So few words he spoke, this male who had done and been so much to me, the tips of his fingers to my face like burning brands, draining my strength and again beginning to make me his. My body cried out silently, demanding the feel of his arms about me, the touch of his lips upon mine, the ecstasy of his desire and the glory of his strength. A truly great need did I feel for the male, and yet was it far from the crippling desire in which I had been held the while I remained his captive. No longer was Jalav made slave by the goddess she rode for, and at last did she see the true reason behind the doings of Telion. He had deliberately insulted me, knowing Ceralt would intervene, thinking I would pay greater heed to one who stood himself in my defense when I could not, in honor, give proper reply myself.
“Jalav is quite well,” said I to Ceralt, refusing further nearness and the indescribable pleasure that putting my hands to the firm, broad strength of his body would bring. “Perhaps it would be best to show exactly how well.”
The softened look Ceralt had worn changed to a puzzled frown. With no hesitation I moved to where Telion stood happily sipping his daru, and quickly kicked out, catching Telion in the middle with the thrust of my heel. The daru sprayed from the mouth of the male as he flung his cup away and bent double from the strength of the kick, a strength which was no more than half of that which I had learned to deliver. It was not my desire to give true harm to Telion, no more than it had been his desire to give true insult, yet had each thing been given and also received. One who gives must ever be prepared to receive as well.
“A Midanna is pleased to take note of those who do not raise weapon to her,” said I, looking down upon a Telion who knelt with one hand to the floor cloth, the other at his middle, a greenish pallor having settled upon his features. “Should you again wish to approach me without weapons, feel free to do so.”
The daru remaining in my own cup had not been spilled, therefore did I turn from Lialt and Ceralt’s attempts to aid their brother and swallowed it down, taking no note of Chaldrin swallowing down a chuckle. That S’Heernoh had also found amusement in the foolishness failed to surprise me, nor did the glint in Aysayn’s eyes, nor the annoyance in those of Galiose. These males each had their own interest in foolishness, and I found I had forgotten the last of them till a hand touched my shoulder.
“Your ability has grown since last I saw it put to use,” said Mehrayn, his wide hand gentle where it rested upon me. “I see it will be necessary to guard myself more closely in future.”
I turned my head to his calm, faintly amused regard, recalling the time he spoke of, the time I had not been able to best his strength and keep him from me. So deeply had I desired his arms about me then, as deeply as I desired them that moment, yet no more might I acknowledge this of Mehrayn than I had acknowledged it of Ceralt.
“The male Mehrayn need not concern himself,” said I, meeting the nearly fierce green gaze. “This warrior deems it highly unlikely that the need shall arise.”
With little difficulty did I walk from his hand then, toward the board and further daru. Never before had I had so great a need of daru, yet was it also true that never before had I been plagued by so large a number of males close about me. Was this the manner in which Mida meant to end me, surely was the likelihood of her doing so quite excellent.
“The wench herself proves my words true, Aysayn,” said Galiose as I reached to the daru pitcher. He and Sigurr’s Shadow stood there together, and little amusement touched the High Seat of Ranistard. “None of us will find it possible to give full minds to matters of import till she has declared her true intentions. How is a man to do as he must, when thoughts of a woman constantly distract him? She must declare herself, I say, not behave as though she has never before laid eyes upon them.”
“Perhaps it would be best if matters were permitted to continue in just such a manner,” came another voice, the voice of S’Heernoh. I turned to see the grateful relief with which Aysayn looked upon the gray-haired male, for Sigurr’s Shadow had clearly grown as weary as I at Galiose’s constant carping. Galiose, however, was less pleased.
“I find no understanding of so unenlightened a view, man,” said he, attempting to take the Walker’s measure with his eyes. “Your disagreement with me indicates a lack of feeling toward those who now suffer needlessly. Should the wench be made to declare herself, the matter will be settled.”
“Surely would it be far beyond my place to voice disagreement with the High Seat of Ranistard,” said S’Heernoh, the smoothness of his voice and the small bow he performed causing Aysayn to drink from the cup he held, to try to hide his amusement. “Merely do I point out that we have scarcely come together here to discuss the doings of a wench and those men who desire her. Should the coming strangers not be adequately seen to, the declaration you now seek so earnestly will surely be of little interest even to those quite intimately concerned with it.”
“Your view no longer seems quite so unenlightened,” said Galiose wryly, looking upon S’Heernoh apologetically. “Should those whose arrival we anticipate not be seen to, likely shall we none of us be free of suffering. Perhaps, Aysayn, you would begin by speaking of how you and yours come to be here.”
“I would be pleased to do so,” Aysayn replied, equally surprised to see that there appeared to be more to Galiose than it had seemed at first. And as Sigurr’s Shadow spoke the tale which had been requested of him, I was able to swallow my daru in peace.
“I had not thought that inquiring after your health would be so hazardous an undertaking,” came a sudden voice from behind me striving not to sound stern. “I believe, in future, I shall avoid such controversial issues.”
“There are many things one would do best to avoid,” I returned, making no effort to look upon Ceralt where he stood so close to me. And then, as I found I could not silence myself, added, “Your wounds are properly healed, I trust?”
“My wounds have been healed for some time,” he replied, unfortunately coming about to where I might see him. So large and strong he was, his dark hair falling to his eyes, his gaze coming down to me as his hands toyed with the goblet he held. “I have missed you sorely, Jalav, and though I will surely bring pain to us both, I must tell you the reason for my having done to you what I did upon the journey to Sigurr’s Peak.”