Roshan squawked a little when both parents grabbed him, a vice of human arms on either side that didn’t look like it would let up anytime soon. Darius laughed and abandoned him, heading up the walk, exchanging greetings with his people up until his mother caught him tightly around the waist. He oomphed at the impact and returned the embrace just as tightly.
“You’re well.” It was a statement, not a question. Or perhaps a demand.
“Not a scratch on me,” he assured her, then let up one arm so he could hug his father. “I barely saw any action myself, in fact. My job was to run around, yell orders, and sweet talk people into doing what I wanted.”
Drawing back, his father studied Darius’s face as if he didn’t quite believe that. “So you were never in danger?”
“Well, I can’t say that, but that’s what Bohme is for.” As much as he loved his parents, he kept looking over their heads, trying to spot his wife.
“She’s inside,” his mother answered as if he had spoken the question aloud. “You arrived just as she put Parisa down for a nap. Go on, you’ll find her in your bedroom.”
Grateful, he pressed a kiss to his mother’s forehead before pushing forward, into the house and toward the back, where the master bedroom lay. The house felt strangely empty, likely because everyone had gathered out front. Darius would have a thousand questions to answer, and everyone would want a moment with him, but for now he ignored the outside world and stepped into his bedroom.
Amalah sat near the patio doors, letting a breeze come through and take the edge off the sweltering summer heat. She presented a beautiful picture as the sunset behind her painted her skin in golds, reminding him of the first time he had ever seen her, bathed in sunlight in the palace gardens. Like then, he fetched to a stop and for moment simply forgot to breathe.
She either heard him, or somehow sensed his arrival, as her head came up and a brilliant smile lit up her dark eyes. “Darius!”
Crossing to her, he settled next to her on the settee, one arm coming around her back, the other cradling their daughter, gently stroking that dark head of curls. He kissed his wife with sweet passion, lingering there for a moment before drawing back.
Two months. It had taken a month of arguments, negotiations, and good old fashioned charm to settle the Sovran and Roran barbarians enough that he could leave, then another month to finally drop off Sohrab, collect his present for Amalah, and travel home. He’d been delayed another two days when he reported to Tresea because of course she wanted every single detail, pertinent or not.
Finally, finally, after months of being away from home in a war not of his making, he had returned. Looking at his family, safe and well, he couldn’t help but think that every trial and struggle had been well worth it. The emotions tangled up in his throat, and his voice sounded husky as he forced the words out. “I’m home.”
Amalah smiled at him softly, her hand reaching up to cradle his face in her palm as she responded with radiant joy, “Welcome home.”
adit: enter a room/place
aster: moment of potential, either good or bad, that can be in favor if acted upon
ballyhoo: whole bloody truth
barmecide: something that looks attractive but is deadly
bickie: loves to argue
bollycocked: lack of learning, lack of knowledge, usually means schooling was interrupted early on
boot them hard: force a retreat, force someone to leave or give up
buckshee: a free service
buff: slap
bunko: a swindle or trick
catawampus: out of kilter, not lined up correctly
chalant: to worry about situation
clock's tick: in a moment, shortly
copper's turn: bit of coin
cracy: ruler, one in power
day's eye: show of cowardice (from yellow in eyes)
dayspring: daybreak
daystar: morning star
dicker: bargaining
diddle: dawdling
dracon: extremely severe or harsh punishment/punisher
dumpers: people with no ability/ambition (only good for gathering up and dumping dead)
empty sacks: people who look the part only
Euu: a sound that means good, pleasant, okay
gate pinched: caught
goobers: babies
gyne: woman
jinko: mild oath
kako: bad, ugly, unpleasant
kiddens: children
lackers: destitute, or short on something
loudies: bullies
looksee: look for
megalo: great, large, mighty
muchly: much
myrm: person who blindly follows orders
nebe: NB - noted well
nenter: someone who is stilted, puts on airs
night's first bell: early evening
obit: went away
painted: victims (from colors of bruises)
pannie: all of it
prolly: probably
rama: wide view
rasp: worrier or nag
riddled: short on intelligence/looks/ability
ruddied: in sun too long
sand dwellers: dead
seamy: less presentable, rough
shade finder: informer or someone with information
skor: dung or filth
slabs: meat
smokes: someone who's always mad
sunder: divide
sunside: in a tight situation
tonly: not only
tween: in between
twig: got it, understand
wowser: doesn't enjoy life and doesn't want you to
yabber: people who talk too much (meaningless noise)
Honor Raconteur grew up all over the United States and to this day is confused about where she’s actually from. She wrote her first book at five years old and hasn’t looked back since. Her interests vary from rescuing dogs, to studying languages, to arguing with her characters. On good days, she wins the argument.
Since her debut in September 2011, Honor has released over a dozen books, mostly of the fantasy genre. She writes full time from the comfort of her home office, in her pajamas, while munching on chocolate. She has no intention of stopping anytime soon and will probably continue until something comes along to stop her.
Her website can be found here: http://www.honorraconteur.com, or if you wish to speak directly with the author, visit her on Facebook.
Table of Contents
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Epilogue
Slang Dictionary
About the Author