Hidden Magic Ch. 19

"He knows the risk. He's a great general. I studied his campaigns in the field after interrogating prisoners of war. He knows the risk."

"He also has sent no letters to the North."

"Smart man."

She sat on the bed at my feet as I finished off the water and struggled to sit up so I could eat the fruit. "No, Minn. Dumb. If they can get to the sorcerers even with your intervention and kill the ambassador, how will anyone get word to the North?"

I thought for a long moment, eyes closed and it came to me. "Filtin, there is a man named Donarre Chamoer. Before the war he as a pleasurer at the Golden House, he attended me on campaigns. He is likely still at the front eking out a living, but surely with your network you can find him."

"And when I do?"

"He was born in the North, he still has family there, nobility on some far distant side. If I write him, he will know what to do. Fetch pen and paper."

She moved her voluptuous form with stealth and grace, and quickly returned with parchment, an inkwell, and pen. I had her draft the letter slowly. Donarre and I had parted as friends, knowing our path as lovers was done. My message was coded in pleas and vows of passion he would surely know to be disingenuous, and he was smart enough to read between the lines.

"Filtin, make sure only women you trust with your own life carry this. He will know what to do."

"And will he do it?"

"He will. I made no allusions to the ambassador. After our experience with the other Filtin we can trust no one. Even the pure of heart can be enthralled. That is why you shall not know the true meaning of these words."

The front door opened and Tomass' humming voice came in, in high spirits.

"Filtin, say nothing to Tomass. Even he may be spelled."

There was no time to reply as she grabbed the still-wet letter and hid it behind her back.

"Earl," she said with a smile.

He nodded, but his eyes slid to mine, his warm and dancing like his smile. "You're awake."

"I am," I said with a yawn. I'd managed two pieces of fruit and the water, but was still weary.

"I'll leave you two alone. Time to get to the club." Filtin surreptitiously grabbed the well and en as she left, but Tomass' eyes were for me. He closed the door behind her.

"I got your flower. Thank you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here. I had to get word to the sorcerer's council, and our words travel best on night wings."

"You look energetic."

He was fairly dancing. "I can't explain it," he said, stripping his cloak and hanging it, smoothing his inky hair which was loose and windblown. The aura of magic was still upon him though it should have been depleted. "I am too young for this, and it took much less magic to cast those spells than it should for a sorcerer of my age. In fact, I have enough to restore you."

He approached the rope bed with a sensual threat in those nearly glowing eyes, stripping off his tunic, and I weakly held up a hand. "Oh, no you don't. You'll kill me."

"I must touch you."

"Then hold me."

He climbed beside me, moved the tray, and took me in his arms. I sighed, snuggling into him, happy to nap there, but then I felt the burn of magic along my skin where we touched. Soon, all too soon, I felt vital, energized...and hungry.

"And now?" He asked, a hand sliding to cup a breast as his lips sought mine.

"Food first," I grumbled, but kissed him back. It was sweet, passionate, and he tasted of wine, man, and happiness.

I finished the fruit and then bathed, hating the feel of dirt and sweat on my skin. It made me think of war, those times of campaigns that never halted, or worse, during sieges when we holed up and tried to just survive.

When I was clean I joined him in the kitchen and to my surprise, my young husband was a good cook. Seeing him there, in Anderank's delicate kitchen, dressed all n black...it was so incongruous I laughed.

"What?"

"You cook, you save your people, and you bring me back from the brink of death. Is there anything you don't do?"

Standing over the plates, arranging the cooked sausages and other delicious treats, his beautiful faced tipped up in thought. He'd taken me seriously.

Coically his face fell, and he laughed. "There's plenty, my love."

I sucked in my breath, but it felt right. Standing, I caught him with plates in both his hands and kissed him deeply.

"What was that for?"

Pulling back, I smiled. "Because I love you, and because when all this over...you owe me for last night." The thought of him naked, bound, helpless to my desire...a dark shiver coursed through me.

The same echoed in him, though he nervously stepped aside me to set the food down on the table. "Eat well, Minn. Tomorrow morning our good ambassador frees the Earless from M'Graough's grasp, and we must face the evil couple."

"You sound so dire," I said as we sat.

A dark brow raised. "And you sound so cavalier."

"We will win. We have to. There is no other choice."

"And if Martink fails, the Earless does, and we are blamed? They will kill him too, and the North may yet fall prey to the scheme."

Donarre was my ace in the hole. I couldn't say just why I felt I could not tell Tomass or even Anderank about it. Maybe women too could have the gift of prophecy. Maybe it was nothing. I really hopped it was nothing.

***

"Minn, wake up."

I was having a very pleasant dream. Tomass and I were naked in the warm sunshine of the ruins of the old manor, loving one another in joy.

The room was cold but I was naked as was he, and I pressed my body against him, curled around my back. He felt so warm, so good, even if it was the dark of night I wanted to lose myself in him again.

"Minn, there's no time. We have to get dressed."

I opened my eyes further. It was cold because the window was open. A raven stood on the sill, staring at me, head cocked. What had he said that evening? Sorcerers' words traveled best on night wings.

"Tomass?" I sat up.

"Get up, get dressed. I must warn Anderank."

We rose and he threw open his cloak, heading out. I dressed quickly, strapping on my sword and adding knives left in the trunk. They were Anderank's, left by other lovers, but a sense of panic gripped me and I felt best when armed.

All the while the raven watched me, cawing only when I hesitated in a task.

Tomass returned and nodded to me, crossing to the raven. He touched it, I felt magic, and then the bird took off.

"Tomass, what's going on?"

"The sorcerers were on the move, but they were attacked. M'Graough, and his power is immense. The only way he could know is if someone betrayed him. Who knew the sorcerers were moving?"

"Anderank, Filitn, and Martink."

"How well do you trust them?"

"Anderank is a sweet soul, you know as well as I do he would never betray his friends, nor would be bring death to anyone. Filtin is a spymaster and her first priority is out country, she would never give the sorcerers up. Martink's reputation proceeds him, and I cannot believe he would want war. We generals tire easily."

"One of them betrayed us. M'Graough and Serinne could be holding a loved one hostage."

"Filtin has no connections for just that reason. Anderank's family is all gone. I don't know about Martink, the man is amystery."

"Whatever is afoot, we must get to the sorcerers, now."

"I'm ready."

He lead us out, past Anderank who gave me a hug and Tomass as well. He was packing, preparing to stay with a friend and promises he would send hesitant word to Filtin but not reveal anything. In caution we did not say where we were going.

We found our horses and rode, chasing the fading night west as the sun rose behind us. As the city faded and the fields prevailed, he relaxed in his sadly by degrees while I tensed. This would be a fight of magic, and in the world of magic I was simply Tomass' partner, the woman who helped him raise it. I'd spent years killing men and women in the name of honor, country, and war. I could do so again, but just who would M'Graough have with him? What were we up against?

I was so weary of battle, of riding. Funny how once I had feared having a husband would mean slow death by boredom. If life with Tomass got any more exciting, I doubt I'd survive it.

When we hit the edge of the woods he stopped, holding up a hand. I stopped beside him and held the reigns tight as he closed his eyes. I held quiet, knowing he was tracking, but in a way normal people never could.

"Northwest," he said at last.

"Bandit territory. You are lading, Tomass, but stay close to me. Please," I added.

He leaned across and kissed me, blue eyes blazing playfully as he pulled back. "When we reach the sorcerers, you stay close to me. Please."

"Done."

We went into the woods, keeping off paths. Every so often Tomass would wave his hands and I would sense magic unseen. I surmised he was covering the tracks while I kept my senses open.mst strangely there were no bandits about, no animals in their place. The forest was quiet, until we heard the sounds of battle.

Tomass kicked his hrse into a run and I followed suit, dodging dark trees in the inky blackness, heading for the battle where the sounds of swords clashing and explosions rang out.

The sorcerers were clothed in black, fighting with magic, and the younger ones with words. The boys were protected n the back, and their attackers were Noethern soldiers, men and women wearing the sparse uniforms that haunted my dreams. With them as M'Graough, the evil sorcerer. He was fearsome, tall, slim, his long black hair marked by a white streak that appeared decades older than his handsome face. He threw spells so powerful that the trees they hit erupted into giant towers of green flame.

"Be careful!" I called to Tomass as my horse slowed to a trot and I jumped off, rolling. When I leapt to my feat my sword was drawn and I took the soldiers closest to me.

They were veterans of the war and knew the Southern forms, but rage and determination were on my side. I knocked aside a sword and slashed a neck, then I cut an arm nearly off, and on and on into the dance of death. This calmed me, centered me. In the heat of battle I was ice, a pure column of purpose. Later would come the revulsion, the nightmares, but I knew I had Tomass, my shining, innocent husband to help me to feel clean.

With renewed vigor I fought my way to a black cloak, a young sorcerer who looked wounded and exhausted. "I am Tomass' wife! Fight in pairs, back to back. Guard high, the North fights downward!" I hoped he understood that and indeed he scurried to spread the message.

I turned and engaged two more, raking a shallow slice into my shoulder and a fist to my ribs. The fist came from a man who looked to be half-mountain, but I sidestepped so it glanced off me, saving broken bones. I speared him in the guy and then slashed his throat, granting him a quick and relatively painless death.

I saw Tomass with the elders fighting M'Graough, magic for magic, and the sight was amazing. Lights I had never seen in ever color of the rainbow shot between them, exploding, shimmering, dancing. It was beautiful and lethal, and I understood why my foremothers had feared sorcerers so. If only they had joined us in the war...nearly seven years would have been one month of battle.

A sword nearly took of my head and I ducked, off balance, and rolled.

Martink stood above me, grinning. "You!"

He bowed. "General." He turned to the others closing in. "The general is mine! It's a matter of honor!"

I called to the younger sorcerers, almost all still standing, forty of them. There were only fifteen soldiers left. "Hold the line! Fight them by twos!" Martink's sword crashed down and I rolled, my own sword falling from my grasp.

I flipped to my feet and pulled out one of Anderank's knives. "Why? War is hell and finally we are at peace. Why in the six hells would you want war?"

"War is life!" He raged, chopping at me sloppily.

He was older, and experience counted for much, but so did the vitality of youth. I sidestepped and grabbed his beefy arm, pulling him through with one hand, and stabbing him with the knife in my other. It was too fast and the blade glanced off a bone in his ribcage, but he grunted. I kept the momentum going and threw him on the ground, jumping back to grab my sword.

Raising it I met his, weaker now. I had injured him on his right side, his sword arm, and the traditional forms of his people were to attack from a high point, but his reach was compromised.

"Did you fancy a return to glory? Bored being an ambassador no one would speak to?"

"Call yourself an earl and play at politics, but you are at heart a warrior. This is our natural state!" We parried as I straightened and both of us gave a few steps. Around us came cries, some from the sorcerers and some from the soldiers. Behind him I saw the elders and Tomass turn, magic into the distance, and Tomass broke. M'Graough was running.

With rage I feigned a side attacked, danced with a turn around his sword, and slashed open his chest. Martink sputters and fell, and I continued the motion, spun one, and severed his head.

"Tomass!" I cried without hesitation and ran after my husband.

I followed him into the dark and rn for long minutes until I came upon his form, weak, and drained. "Tomass!"

"Minn," he called weakly. I dropped the sword and knife and knelt beside him, hugging him tight. "I let him get away."

"He was too powerful for you all, not with the battle. Tomass, it's all right." He was shaking with rage and bloodlust.

As insane as it as, I had been at war too long and I understood the human condition. I had to turn the bloodlust to something else, and so I kissed him.

Angry, Tomass kissed me back. His magic was depleted and his body tired, but his anger gave him strength. He pushed me back and I clawed at his trousers, opening them. His penis was soft and thick and with two strokes it hardened in my hand and I bit his lip.

Growling, he parted my skirt, felt my wetness, and then slammed in. I wasn't ready, yet the sensation bordering on pain was thrilling. I wrapped my legs around him as he began to thrust and clutched tight, even as the wound at my shoulder winced.

It was over in seconds, he spilled into me with a grunting growl. This wasn't about pleasure, this was about diffusing his rage, giving him a feeling of power, saving his sanity. This was an act of love that made me heart happy even as my body cried out for more.

"No!" He cried, thinking of lost power, I knew.

He raised his body up, still in me, still somewhat hard, and his hand settled between us. His thumb moved quickly as we kissed deeply, angrily, and I thrilled to it. My own blood lust bled to something deeper, more primal, and I came with a scream into his mouth.

"Again," he growled and repeated the process. Still dressed, covered in the gore of battle, wounded, energetic, frantic, I crested again as the sun broke the horizon.

Tomass rolled onto his back, put me above, and he jerked my tunic up to fasten his mouth on the swollen peak of a breast. His bit, his thumb grinding into me, teasing that nubbin, and I rubbed myself to another climax.

At last he was satisfied and his eyes cleared as I pulled back.

"Minn! My goddess, did I hurt you?"

"Tomass, we are both fine, more than fine, but we must get back." I stood on shaking legs and righted my clothes, feeling our mingled juices wet on my thighs. "I love you," I said, pulling him to his feet to kiss him.

He righted his clothes and I gabbed my weapons. We walked back hand in hand to see the soldiers defeated. None of the sorcerers had killed, and I understood.

"Talk to the elders, Tomass." Squeezing his hand I kissed him and watched him go. While he was busy I walked to the wounded and gave each a death blow as the younger sorcerers watched, healing one another.

"Thanks," said the one I had shouted to in battle. He was quite young, barely an adult, his long hair was a shade of red almost like mine and his frantic eyes were the clear green of new spring grass. "I am Holtik."

"I am Minotte, wife of Tomass," I said with a bow, not wishing to offend him with any formal titles or my own society's formal greeting.

"Thank you. We are not of death, to kill is forbidden."

I frowned, thinking it silly, but simply replied, "'Twas nothing. Let us join your elders."

I led them over to the elders where Tomass spoke with two old men who were stoop-backed with long white beards and hair.

"Gerant and Quilst, this is my wife, Minnotte."

I bowed to them. "Sirs, it is an honor to meet you. I wish it was under better circumstances."

Gerant nodded. "Child, we thank you for your aid, and for doing what our young sorcerers could not."

I bit back a sarcastic remark. Killing always put me in a dark mood, but I was also a diplomat and tried to call on that training for tact. These were not fellow soldiers who would understand. "We need to go after M'Graough. You know his plans, and if General Martink was here, his army may very well be on the move. You need to get somewhere safe."

They nodded, almost as one. "You must get to Plaindand and find M'Graough and his lady wife. Child, they must die," the one called Quilst said direcly to me, implying Tomass and his wish to kill M'Graough was foolish. I quite agreed, but to say so in front of Tomass would make for a chilly marriage.

"We must return soon, time is of the essence. The day has begun and we have great tasks to face."

Gerant stepped forward to clap my hand as well as one of Tomass'. "We will give you a spell to transport you there, to whatever person you trust the most. Tomass, we have pooled magic and will give you enough to bring the queen our of thrall, as well as the young Earless. You will need more to defeat M'Graough."

"Done and done, " I said gruffly without thinking, and the old men smiled.

Magic burned into me, fighting me. It was the property of men, I knew, and I was foreign, different. I brought my other hand to touch Tomass and the pain eased, somehow recognizing our connection. His skin felt hot, and I knew the magic they gave him was a doozy. He felt like a human lightning bolt beside me, and just when I thought he could take no more the old sorcerer dropped our hands.

"Let's go find M'Graough," my husband growled.

I shook my head. "We must get to the queen first, trust me, Tomass."

He looked into my eyes, the need for revenge warring with his need to be honorable. At last, he nodded.

'How does this work?" I asked the old men.

"I've got this. Trust me," Tomass said with a smile, taking my hand.

Magic swirled felt but unseen around us, and the world exploded into shards, leaving only black.