Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (20 page)

“There is a neighboring country to ours, called Destia. It lies across our mountains—far removed from your own delightful country. For one hundred cycles, we have kept an uneasy peace, but there is now talk that Destia wishes to enlarge its borders. They specifically seek the meadowlands where we keep our livestock.” He paused a moment before continuing. “Attempts at diplomacy have not been successful, and we believe that through joining forces with Erla, we would gain a united front which we hope may deter Destia from going to war,” Nall concluded. His eyes sought hers for a reaction.
 

Cassie looked down for a moment, pondering what he had just told her. It seemed they sought an alliance to deter war, which was logical, but Cassie also knew the worst case scenario could force her and her warriors to potentially be engaged in a war with yet another country with their own interests to protect.

Cripes. This sort of thing has rarely worked out well for the U.S.A.!

With a silent sigh, she looked up to meet his eyes.

“The thought of a foreign war troubles me due to the casualties we would surely suffer, but I will do whatever my Lady deems right and necessary,” Cassie replied. She spoke with a conviction which touched Nall.
 

What a woman
 . . . 

The thought entered his mind unbidden for what seemed like the hundredth time.

“I thank you, Lady, for your candor. I felt I had to tell you; I did not wish for you to be suspicious of our motives in this sudden alliance. I have noted the way you watch us all—particularly those of us surrounding your Queen—and I knew nothing would escape your notice. Any reserve on our behalf would only increase your misgivings, and I wish to be as transparent as possible in order to gain your trust.”

“I appreciate what you have told me, My Lord. When the Queen has made her decision, and
if
that decision leads us into a joint battle, then I promise you now that you may trust me with your back.”

“Thank you, Lady.” He bowed over her hand and then brought it to his lips. His eyes seemed to burn into hers.
 

Cassie’s stomach trembled, and she slowly withdrew her hand, trying to smile normally; it would not do for her to give in to any attraction she felt for this man.

“Tell me about the Destians. I would like to know what to expect,” she requested.

“They are a nation very similar to ours; our ancestors came from the same stock. Our governmental structures, military standing, and social mores are all identical. The primary difference is mainly in our appearance.” Cassie raised a brow at this and Nall continued his explanation. “The Destians uniformly have the blackest of hair and their eye color generally runs to shades of green, and blue.”

“I find your coloring interesting. Where I am from, entire nations do not share the same complexion as yours does; we are all different with regard to skin and color. Indeed, we have people with skin so dark it is nearly black, and then there are those with naturally light skin amongst several other variations. There are many different races on Earth.”
 

Nall listened with interest before adding, “I have heard of a race of people in the far South who have skin the color of night. They are described as a peaceful, intelligent people who keep to themselves in a beautiful tropical land. As I understand it, they keep no slaves and consider it a barbaric custom.” Cassie was surprised. It had occurred to her a few times, but she had never asked why she had yet to encounter anyone with skin tones darker than tan during her time on Jiva. Now, she knew.
 

Then again, my time thus far has been restricted solely to Erla, so it makes sense that other countries would have other races just as it is on Earth . . .

Nall broke through Cassie’s thoughts by asking, “Lady, in our country, gatherings like this often involve dancing to the music. Is there no such custom here?”
 

“We have the same custom on my world, but I have never seen it here,” Cassie replied.

Hmm
.
Yet another thing which has never occurred to me! Erla is so different from Earth, but I’ve obviously adapted so much that even dancing seems almost foreign to me now. My life truly has changed! I’m glad the Serlenn people dance. How wonderful it would be to glide about it in the arms of any one of my slaves . . .

Cassie smiled at her last thought, but Nall mistook her smile as a desire to dance with
him
. He called to a number of Serlenn musicians before he turned to the Erlan slaves who were currently playing the music and asked them to stop for a while to allow his people to play music which was fit for dancing. The Erlan slaves bowed respectfully and set down their instruments. They were interested to hear this new music and to see a dance for the first time.
 

When the Serlenn musicians began to play a sprightly tune, Nall took Cassie’s hand and led her to the cleared area in the middle of the large horseshoe-shaped table. All eyes turned to them as Nall demonstrated the steps quickly. He then pulled Cassie into his arms and began to twirl her about.
 

Cassie laughed joyfully. Nall was graceful and light on his feet, and his strong hands helped to guide her through the dance. Before long, other Serlenn dignitaries led the Erlan Ladies onto the floor and joined them.
 

Upon the dais, Cassie’s slaves saw her enjoyment and watched the steps carefully, wanting to please her by learning this new skill.
 

Nall kept Cassie in his arms for dance after dance, and Cassie caught a glimpse of Nera in the King’s arms. The older man was as graceful as his son, and he was certainly not lacking in endurance. Kara was also dancing and soon glided by her in the arms of a Serlenn dignitary, flashing a smile.
 

When the current song ended, Nall took Cassie to the refreshment table and handed her a frosty wine glass filled with pink liquid. Breathless, Cassie took a long drink. She half choked and looked quickly at Nall as he drained the glass he held.

“Lord Nall, have a care; this is Jul,” she explained quickly.

“Yes, made from the fruit of the Julala tree. It has very
interesting
effects when consumed in excess,” he slyly replied with a very wicked grin.
 

Cassie sipped gently at her glass, vowing to be very careful—lest she do something she would regret with this man.

“I am quite familiar with the effects; I over-indulged when I first arrived, and I have vowed never to do so again.” She smiled, finding it so easy to flirt with him and to fall into those indigo eyes of his.

“Hmm, I wish I could have seen that! The great Lady Cassandra under the influence of Jul . . . I am sure you were magnificent!” The grin was firmly fixed to his face as he imagined a very naughty scenario.

Cassie couldn’t help herself, so she laughed. “I was not so magnificent, My Lord. Indeed, I was just blessed to have had four slaves at the time!”

“Lady, I promise that had I been there, you would have needed only me.” His eyes were hot on hers.

“Well, you certainly don’t lack for confidence, My Lord,” she replied with an accompanying laugh. She couldn’t help laughing; it seemed the Jul was working its magic, relaxing her and loosening her tongue.
 

“It was not an idle promise—I assure you.” His tongue swept across his lower lip, and Cassie watched it. She was hypnotized by visions of them entwined naked as his fingers reached out to trace her collar bone.
 

Whoa! I really need to take a few deep, cleansing breaths to clear my head . . . 

She inhaled deeply, and his eyes fell to caress her cleavage.
 

Just then, Nera and the King joined them, laughing and breathing hard. They both took a glass of Jul and drained it. Cassie recognized the looks being thrown between them, and she knew they would be lovers before the night was over.

“Cassie,” Nera whispered as the men talked. “I have agreed to ally our country with Serlenn.” Nera’s eyes searched hers for a reaction, and Cassie nodded and smiled, telling Nera that Nall had explained all to her.

“I am always with you, My Lady. You know that.” Nera’s hand clasped Cassie’s shoulder, squeezing gently.
 

“Thank you for your loyalty, my friend.” The women smiled at each other in accord.

Nall was returning to Cassie’s side when the doors to the Banqueting Hall slammed open.
 

Cassie’s hand instinctively went to the dagger strapped to her thigh and placed herself, weapon drawn, between the Queen and the door. Glancing sideways, she saw Nall do the same with the King as Kara materialized beside her.
 

A group of five men stood in the doorway, having shoved the door slave aside. They were all tall and well-built with brawny arms and long, disheveled, jet-black hair.

“What is the meaning of this?” Nera’s voice angrily called out as she tried—unsuccessfully—to get around Cassie.
 

The men drew their swords, and Cassie’s hand tightened on her dagger. Her eyes flew to Kara, and they nodded to each other. Slowly, the men raised their blades flat and dropped them to the floor. As they hit, they loudly clattered across the marble. Cassie and Kara, both brandishing their daggers, advanced slowly towards them. The room was deathly silent as one of the men spoke.

“We have come here in peace to negotiate a truce and treaty with the people of Erla. I am Darien, King of Destia.” His eyes locked with Cassie’s as she recovered his sword and hefted it, watching him closely as she moved the others out of reach with her foot.
 

“Queen Nera, I beg your forgiveness for our mode of arrival. It was unheralded and unforgivably rude. Your largesse is legendary, and I humbly request your permission to join you in your revelry.” His emerald eyes remained locked on Cassandra’s.

Nera walked forward to stand beside Cassie.

“I am Queen Nera. This is my Commander, the Lady Cassandra.” The man’s eyes switched from Cassie to Nera and he bowed low. “Your arrival is indeed unexpected, but not necessarily unwelcome if you do indeed come in peace.” Nera decided to play this carefully as it would not do to offend a foreign monarch and bring unnecessary war down upon her Queendom.

“I thank you, Your Highness.” He bowed again and his eyes sought Cassie’s. “Lady Cassandra, I have a cadre of fifty warriors who are all currently being held in front of the Palace by your very effective warriors. I would humbly ask that you quarter them appropriately.” His lips twisted in a tight smile.

“Indeed, Your Highness. Kara, would you be so kind as to speak to our warriors and see this is done immediately?” Cassie reached out and touched Kara’s arm. “Lady Kara, treat them as the ‘special’ guests that they are.” Kara bowed, understanding her Commanders meaning very well, and she left the room with a quick step.
 

The Destian King knew she meant they would be watched carefully, and he looked at her speculatively. She was wise to show such caution, it seemed the rumors of her prowess were accurate.
 

Darien bowed to her.

King Nyles approached, and it was then Cassie realized that Nall had taken up a position next to Kara when the Destians entered.

“Darien.” He nodded imperiously and King Darien returned the greeting coldly.
 

Cassie could have cut the tension with the sword she still held.
 

Darien smiled at Nera and offered his hand. She reciprocated, and he swept low and kissed her knuckles.
 

Such a courtly gesture from the powerful warrior King was almost comical.
 

Darien and his men were covered in dirt and sweat, indicating they had ridden hard to get to Erla. Nera looked them over and offered a suite of rooms and hot baths to the travelers. She told them they would hold the banquet until they rejoined them. Her offer was graciously and rapidly accepted.
 

Cassie fell into step beside Darien as they followed the slave to the west wing of the Palace. She had motioned to Nall to remain behind. She had seen the look on his face and didn’t want to referee any fights.

Darien halted halfway down the hallway and faced her—his dark green eyes piercing hers.
 

“Lady, I wish to assure you that we mean no harm to your Queen, yourself, or your countrywomen. We came in such haste because we received intelligence that Serlenn intended to align itself with you in order to launch a war against Destia. They have claimed recently that we were encroaching upon their pasture lands, but such is untrue. We have ancient documents granting this land to Destia.” He seemed very sincere, and his eyes never left hers.
 

Cassie stood surrounded by his enormous personal guards with only her dagger and his sword, but she sensed no threat. She instinctively knew this man spoke what he believed was the truth.

“Lord Darien, my instincts tell me you speak the truth. Do not worry; we will come together and find a resolution. Our Queen is wise, and I assure you some accord can be reached which will satisfy all parties involved.” Some of the tension drained from his face and he nodded. He then bowed to her before turning to lead his men towards their chambers.
 

“Wait, My Lord,” Cassie called.
 

When he turned back to her, she grinned and tossed his sword to him, which he skillfully caught, quirking his brow at her with a broad smile.
 

Cassie spun on her heel and headed back to the banquet. Entering the Hall, she was met by Nera to whom she quickly related what Darien had told her.
 

Nyles and Nall—coming up behind Nera—protested Darien’s words, saying that they
had
tried to settle things peacefully, but the Destians failed to respond each time.
 

“Gentlemen, we will have no war of any kind in my Banqueting Hall. Tonight, we will celebrate and at least
act
as friends. Tomorrow, we will begin working on the problems which divide your countries. Agreed?”