The Saga Begins [Nuworld 1] (22 page)

“I’ll do my best, my lady.”

He took the treaty out of her hands and pulled her chair next to his. With his arm wrapped about Tara, he set the treaty in front of them. The two read it together.

Patha put a lot of thought into the papers. It was full of the necessity of equality among all men and women. It emphasized that the Runners and the Gothman were setting a standard they hoped the rest of the world would meet. Nuworld would need to become one united nation. It stated this would be the only way all war and hostility could end. The treaty stated all cultures should always be honored and respected for their diversity. No race should ever be asked to give up its traditions or religious beliefs to adhere to the beliefs of another race. If two cultures chose to unite, it would be their responsibility to peacefully combine their cultures.

The treaty was very idealistic, Tara thought, after having read through it. What a wonderful world it would be if it could actually be enforced to the last letter. However, she feared that when Runners and Gothman started to follow its instruction, it would be a difficult paper to honor.

Darius shared her concern as they mulled over different sentences and argued certain points. The day was well over when they finally emerged from the tent.

“Here.” Tara stopped him outside of the tent and put the comm around his ear. “You will need to learn how to use one of these.” She adjusted the device so it would reach his mouth then secured it.

“What is it?”

“It’s similar to your walkntalks. You can choose who you wish to talk to, however, and the main landlink will secure your line. We call them ‘comms’.”

He felt the mouthpiece and blew into it.

“There’s a switch right here.” Tara showed him. “Flip it on and tell the landlink you want to speak to Patha. You don’t have to speak loudly. Its microphone is very sensitive. A whisper can be detected.”

Darius pushed the switch and requested to speak to Patha.

Tara watched the look of fascination on his face as he listened.

“We will go down to the Blood Circle Clan and meet him there,” Darius stated after he’d finished talking with Patha. “Do you think we can get more of these?”

“I’d think they should be supplied to all the Gothman army. I can confirm with Patha, but I’m fairly sure we have an ample supply. It would be difficult to fight a war without them.” Tara climbed onto her bike. “I guess we’re already incorporating part of that treaty. Our cultures are uniting.”

* * * * *

“Our cultures are still very different.” He stared across the meadow at his army as the men prepared for nightfall. Yes, very different. He had found the woman for him who came from a very different culture, and he was willing for their cultures to learn and grow together. But Darius had to admit to himself that he wasn’t willing for their relationship to become a bonding of cultures. He thought about his own urges to demand obedience from Tara. She’d accepted his claim, was pregnant with his child, and it was all happening so fast. He needed time to assume control over her.

“We’ll have to be the example of equality in a couple,” Tara said, as if she sensed his thoughts and wanted to differ with them.

The two drove slowly through the camp and observed the men, who appeared quite ready for battle. Campfires were lit, and talking and laughter could be heard. Cheers and whoops, and just a few catcalls rang out as Darius and Tara moved among the men huddled in groups around the fires.

* * * * *

The small Runner clan they approached next was much quieter. Trailers and vans were parked in a circle with motorcycles parked around the edge. The Runners watched with curiosity as Tara and the Gothman lord drove through the camp. Tara knew that through transmissions circulated among them, the Runners probably already knew of the treaty. Patha would have made an announcement about it upon his return.

Darius saluted the Runners they passed, and the Runners acknowledged the deference with raised arms of greetings.

This was promising, Tara thought, although she knew the Runners would face less change with the treaty than the Gothman. The Runners were not opposed to change. Their nomadic heritage had provided much opportunity for them to adapt over the winters.

The next clan they approached—the Blood Circle Clan—stood and cheered the second Tara and Darius were spotted, outdoing the noise the Gothman had made. Several of the younger Runners ran beside the motorcycles encouraging the two along. Tara pulled up alongside a large trailer and got off her bike.

“Well, Tara, you sure have brought the crowd out tonight.” The pair turned to see a young woman approaching them. Her Runner outfit showed every curve of her female body, and the black headscarf didn’t conceal a sneer.

“Tasha, I didn’t know you’d returned.”

“How could you when you were off playing house with some Gothman lord? Although why you chose such a primitive race is beyond me. I never took you to be the submissive type.” The young lady eyed Darius and flashed a flirtatious smile. “So tell me, did you have to beat her terribly to get her to obey?”

“Not terribly.” Darius let his gaze wander over the young Runner.

“Lord Darius, I would like you to meet my sister, Tasha.”

“No, she wouldn’t like you to meet me.” Tasha sashayed in a circle around Darius before coming back around to face him. “But, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. From what I hear, it sounds like the two of you are trying to rule Nuworld.”

“Come on.” Tara took Darius’ hand. “Patha is waiting.”

“I’ll say this,” Tasha continued as they walked away. “He’s much better looking than Kuro was.”

“Who’s Kuro?” Darius growled.

“He’s a guy I dated when I was a teenager.” She waved her hand, dismissing the comment her sister had made. “Tasha’s trying to start trouble. It’s her nature. You aren’t jealous, are you?” She looked up to see if she could read his thoughts.

His face was expressionless, and he looked straight ahead.

They spent several hours with Patha, going over the details of the treaty, discussing military strategy, and explaining the comm along with other military equipment that the Runners were willing to supply to the Gothman. When finally the two left the trailer, it was quite dark, and the Runner camp had settled. All was quiet.

When they returned to the Gothman camp, Darius informed the guards he wanted his men assembled so he could speak to them. Thirty minutes later, the soldiers gathered in the meadow, looking curiously at Tara as she stood next to their lord.

Tara listened quietly, with her eyes on the crowd of men as Darius explained the treaty and the new equipment to be provided by the Runners.

“Today is a great day in Gothman history, it is.” Darius’ voice boomed through the speaker. “The Runners presented a treaty to me today, asking Gothman to form a truce with them, and to exist as their allies. I daresay Runners are a race different from many since they have no land, and move about from place to place to support themselves. They have learned about many races on Nuworld and know Gothman are the strongest and most powerful, yes. So, they come to us seeking allegiance, and I have granted it. This is an excellent move for Gothman, it is, since the Runners have obtained knowledge that will now be readily available to Gothman. We go down in history today for discovering this race and seeing the abilities they can offer us.”

His speech was moving and the Gothman cheered loudly when he was done.

“Very soon you will all receive a new communication device.” Darius held the comm up in the air. “The Runners call it a comm. You will be instructed in its use. It will become your principal way to contact others, it will.”

Darius took it upon himself to show those leaders who reported to him, how to wear the comm and how it worked. Not once did he ask Tara for assistance. She stood next to him silently. When he was done with the demonstration, he walked to his tent.

She followed. “You were rather impressive out there.” She secured the tent flap once they were inside.

He sat in one of the chairs and kicked off his boots. “I have to be confident in front of the men or they’ll have doubts, they will. You know that. Your equipment may be different than ours, but it’s not complicated to understand, no. I agree all our forces should be using the same means of communication.” He leaned back in his chair and stared. “You may think we’re more primitive than you, you may, because we don’t use these landlinks or have your advanced technology. But just because we are different doesn’t make one of our races better then the other, no. I have a tight rule over those men out there. I know how to speak to them, yes. This war will be won, and Gothman will remain strong because of its leadership.” He paused and studied her face.

“Don’t let the words of my sister affect you. Just because she referred to you as primitive, don’t take it personally. She was out of line, as she usually is.” Tara sat next to him and took off her boots as well. “She doesn’t speak for the other Runners, or they wouldn’t be here.”

She draped her long legs across his and leaned back in her chair. “You best believe she doesn’t speak for me, or I sure wouldn’t be here.”

Darius stared at her legs, while running his hand along her inner thigh in a stimulating caress, then without comment he moved her legs, got up and went into the other room.

She sat there, leaning back in the chair completely exhausted. She had almost fallen asleep right there in the chair when he returned to the room. She opened her eyes and saw him standing in front of her. His shirt was off, and his bare chest distracted her out of her sleep.

Tara moaned as she studied the different shades of golden curls that covered hardened chest muscles. She didn’t bother to wake up enough to talk, nor did she see reason to lift her eyes to his face. The view she had at the moment pleased her, and she allowed her eyes to follow the chest hair down to the top of his drawstring pants.

Darius must have noticed that she enjoyed the view, because he didn’t move.

After a minute, Tara looked to his face and met his gaze. She noticed the interest in his eyes and smiled slyly.

He said, “I have something for you. Come here.”

“What?” She followed him and then stopped as she noticed a small box sitting on one of the pillows of the bed. “What have you done?”

She opened the small box and pulled out a delicate chain with a small gold circle on it. In the middle of the circle, a tear-shaped ruby was fused to the side. The deep crimson of the ruby glittered in the dim light.

“It’s the symbol of my clan.” Tara smiled brightly and turned to look at him. Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly looked down. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried for any reason.

He sat next to her and lifted her face, wiping the tears and smiling gently. “I had it made for you shortly after I first saw you in town. I tell you, my lady, it was love at first sight. You and I were meant to live this life together.”

Her tears flowed freely.

He laid her back on the bed, wrapping his arms around her. He slid off her coat and lifted her shirt over her head. She slid out of her pants and he quickly slid out of his clothes. He gently laid down on top of her naked body, and his flesh on top of hers excited her so much she could hardly contain herself. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, and he leaned on his elbows and stared into her face for a moment.

His kisses were soft and caressing. Once again, he moved slowly and passionately. Several times she tried to roll over and take charge of the lovemaking, but he pinned her and continued to make love slowly to every inch of her body.

She fought to control her soaring passions, but he controlled her destiny. He entered her, and she attempted to thrust upwards and bring him to a climax. He reached down for her legs and carried them upwards until he was able to rest her feet on his shoulders. She refrained from screaming as he penetrated deeper than he had before.

He seemed quite pleased with himself as he watched her face and slowly brought them to a mutual orgasm.

She rolled over on top of him and dared him to make love to her again.

His smile filled her heart with warmth, and he sat up with her facing him on his lap. “We’ve affairs of a nation to tend to, my lady. We need the rest.” His hands caressed her back. “I’ll accept that challenge later.”

He laid her back down, then stretched his body out beside her. “Sleep well, my lady.”

With a kiss to the tip of her nose, he pulled their bodies close, and they fell asleep.

Chapter Nine

Several cycles passed with no indication of an attack by the Sea People. But, they were out there. Landlinks detected them in vast quantities just beyond Gothman borders. But since their arrival almost four cycles ago, the Sea People lingered.

Darius sensed the uneasiness in his soldiers. They did not like sitting and waiting when they were geared up to fight. He’d agreed to send scouts out to visually detect the Sea People using viewers, a long cylindrical tube that magnified items in the distance. They had been provided by the Runners.

After waiting so long for an attack, the Gothman began circulating rumors doubting the accuracy of Runner landlinks. Still, scouts verified thousands of Sea People with large amounts of artillery. No one could say for certain why the Sea People just sat there, apparently doing nothing.