Daemon had stayed up for the remainder of the night preparing everything that would need to be done for his departure. As he last act of the warlord prince of Dhemlan he wrote out orders that if he stepped foot back into the territory he should be killed. Then added only the queen of Ebon Askavi could say otherwise. He knew she never would but wanted to give himself one last thread of hope that Jaenelle still cared.
After writing that and his formal resignation. He carefully penned out the care his brother would need. Sure his healers would know most of this and could figure out the rest, but tonight his brother's care was in his hands so he would write the letter knowing full well that it would be read. Passed on to Jaenelle then would then throw it into the fire place. Knowing that he added a few little phrases that would insure it would at least get read twice. Phrases like, ' Jaenelle's not allowed to put him to the ground for two turns of the seasons.' and, ' when he's able to go through warm up drills Marian should start giving him regular sex again. It should keep him from being to overly protective of his queen." of course neither little phrase would be listen to, and it didn't matter but writing them did put a grin on his face. After all he was controlling his brother's life in and out of the bedroom, Or at least as far as the letter was concerned.
The last letter he wrote was to Tersa. Simple instructions only to be followed while Lucivar was at the cottage. Simple rules, "if he gets snarly treat him like Mikal." something his brother would not find amusing but the high lord would. He could just imagine Lucivar waking snarling over something little and Tersa scolding him as if he was still a child. He made sure to comprise a list of approved food that should be able to set on his brother's stomach and made it very clear that he was not allowed to have ale. Approved drinks were milk and water. That however was his brotherly revenge for all the times Tersa had insisted he drink milk while his brother when he visited got to drink ale. Again Daemon grinned. He was having fun writing theses letters. This one in particular since Tersa would read it and would make sure it was followed.
Dawn was close now. The sky no longer looked black but was turning deep purple and gray with the first rays of light. It was time to take Lucivar to the cottage and fetch his father's gift. One that he wished with all his heart he would be able to give to him personally.
Daemon gave a slight grown as he moved off the couch. He wanted to check on his brother once more before getting himself ready. Lucivar laid on his side, much as he had done all night. His arms hugging himself at fist glace. Taking another look it seemed like he was protecting something. And that something would disappear in a few hours. He just hoped his brother wouldn't be standing on the killing field because what he had been protecting would be gone when he woke.
After slipping on his black trousers, white silk shirt and black matching jacket, he called in a small jar of power. It had been a few years since he had used this. His eyes closed as he silently hoped that it would still be strong enough to get him through the day. In six hours he would need another dose. And six after that he would either be dead, broken or so deep in sleep that he wouldn't know who had been the one to deliver the killing blow. If the darkness was kind he would never know that the blond queen that held his heart had been the one to finish breaking him. If the darkness was kind.
He looked at his sleeping brother once more. Then turned to look out at the garden. The gentle sound of water flowing over the rocks soothed him. Memories of all the times he had sat with Jaenelle in that garden gave him hope. But her strong dark scent was tearing way calming thoughts he had right now. Her scent replaced those thought with ones of urgency. He needed to be gone before she woke. He had to be away from the keep with Karla and her escort Before Lucivar told her what he intended to do. And he needed to be back well before evening meal. No long before that because he would have to say good bye to his mother. He owed her that.
Sighing to himself he turned once more. This time gracefully gliding to the door. Chaosti would know who was going on this venture. And those who were going would listen to him because he was a Dea al Mon Warrior and also wore the Gray. Daemon didn't stop till he was outside the black polished door. Didn't stop to open, it just used craft to pass right through it.
Chaosti was still sleeping on the long couch. His silver hair ruffled from sleep. His arm tucked under his head to act as a pillow. For the first time in months he was relaxed enough to tolerate being around any one. For the first time in a long time he thought about how he wanted to wake someone up. That someone being a warlord prince who under the best of days had a temper worse than Lucivar's. Well maybe not worse but at least equal to.
He thought for a brief moment he could try to be rash about it and try to ease him awake. He could rub against his inner barriers and wake him that way. Neither would give him the reaction he needed. Neither would draw out Chaosti anger and temper. And it was that temper that would be needed today.
His voice rolled like soft thunder through the room. Saying only one word. "Chaosti."
His sleepy eyes opened only to be glazed over. His pulse raced as he called in his weapons. He breathed deeply. That strong dark male scent. The scent that mirrored the High lord's. The scent that too was now vastly different. His forest blue eyes focused just enough to recognize Daemon through the red haze. In a cold horse voice Chaosti managed to say, "Prince Sadi"
"Have the other escorts meet us at the landing web." turning his back to the warrior who was watching him with a bit too much of a predator's watchful eye, he continued," one more thing prince. No rings can be worn till we get past the keep."
Remove his ring. When the sun rises in hell. "Go to hell"
"Fine then don't come and you can explain to the high lord why you refused to be Karla's escort. And you can explain to Witch and your wife why you refused to listen to two black widows, and Draca."
That was enough to get him to back away from the killing edge. Not much. But enough to think for a moment. "How long will they need to be removed.'
"Not long a few moments. Only long enough to get to where we are going without worrying your Queen, or the rest of the boyos."
"Daemon?"
"Hmmm?"
"if the queen knows and our wife knows, then why….."
"I need to explain the particulars of this 'mission' before we proceed. And I can't risk any of you sending a message back to someone who could stop this mission form succeeding."
"Are you going to check?"
"no, I trust I won't have to." then Daemon slipped out of the room and made sure the shield was gone.
Chaosti knew who had been chosen for this 'escort'. Figured it out when Gabrielle had told him that he had been chosen. But it still didn't change the fact he didn't want to remove his ring. Didn't change the fact that Daemon was giving him little choice about the matter and sure the hell did comfort him when Daemon had said that he couldn't risk any of them sending a message back to someone who could stop this mission form succeeding. Hell they were staying in Kaeleer. Where could they go without sending a message to someone if a message needed to be sent?
It didn't matter right now he had a job to do. A job that would be easier if a certain Eyrien Warlord prince was joining them. A job he would be more confident about if Daemon wasn't flipping between Sanity and the twisted kingdom in the same breath.
Chaosti blew out a breath. He wasn't clear of the killing field nor would he be till this escort duty was completed. But he would grit his teeth and do what Daemon had asked. And after he said where they were going and what they were going to be doing he would either be joined on the killing field or joining Daemon for this mission.
Daemon reentered the Consort's room. His brother looked so peaceful. So relaxed. So much like Daemonar. If this was going to be good bye this was how he wanted to remember his brother. Not the warrior, not his brother being a prick. But this. Lucivar just being his brother. He would never tell his brother good bye. He would never tell him about how he had found their father's missing pieces to his soul. Would never tell him what it took to bring their father's gift to Kaeleer. After 1700 years the only good bye he would give his brother was that he had given him on the dreamscape.
Finding resolve in that Daemon used craft to wrap Lucivar in a cocoon of blankets and float him to the awaiting coach. Now would be the first time he would see who Karla had chosen for this escort detail. And would be the last time he would lay eyes on SaDiablo Hall.
The first rays of the sun were peeking through the dark. The first chirps of the birds were starting to be heard. Daemon closed his eyes. The air was cold with the onset of winter but the beauty that was still all around him sobered his mood. This was a good day to do what he had planned.
The door to the coach opened from the inside. Khary was their waiting holding the door. His warm wool over coat that Morghann had bought for him on their last trip to Glacia. His hands covered in thick leather gloves. Daemon's lips twitched in trying not to laugh, "Lord Khardeen, are you expecting the weather to turn that cold today?"
"Hell's fire Daemon, if you want us to remove our rings I can guarantee that snow and Ice would be the least of our worries. Hell if dealing with one female who has stepped on to the killing field would be bad enough but you're giving the entire coven the motivation to."
"No Khary not the entire coven. Don't forget Karla is coming with us."
"Oh mother night. You could have asked Morghann at least she keeps her temper better."
"Her jewels aren't dark enough." Daemon paused then added, "Besides as Karla recently pointed out she's my sister. So her temper would be welcome."
Aaron poked his head out the door, "not to mention she can take you to the ground with almost as much ease as Lucivar when she wants to."
"Karla has never ….." now having Khary, Aaron and Chaosti glaring at him waiting to argue about the lie he was ready to say. Daemon said instead, "get inside I can't get Lucivar in the coach with the three of you blocking the damn doorway." I asked for an escort and Karla gave me a hunting pack that was trained by wolfs. I'll have to thank her for that. Daemon thought bitterly.
Chaosti moved back but remain near the door until Daemon was settled, and had time to look at his escorts. Well most of the escorts since Kaelas had joined Karla last night and Theran was being kept in the small private room. "Alright our rings are removed for the moment. Now tell us where in the blasted realm we are going."
Daemon exchanged a cold stare with him before mumbling some very exposit cures under his breath.. So he's still not far from the killing edge. "After we leave Lucivar with Tersa. This is something that Karla needs to hear as well."
Chaosti leaned back against the high back seat, gave a slight nod. Aaron grinned. Khary called in his ring. Daemon looked in disbelief as Chaosti restated, "Maybe we weren't clear. Tell us or one of us well send a message and wake up everyone in the Hall."
Daemon growled. They had his back up against the wall and they were not going to drop this anytime soon. "Fine you want to know. We have to pick something up for the high lord that he misplaced."
"That doesn't explain why you need Karla or a full escort."
"We have to go into Terreille to get it. I could retrieve it by myself but I would have no way to get it back here. Let alone give it to the high lord."
"so we're going because….."
"I need Karla to bring the item back. I need you to protect one of Kaeleer's queens."
"The item …. What is it?" Khary leaned forward. He wanted to know out of curiosity, but also because he wanted to know if it is dangerous.
"That, I'll have to show you when we get there. It's not something I can say that you will believe."
"Fair enough. But Daemon you're going to explain this to the high lord. You wear the darker jewel and you are his son. So you can explain why you're doing something that could shatter your chalice and we'll think of something so he remains calm enough to appreciate what you are giving him." Chaosti closed his eyes. He would have liked to know more. But Daemon wasn't going to tell them. But he was glad they did have Theran at lease he could tell them what they were looking at once they got to Terreille. And he if anyone could guide them back if Daemon became too unstable.
