Chapter Ten Summary - While spending time in one of the libraries at Avillion,Sam comes across some interesting information about the Furling. She searches out Nivar to ask her about it. Daniel and Darkyn are much better.
Pairings: Sam/Martouf/Lantash - Daniel/Kataya/Darkyn -
Rating this chapter: PG-13.
"Italics" - Symbiote-Host or Telepathic communication
Amat wyn – My Love
Coeurawyn – My Heart
Carusawyn – My dear one, my dearest one
Amat– Love
Igisadonis – Beloved
Et Aevum - into/for Eternity; Forever
Legacy of the Queen
Chapter Ten
Glimpse of the Past
Sam sat in one of the smaller libraries at Avilion with a large tome of historical anecdotes in her hands. It was the third day since they had brought Daniel here, and no one had seen Kataya, Merdwin, or Artereos during the day, since they arrived.
This would be the fourth night. Vashara insisted that Daniel would be walking around by tonight. Everyone hoped so, but not even Nivar was saying anything about the progress other than it was coming along as well as could be expected from the delicacy of the area they were working on.
She pulled her mind back from the same thoughts she'd had over and over and started to read again. This particular section of the book was about one of the Elvinsten'ien Wars. The sixth. Ten millennia ago. The Dark Elvenians, the Vampesians, and the Furling, along with some others: the Fa'erylls, the Tritonians, the G'goyians, and the Gryfellyn went to war together. There were so many of which Sam had never heard, or had only seen mentioned in one or two stories they had gone through during their search.
At any rate, all of these races had met in battle the Y'llacks and Minor Deamons led by the Dark Mage Daemon Lord Veldur Nall and the Cor'pesie Deamons and Lesser Deamons led by the Dark Mage Daemon Lord Mazgld Ndor on the Plains of Orizahtor. It had been thought that both leaders, Artereos of the Furling and Drakon-Thronn of the Dark Elvenians, had fallen and their troops retreated in disarray. Tavyn the Silver Prince of Vampesia, too, was thought to have fallen. Sam caught her breath. Drakon-Thronn. The Vampesians. Hadn't Nivar mentioned the Vampesians as the third race born of the All? Yes, she was sure that she had.
She read on. "Lulling the enemy forces by this subterfuge, Merdwin, the Black Prince of Werllockian, and Kataya, heir to the Throne of Cadwaellon, Lady of the Sword of Flame, each took their own troops, and commanding those allied with them, went into the mountains on either side of the Plains. The Silver Prince, taking one of his hidden forms, met with each of them there.
Using their personal links and abilities as both sorcerers and Katteri-enti, they kept in constant touch with the leaders. With Arcane knowledge of the Mysts, the sorcerers tapped into the Dark Power swirling around the Dark Mage Daemon Lords and thus insured that they encouraged the Dark Mages, the Y'llacks, the Daemons, the Minor and Lesser Deamons, and the Cor'pesie Deamons out onto the Plains of Orizahtor. At that time, the combined forces of the Furling, the Elvenian, and the Vampesian, and their many allied worlds slaughtered them where they stood. Thus ended the Sixth Dark Mage-Elvinsten'ien War. Unfortunately, both Veldur Nall and Mazgld Ndor, who were Lords in the League of Dark Mages, disappeared during the battle and were seen no more.
"What are you reading, my heart?" Lantash asked as he walked into the room.
Sam slammed the book shut and set it on the desk. "Nothing, really. I thought that might have something in it that Dad and Selmak might like, but I don't think it does. So, what's up? Have you heard anything about Daniel?" Sam jumped up and met him halfway across the floor, looped her arm with his and headed him toward the door. There was no way that Lantash, Martouf, or Daniel were going to see that entry. Not yet. Damn. Not until she found out exactly what it meant anyway. She smiled up at Lantash and pressed her head against his arm. "You didn't answer me. Have you heard anything?"
"No, we haven't. Samantha, are you all right? You seem nervous."
"Me? Don't be silly, Lantash, I'm fine. Just getting anxious for Daniel to get better. He seemed much better last night, didn't you think?"
"Yes, I believe I told you that last night before we made love, again after we made love, and at least once more this morning over breakfast."
"That's right, you did. Hm. Well, then, would you like to take a walk in the garden?"
"We took a walk in the garden no more than an hour ago, my love."
"Hm. Yes, I guess we did. All right, then what do you want to do?"
"Well, I thought you might like my company as you sat and read, but you rushed me out of the library before I could tell you so." Lantash looked and sounded extremely amused.
"Oh. Well, we can go back. I just thought you wanted to do something else. Do you want to go back now?"
"No, not now, Samantha, we are almost at the game room, and I believe I hear Malek arguing with Gwennetha. We should see if we can figure out what he is worrying about now. By the way, it was very nice of Valynara to send our tea through to us. Both Malek and I were feeling quite ill the next morning you know. I have no idea how sick we would have been by now. I'm just grateful that she thought of it."
"Yes, that could have been quite unpleasant for you. You are going much longer without it though. Almost two hours at a time now. You seemed to jump quite a bit during the stress over Daniel. I think you forced your bodies to become used to some of the hormones during that time."
"You may be correct, Samantha. I just know that I am glad I no longer have to take it with me every time I leave a room for five minutes."
"I understand, amat wyn." But in the back of her mind all Sam wanted to do was find her mother. "Lantash, have you seen Nivar?"
"Yes, actually, she was here a few minutes ago. She said something about going to the main library. I believe she said that she had thought of a book that Selmak might like, and she was going to go look for it. Why, did you want to speak to her? I am sure she would not mind being interrupted by you. I believe that she enjoys your company very much, Samantha. She has missed you, I believe. Will you see if you can find her?"
"Yes, I think I will. I enjoy talking to her, too. So, if you don't mind, I think I will go and see if I can find her, while you play referee for Gwennetha and Malek. Although, the argument doesn't sound too serious to me. More like a good natured squabble. Gwennetha is giggling too much for it to be very serious." Sam smiled up at them as they both heard the infectious sound of Gwennetha's laughter. Malek's deeper tones were then heard joining with hers.
Martouf came forward and smiled. "Yes, they do sound more like they are teasing one another now than they did before. Are you sure you do not want me to come with you?"
Sam shook her head. "No, I think I'd like to just spend some time talking to her, if you don't mind. I think we need time to get to know each other."
"I think you should, Samantha. She is your mother, at least in a way, and I am sure you wish to come to know her better."
"Yes, I do. Thank you for understanding. I probably won't be long, but if I am, don't worry about me, all right? I promise I won't go for any walks without you, I won't stand on any ladders or stools unless you are there to steady me, and I will be very careful that I don't bump into anything or trip over something. All right?"
"Yes, very all right. Take your time, coeurawyn, I will be fine here. I have a couple of interesting tomes to read myself, and I can always go for a walk in the gardens again."
She smiled back at him and kissed him, before turning and retreating the way they had just come. Neither Lantash nor Martouf mentioned to her that the library was in the other direction. Something was on her mind, but she wasn't ready to tell them what it was yet. She would when she was ready. They had learned to trust her. When the time was right, if it was something important, then she would tell them, and if it wasn't important, then she wouldn't allow it to continue to bother her.
Sam walked swiftly back to the smaller library and retrieved the book she had been reading when Lantash had come for her. Quickly finding the place she had been reading, she turned and walked swiftly toward the huge main library, the one that was next to Artereos's personal sanctuary. She smiled to herself for calling it that, but in one way it was his personal sanctuary. It was his place to go and do whatever he chose without interruption unless it was his family or an emergency. So, he could call it his library or his den. She'd call it his sanctuary.
Opening the door to the huge main library she stepped inside and was not surprised when she didn't see Nivar at once. She would have to look around. She found her in a large comfortable chair with a tome almost as large as the width of the chair on a small reading table she had brought up and over her lap. Sam sat down next to her, and Nivar smiled up at her.
"Hello, Samantha, what brings you here at this time of day? I would have expected you to be with Martouf and Lantash."
Sam smiled and laughed softly. "They did come to sit with me in one of the smaller libraries, where I was sitting and reading, but I came across something that I didn't want them to see. It's something that raised some questions, and I felt you would be the person who had the answers."
Nivar looked at her questioningly. "What did you read that you believe I will be able to help you with, carusawyn?"
Sam opened the book and began to read, "The sixth Elvinsten'ien War. Ten millennia ago. The Dark Elvenians, the Vampesians, and the Furling, along with some others: the Fa'erylls, the Tritonians, the G'goyians, and the Gryfellyn went to war together. These races met in battle, the Y'llacks and Minor Deamons led by the Dark Mage Daemon Lord Veldur Nall and the Cor'pesie Deamons and Lesser Deamons led by the Dark Mage Daemon Lord Mazgld Ndor, on the Plains of Orizahtor. It was thought that both leaders, Artereos of the Furling and Drakon-Thronn of the Dark Elvenians had fallen, and their troops retreated in disarray. Tavyn, the Silver Prince of Vampesia, too, was thought to have fallen."
Sam stated again, "Drakon-Thronn," paused and then read on, "Lulling the enemy forces by this subterfuge, Merdwin, the Black Prince of Werllockian, and Kataya, heir to the Throne of Cadwaellon…"
"…Thus ended the Sixth Dark Mage-Elvinsten'ien War. Unfortunately, both Veldur Nall and Mazgld Ndor, who were Lords in the League of Dark Mages, disappeared during the battle and were seen no more.
Sam closed the book and set it aside. "I wasn't aware that Merdwin was known as the Black Prince of Werllockian. I didn't even know he was a prince."
"I knew that Kataya and Daniel were to take Artereos's place someday, but I don't think anyone ever told me that she was the heir to the Throne of CadwaellonI don't think I knew there was a Throne of Cadwaellon. I didn't know she was known as the Lady of the Sword of the Flame."
"I knew there was a family ritual with the births in the sanctuary and those things, but I think there are one or two things I still don't know about my family. Didn't Kataya have a brother? Where is he? Who is this Tavyn…A Silver Prince? What does that mean? What and where is he now? Have I already met him and just don't know it?" She paused for a moment and smoothed the fabric over her knee.
"Maybe even more importantly—Nivar—who is Artereos? Who are you? What did you mean about not wanting Daniel to find out? And last, but not least—by any means—who is Drakon-Thronn? According to this, he is the Leader of the Dark Elvenians, and that is what you told me yourself a few days ago. This took place a very long time ago. A long time before Darkyn was born. How do the two of them fit together? Is there more than one Drakon-Thronn?"
Nivar smiled slightly. "I have not yet been able to discuss this with Artereos, Samantha. Therefore, any answer I give to you could very well be wrong in regard to Darkyn and Drakon, so please bear that in mind. Drakon-Thronn is still the leader of the Dark Elvenians, as far as I know. He was the King then, and as far as I know, he has remained so until this day. As I said, I do not know for sure, as I have not talked to Artereos. I suppose I could go to outside sources, but I did not realize it would become a question that would need answered at once."
"As for Kataya's brother, this answer is perhaps the easiest as I know exactly where he is and what he is doing. You see, he chose to become an Ancient after his first living, and he will never return to us other than to visit. He is content to be one of them, and he has no wish to be part of Cadwaellon or the House of Artereos. He is not like us; he is very much an ancient, and he is happy being so. Remember that each soul may choose its own path, and he chose his a very, very long time ago."
"It surprised none of us, however, Samantha, for it was foretold that Kataya would someday rule with Daniel by her side. Her brother, however, did not know that when he made his decision and as far as I know he is still unaware of it. Not that he would care either, for as I said, he is very different from Kataya and the Furlings. He is much more attuned to the Ancients. It happens as times and I have often felt that perhaps he was given attributes that could, if he chose to use them, lead him down that path."
She sighed before continuing, "To return to the question of Drakon-Thronn, I do not want to say anything to Darkyn until I know for sure. I desired to hear the message Egeria said to give to Valynara, word for word, which I have done, for I talked to Valynara when she was here the other day. Once we talked, she remembered who Drakon was. I also wish to contact Drakon and find out if he and Egeria ever met. Then I will need to find out if there could be a possibility that Egeria could have had his son. Because, Samantha, if Drakon-Thronn was the DNA donor for Egeria's symbiote, then he has passed on enough of his genes that Darkyn is not like most symbiotes."
"It would explain why he was able to continue to sustain Daniel long past the time he should have been able to. It would also explain his coloring. I understood Lantash to say that Darkyn was golden skinned, with blue markings, and blue eyes. Symbiotes do not have blue eyes and golden skin with blue markings."
"Yet everyone I have talked to that saw him, says the same. Darkyn's markings were exactly as I have heard. A golden skin with delicate dark blue markings is Dark Elvenian. It runs from the temple and all the way down one side. Drakon has amazingly beautiful blue eyes and everyone said Darkyn, as opposed to the amber of the symbiotes, has very blue eyes."
"My other guess is that unlike most symbiotes he is male and would be very unhappy in a female host. I do not know if he is asexual, but even assuming that he is, he would still be more comfortable in a male body and with male thinking. He would not be comfortable in a feminine framework of any kind."
"I would also guess that he would be able to mind link, and it will not take long now that he has a host before his abilities to manipulate energy come to the surface. He will have to be trained; he and Daniel both, as they will now both have these abilities."
"They are a good match, for they are both sons of leaders. For Daniel has been Kataya's mate for millennia upon millennia, and he has been our son in all, but blood, for so long that we no longer think of him as anything, but our son."
"He will someday rule as her consort, though that day may be well into the future, when Artereos and I decide to retire. And you are correct, he will rule and rule well, Samantha. There is no doubt of that, though he does not believe he is fit. Someday he shall prove it to himself, but until that day comes we allow him to go as long as possible before he once again must learn of his heritage."
"As for the Throne at Cadwaellon, I am sure it simply never came up in the conversation while you were here before. We do not follow court customs and have not for many, many millennia. Nor have we used the titles other than Lady, and Lord, which is very hard to stop the people from using, though we have tried."
"We would prefer that Daniel not know any sooner than necessary, but he will no doubt come across it as he delves into the histories. I am surprised he has not come across it yet."
"As for who Artereos and I are, well Samantha, I shall tell you a story. You will no doubt recognize bits and pieces of it from tales you've heard all your life, but we shall see…"
"Well, my love, how are you feeling now? Are you sure you wish to be awake for this?"
"How much is it going to hurt, Kataya?"
"Not at all as far as I know, my love."
"Then why would I want to be asleep?"
"Because it will be boring lying here as we work on you?"
"That is true. I'll tell you what. I think I'll talk to Darkyn for a while, and then, if we get bored, I'll let you know we're ready to be put out of the misery of our boredom, how's that?"
"All right. That sounds fair to me."
"However, before I do that and while I'm still awake, could any of you tell me where Jack is? I haven't seen him since the first night. Teal'c always comes by, but Jack isn't there. Did he go back to the SGC?"
"Have you asked Teal'c, Daniel?"
"Yes, I did. He said he had some things to take care of, and that he hoped to be back in a few days."
"I believe he will be back by tomorrow, Daniel."
"I didn't ask when he'd be back; I asked where he was." Daniel snapped. "I'm not an idiot, or a child. If you don't want me to know, fine."
Kataya's eyebrows rose. She looked at Merdwin. He shrugged as did Artereos.
"Well, I don't suppose it is a big secret, but if it was supposed to be a surprise and you have caused me to spoil it for them, I will be very unhappy with you."
"What? What's going on that could be a surprise? Is he getting cake? How long does it take to get a cake?"
Kataya laughed. "No, Daniel, he is not getting cake, but if you want one, I will be sure there is one as soon as you have recovered. In fact, he has not left Avilion. He is in one of our healing chambers."
"What's wrong with him, Kat? Is he all right? What happened?"
"He is fine, he will be better than fine, and nothing happened. One of the priestesses, who had to heal his sprained wrist the first night he sat with you, suggested to him that, since he was going to be here anyway, he should allow us to mend his knees. So he is allowing us to do so."
"It is taking several days because of all of the damage that was done to them, both from the original injuries and the attempts to fix them. Those attempts had to be undone first. They are now in the process of putting everything back as it should be, not as the somewhat messy conglomeration it was."
"That would be great, Kataya. He really hates it that his knee gives out. They both bother him though. He's afraid it's going to end up with him having to take a desk job, and he'd hate that."
"Yes, I know. As for the other knee, as I said they are working on his knees, both of them, and they are working on both of them at once. Needless to say, he is not a very happy patient, but Vashara seems to be able to get him to remain calm. In fact, from what I've been able to find out, when she is around him, he finds it difficult to say much at all. I believe that Colonel O'Neill is, ah, finding her attentions, somewhat, disturbing."
Daniel smiled. "I'd give a lot to see that. Jack O'Neill tongue tied. What a kick. Why don't you guys hurry this up, so I can get in there and see it before he's out of bed and up and around where he can get away from her?"
"Well, Daniel, I suppose if you insist, then we will just have to do so. You may get up anytime you wish. You are finished." Artereos smiled as he looked into startled blue eyes. "Yes, really. I know we led you to believe that it would take much longer, but that was only in case something came up that did, indeed, require more time. Now, Kataya has gone to get your clothing. Go ahead and grab the sheet and try turning over."
"Well, that was easy. Wow. I figured there'd at least be stiff spots. I don't notice anything at all. It's as if there was never anything wrong."
"If it was any other way, Daniel, then we would have to start over because we would have done something very wrong." Merdwin laughed at him. "You should know that."
Daniel grinned. "Yes, I suppose I should by now." He glanced up as Kataya walked into the room. As she neared the table he could see that she looked tired. "You didn't sleep good last night did you?"
She looked up, startled. "No, my Daniel, actually, I did not."
"Didn't Merdwin sleep with you?"
Kataya looked at him for a long moment before saying quietly, "Yes, after he found me walking the halls, not able to sleep. I almost came in and sat with you, but I didn't want to disturb you."
"You should have had him or Lantash and Sam sleep with you from the beginning Kataya. You know you always have nightmares when I've been hurt." He stopped speaking as he realized that he had remembered something else from his past.
It was true. Anytime he was hurt and she was working on him, she had terrible nightmares, and she either had to sleep with him, which she couldn't do this time because of his back, or she slept by his bed. On more than one occasion, Merdwin had seen to it that she rested. That was why it seemed so natural for her to go to bed with him.
"Yes, I probably should have, but I thought your healing process was far enough along that I would be all right. I will be fine now, though. And you can thank Merdwin for taking care of me as you always do and then, when you see Lantash, Martouf, and Sam you may thank them for they, also, remained with me one night."
"Yes, I do thank him, and I think he knows that, doesn't he, Mer?"
"Yes, he does."
"In fact, I want to thank both of you for all you have done for both Darkyn and me. We appreciate it. I realize we were very badly hurt. I know it took a lot of time, effort, and energy, so I do thank you for both of us. We'll thank Kataya later." He grinned at her and kissed her swiftly."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You are most welcome, my son. You know that I would do whatever it took to see to it that you survived. I could do no less for the son of my heart. Now, however, you are healed, and I must go find my lady and let her and the rest of your people know that you are quite well again."
"Thank you Artereos."
"Father, wait."
"Yes, carusawyn? What are you going to ask of your poor weary papa, now?"
Kataya smiled one of the first truly bright smiles she had given them in days. "I was going to make your life slightly easier, actually. I was simply going to say, "Tell mother, but do not tell the others, if you please. Daniel and I shall come along and join them in the dining hall for luncheon. It will be served in a while, yes? They do all gather for that?"
Artereos smiled at her and shook his head. She had always liked the more theatrical entrances. In battle, they had served her well, and she had often used them in life to great advantage. She had explained to him once that by making it a part of her personality to think in that way all of the time, it made it second nature to her to do so on a field of battle.
Therefore, she always considered both the most startling and flamboyant entrance she and her troops could make and the most stealthy and secretive. Then she could decide between the two which would be most beneficial in the circumstances she was faced with. She had become one of their leading tacticians, so her method obviously worked.
For now, though, she was not planning a battle, but a surprise for their friends, a pleasant surprise. He nodded. "I will send Gerwynt in to alert Nivar that I need her."
"Thank you, Father."
Nodding his head, he left. Merdwin smiled before turning toward the door himself. "I am going to the SGC. I will meet you back at Valdellon. I will not be long, Kataya, expect me in a day or so. I will have Janet come on her days off." He paused, and then looked intensely at her, before saying, "I will also be sure to tell her before she comes to us, so that it will not be mentioned before I have told her."
Kataya nodded. "Yes, I will do the same. At once in fact. Thank you for everything, Merdwin."
"You are welcome. Both of you. Do not say anything more, Daniel. Goodbye for, now and I will see you both later."
"Goodbye, Merdwin."
"Merdwin, wait!" Kataya cried out as he left the room. He came back and looked at her expectantly. "You have forgotten about tonight."
Merdwin moaned and let his head drop against the door frame. "You are correct, I did. Very well. I will go to the SGC, collect Janet, and return with her. Then I will return with her in the morning in time for her to be on time at the SGC. Will that suffice?"
"Yes, amat, that will suffice. If it was not so important, I would not ask it of you."
Merdwin nodded. "I know you would not, and I am sure I would have remembered and returned. It is important, Kataya. I will be here. In fact, we are expecting others to begin arriving just after the middling. I will either not go to the SGC or I will go and then return right away, for Artereos and I wish to be here to greet some of the seers. It is a very good thing you remembered, carusawyn."
"You will be happy to know that Tavyn will be arriving soon, Kataya, along with one or two others who have agreed to join us this night." With a wave, he was once again gone from their view before she had time to comment. She hoped his somewhat cryptic statement meant what she believed it did. That would be an excellent development.
Pushing those thoughts aside for contemplations later, Kataya turned to Daniel, saying, "There is something that I must tell you now, before we join the others. I probably should have told you when it was done, but I failed to and as time passed it became more difficult."
"Kataya, if you are trying to tell me that you and Merdwin are Heartmates, I already know it and have since my first rebirth, when I rejoined you. You have loved one another all of your lives. A blind man could see it. You did not, however, love him as a Soulmate. You loved me as your Soulmate."
Kataya looked at him for a long moment. "Are you upset because I have never told you?"
Daniel shook his head. "No. I've always known, and you never crossed that line whenever we were together, although many times you have wanted to just as he has. I am not unaware of how deeply the feelings between you go, igisadonis. You have had to work, study, and fight together for millennia upon millennia. How could your love of one another not grow? I am just thankful that your love for me has grown as well. As mine has for you."
"I thank you for that, my beloved. I am sorry I did not tell you before. I think that I believed that, if I denied it long enough, it would go away. It did not, of course, and these last months have proven to me that it never will, anymore than my heart and soul deep love for you will ever go away or change except to become stronger."
"I know, Kataya. I have discovered the same. Et Aevum, Kataya. I will always love you. You did not need to tell that which I already knew. I have trusted you for millennia. I also have come to realize that the Furling are not as, um, narrow minded, shall we say, when it comes to sex and sexual pairings. Correct? You are staying within the Tau'ri boundaries for us, not for yourselves. I have a feeling that in the past there have been times when you and I have shared more than one lover at a time, haven't we?"
"We do not mind staying within your boundaries, Daniel. Do not let it concern you, for it does not concern us. It has often been this way in the past. Neither Merdwin nor I have a problem with it. So do not think that we do. As for your question—yes, in the past you and I have enjoyed having Merdwin join with us. Now, love, here are your clothes. Do you wish to put them on, or would you rather sit here naked for the remainder of the day and cause your friends to wonder what is wrong with you? Besides, you will not wish to visit Jack wrapped in a sheet."
Reaching out, Daniel pulled his mate to him until she was cradled between his legs and lying against his chest. Saying nothing for a while he just held her close and let the warmth of her body seep into theirs. He could feel Darkyn absorbing the wonder of the feel of her and he released control to him so that he could hold his mate for the first time.
It was awkward for him at first. He was not sure where to put his hands or what to do with this luscious body that was pressed so close to his. Before panic could overtake him he heard Daniel telling him exactly what to do and how to do it. And he began to absorb his memories.
"Don't panic, Darkyn, just hold her. Take one of your hands and slowly rub her back and let the other one stroke her head, her hair. Kiss the top of her head, or her temple. Wrap your arms around her and hold her to you. There see, you know what to do; you don't need me giving instructions. Go ahead; you have the hang of it."
And then it was coming naturally to him, as if he had been expressing his emotions through his hands and lips all of his life instead of only for the last five minutes. She felt so soft and warm. So right as she cuddled against him. It was all he could do not to pull her up onto their lap and, no, he couldn't do that here. There were probably priestesses everywhere. He sighed as he released her.
"Daniel and I should get dressed. He does wish to see Jack. He hopes to find Vashara with him. He wishes to watch him tongue tied by a woman."
Kataya smiled. "All right. As I said, here are your clean clothes. I will go do recon to see if anyone has begun to gather for the meal yet. If so, you must go there first. If not, then you can go straight to Colonel O'Neill. I would count on seeing your friends first, however. It is still sometime until the meal, but I understand that they often gather there and relax together before it is time to eat."
Taking control back, Daniel nodded. "Yes, and I want to. They've all been so good to keep me, well, us actually, occupied and entertained at night when we're not tired after having slept all day. The better we felt the harder it was for us to sleep. I still think that priestess was putting me to sleep." He frowned as he contemplated this. It never occurred to him that it might have been Darkyn.
Kataya smiled. "Well, tonight the only one that will put you to sleep is me. And you will enjoy my way of doing so."
Daniel smiled at her. "I'm sure that we will, my love. I am quite sure that we will."
TBC