***
“Celisha, my girl,” Tobart said leaning back in his chair. He smiled and licked his lips clean. “No one under the vast heavens can fry a rat the way you can.”
“Why thank you, Tobart,” Celisha giggled as she washed the dishes. “I must say no one can catch them in the numbers you do. Indeed no rodent should dare to come near you.”
“You do indeed have a wonderful arrangement,” Carmina said as she dried the dish Celisha handed her. “He loves to catch them and she loves to cook them.”
“Thank you a thousand times, dear ladies,” Tobart said rising from the table. “And sweet dreams to you both.”
He left the kitchen through the door leading to the garden and made his way toward his room of the far side. Halfway down a winding, flowered path he caught sight of his master staring up at the stars with his tails sweeping back and forth.
“Are we going to war?” Tobart asked as he followed Akaru’s gaze to the stars.
“Don’t tempt fate, my friend,” Akaru sighed. “I pray we will never have to again.”
“As do I, sir, however, there have been few occasions when I have seen that look on your face and I remember each of them. Most preceded a difficult battle.”
“And you are right to guess that I am worried,” said Akaru. He folded his arms across his chest and looked at Tobart. “Everything has come together so well I fear the changes the full truth may bring.”
“Sir, there is no reason to doubt your wife’s affection,” Tobart said. “And to be honest you should be speaking to her about this, but I must say I am quite sure I know what it is you are pondering and it would be unjust of you to continue to hide aspects of yourself from the girl. Besides that, you would be a fool to risk upsetting her by keeping secrets.”
“You are far wiser than your years would suggest, Tobart,” Akaru sighed. “I shall show her tomorrow.”
The next morning Akaru did not sing at breakfast. In fact, he barely spoke.
“Akaru,” Pulchra spoke. “I wish you would confide in me if something is troubling you.”
“I intend to,” Akaru replied. “Today shall mark an end to all secrets between us which is why I am nervous.”
“But, Akaru,” Pulchra said putting her hand on his. “You know how true my love for you is. My heart is so full of love there is no room for any bitter emotions. Besides, I already know of your first wife who was slain in your fight with Yikipo.”
“Yes, Celisha and Carmina informed me that they had told you,” Akaru said and he stood. Pulchra also stood and stepped around the table to stand next to him.
“What was her name?” she asked.
“Her name was Talecta,” Akaru sighed. He turned to look into his wife’s eyes.
“You truly loved her, didn’t you?” Pulchra asked as she met his gaze.
Akaru didn’t know how to answer. If he told the truth, would his new wife feel slighted? Though how could he betray his first love and tell a lie? All he could seem to do was to hold his wife’s gaze in silence.
“You don’t have to say any more,” she smiled up at him. “In Angustia I knew many girls who were married to men who had lost their wives and married a second time. Cherish the memories you have of her, so long as you also cherish the time you have with me. Then there will be no reason for me to be jealous of a memory.”
“Thank you, my love,” Akaru said and wrapped his arms around Pulchra. “You truly are a treasure. However, that is not what I was going to reveal to you. Today we will be visiting other greater daemons.”
“But we have already discussed this. You know it does not concern me as long as you are with me.”
“It is not who you will be visiting that worries him, mistress,” Tobart said walking up behind her. “It is how you will be traveling.”
“What do you mean?” Pulchra asked in confusion.
“Pulchra, each greater daemon can take on a human-like shape, such as how you see me now,” Akaru said and took a step away. “But this is not the only shape we assume. If it displeases you, you will never see it again. I only ask that you witness this once.”
With that, Akaru began to grow and change. Pulchra stood and had to put her hand on Tobart’s shoulder to steady herself. Akaru took on feline characteristics with fur the same color as his blonde hair sprouting on his body and face. He stood on all fours and his shoulders rose over two stories off the ground. His tails grew sharp spikes on their tips and gossamer wings sprouted from his back. Between the wings along his back protruded a row of sharp, bony spines.
Pulchra smiled recalling the time she had met Tobart and worried that her husband was a large cat. In fact, he was a giant, winged cat and she loved him.
“Oh, Akaru!” Pulchra said throwing her arms around one of her husband’s furry paws. She looked up into his big, gold eyes. “You’re so soft.”
Akaru’s feline lips smiled revealing a row of sharp teeth, then he leaned down and said, “Pulchra, I am the most fortunate of all husbands! Climb onto my back and hold on tight. We will be back for dinner, Tobart.”
As Pulchra settled herself between Akaru’s shoulder blades and grabbed a handful of fur with each hand, he leapt into the air and spread his wings. In moments they had cleared the house and were climbing for the clouds. Pulchra first ducked and squeezed her eyes shut against the wind rushing past her, but she could not restrain her curiosity and so she opened her eyes blinking back tears.
“Akaru,” she yelled so he could hear her. “I am the most fortunate of all wives! What other woman can claim that her husband has flown her through the clouds on the most thrilling of all rides?”
Encouraged by her words, Akaru climbed faster provoking a cry of either thrill or fear from Pulchra. Akaru was quite sure it was thrill. He recalled the thrill and fear of his very first flight when his mother had held him by the back of his neck until they reached the clouds and then let him go. He had enjoyed countless flights since, but he had never shared one with someone who had never flown before and that gave him a new thrill.
Presently Akaru felt the presence of another greater daemon on the mountain below. It was Renanne, a mild mannered daemon Akaru had hoped to introduce to Pulchra that day. She was likely hunting the wild goats which lived on the slopes of the mountain. Akaru swooped lower and issued a low growl telling Renanne to be in her human form when he arrived. It would be less shocking for Pulchra who he felt growing tense on his back, meaning she could feel Renanne as well.
Akaru landed close to Renanne, a willowy woman with dark hair and even darker reptilian eyes. She greeted him in a sweet voice, “Good morning, my Lord Akaru.”
“Good morning, Renanne,” Akaru said and leaned down to allow Pulchra to climb off his back, but she only clutched his fur tighter.
“If you had come a minute later, I could have offered you fresh goat,” Renanne smiled. “But you seem to have brought your own meal.”
Akaru shot her a warning glare. Pulchra still would not move so Akaru changed his shape while she was still on his back, twisting to catch her in his arms.
“This is my wife, Pulchra,” Akaru said still holding her. “Pulchra, this is the greater daemon Renanne.”
“Wife?” Renanne asked. She hid her surprise quickly and smiled. “Congratulations, my lord. You have been alone far too long. Let us drink a toast to your happiness.”
Akaru set Pulchra on her feet but she continued to cling to his arm. She did manage to smile, though. Renanne produced a goat skin of wine and took a long draught then passed it to Akaru. He also drank deeply then held it for Pulchra to take a sip which made her cough.
“It is an honor to meet one of my husband’s subjects,” Pulchra said when she could speak again.
“My dear, you’re trembling,” Renanne said and turned to Akaru. “You beast bringing her along as you visit your supporters.”
She stressed the word supporters; no daemon considered themselves subject to anyone. She came forward and pried Pulchra from Akaru??
?s arm and led her to a rock on which they both sat. Pulchra looked longingly at Akaru who followed closely.
“My dear, I must say I am impressed by how calm you are,” said Renanne as she patted Pulchra’s soft hand. “Few of even the bravest men can approach within fifty paces of a greater daemon yet here you are. Oh, I see she does have eyes for you, Akaru. I hope he is treating you well.”
“Oh, yes,” Pulchra smiled weakly. “Like a queen.”
“Today was her first flight,” Akaru said. “We had spent the previous days in the palace.”
“Getting accustomed to each other no doubt,” Renanne said. “Pulchra, would you allow me a few moments alone with Akaru?”
Renanne stood and Pulchra was about to object but Renanne gave her a look which silenced her. Akaru was not so easily intimidated.
“Renanne, speak your mind,” he said and took her place next to Pulchra. “But I will not leave my wife alone on the mountainside.”
“Of course, how rude of me,” Renanne apologized. “I only suggested we speak in private to avoid offending your young bride whom I find most charming. Indeed, I am quite sincere in my congratulations on your union and my wish for your happiness. In fact, it is that sincerity which forces me to speak now. I know why it was you sought me out to be the first to meet your wife. I have been your supporter for three hundred and fifty two years and I shall not list all of the battles at which I fought at your side. You knew that no matter what her reaction was that I would remain faithful to you. You knew that I hold too much respect for you to insult you by attacking her. But, my lord Akaru, you also know that others will not react the same way.”
“I do know all this, Renanne,” Akaru said putting a defensive arm around Pulchra. “But you should know the depth of my devotion to my wife and her safety as well as my devotion to my supporters. I need not remind you that most of the battles we fought were not to preserve my own household but those of my supporters. And what would you have me do? Hide my wife like some shameful secret?”
“I can offer you no solution to the problem, my lord,” Renanne responded. “Only warning. Killimar has recently passed through the valley as well as Hein and Moromo, any of whom would not hesitate to kill her and use the incident to challenge you claiming that you could no longer protect those of your household.”
“You assume that I would allow them to succeed in such a task,” Akaru hissed, his pointed ears pulled back against his head.
“Akaru, I have never doubted your strength,” Renanne retorted. “But look at her, practically paralyzed in fear by me, who bears her no ill will. How could you defend her and also hold your rivals at bay?”
“I am not paralyzed,” Pulchra said through gritted teeth. “You claim I am fearful and in that you are correct. While my husband’s presence has become both soothing and thrilling for me, your’s has quite the opposite effect. But I am not as helpless as you claim and I shall not be a hindrance to my husband. It took me time to accustom myself to Akaru’s presence and I shall accustom myself to your’s and all other daemons’ as well.”
Something shifted in Renanne’s eyes and in the feel of her presence at the same time. Pulchra’s heart seemed to stop in her chest and in an instant Akaru had his hand around Renanne’s throat, his teeth bared.
“Do not overestimate yourself, Pulchra,” Renanne said looking past Akaru. “A daemon’s presence can intensify beyond what you have yet felt.” She turned to Akaru and said, “You have nothing to fear from me, my lord. I told you my affection for your bride is sincere, but please keep in mind the warnings I have given you.”
Akaru gruffly released Renanne, but he had to admit to himself that her words were not unwise. He had not known that Killimar, Hein, and Moromo were in the area. None were a match for him when he was on the offensive, but as Renanne pointed out, they could be a threat if he was forced to defend Pulchra.
They each bid Renanne a polite farewell and returned home in silence.
Akaru was not at home when Pulchra woke the next morning. He had been distressed by Renanne’s news of possible rivals so close to his home and said he could put off visiting his supporters no longer without risking political upheaval. Pulchra had begged him to give her another chance to accustom herself to other greater daemons but he outright refused.
Pulchra ate breakfast alone for the first time since she had returned from her parents’ house. She felt abandoned by her husband. There was not even a song that morning to comfort her as there had been when she had first come to her new home. Celisha and Carmina were concerned about their mistress.
“Lord Akaru will only visit seven or eight of his local supporters today,” Celisha said. “He will not be gone long.”
“He would not have left you without good reason,” Carmina added.
“Oh he had a very good reason,” Pulchra scowled. “Celisha, find Tobart and bring him to the store rooms. Carmina come with me.”
Pulchra left her breakfast and led her maid across the garden to the first store room. They were selecting choice cuts of smoked goat flesh when Celisha entered followed by Tobart.
“You sent for me, mistress,” he said bowing.
“Yes, Tobart,” Pulchra said. “Do you know the greater daemon Renanne?”
“Yes, mistress,” Tobart stroked his whiskers.
“Please find her and tell her that I would like to repay her hospitality,” Pulchra said. “We shall have lunch in the clearing before the house.”
“As you wish, mistress,” Tobart said hesitantly and departed.
Pulchra and her maids spent the rest of the morning hurriedly preparing for the anticipated lunch. Celisha and Carmina, understanding their mistress’s intentions, enthusiastically brought out good china and linens, prepared the food, and set two tables on opposite sides of the clearing.
“You’re wasting your time,” Arb grumbled as Pulchra put the finishing touches on a place setting.
“If you don’t want a thorough pruning which will leave you with only half of your foliage, I suggest you remain silent,” Pulchra warned and Arb did not utter another word, though he did shake his boughs roughly.
Pulchra then sat at her table to await the arrival of her guest. The clearing was only about a hundred paces wide so she was not surprised to feel Renanne approaching before she saw Tobart come out of the trees. Renanne was just behind him. She nodded to her hostess and gracefully sat at her table. Tobart continued across the clearing as Celisha brought a tray to Renanne and Carmina brought one to Pulchra.
“Renanne wanted me to commend your efforts, mistress,” Tobart said, coming to stand beside Pulchra. “And she thanks you for your gracious invitation.”
“Please,” Pulchra said. She had to swallow to keep her voice from shaking. “Tell her that I am very glad she accepted the invitation and I appreciate her assistance.”
“Are you alright, mistress?” Carmina asked as Tobart walked back to Renanne’s table.
“Bring me a strong wine quickly,” Pulchra ordered. As soon as Carmina left she wished she hadn’t sent her away. Being alone with a greater daemon was terrifying. Except when the greater daemon was Akaru, of course.
The meal was uneventful with Pulchra eating very little and trying desperately not to tremble. Afterwards the two women waved their goodbyes and Renanne disappeared into the forest. Pulchra felt exhausted and spent much of the afternoon soaking in a warm bath. Akaru returned in time for dinner confident that Killimar, Hein, and Moromo were no longer a concern.
“If these daemons are your supporters, what would cause them to attempt to usurp you?” Pulchra asked that evening.
“Killimar, Hein, and Moromo are not my supporters,” Akaru answered. “Young daemons spend a number of years travelling through many different lands. It is a time for them to explore, to learn, and when they are ready to choose a place to make their home. Hopefully by the time they choose a home they have learned enough to be able to maintain it. If in their travels they find a desirable domain and t
hey believe they can wrest it from the current owner they are within their rights to put forth a challenge.”
“That hardly seems fair,” Pulchra frowned. “An elderly daemon who has worked his whole life to build a good home could have it stolen.”
“Which is why the lord or lady of the domain often steps in,” Akaru said. “Alliances are formed to prevent such injustices, though it sometimes does still happen.”
“That is why you have to visit your supporters regularly,” Pulchra stated.
“One reason, yes,” Akaru said nodding. “Though more often than not, the business at hand is much more mundane. Most daemons are not as agreeable as Renanne, and disputes escalate quickly without a strong voice to intercede. If a daemon feels that the lord or lady is not overseeing their domain properly they may choose to pledge their support to a young usurper or to the lord or lady of a neighboring domain.”
“I see,” Pulchra nodded. She felt a little disappointed the politics of the daemons were no less tangled or devious as those of men.
Over the course of the next weeks Akaru continued to leave Pulchra to visit his supporters, journeying further and further from home. Pulchra was amazed by how immensely large her husband’s domain was. On days when Akaru was gone, Pulchra continued to invite Renanne to visit though she also was careful to keep a large distance between herself and the greater daemon, and she continued to be exhausted after each visit. Then when Akaru returned, his presence would wash over Pulchra and she could not feel anything but happiness.
“Pulchra, my love” Akaru called as he landed in the garden one evening still in his bestial form. “You will be happy to learn that I have but one more journey to make and then I shall be all your’s for months.”
“Carmina, bring wine to our bed chamber,” Pulchra called as Akaru changed into his human form. “And you hurry up here.”
Pulchra could not remember the last time she had felt so at peace. She lay against Akaru’s shoulder with all three of his tails wrapped around her waist. Renanne and all other daemons flew from her mind.
“Oh, Akaru,” she whispered in his ear. “Never leave me again.”
“You know I won’t, my love,” he answered. “I just have to visit our southern border. There are a lot of daemons there so hopefully I can meet with several at a time. It should only take four days.”
“Four days?” Pulchra gasped, snapped back to harsh reality.
“Yes, the southern border is the furthest from here. It will take time for me to travel there even flying.”
All Pulchra could think of was an afternoon feeling the oppressive presence of another greater daemon and then not having Akaru to comfort her in the evening. It would be unbearable. His was the only presence she wanted to feel. She needed to feel it.
“Akaru,” she begged. “Don’t go.”
“You know I have to,” Akaru sighed. “The southern border is very important and I can’t put it off any longer. I wish I could bring you with me. Tobart has told me of your visits with Renanne. I cannot tell you how pleased I am by your efforts, but Tobart also tells me you still tremble when she approaches so I dare not bring you to a place inhabited by so many daemons.”
“Tobart was right to tell you that I have made very little progress with Renanne,” Pulchra admitted. “Which is all the more reason why I don’t want you to go. When you are not here, I am so very alone. When I was a girl in my parents’ house, I had my brother and my sister as playmates, but now I have only you. I know you have a duty to your people which I cannot keep you from. All I ask of you is one week. Let me bask in your presence and relieve my loneliness for one week more before you leave me again.”
“Pulchra, you must be an enchantress,” Akaru said after a moment. “I find that I cannot deny you anything you ask of me. Very well, we will have one week together.”