"Well, that is good to hear," Damion muttered. Then aloud, "So she is available? Do you know?"
"Yes. But I don't think she is looking for marriage. I think she is going to the church," Topain said hurriedly.
"Maybe I can change her mind Milord. And if you put a few good words in for me, I would be forever in your debt. She is lovelier beyond belief," Damion said, his voice practically dripping with feigned friendliness.
"I will think about it Damion. I have an obligation to protect her, since she is so young and trusting. But you seem to be a strong, intelligent man. One who would make a good husband for Lana. Come, let us talk more about other things besides this lovely creature," Linaross made Topain say. He sent his anger and fear for her safety to her through their connection. Damion had a reputation of being a hateful, violent person. Two people had warned him of this.
:
Don't worry my love. I can protect myself
: she assured.
:
But not as weak as you are Lina. Even talking to me is difficult to you. And you and I share one of the closest bonds Marikay has ever seen. He can easily overpower you!
: he protested, even as he talked with Damion about the weather and profits of trading. She sighed softly, giving in for the moment.
"Damion, I have to say though. I'd rather not think of marrying Lina off until she is completely well. And I would feel more comfortable if her door was locked at night. And then the key given to my maid, Trina," he said as soon as he felt her acquiesce.
Damion looked furious for a second, then smoothed his handsome features into a careful mask. "Of course Cres, I wouldn't oppose that at all. She is under you care. And you will do what you seem best. I will lock the door myself and hand the keys over to Trina," he said graciously. Then he paused. "Trina you say? Why she is my personal maid. Did Distri give her to you?" he asked.
"No Damion. I chose her. The one given to me didn't suit my preferences. Do you mind?" Topain asked innocently.
Damion flushed. "No Cres, not at all. You are welcome to her. I don't blame you for choosing her though. She is quite an amazing beauty. If she had been of noble birth, I would have wed her. But I am sure she will find another to love," he said hurriedly. He stood, smoothing his tunic down. "Now, if you will excuse me Cres, I have important things I must see to. I will see you at dinner perhaps?" he said.
Topain stood. "Yes. How could I turn down an invitation from our gracious host?" he said, bowing slightly. Damion frowned, then inclined his head reluctantly. Then, turning on his heel, he left the room quickly. Topain automatically turned to the still figure on the bed. "And now you Lina, you deceiving little sneak. You will rest for the remainder of the day. I will have you well as soon as possible. I don't like that man. I also don't know what you are trying to do here, but I am against it!" he growled.
:
I will tell you when I am better my love. But until then, I will do as you say. But go now and learn all you can about our host from his sister. Or from Trina. That poor girl is more then willing to help. And do not forget our agreement concerning her. You promised to teach her!
: Linaross said. Her mind-voice was tinged with extreme mental fatigue.
"Don't worry my love...I will teach her. But you must help; remember that as you plan against our so ungracious host." He leaned down to kiss her forehead lovingly before leaving the room.
:
And you stop antagonizing him!
: she retaliated weakly. He laughed and shook his head, closing the door gently behind him. He walked towards the stairs, needing to see to his horses, to ask their forgiveness for his rough treatment the day before. Also he had to write a letter to his father. At the thought of his father, Topain's mind wandered back to two years ago. He had been sent away to schooling when he was a little over six years of age. He hadn't come home except on holidays and even then, he tried to find somewhere else to go. When he had finally been sent home right before his eighteenth birthday, he had grown up into a stranger, but one who was willing to rule the land with care and compassion, after seeing what his father did from an outside view. Almost immediately, after his birthday ball and the proclaiming of his rise to royal Heir, he left on his trial, determined to prove this to his father. Then, Linaross had been a scrawny, pigtailed girl who had demanded all of the attention from their parents. Three years later, he returned, wiser and stronger, changed in many ways. And he found that the girl everyone called his sister, who he barely knew, had changed too.
She had grown an inch or two more, but was still almost a foot shorter then him. Her dirty-blonde tresses had turned to a molten honey-gold color. Her watery blue eyes had cleared and brightened into the alluring sky blue shade that he loved. And she had filled out, her stick thin body filling out and developing the curves of a woman. He was instantly smitten with her beauty, and when he started to know her, her intelligence, wit, and fondness for even the littlest things. But she had been infatuated with one of the upper servants. Topain struggled to remember the name of his rival for Linaross's heart. Jenson. That was it. Eventually, though, her eyes had strayed to him, and he managed to win her interest, and finally her love. By pure accident, they ended up staying together all night long in the pouring rain in the forest. With both their desires raging out of control by the closeness of the other, in the sheltering confinement of a cave, they ended up making love.
Topain had been filled with joy and delight, immediately going to his new friend, Adarin, to crow his delight and joy to him. But instead of sharing his joy, Adarin had expressed disgust. "You slept with your SISTER?" he had asked, horrified. Topain had tried to explain, but every point Adarin had made had seemed so logical. Eventually, Topain hated himself for taking Linaross's virginity, and also he hated the fact that he had desired his sister so much. But no matter how much he hated himself, he found he couldn't hate the one person who had captured his heart. And that person lay in a green bedroom, so vulnerable, so beautiful it made his heart ache just to look at her. Eventually he couldn't stay away from her; he had to tell her how much he loved her. And now he thanked the stars above he had and that she had taken him back into her heart and her arms. Now if only he had been able to protect her...
He pushed his thoughts way as he entered the stables. Seeing that Lightening and Milky were content and happy eating grain in an open stall, he turned intent on finding Distri. When he did, he smiled a greeting. "I need to send a message to my father, explain what happened," he said. She nodded, understanding. Then, she led him to the library. "You will find paper, pen, and ink on the desk. I will return in a bit to take the finished letter. I will mail it for you so my brother doesn't suspect something," she offered. He breathed in relief, not wanting Damion to know Linaross or his true identities.
Sitting behind the desk, he picked the pen up. Dipping it into the inkwell, he took a deep breath. This would be the hardest letter he had ever had to write. Paintin loved his adopted daughter fiercely, and hated to hear of any ill that might have befallen her. Setting the pen to the paper, he penned a quick letter to his father of what he knew so far. Then, after sanding the wet ink, he folded it and dripped the hot wax onto it. Pressing his signet ring into the wax, he sealed the letter closed; breathing a small spell over it to assure it reached his father, unopened, as fast as possible. He stood and went to Distri in the kitchen. She turned to him, surprised at his speed but nodded, taking the letter from him and turning to the servant beside her. "Make sure this gets delivered to the palace Fridrik, and stop for no one. Then wait for a response before returning home," she commanded clearly. The mute man nodded once, taking the letter before turning to leave. She looked at Topain. "He is one of my most trusted. If he can't do it, then no one can. Though I really can't foresee any problems. My brother is sleeping from his travels and would not have heard us. Even if he could have heard us through the shields and walls of this room. And Fridrik can fight off any mage with the shields I have put on him. He serves me out of love, not through any spells of mine." Her words, meant to reassure only caused Topain to pace. If that letter didn't make it to his father, they wouldn't know Lina's life was in danger.
Distri placed one small delicate hand on his shoulder, her eyes dark with concern and worry. "Relax Milord. There is not much more for you to do right now. And if you wear yourself out with pacing and worrying over things that are now out of your control, you can not remain strong for the lovely Lana. And that will accomplish nothing. She is strong willed, but she depends on you for most of her faith. You are her world, her everything. If you exhaust yourself, she won't find the hope to fight the spell holding her mind and body captive." The dulcet voice caressed his mind, waking him out of his worry with her wisdom.
"You are right sweet lady. Forgive me for my lack of discipline. It is hard for me to see her like that. Ever since I can remember, she has been strong. No one would harm her, they love her moments after meeting her. But I find myself rambling. Once again, I ask forgiveness," he said, smiling for her, to ease the lines of worry he saw between her emerald eyes. "Perhaps you can distract me with a lesson?" he asked.
"Oh! Of course Milord. And there is no need to ask forgiveness. You are understandably distraught and worried. It makes you human to lose yourself in your emotions every now and then. Come; let us go to the workroom. It is well shielded in there, so much so that nothing can pass through, not even regular sounds." She turned, long blond hair swaying behind her as she led him through the manor to a tiny room in the center of the building. The entire room was made of stone, from the door to the few pieces of furniture inside. After sliding the door closed, despite it's heaviness, she turned and smiled. "Feel better Milord?" she asked.
Nodding, the soft hum in his mind fading to silence as the door closed, he looked around the room. He had never even noticed the hum before, it having been a part of his mind all his life. But, now with it gone, he realized how loud it had been. Suddenly, he could think clearly, more so then he ever had before. "Yes. It's so quiet in here, I almost don't believe it!" he murmured, his eyes wide. "What type of rock is this?"
