See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers

"I wouldn't mind waking next to that one," a voice said from the doorway, and Carrin looked up.  She smiled broadly, seeing her closest friend, confidante, and the respected warrior woman, Marinde, just entering the room.  Marinde returned the smile and said, "I just returned from my scouting mission.  Gereon told me what the other said on the way here."

She looked appreciatively at the unconscious man, adding, "However, he neglected to tell me that our unexpected guest is very handsome!" Carrin chuckled . . . she should have realized that her long-time friend would notice.  Carrin knew for a fact that her friend had never lain with a man, but that didn't stop her from admiring.

"Gereon is a man, dear friend, it would never occur to him.  How did the scouting mission go?  Any sign of the Terrons, or of the Lothians?" Carrin asked, referring to the former allies of the Varoni.  Many years earlier, the Lothians had sold the Varoni out to the Terrons.  A betrayal which cost Carrin's foster father his life.

It was also the Lothians who had attacked Dar and Tao this afternoon, or so Carrin believed.  They had existed with an uneasy truce during the last five years, because the Lothians had learned to their detriment that the Terrons couldn't be trusted.  And Carrin didn't trust the Lothians, either.  They had betrayed the Varoni once.

"Well, we encountered a Terron scouting party.  That's not the proper way to describe them, though.  I swear to you, Carrin, I still do not understand how the Terrons have managed to capture and enslave and slaughter so many.  They're fools!  It's as if Zad chose the most stupid men he could find, and turned them into an army," Marinde said, shaking her head in disgust.

"Maybe that's the whole point.  People make the mistake of assuming that they're intelligent, and that's what kills them," Carrin observed.  She added, her heart hurting as she thought of her lost family, "At least, I think that's what happened to the Sula.  It never occurred to them that . . . "

She stopped and looked away.  She still had a hard time accepting that the Sula were gone.  Marinde said softly, "Sometimes, good has a hard time recognizing evil.  And they may be stupid, but the Terrons are evil.  It isn't intelligence which leads them to create traps . . . it's fear."

Carrin nodded, and Marinde continued, "Now this one.  I would love to know how this one survived.  Perhaps the Terrons thought he was dead, and passed him over.  They aren't always smart enough to check for survivors, and perhaps that's how he escaped the fate of his tribe."

"They aren't smart enough to check for survivors, but they're brutal enough to keep stabbing at their enemies, even after they're dead," Carrin answered, remembering the death of her foster father thirteen years earlier.  She shuddered, remembering her desperation to save the man who had been her father . . . but it was all in vain.

"True.  Still, I'm curious about him.  As handsome as he is, I'm surprised they didn't take him as plaything.  And don't try to tell me you hadn't noticed how handsome he is.  You're faithful to Gereon in body and soul, but you still look.  He looks, too," Marinde said, and Carrin laughed.

"I wouldn't dream of it, my friend.  I believe it was Lothian mercenaries who attacked him and his friend Tao.  Gereon and I were in the Silver Forest when Tao saw us.  He was barely coherent . . . could only tell us that his friend needed help.  Dar, and his animal friends, had already dealt with four, and there were six remaining," Carrin explained.

"Dar?  There's another with the name of your son?" Marinde blurted out.  Carrin flinched and Marinde put her hand on Carrin's arm, adding, "I'm sorry.  I wasn't thinking.  It's just that it's not a common name, so I was surprised when you mentioned his name."

"It's all right.  And yes, he has the same name as my son," Carrin answered.  She had never spoken of her first family to the Varoni . . . not even to Gereon.  They knew only that she had been once called 'Mira,' and that she had been taken from the Sula tribe when she was ten years old.  They didn't know about her younger brother, or the terrifying night in the forest.  Not even Marinde, who had been taken that very same day, knew about it.

Marinde was silent for a few moments, obviously regretting her impulsive words.  Then the blonde warrior asked, "How long has he been unconscious?  I mean, Gereon told me that you two had found him earlier, just after the middle meal, but has he been unconscious all this time?"

"Yes . . . his wounds have been healed, both inside and out.  I believe he's still unconscious because he's exhausted.  His body has shut down, because of the attack, and because of previous battles.  Tao seems to think Dar forgets to take care of himself, and this may be his body getting the rest it needs," Carrin answered.

Marinde rolled her eyes and answered, "Ohhhh, and that doesn't sound like anyone I know!  This from the woman who meant to get out of her birthing bed, only hours after her daughter was born?" Carrin shrugged and Marinde continued, "I know you better than that, dear one!"

Carrin grinned . . . the truth was, the blonde-haired warrior knew her as well as anyone.  Marinde looked back at Dar, saying dreamily, "He is a fine looking man.  I could kiss and make better.  Anywhere, any time . . . all over."  Carrin thwapped her friend's arm, crimson staining her pale cheeks and Marinde laughed, "Whaaaat?"

"That's enough of that, Marinde . . . I'll have to keep you away from him, or he'll never get better," Carrin muttered, still blushing.  By now, the crimson had reached her ears.  Marinde just laughed, her blue eyes dancing with merriment.  Carrin shook her head.  Evil, evil girl.  But after the Lothian raid could have killed Marinde three years earlier, Carrin had stopped complaining about her friend's sense of humor.  Almost losing someone you loved had that effect.  She was quite possibly one of the most beautiful women in the Varoni tribe, and she still hadn't taken a lover.  She was looking for something special.

Carrin would have said more, but a soft moan caught her attention.  She looked down at her patient and told Marinde softly, "Go get my daughter . . . she'll be with his companion.  Tell Ari that he's waking up."  Marinde nodded and rose to her feet, allowing Carrin to focus on the young man who was now regaining consciousness.

He was helped along as the tiger Ruh began lapping at his arm, gently nudging the young man with his muzzle.  The young man moaned again, then his eyes slowly opened.  He blinked, as if he was trying to focus his eyes, then murmured, "I . . . oh.  Ruh?"

Carrin stroked the tiger's mane and answered, "Take it easy, save your strength for getting better.  Do you remember what happened?" He frowned, trying to focus on that, and Carrin continued, "Never mind, that doesn't matter.  Do you remember your name?"

Many years ago, not long after the loss of her son, Carrin had encountered a warrior who had received a severe blow to his head.  Due to that blow, he forgot his name, forgot everything.  This young man replied in a weak voice, "My name is Dar.  Where am I?"

"This is the tribe of the Varoni . . . I am their queen, Carrin.  Your friend Tao ran into my husband and I, after you two had been attacked by neighbors of ours, and we fought off the remaining men, then brought you here.  I just sent for Tao . . . he's with my daughter," Carrin answered.  She resisted the impulse to stroke the damp, sunstreaked hair back from his forehead.  This wasn't her brother . . . he couldn't be her brother.

It was at that moment that Marinde returned, trailed by Ari and Tao.  Carrin bit down on her lower lip, to keep from laughing.  Tao was staring at Marinde with huge eyes, and as he walked into the room, he almost tripped over his feet.  Carrin said his name, and the young man looked at her . . . then his dark eyes lit up as he saw Dar awake and alert.

Dar smiled weakly and Tao said, "Dar.  Thanks be, I was worried about you.  Thank you, Queen Carrin."  Carrin nodded with a smile, bobbing her head.  Tao made it the rest of the way into the room without tripping or falling.  Then again, his eyes were focused on his injured friend, rather than Marinde, which probably explained it.

"Tao couldn't eat, Mama.  We were on our way back, when Auntie Marinde found us, and told us that his friend was awake now," Ari explained.  She smiled at Dar and added, "Hello!  My name is 'Arduinna,' but everyone calls me 'Ari.' I'm glad you're all right now!"

Dar returned the smile and answered, "I'm Dar . . . it's a pleasure to meet you.  Thank you for looking after Tao for me, Ari."  The little girl beamed and Dar went up a notch in Carrin's estimation.  Tao rolled his eyes, but was beaming too much with relief to really look annoyed with Dar.  The young BeastMaster sighed and closed his eyes, and Tao looked at Carrin anxiously, the smile dying from his face.

The queen said softly, "Tao, why don't you stay with Dar?  He needs to rest.  I should see to my Ari, and to the others.  Marinde, have you eaten yet?" The warrior shook her head, and Carrin said, deciding to put Tao out of his misery, "This is Marinde, my closest friend and one of our finest warriors.  Marinde, this is Dar, the BeastMaster, and Tao."

Marinde smiled, and Carrin could tell that Tao was dazzled.  Most men were dazzled by Marinde.  Dar merely smiled wearily, and Carrin added, "Come, Marinde.  Dar needs to rest, and you can tell me what you learned on the scouting mission while you eat."

"Yes, your Majesty," Marinde replied with a mock-bow.  Carrin slapped her arm playfully, then led her friend and her daughter from the room.  Ari was humming something under her breath, and Carrin only hoped it wasn't a song she had learned from the warriors.  The blonde warrior said softly, "You know, his friend Tao isn't bad-looking either.  He'd be darling if he smiled more often.  They both would."

"That's enough, 'Rin.  There are little ears listening," Carrin said, covering her daughter's ears with both hands as she spoke.  Marinde just laughed merrily, and Carrin continued with a sigh, "You are a wicked, wicked woman.  And I suppose you've set your sights on the BeastMaster?"

"Well, the goddess Curupira might have a say in whether I win him or not . . . but yes," Marinde answered.  Carrin smiled, and Marinde continued, "All right . . . I know that smile.  It means you know something which I don't.  The question is, what is that something?"

"Tao says that his friend Dar is in love with someone.  He says that she's very beautiful, and that the Terrons took her.  At least, at first they had her.  Now the Sorceress and the Ancient One have imprisoned her," Ari said.  Carrin couldn't help herself . . . she found herself snarling at the mention of the woman sorceror who aided the Terrons.

Marinde put her emotions into words, saying, "That one!  What is she doing to that poor girl?  Well, if the Sorceress and the Ancient One have her, then Dar will never see her again.  Poor thing.  I'll be there to pick up the pieces when he finally accepts it."

"You cannot trade love like that, Marinde.  First he must trust you . . . and there are some who can only love once.  It may be that the BeastMaster is such a man," Carrin said softly.  Her foster father had been another . . . after his queen had died, Rudianus had only allowed himself to love his young foster daughter.  Carrin changed the subject, saying, "Now, I want to know what you found out."

~*~*~*~

"You don't remember the attack at all?" Tao asked softly.  Dar shook his head.  He looked very tired, and the scholar continued, "You were out-numbered ten to one, and you told me to run.  I didn't want to leave you, but you insisted.  I found Carrin and Gereon."

"Ruh was with us?" Dar asked and Tao nodded.  His friend was naturally soft-spoken, until something angered him, but Dar's voice was weak at the moment.  His friend continued, "Then I wasn't alone.  I don't remember what happened, Tao, but if Ruh was with me, then I wasn't alone."

"I should have stayed with you," Tao said quietly, "I should have helped more than I did.  I ran into the forest, and found Carrin and Gereon.  They were having a tryst, I realized later, and Gereon had stationed some of his men in the woods in front of us.  Sharak had seen them, and warned us.  But they weren't there to harm us."

He paused, then asked softly, "Do you want me to continue this later?  Queen Carrin said that you needed to rest."  Dar shook his head and Tao hesitated.  His friend was terribly strong-willed . . . stubborn, even.  And that was why he continued.  If he stopped now, Dar wouldn't rest.  That was the way he was.

"Carrin, Gereon, and their men dealt with the remaining six men . . . you and Ruh had already put four of them out of commission.  I stayed out of the way until they had cleared a path, so I could get to you.  As each of the other warriors finished with their opponents, they came over and helped me.  After all of the attackers were incapacitated, we brought you back here, and the queen began healing you," Tao explained.

There was a lot Tao had left out.  He hadn't explained how worried he had been, and how . . . wrong . . . it had been, to see Dar so helpless.  Almost lifeless.  He didn't tell Dar that he had been beaten badly, and if it hadn't been for Carrin's healing power, he probably would have died.

And now wasn't the time to tell Dar such things, either.  Now wasn't the time to tell his friend that after the months of travelling together, of saving each other, that Tao couldn't imagine a world without his friend the BeastMaster.  Didn't want to imagine such a world.  And he would forever be grateful to Carrin for preventing such a world.  For now.

The other young man said softly, his eyes beginning to close, "Thank you, Tao.  Thank you for coming back for me.  I'm going to sleep now."  Tao nodded and Dar sighed, then slipped back into oblivion.  The scholar looked at Ruh, who regarded him with huge golden eyes.

Tao said softly, "There's no need to thank me, Dar.  No need at all."  He looked back at Ruh and said, "You can get some sleep if you want.  I'll watch over him."  The tiger yawned and rested his head on the sleeping young man's shoulder.  Tao smiled faintly, then sat back.

~*~*~*~

Now this was interesting.  The Sorceress watched the scene in her scrying bowl thoughtfully, and said, "So, there were other survivors of the Terron attack on the Sulas.  I wonder if she has the same powers as the BeastMaster?  I must say, they don't look like brother and sister."

The Ancient One . . . who no longer looked so ancient . . . stepped to her side and waved his hand over her scrying bowl.  The image of the sleeping Dar disappeared, and was replaced by the image of two children.  A young girl, perhaps ten years of age, holding the hand of a very young boy, who seemed scarcely more than a baby.

"That is Mira of the Sula when she was a child, before the Varoni took her," the Ancient One explained, "and the small boy is Dar, the BeastMaster.  This image comes from only a few days before Mira was taken from the forest where the Sula made their home.  You'll notice the family resemblance is a little stronger."  The Sorceress nodded, seeing exactly what her teacher meant.

"Yes," she said softly, "yes, I see.  The Varoni had children kidnapped from other tribes, after their own young ones had all died.  And, all of the children who were taken . . . their tribes were eventually wiped out by the Terrons."  The Ancient One nodded.

"Yes, they were, were they not?  And, had Mira not acted as she did on that night, then two children of the Sula would have been taken that night.  Dar would not have become the BeastMaster after his father's death.  You would now covet the powers of another BeastMaster, and I would not have this young lady," he said, tapping his forehead to indicate Kyra.

"So many lives changed by the decision of one small girl.  I wonder if she realizes what she did . . . or if she was only concerned with protecting her brother?" the Sorceress murmured.  She was still having a difficult time understanding love.  And yet . . . there was something deep within her which empathized with Mira's choice.

The Ancient One gave a short bark of laughter and replied, "Mira was only concerned with one thing that night.  Making sure those hunters did not capture her brother.  Only time will tell if she was foolish or courageous."  The Sorceress returned her attention to the scrying bowl, concentrating on the face of the young girl.  She would, the Sorceress was certain, become very important.

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