The Illegitimate Claim (52 page)

you’re on.”

“Good day, Gothman, and Runner clans. This transmission is being sent out to

announce the end of my reign, it is. Lord Andru has proven his military and leadership

expertise to my satisfaction and is now Lord of Gothman, yes. The commencement

ceremony will be one week from tonight.”

While he spoke, Gilroy and Ana were escorted into the throne room and Torgo

gestured for them to stand next to Tara’s throne. Once Darius finished his very short,

yet monumental speech, Torgo punched some keys and the camera on the tripod

moved slowly to focus on Tara. Andru pulled Meah tightly into his embrace and

stroked her bare back as he smiled at his sister. Meah noticed Ana blush as she met her

brother’s gaze.

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“Hello, Gothman, and all Runner clans,” Tara began. “I too shall step down as

leader of all Runner clans to enjoy retirement with Lord Darius. My heir, Lady Ana, has

spent her life preparing to lead the Runner clans, and I’m very pleased with the many

leadership abilities she’s displayed. Our two nations are stronger than they’ve ever

been, and a force not to be ignored in Nuworld. Her commencement ceremony will also

be one week from tonight. Any clan wishing to settle around the Blood Circle clan or

Gothman are welcome to attend.”

“Look at you.” Ana smiled at Meah’s Gothman gown after Torgo ended the

transmission. The room was full of loud talking and laughter and the two women met

toward the doorway. “Mama says there are more people gathered out back.”

“Come upstairs with me before we go out there,” Meah said. “I think I’d like to

appear as your first assistant when we join the party instead of being gawked at by all

the Gothman guards.”

Ana giggled as the two disappeared up the stairs. Gilroy stood along the wall and

watched the two women disappear up the stairs when Andru joined him.

“Congratulations, my lord.” Gilroy smiled and patted his friend’s arm.

Andru watched the two women leave and then turned to face his first commander.

“Congratulations to you too, my friend. We’ve waited a long time for this.”

“That we have.” Gilroy nodded and accepted a mug of Gothman wine from one of

the servants, and then handed another mug to his lord. “Lord Darius pulled a quick one

on you, didn’t he?”

“That he did. He’ll go down in history as a glorious and powerful leader.” Andru

nodded his head toward the door. “Let’s join the party.”

Ana and Meah appeared in the backyard after being upstairs for quite a long time.

The Runners in the group, predominantly Ana’s childhood friends, cheered loudly

when the two of them stepped out the back door and both women grinned at their

peers. They were immediately surrounded and Tara pushed her way through the group

to embrace both women.

“Were you surprised?” She smiled broadly at both women. “You’ve both worked

hard for this moment. Your future won’t be easy but I’ll make a small prediction, if I

may.”

The group grew quiet and stared at Tara who had her arms around both women.

She looked at them and laughed conspiratorially then shouted that the two women

needed wine. When all were armed with mugs full of the blood-colored liquid, Tara

smiled at the known storytellers in the group and then spoke quietly.

“I predict the hardest trials these two women will have to endure…” she paused for

the effect, “is the training and management of those two men over there.”

The group turned their heads and Andru and Gilroy looked up from across the

yard when they noticed the group of Runners all looking at them and laughing.

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“Damn, I wanted to be the one to take her out of that dress,” Andru mumbled to

Gilroy when he noticed Meah in her Runner clothing, standing next to Ana. The two

men laughed together and raised their mugs to toast the Runners, which made the

Runners laugh even harder and poke at Ana and Meah.

“Come on,” Ana whispered to Meah. “Let’s go start those management lessons.”

The two men stood by the garage being toasted by one of the older warriors. Ana

moved ahead of Meah and the men parted, then slowly drifted away when the women

drew near.

Andru stepped into the privacy of the large garage as his sister approached him.

She was all smiles and he knew that would disappear in the following second. He

looked over his shoulder at Gilroy, and one look told him the man was thinking the

same thing he was. Andru looked around the crowd quickly to make note of where the

closest storytellers were. As he looked back at his approaching sister, he glanced over

her shoulder at his claim. Meah’s relaxed smile turned to fear when she realized the

inevitable was about to happen.

“Congratulations, my brother,” Ana said quietly, as she reached for his arm.

Andru felt her touch and quickly pulled her into the privacy of the garage as their

eyes locked. Gilroy was instantly behind Ana, and Meah stood frozen at the entrance of

the garage, afraid to move any closer.

Ana instantly froze as her brother’s thoughts pounded her mercilessly. “Andru,

no,” she cried, as she tried pulling away from him, and began shaking her head in

denial. “It’s not true. You’ve got to be wrong.”

She felt Gilroy’s hands on her shoulders and spun around on him. “Don’t you touch

me, you son of a bitch.”

Ana tried to lash out at him and he backed up, surprised, but Andru grabbed his

sister and yanked her off her feet and back into his arms. He held her tightly and

whispered harshly into her ear.

“There are storytellers here, Ana. Don’t you dare make a scene.”

“But, Andru…”

“No.” Andru gave her a gentle shake and she looked up at him with horrified eyes.

“I told you I would work it so we could be together, didn’t I? Our claims accept our

love for each other and so does Crator. Think of Darien, my dear sister, and don’t be a

hypocrite.”

Ana’s eyes widened as her gaze remained locked with her brother’s. When he

released her, she turned slowly to face Gilroy. He crossed his arms and glared at her

and her gaze dropped to the ground.

“I believe Mama was right. You two will be my biggest challenge.”

“Are you apologizing to your lord?” Andru growled quietly, and Ana looked up at

him, then bit her lip.

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“My lord, I’m sorry I struck out at you,” she whispered, and looked sheepishly at

Gilroy who continued to stare at her with his arms crossed. “I was out of line.”

Andru leaned his head to the side to look past Gilroy at Meah who hovered at the

entrance of the garage. She held her hands in front of her, seemingly overimpressed by

the quality of her fingernails. She chewed desperately on her bottom lip, appearing

more than uncomfortable.

“Meah.” He whispered her name but it nearly made her jump out of her skin. He

reached his hand out to her, and she felt her stomach tie in knots as she edged around

Gilroy.

“Gilroy, do you remember our childhood dreams?” Andru asked as he pulled his

claim into his arms.

Gilroy had taken a strand of Ana’s hair in his fingers and then tugged on it gently

until she came to him. She buried her face in his chest and he kissed the top of her head

before looking up at Andru.

“I remember them well. We’ve seen them come true, haven’t we?”

“Ah, that we have.” Andru reached a free hand out to his friend and Gilroy grasped

it with an ornery smile. Andru smiled back and then looked down at the two women in

between them. “I believe we shall retire from this party. Why don’t you take your claim

home.”

Ana pulled away from Gilroy and straightened her shirt. “You two go on out. Meah

and I will join you in a minute.”

Andru nodded at his sister, and then pulled her into his arms quickly and kissed

her forehead before walking out of the garage with Gilroy.

“Andru’s thoughts slammed me pretty hard. Would you tell me what happened?”

Ana straightened her shirt and then ran her fingers through her hair.

Meah looked up quickly, but Ana’s expression was serious. She clasped her hands

behind her back as if bracing herself for the details to follow.

“As you wish, my lady.” And she told her. She didn’t lower her eyes but showed

the respect of a first commander reporting to the leader of the Runners. She explained

everything and ended with the moment she gave in to Gilroy.

“So you’re with child?”

Meah shrugged, but there was color in her cheeks. “If Crator wills it, I’m sure I am.

I’ve taken the anti-conception medicine and still have three cycles before I need my next

dose. I was almost three cycles along before I knew I carried Tory and Tia.”

“Anti-conception medication has proven ineffective when it comes to those two,

I’ve discovered,” Ana offered dryly.

There was a silence then, and Ana paced while Meah stood quietly allowing her

lady time to digest everything. Finally, Ana stopped and looked around the heavily

shadowed garage.

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“I fear two things,” Ana began slowly, and her gray eyes danced with speculation

as she studied her friend. She saw the worry in Meah’s face and quickly moved to

embrace her. “Oh Meah, first I should congratulate you on your pregnancy. I didn’t get

to be with you the first time, but I will help you when you need me this time. Andru is

proud to know he will be a papa again.”

“Ana, I’m not made to birth children,” Meah whispered as she returned the hug.

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. Maybe Crator planned it this way so you wouldn’t have twins again.”

Ana had her arms wrapped around her friend’s neck. She held her close as she

reassured her. After a moment, Ana released her and took a step back.

Meah looked at her feet, but was still too new with the thought of two men being in

her life to respond. Ana had lived with the love of both men for many winters, and

Meah decided if her lady could do it then so could she.

“Hear me now. First of all, your story makes me believe a Bachula was put into