VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 09:20:36 12/24/01 Mon
Author: Leigh
Subject: Re: Orignal Gemstone 3
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Orignal Gemstone" on 03:53:05 12/24/01 Mon

The clash of metal upon metal filled the air of the coliseum as practiced Vatian warriors challenged each other in a simulated battle.. Several groups of new recruits, each one consisting of 8 to 10 twelve and thirteen-year old girls, plus their mentor, watched and admired the skills of the combatants from the lower balcony.

At the northern end of the arena, one level above where the recruits stood, in the seat reserved for the M'yrene, Nikita stood and observed the activities below. The deep red cloak of the M’yrene hung from her shoulders, down her back and reached to her ankles. Beneath it she wore the battle raiment identical to those of the combatants below except that in addition she wore the golden girdle, a belt two inches wide made of the precious metal and bearing the Vatian seal in the front.

Nearly a whole lunar cycle had passed since she had returned home from the land of the Scythians. In that period her life had gone through several changes. In a ceremony conducted by her mother and attended by the heads of the Vatian states and military leaders, Nikita was crowned M'yrene, warrior queen of the Vatian people. She had stood in the M'yrene's box which had been decorated with red brocade and golden wreaths, listening to the roar of twenty thousand female voices in celebration and felt, suddenly, very alone.

She had been trained since childhood to take over this role, but, none of the preparations had taught her how to deal with the overwhelming sense of responsibility that engulfed her as she looked out amongst her people. Before there had always been someone else whom she could turn to when there was a crisis. Her mother or Aunt Adriana. But now it was she whom the others looked to for guidance. Her words that were obeyed. Her decisions that determined the fates of thousands of lives.

Since the coronation her days had been filled with overseeing the training of the warriors, meeting with military leaders to be briefed on the various defense problems the empire faced and, when time permitted, touring the different regions.

Aella, who had been her mother's doyan, remained in Themiscya and served Nikita at the request of Madeline. "When you are in need of a confidant," Madeline had told her, "trust in Aella. In fact, I should be very pleased if you should look upon her as an older sister."
Her mother's words had puzzled Nikita.. She had learned through the years that her mother had had another child before her. Nikita had assumed though that her mother's firstborn had been a boy and, as was the tradition amongst the Vatians, had either been given over to his father's tribe to raise or had been put to death. Now Nikita looked upon the dark-haired, brown-eyed Aella, she began to wonder if her assumptions had been wrong. And if Aella was indeed her sister, what did she feel knowing that her birthright had been given to her younger sister?

"M'yrene."

Nikita turned to see Aella standing at the entrance to the M'yrene's box. She smiled at her and beckoned for her to enter. Aella bowed her head a moment in respect then raised her eyes to meet Nikita's as she stepped forward.

"M'yrene, two sentinels have brought an intruder found wandering along the northern border. He was unarmed but he requested to see you and had this in his possession." The doyan raised her hand and opened her fingers to reveal the necklace coiled within the palm of her hand.

Nikita's eyes narrowed as she reached for the necklace. Lifting it, she studied the stone and identified the markings on it. It was hers. Her eyes met Aella's as she asked hastily, "Where is this man?"

"He's being held at the guardhouse pending your instruction."

Nikita looked down once more at the rune-stone in her hand, recalling the promise she had made in connection with it.
Her eyes lifted up once more to search that of her doyan. "This man, describe him to me. Is he young? Old?"

"He's old, M'yrene. Long grayish hair. He does not appear to be any physical threat."

"Did he bear any message?"

"He said that it was vital he see the M'yrene's daughter. The guards recognized your insignia on the rune-stone and brought him here." A slight frown formed on the doyan's face. "I'm not sure that you should see him, M'yrene. It could be some sort of trap."

Nikita took a deep breath, turned round to face the combatants below, and was quiet for several minutes. Finally, her mind made up, she raised the necklace and placed it around her neck. She dropped the rune-stone inside her top, feeling it settle in the valley between her breasts.

"Escort the man to my private chambers," she instructed, then turned to look into Aella's eyes. "I'd like for you to be present when I speak with him. I've a feeling I may need your assistance. However, --" Nikita turned fully and took a step closer towards the doyan, "-- I need your solemn oath that nothing you hear discussed in that meeting will be mentioned to anyone. Including our mother."

Aella's eyes widened fractionally, filling with surprise. Then just as quickly they became shuttered as her lashes lowered and she avoided looking into the M'yrene's blue eyes.

Nikita stepped forward and placed her hand gently under Aella's chin. She tilted the doyan's face up and looked into her dark eyes. "It’s true, isn't it?" she asked softly. "You are my sister."

Aella's eyes misted and she blinked several times to clear them. Slowly she nodded her head. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper.

Nikita sighed as she dropped her hand to Aella's shoulder. "I wish I had known earlier."

"It does not matter," the doyan responded, regaining her composure. "We must each follow the path that fate has chosen for us. You are the M'yrene, Nikita. I've pledged my life to serving you. Not only as the Doyan of your First Guard, but as your sister too."

Nikita smiled then dropped her hand to her side. "Thank you, Aella. Knowing the truth, that I have a sister at my side, lifts my spirit and makes my burden more bearable."
Aella's gaze softened as she regarded her younger sister. "This has not been easy for you," she acknowledged, referring to Nikita's sudden ascension to M'yrene. Then, after a slight hesitation, Aella reached and took Nikita's hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You are a fine queen, Nikita. And I am proud to serve you."

"Do I have your vow then," Nikita asked, looking into Aella's dark eyes, "that you will mention none of what you may hear in the next hour to anyone? Including our mother?"
Aella drew a deep breath as she released Nikita's hand and her expression turned serious. "I vow to remain silent only as long as your life is not in danger or the empire's welfare is not at risk."

Slowly the corners of Nikita's mouth curved into a smile, pleased at the honesty of her sister's reply. "Very well then," she stated. "Go now and bring this man and let us hear what it is he has to say."

************


By the time Aella arrived at the M'yrene's quarters, Nikita had already changed clothes. She had slipped out of the skirted attire of the Vatian and put on instead her black leathered suit of armor.

The suit was fashioned after that of the Mongoloids whom the Vatians had encountered in battle several years earlier. The breast-plate, made of thick leather, was worn over a long-sleeved tabard or shirt that covered Nikita's whole upper body. The armor was fastened on the sides and extended down in the front and back to cover her pelvis. She had donned the pair of black breeches that went with the suit and was slipping on the matching leathered greaves over it to protect her shins.

Aella's grip tightened on the arm of the old man she had accompanied to the room, her eyes narrowing as she watched Nikita lace up her boots. "M'yrene, what are you doing?"
Nikita looked up at her sister and then turned her gaze to the old man standing next to her. His robe, though faded and dusty, was that of a scholar. Perhaps a sage or viziard. His long hair was completely gray and hung loose past his shoulders. Seeing her, he stopped in his tracks and stared.

Nikita picked up a leather bracer and worked it on, past her fingers and over the long sleeve of the tabard till it rested over her forearm. Then she picked up its pair and began to put it on the opposite arm. She ignored Aella's question and instead directed one of her own toward the old man.

"Tell me what has happened."

He swallowed, looking from the pale-haired warrior dressed completely in black before him, to the dark-haired Vatian warrior beside him. "I --" he paused, looking as if he were at a loss for words, then blurted, "-- Michael is in need of your help."

Nikita smoothed her hand over the second bracer as she raised questioning eyes toward the old man. "Michael -- is that his name? Paul's nephew? He is the one that gave you the necklace?"

The old man hesitated, puzzled that Nikita hadn't known Michael's name, and clearly uncomfortable at the piercing look the guard next to him was directing his way. He shook his head as his gaze fell towards the ground.

"No. Michael doesn't know that I am here. He would never allow it. I searched his room till I found where he had hidden the necklace and then brought it here on my own."

"You what?" Nikita's brows furrowed as she stared at the old man. She stopped her dressing and took a step closer to him. "If Michael didn't give you the necklace, I assume then that he did not tell you about it either. Tell me then, how did you know about it in the first place?"

"I saw you two the night that he gave you the ivory tusk and helped you escape."

"You were spying on us?" Nikita asked, her eyes narrowing.
He shook his head. "No," he answered, then sighed. "I was worried about him. I've known Michael since he was a young boy and he first came to live with his uncle. Through the years I've learned to read his moods well. When he came in to see his uncle that night, I sensed that there was something bothering him so I followed him. That's when I saw him give you the tusk."

The old man looked from Nikita over to Aella and then back again. "I heard what you told him that night. The promise you made to help him if he should ever need it."

A frown appeared on Aella's face as she looked over at Nikita. Her younger sister shook her head slightly though and indicated that she should remain silent. The doyan's lips pressed into a thin line, but she did as Nikita commanded and refrained from speaking.

Pointing to a chair, Nikita beckoned for the old man to sit. "Let us begin again," she said. "Start by telling me who you are and why you've taken it upon yourself to lay claim to a promise I made to another man."

He nodded, took a deep breath, then began his tale. "I am Walter. A physician and healer, or, at least I was until Paul, Michael's uncle, died."

His gray eyes clouded as his lips curved downward. "A lot of unexpected things happened after Paul died. He had made it known a few years back that he wished Michael to be his heir. One of his brothers, the second oldest, Rhus, protested. He said that since Michael was not Paul's son, Paul's holdings should be given to the next eldest brother. Which, of course, was himself. Paul, though, was adamant. He said that he had raised Michael and therefore looked upon him as a son. The brothers, particularly Rhus, had gone away angry. When Paul was --" Walter paused and looked up at Nikita, "-- uh injured, word was sent out to his brothers that they should come quickly."

Walter lowered his eyes and stared at the floor in front of his feet. "When they arrived, Paul was dead. The druids told them of what had happened, including the promise that Paul had wrung from Michael instructing him to hand you and the ivory tusk over to Rhus. When Rhus confronted Michael, demanding to know where you and the tusk were, Michael refused to say."

At this point Walter raised his gaze to meet Nikita's. "He's always been that way. Stubborn as a stone wall. They stripped him of his inheritance and threw him in the dungeon. That's where he is now. I went to visit him four nights ago after almost everyone had gone to bed."
Walter's voice became harsh and his eyes hardened. "He doesn't look well. They've beaten him and chained him to the wall as if he were some criminal instead of their own nephew. They will not kill him outright because there are too many of our people who like the lad. He has a side to him that is unlike that of his uncles. A side that is decent and fair. There are many who looked forward to his inheriting Paul's land and title because they felt he would not be such a harsh ruler and that he would work to make their lives better.

Michael's uncles plan to leave him in the dungeon on the pretense that he orchestrated Paul's death. They've spread rumors that he had fallen in love with you and as a result betrayed his own blood and helped you escape. Don't you see?" Walter asked, his gray eyes pleading as he looked at Nikita. "I had to come to you. You're the only one that can help him."

************

"It is not your problem."

"I gave my word, Aella. I plan to keep it."

The doyan scowled and shifted her gaze to look over at Walter who sat at the table on the other side of the room eating the meal that Nikita had ordered the servants to bring for him. "Perhaps you gave your word," she said, keeping her voice low, "but you did not give it to him."
She turned back to face her sister. "M'yrene, please. Think of what your mother will say of all this."

"Our mother," Nikita answered, with raised eyebrows, "will think nothing of it because neither of us is going to tell her anything. If anyone asks, tell them that I've gone to inspect the borders and shall be back in three days time."
Aella's frown deepened. "M'yrene --" she began, but was interrupted by Nikita.

"I am your sister, Aella. When we are in private I want you to call me by my name."

Aella sighed, the look in her eyes softening slightly. "Then as your sister, Nikita, I beg of you to reconsider. If not for our mother's sake, then for that of the empire. Though you may not like it, you are the M'yrene. You have a responsibility to the Vatian people."

Nikita put down the gauntlet she carried and reached out to place a hand on the other woman's shoulder. "Aella. If it were not for this Michael, I may not be here today. I owe him this. He may not have asked for my help, but knowing what I do, how can I remain neutral?"

Aella closed her eyes in frustration, then opened them once more and stared at Nikita. "I see nothing I say will dissuade you."

"No."

"Very well then. I will go with you."

Nikita's eyes narrowed and it was her turn to frown. "You will do no such thing. I command you to stay here and watch over the city till I return."

"Command?" Aella snorted. "I thought we were to treat each other as sisters while in private. Were those just words?"

"You know they weren't," Nikita stated, as she picked up her gauntlets and began to slip them on.

"Then prove it. Let me stay by your side, not as the doyan of your elite guards, but as your sister. Do you think I can stay here knowing the danger you are putting your life in? And what do I tell our mother if something should happen to you? How do you expect me to live with myself knowing that I sent you back to he Scythians alone?" Aella shook her head. "Either you allow me to go with you or I will send a courier to Pontus informing our mother of your plans, and then I will follow you myself."

Nikita's eyes filled with anger. "You gave me your word, Aella."

"I gave you my word that I would remain silent as long as your life or the empire's safety was not at risk."

Nikita glared at her for several seconds, then growled, "You are worst then a man with your nagging tongue."

A smile spread slowly across Aella's face and lit up her dark eyes. "Does that mean I can go?"

"Yes," Nikita hissed, but the corners of her mouth quivered suspiciously.. "First promise that you will not nag me any more concerning this matter."

"I will do no such thing sister-of-mine," Aella replied, then laughed as Nikita scowled at her.


************

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

  • Re: Orignal Gemstone 4 -- Leigh, 09:23:05 12/24/01 Mon
    [ Contact Forum Admin ]

    Forum timezone: GMT-8
    VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
    Before posting please read our privacy policy.
    VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
    Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.