For Lord and Land

For Lord and Land

By: Delilah deSora

Part 3

Chapter 5

**

The Leviathan is the Emperor\'s greatest salvation but he is also their most dangerous enemy for the Emperor will do anything to keep them. Even if it means placing himself in harm\'s way. That is where we come in. It is our duty to make sure that the Leviathan never becomes a liability.

-Dorjan Sidanous

**

“Come on! Put it on!”

Dante sighed and pulled on the heavy robe, if only to get Ardel to stop hovering around him. “Happy?” He asked as he spread his arms, practically drowning in the cloth.

Ardel reached up and pulled the hood up over his head, tugging it low over his face. He smiled brightly and kissed him. “Yes!”

Dante frowned as Ardel caught his hand and dragged him forward towards the door to the hallway. “Where are we going?” He demanded.

“It’s a surprise!” Ardel replied, shoving him out the door. “Come on! Before someone sees!”

Sighing Dante allowed himself to be pulled through the deserted halls. Ardel was forced to drop his hand as voices rang out before them and Dante unconsciously tugged the hood lower. They passed by the trio of servants without incident though the frown did not leave Dante’s face. He longed to drag his lover to a halt and demand to know what was going on but the halls were far too open and Leviathan or not snapping at the Emperor with his first name was incredibly unwise.

So too was walking so close behind him but that was entirely Ardel’s doing for every time he drifted back the required number of steps the red haired man slowed his pace and spared a sigh full of annoyance. They were joined by Errol who looked supremely uncomfortable but kept his peace in the face of Ardel’s narrow eyed glare. They paused by a door and Ardel risked a kiss before pulling away with a self-satisfied smile.

Before Dante could comment the smaller man had turned to face the knight that had been shadowing their steps.

“I should be adequate distraction for the two of you to make your way around and failing that, your rank should be enough to get you through without trouble.” Ardel spoke in an offhanded manner but Dante caught the firm undertone. He frowned. Whatever his lover had planned the knight didn’t approve of it but Ardel was going to go through with it anyway.

Errol bowed wordlessly and Ardel slipped away. When the long red tail disappeared around the corner the knight exhaled heavily and shook his head, lips pursed.

“What is he planning?” Dante asked, turning towards the sandy haired man.

His brother’s friend sighed. “He’s ded ded to go to Velin.”

Dante blinked in surprise. “Velin? Why are we going there?” He demanded, hurrying to follow the man outside. The sun shone down brightly and he hissed, pulling the hood down to cover his sensitive eyes.

Errol urged him on a bit faster. “For the Samhain ritual.”

“What Samhain ritual?” He inquired, noting the lack of servants or passersby as they followed the well-worn path.

Errol’s hand touched the small of his back and Dante bit back a growl of annoyance at being herded like some child.

“The Samhain ritual where he plays tole ole that as an Aidan was born to play. It was supposed to be held here but the Emperor changed it at the last minute. The priests are all flustered insisting that they won’t be able to have the temple there ready in time but he’s hearing none of it. He has his heart set on Velin.”

As they rounded the stonewall Dante discovered why their path had so far been deserted. Servants, merchants, peasants, and nobles alike hovered on the great stairway leading up to the palace, staring eagerly up at the expanse of shadows and beyond the great pillars the large open doors leading to the proper entrance to the palace. Guards stood uneasily in the shade and among the crowd, tense for any sign of danger. Beside the large doors Dante caught sight of Dorjan’s vibrant red uniform.

“And how does this translate into me going as well?”

Errol sighed and urged him towards the courtyard beyond where a carriage and a company of mounted guards sat undisturbed by the crowd. “He’s going to need you after the ceremony.”

The frown returned. “Why?”

“Because the ritual and consequent festival is going to get him worked up. Since Samhain is the final ‘blaze of the sun’ before the year is out there’s going to be a lot of fire and a people vying for his attention. The ritual is going to get the dragon’s blood stirred up and he’ll be riding high through most of the night but eventually he’s going to crash. We’re all going to need you there to catch him when that happens or else he’ll probably take down the entire city with him.”

Dante shook his head. “This sounds like a bad idea. Who came up with this whole ritual thing anyway?”

Errol had chased the guards away from the carriage and pulled open the door. Dante peered in and sighed. Instead of seats the floor of the carriage was made up of a thick padded mattress. Pillwerewere piled high on the sides and a pile of folded blankets were stuffed in a corner. Sparing the knight a pained glance he perched on the edge of the door, grateful for even that small bit of shade.

“It is a very old custom.” Errol continued, leaning against the side of the carriage.

“I don’t think I ever saw it. I mean, obviously I’ve seen the festival but . . . I don’t recall the Emperor ever attending.”

“The ritual part of the festival hasn’t been performed since the former Emperor died. As I said, it relies heavily on fire, after all it is the celebration of the sun and hence the fire god himself. All that fire and just the sheer abundance of people drives the dragon’s blood to an almost a fevered pitch. It takes great control from them to make it through and eventually they all break at some point during the night. It’s not a good idea to let them take part in it if there is no one to soothe them afterwards. It could harm them or those around them. That’s why it is never done unless their Leviathan has been found. This will be Ardel’s first ritual.”

Dante growled. “Ardel’s control is not complete,” he pointed out, “He barely has enough to go about his day to day activities. Surely it would be best to wait another year!”

Errol nodded. “That is what we have all said but the Emperor would hear nothing of it. I don’t know if he is so determined to go through with it just because Dorjan is against it or if . . .” His mouth suddenly snapped shut but Dante smiled.

“Or if he’s determined to prove the he isn’t a fragile doll to be led around anymore.” He finished for the knight.

Errol gave him a small smile. “Or that.”

“But why do it in Velin?” Dante wondered, drawing his feet up into the carriage as the first row of mounted guards snapped commands to their mounts and moved forward.

Errol shook his head. “That I do not know.” He replied, closing the door.

The carriage lurched into motion, sending a pleasing breeze to play through the open windows. The curtains were opaque but light, allowing the air to move freely through the carriage and Dante pressed himself into the corner of the carriage as it suddenly halted. There was a hushed silence and he closed his eyes, listening. He heard the arrival of new of guards and among their voices he recognized Errol’s and Dorjan’s.

There was the sudden hiss of clothes and weapons scrapping against the ground and Dante cocked his head. A familiar voice rang out and he couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. The man in charge of reading all of Ardel’s proclamations was ancient but his voice was still strong and sure. Dante had always enjoyed watching him. During one of his duties as a guard he had been stationed in the great hall and he had spent hours watching the old man labor up the steps to his small dais and unwrap a scroll with gnarled old hands. People would gather than, most to hear his news but some who had never been to the palace before came to listen to him with half whispered comments to their peers about the infirmities of the old.

Their jeers were always silenced by the man’s sure tone and his sharp brown eyes.

Dante could only hope that should he reach such an age that he was half as sharp as that man was. He laughed softly. When he was that age it wouldn’t surprise him to discover the same man reading for Ardel’s grandchildren.

The sudden thought of Ardel having children chased the smile from his face but before he could contemplate it any further the door was wrenched open and he unconsciously flinched away from sun and prying eyes alike. Someone climbed in beside him and he glanced up in time to see his lover cut off a servant’s whispered question with a sharp wave of his hand. The servant handed him a small case and bowed deeply. The door was shut.

The carriage moved and Dante gratefully pulled off the heavy cloak He spared a look at his lover and nearly laughed at the hat that sat among a million ringlets of red hair. Green eyes slid over to glare at him from under delicately painted eyelashes.

“Are you laughing at me?” Ardel asked neutrally.

That brought a laugh Dante couldn’t contain and he reached up to flick on of five dangling rubies in the hat. “There’sethiething growing out of your head.” He couldn’t help pointing out.

Ardel sniffed. “I’ll have you know its all the rage around court.”

Dante snorted. “Well that certainly explains it.”

To his surprise Ardel laughed softly. “Indeed.”

Laying on his side he studied the figure seated beside him. He wondered idly if it was the clothes that made Ardel sit so stiffly or if was simply because he was still playing the proper role of Emperor. “Why Velin?” He asked, deciding to simply dive into the questioning without preamble.

Ardel turned to face him and Dante decided he did not like the face paint. It made Ardel’s face a perfect mask through which he could detect no emotion.

“Because the western part of Ardae has not been visited by an Emperor in nearly five hundred years,” Ardel replied his tone making it sound as though it were the most sensible thing in the world, “Though I must admit Velin could hardly be considered a true example of western life it is the farthest I will go without more advanced planning. The coastal towns barely recognize they are even part of Ardae. They are an important source of food and even the loss of the meager amount of seafood they catch would put us in dire straights come the end of winter. I should like to remind them that they are not forgotten.”

“Why this year?” Dante asked, switching questions, “Why not wait until next year when your control of your powers are stronger?”

Ardel’s eyes narrowed but he turned his face before Dante could see more. His hands clenched in his lap. “I am not child!” he hissed, “I do not need to be led around by the hand or treated like I am some piece of glass that will shatter at the slightest bit of hardship!”

Dante reached out and covered the clenched hands with his own. Sitting up he wrapped his arm about the tense form, burying his face in the warm neck. “No one thinks you are a child, Ardel, but you are weak. It has nothing to do with a personal failing but you have been . . . ill. No one expects you to get better right away and you are get str stronger! However don’t you think this might be pushing it?”

He felt the roll of flame within his lover and he brushed a kiss over the bared neck.

“Dorjan thinks I am child!” Ardel hissed.

Dante sighed. “He has known you since you were, has he not?”

Reluctantly Ardel nodded.

“It is hard for people to accept that children grow. To them you will always be the child they knew and they will always wish to protect you. If your father were still alive he’d treat you just the same but not because he did not think you were incapable but because it is human instinct to protect someone who will always live on in your heart as a bright eyed child.”

Ardel shook his head. “If my father were still alive he wouldn’t even know I had grown.” He growled.

Dante blinked in surprise. “Of course he would have.”

Jaded green eyes met his. “No he wouldn’t have. I wasn’t Dorjan, or Peter, or . . .” Ardel’s voice drifted off into silence.

Dante gently caught his chin, drawing the pained gaze back up. “Or Tamerin?” He whispered.

Ardel jumped slightly and Dante smiled, reaching out to brush his hand over a powdered cheek. “He didn’t hate you, Ardel. He loved you very much. He often worried over howh tih time he had to spend with Tamerin for he feared he was missing your childhood. He’d already missed so much of it during his madness that even those he spent with his Leviathan caused him sadnes.

Ardel’s eyes narrowed further and Dante caught the first hot tear with his thumb. Ardel tore away from his grasp. “That’s not true! He didn’t even know I existed unless he tripped over me!” He hissed, pain making his voice thick with emotion.

Dante held him as he wept. “No, love,” he whispered, “he did care about you. He and Tamerin spoke of you often. Tamerin liked to hear about you. You reminded him of his nephews and even though he wanted to get to know you better he feared that it would make things difficult if anything should happen to your father and he were to become your Leviathan.”

Ardel laughed humorlessly, the sound making Dante tense. “Oh yes and look how well that worked!” He spat sarcastically.

Dante closed his eyes and tightened his arms about his lover. “He loved you, Ardel, they both did.”

His eyes flew open as Ardel shoved him back. The painted face was full of anger. “And what would you know about it?” His lover shouted, “You who had everything? Everyone loved you! Don’t try to make my life like yours! I never had a father who was there for me! I never had a future that I could do with as I please! I wasn’t even permitted a lover to hold me during the long lonely night! Do not speak to me as th you you know my life or who loved me as child!”

Silence reigned for a few minutes, broken ony Ary Ardel’s heavy breath and the occasional hitch as he fought tears. Dante reached out only to have Ardel recoil from him.

“You’re right,” he murmured, “I don’t know what it was like growing up for you. I only know what I read. You’re right; you aren’t a child anymore, Ardel. And you do have a lover to hold you. Someone to hold you and tell you everything is all right, isn’t that what you want? I would do that for you but I can’t if you push me away. You’re not alone. Not unless you want to be. You’ve never been alone.”

For a moment he thought Ardel would ignore his words but he suddenly shuddered and Dante found himself with an armful of weeping Emperor. Whispering soft nonsense he stroked his lover’s back. He pulled off the offending hat in annoyance and rested his cheek on the soft nest of hair.

“That’s right,” he whispered, “let it go. Just let go of all the guilt and sorrow that weigh your soul down.”

Ardel’s face was buried in his shirt and he could feel tears soaking into his shirt. “I can’t!”

Dante continued stroking his lover’s back. “Of course you can.”

Ardel shook his head. “You don’t understand.” He whispered. “I . . . I killed him.”

Dante was silent a moment before pressing a kiss to the crown of Ardel’s head. “Tamerin? I know.”

Ardel pulled back in surprise, green eyes wide with fear. “What?”

Reaching out to brush a few stray hairs back behind his lover’s ear Dante explained. “I’ve read his journal. Kaze had threatened him numerous times. He knew that the man was going to finish what he had started and . . . by the end he was at peace with it. He feared for you though. He knew that your father had never explained to you what a Leviathan was and every attempt he or Dorjan made to explain it to you was corrupted or outright intercepted by Kaze. He also knew that he could never be your Leviathan. Not like he had been for your father. He truly loved your father and though he tried he simply couldn’t bring himself to love you that way. He knew that Kaze was going to try to force you to take the guilt for his death and he tried to tell you that it wasn’t your fault but . . .he could never make you understand. There wasn’t enough time and you were too afraid of him. He never blamed you for it, Ardel, and he always felt bad that your father had to devote so much attention to him. He felt that his inability to communicate normally kept your father away from you too much. He even left a message for me telling me not to blame you for it and to be gentle since he feared he had accidentally made you fear the touch of another man. It was rather touching actually.” Dante finished, a ghost of a smile on his face.

Ardel cocked his head, tears momentarily forgotten. “He knew?”

Dante no. “H. “He wasn’t afraid. He didn’t want to stay behind without your father. His only fear was for you. He felt like he had failed you.”

Ardel’s face lowered. “I . . . I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

Shaking hands came up to rub away tears and Dante laughed softly. “Your face is all smeared.” He teased.

A faint smile touched the red lips and Ardel drew the small case to him. He opened it and pulled out a damp cloth. Taking it from him Dante tilted his face nd gnd gently wiped away the paints. When only his lover’s face stared back at him he smiled and brushed his lips across Ardel’s in a light kiss.

“That’s better.” He whispered. Placing the cloth back in the case and storing it in one of the compartments he urged the smaller man to lie down. Pulling his lover close he stroked Ardel’s back until his breath evened out and sleep stole over him.

**

“In the garden again, Luca?”

Brown eyes flickered over to glance at the woman who practically floated over to sit down uninvited on the bench. Shrugging Luca turned her attention back to the study of the palace walls. “Yes. Doesn’t seem to be much else to do.”

The courtesan smiled and lifted pale arms that had surprisingly realistic morning glories wrapping about them into the air in a parody of a stretch. “I like the gardens. They almost remind me of Silvae.”

The reminder that the woman was of a race that her own people hated almost as much as their enemy brought Luca back to seriousness. “Does the Emperor ever come to the harem? I feel practically useless just meandering around all day.”

Bright green eyes blinked at her in surprise. “Did no one tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“The Emperor never comes to visit us.”

“Never?” Luca asked, her attention riveted on the girl.

Brown hair sparkled red in the sunlight as the courtesan shook her head. “No. I’ve been here for almost ten years. Not once as the Emperor ever visited.”

“What is he, made of marble or something? What good is a harem if you never use it?”

The woman laughed. “Don’t fret about it. I was here before the previous Emperor died and he never came to visit either. We’re only here so the Emperor has a selection of woman to chose from when its time for him to sire an heir.”

Luca blinked slowly. “But . . . he’s a man! Surely he needs some . . . ah . . . release.” She finished weakly.

Standing Luca found herself fixed by mirthful eyes. “He’s got a personal slave for that.”

Reaching up to touch her forehead Luca struggled as deLunnen’s entire plan fell apart around her. “A slave? Why have a slave when he has us?”

The woman grinned. “Because we’re not male.”

The thought that the Emperor would exclusively like men had never occurred to her. It was not a rare occurrence in her own country but . . . they had been so sure that having a harem meant the Emperor liked all walks of life. “What am I to do then?” She murmured to herself.

“Well,” the woman replied making Luca glance up in surprise at the unexpected answer, “you could take up gardening.”

“Why would I do that?” She asked.

“To give you a trade when you leave.”

“Leave?”

The woman nodded. “We’re required to stay for five years but, assuming you might not be carrying the Emperor’s child, we are free to go. They even give us money to start a new life but its really not enough to live on forever. A lot of us have jobs around the palace we are learning to do so we might have a career when we leave. You seem to like the garden, why don’t you see if the head gardener would take you in?”

Luca glanced at the tall stone walls a new plan forming in her mind. A small smile pulled at her lips. “I just might do that.”

**


Traveling from Aidus to Velin was like taking a scenic cruise from Wyrllyr to Padisa. It was the only well traversed route in Ardae and thus was one of the only roads kept clear year round. Whenever he’d made the journey he would do so on the ferries that ran along the rivers connecting the four main cities of Ardae but with such a large retinue of Ardaens Dante knew they would stay on solid ground the entire way, which added a few days to the trip. He wasn’t moved to complain, however. Traveling with the Emperor was like traveling . . . well with the Emperor.

He didn’t have to worry about finding a suitable campsite or food. Everything he could even desire appeared before he had even realized he wanted it. It almost made him rethink his annoyance over the whole Leviathan situation.

Almost.

The old melancholy had come back as they moved slowly through the pass that broke through the Serpent’s Shadow and he stared up at the towering palisades on either side of them. His homeland had seaside cliffs but nothing could compare to the towering walls of rock. The sunlight had shot through the pass, making the black and red obsidian shimmer as it peaked through layers of courser lava. With a sigh he had let the curtains fall back into place.

**

Memories had been dredged up and he had shaken them away, trying to resign himself to a life of posh captivity. That had only served to bring up more memories, not the least of which was the knowledge that Velin had a university and might hold the key to finding his missing lover. He had forced those thoughts away quickly; turning his attention back to the man he was with now.

Ardel had been subdued the entire trip, interest in nothing but whatever thoughts were tormenting him. Dante had tried to urge his lover into talking about it but Ardel seemed uninterested in talk so he had let it go, contenting himself with watching the passing desert. Errol was keeping the other knights away from the sides of the carriage though he hardly needed to have worried, the tinted glass made it difficult to see inside the carriage.

They stopped an hour outside of Velin and he watched in silence as tents and pavilions were erected. Ardel spared him a weary smile before slipping out and joining the small army of servants waiting for him. Dante settled back among the cushions and closed his eyes only to have sleep stolen from him by a soft knock on the carriage door.

Before he could debate on whether or not to open it the choice was taken from him. He blinked curiously as Errol pulled the door open. Smiling he passed Dante the familiar cape. Excited by the chance to stretch his legs for the first time since they had left he pulled it on. His knees felt like jelly as he took his first steps and he spared the older knight a glare at the soft chuckle he received.

He found himself led to a small tent in the shadow of Ardel’s pavilion. Inside he discovered the two silent men that served him at the palace. Groaning he half attempted to back out of the tent but Errol blocked his exit and he was forced forward. He found himself stripped of his clothes and crammed in a small tub of lukewarm water. Having learned from experience he sat limply, allowing the two to manipulate his body as they needed to complete their tasks.

Wax was brought from another tent, undoubtedly Ardel’s and he grit his teeth as it was applied to his body and ripped away. Once they had finished with that torture they scrubbed at him until he swore they were about to scrub the very skin off his body. Before he could protest he was dunked under and his hair soaped and oiled. A razor made quick work of the scruff on his face and he was finally allowed to escape from the tub.

He stood silently as they dressed him, stepping into the loose pants and resisting the urge to shiver at the way the brushed sensually against his skin. A similar top was passed over his head. An emerald robe was draped overtop and the heavy weight of a golden embroidered sleeveless over-robe was settled on his shoulders. A belt sinched the layers tightly about the waist and the billowing sleeves were arranged so that they fell in artful waves from the golden bands that bunched them at his forearms.

Emeralds were hung from his ears and thin bracelets were clipped to his wrists. He wondered over the extravagance of it all for the whole thing made him look like some kind of noble come to greet the Emperor, which, he considered as emerald hair clips were laid out, might be the entire point.

The head of Ardel’s servants appeared with a large wooden box. He was bade to sit on one of the crates as the box was opened a pallet of paints was removed. He winced as his chin was caught in a firm grip and a sponge began smearing paint over his face. The man worked silently, turning his face this way and that as the cream colored paint was smeared across his skin. Finally the sponge was discarded and the younger of his two servants appeared with a small box.

He set a box down between them and worked the catches open. Dante peered into it curiously. A delicately carved mask rested among the gathered silk and he blinked appreciatively as it was lifted free, allowing the light to play across the false scales. It was painted a strange mixture of blue and green that changed with the way the light flickered over it. It really was pretty, he had to admit, with delicate bits of gold highlighting the eyes and radiating out.

The servant carefully held the mask to his face and Dante sat still as he carefully worked the mask until the fit was perfect and no piece rubbed against his face that could cause discomfort. The mask covered most of his face, the golden filigree serving to hide the shape of his face. His hair was caught in talented hands and he felt it pulled back. The silken ropes designed to the hold the mask in place were pulled back and he felt a clip catch both hair and rope, clipping them into place. Smaller clips were added while Ardel’s servant returned with a smaller brush to apply paint to his lips.

The use of masks was widespread throughout Ardae. Originally they were used by the noble class to keep the face from becoming burned in the bright sun or to keep the sudden wind storms from kicking sand up into the person’s face but with time they became more decorative than practical. When he had served guard duty at the temple in Fiorn he and his partner had been forced tor mar masks.

Errol appeared and the servants moved aside. Dante again found his face tilted this way and that and he bit back a growl. Brown eyes sparkled though Errol saved him the indignation of having his annoyance at being washed up and painted heightened by being laughed at. The knight gestured and he rose, straightening the new clothes he had been dressed in.

It was incredibly strange to suddenly have pants brushing against his legs with every step and he forced himself to ignore the dance of fabric over his skin. He followed Errol into Ardel’s pavilion where he found his lover sitting patiently, eyes closed as servants hovered around him doing a million tasks at once.

Green eyes opened at Errol’s hail and Dante stood still as they studied him.

you you want us to cover his hair, my lord?” The servant who had followed them asked, gesturing to the drying waves of ebony hair.

Ardel sighed and shook his head minimally. “There’s no point. I had been hoping the green would draw away from the blue of his eyes but it only seems to make it more noticeable. The mask does its job, we shall leave it at that.”

The servant bowed and slipped away in the crowd of servants. Dante came forward at his lover’s beckon and thanked the servant that appeared with a second chair. Ardel’s long fingers brushed over the mask. “It came out well enough on such short notice.” He murmured.

“What do we do next?” Dante inquired.

Ardel sighed. “We ride into Velin in all our glory and then we sit through pomp and speeches as Velin enjoys itself about us.”

Dante laughed. “While I wait in the wings.”

“Not this time. We don’t know where we’ll be staying right away and Breven and Errol are insisting on having a few hours to set up guard posts and check all the rooms before either of us end up there. Errol’s decided its best for you to stay with the main party where he can keep an eye on you.”

Blinking in surprise and not daring to believe his luck he leaned in a bit closer. “I get to come to the reception?”

Ardel nodded as much as the servants would allow. “You get to stand behind me with Breven trying to look interested in what’s going on. That should keep anyone from trying to talk to you and it will keep me happy because I can keep an eye on you.”

Dante snorted but kept the reproach to himself, unwilling to ruin this new turn of luck. “As you wish.” He replied, trying to keep the excitement from his voice as he turned his attention to the city in the distance.

Velin sat high above them on a large plateau, the remnants of some long ago lava flow that had burst from the ground and left hard black basalt that towered some hundred feet above them. Its buildings rose like the spires of Ardel’s crown and the red sand kicked up by a passing wind made it look like some mythical city from a child’s fairytale.

His sharp eyes could just barely make out the narrow strip of land leading up to the city on the plateau. He had often wondered why Ventae had not been named the capital city rather than Aidus for of all the Ardaen cities it was the easiest to protect and Ardel had informed him that should war ever come to Ardae plans called for the removal of the government to Velin for it was the only choice for a final stand.

They spent the remainder of the afternoon lingering on the outskirts of the city. Two hours before sunset everything was swiftly packed and Dante found himself lead towards a familiar stallion. Reaching up he smiled brightly as his old mount recognized his scent and lowered its head, demanding to be pet.

He turned to face the knight hovering at his side. Errol smiled softly and reached up to pat the grey’s neck. “He’s not too happy about the finery but finally being given a chance to get out of that pasture seems to have made up for it.”

Dante pressed his forehead to the stallions as his empty hand was lipped. “I thought he would be given to another.”

Errol shook his head. “We have plenty and . . . it just seemed wrong somehow. We demand such a close relationship between them and their rider’s that they never really serve a second rider as well as the first. Besides, we have plenty of horses, no one will miss this stubborn mule.”

The smile left his face as he stroked the horse’s neck. “This might be more cruel than kind,” he murmured as he turned to face the gathering of servants about the red stallion and the Emperor sitting serenely upon its back as his robes were tugged and rearranged, “After this . . .”

Errol gave him a strange smile and patted his shoulder. “We shall see.” He replied but before Dante could ask what he had meant the man was gone.

Glancing back at the grey stallion he shrugged and hauled himself up into the saddle. He growled to find it a noble’s saddle and his horse shifted beneath him in confusion as he struggled to find a position that would allow him to feel secure in the ridiculous contraction of leather and velvet.

“Sorry, Marlow.” He whispered, patting the warhorse. “I hate this too.” He didn’t fear being thrown or unable to control his mount for the knighthood trained the horses to answer to multiple types of commands both physical and verbal and the horses had been trained not to spook or flee under any circumstances but he still hated giving the obedient animal confusing orders.

Even though the boots he wore were soft and unlike the boots he had used to wear Marlow responded to the gentle increase in pressure, moving forward to join the steadily growing group of mounted riders. A few of the high strung horses bred more for looks then intelligence shied away from the larger horse, earning Dante a few dark glares. He ignored them as he studied Ardel’s horse. The The red stood proudly, feet firmly on the ground and head held high, the sign of war training. Satisfied that Marlow’s presence wouldn’t spook the creature he moved to Ardel’s side. Errol and Breven were there as well, overseeing the gathering.

“Where do you want me to go?” He inquired, straightening the gloves on his hands.

Ardel’s sharp eyes took in his mount before returning to his face. “Behind me with Errol.”

He nodded his understanding and together the two of them sat as the mass began sorting itself out. When a third of the gathered guard moved forward followed by Breven Ardel urged his mount forward. Dante waited until Errol’s white mare moved up next to his and together they rode forward.