Chapter 4 - Kas

Kas paced around the long table and couch in the middle of the hosting room. It was the nicest room in the house, and the only room where visitors were allowed. Zelicia forbid anyone to wander outside that room, other than the Animus, Yayisha and himself. Kas knew why, but it made his own house feel like a prison.

He clasped his hands behind his back, forcing himself to take deep breaths in an attempt to control his anger. I’ve led an army, killed with my bare hands, and I can’t control my own children? Animus and Yayisha had breached his patience. It stops tonight.

Zelicia entered the room, calm and collected. Here serene faced infuriated him. But he kept his voice calm, choosing to make small talk. He asked, “Still raining? “

She shook her head and walked to the edge of the couch to stand opposite him. Then she mimicked him as her own hands went behind her back. She asked, “You checked on Sterl, I assume?”

Right to business then. “I have. If he makes it through the night, he could pull through. Zalarius reset the boy’s leg.”

“He’s talented. Possibly enough to mentor Yayisha in the healing arts.”

“Can he save Sterl?”

She shrugged. “It the Gods’ allow it.”

Gods. Just foolish hopes given names. He’d seen too much death and blood to believe they existed.

“The priest smells of ale.” Experience taught him to despise priests, for every one he’d come across caused more harm than good. Never a better use for a blade than through a priest’s bowels.

His wife grinned. She knew what he thought of priests. She said, “I sent Animus to clean up.”

“Where is Yayisha? You were to bring her.”

“I left her at the temple to calm herself. You know how she can be after she uses magic,” she said.

Out of control is what she is. “She tell you what happened?”

Zelicia nodded. “The barrels started to fall toward her. She reacted like a sorceress should. By defending herself, identifying her attackers, and responding.”

“But she knew she would hurt somebody this time,” Kas said. She knew the last time, too. “Time we stepped in. She can’t be allowed to injure whoever she pleases.”

His wife shrugged. “Tonight, her actions were justified. She adequately defended herself from—“

He knocked a vase from the table on one of the walls. It flew across the room and shattered against the far wall. “You defend her as if you know she’s innocent. She nearly killed the boy!”

Zelicia frowned. With a wave of her hands, the remnants of glass gathered themselves into a neat pile. Then constructed themselves into the vase once again. “Instincts, husband, should not be punished.”

Kas opened his mouth to argue, but his wife continued. “What if instead of a prank it had been a bunch of drunken men looking to have their way with her?”

“Cursed Barl’s beard, woman! Don’t—“

She spoke right over him, somehow drowning his response. “You know as well as I the danger awaiting our children outside these mountains.”

Kas’s only response was to roll his knotted shoulders and turn away from her.

She continued, “Animus guiled the boy into pushing those barrels. Yayisha protected herself.” She walked up behind him and put her arms on his wide shoulders. “We can’t punish her for that.”

He pulled away. “She can’t keep hurting the other kids. Jilt, Teren, Felice, and now Sterl.” He crossed his arms as he faced her again. “She strung Animus in a snake-charmed rope. Why are you teaching her Asp magic? Do you mean her to be a priestess of that evil cult? Because no daughter of mine will be breeding with a thrice-cursed snake. I’ll burn down every one of their temples before I let that happen.”

Zelicia pursed her lips. She walked around the long couch in the middle of the room and around the other side. “Asp magic is basic but powerful. She’s studying the animal worshippers, which is appropriate because their temples are sprouting like weeds in the towns just outside our mountains. The asps, the cats, the bulls….those are just the closest. It’s important she understands their magic and the price for using it.”

Kas found himself suddenly worried. “Price? What will happen to her?”

“For this? She’ll be exhausted and probably sleep all of tomorrow. That and every snake in these mountains will be drawn to her.”

“Snakes, here? I’ve the luck of a crypt-corpse! The snakes in these mountains are not to be fooled with. Colorbacks, rattlers, frost boas —we can’t have them here!”

“They will not appear tonight, husband. Tomorrow I’ll lay the proper wards. That should keep most of them away.”

“It’s bad magic. Our daughter shouldn’t be doing it.”

“Bad? Compared to what we’ve seen, it’s not even offensive.” She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Their feuding will stop tonight. I’ve seen to it.”

That surprised him. “How have you managed that? “

She kissed him then. The draught of passion between them suddenly vanished. For long moments he was lost in lust for her. His compulsion to have her was just as strong now as it ever had been. It took every ounce of willpower to pull away from her. He forced his mind to make words. “You’ve not come home from that temple of yours in two months. Now you seek to bed me? After this night?”

She groaned kissed his neck, his shoulder, his cheek. Between kisses, she said, “Tonight you commanded those around you with unquestioned authority. When I was inside your mind tonight, I felt your power, that presence I fell in love with so long ago. I must have you, my general.”

Kas wanted her. Of that there was no doubt. I always want her. But she would listen to him; he would have his say…

Then they were kissing again, and he knew he’d lost. After a few moments he realized he had lowered her to the couch. Her voice tickled his mind as her legs wrapped around his waist. Once more she was inside his mind. Yes husband. Take me. I am all yours.

Kas forgot the night’s tragedy. She became all that mattered. She was the battlefield. And he would conquer it.