A Kiss of Darkness (Gothos Series) (9 page)

“Lady Sera…Lady Sera” a voice, a familiar voice was calling her name
bringing her back to the living world. She opened her eyes and saw the face of Marie standing over her, stroking her face lightly. Dominic had dismissed Marie when Brena was brought back from his campaign. No one knew what happened to her, but it was clear that she had come to live with the nomads after her dismissal. Sera felt unsure how much time had passed since had been brought to this place. “Marie…I am so glad to see you” she croaked out softly. The girl had been sweet and kind when she had come to the complex. Newly married and brought to the complex, Marie had made her feel comfortable. It was a difficult day when Marie was sent to the high road. It warmed her heart to see her to find her servant safe and healthy. “How is it that you came here, Marie?” Sera asked, feeling drowsy but in less pain then was before. Marie smiled and took her lady’s hand gently. “I came here after Captain Dominic turned me out. I wandered for some time till I saw a traveling bazaar. I went to see their wares when I realized too late that they were slavers. I was captured by them and taken across the desert. I thought that it would be the end of me. I was brought to this village and the lord of the nomads who abhors slavery slew the slavers and freed me, along with the other slaves. I have been here ever since, a free woman.” She relayed the tale. “You must have been terrified” Sera said with a concerned frown. “It is nothing compared to the pain you have suffered, my lady” she replied.

“How is she feeling?” a voice spoke from behind Marie. The young maid turned and perked up looking at the man standing calmly at the flap of the tent.  “She seems to be recovering quite well my lord, Cabel” Magda replied easily, before Marie could chime in excitedly.  Cabel’s eyes were fixed on Sera who tried to sit up, holding the blanket against her chest. “Don’t try to sit up. Your wounds are too great. Tell me who are you and where you came from” he told her in an even tone of voice. Marie was bustling to answer these questions, moving from toes to heel. Cabel paid her no mind as he watched the woman sitting on the cot. Straightening up
stubbornly holding the blanket firm against her bare chest, her eyes fixed on this enigmatic figure standing by fire light. “My name is Sera, the protector of the stone of healing.” She told him raising her head high. No matter what Dominic did to her she still had that title that not even the king of the land could take away from her. “A stone protector? How can this be that one of the great ones was left for dead in the desert?” he told her skeptically. Affronted by his tone she frowned deeply. “I will tell you my story, but not with everyone standing here. It is my story to tell and since you saved me I owe you answers.” She replied tersely. This strong yet bruised woman intrigued Cabel. After a long moment he looked at the others and nodded his head. “Leave us. I would like to hear this tale the young woman has to weave.” he said with a slight smile playing on his lips. He didn’t believe that a protector of the great stones would be cast out here. Cabel figured that she was some girl afraid for her life and spinning tall tales. The others left the room leaving the two staring at each other silently. “Well what brought you to this place?” he asked calmly. Sera let out a sigh and proceeded to explain how she came to meet and marry Dominic, about Argos and both she and the Sythian prince met a grizzly fate. Cabel had stood there listening silently to her story feeling lured into her tale then fueled with silent outrage. He heard rumors of the cruel acts that went on behind the walls of the great city and by the Captain of the Golgothian Knights, but for a woman of high birth to be treated with such inconsideration and cruelty was unimaginable. If a wife in his tribe betrayed her husband she would be set free from the bond holding them as would a man in the same situation. An unhappy woman was not a productive woman. The female being was not an object, but an equal helpmate in the role of society. “You have been through much. You need to rest for now. Then we will talk again” he commented and left her to rest. 

The story he told her was quite fantastical and crude. The look in her eyes told him that she wasn’t lying. Why would she
go to such an extent? As he walked away from the tent many thoughts came to mind. This could possibly be the moment he was waiting for. To have a member of the protector’s circle was an opportunity not taken lightly. The healer out of all of them was a godsend. All of these years in the desert, barely having enough food to help his people and constant oppression from the crown he wanted to finally free them and her being here might be his chance. The only way he could figure out how to do that was to stop find the legendary sword that has killed thousands of men and creatures of darkness. If he could find that sword he could confront the king, and put an end to his reign of terror. His people would no longer have to pay the unfair taxes placed on trade and the abuse from the passing soldiers. The woman had met the Sythian prince, and spent time with him. Perhaps could help him find it. It was truly a long shot in the dark in the truest sense, but it was all he had. Sliding a hand in his hair he walked to his own tent and poured himself a drab of liquor. He had to take this slow, or he might lose his chance. Downing his drink he looked into the fire with a thoughtful look.  The fire licked the wood mirroring his own growing desire rising like a phoenix inside his chest.  This rare chance would be considered farfetched, but after years of bending to the crown he wanted nothing more than to protect his people. It was his mentor, Kalas who told him first of the story of the sword. It was said to be missing for centuries. The tale had become folklore, but the old man had believed it. It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence that he found her laying helplessly in the sand. Rubbing his hand along his shaved cheek he placed his hand lightly upon one of wooden braces keeping the tent up. Leaning closer to the fire, Cabel stared down at the fire as if daring it to burn him. The fire warmed his chest until pain brandishing him as he gazed down at it. Finally he eased off of it and leaned back on his heels.

Three days later Sera w
as up and about, exploring the village. It was a lively place with children running and playing, dogs barking and old men sitting together talking.  It was a peaceful place that seemed without care. The calmness of it reminded her of the warm innocence of her childhood. Her savior, Lord Cabel stood by one of the many fires talking to two other men. She felt a shiver run down her spine when their gaze met. Murmuring something to one of the other men he approached her slowly.  Her eyes fell on his biceps moving as he walked in her direction, his long white blond hair glided slightly in the wind as he walked. “You and I have something very important to discuss” he told her casually not taking his eyes off of her. She opened her mouth to comment that she would consent to this, but he was already guiding her to one of the tents. Sera let herself be lead into the tent that was held open for her. It was just like the other tents with cloth walls and roaring hearth, but in the middle was a wooden table covered with maps.  Cabel moved around the table then looked at her for a long moment. “You are a member of the protectors of the old stones. Those stones were used by our ancestors to protect and keep land from drying up” he stated. Sera knew this already, but it would have been rude to comment. Instead she gave a nod of her head in ascension. “I have been waiting for a sign from the goddess herself that would signal my time to stop the killing.” he continued. “I don’t know what your guardianship to the stones connects to this, but being a healer it will make my journey easier. “He finished and flicked his gaze to the rolled up maps on the table. His sureness made her feel a bit uneasy. The machinations of this man were a mystery to her. “What journey may I ask?” she inquired standing on the other side of the table. The nomadic lord walked to the table and slid a few rolled up maps and took up one of them.  Unfurling it upon the table revealed it was a detailed drawing of the whole of their world.  It would be if there wasn’t a part of it missing, a whole part of the Eastern Territory was blotted out as if unmarked. Sera knew that farmers and traders lived in that area. The Dragus Falls and the streams of Melus were the best fishing places.  It seemed very strange to her.  “I can see from the look on your face that you are confused by the missing part of the map” he said with a calm look on his face. “I have a theory that the rest of the map was hidden away the moment the sword was hidden away. The sword of many names that has slew a thousand men and monsters. There is a prophecy that the one who can take up the sword will rule the land. Only the destined one can take it. It seems like a long shot like many things, but I believe that this is the answer to a riddle of centuries.” He told her. Of course Argos had told her of such things when they were togather. “The Golgothian Knights are seeking the sword. They thought it was in the old castle, but it always seemed like it would be too obvious” she told him. Chewing on her words he nodded his head slowly. That made his own theory more plausible. “I am impressed. I admit that I didn’t think you would have such a sound mind” he commented, smiling faintly. Giving him an offended look she made a huffing noise she crossed her arms over her chest meeting his smoldering gaze. He laughed at the offended expression on her face and decided to change the way he approached her admitting to himself that he needed her help. It took all that she could muster not to get caught up in his blue- green eyes focusing on the smug smile tugging at his lips.  “I think the sword is there in that hidden part of the map. I also know where that part of the map is being hidden.” He told her raising a finger and smiling. Sera rolled her eyes at his expression of triumph. So like a man to think he is being clever. “If you know where it is then why haven’t you pursued it before? “She asked raising her eyebrows quizzically at him.  Cabel let out a deep breath the air taken out of his sails by her question. He placed his hands on the large wooden table. “I have stared at his map for hours on end. The piece of the map that is missing is being held by a hermit named Drelis who used is known as the Undying. It is said that he has was once the advisor to King Ursa during his reign over the first city of Golthos. “He recited what he heard. This interest Sera greatly. She had not heard of these things. It made her realize how little she knew about the history of the world she lived in. “How could a man live that long?” She asked feeling like an absolute idiot.  “There are many things in this world that would surprise you” he replied sagely. Sera looked thoughtful and annoyed at the same time as she gazed at him. “To answer your question I was waiting for a sign to tell me the right time to pursue it. It might sound foolish that I would be so superstitious, but I do have a village to watch over.The hermit isn’t going to give it to me easily. You are the answer, the key.” He told her. She was unsure of this absolute confidence in her.  Putting in trust in him didn’t seem like something she wanted to jump into. The conversation left her absolutely bewildered. The last man who saved her life ended up betraying her in the worst way, but something in this man’s eyes told her that he was different. Having nothing left to really risk she continued to listen to what he had to tell her. “I am sure with you at my side I will get that map from him.” Looking at him standing there waiting for her reply. It came to her mind that he must be a bit unhinged to be going to this length for a map to go in search of a sword that might, or might not be findable seemed absolute mad, Sera let out a soft sigh. “I don’t see that I have much choice but to go with you into the caves and find this man.” She told him, watching his light colored eyes light up. Cabel was doing all he could to hold his composure but inside he was teeming with excitement.  “Wonderful! We will be leaving in the morning” he announced and turned, disappearing through the flap leaving her startled.  Standing there she stomped her foot in the dirt realizing that once against she was being moved around in a chess game that she had no control over. She could of told him that she would not go along with his foolish schemes, but then what would she do? If she didn’t help him she would most likely have to leave the nomad village. Being an outcast from these people as well as where she grew up was almost too much to for her. What else could she do but to follow this wild man into the unknown and hopefully discover her own destiny?

7. Beginning

Sera was awaken by Marie and taken to a small stream to bathe. Such water sources were rare in the vast desert. Cabel had made a wise choice moving his people here.Undressing she slid into the waist shallow water and started to wash herself. Once again she got dressed and returned to her tent. The servant girl was in the process of packing her things for the journey. “Ooh you get to travel with Lord Cabel. How lucky of you getting the chance to be alone with him” the other woman said smiling widely. The sense of déjà vu rolled through her. “You said that when I married Dominic…”she commented quietly. Marie blinked and cocked her head to the side. “Did I? Well I was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!” the maid cried. Tilting her head to the side, Sera walked to the bag Marie was filling with clothing, bundled food, and other supplies “You’re not coming with us?” she asked trying to muster the feelings that were rising in her. “Me? No, of course not!” Marie cried. “Besides you won’t need me on your journey. Lord Cabel will keep you safe from any danger. He is wonderful” Marie chatted on, letting out a soft, breathy sigh. Sera weren’t much older than the other girl, but her experiences made her feel all lot older. Loving and losing two men in her life made her feel like she knew all lot more about the nature of men then this starry-eyed girl. “I am going to complete this task and come back. That is all” the healer said in a calm tone of voice. Helping Marie place the last items into her bag she went out to where Cabel was waiting. In the glint of the morning Cabel looked at the young woman coming toward him, now garbed in a cloth top and breeches for horseback riding. He thought that she would be beautiful if she didn’t have a sour look on her face at the moment. Cabel had a feeling he was the cause of that expression. The young woman wouldn’t be an easy nut to crack which amused him a bit. Giving her a hand up she swung her leg and held onto him tightly. Their bags had been tied onto the side of the horse for traveling. Her hands lightly pressed against his stomach as they started off across the dessert. “You have told me your story, but you have no told me what brought you to the arms of your winged lover?” He inquired curiously as they started their journey forgetting to take her feelings into consideration. He figured that a normal woman would not have fallen for a Sythian prince knowing that they are a dangerous race of beings. “Meeting Dominic I thought I met a hero from a fairytale. Handsome, strong, and brave. I didn’t see the monster he truly was. He lied and betrayed me.  All lot of women could overlook infidelity, but he was secretly cruel and merciless. Argos despite being a Sythian was kind and gentle, truly kind and warm. My love for him lead to his death and my exile. This might sound strange, but I do not regret my feelings for Argo” she said. Her companion was silent for a moment. “You are a very passionate woman. You looked beyond skin deep and overcame fear. That is admirable” he commented as he drove his mount further into the desert.