The Overlord's Heir Read Online Free PDF Page A

kneeling position on Marin’s right.
He tossed his shoulder length braid over his back and nodded at Miki.
         They played a
Kabanian game she’d witnessed before. Marin shook his hands and the cubes
tumbled on the floor in the space they’d cleared. A loud cheer went up and
Carog pushed Marin on the side to pick up the cubes. “Move over. You are as clumsy
as a tarka wolf pup.”
         The men
laughed and Miki felt a smile curve her lips. “I want to learn.”
         Kavan
stiffened behind her. “Absolutely not.”
         Balal sighed.
“She will cry, Kavan. This you know.”
         The men
exchanged a look. Miki blinked back the start of tears and frowned. She wasn’t
that emotional. “I won’t cry if the men say no.”
         Argan smirked
and moved over from his squat. “Bring her a chair, Balal. You will save us all
the trouble.”
         Grateful she
would not be expected to kneel or sit cross-legged on the floor as they were,
she accepted the chair and sat. For a brief moment, Miki thought about going to
bed instead but refused to succumb to the loneliness. The men bantered back and
forth and soon Miki sat in the midst of the jovial circle. The game they called
Dilek seemed simple in theory but ended up much more difficult in practice.
         Argan paired
her with Kavan, a master at the game, while Balal offered instruction. A
muffled groan went up from her partner after she rolled. Miki studied the painted
stone cubes. One landed moon side up and the other showed stars and two moons.
A win, if her strategy paid off.
         “Uh, oh
Kavan, you will be milking teets all summer less the next roll go in her favor.”
         Once more
jokes and laughter exchanged among them. The Kabanians came from a mild clime
making the year long heat of Raasa the subject of many complaints. Kavan’s
misery would be hard felt if he ended with the outdoor task of milking the
animals used to provide meat for the compound.
         Carog handed
Miki the cubes. “My lady, Argan and I lead the match. If your roll is bad,
Kavan gets farm duty.” They all snickered and Carog’s wicked gold eyes glinted.
“But if you lose, what is your consequence?”
         Miki chewed
her bottom lip. She hadn’t considered. “A wager?”
         Carog gave
her a cocky grin. “It is the fun of Dilek after all. How do you wager?”
         Miki thought
for a moment. What would be of interest to Warlords? She needed to offer
something they’d want. Then she knew. “If I lose I will have Cook prepare meat
pies and custards for a week at each evening meal.” The Kabanians loved meat
while the Raasa preferred vegetables and fruit. The cook’s meat pie had turned out
to be a favorite though she didn’t prepare it often due to the time involved in
making it.
         Carog’s jaw
dropped and Balal let out a huge whoop.
        “Forgive me,
my lady, for wishing you a lack of success,” Argan said in a calm voice though
his dark eyes twinkled.
         Miki shrugged
her shoulders and grinned. She hated meat pie and had no plans to lose. Shaking
the cubes in her hand, she winked and let them go. They all held their breath as
they watched the cubes roll and tumble to a stop. Both cubes showed moon side
up.
         “By the
Hills,” Kavan gasped then jumped to his feet and pumped his fist in the air.
         The others
groaned while Kavan came over and rubbed Miki’s belly. “No milking for me.”
         Miki had
never witnessed him so enthused. She laughed as her youngling responded with a
kick. Kavan paled and pulled his hand back quickly. “My apologies.”
         Still smiling,
she placed his hand back. “It’s the youngling’s kick.” The Warlords waited as
eagerly as Vaan for the birth but rarely did they touch her belly though they
eyed her with fear and fascination as her stomach expanded. Another thump met
Kavan’s palm and he slid his hand away, offering Miki a formal bow