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Warlords only kneel twice in their life, once to receive a blessing from their fathers, and the second time for a blessing from their khazar, but after what Chrissy had done for us, I wanted to show her how much I honored her.
I fell on one knee. "Chrissy, would you do me the honor of becoming my mate?"
I didn't think she quite understood the meaning of me kneeling in front of her, but her eyes moistened, and she lowered herself right next to me. She slung her arms around me and said simply, "Kar."
Aftermonthsoffightingand insecurity, we finally landed at Grymburg, where Alahna and Brogan welcomed us with their son, Kellup, in Alahna's arms.
I warned Kendryx that it would probably take us a few months before I would be able to conceive, because that bar had been in my arm for so many years. It would take my body a while to return to normal.
Gryck had left long ago to return to his stronghold, but Brogan and Alahna threw a feast for us that put all the others I had been invited to so far to shame.
Kendryx wanted to leave the very next day. I knew he was burning to return to Dokkymburg, and I was just as curious to see my new home, but Alahna cautioned that unless I wanted to travel in a litter, I should learn to ride first and condition my body for the long journey, to prevent hurting my ass and chafing my thighs. Neither of which sounded very pleasant.
So we stayed another week, and I met a few of the ex-soldiers who found a new home in Brogan and Alahna's stronghold. One even thanked me profusely for what I did, filling my heart with joy and lightening the small weight of guilt I still carried now and then.
Alahna picked a docile mare for me to train on, and when it was time to leave, she gifted her to me. I had already learned how much Thyres valued their horses and truly appreciated her present even though I wasn't that good at riding yet.
Another one of Alahna's gifts was a pair of leather riding pants that had been strengthened at the butt and inner thighs to prevent all the inconveniences Alahna had mentioned. Still, after my first full day in a saddle, I was glad when it was time to dismount.
"How are you holding up?" Kendryx asked when he took me for a leisurely stroll along the coastline while the warriors and servants set up camp.
"I'm okay," I assured him, rubbing my butt.
"It will get better," he assured me.
Everybody assured me so, but my thighs were still incredibly tender. I couldn't deny the thrill of riding though. There was something to be said about sitting high atop a horse and watching the scenery move by, faster than a walk but not as fast as driving in a Humvee.
We stopped at the top of a cliff to give us time to admire the view. The sky had darkened, and against its backdrop, I made out trillions of stars, some brighter, some dimmer. Further out, I recognized the outline of the Rhodos planet. It was so strange to look at that it reminded me once again that I was on an alien planet, my new home.
I leaned into Kendryx, and he laid his arm around my waist from behind while he rested his chin on the top of my head. I put my hands around his arm and so we just stood, listening to the waves break against the rugged rocks below. From somewhere far out on the Dark Sea, the plaintive sound of a whaross reached my ears and the familiarity of it warmed my heart.
"Happy?" Kendryx asked.
"More than I ever thought possible," I replied, staring out over the Dark Sea.
Earth had been covered with oceans, but I had never been close to one or even seen it. Here, the scent of freshness and salt mixed with a hint of sweet seaweed was becoming more familiar to me with every day.
So was this man I was leaning into, feeling the low staccato of his heart against my back. Yes, this was heaven.
When we returned to camp, the scents of roasting meat and vegetables as well as freshly baking bread filled the air, making me realize how hungry I was.
Several braziers with high-burning fires had been set up to heat our dinner and to keep the night's chill at bay, making me enjoy eating outside under the stars even more, as I listened to the warriors' low talk and occasional laughter.
After dinner, Kendryx and I retired to our tent where we made slow and quiet love to one another.
One night blended in with another, until we were awakened during the third night by screams that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"Stay here," Kendryx shouted, jumping out of our bed of furs, grabbing his sword. "Udruns."
He was out the tent flap before I could utter, "The hell I will."
Now I understood why Kendryx had advised me to sleep fully clothed, and I was thankful for it. I pulled on my boots, twisted my hair into a ponytail, and grabbed my sword as well.
During the week at Grymburg, riding had not been my and the ex-soldiers' only lessons. Kendryx, Brogan, and his warriors had also begun training us in swordplay, which, for me had been a continuance of what Kendryx and I had already practiced aboard the ship during our journeys, but for the other humans, it was something new. All of them were trained soldiers though, in good shape and already schooled in martial arts and other weapons. Most picked up the art of fighting with a sword rather easily.
The moment I stepped outside the tent, I was met with chaos. Gray silhouettes glided through the night, brandishing weapons that made my heart stutter. Their swords were much thicker than ours and reminded me of the ends of a chainsaw, only that the serrated teeth seemed as sharp as a shark's tooth. Others swung clubs embedded with jagged objects that I wanted nowhere near my skin.
A loud cry behind me made me spin just in time to deflect one of those clubs with my raised sword, and I was thankful for every lesson Kendryx had taught me that made me raise my sword from muscle memory. Otherwise the club would have split my head open.
