Besieged Read online

  “And the Erdman has arrived.” Lyn gestured to a man hurrying across the stone paved square.

  “So the wedding can begin.”

  They ventured into the sanctuary. The flags swayed in a breeze that traveled through the upper windows and across the ceiling.

  Lusan pointed upward. “They were originally designed in jewel-bright colors, neglect has reduced them to pastels. The symbols on them, still easily seen though, portrayed the foremost reasons The Masters are to be revered: ownership, compassion, and mercy.”

  “Have they such flags in Elpan?"

  "No, but a delightful addition to our temple traditions.”

  Rich, bold colors on satin fabric. Already the designs were forming in her heart.

  Kyam and Cierra reached the altar where Erdman Rune was twitching his surplice into place. Lyn and Lusan stood on either side of them, Castoff a pace behind.

  When they all stood at the altar, the Erdman grew solemn. “Who stands with this couple?”

  Lyn and Lusan said, “We do.”

  “Do you accept all the responsibilities as witnesses of this covenant?”

  “We do.”

  “To bring them before The Masters every day.”

  “We will.”

  “To speak boldly when the union is in jeopardy.”

  “We will.”

  “To hold them in expectation of greater unity with each year.”

  “We will.”

  “You have taken a great burden upon yourselves. The greater because you are so few.”

  Lyn shrugged. “The fellowship of shed blood makes the weight of no consequence.”

  The Erdman nodded once. “Very well.”

  He turned to Kyam and Cierra. “You come freely and without impediment?”

  They answered together, "We do."

  “Tell me, Kyam, Godolphin of Elpan, what do you bring to this covenant?”

  The rumble of Kyam’s voice reverberated in Cierra’s chest. “I bring obedience to The Masters, and a commitment to Their plans and desires which supersedes all others. I bring a great love for my bride; I will lay down my life for her and for our children. Her needs will be met before my own. I bring delight in her skills and giftings and an eager desire to husband those strengths. I bring sufficient lands to provide for all her physical needs as well as her delight in beauty. I bring joy to ease the difficult times and skills to provide shelter and food. And finally I bring a loyal companion of unusual mien.” He reached down to ruffle Castoff’s fur behind his ears.

  Erdman Rune looked at Cierra. “Are these sufficient offerings? Do you accept them?”

  She swallowed past the dryness in her mouth. “They are. I do.” Fearing her voice was too soft, she nodded her head vigorously. Not for all the ornate ceremonies in Capular did she want Kyam to think she had doubts or reservations.

  Rune smiled. “And what do you bring to this covenant?”

  Cierra drew a deep breath. Her offerings were so small compared to his. “I bring obedience to The Masters. I bring a fervent love for and trust in my husband. I bring skills in bell ringing and painting. And...” She braced herself to say aloud what she hardly dared think, “I bring the Watcher’s gift of Sight.”

  She sneaked a look at Kyam from the corner of her eye. He was grinning—smug and proud. “I also bring persistence and loyalty.”

  Rune nodded once, pursed his lips and waited. She scrambled to think of more to offer but her mind was swept clean—not a single idea remained. Then the Erdman spoke again. “Your heart has been a desert, but it is about to bloom. And its abundance will bless many, the first and foremost of which will be your husband.”

  Relief shivered out of her in a sigh. A rush of joy straightened her shoulders. The Erdman gestured to the steps in front of them. She and Kyam knelt. The weight of Rune’s hand settled on her head while his other rested on Kyam’s. “The Masters declare you one. Just as They who are three, are united into one indivisible whole, so may you be as long as you both shall breathe. Let no man treat this covenant as common or breakable.

  “Rise, Kyam. See, here is your completion. Where you are strong, she is weak. And where you are weak, she is strong. The Masters have noted your lack and brought you a gift to make you whole. Treasure Their gift always.”

  Kyam smiled into Cierra’s eyes. “I will.”

  Lyn handed Kyam two pieces of one coin. It had not been sliced in two, but broken with uneven jags along the fault line. “When there is strife between you, look at this coin.” The Watcher held the pieces so that the edges grated against each other. “If not fitted together rightly, they will grind one against the other.” Then she moved the pieces to fit snugly. “But if aligned properly, all is well. So too must you search for and find the way to fit together as a whole.”

  Kyam took the pieces and placed them in his tunic. “I will carry your wisdom with me as long as I breathe.”

  Rune held out his hand to Cierra. “Rise, Cierra, daughter of Watcher Reg, behold your shelter and strength. Like a spreading oak, like a stone citadel, is your husband to you. Revel in his care, delight in his arms.”

  Lusan held out a glass pendant in a tear drop shape. “You hold Kyam’s spirit in your hands. While you can’t break his strength, you could easily destroy his heart. Give him the honor and respect that will guard it well.”

  Cierra cradled the crystal. A beam of light broke free of the dirty window and became ensnared in the pendant. It fanned colors across Kyam’s chest. “I’ll look every day on your gift, so that I might learn its wisdom.”

  Rune turned to a small carved table sitting off to the side. On it were several delicate, but extremely tarnished, silver objects. He took two leather pouches from his surplice and placed them next to an intricately formed silver bowl. “Where are your Masters’ Signatures?” Cierra and Kyam pulled them from their tunics. Hers hung on a filigree chain, his on a leather thong. “Good. Here...” The Erdman handed them two identical vials with corked tops. Encompassing each vial was delicate gold fretwork which included ear shaped handles. “New objects to attach to them.”

  Next, Rune opened the drawstring of one pouch and poured deep brown sand into the small silver bowl. “Kyam: strong, rich, and nourishing.” He opened the second pouch and trickled brilliant turquoise sand on top of the brown. “Cierra: delight to the eyes.” With a tiny silver spoon, he stirred the sand until there were swirls mingling brown and blue. “Open your vials.” Cierra and Kyam pulled the corks free and held the tiny containers over the silver bowl. Rune spooned sand in until both were filled. “Now replace the corks and attach them to the bottom of your Signatures.”

  Cierra fumbled hers. Kyam, his already in place, put his hand over hers to steady it. The vial slipped into place with a satisfying click. “Never again are you separate. Just as those two sands can't be separated without long tedious work, neither can your lives. This covenant stands until one of you enters The Masters’ Empire.”

  The Erdman grinned. “And now it is time for a different symbol of your new oneness. Kyam, embrace your wife. Kiss her with all the fervency of your commitment.”

  Fire flared in her new husband's eyes. He winked. “That cannot be done—unless you wish to stand here half the day!”

  Lyn tapped him on the back. “Do your humble best in a shorter time span—say as long as it takes to ring morning bells.”

  Cierra heard the others chuckling, but it came from a great distance. Kyam was the only one close; he filled her world. He tugged her closer still and lifted her onto her toes. Warm lips settled as gently as petals over hers. Tingles and lightning raced through her. His lips grew firmer, hungrier. Spangles of light flashed behind her eyelids.

  Only Lusan’s giggles and Lyn’s gentle laughter reminded her they were not alone. Kyam loosened his arms enough for her to stand fully on her feet, but not enough to step away. She looked at him and her heart pounded. Joy and delight in her turned his face into a masterpiece.

  She lifted her ch
in. She had done that—given him pleasure. For the first time, she found pride in her femininity.

  Lusan took a tarnished silver chalice from the table at Rune’s side. “Your wedding cup. May your marriage age as well.”

  Kyam drank deeply of the dark red wine, then handed it to Cierra turning it so that she would drink from the same spot. Eyes never leaving his face, she raised the chalice to her lips. The wine burned its way to her belly.

  After she handed the cup to Lusan, Kyam rubbed his thumb across her lips and leaned close to whisper, “If I kissed the wine away, we would not leave the city for days.”

  She ran her hand across his chest. “When we reach Lipfar.”

  The promise in his eyes made her knees wobble.

  Watcher Lyn motioned forward an aide who carried their packs. “You’ll find your wedding feast within, to be enjoyed at your convenience. May The Masters bless it and your journey home.”

  Kyam held Cierra’s pack in place as she tugged the straps over her shoulders. Then he drew them together in front. With a click and a snap, the straps were snug. She looked down. A metal clasp now fastened her pack instead of the cumbersome knot. “Your bride gift.” His face had a sheepish look. “I’ll do better with more time. The blacksmith had few resources. ‘Tis not romantic, I know.”

  Cierra experimented with the clasp, opening and closing it several time. She grabbed his arm to lever herself upward to his cheek where she deposited a smacking kiss. “You saw my greatest need and removed it. What could be more loving?” She patted the clasp. “I no longer fear being trapped in my pack.”

  She reached for his pack and, returning the favor, held it while he settled the straps in place. “Your groom gift is hidden within.”

  “Ah. A treasure hunt. It will make our wedding meal even more delicious.”

  A second aide approached. “Forgive me, Watcher Lyn, the contingent is assembled and waiting.”

  Cierra took Kyam’s hand. “Not the usual wedding trip.”

  “‘Usual’ flew away the moment I saw you.” They strode toward the citadel, clasped hands swinging. “Since then, extraordinary has had us under its wing.”

  ✽✽✽

  Merlick brooded. Incompetent fools. Senseless idiots. He was surrounded by inferior, bumbling dolts. He had to do everything. Plan it all. Tell them exactly how to proceed. Think through every contingency.

  The Watchers should all be dead by now, but only two were in the ground. One city was out of his control. If only he could be everywhere at once as The Masters were, he could have prevented these disasters. How unfair of Them to use tactics not available to him. And They made such a point of being just.

  That woman had to be stopped. She could ruin everything. He shivered. Failure was not thinkable. To face nine generations of Merlicks and report that all their labors had been for nothing. To spend all eternity running from their vengeance and blood thirst was too horrifying to contemplate.

  Merlick straightened. All was not lost. He still had a weapon or two. “Sedgewick, come here!”

  Rolling stones and mutters preceded the little man. “Yes, Your Supreme and Revered Eminence. How may I serve you?”

  “Send word to Kewgerg I need him to dispatch fifteen of his battalion to Tesmore.”

  Chapter 4

  Twenty people crowded into the small, disused room. Their voices bounced and boomed which sent various insects scurrying for cover. Lyn found Ari in the crowd. “See that this room is immaculate and make sure all creeping creatures are evicted.” One bold spider dared to dangle from its thread to stare nose to nose with her. “And start with this fellow.”

  The multitude of lanterns and torches threw contrasting patterns of light and shadow and turned her stomach queasy. If only everything were still, her belly would settle as well. Or perhaps the lights were just an excuse rather the real reason: she was about to send her daughter on a perilous journey.

  Once everyone had shuffled into place, Kyam and Cierra motioned her and Lusan to the far wall. Kyam fitted the sliver of metal into an opening so small it was all but invisible. Cierra read the instructions from a battered piece of paper. Kyam wiggled the key. Nothing happened. Kyam and Cierra consulted the paper and tried again. Nothing.

  Disappointment sat like an elephant on her chest. If the portal refused entrance, they had no way to warn the other Watchers. No way to mount a resistance to Merlick’s attacks. More elephants joined the first crushing her.

  Surrounded and cut off, they would slowly starve to death. Her people would pay the ultimate price for her lack of diligence.

  Kyam tossed the key aside. “I had hoped duplicates could be made. Although your blacksmith seems skilled, there must be more to the originals than meets the eye.” He dug another key out of his pocket. “This is the one entrusted to Cierra by the ancient one in Sumai.”

  No sooner had he wiggled it, then whirrings and gratings sounded. A hush replaced the excited whisperings. A line appeared running from ceiling to floor and increased in width until a section of the wall separated into two panels, which slid behind the wall revealing a large opening.

  With a gasp, so great it might have sucked all the air from the room, her people got their first look into their long-forgotten river. Light, bright enough to eclipse their torches spilled into the room. A polished wood floor gleamed beyond the opening. And beyond that was a wall of marble veined with gold.

  She stood, mouth agape, at the open portal. “Amazing. Such a treasure so close and yet I knew nothing of it…and without a key no way to access it. Unless we leave the portal open.” She thumped the door opening. “Which could leave us vulnerable to attack. But my people need the water.” Never had she needed wisdom more.

  “Cierra and I have found no evidence that anyone is aware of this river and its portals. If you were to post reliable guards while you searched for your key and code book, the risk might be worth the taking.”

  Lyn turned to Melthro. “Turn the citadel inside out. Leave no corner not searched. Ari, post contingents of four in this room at all times….At least, have we sufficient loyal men and women to man both the wall and the portal?”

  Melthro nodded. “It will require all of us to do so. But to neglect either is unthinkable.”

  The brilliance of the walls, the gleam of the water, and a thirst such as she had never known drew her. “May I step across the threshold?”

  “It’s your portal Watcher Lyn, your city to provide for.” Cierra waved her in with a flourish.

  Heart pounding as it hadn’t done since she was a young girl first introduced to her future husband, Lyn stepped through the opening and immediately felt The Masters’ presence. “This is a sacred place.” The last of the ‘elephants’ left her chest. “Even if the enemy were to access this river, it would be death to them.”

  “Here, Momma” Lusan pushed a large cup into her hands. “Drink from the river.”

  She took the chalice and knelt at the edge but the water was far below her.

  “One moment, Lyn.” Cierra placed a hand on her shoulder. “Raft, lower yourself.”

  Her stomach dropped. No, it was the floor. A few groans and the water was mere tesos away. She dipped her cup in and drank deeply. Light coursed through her body. Joy burbled. Strength tripled. She smacked her lips. “Ari, Melthro, quickly, all the containers we brought. Fill them to capacity.”

  Castoff jumped down from the room to the raft and padded over to lap some water. The men scrambled down carrying all their collected buckets. It was not enough. All her people must drink. The portal had to remain open. It was a vulnerability they must accept.

  But if they left with the raft how were her people to reach the water. “Lyn turned to Ari. “Find enough rope to lower and raise buckets from the river.”

  Cierra shook her head. “Not necessary. Simply command a raft to come.”

  “We have authority to do so?”

  “Over the river we have no right to speak, but the rafts are ours to use.” />
  One knot in her stomach eased: one less thing to worry about.

  Meanwhile Kyam organized an efficient bucket brigade to fill and carry all the containers they had.

  It was time. Lyn looked at Lusan. Her little girl was going off to face unknown, as well as expected, dangers. She swiped tears away before Lusan should see them. No worse dangers than she would face it she stayed.

  “Raft, halfway up.” Cierra’s command reminded her that they dare not waste time.

  She climbed back into the room. Ari had already made progress with the dust and creatures. Lusan stepped into her arms for a long, tight hug. “Goodbye, Momma. Don’t let the enemy back in no matter what it takes.”

  Lyn nodded. Her throat so tight no words could emerge. She ran her fingers down her little girl’s cheek. So precious. “Masters, guard her well.”

  Kyam motioned for those riding the river to get in.

  ✽✽✽

  Cierra attached her pack to a chain. She could hardly wait to swish her hands in the water. Their pain was endurable, even ignorable, while there was urgent work to be done. She had not thought about her hands while battling the mercenaries, nor during her wedding ceremony, but now they burned.

  After following Cierra onto the raft, Lusan turned in a complete circle, and plopped down near the gourd lamp. The girl seemed to vibrate with excitement.

  “Always, first thing is to attach all your belongings to these chains and yourself as well.” Cierra demonstrated. “It eliminates a great many catastrophes. Now come to the water. It will heal our hands in no time at all.”

  The girls stretched out on their stomachs side by side, hung over the edge of the raft, and dipped their battered hands in the river. Cierra swirled her hands in the water and watched Lusan out of the corner of her eye. The girl methodically turned her hands over and over. Her face somber. A little play was needed here. Kyam had taught her that. She flicked water onto Lusan’s face.

  The girl froze, licked her lips, and then went back to washing her hands. Lusan was in serious need of some joy to take the sting out of leaving home and facing difficulties. This time Cierra ran her cupped hand through the water, gathering all she could, and flung it straight at Lusan’s mouth.