Mickey Reichert - Flight of the Renshai

Ra-khir accepted the burden. "He's a prince, Saviar. His words, no matter how well or poorly spoken, carry a lot more weight than yours do in royal situations."

Subikahn turned his twin an irritating "I told you so" expression.

"But there's a more important reason why Subikahn should go instead of you."

Those words surprised both of the young men, and a note of unhappiness in Ra-khir's tone struck Saviar. He looked at Subikahn, who had dropped his sneer for an expression of innocent uncertainty. He, too, had detected something in Ra-khir's delivery.

"Subikahn, your father's at the castle."

Subikahn blinked. When he replied, he sounded suspicious, defensive. "Yeah? So?"

Ra-khir's brows lifted, and creases appeared in his forehead. "He's badly injured, Subikahn. I've talked to some of the healers.

More than one thinks he's only lived this long because Matrinka's convinced him his lethal wounds… aren't."

Other than a slight trembling in his hands, Subikahn gave no reaction. Not a hint of emotion crossed his features. He took Chymmerlee's other arm, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Saviar. Dutifully, wistfully, he released her to the care of his brother.Without another word, Subikahn headed toward the palace.

Saviar watched them go, startled by the drop of a heavy, gloved hand on his shoulder.

"There's something going on between you, isn't there?"

Saviar turned to his father, "Well, we are brothers."

Ra-khir chuckled. "Not you and Subikahn, you goose."

It was the first time Saviar could remember his father engaging in name-calling. He would have smiled if not for the burdensome news the knight had dropped just moments earlier. "Is King Tae really going to… die?"

Ra-khir shrugged. "Matrinka's a gifted healer, and she seems utterly convinced she can fix him. But he's also one of her closest friends. I'm not sure she's able to see his situation objectively."

Saviar could only nod. He could not imagine the world without Tae Kahn. Some of his fondest memories involved romping on the floor with a king who could switch from childlike to manly in an instant. At times, Saviar had envied Subikahn his father. He could scarcely imagine Ra-khir or Kevral wrestling in the dirt with them or playing seek and hide games involving windowsills, precious heirlooms, and swinging from chandeliers.

"Of course," Ra-khir added thoughtfully, "it wouldn't be the first time Tae surprised everyone. He won't talk about it, but his body is riddled with old wounds, the kind of scars that run deep. He's been stabbed and shot dozens of times. He once fell off Bearn Castle in the winter and got trapped under a solid layer of ice for only the gods know how long. And he's still here, Saviar. He's still here."

Saviar had seen some of those scars, including the one directly over Tae's heart. "He's ornery, Papa. Neither Valhalla nor Hel wants him, so they keep throwing him back."

Ra-khir laughed. "I hope you're right." He started back toward Silver Warrior. "So, are you going to tell me about this lady of yours?"

"Gladly." Saviar walked alongside his father. "What man doesn't relish the opportunity to talk about his…" Saviar paused to pick the right word. "… budding girlfriend."

"Budding?"

"Well, I haven't known her all that long," Saviar admitted. And half of that time I was in a coma. "Thialnir is set on me courting only Renshai, and his argument is a good one."

Ra-khir sighed. "Please don't take this as criticism, but Chymmerlee doesn't seem…"

Saviar waited out the pause.

"… exactly the Renshai type."

The words confused more than offended. "What do you mean?"

"She seems… quiet. She's not carrying any obvious weapons. You just seem very… different. From one another, I mean."

Saviar could not help interjecting, "You mean, different? As opposed to you and Mama?"

Ra-khir stiffened only slightly. Apparently, he had gotten far enough past the grief to function normally, even when the conversation turned directly to Kevral. "Yes, we were different, all right. And it worked, but it wasn't easy. There were lots of problems to overcome, from inside and outside the marriage. Even to the very end." He managed a lopsided smile. "But I loved her like the stars love the sky. I would have dug to the world's core had she only asked." He gave Saviar a steady look. "Is that how you feel about Chymmerlee?"

"No," Saviar admitted. "Not yet, anyway. But I like her an awful lot, and I want to get to know her better."

"And your brother?"

"Well, of course I love him. Not sure I'd dig to the world's core for him, though."

Ra-khir stopped walking. "Are you being deliberately dense?"

"What?" Saviar came to a halt at his father's side. "No. What do you mean?"

"Tae and I were rivals for your mother's hand, you know. I'd hate for you boys to fall out over a girl."

"Oh."The idea seemed patently ludicrous now that Subikahn had shared his secret. "That's not a problem, Papa."

"You're sure."

"We've talked it out. Subikahn is not attracted to Chymmerlee."

"Good." Ra-khir continued, taking Silver Warrior's reins from the boy holding them. "Thank you, Darby. Mount up."

Only then, Saviar noticed the only other horse in the vicinity, a light brown chestnut. The boy scrambled to obey. Darby? Who in Hel is Darby?

Apparently noticing Saviar's consternation, Ra-khir made the introductions. "Saviar, this is Darby. My squire."

"Squire?" The word startled from Saviar's mouth; he had not meant to speak it aloud. But, once spoken, he had to continue, "As in, training him to become a Knight of Erythane?" Saviar felt suddenly hot all over. He had to bite down on the angry words taking shape in his head.

Ra-khir swung into his own saddle. "Yes, of course."

"But I… I was supposed to…" Supposed to what? Saviar had expressed interest in becoming a Knight of Erythane, but he had never followed up on it in any way. The Renshai training kept him too busy, then his work toward becoming Renshai leader, followed by the exile. He had left Ra-khir in the night, sleeping, without so much as a good-bye.

Darby dispersed the awkward moment with a happy greeting. "You must be Saviar. I'm so glad to finally meet you."

"I'd say the same." Saviar tried not to sound as grumpy as he felt. "But I didn't know you existed."

"Well, now you do." Ra-khir wheeled his mount. "Saviar, Thialnir and I need your help. Commanding Renshai is rather like taming volcanoes or herding butterflies. They seem to listen to you two, somewhat. Can you help?"

Saviar looked out over the ocean, where the enemy ships massed, then to the Renshai. They milled without pattern or structure, some sharpening weapons, others sparring, still more engaged in wild svergelse. Something much bigger than who squired his father lay at stake. "I'll help any way I can." He smiled blandly. "Just call me Saviar Ra-khirsson, volcano tamer."

Subikahn could not open the door. He did not know how long he stood outside, his hand resting on the latch, his brain numb. Once the royal family had accepted responsibility for Chymmerlee and taken her to her quarters, he found himself incapable of clear and rational thought. She had served as a lovely distraction on which he could no longer depend. The moment he eased open that door, he had to face King Tae Kahn Weile's son. The very idea churned acid through his gut.

Subikahn heard someone approach from behind; his Renshai training would not allow a potential threat to go unnoticed. Logic overruled instinct. No one currently in Bearn Castle would harm him, and it seemed like too much trouble and energy to turn.

Matrinka came up beside Subikahn and rested her hand on his. "It's all right, honey. He's going to be fine."

Subikahn turned to face her, glad to give his hand to her, any excuse to remove it from the latch. "Your Majesty-"