A Mother's Secrets

by Tuppence Van de Vaarst

  “I couldn’t bear the thought of you with him,” Nazir said, his voice muffled in her shoulder. “I couldn’t bear to think of you married to him, having children with him, in a loveless, political marriage. Yes, Vinet Rochelle of Ninaeva, I will marry you.”

  Chapter 15: Elopement

  Vinet felt her heart pounding as she stepped into the entry hall of the temple. Gwyn was right beside her, a steadying, comforting presence.

  She glanced over at her blood-sister. Gwyn was still dressed in armor, in the Ninaevan colors of green and gold. The only concession to the event was her hairstyle. Evalynna had managed to braid Gwyn’s hair into a golden crown.

  Gwyn caught the look and gave Vinet a wry smile. “Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts now,” she said.

  Vinet had to smile. “No, just wondering if you were going to try and persuade me otherwise.”

  Gwyn laughed. “I did that two months ago,” she said. “And you took my advice and waited. If you’re still set, then there’s nothing I can do except protect you from any danger.”

  Despite Gwyn’s lighthearted words, Vinet sensed an uneasiness in her voice. She knew Gwyn still wasn’t certain of her choice, despite the two months, another council session, and she and Nazir staring at each other longingly the entire time.

  “I love him,” she said simply. “And he…”

  Gwyn shook her head. “I know. And that’s the only reason I’m not calling you a fool. Perhaps this is the best solution. It’s better than the others, for sure.”

  It wasn’t much of a blessing, but it brought a smile to Vinet’s face anyway. “I love you, sister.”

  Gwyn’s face warmed in a smile. “I love you too. Now get in there before Nazir thinks you’ve changed your mind.”

  Vinet turned to the double doors leading to the main portion of the temple. Nazir would already be inside, waiting for her with the priest. Evalynna was with him, ready to be his witness. Niara would be in the very front row, trying not to bounce off her seat with excitement. She took a deep breath and nodded. Gwyn walked up and opened one of the doors, and they both stepped into the temple sanctuary.

  The priest stood at the altar, a smile on his face. He was an older man, one who had clearly seen many happy couples stand before him throughout the years. The pews were nearly empty, filled only with the handful of Ninaevan guards who had been escorting them back from the capital and their future liege, Niara, bouncing in her seat. But Vinet only had eyes for Nazir.

  He had forgone his usual dark, sober clothing for the ceremony, and instead dressed in a tunic of Ninaevan colors. His eyes were radiant as he saw her.

  She walked forward confidently, her eyes never leaving his. She stood next to him at the altar and took his hand.

  “May the couple who stands before me give their names,” the priest said, his voice warm.

  “Lady Vinet Rochelle of Ninaeva.”

  “Nazir et-Alim.”

  She barely heard the priest start his traditional song of marriage. Nazir’s eyes were filled with a love so strong she could barely breathe.

  Then the priest finished, and she found she could, in fact, breathe. She began her song of vows, slightly modified. She saw Nazir’s startled expression as she received a silver circlet from Gwyn and placed it on his head.

  The words for a noble marrying a commoner were almost never sung, but she had found them in a dusty scroll in the palace library. “I give you equal standing to me, so that the sun may shine on both of us, and the world see you equal next to me.”

  Nazir blinked rapidly as she finished, but his voice was strong as he began his song. His voice was smooth and melodious, and she smiled warmly at his vows and declaration of love.

  “Mazda’s light protect you and guide you both,” the priest said. He presented the writ.

  Vinet smiled as she saw the first line: The Marriage of Lady Vinet Rochelle to Nazir et-Alim. She had studied it thoroughly before the ceremony, of course. In many ways, it was almost identical to the writ she’d signed as witness at Pellalindra’s wedding. There was only one clause that was different, a provision that whatever children she and Nazir might have, Niara would remain heir of Ninaeva. That had been Nazir’s suggestion, a thoughtful gesture that only made her love him more.

  She signed her name with a flourish and handed the quill to Nazir. He signed as well, and Gwyn and Evalynna added their signatures as witnesses.

  The priest smiled. “You are now husband and wife.”

  Vinet heard Niara’s voice raise in a cheer, and she couldn’t help grinning as she turned to Nazir. He drew her to him in a long kiss, and she heard the guards join in Niara’s cheering. She smiled. Nazir was beloved among her people already. Ninaeva would welcome their marriage.

  She pulled away from Nazir, still grinning broadly. Not releasing his hand, she turned to her people. “Thank you for welcoming the new Lord of Ninaeva,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Let us return to Ilhelm and let the rest of the populace know of their new lord.”

  Niara squealed and threw herself towards Vinet. Vinet laughed as she caught her daughter in an embrace.

  “I have a father!” she exclaimed. She squirmed out of Vinet’s hold and threw herself at Nazir, who lifted her up into his arms as Niara laughed in delight.

  Vinet smiled at the two of them. They were her family. She glanced sideways, to where Gwyn was watching with amused tolerance. They were all here, the people she loved most in the world.

  Nazir set Niara on the ground and offered his arm to Vinet. “Shall we head home, Lady et-Alim?”

  She felt her breath catch in her throat. They hadn’t actually discussed whether she would take his name or he take hers. As a noble, she should have been the one keeping her name, but she could not deny how much she liked the sound of Lady et-Alim.

  She took his arm. “Let’s go home, Lord Nazir et-Alim of Ninaeva.”

  **********

  “A letter for you, my lady.”

  Vinet took the letter from the servant with a nod of thanks. She raised her eyebrows as she took note of the seal. Duskryn? What is Pellalindra writing to me about?

  “Anything important?” Nazir asked.

  Vinet glanced across the room and smiled. Nazir was sitting in his chair, a book in his lap. In the two months since their marriage, they had been blissfully happy together. The people of Ninaeva had accepted him as their lord without question. Vinet wished they could have stayed in Ninaeva forever, but a council session had once again called her to the capital.

  “It’s from Pellalindra,” she said, answering his question. She broke the seal and began to scan the letter.

  Lady Vinet,

  I hope this letter reaches you in good health. It is my joy to announce that I am delivered of a girl, Serana Auriel. Mazda has blessed her with good health, and I am delighted as any mother could be.

  Vinet looked up. “She’s had a daughter!” she exclaimed.

  Nazir’s eyebrows rose. “Six months after the marriage? That will cause talk.”

  Vinet nodded. No child has ever arrived in six months, she thought. “Perhaps the talk will be that Pellalindra and Lord Auriel anticipated the wedding, and that was why it was so hastily organized,” she suggested.

  Nazir shrugged. “Does she mention Saihid?”

  Vinet looked down to scan the rest of the letter. “No,” she said. “She says a bit about not being able to be at the council session, and a plea to not let Lord Conn undermine her authority, and then,” she swallowed as she read the next words.

  I hope that what I have heard about you is not true, Lady Vinet. Do not tell me that you have married that commoner that has been following you around. Do you know people say he is the child of a demon? Rumors, perhaps, but all rumors contain a grain of truth. If the rumor about your marriage proves true, however, I shall not know what to think.

  “Vinet?” Nazir asked.

  She shook her head. “She’s heard about our marriage.”

  “
Ah,” the understanding was clear in Nazir’s voice. “And she disapproves.”

  Vinet shrugged. “I expected it,” she said.

  Nazir stood up and moved beside her. “But you’re still hurt.”

  She managed a tight smile. “You are my husband and my lord,” she said. “The rest of the world should acknowledge you as such.”

  Nazir smiled. “Vinet, I do not mind,” he said. “I am your husband, and that is all I ever wanted to be.”

  But I mind, Vinet thought. You are worth so much more than they think. She turned her attention back to the rest of the letter.

  One last thing you should know, do not let Conn MacTir interrogate you about my marriage or my daughter. He threatened me most foully last time we spoke, and I sent him away with harsh words. He dislikes and fears my husband, I believe. Do not let him threaten you as well.

  Lady Pellalindra Duskryn.

  Vinet felt her eyebrows raise. I shouldn’t be surprised. Conn is not the subtlest of men, and if he is as suspicious of Lord Auriel, then of course he would try to interrogate his wife. She sighed and shook her head. Fool. Lord Auriel gives Pellalindra an even higher rank than Lady of Duskryn. She will never betray him.

  She felt Nazir’s hands on her shoulders, and she looked up into his eyes. “Vinet,” he said softly. “I do not care what the other nobles think of me. I only care about you.”

  She reached up and pulled him into a kiss, letting the letter fall to the ground. “I know,” she whispered. “And I love you.”

  She broke away from him at the sound of Gwyn’s discrete cough. She glared at Gwyn for the interruption, but Gwyn only gave her a smile. “It’s time to leave for the council session, Vinet.”

  Vinet looked at Nazir apologetically, but he only smiled and kissed her cheek. “When you return,” he whispered, sending shivers down her spine.

  Vinet ignored Gwyn’s amused expression as they left the townhouse. The journey to the council chamber was over far too quickly, and sooner than she wanted Vinet was standing at the door.

  They will all have heard already, she thought. If Pellalindra knew, they will all know. She took a deep breath. You have married the love of your life. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Before she could lose her nerve, she opened the door and stepped inside.

  She could feel every eye on her as she entered the council chamber. She stiffened slightly but kept her head high. She had done nothing wrong. Let them judge if they wish.

  It was Ellil who first acknowledged it. “I understand congratulations are in order, Lady Vinet. My blessing upon you both.”

  She smiled. The high priest merely looked at her speculatively, without the judgment she had expected. Then again, Nazir was a devout Mazdian. No doubt the high priest had noted Nazir’s presence at the temple services.

  “Thank you, your radiance,” she said. “Your blessing means a great deal to us.”

  “My congratulations as well,” Alexander said, inclining his head. She nodded her thanks in return.

  “Congratulations for what?” Conn asked. He alone of the council members seemed to have no idea what Ellil was talking about.

  “Her wedding,” Kamian said shortly. He raised a glass of wine to his lips. “She’s recently married.”

  Conn’s eyes widened. “To who? I hadn’t heard.”

  “There was no official announcement,” Vinet said steadily. “It was not a large ceremony.”

  “She eloped,” Kamian said flatly. “With her scholar, Nazir.”

  Conn’s eyes widened even more, and he stared at her in shock. She returned his gaze as steadily as she could.

  “Your scholar?” he asked. “But isn’t he?”

  She tightened her lips. Let him say straight out what he meant.

  “He’s a commoner, yes, but what’s done is done,” Dannan interrupted. “Congratulations and all that. Now can we get down to business?”

  For once, Vinet was grateful for Dannan’s brusqueness. She didn’t want an analysis of her actions from the Council.

  “Yes,” Alexander said as he pulled out a stack of papers. “I have here reports from the war in the southeast. The lines are holding for now, but will need reinforcements soon. If we could redeploy some units, and perhaps talk about conscripting some of the nobles’ guards…”

  “The nobles need their guards for their own estates,” Conn said. “I, at least, still have raiders from the north to deal with, as I’m sure Lady Vinet does as well.”

  Vinet opened her mouth to reply that Ninaeva was well protected by the mountains to the north, but others spoke before her.

  “What good are your guards going to do you if the armies from the southeast conquer Saemar?” Kamian demanded. “Better to suffer a few raids with a skeleton guard than lose everything to these monsters!”

  “Monsters?” Dannan looked up.

  Alexander cleared his throat. “As to that,” he said. “There are indeed reports of various natures concerning creatures in the southeast. Most alarming is the news that two of the estates that used to belong to our nobles have been completely overrun with strange creatures, but that the nobles seem to be perfectly free and alive.”

  There was only one way that information could have been gathered. Vinet’s eyebrows rose in respect. Someone had good spies and scouts.

  “Let the nobles commit their troops voluntarily, first,” Vinet said. “You should receive enough initial reinforcements that way. If things become desperate than we can talk about conscription.”

  Alexander gave her an approving nod, and even Kamian seemed to begrudgingly approve.

  Ellil sniffed. “Has anyone sent diplomats to the area?” he asked. “Negotiated for peace, begun conversion efforts among the cultists?”

  Alexander looked taken aback. “They have given us no opportunity for…”

  “Mazda respects the man who makes his own opportunities,” Ellil said. “I will organize the priesthood.”

  “Your radiance, I must protest,” Alexander said. “To put the priests in danger like that…”

  “It is our calling,” Ellil interrupted. “Fear not, only volunteers will go.”

  “Volunteers who know the danger,” Alexander said firmly.

  Ellil nodded as if there had never been any doubt of that.

  Alexander sighed and looked around the room. “Are we agreed then? Redeploy the reserves, send a message to the nobles asking for volunteers, and allow the priesthood to begin conversion efforts?” His dry tone indicated his opinion of the last.

  Vinet nodded slowly, as did the others. For her own part, while she thought Ellil’s motives admirable, she couldn’t discount the feeling that the lives of priests would be lost without any gain.

  “Good. Then on to the second order of business,” Alexander shuffled through his papers. “There is a demand from Lord Tiber that we disinherit Lord Artosbern II and hand his lands over to him.”

  “What?” Conn exclaimed. “And just why should we disinherit the son of the Warden of the North?”

  Vinet narrowed her eyes. The Bern forest had been quiet since the ‘wild goose chase’ against the phantom Darkmane. Was that about to change?

  “Because, according to Lord Tiber, Lord Artosbern II is a cultist, in league with the creatures in the southeast,” Alexander’s tone was carefully neutral. “He claims that Lord Artosbern II killed the former Warden, as well as causing the disappearance of the late Lord General Torainn.”

  Vinet’s head jerked up.

  “What proof does he have?” Dannan’s voice was harsh.

  Alexander shook his head. “None.”

  “Then we can do nothing.”

  “Nothing!” Conn exclaimed. “If he knows anything about the disappearance of Lord General Torainn…”

  “We cannot afford to divert resources during a war,” Dannan said sharply. “The disappearance of Torainn is tragic, but hardly crucial to the outcome of the war.”

  “But what if his claims are true?” Kamian didn’t seem to be
lieve it, but looked curiously at Dannan instead. “Would you leave a traitor in our midst?”

  “We need more information,” Vinet cut in. “We need to investigate the truth of Lord Tiber’s claims before we can make a decision on it.”

  Alexander shook his head. “I’m afraid I agree with Lord Dannan. We cannot afford to divert scouts from the southeast border.”

  She tightened her lips. She trusted Alexander’s judgment, but that left them with precious few options.

  “I’ll go.”

  All the councilors turned to stare at the high priest. He merely raised an eyebrow.

  “Your radiance, I must protest,” Alexander said again.

  Ellil straightened his shoulders. “I am the emissary of our Lord Mazda on earth. I will be listened to and respected. And if the claims of cultists are indeed true, then I am the best person to deal with them in a way that brings them back into the fold. I shall nominate my second to lead the priests in the southeast, and head north myself.”

  Pious words, but Vinet felt her heart contracting. Something was going to go dreadfully wrong if Ellil went on his own.

  “Don’t go alone,” she said swiftly. “Take a small guard with you, at least.” As Ellil turned towards her, she said hastily, “There are bandits in the Bern forest that care nothing for sanctity. Remember the Cossack Darkmane? That is where he roamed, and we have no notion as to his whereabouts. Take a care of your safety, your radiance. Mazda is your shield, certainly, but the trust of good men is a capable defense as well.”

  She felt the eyes of the others on her, but she continued to look at Ellil. She couldn’t explain why her skin was crawling at the thought of him setting off into the northeast by himself.

  At last, he nodded. “I will take your advice, Lady Vinet. It is well-thought, and quite pious.”

  She let out a sigh of relief.

  “We haven’t agreed he should go,” Conn objected.

  Kamian rolled his eyes. “Do you have any other suggestions? You’re the one who wants to find Lord General Torainn or, at this point, his corpse.”