Free Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) by Catherine L Vickers Page B

Healer, teacher of good and bad herbs to women folk. Head Farmer, make sure all village equal share from crop and livestock. Head Scholar. He Leader of teachers for my people. Head Horse Trainer and Head Horse Teacher, both instruct students’ important skills of riding and handling. Chief Centaur Zarkeella. He Leader of Centaurs. They need own leader. They live different to Cherok people. We live side by side but ways not always same. Many more leaders you can meet later,’ the Cherok Chief waved his hand in dismissal of his Chiefs.
    ‘Now we talk private. My sons, they join us.’
    Entering another large cool dark room, a set of stone stairs led down to a subterranean chamber. Passageways led to various places which did not surprise Leon. The Lightlands were forever warm and bright, so many races had designed underground homes or lived in mountain caves to seek the coolness of Aarabassa’s earth. These underground chambers were not as large or as grand as the under dwellings of his homeland, but they were adequate. 
    Chief Dallheim had five sons and they were all seated and waiting on a thickly woven rug laid out across most of the floor. Leon took his place by the Chief, as instructed.
    ‘On this moonwake I speak to you as a son, Leon.’
    He spread his arm as if introducing the row of young men. ‘My sons, they are brothers to you,’ he said, putting down his arm.
    ‘My people understand the love of family. We consider Cherok nation one family. We all equal. We respect those with skills to lead. Your people are our friends. Your father, good friend to me.’
    ‘This is a most gracious welcome Chief Dallheim,’ Leon replied, surprised at such intimate words.
    ‘Leon, you my friend’s son. Make you my son.  My heart break this moonwake to tell you of Father’s death.’
    Leon’s blood drained, leaving his face drip white. A knot twisted inside of him. He held his breath.
    ‘The dwarves, they send word of this and of your quest,’ the Chief explained.
    Too shocked to reply, Leon remained in a confused daze, suddenly aware he wasn’t breathing. He took a few deep breaths and remembered his dream, had it been a vision. Perhaps Heather had known of this and, unable to Mindtalk such long distances, she had used her powers to convey this sadness to him.
    ‘You take time. Time to mourn. We speak of it when you ready.’
    ‘Thank you. I – I am truly saddened at the loss of my father. If I had thought I would lose him I – I don’t know. I cannot … I would not be here.’
    Leon’s throat tightened as he tried to speak. His pain cut deeply inside. The man he had loved all of his life had suddenly left him, disappeared, gone. This man, the King who the people of Lairkland had loved so dearly, along with his wife their Queen, was no more. How could he ever learn to live with such an empty space in his life?
    He recalled the memory of when he had lost his mother and now the pain of losing his father returned to wrench and twist at his insides.  Pain he could not endure alone. Phellip sat at his side and placed a strong arm around Leon’s burdened shoulders. Leon felt as though his brother Amos was at his side and slowly let his pain flow. He swallowed a hard lump down a dry throat. His eyes watered as the grief poured from his body. The Chief’s sons bowed their heads in respect, to allow Leon to let go of his controlled feelings and let his grief take a hold. Leon felt that he truly was with his family and cried a heart-rending sob. His voice husky whispered for his father’s presence, his mother’s presence and each of his brothers. He just simply longed to hold his father in his arms. He clung on to Phellip, who in turn tightened his hug to help his brother overcome his grief. All within the room felt his pain, his sadness, he was not alone. Leon was cared for with the best they could provide.
     

 
 
 
12                 New Bonds
     
    Leon woke with a heavy buzzing ringing around