“Then Alcippe and Felda will be easily matched,” Lara said. “But how will you choose their husbands?”
“The Dominus’s desires will be conveyed to several important women. They will bring me their recommendations, and then we will discuss each prospective suitor. When we have narrowed the field we shall bring in each girl separately and discuss it with her. Then the choice will be made. Because our men cannot hear us, they do not consider how much we hear. We are almost invisible and learn a great deal that way,” Sirvat said with a small smile. “It makes it easier to find out the truth about the men. It will be better, however, if they can regain their hearing and finally hear us.”
“You will be able to gain equality with them then,” Lara agreed.
Sirvat laughed. “I think we are already superior to the men. The disadvantage is theirs, not ours. Terahn women have always held a certain amount of power. Even when they could hear our voices we were strong. Had we not been, one of our sex could not have overcome the sorcerer. It is true he struck back at us with his dying breath, but now your faerie magic will help us to overcome his curse.”
“Have you ever been to the Temple of the Great Creator?”
“I’ve never left the castle grounds, and I will not until I go to my husband’s home,” Sirvat said.
“I cannot guarantee I will be able to lift this malediction,” Lara told her friend. “And I have not said I could. I can only try. I wish you had been to the temple, and could tell me about it. We call the god the Celestial Actuary.”
“How perfectly Hetarian,” Sirvat responded. “You are a people controlled by your commerce. While I have not visited the temple I can tell you something about it. The high priest is called Aslak. He is very old and, I have heard, prone to being narrow in his thought.”
Lara nodded. “Yes, he would be, of course. Is there another I might approach if this man is obdurate in his ways?”
Sirvat nodded. “Our mother’s brother, Arik, has already been chosen to succeed Aslak when he dies. This succession is always planned in advance when a high priest reaches old age. Aslak has already lived a hundred years. It would be my counsel to approach Arik first, seek his advice, and then allow him to guide you.”
“The high priest would not be offended?” Lara wanted to know.
“Not if Magnus pays his respects first. Aslak need not know of you until you find what you seek. And if you do not, he need not know of you at all.”
“How clever you are,” Lara said with a small chuckle.
“It is time for change,” Sirvat told Lara, “but Terah plods along as it has for centuries. Nothing will move forward until the women of this land can once again be heard. It is time we knew more of what is beyond our borders.”
“We are much alike,” Lara remarked. “And I agree with you. Hetar has much to offer to Terah, but Terah in turn has much to offer Hetar.”
“What could we possibly offer Hetar besides the luxuries we provide?”
“It is not yet time for me to speak,” Lara told her friend. “Let us first solve the problem of the curse. Then I shall tell you what thoughts swirl about in my head.”
“It is, I am told, a long day’s ride,” Sirvat said.
“I am used to riding. I enjoy it,” Lara told her. “And my own horse, given to me by Kaliq of the Shadow Princes, came this day to Terah to join me. My mother gave him wings so he might fly.” She laughed. “Andraste and Verica will be happy to know this. The horse is called Dasras, and he speaks.”
Sirvat’s turquoise-blue eyes grew round. “A horse that converses? This is great magic, Lara.”
“Sometimes when I was out riding Dasras, I would speak on the matters that concerned or troubled me. He is a good listener, and an even better advisor,” Lara said.
“You are advised by an animal?” Sirvat looked dubious.
“Animals have much wisdom, and often see things we mortals do not,” Lara explained to her friend. “Listening to another’s opinion can be helpful.”
“I should like to meet this creature,” Sirvat said.
“Come with me to the stables in the morning then, and I will introduce you,” Lara promised her.
“What time will you depart?”
“The Dominus has not yet said. Perhaps I should send a servant to him requesting that information,” Lara considered.
“Better you let him tell you,” Sirvat advised. “Actually speaking with a woman must be quite an adventure for Magnus,” she giggled. “Do not let him learn too quickly that you are wiser than he, Lara. Your mission must not be compromised in any way.”
“Then perhaps it is best we both seek our beds,” Lara considered.
Sirvat nodded. “I’m glad our rooms are nowhere near Uma’s chamber. She will be moaning and groaning all the night long, I suspect.”
Finally alone in her own chamber Lara spoke with Andraste, drawing her forth from her scabbard, and laying her faceup upon the bed. Verica stood upright in a corner, and at his mistress’s request opened his eyes, which only made him look fiercer.
“My mother has sent Dasras to join us,” Lara said. “Tomorrow we will ride out from this castle with the Dominus.” She went on to explain to her two magical companions the nature of their quest.
“It will be good to get out of this castle,” Andraste said. “We have been confined for too long. Another day and I should become as irritable of nature as Verica.”
“Indeed, singer of death and drinker of blood,” Verica agreed. “I shall be equally glad to feel the wind on my face again.”
“As the Dominus has not told me when we depart, I can only assume early in the morning,” Lara told them. “Sirvat says it is a long day’s ride to this temple.”
A gentle knock sounded upon the door, and opening it revealed a woman servant.
“The Dominus requires your presence, my lady,” the servant said.
“I will come at once,” Lara replied, and hurried from her chamber. She knew her way through the castle well now, and quickly reached the apartments of the Dominus where Magnus Hauk awaited her. Smiling, he took her hand to lead her to his bedchamber, but Lara pulled her hand from his.
“Your sister says it is a long ride to the temple, my lord Dominus. If we are to depart just before the dawn then we need our rest,” Lara said to him. “If you need a woman for pleasures call Felda or Alcippe. Uma, I fear, is yet indisposed.”
“You are refusing to share pleasures with me?” he said, and she could see he was surprised, and perhaps just a little offended.
“I am not a slave who must do your bidding no matter,” Lara said quietly. “When we share pleasures it is because we both desire it. Do not my honest cries of delight please you? Would you have me feign my passion, Magnus? I think not. You are too proud a man for games like that, and I would not offend you by playing them. The day has been long, and I must gather my strength for what lies ahead.” Then she reached up and stroked his face with a gentle hand. “And did we not enjoy each other earlier?”
He caught the hand on his face, and kissed first the palm with burning lips, and then the soft tender spot on her wrist. “I can never gain all I want of you, Lara,” he said low. “There is always a little piece of you that escapes me.”
“It is my faerie nature,” she told him with a mysterious little smile.
“Will I ever have all of you?” he asked her.
“No man ever has everything a woman can offer,” Lara replied. Then she kissed his lips. “Good night, my lord Dominus. May I assume you wish to depart just before the dawn? I shall be ready then.”
He nodded, and watched in silence as she left his apartments. For the first time in his life Magnus Hauk was both fascinated and intrigued by a woman. She had dismissed him, and had any other woman done that he would have punished her severely. Yet Lara’s refusal had not offended him, only surprised him. What was it about the Hetarian woman that attracted him so greatly? He sighed, wondering if he would ever really know. Then because he had no other choice, and desired no other woman in his arms, the Dominus of Terah sought his lonely bed.
