Demon Within (2 page)

Swapping the drying cloth for a clean shirt; handed to him by craggy hands of the house worker, Kai kicked the nearest chair out from under the table and sat heavily with a grunt. Weary from the oppressing heat, he blew out a long sigh while he searched for the opening of his clean shirt.

‘I hope this isn’t going to be a regular morning event.’ Puffing out, he threaded his arms through the shirt and pulled it over his head.

‘I thought you liked excitement.’ Sabe frowned, ‘Anyway, I’m sure it won’t happen again. Well, not for a week at least.’ Laughing.

‘We need rain. The heat is turning everyone mad.’

Kai guzzled the wine the slammed the goblet on the table. ‘It's too hot for this work; I think we’ll just hang them up next time, let them bake in the sun on the outside wall.’ Kai chuckled.

Cautiously Sabe smiled; right now he was joking, but in the future, that would be another matter.

‘How did you catch them?’

‘They were stupid as well as cowardly. I overheard them bragging in the tavern last night.’

Sabe leaned over and reaching for a plate, he drew it closer and picked up a piece of salted pork.

‘They’d already stolen the grain; they were going to meet with the buyer from Longmeadow later that night.’

His fingers poised at his mouth. ‘I let them make the sale before having them dragged to the cells.’

Eating the pork overwhelmed his senses and he lost his train of thought briefly. A glare from Kai, awaiting the details, made him swallow. Taking a quick sip of wine to wash it down, he continued.

‘I sent a couple of men to take care of the buyer from Longmeadow; he won’t be continuing with nightly purchases in the future.’

‘Put a couple of men to watch the grain store, in case anyone else has the same idea.’ Kai said dryly.

Still chewing, unable to speak, Sabe carried his reply with a nod. Across the table he spied a large fruitcake, and stabbed it with his knife to drag it nearer.

The gruesome events of the morning had not affected their appetites. They gorged themselves heartily, enjoying the buffet laid out.

Sabe chopped a large piece of cake. Cleaning his palette with a few mouthfuls of wine, before starting on the dessert, he changed the subject to something less serious.

‘I have to say though Kai.’ His elbow leaned on the table swirling his knife. ‘I’m excited about meeting your future bride.’

Taking a bite of cake, he eyed Kai with a smirk. Kai scowled.

‘Are you sure I agreed to this?’ He watched Sabe’s dubious expression then added. ‘Was I drunk?’

‘Probably.’ Chuckling, ‘It will be good for you.’

Kai shook his head slowly. ‘This is going to be a disaster, and if she resembles a cow’s backside in any way, I swear, I’ll pay your sister to slice off your balls.’

‘Whose balls am I slicing off?’

Kiera appeared from the courtyard wearing tight, doeskin trousers and a white tunic. Kai’s eyes raked over her body. Shuffling in his seat, his pants suddenly became uncomfortable. Aware of the snug fitting fabric around her breasts; a man would need to be blind not to stare.

Kiera pulled out a chair and joined them at the table. Silken black hair cut to her shoulders and intense dark eyes, made all men fall to their knees. Sometimes clutching their crotch; screaming in agony, while she stood with their testicles skewered on her sword. Untouched, Kiera intended to stay that way. There had been only one man she would give it up for, but he’d never asked.

‘Kai was just commenting on how much he’s looking forward to meeting his betrothed.’

Kiera tried to hide a grin and lowered her head.

Growling under his breath and throwing his knife down, Kai slammed his hands on the table.

‘I’m glad you two find this amusing.’

‘Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll adore her’ Sabe chuckled, ‘The envoy assured me she’s a rare beauty.’

A sarcastic glance from Sabe to Kiera caused her to giggle uncontrollably. Lowering her head, she tried to suppress her fit of hysteria.

Kai shook his head and growled under his breath. Cradling his face, he rested his elbows on the table.

Kiera grimaced. She leaned forward and touched Kai’s hands. ‘You don’t have to marry her. You can say no.’

Kiera sat back in her chair and gave Kai a hopeful smile when his hands fell to the table. Hating the idea of Kai marrying, Kiera would be the first to celebrate if the Kings daughter did indeed look like the rear end of a cow.

‘Remind me again why I’m doing this.’ Kai asked.

Sabe grinned. ‘You need a good woman to make an honest man of you.’ Raising his brows, ‘And you need a son.’ He paused, ‘And because their excess food will be sent to us, by order of King Garlan.’ He looked to the ceiling while he thought further, ‘And they’ll supply more weapons-’

‘Okay, I got it’ Kai interrupted with a raised hand then wiped the sides of his mouth with his thumb and finger. ‘Let’s get this over with.’ Rising from the table he spoke to Kiera. ‘I want to be at Littlewood early. We’ll leave mid morning tomorrow, rest the night a short distance away before continuing the following morning.’ His eyes locked with hers as she frowned.

‘Why so early.’ Kiera shrugged her shoulders. 'The journey will take only a day?’

Kai leaned forward, his hands resting on the table. ‘I don’t trust Garlan.’

Sabe sat up in his chair, pulled his shirt straight and thought for a moment.

‘I doubt he’d be stupid enough to try anything. The envoy said he’s keen to join forces with us. It seems he’s got some trouble brewing.’ His tone was serious. ‘He’s afraid of losing his throne; someone from Stonegarth in the Highlands is gathering forces and has eyes on his crown.’

Sabe started picking at his fingernails with his knife. ‘Garlan thinks he’ll look elsewhere when he discovers his only daughter is married to the leader of the most feared army throughout Middenland and Wild Plains.’ Completing his manicure and raising his brow with a grin. ‘And of course he’d be right.’

Kai laughed.

‘He’s not well liked by his subjects; they see him as a sniveling coward, marrying his daughter off, to a barbaric… to someone without royal blood, just to join forces with a stronger force.’ Sabe recovered his words quickly, and held up his hand to Kai, gesturing an apology.

‘My thoughts exactly, and no offense taken, I know what I’m not.’

Sabe’s eyes lowered with embarrassment.

Quickly rising, Kiera landed a punch on her brother’s arm.

‘What was that for?’ Sabe frowned until Kiera’s frosty glare caught him.

Deciding the conversation was at an end, as far as she was concerned, Kiera left the room and headed back into the courtyard.

Sabe quickly apologized to Kai. ‘You are more worthy of being a King than any royal I’ve ever met…not that I’ve met any royals.’ He grinned.

Kicking the chair away behind him as he rose, Sabe edged towards Kai. He held out his hand and after grabbing each other’s forearms they touched heads. ‘You’re my friend and leader, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth and die defending you; you know that, right?’

‘I know you would.’ Kai snorted. ‘You just have to pray I don’t ask you to do it.’ His lips widened into a grin.

Kai pushed Sabe away and slapped his arm. ‘Come on, sit down, I’m still hungry and that cake needs finishing.’ A brief silence was broken by Kai’s quiet voice. ‘Do you think she’ll like me?’

‘What’s not to like? You’re a constant delight!’

Kai snorted; spraying wine over the table he started coughing. Hitting his chest while still laughing, he finally managed to speak.

‘Seriously, does she get to choose, or does it all rest on my decision?’

‘Her father wants this marriage, and I doubt she has any say in the matter. She’s a princess Kai, and forgive me for being blunt, but she’s an asset as far as her fathers concerned. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. I can only suppose the King’s been weighing up the alternatives for a stronger ally.’

Taking a long drink, Kai thought about the other side of the arrangement; he knew it had benefits. His people would welcome the extra food supplied from Middenland, which in itself was a weight off his shoulders. His warriors could defeat any opposing threat, and he never feared invasion.

Their lunch continued into the afternoon as the discussed the meeting. Kai expected an ambush or some form of trickery; he had trust issues, among many others. If a person prepared for the worst, then they couldn’t ever be disappointed.

It’s how he’d lived his life, always expecting less.

Eloise hissed when the wheels of the carriage hit another pothole. Sitting opposite her, Nissa’s face grimaced against the constant buffeting. Trying to steady herself, Eloise braced her arms to the sides of the carriage, and cursed when she fell forward with a sudden jerk.

‘There’s not a bone in my body that doesn’t ache, I’m going to soak in the bath for a full day when we get home. They’ll have to drag me out of it.’

Eloise leaned back her head, only to have it knocked forward. ‘I’d give anything to be home right now.’

Nissa giggled at the thought of Eloise being dragged from the bath, as she kicked and screamed. Eloise scowled until Nissa conveyed the image to her, then she started laughing.

‘It’s no laughing matter!’ Eloise tried not to laugh, but even she saw the humor in the description.

‘I swear I’m going to kill Roulan for lying. He said we’d be stopping shortly.’

‘Your brother enjoys tormenting you.’ Nissa’s voice had a bitter tone. Hiding her dislike for Roulan was difficult.

‘I think you always see the bad in him, but this time, I agree.’

In the early hours of that morning, they’d left Brightstone. It was now late afternoon, and they’d only stopped briefly to have lunch. Eloise had never been this far from home. Her whole life she’d kept within the boundaries of their lands, as ordered by her brother and father, King Garlan. Advised two days previously, to prepare for a journey, her first reaction had been excitement. She’d dreamed of traveling to one of the neighboring kingdoms, and smiled so wide her face ached. It disappeared as quickly as it arrived, when the reason became unveiled.

From as young as she could remember, Eloise’s brother, a year older than her, had said their father blamed her for the loss of their mother. A difficult birth lead to her death; which Roulan learned from his father when he was old enough to understand. Eloise was gifted, like her mother, able to control the elements; making snow or hail, forming rain clouds or bringing wind. It was a rare gift from her mother’s line going back generations. Roulan had pressured her to keep the growing powers from their father; insistent it upset him to see her use them, because they reminded him of his beloved wife.

If Eloise could have wished for anything now, it would be that she was never born.

Eloise looked out of the window, but her glazed eyes didn’t linger on anything in particular. In a trance-like state, anxiety overwhelmed her. She’d never felt loved by her father, he’d always remained distant to her. But now, suddenly he needed her to help forge an alliance. Feeling hurt and angry; she served him as an item to trade, nothing more.

***

Returning from his reconnaissance, after having found a suitable place to make camp, Leon cantered back towards King Garlan.

‘My Lord, there’s a clearing off to the side a few hundred yards ahead.’ Turning his horse he sidled up to the King. ‘There’s a stream to restock the water supplies and vantage points for the sentries.’

In his late fifties Leon remained a handsome man and his once dark hair, now turned silver. The coordinated beard, cut close, stressed his neat and tidy appearance. He’d been a trusted friend to Garlan’s father before he passed, and transferred his loyalty to the prince when he became King. Trying always to guide, and show the best course of action, King Garlan trusted him and listened to his counsel.

‘That’s good news Leon, well done.’ Rising from the saddle, his feet dug into the stirrups and he rubbed his backside to get the circulation going. ‘I’m looking forward to getting out of this saddle. I wished we’d arranged the meeting nearer. Less traveling for us would have suited my bones better.’

Wincing as he sat back, he’d wanted to ride in the carriage with the women, but Roulan said it didn’t set a good example.

Leon’s eyes raked over King Garlan. Once a lean and fit man, he used to spend hours hunting or learning sword skills. Now, he’d become lazy; barely moved from the soft cushioned chair on the porch these past years. The death of his older brother in a hunting accident had promoted him to the heir when he was in his late teens. After Garlan’s father died, he ascended to the throne and took a wife immediately. Still in his early forties, although his appearance implied he was older than his years, he didn’t uphold a good form.

‘Would you let Roulan and the ladies know we’ll be stopping for the night, I’m sure they’re getting hungry by now.’ He gestured to the carriages behind him.

‘Yes, my Lord.’ Nodding then pulling on the reins, he pivoted his horse and rode towards the carriages.

Roulan, riding behind his father and having watched the exchange, pulled out from the caravan and followed Leon.

‘Leon, a moment please.’ Spurring his horse forward, Roulan slowed as he reached the older man’s side.

‘You’ve found a safe place to stop I trust?’ He already knew the answer but didn’t want Leon to know he’d been eavesdropping.

‘Yes, my Lord. Not far. I’m advising everyone we’ll be stopping soon.’ He barely glanced at Roulan.

Roulan had always been wary of Leon; knowing his father preferred his company to his own; he was jealous. He strived to get his father’s attention, but always felt he was a disappointment. Now, it didn’t matter so much; detached and lacking of emotion towards his father, he concentrated his efforts on making his own mark on the world.

‘Continue to the next carriage and the rest of the soldiers, I’ll tell Eloise myself.’ He spurred his horse towards the first carriage.

Ignoring Roulan’s curt response, Leo continued ahead. He’d watched him grow up and had often received blunt or brisk retorts.

Roulan’s features were harsh; black hair, unruly and lank, hung around his long face. Absent of any redeeming features, he wasn’t attractive. Dark eyes outlined by thick brows made him appear shifty and sly.

Leon had become suspicious of Roulan’s recent activities; sneaking out unescorted, he’d had meetings with people unknown to Leon. Uncertain of his reasons, Leon kept silent; the King had enough to deal with. Leon would watch Roulan, and on confirmation of his agenda, he’d advise the King.

Leon approached the carriage occupied by the cook, laden with all their supplies for the journey; food, wine and ale. Leaning against the window, the smell of freshly baked pork pies overwhelmed his senses. The shapely cook welcomed him with a warm smile.

‘We’ll be making camp soon Dori. My apologies, it's been a long journey.’

‘Oh no worries Leon, I’m sure it will all be worthwhile, and thank you.’ Her rosy cheeks swelled as she smiled. ‘I expect everyone’s hungry and wanting a hot meal by now.’

‘I’m sure they are! And I have to admit, I’m looking forward to tucking into one of your pies.’

Leon gave her a wink and then turned around and cantered past the first carriage. He watched Roulan as he clung onto the side of the carriage peering through the window, leering at Nissa. He didn’t like the way he skulked around her and Eloise. Having rescued Nissa when she was young from a destitute life, he looked at her as his own.

Nissa was just sixteen when Leon found her in the market, begging for money. In a pitiful state, Leon questioned her actions and after explaining both her parents had died within a year of each other, leaving her orphaned, he took pity on her. Offering her food and shelter at the castle, with the promise of sanctuary, Nissa and accepted his gracious offer. A young woman of her beauty and grace could be easily swayed into an immoral living in times of despair. He, at least, could find her work within the household where she would be safe and well cared for. Nissa would make an excellent attendant for Eloise and the King thanked Leon for his insight. Eloise and Nissa instantly bonded, and since their first meeting were inseparable.

Peering through the window Roulan’s eyes fell straight to Nissa. Surprised by his sudden appearance, she quickly looked away; his lecherous gaze made her cringe.

Roulan took an interest in Nissa from the day they met. Blue eyes and sun-kissed blond hair caught his attention. Recalling her giddy manner when she first arrived at the castle, the room filled with sunshine and light.

At first Nissa was friendly towards Roulan, but later became cold and she avoided him whenever possible. Overhearing a conversation between Nissa and Eloise, her description of him wasn’t kind. Afterwards he’d chosen to ignore her to try to preserve his already bruised ego, when in reality it added to his list of insecurities.

‘Hello ladies. You’ll be pleased to know we’ll be making camp soon.’

Nissa leveled a stony stare.

‘I clearly remember you stating that some time ago brother.’ Eloise glared. ‘Do you promise?’

‘I give you my word.’ His lips curved into a wicked smirk as he mockingly placed his hand over his heart.

Forcing a smile before Eloise drew the curtain; she heard him curse as he cantered away. Rudeness wasn’t something she practiced, but he’d annoyed her today. Shouting, ‘Thank you! Dear brother.’ She grinned and fell back against the seat.

‘I hope he’s telling the truth this time.’ Nissa wanted to believe him, but Roulan was unreliable and enjoyed tormenting his sister.

Eloise gave a relieved smile at the thought of stopping and resting. She’d avoided broaching the subject of her intended, but the closer they came to Littlewood, the more she thought, and it made her uneasy.

‘Do you think he’ll be handsome Nissa?’

Nissa panicked at Eloise’s question. Hesitating before she could think of something, her answer wasn’t convincing.

The rumors of Kai of Darkmide and his barbarous practices had reached Brightstone. Nissa hadn’t told Eloise what she’d heard. Since Eloise’s father had given the news to his daughter about the arrangement, her sleep had been restless and details of her intended would only make it worse. At least Roulan hadn’t provided Eloise with any gruesome details; she’d expected him to tell Eloise everything he knew.

‘I’m sure he’ll have many qualities Princess.’ Forcing a smile she hoped everything she’d heard was an exaggeration.

***

Roulan and his father, King Garlan, sat near the edge of the camp. Roulan had wanted a private word about the following morning’s meeting. Not happy about the agreement, he wanted to keep Eloise closer to Brightstone, and given there were a lack of suitors as husband, would then have more control over her. While the King knew Eloise had the same gifts as her mother, he wasn’t aware to what extent; Roulan had been careful to keep that from him.

‘I’m not questioning your decision father; I’m merely concerned for Eloise’s safety. This is a former slave we’re talking about, not an honorable highborn.’

‘We need this alliance Roulan. The threat from the Highlands is getting closer, I can feel it.’ He took a sip of wine. ‘This leader from Blackhill is strong; his warriors are like nothing we’ve encountered. I think you’re worrying too much for your sister's feelings.’

His father’s enthusiasm, and high regard for the barbarian, confused Roulan. Arching a brow to his son, he added, ‘She’s been mollycoddled too long. In any case, it’s her duty and obligation to the people.’

Roulan tried to hide his surprise at his father’s insensitivity. While he had plans for Eloise himself, it didn’t involve handing her over to a man whose reputation was little more than a thief.

‘He’s plundered cities and towns across the Wild Plains, making the highborn Lords and landowners surrender their lands and titles. Can we trust him to not start doing the same in Middenland father?’

‘Of course he won’t! With the agreement in place he’ll have no reason to!’ Garlan snapped and shook his head.

Not wanting to admit his son did have a point, he’d never thought about that. While it lessened the chances of it happening, if he took Kai as his son-in-law, it was no guarantee. Another worry, he’d not expected, and now Roulan was causing concern. It perplexed him that Roulan was so objectionable regarding the marriage and wondered what was on his agenda. His dark eyebrows lowered into a scowl.

‘You seem to be overly concerned for your sister’s well-being all of a sudden. I didn’t realize you two got along so well, or is there another point to your protest?

‘Of course not father. I’m just trying to protect our family. My loyalty to you and Eloise is always foremost in my mind!’ Roulan bit back, realizing it was time to shut up he made his excuses and bid him goodnight.

Garlan drained the last of the wine and stared into the empty cup. Wasn’t it enough that he was under constant threat from the Highlands? Pressing his fingers to his forehead, he drew in a long breath. Sleep would not come so easily tonight.

Roulan made his way to the tented area, but saw Leon sat alone by the fire. Thinking he could make better headway with someone who had his father’s ear, he sat down by his side. Leon didn’t look at him, but continued to poke the fire with his sword.

‘How do you think the meeting will go tomorrow Leon? Do you have any reservations about it?’ Giving the impression he valued his opinion.

Leon paused before turning to Roulan with raised brows. ‘I’ve taken every precaution I can. Your father is eager for this alliance and I’m told that Kai of Darkmide is equally keen to take a wife.’ Calmly turning back to the fire he continued to move the ashes around. ‘I don’t see any problems.’