Mac Tire � Son of the EarthPart 22 - The FeisDom lay quietly wrapped in Lij's arms all night, but he did not sleep. He was thinking that this night would be the last he ever spent in his lover's arms. He was thinking of the loneliness of years. Life stretched before him lived in the company of an evil woman whom he hated and who might find someone she loved more than she professed to love him, and kill him as she had killed Connor. He could not tell Lij of Ede's threats to kill him if Dom told him her secrets, because he knew Lij, and Lij would kill Ede. Dom knew this. To save him - Dom - Lij would not think twice about it. Dom had watched Lij kill a man. Not in his palace where no-one would have the power to stop him, but in the back streets of the city where the two men liked to dress in disguise and prowl about like ordinary citizens. One cut-throat villain had thought Lij an easy target. He was standing across the street from Dom, staring at vases on a stall in the market and wishing, no doubt that he had money on him to pay for one. Dom kept the money because Lij had no idea of the value of anything. But the man had spotted gold - Lij had been careless and forgotten to take his ring off. Lij was small, and the man was big. He took out his knife and casually approached the slightly built figure. In a few moments the lad would be dead and he would have the ring. Less than a minute later the villain was lying in the dust at Lij's feet, Lij having knifed him skilfully and fatally in the chest. He wiped his knife clean, stuck it back in his belt and calmly walked across the way to Dom. There were guards following at a discreet distance, but they did not interfere. They knew their god was capable of this; after Kishlan he had learned to defend himself. No one would lay violent hands on him again and get off lightly. So Dom did not wish Lij to be accused of killing Ede, whatever the provocation may be. He was already accused by some of killing Connor. And Ede had threatened to kill Lij if Dom told him any of this. He did not doubt she would do it, either. And there was also the fact that Lij was a king, yes, a god, yes - but not here. This was a thing Dom had not succeeded in explaining to Lij. He was not above the law in Erin, as he was at home. Lij just shook his head, and smiled at Dom, when he tried to explain and Dom forgot his argument in his lover's eyes. A beam of light from the full moon fell on the bed, and Dom examined the sleeping face lying next to him. Dom sighed and thought of how, in the morning, that sweet look would be replaced with one of anger and disbelief. How else would Lij feel when once again he was betrayed by Dom's actions? I will lose him forever. In the morning, he will leave my side and I shall never know his love again. It will be total betrayal on my part, for I profess to love him above life. He will think I do this for myself, to gain the kingdom - he will never know it is done to save his life. Dom thought of killing himself, but realised that it was pointless. Lij would be devastated by that ultimate sacrifice. If he was dead there was nothing for either of them. At least while he lived there was still hope. He pressed his lips on the dark silken sheet that was Lij's hair, and prayed to the gods that Lij would not...would not hate him. Despise him, yes - he could bear that, but not hatred, the opposite face of love. Dom stared at the wall as the grey light of dawn crept into the room. He clasped his arms tightly around his love. He knew it would wake Lij, but he had to do it, he had to kiss him one last time, so he did, and when Lij's mouth opened under his and gave itself up to Dom's ministrations he could have wept with the beauty of it. Dom did not have the strength to make love with Lij, but he could lie there quietly and let Lij make love for both of them, and when Lij asked him whether he felt well enough, Dom nodded firmly, and said on a whisper "Make love to me, a stor." This at least, he would have. One last memory to last the rest of his life. He did not expect to reach his climax, all he wanted was the remembrance of Lij's hard body thrusting inside him, Lij's gasps and whispered endearments. Lij's cries of love as he came. Lij had been gentle and loving. Touched him with soft hands, treasuring him, and when against all expectations the white heat of his love for Lij drove Dom's mind apart with ecstasy, and he came, he wept, and Lij, thinking that Dom wept for joy, whispered of his love into Dom's ears and Dom's sobs became more intense. Lij was distressed, thinking his love had not been strong enough for the encounter, and drew Dom into his arms, crooning and caressing the trembling body until Dom quieted. They were roused from their slumber by a servant knocking loudly, and entering carrying Nekeb's bath. Breakfast followed, and the hot water came afterwards. There was no time to talk. They washed quickly, and Dom was sitting on the bed pulling on a clean lawn undershift and thinking that he felt much stronger than he had the day before when there was another tap on the door. It was Neeve, Ede's maid, with an armful of clothing. She curtseyed low to both Dom and Lij despite the burden she was carrying, and Dom, hiding his nakedness under a hastily draped sheet, nodded to her in return. He remembered this woman. She had always had a kindness for him. She glanced at the rumpled bed, and Lij retreating naked, but with his dignity intact, through the adjoining door. "She sent these, my lord, for you to wear. Best that you do so. It is easier to give in on the little things, as you know." Her eyes followed Lij into the other room. "Does he know?" she whispered, her eyes soft with concern. Dom shook his head, unable to speak because his throat was crowded with fear. "Shall I tell him for you, lord? It may be..." Dom quickly touched her arm to stop her. "No, I thank you, Neeve. It was I got myself into this predicament, it must be me that tells him." He pulled on the black leather trews and the matching fitted leather jerkin, and Neeve, returning from giving Lij his new robes, clasped the purple lined fur cloak of kingship around Dom's neck. "She will send for you when it is time for you to go to her at the Hall. It won't be long. She needs to gloat a little and get the upper hand with the minor kings, and it will soon be your turn. Good luck to you, my king. You are too good a man for the likes of her." Dom stared at her. "Why do you stay with her, Neeve? She is all that you think she is and more. Why do you not leave?" Neeve smiled ruefully. "I try to remember what it was like when she was a child, Sean-Adomnan. Before evil came into her life. And I try to intervene when I can, to curb her...excesses..." Lij appeared in the doorway, dressed in purple silk. "Dom, will you braid my hair? I can't...." Neeve tutted. "Let me do it, my lord. Sit here." Lij allowed her to braid it in the Irish style and Dom sat and watched her as she accomplished in a few minutes what it took them five times as long to do. Soon she moved to Dom, and within a short time both men were ready. Neeve curtseyed at Lij's compliments on her art, and looking at Dom's heavy eyes said quietly, "You have only a few minutes my lord king. I shall leave you now." As the door shut behind her Lij started to speak, but Dom interrupted him, anguish written on his face. "I must tell you, my love - yet I cannot bear to..." Tears stopped his voice, again, but he did not weep. Lij stared at his lover. His stomach heaved, something was very wrong. "Dom? What...?" Dom took a deep breath, and held on to the wooden headboard for stability. "I am to marry Ede at the Feis today, Lij." It was the only way he could say it...bald and unadorned. He tried to put all the love he felt for Lij in the last look of love that would pass between them, but Lij did not see it. Dom caught him as he fell, and Cormac and Morne tapping and coming through the door at Dom's call, stared at Lij as Dom held him convulsing on the bed. Morne's lip curled in disgust. This was no way for a king to conduct himself, but Cormac swiftly moved to the bed. "Leave him with me, Sean-Adomnan. Mother is waiting. She has informed the Feis of your identity and she is ready for the crowning before the nobles... and the bonding. Lij will be in no state to attend the ceremonies as she insists he does - Morne, inform my lady mother that Egypt has succumbed to an attack of the falling sickness. I know what to do for him, do not fear. Just go, Dom..." Dom cast one last anguished glance at Lij as the paroxysms stopped and he lay there white and limp on the bed. Morne pulled his arm. "Come!" he said, curtly, and Dom glared at him. Morne fell back before his king's angry gaze. "I am sorry. Will you come, my Lord King?" Dom had no choice but to leave. The fit had been a severe one. Cormac, who had done what he could to help his friend, grew worried by Lij's continued unconsciousness, and sent for Cass. After a time, the guard appeared at the door. He gazed down at Lij's stricken body, and said firmly, "I will fetch Gr...someone. The healer. She is with little Orla who... has not been well." Cass flew out of the door and soon a short, plainly dressed peasant woman rushed into the room. She cast a swift glance at Lij and checked his eyes and body quickly. Soon Lij was carried to his own bed by Cormac, who stripped him and drew a soft nightrobe over Lij's head. He placed him tenderly in the bed, briefly touching his pallid face with the back of his fingers before pulling the bedclothes over him. "Do you know what happened?" Gronya asked. Cormac shook his head. "No, but I can guess. Dom is to marry Ede this morning. At the Feis. After the crowning." Gronya rummaged in her basket, and brought out a small phial of liquid which she mixed in a beaker with a little water. "The gods never allow life to be simple do they? Poor lads. Dom must have good reason, but of that I shall not speak. Are you staying with him...what is your name?" The young man bowed gracefully. "Cormac, son of Ede. The useless bastard son of a whoring mother." Gronya nodded, sympathetically. "I cannot argue with the last part of your introduction," she said in heavy tones, glancing at the troubled lad with understanding eyes, "but you are far from useless, especially if you intend staying with Lij until he wakes. And a bastard is as good as any other man, Cormac. Your mother's behaviour has nothing to do with you. There are parents by the dozen who have wronged their children, but their children are innocent." Cormac was not stupid. The old woman had cast off her servant's persona, and had spoken in cultured tones. "May I know to whom I speak?" he asked, softly, pulling up a chair beside Lij's bed, and sitting on it. She snorted. "I am Gronya, bound mistress of Trasach the father of Turalach, father of Sean-Adomnan, King of Erin. I leave the little one in your hands, as I must go. Orla had a disturbed night and is feverish this morning, and I will be tending her needs. Send for me if you are concerned. You seem to me a sensible lad who would not send on little provocation. If you call me I shall come. Give him the draught I have just prepared for him when he wakes. It will settle his mind somewhat. We do not need a recurrence today, and they are most vulnerable after a fit. And..." the old woman looked at the young man gazing so placidly at her and smiled..."funnily enough, I trust you, Cormac - the gods know why - to keep my secret." Cormac sat by Lij's bed, and held his hand. He would not know of it of course, but he might, in his unconscious mind, know there was someone who cared watching over him. * The Great Hall was filled with the minor kings and many nobles of high degree, who had been summoned by Ultan and were anxious to clap their eyes on the once and future king. Ede had entered to the fanfare of trumpets and stolen Ultan's thunder by informing all the assembly that the Ard-Ri, the High King, the puissant Lord, Sean-Adomnan had asked her to be his wife so that the country which they all loved above riches would be safe in the hands of a virtuous king, with his loyal wife ruling at his side. Those who had not known Dom as king groaned inwardly. Twelve years ago the country had been hit by the threat of invasion by sea bandits. The kings were away fighting in coastline skirmishes and Dom had been crowned and enthroned and married and gone in that year - before many men had found out that they had had a king, he had vanished. Although those at the Feis hastily convened to declare the king's death after he disappeared had attested to Dom's worth as a careful king, he had been, to these worthy elders, little more than a lad, and when they found amongst his papers that Dom had named Colm Tanist heir they were glad to accept him. Ede had heard rumours then that she was supposed to have disposed of Dom and vanished from the keep overnight, leaving Colm and his family in control of a clear field. Now, against all expectation, the King had returned, older, wiser and more regal than he had ever been. As he approached the doors of the Great Hall Morne asked him if he felt well, as he was concerned by the deathly pallor of Dom's face. Dom could think of nothing else. The image was burnt upon the back of his eyes - the anguish on Lij's face as he heard Dom's news. That look would live with him forever. He entered the Hall to the acclaim of the nobles, took his place on his throne beside a triumphant Ede, was crowned by the eldest lord present - old Ulster in his ninetieth year - and handfasted to Ede by the priestess of Banba, goddess of war and fertility. Dom gave his responses as if drugged. Ede looked at him sharply, but he was not paying attention, either to her or anything else. When the ceremonies were over, Ede excused her new husband's behaviour to a concerned Ultan explaining that he was still unwell from the poisoning. Her uncle cast Ede a penetrating look. "And have you got any further with your investigations into the matter?" he asked Ede gruffly as she led Dom to the seat of honour at the high table to take part in the celebratory feast. "It is all in hand, uncle. Torna is looking into it - under Cormac's supervision, of course." Ultan barked a humourless laugh. "Then we can all rest safe in our beds, Morne, if you are in charge again, is that not so?" Morne in the act of drinking some mead, choked on a mouthful and was patted on the back by his homely wife, who glared at Ultan. "Do not glower at me so, my dear. I meant no insult. I am sure Morne is a model of efficiency and zeal." Ultan picked up his goblet and raised it to Dom. "To you, my Lord King. May your days be long in the land, and blessed!" Others took up the shout. If Ede noticed she was not mentioned in the toast she gave no sign. Dom roused himself from his abstraction and rose. He thanked those present for coming, promised them fair governance and wise counsel, and sat down without uttering one word about his wife of two hours seated calmly by his side. She kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She knew he couldn't leave to go to Lij while the assembly was gathered. She was angry that Egypt had succumbed to an attack of his falling sickness just when she had wanted to see him suffer as she took his lover to herself. She had wanted to see the blue eyes suffused with anguish. She had longed to watch his pale face strive to remain composed as she embraced her new husband. But this would come. Tonight she would lie in his bed, and she was delighted at the prospect of Lij listening to their cries of passion through the walls of his room. She could wait. Dom was talking calmly to Kildare about the yearly meeting on the Curragh when the best horses in the land competed against each other. Kildare asked the king to preside at the meeting and Dom accepted graciously. Cormac, sadly was not there to play for the gathering. He was tending Egypt who was indisposed by a trifling ailment, Ede told the disappointed maidens who enquired after both of the men. Ulster's ollave played for them instead, and Ede clapped to the music whilst Dom listened politely. After al the speeches, entertainments and the long recitation of the history of Erin by the seanachie were finally over, the new king and his queen excused themselves from the assembly and retired to the solar. The lord of Dun Leary, watching them leave, rubbed his chin. He was an observant man, and it did not pass his notice that during the preceding five hours, Sean-Adomnan had not addressed a single word to his new wife, nor indeed had even so much as glanced in her direction. The solar was quiet, and Dom lay down on a day bed and shut his burning eyes. Ede addressed one or two quietly spoken remarks to him and when she received only monosyllabic answers to her questions, picked up her embroidery and began stitching whilst Dom pretended to sleep. * Cormac watched Lij carefully. It seemed he was recovering slightly. His pallor was much less marked and he turned over on the bed, and lay facing the young man. Lij appeared to be dreaming... ...He was in a small room with no windows. It was dark and smelled of rotting vegetables... amongst other things. There was a blanket on the floor and a pot in the corner. A black shadow on the black wall shifted slightly and moved forward. Once there had been a time when Lij had been afraid of this dark and dangerous creature - he would have stepped back in alarm as the tall figure approached. Now he moved forward to greet his visitor. "Greetings, Egypt. I bring you good news. A daughter has been born in the Great House, and she is passing fair." Lij spoke haltingly. "Thank the gods! That is good news. Dom will be...Is she well?...you do not mean to take her from us, do you?...that is not why you have come?..." Anubis laughed, and the sound was like gravel being dredged from the river-bed. "No, indeed, my little friend. She will live to see her children unto the fourth generation, I promise you! No, I have come to warn you and to offer you something, Egypt. The gods see your pain, and would help you, for they love you and you have always honoured them. This is my offering..." ...beware of the snake. I have told you of this before, but I tell you again. There is the snake of the stone and the snake of the blue waters. Both must be overcome. Be vigilant and trust no-one..no-one! There is a friend, closer to you than you know, who will become a solace in your lonely hours. I tell you, for this friend, blue is a nice colour, Egypt; blue. But there is also a traitor in the keep, my lord, and you should be wary of...ah! Osiris says I tell too much. The threads of a man's fate should not be severed by others. Beware, Great Egypt! Hold fast and be true...." Cormac, still holding Lij's hand saw great tears well from under the closed lids and run down the pale face. Bending low over the bed, his heart filled with compassion and love, he kissed them away. |