Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (50 page)

“Cassie, I will do anything you ask. I will tell you of your life, and I will train with you to regain your strength. It seems as if sitting on your behind sewing has not done much for your muscle tone.” She tried to smile, but a killing rage still burned inside of her.
 

Cassie smiled weakly in return.

“Thank you, my friend. This has all been very frightening for me; I honestly don’t know what to think anymore. Here, sit by the fire. I will ring for refreshments, and you can tell me the story of my life,” she suggested and gestured to the comfortable chairs in front of the fire.

“Wait!” Kara said, “We found this in the forest, and I wish to return it to its rightful owner.” She reached behind and plucked Cassie’s sword off her back where it had rested for two months.
 

Cassie’s eyes widened and she stepped back when the warrior pulled the sword. That frightened look in her eyes made Kara’s desire to kill Nall stronger than ever.
 

He had taken her fearless Commander and turned her into a meek lapdog! Kara struggled to fight back the snarl which came to her lips.
 

Walking slowly towards Cassie, she laid the sword in her hands. As Cassie stared down at the weapon, her stomach lurched as gory visions of warfare flashed through her mind. She dropped the sword, and it clattered loudly to the stones. Wavering, she reached out for something to steady herself with. Kara took her arm and helped her to a chair. She then spun and scooped up her Commander’s sword before setting it across Cassie’s knees.

“Are you all right?” Kara asked.

“Yes, I think so. I had a memory when I touched it—a very bloody memory,” Cassie said in a very weak voice.

“That sword has saved many lives and has taken the lives of many fools.” Pride tinged Kara’s voice. She had pride both in her Commander and in the work which they had done together.
 

Cassie stroked the sword softly. Her fingers caressed the carvings on the sheath. She grasped the hilt and pulled it from its sleeping place.
 

The sword sang as it emerged and flashed brightly in the firelight. A familiar feeling seemed to travel from her hand and suffuse her entire body.
 

This was why the clanking of swords tickled her memory; just holding the weapon was enough to assure her that it was indeed hers and that this was truly who she was.
 

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up into Kara’s eyes.

“Give me back my life, Kara,” she requested firmly.

“I will, my friend. I swear it,” Kara replied intensely.

Kara sat across from her friend and spoke long into the night of Cassie’s life in Erla. Then, shortly before midnight, she rose and embraced her friend and left in search of rest.
 

She walked silently down to the Great Hall, and when she entered, she saw Nall and Darien before the huge fireplace. The men rose when they saw her come in and moved to meet her. Kara strode straight up to Nall and threw a punch into his face which landed him on his backside.

“You are very fortunate, My Lord. I should kill you for what you have done to Cassandra and to Erla. My Lady is more diplomatic, though, and she insists that I restrain myself in order to avoid starting a war.” Nall slowly got to his feet. He knew he deserved whatever she said or did to him. “I will remain here with my Commander for two weeks while I attempt to get her back into fighting form. Then, we shall ride for Erla. She has requested I not tell my Queen of the circumstances—only that she has been found and is unable to travel at this time. Once again, you are a fortunate man, for Nera would likely ride here to kill you herself. My Lady further requests that you fit a chamber for us to share whilst we are here. She has no wish to be in your bed ever again.” She stared hard into his eyes, and Nall flinched as her words wounded him. He dropped his gaze and nodded.
 

Kara crossed her arms over her chest while he called a servant and gave orders for a chamber for the two women to be prepared and for Lady Fara/Cassandra to be escorted there. With a bow to Darien, Kara followed the servant out of the room.

“Well, I think that went rather well, don’t you?” Darien laughed shortly, ignoring Nall’s angry look. The Prince was silently wiping the blood from his still bleeding lip, waving away a maid who had come to assist him. “Come now, Nall. You are still alive and breathing, and considering the women we are dealing with, that is indeed a bit of a miracle. I will bid you goodnight now.” Darien sketched a sardonic bow and left Nall staring into the fire, holding his abused mouth.

XXX

The following weeks were difficult for Cassie; she did her best to avoid Nall and worked out from dawn till dusk with Kara and Darien.
 

The warriors who had accompanied Kara were outraged when they discovered the Prince’s perfidy, and it was all Cassie and Kara could do to keep them from seeking retribution. Each night, Cassie would choke down her dinner, wash, and then fall into bed—only to be roused at first light to begin again with sore, aching muscles.
 

As the days passed, her muscles hardened, and she regained her agility, but with the exception of brief flashes, she had not regained her memory.
 

Messages had been sent by Nera to express her joy and beg her to recover quickly and come home. They had not told Nera the details, so the Queen believed Cassie to have taken ill. They had also received word from King Nyles, who was overjoyed at her being found and wished her speed in getting back to health.

For ten days, Nall watched her progress from a distance, and on the eleventh day, he saddled his horse and rode to the Capital—intent on telling his father the truth of the events in person as he had knowingly put his country’s security and alliance with Erla in jeopardy.

The day before their planned departure, Kara decided they should rest, and a grateful Cassie immediately agreed. The women were in their shared room packing after they secured Cassie some clothing more befitting her. Tossing her saddlebag on the floor, Cassie threw herself onto her bed and burrowed into the softness.

“I think it is time for you to tell me about my slaves, Kara. I will be meeting them in a couple of days, and I don’t even know their names.” She watched as Kara finished packing her bag and then threw herself down on her own bed.

“You have six, Cass. Mika has black hair and golden eyes. Arn, my personal favorite,” she grinned lasciviously, “is a blond giant with fabulous violet eyes. Kai has deep brown hair and hot brown eyes. Taylyn is tall with jet-black hair with a sprinkling of gray and sapphire blue eyes. He was actually just a field slave when you found him and brought him home. Aidan has russet hair and emerald eyes. Last, but certainly not least, you have Garen. His hair is quite long and a dark blond. His eyes are a beautiful bright blue. They all adore you, and you are very fair with them, they are actually quite spoiled I think. The rest I cannot tell you; you will have to find out for yourself. Rest assured they are all incredibly beautiful and very talented between the sheets,” Kara said, eyes sparkling. “I must say I am glad to be going home, I have not slept under my own roof for near three months, and I long for the solace of my own well-trained slaves.” Stretching and yawning, she pushed her hair from her face.

“I am so sorry for all of this, Kara . . . for all of the pain and trouble that you went through. I blame myself now; going after the Trevian alone was stupid, and I should have known better. If I had kept a warrior with me, this could have all been avoided.” Her stomach ached as she considered this.

“I, too, wish you had taken an escort. However, what’s done is done. You couldn't have know any of this would happen. It should have been an easy win and a quick return to your warriors. Your thoughts were on the safety of your warriors and of the Princess Danai, and that was noble.”

“I suppose I am wasting time and energy on regret. By the way, were you aware Nall left for his father’s Palace days ago? He did not say anything to me before he left,” Cassie asked, her eyes tinged with sadness.

“Are you truly sorry he did not? After what he has done, he does not deserve your thoughts or sympathy.” Kara was mildly annoyed Cassie harbored any kind feelings for the Prince.

“You will have to be patient with me, Kara. A part of me loves him very much, and it will be a while before I get over it. Perhaps, I will just occupy my mind with the thoughts of the beautiful men that await me in Erla,” she said with a smile at Kara.

“I am sorry, Cassie; I think I will be angry with Nall forever for this.”

“I appreciate that. I really do. It lets me know how much you care about me.”

“I love you, Cassie! You are a sister to me as well as my Commander.” Cassie’s eyes pricked at the heartfelt emotion, but she banished the tears. She had done enough crying as of late.

“I know when I look at you that I love you as well.” The women smiled fondly at each other.

Night had fallen as they talked, and feeling very sleepy, they both put on their nightclothes and slipped between the sheets, Kara leaned over and extinguished the light as they wished one another a good sleep.

After a fond farewell to Darien, the women spent the next couple of days on the road back to Erla. Cassie found an easy camaraderie with the warriors, and she was touched at how happy they were to have her back amongst them.
 

It was a pleasant journey, but the closer they got to Erla, the more nervous Cassie became. Kara was very happy when the climate became milder and they were able to shed their heavy, fur-lined coats. She was even happier to be nearing the home she had been away from for so long.
 

During the last couple of miles to Erla, they all stripped out of their heavy linen undershirts and wore only their leather pants and vests. Even the horses seemed to sense how near to home they were as they pranced about and tossed their manes, moving along the familiar road.

The women felt it too, and in mutual accord, they urged their horses faster, giving them their heads as they sped through the outskirts of town. They slowed only when they got into the more populated areas.
 

Shouts of welcome and joy greeted them when the people realized that it was Cassandra who rode at the front of the group with Kara. The people were overjoyed that their Commander had returned safely, and Cassie smiled and waved to the people they passed. Her eyes soaked in the details of their faces.
 

All too soon, however, they arrived at the Palace and Cassie dismounted, watching in amazement as a beautiful woman with long, platinum hair and flashing violet eyes ran down the steps joyfully—launching herself into Cassie’s arms and squeezing her tightly.

“Oh, my friend! My friend! I am so happy you are home and well! Thank the gods you are home amongst us again!” Nera drew back and laughed happily into Cassie’s eyes. The smile slid off of her face slowly as Cassie stared at her awkwardly.
 

“What is the matter?” she asked before turning to Kara. “What is wrong with her, Kara?”

“Your Highness, forgive me. I did not tell you all that had truly occurred. Lady Cassandra had an accident. She was thrown from her horse and hit her head, and it has caused her to lose her memory. I have spent the last two weeks helping her to train and telling her of what her life was,” Kara said, lowering her head.

“What?” Nera looked back at Cassie thunderstruck. “You do not remember anything?” Cassie shook her head.

“I am sorry, Your Highness. Your Commander returns somewhat the worse for wear from her adventure.” She smiled ruefully, and then sobered. “If it is your wish to replace me, I will understand completely and will harbor no ill will.” Cassie dropped to her knees in front of the Queen.
 

Nera gasped and pulled her to her feet. Tucking a hand under her chin, she raised Cassie’s eyes to her own.

“I would not do that. You look to be in fighting form to me. Your memory loss is devastating, but we can overcome that. You have earned our respect and loyalty; we will not abandon you in this time of trouble. You are too well-loved!” Nera embraced her friend, her tearful eyes meeting Kara’s over Cassie’s shoulder. Cassie was overcome with emotion also and gripped her Queen tightly.