Queen to Knight’s Level
Copyright 2005 by
Amaranth Rose
all rights reserved
“I’m going to miss Rangar,” Amaranth said quietly at the dinner table the evening after he had left in his tiny dragonfly ship with Serrah and Lord Griszhas. Serrah was her husband Doug’s first apprentice, and Lord Griszhas was a Gnomayini, or Gnomish, agent with the Gallarian Special Services Corps. The three of them had searched all over Malledore for many months in their quest to recover the Heart of Gallaria, a symbolic sculpture that commemorated the relocation of three races from a dying solar system to the planet of Gallaria and the truce between the three diverse races. The three races, Gnomayini, Dwarf and Yi’ell Vayar, or Elf as Amaranth thought of them, originally came from separate planets. When their star began to decay into a nova, another, more ancient race, collected the three peoples and resettled them to Gallaria. The Heart was a symbol of the enduring truce between the three races, and it had been stolen by a very clever thief. Vardos was a former Apprentice of Doug’s, and he managed to lay the blame for the theft on Serrah. It was only since Doug’s most recent trip to Earth that the truth had come out, but Serrah was determined not to return to her home and her husband on Modraya until the Heart was found. Amaranth’s insight had led to the finding of the Heart, hidden behind a mortared wall in a cave near the castle on Malledore. They had left this afternoon, bound for Na’Chotle to return the Heart and receive a long-overdue apology from the High Council of the Crystal Matrix Knighthood for their misjudgment of Serrah.
Doug glanced quizzically at her as he passed a dish to her son Shasta. At fourteen he had a prodigious appetite.
“Thanks, Dad. Does anyone else want any more of this?” Doug and his parents, Leo and Lina, shook their heads “no”. Shan-ji and Jeb both said “No, thanks” in the same breath.
“Miss Rangar? Why him, particularly?” Doug asked. “I mean, he takes some getting used to. It’s not everyone who has a five foot long, carnivorous insectoid as a house guest for these many months.”
Rangar was a Fabreetzan, from Fabree’s Planet, and he strongly resembled a five foot long cross between a grasshopper and a preying mantis.
“I know. It’s just that while he was here I felt close to him. As if he was my brother.”
“No wonder, that. It’s his brother’s heartstone that chose you. You’d be bound to feel some kinship to him, from that standpoint.” Doug passed another dish to Shasta. “I feel rather strange being a brother-in-law to a Fabreetzan prince, but I’m getting used to it. It’s no worse than being one-quarter Yi’ell Vayar.”
“This is really good,” Shasta remarked, dumping the contents of the serving bowl onto his plate. “What is it?”
Doug shot a warning glance to his parents.
“We call it a vegetable,” he said after a moment. Some things were best introduced gradually, and Klah-higath was one of those. “I’ll take you to the garden after dinner and show you what it is.”
“That’d be great!” Shasta wolfed down his dinner. “So, when are the apprentices coming back, Dad?”
“Not for a long time, I expect. Why?”
“I think I like having a big family,” Shasta explained between mouthfuls. “No offense, Mom, but, it’s lonely being an only.”
“At least Ran and Miranda will have you, and each other,” Doug said quietly.
“Yeah, but they should have brothers and sisters their own age, too,” Shasta said earnestly. “You and Mom have plenty of love to go around. It’d be fun to have a bunch of brothers and sisters all the time, not just when Mom has a baby.” He sounded wistful. “It’s hard being special alone.”
“I think I’ll stick with what I’ve got, thanks,” Doug said, an edge to his voice. “I spent a lifetime finding the Queen of Heaven. I’d rather not lose her to the complications of pregnancy if I can help it.”
“I rather doubt you have much to worry about in that regard,” Leo remarked, watching Amaranth push her food around her plate, not eating much.
“Well, children need both their parents, at any age, and I don’t intend to gamble on losing my wife to have more children. Maybe in a few years I might consider it, but not yet. Not right now.” He favored Amaranth with a long, loving look. “I love her too much to share her any more than I have to.”
“Life answers to life, Dou-Gai-Han,” Shan-ji remarked soberly. “And both of you are very full of life.”
“Well, life will have to wait a while,” Doug said. “I have no intention of having any more children just yet. I want to get to know the ones I have already.”
His parents exchanged glances. Shan-ji shook his head. Jeb muttered something under his breath. Amaranth was silently staring at her plate.
“Dad, could you please pass the gravy?” Shasta’s question broke the ponderous silence, bringing things back to normal once again.
After dinner that night Doug pleaded paperwork, and went into his office. Long after he knew she was asleep, he looked in on her. Char was sleeping on the bed at her feet. He kissed her cheek softly. Then he left and slept elsewhere. During the day he never seemed to have any time for her, always pleading business and hurrying.
Amaranth knew he was fighting his own inner demons, trying to cope with the fears that had been stirred by their discussion with Serrah, Grizhas and Rangar on the morning of their departure. He would have to work through it himself. Still, she shed many bitter tears.
Amaranth threw herself into her writing and her Knight’s training with Shan-ji. The old Knight said nothing. Gradually she spent more and more time with him, until nearly her whole day was taken up between the twins, writing, and her training. Leo and Lina watched with concern as she grew more tired and pallid-looking.
Jeb was frankly worried. Finally he cornered her and Shan-ji as they were on their way out to the courtyard after breakfast. It was a little over two weeks since Rangar and the others had left.
“You haven’t told him, have you?” he accused her.
She looked around frantically, not wanting to be overheard.
“About what, Jeb?” she asked innocently.
“About the baby you’re carrying right now.”
She looked at the floor for a long time. When she looked up her eyes were filled with barely-contained tears.
“Jeb, I haven’t had a chance. He’s been avoiding me. He barely speaks to me.”
“Well, what about at night?”
She stifled a sob then.
“We haven’t been together since Rangar and the others left. When I offer myself to him, he turns away. He works late and sleeps elsewhere.”
Her tears began to burst through the dam of her iron self-control. Shan-ji muttered under his breath.
“The damned idiot!” Jeb put his arms around her and she wept bitterly then. “I’ll talk to him. With a board. Pound some sense into him if I have to.”
“No, Ja’Bora. There is a better way. Let us deal with it at lunch. It will be better if it is out in the open. For the moment, let us go outside where we can talk more freely.”
Jeb saw the wisdom in Shan-ji’s words and acquiesced. They went out to the courtyard to practice, and plan.
They were in the middle of lunch when Jeb suddenly remarked,
“So, Master, have you given any thought as to where you are going to put the twins when the next child comes along?”
“Who says there will be a next child?”
Shan-ji looked at him reproachfully then. “Dou-Gai-Han! Your wife is young and beautiful. She is a highly desirable woman, and very much alive. It is obvious that she loves you very much. You would have to have a heart of stone not to see that she desires you, and you alone. Do you think you can deny her forever?”
He considered Doug for a long time, then sadly shook his head.
“That is a cruel form of torture for you both, Dou-Gai-Han. You disappoint me greatly. I had not thought you capable of such an act.”
Leo and Lina looked at Doug with concern. He read the censure in their eyes.
“I would deny myself life itself rather than lose her,” he said after a while.
“You’re a bit late making that kind of noble sacrifice,” Jeb said acidly.
“Just what do you mean by that, Ja’Bora?” Doug’s voice was silky but it held an undertone of steel.
Jeb gave a snort. “I mean you’re a fool, Master Dou-Gai-Han.”
Doug’s eyes blazed. “What did you call me?”
“I said you’re a fool. But I retract that statement. You’re a damned fool.” His silvery eyes held Doug’s unflinchingly.
Doug regarded him with a steely gaze. “And just what do you mean by that?” he ground out at last.
“I mean exactly what I say. You’re a damned fool. You’re withholding your love and affection from your wife when it’s as plain as the light of day she’s already two and a half months pregnant with your next child,” Jeb said acidly. He let that soak in a minute.
Doug looked at him, a look of utter shock on his face.
“Rangar and Serrah were right, Master. You are truly a great Knight, but you’ve a very great deal to learn about love and life.”
He took Amaranth by the arm then, and Shan-ji joined them as he led her from the dining room. They headed for the courtyard where they usually practiced, gathering up the babies as they went.
Doug stood staring after them for a long time. Then he looked at his parents.
“You knew?” he asked at last.
They nodded.
“Son, we didn’t realize you were so unobservant. We knew over a month ago.” Leo spoke gently. “Pregnant women have a kind of special look about them. They sort of radiate life, Amaranth especially. Think, Son. Search your feelings. If you think carefully, I’ll bet you can even tell to the day when she got pregnant.”
Doug pondered this. Then he looked shamefaced.
“I owe her an apology,” he said finally. “And Ja’Bora.”
“You’d better start thinking, also, Son,” his mother said gently.
He looked at her, puzzled. “About what, Mother?”
“About where you’re going to put the twins.”
He nodded and went to look for the others.
Chapter 2
He found them in one of the courtyards. Amaranth and Shan-ji were sitting in the middle of the grass, and Jeb was in one corner, a baby on his knee, thoroughly enjoying himself. Doug hesitated, then started toward Jeb.
“Come here, Dou-Gai-Han!” Shan-ji ordered peremptorily. When he came near, Shan-ji pointed at the grass.
“Sit!” he said abruptly. Doug sat. “What is the lesson about?”
He looked at Doug piercingly. Doug looked back at him helplessly.
“I’m sorry, Master. I haven’t a clue.”
“Then listen and attend.” He turned to her then.
“Amaranth, what is the lesson about?”
“The lesson is about Fear, Master Shan-ji, Sir.”
“What is Fear?”
“Fear is that which causes us to do what is wrong, and to refrain from doing what we know is right. It causes us to harm others when we wish not to. It warns us of danger, yet it paralyzes us into inaction. It leads us into the paths that take us to the dark side.”
She spoke softly, yet her words seemed to slice into Doug’s heart like a scalpel. He flinched.
Shan-ji stared at Doug. “Which is worse, Fear, or the results of our actions?”
“Fear,” Doug said slowly, after a moment’s thought.
Shan-ji nodded approvingly. He glanced over to the corner of the courtyard where Jeb was watching the twins. Then his eyes impaled Doug’s once more.
“Why?” Shan-ji questioned relentlessly, his gaze boring into Doug mercilessly.
“Because actions are finite, even though they have effects, and they have an end. Fear is limitless and unbounded; it never ends.”
Shan-ji nodded.
“Let go of your fear. Let it flow through you, but do not let it consume you. Do not hold on to fear, or it will hold you in its grasp.” He looked at them both then. “Do you understand?”
Amaranth nodded.
“Yes, Master Shan-ji, Sir,” Doug said respectfully.
The old master stood and waved his hands dismissively at them.
“Good. Go, then. I am busy.”
They watched him walk over to where Jeb was sitting with the twins. Soon he was happily dandling a baby on his knee and talking with Jeb. Doug looked at him with amusement.
“He looks a hundred years younger. What did he do before we had the babies?”
“He acted a lot more dignified, I think,” she said with a grin. “But he seems a whole lot happier now.”
Doug’s expression grew sober.
“Amaranth, I’m sorry. I treated you horribly. I was afraid. Will you forgive me?”
“Hmm. I suppose I’ll forgive you.” She moved suddenly, taking him completely by surprise. “But I may punish you a little.” And she pinned him to the ground and tickled him until he was breathless. Try as he might, Doug could not free himself.
“OH! Please! Mercy! Help! Shan-ji, Jeb! Help me!” he cried out, to no avail. They were laughing helplessly. Then, to add insult to injury, she caught his wrists and held him down while she kissed him until he was breathless and dizzy. She saw his eyes kindle with passion; he struggled to reach for her but she held him firmly. Then she leapt lightly to her feet and ran toward the castle.
“Catch me if you can!” she yelled teasingly over her shoulder.
Jeb and Shan-ji watched, laughing hilariously, as Doug struggled to his feet, gasping for breath as he ran after her. Shan-ji looked at the baby he was holding.
“Hah! See, we got rid of your mummy and daddy for a while. Now Ja’Bora and I have you all to ourselves!” He was rewarded with a big grin.
Doug finally cornered her in their bedroom. They were both laughing uproariously. He caught her at last and kissed her until she begged for mercy.
“Uh-uh,” he said softly. “It’s my turn.” He kissed and caressed every inch of her then, until she alternately begged for mercy and whimpered for more. Finally, when she thought she might explode with the fires of passion, he took her to an even higher peak, and they soared together until the flames at last receded and they rested, contented and complete in each other’s arms.
“Doug?” She asked. He was frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“About children.”
“What about them?”
“Well, at the current rate of production, in approximately nineteen point seven years, we’ll have to either build a new castle or put a couple more stories on this one just to accommodate them all.”
“Hmmph!” she said, holding him down and tickling him unmercifully. He writhed and wriggled, attempting to escape, but to no avail. At last she made a mistake, and he suddenly shifted and rolled on top of her, pinning her to the bed.
“Enough,” he said, kissing her passionately, “is,” he kissed her more gently, “enough.” He kissed her very tenderly then. He looked deep into her eyes; they were dark with invitation.
“Rangar was right,” he said slowly. “I do have much to learn about women.” He drew away from her. “We should go see about the children,” he said slowly. She reached for him then, and kissed him sweetly.
“Later,” she said huskily. He hesitated, and she kissed him invitingly, teasing his lips with her tongue until they gave way before her gentle onslaught. His loins throbbed as they felt the flood of passion once again. She kissed him until he ached with wanting her, shook with the intensity of his desire.
“Amaranth,” he whispered, his voice thick with passion, “You are a very wanton woman.”
For answer she moved against him, driving his desire even higher. He groaned then, and gave himself up to her. It was some time before they went in search of Jeb and Shan-ji and the children.
# # #
Chapter 3
“When are you going to go to Modraya, Son?” Lina questioned over breakfast the next day. “You’ll have to go soon, if you’re going to get back in time for your next child to be born here. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck there for at least six more months. They deserve some of your time too.”
Doug looked thoughtful.
“I suppose you’re right, Mother. It is about time they got to meet the wife of the Modrain.” He looked at his little son and daughter. “They’re big enough now to go on a shuttle. And the next school term doesn’t start for four and a half months. Someone will have to go get Juwanna and Merilla then. Shasta will have to start school then, too.”
Shasta groaned painfully. He looked at the boy, noting the look of distaste on his face.
“You must go to school, so I don’t want to hear any grumbling. You can still learn tricks like this when you’re on break or vacation,” he put out his hand; a blue flame appeared in his palm, danced and gyrated, then went zinging about the room to burst into a fireball above the boy’s head before winking out, “but you must learn book work at school. And you’d better work hard and get good grades, or there won’t be any tricks for treats. You understand, Son?”
Shasta nodded soberly. “Yes, Dad. I understand.”
Doug turned to Jeb and Shan-ji next.
“How about you two? Do you wish to come to Modraya with us for a couple of months?”
“Sure,” Jeb replied. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Shan-ji chuckled.
“You know what they are going to say about her, don’t you? ‘She’s just a little slip of a girl. And so very young. I could break her with my bare hands,’” he intoned, mimicking Ronat’s voice. Lord Ronat was the Archivist for Modraya; all the artifact and documents of importance to Modraya were in his care and keeping. “It should be very interesting.”
“Very well, then, folks, pack your bags. We’re going as soon as I can contact Captain Chee and arrange transportation.”
“Where are we going, Doug?” Amaranth asked. He smiled at her.
“To visit my ‘Ugly Duckling’ of a planet. I was paroled there after the High Council let me out of prison the first time.” He smiled at the look of shock on her face. “Didn’t I tell you I was a jailbird? Remind me sometime to tell you about all the times I’ve been an unwilling guest of the High Council. I have quite a rap sheet. I’m practically a hardened criminal!”
The others laughed at that. She sensed that there was truth in what he said, but she knew he was teasing her. Finally he grew serious.
“Modraya is almost all water. There’s just a handful of islands in a vast ocean. You remember Lord Ronat, don’t you?”
“Serrah’s husband?”
“Yes. He’s Modrayan.” He chuckled in amusement. “I completely restructured their society, destroyed their entire social order and rebuilt it from the ground up, and changed their lives so completely they hardly recognized it. For punishment they refused to let me relinquish the governorship. So I’m obligated to spend some time there every now and then, and what with the mission to Earth and the trial and the twins, they’re long overdue.”
“Master Shan-ji, may I ask you about something?” He and Amaranth were on their way to the courtyard after breakfast.
“What is it, Amaranth?” His tone was pleasant and kindly.
“Who is Star?”
He looked at her mildly. “Did Dou-Gai-Han not tell you about her?”
She shook her head. “All I’ve heard is bits and pieces.” She glanced at his face. He had a closed expression.
“I’m sorry, Amaranth. I can’t answer that question.”
She sighed. “Do you know about it? Or is it something only he knows about, like Gothgor?”
He shook his head.
“No. I know all about Star. But I think he should tell you about her. It’s very personal, and not really my business. It’s not my place to tell you about her. You’ll have to ask him.”
She sighed again.
“I did. He said I had to wait until we were going to Modraya.”
“Then you will have to wait. You must learn to be patient, Amaranth.” They were nearly to the courtyard.
“So many secrets,” she mused. “I’m beginning to feel as if I’m married to a total stranger. Doug’s gone from repairman to spaceman to Knight to Prince of Malledore to Emperor of the Ring Ships and Governor of Modraya and who knows what else. I’m not sure who I’m married to at all anymore. I’m not sure who I am anymore, either.”
He glanced at her thoughtfully.
“You’re the Queen of Heaven. If the prophecy holds true, you are the greatest healer in the universe.”
“So why am I not out healing someone? All I’m doing is sitting around the castle practicing to be a Knight. I feel like an ornament. Pretty and useless.”
He looked at her closely, noting the signs of strain and frustration in her face and eyes. He took her by the arm and stopped her.
“Amaranth. You are an extraordinary healer. That is a gift that comes with a price. Many people will want your help in that line. Not all of them will want to let you come and go as you please. There are people who would imprison you, torture you, or even worse, in an attempt to use you for their own ends. Training you in the ways of the Knighthood is the best way we have to teach you to protect yourself in our world.” He put a hand gently on her abdomen. “If nothing else, think of the children’s safety. You know what it is like to hold your child in your arms. If someone were to threaten them, or hurt them, do you think you could resist their demands, even if it were wrong or evil?”
She stiffened. “Please, Master Shan-ji, don’t,” she said in a small, tortured voice. She began to shudder.
He looked at her keenly, sudden insight dawning.
“It’s already happened, hasn’t it? With Shasta?”
She nodded mutely. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
“Let it go, Amaranth.” He put his arms around her and drew her close. She buried her face in his shoulder and wept. At last he led her over to the shade of some trees on one side of the courtyard. They sat down on the grass.
“I think today the lesson shall be about Fear,” he said gently.
A few days later Satch drove them to the spaceport. Leo and Lina went along to see them off. Lina took Doug aside for a few minutes.
“You take good care of Amaranth, now, Son.”
He looked at her. “You know I will.” He searched her face. “Is something troubling you, Mother? Is there something I should know about?”
She shook her head slowly.
“I was just remembering Trina, and Star. I know it was a hundred years ago, but Modraya still makes me a little uneasy. Be careful, son? Be on your guard.”
He smiled at her then.
“I will, Mother. I gave my Knight’s oath to serve and protect her with my life and my blade back when we were still on Earth.” He glanced at Amaranth, who was saying goodbye to Leo just then. “I meant it then, and I still do.”
“You knew then?”
He nodded. “I felt it the first time I set eyes on her. So, when I found out she had an opening for a Knight in shining armor, I naturally had to apply for the job.” He grinned. “It was hard to convince her to give me the position, but I finally managed to persuade her.”
Lina chuckled. “I’ll bet. How far did you have to crawl?”
Doug looked offended.
“Really, Mother! I took the easy way out. I seduced her first. I am my father’s son, you know,” he said archly. Lina laughed. “But it was the longest ten minutes on my knees I’ve ever spent,” he said with a grin.
At last they were underway in Captain Chee’s shuttle. Amaranth sat watching Doug as she had been wont to do of late, quietly studying him. He felt her eyes on him.
“What is it, Love? Is something wrong?” They were out in space, the relentless acceleration of launch eased off for the moment as they cruised to their first change of course before jumping to Idyllawn space.
“Nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering what new part of you I’m going to meet on this trip.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “Everywhere we go I seem to meet a new facet of you.”
He gave her a penetrating glance, gently searching her mind for her meaning.
“Does that frighten you?”
“A little,” she confessed.
He looked thoughtful.
“Do I frighten you?” he asked softly.
“A little,” she answered unwillingly. He took her hand and gazed deep into her green-brown eyes.
“You frighten me a little too, my love. I keep learning things about you that amaze and astound me. I have a feeling we’re going to be getting to know each other for a long time yet.”
Doug and Shan-ji undertook to teach the others the Modrayan language, to help pass the time. Once more, Amaranth had no problems with this. Shasta had a bit harder time, but he caught on quickly. Along with Jeb, they taught Shasta and Amaranth some Knight’s tricks as well.
After four days they stopped at a Ring Ship, a different one this time. They were greeted cordially by the Harbormaster, a short trim man with a ready smile and a pleasant demeanor.
“Welcome, Emperor,” he said with a grin. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.” He looked at the little group. “You have accumulated quite an entourage since then. Last time you came through here it was just you and Master Shan-ji and Ja’Bora.”
“Thanks, Veelix. I’d like you to meet my wife, Amaranth, my stepson Shasta, and our twins, Ran and Miranda.” He lifted Char’s cage for the man to see into. “And this little monster is Char.”
Char picked that moment to open his eyes, glare balefully at Veelix, and hiss. He did not like Idyllawn space, and he was still fairly upset. The little man backed up hastily.
“He’s not dangerous, is he?” he inquired, looking carefully at Char. “And what is he?”
“Charcoal!” Doug scolded sharply. The cat lay down on the bottom of the cage and covered his eyes with his paws.
“That’s right, you’d better be sorry. Now apologize!” Char looked at Doug. Then he rolled over on his back and reached one paw out through the door.
“Shake hands with him,” Doug urged the Harbormaster. Gingerly, the man did. Char’s eyes closed and he began to purr.
“That’s better,” Doug said. “Mind your manners, Char.”
Veelix was feeling Char’s fur. The cat was still purring.
“He’s very soft,” he remarked. “And very soothing. What is he?”
“He’s a cat. A symbiont being from their planet. He cannot live without them, and he makes their lives better by his presence.” Doug delivered the pat line with a straight face.
“Ah,” the man said understandingly. “You won’t be wanting to house him at the stables, then, I take it?”
Doug shook his head.
They made their way to their quarters and settled in. Amaranth lay down to rest and fell asleep. She awoke hearing loud voices from the living room. She looked in to see what was happening.
A dark-haired man of medium height and stocky build was talking to Doug. They were arguing. Shan-ji was standing nearby with Jeb. Suddenly the man caught sight of her. He fell silent and stared hard at her.
“This is not Juwanna,” he said at last.
“No, Rawl. This is Lady Amaranth, the Senior Ambassador of the delegation from Earth.”
“You are on a diplomatic mission?” Rawl questioned.
Doug did not answer.
“What is going on here?” she asked at last.
“Lady Amaranth, met Rawl of Gothgor. He is here on behalf of Juwanna’s father. It seems that the settlement that I negotiated and which was duly attested to and registered on the Ring Ship, is no longer satisfactory.” He sounded very disgusted. “He wants to renege on the deal.”
She looked at him. Shifting to Modrayan, which she hoped the other man did not speak, she said,
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“You’re right, he doesn’t understand this language. It seems all of a sudden that the money won’t do. He wants Juwanna returned to their planet.”
“You can’t do that. It would break her heart. What is it they want with her so badly?”
Doug asked Rawl the same question in the usual language. After some hemming and hawing, he said,
“She is Kohl Jeesaht.”
“What does that mean, Rawl? You’d better explain yourself. My patience is wearing thin with people and things Gothgoran.”
The man looked uncomfortable. Finally he spoke very timidly.
“I am not to be telling this. If they find out,” he drew his forefinger across his throat suggestively, “they kill me. Every once in a while a woman on Gothgor is born a Kohl Jeesaht. They are able to...change things. I have seen one of them change water into wine before my eyes. They are able to change the meta-hyper-uranium crystals, make them stronger, purer, more perfect. They work in the mines, in special places.”
Gothgor was renowned for its high quality meta-hyper-uranium fuel; its export was the mainstay of their economy. So this was the key to the consistent quality and purity of their product.
“They are treated very well,” Rawl added. “Men are not allowed to hurt them in any way. Except when they are marked.”
Doug suddenly realized that this probably accounted for the very few women he’d seen on Gothgor who’d been well treated.
“Marked? What do you mean, marked?”
“A Kohl Jeesaht is marked on the shoulder. Branded. They use a hot iron. It is tradition.”
“Doesn’t that hurt them?” Doug snapped harshly.
Rawl shrugged. “It is the only way to let men know they must not use them for mating in the usual way. It is a very desirable mark on Gothgor. It is a great honor to be allowed to mate with one. A man who harms a Kohl Jeesaht is punished very terribly. Usually by death. A horrible death. But it is a crime to take them from Gothgor. They cannot leave the planet. That is why we must have her back.”
So this was the secret to Gothgor’s very high grade of meta-hyper-uranium. This reminded Doug of the Metalsmiths on Na’Chotle who made swordssteel. At one time they too had faced similar restrictions. The High Council had been extremely displeased with Doug when he’d taken Chancey Hammer as his Apprentice and they had been forced to change their policy with regard to the Metalsmiths. One of their expressions of displeasure involved keeping him in jail for several months. At least that time they’d taken the trouble to provide him with food he could eat. He suspected the Lysaran Mind-melder Allman Fendahl and his son Leighton had something to do with that. They’d visited him frequently during that stay.
“I wonder how long they live, exposed to that much radiation on a daily basis,” Shan-ji remarked.
Rawl looked surprised.
“I do not know. All the ones I have ever seen are young, and most of them are very pretty. Their families are paid highly for them.”
“It sounds like a very elite form of slavery,” Doug snarled.
The young man flinched but did not reply.
“The answer is no. I will not send them back there. A deal is a deal. A deal that I negotiated and which was duly attested to and registered on a Ring Ship is a done deal, and I will not change it. I paid the price and I have the receipt. The goods are mine. I will not return them. I have given my word to Juwanna, on my Knight’s Honor, and I will not go back on my word. A Knight's word has the force of law on every planet in the universe. I have never gone back on my word, and I will not start now.”
Rawl looked frightened.
“Please, Sir, reconsider. If I return without Juwanna, they will kill me.”
“Then you had better prepare to die, Rawl of Gothgor.” Doug’s voice had an edge to it that made a swordsteel dagger look blunt by comparison. “If you try to take her by force, I’ll have to oppose you. I’ll consider it an act of war. Do you know what happened the last time the Yeoman of Chaos visited Gothgor?”
Rawl’s eyes got wide, and he shuddered.
“I see you still teach history on Gothgor,” Doug said dryly. “You go back and tell them that either the deal stands, and Juwanna stays free with no claims against her or her descendants, or the Yeoman of Chaos will pay your planet another visit, and this time I’ll be angry!”
His look softened as he regarded the young man standing before him, trembling from head to foot. He spoke more gently.
“Tell them that they had better not do you any harm, because I have decided that you are the only Gothgoran I will have any dealings with. Tell them I have accepted you as their official diplomatic envoy, and I will talk to no other. And that I will be very angry if they harm you. It might even provoke me to war. I’ll give you an official document to that effect, naming you as official emissary.”
Rawl stared at him, his mouth hanging open.
“You’d do that for me?” he queried at last.
“I’d do that for anyone who was forced into such a horrible situation, Rawl. I don’t have any quarrel with you personally, and I don’t want to see you get hurt on my account. But I will not send Juwanna back to Gothgor to die in your mines. Nor her daughter, either. Nor any descendant of either of them. That’s final.”
“I will take them that message, Sir.” Rawl bowed deeply, still shaking. He looked curiously at Amaranth.
“Is she also a Kohl Jeesaht?” he asked at last.
“Why do you ask?” Doug queried.
“She is very strong in the force.”
“Yes, we’d noticed,” Doug said wryly. “No, Rawl, Lady Amaranth is not a Kohl Jeesaht.” He showed him out.
“Well, now we know something we didn’t,” Jeb remarked.
“Yes,” Doug replied. “We know something else about Juwanna that everyone was interested in. Probably the main reason. It certainly explains a lot of things. I wonder why she didn’t tell us herself. It would have saved us that scene on Fabree's Planet, for one thing.” Doug had precipitated a scene on Fabree’s planet that had disclosed her ability to change things, but he hadn’t considered its full ramifications until now.
“She may not have known, Dou-Gai-Han,” Shan-ji said. “Sometimes talent like that does not develop until maturity. She may not have realized that she had it when she left Gothgor. She is still very young, even by Gothgori standards.”
“I wonder. At any rate we’d better warn them. If the Gothgori decide to try and take her by force, I don’t want her unprotected. If they realize I’m on Modraya they might be foolish enough to try.”
After three days on the Ring Ship they set out again in the shuttle. Five days and many jumps through Idyllawn space later they touched down on Modraya. Idyllawn space had a bad effect on Char; by the time they reached Modraya he was very nervous and frazzled. He cowered in the back of his cage, hissing ad growling at everyone, even Amaranth.
“Welcome to Modraya, everyone,” Doug said quietly. “I hope you enjoy your stay.” The door rumbled open and the ramp extended. Doug had Miranda in one arm while he put his other hand on Amaranth’s shoulder. She was carrying Ran, and Shasta had Char.
Ronat and Serrah met them at the bottom of the ramp, along with a tall, bulky, powerfully built man whose hair was definitely graying. For all his apparent age, he was sprightly looking, and he greeted them all with a pleasant smile. He was dressed much as Ronat was, in distinctively cut black clothing beneath a red and gold trimmed black cloak that flowed supplely almost to the ground. It was chilly, and there was a slight breeze in the hangar. Their cloaks flowed and rippled with it. Both of them had a thick braided cord hanging from their necks, and as she studied them Amaranth could see that while they were made from the same basic combination of colored cords, red, gold, black and white, they were woven differently. She assumed they were some kind of symbol of office or title. Ronat had some folded black cloth over one arm. Serrah was clad in a scarlet and gold tunic and pants. She was obviously pregnant. As she stood between the two men in black she made a very striking contrast.
“Welcome home, My Lord Modrain,” Ronat said. They bowed politely then. Doug returned the courtesy.
“It’s wonderful to be home,” he said, and embraced each of them. Serrah took Miranda from him and looked at her adoringly.
“You got lucky, Cousin,” she said lightly. “I was right. She’s got your ears and her mother’s eyes!”
“Serrah!” Ronat remonstrated. She looked at him impishly.
“Well, she does,” Serrah said, unrepentant.
The gray haired man took Miranda in his arms then. She looked up at him and giggled. He smiled at her. He looked at the baby closely, then he scrutinized Amaranth carefully.
“She’s right, Ronat.”
Amaranth looked over at Doug. Ronat was fastening a heavy gold chain around Doug’s neck. He shook out the black cloth. It turned out to be a cloak which he fastened around Doug’s shoulders. The transformation was remarkable.
Amaranth stood looking at Doug uncertainly. Suddenly she was seeing Doug in a new light. He stood before her, majestic as a king, relaxed, happy, chatting with old friends. He smiled at her and turned to the gray-haired man to retrieve Miranda.
It was then she realized that his cloak was different from theirs. It had no highlights of red and gold on the front, and when he turned to the man, reaching for Miranda, she saw that on the back was a magnificent work of embroidery, done in gold, red, and white. She recognized the pattern as being the four islands that comprised Modraya, with a huge sea serpent woven around them. Each of its four clawed legs grasped an island, and the head rested on the largest one, its tail caught between its teeth. It was cold on Modraya, and as she looked at Doug she felt that cold penetrating her clothing. He turned to her then.
“Come, my dear. Let me introduce you to an old friend of mine.”
She went to his side and he put his arm around her.
“Amaranth, this lovable old curmudgeon is Lord Marlid, the Chief Constable of Modraya. He rules over all the army and police forces, and the jails, on Modraya. Marlid, this is my wife, Amaranth, and our son, Ran-Liu-Jar.”
He gestured to the others.
“You know Shan-ji, and I believe you remember Ja’Bora.” He pointed to Shasta.
“This young lad is my stepson, Shasta. And you’ve already met Miranda.”
Marlid bowed politely to Amaranth.
“It is indeed a great pleasure to have the wife of the Modrain bless us with her presence,” he said. “Long have we hoped for the day when his sorrow would be replaced with the happiness he so richly deserves. It appears he has found his heart’s true destiny at last. Welcome to Modraya, My Lady.”
“Thank you, Lord Marlid.” She returned his bow, somewhat awkwardly with the baby in her arms. Just then a gust of cold air hit her, and she shivered. His eyes narrowed as he appraised her carefully.
“You are cold, My Lady,” he observed. In a moment he had stripped the cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it snugly around her and Ran. The cloak was huge on her, and it dwarfed her; she appeared even smaller than she was. She smiled up at him.
“Thank you, Lord Marlid.”
He looked at Doug.
“I had thought to walk to the castle, My Lord, as it is tradition. But it is rather cool out. I could call for a transport if you wish.” They both looked at her questioningly.
“I’ll be all right. It just takes some getting used to, that’s all,” Amaranth reassured them.
Marlid called to a couple of uniformed soldiers who were standing nearby. They gathered up their luggage. One of the soldiers looked at Char’s cage.
“May I take that for you?” he asked politely.
Shasta hesitated.
“I don’t know,” he began. “Sometimes he gets a little cranky with strangers. Space travel doesn’t agree with him very well.”
The soldier bent down and looked at Char. He flattened his ears and backed away to the back of the cage. The man smiled.
“I think he’s just shy,” he said gently. “Hello, fellow, what’s your name?” he called softly.
“It’s Char,” Shasta supplied.
He watched in amazement as the soldier gently coaxed the cat to him. Soon he was able to reach one long finger through the cage front and scratch Char behind the ears. The big black and white cat was purring loudly with pleasure, his eyes squinted shut. Doug noted the look of amazement on Shasta’s face. He looked carefully at the man.
“You’re a Beastmaster, aren’t you?”
The man nodded, still scratching Char’s ears gently. He stroked the cat’s forehead several times. Char stretched out in the cage on his back, totally relaxed, still purring loudly. Shasta surrendered the cage, and Char slept peacefully all the way to the castle.
The wind was cold and biting as they left the hangar. Doug and Marlid walked on either side of her, sheltering her partially. Ronat and Serrah walked behind with Shasta. Shan-ji, Jeb and Rangar followed at the back. People turned and nudged one another as they passed. As they walked, Amaranth noticed they were attracting a small crowd.
“It’s the New Modrain! He’s back!”
“Who’s that girl with him?”
“I read in the paper that he’s finally married.”
“Thank goodness. He’s been miserable long enough,” she overheard one woman say.
“She’s awfully small. She’s just a tiny little slip of a thing. About as big as half a pint,” another woman said.
A gust of wind cut her sharply, and her face paled with reaction. She tugged Marlid’s cloak closer around her and Ran. The cold startled the baby, and he cried out. She shushed him gently. He subsided for a little while.
“She must be his wife. She’s carrying a baby.”
“So is he. Twins. Must be making up for lost time.”
She blushed. Doug was watching her. He too could hear the comments.
“The paper said he had twins, a boy and a girl. And a stepson, too. Must be that big boy behind her.”
“He’s a fine looking lad. Sturdy and strong. He’ll break a few hearts some day.”
“She looks awfully young. She’s hardly more than a girl, by the looks of her. I could break her with my bare hands, I think,” a man said.
“You’d better hadn’t try! Lord Marlid would put you in prison so deep he’d have to give a map to the guards so they could find you to bring you your bread and water,” remarked another man.
“Aye, that he would,” a third man chimed in. “If he was feeling charitable, that is. That’s assuming they didn’t just hang you and be done with it.”
“I didn’t say I would. I just said I thought I could,” the first man retorted.
“She does look awfully fragile, though, doesn’t she?”
Ran began to fuss again. She held him close.
“No, baby, not now, please! Not here!” she whispered to him.
Doug looked at her. “What’s wrong?” He thought he knew. The children hadn’t been fed for a while, and they were overdue for their dinner.
“He’s hungry,” she answered. “How much farther is it to where we’re going?”
Doug looked at Marlid.
“About half an hour, My Lady,” he supplied. Her face fell.
“He’ll be screaming his head off by then.” She sighed. “I can’t just feed him here in front of all these people.”
Marlid shrugged.
“This is Modraya. You are the wife of the Modrain. You may do anything you like.”
She was shocked. She looked at Doug, who nodded his head sheepishly.
“He’s right, Amaranth.”
She blushed bright red. Ran was squalling loudly. Doug handed Miranda to Marlid. He turned to Amaranth and flung the side of his cloak over her. It engulfed her like a silky black bat’s wing. He put his arms around her.
“Is that better?” he asked softly.
She nodded. Ran nursed greedily while he held them both securely in his arms. Once she tried to stop him, thinking they might go on to their destination. He howled angrily at the interruption and would not be calmed. Resignedly she let him continue until he had had his fill.
“Let me take him,” Doug whispered. He held him gently, still covering her with his cloak. She emerged from its silken shelter at last. They were in the center of a large crowd. She could hear them in her mind, a noisy hubbub that was raucous after the quiet of the shuttle trip.
The eyes of the crowd were on her. Suddenly she felt shy. She turned back to Doug and hid her face in his chest. He soothed her for a minute. Then someone in the crowd called out,
“Welcome back, My Lord! Welcome to Modraya!”
Doug looked for the source of the voice. He caught sight of a man in the uniform of the Army’s Education Corps.
“Oy, Norrum! It’s good to be back!”
Norrum had saved Doug’s life once, when he was a young soldier, with some herbal knowledge his grandmother had taught him. As a result Doug had made it mandatory for all soldiers to learn such lore, and put Norrum and his grandmother in charge of the first herbal medicine classes at the Army base nearby. From that beginning had grown a sizable and diverse group of educators whose job it was to teach recruits everything from Herbology to Science and Engineering.
One of their first major projects when Doug became Modrain was to teach all soldiers to read and write. Doug counted among his greatest accomplishments the fact that he had taken Modraya from almost complete illiteracy to the exact opposite in less than five years.
“Are you back for good, My Lord Modrain?” Norrum asked hopefully.
Doug shook his head.
“No, Norrum, I’m sorry. Just for a visit. A few months, this time. I have to be back on Malledore then.”
There was a kind of generalized moan from the crowd. Norrum had worked his way through the crowd, and now he stood before Doug, looking at Amaranth with frank curiosity and admiration.
“Who is this tiny angel?” Norrum stood a good head and shoulders taller than Amaranth, as did Ronat and Marlid. She noticed that all the men in the crowd were very tall and huskily built, and the women were nearer to her height and much more finely built.
“Allow me to introduce my wife, Amaranth. Some people have called her the Queen of Heaven.”
The crowd grew silent. Norrum looked at him for a long moment.
“What do you call her, My Lord?”
Doug looked at him and grinned.
“Mine,” he said promptly, his eyes dancing with laughter.
There was a ripple of amusement from the crowd. Norrum laughed heartily.
“It’s a good thing you’re married to her, My Lord. Otherwise you’d have every bachelor on Modraya trying to beat your door down.” He bowed politely and turned to the crowd.
“Make way, folks,” he cried out loudly. “Make way for the New Modrain and his wife!”
The crowd parted, and they continued on their way to the castle.
“Doug?”
“Hmm?” He looked at her, one eyebrow raised.
“Why did that man call you the New Modrain? Master Shan-ji told me you’d become the Modrain a century ago.”
“I’m not sure. I guess I never noticed it before. Come to think of it, they’ve always called me that. Maybe Ronat knows.” He cast an inquiring glance at the Archivist.
“Well, My Lord, when you first came to Modraya, you were the New Modrain. And succeeding Eevahn Torodevins, ‘New’ was a way of distinguishing you from the old Modrain, who had gone over to the dark side. You were young, and you looked small and fragile,” he nodded to Amaranth, “much like her. And you were very different from any ruler Modraya had ever had before. Everything you did, you did in a way that seemed new to us. And you changed Modraya, made it like new. So it stuck.” He grinned at Doug then. “You’re even listed in the history books as The New Modrain.”
“But I’m an old man!” Doug protested
“Hah!” Marlid snorted. “You will still be the New Modrain when my grandsons have grandsons!”
Doug thought about that.
“Hmm. You may have something there, I suppose.”
They continued on their way, the crowd following them. She could hear them discussing her and making remarks about the Queen of Heaven. After a while Miranda began to fuss. Marlid soothed her, and she settled down for a few minutes. As they walked on, she began to fuss again.
“How much farther is it, Doug?” she asked anxiously.
“Just a couple of blocks.” Doug glanced at Miranda. Marlid was trying to quiet her. Her cries were becoming more strident.
“Uh-oh,” he said.
Marlid looked at Amaranth.
“I can handle this,” he said calmly. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. “Nighthawk’s favorite.” It was a peppermint stick.
When Miranda got a taste of it she looked surprised. She stopped crying, and they headed on for the castle.
“I didn’t think of it when he started in,” he said apologetically, indicating Ran, now looking about sleepily as he lay in Doug’s arms.
“Marlid, I’m surprised at you,” Doug admonished mildly. “I seem to remember you telling me that candy isn’t good for people. Or horses. Now I catch you carrying candy on purpose. What’s gotten into you?”
Marlid grinned. “Oh, I’ve learned a lot from the New Modrain, you know.”
Doug burst out laughing. “I’ll bet,” he said with a grin.
At last they reached the castle of the Modrain. Doug reached up with his free hand and pulled on the bell rope. The little group huddled in the dooryard, trying to stay out of the cold wind. In a few seconds the door was opened by a tall, elderly looking Modrayan. His eyes met Doug’s, and he bowed low before him.
“Welcome home, My Lord Modrain! Welcome home!” He motioned them to come inside. “Come in, come in,” he chivvied them. “It’s cold out.”
He saw Amaranth with Marlid's cloak wrapped around her. He glanced at the Chief Constable, then looked back at her. She shivered just then.
“You must be nearly frozen, My Lady. My Lord, what were you thinking, taking such a delicate flower out in the cold like that!” He frowned disapprovingly at Doug. “That’s what transports are for, I’ll have you know.”
Doug withstood his chastisement silently. He was smiling quietly. The foyer was warm. Yahveen took Marlid's cloak from her shoulders and handed it to the Constable.
“And in her condition, yet!” he tutted.
Doug’s eyebrows rose at this last.
“I can assure you, Yahveen, she’s much sturdier than she looks. And just what condition are you referring to?”
Yahveen looked at him with some asperity.
“She is obviously with child, My Lord.”
Doug looked puzzled. “How did you know?”
Marlid gave him a pitying look.
“My Lord, this is Modraya. Every mature Modrayan male can tell when a woman is pregnant. It’s no mystery. And no secret.” He turned to Yahveen.
“We have a hungry baby here, Yahveen. Can we arrange something private for her and her mother?”
The Castelan nodded.
“I took the liberty of turning on the heaters in your rooms when I knew you were coming, My Lord,” he said, bowing politely. “Everything is in readiness. That takes care of Master Shan-ji and Ja’Bora. Where would you like me to put the young man?”
Doug bethought himself.
“I’m sorry, Yahveen. This is my stepson Shasta. Somewhere near us, but not too near.” He winked at the Castelan. “Shasta, this is Lord Yahveen, the Castelan of Modraya. He runs the business end of the government. And you will address him as ‘Lord Yahveen’ or ‘Castelan’, please, Son.” He pointed to Marlid.
“Lord Marlid is also the Chief Constable. He runs the Army and the jails, so mind your p’s and q’s. Show him the same respect, as well as Lord Ronat. He’s officially the Archivist. Do as they tell you.” He smiled at Shasta. “Can you handle it, Son?”
Shasta grinned back. “Yeah, Dad, I think I got it.”
Doug ruffled his hair affectionately.
“Okay. I’ve got to go take care of the rest of the family. You be good.” He set off for his quarters with Amaranth and Marlid.
Ran barely stirred when Doug placed him in the crib. Miranda howled lustily when she lost her peppermint stick.
“I’m sorry, little one, but candy really isn’t good for people,” Marlid said gently. He handed her to Amaranth, and soon she was nursing contentedly. He and Doug went over to the other side of the large room to give them some privacy. It gave them a chance to talk, keeping their voices low.
“Where is Sophia? And Renatta? I sort of expected Star to meet us when we arrived.”
“Star was out on a judicial circuit when we got your message that you were coming, My Lord. I spoke with her on the phone. She was willing to cut the circuit short and come in to meet you today, but we both felt that it would be better if she went ahead and finished the circuit. Also, it will give you a day to get settled in here. I thought you would agree.”
Doug nodded. Marlid gestured to Amaranth.
“Does she know about Star?”
Doug brought his open palm up to his forehead sharply.
“I was going to tell her on the shuttle and I let it slide. We were trying to teach everyone the Modrayan language, and there never seemed to be the time.”
Marlid looked at him closely.
“Or did you not want to tell her, My Lord?”
Doug looked shamefaced.
“That too. How do you tell your wife of less than two years that you have an illegitimate daughter a hundred years old? It isn’t easy.”
“She is not considered illegitimate in the eyes of the Modrayi, My Lord Modrain.” He looked at Doug closely. “What frightens you so?”
Doug was silent a long time. “I’m afraid they won’t like each other,” he said at last.
Marlid studied him calmly for a long moment.
“Your cousin Serrah is right. You have much to learn about women, My Lord. Much.” He glanced over at Amaranth and Miranda. “If she would leave her home and follow you blindly all over the universe, I think she can handle Star.” He turned back to Doug.
“Sophia and Renatta have been out on a circuit of their own. A shuttle load of domestic machinery arrived, and they’ve been delivering it and training people in the proper and safe use. They’ll be back day after tomorrow. Andar is off the planet right now. He’s at a Librarian’s conference on Khoor da Fey. He’ll be back sometime next week. Ronat's been filling in for him in the Marketplace.”
“Reminds of the old days when I introduced him as 'Nat',” Doug chuckled. “Where is everyone else?”
“Lord Gilderan is at court with Judge Tohkar. They had an important case scheduled for today. He’ll be along later. I’m sure Tokhar will find some excuse to come along with him and say ‘Hi’ as well. I expect you’ll have a steady stream of visitors, for several days, what with you having been gone so long, and people being curious about Amaranth and the children.”
Doug frowned. “All I really want is to spend some time with my wife and family,” he said at last.
Marlid smiled. “Get some rest, My Lord. Your wife looks tired too. I’ll come and get you when supper is ready.”
“Thanks, Marlid.” He took Miranda and put her in the crib, and they went to bed. He put his arms around Amaranth and kissed her gently. They both fell asleep very quickly.
“Wake up, My Lord! Time to get ready for supper.” Marlid shook Doug’s shoulder gently. “Wake up, My Lord.”
Doug turned away from him. “No, please, I’s no’ my turn yet,” he mumbled drowsily.
Marlid chuckled.
“Come on, My Lord. Quit arguing with me. Wake up, supper’s nearly ready.” He shook his shoulder again, a little harder. At last Doug roused and shook his head.
“I’m coming,” he said at last. He woke Amaranth and they got the twins presentable. They picked Shasta up on the way to dinner; he was standing in the corridor waiting for them. He seemed relieved to see them.
“I was so tired when we got here I just laid down and went to sleep,” he confided. “When Lord Marlid knocked, I didn’t know which way to go. So I just waited.”
His room was around the corner and partway down the corridor from theirs. Marlid appeared at the opposite end of the passageway just then.
“Oh, I see you found him,” he said. “I was just coming to get you, Shasta. I know this maze like the back of my hand.” He looked at his elbow intently. They all laughed. “I’ll show you around the castle this evening after supper.”
He led the way to the dining room then. Several people were already gathered there. Amaranth hung back slightly. She was carrying Miranda, who was now wide wake and peering inquisitively at everyone and everything, as was Ran. Doug took her gently by the arm and led her into the room.
Ronat was standing across the room talking to two men. One was a Modrayan, tall with curly brown hair that was going gray. He had a pleasant look to him. The other man was tall and thin, with finely cut features and hair as black as spun obsidian; he had a slightly greenish cast to his complexion, and his ears were noticeably pointed. His golden eyes passed over Doug and settled on her for a moment. He gave her a warm, welcoming smile. He was an Elf, she realized. A Yi'ell Va'yar, she corrected herself. From Gallaria, like Doug’s cousin, King Tereborn. Then he nudged Ronat and pointed in their direction. They headed toward her and Doug.
She glanced around the room and caught sight of Serrah on the far side of the room. She smiled at Amaranth and waved her hand at them. Ronat looked at Doug apologetically.
“Judge Tohkar came by to see you earlier, and Marlid said you were resting, so I invited him to stay for dinner tonight. I hope you don’t mind, My Lord.”
“It’s fine, Ronat. This way he can get to meet my family.” He turned to her then. “Amaranth, this wily cur is Judge Tokhar. He sits in a district near here. And this lean, mean Yi'ell Va'yar is Lord Gilderan, originally of Gallaria. Marlid’s brother-in-law, and another cousin of Tereborn’s and mine. He’s also Judge Tokhar’s Law Clerk, and a superb instructor with the dagger. Perhaps while we’re here he can give you some lessons. It’s about time you started learning to use a Knight’s weapons.” He glanced behind her. “With Master Shan-ji’s permission, of course.”
Shan-ji smiled. “I think that would be an excellent idea, Dou-Gai-Han. It wouldn’t hurt you to brush up a bit too.”
Doug blushed slightly. Then he bowed graciously.
“As you wish, Master. And do I take it that you would be willing to do some babysitting while we are taking these lessons?”
“Of course, Dou-Gai-Han!” Shan-ji chuckled. “How else am I going to get to spend any time with the children?” They all laughed.
After dinner Amaranth caught Doug’s eye and took him aside.
“I’m very tired,” she told him. “May I go ahead and go to bed soon?”
He hesitated. It struck him oddly that she seemed to be asking him for permission to take care of herself.
“I’ll have to stay until the guests leave. But you are free to do whatever you need to. I’m sure they will understand.”
He looked around; Ran and Miranda were both wide awake and obviously enjoying the attention.
“Go on, Love. I’ll bring the kids up when they’re ready to go to bed. Or when they’re hungry, whichever comes first. Can you find the way?”
She nodded.
“Go on, then. I’ll be up later.”
He bent and kissed her lingeringly. Her lips parted beneath his, and he teased her gently for a moment. Then with an effort he drew back.
“You go get some rest, m’dear.” She clung to him for a moment before she turned and left.
It was quite late when Doug brought the children to their room. Gilderan had insisted on helping him with the children, and he was glad for the old Yi'ell Va'yar’s help. Of course, it had meant they had to make a stop at the kitchen to see Tolva and let her admire them. Tolva was the cook, and Marlid's sister. She’d married Gilderan, and they had several children.
“What happened to Amaranth?” Gilderan asked as they climbed the stairs to the third story of the castle. Doug didn’t answer right away.
“She said she was tired. And she asked me for permission to go lie down. That troubled me.”
“Has she been unwell of late? Has she seemed disturbed?”
“Hmm. She did remark that she felt as if I were a stranger. She asked what facet of me she was going to meet on this trip. It seemed to trouble her. And I overheard her remark to Master Shan-ji that she didn’t really know who I was, or who she was. She looked at me rather strangely in the shuttle hangar when we arrived, but I assumed she was just tired and maybe a little space-sick.”
They’d reached the door. Doug opened it quietly, and they placed the babies carefully into the crib. There was a single lamp softly glowing near the bed, and in its faint light Gilderan studied Amaranth quietly. He placed his hand gently across her forehead for a minute or two.
“Is she sickening for something?” Doug asked anxiously.
Gilderan shook his head.
“It’s more like a soul-sickness. She’s wandering. Her compass is spinning without direction. She has so much to focus on, between you, the twins, Shasta, her writing, Master Shan-ji and her training, that it’s pulling her in many directions. I fear she may become depressed. As powerful a talent as she is, that could be very unpleasant, not to mention the uncertain results it could have on those around her.” He looked at Doug. “We must not lose her, Dou-Gai-Han.”
“What can I do, Gilderan?”
The old Yi'ell Va'yar looked at him, a hint of distaste in his eyes.
“Much as I hate to suggest it, you may have to bind her to yourself.” He noted Doug’s immediate grimace of distaste. Binding was a trick that could be used to make another being subservient to a Knight’s will. It was sometimes necessary when transporting unwilling prisoners; it ensured their absolute obedience and prevented them from escaping. It was not without peril; sometimes the connection became very hard to break.
“She’s come all this way with me of her own free will. Past the ends of the Earth, and now here to the far reaches of the Universe,” he said at last. “I feel as if I’d be betraying her trust in me. I can’t be her jailer.”
“I know, it goes against the grain. But we can’t risk her losing all focus and all connection. She’s very involved with her son and the twins. You need to make sure that she is more connected to you than to them. I’m not saying you have to bind her so tightly she is your prisoner. You do not want to take away her free will. Just bind her enough that she is always able to find you as her focus. She needs a haven, not a cage.”
Doug nodded soberly. After Gilderan left he extinguished the light and went to bed. He thought for a long time on what the old Yi'ell Va'yaran healer had told him. Then gently, quietly, he took Amaranth in his arms. Slowly his mind reached out to her, spinning fine silken strands of his will and wrapping them around her, carefully building a silvery network of finer than fine threads around her soul as she slept. If he’d been binding a prisoner he’d have used great thick cables and been done very quickly, but now he took great care. From time to time he tugged and pulled, gently testing it. At last he was satisfied. He kissed her gently then, and fell asleep.
When he awoke early in the morning, she was still asleep. He watched her, listening to her breathing, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. He touched her cheek with one long forefinger, feeling its softness. His finger slid to her jaw, and down to her chin. She stirred slightly and murmured his name.
“Yes, Love,” he whispered. “I’m here.” His finger slid gently down her chest. His hand came to rest on her abdomen. He could feel the new life growing within her belly, the result of life answering to life. He lay very still, and he felt it reaching out to him. A feeling of fierce pride and exultation swept through him. This was his child, and he would be there through it all with Amaranth. He’d missed this stage with Ran and Miranda, and he regretted it. Carefully, gently, he encouraged it. The contact grew stronger. He grinned proudly. It was unmistakably a boy.
Amaranth stirred and called his name. He kissed her.
“I’m right here.”
She turned to him and kissed him, drowsily but very passionately. He held the contact a little longer. Then he let it go, and turned to her. His passion was already rising, and he felt his loins fill with desire, even as his heart filled with the wonder of knowing his son. He held her to him, kissing her deeply, his tongue seeking her secrets as his hands sought to give her pleasure. Soon her soft whimpers of pleasure told him he had found the seat of her passion. Presently she reached for him, touching and caressing him, sending his passion ever higher and higher until he felt he must burst from desire. They met on the crest of a wild wave of passion and let it carry them in its surging embrace until at last they washed ashore. She lay quietly watching him.
“What is it, m’dear?”
“Who are you, really?”
“I’m the Knight in shining armor who loves the Lady he serves with life and sword,” he said gently. “I auditioned for the job, remember? You said I could have the position. The wrapper may change from time to time, but the inside is always the same. Always true.” He kissed her forehead. The babies were stirring.
“How about breakfast all around?”
After the babies were fed Doug led the way to the kitchen.
“Now, we’ll eat.” He’d brought a blanket that he laid down in a warm cozy corner, and soon the babies were fast asleep. Shan-ji arrived while he was putting the kettle on.
“Glad you could join us Master. What would you like?”
“I’ll have the house special. Nothing fancy,” the old Knight replied. He got himself and Amaranth a glass of milk and sat down.
Doug was pulling out a skillet when a somewhat plump matronly Modrayan woman walked in. She looked at Doug and stopped short, hands on her hips.
“Just as I expected,” she scolded him lovingly. “You aren’t even back a day and you’re already in my kitchen.
“Gee, Tolva, aren’t you even glad to see me?”
For answer she wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug.
“Of course I am, you big lug!” She hadn’t seen the others just yet. “But the Modrain does not belong in my kitchen!” She looked at him closely. “I suppose you’re hungry again.”
He laughed.
“We all are, Tolva.” He gestured to Amaranth then. “Meet my wife, Amaranth. Amaranth, this is Tolva. Modraya’s greatest treasure.”
“I’d have to differ with you, My Lord,” came a male voice from behind Tolva. “It is the consensus of a great many Modrayi that Modraya’s greatest treasure is the New Modrain. But I admit my wife comes a close second.” Gilderan grinned as he spoke.
“Hello, Amaranth. How are you this morning?” He placed his hand across her forehead for a few seconds. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you, Sir.”
He seemed taken aback. He sat down across from her.
“Amaranth, you needn’t be so formal. This is Modraya. Here most people call each other by their first name.” He glanced at Doug. “My name is not ‘Sir’. It’s Gilderan. Gil, Der, Ran. Use it.” He shot Doug a severe glance. “You’d better still call me ‘Sir’ or I’ll box your ears.”
“Yes, Sir, Lord Gilderan,” Doug replied meekly. He was grinning broadly.
“Do you understand, Amaranth?” Gilderan looked intently at her; she had the feeling he could see into her soul.
She nodded. “Yes, Sir. Er, Gilderan, Sir.” She looked down at the table, a flush of crimson rising to color her cheeks.
The old Yi'ell Va'yar sighed. “Oh, well, it’s a start at least.”
“Now then,” said Tolva. “There should be two more, and then we’ll have breakfast. You’d think they never would eat if it weren’t for us women.”
She winked at Amaranth. As if on cue Marlid came in.
“Tolva, would you mind if I joined you for breakfast?”
He stopped when he saw everyone else there. She gave him a bright smile.
“Come on in, Brother, there’s always a place at our table for you.” He entered and sat down in a convenient chair.
A minute later Yahveen entered the kitchen.
“Tolva, do you have room for one more this morning?”
He stopped abruptly upon seeing them all there. Tolva grinned.
“What did I tell you?” She smiled at him. “Of course, Lord Yahveen, you’re always welcome.” Marlid pushed a chair over toward him. He sat down beside Amaranth.
“Are we all present and accounted for now?” he asked pleasantly.
Amaranth looked around the room then. She sat back in her chair for a few moments. She looked as if she was straining to hear something very far away. Suddenly she turned to Doug.
“Doug!” She looked upset.
“What is it, Dear?”
“It’s Shasta. He’s lost. He doesn’t know where to find us.”
Marlid stood quickly.
“That’s my fault. I’m sorry. I was showing him around the castle last night and I forgot to show him where the kitchen is. I’ll go and find him.”
“It’s probably a good thing, Lord Marlid,” Jeb remarked. “There might not have been much left for us if he’d gotten here first.” The others laughed. They’d noted his hearty appetite at supper the night before.
“He’s just a growing boy,” Doug remarked.
By the time Tolva had breakfast almost ready, Marlid returned with Shasta. No one noticed Amaranth’s growing fretfulness.
“I’ll sure be glad when Sophia gets back,” Gilderan said good naturedly, a twinkle in his eye.
“Why is that?” Doug asked.
“Lord Marlid seems to get very forgetful when she’s gone. He moons around like a love sick calf.”
Marlid looked at him lazily. His hand slid to his dagger which he drew languidly and proceeded to inspect his fingernails.
“If you weren’t married to my sister I’d have to take exception to that remark, Gilderan. My memory is beginning to slip a little. There for a moment I almost forgot that you’re my brother-in-law.”
Doug smirked. Tolva gave them both a baleful glance.
“Quit the teasing and try to act like gentlemen. You’re going to have poor Amaranth thinking you’re a bunch of bloodthirsty savages.”
Jeb glanced at Amaranth and stared. She was very pale, almost ghostly white, and her eyes were wide. Suddenly she rose from her chair and rushed blindly from the room before any of them could react.
“Amaranth! Come back here!” Doug said sharply.
She hesitated slightly, then set off at an even greater speed. She bumped into the wall on the far side of the corridor, and turned and ran down it toward the light. She burst through the door and ran blindly away from the castle. She happened to hit the path to the stables, and she followed that at top speed. Just as she reached the stables a young soldier happened to step out of a stall and into her path. She careened into him, knocking them both to the ground.
With the instinct born of surviving many years of contempt and humiliation, he rolled on top of her, pressing her to the ground with his weight, quickly catching her wrists in an iron grip and forcing them to the ground above her head. Only then did he stop to look at what he had captured. He was surprised to see that it was a woman. She had the look of a stunned animal about her. She lay motionless, looking into his wide, silver-rimmed eyes. He also noticed she was with child. He helped her up carefully then.
“Are you all right, My Lady?” he asked gently, holding onto her by one arm while he lightly dusted her off.
She looked at him blankly and began to struggle to free herself. He caught her troubled eyes with his silvery ones, looking deeply into them.
“Easy, My Lady, easy,” he called soothingly to her. “I won’t harm you.”
Gradually she stopped struggling. He put out his hand and stroked her cheek gently.
“That’s better. Come with me.” He led her into an empty stall that was covered with fresh, clean straw. He tossed a clean blanket on the straw and pressed her down onto it. She was beginning to shake. He looked into her eyes for a long time.
“It’s all right, My Lady. Go to sleep. Tahjor will take care of the Queen of Heaven.”
He drew his finger gently down her cheek and softly stroked her auburn tresses, and she fell asleep. He covered her with another blanket and closed the stall door. Then he strode rapidly toward the castle. He met Doug, Marlid, Jeb and Shan-ji; they were almost to the stables. He stood squarely in front of them, his hand held up with his palm toward them.
“Stop!” he commanded harshly.
Doug and Marlid stopped instantly. Jeb and Shan-ji careened into them, almost knocking them down. At last they all caught their balance. They looked at the man. Jeb noticed that his eyes, wide with emotion, appeared to be elliptical rather than round. It reminded him slightly of Charcoal’s eyes.
“Tahjor, have you seen my wife?” Doug asked, an edge of panic in his voice. Tahjor shook his head. Doug’s face fell.
“I have seen a frightened animal in human form fleeing this way,” he said coldly. “I was just coming out of a mare’s stall when she knocked me to the ground.”
“Where is she? Is she all right? What made her take off like that?”
Tahjor looked at Doug intently.
“She is sleeping. She is safe for the moment. I will not wake her.” He glared at Doug. “She was running from a cage someone put around her soul.”
He stamped one foot restlessly. The gesture reminded Jeb of an irritated horse chafing at flies.
“You cannot bind the Queen of Heaven, My Lord Modrain. No one can. She will not suffer it.”
Tahjor gradually began to calm down, and as he did, his pupils contracted. Jeb saw that indeed his silvery eyes were vertically cut, like a cat’s.
“You must free her from the cage. Only then will I release her back to you.”
Doug was shaken. Tahjor looked on him with pity.
“You did what you did out of love, and fear. But some things cannot be bound. You would react much the same way, My Lord. You resent your father for trying to bind you to him and Malledore.”
Doug had to admit he was right.
“You will not lose her. She will not lose herself. She is searching for a focus, a purpose, and no one else can find it for her. Come,” he said, pointing to Doug. “And you, Lord Marlid. I need your help. The Lord Modrain will need me, and I cannot be in two places at once. I have a mare that is having a difficult foaling.”
Marlid nodded. Jeb and Shan-ji hesitated for a moment.
“Go on back to the castle,” Tahjor said, not unkindly. “The less disturbance the better, for this.” He watched as they walked slowly back to the castle.
“Come, My Lord Modrain. Let us put things right.”
It was midmorning before Doug returned to the castle carrying Amaranth limply in his arms. He took her to their quarters and laid her on the bed gently. He kissed her cheek and covered her with a blanket. Jeb and Shan-ji had taken the twins out in the yard for some sunshine, that being, as Ronat had pointed out, a rare commodity on Modraya. Doug flung himself down on the grass. Miranda and Ran promptly started crawling over to him. He sat up then and gathered them in his lap.
“Will Amaranth be all right?” Shan-ji voiced the question that was on all their minds.
“She will be. It’s lucky she ran into Tahjor when she did, though. I doubt any of us could have stopped her.”
“That guy is some kind of different,” Jeb remarked. “He’s got eyes like a cat.”
“He’s a Beastmaster.”
The young Knight sighed. “Sometimes, with you, Master, when you answer a question you leave me knowing no more than when I started.”
“It’s kind of hard to explain, Ja’Bora. They are a very rare kind of Modrayan. You noticed the eyes. They are very gifted psychically. They’re tremendously empathic. They can control animals. They can calm them, incite them to rage, or anything in between. They make extremely good veterinarians. They don’t have to use as many drugs on their patients, because they can induce a deep sleep in them. They’re very special people.” He looked down at Ran and Miranda. “I bet you guys are getting hungry.”
They were starting to get fussy. He started to hand Ran to Jeb. Suddenly two long, supple arms intercepted him.
“Please, allow me to help,” Tahjor said gently. No one had heard him arrive. He took Ran carefully in his arms. The baby had been fussing hungrily, but he quieted immediately. Jeb helped Doug to his feet, Miranda close in his arms.
“Thank you, Tahjor,” Doug said.
The man nodded. “Actually, I came to apologize for my behavior earlier. I am sorry. I was very disrespectful. I should not have spoken so harshly to the Lord Modrain.”
They were walking toward the kitchen door.
“Apology accepted, Tahjor. You were right to rebuke me for what I did. What I did was wrong. Even though I acted in the most sincere belief that I was doing what was best, I made a mistake. When I reach such a state of utter perfection that I no longer make mistakes, then I shall need no further correction. Until then, I appreciate it when my friends correct me as courteously as you did. I deserved far worse.”