Читать книгу The Rise of the Omarlo Clan - Rosylan McCallum - Страница 9

Chapter 3

Lady Tess stormed into her room muttering, “How dare he! How dare he! The nerve.” Lady Tess looked around and saw her maid Minna. She also saw the concern in Minna’s eyes, but Lady Tess wanted to be alone. “Out! Get out!” she shouted as she paced back and forth, furious at what she had been forced to endure. Minna left, quietly closing the door behind her. Lady Tess shook her head and ground her teeth. She thought he would pay. She would see to it. Finally, her raging anger spent, she sat down at her desk and began to plan her revenge.

The start of the day had offered much promise. She awoke knowing that her twenty-year-old son, Rarg Omarlo, was due to return to Racine and the Keep. It would be for the first time since Lord Marlis, her father, fourteen years ago, had taken him. At that time against custom, her six-year-old son was to be fostered under the House of Marlis on Urus. She had ranted and raged, but it fell on deaf ears.

The invasion, so long ago, had taken as casualties Lord Imir, General Drakar, and her children—six-year-old Rarg and the four-year-old twins. As a consolation prize, her father left her regent over Racine. Only Captain Nor had understood her anguish and offered her comfort. In time, as a way to show her gratitude, she made him supreme general over Racine’s military. Currently, he was away, or she would have had him by her side.

The heralds signaled the imminent arrival of her son and his party, and she asked Minna to hurry. She needed to be at the Keep’s door to welcome her son. There was no time left for Minna to fuss with her hair. She quickly left her rooms and went down to stand at the door of the Keep. Then she thought it better to step out onto the steps and stand ready to receive her son. Lady Tess watched Rarg ride up to the Keep. She found it hard not to frown, as he seemed to be uncomfortable sitting a horse. Was he a poor rider? She watched, as he had to be assisted from his horse. He adjusted his cloak and then walked up the steps of the Keep. He seemed to grimace for a smile. He walked into the Keep, passing her and the few old retainers that had known him as a child. There was no show of recognition or interest.

She tried not to show her displeasure. She followed him into the Keep and saw him nod recognition toward the hated emissaries of her father and their wives who had arrived two days before him. He then stopped and turned to face her as if waiting for something. Lady Tess curtsied and said, “Welcome home, my son.”

He gave her a quick half smile and leaned over and pecked her on the right cheek and said, “Mother.”

A noisy group of people who had accompanied him from Urus followed in behind them. He abruptly turned from her in a deliberate sign of dismissal and walked over to the group of young men and began to talk animatedly. Lady Tess heard the instant murmurs that went through the audience of people who were standing in the central hall of the Keep. She held her head high, masking all emotions. What did she expect? He had been raised as an outsider, as a Marlis.

What did or could he remember of what it was to be an Omarlo? Her father had deliberately withheld any concepts of what that meant from him. It was his reason for having taken her son into his household at such an early age. She still inwardly blamed Imir for all that had happened. It mattered a lot to her that he had lost his life during the invasion. She blamed him for dying. She continued to watch what she now thought of as a pretentious peacock of a son. Did he not know protocol? She was, after all, regent, which demanded a degree of respect.

They were called to the main hall where the ceremonial banquet was to be served. He turned and again walked past her, followed by his entourage of friends and Urus emissaries, and entered the meal room. He took the seat, her seat, at the head of the table. Pointed the opposite seat out to one of his confidants. The remaining invited dignitaries of Racine found seats around the group. Then Rarg gave orders that the meal was to commence. Lady Tess, left standing at the entryway, was eventually noticed by one of his confederates who leaned over and pointed her out to Rarg.

Rarg looked up and around the table and responded, “Oh . . . eh. Is there room?” Lady Tess turned and, with as much dignity as she could muster, left the hall. She had not failed to see smirks on the faces of several of the emissaries. The dignitaries of Racine sat stunned and silent. In their minds, this did not sit well.

Their opinions did not matter to Lady Tess. What mattered was Rarg’s obvious coldness, which was directed toward her. When he looked at her, there had been no warmth or show of maternal recognition. He had returned to claim his title as Lord of the Keep of the House of Omarlo. He had purposely, before Racine and Urus dignitaries, snubbed her. His mother, the current regent of Racine, was snubbed as if she had been some annoying unwanted servant in his way. She thought, how like a Marlis.

Yes, she had fled to her room. As she sat planning, she thought, fine, we are to be enemies. Then he would find that she too was born a Marlis. Had she not married into one of the most powerful families in the Nissarian system? Did she not currently run Racine? Even with all of that running through her mind, still a tear slid out as she thought, so sad, he had been such a lively, loving little boy.

She remembered the many years ago when she found it so vexing that he cried, wanting his father and brothers. Where were they? It was the question he asked over and over. He did not understand why they were gone and did not take him. He was lonely. The servants tried to keep him amused, but more often than not, he would just go off by himself. Captain Nor returned a week after Lord Marlis’ ships had invaded Racine space. The agreement reached to end the siege, named her regent until her son’s maturity; and emissaries loyal to Lord Marlis were permanently assigned to keep watch over her activities. Before the ships left Racine, Lord Marlis’ agents replaced one-third of the Keep’s servant staff, and allowed her to pick a replacement for old Moham, who was sent to live out his remaining years with his family.

As this was unexpected, Lady Tess consulted with the then Captain Nor, and he proposed Haiden Galton for the chancellor position. Haiden had turned out over the years to be an adequate advisor. As Nor’s man, one of the first things he had advised was the promotion of Nor from captain to general. Lady Tess understood the politics of this request but did not find a problem with it. So it was done.

General Nor had taken over the operation of Moham’s spy network. He had used it extensively to track down any information that remained on Racine regarding the device, to no avail. Racine continued to keep its edge on the production of new technology; however, none seemed able to re-create or create anything close to the rumored device.

Lady Tess had been thoroughly questioned as to the whereabouts of her twins and her husband’s right hand, General Drakar. It was the only time that her enemies saw emotion. Her responses were filled with hate directed at Imir. He had sent them away and died with the knowledge of where they were. She had for a short time been left with her oldest son. She explained that she had expected the twins to be brought back once Drakar received word that the danger to Racine was over. They never returned, and the years passed. She did not know if they were alive or dead. It was an open wound. If they were alive, they would be eighteen now.

She should have been mother to sons whom she could have had influence over as they grew up. Instead, there is only a stranger who has arrived, showing no respect for her as regent or mother. She had thought to be able to influence him using motherly love. She did not feel it, and he looked as if he did not want it from her. She saw now that it was a mistake to have been persuaded by her father and uncle not to have any contact with her son. They had turned down over the years any suggestion that he visit Racine. They convinced her that they believed dissident supporters of Imir could influence the boy during such visits. The few times she went to Urus the boy was always away thus reason enough to cut short her visit. Over time she stopped going.

She had underestimated her father’s manipulative schemes to control the future of Racine. She would not make the same mistake with Rarg. The love she bore the family, she lost long ago. Now whenever she thought about it that love paled to the love she bore for power. Imir at least understood this side of her. It was part of what attracted her to him. He was the only one who could anticipate and counter her will. That was what attracted him to her. It was their secret game, a game that had ended with his death.

She had been an indifferent regent for fourteen years, ever mindful of her father’s watchdogs. The people of Racine, in turn, tolerated her reign. She knew they secretly believed that when her son came of age, changes would be made for the better. She believed that they naively based this hope on if the Omarlo blood would win over. They did not know her father. There would be a struggle between them over who would eventually gain complete control of the pawn Rarg. Either way, a Marlis would control Racine’s future, and they had better hope it turned out to be her.

She anticipated her father’s complete control over her son. She had expected him to instill ideas, which would turn her son against her. But until today, even she had held out hope that it would not happen. Now she knew. But she was not one to depend on hope. She had put into place her own contingency plan. According to Racine’s doctrine, Rarg was required to marry within a month of his twenty-first year of birth. After the said marriage, there was to follow a ceremony crowning the new planet lord of Racine. She would step down as regent. He would become officially Lord Rarg Omarlo of the House of Omarlo. He is twenty, soon to be twenty-one and as regent, it was her duty to acquire an appropriate bride.

The one that she handpicked had promising good looks but was known to be rather empty-headed. That fact alone suited Lady Tess for what she had in mind. She successfully negotiated with the girl’s parents and had her sent to Racine. She has been under her control for these last six years. It was Erin Omir, daughter of the House of Omir on planet Octone. Her father was one of the lords comprising the Group of 3.

When Lord Marlis found out that she had selected the daughter of one of his cronies, it was too late for him to make any countermoves. If Lord Marlis had tried to take any action to have Erin replaced by someone of his choice, it would have been tantamount to a declaration of war against the House of Omir.

She smiled, though her father controlled her son, she controlled the bride-to-be. Erin Omir was now eighteen, quiet, shy, and unassuming. Lady Tess had long since tired of trying to hold any kind of conversation with her. In the past when she had tried, all she got in return for her efforts were stutters, gulps, sighs, and apologies. She would have to give up the regency, but the game was far from over.

As the meal progressed, Rarg only smiled when it was warranted. Otherwise, he sat at the table looking bored. This expression was something that those who had accompanied him to Racine saw often. The dignitaries from Racine were disappointed. He showed no interest in their presence at the table. Other than the Omarlo looks, which he had, they had expected to see something of Imir, a more commanding presence. They began to worry. They all knew he had been gone a long time and had been raised by Racine’s old enemy. They began to fear he would turn out to be nothing but a puppet ruler, something Racine had never had.

In fact, Rarg was seething inside. So this was home, the heart of the House of Omarlo. One look was all it took, when he arrived, to see a silent, subjugated people. Some of what he had been told by his grandfather over the years was true. Lady Tess was indeed a beauty that cared more for her looks than the running of Racine. These greedy men and women sitting at his table have grown fat off Racine’s profits, which are the result of the labor of a populace that has seen little in return for their efforts. He continued to look down the table at them, noting how they tried to catch his eye with intents of ingratiating themselves before him. They did not know him. No one at the table knew him. Lady Tess would turn over the reins of power to him, and then changes would be made.

Lady Tess would then be made to pay for the death of his father, his brothers, and the state of affairs on Racine. He saw the look of uncertainty she gave him as he passed her on the steps. To her misfortune, she does not know that he knows what had happened here. She would soon learn that he was not one to be influenced by her. He was not the weak, self-indulgent man that all thought him to be. It will take time, but he had that. All would pay—those who took him away, his mother for her deception and treachery, and any who thought to stand in his way. He had snubbed her for all to see and was glad that she chose to leave and lick her wounds in private. Rarg Omarlo smiled at no one in particular. The first round was his.

When Rarg was eight, he was in his grandfather’s study when he found a letter from his mother among his grandfather’s papers. Lord Marlis had sent him there to retrieve his pipe. In the letter was an order directing Captain Nor to delay his return from quadrant five. He was to time his arrival to be late enough so that Imir would not survive the attack on the Keep. A regent would be named, as his heir was a minor. It further stated that arrangements had been made to ship Rarg to be fostered under the House of Marlis. No mention was made of his brothers. Lady Tess Omarlo had signed it.

After reading it several times, he sought out his grandfather for an explanation. Lord Marlis confirmed his daughter’s signature and that he was sorry Rarg had learned the truth of what had happened. He told the stunned boy that his mother claimed that there was a device that would threaten the security of COP, which caused Lord Marlis to go to Racine. Sadly he told the boy he had done so but found this rumor years later to be untrue. That his father had died defending his planet. He added that he suspected his ambitious daughter wanted to rule Racine and becoming regent was the only way.

When Rarg was ten, Lord Marlis confided in him that he suspected that his mother’s greed for control of Racine caused her to remove her other sons. He told Rarg that it occurred from time to time among ruling families, the removal of family members to ensure control of power. Marlis also stressed that there was no proof of this in her case. He told Rarg that she seek to have dominance over the one son, him, when he became of age. That was why when he had asked to go home to Racine for visits, he was always told no. His grandfather said that it was because he was protecting him from his dangerous domineering mother, Lady Tess.

Rarg was his father’s son. He had learned early the position that he was in. There was no loving nurture shown him from his grandfather or his uncles. They cuffed him every chance they could get. So he outwardly became the quiet, moody boy. He was amazingly quick in aptitude but acted as if things were too difficult. He always showed an interest in self-defense and personal fighting skills but was reluctant to join in any competitive contests. If forced, then he performed poorly. Eventually, his grandfather and uncles, tired of the embarrassment of his performance, left him alone. Other boys continued to tease him. When asked by his grandfather’s trainers, who knew his skill, why the poor performance, he would say it was good to know how to fight. It just was not necessary for him to get dirty or sweaty when others would fight for him when he grew up. They would frown at him and shake their heads, and eventually, they too left him alone, thinking him soft. The boy became known as a loner. His free time and he had a lot of it was not monitored.

In truth, there were always people working with him during his years of exile in his grandfather’s castle, men and women who swore him to secrecy. They were remnants of Racine’s spy network with a sworn allegiance to his father. They secretly schooled him on his planet’s history, the system’s political history, and the art of warfare and what it meant to be an Omarlo. At no time during his stay on Urus had he not been under the watchful eyes of those loyal to the House of Omarlo.

He was taught the secret hand language. He was trained over the years to be the best covert spy Racine had to offer. Lord Imir had anticipated that such measures would need to be in place on the chance that the worst happened. He knew Lord Marlis was ruthless enough to take his son and try to mold him into a Marlis puppet, so before his fall, he had sent orders to his agents who were already in place on Urus.

“Please stand still and stop fidgeting,” said an unusually nervous Lady Tess. “I can see that you are not as slow as you act and that you did understand my orders and took exceptional care in your appearance today. It shows. The color of your dress suits you. Rarg should be very pleased, but then I have no idea of what his personal tastes in women are.”

Erin wore a mint green Empire chiffon-layered off-the-shoulder dress. She had the look of an ethereal sprite. Erin dropped her head to her chest, looking down at the floor. She had nothing to say. That Lady Tess so intimidated the young woman as to leave her speechless was a good sign of her control. With a last look, Lady Tess felt she had done her best. Rarg would be arriving soon to visit the women’s quarters for his first meeting with his intended bride. All was as ready as it would ever be. He had delayed this meeting for two weeks until he had run out of excuses.

“Lady Tess, I have seen your son from a distance, and I have asked the servants about him,” said Erin. “It is said that he is frivolous and moody.”

“Shut up! His temperament is not your concern. You are only the vessel out of which his heir shall be born. How dare you presume to talk to me about what you have heard about my son during idle gossip.” Lady Tess, in a rage, was drawing back to slap the stupid girl but was stopped midway by her son’s voice.

“Ah, Mother, are you about to hit the future Lady Omarlo? Have I then come at a bad time?” Rarg could have sworn he saw the girl take a defensive stance but no, maybe not, her hand was moving quickly covering her face. She turned toward him, and he saw that her eyes were large and held a frightened look. He could see that her beauty rivaled his mother’s.

“You may leave, Mother. I wish to get to know my intended,” said Rarg.

“You may not know it, having been raised on Urus without a gentlewoman’s influence, but it is not proper for the two of you to be alone. She may go. I thought that you and I—,” Lady Tess got no further as she was cut off.

“Go. Now!” snapped Rarg.

Lady Tess was stunned into movement. For a second, he sounded so like his father. She bowed and turned toward the door. She was humiliated and in front of the girl. Well, later, she would have her revenge later. She reached the door and as she was about to leave, she smiled and said, “As you wish.”

The door closed silently behind her. Erin watched Rarg as intently as he looked at her. Neither spoke, they just stood taking in each other’s measure. Erin saw that Rarg seemed to come to a decision.

“Do you like riding?”

“Yes, I ride every morning,” said Erin.

“Good, then I will meet you at the stables in thirty minutes.”

“Make that fifteen,” said Erin with a challenging smile.

“Done,” said Rarg, already heading for the door.

Erin was surprised and encouraged by the unexpected dismissal of Lady Tess followed by the invitation to go horseback riding. She thought she had heard that he did not sit a horse well. As she dressed for riding, she knew that this would be her one chance to determine, if even to a small degree, she would be able to have any influence with this future lord. Had it not been for his timely arrival, she would have given away her carefully built timid persona.

She could act the role of a cowering female but never would she have allowed Lady Tess to strike her. Erin had been training in the art of self-defense for the last three years. The trainer was Erin’s handmaiden Ursula’s brother Gordon who was conveniently Erin’s personal guard. Ursula had been assigned to Erin when she arrived on Racine. Ursula from the beginning was very protective of Erin.

Erin had been schooled and trained as any young girl of her rank. However, Ursula secretly gave Erin lessons covering diplomacy and the political history of the COP government. Special attention was given to the history of Racine. Erin received an education equal to any male of her time. One thing was missing, self-defense skills. Ursula suggested that she learn how to defend her honor. Erin liked the idea, so Ursula said that she could get her brother to become her trainer. Erin from the start was made to understand that Ursula’s help had to remain a secret between them. She was told and understood that none of the secret teaching or training was what her father, Lord Omir, or Lady Tess would have wanted for her.

Her mother died at her birth, and her father was pleased to give her care over to amahs. Lord Omir remarried and subsequently had a son, Karl. As Karl grew, there was concern for his health as he was thought to have a weak constitution. Most attributed this to his mother who stifled his every move and devoted her existence to that of her son. Erin grew up a lonely child brought out on special official occasions but was, for the most part, ignored. Her value increased overnight when Lady Tess approached her father with the proposal for a marriage contract between the two families.

This happened when Erin was ten, and Lady Tess had wanted to take her to Racine then, but her father said it was too soon. She was too young to be separated from her family. In fact, he needed time to reacquaint himself with his daughter. She was an awkward thin child, too quiet as far as he could see. But Lord Omir did see an advantage in making Lady Tess wait. Two years was good enough. Any more, he thought, and Lady Tess might look elsewhere.

Within the two years, Lord Omir thought of getting to know his daughter better, but it was just not in him. Whenever he had a thought of seeking her out, something always interfered, either his wife or a gathering for a hunt. The two years passed quickly, and off Erin went to Racine, put under the care of Lady Tess in preparation for her to become wife to the future Lord Omarlo. Though Erin had found it frightening to be going to another planet, her interest had soon been ensnared. There was all of the fanfare of getting ready for the trip. All of a sudden, everyone was interested in her. Many new clothes and accessories were made or brought for her. She was to represent the wealth that was the House of Omir. She had become the center of attraction, and for the first time, her younger brother noticed her, and there was jealousy in his eyes. Then there was the starship that would take her to Racine. She had never been allowed off planet. The trip in itself had been an adventure.

When she arrived on Racine, she was astounded by all of the smiling faces of the people welcoming her. For the first time, it hit her that her life had changed for the better. These people actually welcomed her, and she genuinely smiled back. Here, she belonged. She was somebody and had a place. Erin submitted to Lady Tess. She learned on the first day that it was for the best. She was also introduced to her handmaiden, Ursula. A flyer collision killed Omir’s wife and son two years after Erin had left to live on Racine. Erin did not return home for the funeral but sent her regrets.

Lady Tess was a strict taskmaster who instructed Erin on deportment, dress, and the general running of a Keep. Lady Tess left Erin more than enough free time to pursue her private interest. Erin learned how to ride, something she had not been allowed at home. She loved it as it gave her a way to get out and about. She began to trade clothes with the stable boys and ride about the countryside, stopping and talking with the people. She got to know them, and they got to know her over the six years. She helped bring in crops. She helped deliver baby animals. She also helped in building barns.

Most in the area knew who she was but pretended otherwise because it was what she wanted. They all knew that she was never alone. Gordon, a guard at the Keep, was visibly present and always within earshot of her. Lately though, it had gotten harder to sneak off for a ride about the country. Lady Tess had begun to demand more of her time.

Erin therefore, was more than ready for the ride that Rarg had suggested. They both arrived at the stables at the same time from different directions. Rarg instructed their bodyguards to wait at the stables for their return. Neither saw Gordon leave the Keep while they waited for their horses to be saddled. They were silent for the moment with each other, both preferring to hold their thoughts until they had gained the freedom of the outdoors.

“Where are you two going?” asked Rolag. Rolag Baines had attached himself to Rarg as a friend two years ago on Urus. Rolag was two years Rarg’s senior. When neither chose to speak, he said, “Riding? I am sure you won’t mind if one more joins your group outing. I was about to go for a ride by myself, but that is no longer necessary.”

“Yes. I do mind,” said Rarg with a yawn. “But then again, I am sure I cannot stop you from joining us.”

“Why, no you can’t,” laughed Rolag. “Why should you want to? Saddle up a horse for me, boy, and make it one with a good strong temperament.” The stable boy made no move until he caught a look and a nod from Erin. It happened so quick and unobtrusively, but Rarg saw it.

As they trotted out of the Keep’s gates, Rarg leaned over and whispered to Erin to set the pace and the direction. With that said, Erin grinned and took off, galloping down the road. Rarg, prepared, was soon following her. Rolag’s horse took off after them, catching him totally off guard. In no time, Rolag landed on the hard road as his horse continued on. Those who were watching bent over with laughter, even Gordon who followed at a discreet distance.

When Rolag’s horse galloped past them, they each pulled in their own mounts to a slower pace. Erin noted that Rarg was an excellent rider. They too burst into laughter as they realized what the horse without its rider meant. Rarg had suspected Rolag had been given the most spirited horse in the stables. That was why he had suggested Erin set the pace. He knew she was a superb rider and would be up to the challenge.

Erin stopped long enough to say, “I hope your friend was not seriously hurt. I would have given anything to see the look on his face when he hit the ground.” Then she broke out into more laughter. Rarg had no comment. He hoped he was hurt, after all, Rolag was sent by Lord Marlis to keep tabs on him.

“Where is she? What do you mean they went for a ride?” asked Lady Tess, talking to Ursula. Tess was in a fine state. She had expected the audience between Rarg and Erin to last only a few minutes, ending with him disgusted at her stuttering. She had planned to walk in and save him, dismiss the girl, and then ask him for a moment of his time; instead, she was informed that they have left the Keep.

“What an unorthodox thing to do. Since his arrival, he has gone out of his way to ignore Erin. Out of the blue, he sends me a message that he wants to meet with her. He then changes his mind and decides to ride off with her, at a gallop, over the countryside and him being a poor rider from what I saw on the day of his arrival.

“What could the boy be thinking, surely not of Erin’s reputation? He can’t treat a daughter of a ruling house and his future wife like some common girl. Then there is Erin, and where was her mind? She should have known better than to have agreed to go. Has my training all been for naught? Is she so simpleminded and overwhelmed that she believes she has to obey him now, before the vows? Wait until I get my hands on her. I could throttle her. All my plans can be wiped out if my father even thinks she has been compromised. It would be all that he needed to replace her with a girl of his choosing. Lord Omir would have nothing to say as Erin would have to return home in disgrace.”

Ursula just stood before Lady Tess, listening as she raved. Finally, when Lady Tess seemed to have run out of steam, she said, “Excuse me, Lady Tess, but Erin is not alone with Rarg. Gordon rode out too. Gordon always rides out when Erin rides, and this is common knowledge to all at the Keep.”

This immediately calmed Lady Tess. Yes, she thought, I had forgotten about Gordon. “He does guard her always. Well, whatever plans my son had if they are not honorable, will be interrupted. Who knows what ways he picked up under my father’s care? As I remember when I lived among them, they were a rather rowdy and raunchy bunch. And there is that Rolag Baines, the fellow who follows Rarg around like a shadow. Surely he went with them.”

Before Ursula could tell her different, fully reassured, Lady Tess gathered her skirts and left. As Lady Tess was crossing the main floor of the Keep, she ran into Rolag. Annoyed, she asked him to follow her—that she needed to speak to him in private. Rolag was thinking, what does this hag want with me? He was still hurting from the fall.

Rarg looked at Erin and saw that she rode with confidence and had a glowing expression on her face. It was obvious that she enjoyed riding. He also remembered how the stable staff responded to her quiet authority. She really was a beautiful woman and intelligent too. She had quickly caught his meaning after very underhandedly arranging for a very spirited horse to be given to Rolag. As far as he was concerned from all that he had been told and observed, she was very acceptable as a wife.

He had thought to get her alone only for the purpose of finding out if there was a brain behind the eyes, which would be an added bonus and make her even more tolerable. She was his mother’s pick and had been under Lady Tess’ tutelage for the last six years. This left a question as to whether she could ever be trusted. Unfortunately for him, there was little time to select someone else. Erin pulled her horse to a stop and dismounted, as did Rarg.

“This is a good place to stop, and we need to clear the air. I am glad that you do not object to the treatment of your man Rolag. I assumed that you wanted to be able to talk freely, and his presence would have prevented it.”

Erin continued, “You do not seem a standoffish bore now. I am glad, as it would have been tedious for me to be around you for any length of time. I know you are still trying to find your way, having returned somewhat of a stranger to your own home after so many years. I was in the same position six years ago. But in time, you will find, given half a chance, Racine is a fine planet to live on.”

Before Rarg could say a word, Erin continued, “And I want you to get one thing straight, you will not, now or when you become Lord Omarlo, take advantage of Racine or its people. I will fight you on this. And if you think that your mother has me under control, then you are more the fool. I am Erin Omir, the daughter of the House of Omir and soon to be Lady Omarlo—that is, if it is still your wish. And if not, so be it.” She stood with a challenging look on her face in front of him with both fists balled at her sides in a very obvious fighting stance.

Rarg was left with his mouth open. This slip of a girl had just taken over the situation that they both found themselves in and, according to her, was setting the record straight. She was obviously not the stuttering, timid mouse that his mother had warned him about. There was much more here. For the first time since Rarg had arrived on Racine, he let his guard entirely down and expressed the utter delight that he found with this girl named Erin. With a shout, Rarg grabbed Erin and swung her around and then set her back on the ground. Now it was her turn to be astonished. The man’s smile was devastating, and his exuberance could not be denied.

“wow! What a pair we shall make,” said Rarg.

Off in the distance, Gordon relaxed and smiled. It seems to have worked, my lord, he thought. It seems that this part of your plan made so long ago worked out perfectly.