Mica (5 page)

“I saw some dead trees over the last dune,” Sun said. “We can make a pyre.”

She mounted her stallion and rode off to collect the wood.
Chapter Two
By the time they gathered wood and built the pyre, darkness had settled over the desert. Blaze and Sun stood at a respectful distance while Mica lit the pyre and sang a funeral chant in his language. Though Sun couldn’t understand his words, she was moved by the depth and beauty of his voice. When Mica finished, he joined Sun and Blaze. The three watched the flames in silence for several moments before retreating to a nearby cave where they lit a fire to warm themselves against the coldness of the desert night.

Blaze glanced at Mica. “Some ritual song, Mirrored Rock?”

“It is a traditional prayer sung when we bury our dead.”

“Your voice is a gift.”

“Thank you, but the words matter more than the voice.”

Sun tugged out her sword and sharpened it on a rock. Unable to control her curiosity any longer, she asked, “What did the words mean?”

“The Goddess is merciful. She wraps our souls in her gentleness and saves us from man’s horror. The Goddess keeps us where sins do not abound. She cleanses and absorbs our pain. The Goddess is the mother of all. From her we begin and in her we end.”

Sun stopped sharpening her weapon and stared into Mica’s eyes, wondering if her disgust was apparent. “That’s what you say in prayer? You slaughter innocent people in the name of this Goddess who you claim is so merciful?”

“No one who believes in the Goddess kills in Her name. Anyone who tells you different is either lying or misinterpreting Her. In case you haven’t noticed, Dame Sun, slaughter isn’t a way of life in the Kennas. I admit when my father and those like him were in power, there was devastation, but no longer. Not since the rightful leaders have taken their places.”

“Then how do you explain the corpse out there?” Sun demanded.

“I can’t.” Mica’s jaw tightened. “But I’m going to find the answer. I’m returning to Ademene in the morning.”

Blaze’s brow furrowed. “Will you be in danger? You were banished.”

“Under my father’s order. He’s dead and the emperor he serves long out of power. I was allowed back years ago. I must speak with the High Advisor. He knows everything that goes on in Ademene. The emperor makes no decision without him.”

“Would they allow banishment?” Sun asked.

“That’s another reason why I have to return. I fear the only way banishment would
occur in Ademene is if something happened to the High Advisor and the emperor.”

“If that’s the case, then you are in danger,” Blaze said.

Sun raised an eyebrow. “And you still want to go back there?”

“I must. I have commitments.”

“I’ll join you,” Blaze told him.

“Blaze.” Sun glared. The Knight shrugged, his blue eyes wide. She muttered a curse and sheathed her sword. “That means I’m going too. Damn it.”

“Neither of you need come.”

“I’m going with you.” Blaze wrapped himself in his cloak and lay down by the fire.

“Sleep well.”

Mica and Sun stared at the flames for several minutes before he said, “I know the last place you want to go is Ademene.”

“I go where Blaze goes.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“He’s more than my friend.”

“Oh.” Mica searched her face. “I see.”

“We better get some sleep.” She rolled onto her side, facing Mica.

“Still don’t trust me?”

“As much as I’d trust a half-starved wolf among a pack of sheep.”

He grinned. “I hardly think you a sheep, Dame Sun.”

Gritting her teeth, she tried to ignore him. It bristled her anger to think in addition to his raw good looks, there was something cute in his silly smile.

* * * * *

At dawn, the three began the trek across the desert to Ademene. The city was known as the largest in the Kennas. Though Blaze had traveled there several times in the past, it was the one place Sun had never asked him about.

The nighttime chill soon faded beneath the sun, surrounding them in oppressive heat. She wondered how anyone enjoyed living in such a barren, uncomfortable place.

The snowy winters of her homeland were preferable to this kingdom of sweltering days and freezing nights, without either the beauty of springtime flowers or glistening winter countryside.

“What’s this city like?” she asked. “Probably a pigpen.”

Mica laughed. “Not exactly. Ademene is the most beautiful city in the Kennas.”

“I’m sure.” Her voice dripped sarcasm.

“You will see for yourself.”

“Unfortunately.”
Mica sighed and glanced at her from beneath the shadow of his hood. “Can’t you try enjoying life, Dame Sun?”

“There’s nothing about this pit of a kingdom for me to enjoy.”

Blaze glanced at Mica. “Don’t waste your time. She could bend a ram’s will.”

“As stubborn as she is beautiful, eh?” Mica winked.

“As dangerous too,” Blaze warned, probably noticing the fury in Sun’s expression.

Mica’s teasing ways grated on her nerves—mostly because part of her enjoyed the attention. Other than approaching her for a night of sex, few men dared risk her wrath.

Those who didn’t find her too tall for a lover at least had the good sense to fear her sword. Mica need not concern himself with any woman being too tall for him, and he had no fear of dying beneath her blade. Of course, he claimed to have been a general, and no man could achieve such a rank without admirable prowess and courage—even in the Kennas.

“How far is it?” she asked.

“We should reach it by tomorrow afternoon.”

“There is more of your story yet to be heard,” Blaze said to Mica. “How did a banished man become welcome again?”

“I offered my services to the exiled emperor and helped him take back power.”

Sun shot him a taunting look. “You really were a traitor.”

“Would you have preferred I continued spreading my father’s evil?” He held her gaze, his expression calm though she sensed the conversation roused his emotions.

“After the war ended, I gave up fighting under the guidance of the High Advisor.”

“Strange advice from a military leader.”

“The High Advisor is a spiritual leader. A Holy Man.”

Sun raised an eyebrow. “And he counsels the king?”

“Perhaps that’s best,” Blaze said.

“There are times when physical power is needed and prayers will do nothing,” Sun argued.

“The High Advisor prefers peaceful means, but he doesn’t avoid confrontation. His voice is one of the strongest I’ve ever known, and believe me, Dame Sun, I’ve fought against and alongside the fiercest warriors in the Kennas.”

Sun snorted with contempt and edged her horse away from Mica’s.

“I understand the High Advisor is not only second in command to the emperor but the religious leader in Upper Kenna,” Blaze said.

“That is true. He is the Grand Priest.”

“Your religion interests me—”

“Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen,” Sun pointed at a dust cloud in the distance.

“Sandstorm,” Mica said. “Follow me.”
He turned his mount sharply and kicked her to a gallop. Sun and Blaze followed, tearing across the desert until they reached the mouth of a tiny cave.

“This will delay us,” Mica said. “But there’s nothing we can do. It’s far too dangerous to travel through a sandstorm.”

“How long will it last?” Sun asked.

Mica shrugged. “Maybe moments, maybe hours.”

“The internal beast cries for satiety.” Blaze removed his saddlebags.

Sun smiled at her mentor. “To you it’s always a good time for a meal. I don’t know how you stay so skinny.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Luck?”

“Probably all that fighting practice.”

“Fighting?” Mica looked surprised. “I know you’re a Knight, but I thought your green sash meant you didn’t fight.”

“Blaze is probably the best I’ve ever seen in hand-to-hand combat. The Green Sash Faction doesn’t carry weapons, but they’re highly trained in empty-handed fighting.”

“Really?” Mica looked interested.

“Blaze is the Order’s most coveted instructor, and he’s trained many of the Dames as well.”

“I take more pride in my healing skills.” Blaze settled onto the ground, a chunk of bread in his hand.

“He’s easily the best healer of all the Knights and Dames.”

Mica smiled. “Must be nice to have the affection of such a woman, Sir Blaze.”

“My daughter exaggerates my powers as much as she exaggerates her harshness.”

“That’s not true in either case,” Sun argued. “Ask anyone about Blaze’s skill and they’ll tell you—”

“Your daughter?” Mica raised an eyebrow. “But I thought you and Dame Sun were lovers?”

Blaze choked on his bread. “Lovers. I should say not.”

Sun burst out laughing. “Lovers? Me and Blaze? He found me after your father killed everyone in my village. If it hadn’t been for him, I’d be dead. Blaze raised me.”

“I see. He did well.”

“That is not an exaggeration.” Blaze cast Sun an affectionate look. “No blood father could be prouder.”

Mica walked across the cave. Sun studied his tall, lean frame. The hair hanging down his back was dark and glossy. Once again, she repressed the urge to touch it.

Another thing she longed to touch was his taut, perfectly formed bottom, prominent beneath his robe. Thinking about squeezing it made her pulse race out of control.

Pressure built in her pussy and her nipples ached as she imagined Mica’s chiseled lips tugging upon them. Shaking her head, she looked back at her food.
“Damn storm,” Mica whispered.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so eager to get there,” Sun said. “If things aren’t as you left them, you might be an outlaw again.”

Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes for longer than a blink. “I hope not, Dame Sun.

I’m not sure I have another war left in me.”

His words took her aback, mostly because she had the unfamiliar urge to offer him reassurance. Though he seemed like such a strong man and his sense of humor didn’t speak of someone tired of life, his voice sounded weary.

“At such times, you’ll find a reserve inside yourself,” Blaze said.

Thank the Spirit for Blaze. He might be hard to understand, but his message was always right.

“I’m not sure about that, Sir.” Mica sighed, folding his arms folded across his chest.

He leaned a broad shoulder against the cave wall.

“If you’re returning, then you have the strength to face whatever comes.”

This time, Mica’s smile looked sad. “Or maybe I’m just a nosy fool.”

Such a comment invited insult, but Sun didn’t have the heart to bait him. What the hell was happening to her? She should despise this man. Edging closer to Blaze, she ripped a chunk from his bread.

She had the worst feeling a greater adventure awaited her than the one she’d originally sought.

* * * * *

Built on a vast oasis, Ademene was a magnificent display of white stone houses amidst lush green trees and flowers of every color imaginable. The palace’s pointed roof rose above the highest trees, like a marble finger pointing to the sun.

“This city in the desert is a jewel amidst stones,” Blaze said.

He, Sun and Mica stood at the top of a high dune overlooking the city.

“You mean this pigpen?” Mica winked in Sun’s direction before kicking his horse onward.

As he approached the city wall, Mica’s heart thudded against his ribs. If the banished man had come from Ademene, then Mica’s fate would be the same. This time his survival would be doubtful. No man could be so lucky twice, since banishment almost always resulted in death.

Glancing over his shoulder, he noted the Knight and Dame flanking him looked as wary as he felt. Though Blaze sat calmly, his gaze swept every direction. One of Sun’s hands rested over the sword at her hip. In spite of the gravity of the situation, Mica was again struck by her beauty, not just physical perfection, for some might consider her too large. Mica liked women with meat and muscle on their bones. They made heartier bed partners than the scrawny, delicate chits many men fawned over. Nothing felt better
than a strong, willing woman wrapping her satiny arms and legs around him and—

He chastised himself. Not only was he riding into possible danger, but such thoughts were forbidden to a man like him. He turned his attention away from Sun and back to the city walls.

Ademene had four entrances. One each on the north, south, east and west, all guarded by the emperor’s finest warriors. At the southern gate one of the guards, a young man called Rune, raised his hand in greeting.

“Mica, I didn’t expect to see you back so quickly. Not much trouble with the Bedouins?”

“Not as bad as it could have been.” Mica smiled, relieved that everything in the city appeared unchanged. “I’ll be joining them again soon. First I have business at the palace.”

“The High Advisor is there if you’re looking for him.”

“I am.”

“Who are your companions?”

“This is Sir Blaze and Dame Sun from the isle of Travelle.” Mica gestured to his companions. “They’re friends.”

Rune nodded at Sun and Blaze. “Enjoy the city. You have a wonderful guide.”

The guard motioned for the gates to open. Moments later, the three stepped onto one of the narrow streets paved with smooth tan and white stones that wove throughout the city. None of the refuse found in many cities of the Western Continent seemed to exist in Ademene.

“They have an underground sewage system,” Blaze explained.

“One of the best,” Mica added. “There are also bathhouses throughout the city.

Magnificent ones at the palace. If we have the time, I’ll show them to you.”

“We have bathhouses in Femmeglen.” Sun glanced over her shoulder at several carts set up on the side of the road, one filled with fresh eggs, the other with fruit.

Women sold the goods to passersby while their children played on a patch of grass.

Ademene was not the filthy pit she’d imagined, but a fine city filled with interesting sights. The people appeared happy and prosperous. She couldn’t imagine them gleefully slaughtering others.

Blaze and Dame Neila had often told her she should stop thinking of everyone in the Kennas as General Mica. Lately she was beginning to think even the general’s son might have somehow eluded his father’s evil.