Chapter Nine (Dejsha)

'Of course I'm having fun, where did the Queen go?' Ariana asked, glancing at the door. A group of beautiful willowy people entered. 'Heck, I'd love to look like those.' Ariana said enviously, a wistful look on her face. They had beautiful long blonde or dark hair and their eyes were of a deep blue. They had a sort of magical sheene in their eyes, Ariana had spent her hole life with her dear Lamatre, so she knew when magic was near.

‘To speak with Ian.’ Lamatre replied mentally to Ariana. “Welcome.” Lamatre said aloud, to the newcomers – greeting them respectfully. ‘And, guard yourself, Ariana.’

'Guard?' Ariana asked. "Koren, get over here." Ariana hissed. "Lamatre says I need a guard, but I trust you. Well, he said for me to guard myself, but... well..." Ariana saw Lamatre wink at Koren and then Lamatre turned to greet everyone. “My Lords and Ladies. A fine day for court chatter.” Lamatre said with a smile.

‘Koren, they tend to assert a strong power over their surroundings when excited.’ Lamatre explained to Koren in mindspeak as he waited for the leader of these strange people to speak.

'What does he mean?' Ariana questioned Koren in his mind as he put an arm round her waist. The companions gathered in a circle and protected both Koren and Ariana.

"Prince Lamatre." The oldest and the one wearing more jewlry – which was a symbol of their rank said stepping forward.

"Lassiol," Lamatre replied, greeting the man by his name and he gestured for him to speak.

'I don't know my dear.' Koren said. He saw his mother walk in silently and she walked up to them.

"My Prince, we come at a hard time, I believe?" The leader replied with a question.

Lamatre nodded, his expression serious. "The gathering war is evident." he agreed.

"Ah, we come to give you any help we can." The leader replied smiling slightly. His followers bowed respectfully. Lamatre broke into a warm smile. "Your news warms my heart. Are your men willing to serve in the armies?"

“They are.” The leader known as Lassiole said. Lamatre bowed his head, fist over his heart. "On behalf of the Queen, I thank you."

Lassiol smiled. "I believe her majesty is here, and as beautiful as a flower still." Lassiol replied.

Lamatre turned in surprise, "ah! Forgive me, my Queen, I had not seen you there."

Ariana smiled at Brithial. "He's finally noticed you, your majesty."

Brithial smiled gently. "He's quite occupied with court, you know, it is a very attention-demanding task." Brithial turned to Lassiole and said smiling, "On my own behalf, I thank thee as well.”

Ariana and Koren watched the interaction. Koren was close to Ariana, and Ariana saw the Queen's knowing look.

"I'm honoured to be here." Lassiol said in his heavily accented voice. Koren led Ariana to a seat close to Lamatre, so she had extra protection, if needed.

Brithial nodded, "You are welcome to remain here, and your people as well, so that they may train with us... lodgings will be provided." she said, taking a seat next to Lamatre, whom smiled briefly at Ariana.

Ariana smiled back and sat on his right hand side, Koren and the companions next to her.

"Thank you, majesty. I am honoured. I hope we help you win."

With a nod and a smile, Brithial said, “as do we – I thank you.” Lassiole smiled and with the Queen’s permition and a guide, he left to go to his rooms and his men followed silently behind their leader.

"Koren, want to play cards?" Ariana and the Prince, along with his companions pulled out a pack of cards (provided by Koren - who was a card genious, followed by Ariana).

Meanwhile, while Lassiole and his followers left, Brithial and Lamatre drew their heads together, murmuring in low tones, presumably about the war and allies.

'What are they talking about?' Ariana wondered to herself as she placed her card down on the table.

Finally, Lamatre stood, bowed to Brithial and left the room, heading for his study.

Ariana stood. "I'll see what he's up to." She said to Koren after she and Koren had both won several rounds of cards.

Lamatre had seated himself behind a solid wood desk that was polished to a rosy red, and leaned back heavily in his chair, already deep in thought as he massaged his temples.

"Lamatre?" Ariana knocked on the Prince’s study door, not wanting to brake his thought. She remembered that if she did, then it might cause damage to his mind. She sat across from him at the table.

"Ariana," Lamatre replied almost instantly, glancing at her. In that moment, he looked far closer to his actual age, and wearied.

"Are you alright, my dear. Come, I'll pour make a drink." Walking over to his drinking facilities, which were lined up on a shelf, she boiled the kettle and put the tea leaves in the cup and poured him a cup of hot tea - and handed it to him.

Lamatre accepted the cup with a bleak smile of gratitude. "I'm fine," he said.

"I'm glad. Your mind has turned inward since the last couple of days. Do you want to talk about it?" Ariana sat down again, holding a steaming cup of her own in her hands, to keep them warm.

"Not particularly," Lamatre replied dryly. "But... I suppose I should, to ease my own mind, as well as yours..."

"I'm here, and I will listen whenever you need me to." Ariana leaned forward, taking his hand and she put one of her warm hands – they were warm from the mug of tea in his.

Lamatre nodded, his gaze falling into the distance, unfocused for a short time. "I suppose you could say it's the war."

“What about it?” Ariana questioned softly.

"Everything." Lamatre replied with a long sigh. "But.... it is the responsibilities I now hold, I suppose that weigh the most."

"You can't do this alone." Ariana stood up, placing her cup on the table. She walked over to him and put her arms around him and held him to her.

Lamatre's body was tense, but it eased a tiny bit under her comfort. "It doesn't matter if I can, or cannot... simply that I do it." he murmured. He looked and sounded so tired.

"Oh my dear." Ariana said softly. It was a hard burden he had to bare by himself. "Hush. I'm here."

Lamatre felt his lips curve in a faint smile. "I've noticed." he said before turning serious. "be strong Ariana..."

"Your one for sarcasm." Ariana's arms tightened slightly round him. "I will be strong with you by my side."

"I fear that may not be the case." Lamatre said quietly. "With my ... gifts... most if not all of my attention will be needed for tracking the enemy's movements."

"What about your brothers? Can't they-" Ariana caught herself, she didn't want to sound selfish and childish. She stroked his forehead softly.

Lamatre smiled softly, guessing what she thought. He replied, "They will be needed elsewhere."

"Oh." Ariana said quietly. She wanted to have him beside her - so they could protect each other.

"Ariana, I want you to be prepared." Lamatre said quietly. "How you saw me today.... that was using only a portion of my-gift." he started.

"What are you saying?" Ariana felt her voice quaver and she moved closer to him.

Lamatre reached over and rubbed her shoulder reassuringly before speaking rather hesitantly. "I have been told that when I devote all of my energy to it, it is as though I am in a deep coma- one so deep that if it were a true coma, most would not wake from it. Rather ....nerve wracking for those watching."

"Do you plan to make me suffocate with more shock?" Ariana stomped her foot. This was not going as she thought it would. "I hate this stupid war." The thought of him being hurt...

"No, I'm quite sure that's the end of the surprises." Lamatre replied, pulling her into a brief hug. "We all do, believe me, we all do... I'm sorry you had to be part of it."

"Its not that I don't want to help." Ariana sobbed. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. That is my worst fear. My worst." The tears flowed more then. She broke away from his embrace and rushed from the room; slamming the study door.

"Ariana-" Lamatre had time to start before she had fled the room. He quickly got to his feet, following her until he grasped her in a tight embrace.

"No. My nightmare. Do you know what my nightmare is?" She saw the body on the ground, dead and unmoving. She had not told him that particular nightmare. She couldn't.

"Lamatre?" Koren came into the hall where they were holding one another and he stopped.

"Koren." Lamatre replied, mentally groaning. "Ariana... was in need of comfort." He turned to her then. "Tell me Ariana... it is only a dream."

"Comfort? is that all?" Koren asked a little sharply noting Lamatre's arms rapped around the woman he had feelings for.

"Dead... no, you can't... not you." Ariana said, her voice full of fear.

"Yes, cousin of mine." Lamatre replied honestly. "Look at her, and tell me it is otherwise." Lamatre turned to Ariana. "Ariana... I cannot possibly understand you child, take a deep breath, then start again..."

"Well, you've had a desire for her, I know you have!" Koren almost shouted.

"Enough!" Ariana said to Koren. "I am sick of this... Just... sick... of everything. He's been there for me and he has hard times ahead of him Koren and if you don't want me to protect him-"

"Protect him?" Koren scoffed. "A girl?"

"I'm a woman and yes, I can protect him. My dream for instance." Ariana stomped her foot.

"What about your silly dream."

"Would you say its silly if I saw Lamatre... dead? Your a fool Prince Koren."

"I've had enough of you." Koren said, not knowing why the woman was stressing out at him.

"Good. I've just about had enough of you too." She pressed against Lamatre.

"All you want is his affection and... much more." Koren snapped. He was feeling upset, as his mother had needed him at court and he wasn't aloud to go hunting. Now he felt rebellious.

"So what? At least he's better than you." Ariana snapped.

"Oh, nice." Koren would have struck her, but he didn't.

"Yeah, at least he knows he can count on me to protect him. All you worry about is if your going to wet yourself on the battlefield." Ariana tore away from Lamatre and ran with out knowing where she was running to. She found herself at Lamatre's door. She threw herself on his bed when she was in his room.

This time, Lamatre did groan aloud. "Koren," he started but then changed his mind. "Go to her....talk to her."

In Lamatre’s room, Ariana had locked his door; she knew that Lamatre would want to talk to her, or that he'd get Koren to talk to her. When the knock came, she called out "Go away."

"Ariana," came Koren's voice. "I'm sorry.” Ariana let him in and he held her while she sobbed. "Me too."

After half an hour or so had passed, Ariana heard Lamatre calling to her from the other side of the door. Koren had gone to see his friends. "Ariana, please... let us talk." Lamatre called to her, resting a hand on the door.

"Be easy, Ariana." Lamatre ordered her gently, his tone soft. "It's okay to let it all out, no one will think less of you."

"All I do is cause trouble, I'm used to it." Ariana said, holding her head high.

"No, you do not cause trouble." Lamatre retorted firmly.

"You and Koren both hate me." Ariana hid her face in her hands. "I am sick of causing arguements between you both, you used to always get on as you both have said."

Lamatre shook his head, drawing her hands away from her face, forcing her to look at him. "I do not hate you Ariana, nor does Koren. We each love you, but in very different ways- something Koren has yet to see."

"I'm sorry, its just scary. I can't bare the thought of something happening to you.” Ariana said, softly.

"It is a hard sacrifice to think of, no matter who is at risk." Lamatre replied. "I am nervous as well."

Instinctivly, Ariana drew him close to her and held him tightly in her arms. "While we still can, even if its just this, at least let me know that I have this to remember if..." She stopped and her body quivered with the horror of losing him.

"Easy there Ariana... easy..." Lamatre murmured gently. "We'll be in the same room, so you can watch me if you wish... though, I don't think there will be much point in doing so."

"What do you mean?" She questioned, as she gently touched his cheeks and pushed hair from his eyes.

"You and I will be in the same room- there will be others who must guard my physical body, and your mind as well." Lamatre replied softly.

"Ah. I thought that we'd all be on a battle feild and nowhere near a room." Ariana said.

Koren knocked on the door. "Ariana?"

"Yes?" Ariana questioned.

"I want to talk to my cousin alone, if that is alright." Koren replied from the other side of the bedroom door.

"Not really, but go ahead." Ariana said honestly. She had partially forgiven him, but she wanted to hold Lamatre for a little while just... a little longer.

Lamatre smiled wryly. "That would be a most foolish thing to do- I, in a near coma, and you whom Brithian can most easily control." He glanced up when Koren entered.

"If you'll excuse me then, Ariana..."