Zara rang the bell cord that led to her brother's chambers.Zara rang the bell cord that led to her brother's chambers. She rang, too, for the eunuch in charge of the harem. There had to be a way to avoid her fate and she would find it. The Dark Lord, startled to hear Zara's bell, debated going to her. She knew it was only for emergencies, and should have no cause to use it. Since she had used it, he reasoned, there must be an emergency. He stepped into his slippers as he passed them on the way to the door. Lem had arrived in the sorceress's chambers first and was examining Zara. At the Dark Lord's arrival, he lowered the hem of her robe and prepared his report. Zara was sobbing, a fact that disconcerted the Dark Lord. The last time he had seen his sister cry was at their mother's funeral, when they were seventeen. Tears seemed inappropriate to the most powerful mage in his empire. "Master, I think you had best see this for yourself. I cannot describe it," Lem said. He lifted Zara's robe and spread her thighs gently, wiping away what blood he could. The double metal shafts had torn her, but as the two men watched, the wounds began to close. In a matter of moments the rents were gone, and they watched in horror as the normal opening began to close. "But, Master," Zara shrieked, feeling what was happening, "I cannot bear if I am closed." There was silence for a moment as the two men pondered her words. Then, as if having received an answer, she said, "Yes, Lord, I understand." Becoming aware of her brother's presence for the first time, she drew the sleeping robe around her. "Zara, what is going on? Why did you summon me?" What is the emergency?" the Dark Lord demanded. "I've never seen anything like that. What happened?" Lem added. Zara wiped away the last remaining tears on her face and looked at them. "I can only say this once. I am pregnant. Lem, can you do something about that?" "Yes, Lady, easily. If I may go, I can return in half an hour with the remedy. How far are you?" "About an hour. This can still be changed." The eunuch bowed and left the twins alone. "Who hurt you like that?" the Dark Lord asked. The entire conversation had baffled him, but he would learn what he needed to know. "The Destroyer," Zara answered quietly, turning her wrist to show the scar. "Vendan the Destroyer? I thought you served him. |