Blutling Dies

The night’s darkness receded before dawn’s first lights, making the mud hut seem smaller and grubbier. Tables and stools became visible as light crept under the door and through closed shutters on the small windows.

Vernomir rolled over in the small bed. Niale was sleeping with her back to him. Vernomir admired her naked form. Tall and slim, her body was perfect. His eyes allowed no flaw to spoil his sense of her perfection. Her long hair was fair, and smelled like a place he wanted to get lost in, but it was the memory of her eyes that captivated him. Bright and blue, they shone with the radiance of Niale. They were the kind of eyes that would claim your soul, making you a helpless happy prisoner of her warmth.

It’s time you discarded that Darklander plaything of yours.

This was his mother’s command every time he left the mountain stronghold these past days. It was different when he was younger, it was normal for young Blutling males to find diversions among the Darkland tribes. Shame would only come if a Darkland woman were made pregnant. That never happened.

Then there came time for the Blutling to take his place in the stronghold. There was no room for Darklander girl then. Now, at twenty three summers, that time was near.

***

Niale stirred. Vernomir was still with her. She felt his body, strong from training, beside her. He smelled of leather, sweat and her. His presence was a comfort. His strong arms were the only things that mattered to her as she felt him move close. In his arms was a quiet reassurance she'd known from no other, and was convinced she'd never know from another. She’d had twenty two winters but no other men.

She rolled toward him. Gods, his face was beautiful. Dark and hard like a warrior, but also... she preferred not to think about it. She first saw him four summers earlier and at first despised him as one of the Blutlings who came to satisfy their appetites with Darklander girls. Then her nephew was taken fell into the river. Vernomir saw this and rushed to his rescue. This was no special act, it was what the Blutlings were meant to do in exchange for… she remembered his eyes.

When their eyes met it was like… no, she shouldn’t remember. She refused to remember the first time they spoke, refused to remember the first time they touched, refused to remember how good it felt when they kissed, and how desperate she wanted… no.

“Will you be leaving?” she asked.

“Soon,” he said. “Your people are stirring already.”

“They’re used to you being with me.”

“And they don’t like it. I don’t want to cause you grief with--”

“Then don’t leave me.”

Vernomir looked away.

Niale wanted to cry, but she knew that would hurt him, so she didn’t. Instead she put her arm around him. “They won’t cause any grief for me. I’m not with just any Blutling, I’m with a Blutling Prince. They wouldn’t dare.” She wriggled herself closer.

***

You’re a Blutling Prince, of an old family. It’s time you began to act like one.

These were the words of Vernomir’s father when he left the stronghold this time. It could only mean his position was now known, and it was time to take his seat in court.

What could he do? An old family meant he held the heritage of the Blutlingen in his veins, and with that, their future. To dilute that would mean the ultimate end of the proud lingen legacy. The blood of many of the old families was gone.

“I don’t want to leave you,” he whispered.

She sniffed. “You will though,” she said. “It was destined when we met. As sure as I won’t bear your child, you won’t remain with me.”

He couldn’t answer. She was always so right, so honest, so beautiful.

She looked at him with those eyes. “I knew the day I saw you that I’ll be hurt by you.” She smiled. “I’ve been preparing myself for this, these past two seasons. These past three seasons with you have been bliss. Let’s not speak of this further.”

She kissed him. He pushed her shoulder to the bed, put his arm over her and kissed her, tenderly, gently and long.

***

His touch still made her skin tingle, his presence still stirred her excitement deep inside. When he pressed himself closer she had one desire. Surrender.

They made love more passionately than she had ever made love before, and when they finished, she held him more desperately than she’d held him before.

The moment finished too soon when he left the bed.

Niale watched as Vernomir dressed. Her body ached to have him beside her again. She said nothing, preferring to watch as he donned his leather tunic, holding it in place with its belt. He pulled up his breaches and began to fit his sandals, bending over as he secured each in place with their straps.

“That’s a sight I will treasure,” she smiled.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“A Blutling prince bent over beside my bed.”

Vernomir smiled. “Just as I’ll always treasure the sight of my precious Darklander Princess bent over for me.”

His smile was branded into her memory. This was he face she’s always think of on nights she would have no one, but would want someone. Now was all she had.

He left and Niale was left with nothing but his smell on her and her bed.

***

Family honour and duty needed tending. There was no other choice. Vernomir left to return to the stronghold. As he walked, he felt a hole in his gut where contentment once lived.  He walked, he breathed, but his life was left in the hut, with Niale. He had nothing now, but honour and duty.

Copyright © 2015 Scott E. Douglas

All rights reserved.