She took a deep breath and fell forward onto the mattress in a relief so profound she thought herself floating.  It was then she heard the voices.

“No! NO!” the king bellowed.  “It is too late now.  Bring her in immediately!”

Mikota rolled off the bed quickly and reached for her robe.  She was on her knees eyes to the floor when the king turned from the door.

“Get up slave and into my bed,” he growled.  “And take off that robe!”

Mikota was confused.  Certainly now the suns were up the king would no longer wish to take her virginity.  She rose slowly and let the robe slid away from her body.  With eyes intent on the floor she crawled into the massive bed, pulling the fur coverlet up to hide her nakedness.

“That’s much better,” the king purred.  “You stay there until I am done with this business and then we will finish what we started.”

Mikota looked at the king for the first time since entering the room.  Even naked he was an imposing figure.  All black hair and solid scarred muscles, his body reminded her of a great black bear she once saw foraging in the woods.  His probing gray eyes were the most disconcerting, at once cruel and cunning.

He scooped his robe off the floor shrugging into it.

The door opened after one hard knock.  The beast master entered, his greedy eyes seeking Mikota even though his words were for the king.

“DeTac Witch of Amstel,” he announced.

An old woman, with gray hair and a bent back entered the chamber.  She leaned heavily on a twisted cane that seemed more an appendage than an aid.  Her eyes sought and found Mikota’s before facing the king.

Mikota shrank back into the fur when the old woman’s gaze landed on her.  Black pupil-less eyes stared unblinking at her for a long moment.

“DeTac!”  King Kryler boomed.  “You’ve returned.  Come and sit by the fire.”

Without looking at the king a twisted arthritic finger pointed toward Mikota.  “Not in the same room as that one,” said the voice like dry leaves.

The king looked at Mikota then to the beast master.  He read the covetousness in the beast master’s face.  His jaw tightened.  “She stays for my pleasure.” 

The beast master scowled, bowed low and left the chamber shutting the door as he went.

“You are bedding with wizard seed now Kryler?”  Detac croaked.

King Kryler’s laugh boomed off the stone castle walls.  “She is but a slave.  A virgin!  Wizards are fairy tales weaved by desperate slaves.”

“You are a fool Kryler,” DeTac said finally taking her gaze from Mikota and looking at the boorish man.  “But I am not here to save you from your foolishness.  I come, as is my right, to seek refuge for a time.”

“Refuge from whom madame?”  The king asked.  “Or should I say what?”

“That is not your affair.  I have come directly to you as is our way.  Will you grant me refuge or must I continue on my journey?”  DeTac bit.

“No, no.”  King Kryler smiled.  “You are welcome here DeTac, as you’ve always been.  All those loyal to the crown are welcome.”

“It is that reason I am here Kryler,” DeTac said.  “My time as your spy is at its end.  There will be war just as our prophecy foretold.”

Kryler grunted.  “In truth, I’ve known this for some time witch.  Was that the cause of interrupting my morning ritual?”

The black orbs rested once again on Mikota making her shiver.  “I travel with a wizard seed.  She carries the child of prophecy.”

“Ah yes,”  King Kryler laughed.  “The child of prophecy, the one who will unleash the power to destroy our enemies north of the Gray.  Bah, woman you know it’s all nonsense!”

“You will do well to avoid my woman Kryler.  You and your men.  I will kill any who attempt a coupling.”  The old woman looked again at the king.  “It seems the humans south of the Gray Mountains have grown as content and arrogant as the ones to the north.”

Kryler’s mouth puckered with distaste.  “But no so handsome or fierce I imagine!  As for your woman, I wish no woman carrying another’s seed.  My men will not touch her.  You have no need to threaten me DeTac Witch of Amstel.  I am king here and someday my line will rule North of the Gray Mountains as it once did.  You would do well to remember it.”

DeTac cackled.  “Your line still lives Kryler, north of the Gray.  Not as kings, but as warriors called Wardex policing the human race as is their right.”

Kryler snarled.  “They are not my blood!  All those who were loyal came here after the last wars and here my line has always ruled.  I will smash these warriors, these Wardex in due time.”

“They will not be so easily defeated,” Detac said and waived her hand to silence the king’s rebuttal.  “One telling will I grant you Kryler for your hospitality.  It is a telling of my choosing.”

The king’s eyes narrowed.

“Listen to me well,” DeTac said.  “Take that one this very hour to the temple,” she pointed once again at Mikota.  “End her life.  If you do not she will bring destruction to your door.”

Kryler lifted a dark brow.  “I have other things in mind for this slave witch, but I will consider your warning if you will consider mine.”

Detac met his grimace with one of her own.  “Rest here for as long as you need.  Keep your human locked in your chamber.  But do not speak this Wardex foolishness to any under my rule.”

“You were ever the fool Kryler.  These last two hundred years have not aged you in wisdom.”  DeTac scoffed.

Kryler’s face hardened.

“I feel the residue of an old and powerful magic in this room,” DeTac said.  “Your slave is its source.  You must kill her now before she learns to wield it.  If you don’t have the stomach, I will do the deed.”

Kryler opened the door behind DeTac.  “I will think on your words witch.”

“Act on them or die a fool.”  DeTac turned and left the chamber to the thunderous roar of Kryler’s laughter.