"Now come," said Kraloch, "food is prepared, for I have been expecting you."
"You'd best tell Aldwin," Aubrey remarked.
"Did someone mention food?" came a distant call.
"See," said Beverly, "what did I tell you?"
Four
The Royal Visitors
Summer 964 MC
* * *
King Leofric of Weldwyn looked out the carriage window to see the looming walls of Wincaster.
"Impressive, isn't it," said his Queen, Igraine.
"It is, indeed, a sight to behold," said the king as he sat back, looking at her in affection. "Whoever thought we'd be here, deep in the belly of our enemy."
"They're not our enemy anymore," she chided. "In fact, they're our allies now."
"Allies," said Leofric, "I like the sound of that."
"How many soldiers do they have?" interjected a child's voice.
The king turned to his youngest daughter. "More than us, Edwina," he said, "so be sure to mind your manners."
"Will Alric be there?" asked Althea, the older sister. She was almost the same age as Anna, but Leofric always thought of the Mercerian Queen as being much older.
"Of course," said Igraine, "he'll be waiting at the gate to welcome us."
"Is Anna really the queen now?" asked Edwina.
"She is," said the king.
"Does that mean that Alric will be king?" the young girl asked.
Leofric looked at his queen. "No," he finally said.
"Why not?" asked Edwina.
"Alric cannot rule Merceria," said Igraine. "That right is Anna's alone, but he will still be a Prince of Weldwyn."
"Yes," added Leofric, "and one day, their child shall rule this land."
"They have to get married first," said Althea.
"That's why we're here," said the king.
Unexpectedly, the carriage rumbled to a stop. King Leofric opened the door and called out, "Problem?"
A nearby rider came closer. "We're just waiting for the escort, Your Majesty. They're coming now."
Leofric poked his head out, looking towards the distant gates of the city.
"Can you see them?" asked Igraine.
"Yes," said the king, "and Alric is leading them."
"Is Anna with them?" she asked.
"No," he replied, "but I can see Lord Marlowe's son, and the Mercerian Marshal, Gerald."
"He's the Duke of Wincaster now," Igraine reminded him.
"Yes, that's right," he agreed. "The rest appear to be soldiers."
Opening the door fully, he stepped down to stretch his legs. Alric saw him immediately.
"Father," he called out.
"Alric," said the king, "so good to see you again, son."
"My, but you've filled out," added Queen Igraine as she joined Leofric. "You look so much taller. You're almost the size of your brother, Alstan."
"The Mercerian air appears to have done well for you," noted Leofric.
"Your Majesty," said Lord Jack, bowing respectfully.
"How fare you, my young cavalier?"
"Well," said Jack, "the food here is not all that different from home."
"Father," said Alric, "you remember His Grace, the Duke of Wincaster, Marshal Gerald Matheson?"
"I can't forget the debt we owe you, Your Grace," said Leofric.
"Please, call me Gerald, Your Majesty," the marshal replied. "And as to the debt, well, it is I that am indebted to you."
"Enough of these pleasantries," said Igraine. "Where is my future daughter-in-law?"
"She regrets that she cannot be here in person," said Gerald, "but has sent me to assure you that she awaits your arrival at the Palace."
"Well, in that case," said the king, climbing back into the carriage, "let us be on our way!"
* * *
Alric led them through the gates of the city, where guards stood by, their weapons at the salute. Soon, they were rumbling through the narrow streets of Wincaster, the wheels making a clacking noise on the cobblestones.
Igraine peered out the window. "Such narrow streets," she noted.
"Yes," the king agreed, "but they say Wincaster was originally a fortress."
"Really?" piped in Althea.
"Yes," said Leofric, "your brother tells me that when the Mercerians migrated eastward, they ran into the Elves and war broke out. Wincaster was built as a frontier base from which to conduct that war."
"Fascinating," said Althea, "did they have lady warriors back then, too?"
"I would suppose they must have," said Leofric. "I'm told it's not unknown here."
"Why don't we have them in Weldwyn?" asked Althea.
Queen Igraine smiled, "That is simply not our tradition, dear. Women in Weldwyn are not trained to fight."
"Why not?" pressed Edwina.
"They are more suited to less demanding roles," offered Leofric.
Althea looked at him with defiance, a look he was becoming all too familiar with recently. "Perhaps it's time we changed that," she said.
"Let's concentrate on the visit here first, shall we?" suggested the king.
"Yes," agreed Igraine. "Now, remember to mind your manners. They have different traditions here in Merceria, and we don't want to cause offense."
Leofric sat back, closing his eyes and listening to the clack of the wheels and the nearby sounds of horseshoes on stone.
"We must be close," he observed, "the sounds are different."
Igraine looked out the window again. "The houses are much nicer looking, and the streets are wider," she said. "Oh, it's quite pleasant here."
"We must be in the wealthier part of town," noted the king.
He heard the distinctive sound of the marshal calling out to the guards, and then they rolled through an ornate metal gate, entering the Palace grounds. The carriage soon halted, and then Alric was there, opening the door.
"Father," he said, "Mother, welcome to the Palace."
Leofric stepped down from the carriage to be greeted by horns sounding his arrival. He held his hand out, allowing his queen to follow. Guards were there, and he was pleased to see his son's men on one side while the Mercerians were on the other.
Casting his eyes towards the Palace itself, he noticed Anna standing there with her massive hound beside her, along with Gerald.
"Tempus!" called out Edwina, eliciting a bark from the mighty beast.
The king's two youngest children exited the carriage, falling in behind their parents while Alric led them towards the reigning Monarch of Merceria.
"Your Majesties," said Anna in greeting, "it is so good to see you both."
"The pleasure is all ours," said Leofric, bowing slightly.
Queen Igraine, apparently more overcome with emotion, moved closer, embracing the young queen. The guards looked fearful, but a wave from the marshal's hand soon put them at ease.
"It's so good to see you," said Igraine, "and look at this place, it's simply marvellous!"
"Thank you," said Anna. "Now, shall we go inside? I thought we might share a private meal and allow you to settle in before you meet all the nobles."
"An excellent idea," said Igraine, "don't you think so, dear?"
"Yes, very fine," said Leofric.
Edwina moved forward, fascinated by Tempus, who simply wagged his tail.
"He remembers you," offered Gerald.
"He does?" said Edwina. "Can I pet him?"
"Of course," said Anna, "he likes you."
The princess reached forward, placing her hand gingerly on his head. Tempus sat still the entire time, his tail wagging up a storm.
"Let's go inside, shall we?" said Anna.
Gerald turned, nodding to one of the servants. The doors opened, and they all made their way inside.
* * *
Gerald reached across the table, selecting a thick cut of meat and dropping it onto his plate.
"This beef is quite good," he commented.
"Yes," agreed King Leofric, "and very tender.
"
"It's a special recipe of the Palace cook," said Anna. "I'm led to believe it was a favourite of King Andred."
"Your father?" asked Leofric.
"I count Gerald as my father," said Anna. "King Andred was loath to acknowledge me."
"Was it not he that sent you to Weldwyn?" asked Igraine.
"It was," Anna replied, "but that was simply politics. The king's mistress wanted me out of the way so that she could advance her plans."
"Ah, yes," said Leofric, "the Dark Queen. Whatever happened to her?"
"I'm afraid she escaped," said Gerald, "though we tried hard to stop her."
"Well," said Igraine, "at least her plans were foiled. Let's hope she's learned her lesson, and we'll never see her again."
"I doubt that," said Anna. "She took my sister Margaret with her."
"Oh, dear," said Igraine, "I had no idea."
"What will you do about it?" asked Althea.
"There's nothing that we can do," said Anna, "but our guards are always on alert, and we watch our borders carefully."
"Well," said Leofric, "you won't have to watch the Weldwyn border for much longer. Once we're allies, we can both redeploy troops to more troublesome areas."
"I look forward to it," said Gerald.
"Tell me," said the king, "how is life as a duke?"
"Rather strange," said Gerald. "I wasn't born to this life, and it's been quite an adjustment."
"I've heard the Weldwyn Embassy is quite large," the king remarked. "How did you arrange it on such short notice?"
"It was the duke's estate," said Alric. "I'm sure I told you that."
"I think I would have remembered," noted Leofric.
"But isn't that Gerald's home?" said Igraine.
"No," said Gerald, "I never wanted it. I live at the Palace, that's my home now."
"But with these two married, won't Alric live at the Palace?" asked Igraine.
"Of course," said Anna, "but we'll maintain the estate for your ambassador and his staff."
"An excellent idea," said Leofric. "You know I was talking to Tyrell Caracticus about a similar matter just before I left."
"Oh, yes?" said Anna. "I know him well, we've corresponded for years."
"He's the head of the mages, isn't he?" asked Gerald.
"No, he's the chief administrator," said the king. "He and I were discussing how we might work closer with Merceria in terms of magic. I understand you have a magic circle now."
"We have," said Anna, "and our mages are learning how to travel great distances using it."
"That's how I came to visit you," said Alric. "I had Albreda bring me to the Dome."
"I should think it beneficial to teach other mages this skill," noted Leofric.
"Of course," said Anna, "and I can assure you it's a priority, we've just been busy with the transition of power."
"I brought a couple of mages with me," said Leofric. "I thought that you might grant them access to this circle of yours?"
"Of course," said Anna. "I'll have Gerald inform the guards that they are allowed access."
"Guards?" said Igraine.
"Yes," said Anna. "We don't want undesirables studying our circle. It could be used against us."
"Undesirables?" said Althea.
"She means the Dark Queen or her people," said Gerald. "They've already tried to kill me and Anna."
"You mean Her Majesty," corrected Edwina.
Anna chuckled. "No," she said, "Gerald is allowed to call me Anna."
"Why is that?" asked the young princess.
"He raised me," Anna replied. "I consider him my father."
"But, I thought the king was your father?"
"Were you not listening earlier?" chided Althea. "Honestly, Edwina, sometimes I think you're as thick as a post."
"Children," said Igraine, "that's enough of that. What did I tell you about behaving?"
They both turned sullenly silent.
King Leofric looked at Gerald. "Was Queen Anna ever like this?"
In answer, Gerald looked at Anna, who waited for his reply.
"No," he said, "she was quite well behaved, although she did manage to steal pastries from the cook from time to time."
Anna blushed but still managed a smile.
"I must say," said Igraine, "that for someone with such informal training, you've done remarkably well for yourself."
"Mother!" said Alric.
"What?" said Igraine. "I meant no disrespect."
"You have just insulted my future bride!"
"It's all right," said Anna, "I know your mother meant no offense." She turned to the Queen of Weldwyn, "I never had a formal education, that much is true, but I've always been blessed with an outstanding memory. In some ways, it's a bit of a curse, but I can remember everything."
"You know," said Gerald, "King Andred once tried to send her a tutor."
"That's right," said Anna, "a weaselly man by the name of Renfrew."
"I can't imagine he would have been welcomed," said Alric.
"No," said Gerald, "he wasn't, but Anna put him in his place."
"What happened to the man?" asked Igraine.
"He's still in Uxley," said Anna, "living off a Royal Stipend."
"He ended up being a pretty decent fellow," said Gerald, "once he got over himself, that is."
"Yes," said Anna, "he proved most helpful when we ran across that ranger."
"I sense an interesting tale," said Leofric, "but I fear it shall have to wait on another day. The trip has been long, and we have two young princesses to put to bed."
"Father," said Althea, "I'm almost the same age as Queen Anna. I'm not a child anymore."
"Your father's right," said Anna, "and I, myself, am somewhat fatigued." She rose, signifying the end of the meal. "Alric, perhaps you'd like to escort your family to the estate?"
"Of course," the prince replied, "I would be delighted."
King Leofric rose, indicating that his family should do likewise. "The meal was most excellent," he said, "and the company delightful. I look forward to our next meeting, Your Majesty."
"As do I," said Anna.
Alric led his family from the room, leaving Anna, Gerald and Tempus behind.
"I'll let you get off to bed, then," said Gerald.
"I'm not tired," she said, "I was merely being polite."
"Very well," said Gerald, "then what do you say we take Tempus here for a late evening walk?"
Tempus sat up, his tail wagging once more.
Anna laughed. "Very well," she said, "the Palace gardens are particularly pleasing this time of year."
"Yes," Gerald agreed, "and safely guarded."
* * *
Alric led his father out to the courtyard. "Shall I call for a carriage?"
"It is a warm night," said Leofric, "let's walk, shall we?"
"Very well," said Alric as he nodded to the guards, who fell in behind the Weldwyn Royal Family. They exited the courtyard, into the street that ran the length of the Palace.
"It's only two blocks down," said Alric, “on the left. I had the baggage sent on ahead, and Jack is overseeing everything."
"You look fit," noted Leofric.
"I've been kept busy," Alric replied. He looked behind briefly to make sure his mother and sisters were following along.
"So I've heard. Tell me, how are they treating you?"
"Quite well," said the prince, "why do you ask?"
"You are an outsider here, Alric. Something that many will object to."
"You're speaking of the Mercerian nobles?"
"I am," Leofric confirmed. "You are in a precarious position, politically speaking. You must strive to find your place when you do not rule."
"I've been doing that my entire life," said Alric. "I've always been the third son."
"It is different now," the king continued. "Before, the Marshal, Gerald, was advising Queen Anna, but now you, as her husband, will need to take on that role."
"I will not s
tand between Anna and Gerald," said Alric, "they are family."
"No," said Leofric, "they are not, despite what they might say. Gerald is a commoner born and bred. He cannot fathom what it means to be a royal. You, on the other hand, have been a royal your entire life. When the queen needs advice, it should be you that she turns to."
"Anna has many advisors," protested Alric.
"True," said the king, "but only a few, I'll wager, that she can be honest with. She is a young queen, and she needs guidance."
"And you think that's now my responsibility?"
"Think of it, Alric. Who is my most trusted advisor?"
"Mother," the prince replied.
"Exactly. We are a team, you see. I can always count on your mother to support me through thick and thin. She will not betray me or try to usurp my powers, nor use my influence for political gain."
"And you think Gerald would?" said Alric.
"I think it inevitable," said Leofric. "I like the man, but he is out of his depth here in the capital."
"He is the Marshal of the Army," noted Alric, "and a very competent leader."
"I'm not talking about his military ability," said Leofric, "but rather his political power."
"He has NO political ambitions," said Alric.
"Are you sure of that?"
"Yes," Alric replied, "I know it for a fact."
"Then he is the exception," said Leofric. "Perchance I am wrong about him."
"Have you any other words of wisdom for me?"
"Yes," said Leofric, "but I do not wish to give offense."
"Then speak plainly," said Alric.
His father walked in silence for a few steps as he framed his words. Alric looked behind to see his mother and sisters, trailing along at some distance, chatting with the guards.
"It is quite clear that you and Anna are fond of each other," the king said at last.
"We love each other," Alric declared.
"Of course," Leofric continued, "but the passion of youth fades with age."
"Just because your passion faded, doesn't mean that ours will," said Alric. "I love Anna, and I always will. Any further discussion on the matter will get you nowhere."
"I apologize, my boy, I merely meant that you must find something to give you a purpose."
Defender Of The Crown: Heir to the Crown: Book Seven Page 4
