Swords of the Horseclans

8

Refilling her goblet and Alexandros’, Mara nodded, “When first Milo and I came here, there were rumors that Demetrios had tried to flee by sea, but that he had met with some misfortune and returned. He only discussed the episode if he was given no choice; even then he seldom told the same stories twice. Now I can understand why. Of course, he was then unaware that he was one of us, the Undying; he has become far more courageous since then.

“So you, Lekos, are the grandson of that other Lekos. But what of your father, Sergios? How did he come to remain amongst the pi … people of the Sea Islands?” “Well, Mara, my father’s wounds were grave—he nearly died of them. His recuperation required many months, and during those months Lord Pardos and his wife came to add love to the respect they bore him. So, when once more he was able to walk and join his host at table, Pardos and Kahndees set about persuading him to stay. Nor was it difficult. When he heard that his father was dead, slain by Demetrios in a duel …”

Mara shook her head. “It did not happen precisely in that way, but continue, Lekos.”

“With my grandfather, the man who had extracted my father’s oath to devote his life to Basil’s son, dead by the hand of Basil’s son, Lord Pardos and Father Vokos—who knew more regarding the ancient customs and manners of the Ehleenoee than any man I have ever met—were able to convince my father that he was at last freed of his vow.”

“It is true,” agreed Mara. “According to the old forms, the demise of the recipient of an oath frees him who made it of all obligation.”

“But,” added Alexandros, “my father never felt free of all obligation, else I would not be in your palace, Mara.

“When once more he could swing a sword and do spearwork and the wearing of armor failed to tire him, he grew restless and badgered Pardos until it was finally agreed that he might begin to earn his keep.

“Mara, there are many of you mainlanders who say that we of the Sea Isles are barbarians. It is true, but only in the sense that precious few of us have much Ehleen blood, and most of that is highly diluted. And at the time of which I am speaking, Lord Pardos and my father were the only Kath’ahrohs in the realm.

“Mara, our name for all who are not Sea Islanders is Pseheesteesohee—liars, in Merikanos. Our people never lie, not to teach other, nor do they steal from other Sea Islanders—not because of any fearsome punishment, but because either would be dishonorable. We are, needs must, a tightly knit and strongly interdependent society, and newcomers either learn to be honorable or they do not long survive.

“Our only hereditary title is that of Sea Lord, and even a legitimate heir may be set aside should the Council of Captains find serious fault in him. A Sea Lord inherits only ownership of the Sea Isles, the structures on the various islands, the shipyard, docks, and his predecessor’s personal property. Captains may buy and sell ships—they own all of them—but everyone pays rent for their dwellings and storehouses to the Sea Lord, who also receives a small percentage of profitable voyages, exacts fees for the use of the shipyard and for harborage, and collects buyers’ taxes on exports from the merchants who come to trade with us.

“Few of our men live long, Mara. Nine out of ten die before they are thirty. Because of this and because of the length of time a ship may be at sea, our women practice polyandry, and it has worked well over the years. Lord Pardos had suffered an injury in his youth that rendered him sterile, so he had my father wed Lady Kahndees. She bore him my two older half-brothers, but both were slain while I was yet a child.

“Father accompanied other captains on many voyages, distinguishing himself in many ways. He had been in the Sea Isles for five years when, at the death of Captain Kleev during a sea fight, Kleev’s crew elected him their captain. He had made many friends, and when he brought Kleev’s ship back in, the Council unanimously confirmed his captaincy.

“In only three years, father was a senior captain, owning and commanding nine ships, and raiding as far away as Eespaheeah, Eerlahntheeah, and even farther north. Two years before my birth, he sailed his ships into the tideless sea, from which our people came so long ago. While his ships scattered to raid, he visited Pahlyohs Ehlahs, where he was well and courteously received. He stayed three months, and when he sailed to rendezvous with his ships, he brought with him his bride, my noble mother.

“When I was a child of nine years, Lord Pardos sat feasting with his captains one night. All at once, he stood up with a look of agony on his face, then fell in a swoon.

Master Saheed, who was then the principal surgeon, came just as Lord Pardos awakened to discover that he could not move his left arm or leg.

“It was shortly afterward that he had himself borne to the Council of Captains and, before them, formally adopted my father as his heir. Later, he exacted promises from the senior captains that they would all support my father and me after him. Six months later, Lord Pardos died and my father was acclaimed Sea Lord.

“And you became the same, upon your father’s death,” Mara added, finishing for him. “But your lady-mother, what of her?”

Alexandros grinned. “Mothers, Mara, don’t forget my father had two wives and I honor them both. Mother Kahndees died one night in her sleep soon after father died. Mother Ahnah is now wed to Senior Captain Yahnekos, whom you met.”

“Only one husband?” smiled Mara mischievously. “Who comforts her while Yahnekos is out raiding?”

Alexandros chuckled. “She is only forty, Mara, and still a handsome woman. I am certain that she wants not for ‘companionship,’ for it is not as here. Her lovers have naught to fear from Yahnekos.”

Mara became serious. “You are, then, of a lusty people, Lekos. Yet, while you have been my guest, noble women have thrown themselves at you and you have been offered the usual slavegirl-bedwarmers. You have refused one and all. Tell me why—and don’t give me the put-off that so charmed those sluts at Lady Joanna’s orgy, either.”

His black eyes bored into hers. “But what I said, that night, was completely true, Mara,” he said slowly. “There is but one woman in your court who stirs me, but… she is wed to a powerful lord. And your mainland customs differ from ours.”

Mara steepled her fingers. “Not entirely, Lekos. The Ehleenoee’s do, yes; but the Horseclanswomen have many freedoms, since most clans have always reckoned descent through the mother. In the settled life the tribe is now leading, their customs are undergoing slow changes, but clan matrons are still free to couple with the men of their choosing—so long as they do not overstep discretion and are careful of degrees of kinship.”

She leaned forward, saying, “Lekos, Undying Goddess I may be to the tribe, but I am still a woman. And I will admit that I am dying of curiosity now. Who is ‘this lady of my court who has so enthralled you that you will have no other if you cannot have her? Tell me! You have my sworn word that I will tell no other person—man or woman.”

Feeling that he could not express himself adequately in words, Alexandros mindspoke. After a moment, Mara’s eyes first softened, then misted, and she reached out to take his calloused hand in both of hers.

“Lekos, oh, Lekos,” she spoke aloud, a catch in her voice, “there is so much that you do not understand. If I make love to you, it will not be to you that I am making love. I will be reliving a physical contact that ended eighty years ago. Alexandros of Pahpahspolis was the Lekos I loved … and love still, though I saw him die forty years ago. And I was already ten times his age, even as we loved, though he knew it not.

“Dear Lekos, despite my appearance, I have lived for more than three hundred thirty years. From what you have said, you must be an Ehleen Christian. Know you not what your own priests say of such as me, that we are Satan’s own folk, deathless sorcerers and witches, cursed by God? Are you not afraid of ensorcellment and eternal damnation?”

“I can see and feel nothing of evil in you, Mara,” said Alexandros bluntly. “As for the persecution of your kind by Christians, Father Vokos had an explanation that I have always remembered. He said that ignorant men, when faced with a person or situation or object they could not understand, first fear, then fear breeds hate, then a means is found to justify that hatred.

“Yes, Mara, I am a Christian. I care not about your age; I am a man and I desire the lovely woman you are … and I think you desire me, as well. So, what then stands in our path, Mara?”

Her gaze met his levelly. “Nothing, Lekos,” she said simply.