Page 15 of The Mountain King
“Hrutha,” Maddugh said.
Amnan sighed, obviously displeased. “You’ve borne three daughters with weak Dwyrkin blood, mistress? There willdefinitelybe a riot when word gets out. Father. I had things to do this month.”
Kailigh looked at Maddugh. “And we’ll be laying some ground rules of conduct about the courtship. Especially with the youngest. There will be no physical importuning, and my daughters will be chaperoned at all times.”
“Of course, of course. Amnan, arrange it,” Maddugh said. “I want no improprieties. This must be done in an organized fashion.”
“Just how do you organize half the unmarried male population slavering after a woman who has proven fertility and her three nubile daughters?”
Serephone twitched. Persia just grinned, the better natured of the two. Kailigh was certain Serephone didn’t like being referred to as nubile, much less spoken of as if she wasn’t present. But the assertion that the men would be after Kailigh took her aback.
“I’ll make it known she is mine,” Maddugh replied, voice pleasant. His eyes flared. “If any wishes to challenge my claim, they are welcome. This year has been far too peaceful.”
“I don’t think I’ll have to worry about any slavering.” She stared at him, hard. “Regarding my girls, if acceptablehusbands—I don’t know what all this mate business is—present themselves to me for my daughters, I will consider them. We are tired, Lord Maddugh.” She looked pointedly at Cinvarra, still cradled in his arms.
He nodded and Amnan disappeared into an inner hallway, returning a few minutes later with a female dressed in a nondescript skirt and blouse that could only be household livery.
“Mistress, this is a female member of our household. She will be responsible for your rooms and you may speak to her regarding any needs you have while you reside here. Come, we’ll show you to your rooms.”
“What, you don’t trust me to show them to their accommodations?” Hrutha called out, laughing when Amnan glanced at him, irritated, taking Cinvarra from his father.
The trip through the house was quick. Like the outside suggested, it wasn’t overly large and the halls were just wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Runners protected the polished wood floors and the occasional window let in light and a view of the forest and town beyond. Of course, one side of the house was built against the mountain.
They entered the first of their rooms. The furniture was plain, but elegant. Made of specially treated woods, it gleamed with an inner fire. Ornate quilts set off the wood and colorful woven rope rugs were scattered on the floor. A great chest of drawers sat in one corner. Kailigh noted this quickly, pulling down the quilt to lay Cinvarra down.
“When will she wake?” Kailigh asked, knowing he probably didn’t have an answer.
"Soon," Amnan replied. "Her breathing is even and her color good. Allow her to rest, mother." He glanced at Kailigh, eyes inscrutable. "What is the real reason my father brought you here?"
"He healed her. Us hanging around for three weeks to maybe catch some bees was the deal. He seems to be enamored of this idea of injecting some new genes into your population."
"Hmm. Has he... spoken to you?"
Kailigh frowned. She was too old for euphemisms. "I don’t think you have to worry about that. I'm an old woman—he’ll lose interest once the novelty of the idea wears off.”
Maddugh’s son laughed, then stopped when he saw she wasn't joking, face serious but vastly more amused. "Well. We'll see. My father never does anything without a hidden motivation—several. Rue is correct—this should be entertaining. I’ll leave you to your rest, mistress."
* * *
Alight mealwas sent up, and Kailigh availed herself of the attached bathroom, enjoying the city style plumbing. There wasn't much of an infrastructure for the amenities outside of the Domes, so however Maddugh had rigged pipes—it was a treat.
But she couldn't sleep. She rose from the end of Cinvarra's bed, wrapping an oversized shawl over her thin nightgown, and left the room. She’d seen a common balcony off one hallway when they'd come up. A good idea, to have a shared area everyone could enjoy rather than private spaces attached to bedrooms.
Stepping into the early morning breeze, Kailigh watched as the first hints of dawn appeared over the mountainside. There was a decent view of the sloping valley city from here. A few individuals stirred—perhaps the baker or mother's beginning morning chores. Dwyrkin or human, life ran along much the same lines. Women birthed babies, tried their best to keep them fed and safe until they were old enough to get their food themselves, and tried to put something valuable in their brains in the meantime. Maybe gain some ground with each generation. Not for the first time Kailigh regretted that she hadn’t had a mother to guide and help her in the rearing of her girls—but was determined to be present for her daughters when they chose mates and bore children.
"Are you up early or late?"
"Maddugh." She’d felt the presence behind her, and had guessed who it must be. "I couldn't sleep. Too wound up from the day."
"I could help you relax."
She stifled a snort. Now that sounded like a pick-up line if ever she'd heard one. "And would I have to see your etchings to do that?"
“Pardon?”
Kailigh shook her head. "Never mind." She turned, facing him squarely. It was time to nip this in the bud. Amber eyes watched her placidly. She wasn’t fooled.
"Lord Maddugh, I am not available for a fling, if your thoughts were headed that way. I have three daughters and a steading to oversee, and no time for foolishness."
