Greetings Readers
I hope your week has been filled with nothing but good things, and if it wasn't, at least you have a new part to read today! This is another split part, and I intentionally left the last bit out for next week because it's an emotional train wreck. I say that because I truly believe I can't write romance to save my life! So all of you are stuck reading it next week! But for now, enjoy some light-hearted interaction between Saita, Saasha, and Siar.
Larden did not bring up their conversation after that day nor did he push her as the Games came closer and closer. Saita didn’t know what to feel, didn’t know what to think. She would spend hours moping on the roof or staring at the twin moons from the trees in the garden at night. She didn’t eat, she didn’t sleep, much to Danna’s concern. Any coaxing from the older woman had usually ended with Saita simply telling her that she felt no need for it. Sash found it fascinating and would follow Saita around until Truhan told her to knock it off. Saita just wanted to be left alone to her thoughts.
She often found herself wandering the empty streets at night, wandering farther and farther each night just to find some solace in her heart but she rarely did. Most Saith that found her at night steered well clear from her. Though there were a few that were unhappy about the human being on the planet none of them dared to approach her or start a fight.
One night Saita found that she had managed to walk to the castle in her musings. She was tired, and though she wished the tiredness were physical she knew it was emotional, and mentally she just didn’t have it in her heart to deal with it.
She sat down heavily on a small wall that led into the castle. She looked over the flowing grass that was glowing red in the twin moons’ light. She heard the wind blow through it and smelt the fragrance. She was about to lose herself to the beauty when she heard a shoe scuff against the stone behind her. She turned her head to make out a dark-haired woman standing at the entrance looking at her. Neither of them spoke for some time until Saita got off the wall and made to leave.
“You are Saita then?” asked the other woman.
Saita paused but didn’t say anything.
“I have been meaning to seek you out, but I have been rather busy with the baby and other business that is of importance to my station. I apologise.”
“More Saith trying to get me to stay?” hissed Saita under her breath.
“Whether you decide to stay or go is up to you.” The figure looked up to the moons and shivered. “Join me for something warm to drink?”
“I should probably head back…”
“Suit yourself but I hear Saasha has a stash of hot chocolate in the kitchen I am sure we could weasel out.”
Saita could have left, she wanted to leave but she also felt compelled to stay and so she turned back to the woman and followed her. Siar grinned and led the young woman to a kitchen and started digging around to find the promised treasure. Saita sat down at a small table and watched the tall woman for a few minutes before saying. “You are Bolx’s sister, aren’t you?”
“You have a good eye to see the family resemblance. We don’t look anything alike.” Said the woman as she stretched to touch the top of the cupboard. “There it is.”
She pulled down what appeared to be a long slab of chocolate and Saita asked. “Do you actually know how to make hot chocolate with that?”
“I… do not, you?” she grinned back.
“I’ll need some milk and sugar… I can’t remember what those are called in Saith.”
“I understand all three human dialects so no need to strain yourself.”
“Just exactly how much trouble are we going to get into for doing this?”
“We’re stealing from the Queen of the Saith, who has the military might to crush all her enemies if she so wished…”
“And if you make her a cup too, she won’t mind at all.” Came another voice from the entrance of the kitchen.
Saita looked up from the table and paled when she saw the exhausted-looking queen. Saasha noticed her face and waved her fear away. “I haven’t slept well since my husband passed. I was awake and I heard the two of you. Siar, Seana was crying and Bolx has taken her for a walk.”
Siar tossed the chocolate slab to Saita and then said to Saasha. “Did you know that to make hot chocolate you needed milk and sugar? I thought you just ate the stuff.”
“Not that brand. That brand you boil in milk with sugar to make a drink. You are thinking of eating chocolate.”
“Ah yes! That’s right. Humans and their inventions with food.”
The resemblance was uncanny between the two women and Saita was sure if it weren’t for the hair colour and the age difference it would be very difficult to tell the two of them apart. Saasha proceeded to find a pot while Siar took the time to find milk and sugar to give to Saita. The two Saith then sat at the table to chat as Saita prepared the drink at a stove. This had been one of the things that Myla had taught her to do as a child and it instantly made her regret that she had come into the castle.
“I have news for you.” Said Saasha as she tied back her messy hair.
“Hmm?”
“Your Lord and the old Queen is coming.”
Saita dropped the wooden spoon she was stirring with into the milk in shock.
“They decided to bring another man with them. A retired soldier.”
“Doran?” whispered Saita.
“That sounds right.”
The human used another spoon to dish out the one she had dropped before continuing what she had been doing. Once the milk was heated enough, she added the chocolate and sugar and continued to stir as the steam rose.
“I know it is not what you wanted but it is custom, and I will not break custom because of a little discomfort.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“Saasha, you can call me Saasha. It’s late enough that no formalities are needed.” The Queen then indicated to Siar. “This is my baby sister, Siar, she is the oldest of the triplets. Bolx is walking her daughter right now and you are likely to see Gatex coming to steal food in about an hour or so. He is not a fan of many people.”
“I hear you are competing in the Games, quite an achievement.” Said Siar as she got up and started to scratch around in the cupboards once more. “Saasha where do you hide those…”
“Why are you three always stealing the food I hide for myself?”
“It’s what baby siblings do.”
The Queen sighed, rolled her eye, and said. “Top cupboard, far back, you can each have one!”
Saita continued to stir until she was sure that the drink was ready. She sipped it, thought it over then asked. “Do either of you have a sweet tooth?”
Saasha seemed confused by this and Siar had to translate. Saasha shook her head and then chuckled. “My grip on your language is only so much so excuse me if I don’t grasp all of what you say.”
“I can speak in trade.” Said Saita as she switched her language and took the cups that were offered by Siar.
“Either or. Learning keeps the brain from getting old.”
Saita brought the first two cups and then helped herself to some before turning the heat off on the stove and coming to sit with the women who were chatting again. She looked at what appeared to be a rectangular, brightly coloured object sitting on a plate in front of her. The smell was sharp with spices, and she was sure she smelt some kind of fruit. It reminded her of the cake that her mother had once given her a piece of.
“Christmas cake?” she asked as she looked at the object.
The two women pulled confused faces and asked. “What is Christmas?”
“A religious holiday to some. A giving ceremony to another. Normally a day to eat yourself silly and be with family.”
“This is a delicacy of the Kai.” Said Saasha as she broke hers in two before biting into it. “It is preserved fruit cooked in spicy batter and then soaked in wine. Was it a wine?”
“Probably a fortified wine of some sort.” Said Siar as she picked up the whole object to bite into it. “Not something you get often outside of the Kai home world.”
Saita took a small piece and put it in her mouth, praying that it wouldn’t taste like ash. It didn’t but only just. She pushed it to the centre of the table and said. “It will just be wasted on me.”
“Not to your taste?” asked Siar as she reached for it.
Saasha managed to grab at it before her sister and grinned at the look of disappointment on her face. “Because of Saita’s altered biology she doesn’t eat much nor sleep as I have come to understand it. I suspect you don’t eat because everything tastes terrible to you. The only reason you are drinking with us is that you want the warmth.”
Saita looked into the depths of her hot chocolate and just nodded. Saasha split the treat in half and gave one half to Siar who grinned. “Danna is my daughter-in-law. She does tell me things when her guest continues to pull her nose up at the food given to her.”
“I didn’t mean to be rude.” Mumbled Saita.
“Not your fault someone scrambled your brains.” Siar sipped at the drink while taking bites of the baked good. “This is a nice combination.”
“Rather and by tomorrow I will have a new hiding spot for it so that you can’t find it.”
“Spoilsport. You get all the good stuff.”
“I am Queen!” laughed Saasha.
She then fixed her single eye on Saita and said. “Normally we would have the competitors housed in a hostel close to the stadium during the Games, but you seem to have connected well with Larden’s family. Would you prefer to stay with them?”
“It is likely safer for me.”
Saasha frowned. “Seems to me you are picking up a lot of skills from Larden and Sash.”
“Surface thoughts.” Admitted Saita. “I can also feel the internal force of people when I am close to them.”
“Life force, life energy.” Translated Siar immediately. “Thought that was our genetic quirk.”
“Some techniques are genetically linked.” Said Saita as she sipped at her flavourless drink. “I think the longer I am around people that have the ability the easier it is to copy.”
This time Siar looked to Saasha in confusion, but it was Saita that answered. “My ability is to copy another person’s ability and then store it for later use.”
Siar whistled between her teeth and then said, “I thought you copied it and could only use that technique until you copied another. I had no idea you could store it all.”
Saasha decided to start rocking on the two back legs of the chair staring at the ceiling. “That technique could really have come in handy when I was younger.”
Saita continued to sip her drink as the two women idly chatted with one another. She was starting to feel uncomfortable and wanted to go back to the safety of the Royal Guard mansion. She finished her drink and made to get up when Bolx entered the kitchen with a grin on his face.
“Of course, the two of you would be here, the only lights that are on in the whole castle…” he paused as he shifted the baby to his other shoulder. “Saita?”
Many conflicting feelings suddenly surged in her. She had not seen Bolx in ages and she missed having him around, but she could not handle the emotions he had for her. The feeling of longing and wanting to step back from everything was confusing enough. Then there was the speckled-headed child that was reaching for her mother across the table. Seeing the youngster immediately made Saita clench her teeth and look away. Siar didn’t miss the look and she simply said. “You’re a mother too.”
Before Bolx could warn her not to bring it up Saita said softly. “My boy should be about six now. I haven’t seen him in almost two years and I’m never going to get to see him again.”
Saasha brought her chair down and said. “Well, that is something that may change. You need to talk to your King when he is on the planet.”
She stood up and stroked the child’s head and said. “You are right Siar, she does look a lot like her father.”
Then she left the room with the cup in hand humming to herself. Siar stood to take the baby from Bolx before saying. “Now be a gentleman and walk the lady home. It is dark and who knows what manner of things could be out in the night.”
“I’m fine…” started Saita.
“You are not.” Said the woman with a frown. “I can feel your emotions from here. Go for a walk and talk to him. He isn’t stupid.”
She then looked to Bolx and said. “Stop pushing and listen to her.”
While Gatex refuses to see Bolx as his brother, Siar adores her brother. She is secretly hoping that he can make Saita happy, but more on that much later in the series.
I hope all of you enjoyed the upday, and be sure to join next week to see how this plays out between the pair.
For those of you just joining us, please note that this the third book in the Fell Dragon series. Follow this link to read the two earlier books:
Fell Dragon Book 1
Fell Dragon Book 2
Start of Book 3 here
As the series continues, it will combine with another book series I wrote. To avoid confusion about what is happening, introductory chapters will be introduced separately so that you don't have to be lost. However, these chapters will contain spoilers. You can find these chapters here:
Races Explained
Banishment
Royal Guard
Saasha’s Direct Family
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Part 27>>You are Here>>Part 29