For Lord and Land

For Lord and Land
By: Delilah deSora
Part 3
Prologue

**

“Dante?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever think about the future?”

“All the time. Why? Don’t you?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t ever want these nights to end. To think about the future means I must think of that.”

Laughter. “Then we’ll just have to make an eternity of nights like this for you to thlook forward to, won’t we Sibley?”

“Promise?”

“Always.”


-Spring 2033

**

Crying.

He was always crying in those days. Crying for the pain in his body as he ran, pushing it past its own frail limits. Crying for the pain in his mind as the others called him names and called him a girl-child and a demon. Crying for the pain in his heart where fate had taken from him all those who loved him.

Feet pounding out a frantic rhythm on sand, breath wheezing as lungs failed to fill properly. Hurt as muscles cramped. Hands grabbing for him, dragging him back and forth as hateful words were spat at him.

Demon.

Weakling.

Unwanted bastard.

Sand grinding into his bare legs as he struggled against those cruel hands. Then water closing over his head. The unforgiving waves swallowing his cry as he was held under. The unworldly laughter filtering through the water from those above him, shouting in glee at his panic. Darkness closing over him and tears mingle with the salty ocean as he realizes he will die as he lived, alone among those who hate him.

Hands upon him, but these don’t hold him down or cause pain. Confusion as he wakes and stares at the woman above him. Words that his frightened mind can’t sort out. More fear as she stares at him, obviously waiting for a response. He closes his eyes, knowing what happens when he doesn’t answer properly. But it does not happen this time. Instead a patient had strokes his hair and he goes back to sleep.

When he wakes next it is a man who is watching over him. Instant panic overwhelms him at the sight of the bright red hair and the searching brown eyes. This man is not one of his people. He is one of them, those that chase him away from the places that remind him of what had once been home.

Who are you?

Where are you from?

Where are your parents, little one?

Questions asked of him late into the night before the woman returns and orders the man from the bedside. Soft words that reassure him and chase away the humiliation of having to answer the soldier’s queries, of having to utter the hated words that described his existence.

Days pass as he huddles in the carefully crafted bed, enjoying the safety of having four walls and a roof over his head. Food is brought to him and for the first time in years he is full. A fever comes over him as it did so long ago when he had lost his family and his home and he fears he will lose this small bit of paradise as well but the soft hands and soothing voices do not abandon him. He knows he is ill for a long time but a young boy’s sick mind cannot comprehend the passage of time.

Eventually the illness passes and the woman with the gentle blue eyes takes him to a small garden, telling him that he has been inside too long. There is fear then that he will be left alone but the woman lifts him up and promises him that he can stay as long as he likes. A gentle kiss on the crown of his head soothes him and he peers about when she sets him down.

There is laughter as he tries to walk to a small pool and his legs give out, making him fall. He watches in wonder as the woman drags a boy his own age from a bush and raps him sharply across the top of the head, making blue eyes water. An apology is forced from the other boy and an introduction given under the woman’s determined gaze.

More fear as his hand is captured by the other boy’s but there is nothing to be done for it as the woman smiles softly at him and he is dragged to the pool where the boy splashes around happily. He dangles his feet in the water and a laugh is surprised from him as the boy flounders after a brightly colored fish. A smile crosses the other boy’s face at the sound of his laugh and he looks away shyly.

Years pass by that pool and small bodies change. No longer is the other boy small like him. Baby fat turns to muscle and small hands turn calloused and strong. Only the blue eyes stay the same still reflecting the kindness and mischievous of youth. His own body grows as well but not in the same way. There is still weakness in him but his friend never seems to care.

Days spent in the garden turn to nights on the beach. He no longer fears others for the only one that matters is the one who walks beside him. Feelings change and one night’s walk turns to something else under the dark moon. For the first time since his family was stolen from him he feels content. Strong arms hold him and he knows that he’ll never be alone again. When the moon turns full a pair of silver rings are exchanged and for a time the world seems perfect.

The wheel of time turns again and he is forced to let his lover leave to fulfill his dreams. There is pain as he forces a smile at their parting. Words are spoken that he knows are not meant. His lover leaves and the house seems empty. He buries himself in his work, living only for the letters written by his love’s hand. Years pass and his lover returns home. He teases about another lover, though there is no such a man. There is only one whom he could ever give himself to.

Time again steals his love and he contents himself with the knowledge that his lover is happy. Dreams come to him and he wakes in fear, confused as to what they mean. And then his lover’s brother returns and his world falls apart.

But the dreams will not let him be and he realizes there is a deception being played. He does not want to leave the home he has been given but the dreams will not let him be. For the first time he knows his lover needs him and he knows he will not fail.

Letters written and permission is given. He packs only the things he needs and leaves in the dark of the night, not wishing to cause more pain to the family who took him in and saved him from a life on the streets as an orphan who would not have survived to adulthood.

The air turns hot and dry as he leaves the only land he has ever known. Green grasses die and the black soil turns into red sand. Fear creeps through him as he stares out over the foreign land. Its people are stocky and dark eyed, staring at the dark haired stranger with suspicion and disgust. He is reminded that it is these people who control his own land and he shudders.

When he thinks he can travel no longer he comes to the end of the great plateau and sees his destination. A great city sprawls out before him in the shadow of a volcano, large blocky red buildings so different from the tall graceful buildings of his homeland. Just beyond his eyes focus on the largest of the buildings. The unforgiving Ardae sun reflects off the palace. It is a large structure that sprawls like a lazy lion, overlooking the city below. Although uniform he can still recognize parts that had been added on at different dates. As Aidus grew so too did the palace.

Brilliant red flags are held spread by a top bar; else they would lie limp in the still air. He reaches out to touch the golden dragon coiled in the center, reminded of his dreams. A guard snarls at him and he quickly withdraws his hand, reminding himself that he is no longer home, that the ways of the Ardae are different than the ways of his own people.

Something builds within him as he steps from the carriage and begins the long climb up the stairs leading to the door to the palace. He looks up and his eyes are drawn to the higher floors of the palace. His heart tightens and his fingers trace the silver ring on his hand. Yes, he realizes, this is where I am to be.

Gathering his travel robes he lifts his chin defiantly and walks towards the great doors sealing the Emperor and his lover from the world. He is no longer the unnamed orphan running from those who would do him harm. He is no longer the frightened young boy hiding behind his friend when others shouted insults at him.

He was Sibley Varden and he was going to take back what the Emperor had stolen from him.

Reaching out he ignores the guards watching him from the sides and strides confidently into the sleeping dragon’s lair.