Sordith watched as Henrick tucked Alador in with all the care of a doting father. A sense of relief washed through him as he did not see the calculation that had emanated from Luthian. No, the one thing that he was sure of now, as he observed Henrick with Alador, was that the man had some genuine concern. "Let me show you out then, for time is wasting."

Henrick nodded and followed Sordith led him back through the hall. The Trench Lord personally walked the mage out his door. "I will keep him safe and fed till you return. I a.s.sume you will be able to convince your brother that moving him is unwise?"

Henrick smiled at Sordith. "I do not plan to report to him at all. I will be back as soon as I can."

The two men shook hands, and Sordith watched as the mage hurried down the stairs to the trench floor. He smiled at this first meeting with Henrick. He decided that he rather liked the man. The Trench Lord was so lost in his musing that, for a moment, he did not notice those below looking up at him curiously. Sordith gave them a stern glare and was satisfied with their hurried return to their own tasks. He pivoted and went back into the Trench Hall, considering all that he had heard and observed.

He decided that, when Henrick returned, he would share with him that Luthian had contracted with Sordith to kill him. A man deserved to know when he had a target on his back.

Chapter Five.

Following Henrick's departure, Sordith spent two days working on shipping accounts and routing goods to the appropriate tiers. In many ways, he was more of a port manager than anything. Slowly, he was improving things in the trench. He had upped the price for simple things to the upper tiers, such as blankets and base food. He had then routed the equivalent goods to those in the trench, and reduced the price to his cost for the denizens in the dark reaches of Silverport.

This, in turn, had allowed some people to purchase enough supplies to leave the city, and to homestead in the countryside. By reducing the population of the trench, he could already see a shift in the mood of those who remained. Those that had chosen to pioneer outside the city were given a contract for trade should they choose to implement it. Over time, that ought to increase the amount of native food and trade goods coming into the city rather than the dependency on the port that was beginning to develop. Prices were higher for goods shipped from coastal cities and the other lands.

The Trench Lord sat back as he eyed the numbers. He had tried to convince Aorun that this was the way to run the trench, but Aorun had been more interested in lining his own pockets. Sordith saw no need for that, as he was in this position for life, and he had everything he needed. More slips in his own pockets seemed a waste when people outside his door were starving.

He had also started working on a way to improve the lot of those that mined for the city. Sordith had offered bonuses to those that found a rich vein of any noted mineral. He hired additional people to carry fresh water, cheese and bread to those that were working. He had insisted on increased shoring in the shafts, even if it slowed the mining down. Better to lose a day of work than a whole crew of men and a rich vein.

Sordith looked up as his door opened to see Owen with Henrick right behind him. A young woman was draped over Henrick's shoulder, though the mage seemed unconcerned. "I thought you were going to be convincing?" Sordith rose from his chair as he eyed Henrick. The mage was dressed in simple breeches and a tunic. The young woman, or what he could see of her, was dressed in thicker, leather pants and had a fine looking behind.

"This seemed a swifter solution," Henrick pointed out with a mischievous grin. Henrick tried to adjust his load and nearly dropped her. "Daezun females are rather more solid than our fair Lerdenian women. A bed or couch about now would be most welcome."

Sordith nodded thanks to Owen, then led the way to the closest bed. He watched as Henrick gently laid the girl down and smoothed the hair from her face. Sordith had to admit that, for a Daezun woman, she was rather pretty. Most had a st.u.r.dy, weathered look, but this girl was striking, and a bit less muscled then some he had met. "So, is this his sister or lover?" he asked when Henrick stood.

"Closer to lover, but in Daezun society, she cannot fully be one until she has been to their circle." Henrick looked at Sordith. "Boy hoped to be her mate before he killed another middlin in his village."

"I see. Do you think she can reach him?" Sordith moved closer and paused to inspect the young woman.

"Alador has been pining over this la.s.s ever since he left Smallbrook. If anyone can, she can." Henrick moved to a nearby chair and sank into it with obvious relief. "I hate to impose, but do you think I could be provided a meal? Magic to travel in such a manner is really quite draining."

"Of course. I will see that food is brought in immediately," Sordith said. He left the two alone and immediately ordered food sent to Henrick. The Trench Lord then set out to find Keelee. He suspected that having these two women in the hall at the same time might prove a bit ... complicated.

Keelee was sitting with Alador, as usual. Today she was reading to him. Alador was propped up in his bed staring blankly ahead. Keelee's voice faltered as she saw Sordith. He motioned for her to continue and leaned against the doorframe to watch her.

Sordith smiled at her gentle tone. Her voice had a soothing quality that he admired, and it only added to her beauty. When at last she finished the pa.s.sage that she had been reading, she stood up, clutching the book to her chest.

Sordith moved across the room to her. "You really need to spend less time in here, Keelee. I think it is time that you got out of the trench for a bit. I could give you some slips to go shopping," he offered. He put his hand in the small of her back as he guided her closer to the door.

"I would rather not. First, the High Minister's spies might see me. Add to that, I would have to pa.s.s my father's shop," she said.

Sordith noted the tears that filled her eyes as she mentioned her father. He moved to her and took a hand. He kissed the knuckles tenderly as he gazed up at those deep emerald eyes. "I will respect that. Come, I need to speak to you, and as we are uncertain how aware Alador really is, I would rather it is not here." He took the book and tossed it towards a nearby table before gently guiding her from the room and along the hall.

"I hope I've not displeased you in any way." Keelee was biting her lip when Sordith looked at her.

"No, I doubt you could," he murmured huskily. Sordith led her out onto a veranda which overlooked the harbor. The late afternoon sun left a bit of warmth in the air. He eyed the shimmering water of the harbor as he considered how to broach the subject of the girl with Henrick and opted for a direct approach.

"Did you know of another woman in Alador's life?"

Keelee's face lost color and she moved away from him to place her hands upon the iron rail that bordered the veranda. "Yes," she answered, not looking at him.

"Is that why you kept the silver tube? You thought it was from her?" he pressed.

"Yes. He was so dedicated to her. I never had a man turn me down because he loved another. Love seemed a convenient term for men to use until another feast crossed their path," she said bitterly. Keelee did not look at Sordith as she spoke.

Sordith took a few steps to her and placed one hand on the small of her back as he leaned against the rail to see her face better. "Keelee, she is here," he said.

Keelee's eyes closed. "She is the one he would trust," she acknowledged.

"The way I see it, Keelee, if this is the woman he has chosen to mate, then you must realize that there is no hope there?" His words were spoken with soft tones. "I want you to know that the Trench Hall is your home as long as you desire to stay here... and in whatever capacity you wish to occupy it. As my guest, employee or... more," he offered.

Keelee's eyes met his, and Sordith smiled at her. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on my arm at one of the High Minister's affairs. In fact, it would give me great pleasure to see his disbelief the first time. I might point out as well that he won't touch you once he knows I've claimed you."

Keelee looked back out at the water. "I see. So you hope to have me as your bed servant?" Her voice held a level of hurt. She stared off at into the distance not looking at him.

Sordith blinked in surprise and silence filled the air between them. He realized in that moment that he had not been clear. "I'd rather you consider a proper bonding. It would be more protective for you in regards to Luthian." He pulled her hand away from the rail and turned her to face him. "I did not mean to demean your presence here, Keelee," he swore solemnly. He kissed her knuckles tenderly, never taking his eyes from hers.

As she was turned to look at him, confusion and fear clearly written on her face. "Why would you choose a bed servant to bond with?"

Sordith gave her his best winning smile. "I can't think of a better choice for a b.a.s.t.a.r.d-born man than one who is just as looked down upon. I say we show them all that the Trench Lord and his chosen lady can set a far higher standard than any mage in all of Silverport." He squeezed her hand. "I know it is sudden, but I feared that if you saw Alador's own chosen, then you would flee. If I am to be honest, I don't want you to go."

Keelee looked from her hand to his eyes. She stared at him struggling to find words. "I will need to think about this. I ... it is sudden and I never expected to be bonded," she whispered up to him.

"I can ask no more. Just promise me, with this woman here, you will not run." Sordith again pressed his lips to her hand.

"That I can promise." Her tone held a sensual promise. She smiled as their eyes met.

Sordith heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him through her lashes. "Good. Now, I must go see what Henrick is doing. Also, I meant it when I said you are in Alador's room too much. Go walk by the harbor. I can send Owen with you. Or, if you would rather, you may read within my library," Sordith offered.

"I think I will take a walk," she answered. "I need to clear my head, and you have given me a lot to think about." She glanced up at him coyly.

Sordith smiled. "I will have Owen wait for you at the door." He bowed low over her hand and left her on the Veranda. Smiling, he set off to instruct Owen.

Once he had things arranged for Keelee, he headed back to the room that he had put the mage and the woman in. He entered to find Henrick eating the meal with a great deal of gusto. He grinned at Henrick. "You would think you haven't seen food in a month."

"Have to maintain this wonderful, manly figure," Henrick said between mouthfuls.

Sordith laughed and looked over at the girl on the bed. She did not appear to have moved at all. "When will she wake up?" he curiously asked Henrick.

"Whenever I take the spell off of her," Henrick said, not looking up, seeming to be more concerned with the potatoes in the stew than the girl "Shouldn't we be doing that?" Sordith frowned. "I'd think this is a matter of urgency."

Henrick wiped his hands on his pants as he stood, choking down a piece of bread. "I didn't really want to deal with a hysterical Daezun on an empty stomach."

Sordith rolled his eyes. He moved to the young woman lying on the bed. "I can see why Alador is smitten with her. Do you think you can calm her enough to help?"

"Girl dotes on the boy. She overcame her fear of magic to write to him and to use a transport tube to send her letters. I think, once she is done with the initial shock, you will find her made of strong enough metal." Henrick paused to pop one last sweetmeat into his mouth. "But as you say, time is wasting. Let's get this part over with." He dusted his hands off and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Sordith now had the confirmation that the tube was for this woman, a fact that he knew Keelee had discerned as well. He was sure that, regardless of her reasons for not handing it over to Luthian, it had been a good thing she had not chosen to give it to him. The High Minister was known to use anyone and anything he felt was necessary to achieve his goal. He would not put it over the man to use this Daezun woman against Alador.

He watched as Henrick went and sat on the bed beside the woman. The mage put a hand to her forehead and whispered a few words that Sordith did not understand. They sounded guttural and foreign to his ears. Sordith moved to where he could see both. Slowly, the girl stirred, then her eyes fluttered open.

The moment her surroundings sunk in, she sat up in alarm. "Henrick? What happened? Where am I?" She looked around the stone room and her eyes met with Sordith's.

"Be at ease, Mesiande. You are safe. I need you to look at me," Henrick commanded firmly, putting a hand on her shoulder..

The girl looked at Henrick with a bit of fear and confusion as Henrick began to explain. "You are in Silverport, the capital of Lerdenia. This is Sordith, and you are his guest," Henrick began.

"You stole me?" she squeaked in alarm, attempting to scramble back from Henrick.

Henrick held her firmly in place. "Well, umm, yes, but with good reason," Henrick stammered.

"What good reason?" Her eyes darted about her. "How did I get here?: "I brought you. And as for the reason, it is for Alador," Henrick attempted to soothe the panicking middlin.

"Alador?" Her eyes moved back to Henrick, and she stopped attempting to get out from under his grip.

Sordith breathed out his tension with a deep sigh at the obvious change in tone from fear to concern. They needed this young woman to help them, and to do that, she would need to be calm. He suspected that any sense of fear from Mesiande would only drive Alador deeper into whatever place he had gone. He remained silent and did not move; he wanted to give Henrick the s.p.a.ce he needed to calm the woman down.

"Yes, Alador has been greatly hurt. He has hidden away in his own mind, and none of us can reach him," Henrick explained. "He needs someone he trusts near him right now, and..." the mage paused and sighed sadly, "he doesn't trust anyone here."

Sordith noted the narrowing of her eyes as they filled with a fire that he had seen in men who defended something pa.s.sionately. He smiled slightly. If Alador wanted to bond with this Mesiande, he was going to have his hands full.

"Where is he?" she demanded. "Why doesn't he trust you?"

"Not so fast, child. I need you calm and centered before I will take you to see him." Henrick looked over at Sordith. "Think we can arrange a bath and a dress for the young lady?"

"I'm quite sure I can arrange for both. My housekeeper is rather adept at keeping clothes on hand, after the last Trench Lord. They may need a little alteration, but she can see to that, too. There is still food on the table if you wish to help her settle. I will send in some wine, as well, to help the nerves." Sordith bowed to them both and turned for the door. He could not help smiling as Mesiande's demanding voice followed him.

"Henrick, how did you get me here?"

Sordith closed the door before he could hear Henrick begin to explain.

Chapter Six.

It was a beautiful, sunny day. The soft song of the stream sang a lulling tune as it tumbled over rocks, and the birds overhead sang with a gentle harmony to the stream. Alador was stretched out in only his breeches on a warm, flat rock, warming after swimming in the brisk, glacier-fed water. He watched Mesiande as she fished for their lunch. He had offered, but she had just laughed and said she liked fishing. It had been a perfect day. Every day since they had left Smallbrook, it had been perfect.

A part of him knew they would have to leave this safe place one day. But for now, he was content. He watched the light dance off the highlights in her hair as she tossed the line in. The smile on her face made his heart race, much as when she wrinkled her pert little nose. She had taken to wearing a leather skirt and loose blue tunic top. The increased femininity in her dress and her hair flowing around her only made him want her more. The love between them was pure, untainted by the lies and malice that surrounded the world outside this small copse and pool.

Alador stretched lazily as he sat up. By the looks of the fish that Mesiande had gathered, he thought it best to get a fire started. He dressed and set about starting a cooking fire. It did not take long to get it flickering, and the warmth of it was rea.s.suring. He headed back to where Mesiande was fishing and took up the task of cleaning the fish. Neither spoke; they did not need to, as they seemed to work fluidly together, each knowing what the other needed to do.

Once the fish were cleaned, the two of them moved to the fire, nestled in each other's arms as the fresh catch simmered over the fire. He buried his face in her hair, reveling in the smell of smoke and pine mixed with her own scent. She leaned back against him moving his hands to just beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. They contentedly watched the flickering flames.

"Let's never leave here," he whispered into her hair.

"We can't stay here forever, Alador. It will be winter, and we will need a shelter." Her musical matter of fact tones made him sigh with contentment.

"As long as we can, then...?" His begging tone held an edge of panic.

Mesiande was quiet for a long time then finally answered him. His heart had begun to race at her silence. "As long as we can," she finally agreed sadly.

The days that followed were peaceful and content. Alador moved wherever she wanted him to. He let her feed him as they gazed into each other's eyes. There was nothing that her soft wishes could not compel him to do. He watched her every move, afraid that this time with her would end too soon. Mesiande would just smile at him when she caught him watching.

One evening, as they watched the sun set, Alador heard something from deep inside the thick brush surrounding the pool. He tensed, and Mesiande, who had been tight against him, sensed the change and looked up.

"What is it?" she lazily asked, not moving from where she had nestled into the crook of his arm.

"We are not alone." Alador's tone became protective as he slowly pushed her aside. "Get your bow Mesi," his whispered command brooking no argument.

Mesiande moved from his side to fetch her bow as Alador rose to his feet. He scanned the brush worriedly. It was then that he heard his name, a soft call on the wind. Alador furrowed his brow, as it was definitely a female calling him. He moved warily towards the sound, scooping up his sword as he went.

"Alador, come back to me... Please?"

He blinked in confusion, as it had sounded like Mesiande. He looked back to where Mesiande had gone to get her bow. She was loading an arrow, watching him closely.

He looked back into the brush in confusion. What magic was this, now, that someone would use Mesiande to trap him? He touched the center of his magic and was rea.s.sured to feel it pulsing stronger than ever.

"Alador... please. It is me, Mesi."

He glanced back at where Mesiande stood, and horror filled him. There stood Flame, the man who had betrayed him to Aorun, with his bow drawn back and the arrow was pointed at him. He dove into the bushes as the arrow narrowly missed his shoulder, tearing through his tunic. The brambles scratched across him as he scrambled deeper into the cover of its foliage.

"Shhh, it is okay. You can come back now." The firm but gentle command was unmistakably Mesiande's voice.

Alador got up and tore through the brush, he could hear Flame close behind. "Run!" he shouted. "Run Mesiande!"

"No, you must come to me. I won't leave without you." Mesiande's voice had a firm command in it. He knew that pert tone so well.

He tore through the brush, cursing at her stubbornness. Alador could not let Flame find her. That thought brought him to a complete stop. He turned and power coursed through him as his anger grew. This place had been their peace and the traitorous Blackguard was stealing it. He waited, crouching down as a ball of crackling light filled his hand. Far off, he heard someone yell, "Get back!" It came from his left. The clear tones of a male commanding. Flame was not alone!

Flame tore into the small opening that Alador had followed, his bow drawn half back as he searched the brush. Alador did not wait and lightning flew from his hand. The crackling ball of energy expanded, and by the time it hit Flame, it was large enough that it engulfed him. Alador did not get to see if Flame survived or was destroyed as an intense pain shot through his head, and everything went black.

As he drifted back into consciousness, an annoying buzz rang through his ears. It began to clear into voices, then words. He tried to open his eyes, but his head was throbbing with pain. Slowly, the words became clearer.

"Did you have to hit him so hard?" Mesiande's disapproval was clear.

"Do you see my wall?" Sordith stated emphatically. "I mean it: Do you SEE my wall?"

"It was not as if he could help it," Mesiande pointed out, attempting to defend Alador. "And... it is just a wall," she added sarcastically.