Chapter 2 - Tahir

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They set out from Naofalas's stronghold on foot, intending to join with the small group of men Tahir brought with him, leaving most behind to guard Skia in his absence.  It was a clear day and the grass swayed in the wind like waves.  Distantly you could hear birdsong as they occasionally passed overhead.  After an hour or so, Kalla noticed the sun was staying mostly to their right, but Skia was Southwest of al'Kourra.  

"This...isn't the way to Skia, is it?"

"No."

"Where are we going?  Naofalas said--"

"How am I to take you into my city to help before you've proven yourself to my men, or me."  He paused, but she only looked into his eyes, waiting.  "We're going to Coillte Draíochta."

"What?  Why there?!"

"You've had dealings with Dian or the faeries there?"

"I, I have.  That's not really what I mean."  She looked away.  

"His realm is protected more than most and is neutral.  It makes sense to meet there first.  And--" 

"And if something goes wrong, it will be contained by Dian's powerful borders and any injured would have the best healers." she finished for him. She shook her head at his raised eyebrow.  "Do try to have a little faith in me."

"Faith is not the issue.  I nearly killed you the last time and--"

"And I lived."  Her defiance burned into his eyes, snuffing out the fire of an old argument.  He cleared his throat.

"We should go."

With a sigh of frustration, she followed him through the plains and rolling hills, watching as the landscape became increasingly thicker with trees and lush vegetation.  By afternoon, they were walking in a sea of green and climbing over fallen logs.  They paused once, at a quiet stream, before continuing onward.  Despite the picturesque landscape, they rarely spoke.  She attempted a few times, but his answers were short and concise.  With her second sigh of the day, she gave up.

"What is wrong?"

"What?" 

"You sighed."

"So?"

"Again."

"..." He is counting?

He caught her arm and faced her.  "What is it?  You were talking and you stopped abruptly and--is this funny?"

"Sorry," she forced herself to stop at his scowl, "I'm just surprised.  This whole time you barely say a word and when you do speak it's the shortest answer possible.  Now you are questioning why we're not talking."

"I... have been told I'm not good at conversation." He turned his eyes forward towards the path.

"You were told right, but it's okay.  There is something about being able to share the silence with someone too.  A lot of people's thoughts are so loud they cannot stand to stay silent if another person is nearby."

He blinked, "And which do you prefer?"

"I don't have a preference," she shrugged, "but the more I know of you and your people, the better I will be able to help you."

"Ah, I see."  That sounds...disappointed?  Surely not, why would that disappoint him?  "Then ask what you wish, and I will do my best to elaborate."

"Alright."  

They reached the edge of the Faery King's Forest just as the sun's last rays were fading. Several of Tahir's men joined them as they approached its borders. Naturally the Faery realm was astir with the visitors, but Dian hurried his guests inside apologizing to his people for the weariness of their guests and promising a fine feast on the morrow.  

***

The firelight flickered against the walls as Kalla sat on the bed.  After traveling, she wanted nothing more than a good night's sleep, but her friend had other plans.  

"So, tell me of this dragon of yours!"

"Caer, he's not mine or anyone else's; he's not an object."

"Yes, yes.  But what's he like?  They say that he is as handsome as he is fierce!"

"Caer, I'm tired."

"Oh, come on!  Surely you know somethin'!  You've been travelin' with him and his men."

"Only a short while and anyway, my job is to help them on their mission."

"Job?  How boring!"  She pulled on Kalla's sleeve as she tried to turn over.  "Aren't ya a wee bit curious?"

"Not everything in the world is a game, you know."

"That's racist!  Just because I'm a faery doesn't mean I canna be serious!"

"Oh?"

"Really!"

She held her hand up as if pledging her honesty.  The pose lasted a full five seconds before she fell over giggling.  Kalla couldn't help but grin and shake her head.

"Now, tell me what's he really like!  I bet he's like a god in bed if--"

She felt the heat rise in her face, "Why would you ask me that?!"

"Haha! Are ya still shy about such things, love?  But seriously, have ya not heard what they say?  That he's popular with all beautiful ladies, even some of the men.  Charming, elegant, and" her voice dropped to a whisper, "quite passionate!"

"Enough, Caer.  I need to sleep."  She tried to bury her face in the shadows and pillow under her, but her friend continued. 

"Kalla," she giggled, "it's not like ya to have absolutely nothing ta say!  Besides, there's no sin in lookin'.  Yer a grown woman now and he's exotic and sexy and his voice is--"

"Caer, stop!" Too loud.  Too loud and too serious.

"Why ya so offended?  Do ya like him or somethin'?"  Caer crossed her arms in a petulant pout.

"Wha-What?  Don't be ridiculous!"  

"Oh gods, ya do!  If ya wanted a king, ya coulda had me brother!"

"You're wrong! I don't want a king!"

"Wrong that you like him or about him being a king?"

"Caer, please."

"Do you want a king, strong and protective?"  She draped herself over Kalla's back, shielding her from the rest of the empty room.  

"Stop."

"Charmin' with a deep sultry voice that makes ya tingle all over?"  Her fingers slowly slid up Kalla's hip to her waist, then a little more.

"Stop!"  She covered her face with her hands, but Caer reached to pull them away and pull her in.

"Do you want him to wrap you up in his embrace and--"

"STOP!" She blinked once, twice.  "Stop."  Quieter.  

Caer sighed, "Do ya even know what ya want?"

"I, I want..." do I?  

"Kalla, do ya really like him?"

"It's not like that!  It's a job, nothing more."

"Is that right?"

"Yes."

"Well then, by all means work away.  But if there is even a chance you be denyin' your feelings, you should be honest with yerself.  And him, or you'll regret it."

"I'm not a child!"

She paused, brushing a lock of Kalla's hair behind her ear, "I didna say ya were.  I just donna want ta see ya hurt like my brother, love.  

She turned over to look at the other woman, "What happened? Is he okay?"

"Aye, if by okay ya mean pining like a teenager.  He fell in love with some girl, a selkie at that.  Loved her more than anythin' but...he didna want to pressure her because he is the king, so he never told her.  One day he woke up an' she was gone.  Been a couple years, but he's never gotten over it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize.  Is, is it okay to tell me this?"

"Yeah, I mean, dona tell him 'twas me, but it's not a secret.  Ya coulda heard it from any in the faery courts.  They're the worst with gossip."

"That must be hard on him."

"Ah well, no one is dumb enough ta say it in front o' him.  Besides, faeries gossip, but we do know when ta keep our mouths shut...usually."

"Still."

"Anyway," she waved her dismissal, "I dona want ta see ya hurtin' like that.  If it's in ya heart, listen to it.  Been tellin' ya that for ages.  Ya can have any man ya want, or woman if ya like, but ya gotta be honest with yerself."

"Caer..."  You don't realize what you're asking...

"Ha, I know, I know.  I just want ta see ya with someone ya deserve, love.  Someone who can help ya forget the past and take away that lonely look in yer eyes." 

"I said I'll be fine."

Gently she continued, "Aye, that ya did.  It's okay to guard yer heart, but also listen to it, hm?"

"It's not like that.  We are merely comrades and whatever you've heard about him, well, how accurate are all the rumors and gossip about Dian?"

"Admittedly, such gossip is often elaborate and told for maximum drama,"

"See!"

"--but, there is a seed of truth to them.  There always is."  She looked down and squeezed the fabric of her nightdress before looking up into Kalla's eyes.  "You say it's just a job, but I've known ya fer years; I know yer heart and--"

"You don't."  Kalla said it softly, but it was as cold as it was gentle, as piercing as it was true.

"...Mayhap not.  But have the courage to tell the person.  Besides, if he breaks yer heart, I'll kill him."

Kalla huffed out a small laugh at that and relaxed a little.  "Of course you would.  Regardless, I don't know much to tell you about him or his men.  My mind has been on more important matters."

"Alright, alright," she held up her hands in defeat.  "Tell me these more important matters."

***