Page 26 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure
"Perhaps it is time we reconsidered that particular requirement. Especially nowadays, when genetic testing can prove and disprove paternity with ease, having sons who look like you is much less relevant."
His expression darkened dangerously. "On the contrary. It makes it even more important. The children born in this harem must be believable as mine, or such tests will be brought up. We can't have that."
"My love," she said gently, "you could always say the boys take after their mothers. You've done it before when the resemblance was marginal."
"Elias looks too European even though he's not," Navuh said. "I believe he's Armenian."
Areana sighed. "You have been complaining about the ladies not conceiving lately. When was the last child born to any of them? Fifteen years ago?"
He nodded. "Eighteen. I'm suspecting that they are using contraceptives against my explicit wishes."
"The Fates decide who conceives and when, my darling. But perhaps in order to conceive, the ladies require genuine passion, real excitement, something to stir hearts that have grown weary with five thousand years of sameness." She looked into his eyes. "Immortal conception is different from that of humans. Ovulation happens on demand when the female's body recognizes a compatible male. Maybe all these handsome simpletons are simply not enough?"
"Are you saying the men I provide are inadequate?"
She heard the dangerous edge in his voice but pressed on. "I'm saying that variety is the spice of life, especially for females who have lived as long as we have. You are gorgeous, my darling, and any male who resembles you is blessed with good fortune. But even the finest wine grows tiresome if it's all one ever drinks."
His eyes blazed as he reached for her hand. "Are you getting bored with me?"
She gasped. "Never! We are truelove mates. You are the only one I will ever want."
Navuh deflated and pushed his plate away, his appetite apparently gone. "Elias is not particularly handsome, and I don't find him particularly knowledgeable either. He has good instincts, which is why I keep him."
That was something she wanted to find out more about, but now was not the time to annoy Navuh with questions.
Areana leaned back in her chair, taking her wine glass with her. "They might discover that Elias is no more interesting than the other males you made available for their use, but sometimes just the excitement of something new and different might have a positive impact."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You seem to have given this considerable thought."
The suspicion in his voice made her tread carefully. "I think of little else but the well-being of those under my care. The ladies grow listless, going through the motions of their daily routines without true engagement, and they grow reckless in an effort to find stimulation. Take Rolenna's glassmaking experiments for example. I fear for her safety."
"Why do you think one unremarkable male who calls himself a shaman will change that?"
"I do not expect him to perform miracles. But if even one of the ladies finds renewed passion with him and conceives a son, it is worth the small concession."
Navuh was quiet for a long moment, his fingers drumming against the table. She waited, having learned that patience was often her strongest weapon in these negotiations.
"Fine," he said at last. "I'll speak with Elias."
"Thank you." She kept her triumph from showing on her face.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself," he said, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice now. "I know you too well, my dear. This isn't just about providing variety for the concubines."
"Oh?" She affected innocence. "What else could it be about?"
"You're bored as well, and you are looking for excitement even if it is to witness one of the ladies flourish with a new male."
She couldn't deny it, so she didn't try. "Perhaps we all need something new to get our blood pumping. Even you seem to find Elias interesting enough to keep him on hand."
His expression shuttered immediately. "That's different."
"Is it?" She topped off both their wine glasses. "What does a shaman do for the great Lord Navuh? Brew headache remedies? Create soothing teas for stress? You have no need for any of that."
"He's useful in other ways," Navuh said. "That's all you need to know."
"Come now," she coaxed. "We've been together five millennia. Surely you can tell me why you keep him around."
Navuh was silent for so long that she thought he wouldn't answer. Finally, he said, "He is intelligent, and he has a good strategic mind. What I find the most useful, though, is that he is completely removed from the Brotherhood's operations. Sometimes, an outside perspective is valuable. Elias doesn't know the various participants and he doesn't have any direct involvement in any of our activities. I can present scenarios to him hypothetically, and he provides insights unclouded by politics or personal interest."
