Mac Tire � Son of the EarthPart 10 - The King's Guard - (part 1)"He will be dead before morning." The words slowly registered in Dom's brain. He shook his head. "No, it cannot be. I will not allow it. The gods are not so unkind." "Ah, but you are wrong, stoirin. They are boundlessly cruel. Sorrow is in their gift as well as joy. " Gronya glanced at Dom's averted face, and was struck as if by an inward blow. So alike� she thought, amazed. Nekeb sat heavily on a stool by the fire and looked at Dom in horror. Dom stared at Lij, propped up on the pillow, no longer gasping for breath, but no longer fully conscious either. "Please!" Dom's eyes bored into the old woman. Gronya looked up at the word. "It does please me to help him, if I can." She went to a shelf and took off it a stone bottle. She poured some into a beaker and handed it to Dom. "He must wake up and drink this. It might work. It's the only thing, now, that will." Dom sniffed it. "Poteen! Are you bent on killing him, old mother?" "He must sweat. If he does not, the fever will kill him. The choice is yours." Dom lowered his head, accepting her words. "What is that drink?" Nekeb asked. "It is stronger than anything in Egypt, old friend. He will not like the taste either, not being used to it. Come, help me give it to him. Lij! Wake up, my....Lij... you must drink this." Lij eventually opened his eyes and obedient to Dom's coaxing, swallowed the liquid. As it burned down his throat and took away what little breath he had left, he cast a reproachful eye upon his spouse. "Drink it, Lij. For me." Lij closed his eyes and emptied the cup. *** Cassawn had found some smoked bacon, and a basket of eggs in the house the old woman used for storage. There seems to be an immense amount of foodstuff for one small dame the man thought, as he cut a dozen rashers from the hanging flitch. He fried his findings in a big flat pan on the fire he had lit and ate his meal with relish. He was tempted to go to the house and see how the little one was, but he tried to shrug off any feelings of concern. After all, it was he that had tried to finish him off, was it not? He sat by the fire and piled some more logs on it. The blaze was very comforting in the cold, even for a man used, as he was, to hardship. Cassawn pondered the task Ayveen had set him... to kill the traitors he was taking to Tara. To kill these men willing to ally themselves with the evil that was Sowrawn. It could not be countenanced. No-one but those totally given over to depravity could wish to join with that corrupt court. Cass had been there when Colm's children had been ravished before his eyes. Had seen their bodies spiked. Had seen the agony in the king's eyes before the light went out of them. Of the evil king and his queen he had seen nothing. He was a Captain of the King's Guard, tattooed across his face with the sign of his oath and fealty for all to see. He had just been initiated into the inner circle of warriors - with the appropriate hand signals that only twelve men and the king knew - as a reward for his ten years of diligent service, when the raiders came from the south. He had served Colm well and faithfully since he had taken the throne after the king disappeared. Cass had not known Sean-Adomnan the young High King, for he was still a raw recruit when the king had vanished over twelve years ago. No one knew where he had gone, or why, except there were papers found naming his Tanist heir, Colm, as his choice as next king. Colm was voted in swiftly. The country could not remain leaderless. Some hinted that Adomnan may have been murdered as some other members of the court disappeared also at this time. But Colm proved to be a diligent and fair king, and no suspicion was ever attached to him. That was all Cass knew. Where Sowrawn had come from, and why, he could not fathom. The usurper-King and his Queen had descended with their huge army upon Tara like a plague of locusts, consuming the countryside as they came. Tara had been at the centre of a peaceful kingdom for a thousand years. There was no army near Tara large enough to defeat the incomers, and the edicts sent out into the kingdom bearing Sowrawn's name, demanding unspeakable torture and the death of anyone opposing the new regime struck terror into the defenceless people's hearts. Fearing they would be next to be murdered, many sneaked off at night. Some were captured, tortured and spiked as an example to other so-called traitors. Cassawn had eagerly accepted an assignment away from the court two weeks after Sowrawn came, and escaped altogether when the patrol that he had been leading was attacked near Connemara by rebels protesting against the new regime. He had no taste for murdering innocent women and children, and took his chance when it beckoned. Many were slain in the engagement, but he was wounded and fell behind some trees, becoming unconscious almost immediately. When he awoke the marauders had made off, so he bound up his slashed arm as best he could and finding most providentially a horse champing grass nearby, made for the coast, and hopefully, a boat to freedom. He would find another king to serve - on the isle of Albion - a noble king worthy of his loyalty. On his journey he had met with Ayveen, who took him to the village and tended his wound. People thought they were lovers, but Cass's tastes did not run in the direction of women. He took his pleasure where he could, usually in the woods nearby the village where a willing man could always be relied upon to provided relief. This was the soldier's way. His heart no-one had ever breached - it was his own. Cass bit into an apple he had discovered in a basket filled to the brim with wrinkled but edible fruit. No, Dom, Lij and Nekeb had to die. No innocent man would be taking to Tara such treasures as Ayve had discovered in Nekeb's bundles. They had to be gifts, bribes - jewels, fit for a king. He had some secreted in his saddle bags. Why Ayve had kept them aside and insisted he took them he did not understand. Or why she had told him not to dispose of them on his journey. All she had said were that the waters were unclear on the subject, and that the articles should remain with Dom and Lij, in death as they had in life. Ayve was an adept at reading the water bowl, but admitted confusion as to Dom and Lij. Nekeb she held of no account being clearly a servant of Lij's. The water remained clouded. She had learned nothing from it. Cassawn settled down to sleep. He would trouble with those in the other house tomorrow. Tonight he would rest. *** "Lij, stop...! Please....no...Lij!" Lij was very drunk. He had obediently swallowed three beakersful of Gronya's barley poteen. And he was now sweating profusely; but to Dom's acute embarrassment, Lij was also very aroused. Nekeb had gone to sit in a corner far away from Lij's roaming hands. Lij had tried to kiss him, too, and Nekeb was very afraid Dom would see that this affected him more than he cared to tell. Dom, now the sole recipient of all the attention, unfortunately could not help but respond to it. He tried prising Lij's hands off his body, but Lij was persistent. "I want you, Dom. Do you not...not want me?" Lij slurred, looking at Dom with pleading eyes Dom's voice was soft and intimate. "Yes, of course..." Gronya came to the bed and touched Lij's head. "Let him have his way with you, Dom. It will not hurt him - indeed it might do him some good." "Dom, I need to...oh! Please, kiss me. I feel...please..." The old woman went to Nekeb who was sitting with his back turned to the bed, his shoulder hunched into the wall. She put her hand on his arm. "Come. Let us find some food for supper. He will live or he will die, whatever else happens. Let them have this. He is not in his right mind, both from the drink and the fever. It would not do to thwart his will, being as he is." Nekeb smiled and rose awkwardly. "The Great One never has been thwarted, to my knowledge - not since Kishlan, he thought - by anyone except Dom. No one else would dare," he said, too tired and distressed to think clearly. "But he will have Dom, tonight. It is always so. Dom can never refuse him anything." They left the house together. Dom thrust the agitated Lij back onto the bed. "Lij! Be calm. You are not well...be still..." Lij's hands were pulling at Dom's clothing. "Want to touch...feel...are you hard for me, Dom? Is it hard? Let me touch it..." Dom sighed. "I am always hard for you, Lij, you know that, even if at this moment you know little else." Lij giggled, and coughed in the same breath. "I am hard, too. Look!" Lij pulled the sheet off his body, revealing himself to his spouse. Dom groaned, low in his throat. "Kiss me, Dom. I want to taste you..." Dom's mouth descended on Lij's parted lips. He tasted of the drink, it was true, but he also tasted of himself and it was this taste that drove Dom wild with desire. Lij was too drunk to function properly. He was kissing Dom, biting harder than usual at the lower lip he had craved, and thrusting himself desperately against Dom's body. Dom released his erection from his clothing. It was obvious that Lij was not going to let go of him long enough to allow him to undress. Lij's hot hand found Dom's length and, still kissing him, Lij breathed hard into his mouth one word - "yes!" Lij's tongue was exploring Dom's mouth, tasting its delights. Dom gave in. Lij could do with him what he would. He was helpless, caught up in the tide of his lover's passion. Lij was making small desperate noises into Dom's mouth as the small wiry fingers groped awkwardly inside the leather trousers. Lij brought out the soft balls, and fingered them gently, his lips still caressing Dom's. "Nice, Dom. You are nice. And you are mine." Dom moved slowly down Lij's sweating naked body and took the hot length in his mouth. Lij mewled like a cat. "Dom! Dom, ah!" The frantic hands tangled themselves in Dom's hair whilst Dom sucked gently on the head and ran his tongue under the proud ridge. It did not take long. Lij spurted into Dom's mouth with a scream Dom was sure had been heard outside, but he did not care. Lij's drink-fuelled lust had inflamed him also, but he knew Lij was incapable of offering him the same release. Dom therefore thrust himself between Lij's thighs, contenting himself with the feel of the beloved body beneath his and the taste of that beautiful mouth. "Oh, Lij! Lij!" he cried as his climax overcame him. Lij was quiet now, barely awake, but satisfied and content. He pulled Dom's head into his shoulder. "My love!" he murmured as he fell asleep. As soon as he could, Dom arose from the bed and wiped the evidence of their lovemaking away with the cloth Gronya had given him. He was swilling it out in the bowl of water when he suddenly realised what he was holding. It was a large square of lawn fabric, so fine as to be transparent, embroidered around the border with strawberry leaves. He was still puzzling over it when Gronya and Nekeb re-appeared with food in a basket. Gronya stared at Dom as if she had just confirmed something important, then nodded and came straight to the bed and felt Lij's body. "Get some warm water - not hot, warm - and wipe him down with the cloth. This will take all the poisons he is shedding off his skin." Dom wet to the door with the bowl and threw the water out. He filled the bowl half full with water and held up the cloth for her to see. "This cloth?" He asked quietly, looking steadily at her. "Yes, that cloth, my dear. You see much - but I too, see. You would not know, of course, but you are so very like your dear grandfather..." She stopped, glancing at Nekeb who was cutting up vegetables on the small table near the wall. Dom looked startled. But before he could speak, she waved her hand at him, dismissively. "Go to!" she said, sharply, "if you would save him. There is time and enough to talk later. It will be a long night for all of us." It was a very long night. Lij grew worse before the dawn, fevered and wandering in his mind. He called for Jed and Titi, grasping the empty air with damp hands. "Dom, Dom, I cannot see them! Where are they, Dom?" The woman wiped his brow with a cool damp cloth. "What does he say? He is calling for someone. It is a strange language he speaks." Dom continued dipping the cloth in the water and wiping down the twitching body. "His children. Our...children. He calls for them. They are much beloved...by both of us." Dom bit his lip, and kissed the cooling brow. The old woman looked at him, carefully, over the narrow bed. "As were you, Seaneen. Much beloved." Dom looked over at her. "I know who you are, now. Gronya was my grandfather's lady after his wife died. I was a young child when you both left court - when he grew sick and chose to pass the kingdom on to a fitter man, and my father was elected in his place. I do not remember seeing you, but my parents spoke your name often. They were happy that his last years were made joyous by you." She lowered her head. "He was a beautiful man. Bright of mind, if his body failed him. Ah, my son! To have come to this!" She gestured around her. "How..?" Dom began, but the door opened and Cassawn came in. Gronya shot a warning look at Dom, who remained silent at her prompting. Cass came up to the foot of the bed and gazed at Lij. "How is he?" Gronya stared at the big man. "He is better than he was. He survived the night, which is more than I'd hoped for earlier. His breathing is improved, and the fever has lessened." Cass nodded. He looked over at Nekeb who was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, fast asleep. Gronya sighed. "He is worn out, poor man, as are we. We could have used your help during the night. It has not been easy at times to keep him in the bed, and covered." Her tone condemned him, and he blushed. "I am sorry. I did not think..." "No!" She cut him off abruptly. "I think that is your greatest problem, Man of the North. That you don't think!" His eyes blazed fire at her. "And who do you think you are, you old crone, to dare to tell me what to think?" Lij stirred on the bed. "Cass, you have a voice louder than Set's trumpets. I beg you, lower your voice! I have a headache." Dom smiled. "Of course you do, Lij. That was the poteen. You are not used to it." Cassawn's eyes opened wide. "Poteen! It is a wonder it didn't finish him off!" He sat down on the stool at the foot of the bed. The old woman's eyes flashed. "I am sure there must be some who would gladly hasten his end. But I am not one of them." Lij's eyes opened, silencing the exchange. "My mouth feels as if a camel has slept in it. Dom, of your mercy, a drink, if you please!" Cass's lips curled up at the edges in spite of himself. "And what exactly is a camel, little one?" Lij put a hand up to shade his eyes from the sun which was shining on the bed from the window. "Dom...." Lij murmured, gesturing imperiously towards Cass with his free hand. Dom explained the camel. "Hm. Sounds like a horse fashioned by a demon!" Cass said. "Oh, it is, believe me! If you had ever tried to ride on one, you would know." Lij said, shutting his eyes again. Cass went out and drew water for the barrel outside the door, then placidly sat and peeled vegetables for the stew Gronya had promised for later. *** An uneasy truce seemed to have fallen between Cassawn and Gronya. The woman still shot barbed looks at Cass, but he helped during the rest of the day, making up for his night's absence. He picked Lij off the bed like a baby when Gronya indicate the sheets needed changing, He carried water and fuel. He helped with the cooking. He hid the unease he was feeling as he performed these tasks. It was beginning to dawn on him that killing these men would be a far harder thing than he had envisaged. He was growing to like them. But he was a soldier used to killing. He would succeed, even if afterwards he repented of it. Dom went out into the fresh morning air. Snow had fallen during the night, covering the tracks they had made into the wood. He tended to his needs then walked about the cluster of houses, peering in through the doors, and noting what he saw. He went into the house sheltering the horses and saw that Cass had looked to their comfort. He fed them a handful of grain each, and patted them on the shoulder. Cass came in and unhooked two legs of mutton from the ceiling. "Lij said he liked mutton stew. Gronya said it is always better on the second day after cooking. He shall have chicken broth later today, and if she is happy with him - stew tomorrow. She has leeks to put in it. By the mother! Leek and mutton stew! It will be a royal feasting." Dom smiled at the eager man and made as if to say something, then shut his mouth tightly. It could wait. Cassawn did not know that Dom had recognised him for what he was - an elite soldier of the Royal Guard. He must find out first why Cass had left Tara. Was it on Sowrawn's orders? Or was it disgust at the barbarous regime? This matter must be sifted before they reached the king's stronghold. But first, he must sleep, or he would be unable to care for Lij later. Dom yawned. "You rest here for a while. The three of us can tend him while you sleep," Cass pointed to his bedding in the corner. "I'll call you if needful. Do not fear. He is safe with us." Cass smiled wryly as he left Dom to sleep, thinking that until they were travelling again, that statement was true. *** When Cass came in to tell Lij that Dom was sleeping by the fire in the house with the horses, Lij opened his eyes long enough to thank the man, then closed them again pretending to sleep. He could hear the others moving about the place. He heard Gronya tell Nekeb to sleep on the floor next to Lij's bed, and he heard his friend settle down with a sigh. Almost immediately soft snores wafted up from the floor, and Lij smiled inwardly. Nekeb never had trouble sleeping. Lij moved slightly on the bed, trying to relieve the pain in his head. He still felt hot, and shivery at the same time. He was tired of being ill. His chest had healed, although his arm still ached - a sharp pain lanced through it sometimes when he moved it too quickly. One thing I know for sure, now. Man is not god - not even me, he thought. He could imagine his dear Menep shuddering at such a thought. His body let him know only too clearly that he was not immortal. That was not to say that he would not gain immortality in the Afterworld - but Lij knew that death came to all men. He had seen his father die. The living Gods of Egypt were not immune. His body, at least, was as fragile - perhaps more fragile - as any man's. These thoughts had been troubling him ever since he had witnessed the attack that befell the village man with the falling sickness. That he was vulnerable during these attacks was a thing he had never thought of before. He would try harder to keep well, for Dom's sake. Dom would surely be at Tara by now if it was not for this sickness. He felt he was an encumbrance to his most beloved spouse, not a help-meet. And Dom was so patient with him. He smiled at the thought of Dom. His recollections of last night were somewhat hazy, but he did remember Dom's kisses. Lij sighed loudly, and he heard Gronya approach the bed, and felt her touch his body with her cool hand. She seemed satisfied, because she returned to whatever she was doing almost immediately. Lij drifted off into sleep. He was troubled by dreams of Anubis, but when he woke later, with a start, as he felt Dom's hand caress his arm, he could not remember what it had been about. Gronya had slept during the afternoon, when she was satisfied that Lij was no longer in danger. But she insisted he stayed in the bed, and would not hear of him lying on the floor whilst she slept in comfort. "The dust is bad for your chest," she stated, and that was that. As she was a spry little thing, supple despite her years, the men accepted that she would be comfortable wherever she lay. Dom and Cass entered the house, after seeing to the horses, and Dom deeply engrossed in what the man was saying to him, just glanced at Lij, smiling sleepily at him from the bed, and raised his hand in Lij's direction. Cass saw to his horror and disbelief that Dom's thumb and the third finger curled together, and touched, twice. He drew his knife and grabbed Dom, pushing the much smaller man easily against the wall, holding the knife at his throat. The blood dripped down Dom's neck. "How do you know this sign? You are a spy of Sowrawn, you must be! Now, you dog, you shall die as I swore you should. I shall kill you! I shall slay you all!" |