Griffin's Shadow Page 2

  Ashinji grimaced and shook his head. “No, thanks. I think I have things under control.” Akan nodded, bowed a final time, and departed.

  Jelena bounded out of bed and threw on a robe, then sat down at the table and began attacking the blackberries with relish while Ashinji sipped a mug of tea. Besides the berries, Akan had brought smoked fish, fresh bread, soft cheese flavored with herbs, and the favorite breakfast food of all elves-or so it seemed to Jelena-sour yogurt.

  “We’ll be on the road at least seven days, possibly longer. The wagons and my mother’s carriage will slow us considerably.” Ashinji commented. He grabbed the yogurt and took a mouthful directly from the pot. Jelena wrinkled her nose in distaste. Try as she might, she could not cultivate a taste for the thick, tangy, fermented milk.

  “I’m still not exactly sure why my mother chose to come along,” Ashinji continued. “She’s never expressed any interest in attending court before.”

  “Your father says it’s to find Lani a husband. Many more boys to choose from!” Jelena giggled.

  Ashinji shrugged. “I guess that’s a good reason. It’s true my parents will have a much bigger selection in Sendai than they would all the way out here. I don’t know how cooperative Lani will be, though. My sister has a mind of her own and a strong will to match. She’s set her sights on Ibeji Dai and I’m not sure she can be dissuaded.”

  “Perhaps your parents will allow Lani to choose for herself who she wishes to marry, like they did you.”

  “Sadly, no. Lani is too important. She’s the oldest girl and tradition dictates the match made for her must be as good as the one made for the Heir.” Ashinji sighed. “Lani and I are a lot alike. I know how much she resents being treated as a commodity, but that’s how things are. The twins, now, they are the truly fortunate ones. No one will much care who they marry, or even if they marry. Youngest children are the only ones allowed that kind of freedom.”

  Jelena hadn’t had much opportunity to interact with Ashinji’s favorite sibling, but she resolved to get to know Lani better while they traveled to the capital. “We’d better go down to the bath house,” she said. “You heard what Akan said. No dawdling!”

  The newlyweds found it hard not to linger in the bath house; the sheer sensual bliss of the hot water made it nigh impossible to hurry. They almost always ended up making love whenever they shared a bath, and it took a mighty effort not to give in to the urge to do so now.

  Back in their chamber, Jelena busied herself with last minute packing while Ashinji checked his armor a final time. He had no plans to wear it on the journey, but he still needed to make sure it was in perfect condition before Jawara, the steward in charge of all the family armor and weaponry, came to fetch and stow it with the baggage.

  Jelena sighed as she examined the piles of clothing laid out on the bed. Amara had given her several new sets of garments as a wedding present; now that she could finally trade her plain cotton and wool for the fine silks and linens of a noble lady, Jelena wondered at her reluctance to wear any of the new outfits.

  “Ashi, will your mother be upset if I do not wish to wear any of the new clothes she gave me?” she asked.

  “What, do you not like them?” he responded, pausing in his task to look at her.

  “I do. I love them, but…” She shook her head, exasperated at her own ambivalence. “I am the wife of a nobleman now! I am supposed to dress like one, not like a…a servant!” she huffed, holding up one of her well-worn cotton tunics. “Truth is, I feel more comfortable in simple things,” she admitted.

  “Wear whatever you like, love,” Ashinji replied. “You’ll look beautiful, regardless.”

  Jelena smiled gratefully at her husband.

  “I will be in the saddle all day, and my new clothes are far too nice to ruin with dust and horse sweat. That’s settled, then. The new things go with the baggage.”

  As she donned her old tunic, scruffy breeches and riding boots, she wondered if she would ever feel truly comfortable in anything else.

  Jawara the steward came for the baggage and armor, and with a message. “My lord, you are needed in the lower yard right away,” he said.

  “I’ll see you later.” Ashinji gave her a quick kiss and left Jelena to finish her packing in solitude.

  Not much remained for her to do, other than extinguish the lamps. Slinging her saddlebags over one shoulder, she glanced once more around the room, then departed, leaving the door ajar so Akan would know that he could enter at will. Taking the outer stairs two at a time, she descended to ground level and started toward the stables.

  Sendai! I’m going to Sendai to meet my father, the king!

  She gave in to excitement and laughed aloud.

  ~~~

  “Jelena, really! You must learn to dress more appropriately now that you’re a member of this family. It simply won’t due for you to go around looking like one of the servants, even if it is what you’re accustomed to.”

  Jelena felt a rush of irritation, but suppressed the sharp retort that sprang to her lips in favor of a more measured response. She regarded Sadaiyo’s wife with a cool eye. “I’m sorry if my clothes don’t measure up to your high standards, Sister, but for now, this is what I wish to wear,” she replied in as even a tone of voice as she could manage under the circumstances.

  Misune Sakehera cut an imposing figure mounted upon a tall, bay stallion. She was truly the most beautiful woman Jelena had ever seen. Her jet-black, waist-length hair, secured at the nape of her neck with a heavy silver clip, gleamed like satin in the morning sun. The horse, as beautiful and imperious as its mistress, flattened his ears and glared at Jelena out of one liquid brown eye. Jelena, still afoot and leading her trusty mare Willow, prudently kept her distance.

  Misune’s regal nostrils flared. “Don’t use that tone with me, girl,” she replied. “You should be grateful for instruction from your betters. Just because you’ve somehow managed to gain a place in this family doesn’t mean you’re anywhere near the equal of the least one of us.” With a dismissive wave of her gloved hand, Misune turned the stallion’s head and rode off, leaving Jelena shaking with anger.

  Is it always going to be this way? she raged. Will I have to take this abuse for the rest of my life, no matter where I go? Jelena wrestled with the near overwhelming urge to run after Misune, to scream into that haughty face that she was the daughter of the King of Alasiri and that no one, not even the future Lady of Kerala could speak to her so rudely ever again.

  She took a deep breath to steady herself.

  I don’t even know for sure that Keizo Onjara will even acknowledge me as his daughter. Besides, Misune would just laugh in my face and accuse me of lying. No, I can’t be the one to announce my father’s identity. It has to come from him.

  “Ah, there’s my beautiful wife!” Ashinji strode up, looking a little harried. He patted Willow’s glossy neck, then asked, “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

  “Nothing’s wrong, Ashi. I’m just…” Jelena forced herself to smile. “I’m just anxious to be off,” she lied.

  “Hmm,” Ashinji replied, cocking his head and skewering her with his brilliant, green gaze. “I know when you’re not being honest with me, love. Tell me what’s bothering you.” Jelena sighed and told him about Misune’s rude words. “I’ll have to have a talk with my brother’s wife,” Ashinji responded through tight lips.

  “No, Ashi, please don’t! You’ll only embarrass me more. If you interfere, it will only confirm her belief that I’m weak and helpless. I can handle Misune in my own way.”

  Ashinji gathered her into his arms. “Whatever you wish, love. I’ll leave it to you. Ummm, c’mere,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

  “You two really shouldn’t engage in that kind of behavior in public. It’s unseemly. I’m sure Father agrees.”

  “Sadaiyo, please. Not now!” Lord Sen growled.

  Ashinji turned cold eyes toward his brother. Sadaiyo stood just behind their father’s right shoulder, c
oolly resplendent in green and black brocade, despite the warmth of the morning. He wore upon his brow a circlet of gold. Heavy gold rings adorned his fingers, which today were sheathed in the finest black kidskin. He looked every inch the Heir, as gaudy as a peacock in contrast to Ashinji, who wore the plain, serviceable brown and green leathers of a common soldier.

  Sadaiyo’s expression blended equal parts mockery and amusement. “I’m only pointing out that they should demonstrate a little more restraint…a bit more decorum. Though perhaps it’s too much to expect from a girl with no breeding and a man who would marry such a girl.”

  “ That’s enough!!” roared Sen. Jelena, shocked by his uncharacteristic outburst, took a step backward and fetched up against Ashinji, who stood as rigid and still as if he had been turned to stone. “You will apologize to your brother and to my daughter-in-law, and you will treat her with the respect she is due as a member of my House. Is that understood? ” Sen’s eyes blazed with fury.

  An uncomfortable silence descended on the yard as everyone’s attention focused on the drama playing out in their midst.

  Sadaiyo’s face blanched, and his hands dropped to his sides. His eyes, normally sardonic, had gone blank, like a pair of blue-grey glass spheres. He turned to face Ashinji and bowed stiffly. “My apologies, Brother. Please forgive my rudeness. My behavior was inexcusable. My apologies to your wife as well.” He refused to look at Jelena, which chilled her more than any threat that his eyes could make. Instinctively, she groped for Ashinji’s hand, and a quick glance at his profile sent a sick wave of fear churning through her gut. At that moment, she had no doubt that Ashinji and Sadaiyo were inexorably headed for a mortal showdown if someone or something didn’t intervene.

  “I accept your apology, Brother,” Ashinji replied. His grip on Jelena’s hand tightened almost to the point of pain, then relaxed.

  As quickly as Sen’s anger had erupted, it subsided and then seemed to dissipate altogether. He slapped each of his sons on the back in turn. “Come, now, boys. Let’s not ruin a perfectly good morning. Not very dignified, arguing in front of the staff, y’know. Sadaiyo, go collect that wife of yours. Then, mount up. You too, Youngest Son. The day’s a’wasting and we’ve a fair piece to ride before we reach our evening camp. Jelena, my dear, I shall require your services as messenger today. I want you to ride ahead to announce our arrival to Lord Nadaka. You know the way, of course.”

  “Yes, Father,” Jelena replied crisply. Sadaiyo spun on his heel and stalked off. Sen watched him go, then shook his head and sighed. He glanced at Ashinji, then walked away toward the main entrance of the castle, where Lady Amara and the three Sakehera daughters awaited the carriage that would transport them to Sendai.

  Jelena looked into Ashinji’s face, so cold and still that it seemed more like a carved mask than the face of a living man. “Ashinji,” she whispered, and like a split wineskin, his whole body appeared to deflate as he relaxed into her arms.

  They clung to each other in silence, needing no words to communicate their feelings to one another. After awhile, Ashinji pulled away and said, “You’d better mount up and get going. Nadaka’s estate is a good four hour’s ride from here and they’ll want at least a couple of hours to prepare for us.”

  “Ashi, please promise me you won’t argue with your brother. It worries me how much bad feeling there is between you. Promise!”

  People and horses swirled around them like the waters of a river split by a boulder, but Jelena was deaf and blind to it all. At this moment, all that existed in her world were Ashinji and herself, and all that mattered to her was his safety.

  Ashinji reached out and caressed her cheek, and a soft smile curved the corners of his mouth. He nodded. “I promise…for you, my love…that I will try. Now, you’d better go.” He held her stirrup as she mounted Willow, then stood at the mare’s head as she checked the security of her gear. When she finished her inspection, she gathered the reins. Ashinji stepped aside, out of the mare’s way. Jelena looked down at him and her heart melted in a warm, sweet rush.

  “Be careful!” Ashinji called out as Jelena clapped her heels to Willow’s flanks and the mare started toward the main gate. “I’ll see you tonight!” He waved and turned to walk back toward the stables.

  “Jelena! Jelena, wait!” a voice cried out. Jelena pulled Willow to a stop as Kami came trotting up, huffing and puffing. The young guard drew in a huge breath and let her words spill out in a rush. “I’m so glad I caught you before you left! I didn’t want you to leave before I had a chance to say goodbye.”

  “Kami, you should not be running like that in your condition!” Jelena chastised.

  Kami made a face. “Oh, stop! I’m pregnant, not sick! You’re as bad as Gendan. Besides, the doctor says that exercise is good for both me and the baby.”

  Jelena smiled. “This is not ‘goodbye’, Kami, only ‘see you again soon’. When I return, we will share a bottle of wine and I will tell you all about Sendai.”

  Kami sniffed and wiped at eyes brimming with tears. “I’ll miss you, Jelena,” she said.

  “I will miss you, too.”

  The last thing Jelena saw as she left Kerala that morning was Kami, standing in the middle of the lower gate, waving.

  Chapter 3

  A Face In The Night

  Lord Nadaka proved to be a gracious host, despite his tendency toward pomposity. He grandiosely referred to his home as Nadaka Castle, even though it was, in actuality, a large manor house and not a castle at all.

  Jelena had delivered messages to Nadaka Castle before; when she rode through the gate, tired and dusty from the road, a stable boy took Willow while one of the house servants ushered her into the main room.

  Lord Nadaka recognized her immediately and seemed quite taken with the fact that his liege lord had chosen to spend the night on his estate. Still unaware of her changed status, he nonetheless kindly offered to let her await the arrival of the rest of the family in the main room, and gratefully, Jelena accepted. A serving girl brought in bread, cheese, ripe red apples, and beer; munching contentedly, Jelena settled down on a bench to wait.

  The warm, close air of the room, combined with a full stomach, worked its magic, and soon, Jelena found it impossible to keep her eyes open. Using her saddlebag as a pillow, she stretched out on the bench and fell quickly into sleep.

  She awoke to the sound of voices. Sen and Nadaka came bustling through the front door, Ashinji and Sadaiyo close at their heels.

  “Ai, there you are!” Ashinji came over and planted a firm kiss upon her lips. Jelena saw Lord Nadaka’s eyes widen in surprise.

  Apparently, so did Sen. “Nadaka, I see you’ve shown my new daughter-in-law your fine hospitality already…I thank you.”

  “My lord…I…I thought the girl was just your messenger,” Nadaka stammered, his round face flushing crimson. “Had I known…”

  “Easy, my friend,” Sen replied jovially. “I meant no reproach. Jelena and my son Ashinji here, were just married. She is an exceptionally modest girl, so I’m not surprised she didn’t tell you.” Nadaka looked as if a large stone had just been rolled off his chest.

  “Poor Nadaka,” Ashinji whispered. “Why didn’t you say something to him?” He glowered at her in mock anger.

  Jelena shrugged. “I don’t know. I figured he’d find out in due time…Besides, the look on his face was worth the wait!”

  “Modest, huh! You’re wicked, that’s what you are!” Ashinji smiled.

  That evening, the two families dined on the best fare Nadaka Castle could provide, which Jelena found to be fine, indeed. She could see the intense curiosity about her in the faces of Lord Nadaka and his family, but they were all much too polite to ask any direct questions, other than those concerning the details of the wedding.

  After the meal, Nadaka’s six daughters staged a Bal Oku recital for the entertainment of their guests. Bal Oku-an ancient form of musical theater revered as high art among the elven people-employed highly stylized sin
ging and dance to tell stories, usually tales from elven mythology. The slow, ponderous rhythms and droning quality of the music were not to Jelena’s taste; when the last chord shivered into silence, she felt an intense sense of relief.

  “That was absolutely dreadful,” Ashinji whispered into her ear. She had to fight hard not to giggle as she clapped politely along with everyone else.

  After the girls had collected their instruments and filed out of the room, Sen, stifling a yawn behind his hand, said, “Ai, Nadaka, it’s been a long day. It’s time my family and I were abed. We’ve got another long stretch of road ahead of us tomorrow.”

  “Of course, Lord Sen,” Nadaka replied, rising quickly to his feet. His wife promptly followed suit. “Lady Nadaka and I are honored to give up our own sleeping quarters to you and your family. Your guards and servants are welcome to bunk down here in the main room, or out in the yard, if any would prefer to sleep under the stars.”

  “Most generous of you, Nadaka. My thanks.” Sen inclined his head.

  Jelena sighed inwardly.

  I would much rather sleep outdoors on the hard ground than in the same room with Sadaiyo, she thought , but I can’t ask Ashi to give up the comfort of a soft bed, not after he’s spent all day in the saddle.

  Lord and Lady Nadaka’s bedroom proved to be quite large, with plenty of free space in which to spread out. Thick, well-cushioned mats covered the floor, and Nadaka had provided more than enough bedding to make reasonably comfortable arrangements. Sen and Amara took the large bed and everyone else, including the twins, staked out floor space. The two girls chattered like bright little birds in a special language known only to themselves as they happily made their pallets.

  Just before he retired, Nadaka poked his head in and informed them that the family’s bath house was at the disposal of anyone who wished to use it, either tonight or tomorrow morning. With a cheery good night, he left them to themselves.

  Jelena assembled a cozy pile of blankets and pillows in the corner farthest from the bed, and after stripping down to her undertunic, she flopped onto the makeshift pallet with a grateful sigh.