Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera (21 page)

The three were moving to take the horses when a loud lion’s roar sounded. Drace took that as the signal and with a bloodcurdling screech of his own, came out from behind his bush in a crouched run, sword raised.

At Cearan’s roar, the men turned and ran to meet his charge, then with Drace’s yell one hesitated, surprised at his appearance behind them. The Zakara turned also, but paused, undecided which enemy to take on.

Drace met the human in a rush and steel rang as the southerner caught Drace’s sword. Drace absorbed the hit and spun around, letting the man’s momentum carry him past. As he went by, Drace brought his sword around and down, catching the southern man across the back. The man went down with a scream. He rolled over and lay still.

Drace shot a quick glance at Cearan and saw the Were man’s opponent was more talented than his, but Cearan was holding his own. That quick second was all Drace had as the wolf man charged, sword at the ready.

The force of the Zakara’s charge and strike with it sword knocked Drace backwards and numbed his arm as he absorbed the hit and managed to keep his feet. The Zakara kept him busy defensively as the wolf man hammered him for a couple of minutes. Drace had never taken hits as hard as those, but kept his wits and kept his defenses up, watching for his opening. In addition to the Zakara’s sword, the snapping jaws had him on his toes. Drace had his chance when the Zakara slipped in the snow and was off balance for a split second.

The point of Drace’s sword took the Zakara under the ribs and Drace shoved it forward all the way to the blade guard, bringing him right up to the wolf man’s face. He slid his dagger free from his belt and before the Zakara could use his teeth, Drace sank the dagger home in its belly.

Fetid breath right in Drace’s face, the Zakara gave a yelp almost like a real dog and sank to one knee. Drace let go of the dagger, took a step back, and pulled his sword free then swung his sword in a deadly arc. The blade caught the Zakara where its neck met its shoulders and it went down, blood spraying. Drace stood back after jerking his dagger free, panting. He heard a commotion behind him and turned, ready.

Cearan had his opponent down, the tip of his sword at the man’s throat. Cearan roared and the man let go of his own sword.

“Why are you here?” Cearan demanded.

The man swallowed with fear. “We got separated from our group and they left us behind,” he answered, voice trembling.

“How many?” Cearan growled.

“A small force, maybe ten or twelve. We were scouting the passes and we got caught on this side.”

Drace came over as Cearan asked a third question. “Were you separated before or after the snows started?”

“Before. I do not know if the others made it through or not. Please, my Lord, spare me,” he begged.

Cearan looked at Drace. “The storm will be on us at any time. We must hurry and he will slow us down.”

“You can’t just kill him.” Drace protested.

Cearan showed his fangs in frustration, “And why not?”

“Turn him loose. Let the storm kill him.” Drace suggested, figuring the man would at least have a sporting chance, and if he did parish in the storm, so much the better. Drace wasn’t feeling
that
charitable.

“Now there is a good idea,” Cearan said, backing off the man and walking over to Drace, who stood leaning on his sword.

The frightened southerner made a grab for his sword, rolled to his feet and lunged for Cearan. Drace gave a warning yell to Cearan, who turned as Drace raised his own sword and
threw
it. The big sword caught the man square in the chest and knocked him flat, vibrating from the force of Drace’s throw.

Cearan swore in Werren. “Damn, but I thought the fool would have run.”

Cearan went to Drace and put a hand on the bigger man’s arm. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “Your first?” he asked. Drace knew he meant the taking of human life.

“Yeah,” he answered simply.

“Are you alright?” Cearan asked, concerned.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just getting over being scared,” Drace said with a shaky laugh. “What do we do with them now?”

“Leave them for the dogues. We need to be moving on. This storm is going to be bad. Can you smell it?”

Drace could smell it; he could even feel it. The air was heavy and the wind was picking up. Cearan searched the bodies and gathered up their weapons. There wasn’t anything else of value on the dead men.

Cearan and Drace quickly left the little clearing and soon were back on the plains as the first big snowflakes started to fall.

“Estelle is going to kill me,” Drace commented dryly as they cantered along.

“I do not think Estelle is the one you need worry about,” Cearan returned.

“Oh, Ki is going to have her turn, I’m sure but Estelle’s going to have first shot.”

“That bad, brother?”

“I don’t think I have any stitches left at all,” Drace replied.

Cearan made a face. “My Lord, I am glad I am not you.”

A couple of hours later, Cearan was starting to get concerned. The wind and snow had increased to where they had to walk the horses. Cearan had to be very careful keep them headed in the correct direction. Drace did not look well. Cearan was worried about the belly wound getting infected; he did not know how much blood Drace had lost. When he tried to ask, Drace only said, “I’m fine, leave it.”

The only choice was to keep going and Cearan sent a quick prayer to Arahtok to keep him on the correct course.

KI PACED BEFORE the fireplace in the Great Hall, one hand on the hilt of her sword, the other worrying the end of her braid. Vashti and Ka’Ril had arrived the night before. Vashti knew through her magic that something was wrong. The couple sat at one of the tables and kept watch on Ki as she had threatened to go in search of Drace and Cearan herself. She was dressed in breeches and a warm shirt; her coat lay over the back of a chair. Vashti was ready to put a holding spell on Ki to keep her put and was considering in her mind which one to use.

The two men had been gone for nearly three days and it was the worst snowstorm they had had all winter.

The hall was empty except for those three. Only Estelle had braved coming into the hall as Ki was in an explosive temper.

There was a loud commotion at the front doors as a guard fought to open and close them against the wind. He rushed over to Ki and bowed his head, “My Lady, there are riders at the gates. I think you had best come.”

Ki grabbed her coat and ran out the door with the guard. Vashti and Ka’Ril quickly followed in her wake. They had to fight to open the outside door and once through, Ka’Ril quickly closed it.

Ki ran for the inner gate, slipping and sliding in the snow, and almost fell. She halted as two riders walked their tired horses into the courtyard. She motioned for a guard to take the horses to the stables as the two men dismounted. Cearan went around his horse and caught Drace by the arm as he staggered. Both men were soaked to the skin and shivering violently.

“Get them inside, quickly,” Ki ordered, fear in her voice. Once inside, she shouted orders for Estelle to attend them in her and Drace’s chambers with her medical kit, a bath and more wood for the fireplace.

A serving girl peeked nervously from the kitchen as the half-frozen men were helped through the hall. Ki saw her and sent her to Cearan’s chambers for dry clothes.

Cearan still held Drace by the elbow and Drace jerked his arm free. “I’m f..f..fine.” he stuttered with cold. “I c..c..can walk by mmm…mm. ..self.” He took half a dozen steps up the stairs and went down on one knee, his head hanging in exhaustion. Cearan and Ka’Ril each supported one of his elbows and helped him to his feet.

They finally arrived at Ki’s chamber and got Drace over to stand at the edge of the bed. Estelle was right behind them with a medical kit and two girls with hot water. Estelle began issuing orders, starting with Ki stripping Drace out of his wet clothes.

Cearan stood with his back to the fire close enough his clothes started to steam. His hair was matted and laid dripping down his back, the drops made little hissing sounds as they hit the hearth. Cearan traded his wet coat for a dry blanket from Ka’Ril who then pulled him forward a step so the blanket wouldn’t catch fire.

Another serving maid came in carrying a tray with a pot of coffee, several mugs, and a basket of hot biscuits and honey.

It was organized chaos for several minutes but finally things settled down. Cearan was herded into the tub of hot water and had Vashti to help get the tangles from his thick hair. Once he was clean, he dressed and sat before the fire, attacking the biscuits hungrily.

Drace had been stripped of his wet clothes and lay covered partially with blankets. Ki toweled his tangled hair dry as Estelle surveyed the damage done to her repair work.

“Well, it is infected,” she stated glumly, looking at the wound on Drace’s belly. “The arm is not too bad, but it will need a couple of stitches as well. What in the name of the Gods did you do?”

Drace opened one fever-glazed eye to look at her. He was so tired and cold and wished everyone would get out and leave him alone. “A Zakara happened, that’s what.”

“WHAT?” Estelle and Ki exclaimed in unison.

“We ran into a bit of trouble before the storm hit” Cearan answered, mouth full of biscuit. “A Zakara wanted to eat Drace’s horse and he took offense.”

Drace snorted at that, a hand going to his belly. “Please… I’m begging you, brother, don’t make me laugh.”

Vashti had gone down to her room and was back quickly with two packets of herbs. The first she handed to Ki. “Mix it with water and get him to drink it. It will dull the pain and make him sleep.”

She gave the second to Estelle. “Clean the wound well then sprinkle some of this in the wound before you stitch it. Place the rest on it once you are done. Hopefully it will help fight the infection.” Vashti touched her husband lightly on the arm and together they left the room.

Ki gave Drace the medicated water and watched as he drank it thirstily then made a face. “God, that’s the nastiness stuff I’ve ever had,” he said in disgust.

“It serves you right, you stupid man,” Ki whispered, tears in her eyes. “I thought you were gone for good.”

Drace took one of her hands and held it. “I came back, Ki. It’s okay. We’ll figure it all out.” He was already getting very sleepy. “I’m so cold,” he told her.

Ki rubbed his hand with her free one. Drace shivered with cold but his flesh was hot, his face flushed. Ki had seen people die from wounds that had gone putrid. Hopefully it was not too late to fight this one. “We will talk about it later. Let Estelle work so we can get you warmed up,” she said. She gently smoothed the damp hair off his forehead.

“Hey Ki?” he murmured, eyes closed.

“Mmmm?”

“I’m sorry,” he slurred.

“Shhh, just sleep,” she whispered.

“Ki?” The drug had him in its grip now.

“Yes?” she answered.

“…love you.” He gave a huge sigh.

“I love you too.” But that fell on deaf ears and at Ki’s nod, Estelle set to work.

D
race woke two days later. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. He sneezed violently. “Ow,” he muttered, feeling a sharp pulling sensation in his belly.

“I see you are awake.”

Drace turned his head and saw Cearan sitting in a chair by the bed, one booted foot resting on the other knee; a book lay open across his chest. “Hey Caesar.”

“Be quiet or I’ll feed you to the lions,” Cearan joked, having had a quick history lesson of Julius Caesar early on the ride home.

Drace made a strangled sniffing noise that had Cearan getting to his feet and searching until he found a couple of handkerchiefs. He handed one to Drace and laid the other on the bedside table within easy reach.

Drace pushed himself up and leaned back against the headboard then noisily blew his nose. He laid his head back when he was done. “Man, I feel like crap.” He gave Cearan a look of disgust. “Not even a sniffle,” he observed. “How can you sit there all health and sunshine?”

“I for one did not try to bleed to death all over Kismera, and secondly, I am not a puny human with no tolerance for being out in a little snowstorm,” Cearan quipped.

“Maybe I should hope that you froze your balls off,” Drace returned, and then he laughed when Cearan cupped then released the body parts in discussion.

“My balls are quite well, thank you, and I have a witness that they are in perfect working order,” he said and moved to sit again.

“We just got back and you are already taking a woman to bed? That’s dedication,” Drace said, closing his eyes. “I hope you get distemper, cat man.”

“It’s been over two days since we returned. You have been asleep for all that time,” Cearan informed him.

“I see I’ve managed to survive Estelle and, so far, my loving wife. How long do I have before my head is served to her on a silver plate?”

Cearan chuckled and sat on the edge of the chair. “I believe your head is safe, at least for the moment. I have talked with my sister. She was worried to distraction over our absence and then your illness. You have been quite ill from exposure and the infection in your wound. You bled quite a bit every time you reopened that cut. Estelle is the one I would fear. With all the herbs and teas and such the women have been pouring in you, you are finally healing. Your fever just broke a little while ago.”

Cearan sat back in his chair and crossed his leg again. “As I said before, I talked with my sister of why we left. She was angry for a while, but her temper has cooled and she has come to understand. That I did for you. After all, you saved my life. I told her of our encounter with the Zakara and the two men. Patrols will be on alert for the rest of that scouting party, if they are still on this side of the pass.” He made an amused sound. “I can not believe you
threw
your sword. That was incredible. You fight by instinct and that is something that can never be taught.”

“Now,” he leaned forward, uncrossed his legs, and rested his elbows on his knees, steepling his fingers together. He pointed his two index fingers at Drace. “I will leave the healing of hearts to the two of you.”

Drace opened his eyes again, “Where is Ki?”

“I made her go down to the main hall. She has been by your side from the time we made it back. I have had to force her to eat.”

There was a knock on the door and at Cearan’s, “Come,” Estelle entered the chamber. “My Lord, I see you are finally awake.” She greeted and moved to the bedside, a tray of her supplies with her, which she set on the side table. “Let us see how this is healing.” She pulled his covers down past his navel, revealing a square cloth held with some kind of natural paste. “This would have been a nice, neat scar, but now you will just have to live with this one.”

Drace looked down and saw puckered skin held with tidy stitches. It would end up knotted, but the infection had cleared and it was finally healing as it should.

Estelle cleaned it and put fresh herbs on the wound, then covered it again. She checked his arm, and then felt his forehead. It was cool and only a little sweaty. She touched his cheek last, feeling the stubble of several days’ worth of beard. “Do you feel up to a shave, my Lord?” she asked him, wanting to worry over him a little longer.

“Yes, that would be nice. Could I get something to eat? I’m starving,” he asked, not remembering when his last meal was. He sneezed violently again.

Estelle smiled affectionately at him. “Of course. I will make you a tea to help with your head, too.”

Drace made a cautious face, raising an eyebrow. “It won’t be as nasty as that other stuff will it?”

Estelle laughed heartily. “No, my boy. This might even be palatable.”

Drace closed his eyes once more and leaned his head back. “Thank God!”

She patted his knee as she rose from the side of the bed. “I will be back in a bit with some soup and tea. Maybe a little bread and butter if you feel up to it.”

“Estelle?” Drace said his voice low. He didn’t open his eyes. “I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble.”

Estelle patted his knee once more. “Rest. I will be right back.”

“Thank you,” Drace said and a moment later heard the door open and close.

E
stelle passed Ki on her way down the stairs. “Your man is awake. He probably could use a little love right now.”

“So, I should keep my claws sheathed?” Ki asked, amused at Estelle’s protective tone.

“At least let him get some of his strength back first is all I ask.”

“How is he?” Ki asked, still concerned for her mate.

“Asking for food and complaining about his medicine. That is a very good sign in a young man. Go on now and see for yourself.”

Ki flashed her a bright smile and quickly took the rest of stairs.

Drace gave Ki a weak smile when she entered the room. “Hi.”

“Hello yourself,” she replied, and then looked at Cearan. “Thank you, Cearan, for watching him while I ate.”

Cearan looked fondly at his sister. “Anything for you, love. Now,” he stood, “Is there anything left in the kitchen? I could eat a bite.”

“When could you not?” Ki laughed and hugged him. He bent and kissed the top of her head. “Drace, I’ll check in on you later.”

Drace nodded and Cearan left the two of them alone.

“Hi,” Drace said, looking up at her.

“You said that already,” Ki told him, a slight smile on her lips.

“Did I say I think the sun and moon rise and set on you, that I’ll never leave you again and that I’m very sorry?”