Mac Tire � Son of the EarthPart 23 � CompromisesDom lay on the day bed, his eyes closed. He knew he could not go to his former spouse's room on the day he married his wife. He would send word, later, to enquire after Lij. His whole being yearned to be with Lij, to tend him, to watch over him whilst he slept - but Cormac was there, and Cormac loved Lij, oh yes, Dom was not blind to it. A shaft of pain passed through him as he thought of Lij taking comfort in Cormac's arms - and why should he not? Dom had repudiated him, had taken another spouse, even if he was still married to her he had made the choice. He prayed to all the gods that were or had been that this sacrifice would keep Lij safe. Ede promised - even though I know her promises mean nothing - she must know I would not stay with her if harm came to Lij... my Lij... "Seaneen - are you well?" A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He opened his eyes. Ede was standing beside him holding a goblet of wine. "Drink this, my lord - you will feel the better for it." Dom drank the wine and indeed, his stomach felt more settled and warmer after it. The cold lump he had felt residing in his guts of late dissipated. "Thank you," he murmured as he passed her the empty vessel. "Would you care to walk a little in the fresh air, Seaneen? It is mild now, for the time of year." The couple went out onto the hill, and looked down at the melting snow. Dom saw Cass in the courtyard and asked him to attend him the following morning after breakfast. "I will so, my lord. but... where?" Dom wrinkled his brow. "In his room. He will be in the same room, man," Ede offered in a low voice. "Where else would he be? It has always been the king's room..." Ede glanced at her husband. He seemed to accept this...that he would be quartered next door to his beloved Lij. That would have to change. That was now her room, again - the queen's room. She had never allowed Connor to use those apartments - they were Sean's and hers. Dom turned back to have a swift word with Cass. Ede smiled. Her hearing was, indeed, excellent. They went inside to dine with the kings. * Gronya was worried; Orla was hot and agitated but she refused to speak of what was troubling her. She had quietened her with syrup, and she had slept for a short while. Now she was awake again and wincing and starting at every sound. "Where is Lij? I want Lij!" Gronya told her Lij was not well. Her eyes grew enormous in her small face. "Get me out of this place! I will not - I cannot stay here. Take me away!" Gronya called for Brian. "You see how she is, poor mite," she whispered, standing well out of Orla's hearing. "I will take her to Ultan's dun if you make it known that it is your will. Has there been any news of her mother?" Brian shook his head. "None. The Ard Ri has requested Cass to report back to him on Lij's condition... The king and that woman are eating dinner in the Great Hall, and ..." Brian's face took on a cold look. "I thought he cared for him...for Lij..." Gronya put her hand on his arm. "He does care. Sean-Adomnan does care. I do not know what constraints were forced upon him to take this action, but that he did it unwillingly, I have no doubt. Come, let us take the child." Brian moved to the bed. "We will take you to a safer place down the hill, little maid. Lij will find you there when he wakes." Orla nodded. "Thank you. If you will pass me my cloak and shoes I will put them on. I expect it is cold outside...and my new clothes?..." "They will be brought, never fear," Gronya smiled. Brian picked up and stared at the shoes in disgust. They were torn and dirty and far too big for the mite who was wearing them. "What are these? They should be thrown...um..." He blushed and put them on the small dainty feet. "I will make you a pair tonight, after my turn of duty is over," he said quietly. "Shoes fit for a princess they shall be." He wrapped her up warmly and picked her up. Gronya following behind heard a whispered plea for the cats to be brought. She reassured the child and unobtrusively they left the keep. * Cormac was relieved when Lij stirred. He had been worried that it had not been a natural sleep. Lij appeared to have been talking with someone; it was most strange. When Lij opened his eyes, Cormac was sitting at his side, and holding his hand. He withdrew the hand carefully, and looked at the young man with saddened eyes. "Are you well, Lij?" Cormac asked tentatively. Lij sighed. "I am well, I thank you. Apart from a little stiffness that is." He looked at the nightrobe Cormac had placed upon him. Cormac blushed. "The purple gown was..." "I understand, my friend" Lij murmured. "Would you find me a clean robe in the large chest? I need some fresh air to clear my mind." Lij stood rather shakily and removed the bedrobe, standing naked as Cormac handed him an undershift and a russet wool gown, delicately avoiding looking at him. "Will you come with me? I need a friend's arm right now." Lij asked as he tied a braided leather belt around his waist. Cormac nodded and gave Lij his cloak. "I will be honoured, Great One." Lij shook his head. "Boldness before princes, Cormac. I am but a man, like other men. Lij will do for me. I have been a god at home for more years than I care to remember. Here, I need to be an ordinary man." As they went through the door, Lij holding on to Cormac's arm, the Irishman thought that never would Lij be an ordinary man to him. They had not gone very far when they met Cass. The two men sat on a bench in a small area beside the great door, whilst Cass stood anxiously before them. Cass examined Lij carefully, and to his relief he seemed quiet and composed. Cass cleared his throat and spoke formally, thinking it might help matters if he did. "The Ard-Ri has sent me to find out how you fare, Great Egypt. He and...the Lady.. are anxious for your welfare." Cormac felt Lij tense beside him. "Thank the Ard-Ri and his lady wife for their kind concern. As you see, I am well. I hope to see them both soon to offer them my congratulations on their union. Pray inform the king of this." Cass bowed. "It shall be as you desire, lord king." He made as if to leave, but Lij stopped him. "Cass," Lij spoke in ordinary tones and Cass turned back and answered simply, "Yes, Lij - how may I serve you?" Lij smiled slightly. "Thank you for your care and concern, my friend. I know you serve the king and a man cannot serve two masters. Your loyalty is sworn." Cass flinched slightly. His oath of allegiance was to the king and yet he had hoped that somehow it would not matter. A fool's hope as Lij had just reminded him. "Would you find me a man who could serve me? I am afraid I am of no use in caring for my things. I... need a servant and I would value your judgement." Cass's shoulders relaxed and Lij saw this and wondered at it. "I will ask the housekeeper, Lij. She will know what to do." Cass bowed low and left to find Dom, and the two men walked slowly out into the air. Lij breathed deeply. "The air here is so invigorating, Cormac. I must say I much dislike the mud and the harsh cold of the climate, but the snow is beautiful, and the air is so refreshing...." Cormac dared to ask the question. "Will you remain here, Lij, now that?...I would be..." Lij lifted his head and stared at Cormac as if the thought had never occurred to him - which it had not. Leave this place? Leave without Dom? Great Isis! Will it come to that? "I...I do not know what I shall do, now. I shall have to think carefully about it, and my mind is never sharp after ...one of those episodes. I shall visit little Orla and then, we shall see." But Orla's room was empty of all but Nekeb's clothing, so Cormac found a servant to remove them to Lij's room. After the servant had finished placing Nekeb's belongings in a small chest there, the friends sat on the bed and gave the matter some thought. "Where can she have gone? The lady Gronya must have taken her...but where?" Cormac rubbed his chin and frowned at the puzzle. Lij's mind was clearing. "There is only one place - Ultan's house. Will you come with me? I think I can ride now." * "Why have you brought her here, Gronya? Was it wise to move her?" Lij and Cormac stood in the hall of Ultan's house, as Gronya crossed the space between them. "I do not know whether it was wise or not, Lij, but I do know this. The child is terrified of something...or someone, but whom or what she will not say. She has been asking for you. It may be that she will tell you, for we cannot wheedle anything out of her. Come!" Orla's eyes lit up when she saw Lij come through the door, but she lowered them as Cormac entered behind him. Lij was gentle with her, made her laugh, played with the cats, but to all his pertinent questions she shook her head. "I do not know what you mean, Lij. I am not frightened, just...just..." Lij gave up, and spent the next half an hour telling the girl stories of his home in Egypt, of his children, of his life there. He swallowed his own sorrow in the face of the child's distress, and at least she ate the food Gronya brought and seemed calm. The healer smiled at Lij. "Thank you!" she whispered in his ear, as they rose to leave. Orla grabbed his hand as Cormac moved away from the bed towards the door, where he stood waiting. "Come on your own next time...I must tell..." Lij nodded. "In the morning, I will come...alone." He was rewarded by a warm smile. Lij spent the rest of the day in Cormac's company. Checking on Connor's hounds, listening to hm play, talking and listening. Eventually he retired to his room alone. He refused Cormac's offer of dinner saying he needed to rest. This was true, but he also needed to think. He ate a portion of what the servant brought him, and finding his bedgown and changing into it, lay down to rest. All he could think about was Dom. How much he loved him. How empty life would be without him. What should he do? Lij knew in his heart there was no choice. He could not stay here and watch Dom being husband to Ede. Why had Dom done this thing? What power did Ede have over him? He thought of them in bed together, Dom's body entering hers...their cries of passion. He could not bear it. Besides, there were his children... Jed and Titi waiting for him in Egypt, not to mention a kingdom to rule and maintain. Every morning and night he knelt and prayed for his country, for everyone knew the gods had put the king of Egypt on the throne to protect and nourish the land with his divinely given powers. It was because of him...of the king...that mother Nile rose and fell. It was because of his prayers and incantations that the sacred giant scarab rolled the new made ball of the sun into the sky each morning. That these prayers travelled homewards he was certain. But would the gods be angry that Lij had left his holy charge for so long in Menkh's capable hands? He vowed to ask Anubis when he next saw him. He was dragged from his reverie by the sound of the door opening in the next room, and the sound of muted voices passed through the walls. Dom...and Ede. Oh, gods! He could hear no words with the door closed, just the murmur of voices...mostly a woman's voice, with the occasional lower sound of a man. Dom. His Dom. He thought of leaving, but it was late; where could he go? He lay on the bed and covered his ears with the pillow. He did not wish to hear what he was sure to hear... * "Tomorrow," said Ede quietly, "I will assign Lij another room." She nodded towards the door, and Dom sighed. "Yes, it might be better for him...and for me...if he were not so near." Ede paused as she drew her undershift over her head. "I agree, my husband," she said, smiling slightly. Dom looked at his wife standing naked by the bed as he stripped off his shirt. Time had not impaired either her figure nor her face. Although twelve years or more had passed she was still a beautiful woman - but he no longer desired her, as once he did. He unlaced his leather trews, and stepped out of them. "It would not be fair on him after all, for him to hear our cries of passion through the walls," said Ede complacently, climbing into bed and patting the mattress beside her. Dom stared at her as if she was mad. "Cries of passion?" he said, still in low tones, but with a quiet and deadly emphasis on his words. "You think that after experiencing the love I have found with my Lij, I would even think of bedding you? You are out of your mind woman! I will sleep beside you to stop unpleasant talk, but make love to you I will not. Never. " Ede smiled, but her eyes were cold. "I think you will do much, muh chree, to keep your Lij safe and well." The unspoken threat hung in the air. "Come to bed." It was a command, not a request, for in this room, the queen ruled all. Despising himself for his helplessness, Dom could do nothing but obey. * Lij, his head buried under the pillow, heard groaning. He stuffed his fingers in his ears. Ede cried out. "Sean!" quite clearly, her voice rising in passion. "My Seaneen!" Lij could bear no more. He fled the room not even stopping to find a cloak. He ran along the corridors until he reached Cormac's room, and banged on the door. A sleepy Cormac answered to the hammering. "Come in, you eejut, before you break the door down!" and Lij pulled the door open and rushed in. "I couldn't...I couldn't, Cormac. Let me stay here...I cannot bear..." Lij was shivering in his fine lawn robe, his bare feet blue and frozen on the flagstones. Cormac leapt out of bed, and dragged Lij over to it, making him climb in and covering him with warm blankets. Lij was shivering still, so Cormac filled a goblet with wine and taking the poker from the fire, plunged it in. "Drink this, man. What are you doing rushing about in the cold in your nightshift?" Lij gulped the mulled wine down, spilling a little on the sheets in the process. "Dom and Ede..." he managed. "Next room..." Cormac's face softened. "Poor lad!" he murmured. Though he was ten years younger than Lij he felt the elder at that moment. Lij lay back on the pillows, and Cormac saw his eyes were filled with tears. "I cannot stay here. I must go home. I cannot bear it...I will not suffer it. When the Phoenician captain comes again, I will leave with him." Cormac climbed back into the bed, and lay beside Lij, not touching him. "May I come with you, Lij? There is nothing for me here, under my mother's thumb." Lij stared at the ceiling, not wishing to see the longing in Cormac's eyes. "You may come. But I can offer you nothing...I...Dom is my only love. You understand this?" Cormac nodded and realising Lij could not see him, murmured "Yes, I know. I have hopes things may change, and you will grow to care for me..." Lij turned in the bed, and Cormac saw the tears shimmering at last on the man's cheeks. "I care...I do care. You are a gentle soul worthy of more than I can offer you. Dom will ever be my true love, absent or present, alive or dead, and he will dwell in my heart forever. There will be room for no other. You must understand this." The other man traced the tears along Lij's cheek. "I can live with your heart belonging to him, if your body belong to me, Lij. I would have this." Lij sighed and rested his hand on Cormac's chest. "I have other loves, dear friend. My children, my family..." Ede's son stopped Lij's words with a kiss. "I am not so mean I cannot share. Let me comfort you, a stor. Let me love you...." Lij hesitated, but allowed himself to be taken into Cormac's arms. It seemed such a long time since any man had spoken to him so honestly. "Let me taste your beauty, Lij. Let me..." Lij could feel Cormac tremble with desire - could feel him rise against him. Gentle fingers travelled over his body, learning its curves and undulations. Cormac lifted the fine lawn garment and gazed in awe at the beauty of the man before him. A sob rose in his throat, and Lij, who was a man after all, and not a god, looked into the rapturous face, and succumbed. Here was someone who loved him. He would have him, and Dom...Dom...Dom would have to accept it. After all, was he not now warming another's bed? Lij turned swiftly, and pressing Cormac into the sheets with a body far from soft, kissed him hungrily. |