“I suppose I should go see what trouble they’ve gotten into now.” Lisa sighs but there is a smile in her voice.
“We will.” Grim informs her and turning keeps her close as they look for the girls. “Montfort informs me you want new garments made.”
“Yes.” She’d forgotten about that until yesterday. “He says that the clothier’s wife can make them.”
“She makes the females clothes. I will send for her.” He tells her.
“Oh, but I thought…”
“What my Lisa?”
“Well, Montfort made it sound as if I’d have to go to her.”
“She comes to you.” His tone is hard.
“But Grim….”
“You are the Queen, Lisa.”
“I know that and I understand but I was actually hoping to go to her.” She gives him a pleading look. “I’d like to see more of Luda and it didn’t sound like she lives that far away. Would it be a problem to go there?” Grim frowns down at her. “I think the girls would enjoy it too.”
“If that is what you wish then it will be arranged.” Grim says grudgingly.
“Really? It won’t cause problems?” She gives him a hopeful look.
“No. I’ll have word sent for them to expect you tomorrow. You can also decide what uniform you want your Guard to wear while you are there.”
“My guard?” He sees his confused her.
“As Queen you will have your own Guard. Alger has submitted names and I will finish approving them today so they can prepare for tomorrow’s outing.” At her silence, he frowns. “What is wrong?”
“Your warriors…they’ve worked their whole life to be a member of your Elite Guard.” She’s learned enough this last week to know that being a member of the King's Elite Guard is a great honor. The male’s status is raised, increasing his chances of attracting a female. The only higher ranking is to be a member of the Emperor’s Elite Guard
“Yes.” Grim nods agreeing.
“It is important to them, that status. I don’t want them to have to sacrifice it to guard me.”
“You think they wouldn’t protect you?” Grim demands angrily.
“No! Your warriors are too honorable for that it’s just…..”
“You worry how it will affect their chances in joining.” He suddenly understands what has her so worried.
“Yes. They are good males Grim, at least the ones who’ve been working with me this last week. They deserve the chance to find someone. I don’t want to stand in the way of that.” Grim pulls her close, wondering if his warriors realize the champion they have in their Queen.
“They will be the Queen’s Elite Guards my Lisa. There will be no greater honor in all Luda then to protect my Queen and offspring. This will be known. They will not suffer by serving you.” The smile he receives is nearly blinding.
“Thank you Grim.” Stretching up she gives him a quick kiss. “As for uniforms I have no idea what they should wear.” She frowns thinking what she’d seen his guards wear. “I mean they’d need to carry their weapons and things right?”
Grim chuckles at her ‘things’ comment. “Yes my Lisa.”
“And I assume that there will need to be ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ uniforms correct?”
“That is normal yes.” He says non-committal.
“Can’t they just wear what the other Elite Guards would wear? It’s your house colors isn’t it?”
“It is.” Grim raises an eyebrow that she’d realized that.
“It would make them effectively one unit.”
“Yes but there needs to be some designation.” Lisa is quiet for several minutes.
“Your men wear a black medallion that has some type of bird carved on it.”
“Yes. It is the Raptor, a bird of prey, the symbol of the House of Luanda.”
“So that’s what my guards should have but not in black….” Grim can see she’s thinking.
“That can be done, you just need to decide.” He tells her.
“I do?” She looks at him shocked.
“Yes they will be your Guard.” Grim stresses to her.
“Can I have some time?”
“All you want my Lisa.” He caresses her cheek with his knuckles.
“Mommy! Grim! Look where we are!” At the girls excited voices they both look around but only hear more giggles.
“No look up!” With a feeling of dread, Lisa raises her eyes up the large tree seeing her babies nestled in its branches half way up.
“Oh my goddess.” Lisa whispers her fingers biting into Grim’s arm. “Grim…”
“It will be fine, I will get them.” He walks towards the tree. “What do you girls think you are? Raptors? You need to come back down.”
“Do we have to?” Miki asks.
“Yes. Right now.” Grim’s voice is firm but still gentle.
“Okay.” Lisa holds her breath as the girls descend, once they are within reach Grim quickly swings them to the ground.
“Carly Marie! Miki Renee! What did you think you were doing! You scared me to death!” Lisa rushes forward only to have Grim stop her.
“They are fine Lisa.” He reassures her.
“Fine!” She argues. “They could have fallen!”
“But they didn’t.” Grim holds her face between his hands. “Breathe my love. They are fine.” It twists his heart to see the fear in her eyes.
“Mommy?” Closing her eyes Lisa does as Grim says and realizes he’s right. The girls climbed trees back home, no they were home, back on Earth and she encouraged them, even laughing at their antics. But for some reason this…”Mommy…” The fear in Miki’s voice has her opening her eyes.
“It’s okay babies.” She kneels before them. “I’m sorry. Mommy was just having a moment. So tell me, is it pretty up there?” She is not going to let her daughters be restricted by her fears. It is something she promised herself the day Carly was born. Her daughters would have no restrictions on their dreams.
“Come up and see mommy.” Miki encourages taking her hand.
“I’d love to baby, but I don’t think those branches will hold me.” She eyes the thin braches of the tree, trying not to visualize them falling from them.
“Oh.” Miki looks from the tree to Lisa and back again. “I guess you’re right.”
Grim watches Lisa confront her fear, refusing to let it become her girls. He realizes it is something she’s done since they’ve met. She sees no limits for them but gives them rules. She gives them everything she can but makes sure they realize that it’s not a given, that they need to appreciate it, that they may even have to work for it as they had with their bedroom. She’s teaching them there’s nothing they can’t do. She’s giving them a mother’s true love.
“So did you see any Raptors?” Grim decides to pull their attention from Lisa.
“What are they?” Carly asks interested.
“Raptors?” Grim leads them to a large rock and sits. “Raptors are the largest birds of prey on Luda.”
“Birds of prey…” He helps Miki, as she climbs up into his lap.
“Large birds that hunt.” He explains. “They fly high in the air but can see everything below them. They only strike when they must. Only kill when forced too. They protect the skies of Luda.”
“Like you do.” Carly meets his eyes. “You protect us. You and your warriors protect the people of Luda.”
“Yes, it is what we do.” He nods agreeing with her. “It is why only the Elite Warriors of Luda are allowed to wear the raptor. It is a sign that they will protect those who can’t and kill only when necessary.”
Both girls watch him with serious eyes. Miki finally speaks. “Are all raptor’s as…” She hesitates searching for the word. “As handsome as you?” Grim can’t keep the shock from his face.
“I am not handsome.” He denies. “I have scars.”
“But you got them in battle didn’t you?” Grim can do nothing but nod realizing that’s exactly what it had been, battle.
“Then they are a…” she looks to Carly. “Badge?” At her sister’s nod she continues. “Badge of honor. They mean you didn’t quit when you could have, when it would have been easier too. Daddy didn’t.” Sad little eyes meet his. “I heard the nurses talking once. They said it would be better for everyone if he just gave up. I asked daddy what they meant and he told me they were wrong, that every minute he had with mommy and us was worth every second of pain he suffered. That there is no honor in quitting just because it is hard. So you’re the Raptor Grim, because you didn’t quit when it got hard, you protect mommy, us, and Luda.”
Grim carefully pulls the little girl into his arms. Soon Carly is there too. What had he ever done to deserve these precious gifts? When Lisa kneels beside him, he can’t stop the tears escaping from his eyes. Carefully she kisses them away knowing he doesn’t want the girls to see them, there is only so much a strong warrior can take. Wrapping her arms around her family, she thanks Mark and the Goddess for allowing this to happen.
“My King?” Grim stiffens at Alger’s voice.
“What is it Alger.” Lisa watches Grim’s eyes close up as he looks to the Captain of his Elite Guard.
“The men are awaiting you sire.”
“Time for you to go my King.” Lisa gives him a soft kiss before standing extending a hand to each of her daughters. “Come on girls, Grim needs to go be the Raptor.”
“Alger, make sure they get inside safely.”
“Yes my King.”
“I will see you at for our last meal.” Grim gently touches her cheek, waiting for her response.
“We’ll be waiting for you.” She assures him. Giving her a quick nod, he turns and strides away.
Chapter Eight
The clothier’s cottage surprises Lisa. Sitting on the edge of the forest it is really quite large and well maintained with flowers in the windowsills. They arrived in two transports , one containing her, the girls and two members of her newly formed Elite Guard, Agee, her captain and Kirk his second. The second containing the rest of her Guard.
“We will exit first Majesty.” Agee informs her. “You and the little ones will not exit until we tell you it is safe.”
“Yes, yes Agee I’ve been over it three times with you and a dozen with Grim. We will wait for your signal.” With a tense nod, Agee exits the transport making sure his men have secured the area. Turning back, he shields the door.
“My Queen…” Knowing this is his signal Lisa looks to her girls.
“Ready?”
“Yes mommy.” Exiting the transport first, Lisa helps both girls out, guards form a shield on either side of them as the walk to the entrance of the cottage. The door opens as they approach and small male steps out, well small by Tornian standards, he’s just over six foot with dark hair pulled back in a braid. He’s older then Lisa had expected maybe fifty and he’s an unusual color, she laughs to herself. Here she is on an alien planet and she thinks pearly white is an unusual color.
“Clothier Gossamer, Queen Lisa, and her offspring are here for an appointment with your female.” Kirk informs the male.
“Padma is inside.” He informs them. “Only the females may enter.”
“The Queen’s security will also enter Clothier, by orders of the King.” Gossamer’s face begins to turn red.
“Agee,” Lisa puts a hand on her Captain’s arm, uncaring what others will think. “Would it be possible for only several of the guards accompany us? With the remaining to stand guard around the cottage?”
“Those were not the King’s orders.” Agee slowly removes his arm.
“I realize that, but for Padma to take the measurements she needs, the girls and I will…well we’ll have to remove our coverings.” Agee’s skin begins to darken. “The guards will have to step out anyway. Wouldn’t it be better for them to already be established outside the cottage?” Agee looks from Lisa to Gossamer.
“You will allow you cottage to be searched. Once it is deemed safe, the Queen and her offspring will enter along with your female and two guards. No one else will be allowed inside.” Gossamer nods to Agee.
Sitting in the cottage Lisa can’t help but stare at the beautiful creature before her. She is tall, easily six foot with onyx skin and shockingly blue eyes. Her hair is a rainbow of colors all controlled by hundreds of tiny braids.
“I am Padma.” She informs them in a lyrical voice.
“I am Lisa. My daughters Carly and Miki.” Lisa indicates the girls, Padma nods.
“You are in need of coverings.” She says.
“We are.” Lisa agrees. “I was informed you are very skilled.”
“By a female?” Her tone disbelieving.
“No, by Master Montfort of the House of Luanda.” Padma nods.
“I have made covering for the household.”
“He holds your skill in high regard. Will you be able to make coverings for my girls?” Padma studies the little ones for a moment before nodding.
“Yes, it is unusual but I can make them.”
“Good. I brought some drawings for what I want…”
Time passes quickly once the women start talking. Lisa finds she greatly likes Padma, likes the way she includes her girls in the discussion.
“Where are you from Padma?” She asks as they are finishing.
“It is a planet a great distance from here.” She informs her. “Most avoid it.”
“Why?” Padma looks at her carefully before answering.
“It is a place full of strife and hardship. Many sacrifices must be made to survive there. Life is often very short.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I am not. I have a good life here with Gossamer and our sons, what I had to do to survive no longer matters. Just as you do with King Grim…or so I hear.” Lisa gives Padma a considering look, then smiles.
“You know Padma I think you and I are going to be great friends, now we need to discuss payment. I am new to Luda so I hope you will be honest and tell me if I am offering too little for your work.” Reaching into her pocket Lisa is suddenly thankful that Grim had insisted she bring some jewels with her. She’d never given thought to how much the clothes would cost. Opening the pouch, she pulls out one of the diamonds.
“Will this be enough?” Lisa sets it on the table.
Padma gasps, her eyes quickly going from the two-carat diamond to Lisa and back again. “I…Queen Lisa…”
“Is it not enough? Quickly she opens the pouch showing Padma the array of jewels Grim had placed in it. “What do you need?”
“My Queen…” Padma hesitantly picks up the smallest jewel in the pouch, a one-caret ruby. “This jewel alone would pay for all the coverings you and your young ones would need for a year, including material.”
“Oh…” Lisa looks at Padma embarrassed. “So you will take it and make our coverings?”
“My Queen, it is too much, you brought your own material.” Padma argues.
“I know but the girls and I am going to need a lot and I’m going to need someone who can tell me what that is, before we need it. Will you be that person for me Padma? Will you help me?” Padma sits back assessing Lisa. She’s never met a female like her and she’s met many in her years. Is she telling her truth or trying to use her like so many in the past. Those females had come to her for her skill at making coverings but they had always looked down on her, for she wasn’t Tornian, their males eyes would roam her body because of what she’d once had to do to survive. They all wanted to use her.
However, this female, she is new to Luda and if the stories she hears are true she is already made great changes to the House of Luanda. There is talk that not only does she rest with the King she willing touches his scars. She has shown her nothing but respect by word, tone and deed since her arrival, Padma will do no less.
“It would be my honor to assist you my Queen.” The smile she receives for her respond turns to a frown as Lisa quickly rises.
“Miki no! Don’t touch!” Lisa barely stops
her youngest curious fingers.
“But mommy it is so pretty.” Miki tells her.
“We look with our eyes Miki, remember?” Lisa looks up to see what captured Miki’s attention and is amazed. It is the most beautiful sun catcher she has ever seen. The random colors contained in it are amazing. Stepping closer to study it Lisa realizes not only are the colors not random, their placement isn’t either, it’s like looking into a kaleidoscope.
“Padma, this is beautiful!” She turns to find Padma standing hesitantly behind her.
“You like it?”
“Like it? It’s amazing!” She can’t keep the awe out of her voice.
“My youngest Dagan made it for me. My Dagan, he is special…not a warrior…but worthy.” Lisa can hear the defensiveness in Padma’s voice but doesn’t understand why.
“Of course he’s worthy. Not everyone is meant to be a warrior. If they were who would grow the food? Cook it? Make the coverings?” Lisa isn’t sure what’s going on but she can understand a mother’s pride in her child.
“Would you like to have it?” Padma walks up to the window.
“No!” Lisa immediately rejects the offer. “Of course not! Your son made that for you.”
“He can make another. He uses the leftover pieces from Gahan’s work.”
“Gahan?”
“My oldest, he trains with the King’s glassmaker.”
“How old is he?”
“He just turned eighteen but is very talented. He has just finished his master work and is waiting for it to be evaluated by Travon.” Lisa hears Padma’s doubts. “The King’s glassmaker and if he approves it Gahan will be able to start his own shop.”
“You don’t sound like you believe Travon will approve it.” Lisa looks at her questioningly.
“If he does then he will have to find someone else to fill Luanda’s needs.” Padma says in disgust.
“Fill its needs? You mean Gahan does all the actual work?” Lisa is shocked.
“Padma!” The women are interrupted as Gossamer and Agee enter the room. “Enough!” When Padma lowers her eyes Lisa knows she will say no more. Returning to the table, she puts the remaining jewels back in the pouch.