As I walked the pathways in Daegel’s garden, I saw him approach and stop at one of the benches. He waved me over and I went to join him, taking a seat beside him.
On his lap lay a wooden board. The contraption was an unusual shape, with a hole on the top, a hallow cavity below, with strings evenly spaced across the space.
“Is this the musical instrument you play?” I asked.
“Yes. It’s called a dulcimer.”
“Play me something.”
He strummed the strings with the fingers of one hand while applying pressure on the strings at different points with his other. The sound was mesmerizing and I focused intently as he played a tune and began to sing. His voice was deep and powerful and sure to lure the most resistant woman into his arms. I felt my own resolve crumbling as I listened to the enticing reverberations of the strings echoing through the plant filled courtyard. The melancholy dissonance felt trancelike, teasing and subtly pulled me in.
The lyrics were ones of love, passion and desire and I wondered if he wrote the song just for me.
“Through the shifting mists of the land, stark scuffling dirt and sand,
by the magic of the moon, peeking through the endless gloom,
suddenly appeared a glittering mirage, a treasure come to sabotage.
This vision of perfection, has caused my heart great reflection,
could it be she is the one, the damsel who has alarmingly spun,
a web of desire so cunningly laid, to trap this man and his blade?
This man of strength and absolute power, is brought to his knees to cower,
before a woman of great grace, her beauty outmatched in any race,
one look from her piercing eyes, assures me she is the greatest prize.
The most alluring, seductive snake, one bite and my loins do ache,
her sweet venom a potion, has hurled me into the deepest ocean,
life without her is vain, my heart forever stained.”
As he began the last words of the song, I knew.
“Tamasa, fascinating as the tales of Tarman, I beg you – become my kinsman,
a faceted gem from Takara Isle, all men will surely be beguiled,
become my treasure, my all, a glimmering star to light my halls.”
He gave me a mischievous grin and said, “And this one is to make you smile.” He began to strum an intro to a different tune and started singing again.
“To a woman who throws knives, rides horses and reads books.
Her strength and grace, like a fisherman with hooks.
She owns lands, titles and estates, it is not only her beauty that bates.
I long not to be given the boot, without her I will become a savage brute.
Come now, my love, don’t throw me away, without you my heart will decay.
All that I have I give to you freely, if you say no, my gut will be queasy.
I’ll wander in an aimless abyss, unless I’m revived by your loving kiss.
So come and join my house, do not reduce me to the state of a mouse.
Let love flourish between us, your refusal will force me to cuss.
Tamasa as beautiful as my garden, I beg for your pardon.
Grant me my wish, for you are the greatest dish.
Tasty and sweet, I prefer you over any meat.
Say yes and I will sing, cover you with jewels and make you bling.
Suddenly servants at your command, you will gain a husband and more land.
If you reject me I will cry, I do not wish to bid you goodbye.
Say yes and I will shout, my victory will surely be lauded about.
Tamasa, Dwarkaa City’s greatest prize, you have entranced me with your eyes.
Tamasa, the most gorgeous woman of all, please don’t make me crawl.
Once more I enquire, I wife such as you I desire.
Say yes and all our days we will be blessed.”
Daegel strummed a few more notes before stilling his instrument. Looking into my eyes, he judged my response with a boyish smile.
I enjoyed his second little rendition immensely and I actually found it humorous. Smiling didn’t come easy to me, so with a serious expression and a hand raised to my chest, I said, “We can’t have you turning into a savage brute. That would never do. And I would hate to see you wandering aimlessly with an indisposed digestive system or to cry like a pitiful child or to mindlessly cuss. You make my refusal sound truly horrendous.”
He chuckled. “Exactly. Then that leaves you no choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” I said, lowering my hand to my lap.
“That is true. But now that I’ve exposed my innermost thoughts and feelings, my love revealed in lyrics and melody, how can you resist me?” He grinned again.
“You flatter me with your words of love and desire. And yet you don’t really know me very well at all.”
“I know everything I need to know. You are the greatest treasure I have ever laid eyes on. You are the one I want. As soon as you make your decision we will wed.”
I didn’t know how things were done on Dwarkaa Farrin. I should have been informed and I should have asked Vanora when I had the chance. “What is the procedure and timeframe of a union in Dwarkaa City? Is it the same as the outlying towns and villages?”
“As soon as you agree to my proposal, I will send off the paperwork to the Royal Palace Accounting Department. You can move in as soon as you like after that.”
“What if I wish to reside in my own estate?”
“You would not wish to live with your covering?” he asked, a scowl forming and lines standing guard on his forehead.
“Of course we would spend time together, at each other’s properties, but, like I stated earlier, I am ferociously independent. I won’t take easily to being under another’s rule. I need my space. And my estate will need my attention and my presence.”
“But it will need very minimal attention. You have many servants and slaves to take care of everything from menu to stables and more.”
“These are my stipulations for a possible union. I will not be treated like property. I want to be considered an equal. This is the way my father raised me and the very reason I have stayed single to this point in my life.”
“This is entirely unconventional.”
A war was raging inside his head. I could see the battle in his eyes. He longed for a subservient maiden, just like his mother was to his father. I was clearly nothing like that woman and never would be. Could he tolerate a wife like me?
I stood. “I should go. You have a decision to make.”
Daegel also stood but, by the frustrated look on his face, he was clearly aggravated that I had placed the decision squarely on his shoulders.
“Thank you for the songs. They were very flattering and entertaining.”
“So you enjoyed them?”
“Yes. Very much.”
Daegel left the instrument on the bench and, with his hand on my elbow, led me back into the house and to the front entrance. He instructed the Footman to summon my carriage and a servant girl to go and fetch Akiko for me.
As we stood and waited, Daegel looked at me with desire. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anything before. Every time I look at you, my body responds and my flesh feels as though on fire. And yet, you are the strongest willed woman I have ever encountered. I don’t know how this will work.”
“You are used to people bending and bowing to your every whim. After all, you are a Royal Guard Squad Leader. Men and women alike revere you, obey you and shudder in fear in your presence.”
“You don’t fear me at all, do you?”
“No, I do not.” I was tempted to say that I’d killed many men in battle. No matter how fierce of an opponent, I never shrank from anyone, but instead ran to meet them, metal against metal, weapons raised in death wishes.
A slow smile spread across his features. “Your courage is commendable, although stupid. You are the most fascinating woman I know and the most beautiful. I think I will enjoy breaking you in.”
“I don’t break or bend,” I warned him.
“There’s always a first for everything.”
“Be careful, Daegel, you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
“And who am I dealing with?” he asked.
“In your own words, I am Tamasa, as fascinating as the tales of Tarman – and perhaps, just as mysterious.”
“Huh,” he grunted but said no more. His eyes were awash with confusion, calculative and striving to understand me.
Akiko’s footsteps echoed from the hall and we both turned to watch her approach.
“It’s time to go,” I said.
Daegel leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Let me know of your decision as soon as you decide.”
“And you also,” I said. “You must determine whether you can tolerate a strong willed woman at your side. I will always speak my mind and do as I please.”
Daegel nodded and looked uncertain. The look left his eyes and a sparkle returned. “I forgot to tell you. There’s a ball planned two nights from now. I’m sure you have heard of it. I would love to accompany you. I will come with my carriage and pick you up.”
I gave a slight nod. “I will see you then.”
“I will have the most delightful and eye-catching woman at my side. I look forward to it.”
I gave one more nod and we left.
As Akiko and I rode home, we discussed what we’d learned. She’d spent her time with Daegel’s staff and she had much to share.
“They say Daegel is a hard man, difficult to please, and that his rage can erupt at any given time. He’s been known to attack servants and kill them. Everyone shakes in their leather foot trappings of his fury. Mistakes are not tolerated and incompetence is dealt with swiftly. There is a whipping post next to his grand stables where he has the stable master punish those in need of correction.”
“Vanora knew some of his darker reputation and informed me. These things do not surprise me.”
Akiko continued, “He is also known for his indiscretions. Visiting the prettiest of his servant girls or slaves at night is not an uncommon occurrence. They don’t dare resist him.”
“Does he have any children by his servants?”
“I didn’t ask and no one told me.”
“At least he is handsome and charming.”
Akiko allowed a small smile. “I advise you to never meet him without your weapons. Keep them always hidden within your skirts.”
“I would never think to be without them.” I lifted up my ruffles to reveal one throwing knife tucked into my leg wrappings. Inserting my hand at my waist, I pulled out another one and held it out for Akiko to see.
“Once a warrior, always a warrior.”
I told Akiko the things I’d learned of Daegel, his expectations, fascination and burning desire for me.
“The assignment is going as planned. Daegel is as gullible as any man in the presence of great beauty and manipulation.”
“Yes. Men are so predictable. Show them a little skin, some wealth, and they bend like grass in a stiff wind. He sees me as a strong mare in need of corralling and controlling.”
Akiko chuckled. “He does not know you at all. Won’t he be in for a surprise?”
At that moment I became distracted as I stared out the window at the place where I knew the vast estate to be that was lit up the previous night, which had caused all the buildings on the entire property to glow and glimmer. At that moment the grand estate was shrouded in an unusual dark blanket as though a thick fog blotted it out.
“I wonder why that estate is so dark tonight.”
Akiko said, “I wondered the same thing on our trip toward Daegel’s place earlier. I also noticed that the air smells better now than when the place was lit up.”
“I will ask Daegel the next time I see him. I’m sure he could explain it to us.”
Akiko asked, “Do you think Casimer will be at the ball?”
“No. He apparently doesn’t consort with his employees.”
“Then how can we get to him?”
“I don’t know. We must take one step at a time. First, I need to become Daegel’s coverling, and then further infiltrate to be accepted as a woman of standing in Dwarkaa’s High Society. The other women will need to embrace me. I will need to learn as much as possible of the workings of this higher-born class. We will make our move when the time is right.”
“It all seems so slow and laborious. This is nothing like a good war with an enemy clan.”
“No. This plan is much more clandestine than that. Stealth and concealment are our greatest artillery.”
Akiko released a disgusted sigh. “I hate this.”
“That makes two of us. But we agreed to do what we could to abet this revolt. These are our marching orders and we will do what we must.”
“You might have to kill Daegel, have you thought of that?”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that.”
“And if it does? What if he treats you like he does his servants?”
“He won’t if he knows what’s good for him.” Dread filled me as I thought over the immediate trajectory of my life. I hoped Akiko and I wouldn’t be on the run again soon. I’d become accustomed to eating well.
