A few months passed before I lifted my quill pen, dipped it into my ink urn and began to write again. I was out on the rough seas to visit my designated land masses to the west but I recently arrived home to Dwarkaa Farrin.
Some changes have occurred since my last tour of the western land masses. The waters surrounding them, the Garvan Sea, have grown significantly more treacherous and the ruthlessness among the farrin clans has escalated. The Renuka Farrin Clan was becoming more dominant while the others were bowing to its strength.
Casimer, our world’s ruler, doesn’t mind if one farrin clan grows in power for a while. Manipulated war keeps the population of this world in check and preserves Dwarkaa’s agenda. The constant fighting between clans is expertly promoted by the Tonrar and Dwarkaa’s intelligence. The masses of the farrins are simpletons and believe everything Casimer tells them. They really have no choice. To doubt or defy him would decimate their numbers even more and so they numbly follow.
Although Renuka has grown in strength and their battle savvy is being touted everywhere among the western farrins, eventually Casimer will demand they be humbled and their power broken. In time Casimer will give the word and Renuka Clan will weep.
A ship was apparently lost in the last bout of farrin tours. Although scouting vessels were sent out to search for it nothing was found. This happens from time to time. The rough seas we navigate are treasonable and a few ships are lost every year. I didn’t know the sea captain personally. He was stationed at another port along Dwarkaa’s expansive coast. Every one of the men under his command was lost to the sea and the ship most likely battered into driftwood. Loosing such a fine vessel is a shame although Casimer’s shipping yards produce at least twenty new ships every year.
When I returned from my tour of farrins, I visited the bath house and enjoyed some pleasure from the bathhouse girls before returning to my home. I noticed a note nailed to my door, the missive was from Umiko. He had returned much sooner than he anticipated and had brought the woman from Akoni Farrin. The note also informed me that he would send one of the warriors under his command to my home once he heard word of my arrival.
Umiko left on his tour of the south eastern farrins two months ago and he expected his round trip journey to take at least that long. The land masses he visits are some of the farthest from Dwarkaa and the voyage is fraught with peril and mystery.
The farrins he is assigned are the most dreaded and despised, given to a sea captain with little status and from a family with no prominence. No sea captain would desire that assignment. I was astounded that he passed the requirements to become a sea captain at all. He seemed weak and pathetic; given to bouts of fear and insanity. I concluded that his mind must be thick and dim-witted to allow a woman clan leader to control and manipulate him and the warriors under his command.
The warrior came as promised and told me where Umiko would meet me to do the exchange. I left my home at the appointed time and met him at the port, behind the shipping office. Apparently he kept the woman locked up in the hull of his ship and fed her sparsely from his own table.
I questioned him, “Why did you treat her this way?”
“She’s been nothing but trouble since the day she stepped onto my ship. I rejoice over this day and relish handing her over to you. But you need to know that this service I’ve performed has been labor intensive and exhausting.”
I smelled greed in the air but remained silent.
“I demand recompense for all the trouble she’s caused.”
I chose my words carefully. “Were you not ready to bring her to Dwarkaa in Broehain’s interests? Was Broehain not made to believe that she would be his?”
Umiko looked reluctant to reply. Finally he said, “Yes.”
“I’m sure Broehain took good care of her on the journey.”
“You know as well as any man that Broehain is forbidden to touch her until Casimer gives his consent.”
“But he took care of her,” I said more as a statement than a question.
“Yes, Broehain made sure she was well taken care of. He also kept her company many evenings through the slats of her door. I think they’ve developed quite the rapport.”
“Broehain still believes this woman will be his?”
Umiko nodded.
“And he has no idea of our arrangement?”
“No.” Guilt paraded across Umiko’s face.
The man’s deception would garner Broehain hatred. I hoped he would slit Umiko’s throat in reparation.
“So she comes to me pure?”
Umiko chuckled. “Not exactly. She’s been known to share her body with many.”
My gut turned sour. “You brought me a whore?”
“You never inquired about her past now did you?”
“Did Broehain know of this?”
“Yes. The rumor of her activities was well known from the beginning.”
“And this was acceptable to the man?” I felt dumbfounded at the information.
“I suppose her beauty outweighed any objection Broehain could raise.” Umiko said with a crooked grin.
“But why did you keep this from me?” I demanded.
“You didn’t want another slut in your bed?”
I grabbed Umiko by the throat and squeezed. He choked and whined for mercy. I loosened my grip slightly, threw him to the ground and a cloud of dust rose around him.
Everyone in the company of the Apolake Warriors knew of my previous woman’s indiscretions and was aware that I murdered Tanvi mercilessly. I also took care of the warrior who’d helped himself to Tanvi. I couldn’t kill him, Casimer would have objected. Casimer valued all the warriors he had. I arranged for Mafalda’s transfer to a ship captain known for his extreme cruelty. My anticipation in meeting this new woman was suddenly doused in disappointment.
“Why did you leave this information hidden?” I demanded again.
“I needed your permission to bring her.” Umiko looked afraid to tell me but he kept speaking as he stood to his feet. “I thought once you knew of Tilly’s past you’d release her and allow Broehain to have her.”
I didn’t know how a woman could have such a hold on a warrior, no matter how fetching and especially knowing the woman’s past reputation.
“I want to see her.”
Umiko looked shocked. “You do? I thought that you would not.”
“I have to at least see what I’m giving up. Go and bring her to me.” I’d been imagining her fine features for months. I wasn’t ready to throw her away quite yet, especially not before getting a good look.
Umiko reluctantly turned and walked to his ship, his shoulders hunched in defeat and his cursing floating on the soft wind.
In that moment I was thankful to be back on Dwarkaa. The constant winds on the violent water always become tiresome on the long sea voyage. The other farrins are cloaked in constant dirt and debris from the ever-beating and sadistic gale. Turbulent seas around the farrin land masses are also the norm.
Here on Dwarkaa, Casimer’s powerful magic keeps the winds calm and the air breathable, although that is a debatable assessment. Our Lord’s dark influence comes with consequences. The heavy oppression that permeates the atmosphere of Dwarkaa makes breathing difficult in an entirely diverse manner. We don’t have to continually wear eye gear to protect us from the vicious sand-blown air like the other land masses. And we can breathe without filling our lungs with debris. If I had to choose between the two I’d still settle on Dwarkaa as a place to dwell.
At times, while I’m sailing the high seas, the Tonrar leave our presence for hours. Although the winds become more ferocious, the reprieve from the Tonrar’s heavy, oppressive influence is always welcome. That’s what I felt as I stood waiting for Umiko to return, I felt a welcome remission from the usual heaviness and to top it off, the wind was soft and pleasant.
I noticed Umiko leave his ship and walk the gangway, pulling a woman along beside him. She resisted violently and Umiko struggled to contain her as he forced her unto the dock, across the wooden pier and to the sandy incline. As they neared, I could see why Broehain was so taken with her. She was as lovely as any of the finest specimens on Dwarkaa. I felt myself falling for her and that frightened me. I had determined to despise her despite my curiosity.
The woman became distracted and gazed about while her feet traversed new ground on the ruling and grandest known land mass of all. It was rare for an adult to move from one farrin to another. I’d never actually seen the response of a new arrival to Dwarkaa. She looked awestruck and completely undone at the view of Dwarkaa City.
Umiko stopped before me, his grip tight around Tilly’s arm. Her gaze suddenly became sullen and furious as she turned to look me in the eye.
“Who is this dog before me?” she asked, her words tight and crisp between clenched teeth.
The grin on my lips came without my will. I found her extremely amusing and her lack of charm humorous. “My name is Donagh.”
She scowled. “Where is Broehain? I came to Dwarkaa for his sake.”
Her anger was expected and yet I wished she was as taken with my visage as I was with hers. Many women found me attractive and my tall and broad build would normally draw many glances. That I am one of the highest ranking ship captains also plays to my advantage. I could have picked any fine maiden from a copious group of excited eligible women – all young and ready to be covered.
“I’m not sure that Broehain is up to the task of dealing with such a strong-willed woman.”
Fear filled her eyes for the first time and I felt empowered.
Umiko kept a firm grip on Tilly but his eyes betrayed his uneasiness. “Decide what you want. I suspect Broehain will come soon to check on Tilly. He went to her every evening while we sailed. I expect no less now that we’ve docked.”
“Has the formal request been made to Casimer? Did you complete the parchment form in Broehain’s stead?”
“No, net yet.”
“Good.”
“What are you planning?” asked Umiko. “What are your intentions?”
I looked at the woman and studied her. She wasn’t a young thing. I’d guess she was a warrior, a seasoned one at that, perhaps in her late twenties. She appeared ready to attack given the opportunity. I was relieved she wasn’t a fawning juvenile, overcome with the flirtatious and impetuous ways of the young women I could have picked from. This woman had seen things, experienced battles and had an edge to her character. Perhaps she would be a good counterpart to my strong personality and our union would be filled with interesting conversation.
I reined in my positive imagining and focused on the woman called Tilly. Her back stiff and her fury palpable, it was clear that she would need to be broken in, like one of the fine stallions in Casimer’s herds. I relished the challenge. My bed had been cold and empty for months and I missed the warmth of another body. Her curvaceous form spiked my temperature and I realized it would take some time before she warmed up to me.
“I’ll take her,” I said before thinking through all the repercussions of my decision.
“No!” Tilly screamed. “I don’t want you.”
I chuckled and she looked angrier. “You have no choice. I commanded Umiko to fetch you for me. It’s because of my summons that you are standing on the soil of Dwarkaa. This is a privilege that few from the other farrins are allowed.”
“That’s a lie,” she screamed. “You help yourselves to plenty of our infants. You’re constantly stealing from us. Where do you keep them and what do you do with all the babies?”
“Remember that you are the one constrained, not me.” Reminding her of her status was paramount to curb her runaway tongue.
“I demand to see Broehain.”
“You are in no position to make demands.”
At this she made a strange face, pursed her lips and released a stream of spittle. It landed on my boot. I looked down at the slimy liquid on the fine leather and slowly lifted my eyes to hers, shocked at what she’d done.
“You deserved that.”
I stepped toward her, ready to slap her pretty face and she cringed in expectation. I held back the urge and rather stepped in close, my breathe washing over her face. Leaning down, I whispered into her ear, quiet enough for only her to hear. “Soon you will be warming my bed. If you care at all about your life, you will treat me with the respect I deserve. You can easily join my previous wife in a beggar’s grave.”
She bucked away violently and said, “I will never be your wife.”
That’s when I heard Broehain’s voice. “What’s going on here?”
Umiko looked immediately nervous and apologetic. I despised him further. His deficiency in leadership was worse than I initially thought.
I did not know how the confrontation with Broehain would end. Deprived love could take on a murderous edge. I should know. I prepared myself to kill Broehain if it came to it. Tilly had taken hold of my fascination and I would not let her go.
