Kneus: A Terraneu Novel (Book Four) (16 page)

“I will mother.” The smile didn’t reach Brennae’s eyes and her voice lost
some of its happiness. “The dance is always fun.”

Amber just squeezed her daughter’s hand. Brennae had always danced but
only with cousins or uncles. Tonight if the men kept their word then she would
have more fun than she had ever had before.

“We’ll talk later at the dance.” Amber said goodbye at the door. When
Brennae was gone Kniam walked over and put his arm over her shoulder.

“We did that to her?” He asked. When Amber looked at him questioningly he
said, “The look of unhappiness about the dance. The males protecting her did
that?”

“Not protecting her. It never hurts to look out for someone you love.”
Amber insisted, turning in his arms. “We are guilty of
over-protecting
her.”
She leaned toward him to kiss his lips when Knacayn and Knadyn opened the door.

“Oh that’s just gross.” The both said together then
laughed, “Can’t that wait until we’ve left for the dance?” Pushing and jostling
each other they went to their rooms to get ready.

Amber and Kniam just sighed and moved to leave for the dance themselves.

*~*~*

The night rains had just ended leaving the air heavy
and sultry. The clothes clung a little more to the women’s curves. The men’s
looks became a little more meaningful. All of the council members and their
mates had been standing around in a group talking. Asteen, Ailech and Thian
were on the dance floor with their mates. Kniam and Amber had told the triplets
their surprise and they had gone off running to talk with their friends and
cousins.

Knaleg and Catherine were home for good this time and had only lasted
through half the dance before running off for their dome. The council had voted
that there was enough information on the wilds of Terraneu. No more exploring was
necessary. Knaleg had immediately requested the sterility be reversed,
Catherine’s approval was noted by the council and he had visited the medical
unit. Everyone was quick to wish them success in their attempts at starting a
family.

“Do you remember our first dance?” Amber asked Kniam. Their bodies were
close together moving to the music.

“Yes.” Kniam replied softly. “It was a slow song like this one.” He
pulled her even closer, “I like slow Earth songs.”

Amber laughed at the press of something else against her. “I can feel
that you do.” After a second Amber asked, “Are you truly happy Kniam? If it
were to all end tonight, would you regret anything we’ve created here?”

Kniam slowed their movements, “Can you even be asking me this?” Sighing
at the questioning look in her eyes, “If you could be in my mind and know the
true happiness I feel you wouldn’t have to ask.”

“Aren’t you afraid...” she stopped when he put his lips against hers.

“I have no fear of Knuan, even in his madness.” Kniam stated confidently when
he broke the kiss, “I have no regrets and I know the others of the community
feel the same.” He held her gaze. “We were already dead when you brought life
back to us. We have homes and mates and children. Our hope and purpose is
restored to us and my mad brother can’t kill that.” Kniam kissed her again.
“Now about the fact that our dome is empty.”

Amber laughed at the eagerness in Kniam’s voice. She vowed to live in the
moment, to forget the uncertain future and embrace the now. Grabbing his hand
she turned to make a run for their dome. Before she could take a few steps he
had picked her up and put her over his shoulder.

“Okay then.” Amber’s laughter danced on the night. “Mush!” She smacked
his perfect butt playfully. “Mush.” Kniam retaliated by giving her rounded
globes a smack of their own.

Amber smiled to herself. No matter when Knuan arrived at Terraneu,
tomorrow...fifty years...a hundred. He couldn’t change the fact that they had
lived. They had found happiness together. They were a community...a
family
and that wasn’t something he could take away from them. Knuan may be coming,
but they were ready for him.

Marcael

(A Terraneu Book Five)

Prologue

The great city of Hedal

The King was winding his way through the streets of Hedal on his way
home. It had been a futile endeavor to try to talk with the ambassador of
Aekaetum without the Queen present. They were a stubborn people and would not
listen to reason. The latest skirmishes on the western border needed to stop,
didn’t the people of Aekaetum realize they were allies now? Though they were
now bound by marriage it seemed not everyone was willing to recognize the
alliance.

Coming around a corner the King and his entourage stopped when their path
was blocked. He recognized the square they were in, the Palace was straight
ahead and this was one of the more popular market areas. At this time of day it
would be busy but not completely blocked.

“Thaylen can you see what is happening?” He asked the head of his guard.

“It appears to be street beggars fighting my King.” His guard replied.

Sighing over the negative changes in his beloved city since the alliance
with Aekaetum, the King moved his mount until he was able to see the skirmish.
To his amazement there was a smaller boy standing in front of five others, his
arms out to his sides as if to protect them. He heard the boy’s voice call out.

“You will have to go through me to get them.” The poor thing couldn’t be
more than nine or ten years. His voice hadn’t even changed yet! In answer to
the boy’s threat a brute of a fellow across from him laughed.

“That will take about one second you gutter rat.” He strode forward with
his weapon drawn, his gang spread out to stand next to their leader. “After I
gut you like a pig, I will take your
girlfriends
that are hiding behind
you to sell in the slave pits of Aekaetum.”

At being called ‘girlfriends’ the boys started to protest, but the little
fellow stopped them with one flick of his hand. The King was impressed the boy
hadn’t let the taunting sway him from his purpose. The little fellow just stood
there waiting to see what move the others made. The lad didn’t have long to
wait. The King watched as the leader jumped at the boy, swinging his sword and
yelling. One second the man had his weapon, the next he was holding his own
guts as he fell in the dirt. The King had been watching and still couldn’t
believe his eyes. The boy had bent backward farther than a body should be able
to bend, then spinning and hitting the other fellow had got him to drop his
sword. Picking it up and killing the fellow had only taken five seconds.

Before the gang of bullies could react the King ordered his men to clear
the area.

“As you will my King.” Thaylen slid to the ground, the King’s guard
following him. They didn’t have to say anything, their armor and cloaks
proclaiming to all who they were. The merchants and citizens of Hedal that had
been standing by watching took a knee as his guard worked their way to the
fight.

“We will gut all of you for that little pig.” The self-appointed new
leader of the gang snarled at the boy.

“No. You won’t.” Thaylen drawled as he hit the fellow over the head with
his sword handle. “That should shut you up.” The other gang members had turned
when Thaylen made his statement and when they saw whom they were facing a few
tried to run but were rounded up by his guard. “Take them to the city hold, let
the Magister decide what to do with them.” Thaylen ordered his men then turned
to see what his King required.

The King noted with surprise that the boy and his friends didn’t try to
flee. The little fellow had moved to stand protectively in front of the others
yet again. But for the whole of the fight the King realized the boy hadn’t
moved from in front of them. Even when he had grabbed the sword to kill the
brute bullying them he had managed to stay in front of his fellows. Sliding to
the ground he made his way to stand in front of the boy. As he approached they
just stood in the same spot, their faces impassive. When they didn’t take a
knee or make any kind of move the King just laughed. “Do you know who I am?”

“Some kind of High Lord, judging by your fine clothes.” The boy answered
back, his brown eyes flashing brightly in his gaunt face. Long black eyelashes
fluttered against high cheekbones when the boy blinked away the dirt flying
about the market.

Not minding the impudence in his answer the King asked instead. “What is
your name?” Now that he was close the King could see that the boy was extremely
dirty. His shirt was about three sizes too big, his pants a few sizes too
small. Torn, dirty and frayed the King was amazed it was wearable.

“I am called Marcael.” The boy answered.

“Where are your parents?” The King asked even though he knew the answer
he wanted to see what the boy would say.

“I have no parents.” The boy didn’t cry or tear up, “They are dead to
me.” His voice was emotionless when he made that statement.

“Ah.” The King let out a breath. “That does say a lot.” He smiled down at
the boy.

“What does it say?” The boy snarled up at the King.

Thaylen moved closer his hand going to his weapon. He would never
interfere with his King, he was only moving closer to protect him in case the
scamp attacked. The King waved his hand and Thaylen moved back.

“You said they were dead to
you
.” The King replied, “Not that they
were dead.”

The boy’s eyes narrowed on the King, his mouth opened then closed against
what he would have said.

The King laughed, he really liked this boy. “How would you like to come
with me? I can give you food, clothing and training.”

With total disdain the boy said, “I know what old Lords like you want
with young boys. I would not do
that
for all of the food, clothing and
training in all of Hedal.”

The Kings eyes widened and then he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard
he thought his sides would split. The little beggar had just accused him, the
King of Hedal of either buggery himself or perhaps wanting this little fellow
to sell
into
buggary. The King hadn’t had a conversation this
entertaining in a long time.

When he was able to catch his breath he said, “No boy I am giving you a
chance to leave the streets and come to the palace to train.”

“I was told they only accept noble boys into the palace for training.”
The boy looked at him suspiciously.

“That is not true.” The King smiled kindly. “Would you like to come or
no?”

The boy looked at him for a second longer then turning to look behind him
and back. “I will only go if we are all allowed this chance.”

The King burst out laughing again. The little imp was bargaining for all
his friends too? That showed true loyalty and intelligence for one so small.

“I agree to your terms.” The King said, “Would you like to know my
terms?”

“We are to train to be warriors. Our loyalty will be to our King, to do
as he commands us in all matters. To protect those who are weaker, and to give
our lives in the service of our Kingdom if that is what is required. To honor
our King we should value what he values: honesty, loyalty and valor.” The boy
bent his knee, and his friends did the same. “Is that not close to the vow your
warriors take, my King?”

Astounded again the King bit back his laughter. “You are going to be
entertaining.” He turned to regain the saddle. “Thaylen make sure the boys all
have a ride. I will take Marcael with me.”

“As you will my King.” Thaylen made sure that everyone mounted with a boy
in front of him.

‘With me Marcael.” The King held his hand out for the boy. Seeing
uncertainty in the boy’s eyes for the first time was a surprise. “I do value
honesty, loyalty and valor above all things.” He told the boy. “But you forgot
one thing in your vow that I value even more...family.” The King smiled again,
“By blood or by choice I value those I call
family
.” Grabbing the small
hand in his the King helped him into the saddle. “I have sons by birth, five
strong boys who are training for their duties. But I also have sons by choice.
The men of my guard are such sons. You will be one of those Marcael.” Holding
the boy steady against his armored chest he whispered, “You may even earn the right
to be my Knoet’un.”

“The King’s First Knight?” Marcael whispered. “I vow I will my King. I
will be your Knoet’un.”

The King wanted to laugh at the fervor in the boy’s words, but when he
saw the glowing certainty in the boy’s eyes he just smiled instead.

Marcael would go on to be the youngest Kings Knoet’un in the history of
Hedal. He had a lot of titles by the time he was done. Legendary warrior,
faithful Kings Guard, traitor, infidel...
murderer of the last great King of
Hedal.

I really hate this part of writing a book. “About
the Author” has to be the hardest part of publishing for me.

On the front of new and exciting I can now say that
I no longer have to trudge off to work. I am now a full time, stay at home,
writer/publisher/editor/ social media mogul. I am going to use my time to try
to get out a book every few months, so I hope it works out that I am able to
accomplish that.

My thanks go out to everyone whose support and
kindness gave me the confidence to make the jump out of the workforce, and into
self-employment. I am still a one-day at a time, everyday normal person. I have
Mr. Stormy, my kids and a bunch of dogs running around keeping me grounded.

Thank you! I really do wish all my readers the best
in 2015!

There is a link on my webpage at
http://www.stormymcknight.com/
if you
want to send me your thoughts, or sign up to be on the mailing list for release
updates and events.