by M D Baker
Reynold walked beside me as we climbed the stairs, our footfalls echoing softly while his eyes swept the hallways for any sign of danger. Despite the apparent safety of the palace, we both knew better than to grow complacent. As Reynold stood guard outside the doorway, I entered the chambers that were reserved for our meeting with my Shield wrapped tightly in place.
Bright slivers of light shining in from the room’s tall windows played across a map spread out on the conference table. As I approached, I could see that the parchment depicted the entire Kingdom of Farren, with no boundaries other than its external borders defined. Errind offered a welcoming smile and gestured towards a chair’s soft cushions, only serving to heighten my unease as I took a seat.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Countess,” he began, studiously observing the formalities for such an occasion.
“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.”
“Now that we’re done with that, let’s get down to business,” he replied, rising from his seat to stand over the table.
“The Duchess owned two separate tracts of land, one in the east and another further south along the banks of The Eld.” He gestured towards the river, indicating the second region.
From what I knew, the soil there was rich, including productive vineyards that supplied a bounty for those who held title to its lands. Picking almost anything there would guarantee me a lifetime of comfort, yet I couldn’t ignore how Errind had maneuvered me in that direction.
“And what of her lands in the east?”
He tried to evade my question, leaving his fingers splayed over the parchment. “The southern parcel is large enough to divide into three very generous districts.”
“You’re only making me more curious,” I replied, letting him know that his effort at distraction had failed.
“They encompass the lands around the river crossing, Countess,” he finally relented. “Directly adjacent to The Blackwood, I’m afraid.”
In contrast to the distant southern region, that was an area I knew quite well. Although there were no vineyards to speak of, its broad fields grew a multitude of crops, and the income those generated was bolstered by trade with both Hamar and Raska. Errind’s reason for hesitating to disclose the location was quite obvious, but rather than finding any distaste at the prospect, I found the notion of the shared border… intriguing.
“Tell me more.” I hovered over the map, focusing on the faint lines denoting the bridge over the Stillwater as Errind relayed the details.
While the King’s soldiers maintained the garrison at the crossing, the district’s affairs were tended to from a large, fortified manor house. Although few goods flowed across the river into Cyndhar, its proximity to all three neighboring nations made the county both prosperous and a key to Farren’s defenses. There was a certain allure to overseeing such a pivotal region, and it proved to be a challenge I couldn’t resist.
Errind attempted to dissuade me one last time. “Are you sure, Countess?”
“It’s as close to home as I’ll ever get,” I replied, surprisingly at ease with the compromise.
Epilogue
The task of organizing my new home dragged on for many months. Fortunately, careful vetting of the staff Surellia left behind failed to unmask any additional traitors, and I was able to devote my full attention to guaranteeing that my new lands were secure. The Duchess’ former chamberlain proved to be a capable administrator, freeing up a great deal of my time so I could attend to more critical affairs.
In addition to gaining my new title as the Countess of Stillwater, I’d been granted a portion of Surellia’s wealth as well, a special bonus for my role in her demise that was not extended to the other Unlanded. The fortune allowed me to keep my small estate in Oldbridge for the many occasions where my presence before the Crown might be required. As the ruler of such a critical district, Errind assured me this would be a frequent occurrence, and I’d learned to heed the man’s advice when he chose to offer it.
Surellia’s gold wasn’t the only boost to my fortunes. After a series of cautious negotiations, I began sending heavily laden caravans of produce over the border into Cyndhar, rescuing Tayson and his people from the threat of starvation. Although my profits were slim, the gesture held more than one purpose. Lessening the tension between our kingdoms was far more important than any pile of silver I might amass.
Our contacts weren’t limited to matters of trade and diplomacy, however. Although my responsibilities kept me at home, Tayson’s frequent letters expressed his desire to visit my new estate. I would’ve gladly extended a formal invitation but had yet to make the offer, a reluctance that was due to more than just my hectic schedule. Although I’d failed to notice at the time, Tayson had made his intentions clear enough. With the most pressing troubles behind me, I’d had the opportunity to reflect upon things, and I came to an uncomfortable realization.
I cared for him as well.
The thought should’ve comforted me, but I shuddered with the understanding instead. Though I loathed them, I’d been taught to navigate among the guile and duplicity of Oldbridge’s nobility. The thought of treading into the unknown depths of… love was absolutely terrifying. Valda had neither the time nor opportunity to prepare me for anything like this, and my observations had only revealed the bare surfaces of what courtship entailed. From what little I could tell, emotions played no role in such affairs; marriages were a means to advance mutual goals and fortunes, nothing more. What love might come from them was a matter of chance, or perhaps gradually cultivated after many years—it certainly wasn’t the spark that drew couples together. Such frivolity was a luxury only allowed to those who had little to lose, a precious gift the wealthy couldn’t afford.
Despite my terror, I recognized the value in at least testing those dark waters. Knowing that I could trust Tayson eased the greatest of my concerns, and having the cover of practicality to hide behind should things run astray pushed me the rest of the way forward. Although the prestige of my current holdings was somewhat superior to his, aside from the fact that his lands lay within the borders of Cyndhar, Tayson was an extremely logical match. With the common interests that were inherent with such proximity, neighbors often made the best alliances. Many fortunes had been improved by uniting two separate households into one, and no one would fault me for entertaining the possibility.
Beyond my own inclinations were the subtle encouragements I received from Errind. From the thinly veiled hints in his correspondence, I was able to infer that the King himself was hopeful that something might develop between Tayson and me, though he wasn’t quite so crass as to pressure me openly. While I’d put an end to Surellia’s scheming, there was still a great deal of tension between the two kingdoms—friction that might be eased a great deal by a cross-border marriage.
In contrast to the more emotional aspects, my role in that endeavor was a bit more familiar. I found it far easier to confine my thoughts to what others stood to lose or gain rather than contemplating my own vulnerabilities.
Eventually, I ran out of excuses to delay our meeting and was backed into accepting Tayson’s invitation to share lunch in a clearing beside the river. His only condition was that I allow him a day to prepare the site, with some odd reference to a welcoming gift he had to offer. Although the circumstances were a bit strange, the practice of providing such a token wasn’t unusual, so I accepted.
I’d been chased by entire armies and defeated one of the most powerful sorceresses of my generation, but the few days I had to wait were the most nerve-wracking of my entire life. The short ride towards the location Tayson had chosen for our first meeting was only a few miles away, but it seemed to both drag on for an eternity while lasting only an instant.
My mind had wandered down a myriad of paths, and I’d allowed my horse to simply follow along while Reynold led my small escort. Looking up from the reins I’d been clutching between my fingers, I saw a copse of young saplings freshly planted along the rive
rbank. A cold shiver trickled down my spine as my foot hit the ground, and I shuffled forward slowly with my feet almost dragging across the churned surface of the earth.
I fought to restrain my emotions as I practically stumbled towards the tiny thicket. “It’s… the Blackwood.”
Although I could see him waiting for me within the small stand of trees, I paused at the fringes to run my fingers along the bark of the first one I came to. Its rough surface was all too familiar, and even the magic tasted different here; hints of the forest brought back memories of the first time I’d experienced its flow. The gift Tayson offered was no simple courtship token or thoughtful gesture—there was a far greater intention beneath its surface. My actions might’ve restored my standing, but it was Tayson who’d given me back my home.
“I thought you should have at least a portion of the Blackwood on this side of the river.” He rose in greeting when I finally made my way to the tiny clearing where a small table had been arranged.
“Thank you,” I replied, not trusting my voice to hold steady for more than those two words.
I took the seat Tayson offered, seizing the opportunity to compose myself while he filled a pair of crystal flutes with dark, red wine. Casting Push, I guided one into my hand, steadying my nerves with a deep sip.
He smiled, finally dropping into the chair opposite me. “I’m not sure that I’ll ever get used to that.”
“There’s not much point in pursuing this any further if you can’t,” I replied, recovering enough to infuse my words with a thin trace of mischief.
“You know me better than that, Countess,” he responded, whispering my title so warmly that he might as well have said ‘my love.’
His directness left me off balance, yet also managed to put me at ease. Tayson’s words might’ve lacked the verbal traps and snares I was accustomed to disarming, but there was an entirely different sort of danger hidden within them, one I knew little about. Swallowing another mouthful of wine before setting the glass aside, I realized Tayson wasn’t the only one who’d have to learn to embrace the unfamiliar.
I abandoned any pretense of decorum, adopting Tayson’s more straightforward approach. “Say it. Tell me your intentions.”
“You already have my heart, Amarrah,” he replied, openly declaring his true feelings. “I only ask for your hand in return.”
As he spoke, Tayson withdrew a simple wooden box from his vest pocket, spilling out the contents on the table between us. A pair of polished gray bands rolled to a stop, falling to lay against the crisp, white cloth.
“Courtship rings,” he explained as I stared at the strange objects. “The iron comes from the oldest mine in Cyndhar and has been worked by our most skilled artisans.”
“Once accepted, they are never to be removed,” he continued. “The thin layer protecting them will gradually wear away, and we have until the first signs of rust begin to show to decide whether or not our commitment will be a permanent one.”
“So, it’s a race?” I inquired with a skeptical glance as I picked up the larger of the two. “You have until then to prove your worth?”
“I’d hoped it wouldn’t come to that.” Tayson’s hand strayed towards his glass as he took a rather large gulp of wine.
I had no need to test his mettle—so to speak—but my old habits were proving a bit difficult to overcome. While I might make him wait a while, I’d already made up my mind; the rest would just be a series of formalities. Reaching across the table, I took hold of Tayson’s hand, grasping his fingers between mine.
The gesture had been intended as one of reassurance, but the contact sparked a series of incredibly vivid images, a foretelling of sorts not unlike the sorceresses’ intuition I’d experienced on occasion. But this was far more powerful than any of those, and it came with a clarity that was beyond those vague premonitions. What I was shown was a fate neither of us could avoid.
Two crowns mirrored the rings on the table before me, coming together to unify a single kingdom. While the ending was already set in stone, more than one path led to it—the first being one of harmony and peace, while the other was drenched in blood. One of the golden crowns lay in a muddy puddle along the second road, and though I couldn’t see who’d worn it, I knew they’d been slain by the other.
The vision made it clear that our union would do more than just forge the first tenuous link between Farren and Cyndhar; it would set in motion the inevitable joining of those kingdoms. While the details and even our roles in those events were uncertain, that much was perfectly clear. Having endured its hardships, war wasn’t something I looked forward to, but the hope of a peaceful resolution was more than I could resist. Not that I was being given a choice. The foretelling was only a warning to prepare for what was to come, not an opportunity for us to avoid our fate.
The images faded just as rapidly as they’d flashed through my mind, leaving me holding on to Tayson’s warm hand. Although my future remained murky and undefined and not all my choices would be my own, this moment was still mine, and I seized it, knowing there would only be a precious few like it to follow. Once I’d slipped the larger of the bands around Tayson’s finger, he repeated the gesture when I reached out to offer him my hand.
“I’ll try not to make things too difficult for you.” I smiled, wondering if I’d be able to keep my promise; or if I even wanted to.
He laughed, reading me all too clearly. “Where’s the fun in that?”
I toyed with the shiny metal band while we talked for hours, twirling it in place around my finger. Exchanging the simple rings washed away the tension between us, or perhaps it was only my reluctance that had been overcome.
Although the supposed pretext of our lunch was to get to know each other, as our conversation went on, I discovered that I already understood Tayson almost as well as I knew myself. Unlike so many others, he surrounded himself with no airs or false pretenses. There was no need to search for the love that would grow between us. It was already there. Like the freshly planted forest around us, its roots were beginning to take hold, and they would only strengthen and run deeper over the years to come.
We spoke of everything and even nothing at times, savoring each other’s words as the walls between us crumbled into dust. Only the growing darkness tore us apart, and Tayson’s gentle parting kiss lingered on my cheek as I rode home; my mind diverted by pleasant thoughts this time.
There was only a single blemish on the entire evening: the foreboding images of the future and what it held in store. Despite how much I already cared for and even loved him, as our conversation wandered from topic to topic, I’d kept the secret of Korrine’s magic to myself. Although I’d spoken freely about the subject in general, I couldn’t escape the ominous notion that those talents needed to remain hidden, even from my future husband.
Perhaps that was the way it should be. The powers I’d gained were nearly limitless, and in the wrong hands, they could inflict harm almost beyond imagining. Entrusting them to anyone save my own flesh and blood was a risk I couldn’t afford, nor was it worth gambling the lives of so many innocent people on the whims of a stranger. The thought of someone like Surellia having access to that knowledge was enough to persuade me that it was something I could only share with those who’d been trained from birth to wield its awesome power.
That had likely been my mother’s intention, but I’d been robbed of her guidance and wisdom; a cruel fate I wouldn’t allow my children to suffer. Staring at the shiny band around my finger, I rubbed at the finish, wearing it away in an effort to hasten the time when I could replace it with something more fitting—bright silver or perhaps even gold.
Unlike the disturbing images of my vision, I welcomed the other inevitabilities I saw in my future. Tayson was everything I could’ve hoped for and more, and I gave up pretending to resist the deep feelings I had for him. Somehow the two of us were the key to bringing lasting peace to our kingdoms, a gift that might spare countless lives, including our own children. W
ith Tayson’s skill at arms and my magic, we’d prepare them to face any challenge, but I hoped those talents would never be put to the test.
Those were not the sort of thoughts I wanted to end the evening on, however, and I banished any notion of the difficulties ahead as we crossed through the gates of my manor. Turning my attention towards the details of a betrothal feast was far more pleasant, and I allowed myself to bask in only happiness for a while.
“I see things went well.” Jaine’s lopsided grin practically begged for details as she helped me out of my light overcoat.
“Come.” I took her by the hand, flashing the ring around my finger as I dragged her towards the seclusion of my study. “Help me figure out how to tarnish this, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Thank You!
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