Chapter Nine #2
“A pity to lose a bright life so early.” I sighed as we plodded on, the twin moon sisters sitting far to the western horizon, their light dim due to some clouds creeping by. “If only she had been discovered sooner…”
“Yes, she could have been saved, but the bite took place in the dark of night while she napped in her bed. Other than delving into the dark magicks of necromancy, there was no saving her when our nanny entered her room. A silent killer, the ringed asp, you must always check your robes and boots when dressing in the morning for them as well as the red-scaled scorpions. Both like to hide in dark places where they can soak up some heat.”
“Your islands are full of joyous things,” I threw out dryly just as Razgol passed gas so loudly it startled me.
The stench was atrocious. I pulled the light white scarf Teryn had insisted I tie around my neck up to cover my nose and mouth.
“Now I see why you shield your faces. It is not in case a sandstorm blows up. It is to block the foulness from these blasted beasts.” I waved a gauntleted hand at Razgol.
Teryn laughed joyfully. The sound was far prettier than that of the nightbird. “As with the mainland, there are things of great beauty here and things that are dangerous. It is all a matter of perspective as to which beasts are the most offensive.”
That was true. The pigs that many elven farmers raised were horribly unpleasant smelling in the summer.
The reek of their pens could make the eyes of a war-sharpened warrior water.
We also had wolves that roamed the Verboten Woods as well as the Glotte Woodlands.
Large beasts with powerful jaws that could steal a cow from a pasture with ease.
The dwarves had large, venomous lizards that called the underground mining tunnels home, and the Bhaston Tundra had packs of brindle wild dogs that ran down the mighty tundra oxen.
“I still prefer a horse,” I mumbled as we rode up to a small area thick with thin palms surrounding a small pond of water. The winds were calm on this side of the mountains, the surface of the water calm as it reflected the few stars peeking around the clouds.
“When we return the children to King Aelir, we will go for that ride we never took,” he said as he gently pulled up on the reins lying slack between his fingers.
“We’ll rest here. The sun is due to rise soon.
We’ll use the trees for shade for ourselves and our pretty girls.
” He patted his quadoth and clicked to her.
The beast kneeled down, hind legs bending first followed by the front.
I clicked at mine. She was eager to be free of the buffoon on her back, for she went down quickly.
I gave her long neck a pat when I was on my feet.
My back ached from having to continually adjust in my saddle.
“They can drink and graze if they wish. They may not, as they were well fed and watered by their owner before we left the city.”
We removed our gear and the saddles and turned the beasts free. “They are quite docile and will return to humans—us—come evening, or sooner, if they wish to lounge in the shade.”
I thought to ask about the safety of letting them roam the rocky area but knew that Teryn was more familiar with the animals of these lands. We stood to watch the two quadoth amble off to chew on low shrub with long thorns.
“Should they eat those?” I asked in alarm. Teryn looked over from where he had placed his saddle on the ground.
“Oh yes, they love prickly plants and cacti. They are well adapted to such brush. The inside of their mouths is tough as leather. Also, they chew in a way that aligns the thorns vertically so the spines go down in a way that prevents harm.”
“That is…well, quite amazing.” I had to confess.
I lugged my saddle over to where Teryn now rested with his back against the large, four-legged wooden framed seat.
He had removed the padded cushion to use it as a backrest and was burrowing about in one of two large satchels.
A cooling rush moved over me unexpectedly, the interior of my armor chilling slightly.
It was refreshing even though the night was cool.
Having this kind of armor while under the blistering sun would truly be lifesaving.
Back in Celear, when the summer heat rose, several of my guards have passed out due to the heat inside their full plate.
The mysteries of these lands never ceased to amaze me.
If we had wood such as coil root on the mainland, the wood elves would never break sweat.
Of course, my guards and I would still swelter in metal armor.
Sometimes I did have to wonder about us mainlanders.
Some of our ways seemed rather stupid. If we successfully completed our mission, with Ihdos’ blessing, and trade talks opened ports, perhaps we could import coil root for summer armor. I’d propose it to the guard commander.
“Sit, drink, eat something. We can rest during the worst of the heat and then head out once the sun sets. Tomorrow night, we should find the settlement that borders the desert. I am hoping to have an update from Celear soon. I worry that my people will be in dire danger should the noble houses press the king.”
“Aelir will never bend to the bloodthirsty. He is too noble,” I announced with certainty as I dropped my saddle to the ground and took my seat, removing my helmet to let the wind dry my hair.
“He would give himself over to the people before he allowed harm to come to those under his protection.” I felt his sight on me, so I glanced from the quadoth now feasting on a thin cactus to him. “Have I said something odd?”
“You admire your monarch. That speaks well for him, for you are one of the most honorable men I have ever met.” I felt a slight blush color my cheeks and looked away. “I would very much like to kiss you.”
That brought my sight back to him. “I would like that as well.”
We shared a tender kiss under the palms before we broke bread, his hand resting on my cuisses when his head settled on my shoulder as sleep claimed him.
I watched the sun rise over a foreign land, my sword resting over my right thigh, my shield at the ready beside me.
I would happily take the first watch. His soft breaths fluttered over my neck as I marveled at how much faith this man had in me to protect him.
I prayed that I was worthy of the trust he, and my king, had in me.