Dara Joy - Matrix 04 (7 page)

Brygar frowned. "Since your people have led us to the
wrong place, let us go back through the Tunnel to the correct portal."

Traed pinched the bridge of his nose. "Allow me to explain further. There is
no
Tunnel point to return to at this point. We must now slog through endless expanses of mire to the next Tunnel portal, which, for your interest, is several days journey from here."

Brygar growled at that news.
Walk through mud for days?
He did not care for the opinion at all- and thus decided to ignore it.
Shinar y shinjii.
"This is not acceptable, Charl."

Traed nostrils flared as he exhaled.
Familiars!
"If you had not rushed off into the wrong Tunnel, we would not be here discussing this."

"And if you had not tarried so long arguing with all those old wizards, we would have been there already!"

At that precise moment a mudworm slithered over Traed's boot. Mollock mudworms made zorphs seem rather comely by comparison.

He had
had
enough!

His light saber cleared his belt. In the blink of an eye, the weapon was a hairsbreadth from Brygar's throat.

"Let us get one thing straight- I am not a Charl. I am here at Yaniff and taj Gian's behest. Not the House of Sages." His voice dropped to an ominous pitch. "Do not call me Charl again."

Standing stock-still, Brygar watched Traed with the heavy-lidded expression of a cat just waiting for a fight.

"Actually, there are two thi
ngs we need get straight, Charl
-who-is-not-Charl."

With narrowed eyes, Traed motioned with the cutting edge of the blade against the man's throat. So skilled was
his hand, that he did not even nick the skin. A warning more deadly for the deftness of it.

"And what is this second matter you refer to?" The monotonous tone of Traed's voice implied that he was not the least bit interested in the response.

Brygar cocked his head to the side, boldly tempting fate and a slit throat. "If you ever point that weapon at me again, I will rip your heart out."

Traed quirked an eyebrow.

Instead of standing down, he actually seemed to be weighing the choice. "You are giving me incentive, Familiar."

Brygar's lavender and aqua eyes flashed with interest and perhaps a glimmer of amusement. "I will give you all the incentive you need
later.
First, we need find my sister. Let us be on our journey. I can always rip your heart out after she is safe at home on M'yan. Can we make this portal without supplies?"

"No. It is too far." Traed retracted the blade, returning it to his waist. "There should be some mud huts along the way that serve as trading posts for travelers."

"I hope you have something to trade, Aviaran. For I do not."

Traed started slogging a trail in the direction of the setting sun. With every step, the bog grabbed his boots, sucking them back into the mire.
Revolting.

"Actually, I do have something to trade." Brygar gave Traed a sideways glance as he caught up to him.

"And what, pray tell, is that?"

"You."

Brygar let out a roar of laughter.

Although. . . he was not entirely sure the Aviaran was jesting.

By
the odd lights in the sparking jade eyes
.
Mayhap, he was not.

NINE

Planet Spoltam, City of Aghni

Daxan rapped softly on the chamber door before entering the room. If his guest was resting, he would leave without waking her.

She was standing near the open balcony. The pink sky of early evening surrounded her in a blushing halo.

He noted that she had changed into one of the gowns he had sent up earlier, along with some other items he thought she would enjoy. The crisp, rustling fabric was a melange of Spoltam colors; its design mirrored the natural beauty of the planet. Pinks, purples, deep blues, shades of gold.

The exquisite fabric suited her perfectly.

Daxan had seen highborn women wear similar gowns in Aghni, yet none looked as lovely as this Familiar woman.

Her hair hung down past her knees like an ebony cloak.

He noticed that she had woven multicolored Aghni pearl necklaces through the tresses. The criss-crossing strands of jewels formed a shimmering net over the glossy black locks.

He had heard that no other species had hair like the Familiar. He had always wondered about that. Seeing such exquisite beauty left him no doubt of it.

The
texture
set it apart.

The locks flowed over her like liquid, shimmering clouds. He knew from firsthand experience that those tresses felt even better than they looked.

He imagined the strands wrapped around his body as he made love to her. He felt the locks sliding between his thighs. Entwining his groin and buttocks as he slid languorously into her dewy heat.. .

Desire slammed through his loins.

Soosha turned away from the balcony view. "Did you want something?"

You.
Daxan's lids lowered to mask his desire. "I have sent a messenger to Aviara. I am certain someone will be sent to fetch you before long."

Her lovely expression began to fade. "I wish you had not done that, Daxan Sahain."

"It needed to be done. Surely you must see this?"

"I had hopes that you would understand me."

"I do understand you. I hope that you will, in turn, understand that I have responsibilities."

She pursed her lips. No, she did not understand; but the deed was realized. There was nothing to be done for it now. "You need not lock the door, Daxan Sahain; I have told you I will stay willingly."

It was hard for him to say this, but say it he must. "How do I know I can trust you?"

The hurt look on her face almost undid him. He stepped forward to retract his words, but she spoke before he had the chance.

"If you knew anything about the Familiar, you would know that we do not lie."

"Ah. Well, I have heard your kind does speak the truth. . . and can be very creative with the
interpretation
of the words they speak."

She gave him an indignant sniff. "Where have you heard this?"

He gave her a knowing look, but would explain no further.

He is rather captivating.
Soosha flushed under his steady regard. "I have given you my pledge. It should be enough."

"And so it is. Your door shall remain unlocked."

Her countenance brightened immediately. He was not such a difficult man, after all!

"Should you have a change of heart, though, remember
th
at you have given your word. Remember also that I do have the ear of the House of Sages. I am sure you would not wish to be known throughout Aviara as a Familiar who does not keep her word."

Soosha frowned. Mayhap she was mad- he was an extremely difficult man! He just hid it well beneath his demeanor of stately manners!

Still, she wanted to sample his lips. They curved in a most beguiling way. As if they withheld delightful secrets.

And everyone knew there was nothing as beguiling to a Familiar as the possibility of secrets.

Sometimes lips spoke without speaking.

Her lips could speak silently, too. Soosha's eyes flashed
with mischief.
Trm-m-m-m,
she purred. Hands clasped behind her back, she stepped up on to the balls of her feet. The pose was considered very fetching on M'yan. It said that she wished to
play.

Daxan blinked. Did he just read her correctly? What had caused this sudden shift in mood? She was rather. . . engaging.

"Are you... " He cleared his throat. "Are you hungry?"

Her grin was pure gamin. "Yes-s-s-s," she lengthened the word into something else entirely.

Daxan arched a brow. "Mmm. Good." He held out his arm to her.

She cocked her head to the side. "You wish me to gnaw on this?"

He laughed. "No, my sweet traveler ; I am going to take you on a new journey. I think you will like it."

"With such a promise, how could I refuse?" Smiling, she looped her arm around his. His skin had the warmth of sand toasting on the shore.

She had a vision of lying upon him by the sea as the cool water washed over them both. Except he would be hotter than the sand beneath them.

Much hotter.

TEN

Planet Mollock, somewhere between Tunnels

They still had not found the Tunnelpoint!

The frequent showers made yet another appearance. Heavy clouds opened upon Traed ta'al Krue as he was attempting to pull his boot free from a knee-deep pit.

The tall Aviaran gazed up at the sky, expression
brewing.

Water sluiced down on him without the slightest hint of mercy, pouring through his hair and over his skin.

In the blink of an eye he was sopping wet.

In front of him, a mudslicer jumped into the air a few feet, and dived back into the slog.

Delightful.

If he did not drown in this sea of slime, the mudslicers would soon be more than happy to bore into his drenched flesh for a satisfying meal!

Next to him, the Familiar irritant viewed the vista with a haughty expression of distaste that only he could muster. "Is the entire planet like this?"

Water dripped off of Traed's lashes. The leather thong tying his hair back gave way from the downpour. A lock of the waist-length mass streamed over his forehead to hang in front of his face.

He gave Brygar such a fulminating glare of disgust that a lesser Familiar- or one who had more sense- might have fled in terror.

Brygar simply crossed his arms over his massive chest.

"Well, Charl-who-is-no-Charl, do you not answer a simple question?"

This is why cats need nine lives.
Not taking his burning eyes off the irritating Familiar, Traed wiped the mud from his mouth with the back of his hand. He attempted to toss the sodden hair out of his face.

Twice.

Each time it squished back, slapping cold and wet against his nose.

Normally, Traed was a very patient man. After one day in Brygar's company, however, he was prepared to run the Familiar through.

His eyes began to spark. Dangerously so.

When he spoke it was in a ominously soft voice. "You are determined to find that out, Familiar; I am sure."

Brygar snorted. "What is that to mean?"

Traed's jade eyes ignited like verdant kindling. "It means that if you take one more wrong turn, we might very well see if the entire planet is like this!"

Brygar growled softly. "Dare you imply that
I
have led us astray?"

Traed crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring Brygar's stance. The two faced each other like a stubborn set of bookends.

"I am not implying it. I have clearly stated it."

Brygar's nostrils flared. "I have heard that Aviarans have but one form. Is this so?

Traed gave him a measured glance.

"Pity to waste yours by insulting me."

"There is a difference between insult and fact. Best you learn it, Familiar."

"Your blade will not help you should I decide to
teach
you a lesson. Best you learn that, knight." Brygar sent a wad of mud flying into Traed's forehead.

The fool had the audacity to grin about it.

"We shall see." Traed extended his lightsaber, inviting Brygar to come and get some of it by cupping the fingers of his outstretched palm; he then motioned
- not once but twice
- with the tips of his curled fingers.

It gave Brygar pause.

The serious Aviaran was too confident. A brash Familiar he might be... but he was no fool.

He stroked his chin. "Mayhap, Charl-who-is-no-Charl, you intend to use some of that Charl-that-is-not-Charl ability to best me?"

"Mayhap I do not
need
it to best you."

Brygar laughed at his arrogance. Familiars could always appreciate brazen attitudes. Even in the midst of heated battle.

Brygar rubbed the back of his neck. If he had been in cat form, the fur along the crest of his back would have been standing straight up since they had started out on the journey.

This Aviaran was rubbing him the wrong way.

No reason he should not return the favor.

Brygar wag
ged a finger at the knight. "Re
member, first we find my sister,
then
I rip your heart out. Agreed?"

Traed shook his head, returning his lightsaber to his belt. "Not hardly. First, you will agree to follow me and not take it upon yourself to 'find' the Tunnel for us again. Mayhap then we will have a chance to find your sister before I grow as old as Yaniff!"

"We even argue as to what we should argue about! It is impossible!" Brygar threw up his hands. "Fine. If it will get us moving again,
you
take us to the Tunnel."

"You are finally showing some sense. Follow me."

Traed took one step forward and was immediately sucked into a chest-deep mud pit.

SSSssssurrrrthwwivwuckl

Brygar arched a brow. "An odd way to find a Tunnel, to be sure. Do you wish me to follow you into that pit, Charl-who-is-no-Charl?"

The look Traed threw him was best left un-interpreted. He attempted to get out of the muck hole.

The ooze sucked him right back in.

Brygar sauntered over as if he had not a care in the world. Bending down on one knee, he made a great show of observing the situation.

Finally, he offered a bit of wisdom. "A Familiar would never fall into such a trap."

Traed threw him a murderous look.

Unfazed, Brygar continued to be helpful. "Our special senses tell us when to correct our movements before it is too late."

"Be silent! I am trying to think."

"I am simply saying that-"

Ignoring him, Traed tried once more to get out. The slime held him fast.

Brygar yawned. Purposely. "Do you, perchance, need a hand up?"

"Not from you. I will get out on my own."

Brygar shrugged and stood. "Suit yourself. I cannot tarry with you any longer; I have a sister to find." With that, the Familiar turned
-
in the wrong direction, of course
-
and strutted off.

Traed was flummoxed. "You would leave me here to rot, Familiar?"

Brygar stopped and spoke over his shoulder. "Do you wish my help?"

It was the wrong thing to ask this particular Aviaran. "I have told you, I can get out on my own."

Brygar- who never could claim patience as a virtue-turned and began walking swiftly towards Traed.
"
Argh!
You are the most stubborn, irritating Charl I have ever-"

SSSssssurrrrthwwwwuckl

Traed pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did you not say Familiars would never fall into such traps?"

"Be silent! I am trying to think."

Traed gave him an ironic look. "Take your time."

ELEVEN

Planet Spoltam, City of Aghni

The moon silvered the pink sand beneath Soosha's feet as she walked along the shoreline with Daxan Sahain at her side.

Before they left, he had stopped by the kitchens to pick up a vine basket that his
Zot
cook had packed with a meal. The snaggle-toothed, long-snouted
Zot
had informed Daxan,
'I gave you much tasty food. Much exotic flavors. Much delight. But bring this Zot back his favorite basket!'

Daxan had thanked him for his efforts and promised to return the woven container.
Zots
took their responsibilities and their possessions seriously.

Soosha had heard that if you wanted one to work for you, you had to respect their idiosyncratic ways. It was universally considered a small price to pay for such excellent service.

For the first time, Soosha took careful note of Daxan's raiment. His feet were now bare but he had donned a sleeveless white tunic that was belted snugly at his lean waist. Black leather
tracas
molded his thighs like a second skin, making it evident that his legs and buttocks were pure honed muscle.

Were all scholars so fit? The man was built more like a knight than one who spends his time studying scrolls.

She had observed that many Spoltami men dressed in such a way- and it did seem most comfortable- but none looked as he did. Daxan Sahain had a rare quality; Soosha called it the warm, 'stroking-aura'.

When Soosha sensed a man with that quality, she liked to go into his arms and feel them come tight about her. Daxan's
stroking-aura
reminded her of the satisfaction of lazy days spent stretching in the sun- and the perfectly heated passion that was sure to follow.

To a Familiar, this was an extremely desirable trait.

In fact, the quality could cause a female Familiar to turn into a purring mass of 'I will do anything you want'.

So Soosha already ached for him to pet her all night.

She closed her eyes and breathed in the cool, refreshing air of Spoltam. The scents were different from M'yan
- but no less enticing.

Above them, the sky had darkened to the deepest purple. Silvery stars skipped across the sky in broad spiraling arcs, twinkling through passing mists of pale lavender clouds. A few bands of pink still remained at the horizon, emphasizing the contrast of the multiple striations.

Truly, it was the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen!