Royal Palace, Bayman
"It is too damn cold to be out. Send a little warm air over this way, my brother and wake up the wolf girl."
Dagmaeus smiled and created a warm breeze that pleased Camrin who smiled and nodded his thanks before turning back to packing his furs behind his saddle. Dagmaeus approached the warm nest the girl had made for herself. She was completely covered and hidden in a cocoon of rabbit pelts. He gently nudged her, but she did no more than groan and turn away.
"I'm looking forward to the warmth of your father's hearth," commented Camrin as he came to Dagmaeus. "Isn't she awake? You are far too warm-hearted, brother."
Before Dagmaeus could prevent him, Camrin seized the edge of the fur and jerked it so that the girl rolled out onto the cold ground. Neither of them spoke as she gasped and threw back hair more golden than the sun to glare at them with eyes more blue than the sky. Dagmaeus could honestly say that he had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.
"What happened to the wretched, malodorous waif?" asked Camrin with amusement. "Brother, did you conjure this female to ease the pain of my lost prize?" He reached for her, but she scurried away from his touch. She looked at Dagmaeus with eyes round by panic.
Dagmaeus frowned. This was bound to be more trouble than the wolf. "This is the wolf girl," he told Camrin as he gathered the furs to pack on his horse. "While you slept, she bathed."
"Is that your tunic on her? I vow I recognize your mother's stitching. You did not, perchance, bathe with her, did you? I should not have gone to sleep so early when there were delights to be had."
In the past they had been as careless as any young men with the women who came across their paths, but Dagmaeus was disgusted to hear Camrin speaking about the girl in such a manner. "I did naught but provide her with warm water and a change of clothing."
"Then there is yet hope for me." One side of his lips raised in a nasty smile. "Your horse was over-burdened yesterday, so today I shall take the girl with me."
Dagmaeus wanted to refuse, but he had no desire to cause bad blood with Camrin over the nameless orphan. She was shivering with cold, so he tossed his cape to her, then mounted his horse. She tried to follow him, but Camrin hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her to his own. He mounted and pulled her up before him, and Dagmaeus had to look away from the pleading look in her eyes.
Dagmaeus led the way, and after less than an hour, Camrin began to maul the girl. He could hear her whimpering and begging him to stop, but Dagmaeus forced himself not to turn around. He told himself that she was no different from any other female, but he had difficulty forgetting the look in her eyes. She had trusted him and he had ignored her.
Annoyed with his lack of indifference, Dagmaeus turned back to see that Camrin's hands had disappeared beneath her cloak and she sat biting her lip as tears ran down her cheeks. "Brother, I will take the girl with me." He moved his horse close to Camrin's which tried to nip at it. Dagmaeus kicked it, then pulled her away from Camrin who put up a token resistance.
Instead of becoming angry, Camrin laughed. "You are only delaying the inevitable. Tonight when you are deciding amongst the beauties throwing themselves at your feet, I will be mounting the wolf girl." He spurred his horse forward, and Dagmaeus could hear him laughing.
He settled her comfortably before him and wiped away her tears with the backs of his fingers. "I am sorry," he said softly.
She sniffed and wiped her runny nose. "Can you take me back?"
"What for?" he said with a sigh. "He will come out to hunt you down."
"He smells of evil."
Dagmaeus did not know how to respond, so he changed the subject. "Are you sure you have never had a name?"
"The hag who cared for me did not call me anything."
"She was not your mother?"
The girl shook her head. "She claimed to not know who my mother and father were, but I think she did. She told me I was born under an unlucky star, that because of my destiny, my mother and father abandoned me in the forest."
Like Camrin, thought Dagmaeus. "Well, we can't let you wander around without a name."
"I do not know yours," she said almost shyly.
"Dagmar." He didn't want to admit to the name he had been given only recently.
"Dagmar." She smiled at him. He liked how she said his name.
"What shall we call you?" He thought for a moment, then said, "We shall call you Ulfyna because you protected the wolf."
"Do you think it is a pretty name?" she asked, then lowered her eyes and her cheeks became pink with a blush.
He smiled but did not answer her. If the name were not pretty before, he thought it absolutely beautiful now. She settled comfortably against him and they continued on in silence, following Camrin who didn't so much as turn around to look at them. Dagmaeus thought his silence was unusual but dismissed it as annoyance at being denied twice within the last day. Later he would make it up to him.
When they arrived in the village beneath his father's palace, the people spilled onto the street to cheer him, shouting the name he had recently been given. Women and children tossed flowers, and men surged forward to ask his blessing on their homes. Dagmaeus felt overwhelmed, and he could feel Ulfyna's fear in the fingers she curled into the fabric of his tunic and the trembling of her slight form. He did what he could to appease them as Camrin disappeared ahead. They did not reach the palace until hours later. Camrin came to greet them with a warm drink, and Dagmaeus could see that he had already bathed and changed. Dagmaeus could see that he was laughing at him by the twinkle in his eyes.
"Have you cured the sick and dying?" he asked.
Dagmaeus frowned. "I have no such power."
Camrin's blue eyes shifted to Ulfyna who instantly moved closer to Dagmaeus. "You have the power to turn hideous trolls into nymphs."
Dagmaeus wanted to get her out of Camrin's sight as soon as possible. "I should greet my mother and father."
Extending his hand, Camrin smirked at Ulfyna. "Come with me, wolf girl. I know exactly what services you can provide in the palace."
"She is coming with me." Without explaining, Dagmaeus turned her away and ignored the suggestive shouts of the guards Camrin re-joined by the fire.
"He frightens me," Ulfyna told him.
"I will keep him from harming you." He should have gone to his father first, but he could not bring Ulfyna into Iator's presence. That would be even worse than tossing her to Camrin. Iator already had a collection of beautiful women to serve him.
So he went to the wing of the palace where his mother held her own court. Dagmaeus had seen his parents together only once and could barely understand how and why they had created him. Queen Rahina came to greet him immediately, but she said nothing about the female he had brought with him as she kissed his cheeks and took his hands to draw him further into her domain. While his father surrounded himself with rowdy men and gaudy women, she attracted quiet, studious followers. They concerned themselves with healing mind, body and spirit. Dagmaeus often sought her presence when he was troubled.
"We have already heard of Camrin's unsuccessful hunt," said his mother as she settled on a chair and took up her sewing. She did not even look at Ulfyna.
Dagmaeus knew she would wait for his explanation. "Mother, I would ask a favor of you."
She didn't look up from her sewing. "I presume you want me to do something about the vine clinging to you."
"I hoped that you might find a use for her."
His dark-eyed mother looked up now, and he could see that she was annoyed. "I do not even care to have your woman in my presence now, and you ask me to find a place for her? I am disappointed by your lack of discretion."
"She's not my woman!" Her accusation angered him. "I only ask that you protect her."
She raised a brow. "If I protect her from Camrin, I shall also be protecting her from you. Is this what you want?"
"I have no interest in her." Dagmaeus hoped he wasn't lying. He told himself that he was merely trying to help the orphaned young woman.
"What is her name?" Rahina set aside her sewing and stood.
"She had no name, but I have given her one. I call her Ulfyna."
Rahina held out her hands. "Come to me, Ulfyna. You may serve me until the day you wish to leave."
Reluctantly, she left Dagmaeus' side, and he knew that the gentleness of his mother as well as the persuasion in her eyes had put Ulfyna at ease. She took her hands, and Dagmaeus knew that his mother was gathering all the knowledge she needed from her touch. Finally she released her then called to another servant to take Ulfyna away to settle in.
When Ulfyna had been gone for a few moments, his mother looked at him. "You know nothing of her, do you?"
"She was left in the forest."
"Just as Camrin was. It would seem I am forever destined to rescue stray creatures." She sat in her chair and beckoned him forward. Out of habit, he sat at her feet and she put her fingers in his hair. "I didn't want to take him in when your father brought him to me, but I did. He would have died in the forest, just as your Ulfyna would have."
"What can you tell me about her?" Dagmaeus looked up at her.
She sighed deeply. "Only that her destiny is entwined with yours." For some reason, his heart swelled to hear it. "But her destiny is also entwined with Camrin."
If she were meant to be with Camrin, Dagmaeus would not stand in the way. "I want her to be happy."
His mother caressed his cheek, then let her hand drop to her lap. "Are you hungry?" She motioned to one of her servants before he could tell her he was not.
Dagmaeus looked up as the old man handed him a cup.
Dagan jerked awake, and he turned quickly to see Nazzar seated on a bench near the bed. The old man seemed to be deep in thought, but when he saw that Dagan was awake, he came to the bedside, and in his hands he was carrying a cup.
"Are you feeling better?"
Disoriented, Dagan ignored the cup and pushed past Nazzar to get out of bed. "I have much to do."
"Vanig is waiting for you."
Dagan sighed, realizing he must have slept through the night. "I have had disturbing dreams."
"I doubt they are disturbing." Nazzar chuckled. "Certainly not as disturbing as your trances."
Nazzar reminded him of Shamara. "I have not been able to reach Shamara since I have come to Bayman. How can that be when we could be together when she was at her home and I was on Mars Colony? The distance is much greater."
The old man stroked his chin, then said. "I believe there is a disturbance on this world which prevents you from having contact with her."
"What disturbance? Could it by Ryana? She expects me to wed her."
"She does not have true power."
Dagan suspected Nazzar knew more than he was saying. The ways of his master annoyed Dagan. "Then how can she change her shape? What else can she do that I do not know of?"
"Your highness?" Vanig stood in the doorway.
Dagan could see that Nazzar wasn't going to answer, so he grabbed his sword and followed Vanig out. When Vanig suggested they find a very private spot to train, Dagan knew the guard was concerned that others might see them and find good cause to ridicule the future king of Bayman. So they found a secluded spot in the garden which was almost overgrown with disuse. As he listened to Vanig's instruction and tried to put it into practice, he grew more and more frustrated and angry with both himself and his father. He spent more time with his backside on the ground defending himself than actually attempting an attack.
When they finished after a few hours, Dagan was even more exhausted than the day before, and he certainly understood that should Avar actually fight him, he would be doomed to failure.
"You have improved in only a day," said Vanig with a big grin.
"You need not lie to me, Vanig." They walked through garden on the way back to the palace. "I could not even best a child."
"Perhaps a female child," remarked Vanig.
Dagan glared at him, then laughed at the smile on his face. "I think you are right!"
They both laughed, but Vanig stopped abruptly suddenly and spun around, swinging his sword to stop the blade that surely would have cracked open Dagan's skull. Dagan stumbled back and pulled his own sword. He could have easily used his powers to destroy the three men who ambushed them, but he chose to fight with his sword. Vanig took on two while Dagan fought the third. Just as he had with Vanig all morning, Dagan was on the defensive, and it took all the skill he possessed to keep himself from being skewered. Vanig was able to defeat both his attackers with no small effort, but instead of coming to Dagan's aid, he sat down on a tree stump to wipe clean the blade of his sword. Dagan realized he was on his own and that he had expected Vanig to rescue him. His fight had been subconsciously calculated to hold off the man until Vanig could finish him. Now Dagan had to kill him because Vanig wasn't going to do anything more than watch.
He was still tired from his training, but Dagan pressed an attack, backing up the masked man until he slipped in the blood of his comrades and fell. Dagan didn't pause in thrusting his blade into him.
Panting and drained, Dagan turned to get Vanig's praise for his victory, but Vanig was shaking his head. "That was a sorry spectacle, your highness."
Dagan wiped sweat from his forehead. "I killed him, didn't I?"
"You took so long an entire legion could have come to his aid. You are lucky there were only the three of them." Vanig nodded to the dead man at Dagan's feet. "Also, he was the last, and therefore your only chance to discover who sent him."
"I don't need to know who sent him."
He didn't bother to wash the blood from him before he hunted down his sister who was holding her own little court in a salon. Those who surrounded her parted when he approached, and by their little smiles and giggles, he knew they were aware of what had happened to him already.
"I thought I would inform you that you have failed," he snapped at Ryana.
She raised a brow. "Brother, you should clean yourself up. Your appearance is most offensive."
"I'm sorry that you have three less men to amuse yourself with." He turned on his heel and headed to the door.
Ryana did not respond, but her admirers burst into laughter, and he walked out.
He went next to his father's chamber where he found the old man sitting up, looking healthy and being fed by two naked young women. Seeing Dagan, he frowned. "Don't put a damper on my recovery, Dagan, with whatever trivial nonsense you have to tell me." The women tried to leave, but he grabbed them both around the waist and pulled them back to him. "He'll be gone soon, then the real fun can start."
"I thought you'd like to know that your daughter just tried to have me killed." Dagan couldn't be more disgusted by what he was seeing. One of the women giggled as the old man buried his face in her ample chest. "Do you want me to return later so that we can discuss a proper punishment?"
"Punishment?" Seighen raised his head to look at Dagan. "Leave the silly slut alone. She has her amusements, and we have ours. I've heard that you have neglected your duties. Get back to work, Dagan, or I will appoint your sister my successor. At least when she was in charge, I wasn't nagged constantly."
Dagan's frustration with his parent had reached a breaking point. "Perhaps you have always intended for her to rule Bayman! It has become crystal clear that you never wished it for me! I haven't the least idea how to deal with administration and I can barely handle a sword to save my life! Just what is my purpose in life?"
Seighen glared at him. "Haven't the gods told you? I thought they might have. As far as I can see, your only purpose up to this point is to annoy the hell out of me. Now get out!"
He could see that he wasn't going to get anywhere with the old man, so Dagan turned on his heel and walked out. There was work to do, but Dagan didn't feel like facing the advisors who were even more brutal than the assassin he had killed. Ryana seemed to find amusement amongst the courtiers, but Dagan thought they were a pack of simple-minded fawning morons who obviously judged him lacking in any authority or they would have been following him around licking his backside by now. That left his chamber.
But Dagan didn't want to return to his room and to Nazzar who no longer seemed interested in guiding him. His old master was more intent in tucking him in for naps that lasted entire days and were filled with the thoughts and actions of Dagmaeus. Everything seemed so real when he was dreaming, especially the feelings that Dagmaeus experienced. Although he didn't want to return to those dreams, he felt anxious for what the future would bring for the young god. Correction, thought Dagan. He was the young man who was blessed or cursed with the very same powers that Dagan had. How many times had he felt as Dagmaeus, that he wished he had been passed over? But chances were slim that anyone would worship Dagan of Bayman as a god. He had already been scorned as a fool.
"Your highness, the ambassador from Calabria is waiting to see you in your office."
Relieved that he would be hearing from Shamara, Dagan hurried to his father's receiving room. The many petitioners quieted when he entered, and Dagan instantly recognized the man waiting for him.
"Lord Duo!" Dagan half expected Shamara to be standing behind him, but to his disappointment he was alone except for a couple of Calabrian soldiers.
Lord Duo bowed to him, then straightened. He raised a brow as he took in Dagan's appearance although he did not ask about it. He was splattered with dried blood and his clothing was torn. Dagan knew he was a filthy mess, but he didn't care. "This is an official visit, Prince Dagan. I come on behalf of Emperor Trey. He regrets to inform you that the agreement between your father and him must be considered null and void. In your absence, Princess Shamara has made an oath to marry Avar of Teralon."
Nothing he said was new, nor was it unexpected, but the official breaking of their agreement was a necessity, just as his challenge was now. "The agreement between Trey and my father was made many years ago," he began, but a disturbance at the door made him pause and Dagan was annoyed to see the two women he had seen too much of earlier, helping his father into the room. Damn! What did the old coot want to do?
"Lord Duo, nice to see you again!" When he was settled on his throne, Seighen winked at the women, now dressed in little more than they were earlier, who blushed and drifted back into the crowd. If Seighen had the energy to cavort with them, Dagan thought he surely had the energy to deal with his kingdom. "I hope I didn't miss anything."
Duo raised a brow, then turned from Dagan to Seighen. "I had heard that you were very ill, your highness."
"I am recovering; the gods know I have to. If I were to die today, Bayman would be doomed." He chuckled and the assembled courtiers tittered with laughter. Dagan felt his anger level rising. If he hadn't gained control of his powers, the room would be ablaze by now. "Now, what have you come to tell me?"
"As I told your son, the agreement…"
"Yes, yes, I completely understand and accept the decision of your emperor. Tell Princess Shamara that we wish her well in her marriage. She's had a narrow escape." He chortled with insulting laughter as he glanced at Dagan.
Dagan glared back at his father. "I was about to tell Lord Duo…"
"I know what you were about to tell Lord Duo, but that is out of the question. Your little exhibition in the garden this morning proves you are incapable of winning a physical combat."
"You…you saw it?"
"I arranged the little escapade. Vanig! By the gods, where is that rascal?"
Vanig stepped out. "I am here, your highness."
Seighen chuckled. "Vanig is the captain of the royal dragoons. I asked him to give you a little training and we tested you by hiring those bungling oafs to kill you."
"You hired the assassins?" Dagan was beside himself with fury. "You hired men to kill me?"
"I paid them quite handsomely. I thought you might use your powers, but I will credit you for trying to defend yourself as a man might."
"I am a man!" shouted Dagan, clenching his fist.
Seighen snorted. "You are a freak!"
Dagan would have charged the man on the throne, but Vanig drew his sword. Dagan wasn't stupid enough to challenge him. "I don't care what you order. I intend to go to Calabria to win Shamara back from Avar."
"You go without my blessing." Seighen looked back to Lord Duo. "Give my deepest apologies to Emperor Trey when this pathetic imbecile shows up." He rose. "I fear I have grown tired again. I regret to leave you in charge again, Dagan, but I must. Now where have those lovely ladies gone?"
Dagan stood rigid with indignant anger as the scantily clad women hurried forward to help Seighen from the throne. They giggled as he pawed them indecently, and the people present didn't bother to hide their smiles. Dagan was completely humiliated and hopelessly undermined by his father, but Dagan was powerless to do anything about it. He glanced at Vanig, hating him for his association with the old king.
Vanig merely smiled that foolish grin of his, then saluted him. "If you care to continue lessons…"
"For what purpose?" snapped Dagan. "So that he can hire even more skilled assassins who will probably succeed?"
"Truly, your highness, I never feared for your life!" Vanig seemed hurt. He reminded Dagan of a faithful old hound dog.
Lord Duo cleared his throat, and Dagan turned back to him. "I am sorry you had to witness this spectacle," he began.
Duo interrupted. "If you have some place private, we can discuss other matters."
Averting his eyes from the snide looks on the faces of his people, Dagan led Duo out of the receiving room and to his chambers. He was embarrassed to the very core that the Calabrian lord had see what little respect he had from anyone, so he could not bring himself to speak even after the doors to his chamber had shut behind them. Dagan busied himself with washing the blood from his skin and changing his clothing as Master Nazzar offered Lord Duo something to drink. When he was clean, Dagan felt little better, but he could at least face him without the blood of his father's hired assassin clinging to him.
"How is Shamara?" asked Dagan, taking his own chilled drink from Master Nazzar. There was something familiar in the way Nazzar nodded and shuffled away. Where had he seen that before?
"She is well although you may hear that she has some exotic illness that she contracted on Mars Colony which keeps her quarantined on the second moon with her brother. For the time being her excuses have been accepted both by her father and Prince Avar."
Dagan smiled. "She is a clever young woman."
Lord Duo returned his smile. "The truth of the matter is that her father doesn't want her to return just yet. There is turmoil at his court concerning his second daughter, Chaela."
"Shamara told me about it," Dagan told him. "That was her reason for rescuing me."
"Shamara is a confused young woman. Some day she will know what is in her heart, which is exactly what her father wants for her."
"What will you tell her?" Dagan feared Lord Duo's report would be extremely unflattering. He stood and began to pace when the other man did not answer immediately. "This is not the life I expected. I knew my father did not care for me, that my sister despised me, but depths surprise me. My own people do not respect me, but renounce me as a worthless fool, which is exactly what both my father and Ryana have cultivated probably since the moment of my birth. I am not fit to rule this kingdom and certainly not worthy of Princess Shamara."
Lord Duo came to him and put his hand on his shoulder. "There comes a time in every man's life when he has to make a decision that will affect him forever. That decision is usually fraught with pain and hardship, but the rewards in the end will be worth it. Your decision is whether you will slink back into the hills with Master Nazzar, hiding yourself from responsibility or whether you will take the control you were meant to have. If you do not take action now, Dagan, you will find yourself ruling a kingdom that has rotted from its foundations."
Dagan sat down and covered his face with his hands. "I do not know what to do."
Lord Duo also sat. "You begin by finding who would be loyal to you and sweeping the rest from your presence. The process will be difficult and you will be risking your life. Men, and women, do not relinquish power easily. Those who try to remove you should be dealt with ruthlessly. These are the lessons that Emperor Trey would give you for he has vast experience."
"What of my father's interference? I can't just kill him."
"I'm sure you know his weakness. Find a way to exploit it and Seighen will not bother you." The Calabrian lord stood. "I trust you will use every trick you know and every power you possess to take control, Dagan. I will tell Shamara and her father that you intend to challenge Avar and the execution of their oath will not take place until you have had an opportunity to defeat Avar."
After Lord Duo had gone, Dagan paced his room, and when Nazzar began to chant, he snapped at him to be quiet. His chant had been making him drowsy and Dagan needed to think. When he determined his plan of action, he sent a servant for Vanig and Oxana. Vanig arrived first and Dagan demanded an oath of loyalty from him, which he did not hesitate to give. Then he sent the captain of the dragoons out to determine which soldiers would give him loyalty, which would remain steadfast to his father, and which Ryana had seduced into her camp. He seemed pleased with the task, and Dagan could only hope that Vanig was not lying and spying on him for his father.
Next, Oxana entered his room warily, her eyes round with fear, but she relaxed when Dagan sent the frowning Nazzar from the room. Even before he had closed the door, Oxana threw herself at Dagan's feet, hugging his legs and begging him to forgive her. Dagan watched her groveling with amusement for a moment, then drew her up from the floor. Oxana reached out to him, obviously intent on initiating her particular skills, but he seized her hand before she could touch where she could do the most damage.
She had been the only woman he had ever been with. Oxana had made him a man and a fool at the same time. "I did not call you here to give me pleasure."
"I want to," she purred, trying to move closer, but he kept her at arm's length.
"I have a task for you at which I am sure you will excel since you have so much experience." She really was a beautiful woman, so it was a shame that her life had taken the path that it had. Dagan was surprised she had no power to move him anymore. His love for Shamara was like armor.
"I will do whatever you ask," she said softly.
"My father needs diversion. I think you can accomplish that much better than the sluts I saw him with today."
"Your father?" She seemed confused and surprised.
Dagan smiled and reached out to stroke her hair. "I don't want him bothering me, Oxana. I'm quite sure you know how to make him think of nothing but you and what you can do for him."
"He's an old man," she complained with a frown.
"He's an old king," Dagan corrected her. "If you do your job well, perhaps he will reward you."
She bit her bottom lip as she considered, then said, "I suppose the promise of a reward from you would be enough for me to waste my time with that shriveled up old man."
Thinking of what he had seen earlier, Dagan remarked, "I think he might surprise you."
Oxana smiled at him. "As you did, Dagan, but I would expect nothing less from your father."
"You have a week to get him out of my affairs, and if you fail, I will see that you spend the rest of your life on your back in the dragoons' quarters."
"Is that meant to be a threat?" she asked with a sly smile. "And how do you know I don't spend my time there now?" She laughed when he could not hide his surprise. "You're a hard man to replace."
"A week," he reminded her before she left. "Whatever you need you shall be provided."
Nazzar returned several minutes after she had gone. His gaze had gone to the bed first, and Dagan was amused to see his astonishment at not finding him dozing off Oxana's visit.
"I have work to attend to." Dagan thought of the dozen advisors and wondered which of them he would remove first.
"You should rest," said Nazzar before he reached the door.
"You are becoming my nursemaid," commented Dagan. "Maybe you should get some rest."
His old master sighed. "I will be here when you return."
As Lord Duo predicted, Dagan had difficulty wresting power away from both his sister and his father. His father had been easy to deal with. One seductive bat of Oxana's lashes and he was entrapped, and Oxana knew exactly how to distract the old lecher. Those advisors who remained staunchly loyal to his father saw through Dagan's ploy immediately and tried to revolt. Dagan wondered if Seighen had even learned of the attempted palace coup that Vanig and his dragoons successfully quelled with minimum loss of life. In the end, five of the eight advisors were banished, and in their place Dagan put men who would support him, men who realized Dagan's reign was the future, the very near future.
Ryana put up a token resistance to Dagan's insistence that she conduct her activities more discreetly. Although he had been warned to forbid her open worship of Camridaeus, Dagan didn't see any harm. Inquiries into what really went on revealed that it was as Dagan had suspected: an opportunity for the more revolting of his subjects to get together, pretend to worship a single god above all others, then engage in an orgy in honor of the god.
"It is a sin to worship one god above others," muttered Nazzar one night as Dagan settled into his bed for the first time in many days. He had been so busy the last two weeks that he had caught sleep where ever he could and whenever he could. Strangely enough, he hadn't had any more dreams of Dagmaeus, only some dreams of Shamara, which he kept hoping, were trances. He would be leaving soon for Calabria and had already chosen one of his advisors to act for him in his absence, completely removing Ryana from any form of leadership. She didn't seem to mind, nor did she make any more attempts to seduce him. Finally she understood the uselessness of doing so.
Dagan closed his eyes as he lay on his bed, and he could conjure an image of Shamara sitting by a pond, dangling her toes. He adored her smiles and even the annoyed frowns she often sent his way. Now he forced his vision to smile at him, then move toward him, unwinding the sash around her waist and letting her garment gape open. Just as she tossed the sash around him and pulled him to her, Dagan heard Master Nazzar chanting. Shamara faded from his view, and despite his best efforts to remain with his own vision, he was drawn away.
"Visiting again, my son? I feel so honored!" Rahina didn't look up from her sewing as Dagmaeus sat near her. He tried not to be obvious, but his eyes scanned the room and finally rested on Ulfyna. She sat with one of his mother's disciples, and their hands were clasped as she learned the healing skills. "In the last ten years since your father sank his claws into you, I haven't seen you more than a dozen times. Now in two months I have seen you every day! You wouldn't know why that is? Dagmaeus? Are you listening to me?"
He snapped his attention back to his mother. "I am sorry, mother."
She smiled and patted his cheek. "I understand. She's very beautiful and sweet. And she is a very fast learner. At this rate, I fear her powers will exceed my own and I will have nothing more to teach her. She will make you an excellent wife."
Dagmaeus had let his gaze wander to Ulfyna again, but it snapped back to his mother. "I…I never said anything about making her my … my wife."
"No, but if all you were interested in was her body, you would have taken her out of here by now. Strangely enough, I have received just as many visits from Camrin."
He didn't know what to make of Camrin's interest in Ulfyna, but his mother certainly enjoyed informing him of the visits his foster brother made. Could he be wooing Ulfyna? Camrin usually took the women he wanted without expending any effort to charm them and women enjoyed his attentions. Dagmaeus was painfully aware that they were frightened of him and his powers. Ulfyna was the exception. She didn't seem to care.
"I have not seen your eagle," remarked his mother. "I never did approve of taming the bird, but he seems to embody your spirit. It is strange that you no longer carry him around with you as you have since you were a child no higher than my knee."
Dagmaeus had wondered about the absence of his eagle also, but he was more distracted by Ulfyna. Now that his mother brought up his missing pet, he realized he had forgone a search for it to stay back and protect Ulfyna despite the safety she enjoyed under his mother's wing. "I left him to watch over the wolf Ulfyna had been protecting. It was exhausted and weakened by the hunt."
Rahina nodded. "A wise decision, my son. Unfortunately, I fear something has befallen your eagle. Perhaps you should go out to find it. You realize that it is lacking in survival skills, having been spoiled and petted by you almost its entire life."
Dagmaeus nodded. "I shall go right away." He started to get up, but she put her hand on his arm and he stayed put as Ulfyna left her teacher and came to sit near Rahina also.
The older woman stroked her golden hair, then sighed. "It is a beautiful day, Dagmaeus. Why don't you take Ulfyna out to see the flowers? You can deal with the other problem later."
The eagle was forgotten as he looked into Ulfyna's blue eyes. "Yes, mother." He held out his hand, hoping it wouldn't tremble, and Ulfyna's smile as she slipped her hand into his made his stomach drop to his knees. He caught a sly smile from his mother and realized she knew exactly how he felt.
Neither spoke until they were deep into the well-kept garden. The two suns were shining and unobstructed by clouds, and a soft breeze tempered the heat. As they walked, Ulfyna looked at the flowers as if she had never seen them although Dagmaeus was certain that one of her responsibilities was to help with the care of them. The breeze ruffled her silky golden hair and he wished he could touch it but he dared not. Ulfyna might become frightened, especially if she felt the heat of his touch, which he could not control. Most women were afraid he would lose control of his powers, so he avoided touching them. Camrin had been jealous when his grandfather laid his hands on him and transferred the powers into him, but Dagmaeus considered them a curse.
Ulfyna's soft sigh drew his attention, and Dagmaeus looked at her, finding her looking at him. "You seem very far away, Dagmar."
"That is not really my name," he said bitterly. "Perhaps you should call me Dagmaeus as everyone else does."
"I do not know Dagmaeus. I only know Dagmar, whose kindness has brought me to a place where I have experienced the greatest joys of my life." She smiled up at him. "I never knew true happiness before I met you."
He smiled. "My mother has a lot to do with that."
Ulfyna took a step closer to him. "I am not talking about her." Dagmaeus stiffened when she reached up to lay her palm on his cheek. She closed her eyes in concentration, and almost instantly her feelings poured into him from her touch.
Shaking off her hand, he stepped back. "You should not have feelings like that for me!"
"Why not?" She took a step after him.
He stepped back again. "You don't understand. You are too young and innocent…"
She followed him again. "I know what I want, Dagmar."
He backed into a tree, and when she would have slipped her arms around him, he ducked and stumbled around to the other side of the tree. Ulfyna giggled as she poked her head around, and Dagmar stumbled back, falling to the ground on his backside. Ulfyna came to stand over him, laughing, and Dagmaeus realized how ridiculous he must look to her or to anyone else who might be watching, as he was sure his mother must be.
"You are not frightened of me, are you, Dagmar?" Ulfyna reached out a hand to him. Dagmaeus was afraid to take it. Her feelings had been intense and not all that proper, and he did not want to lose control of his own. Dagmaeus did not want to see fear in her eyes.
"Brother, what are you doing on the ground?" Camrin seemed to come from no where. "Is there a new variety of flower under yonder bush?"
The smile faded from Ulfyna's lips. Dagmaeus did not need to touch the hand she held out to him and which he now took to know she was still very frightened of Camrin. The idea that any woman could be afraid of his handsome foster brother was almost absurd, but Ulfyna's fear was very real. She drew very close to Dagmaeus who put his arm around her as Camrin approached.
"I feel cold inside," she whispered to Dagmaeus.
He could only make her warm in his embrace.
"I came to take Ulfyna for a walk, but I see you have already beaten me to it." Camrin's smile didn't seem all that friendly.
"My mother suggested it," Dagmaeus told him.
"Your father is looking for you. I will escort Ulfyna back to our mother's rooms." Camrin's sly smile suggested he would take advantage of his self-appointed duty.
Ulfyna snuggled even closer to Dagmaeus, like a chick trying to hide under the wing of its mother. "My mother wished to discuss something further with me," lied Dagmaeus. "I will take Ulfyna back, speak to my mother, then go to my father. You may inform my father the reason for my delay."
Camrin's lips twisted in a scornful smile. "I would be more than happy to run your errands." With one last baleful glance at Ulfyna, he turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction.
Dagmaeus had no time to consider Camrin's behavior because Ulfyna was using his protection as an excuse to make free with her hands. He put his hands on her shoulders and set her back although she moaned in disappointment. "I must return you to my mother's care."
"I was hoping we could stay out here a little longer." She smiled up at him, but her beguiling smile couldn't dissuade him from duty.
"My father is expecting me." He put his hand on her back and propelled her toward the entrance into his mother's apartments. "You should stay inside."
"He won't hurt me," she told Dagmaeus to his surprise. "He has visited me before."
"No doubt in the presence of my mother he was on his best behavior. I wouldn't count on that lasting much longer." He frowned at her. "Do as I say, Ulfyna, and stay away from Camrin."
She stood on the tips of her toes to look him in the eye. "I will do as you say." Her eyes were locked to his for a moment and Dagmaeus thought his knees would give out. Something seemed to pass between them, making her shiver and him tremble before it was gone. Then Ulfyna sank back on her heels, turned, and hurried into the palace.
Dagmaeus stared at the spot where she had been for several moments trying to figure out what had happened between them, but he could not understand it so he stopped trying. He was about to go in search of his father when he noticed Camrin watching him from a few feet away, leaning against a tree, his arms folded across his chest.
"Don't bother looking for him," Camrin said. "Iator wasn't looking for you. I lied."
Dagmaeus raised a brow. "Perhaps you would care to explain why."
Camrin shrugged. "I suppose I was jealous."
"Jealous?" Dagmaeus frowned. "What reason do you have to be jealous? Do you want Ulfyna? If I thought you would treat her kindly, I would gladly step aside for you." He wouldn't want to, but he would. The thought of seeing Camrin with Ulfyna almost made him physically sick.
"I don't want the wolf-girl. I want my friend back. I want the brother who would hunt with me. I want the confidante that would listen to me."
"I am right here, Camrin." Dagmaeus didn't realize Ulfyna had distracted him so much.
Camrin was pouting. "You are standing before me but your thoughts are with her. I knew the moment I saw her that she would come between us. We should have left her in the forest."
"You are still my dear brother and friend." Dagmaeus held out his hand to Camrin.
"You look the same, but you have become someone else." Turning on his heel, Camrin walked stiffly away.
Dagmaeus felt as if a part of him had been cut away. Then he heard Ulfyna's voice raised in song, and he couldn't think of anything but her.
"You are very far away, your highness."
Dagan blinked and turned away from the window where he was watching servants loading the royal barge for his trip to Calabria. The kingdom was in order and would be ruled by his handpicked advisor who would consult with Seighen who in turn would be persuaded by Oxana to do just as the advisor suggested. Dagan could count on his policies to be followed in his absence. If they weren't, he knew of one advisor's villa that would be scorched to the ground. The man was very well aware of the penalty of his failure to control Bayman in Dagan's name.
"I was telling you that your sister, accompanied by several of her adherents, suddenly left for space last night."
Dagan looked at Vanig. "Do you fear treachery?"
"If she had taken warbirds, yes."
"She has absolutely no access to weaponry." Dagan had made sure to clip her claws. All of her cult members had been removed from their posts in the government and military, not because they chose to worship Camridaeus, but because they would do whatever high priestess Ryana wanted. They could not be trusted. Ryana made only a token protest, which made Dagan wonder what nefarious plan she had devised to remove him. She was like a snake waiting under a bush, ready to strike. He still remembered her offer to remove Shamara from his life. Ryana's need for vengeance was simmering, waiting for the day he would bring Shamara to Bayman. At least he would be prepared for her treachery.
"She took her craft near the portal to the human system. Yesterday while you were sleeping, a large amount of debris from some explosion on the other side came through."
"Are you suggesting that my sister has become a scavenger?" Dagan chuckled. "I cannot imagine what she is looking for, but leave orders for her actions to be closely monitored."
"I can stay here, if you wish," suggested Vanig.
"I want you with me. I must put on a good show, Vanig, and bringing along dragoons will give some credence to my worthiness to claim Princess Shamara."
"I wish you would have allowed me to train you further." Vanig sighed. "I fear you are underestimating Prince Avar's abilities."
"Let's just say I trust the gods." Dagan smiled and looked out at the preparations again. He wasn't about to tell Vanig the real reason for his confidence.
Shamara had everything planned.
He didn't need to go through the pain and agony of training.
