Sacrifice

Chapter 28 - The Rivals

Adir enjoyed the luxury of being able to walk beside Kalli back to the North Gate. They'd amused themselves over dinner by listening to the favour lady who shared a meal with Laya as she made supercilious remarks about her dinner partner's odd choice of career.

There were many times when it looked like Laya was about to dissolve into a fit of laughter. Kalli and Adir had increased that likelihood by making faces behind the noble lady's back to see if they could break Laya's control.

"You know this is a terribly bad idea," Adir said out loud. "I don't know why I'd agree to go back to teaching you how to shoot a plasma rifle."

Kalli grinned up at him. "Because I'm your best friend, and you live to make me happy?"

Adir just rolled his eyes then saw a chance to change the subject.

"Soldier Judan," he called out. "Are you heading on duty?"

Judan trotted over and bowed to Kalli. "Yes Sir. Good evening Lady al Aratina."

Kalli shook her head. "I'm simply Kalli to my friends."

Judan glanced between Adir and Kalli. "Um, Sir?"

Adir smothered a grin. "Wirin and Laya call her my Lady instead of her full title."

Judan looked relieved.

"Do you have any idea how hard I've tried to get them to use my name?" Kalli scolded Adir. "I'd ask that you stop encouraging the use of my title."

Judan thought to save Adir from an argument. "Where are you headed my Lady?"

"Adir's going to teach me to shoot a plasma rifle," Kalli answered brightly, completely ignoring Adir's muffled groan.

"Actually," Adir said addressing Judan, "I'm going to teach her the parts of a rifle. Then I'm going to teach her weapons safety, cleaning and maintenance. If, and only if, she masters those will I allow her to discharge a rifle."

This news didn't dampen Kalli's spirits in the slightest. "Well then, what are we waiting for?" she asked, grabbing Adir by the wrist and pulling him towards the rifle range as Judan watched them go in awe.

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After two days of not being able to forget Kalli, or Captain Doran's affection for her, Bhirdan made up his mind to take action. Waiting in an imperial audience chamber, he scowled at the jewelled goblet he held.

It was a true work of art and held a very old, very good wine. If any of the servants had seen him scowl in this manner, they would have whisked the goblet away to replace it with a finer goblet and an older wind. As Crown Prince, he could afford both. But the problem was not the goblet, nor the wine; it was in the fact that Kalli didn't give a damn that he could afford either.

There was a brief rap on the door of the audience chamber. The herald stepped in and announced in a polished voice.

"Adir Doran, a captain of the North Gate."

Bhirdan nodded and ignored the herald as he left. Instead his eyes were fixed on the soldier in Imperial red. Adir marched forward; each step sharp against the stone floors. Then he came to attention, every muscle tense.

"Captain Doran, it has come to my attention that your—involvement—with Lady al Aratina has become both serious and inappropriate. It will stop."

There was a moment of silence and then Adir spoke. "No, it will not."

Bhirdan stood at this blatant disrespect. "Soldier –"

"You didn't call me here to speak of matters of the sword, so I'm not here as a soldier. You called me here to speak of Kalli, and on that matter, we are both simply men, and I will not refrain from my courtship of her."

The impassive demeanour of a soldier was gone.

Bhirdan stalked forward until he and Adir were inches apart; Adir stared back at him as if they were equals.

"You have nothing to offer her," Bhirdan said.

"I can offer her love and freedom from the asinine games of the court. With time, she'll want both," Adir countered, dead calm.

Bhirdan had the sinking feeling that this was true. "Her father will never let her marry you."

Adir laughed softly. "We both know that if she decides to marry me he won't be able to stop her."

Bhirdan turned and stalked back to his thrown. "Leave."

But Adir didn't move. "What should I expect when I return to my barracks? Perpetual confinement to quarters? Or orders to join the pirates hunts in the east?" Adir's tone was openly mocking.

Bhirdan felt the colour rising in his cheeks, knowing that he wanted to do such a thing and knowing at the same time that if he ever tried to hold on to Kalli by foul means he would lose her completely. He watched the man staring back at him and issued the order once again, more calmly this time. Adir bowed not an inch more than decorum required and then marched himself out.

Bhirdan lowered himself into his throne and wondered if he would be able to prove that he was a better man than that lowly soldier.

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