Chapter Twenty-Six
Ambrean el Tekes
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"So, where is my armour?
"In storage."
Alanna nodded again before looking over Storm's muscular frame and a thought occurred to her, "Isn't all Midnight Steel custom made?"
Raku halted his brushing and turned to her, "Yes," he answered, his eyes twinkling.
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Her return to El'Midador was without the fanfare she expected, as an arriving Tahakén Princess and she smiled in satisfaction before shooting a questioning glance to Raku.
Her companion rolled his eyes as he soared through the air next to her, his form a rusty coloured Lurex Hawk, before answering her unspoken question in Mind-Speak.
Tahakén has acquired mounts from El'Midador for millennia, they are accustomed to us. In her own form, a coal black bird of the same species, she nodded before angling her wings and plummeting towards the ground, wind rushing about her body.
Mentally screaming in exhilaration she watched as her shadow grew from a small dot and expanded. She could see individual strands of grass and count the hairs on an ant's leg, when she finally pulled up. Snapping her wings open, she winced at the strain, before easing back into her human form with a loud crack, startling the children playing at the water's edge. With a well they fled back towards the village, screaming in their own language, saying a demon fell from the sky.
Next to her Raku glided into landing, easing back into his form, leaving him looking like he had wings before they vanished. "Smooth," she commented with a wry smile. He grinned and strode up the beach his gaze flicking curiously towards the huts where the people of El'Midador lived. Her coal cloak snapping behind her, she followed him as he headed for the meeting centre, reminiscing on when she was here many a moon ago. Several warriors came running, when they saw they approach, weapons drawn.
The two Tahakén Royalty ignored the blades and continued forward, their long stride easing the distance between the beach and the huts. As they got even closer the young warriors gave a war cry and were then flung backwards as though a giant had kicked them. Alanna raised a brow to Raku, who shrugged, "The next one can be all yours."
She nodded before gazing curiously at the gathering to the side of a coral, where a fine-boned horse was tethered to a large log, driven deep into the ground. Smelling incense on the wind, she glanced to Raku in question, only to see he looked marginally confused. As they got nearer, warriors forming lines on both sides, none brave enough to challenge them, she could see symbols along the horses grey coat, written in blood. The dark-skinned people watched as a warrior lent forward and pressed his forehead to the horses, bringing a blade forward. He was gazing into its eyes when he plunged the blade directly into its chest. The horse gave a muffled scream of shock before the light fled its intelligent eyes and it fell to the side.
Alanna and Raku halted, eyes wide, as the warrior took the blade and brought it down on his own hand, severing it. A pair of warriors moved forward and intercepted him as he stumbled towards the ground and dragged him off. His arm was thrown into a shaped pit and the horse was dragged on top of it and set alight. The man, who was clearly the chief, strode forward and began to speak in another language, one Alanna wasn't yet familiar with.
Next to her Raku inhaled sharply in surprise, and she turned to him.
"It's a sacrifice," he informed her in bewilderment, "but I don't know why. They never sacrifice their horses, they are sacred."
One of the warriors who watched them shifted, "Who are you?"
Raku turned his clear emerald eyes on him, "Raku."
The warriors around them blanched and fell back, bowing an apology before one hastened towards the chief.
His companions pushing him forward, the warrior who had spoken bowed deeply, "I am Sheku. I will take you to the Chief." He led them towards the gathered people and then answered Alanna's question.
"You are correct. Horses are sacred to us, however they must remain untainted." As they walked Alanna scanned the people and noticed an unusual amount of missing limbs, some were old, several years by the look of them, and others fresh.
"It is sacrilege for a mare to be mated without the approval and eye of her Life Partner. When our horses are killed, a part of us is taken, so we offer our limbs as thanks for their service and love." Sheku continued in his soft voice, his black hair catching the wind.
"I have not seen this before, "Raku offered.
Sheku shook his head, "Only recently have we been killing our horses," his voice caught as though the act itself was unthinkable, "we cannot risk the mare giving birth to a demon."
Alanna lifted her head, having hid her eyes for most of the conversation, "And why would they give birth to a demon?"
Sheku recoiled slightly at her eyes before answering her question, "They have been mounted by Ambrean el Tekes," he whispered the title, as though the name was taboo.
Having shifted back into Common, Alanna asked for elaboration on Sheku's answer, "And that is?"
Sheku paled beneath his dark skin and hurriedly shook his head, "No! I cannot say!" He shifted back into his native tongue and continued to refuse to answer, working himself up into a panic.
"Sheku!" A voice cut through his panic like a whip and they turned to face the chief, Sheku gratefully retreated, leaving them alone with the leader of the untameable people.
Alanna took a moment to appraise him; his dark skin was synonyms with the people of El'Midador, as was his long black hair. Woven through the thick and shiny strands were feathers and he had a talon pierced through his ear lobe.
"I am called Yaotne," as he spoke to Raku his teeth flashed white in the sun, "am I correct in assuming, your highness, that you require a second mount?"
Purple eyes flicked to Raku, " I do. However I am unsure how it works."
Yaotne looked surprised that it was Alanna who required the mount and said so. "Forgive me, but I am confused. You require the mount?"
Alanna nodded, "Yes."
The chief bowed quickly, "My apologies, your highness?"
At Raku's sharp nod he continued, "Now. To obtain a Tahakén mount, you are able to select from our cast offs, the horses kicked from the herd and trained to the Tahakén standard. Or, you can choose your own sire and mare and create a foal to your liking. It may take several tries, but no doubt we will get a horse close enough to your desires."
There was no doubt in Alanna's mind of the horse she wanted, "I'll take the second option."
The chief nodded, most Tahakén Princes, and now a Princess, opted to create their own mounts.
"We will set out immediately," Yaonte bowed and turned and began to roar orders. Immediately warriors scrambled, like ants, and horses were brought forward.
A dainty mare, with a coat that looked like it was spun from gold and a mane and tail soaked in snow, was led forward and Alanna felt her heart pang, Moonlight. She swiftly buried the feeling of loss, knowing it would led her down a path she was determined not to go down, and offered her palm to the mare, a sugar cube appearing in her hand. The horse took it gently and lipped her hand hoping for more, and Alanna had to smile.
She drew closer and stood next to her shoulder, Beautiful," she asked, running her hand along the silken coat, "what are you called?
The mare tossed her head in surprise and took a few steps back, before hesitantly coming closer when Alanna told her she would not hurt her.
I am Zochalea, the mare nuzzled her face and Alanna shifted to her side and mounted easily, flower, how very fitting.
Next to her, Raku mounted a large dun as the chief accepted his own mount, a dark roan.
A band of warriors formed around them, bristling with weapons. Alanna appraised them, certain that her last visit had not found this many warriors accompanying them.
The group left the village at a steady trot and before long were cantering through a forest, " We are taking the direct route to the herd, however I may require your assistance in the crossing, which will take several hours off the journey. That is, if you want to get there as soon as possible," Yaonte spoke, clearly requesting their help in a way that made it seem to be in their interests.
Alanna nodded, "Of course, I want to have a look now."
Several minutes later they slowed to a walk and edged out onto a cliff, opposite them, was the other side. The gap was too large to jump across, several horse lengths wide and so dangerous that she glanced over the edge and winced at what she saw. The two pieces of earth looked as though they had been grasped and pulled apart, the fissure was gaping and sharp teeth of rock splintered the sides, all the way down to the stream winding its way to the sea. Even from this height she could see the rocks littering the riverbed.
The warriors were very careful to keep their horses from the edge, most remained within the forest as though afraid the very earth would swallow them.
"If you would assist us in the crossing, we are almost there," spoke the chief, edging his mount from the edge and allowing Raku and Alanna forward.
Zochalea was hesitant, but at Alanna's urging moved closer to the edge, though she tossed her head and shifted nervously.
Easy, flower, Alanna calmed her with her hand; no harm shall come to you.
Alanna turned to Raku, to find him next to her, his dun sweating at being so near the edge but unable to move as Raku had commanded him.
"Ladies first," Raku offered, with a low bow from the saddle, his emerald eyes smirking
Alanna glared at him and turned to her immediate problem, how to get all the warriors and their horses across the gap, without spooking the horses and terrifying the people even more.
After a moment the earth began to rumble and crack and the horses gave screams of terror as their riders fought for control. Raku's dun gave a rear and tried to back from the edge, Raku swiftly spoke to him, calming him.
The rocks from the stream rose through the air and were joined by the splinters of rock from the sides. Clear water rose from the stream and looked like a skeleton across the gap, arching, like a bridge. Blocks of stone rotated and moved into position, each moulding against the water and compacting. Eventually, a bridge composed entirely of stone stretched across the earth, with railings on each side and the seams of water hardened and turned crystal.
Alanna sighed, feeling her magic drain at the extensive use and turned to Raku, brow arched. The Tahakén Prince grinned, "Nice."
She impishly inclined her head before urging Zochalea onto the stone, the mare hesitated but made her way out onto the bridge. Raku moved up next to her, his dun tossing his head. There was a great clatter as the warriors followed them across the bridge, hurrying as though it would collapse as soon as the Tahakén Royalty left it.
Alanna turned to Yaonte, "It will hold always, unless purposely collapsed by a Mage." The chief bowed even lower in the saddle, as the warriors stirred, "Many thanks."
They continued riding for a good hour, crossing small streams and weaving through trees. At one stage they were forced single file, through a marsh, where large blocks of smooth stone were positioned within jumping distance and their mounts leapt from stone to stone. Even Raku, who had seen Tahakén horses do many a thing, was impressed by the horses balance and strength.
Eventually the marshland edged onto grassland plain and the chief moved up next to Alanna and Raku, "this is the last plain before the cliffs; we should reach the herd before nightfall."
Alanna nodded, she had suspected so.
They rested their horses on the way across the plain, dismounting and walking for a good hour and a half through the lush grass. Then they rested beneath some trees and broke their fast with supplies from the saddlebags as the horses grazed nearby.
It was nearing evening when they came to the end of the valley; in front of them was a great cliff, stretching high into the sky. A group of horsemen were lounging beneath a set of trees, idly watching the herd and a great stallion, the colour of dried blood, watched them approach, nostrils flaring.
He screamed a challenge and immediately the warriors leapt to their feet, eyes scanning wildly, weapons in hands. As they saw Alanna's group they quietened and sheathed their weapons, some went to the stallion to calm him and ropes were strung about his neck before he was dragged to a large post and tethered.
The mares and foals watched curiously as the group approached and Alanna sighed in awe, they were beautiful, so beautiful and she couldn't wait to have one.
Breaking away from the warriors the chief returned to Alanna as she dismounted.
"What do you know about our horses?"
Alanna forced her eyes away from a gorgeous bay filly near her, "I came once, with the Crimson Dawn."
Yaonte blinked in surprise before regaining his composure, "This herd is different from that herd," he explained, "these horses are not tame, not even slightly, we do not interfere with their daily lives, though lately..."
Feathers caught as he shook his head before resuming his speech, "You can choose any mare we have, and when she foals, you can look it over."
"And the stallion?" Alanna asked, eyeing the herd leader in satisfaction.
"You can have him," Yaonte nodded in the direction of the furious stallion, "as he has fought and won this herd, he is the best. Or you can choose from any other Stallion we have."
Alanna nodded with a grin, "Excellent."
Raku was looking over the horses and was eyeing a particularly large mare in interest though Alanna was eyeing a young white filly, which was shyly standing behind her mother. She was dainty, with delicate bones and soft intelligent eyes and her mane and tail were little puffs of cloud.
One of the warriors, who had been guarding the horses, edged closer, "She has already been Promised," he told her, "You will have to choose another."
Alanna turned to him slowly, "Oh?" she asked, a brow arching.
He gulped and began to explain, "When a horse is Promised at birth, it means he or she belongs to their rider, they cannot be mated without permission. Snigurka is to belong to Haezea."
"Mh," Alanna drifted off, sharpening her eyes; shadows were falling over the plains, so she could properly run her eyes across a large bay colt.
"You may look them over tomorrow, as we need to move the herd into the cove, for protection," Yaonte spoke as he came up to her.
Alanna nodded her consent and he led her over to the tree, "If you would wait here while we move the herd?"
The warriors guarding the horses called their own mounts to them and began to circle the herd at a trot. Zochalea and the other mares from Alanna and Raku's group were included in the round up; while the Stallions were tethered to other posts and snorted excitedly as the herd began to move in the direction of the cliffs.
Enhancing her eyesight, Alanna could see there was a small gap in between them, evidently enlarged by hand, just big enough to fit an unmounted horse. The great Stallion was snorting as he fought to be freed and almost trampled the warrior who released the ropes about him. Tossing his head he cantered towards his harem, and followed them into the cliffs.
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The light from the fire cast feathers of light across the grass and a gentle breeze rippled across the water. Waves rolled upon the beach and blanketed the soft sounds of the horses settling into sleep.
"I have a question," Alanna offered, disturbing the peace. Yaonte glanced up at her.
"What does Promised mean?"
The chief blinked into the flames before leaning back, "When a child is born, he or she is Promised to a new-born foal, or to one about to be born." Seeing Alanna's questioning look he elaborated, "We bond ourselves to our horses, enabling a high awareness for both rider and mount. This bond allows us to communicate in a more intimate manner than normal horses and riders, we can feel if our horse is injured and they can "speak" to us."
Both Alanna and Raku appeared interested, with Raku speaking, "What happens when they die?"
A pained look crossed Yaonte's face and was mirrored by the warriors who were listening to the conversation, "If they die a natural death, of old age, and if they are slain in battle they are buried."
"Then why were you burning that-"
"We do not permit our horses to be mate without our presence and approval, any foal born without consent is slain at birth." Here the chief paused and seemed to hesitate before continuing at Alanna's urging. "Four years ago, our prized mare gave birth, to twins." Around them the warriors stirred and glanced about skittishly.
"She was a beauty and we were waiting to Promise her foal to Haezea, then one night she went missing, we couldn't find her for several days. Eventually she returned, without a scratch and she was mated to Abner," he nodded into the shadows, where the Stallion stood watch over the herd.
"Nine months after her mating, she gave birth to two stillborn foals," Alanna frowned, knowing that it look at least eleven months for gestation, "she died in the birthing. It was only when we had cleaned her and lowered her into the ground, did we realise that one of the foals was alive."
The warriors about them stiffened and muttered beneath their breaths, "Ambrean el Tekes."
Yaonte sighed, "It was nearing the evening, when we had fed the colt and were putting him to rest when it occurred to us, that he had yet to open his eyes. We were wrong... he had..."
"What happened then?" Alanna asked, the only sound in the uncannily still night.
"We drove him off, and left him to die, no warrior would go near him."
Raku stirred, "He survived?"
"Yes," said Yaonte shortly, "And has been plaguing our herds ever since."
Alanna moved to ask another question by Yaonte held up his hand, "No, no more. We may bring him upon us."
He rose to his feet, and the warriors gratefully followed before fleeing the fire and the conversation.
"A good night to you both," Yaonte spoke before vanishing into the darkness.
"Well," Raku sighed, "That was interesting. Fancy a swim?"
Alanna blinked, "What?"
"A swim, you know. When you remove your clothes and flap about in water."
Amethyst eyes narrowed, "What make you think I'll take my clothes off? And no, not really."
Shrugging Raku got to his feet, "I bet I could convince you," he promised as he removed his boots and socks, he seemed tense.
Alanna made a noise which could have been taken as agreement or denial as Raku removed his shirt. Rolling over to face the stars, Alanna closed her mind, ensuring he couldn't access her thoughts, and gaze, lingering on his toned abdomen.
Soft footsteps announced Raku heading for the water's edge and Alanna left her gaze follow him, running her eyes over his body and felt an unfamiliar jolt of desire stir within her. Breathing deeply she turned away, not wanting to watch the handsome man enter the water.
She wondered, as she lay there alone in the dark, when she had started to view Raku as more than a...friend... He was certainly handsome; in fact he was probably the most handsome man she had ever seen, including Duke Roger and his cousin.
When she was held captive as a slave, she came to see Raku as something of a reluctant mentor, someone who could teach her a great deal. After a while he became the only friend she had, Anya was too young to understand and held Alanna in awe, but Raku could hold an intelligent conversation for hours on end and was oddly patient in teaching her.
Then after her escape from the Dawn, when he had revealed himself to be a Tahakén Prince, she had felt fear and apprehension, but still a sliver of trust, of the bond she thought they had.
It had cleared when he had tortured her, had encouraged screams to tear themselves from her throat and marred her skin with scars. She loathed him, feared him, feared the pain he could inflict. Then he had broken her, made her into a Tahakén Princess and she saw the memory of Tamsin and understood, everything he did to her, had been done to him, he, like she, had no choice.
After that she had been more...accommodating, willing to forgive everything he had done to her and instead turned to him again as her mentor. It was after her first successful mission, one where she was forced to murder a dozen children, that she realised, she was as broken as he and that no one, not even the other slaves, truly understood what it meant to be Tahakén Royalty.
Sure they knew that they went through more pain than anyone else, but they hadn't experienced it, their insignificant minds could not comprehend the centuries of agony, the suffering and torment with no respite.
Only a Tahakén Prince, or Princess, could understand the horror upon awakening one day to realise that you could challenge a God, with the power you possess. That you can walk into a room and murder everyone in there within heartbeats and no one would know, that you could destroy the world.
Only a Tahakén understood the need, the raw desire to cause suffering on everyone and everything, to hear screams not your own ringing across the land and to stain land crimson with the blood of their people.
Only a Tahakén Royal understood what she was, and what she would become, for there was no escape, she was a Tahakén Princess; she was unstoppable, unkillable, unlovable.
After this realisation she watched him, wanting to feel as though she wasn't the only one to feel the way she did. She learnt Raku loved to dance, even though he pretended he was nonchalant about it, she learnt he loved to play music and his love taught her to love music. His favourite colour was a hunter green and that as a child he had dreamt of flying and his father took him fishing and taught him how to sail. Walnuts were his favourite nut as his father used to crack them in front of the fire and lilies were his favourite flower because his mother loved them.
While he helped teach her everything from pain to carving, swimming to dancing, cooking to sewing and fighting to healing, the most important thing he taught her was that even though he was broken, he had found himself. Found a semblance of peace among the carnage that was his life and had built upon it, he was Raku, Tahakén Prince only in title.
There was a soft crunch as Raku returned and Alanna stilled her mind, "Nice swim?" She asked him, eyes closed.
"Yeah, almost had a tussle with a shark, but he ran away."
"Right," Alanna drawled and she could feel him smile, even though she couldn't see.
"Thought some more scars would attract the ladies?" She asked, feeling immensely proud there was not a waver in her tone.
"Sounds like a plan," Raku flopped down onto the grass, taking the time to watch the woman uninterrupted.
She was beautiful by moonlight, strands of hair falling across her face and he resisted the urge to move and brush them off. Fire danced across her smooth skin and Raku watched the play of colours across her soft lips and the heat the lingered beneath his skin always, roared to life.
Swallowing a groan he turned away and gazed at the stars, naming the constellations of this world before moving onto the next, using anything to keep his mind of the stunning woman laying several feet away from him.
He had loved her for a long time, back then he hadn't know what it was, thinking he only desired a woman as it had been a while. He had cast aside the feeling by bedding a woman, several to be exact, but the feeling came back whenever he set eyes upon the girl. When the Lady of Golden Fields had summoned her, he had given in to his feeling and had watched each time they would bathe, or when the Lady had requested her presence in her bedroom.
Then he would kick himself and bed another woman, trying and failing to rid the images in his mind. When he felt her sneak into the barn, he had followed, curious, ready to murder any man she was meeting, and had been ecstatic to find her practicing a warrior's art, ecstatic because this gave him an excuse to see her, to be near her, to touch her.
Then the night he had killed the Royal family and he had slaughtered the guards and defeated Micheal, he had watched Alanna take on Brophy and had inwardly rejoiced that she beaten him. He had then followed her flight, but had been delayed by the storm. When he took her to Tahakén he pleaded with The Master to be allowed to train her, He consented and Alanna's training began.
He had trained her as he had trained no other, realising now that he had pushed her only so she would understand, hoping to break her so she could be killed but also hoping that she wouldn't, that she would progress and join him.
He had been furious, when The Master had said she was to be married and had snuck away, placing various spells on the man to make him think that he had slept with her, that he had taken her innocence, when in fact he had done nothing of the sort, nor would Raku allow it while he drew a breath. He told himself it was because she reminded him of his sister, and cast aside thoughts that no man should be having about his sister, trying not to imagine her in his bed.
Then on her return to Tahakén, he had made her into a Slave of Slaves, the first step on the road to become a member of Tahakén Royalty. It was when they were in the bath, and he entered her mind to see what she was dreaming that he realised, he loved her. Alanna made him feel alive, gave him cause to get out of bed every morning, taught him how to live. She was his life.
It was after this comprehension that he knew he would never let another man touch her without her permission, and that the only man he wanted touching her was him. He devised a plan, wanting her to want him, wanting her to love him and not be forced. He needed her. As she was taught all arts, he would reveal parts of himself, parts she had brought out in him and he watched her respond, smiling and laughing and his heart would swell, knowing that he had been the cause of it.
Soon, very soon, he would make a move, and hopefully she felt the same way.
Raku was brought back to the present when Alanna stirred and sat up, he had been too preoccupied on planning his move that he had failed to notice the air had changed.
The horses were restless and the Stallion was eyeing the cliffs, his neck arched.
Alanna rose to her feet, Raku following her, Do you hear that?
Raku sharpened his hearing as Alanna had obviously done and focused past the breathing of the horses and the soft snores of some of the warriors on the steady footsteps of an approaching horse, they were barely audible, even to his sensitised ears.
Let's take a look, his voice echoing inside Alanna's mind. She nodded and slipped silently into the darkness, sticking to the shadows, nothing but a blur beneath the stars.
They slipped past the sentries and warriors like a winds whisper and edged through the trees. A black smudge was in the darkness and Alanna stilled as she saw a shiny black in the shadows.
Suddenly a scream pierced the air, and the warriors leapt to their feet. The Stallion was rearing, ears flat and teeth bared, next to a pale coated mare. Torches sprang to life as the warriors charged towards them, lighting the night with fire. The stallion appeared to be fighting a phantom, for there was no visible opponent. Alanna, tired of viewing everything in the eye of a cat, summoned her Gift and immediately purple light exploded along the beach.
A Stallion, as black as night was soundlessly meeting the red Stallions challenge as his teeth and hooves struck out. The warriors neared them and the challenger released the defender, before spinning and galloping into the darkness, as he came past Alanna stiffened, his eyes were the same colour as his coat, there was no white around his eye, as there should be. This Stallion was as pure as night, Embrean el Tekes.
The red stallion gathered himself to chase the legendary horse and the warriors followed, Raku came up beside her.
"Seen something you like?" Raku breathed, resigned, knowing she had already made her decision.
Alanna nodded, "I want that one, the Shadow of Death."
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Author's Note:
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a good time with your friends and family and have a safe break and new year. I know it's been a while, hopefully I am back in your good books. I also hope you liked my insight into Raku/Alanna's relationship, hopefully they get together soon :D Raku is rather keen on it :D
R. Daggers: I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you are saying. Do you mean it has been so long since an up-date? Anyway, welcome.
Sir Breanna: Welcome! And thank you!
Scheubyy: I love Harry Potter :D One of my favourite series ever! Thank you! You are welcome to write the Fic's yourself :D I would enjoy reading them :D Your loyalty gives me warm fuzzies :D
NeuroticNeko: There are now :D Welcome.
MAKAELA: Welcome and thank you!
Danaye: Thank you firstly, for the long review. I do love to read them. I agree, I have found the same thing happens to me! Thank you for your comments, warms my heart it does :P
: Thank you. However, as you saw, they are not together-yet :D
Fang: I feel on repeat, every chapter I say thank you, I find it may be getting old. However, I shall say it once again, Thank you, my loyal friend :D
Edit: Ambrean el Tekes sounds like.
Am-BRE-anne L TECH-ez :D