Uhnara slept soundly for the first night in more years that she could remember. Not an old woman and certainly not a child, she found her night filled with dreams she dared not repeat. In every moment she saw the face of the young king Narvakhan. His strength of presence, his command and muscular body, closer in her age and form than the Droga had been.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love him, but it was not a love of choice, but rather a love of duty and station. His kindness was rare and typically short lived. Droga had been a man more in love with power than with a woman. Even a substantially younger woman like Uhnara couldn’t seem to tear him from his plotting and planning. It was this plotting and planning that left him without passion of flesh or lust of body.
She had always assumed this was simply part of his station. She could not reflect on her own people for she was long from Tova. A Rhiyan by birth, but a Southern woman by company and residence. Uhnara was never told how she came into service and future mate for Droga; it simply wasn’t her place to question such things. Beside what child at five would even begin to understand the concepts of Lords and Ladies and the delicate balance marriages and unions provided in the political arena.
Yet it was passion denied that quickened her pulse and caused her to steal smiles in private as she held tightly the dreams of this young King of the South. There was physical passion in his eyes. His body moved with a conviction and strength she had never seen. Constantly she had to hide her face for fear she would be seen. An act she had already failed in. Rune had seen her. A childhood companion and now private maiden glared at her when she saw Uhnara staring at the “Bully who stole our Lord”.
None of that mattered to Uhnara. Certainly the events disturbed her, but it was far more civilized and clear action compared to some of the events she had witnessed at Droga’s hand. Considering General Kiv accepted this King and his actions, there had to be some merit. She had always trusted the general and his execution of duties to be fair and just beyond anything the court offered. She smiled as she remembered sharing the general’s bed before she was married to Droga. He had been a man she felt was fueled by physical passion, only to be a lonely old man once they were alone.
No, this king was different than Kiv, different than Droga. They had moments. This man simply existed in the state. In the weeks that passed since Droga’s public execution in the Court Hall, Uhnara was able to watch the King act to his court and to the common people. He was loving, patient and listened with earnest. Several times she had heard him apologize for being gone so long. It was all intoxicating to her. Once again a smile filled her as she recounted her previous dreams of him that caused her to wake with a body full of sweat, labored breathing and a weakness from head to toe. He indeed gave her good dreams.
“Not even yet cold is your husband and walk around like a smitten hand maiden. It simply isn’t fitting a lady Uhnara. Have you no shame!” Rune had entered Uhnara’s private chambers without making a sound and began her duties of rising her lady for the new day.
When in private they always addressed each other as equals. A fact Uhnara wished wasn’t true at the moment. It would be much easier to simply have her keep her thoughts and observations to herself and leave Uhnara to her enjoyable lusts.
“My thoughts are my own Rune. That is where they will remain.” Uhnara turned to try to keep the thoughts and smile private.
“He has a pretty face, doesn’t change the fact that he is a bully. A bully that took the Lord Droga from us. A bully that took your husband!” Rune continued to press her views.
“Oh Rune, leave me be!” Uhnara sat heavily and exasperated. “It is not as if he found himself awake in my bed this morning!”
“You wouldn’t!” Rune exclaimed.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind it. Have you not seen the way he moves. The strength that openly pulses about him.” Uhnara fanned herself as she felt her cheeks suddenly flush.
“As I said, he has a pretty face. But you have a duty. What will you do?”
Rune had hit the subject Uhnara didn’t even want to begin to think about. Never did she want to rule a house and be responsible to a land she never previously took an interest in. What did she know of coin value, diplomatic protocols or the art of war. Droga taught her none of this. She was always at his side; his trophy. When he wanted to release himself with her, she accepted it and completed her duty. She was never with child and thus had no training as a mother.
“I say you send them all away to the South where they belong. This war with the Ministry simply isn’t our business. Long before we were born they started fighting and the only time we experience problems are when one or the other shows up to exert their authority.” Rune attended to her chores as she continued.
“What do we know of their politics and laws. This magic, never have I seen it. So why must I be bothered with it at all.”
“I have you know.” Uhnara suddenly answered softly as she stared into space.
“When?” Rune asked, stopping to sit next to Uhnara to hear her story.
“Kiv.”
“I never saw this. When did you see Kiv with this ‘magic’?” Rune smiled now almost bouncing up and down on the chair. “Old Kiv and magic. Oh that just doesn’t match now does it?”
“We were in the courtyard. Droga was meeting with that woman from Hnarn that regularly visited. I went to visit Kiv after I caught him eyeing me in the courtyard. We had a single between us for years.” Uhnara continued to look off into space.
“He is a good lover. I have to admit to that, I am glad you convinced us.” Rune shot her a look. Uhnara responded with a smile.
“I know good partnering when I see it Ru.”
“So, after the courtyard?”
“I couldn’t meet him right away. Droga was holding an essembly with some others that arrived with the priestess. Like always I sat beside him and daydreamed. None of them even acknowledged me, even if I had bells in my hair.”
Both shared a quick and short laugh.
“So I went late to Kiv. I remember seeing his long hair unbraided. I used to love the way it flowed.” Uhnara recalled.
“I like it short like it is now. His hair hasn’t been long for years now.”
“No it was the first year I was married. I was still very young. You know it was Droga that made him cut his hair. Something about he lost the honor to keep his hair long. But back then it was still long and quite lovely.” Uhnara paused for a moment. “I was so hurt to see him there, naked writhing against that priest. But more than that, I was jealous. His hands glowed as if a fire was lit in them. Hers were too. In anger I raged into the room and screamed at him. He was my playmate, not hers. I still remember seeing her body knowing mine was finer than hers. Yet still he chose her that night. When he saw me standing there, he clasped his hands together and almost instantly the flames were gone. She however was rather cruel. Somehow without touching me, I was thrown to the wall. When I tried to turn my head away, I found I couldn’t. Staring at me while I stared at him, she toyed with his body, doing things I had never seen before.”
“You never told me this!” Rune exclaimed as she suddenly stood up. “How many women has Kiv bedded?”
“Oh stop it Dru.” Uhnara flashed a glare at her friend and maid. “You didn’t care before, you don’t care now other than to grieve him into doing something nice for you. I never returned to his bed from there. It was that next day his hair was cut by Droga’s order. Since then I avoided the priest when she came to visit and I certainly stayed away from Kiv. Part of me wanted to go back and have him show me this fire, but anytime I thought about it, I could only see that woman and what she was doing to him.”
“You know this King of the South has magic?” Rune started returning to her duties. “Kiv told me just last night. Called him gifted and said he was strong with it. Stronger than anyone he had ever seen.”
Uhnara became very quiet again as her dreams resurfaced. In those dreams he was bathed in a fire that didn’t consume or burn, but was an extention of him. Softly she moaned in memory.
“I suppose you will open your legs for him soon enough. A young man like that, doubt he could control himself if he wanted.” The maid commented as she fluffed and arranged the blankets on the lady’s bed. “I imagine we will need to redecorate this room now that the Lord of Droga is no more. Could be a nice change, perhaps a bit more color to fit your dresses and such.”
Uhnara had already started to ignore her. She wanted this King. She wanted him as an object of her craving. Would he speak to her of such with any interest. Purposely she avoided the various audiences offered with him to discuss the affairs of the lands now under her control. She knew sooner or later she would have to meet with him and talk with him.
This King of the South, this Narvakhan, this was the man she wanted to take residence in her bed. For this she would give him anything. Whatever it would take to feel his passion and be a part of it she would do. Never in her life had a man resisted her, why would he be different? She was young still, close to his age. They would find a unique bond in age and she would do what the priest had done to take Kiv from her. She would then have what she always wanted, something that was hers and hers alone.
****
“You have read the message?” Nohric had joined the King of the South and immediately noticed the longing look on his face. “It is from the royal Mother then?”
Narvakhan paced in reflection. Once Nohric told him of the duties and the history of the southern realms, it was only a matter of time before his mother sent him summons or a note. Now that it had arrived he found himself torn. Torn for the duties he had to attend coupled with his growing emotions and attachments to those around him.
While she tried to remain unnoticed, he easily caught the advances and the eyes that would not let him go. Her eyes pierced him which took him by surprise. They had much to discuss, yet he simply wasn’t ready to face Uhnara. Within him, Narvakhan could almost taste the haunting ghost of Ahryn that continued to toy with the thoughts that should be his alone. It was as if he was unable to breath or feel anything when the thoughts swam in his head. Could he feel something more than a basic attraction for this woman that almost seemed to hound him from a distance. More worrisome it was as if all that he found of himself he was losing.
Ovijah had warned him that opening himself to the feelings and thoughts of others could lead to erratic thoughts and dreams to the point of being taken over. The King of the South felt this now, yet he could not ask for the council of his sister as he struggled to work the feelings out and place them where they belonged in his duties and in his person. The similarity between this woman and his memories of Ahryn made him think both woman were inside of him.
Without a word he handed a letter to Nohric and dismissed him. He doubted Nohric would even need to read to letter to know its contents. No longer could he extend his stay and no longer could he avoid the woman that was stirring his emotions into a frenzy. Beyond his person he knew there was a duty he must perform. As he waited, Narvakhan could only continue to pace.
Thought by thought he began to dissect the feelings and found where their natural place resided and where his feelings, Narvakhan’s waited for his attentions. There was such a crossing of everything, he was indeed falling into a pool of cluttered thoughts that wanted only to drown his own out. His natural defenses wanted him to accept what was in front of him without regard to his true desires. It was the seed of destruction Ahryn had planted and wanted him to be a slave too.
In mere moments Uhnara arrived full of her smiles and perfumes. As the moment passed, his mind became clear. Closing a door to her mind and allowing his own power to not permeate the entire room but rather to leave him with clear thoughts, Narvakhan knew exactly what he must do.
“Lady Uhnara, Duchess of Northeast Barony, I pray your forgiveness at the delays that have stalled our conversation. I regret to inform you, I must ready my leave and attend to several personal affairs as well as to the affairs of the rest of my lands. Droga was meant to be my first stop, not my only stop.” Narvakhan stopped his pacing to look her directly into the eyes allowing his words to sink in properly. In the same instant he mind wanted to reach out and feel her thoughts directly, yet every other part of him screamed for him to shut her out.
“My King, I had hoped you had found a sense of happiness here among your people and if I may be so bold; with me as well.” Stepping closer before he could respond, Uhnara stood close enough for him to smell the mint on her breath and the perfume as it softly floated through his senses. “You must understand there is a difference between an arranged marriage and one that is brought upon by desire. I will wait as long as necessary.”
Taking her hands, Narvakhan carefully and slowly stepped back. Her motives, while unclear, mimicked the actions of Ahyrn too much for him to ignore it. A twing of anger threatened to reveal this fear, yet he breathed deeply to give it calm. The King of the South carefully chose his words as he explained him:
“Lady Uhnara you are a most beautiful woman, certainly worthy of the man of your choice, providing this man is available to you through natural means. I must profess I am not this man.” Hurt was plainly evident within her eyes and upon her lips as they threatened a quiver of sadness. Offering a sincere smile he forced her to wait as he continued. “Before I could even begin to consider such things, I have a duty to my people. Surely you have seen this as I conducted my affairs within your home. In this same duty, I have issued a proclamation and it must stand true. In no way and in no part may any part of Droga’s court be allowed access to my lineage. This would be natural evidence include one so beautiful as yourself.”
“You say such cruel things, I would not have thought them possible from your lips. Surely you do not see me in the same light you found the Lord of Droga?” Threads of anger laced her words as she pulled away.
Narvakhan immediately sensed the ruse hidden amongst the truth of her words. Uhnara was indeed only part genuine, there was more this woman wanted and he simply didn’t’ want any part of such actions.
“You take personal that which is duty. If that is what you must know, then you must know my heart simply cannot reside with you. In all that I do as a man and as the King of the South, I must stand true to who I am. Who I am is not with you, nor can it be.” Still he would not let her leave his vision.
“You continue to wound me. Certainly you understand there is an invitation for you to have me without something so ceremonially charged as marriage. I would most happy to be your consort.” Uhnara seemed to hold back tears. More hurt filled the tone of her words. “Such a thing would still be honorable to my people.”
“Now you simply go too far. I would see us remain upon friendly terms, but not under the terms in which you have stated. I do not wish a consort nor do I wish to place you in such a position. There is nothing more to this. You must respect this is not what I want as a man or King of the South. I would ask you not to force me to proclaim such in an open court. Let this remain between us as it finds us friends and not of intimacy.”
“So you simply reside in my home, avoid me for such a time to insinuate there was more between us only to find some excuse for your departure?” Uhnara walked a distance from him and turned to face him as if she were simply a visitor to his court.
“What would you have me do with your lands and people Dutchess Uhnara? I have no further time for conversations of the heart that you have chosen to create and then ignore their outcome? I will be departing within a day and your answers are most urgent and necessary.” Narvakhan stood opposite of her to his full measure. The tone change in his voice could not be ignored or misunderstood. The King of the South had returned to his official position and nothing else could exist.
“I could refuse.” Uhnara stated flatly.
“You could and that is your option. Should you do so, I shall make the choice for you. I can promise you will not like it.” Narvakhan responded coolly.
“I haven’t liked anything you have said to this point. Why should this be any different?”
“Uhnara, do not do this. You have a chance for a new start and in control of your life. Do not attempt to subject the emotions of another nor your people. Take this freedom and give yourself a chance. I can be your friend, I can be your King. I cannot be your enemy for such would end terribly. I implore you to make your decision.”
With a nod as he spoke, Nohric entered the room with several others as they prepared to notate the official state of Droga. All fell terribly quiet as all waited for Uhnara to respond. Due to the conversation most overheard, the prior whispers fell into an uncomfortable silence for all of them.
“Dismiss them. Let this be between you and I Narvakhan.” Nohric moved to interject yet refrained as the King of the South’s voice filled the room.
Forcefull yet without yelling to the point Uhnara’s posture suddenly shifted almost to the point of retreat. “Uhnara, I will do nothing of the kind. Our private discussion is over. My position is clear enough to state there is no private relationship between the two of us, nor has there been. Yes I too have heard the rumors. That discussion is over, forever. You will either decide the fate and direction of your people, or I will. There is no more time for deliberations or discussions. Simply answer. As your King do not be so familiar with me in public again. The last ruler of Droga learned this lesson the hard way. Am I perfectly clear on this?”
“Yes King of the South. For the people of Droga, we will support your endeavors and accept your decisions on the needs of the royal host. Yet this must be temporary as I have no desire to rule. I would rather take personal freedom to do with as I wish.” Uhnara’s words were quiet and full of hurt as her head and shoulders slouched downward. Even with her face turned downwards the red of embarrassment could be seen easily on her cheeks.
“As you have deemed.” Narvakhan stated. “For the time being and until such time as a suitable replacement is found, you shall remain the ruler of the North East Barony in service to the King of the South. The economic, personal and private issues of your people are yours to decide. Nohric will leave a contingent here to handle all trade and support to the South. All and any agreements or treaties to the north or Rhiyan people are hereby negated and in forfeit. Your military control shall be in accordance to my original decree until such time as I desire.”
“You will be leaving then King Narvakhan?” She asked meekly and with some return of pleading to her eyes as she tried to carefully lift them to meet his gaze.
“While I have enjoyed my time here and would like to return again some day, my duties call me to Hnor and then to visit the other Southern Kingdoms. I retain hope among all the happiness since my arrival, we will find a calm and brotherhood amongst our ruling bodies so as our people may find happiness.”
“Perhaps in this future, we could approach conversations and visits as friends my King?” Uhnara stepped carefully forward, dropped her head again and pleaded.
“I would like that Dutchess Uhnara.” He was short but polite. “Nohric, we leave on morrows light.”
Walking calmly with a peace in his mind, still closing off all other minds, Narvakhan approached Uhnara and offered her a place next to him. As they walked he carefully whispered to her.
“When Ahryn arrives, due send her away, but before you do such, give her this message: She has trained you well from her distance, but do not push me. I have stated I have had enough and at the next test I will leave her people bloody and merciless.”
“But Narvakhan I..” Uhnara quickly tried to respond.
Shaking his head he would hear no more. “Upon my next visit, see all is as we agreed.”
By the next morning, life returned to an eerie quiet as the new Dutchess of the North East Barony, formerly the Droga kingdom; could only sulk as the sun rose.
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