by R D Blake
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The Pure One rose from his throne having sensed the destruction of the lotus flowers and the victory of the power of the ring over the might of the curse. After travelling a short distance along one of the corridors that led from his throne room, he threw open the doors to a small chamber where stood icons of his Lord. Before the altar, the Pure One knelt and thanked God for His Graciousness; for the ring and the blooms had come from His Own Hand, and all had been proved right: for only love and acceptance could overcome the powers that opposed his Master.
And at the end of his thanksgiving, the Pure One prostrated himself once more and prayed for the other who also bore a curse.
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They were gathered about the two humans. Not all of the young birds could keep their silence as the young man and woman exchanged their vows and pledges to each other. They burst out in song and twitters and some left their perches to swoop and soar about the couple. Still, all of the other creatures, multitudes from the fields and forests and the mountains to the south, remained on their haunches, their ears perked forward and their eyes sharp, taking in all of this ceremony binding the two before them as mates.
There was no priest here, but the animals knew that their great master watched through their own eyes. For though from the beginning, they had not understood all of the reasons why this cursed girl had been sent and given into their service, and for them to bestow upon her what love and ease they could in her plight, they took joy in what they now observed. Near the end, the great bear stood on his two hind legs and wrapped his huge paws about the man and woman acting, as if on behalf of the absent clergy, to give God’s own approval and sanction.
And later, after much celebration in song and dance and food and laughter, the woman shooed them all away and took the man into her own chambers and never again did he return to his own.
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Connor could bear it no more and had sent all of his retainers away and paced the balcony outside his own rooms. His patience was at an end. All the plans he and his father had made and arranged for had been brought to a halt. The earl’s son wondered if anything would ever come of them now. The king had begun to recover that spring, seemingly only days after Connor had returned after that disastrous hunt. Now, the king was hale and hearty once again and more active than it seemed in years, as if he had cast off all of what had burdened him since the death of Erick.
Troubling Connor almost as much were the rumours flying about concerning how the loss of the frontier along the eastern downs had come about and those swirled closer and closer to the plotting his father had done with the Telusians, though no open accusations had been levied yet. There was no question in Connor’s mind, that the devious hands of Teton and his father were involved in all of these mutterings. Ever since that confrontation with the giant, Connor had sensed his alliances weakening. He knew from his own spies, that many of his “friends” and “vassals” were meeting secretly in the house of Farthingward.
But despite how their schemes were being thwarted, Connor knew he was vexed most by the disappearance of Marta. She should have been within his arms after she had been excommunicated from the church, but like some miracle she had vanished and none would admit to where she had gone. He gripped the railing that lined the balcony wishing he could crumble it within his hands. He had even sought out again that witch, that old crone; but he had only wandered in the swamp the entire day, each path winding every which way through the fens and dank waters. He never caught sight of her or her hovel. At the end of that maddening day, he has almost gone to his knees to thank God when he had finally stumbled back onto road, believing himself lost forever in that strange place.
And now the summer was gone and most of the autumn, the trees shedding their colours and revealing their true natures as bare, black sticks, and nothing had been accomplished or attained. A year wasted! Connor felt a tremor seize him; but he shook it off, ashamed of his fear. He would not accept a lesser fate than what his ambitions desired nor would he suffer a defeat. Narrowing eyes, he willed himself to consider his options and a new purpose rose in him as he turned and strode back into his chambers.
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Connor was not the only man in the realm impatient that morning. Teton was gathering a few belongings and needed supplies. He too had had enough. There had been no word from Erick and the giant could bear it no more. He did not want to believe that his friend had lied to him and had never intended to send word to him. Having asked leave of his father, Teton had received his reluctant agreement to seek out his closest friend. Matters in the kingdom were improving, and as Teton had argued, he was no longer needed. Erick was a vital key to ensure that the House of Westhaven was finally dealt with and the old duke could no longer dispute that point. His father knew, as did Teton, that the Earl and Connor still plotted and schemed. This journey was his own counterpoint to their conspiracy.
A few hours later, Teton turned in his saddle to glance one last time at the castle in the distance. When he returned, however long that took, he would come with news, or better yet, with a person who could end all this strife.
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He had wandered about for days in the forest looking for signs of Erick. It had been difficult enough to locate the small clearing where they had met — where they had fought and where Erick had left him carrying away that strange creature. Teton had thought much about that scene over the past half year. His friend had cradled it as if it was the most precious thing in his life. There had been a tenderness, a need of protectiveness that spoke of something deep; but Teton could not fathom it at all — as if that creature held more worth in Erick eyes than the kingdom he had forsook. Well, if he could ever find Erick in this wilderness, Teton was determined to discover the truth of that mystery and much more.
Over the following day, Teton came to sense that he was being watched. That disturbing feeling brought back memories of those thousands of birds that had roosted above them back in the springtime. Teton cast his eyes into the treetops, but he noted only a few thrushes and other of their like. None gave any appearance that they held any special interest in him. At other times, furtive movements in the surrounding undergrowth had spooked his mount, but those shadows came and went in silence and seldom returned.
After another day of aimless wandering, Teton broke out into a vast wide clearing nestled into the last vestiges of the foothills. These northern mountains were now chiefly to the south of him. A slight tang of wood smoke in the air had led him here. Off in the distance, he saw the remains of a stone structure, a faint wisp of grey tracing a line above them. To his eyes, this vale looked unworked and the ruins gave testimony to that fact; but once again, more than ever, Teton felt himself under observation. As he cast his sight around himself, he observed animals trailing beside and behind and some out ahead: all at a distance, but seemingly intent on escorting him down toward that ancient pile of rock.
He fought against the hope that he would find Erick there, but Teton left a small wish lingering within his heart that whoever lived within this nigh on vacant land could give him news of his dear friend. Half way to the ruins, Teton knew them to be the remains of a small keep or castle, and stopped to dismount. He had demanded much of his horse over the last week and finding the ground here rough, the giant did not wish his steed to injure himself.
He walked on until he caught sight of a woman stepping out from a stand of ancient apple trees in the midst of a large circle of animals. In her hands she bore a large basket of fall flowers. And over the air he could hear her singing, and despite her burden, she nearly danced and lightly skipped about the animals. Even from this distance, Teton could not help but sense the joy in her every step. Still, she had not yet perceived his presence — not until some birds that had been flying above him, flitted ahead and swooped about her head. Then she turned to face him and ceased her movements and simply stood awaiting him, though it appeared to Teton that
some of the dogs and — yes, there were wolves and foxes among them, took off toward the ruins, and others of the creatures which accompanied her began to circle and ring about her more tightly. At the same time, kindred to those creatures ahead of him appeared out of the grasses and formed a similar ring around him, though Teton suspected strongly they had arrived not to ward him but to protect this young woman who was now only half a field away. He moved more cautiously thereafter.
When he had come to be only a short distance from her, Teton perceived this woman was unafraid of him despite his size, confident within the circle of her protectors. He stopped his progress forward, understanding one misconstrued action would send these animals atop him. Memories of the past spring mounted afresh in him. There was a form of magic about her and this place, much as he had dimly sensed before in the mountains behind him where he and Erick had fought.
Teton bowed his head to this lady and kept it in that fashion for long moments and then he spoke. “Greetings, mistress. I intend no harm to you, but I have travelled many days in search of a friend. And I hope that you might know him or give me word of where he might be found.”
“A friend?” she replied in a voice so musical Teton wondered if she was more than simply a woman. She put down her basket and Teton saw that she was with child. All kinds of feelings surged up in him and it took him a moment to respond.
“Yes. One I thought dead but — but I met up with him this past spring.” Teton pointed back toward the mountains. “Up there but he sent me away and I have heard naught of him since that time and I have come now in search of him.”
She smiled for a moment, perhaps mostly to herself, sharing it with these creatures about them, who in that brief instant seemed to reflect it. But she hid it quickly again. Still there appeared to be some token of recognition in her blue eyes. “And what name does this friend bear?”
“Erick, my lady. Erick. Did you know him or have you heard of him?”
That glimmer of a brilliant smile returned. “Yes, I know of him but mostly by another name,” she replied in that musical voice of hers. “Yet tell me; when you met him was there not another with him?”
Her answer and question both elated and confused Teton. “There were other men gathered in that glade when he first appeared among us,” he admitted to carefully.
That brought a frown to her beautiful face which in some strange manner dismayed Teton. “No, I meant not those.” She made no attempt to hide the vehemence in that single word. “What of another?”
Teton tried to understand her. Had she been there too? Hidden within the forest? But that was not what her question seemed to be about. It suddenly came to the giant that she was referring to the creature which Erick had given his all to protect. “Yes, there was another,” Teton answered cautiously. At the raise of her eyebrow, he knew she wished to know more. “We — I thought it some strange twisted animal that God Himself had forsaken and cursed to a bleak existence but — ” Teton saw her frown return and become a dark scowl marring her perfect countenance. “But not to Erick. There was something, my lady, which made him not treat it as too many others who were with me were more than willing to do.”
And with those words, Teton saw her face revert to a smile and it eased his heart greatly. “True. All true. He perceived aright what that monster hid within herself.” Now, there was a hint of laughter, of humour and of joy in her words. What a confusing creature she was proving to be. But Teton pressed on.
“You must know him, my lady. Please; please do not deny it to me. I have a great need to be in his presence once more.”
“Oh, yes, I know him. More than you likely would surmise.” Her open smile warmed him and it seemed the animals about her shared in her happiness. “And I think your quest has come to an end.”
For there was a hail off to his left and Teton saw Erick loping toward them both over the tall meadow grasses; he too, surrounded by packs of dogs and wolves and other creatures. Teton forgot this lady and ran to meet him, gripping his friend in a fierce hug, lifting off his feet and pounding him on his back. “Enough, Teton, enough or I will faint. Leave me be,” Erick wheezed out. Releasing his grip, Teton fell to his knees before his old friend.
“Forgive me, my lord, I should have come sooner. But matters are such and my heart could not — ”
“What does he mean by calling you lord, Erick?” that sweet voice asked, but there was a firm, iron demand also in her soft cadences. “I perceive he is noble-born as you are.” This woman had followed them and now stood close beside Erick.
Teton looked between them. This lady — Erick. She was — she was — could — was it possible? “Have you not told her? Does she not know?” The shadow that crossed his oldest friend’s face told Teton all— that he had not disclosed that particular truth to this mistress. “But surely, my lord, all would know you to be — ” But Erick cut him off with a sharp movement of his hand.
“What does this giant know, Erick?” the woman asked, her voice keen and cutting, with an emphasis that assumed much between her and his lord. “What secret have you withheld from me? Have not I not pledged myself to you? Told you all of what I was, where I came from, my family, my former life. All of me?” She awaited not Erick’s reply but left him fleeing toward the ruins surrounded by the animals, all as if one, baying, yipping and yelping, sharing in her upset.
Some moments later, Teton took courage and glanced up at his lord. “I ask not for your forgiveness, Erick. I have spoken out of turn and have caused you trouble.”
“Stand up, Teton,” Erick said wearily, looking to follow this woman with his eyes as she returned to the remains of the fortress. “Come, you must be tired. Let me give you some refreshment and ease, and then I will tell you what I can. And do not be overly dismayed by Ilena’s words.” Erick breathed out heavily. “I knew this day had to come for I have kept the final truth from her.”
Erick eyed him with compassion. “You know how it is, Teton. Those who hold positions as we do, we doubt if any woman would love us for what we are and not for what we possess by inheritance and position. I feared Ilena might believe herself unworthy, if she knew the truth of me; for she is a commoner. Yet that is all I wish to be with her, though she has suspected much.”
“But who is she, my lord. This Ilena?”
His friend took long moments before he replied. Finally, the words tumbled out in a short burst. “She is my wife, Teton. And — and she bears my child.”
With that brief confession, Erick led Teton toward the ruins and said not a word more nor gave him another glance. But Teton understood him. This Ilena, this woman, this wife held the future of the kingdom within her body. And even Erick could not change that despite his own deepest personal desires.
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Chapter Seventeen
Connor looked about the small clearing cloven by a small ambling stream that splashing its way through the glade and then to the broken down hut that was hidden under a tall copse of trees at its edge. This was where his spies had led him — where she was purported to be. Word from a local woodcutter that there had been an odd stillness about this part of the wildness had been their latest clue to Marta’s location. Yet there were few signs of anyone living here other than several footsteps in the dust, a small pile of branches kept as firewood beside the cold ashes in the hearth, a posy of wild leeks hanging from the rafters, and a rag of a blanket that might have served as bedding. No one had been here for days — perhaps for much longer.
Connor had sent his two huntsmen out to look for more signs, but an hour ago they had returned giving no news of discovery other than to say that the forest hereabouts felt queer. If these had been other than his own men, he would have discounted their report, but they were right in a fashion. Something felt wrong about this place, though other than the absence of bird song and the stillness of the air, Connor could not put his finger on what made him apprehensive — only that he sensed eyes upon him and unkind, angry ones at that.
Yanking on his mount’s reins, he spun it about on its feet. This had turned out to be one more disappointment — like too many others of late. Connor barked out orders to his servants and retainers. Two were to remain here for another week. If anyone returned, he or she was to be held and brought to him. Connor kicked his horse stirring the steed into a gallop taking him away — away from this place, away from another frustration that brought up renewed feelings of his oldest enemies: defeat and failure.
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Erick had left him in the kitchen after ladling out a bowl of some indeterminate stew, supplying Teton with a flagon of water, and granting him permission to take more as he might have need. Then Erick was gone — Teton assumed to search for this Ilena. But it was she who found him. And much to his regret she pressed him for the truth of Erick.
“But, my lady, it is he who should tell you!” Teton insisted.
Her face frowned once more and her blue eyes found his and would not release them. “He has had every opportunity to tell me before this time. And if he is truly your lord, then who am I? I am his wife — if he has not yet told you! And if there is a fealty that you owe him, then you are avowed to me as well, and I command you to speak!” Her hand went to her middle. “And what of this child? Who is he or she? Am I not its mother? What will I tell it, if Erick says naught?”
Teton bowed before her. “You place me in a terrible plight: for I betray him or you.”
She huffed at him, rolling her eyes, seizing his great hand in her own. “Tell me!” she hissed. “How else will I know that he will tell me the truth? And all of it! Now speak!”
And such was her manner, and though Teton feared little, and feared Erick’s possible wrath more than he cared to admit to this woman, he spoke the words that he dreaded might end all the good he had perceived in this place and between this couple. “He — he is the king’s own son: adopted into the royal family upon the early death of his own parents. Erick’s father was one of the king’s most valued and trusted knights, who gave his life protecting the king in battle, and his mother died shortly after giving birth to Erick. Due to oaths of Ehorim exchanged between the king and Erick’s father years earlier, it was the king’s will that Erick join his own family.” Teton stopped to swallow, for he knew his next words would only make matters worse than they already were. “And as a result of the unexpected death of the king’s true daughter, he is now heir to the throne of Pellannor.”
