Heirs of Vanity- The Complete First Trilogy Box Set

by R J Hanson

  “You will have a number of arrangements to make,” Roland said. “And I must ask your father for his permission, of course.”

  “Oh Roland,” Clairenese said through her tears of unbelieving joy.

  Roland finished strapping on his armor and then slung Swift Blood across his back. Tin had picked up a replacement for Roland’s axe and his missing dagger so that Roland wouldn’t have to attend the dinner with empty scabbards showing. Roland combed his hair and trimmed his beard.

  Eldryn walked toward the tent leading Road Pounder and Lance Chaser. Both horses had been brushed and the saddles had been polished. He saw Tindrakin managing a bundle of dresses, three expensive fur cloaks, and several pairs of women’s shoes.

  “Roland is there something about Tindrakin that I should know?” Eldryn said jokingly.

  “Is one of those for me?” Marnie asked, surprising both of them as she walked up. “I heard we were invited to the Prince’s Keep tonight.”

  Roland and Eldryn exchanged a look.

  “Well,” Marnie said.

  “I’m sure one of those will make you quite presentable,” Roland said. “If not the belle of the ball.”

  “Are you making slight of me?” Marnie said as color began to build in her face.

  “No, no,” Eldryn said. “Roland sent for a variety, so you would have a selection.”

  “Thank you,” Marnie said. Then she placed an unexpected kiss on Eldryn’s cheek.

  “There is something else you two should know,” Roland said. “I am to be married.”

  “What?!” I was only gone two hours! Eldryn thought.

  “To Lady Clairenese,” Roland said. “I haven’t spoken with Lynneare as of yet but I don’t foresee any problems.”

  “That is wonderful,” Eldryn said. Wonderful for many reasons, Eldryn thought. He flushed with relief. He was terrified at the thought that his best friend might have… Well, there was no point in thinking of Lady Angelese now. Eldryn had things to do.

  “Wonderful,” Marnie echoed.

  Her thoughts were already seeing the possibilities of Roland’s marriage. Eldryn wouldn’t be at his side all the time and might even be thinking of marriage himself. Her thoughts began to race.

  “Tin, have you seen Facl, Tyll, or Pala?” Roland asked.

  “I have, and I have your gift,” Tindrakin replied.

  “Very well, I thank you.”

  The three men readied themselves and waited for Clairenese, who was still dressing in the tent, and Marnie who ran off with an arm load of dresses to consider. Finally, Clairenese emerged. The sight of her made Roland feel weakness from his stomach to his ankles. He must marry this beauty quickly, before she came to her senses.

  Eldryn’s thoughts again returned to his concerns about Lynneare and what a marriage to Claire would mean for Roland and their future. For it was taken for granted by both Roland and Eldryn that their futures were bound together. Eldryn’s deep thoughts were disturbed when Marnie crashed into him clad in one of the new dresses. She wrapped her arm around his, quite forcefully, and beamed a smile up at him.

  Then Marnie saw Claire and she took note of how Lady Clairenese’s figure was enhanced by the dress rather than concealed by it.

  “Who is she?” Marnie said.

  “Marnie, this is the bride to be that I spoke of,” Roland said. “This is Lady Clairenese.”

  “Oh, thank Fate,” was out of Marnie’s mouth before she could catch it. “I mean, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “You must be the skilled haggler that I’ve heard so much about,” Lady Clairenese said. “I had no idea you were so beautiful too. You must make quite the double threat in the markets and shops.”

  Marnie blushed and grinned.

  Eldryn set Marnie up on Lance Chaser behind the saddle and then mounted in front of her. Roland took Clairenese in his arms and stepped into the saddle on Road Pounder. Claire sat side-saddle easily with her arm around Roland’s. Tindrakin had mounted his new horse, a war-horse even if a lesser one. Tindrakin took up the package that Roland had asked him to carry and care for. It was to be a gift to the Prince this evening. The immaculate group rode toward the Keep deeper into the city.

  Roland and the others rode through the front gates of the Keep and saw why Prince Ralston had waited two days to hold this dinner. It must have taken two full days just to prepare the decorations. It was magnificent. Magical torches of ever-fire burned in rows along both sides of the street leading to the large outer gate to the Keep. White velvet ropes led the way beyond the outer gate and linked to even more of the magical torches. They led to a golden carpet that stretched out of the door to the inner gate.

  Roland stepped down from Road Pounder’s back and helped Clairenese down. Eldryn, and Tindrakin dismounted. Marnie waited for Eldryn to help her down, however, when she saw that wasn’t going to happen, she hopped down from the horse on her own. Tin took up the reins of the horses and was greeted by a butler.

  “I will take those, sir.”

  “Did you hear that Roland?” Tin asked. “He called me sir!”

  Roland smiled and the small group was ushered into a large hall lit with many fires and lamps. Exotic foods and wines burdened several tables that lined the walls. Each knight wore his finest armor, each paladin was ablaze in the colors of their respective gods.

  There were over one hundred knights, paladins, priests, mages, merchants, and nobility gathered in the hall. Roland, with Clairenese on his arm, walked into the great hall and headed for one of the tables where wine was being served. Eldryn began to mingle about with Marnie close at his side, whether he liked it or not. Tindrakin stood holding the large, leather bound package and stared all about him. He was struck dumb by the majesty of it all.

  Half way to the wine table, Roland saw someone that he had just as soon never see again. Sir Fynyll approached, walking directly toward Roland. Eldryn saw this developing and began to make his way to Roland’s side.

  “You bring an enemy to our midst?” Sir Fynyll said a little too loudly. He was flanked by two of his squires. “You bring an enemy into the home of the Prince?”

  “Ah, Roland,” the wizard Isaak said as he attempted to cut in. “Did you perchance bring any of those ‘articles’ you recovered from Yorketh?”

  The young wizard was ineffectively attempting to change the subject and interject while at the same time hoping that Prince Ralston might notice the burgeoning issue. It seemed that both Roland and Fynyll were ignoring him.

  “I bring my guest to a party that I was invited to,” Roland said in a flat tone. “I will only warn you one last time to stay clear of my path.”

  Sir Fynyll’s eyes went to his two squires who both stood at the ready to his side and just behind him. He opened his mouth again but was saved from himself. Although his focus was on this ‘Roland,’ he failed to notice Eldryn and Tindrakin moving up quickly. He also failed to notice a particularly dangerous, if yet young, wizard who had hoped to intervene, and another, even more dangerous to him.

  “Sir Fynyll,” Prince Ralston said from behind him. “I am glad to see you could make it. And Roland. I am glad our guest of honor could come.”

  Roland turned away from Sir Fynyll to bow to the Prince.

  “Prince Ralston,” Roland said, “may I present the lovely Clairenese.”

  “I do believe I know of her,” Prince Ralston said. “I have some knowledge of her father.”

  “I see,” Roland said as his jaw muscles tightened.

  Sir Fynyll smiled in anticipation. Finally, this pup of common birth would be put in his place. Clairenese flushed and she felt her burning tears begin to fill her eyes.

  “If she is your guest, Roland,” the Prince began, “then she is welcome in my home and my lands this day and all the days that follow. Let that decree be heard by all.”

  Prince Ralston fixed Sir Fynyll with a firm stare that left no room for doubt.

  “I say again,” the Prince said, “let that decree
be heard by all.”

  “I thank you, my lord,” Roland said.

  Claire leaned against Roland then, her arm around his. She felt so weak then, as if she would collapse. It took her several long moments to realize what had actually been said. She wiped her eyes briefly with a handkerchief and took a quick, deep, breath to steady herself. Will they really accept me? she thought, she dared to hoped, with a prayer.

  “Let us get the formalities over with, shall we?” Prince Ralston said. He turned and faced the small crowd that had already begun to gather around them in anticipation of Roland’s duel with Sir Fynyll.

  “Hear me one and all,” the Prince said with his voice raised. “We have come together to celebrate a common victory!”

  A loud cheer came from the many participants of the large party gathered in the great hall. Roland feared he would have to hunt him down at this moment but Tindrakin was there at his side when he turned for him. Roland took the large leather package and knelt at the Prince’s feet.

  “I come to give this gift to the Prince of Lethanor, and the Lord of Lawrec,” Roland said in a loud and clear voice. “I present these items to you, my lord, with humility and am honored that it was I that could bring them before you.”

  Roland set the package on the ground before him and pulled the flaps of the leather back to reveal Lord Mandergane’s majestic armor and shrou-sheld. Two men helped the Prince remove his cloak and strap on the white alloy breastplate and bracers. One of the butlers took up the helmet and another held the famed shield. Roland handed Shrou-sheld Blancet Precentia Inifit Ray to the Prince. Prince Ralston took the sword and removed it from the scabbard.

  A sigh of awe rose from the gathered crowd at the sight of the artifact. They looked upon the weapon of the famed Lord Mandergane. A shrou-sheld of white steel alloy, white leather bands around the hilt, and capped on the pommel with a golden basket that held a blue gem within. It was not lost on those gathered that the blue and gold matched the colors of the Prince’s house. The cross guard of the legendary blade was also of white steel and made in the shape of an hourglass. The length of the blade was inlaid with ribbons of ever-ice, also called Kolvic, intertwined with bands of Roarke’s Ore.

  Prince Ralston took the sword and held the blade high. He lowered the sword and placed its flat side on Roland’s shoulder, much to Roland’s surprise.

  “For your acts of heroism and selflessness in the name of Bolvii and in the interests of our lands, we of Lawrec thank you and honor you for your actions,” the Prince said. “Would you take the Oath of Knighthood and offer your Vow of Fealty?”

  “I would be honored, your grace,” Roland said struggling to remember what he had been taught about this ceremony.

  From what he had been told, all parties involved would discuss the matter in detail before the ceremony to ensure an understanding of what was asked and what was promised. This act had put Roland on his heels. He didn’t realize it, but he had been ambushed.

  “Do you swear to uphold the laws of Lethanor and the laws of Lawrec?”

  “I do so swear,” Roland said.

  “Do you swear to defend the people of Lawrec and its Lord with your life?”

  “I do so swear,” Roland said.

  “Do you swear to obey to the best of your ability the orders and edicts of the Lord of Lawrec and those he appoints?”

  “I do so swear,” Roland said.

  “Do you vow to uphold this bond, made in friendship, and be bound by it until the time of your death or the Lord of Lawrec release you?”

  “I do so vow,” Roland said.

  “Then I, Prince Ralston, Lord of Lawrec, Prince of Lethanor, knight you Sir Roland. I give you the right to bear arms and enforce justice in my name. Eldryn of Fordir, come and kneel before me.”

  Roland’s mind and heart raced. He now, officially, carried a weapon in the lord of the land’s name. He would have sigils to wear marking him for the public eye so all would know of his authority. While his pride began to soar with those thoughts, the weight of his new responsibilities began to pour lead into his belly. He was closer to crib than grave, but, even from his untried perspective, Roland could feel the sudden pressure of his new position.

  If he saw a crime committed it was now his duty to intervene, no longer just his inclination. If any sort of trouble came to the people around him, they would look to him to resolve it. He was now bound to this land and these people by his oath, his vow. How, in all of his years of daydreaming about this moment, had he not truly considered what it would mean? How had he failed to grasp such a simple and obvious concept?

  The answer was equally simple. In his youth, the needs of the people he would serve were only ideas. During his years of training for this life he always only saw his roll as that of a warrior. Certainly, the term protector had been taught to him. However, until now, until he had seen the suffering of the children here, he had not understood it. Now they were his responsibility. Now if any child in these lands suffered, if any ranch or farm was raided, it would be because he failed as their protector. The clanging bell of his worst fear, failure, rattled his head.

  Roland took a breath and reminded himself that he had trained for this life. He reminded himself of Arto’s words and those of his father. It gave him more comfort than he would like to admit to see Eldryn walking up to take his place beside him.

  Eldryn knelt next to Roland. Prince Ralston placed the flat of Shrou-sheld Blancet on Eldryn’s shoulder as he had Roland’s.

  “For your bravery in combat and faithful service to justice, we of Lawrec thank you and honor you for your actions. Would you take the Oath of Knighthood and offer your Vow of Fealty?”

  “I would be honored, your grace,” Eldryn said, no less surprised than Roland.

  “Do you swear to uphold the laws of Lethanor and the laws of Lawrec?”

  “I do so swear,” Eldryn said.

  “Do you swear to defend the people of Lawrec and its Lord with your life?”

  “I do so swear,” Eldryn said.

  “Do you swear to obey to the best of your ability the orders and edicts of the Lord of Lawrec and those he appoints?”

  “I do so swear,” Eldryn said.

  “Do you vow to uphold this bond, made in friendship, and be bound by it until the time of your death or the Lord of Lawrec release you?”

  “I do so vow,” Eldryn said.

  “Then I, Prince Ralston, Lord of Lawrec, Prince of Lethanor, knight you Sir Eldryn. I give you the right to bear arms and enforce justice in my name. Arise Sir Roland and Sir Eldryn of Lawrec!”

  A cheer came from the gathered crowd. Sir Roland and Sir Eldryn stood and looked at one another smiling. Clairenese came up next to Sir Roland and kissed him on the cheek. Sir Roland and Sir Eldryn turned to face the crowd behind them. Marnie pressed through the crowd but was unable to make it to Eldryn’s side.

  Another cheer rose like thunder in the great hall. Prince Ralston also presented Roland with a mercshyeld axe and twenty Roarke’s Ore coins. He presented Eldryn with a lance of sectot wood that was tipped with a dark alloy steel and twenty Roarke’s Ore coins. The Prince presented Tindrakin with a fine new shield of a white steel alloy and twenty Roarke’s Ore coins.

  The party continued and a great deal of wine was consumed that night. The embattled people of Lawrec celebrated their new glimpse of hope.

  “Sir Roland, Sir Eldryn!” Tin yelled as he came running toward them.

  “There is no…” Sir Roland caught himself. There was a ‘Sir’ to it now.

  “I was offered a commission as an officer in the Prince’s armies!” Tin exclaimed.

  “That is wonderful,” Roland said. “You have much to be proud of. So, what is it, Lieutenant or perhaps Captain Tindrakin?”

  “Actually, Sirs, I told them I would have to think about it.”

  Roland and Eldryn exchanged looks of curiosity.

  “I was wondering, now that you are officially Sirs, if one of you would be wil
ling to take on a squire?” Tindrakin asked.

  “You’re not exactly squire material,” Eldryn said. “Squires are typically glorified servants. You are an experienced soldier.”

  “An apprentice then?” Tindrakin asked.

  “El, you are better at teaching swordplay than I am,” Roland said.

  “I am better at teaching it and using it,” Eldryn said with a smile. “Very well, you are officially my apprentice, Tindrakin, or squire, whichever term you prefer. You may begin your training by fetching me another goblet of wine.”

  “Yes, Sire,” Tin said as he sped off in search of a bottle.

  Sir Eldryn saw something that interested him and moved off rapidly into the crowd with Marnie following close behind. Tindrakin found him nonetheless and handed him a bottle of wine despite the presence of Lady Angelese, and despite Eldryn attempting to subtly wave him away.

  Sir Roland and Clairenese watched the exchange between Sir Eldryn and his new ‘apprentice,’ Tindrakin, with no small amount of amusement, at least for Roland’s part. They also enjoyed the hard, yet hopefully aloft, look Marnie was attempting to give Angelese.

  “She is something of a paladin,” Roland said.

  “She is weak,” Clairenese said. “She has no loyalty.”

  Roland looked at Clairenese with curiosity. That remark was uncharacteristically judgmental for his lovely lady. Then a thought occurred to him.

  “My dearest Clairenese, you are the only woman I could love,” Roland said, sincerely.

  “Oh, Roland,” Clairenese said, rapidly changing the expression on her face. “Forgive me, Sir Roland. I do love you.”

  The evening continued uncounted hours into the night. All present ate a fine meal and Prince Ralston recognized many more knights and soldiers for their particular valorous actions. He even acknowledged Sir Fynyll for discovering where Daeriv had held him in the box canyon.

  Sir Roland and Clairenese danced many dances. Prince Ralston even asked Roland for his leave to cut in and dance with Clairenese. Tindrakin enjoyed the company of the other squires and knights, many of them asking him details of his travels with the two newly anointed knights.