Altered Destinies- Earth Reborn

by Yvonne Hertzberger

  Two guards guided her into the private audience chamber and left, closing the door behind them after admitting Nurias.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A DECISION

  It was Nurias who took Phaera gently by her arms and led her across the chamber to Lord Danza’s side. While against protocol in such audiences, he accepted Phaera’s hand from Nurias and pulled her into a long, firm embrace.

  The silence in the chamber remained unbroken for some time as Lord Makin, Bain, and Nurias stood aside and waited. While the room had comfortable chairs in it no one sat. The very air felt pregnant with doom and pain.

  Lord Danza stroked Phaera’s hair and rocked her slightly. After several minutes tears began to slip down Phaera’s cheeks and she managed to look up at her father.

  “I made Kort tell me all. Such horror…”

  “All?”

  Phaera nodded. “Even Mathune’s threat against me.” She accepted the handkerchief her father offered, and dried her eyes before stepping back, once more in control though clearly still stricken.

  The only one who looked puzzled was Nurias. Lord Makin filled her in, leaving out the scene Kort had described to Phaera, but including the declaration that Phaera would be Mathune’s.

  Bain’s chest went tight when he saw Phaera’s face and knew she must have extracted the full details from Kort. So like her not to shy away from it, no matter how terrible. It had been hard for him not to step forward when she entered the room and try to comfort her. He was grateful to his mother, and even more to Lord Danza, that they had broken protocol and done what he could not. The sight of her looking so wounded, without the mantle of strength she always wore, melted all the anger and doubt he had about being able to care for her. He clenched his fists behind his back and forced himself to remain silent. I must not shame her. She must not think I see her as weak. He did not see her as weak at all, but knew that was how she would take it if he tried to offer words of comfort.

  He pulled his attention back to Lord Makin who began to speak.

  “Friends, we are now at war. There is no other way to see it. Mathune must be stopped, however that can be done.” He looked at Lord Danza. “That makes our alliance more important than ever. It must remain unassailable.”

  “Indeed.” Lord Danza spoke now. “The threat to the safety of both our lands is real and immediate. And you and I are agreed on what must be done.”

  Lord Makin turned and faced Bain, and Nurias who stood a step behind him. “My son, there is no place for pride in what must be done.”

  Then Lord Danza turned to Phaera and stood formally facing her. “My daughter, you, too, must let go of pride and do what must be done.”

  The speech must have been rehearsed and agreed upon by the two lords, they were so similar.

  Lord Makin continued. “Even before our hands were forced Lord Danza and I agreed that a match between our children would be a good one. Politically yes, but also personally. We had hoped that you would come to the same conclusion without pressure or the threat of war. There is no longer time to wait for that.” He turned again to Bain. “My son, will you accept that this marriage must take place, and that it must happen immediately?”

  Bain looked at Phaera but could not read her expression. I swear, my love, that I will strive to make you content. Aloud, turning back to his father, he said, “I do my Lord, and I swear to do all I can to give Lady Phaera the life she deserves.”

  Lord Makin gave him a curt, satisfied nod and stepped back.

  Now Lord Danza stood in front of Phaera. “Daughter of my heart.”

  The endearment was most irregular in such formal circumstances but Bain was pleased to hear it, and to see the softness in Lord Danza’s eyes as he faced Phaera. Is he pleading with her or offering comfort? No, he has taken her hand. It must be comfort – or grief. He paid close attention as Lord Danza continued.

  “My ability to protect you and to allow you the freedom that has made you so happy has ended. I know you see it as well.” Bain could hear the anguish in his voice as he went on.

  “Daughter of my heart, Phaera, will you accept that this marriage is your duty? Will you agree to marry Lord Bain, trusting that I believe this to be a good match and that it is the best way I can think of to keep you safe?”

  Bain thought he saw tears threaten Phaera again, but she took a deep breath and drew herself to her full height, straight and proud. How magnificent she is, even in this. Such courage.

  With only a slight quaver in her voice Phaera answered, “I will my lord, and will do what is necessary to strengthen the safety and future of our peoples.”

  Lord Danza sent her a grateful smile. “I never doubted it.”

  To Bain’s surprise his father reached into a small leather sac tied to his belt, pulled out a ring he had not seen before and handed it to him. “My father presented this to my mother at their betrothal. I would have wished this might be done in a more joyful way. I trust you know what to do.”

  Bain looked at the jewel in his hand. The gold work was intricate without being too ornate. A stone of many colours, from the Great Conflagration – the traditional symbol for unity. “Thank you, Father.”

  Bain looked across at Phaera. Does she agree merely out of duty? I cannot read her. She is still so pale. He took the three steps that brought him in front of her and knelt on one knee. “Lady Phaera, lady of my heart, though I dare not speak it, will you accept this token of our troth and wear it as a symbol of that pledge?”

  “Lord Bain, I accept this token and will wear it in honour of that pledge.” Phaera lifted her hand to Bain and allowed him to place the ring on her third finger and then touch it to his lips. “Please rise, my lord.”

  Her voice is strong. May I be worthy of her. Bain rose, made a deep bow to Phaera, and stepped back to his place in front of Nurias, who, he could not help but notice, looked proud and pleased.

  Lord Danza stepped forward and shook his hand. “Congratulations, Lord Bain.”

  Lord Makin stepped over to Phaera and bowed over her hand, brushing his lips to her fingers. “Congratulations, Lady Phaera.”

  Lord Makin went to the door of the chamber and opened it. Lady Flor waited there in the hall holding Phaera’s blue gown. Beside her stood an official, dressed in his robes of office. “Please, come in, Lady Flor.” He nodded to the priest. “I will call for you when we are ready.”

  Lady Flor moved confidently to the rear of the chamber, where she pulled back a heavy drapery to reveal a small door. “Please, Phaera and Nurias, come in.”

  Nurias took Phaera gently by the elbow and led her into the hidden chamber, closing the door behind them.

  Lord Makin opened the outer door again and spoke to the guard who stood there. “Please locate Kort and have him attend us here. I believe you will find him in the kitchens, where I have ordered him to wait. He must make haste.”

  Bain raised his eyebrows in question at this father.

  “I am aware of young Kort’s role as your informant, Bain – and I approve. Now we need him again.”

  “You trust him, then, my lord?” Bain’s mouth went dry as he as spoke the words.

  “You trust him. And he has shown his loyalty. That is enough. We need him.”

  A knock on the door stopped further discussion. Lord Makin opened it to admit Kort, still looking pale and shaken.

  “How may I serve you, my lords.”

  Lord Danza reached out to shake his hand. “We owe you a great debt, Master Kort – one I hope one day to be able to repay.” He hesitated before continuing. “But first we require your services again. May we rely on you?”

  “You may. I have prepared myself, my lord. I expected it when you had me remain. What would you have me do?”

  “Are you loyal only to Bain or will you swear allegiance to myself as well?”

  “You have my oath, Lord Danza. I will do whatever I must to bring this demon to justice.”

  “Good.” Lord Danza looked at Lord Makin,
then at Bain and back to Kort. “We three are all agreed that we must ally closely together to protect our lands and our peoples.”

  Lord Makin spoke up. “We need as much information about the actions and intentions of Mathune as possible so that we may set our defenses in place and plan our strategies.”

  “I understand, my lords.”

  Bain broke in. “My friend, you have seen such horror. I would that you might take some rest. But our need is too great. Can you do this? Have you the strength?” Do they understand how deeply Kort suffers from the loss of his lover?

  Kort seemed to understand the concern behind the question, as his rigid stance softened and he managed a weak smile for Bain. “I will not seek revenge until we have defeated this monster. I know the danger in carelessness driven by rage. And I know I will be useless dead.”” He brought himself to attention, faced the two elder men and bowed. “Command me, my lords.”

  “You must leave immediately. We need two things.” Lord Danza spoke first. “You must let as many as possible know, without leaving your identity exposed more than necessary, that the Lady Phaera has wed Lord Bain and that she now resides with him in Marston.”

  Kort met Bain’s eyes and gave him a broad smile, almost his old self. “Then my efforts have not been in vain. Congratulations, Lord Bain.”

  Bain could not help but return the smile. “It would not have been possible without you, my friend. I will be forever grateful.”

  Lord Makin raised an eyebrow in question but did not pursue it, turning back to Kort. “Your second order is to find out as much as you can about the plans and actions of Mathune and his followers. I fear he may already have spies and assassins travelling throughout the lands. You have provided us with much needed news but we need more – much more.”

  Lord Danza now spoke. “I return to Kinterron at dawn tomorrow. I leave it you as to how you will get information to both Lord Makin and myself. Recruit whomever you trust.”

  So, he means he will accept Kort’s circle of friends as informants. That bodes well.

  Lord Makin gave a grave nod. “But we need to keep your identities as safe as possible. Messages must not be written down lest they be intercepted. They must be spoken only.”

  Kort had gained some colour during the audience. Now he bowed deeply to each man in turn, ending with Bain. “I am sworn to your service and am ready to leave.”

  Lord Makin went to open the door. As Kort made to exit Bain called after him, “Be safe my friend, be safe.”

  Kort turned and waved over his shoulder, a small, hesitant smile sketching his lips. Then he was gone and the door closed behind him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  A MARRIAGE

  Lady Flor placed the gown on a chair next to a small table at one side of the antechamber, upon which stood thee mugs. On the other side, near the wall, stood a small brazier on which a large pot of tea stood keeping hot.

  Lady Flor turned to Phaera taking both her hands in hers. “My dear, I can only imagine how overwhelming all this must be.” She let go one hand and drew Phaera to a vacant chair, pressing her into it. “I believe we may take time for a calming tea before we prepare you for the marriage ceremony.” She indicated the gown with one hand. “Bain has told me how much he admired you in that gown. I thought it more fitting to the occasion than your healer shift.”

  She hesitated a moment, as though not sure what to say. But she nodded, as if to herself. “Phaera, as you know I have no son of my own. It is a life-long regret. But when Lord Makin legitimized Bain and brought him here to train him as his heir I have come to see what an honorable and intelligent man he is. I have grown fond of him. While I cannot be his mother,” she turned to smile at Nurias, then back to Phaera, “I hope you understand that I wish the best for him – and for you. You may rely on me to do what I can to see to the success of this union.”

  Nurias handed Phaera the mug of steaming tea she had poured as Lady Flor spoke. “We have all been dealt a shock.” She poured two more mugs and handed one to Lady Flor before lowering herself into a vacant chair, setting the mug back on the table as she did so. She reached over to pat Phaera’s hand. Taking it and rubbing it between her own two she said, “You are cold. Drink your tea and let me prepare a plate of bread and cheese for you.”

  “Already done, Nurias. Here.” Lady Flor handed Nurias a small pewter plate. Nurias broke off a piece of bread and small bit of cheese and lifted it to Phaera’s mouth. “Here, child. I know you think you cannot swallow it but you will be surprised. And it will help. I promise.”

  Still numb, Phaera accepted the mothering from the two women in silence. Once she had finished both the small repast and her tea she found she did indeed feel better.

  Lady Flor rose, shook out the gown and held it up. “Come, we have dallied long enough. We will help you dress.”

  Phaera rose obediently. Once she was dressed the two women stood back to admire her.

  “Bain is a fortunate man, do you not agree, Nurias?”

  “I do, Lady Flor, and we are both fortunate as well. This will prove a happy match. I feel it. And Phaera, I know that this is what Bain has wished from the beginning. He loves you.”

  Lady Flor grew serious. “My dear, this is not the wedding we all envisioned, to be sure. Would that this could be a more celebratory occasion, and that you had been more prepared.”

  Phaera found her voice. “I care nothing for ceremony. I am ready. And I am grateful to you both.”

  Lady Flor went to the door and knocked. It was opened by Lord Makin. He looked Phaera up and down in appreciation. “I have never seen a more beautiful bride. Come.”

  Phaera heard a sound across the chamber and saw Lord Danza open the outer door where the official stood waiting. Behind him stood a scribe holding a formal looking scroll, a quill pen, and an inkwell.

  Lady Flor went to stand beside Lord Makin. Nurias led Phaera to stand beside Bain, who waited between each lord, and helped her turn to stand beside Bain. Then she took her place on Lord Danza’s other side as he indicated she should. It was the place her mother would have taken. Phaera appreciated the honour this gesture represented for Nurias.

  While she stood and listened, as duty expected her to, much of what the official droned did not register. It was just another ceremony, another lecture about duty, another repetition of the tale of the Great Conflagration, the Long Darkness and the Renewal. The only point at which she paid close attention was when Bain took her hands, looked into her eyes, and repeated his vows. His face held so many emotions she could not read them all; pride, eagerness, anxiety – even concern for her, she thought. She kept her voice strong as she repeated her side of the vows. Strange. I feel more at peace now than I have in many months. Is this what I have wanted? Have I been fooling myself? Or is it only relief that the decision is out of my hands?

  She paid more attention, however when it came time for all to sign the scroll, first Bain, then herself, both lords, Lady Flor - even Nurias added her mark as official witness. This was repeated three times. One scroll would remain in safekeeping at the castle, one with the official and the third would go with Lord Danza to Kinterron. Thus, if one or even two documents were destroyed there would still be another to witness the union. No one would be able to deny it.

  When the official and scribe had gone, and the group found themselves alone together again, the air seemed lighter, as though a heavy cloud had been lifted. Lord Makin and Lord Danza shook hands with Bain and clapped him on the back in congratulation. Lady Flor and Nurias embraced him. Phaera, in her turn, was embraced warmly by all four elders. They shared a glass of mead from a bottle and glasses that appeared from behind a chair in a corner.

  Soon, however, Nurias announced that she must leave as she wished to attend the new mother and see how she fared.

  “I will send guards with you, Nurias.” Lord Makin interrupted her. “I no longer believe it is safe for you to travel on your own. You are now not merely an unknown healer and we
find ourselves in dangerous times. If you were to be captured it would compromise our ability to oppose Mathune effectively.”

  Nurias looked about to protest, then, seeing the concern on Bain’s face, relented. “Very well, though they may not enter my cabin or apothecary and must keep a distance when I approach those who need my care.” She sighed deeply. “I do hope this business is over quickly as I do not relish a future in which I cannot move about freely to do my work.”

  As soon as she had gone Lord Danza announced, “I fear I must leave by first light. I must see to my men.” He embraced Phaera once more. “I will see you, daughter of my heart, before I ride out. I cannot tell you how proud you have made me today. Or how much I shall miss you. But you will be safer here and that gives me some comfort.” He examined her face. “You must try to get some rest, ere you fall down from fatigue.”

  Bain, standing at Phaera’s side assured him, “I will see to it, Lord Danza. You have left her in good hands.”

  “I do not doubt it. I know of none better.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  IT IS DONE

  Lady Flor took charge of Phaera as soon as Lord Danza left, whisking her to her chamber for some rest before the evening’s banquet, only a few hours away. “Bain, your lady must have some rest. You may claim her tonight.”

  Bain nodded his understanding. “We have our whole lives, Milady.”

  Addressing Phaera she said, “My dear, I regret that this banquet must serve as a celebration of your union. Else I would have excused you from attending.”

  “I understand, Milady.”

  Lady Flor waved the maid Riya away. “I will attend to Lady Phaera.” She soon had the gown off, replaced by a night shift, and pressed Phaera onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her. “Try to rest now. I will return to wake you in time to dress.” With that she placed a light kiss onto Phaera’s cheek and slipped out of the chamber.