The Saga Begins [Nuworld 1] (52 page)

“That was an incredibly stupid stunt you pulled. You almost started a riot. And why? Your pride and that damn ego of yours. What were you trying to prove out there?” Patha snapped. Then he turned to Darius. “And you? You knew she was here. You probably thought this was all rather amusing. You two are pathetic!”

Patha turned and paced across the room again. He walked back and forth as the two stood there, motionless and expressionless, like two children waiting for punishment. Patha stared out the window, down at the town, which was lit up for the celebration. “How long have you been here?”

“I arrived yesterday, Papa. But I didn’t do any of this out of pride or ego.”

“Enough. You’re my heir. The Test of Wills did not need to happen. Why didn’t you contact me and let me know you were alive?”

“I didn’t have a landlink. After crossing the border I came across a clan, and they took care of me. Papa, all their stories were about the Test of Wills—the glory it would bring them, the triumphs they would have. If I announced that I was alive, Runners would have been in an uproar. All those who entered the Test of Wills had attracted followers, individuals who believed, for whatever reason, that their applicant would be the best ruler for the Runners. I saw such turmoil in this one clan…I was sure all the other clans would be in a similar state.”

“And you wanted all Runners and Gothman to follow you unconditionally. Well, Tara-girl, you have that. They will! But you could have sacrificed everything if you’d lost. Those were not good odds. It was foolish.” Patha was still in a rage. He turned on Darius, “You went out to see if the written test came from Tara and came back and lied.” His glare burned like hot coals. “If you were my son, I’d flog you for that. As my son-in-law, I believe I still have that right.”

Patha stared at one and then the other. After a moment of silence he spoke, his voice slightly quieter. “I’m very happy that you’re alive, my child. I simply will not tolerate being lied to. Is that understood?”

Both of them nodded silently.

“I fear your thinking is still too reckless to rule two nations,” Patha continued and at this both Tara and Darius stirred.

“That’s not true—” Darius began but didn’t finish when Patha raised his hand.

“It is true. What would you have done if someone had started to win over her? Would you have shot them? That would have started a war. And a bloody one at that.”

“Patha, I knew I wouldn’t lose.”

“And how did you know that? Are you returned from the dead? Can you no longer be killed?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s Crator. He told me I would win, if I had faith.”

“
Crator?
Is that what you said? And what do you know about Crator?”

“Do you know about Him?”

Patha didn’t answer. Instead, he moved over to the couch and slowly reclined. He looked up at his daughter with raised eyebrows, and Tara thought he seemed concerned. “So has the dog-woman come to you?”

Tara sat across from Patha. “Yes, she’s come to me. I’d never have made it home without her.”

“And now you believe, you have faith?”

“Yes, I do.” She looked up and reached for Darius’ hand, and he moved to her side. “Darius has seen her in his dreams, too.”

Patha looked up at Darius. “I’ve also seen her in my dreams,” he told both of them.

“So Crator has spoken to all of us,” Darius said. “We now have an entity guiding us and protecting us. Tara, we can claim all of Nuworld!”

“I think Crator has always been guiding and protecting us. We’re just now figuring out He exists.” Tara looked first at Patha, then at Darius. “If we plan to claim every nation, I fear we’ll work very hard to do so.”

“But it will be possible.” Darius grinned at the thought, completely putting the reprimand out of his head. “Look at what happened in that arena today.”

“Are you saying I couldn’t fight like that on my own?”

“According to you, you’ve never fought on your own. Crator has always helped you.”

“It was an incredible fight, wasn’t it?” Tara grinned.

“I don’t think this Crator would have stopped you from making a fool of yourself, though.” Patha still scolded. “You need to start acting like a ruler, child.”

“I can rule.” Tara felt challenged.

“Then no more running away from your problems!”

Tara was taken aback by this.

Darius suddenly looked awkward.

“You will prepare a report for me outlining everything you know about the Neurians.” Patha slowly stood. “In six cycles, both of you will perform the Runner wedding ceremony. In front of all Runners and Gothman, you will take your vows to rule these two nations, remain with each other ‘til death, and be loyal to each other from this day forward!” He looked at them fiercely, then walked to the kitchen door. “Now, prepare yourselves for the celebration.”

Tara went to the nursery after she’d showered and changed. The twins delighted in the attention, although Tara was no more than a friendly face to them. She sat on the floor and let them show her their favorite toys and bring books to her. But if one of them got hurt or wanted a toy the other had, they ran to Syra, and then to Darius, when he entered the room. They did not honor Tara with this attention.

“They don’t remember me at all.” She was overwhelmed with sadness as she stroked the soft curls falling past Ana’s shoulders.

“Give them time.” Reena had stuck her head in behind Darius, and now entered. “They’ll be demanding all your attention before you know it, my child, they will.”

Tara affectionately hugged and kissed each child before she left the room. They were absolutely beautiful children, and she vowed that she would focus all her time on them starting tomorrow. They had a mama who loved them, and she wanted them to know it.

It was bitterly cold when Tara and Darius left the house. There were more people on the streets than had been there earlier that day. They cheered and waved as the two drove by. A few children who had been allowed to stay up late chased after them down the street.

The valley at the end of town was consumed by activity. Hundreds of Gothman and Runners flooded the area. Three bonfires were obvious from the distance. The closest one appeared to be a good fifteen feet up into the air and was eight to ten feet in diameter. A small crowd, all in black or dark brown leather, stood around the massive fire, laughing and talking loudly.

The crowd parted to allow Darius and Tara close to the fire. Tara accepted a mug of ale and soon lost sight of Darius as she mingled with the crowd, moving from conversation to conversation.

Several drunken Gothman standing nearby were loudly making jokes about the female Runner who defeated all rivals in battle that day. Their comments insulted her gender, but she knew she would have to let the two races work out their differences. If she’d ordered their silence at that moment, they wouldn’t be any closer to accepting the equality of men and women.

She watched with interest as several Runner women approached the men and began challenging their accusations. The Gothman humbly begged forgiveness but continued to insult the women with their suggestive lewd comments.

“I must say I like the way these Runner women look in all their leather.” A large, drunk Gothman grabbed one of the Runner women.

“I wish I could say the same about you.” The Runner woman smiled as the Gothman grabbed her then sent a hard blow straight to his stomach.

The two other Gothman laughed loudly and slapped their legs as the first Gothman stumbled backwards and slid on the packed snow. “Looks like someone needs to teach you some manners,” he said, working to gain his balance on the frozen ground.

The Runner knocked the man back to the ground before he could stand. She lunged at the other two Gothman but they, too, backed up. “We don’t want to hurt you. We’re just having a little fun.”

“Oh, please, hurt me.” The Runner woman mocked the men as she followed them, grabbing the back of their pants. “You’re too cute to leave alone.”

Disgusted, the men walked away.

The Runner laughed as she turned to face Tara. “Not bad, huh, sis?”

“Tasha, is that you?” Tara looked dumbfounded.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your own sister? Although I guess I’m not as exciting as you are with all your adventures. Who’d of thought you’d show up for the Test of Wills?”

Tara noted disappointment in her sister’s words. “I take it you were cheering for someone else?”

“Well, Kuro, of course. He’s wanted to lead the clan for so many winters. If you hadn’t broken his heart the way you did, he’d be leader, now.”

“I think he wanted to lead the clan more than he wanted me, Tasha.”

“It sounds like you just don’t know how to keep your men happy.”

Tara didn’t like the tone in her sister’s voice.

“It’s a shame, that’s all,” Tasha continued. “Kuro had everything worked out so well. Considering how intelligent the Neurians are, who would have thought they’d turn out to be so superstitious.”

“What did you say?”

Tasha hesitated for a second, then smiled again. “You should congratulate me, you know.” She’d quickly changed the subject.

Tara was processing her sister’s words about Kuro and didn’t respond to her last statement.

“Fine, don’t congratulate me. You’re not the only one who can provide grandchildren, though. I’m pregnant!” she said triumphantly.

“Congratulations,” Tara said simply. “Do you know who the papa is?”

“Of course I do. I won’t upset you with such details though. I just hope it grows up to look and act just like its papa.” Tasha smiled. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

Tasha walked away, leaving Tara still sorting through what she’d heard. What did she mean by her comments on the Neurians? And when had her sister become so loyal to Kuro?

The snow was starting to fall again, and slowly the crowd thinned. Tara found herself near the makeshift hospital that had been set up for the wounded of the Test of Wills. She didn’t feel obligated to see each and every contestant she’d injured. That would insult them. However, she wanted to see how Kuro was doing.

After politely listening to the opinions of several older Runners on how the navigational training should be taught to the next generation, Tara excused herself and entered the large tent.

“Now don’t tell me you’ve discovered an injury.” Dr. Digo smiled as she entered the sanitized environment.

“I’m sure I’ll be sore in the morning.” She smiled back and rubbed her arms.

“I’d be surprised if you’re not. So, Tara, what can I do for you?”

“I thought I’d see how Kuro is doing.”

“Oh?” The tone in the doctor’s voice told Tara he remembered their steamy teenage romance.

“Yes, is that okay?”

“I don’t see why not. He’s behind the first curtain.” The doctor hesitated. “Tara, you should know, he’s badly hurt. If we get him through the night, he may survive.”

Tara nodded but didn’t respond.

The large tent had cubicles with walls made from animal hides. The thickness of the hides added to the warmth in each room. However, a generator had been set up to provide forced air heat into the pseudo-hospital.

Kuro lay on an elevated, thin metal bed. It was collapsible, and therefore could easily be set up, torn down and moved, as needed. He had a bandage wrapped around his head with visible red stains on it. His chest was bare, thickly wrapped with white bandages. Several tubes sent fluids into his body. Tara glanced at them, wondering how coherent he would be.

“Hey, beautiful.” Kuro opened his eyes and smiled at Tara. “We put on quite a show out there, didn’t we?”

“I got a serious reprimand for it.” Tara smiled back at Kuro. “How’re you feeling?”

“It’s not as bad as it looks. How’re you feeling?”

“My bruises are well covered,” Tara lied.

“I’d love to rub salve on them.” He smiled wickedly and then winced as he shifted position in the bed. “So, how did you like the Neurians?” Kuro struggled with a short chuckle.

“They weren’t that friendly.” Tara moved closer to the bed. “Have you been down that way?”

“Ah, now, aren’t you the tricky one?” He waved a finger at her. “You already know everything, don’t you? I never doubted you were the best leader, you know. I knew I would work at your side better than Lord Darius will. He’s so jealous. You two would do nothing but try to control each other. It would be such a distraction for you. You and I would have ruled as a team, though, just the way we planned it when we were kids.”

“But we’re not kids anymore, Kuro. Why don’t you tell me exactly what you were doing in Southland?”

“Exploring, just like you were.” Kuro got a far away look in his eyes. “If they weren’t so superstitious, everything would have worked out just fine.”

“What would have worked out, Kuro?”

“You were supposed to return after I was ruler. Then we would fall back in love, and you would rule with me. It was planned so carefully.” Kuro shrugged. “They needed to reestablish trade. No one wants that opium of theirs. Although I hear it makes sex fantastic.”

“And you pointed out trade could be established with their oil.”