Deals and Dangers

by Kay L. Ling

  “You’re not imposing, but I hope you like squash,” Arenia told her.

  “It sounds like there’s a story behind that,” Lana said.

  “We grew a row of squash in minutes, thanks to Marrid’s quick-growth spell,” Tyla explained. “We’ll harvest it soon. Would you like to be married in the throne room?”

  Lana hesitated. “The throne room . . . with gargoyles watching us?”

  Jules shrugged. “It wouldn’t bother me.”

  “My office is small, and the ministry offices are no better,” Tyla said. “I can’t think of a more suitable place.”

  “All right,” Lana said. “You talked me into it.”

  “If you like, I’ll invite the Anen clan. You know so many of them, and I’m sure they’d love to attend,” Tyla said.

  “That would be nice,” Lana agreed. “Tell the breghlin staff to invite their family members.”

  “Wally and Grace are here. You can invite them in person,” Tyla said. “How soon would you like the ceremony?”

  Lana hesitated. “Would two weeks from now give you enough time?”

  “That should be fine,” Tyla said as they went inside. “I’ll put Tina Ann in charge of the meal. I can hardly wait to tell her your news. She’ll be as excited as I am.”

  Chapter 49

  The next two weeks passed quickly. Tyla was grateful that the wedding preparations kept her from dwelling on disheartening news. Newssheets reported an increasing number of thefts and violent crimes, and Woodspirit News and Views took great delight in covering all the details, no doubt embellishing the stories to sell more copies. Kitana had written an infuriating article, mocking fortress officers for not being able to enter the O.D. She seemed to have forgotten that not long ago she hadn’t been able to enter Emanicus headquarters.

  Ertz had arrived home safely and was spending a few hours a day at the Aberell City Museum, reading about The Great Upheaval. Outcast forces led by the Emanicus might use similar tactics in gem power battles, so these insights could be helpful.

  The new Watchers had visited all the fortresses, but thanks to Tyla’s warning, commanders hadn’t let the creatures on the property. As for Elantoth’s Watcher, it had died as Tyla expected, and now its head graced the wall in S’s suite, looking right at home with the other monster heads. Olissa had cleverly disposed of the body by making a sinkhole under it. Breghlin had shoved dirt over the headless corpse and placed a marker on the site.

  Tyla assumed The Emanicus knew the Watcher was dead, but so far, they hadn’t retaliated or sent a replacement, and despite the Watcher’s comments about a new group of Outcast miners coming, none had arrived so far.

  On the whole, things had been reasonably peaceful at Elantoth. There hadn’t been any cold spells or shadow attacks, and Tyla hoped that trend would continue.

  The evening before the wedding, Lana arrived. She had asked to come the night before due to the odd human custom that a couple must not see each other prior to the ceremony on their wedding day. Jules and Elias would arrive at noon tomorrow.

  Tyla escorted Lana to a guest room, and as Lana began to unpack, Tyla marveled at the long white gown decorated with fancy needlework and the white shoes with high heels. “Your gown is beautiful,” she said wistfully.

  “Do gnome females wear special wedding garments?” Lana asked.

  “Yes, a tunic and pants ornamented with elaborate embroidery, and our mates wear a matching sash.”

  Lana hung her gown in the wardrobe. “Do you still have your outfit? I’d love to see it.”

  “Yes. When you come to approve your bouquet, I’ll show it to you.”

  Lana turned, looking surprised. “You made me a bouquet?”

  “I used Fair Lands flowers from the garden you and Jules planted, and I added strath, knowing how much you like it.”

  “That’s so thoughtful of you! Brides usually carry flowers, but when I mentioned that, it wasn’t a hint. You have more important things to do than make bouquets.”

  “I enjoyed doing it. I’m glad you’re having the wedding here. We’ve all enjoyed the preparations, and everyone is in good spirits now.”

  Lana returned to the bed and took more items from her traveling case.

  This was the nicest guest room. It had beautifully carved furniture and a woven rug. The furnishings were similar to those in Tyla and Lant’s suite. “Are you sure you don’t want to spend the night here?” Tyla asked.

  “No, it may seem silly, but I’d like to stay in the breghlin dorm for old times’ sake. Last time, I had to break up a fight. I don’t think that will be necessary this time.”

  “They still get into shouting matches and hair-pulling fights, but they’re more civilized than they used to be,” Tyla said, grinning. “Weren’t you afraid to stay there?”

  “Definitely, but I didn’t let on. We had a long heart-to-heart talk that night, and I think it was a turning point for some of them. Their views were twisted by S’s evil influence, and they started to see that. I’m glad I stuck it out.”

  “You’ve had a positive effect on all of us, including me. I’ll never forget the night Jules tested some of us with his knife and discovered I had gem powers. When you asked me to move to Elantoth and work in the library, I almost said no. I had little self-confidence back then, and coming to work here was the first step in changing that.”

  “Now look at you. Commander of Elantoth,” Lana said, smiling.

  Tyla sat down on the bed while Lana finished unpacking. “Sometimes I wish I’d stayed in the library. Research is more fun than running Elantoth, and it isn’t stressful.”

  “Research isn’t stressful? I don’t know about that. Remember the day you were translating runes and came across the passage about Ahmonell’s woodspirit population?”

  “Yes, that was a shock. We should have known S wasn’t the only woodspirit, but she was the only one we’d ever seen, so we believed her. Still, that was nothing compared to learning we’d been cut off from the rest of Ahmonell during the war.”

  “You know, I’ve always thought it was an interesting twist of fate that after discovering S’s secret, you helped bring down the barrier and were among the first to cross.”

  Tyla looked down at her hands. “I feel partly to blame for what’s happening. If The Emanicus hadn’t gotten custody of S, they wouldn’t be trying to take over Ahmonell right now. She moved up their timeline.”

  “How is that your fault? You warned the government to leave her here, but they wouldn’t listen. If anyone’s to blame, it’s them.” Lana closed the traveling case and sat down next to Tyla. “I think your side will win the war, and good will come from this. Face it—your government was messed up to start with. They had far too many crazy laws.” She took Tyla’s hand and turned it to reveal the red gem symbol. “This is a perfect example.”

  Lana made a good point. Adversity often led to major changes. After S’s defeat, Amulet clans hadn’t wanted to form a central government, but Elias, Lana, and Jules had convinced them they must. Before long, gnome clans had come out of hiding and started working together, and they also made peace with many of the breghlin clans.

  “The Emanicus introduced a lot of our laws, but nobody knew it till now. So, if we win the war, we should write new laws and make sure one fortress doesn’t dominate the others.”

  “You’ll win. I know you will,” Lana said gently. “If The Emanicus hadn’t taken over, things would have gone on as they were. When this is over, you’ll fix what was broken, and you’ll be better off.”

  The heaviness in Tyla’s heart lifted a little. “You’re always such an optimist. You see the bright side when others don’t.”

  “Elias calls me an optimist, but sometimes it sounds like an accusation,” Lana said, laughing.

  “I need more optimists around me. I wish you could come more often.”

  “Next time you start blaming yourself for the current crisis, remember it was inevitable. In the end, Ahmonell will be a bette
r place for future generations.”

  Tyla sighed. “I may never be an optimist like you, but I’ll try to look for the bright side.”

  Tyla rose early the next morning, her head spinning with all the things that had to be done by noon. Maggie Ann and Ruth Ann were making vases of flowers for the dais. The staff must set up chairs in the front of the throne room and tables and chairs in the rear. Franklin had promised to come and help.

  A modest meal would follow the ceremony: roast maraku, turnips, squash, and a white cake made from ingredients Lana had provided. By now, the Anns had probably started meal preparations, but they might need help. If so, Tyla would ask some of the cleaning staff to work with them.

  Raenihel was due by eleven. Guests would start arriving at eleven-thirty. Jules and Elias planned to arrive shortly before noon and wait in the office until Arenia came to get them. Somehow, everything would get done in time, Tyla told herself as she started off to the kitchen to check meal preparations. Halfway there, she received word through her pendant that Pentar wanted to speak with her. Whatever he had to say, she hoped it wouldn’t ruin this joyful day.

  When she reached the Pedestal Room, she opened the link and told Pentar, I haven’t heard from you in a while. I hope everything’s all right.

  Unfortunately, it’s not. We have a problem.

  What’s wrong?

  Remember the storm The Emanicus created to keep you from following them? We’re getting that now. From what I can tell, they designed a spell to affect only the area within our perimeter ward. The sky is blue everywhere else, but we’re getting fierce winds and torrential rain. We think this is payback for not letting the Watcher in. We’re trying to disengage the spell, but it may take awhile. I was expecting Ertz today, but he won’t be able to come now.

  Don’t count on it. Olissa created a ward that shielded her from the storm. Maybe he knows how to do that. Are any other fortresses under attack?

  Not that I know of. Could The Emanicus create and maintain simultaneous storms?

  I don’t know, but if they can, they had better not target us. We’re holding a wedding here today, and guests are coming from miles around. I’ll check with you later to see how you’re doing, but it may not be till this evening.

  Tyla broke the connection and went outside. To her relief, the sky was pale blue with puffy white clouds. A gentle breeze stirred her hair. With any luck, nothing would happen to mar the occasion. It looked like a perfect day for a wedding.

  Chapter 50

  When Tyla reached the kitchen, Franklin was there. The Anns were serving him orelia eggs and raaka and making a fuss over him as usual. He had won their hearts by admiring their filkin, and then further ingratiated himself by bringing the detestable creature purple panechi leaves, a filkin delicacy.

  “Hope it’s okay to have breakfast here,” Franklin said through a mouthful of eggs.

  “Of course. Eat all you like. You’ll need your energy. I plan to work you hard today.”

  Maggie Ann was decorating the wedding cake with wildflower blossoms.

  “That’s very nice,” Tyla said, watching her work. “I didn’t know you were so creative.”

  Maggie Ann smiled, showing crooked teeth. “Lana’s frostin’ be a lot like glue. Jus’ press the flowers in, an’ they stick.”

  Tina Ann looked up from her chopping board. “Okay if we leave some of the meat raw fer us breghlin?”

  “Sure,” Tyla said.

  “An’ since this be a special day, we be servin’ the rest of the brontskeller jerky,” Tina Ann said.

  Tyla grimaced. The thought of moat monster jerky was enough to ruin her appetite. She poured a mug of raaka, keeping her distance from the filkin that was grazing on panechi leaves by the corrustone.

  “Make sure you serve Jules some of that jerky,” Franklin said. “It might be made from the one his team killed.”

  “That was quite a day,” Tyla said.

  Franklin laughed. “It sure was. All four moat monsters on the loose, and you picked that day to move to Elantoth.”

  “Don’t remind me. It’s a wonder I didn’t go home and stay there.”

  “Jules told me ter look after her, Tina Ann said proudly. “I remembers it like it be yesterday. Me an’ her be outside the office shakin’ with fear till we hears all four monsters be dead. Poor Ben got bit on the leg,” she added.

  “I paid the creature back for that,” Franklin said. “Drove a spear between its upper and lower shells.” He drank the end of his raaka and stood. “Well, enough reminiscing. I’d better get busy. Has anyone seen the bride this morning?”

  “We has,” Tina Ann said. “Stayed in our dorm.”

  “She be sleepin’ when we left,” Ruth Ann said.

  “Ern’t no surprise,” Maggie Ann said. “We be up half the night talkin’.”

  “Givin’ her advice an’ such,” Sally Ann said.

  Tyla hoped the advice was nothing crude and embarrassing, but that hope died when the Anns began smacking their lips and making low, lascivious growls.

  Franklin blushed and deposited his plate and mug in a tub of wash water, then hurried upstairs.

  “I was going to check on Lana, but if she’s still sleeping, I won’t,” Tyla said.

  “Once she get up, she goin’ ter the guest room ter fix her hair an’ such. I take her some breakfast then,” Tina Ann promised.

  “All right. Don’t forget.”

  Tyla went outside to check the weather again. The sky was still blue, and it was quite warm. She went to her suite and put on her nicest clothing, a pale green tunic and pants, hoping she wouldn’t get dirty between now and the wedding.

  Raenihel arrived promptly at eleven. He and Tyla went to the throne room to make sure the chairs and tables were set up and the flowers were on the dais. Members of the housekeeping staff were placing silver candlesticks on each table. Others were placing bunches of strath tied with blue ribbons by each plate.

  “This looks wonderful,” Raenihel said. “The room isn’t nearly as bleak and intimidating now.”

  The alterations S had made during her reign, no doubt to intimidate her subjects, were an unpleasant reminder that she had ruled here. Scrolled capitols resembling coiled serpents decorated the stone columns supporting the ceiling beams. The gargoyles behind the dais gave Tyla the shivers.

  “Those horrid gargoyles,” Raenihel said, frowning.

  Oliver and Ben came in with a ladder, and a few of the housekeeping staff followed with flower garlands.

  “What are you doing?” Tyla asked.

  “Ya see in a minute,” Oliver said. He set the ladder against the wall and held it steady while Ben climbed up and wrapped garlands around the gargoyles’ necks. Tyla smiled at the effect. The gargoyles looked silly rather than fierce.

  “I’m glad Lana and Jules asked me to officiate,” Raenihel said. “I consider it an honor.”

  “I hope you’re feeling better these days. I’m sorry I haven’t visited you.”

  “Yes, I’m feeling much better now that I’m not responsible for Elantoth. Parcune stops in now and then with news. Franklin came last week with Bounder and Loud Mouth so I could hear them talk.” Raenihel chuckled. “Loud Mouth has a much bigger vocabulary these days.”

  Tyla grinned. “Yes, he still makes rude remarks, but they’re much more eloquent.” Hearing footsteps, she turned to see who was coming.

  “Jules and Elias are in the office, and guests are starting to arrive,” Arenia said.

  “Send the guests in,” Tyla said. “I’ll check on Lana.”

  “Don’t bother. Olissa and I were there fifteen minutes ago. Lana is dressed and ready. Olissa will stay with her until it’s time for the ceremony to begin.”

  “I can hardly wait to see how she looks in that gorgeous white gown. Is she nervous?” Tyla asked.

  “A little. She looks beautiful. Jules looks very handsome, too.”

  “I’ve never seen him in nice clothes. He usually wears castoffs f
rom the Fair Lands. What’s he wearing?”

  “The black suit he was wearing when Elias and Lana restored him to human form. That’s how Lana first saw him, so it seems appropriate.”

  Within a half hour, the throne room was full of guests and staff, and there was a buzz of excited conversation as everyone waited for the ceremony to begin. Tyla waited outside with Lant, Raenihel, and the Anen clan musicians, who had brought various sizes of wooden flutes.

  “It’s time,” Tyla told Raenihel.

  He motioned for the musicians to accompany him, and they proceeded to the dais. Raenihel stood behind the table that held the flowers, and the musicians gathered behind him, males on one side and females on the other.

  A few minutes later, Olissa arrived with Lana and gave her into the care of two elders. They escorted her to the dais while the female musicians played their part of the ceremonial pledging song. The elders bowed to Lana and left, and she turned to the audience, more beautiful than ever, holding the bouquet Tyla had made for her.

  Elias arrived with Jules, left him with the elders, and joined Tyla and Lant. The male musicians played their part of the pledging song while the elders escorted Jules to the dais. Once they had bowed and left, Jules faced the audience and took Lana’s hand.

  “Let’s take our seats now,” Tyla whispered to Lant and Elias. They sat down just as the musicians stopped playing. The throne room fell silent as the audience waited for the couple to speak the Words of Intent.

  Lana and Jules turned to each other. “I, Jules DeLauretin, wish to be pledgebonded to Lana Grayson,” Jules said, his voice full of emotion.

  “I, Lana Grayson, wish to be pledgebonded to Jules DeLauretin.”

  They turned to face Raenihel.

  “Let it be so,” Raenihel said in a voice that carried to the back row. “The Anen elders and I witness this union.”

  Raenihel went on, giving the Speech of Preparation, a customary part of the ceremony before a couple exchanged vows, but Tyla barely heard the words. Her mind was on her own pledgebonding with Lant. It seemed so long ago, but it had only been a few years. They would have laughed at the time if anyone had predicted the end of S’s reign or said they would visit places no one in the Amulet knew existed. Their love had deepened despite turmoil and hardships, and Tyla was sure it would be the same for Lana and Jules.