Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) (6 page)

"You
have brought this upon yourself, fool!"

Adalginza
screamed the words, both to relieve her own frustration and for the benefit of
Kalos who she knew was listening outside.

Then, she
raised the whip.

Adalginza
aimed the first lash of the heavy, flexible branch directly at Bruna's shoulders.

Startled,
Bruna brought up both hands to deflect the blow.

But at the
last moment, Adalginza diverted the arc and slammed the branch with a loud "slap"
onto the wall. She followed up with more fake blows, for the sound effect of
punishment that she hoped would convince the listener outside.

Bruna broke
into a wicked smile, and dared to murmur in Adalginza's ear.

"You
wish you could really do this to me, do you not?" Getting no response,
Bruna goaded her further. "Were we in different roles and I were the lady,
I would not spare you. I would beat you senseless, in front of the captain. I
would enjoy the power. Why do you spare me, Adalginza? Is it because you are
weak?"

Adalginza
answered with an especially vicious blow to the wall, as she lowered her voice
in reply.

"Do you
think our visitors are stupid? Have you not yet noticed that the captain misses
nothing? You are lucky he did not run you through with his sword. He had the
right."

Flinging
the branch into the corner of the room, Adalginza reached out and tore the
frock Bruna was wearing, down and around her shoulders. An insubordinate slave
must show some ill effect from the so-called beating.

"Hold
this around you, and run quickly past Kalos — straight to your sleep room. Do
not look at him. He will see no pain in your eyes if you do."

Bruna gave
a quick nod of her head.

As she
turned to go, Adalginza grabbed her arm and held it tightly.

"Tell
me why you took such a risk. It was not necessary."

"To
spy, of course."

"I am
here to report what happens and what is said."

"To
spy on you as well, Adalginza."

It was no
act when Adalginza flung open the shed door and shoved Bruna out so hard that
the woman fell first to her knees. Quickly recovering, she made a pathetic
sight as she grasped the ripped frock around her and dashed through the door,
into the abode.

Kalos, arms
folded, closely watched the performance. Adalginza moved to close the outer
courtyard door after Bruna, but he held up one hand.

 "Leave
it open," he ordered. "A slave so bold might feel compelled to
return. And this way we can watch the interior of your abode to make sure no
one is there. You say there are no others in the household?"

Adalginza
hesitated, wondering how she would explain the possession of only one slave
when she seemingly had such wealth.

"I plan
to purchase more."

 "We
have no slaves in our household," Kalos reassured her. "I see no
shame in the lack."

He strolled
over to the jar of nectar, and ladled two more drinks for himself and
Adalginza. He handed a cup to her, as though she were the guest. She drank
deeply, watching him curiously as she did so.

"You
have no slaves?" she asked. "But — who performs your chores?"

"We do."
At her expression, he laughed outright. "Please. You act as though I
confessed to relieving myself in the public square. Doing one's own chores has
its honor. And what we are unable to do for ourselves, we hire done from among
the commoners of the Crescent Houses. Perhaps you should consider doing the
same."

Adalginza
sat on the wooden bench by the doorway, mainly to keep watch and make sure
Bruna did not reappear.

"I had
not given much thought to hiring the commoners. Maybe I will take your advice."

Kalos
strolled to the doorway, to casually inspect what he could see of the interior
of her dwelling.

Then he
stood for a moment, as if listening for any sign of trouble from the stables.
He gave a quick nod, seemingly satisfied with the quiet. Adalginza could see that
he was always the warrior, always on alert.

Kalos turned
back to her.

"You
have never visited the Prime Continent, or you would better understand the
importance of commoners."

"Is
that so?"

 "Yes.
They are the foundation of the Crescent Houses. They teach the children, run
the shops, create the goods, transport the merchandise, and otherwise make sure
the world functions as it should."

"But
they are not high in status. And they cost by far more than slaves in
wages."

"Again,
spoken like a true lady of the Fifth House." Kalos did not make those
words sound like a compliment. "Those of us with royal blood indulge
ourselves at the expense of the commoners of our Houses, who so foolishly pay
homage to us. It is an unjust system. It should be ended."

"I — do
not understand your words," she answered softly.

It was a
lie. She understood perfectly that this was a man she could like — immensely — under
different circumstances.

"Of
course not," Kalos mumbled. "And that is unfortunate."

"Tell
me. Why is it that you have no slaves?"

"Different
reasons. Security is one. With all this talk of a revolt, does it not worry you
that your slave was caught listening at the door?"

"This
displeases you still." Adalginza dropped her eyes demurely. "I will
have her executed for you, sir."

Kalos held
up one hand in protest.

"Not
necessary. See this incident only as a lesson in caution. Be aware, too, of the
hatred in your servant's eyes when she regards you. I say this only for your
sake."

"I
understand now. You keep no slaves because you know they can be treacherous."

"There
is more to it than that. But, for now, this is an answer that will suffice."

Kalos turned
his head in a slow half circle, checking his surroundings and listening
carefully, before he strolled over to Adalginza.

He sat
beside her on the bench. Then he took her hands, burying them inside his
massive ones, as he gave her a beseeching look.

Adalginza
did not expect the thrill that jolted her from his touch. But he seemed
impervious to the effect he was having on her, as he earnestly spoke again.

"In
your own household, become the watcher instead of the watched. If your slave is
part of a conspiracy, she could lead us to information that could save many
lives. Do you agree to this?"

Adalginza
nodded mutely.

"Good."
Kalos dropped her hands. "There could be danger."

"I have
no fear."

"I
believe you, but fear anyway. Fear, too, can save lives."

"Then this
is why you wished to speak to me alone?"

"This.
And another matter."

Kalos
regarded her with almost a dreamy, faraway look.

"I do
not wish to offend, for it is clear to me you have lived a very sheltered
existence here in the frontier. Still, I must ask something of you that might
satisfy what can only be described as lust."

Thinking she
grasped his meaning, Adalginza hastily and clumsily spoke to reassure him.

"Sir, I
would be most honored to serve as your bedmate. And only your bedmate. In my House,
this is no disgrace. I expect no exchange of vows, even of the most casual
sort."

Bright spots
of red instantly appeared on his cheeks.

"Lady,
this is most gracious of you, but… Oh, I am such an oaf. How can I put this?"

"I
understand what you are about to say," she interrupted anxiously. "I
appreciate what your mother was so hasty to reveal — that you are already as
good as betrothed. But, sir. I ask only your companionship for the duration of
your service in Sola Re. In turn, I can provide you with much satisfaction. At
your convenience, of course. At the appropriate time, any bond between us will
be severed."

Adalginza
knew she was chattering and behaving in anything but a sophisticated manner.
But she did not expect the anguish in his expression.

"I am,
genuinely, an oaf."

Captain
Kalos smiled painfully at her — then took her right hand, rolling down the
glove to expose soft skin that he kissed gently.

The mere
touch of his lips on her skin aroused a warm response. And much to her own
surprise, Adalginza found herself anticipating the rest of what was to come.

His fingers
caressed hers, though the glove. "I am greatly honored. Please know that. But
I must reject your kind offer."

Adalginza
yanked her hand away, instantly feeling the sting of rejection.

"Why?
Because you are about to be betrothed?"

"For clarification,
I am not that far along in the relationship. It has been discussed, but there
has been no formal announcement. It is my mother who would have it so, though I
am — affectionate — toward the lady in question."

"Then
why do you turn me away?" Adalginza was genuinely mystified.

"If you
will think back, the answer was given already. Our House values learning. Yours
does not." His tone was kind though condescending.

"What
does it matter? Sir, even without education, I am well-spoken and well
mannered."

"I say
it again. You are a lady of the House of the Fifth Crescent Moon."

"And in
your eyes, I might just as well be a savage." Adalginza spoke in true
anger, though she did not miss the irony of her own words.

"Actually
— savages educate their young. All of their young."

"I am
not even as
good
as a savage?"

Adalginza
leaped to her feet, for this comparison would be an unspeakable affront to any
lady of any Crescent House.

Kalos
reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her gently back down beside him.

"Please.
I did not intend to demean you. I was simply pointing out factual information.
A curse of my House. We are always pointing out matters of information that are
of little interest to other people."

"I will
sit for no more of this — "

Adalginza
made a move as if to go, but Kalos firmly held onto her arm.

"Please.
Stay. Perhaps at this time I should get to the point of this meeting, before
you put your whip to me next."

"Perhaps
you should." The haughty anger in Adalginza's tone was not feigned.

"Very
well, then. The House of the Seventh Crescent Moon, Lady Adalginza. Have you
heard of such a thing mentioned in the frontier?"

"I — "
Adalginza opened her mouth to speak further, then closed it again. She could
think of nothing to say in response.

"You
are shocked at the name spoken aloud, just as I expected you would be. Forgive
me." Kalos sighed, then shrugged. "But you already have seen me for
what I am. Insensitive and indelicate. So I will continue, as long as your
lovely ears can stand to hear the rest."

"And
what if I choose not to hear the rest?" Adalginza played along, because she
wasn't sure what a civilized lady of a Crescent House should say.

"Please.
Indulge me. It means everything to me. What do you know of the House of the
Seventh Crescent Moon?"

Bewildered
at the unexpected turn of the conversation, Adalginza desperately searched her
memory.

The mysterious
Seventh House was considered so sacred that it was never to be openly spoken of
among the remaining Houses. That much she had discerned through her long
association with the invaders.

Still, while
the name meant nothing to her, she tried to look appropriately scandalized.

"I know
only that we could be imprisoned for speaking of it. Is this a test, then? Will
you have me jailed for tolerating your indiscretion? You then would have rights
to my property, and your wealth would grow."

Kalos
chuckled. "The Fifth House is known for its suspicions of betrayal. And no
wonder, considering how most of the royal blood of your House acquired their
own riches."

"Now
you dare to insult my House and its leaders?"

"Please.
I did not mean it that way. Your wealth means little to me. On the Prime
Continent, my clan has amassed a fortune beyond anything you can imagine."

"Then
why did you come here?" Adalginza was genuinely astonished.

"Not by
necessity. I joined the Knights of the Crescent Sword so that I could seek appointment
to the frontier. I convinced my family to join me because — well — I am on a
quest of sorts. And I needed their help."

"This
has a romantic sound to it, I suppose."

"It no
longer does to me. I brought death upon my clan because they followed me here."