The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) (14 page)

Traevyn had
dismounted, turned back to his horse and touched his gray in reassurance. He
glanced down at the reins in his hand and had been surprised to see his hands
shaking. Glancing up, he saw Davaris’ brown eyes watched him carefully. Traevyn
knew the man remembered his earlier uneasiness and dread. Traevyn turned and
led the gray toward the horse shelter, not wanting to dwell of those thoughts.

After
settling the gray, he had returned to where the men stood in the gathering
place. There were greetings to Kagon and Rayne who had returned with Varyk. The
two men had been welcomed with roars and slaps on the back. Kagon was as big as
Davaris, with long, shaggy black hair and beard and wild, black eyes. Rayne was
of average height with short wavy brown hair and golden-brown eyes and, at the
moment, had the attention of three women. The woman favored him, for he had a
quick smile like Gavin but a quieter nature. It looked as if Gavin would have
competition for the woman’s affections. However, for the main part, the joy the
Raanan warriors had at three being returned to their fold resounded throughout
the hold all evening and into the night.

Though he fought the desire to see Ishar most of
the evening, Traevyn was unable to stop himself and later when everyone was
eating or drinking, he had sought to see her for himself. He had been halted at
the door to her room by Audris who had informed him quietly Ishar was still
unconscious and could not have company. From the doorway he had glimpsed her
pale form under a swath of furs and blankets. Eira had been missing, but Varyk
was in the room and Traevyn caught the look of curiosity that had passed across
Varyk’s face at his unexpected appearance.

Now, Traevyn
sat alone nursing a drink and fighting with himself over whether to wait up
until news arrived or drink himself to sleep with fermented paera. Kagon and
Rayne sat and laughed with Gavin and Glyndwr as all shared their past weeks
apart. Davaris and Lysandr sat close by, arguing over the defense positions
that needed to be made at one of the watchtowers. Ber had sought his wife and
family for the night and no one blamed him for his absence. Traevyn put his
fingers to his brow and closed his tired eyes for a second.

He had just
raised his hand for another drink when Varyk made his way out of the dark and
worked his way among the tables grouped close. Gavin and Glyndwr shouted and
motioned for him to sit with them. Varyk raised his hand in greeting but shook
his head with a smile and settled himself across from Traevyn. A woman placed a
new drink in front of Traevyn and as she took the old cup, glanced
questioningly at Varyk. He shook his head and she sashayed slowly toward the
other men.

Traevyn
glanced up with wariness.
“Ishar?”

“She woke and
now rests,” Varyk said evenly.

Traevyn felt the tightness in his chest ease. Varyk
watched him carefully.

Varyk continued casually, “Eira informs me she has
had you holding Ishar’s leash during the time she has been here.”

Traevyn
frowned. “Ishar is the one who proposed the idea. She saw it as a way to make
everyone more content with the situation rather than giving her free rein of
the holding.”

Varyk rested
his chin on clasped hands. His elbows reclined upon the table. He studied
Traevyn. “I know you had no choice in being chosen as Ishar’s guide. You should
be happy to know I am relieving you of that duty. Trust must be given if we are
to receive it. The Haaldyn shall have free rein.”

Traevyn
hesitated to speak. Anything he said would be telling. “Ishar has been no
burden,” he began.

“No,” Varyk
said with a smile, “From what I have seen she is no burden to be around, though
I grasp a trace of determination within her.”

Traevyn
fought with the hint of a smile. “She has been very cooperative in sharing about
her people and in attempting to learn more about us.”

Varyk raised
a brow. “Which would explain, how in the course of the few days she has spent
here, Ishar has been nearly drowned in the river and severely cut in a training
match.” His look turned to one of inquiry. “This is correct?”

Traevyn
sighed and pushed the cup away. He suddenly felt the need for clarity of
vision. “Yes,” he stated quietly.

“And,” Varyk
asked?

“We did not
use training blades.”

“Why?”
Varyk’s voice was clipped steel.

Traevyn was
still as he thought over his answer. There had always been truth between the
Raanan leader and him. Today would be no different. He simply felt unsure how
to phrase what he did not understand himself.

“It should
not require deep thought, Traevyn,” Varyk probed.

Traevyn
winced at his sharp tone. “I do not know. It just happened,” he muttered.

Varyk’s face
deepened into a scowl. “It just happened? This is not like you. You are one of
the most controlled men that I know. It is not like you to make unwise
decisions.”

Traevyn held up his hands in frustration. “You
think I understand this? Decisions like this happen when I am around her. I
find myself making choices I normally would not consider doing, such as losing
control and being impulsive. And she has this ability to stir me up. She has
made me far
more angry
in the short time she has been
here than anyone has in the past two years combined.” He stared down at the
table and shook his head. “She frustrates me and I do not know why.” Traevyn
glanced up in bewilderment.

Varyk stared
at him. His face had a look of disbelief that turned meaningful as he leaned
back and watched Traevyn with a knowing look. “You know why,” Varyk stated
deliberately after a minute’s consideration. His face was filled with a
perceptive look.

Traevyn
lowered his eyes. He knew in which direction Varyk’s soft words probed. In some
ways it was a bitter pill Traevyn fought to swallow, the idea that he might
care for a
Haaldyn, that
he should think so much on a
woman who, two years earlier, he would have engaged in deadly battle with
bothered him. And then there was the trust. Trusting the Haaldyn enough to
fight the Tourna was one thing; giving your heart was something completely
different. Either held the possibility of destruction. He held his silence.

Varyk shrugged. He leaned forward and spoke softly.
“Whether you chose to deal with it or not is up to you. My main concern is that
it does not affect the alliance unfolding before us. The importance of the
peace is too great. I do not need for you to break this Haaldyn’s heart and
have it influence our growing friendship with Ryen and his people. I guess the
true question I would like answered, is does she care for you?”

There was a
pause of silence between the two men. Traevyn thought back over the past few
days of the times that he had been around her. “No,” He spoke miserably,
casting his gaze downward, “She is apparently blind to my attentiveness.”

Varyk was so
quiet that after a moment of silence Traevyn glanced up. It was at that
particular instant that Varyk let out a rumbling chuckle that quickly grew into
a roar of laughter. It drew the attention of the men but none ventured from
where they sat. Varyk reached over and took a sip of Traevyn’s drink. “On the
other hand I think I may need this refreshment.” Still chuckling, he looked at
Traevyn. “Sorry. It is just that you brought back memories.” He laughed
quietly. “Do you not remember Eira?” Traevyn shook his head. Varyk motioned
with his hand. “Of course you would not. The first time I met her I was alone.
You and the other men were in the process of helping secure an outer region of
the Daiwen, close to the mountains, against a Haaldyn attack.” He paused and
smiled. “Let me simply say she was not as at ease with me as you now see.”

Traevyn
blinked. “She wanted nothing to do with you,” he concluded.

Varyk gave a
forceful nod. “You are correct. Though I found her to be a wonderful fighter
and a beautiful woman, she had other things to deal with besides me and treated
me with such regard.”

Traevyn
glared. “But Ishar does not even act as if she understands my infatuation. She
treats me as any fellow warrior,” Traevyn stated in exasperation.

Varyk
fingered the cup in his hands. “She has lived among warriors for some time?”

Traevyn
nodded.
“Since she was thirteen.”

Varyk
blinked. “So, the Haaldyn take warriors at thirteen. Not all that different
than us, except for the thought of one being a woman.”

Traevyn
shrugged. “They start training their children at seven. Normally fourteen is
the age to become a warrior, but the Tourna were coming at the time,” he added.

Varyk shook
his head. “That explains a lot. I wondered why even those who appear relatively
young seemed so experienced in battle.” He nodded. “They will prove to be
strong allies. Eira is right. We should make an agreement with them work.”
Varyk glanced back toward Traevyn. “But as to Ishar, it makes me understand her
better.”

Traevyn
frowned. “It does?”

Varyk nodded.
“She has been around men since a very young age. These men she has learned to
treat as brothers-in-arms. Started so young in the art of war, she has shut off
being a woman and focused completely on serving her people. She, in many ways,
thinks and acts as a man would on the battlefield, which transfers to the way
she acts in other situations.” Varyk shrugged. “She treats you as a fellow
warrior because, in many ways, that is the only way that she knows how to treat
you.”

Traevyn
studied his leader. “You know Haaldyn women under warrior class are not allowed
to be wives and mothers? To be found as such is an act of shame among Ishar’s
people,” Traevyn commented.

“I had heard
that,” Varyk sighed. “That only means Ishar has closed off that part of herself
even more to protect her status among her people and that of her warband.”

“Meaning?”

“If you wish
to pursue this, it will take time. And I do not want Ishar hurt, especially
concerning her status among her people.” Varyk stood. “This alliance is
important, not just for us but for the entire island. If we are to stay free
and keep out of Tourna hands, the whole island must be united. If, however, the
lady does not object, my only advice would be that you should be careful.
People are slow to understand new concepts. A Haaldyn among us is one thing. A
Haaldyn united with a Raanan is completely different.” He leaned over and
slapped Traevyn on the shoulder. “Get some sleep, Traevyn. I am sure Ishar will
look forward to a visit tomorrow.”

Traevyn
grimaced. “And how do you intend to keep her in her room tomorrow? As you said,
she has a willful side.”

Varyk
chuckled. “So does Eira.”

Varyk stood
and moved away. He stopped at the tables with the other men for quick banter.
Traevyn glanced at his cup and pushed it aside. He suddenly felt sleep might be
possible. He rose, said his goodbyes, and moved out into the dark.

Ishar opened her eyes, blinked, and looked around.
The draping was still tight against the window. The only light came from
several lit candles and a steady burning fire. Someone had been in her room,
she realized, otherwise everything would have burned out by now. She could see
a glimmer of daylight seeping through the edges of her window and wondered at
the time as she stretched. It felt late.

She slid up
and realized she was still naked under the covers. Frowning, Ishar glanced over
to her undone bag. She sat up and looked, baffled at the floor. Her clothes
were gone. Ishar blinked again. The sight remained the same. She looked about
the room. Besides the covers on her bed, no other fabric remained. Even her
burda had been removed. “Audris?” she murmured quietly to herself. Puzzled she
leaned back. Maybe Audris had felt her clothes needed cleaning?

She was still
pondering this turn of events when Audris pushed open her door a half hour
later. The Lute woman carried a tray with a steaming bowl and cup set upon it.
Audris walked to Ishar’s side and deposited the tray on the table placed next
to the bed.

Ishar glanced
at the waisu and what she assumed was the paera drink before looking up at
Audris. “Audris, I seemed to have lost my clothes during the night.”

The Lute
woman’s cheeks blossomed with a hint of pink. “Uh, my lady, I believe you will
have to take that up with Lady Eira. It was by her orders that I took them.”

Ishar
frowned. “Then by my orders, you can return them.”

“No, my
lady,” Audris said softly. “Eira is the only one who could possibly,” she
paused, “find your clothes.” She pulled a long white tunic shirt from under her
arm. “She did suggest that you might find this more comfortable in case you had
visitors.”

Ishar glanced
at the shirt. Her frown deepened. “By chance, could you find Eira?” she asked
tartly, “I suddenly find I have a deep desire to converse with her.” Still,
Ishar took the shirt and slid it over her head, lacing up the front. It came
down to her thighs. Eira, more than likely, assumed good manners would prohibit
her from walking the holding with so little on her body. Ishar groaned.

Audris nodded
with calm patience. “I will inform her of your request,” she said softly as she
picked up the tray and set it before Ishar. “Please, eat the food before the
waisu grows cold.”

Ishar stared
at the food before her, suddenly hungry. A part of her childishly wanted to
demand that Audris take back the food and make Eira come immediately.
Unfortunately her stomach had other ideas. Having not eaten since early
yesterday morning, it simply refused to resist the provision before it. Ishar
picked up the spoon and served herself. She almost groaned aloud in the simple
pleasure of the warm sweetness.

Audris nodded
satisfactorily. “I will go and deliver your message to Eira.” The Lute woman
turned and walked out of the room. As soon as Audris had departed, Ishar set
about devouring the morning meal. When the last of the waisu was gone, she
looked down into the empty bowl with gloom. Her stomach wanted more. She set
the tray on the table beside her and looked around, suddenly bored. Ishar
sighed and lay back in the bed.

It was an
hour before the door opened again. Once again, it was not Eira but Jaya who
stuck her head within and politely inquired, “Can I come in, Ishar? I do not
want to bother you if you wish rest.”

She felt a
smile break across her face. “No, I am fine. Please, come in,” she stated eagerly,
“before I go mad with boredom. I welcome the company.”

Jaya came in
and closed the door. “After what happened yesterday, I felt you would probably
need the respite to recuperate. I would have been by earlier but I just found
out this morning that you had awakened. I was glad to hear of it. I found
little solace in sleep last night thinking my son may have caused your death.”

Ishar shook
her head. “I feel fine. My body was just exhausted. I needed the sleep.” She
paused and motioned toward a stool beside the bed. “I spoke with Varyk last
night. He informed me Tai is on the path of recovery as well.”

Jaya nodded
with a smile, “Yes, though his father had a stern talk to him about obeying his
mother’s words when they are uttered and not when he feels like it.”

“He is a
boy,” Ishar stated softly.

“A boy who
will obey his mother next time, I promise,” Jaya said with a nod as she took
the stool.

Ishar pointed
toward the door. “Did you by chance notice any clothing lying about outside? I
must inform you I am not in this bed of my own free will. Eira will not come
and I am told only she would know where my clothing has been placed.” She said
this last statement in a vent of annoyance.

Jaya blinked,
then
her face broke into a wide grin. “Oh, so Eira has
hidden your clothes to keep you abed. How intriguing. I wonder if that would
work on Ber.” She shook her head.
“Probably not.
He
would just stroll out bare as the day he was born if he felt it necessary.”
Ishar grimaced and Jaya laughed. “Sorry. That is not what you need this
morning.” She sighed. “As to the clothes, Eira is my lord’s lady. I would feel
under duress to go against her wishes.” She spoke this in misery.

Ishar smiled.
“Do not worry of it. Eira will come, eventually. Then I will have my words with
her.
And if she does not?
Well, let us just say that
Ber would not be the only person who might act in a slightly indecent manner in
such a case.” She pointed to the window. “Would you mind taking down the
draping? The fire is all but dying, but it is still warm in here for me.
Besides I would like more natural light let in the room.”

Jaya rose
with hesitation, “But should you catch a chill?”

“I will not
catch a chill,” Ishar assured her. “If Audris or Eira ask, simply inform them I
told you I would get up and do it myself if you did not.”

With the
draping down, morning light flooded into the room. Coolness filtered throughout
while ridding any residual smokiness from the candles and fire from the room.
Ishar took a deep breath. “Thank you, Jaya.”

“It is a
beautiful morning,” Jaya agreed. “Spring is truly among us if this day is any
forecast. What a day to awake and hear Varyk has returned to the holding. Many
people in the surrounding villages will rejoice.”

“Is he such a
strong influence?” Ishar questioned quietly.

Jaya nodded
as she sat again. “We first heard of this great leader of mighty warriors when
we learned they had taken to living among the Lute. We knew people who could
reside among such a fearsome tribe such as the Lute were indeed a people to be
reckoned with. Over time, we met these men and found them to be strong and
honorable. I met my Ber. I judged him to be a good man and father to my
children. Ber has not proved me wrong.” She shrugged. “They lived a year among
the Lute, then relocated to the ruins of the holding. I came because I believed
in their cause of rebuilding and pledged myself to Ber.”

“Their cause?”
Ishar asked with a little hesitation.

“Varyk
believed if we continued to live as if there was no tomorrow, then there would
not be one. He believed in rebuilding the walls of this holding and so set
about doing so. When people came, he helped rebuild the village. We have, over
the past years, learned to become a people again. Not the scattered remnants of
one.”

Ishar nodded.
“And now my father wants to continue that cause, with Wyn and Varyk’s help. To
unite this island as one and so repel the Tourna who would have us all as
slaves and truly scattered from our homeland.”

Jaya nodded.
“That is what I hear from the men when they speak freely with one another each
night, but it is nothing new. We all know the Tourna are coming and we fear we
will not be strong enough to withstand their powerful might.”

Ishar reached
over and laid her hand over the other woman’s. “We must fight with all we
have,” she said firmly. “Every time the Tourna come, they are stronger. It is
time they realize they will face severe death and defeat if they come upon our
lands.” Ishar nodded sadly. “It may mean the death of some of our people, but
it is a battle worth fighting. It is like no other skirmish we have fought
among ourselves. We dare not lose.”

“And to do
that, we have no choice but to trust one another,” Jaya concluded softly. Ishar
nodded in agreement. Jaya continued. “I understand this. I am sure Varyk will
seek this alliance. And I will tell you now I am not unhappy with that
decision. I have learned a Haaldyn is indeed a person of honor. My son’s life
is proof of that.”

“Haaldyn,”
Ishar added softly, “are like anyone else. There are many who are honorable and
a few who are not. We are no different than the Britai or the Lute. There will
always be people who are not pleased with this treaty if it comes about and
will try to destroy any fragile pacts spoken between all of us as a united
people.”

Jaya’s face
was distressed. “It breaks my heart to see that happen. My Ber bears no love
for the Haaldyn but he will honor his lord’s commands.” A slight smile
reappeared. “I believe he will find you as honorable as I believe you to be in
time, Lady Ishar.”

“If we are to
be friends, it is Ishar only,” she answered back.

“Ishar it is
then,” Jaya stated firmly. She rose. “I must be getting back. You are not the
only one being kept abed today. Like you, Tai sees it as punishment.”

Ishar
laughed. “Good. I am glad to know I am not alone in this defiance. Give Tai my
regards, please. And come again, Jaya.”

Jaya reached
over and placed her hand on Ishar’s. “I will return.”

“It is with
hope I will be able to seek you out on my own before you come this way again,
but a good day to you no matter what,” Ishar added, with a touch of
rebelliousness.

Jaya smiled
once more as she moved toward the door. “I will give your regards to Eira on
the way out if I see her.”

Ishar was
left alone for some time. Just when she had about decided to chance a walk
through the halls somewhat indecently unclothed, the door opened. Again, it was
not Eira. Traevyn walked into the room and stared at her perplexed.

“What did she
manage to find to threaten you with,” he asked in confusion, “that I find you
still in bed and unclothed? This is not like you.”

“Of course it
is not like me,” Ishar shot up in anger. “She stole my clothes. I have nothing
to wear around but this,” she stated, pulling dramatically at her tunic. “And I
was just about to chance shocking some servant out in the halls to go in search
of my clothes because Eira refuses to come see me,” Ishar said in a vent of
pent up rage.

Traevyn
paused and then smiled. His lips trembled as though he struggled not to make it
turn into a full-blown laugh.

Ishar frowned. “It is not funny.”

“Of course
not,” he said nonchalantly. “What will you do? Challenge Eira to combat? I
would suggest you find your clothes first.”

“You could
find them for me,” Ishar stated sweetly.

“Oh no,” Traevyn
stated with a wry grin, “I have to live around Eira. She is the pledged of my
lord. Her word is firm even though Varyk has returned. The only time I would
ever consider disobeying would be if a command of Varyk’s countered hers, but
even then I would do so with the slight foreboding of trouble in my future.
Eira is not a person one should cross hastily.”

Ishar
glowered. “If you came to cheer me you might as well leave. You have done
nothing of the sort.” She looked with a frown at the dark fire.

“Someone is
acting like a child,” Traevyn replied softly, “Eira only wishes to make certain
you are well before you find some other way in which to injure yourself.”

“To injure
myself,” Ishar said indignantly. “I did not do this on purpose.”

Traevyn
shrugged. “You do seem to have the habit of finding trouble, though,” he said
casually, “If incidents like this find you on the battlefield, it is a wonder
you are still alive.”

Ishar
seethed. “I am starting to think you learned nothing from our last match,
Traevyn. When I am able to rise from this bed with a little dignity, I will
make you eat those words,” she ground out.

He laughed.
“It is good to see you so recovered. And to think when I glanced in here
yesterday, you looked to be at death’s door.”

She was taken
back. “You looked in on me yesterday?”

Traevyn
nodded. “Yes. You were still unconscious and deathly pale. I am glad to see the
fire has come back into your face,” he said with a straight face and a twinkle
in his eyes.

“You are
goading me,” Ishar stated in surprise. Her eyes narrowed. “That was not nice.”

“I just
wanted a different picture from the one I had last night to sleep on,” Traevyn
spoke softly. “I truly am glad to see you awake, if not up and about.”

The words
warmed her heart. It bothered Ishar she might not have Traevyn’s high regard.
She watched as he came close and sat on the stool recently occupied by Jaya.
Ishar commented on that.