Lord Darius returned the next afternoon and was greeted in the yard by his younger brother.

aIall help fight if you need me.a Torgo sounded delighted at the thought.

aAhh, will you now?a Darius didnat look at his brother but slid off his bike and stretched.

aI can ride my motorcycle pretty well,a Torgo continued. aAnd I could run errands, or do anything you wanted.a Tara couldnat help but smile as Torgo tried to receive his brotheras approval. Shead been walking through the pines at the edge of the meadow, and her heart jumped when she heard Dariusa motorcycle pulling into the backyard. She wanted to run and greet him and let him know how she had missed him. Instead, she stood, sheltered by the branches surrounding her, and watched the strong man push his bike around the back of the shed, amus.e.m.e.nt on his face as he listened to Torgo ramble.

Torgo finally ran to get water and rags so Darius could clean the mud from his bike and returned just as his older brother was opening the shed. The young boy disappeared inside along with Darius. She wished desperately to hear what the two were talking about, but since that wasnat possible, she continued walking across the backyard toward them.

Torgo saw her first and ran to greet her.

Darius turned and watched as she moved toward them. Their eyes met, and there was a look on his face she had not yet seen. He looked exhausted and very serious.

Guilt ran through her blood as she thought of him creating strategies and hearing reports from his scouts while she sat and dined with old women. She felt she should have been at his side. She had knowledge of the Sea People. She had heard many stories and had briefly encountered them herself.

Tara wanted to draw his bath for him, and rub the exhaustion from his body, as he told her the stories head experienced. She had grown up watching men and women greet their warrior spouses after a conflict. Much romance occurred after the return of troops. But Darius wasnat to the point where he would share his experience with her, she feared.

If the rumors of the pending invasion proved true, she intended to share her knowledge. She knew the Sea People to be an untrusting lot, greedy and paranoid. They sought only what would suit their own needs. They were a people not to be trusted. Many of the stories she heard said they were a race addicted to some type of opiate drug, and that was how their ruler kept them in line. She found such stories extraordinary and had a hard time believing them. If they were true, she knew their actions would be hard to predict in battle.

As she neared the shed, Torgo grabbed towels to clean the bike, and Darius reached for her.

aI raced some of the other boys after school,a Torgo said.

But Tara hardly heard him.

Darius stroked her cheek, but then slipped his arm around her when she walked into him for a hug. aI will beaa he whispered in her ear, but wasnat able to finish.

aTara, oh my dear, there you are. Come at once, the walkntalk made its noise, it did.a Hilda waved her arm toward the house.

Darius broke off what he was about to say, instead looking at his Mama.

aAnd I do fear there is some importance to it, yes.a Hildaas tone was strained, and the pair hurried to the house.

They entered the kitchen and found Hilda rushing about, a distracted look on her face, but she didnat offer an immediate explanation for her behavior. As she moved items around on the pantry shelves, they heard her mutter to herself, aIam losing my mind, I am. There arenat good times ahead, no.a aWoman! Have you gone batty?a Darius spoke from behind Tara.

aMy Lordship, son of mine, I answered the walkntalk.a aYou said that already. What is so incredible about the walkntalk, woman?a Dariusa frustration sounded in his tone.

aOh dear. Tara, Reena called and asked for you at once. She said, uh, there are,a Hilda began, but then turned in the pantry doorway with several small jars in her plump hands. Her pallor didnat look good. aI mean, she has company, yes. She said some of your, uh,a she paused as Torgo slipped into the kitchen eyeing a plate of food on the counter. aYour family has arrived. She needs you to take these herbs to her. I know they are used for medicinal reasons, so someone must be hurt.a Tara didnat wait to hear more. She rushed from the kitchen and up the stairs to her bedroom.

aTara!a Dariusa bark echoed off the walls.

She ignored him as she ran to her closet and quickly flipped through her dresses until she found one more practical than the frilly thing she had on at the moment. It was made from a knitted material that moved easily with her body and would allow her freedom of movement to help in whatever way she could.

aWhat are you doing?a Darius appeared in her doorway. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her.

Tara glanced up and realized shead forgotten to shut the door. Already having taken off one dress to put the other on, she worked desperately to get the zipper in back to close. aWould you help me with this zipper?a He walked toward her, turned her around, and zipped her dress. aYouall take the herbs and come right back.a aIall be back as soon as I find out why there are Runners at Reenaas.a She squatted down on all fours and reached under her bed.

aThere are Sea People ready to attack Gothman. Iall not have you running around the countryside.a Tara ignored him. She took her Runner clothing out of the bag and set them on the bed. She slid the flat softened leather boots on her feet.

Darius watched her in fascination; this was the first head seen of her Runner clothing. More curious to him though were the several guns shead pulled out of an inner sleeve in the bag and how she checked their ammunition like a seasoned professional. One weapon in particular caught his attention. Darius leaned over and picked up the small laser to look at it. aThis is what you used to shoot the trash can that day, isnat it?a aYes.a She continued to get herself ready.

He put down the laser, then picked up the largest of the three guns and strode over to the balcony. He opened the doors, aimed the gun at a group of trees outlining the edge of the meadow, and pulled the trigger. A branch of a tree a good half-mile away fell to the ground. Darius grunted as he scrutinized the weapon closely.

Tara reached into the bag and pulled out a small case. She quickly opened it and removed a small flat disc. It was more minute than any coin and as flat as a piece of paper. She placed the disc on the edge of her finger and walked up behind the tall lord.

aI like this one.a He held up the large weapon.

aIt has four more shots on this cartridge.a She reached around him and pointed to the attachment on the side. aIt works best at a distance. If itas used at close range, it emits a large explosion. You may keep it. Iall do with these.a Lord Darius put his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him with some roughness. She lost her breath when he flattened her to him with a possessive grip. He continued to hold the powerful weapon in one hand that fell to his side. But with his other arm, he held her in a death grip.

She put both hands up around his neck and gently stuck the small disc to the back of his neck. The disc held its place under Dariusa curls, and she prayed he wouldnat detect it. She had never applied the device in such an intimate fashion and managed to keep a neutral expression at her success. Darius didnat notice what she had done.

aItas important that you listen to me, now. Gothman is going to be attacked sooner than I antic.i.p.ated. I want you to be safe.a Darius searched her face with his eyes as he spoke.

Tara pushed away and slipped a harness over her dress into which she slid two guns. aWhat do you know of the Sea People? Have you had contact with them before?a *

He saw something in her he hadnat noticed before. She was preparing for battle, and he realized it would take many guards and locks and chains to keep this woman at home. The woman was a Runner, though, and staying put wasnat her nature. He wondered if he would ever be able to calm that trait in her. An emotion washed through him that he couldnat readily identify. Tara appealed to him because she was wild, untamed, outspoken and beyond s.e.xy. Would taming any of those qualities make her less appealing? He worried the answer to that was yes.

aThis is the first time theyave come this close to Gothman, it is. Iall not stand for their threats, though.a aTheyave communicated with you?a aIave received messages saying the Gothman have grown too large and are pushing against their borders.a aThat isnat true. The Gothman borders run into the Freelands. Darius, have you never been out of Gothman?a He narrowed his eyebrows and his gray eyes darkened. He wasnat pleased that she questioned his knowledge or worldliness. aAre you saying I canat rule this land because Iave never been outside its borders?a He scowled. aMy papa didnat need the help of outsiders and neither do I.a aKnowing your enemy helps to defeat them.a aSo now you are telling me how to rule.a He looked fierce, but then he smiled and stroked her cheek. He didnat have time to get riled at her right now. aYou worry about getting back here safely.a *

Tara put her black leather jacket over the dress and folded the clothes she had on a minute ago. Grabbing the bag, now empty and ready for Hildaas herbs, she headed for the door.

He followed her quickly and grabbed her arm. aI expect you home within the hour, I do.a He kissed her firmly on the lips.

aIall be fine.a She returned his kiss and looked into his eyes. aYouall hear from me. You need me.a She reached up and pulled a band off his leather jacket sleeve that bore the seal of the Gothman and shoved it in to her bag.

aIall represent two nations today.a She smiled and kissed him again.

aTell your people the Gothman would appreciate it if the Runners would stand with them in battle against the Sea People.a She looked at him with surprise before she pulled away and left the room. Her leather boots were silent as she ran down the stairs.

Hilda looked at Taraas outfit as the girl reached the bottom step, but didnat say anything. She saw her son standing at the top of the stairs with the large Runner gun in his hand. Her mouth opened, but she closed it and quietly handed the keys to her car and the herbs to Tara.

Hildaas car moved a lot faster than Reenaas, but it still seemed to Tara that it took her forever to get through the town and up the hill toward Reenaas house. Two Runner motorcycles were parked in front of Reenaas house when she pulled up. Tara immediately recognized one of them to be Pathaas. She got out of the car and ran to the house.

There was no one in the living room area, and the house seemed very quiet. Instinctively, she pulled out the small laser and held it in front of her as she silently moved toward the hallway.

The door to Reenaas bedroom was open, and she pointed the gun at the empty room. She walked to the window opening to the backyard, but she didnat see anyone. A group of five pictures on the dresser next to the window caught her eye.

The first picture she saw was of a small child picking flowers in a meadow. Others depicted the same girl at different ages.

The last picture was of a girl in her adolescence sitting on a small motorcycle. Tara c.o.c.ked her head sideways in puzzlement. The motorcycle looked very familiar. She looked back at the other pictures again.

They were all of her!

Taraas heart raced, and she wiped her suddenly damp palms down her hips while staring at the pictures. What in the name of all of the heavens was Reena doing with pictures of her at different ages? She hadnat even known they had been taken.

aTara?a She jumped at the sound of her name coming from the other room. She heard the front door close, and it sounded like several people were entering the house. Tara walked to the doorway, gun in one hand and pictures in the other.

Reena called out again. aTara?a aIam here.a Tara took in the scene greeting her.

Reena stood in the middle of the room while Patha and one of his guards struggled to help a Runner she didnat recognize to the couch.

aDid you bring the herbs?a Reena asked.

Tara nodded and pointed to her bag on the edge of the couch as she ran to the large old man, setting the gun and pictures on the table beside her. aPatha! Itas so good to see you.a After settling the Runner onto the couch, Patha reached his arms out as she literally jumped into them. He picked her up off the ground and hugged her so tightly she lost her breath. When he put her down, she felt dizzy for a moment and had to steady herself on the back of the couch before she could smile up at the man she called Papa.

aWhat brings you this far from home?a She looked from one Runner to the other and then at Patha.

aReenaas the best doctor in the area, and we needed her.a Patha squeezed her wrists with powerfully large hands. aLook at you, child. You look mighty sharp in that dress.a He held her hands out in front of her and took a good look. aI do believe sheas put on a little weight.a Patha looked at Reena for confirmation. aWhat do you think?a aMaybe Gothman suits her.a Reena had mixed together a salve from the herbs and coated the Runneras wounded leg. She finished by tying a bandage around it then stood and moved to stand by Patha. aYour man should be fine. Mind you, those wild boar lashes can get infected, but Iave got him good and cleaned up, I do.a aWeare closer to you than the clansite right now,a Patha said. aI knew you could take good care of him.a aTara, what have you brought here?a Reena picked up the pictures from the side table and flipped through them quickly.

aI found them on your dresser when I was looking for you. Theyare pictures of me. What are you doing with them?a Tara watched Reena glance up at Patha and she studied both their faces. Her papa hid his thoughts well, but he was definitely concerned about something. Then, as if in silent communication, the two older adults turned their gazes to her. She narrowed her eyes. aWhatas going on here?a Reena looked at her patient, ignoring Taraas question. aHow does that bandage feel?a aIall make it,a the Runner answered and reached for the other man, who helped him to his feet and allowed the Runner to use him as a crutch.

aLetas put him in the bedroom on the right, yes,a Reena instructed. aIall watch him for a bit, I will, make sure no infection sets in.a aReena, you didnat answer me,a Tara persisted, after the two men had entered the bedroom.

Reena kept her back to Tara as she stared at the hallway and the open bedroom door where the two Runners were. aTara, Iam your mama.a Reena spoke the words barely above a whisper, and she didnat turn to face Tara.

aWhat?a Tara gasped, certain she had misheard. aIt sounded like you just saida"a aI did,a Reena interrupted and turned to face Tara. aI am your mama.a Tara reached for the back of the couch to steady herself. Her mouth fell open without her noticing and the room suddenly began spinning. aMyamama?a She could barely utter the words.

aCome outside with us, child.a Patha pulled Tara to him and placed his other hand gently on Reenaas shoulder. aItas time you knew the truth.a The uninjured Runner appeared from the hallway, and Reena turned to him. aSlice some pie for you two,a she said, gesturing toward her kitchen.

Tara noticed Reenaas hand shaking and turned to the kitchen, thinking she could help make the Runner feel more at home.

aI can handle it.a The Runner smiled at Tara and waved the group toward the door. aGo share your stories. If there is pie in the kitchen, I will find it.a Patha chuckled and again placed his hands on the two women, guiding them to the door.

Tara followed them onto the front porch in a dazed stupor. She settled on the steps while the two of them sat in the porch swing together, Pathaas large fingers around Reenaas small hand.

Her gaze strayed to their intertwined fingers. aI thought my mama died and that you never knew her name. I never guessedaI mean, I never dreamed.a She shook her head, all the while keeping her gaze on their clasped hands.

aChild, I donat know where to begin.a Reenaas eyes welled with tears. Oh, how shead waited for this day. aPatha and I have known each other for a very long time. He would come see me from time to time, but staying for too long was not his way, it wasnat. Iad been established as the doctor of these parts, and Lord Jovis would not permit me to leave.a Reena took a deep breath.

Patha patted her hand. aLord Jovis had a fine time looking the other way, when I continued to come see you,a Patha chuckled, and Reena nodded, both silent for a moment as they relived the memory.

aWhen I found out I was pregnant I was so happy. I had a part of Patha that would stay with me, and I was free of the claiming forever, I was. For a while, I entertained the thought of Patha settling down with me here, yes. Ah, but Lord Jovis would not hear of it, and Patha was not the settling down type. I kept you until you were about three, I did. Ah, you were beautiful even then.a aWhy didnat you keep me?a Tara pulled her knees to her chest, forgetting the Gothman dress she wore. She turned on the porch steps, so she sat facing her Mama.

aLord Jovis wanted to have you claimed to his son, his first-born son that is, with you both being just children, yes. Tara, it wasnat the life I wanted for you. I wanted you educated, free to make your own choices, I did. It wasnat the life you would have in Gothman. The next time Patha came through we talked about it, and he agreed to take you with him and make you part of his clan.a Reena wiped a tear off her cheek. Another one immediately replaced it. aMy dear child, it was the hardest thing I ever done in my whole life, it was. I just about couldnat hold my emotions when you told me who you were the night you arrived here. Oh dear girl, youare everything I hoped youad be, you are.a Several streams of tears traced paths down her cheeks now, and Tara moved over quickly and sat at her feet.

aI had no idea.a Tara was completely overwhelmed. Her throat felt thick, and she realized she was shaking. aPatha, why didnat you tell me? You really are my papa? I wish you would have told me.a aReena didnat want you to feel any obligation to visit her. She was afraid youad be claimed once Lord Jovis knew you were back. He wanted you for his son almost before you were born. The man felt you came from good blood, I guess.a Patha chuckled and wrapped his arm around Reena. aAs you grew and became more beautiful, we both knew the second you were on Gothman territory, the first man who saw you would have you. When you told me you were leaving to do some exploring, it didnat surprise me when I got word you were here. I knew no man would mess with you if you didnat want it. You are a trained warrior now, not the helpless child you once were.a Patha shook his head at his daughter. aI would actually pity the man who would take you on. Youave two very stubborn parents, child. And you are an incredible warrior.a aThank you, Patha. Itas an honor to hear that from you.a Tara couldnat stop the tears any longer. She let them fall as she absorbed this incredible news. She sniffed loudly and wiped her teary face on her sleeve.

aSo, suddenly Iam no longer an orphan. This is too much to have in my head right now. I need to focus on other things.a Tara took a deep breath and turned to look at the tall pines surrounding the house.

Patha had told Tara that her mamaas dying wish was that he raise her as his own. Well, her mama wasnat dead, the woman had sent her away. Tara figured she should feel abandoned, but had to admit she was grateful to be the person she was and not a Gothman female, living in ignorant suppression.

Tara realized she would be able to know her mama better if she stayed here. She would be a Runner in Gothman territory, which was exactly as it should be.

She shook her head to clear it, then stood, and stared at the watery-eyed woman who looked up at her. Tara saw concern suddenly cross Reenaas face. The woman worried Tara would hate her for the choice she had made. Maybe shead lived with that worry for winters. Shead made an incredible sacrifice so that Tara could have a life of opportunity. And now Tara stood before her mama, heir to the leader of all Runner clans. Tara straightened and smiled.

ah.e.l.lo, Mama.a Tara couldnat keep her voice from cracking as she held her arms out to Reena.

aOh, Tara,a Reena cried, and fresh tears streamed down her face as she got up and hugged her daughter.

aI have so much I want to talk to you about,a Tara said. aBut now isnat the time.a Tara looked over Reenaas shoulder at Patha, who smiled at the two women in front of him. aPatha, there is about to be war, I fear.a aYou refer to the Sea People.a Pathaas smile disappeared.

aIall join the Gothman and fight. Lord Darius will have the Runners stand with him if theyare willing. Patha, he needs us. That man has no knowledge of the world outside of his kingdom. He doesnat even know what heas fighting. I gave him an Eliminator, but heall need much more than that.a A look of surprise came over Pathaas face, and he looked at Reena. aSo, the son of Lord Jovis is not narrow-minded and full of hatred?a For winters, Patha despised Jovis for keeping him from the woman he loved. Tara never had a whole family to love her because of the man. Patha could have taken Reena from Gothman, but Jovis would have viewed it as an act of aggression. Patha couldnat risk an attack on the Runners because of his personal feelings. He and Reena had suffered their loss quietly. But now Jovis was gone, and the son wanted his daughter. Patha wouldnat put Tara through the pain head lived with if she wanted this man. aDo you love him?a aYes, Patha, I believe I do. Heas a good man. He claimed me, but I told him I wouldnat be claimed until I was ready. He knew I was a Runner; he could have arrested me, but he didnat.a Tara realized shead officially stated her love for Darius and that declaration made her feel very warm inside. Tara still had her arms wrapped around Reena, and gave the woman a slight squeeze.

Reena returned the affection and hugged her daughter.

aAnd are you ready to accept his claim?a Patha searched her eyes for more of an answer than she could give him with words.

aGothman donat feel a need for their women to accept a claim,a Tara said. aBut yes, I think I am ready to accept it.a aDoes he know this?a aI havenat told him yet.a A small smile appeared on Pathaas face, and then he quickly grew serious. aIall have a thousand Runners here in a couple of days. Right now we have about fifty, but donat worry, the rest will come.a Patha nodded authoritatively. aWhereas his army?a aI believe the Gothman armies are preparing to head south.a aWhy are they heading in that direction?a Patha looked surprised.

aHe told me his scouts saw the Sea People heading in from the south.a aThere are no Sea People there. Weave been south of here within the past few days when we traded with the River People. It was when we came around the edges of Gothman territory to the west and then to the north that the Sea People became more abundant. They are traveling with tanks and heavy artillery from the reports Iave received. For the most part, we were able to avoid them. Some of the clans coming down from the north to meet us werenat as successful. Iave heard through our landlink transmissions that there have been many deaths.a aPatha, this doesnat make sense.a Taraas stomach fisted into worried knots. If Darius took his army to the south, Gothman would be very vulnerable from the north and an easy target. She distinctly remembered head told her his scouts said they saw Sea People to the South. aPatha, somehow Darius has some bad information. I need to warn him!a Tara released Reena, and before the old man could say anything further, she ran into the house and grabbed her bag. She pulled out the flat landlink and punched keys with a vengeance. The tracer shead put on Dariusa neck quickly told her head left his home and was headed south.

aPatha, Darius has already left.a Tara looked at Reena, noticing the worried expression on her face. Her mama had entered the house with Patha behind her, and now Reena moved to the stove and reached for the kettle. aReena, Iad like to send Hilda and Torgo to stay with you for the time being. I believe theyad be safer here. If the Sea People target the area, they would go after Dariusa home. This place is isolated, and we could post guards to protect you. Will you have them?a Patha gestured to the Runner who sat on the couch with a landlink on his lap. aI can leave Glib here with you for the time being. He can monitor the area.a aOf course, child, they can stay here.a Reena walked around the counter and put her hands on Taraas waist. aI know you will go to battle with Lord Darius, yes.a aOh yes,a Tara said. aIad be of no help staying in hiding with the women.a Reena smiled but looked serious, almost sad. aMy daughter finally knows me, and she could be going to war.a aReena, donat worry. Iall be back.a aTara, youare with child. Did you know that?a Tara and Patha both looked at her with amazement.

aHow could I be?a Tara was ready to disagree.

aThereas only one way.a Reena smiled.

Tara looked down quickly.

aIad say four or five weeks. I know the look and Iave never been wrong, no. You take very good care of yourself and my grandchild, you hear?a Tara stared at Patha and Reena but didnat say anything. Instead she grabbed her bag, turned slowly, and left the cottage. That last bit of information was one piece of news too much. She was too bewildered to form her thoughts.

Reena watched as Tara drove down the hill in Hildaas car. aTell me all of this is a good thing.a She looked up into Pathaas face for rea.s.surance.

aIall let you know after I meet this Darius person. What do you know about him?a aHe has a lot of power but no experience, Iad say. People that get in his way have a tendency to fall into bad luck, so to speak. I donat know whether or not heas good enough for our daughter. But I daresay Iam hoping Tara will stay here. Iad like get to know my daughter, and she can live here as a Runner.a Reena pursed her lips.

Patha wrapped his large arms around Reenaas pet.i.te frame. aIt will be tough on her at first, living here, but their union would make the most powerful nation in Nuworld.a Reena stared at the spot where Tara had disappeared down the road. With that one statement, she understood Pathaas thoughts. He was more concerned about how powerful theyad be if the two were claimed. She was more concerned about her daughteras happiness.

And Reena hoped the challenges Gothman would bring Tara would satisfy her.

Chapter Seven.

Tara pulled up in front of the Bryton house, ran up the porch stairs, and called for Hilda and Torgo. The two of them appeared after several minutes. aIam going to send you two to stay with Reena.a aCertainly Darius wouldnat leave us here if he didnat think we were safe.a Hilda crossed her fleshy arms over her bosom and stared at Tara. aWe should stay right here, Iam thinking.a aDarius doesnat realize the number of Sea People surrounding Gothman right now. But there are Runners here now, and with our equipment we can help Gothman. These Sea People have attacked and killed many of us, but theyall be no match for our two armies combined. Weall have them defeated in no time,a Tara rea.s.sured the two worried faces staring at her.

aYou talked to Runners?a Torgoas eyes grew large.

aYes, child,a she smiled and ruffled his hair. aItall be quite a great story when I tell it to you.a She realized at that moment she loved more than Darius. With Hilda and Torgo standing there in the living room looking helpless and worried, she felt a need to protect them from harm.