by Gillian Taber

Created on: March 15, 2011

Novel - Cimmeron and Alaban - Excerpt from Chapter Four

Cimmeron lifted the heavy purple drape and hissed into the space beyond. The passage lying behind the door was pitch black, an unlit servant's path, and she couldn't work out if Dorvial had kept his promise until she heard the sound of a lark float through the gloom, their signal.

With a glance back to ensure Lamera was sleeping soundly on her rug at the foot of Cimmeron's ridiculously huge bed, the girl slipped into the darkness and barely gasped as a silver mailed gauntlet caught her wrist and pulled her further on. The pair spoke no words, Cimmeron noting the fur slippers encasing Dorvial's silver boots, stifling a giggle, their silence vital to their mission.

After several minutes of creeping along narrow passages, Dorvial regularly getting stuck in his bulky armour and only being able to continue by turning sideways and having Cimmeron shove hard from behind, they reached another purple hung arch. Dorvial carefully drew back the drapery, checking the room beyond was empty, slipped through and Cimmeron heard him trying to slide back the heavy brass bolt on the doors. She rolled her eyes, one day she would command him to stop wearing that stupid armour when they were sneaking around, and hurried up beside him.

“Blessed one, you could be seen!” he protested, and she shoved him aside.

“I'm more likely to be seen whilst we lose time waiting for your mailed hands to open the door. Let me.”

Dorvial turned away, pretending to watch for any unexpected intruders. In truth he was fighting another of his unending battles. His life had become increasingly complex since Cimmeron had assumed her place as High Priestess and promoted him to her side, her absolute guardian. He knew he was young, but he wasn't a fool, nor inexperienced. Cimmeron had no idea, but Dorvial loved her with all his being. He knew they could never be, but it didn't stop his adoration, his willingness to do anything for her, no matter what it might cost him personally.

From day one, Cimmeron had led him into one scrape after another, her position, although never used consciously by her, preventing him doing anything other than obey her. Trying to keep her safe was his priority. As the strictures of Cimmeron's life, the attentions of Jarvornan, as High Priest and more, pressed further upon her, the more dangerous her escapades became.

Turning, watching her silently unbolt the door, throw it open and race onto the mossy

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