Forest & Kingdom Balance (16 page)

He instantly looked up, only to see her grinning
from ear to ear as she swung herself effortlessly into a sitting
position on the beam high overhead. He took a deep breath to calm
his racing heart as her playful laughter spread to their sisters
and brothers in the hall. Relief washed over him as he joined in
her game. “Anyone who helps her down, in any way, will wish they
hadn’t.” He informed the room, then turned to his playful dove
preening on her perch, “You best grow wings or you’ll be up there
awhile.” He said sternly.

Her smile undiminished, she dropped to a handhold on
the beam with enough momentum to launch a double flip and landed on
a pile of mats that just happen to be in the perfect spot. “Boys!”
She bowed to the room’s applause, “They never plan ahead.” She
dashed for the room’s exit with Simon in close pursuit, and nearly
crashed into Deminar as he entered the hall flanked by two of the
Crimson Guard.

Every dancer in the hall instantly dropped to their
knees and put their foreheads to the floor. Atheria’s head was only
inches from Deminar’s feet. “Playtime is over.” He announced, his
anger evident. “The Red Knight has summoned the lead dancers to be
questioned. As for the rest of you,” Deminar felt a Crimson
Guardsman step up to his back, “resume your practice.” The
indignation of having the Guard temper him set Deminar to a slow
boil.

“Who are the lead dancers?” The Guard asked.

Simon and Atheria lifted their heads, “We are,
master.” They answered softly in unison.

“Thank you High Councilor, we will escort the slaves
to the Ambassador’s Residence,” One Guard spoke to Deminar as the
other lifted Atheria and Simon to their feet and held them by the
arm as he walked them out.

They found it difficult to look at each other as
they were being taken to the Red Knight, each afraid that they
would see their own terror reflected in the other’s face. Atheria
spoke first, her hushed voice nearly drowned out by the cart’s
noise. “I’m sorry Simon, please forgive me. I don’t want to die
without knowing you forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” He kept his head
bowed. “It was fun, I just played my part so you could triumph. I
couldn’t really be angry with you. I love you. You know that don’t
you?”

“Yes.” She reached over to put her hand in his,
tears dripping from her face. She drew breath to respond just as
the cart stopped. Before she could answer, the Guard had them in
hand once more. They had passed the Ambassador’s Residence just
about every day for years. It felt very strange to enter.

Once they were brought into the Red Knight’s
presence he nodded for the Guard to leave and the two slaves
dropped to the floor. The Knight had to lift himself from his seat
to see them over the front of the desk. “Sit.” He said and sat
back.

They took their seats directly across from the desk
and found themselves at eye level with the Knight. The sensations
of the chair’s soft comfort, as well as the unusual circumstance of
being seated before a master, were lost on the pair as fear froze
them in place.

“Who told you to perform the battle reenactment on
the night of my arrival?” His question was off hand, his attention
on the parchments in front of him.

The two looked at each other, as Simon drew breath
to answer Atheria spoke up, “I am the one who chose to honor your
visit with the performance Master, I alone.” Somehow Atheria found
the strength to sit up, back straight, and presented herself for
punishment. “Simon was unwilling but I convinced him and the others
to join.” The shock on Simon’s face was evident.

Before Simon could protest, the Red Knight’s head
dropped slightly as he let out a breath in exasperation. He looked
up to stare eye to eye with the girl. She felt as if a tremendous
blast of fire had stripped the flesh from her body while his eyes
shredded her soul.

“I have lived more years than you have days, if you
plan to live another you will answer my questions fully and
honestly. Am I understood?” She met his stare and did not flinch,
though if she had been able to speak she would have told him
everything she knew to her very deepest, darkest secrets.

“It wasn’t her choice!” Simon found his voice. “She
refused the Elder because she thought we’d be put to death for no
reason. She had nothing to do with it.” He spoke in a tone of
dismissal with the hope that both her outburst and involvement
would be disregarded. Although his intent was to be bold and
self-assured, his voice betrayed the entreaty and desperation he
felt.

The Knight’s gaze shifted to Simon whose soul now
felt the wrenching crimson flame. “That sounds more plausible, were
you given a reason?” The Knight returned to his reading to allow
the slaves the ability to answer.

Once his eyes were no longer on her, Atheria put
aside her fear and poured her entire will into what she thought
would be one last defiant statement. “It was to sow discord at the
court. It was hoped that it would bring the flaws of those in power
to light as you judged our masters.”

“I am your master, which of my flaws would you like
to bring to light?” With his gaze once more on her it didn’t matter
that his tone was one of amusement, she still felt the shredding
flame. He returned to the reports and added, “You were actually
quite successful. It saved me a great deal of time.”

“We will discuss your people at length in the
future, the performance however is of no importance. My question
was posed so that I could judge your answer. If you had failed I
would have handed you over to Deminar and allowed him to do what he
pleased with you. I need to smooth over some ruffled feathers with
him and you would have served that purpose. After which I am sure
you both would have died in the very near future, thankful that
death had come.”

The Knight looked up once more but avoided direct
eye contact for any length. “I tell you this so you will keep in
mind that if at any point I feel resistance from either of you, I
can always use you in other ways.”

“There are kings, there are warriors, there are
tradesmen, and there are slaves.” He sat back for a moment’s rest.
“Each have their duties and each have their pleasures, some more,
some less. You are slaves, however I have need of your knowledge
and have questions about your people. You will help me. That is
your duty. If you remember your duty and your place, you will be
treated well and your pleasures will be more than less.”

The Knight picked up a report, “Yamikura!” The door
opened and the Crimson Guardsman that had brought them entered. The
Knight looked up,
“Oh, he’s baby sitting,”
he remembered. “Have these two assigned adjoining rooms and have
housekeeping made aware of their food and clothing needs.”

His attention returned to the slaves. “There are no
guards here other than mine and you are of no concern to them. You
have free reign of the residence and grounds with the requirement
that you let the head of household staff know where you are in case
you are summoned. If you choose to flee, I would suggest you do so
by way of a blade through your heart. Otherwise you will be caught
by Deminar’s slave hunters and no longer be of any concern to
me.”

The Knight turned to his guardsman, “Summon Yamikura
and Kalibra.”

The guard nodded to acknowledge his order then
stepped aside and motioned to Atheria and Simon. They stood,
hesitated, then bowed and left the room quickly.

VI

Spirit’s Vale glistened with the remnants of a late
morning rain. Catherine approached the water’s edge quietly as not
to disturb the Caretaker’s meditation and sat beside him among the
flowers. Like the delicate buds that surrounded her, she opened
herself to the sun’s radiant warmth and with a deep cleansing
breath, expanded her awareness to join with the valley’s life
force. The concept of time no longer had meaning as she experienced
each unique moment while the joy of life flowed through her in all
its wonder and serenity.

In a transition so subtle that she could only
perceive the change in retrospect, she felt the Caretaker join her.
Being free of the isolation that comes with physical singularity,
they shared a communion expressed in the language of pure emotion,
a language so complex that words could not begin to express it.

After a time, each drew a cleansing breath as their
awareness’ returned to individuality. “Good morning my love.” He
smiled and leaned toward her. Before she could return the greeting,
his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. Catherine’s reaction was
one of pure delight. The glow of emotional joy from their ethereal
sharing was joined by the very physical pleasure that flowed up
through her.

“You’re in a good mood.” She whispered as her kisses
ran lightly down his neck.

“I did not realize that I had been so dower of late
my love. Please, allow me to correct that matter immediately.” He
reached behind her to lift the loose blouse over her head. “You are
a beautiful young flower in need of sunshine, warmth, and water to
release your full bloom.” His hand caressed her upraised arm and
along her side. His fingers drew circles at her hip, and then moved
to the drawstring at her waist.

“What news of the coast my love?” Her question had
the tone of idle thought softly spoken. Her well-practiced hands
sought out the strong, hard muscles of his shoulders while the
luxurious sensation of silk gliding from her legs brought an arch
to her back. The warmth of desire welled up within her as he tossed
their garments aside.

“Events have developed that may prove fortunate for
us.” His lips sought her deepest pleasures and were rewarded as her
pedals opened to receive his sunlight’s warmth. “I have a task for
you my love, you are to become an enchantress.”

She considered his words lightly while she indulged
in the growing intensity of her pleasure. “Yes my love,” she
sighed, “and who is to be the enchanted?” Her beautiful voice came
forth in deep, slow breaths.

“Yamikura.” He said off hand, his full attention
occupied elsewhere.

She heard his answer as if at a distance and put it
aside. She would ask about it later, after. Their minds joined,
words were no longer needed. His thoughts, emotions and pleasures
were hers as their bodies and spirits blended in perfect unison.
She felt his masculine hunger as if it were her own. She opened
herself fully, her desire heightened by his, her being cried out in
a primal need to draw him in, to surround him, to engulf him
completely.

He was the master of her journey as she was the
mistress of his. They traveled as one. From magnificent heights of
desire to serene valleys of fulfillment they roamed, their love
expressed in a rhythmic synergy of emotional sharing and physical
intimacy. Their moments flowed in a timeless dream. Urgency faded
to a gentle tempo whose exquisite pleasure would build desire anew.
Their bodies, minds, and spirits were interwoven as they rose to
the summit of flame’s brightness.

Together they burst into the light, wave upon wave
of joyous pleasure spread through them as they shared the intimacy
of oneness. Life force pulsated through, around, and within them as
it magnified and blended with physical ecstasy. Their spirit flowed
outward to join with the Vale in perfect unity.

“We need to come here more often.” Catherine
whispered with pure joy as her head rested on his chest, still
trying to catch her breath. “Oh and by the way,” she suddenly
remembered his greeting, “a very good morning to you kind sir.” She
gave him a big smile and a quick kiss as she sat up to look around.
“Where did you throw our clothes?”

“Alas fair maiden my advanced years have left me
bereft of faculties, memory among them. What was your name again?”
He gave her a look of innocence inquiry, then smiled and bowed his
head. “Where are my manors? I will of course find for you all that
you desire my love. Where could they be?” He looked around briefly.
“I shall start my search here!” He placed his face between her
breasts and nuzzled gently. “No success yet my Lady, however I
shall redouble my efforts.” His words somewhat muffled.

She surrounded his head with her arms and sighed as
they leaned back into the flowers once more. “Search well my love.”
Her voice trailed off as she kissed his head. For a brief time they
shared the simple pleasure of soft kisses, open smiles and laughter
bathed in the comfort and trust of their decades together.

Her mind adrift in the moment’s relaxation,
Catherine’s thoughts turned to their parting and the crisis to
come. “I need to ask you something.” She hesitated, but her need to
understand overcame her fear. “We have shared in each other more
deeply than any two people ever have, yet we keep an open secret.”
She could sense him withdraw at the longing in her voice. “John and
I will be leaving soon and with you here training Dionara, this may
be the last time we have a few quiet moments alone until the crisis
is past.”

She rolled over to place a kiss on his lips, and
then opened her mind to him completely. She laid her vulnerability
bare before him.
“Please, tell me of your
feelings for Diana.”
Her request was simple but carried with
it a myriad of conflicting emotions. Her fear of what the answer
would hold for them mixed with her hope for ultimate sharing that
she had always hidden deep in her heart. Her intense desire to
understand ebbed and flowed across the jagged rocks of her self
perceived inadequacy. In opening her deepest thoughts to him, she
also realized her own self-judgment. She felt unworthy of the love
she desired.

She sensed his concern and his desire to protect
her.
“Don’t worry my love, you could never harm
me.”
Her lips once more brushed his as she shared her
thoughts.
“I have felt your love, and in that
sharing I know that you’ve locked away something powerful,
something that means so much to you. It is the only thing you have
ever kept from me. Please, tell me of Diana and what she meant to
you.”