"It is true little warrior. It is dishonorable for a Cadi warrior to abuse others with their words and deeds, especially those that serve them or are weak." Kagan approached the boy who looked like he would bolt at any moment. "Look at how you have injured my innocent pet." Kagan knelt and ran his hand across Giselle's chest feeling the slight red welt. "Do you know the penalty for what you have done?" Kagan asked sternly.
Despite the fact that the boy trembled in fear as he dropped the blade, Kagan needed to impress upon the tiny warrior that foolish actions like this would one day be dealt with far more harshly and by men less patient than himself.
Surprisingly Giselle glared at him and tugged the boy to her, wrapping her arms around his frame since he was still small enough to do so. Women the universe over seemed to be protective of little ones.
"Kagan!" Giselle exclaimed her eyes holding a mix of concern for the child and censure.
Kagan held up his hand to silence her. Giselle was obviously more worried about the safety of a small youth than she was her own well being. It was noble and yet a small angry child of Sabin's size could have killed her in a misguided attempt to harm Kagan.
"My title is Daimio and you will address me as such." Kagan informed his pet. She too had to learn what was expected of her on Cadi. Interference and questioning his judgement in authority matters such as this could not be tolerated.
Giselle's mouth closed tight. Her expression and body language suddenly different. Kagan didn't know what was swirling around in her intelligent mind but he didn't like the way she now regarded him. He shook his head. Females were hard to read, much less foreign ones.
"Little warrior because you seem to like Dagaa's blade so much, tomorrow you will be put to work learning just what it takes to care for such a weapon. From now on you will do warriors work since you insist on arming yourself as one and going up against one. Should I find you failing in your duty or running off and putting others at risk to hunt for you, you will be punished like a warrior."
The boy nodded hesitantly but firmly then handed over the knife when Kagan reached out for it. The boy had grown up with warriors. Despite his anger, on a certain level Sabin expected the discipline, even yearned to be treated as an older warrior, like most boy his age. Kagan just had to keep him busy and tired till he could find one of his kinsmen to take him in.
Kagan whistled and one of his men entered the tent.
"The boy was found playing with my pet." He said to the guard who looked relieved at seeing the child and ushered him out.
Despite the fact the boy was of the Scelus Cadi no one had wanted to see such a little one come to harm. Once alone again with Giselle, Kagan turned to her.
"Why didn't you alert someone that the boy was here?"
Giselle kept her mouth shut and just raised a brow at him as if mocking his own expression. Ah so she was angry with him. Kagan couldn't tell if it was because he'd chastised her or the boy, maybe both.
Kagan shook his head. Giselle was going to be a handful.
"I should turn you over my knee again but it's late and we need to be up for an early start. So just answer my question." Kagan pinned her with his gaze.
The thought of warming Giselle's behind tempted him on many levels, but it likely wouldn't have the desired effect.
To Kagan's surprise Giselle had the audacity to roll her eyes and turn away in response to his threat. He quickly turned her to face him and gripped her chin.
"This behavior will not be tolerated pet."
"Did you or did you not instruct me not to speak outside these four walls DAIMIO?" Giselle's eyes flashed. She wasn't cowed one bit and the way she spate his title was hardly respectful.
"You have the ability to discern when it is appropriate to call on my warriors." Kagan told her knowing full well his pet was being obstinate.
"Do I? After all I am just a pet and you are the Daimio. Who am I to question your command?" With that Giselle clamped her mouth shut and her eyes went blank.
Kagan's mouth nearly dropped open. He couldn't believe she twisted his reasoning against him. Giselle was not some mindless pet. She knew very well that she should've alerted someone. And yet she was right, she was not from here, there would be many instances that he would demand her unquestioning obedience, much as he did with his warriors.
Kagan suddenly regretted the words he'd carelessly chosen when informing Giselle of her place in Cadi society. He was frustrated with her and himself. Kagan took hold of Giselle's stiff little body, unwound the blankets before lying down and pulling her to his chest. She remained stiff but didn't pull away.
Kagan resisted running his hands over her naked body despite the way her scent intoxicated him. He didn't know what had come over him. Although Kagan possessed numerous Toufik he'd never had an alien pet. Other species were rarely brought to Cadi by the Jurou Biljana and when they were they were nothing like Giselle, never so similar to the Cadi.