Daryk Warrior (14 page)

“What do we do next?” Garess asked.

“We have to get reinforcements, just as you said.” Eryk
wanted to scream. To rail at the injustice. He didn’t want to leave his woman.
“There are hundreds of people in there fighting for their lives. We need more
men.”

Turning away from the fight he saw below, he started to walk
away.

“Wait.” Garess’ voice sounded held pure amazement. “Is that
a woman? Two women?”

They came from the side of the castle. Draconus, he hoped it
wasn’t Asam and Mia making a huge mistake. He couldn’t see if it was them
because they were too far away. He fisted his hands and hoped against hope for
their safety.

* * * * *

Mia had never been so frightened in all her life as she was
the moment she stepped from the north-facing castle wall and exposed herself to
war. Her jaw tightened, her body vibrating with tension, pulse roaring in her
ears. She took one deep breath, or at least she tried. Bless her, Asam stood
next to her, willing to put herself in danger as well. Mia didn’t see it as a
choice.

Men swarmed the castle, yet when they saw Mia and Asam they
didn’t charge. Two massive white dragons, their breath steaming in the frosty
air, came toward Mia and Asam. Everything inside Mia rebelled as the ground
seemed to tremble with each step the large creatures took.

“Asam.” Mia barely got the word past her tight throat.
“Concentrate on calming down the dragons. Just make them stop setting the
castle on fire.”

“Yes.” Asam sounded shaky.

As the fire-breathing animals walked closer, Mia was scared
spitless. She shook from the inside out. She quivered but refused to take her
gaze off the dragons. Beyond their white coloring they had blue eyes so
brilliant it was almost as if they were lit from within. They were huge but not
bulky, their long bodies and thin snouts giving them a delicate appearance they
didn’t deserve. Their tails seemed to go on forever, dotted at the end with an
appendage that looked as deadly as a knife.

Mia put her hand out, hoping against hope that between her
and Asam they could accomplish this mad feat. They had to or all was lost.

Asam also held up her hand and Mia started to concentrate.
Energy pulsed from her body to her arm and then her hand. Throbbing, rushing
until with a burst of heat and light Asam’s energy also rushed out of her arm
and created a white light. The two white lights joined.

The dragons stopped advancing, their eyes more subdued. Mia
realized that the other dragons, four others to be exact, no longer breathed
fire on and over the castle. Smoke still billowed from the damaged structure.
Mia shook, her body slowly draining of energy as she put everything she had
into calming the beasts. The dragons all settled on their haunches.

A moment later she felt Asam’s arm go around her and the woman’s
voice came to her ears. “Ease down now, my dear. Ease down. They are settled.”

Mia blinked and lowered her arm. With a sigh she sagged
against Asam. “It worked. It worked.”

Orders to stop fighting echoed around them. Mia wondered if
she’d made the biggest mistake of her life calming the dragons. Three men came
up to her but another male voice shouted, “Leave them. Don’t harm them.”

A taller man walked toward them from the side and when his
voice rumbled Mia realized he’d just spoken. With a tumble of long hair as
silver as moons that shone at night, his powerful body and handsome face made
her wonder if he was rescuer or enemy.

He stared at them with eyes as green as the jungle, his face
pale enough to suggest he’d lived in a climate without much light or warmth.

“Ladies.” That deep voice rumbled the greeting. “You have us
at a disadvantage. Who are you?”

“Healers,” Asam said.

Mia found her voice, weak as it was. “Please take your
dragons and leave.”

The blond man chuckled. “Afraid I cannot do that. We are
from Leadios Castle. I’m Rechard Oldrich, ruler of Leadios, and it is time for
this war to be finished. We’ve defeated Bardannia and will turn it over to
Drakus Fina, leader of the rogues.”

Mia’s spirits flagged under fatigue and disappointment. She may
have stopped the dragons from completely destroying the castle but that didn’t
mean safety. She didn’t think she could stop the dragons again if they decided
to breathe fire once more. Mia hated the weakness in her limbs and also
wondered if she’d gone too far and drained herself beyond repair. Asam seemed
strong, holding up a good portion of Mia’s weight.

“Please.” Mia managed more words. “Take your snow dragons
and leave us in peace. Innocent people could be hurt.”

Rechard laughed and it sounded warm. Almost delighted.
“They’re called ice dragons, my lady. I’m sure people have been hurt inside the
castle. I can see that you aren’t. You and this woman are healers?”

“Yes,” Asam said, her chin tilting up a little in obvious
defiance. “People inside the castle will need our help.”

Rechard placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, expression
overflowing with appreciation and fascination. “I see. And very good healers
you are. I didn’t know healers could control dragons.”

Mia could have said she hadn’t realized it before the time
in the cave, and she was almost certain Asam hadn’t realized she could do it
until now. Yet she stayed silent on the subject of healer abilities.

She played on Rechard’s pride. “I’ve heard some Daryk Ones
can tame dragons.”

Rechard shook his head. “Temporarily.” He glanced over at
the oddly graceful dragons as the animals started to move back from the castle.
Relief mingled with dread inside Mia.

“I see you’ve done more than bewitch my dragons,” Rechard
said. “They are quite placid now.” He gestured to the men hovering around.
“Enter the castle and make sure there’s not more resistance. Bardannia is now
under the control of rogues.” His smile was solid and assured. “These ladies
are to be given every courtesy. Food, drink, whatever they desire. Treat them
with the utmost respect.”

“Why are you treating us so well? We stopped your attack,”
Asam said.

Rechard laughed. “Because, despite what many might think,
I’m an honorable man. I do not rape women or allow any of my men to do so.”

“But you’re a part of the group that wishes to conquer
Magonian women and take them for breeding,” Mia said without thinking.

Mia waited for the inevitable outburst of anger but it never
came. Rechard peered at her and his words were strong but quiet. “I believe
Magonian woman should breed with us but not through rape. We can show Magonian
women many kindnesses, many great things they can’t experience on Magonia.
Women are treated like slaves on Magonia.”

Surprise made Mia speechless. She hadn’t expected such understanding
from a man like this.

Asam spoke up. “What do you intend to do with us?”

Rechard gestured toward the smoking, damaged castle. “Listen
to how quiet it is now. I think it is safe to say war here is over.” He glanced
up at the structure. Sounds of battle had ceased entirely. “All women inside
the castle will be my guests and under my protection. No harm shall come to
them. Come. Let us go inside. It is cold in these elements.”

Surprised to the core, Mia didn’t resist when Asam turned
her toward the castle and they entered behind the conquering army.

Chapter Eleven

Mia sat up in bed as Asam opened the door to Mia and Eryk’s
lodgings. A day had passed since Rechard’s rogues had taken over Bardannia
Castle. Resistance from the remaining Daryk Ones within Bardannia had been
forcibly put down—Drakus Fina’s men were in the dungeon below nursing their own
wounds. Asam was allowed to see the men and heal their wounds, thank goodness.
Mia heard Asam putting away some provisions and stoking up the fire with peat
brought in from the storehouses.

Asam stood in the doorway to the bedroom. “Sorry I was gone
so long.”

“It was only an hour.”

“How do you feel?”

“Much stronger. Ready to get up, I think.”

Asam smiled and moved into the room. “Good. I’m glad to hear
it. Even without Eryk here you’re recovering well.”

“You sound amazed.”

“I am. You should need him here to…” Asam’s cheeks went
pink.

Mia laughed, equally surprised that she could feel this
jolly when the castle was under the rule of a rogue and Eryk wasn’t here.

To spare Asam more embarrassment Mia left the bed and
stretched. “I say we make soup.”

“Your appetite is back.”

“I’m ravenous. First I need to wash.”

When Mia had taken care of her morning ablutions, she
entered the main room to find Asam cooking away in the meal preparing area.

“Can I help?” Mia asked.

Asam waved her away. “No, no. Sit down. I’ll cook the soup.”

Mia knew better than to push her health at this point, or
Asam’s patience. The woman was very motherly and Mia realized she’d started to
think of Asam as a mother figure, or at the least a dear friend.

“You are very good to me, Asam.”

Asam paused in cutting vegetables. “Well you are young and
I’m quite a bit older.”

“How old are you?”

Asam laughed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

Mia snorted softly. “Dragonia is full of surprises for me.
Why should your age be different?”

Asam sighed and returned to cutting. “Ninety-five.”

Mia almost gasped but managed to hold back. “Ninety-five?”

“I know. I don’t look a day over fifty. It’s my self-healing
abilities.”

“Ah.” Mia felt envy gnawing at her. “That’s wonderful. How
long can you heal yourself if need be?”

Asam shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve heard of some healers in
the past who managed to live to two hundred.”

Mia covered her mouth, astonished. “I never read that in the
Chronicles of Magon.”

Asam tossed the vegetables in a cooking pot and added water.
“I’m guessing since you came to Dragonia you’ve discovered many things you
didn’t know.”

Mia sighed. “And many things the Chronicles lie about.”

Asam went quiet as she continued putting together their
meal.

“I wish I knew if Eryk was safe.”

“Don’t worry. He was well away from this. He’ll return with
enough Daryk Ones to take back this castle.”

Mia knew he would, if he could. “As long as he’s safe, that’s
all I care about.”

Asam took the cooking pot to the fire and hung it over
flames. “As I said before, you love him, don’t you? Have you had sexual
congress yet? I thought perhaps you had, since your energy levels are much
improved from when I first met you.”

Asam’s bluntness took Mia off-guard. “By the God Magon, you
do get to the point.”

Asam shrugged as she stirred the pot literally and
figuratively. “I’ve always found that’s the best policy.”

Mia was surprised when tears filled her eyes. “Yes.”

Asam turned back to the cooking area and washed her hands
before sitting across from Mia at the table. Her eyes were shrewd and knowing.
“My dear, if you need to cry, let it out.”

“How did you know? I mean, that I love him.”

“It’s written in your eyes when you talk about him. Just as
tears are written in your eyes now.”

Mia sniffed and wiped away the tears as they poured down her
cheeks. She retrieved a handkerchief from her tunic pocket and dabbed at her
face.

“I don’t know why I blubber so often these days,” Mia said.

“Your emotions are raw from what you’ve been through lately.
It’s an outlet you should never be ashamed to take.”

Mia smiled through her tears. “Oh but you see I am ashamed.
I was always so strong. So in control. I hate losing control.”

Asam nodded. “It takes a long time to learn a new way of
being.”

Mia laughed. “How did you get to be so wise?”

“Ninety-five years. That’s how.”

Mia smiled at Asam. “I’m grateful for your friendship, Asam.
I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Asam’s expression glowed with kindness. “And I, you.”

When their meal was ready and they dipped into the delicious
and hearty soup, Mia asked, “How are things out there?”

Asam took a swallow of a warm fruit drink. “Rough. As you
can imagine the fires caused extensive damage to the battlements. They managed
to put them out before important things were lost.” Asam put her spoon down and
wiped her mouth with a cloth. “What surprises me the most are this Rechard’s
actions.”

“Especially with what I’ve heard about Dracus Fina.”

Asam nodded. “Men come in many shades. There is evil and
then levels of evil.”

“Which level is Rechard?”

“I think it varies depending on the circumstance.”

“How so?”

Asam leaned her elbow on the table and propped her chin in
her hand. “He’s treating all the people very well. He allowed me to cure the
injured, even the Daryk Ones. He’s even feeding the Daryk Ones well. Yes,
they’re in the dungeon, but they have heat, light and food. How many evil men
would allow that?”

Mia stared into nothing, wondering. “Extraordinary.”

“He’s made certain his rogues have acted with respect to all
women. No rapes or mistreatment. He’s told his men that if they harm a woman
he’ll kill them on the spot.”

An idea came to Mia’s mind, one that she hoped she wouldn’t
regret a thousand times over. “Do you think we can use his kindness to our
advantage?”

Asam’s expression turned wary. “Possibly. Why?”

“I have a plan.”

* * * * *

As Mia stood in Rechard’s quarters, she hoped her venture
would prove fruitful rather than foolish. She’d waited here quite some time
after demanding an audience with him. Calmness, thank goodness, was her
companion. Asam had tried to talk Mia out of the plan but she wouldn’t be
swayed. Once here, she’d kept her mind on the task by cataloging all she saw in
the room. The quarters were unpretentious. She sat on a long padded bench along
a wall near the door. The man who’d ushered her into the room beyond the guard
area had offered her a cup of water. She’d been amazed at the rogue’s courtesy,
though she supposed she shouldn’t be. She sipped the water to soothe her dry
throat. She put the cup down and slipped off her hand coverings and stuffed
them in a pocket on her long garments. Still she shivered, unable to get warm.
A modest fire burned in a hearth against one wall and she left her water to
stand near the warmth.

Tapestries decorated three walls, as much for warmth as for
anything, it seemed. Colors were muted. This first room looked to be a waiting
area and she imagined sleeping and dining rooms lay beyond. Used to rules, she
stayed put until curiosity and rebelliousness demanded otherwise. She stepped
up to the doorway at the back of the room. A bookshelf lined one wall. She
almost…almost stepped inside what was obviously another sitting area with
benches, chairs and a large table. She missed reading, wanting to absorb
herself in knowledge the way she had on Magonia.

“My dear Mia,” a deep voice said from behind her.

She started and swung around. Rechard stood a few feet away
in the doorway, dressed in the garb of a Daryk One. He wore a sword at his
right, hand resting on the hilt of the weapon. She left the threshold of the
living area and came toward him, but not too close. His silvery hair flowed
around his shoulders and despite his obviously masculine good looks she realized
he was a little too pretty. Her stomach jumped. Maybe she couldn’t do this.
What would Eryk think of her if he knew what she planned?

“I’m sorry. I was being nosy,” she admitted.

He shrugged. “It’s of no consequence. You may wander
freely.”

Apprehensive, she moved past him and settled on the bench
again. She held the cup of water between her hands and sipped.

“Excuse me one moment,” he said and disappeared into the
back room. When he returned with a large coat and came toward her, surprise hit
Mia again. “Take this coat. You’re cold.”

She took it without argument, though part of her didn’t want
his kindness. She didn’t wish to owe him. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Of course I am. You just sacked a castle and imprisoned
everyone in it.”

“You’re not imprisoned. Protected and given shelter is the
way I prefer to think of it.”

“So you believe you’re doing a good thing for everyone in
here?”

“Yes.”

He smiled and despite the fact he was a rogue and raider she
couldn’t deny his smile seemed genuine. “You’re a clever woman.” Rechard stood
at the hearth mantel and glanced at the tapestry above. “These are modest
lodgings, don’t you think?”

Not what she expected him to say. But then she wasn’t saying
or doing what she’d planned either.

“By whose standards?” she asked.

Rechard turned his back on the fire. “In Magonia you weren’t
used to luxury.” He moved toward her but stopped short of too close. “That’s
one reason why Magonian women will be happy here.”

How could she refute that? “Magonian women should determine
their own fate. Why do you think taking women from their homeland by force
benefits them? They’ll trade one leash for another.”

He shrugged. “Some will think that. I don’t. Women will be
protected from abuse under Drakus Fina’s rule.”

“And they aren’t now?”

“No. There are men, bad men who would rape Magonian women.
Drakus Fina will assure that doesn’t happen.”

She didn’t believe a word of it. She wanted to swing her
pack at him. Instead she took a deep breath and pressed her lips together to
hold her tongue.

“You’re doubtful.” Rechard had moved closer.

Her resolve began to flag but she remembered why she was
doing this and the bravery required.

She put on a smile, false at it was. “I’m used to
suppression but I think under Dracus Fina I might prosper. I’ve always wanted a
child.”

Rechard’s eyes glittered with purpose and she swallowed
hard. She could do this.

Without a pause she continued, “Will the Magonian women be
allowed to pick whom to breed with?”

“No.”

She sighed. “How tiresome.”

“You’re a willful woman. Why did you leave Magonia?”

The truth slipped out before she could change the words,
make them more palatable. “To be free.”

“Freedom is yours in Magonia.” Rechard reached for her and
she tried not to flinch. His big hand cupped her behind the neck and he drew
her forward.

“Don’t mistake me for a fool, Mia. You may think I’m a
brute. A disreputable man. I’m not stupid or easily led. Do not offer something
you don’t mean.”

Quickly she segued. “What do you think I’m offering you?”

“Your body. As a vessel for my child.”

She shivered and knew he’d feel it. No way could she
suppress her true feelings with enough honesty to convince this man. She wanted
to scream with frustration. Mia resisted an impulse to struggle against his
grip, to run for the door and escape. Instead she stared into his eyes, aware
she’d lost her advantage when she didn’t submit and look away.

“Did you have a husband on Magonia?” he asked.

“No.”

“A lover?”

“No.”

He grunted and released her. “But you do now.”

His statement floored her. Was he guessing or had someone at
the castle told him?

“No use denying it. I can smell him on you.”

She shivered, her body overcome by a desire to run, her mind
controlling her need to fly. “Smell him?”

“The Daryk One. Didn’t your man tell you that once a Daryk
One has claimed a woman, his scent is on you?”

“No.” She didn’t know how to respond, as amazed by that
information as she was. But she found her voice fast.

“I wouldn’t breed with you because I honor another’s claim.
Not every rogue would honor it.”

Failure loomed. She’d tried seduction and failed miserably.
She wanted to scream. What else could she do?

“If my Daryk One came for me would you let me go?”

Rechard shook his head. “That would defeat Drakus Fina’s
agenda. We need Magonian women and you are Magonian. Your healing gifts are
profound. We could use those gifts as well. If your man comes for you, he’ll
lose.”

Mia made a rushed decision. One she hoped she wouldn’t
regret. “If he comes for me will you let him live?”

Rechard’s smile was genuine, almost admiring. “You drive a
difficult bargain, Mia. He’ll be placed in the dungeon with the rest. Drakus
Fina will decide what’s to be done with him.”

Desperation made her bolder than she’d ever been. “If he
fights a rogue one-on-one and wins, will you let him go?”

He snorted softly. “You’re determined, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

He returned to the mantel, his expression clearly still
impressed. “You must love him to ask so much.”

She would admit it, if it got her what she wanted more than
anything.
Almost
more than anything. She wanted a life with Eryk, and
she’d fight for it.

“Yes. I love him.”

“How do you know you can trust my word, Mia?”

She took yet another chance. “You seem a very honorable man
in most every way.”

“Good of you to say, even if you don’t believe it. Very
well. When he comes for you he will have to fight me.”