The Eyes Of A God - The Eyes of a God Part 1
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The Eyes of a God Part 1

Author: John Marco.

Title: The Eyes of a God.

Barely twenty-seven, he still had a soldier's lust for life. Were it up to him, he would never make peace with Reec. That way, Luria would always need him.

But it wasn't up to him. Akeela ruled Luria now, and this was a matter he had decided alone. If war was Lukien's calling, then peace was Akeela's. Lukien glanced at his king and was pleased to be with him. If a trap did lay ahead of him, he would welcome death at the side of such a good man.

smiled as if nothing could sour his mood. "Put your suspicions away, Lukien. Nothing will go wrong."

Lukien nodded, because everything Akeela said was true. He was seldom wrong, this new king of Luria, and that's why his people adored him. It was why they called him "Akeela the Good." And it was why men like Lukien and the other Royal Chargers followed him, even into the heart of Reec. Lukien settled into his saddle, trying for some of Akeela's abundant confidence. Behind them, the cavalry rode at attention, unnerved by the sight of Hes. The Bronze Knight stole a backward glance at his men. Behind the standard bearer he saw Lieutenant Trager. Unlike his underlings, Trager showed no trace of fear, but his silence belied his anxiety. Lukien leaned toward Akeela.

'Trager seems... uneasy."

Akeela put up a hand. "Not today, please."

'You should have left him at home. He'll disrupt things."

'He won't," said Akeela. "You're just trying to irritate him. Stop it now."

Like many of the Chargers, Trager hadn't wanted to come to Reec. Behind Akeela's back he had secretly sneered at the notion of peace, sure that King Karis would snub the offer. Yet here they were, on the road to the Reecian capital, invited guests of the king. For Lukien, who had battled the Reecians since graduating war college, it seemed a miracle. Akeela was right to be proud. He had done something his dead father had never dared dream. If the meeting went well-if they weren't riding stupidly into atrap-then years of bloodshed might end and Lukien's Royal Chargers could at last sheath their swords.

The decades of war had made them hard and suspicious, but the light in Akeela's eyes had convinced them that peace was in fact possible. Like Lukien, they quested for Akeela's dream.

Lukien knew his world was about to change irrevocably. Under Akeela, they all faced an uncertain future. Even if it was one of peace, it would still not be perfect for the Bronze Knight. Lukien was still a young man, and peerless with a sword. He had earned his reputation the hard way. War was his life, his best and truest calling. Without war he would change, and the idea chafed him. To sit at home with a dog at his feet simply didn't interest High in a tower of Castle Hes, Princess Cassandra of Reec cocked an eyebrow toward the window, marveling at the soldiers approaching her home. It was nearly dusk but she could see them faintly in the dimming light; their silver armor, their well-bred horses, their blue flag stirring listlessly on a pole. They were very many, much more than she had expected. She wiped the mist from the glass, spying the front of the column. Akeela would be there, leading his men, as brave as the stories said.

'Come away from the window, Cassandra," the girl implored. Jancis was nervous, and her voice quavered a little. The handmaiden had laid out Cassandra's dress and continued fussing with it, smoothing out wrinkles that weren't there.

'They're coming," said Cassandra.

'You'll see them soon enough. Come on, Cass, we must dress you."

'Come here, Jancis, look at them."

With a sigh Jancis did as her lady asked, going to the window to stand beside Cassandra. The princess, still in her undergarments, stepped aside so Jancis could see.

'Look, at the front. The two riding alone."

Jancis nodded. "Uh-huh," she said dully.

'Do you see them?"

'Barely."

'Do you think Akeela's at the front?"

'Probably," said Jancis. The handmaiden frowned. "I suppose that brute Lukien is with him."

'I suppose," agreed Cassandra sourly. No one had wanted her father to allow the Bronze Knight into Reec, but Karis had in sisted, for King Akeela would not come without him. "I bet he's an arrogant-looking bastard, too."

'Too far away to tell." Jancis bit her lip. "Hmm, I wonder what Akeela looks like. I can't wait to see him."

Cassandra's curiousity spiked. She went back to the window, nudging Jancis aside. Akeela was much too far away to see, and that frustrated her. It frustrated her, too, that she'd been obsessing over his appearance. He was a great man coming to Reec, with a great offer, and that should have been enough for her. But Cassandra knew she was special, and had long dreamed of a special husband. It was a childish thing, she supposed, but the dream was still with her. Cassandra thought it very strange that no one knew what Akeela looked like, or had faced him in battle. Most princes were warriors, but not this one. He let his infamous knight make war for him, while he himself stayed safe behind castle walls. Was he a coward then? Cassandra didn't think so. It took courage for a Lurian to ride into Reec.

'He's a mystery," Cassandra purred. The idea intrigued her. She moved away from the window and drifted toward her bed, an oak four-poster with ruffled sheets and perfumed pillows. The dress Jancis had made for her lay across the mattress, looking pristine and beautiful, the perfect garment for seduction. The princess looked down at her smock-clad body. She was seventeen and had filled out nicely. She knew this from the way the men at court looked at her, and she loved to play games with them. But Akeela was a king. Surely he had been with many women, and would judge her critically. A touch of inadequacy-something Cassandra rarely felt-began to tug at her. She had accepted her father's request to marry the Lurian gladly, because she was tired of Hes and loved the idea of being a queen. But she had made sure that she supported her father's plan with just enough restraint to keep her modesty. However, that had been a month ago, and now Akeela was at her doorstep. Worse, the Lurian king didn't even know what her father had planned. More than anything, Cassandra wanted this peace to work. She had seen the disbelief in her father's eyes when Akeela's message had arrived, imploring a summit. Her father had never seemed so happy, or so grave. To make this peace he would do anything, even give her away. Cassandra pretended to care for her father's sake, but to be away from Hes-away from the shadows of so many sisters-was her fondest dream. And to be a queen! Which of her sisters could say that yet?

'We should dress you now," said Jancis, "before they get here. Your father may want you to greet them."

Cassandra nodded but said nothing. Jancis picked up on her silence and shot her a questioning look.

'How are you feeling?" Jancis whispered.

Cassandra groaned. She didn't want anyone finding out about her pains, not today when she was so close to leaving. "You promised you wouldn't speak of that today."

'You're all right then?"

'Yes, and keep your voice down." Instinctively Cassandra looked toward the closed door, hoping no one was outside. "I'm fine. I haven't felt the pain for days."

'I don't believe you," replied Jancis. "I heard you this morning. If you're feeling fine, why were you vomiting?"

'Oh, you're such a witch sometimes!" snapped Cassandra. "Stop ear-wigging on me." She sat down on the edge of the bed, knowing she couldn't escape her friend. The sickness had come upon her a week ago, and had gotten worse before it had gotten better. Now it came in fits, a burning pain in her stomach that made her retch and sometimes turned her water red. She didn't know what it was, and truly didn't care to find out. She only knew that if her father discovered it, her marriage-her chance at greatness-would vanish. "It hurts sometimes when I eat, and that's all," she admitted. "I was nervous at breakfast. It's made me a little sick." She looked up. "Don't worry, Jancis. And don't you dare say a word to anyone."

The girl remained troubled. "I'm afraid for you, Cass. You should let Danette look at you, at least.

She won't tell anyone, and maybe she can give you something for the cramps."

'Danette has a mouth as wide as the Kryss. I can't tell her anything, and neither can you. And besides, you make it sound like my moon blood, which it's not. What's that old midwife going to do for me?" hind her, leaving Cassandra to stare blankly at her father. The ruler of Reec took a step forward, his eyes revealing an inner sadness. Cassandra had expected the visit, and had dreaded it.

'You've seen them from your window?" asked her father. His voice was soft. With her, it was always soft.

'Yes. That's why I must dress."

Karis shook his head. "No, not yet. I'll be meeting with them when they arrive, but briefly. Akeela will be tired, too tired for even you to seduce him." His eyes traced over his daughter. "I want him to be as impressed as I am when he sees you."

'Then I won't be meeting him now?" asked Cassandra.

'Tonight," said the king, "after they've rested. When we dine, you'll meet him."

The princess drooped. She had waited so long to meet her new husband, and couldn't bear more delays. But she didn't argue with her father. Instead she let out a dramatic sigh, going back to the bedside and sitting down.

'I wanted to talk to you before tonight," said Karis. He sat down next to her on the bed, then picked up her hand and placed it in his own. His skin was rough against her petal-soft fingers. But his eyes were soft and affectionate.

'A father shouldn't have favorites, I know," he said. "But I'll tell you something now, Cassandra. I've loved you best of all."

'I know," said Cassandra. "You don't have to say so, Father."

'I want you to understand why I'm doing this," he said. "You do understand, yes?"

'For peace," Cassandra replied. It was what her father wanted to hear. "For the good of Reec."

'And everyone in it, including all your sisters and their children. And even for my own good." Karis squeezed her hand. "This is a great favor, daughter. Perhaps I'm selfish to ask it. So let me give you onelast chance to refuse me. If you don't wish to marry this Lurian, say so now, before I make the offer."

Cassandra squirmed. Her father didn't know how she really felt, because she hid it so well. "You would think less of me if I refused now, Father."

'Never. I could never think less of you." He looked deep into "I don't know," Jancis confessed.

"That's why I'm worried. Maybe you'll need a real physician. Maybe-"

'Jancis, stop," bade Cassandra. She help up one finger, the way she always did when Jancis rambled.

"That's enough. You promised to keep quiet about it, and I expect you to do so. Now..." She stood up and tucked her long hair behind her ears. "Let's dress me."

Jancis was about to take the garment from the bed when a knock came at the door. Dressed only in her undertunic, Cassandra jumped at the intrusion, wrapping her arms about herself. "Who is it?" she asked.

'Your father, girl. Open up."

As expected, the king had come to fetch her. Cassandra replied, "I'm not dressed yet, Father."

A laugh came from behind the door. "I bathed you myself and know every inch of you. You're going to show modesty now? Fetch a robe and open the door."

Jancis hurried a dressing robe out of the wardrobe and hustled Cassandra into it. As the princess tied the garment's belt around her waist, Jancis opened the door. King Karis stood alone in the threshold. His pepper-black beard was split with a wide grin, and his body was swathed in crimson velvet, kingly attire for the meeting to come. He wore all his rings today, great gem-stones that twinkled in the torchlight, and when he saw his youngest daughter across the room he beamed. Jancis had brushed Cassandra's hair till it shone and had carefully painted her face and nails. Even in her plain dressing robe, Cassandra was beautiful.

'Daughter, you look lovely," said the king. He stepped into the room. Jancis curtsied and kept her eyes averted. Karis hardly noticed her. He was taken by the vision of his daughter, which always filled Cassandra with pride.

'Father?" she asked innocently. "What is it?"

Karis turned to Jancis. "Would you leave us, please? I need to talk with my daughter."

'Talk? But Father, we're dressing."

'Jancis, go," said the king. The handmaiden didn't wait to be asked again. Quickly she left the room and closed the door be her eyes. "The truth, Cassandra. There'll be no going back for you, not once the offer is made. And life in Luria will be hard for you." "Not so hard, probably."

Karis chuckled. "Ah, you don't know yet, daughter. You think only of being a queen. But we don't know this man, not nearly as well as we should. He may breed you like a bitch, one pup after another.

Lurian men can be brutal."

'He is kind," said Cassandra. "You said so yourself. Only a kind man would offer peace, you said."

'True," admitted Karis, reminded of his words. "But it won't be a fairy tale. You know that, don't you?"

'Father, what is this?" Cassandra asked, laughing. "Now you don't want me to marry him?"

Karis' face was firm. "I want you to be sure of your decision, because it is your decision, not mine. I have no greater gift to give this king than you, Cassandra, but you are no slave. Say no to me now, and there will be no harm to it. I'll find another way to seal the peace."

For a moment, Cassandra almost told her father the truth. She almost confessed her great desire to leave her city and country behind, to finally be her own woman and not just one of Karis' daughters. But she didn't tell her father that, because it would have broken his heart.

'You said that Akeela is special," Cassandra reminded him, "and that any woman would be lucky to be his queen. I believe that it is so, Father."

Karis studied her with a grin. "You parse words like a barrister, Cassandra. Don't do this thing just to spare my feelings."

'Father, I am Reecian," said Cassandra. "If Akeela will have me, then I will marry him, because I love you and I love our land."

It wasn't really a lie, and it made her father's face shine. Karis patted his daughter's hand and said,"You're special to me. You always will be. And you will always be my daughter, even when you are a queen." The king rose from the bed, straightening his stunning tunic. "Rest for now. Tonight, when the banquet begins, I will send for you. You will dance for King Akeela, and he will fall in love with you."

Cassandra smiled. Since she had blossomed into womanhood, every man seemed to love her. It gave her power, the taste of which was sweet.

When her father left the chamber, Cassandra rose from the bed and went back to the window.

Outside, she could see Akee-la's little army, now just outside the city gates.

he Reecian capital rose in a splendid arc before them. Lukien had never been so close to the city before, and as he rode beside Akeela, nearing the tall iron gates, he marveled at the simple, natural architecture and the grace of his enemies. Hes wasn't like Koth, Luria's capital. It was smaller and had fewer tall towers, so that light fell easily on its white and brown cement, giving it a shimmering appearance. As the sun dipped down, the city came alive with candles, blinking in the round windows and lending the place an orange sheen. Lukien slowed his column as they neared the city gates. The dentate portals were opened wide in welcome. Beyond them, mounted soldiers sat at attention, their swords sheathed and their shoulders rigid. A procession of Reecian citizens stretched out behind them, disappearing down the avenues and watching the newcomers in silent awe. Lukien heard music, the brassy parade tunes the Reecians favored. An uneasiness grew in his stomach. Despite the obvious welcome Hes was giving Akeela, the Bronze Knight cringed inwardly. In the five years since becoming a full-ranked Royal Charger, he had clashed with these people dozens of times.

'You see?" said Akeela. "They welcome us. As I told you they would."

The king rode a bit faster toward the waiting city. Lukien spurred his horse to keep up.

'Slowly, Akeela," he warned. He brought his chestnut charger to a trot beside his king, steering the beast toward its brother to block its stride. "Let me go first."

Akeela relented, checking his eagerness. He brought his horse to a halt. The winding column behind him stopped. Lukien waved his lieutenants forward, and Trager and Breck trotted out of the mass.

'We'll go first," he told the pair. "The king will follow."

Breck nodded his red head. Trager's face didn't change. The two rode beside each other but behind Lukien, ready to lead their king and his procession into the city. As he turned back toward Hes, Lukien noticed a group of well-dressed nobles at the gate's threshold. Karis' counselors wore red and gold tunics and uneasy smiles on their bearded faces. One of them, taller and more regal than the others, stood a pace ahead of his companions, a black cape around his shoulders and sword at his side. The smile on his face twisted when he noticed Lukien coming toward him, and soon the contagion spread through the others. The soldiers along the avenue cocked their helmeted heads; a murmur rippled through the crowds.

The Bronze Knight had come.

Lukien squared his shoulders. He was Akeela's herald, and that meant he needed to be fearless. His armored horse snorted its disdain, and Lukien rode across the threshold of Hes, into the midst of his enemies. The music grew as the musicians lining the avenues strummed their guitars and blew into their horns, and the red flags of Reec were everywhere, hanging down from apartment windows and held aloft by proud teenagers. Yet to Lukien's surprise the Lurian flag was displayed too, held by a Reecian honor guard resplendent in crimson tunics and white gloves. As Lukien approached the nobles just inside the city, the foursome bowed deeply, putting their hands over their hearts and lowering their eyes to the cobblestones. They did not lift themselves until Lukien's shadow fell upon them.

'I am Lukien of Luria," he declared. "Herald of King Akeela and Captain of his Royal Chargers."

The four noblemen raised their eyes to Lukien. The tall one's smile was inscrutable.

'Welcome," he said. He spread his arms wide, looking past Lukien to where Akeela waited behind Trager and Breck. "I am Earl Linuk of Glain. On behalf of King Karis and all of Reec, I welcome you."

'Thank you," said Lukien. He remembered the name Linuk, sure that he had faced the Reecian in combat before. As Earl of Glain, Linuk ruled one of Reec's largest territories and was one of Karis'

closest advisors. Akeela had expected him at the meeting, but his presence distracted Lukien nonetheless. Hurriedly he spun his horse around to reveal his king. Trager and Breck parted, and Akeelarode forward. Again the four noblemen bowed, honoring the young ruler.

'My lord Akeela," said Linuk. His voice rang with awe. "This is a great honor for us. We welcome you to Hes, and grant you all our city has to offer."

Akeela looked regal atop his horse, and his expression warmed with good humor. "Earl Linuk, the honor is mine. Rise, please."

The earl did as Akeela commanded, and Akeela surveyed the soldiers and citizenry that had gathered to meet him. Except for the music the huge crowd was remarkably quiet. Even the children hanging out of the nearby windows were silent. Akeela cleared his throat, then raised a hand to them all, just as he had practiced. He declared, "Thank you all for this warm welcome. I am truly glad to be here, and to be honored by you. This will be a great day, a great moment in history for both our nations."

And with that, the crowd erupted. The people clapped and the children shouted, and the musicians played louder to compete with the clamor. Earl Linuk and his fellow nobles beamed at Akeela, looking relieved. Lukien felt a sudden calm. If this was a trap, it was ridiculously elaborate. He glanced back at his friend Breck, who gave him a wink, then at Trager, who simply looked disbelieving. The second-in-command of the Royal Chargers spun around toward his men, signaling them to enter the city, and slowly the column of horses came forward, led by a wooden wagon covered with a white tarpaulin and flanked by four armored chargers. As the wagon rolled forward, Akeela pointed at it.