Landis was not sure of what was going on. “You want me to steal your sword?” He asked.
“That is the only way that Jordan and I can think of for you to get it without me violating the command that Thenamin and the Elders gave me.”
“And it would brandish me as a thief.” Landis reminded her.
“That: and the scoundrel who dishonored the Queen by sleeping with her and steeling her valuable sword afterwards.” She added.
“Not quite the heroic standards my parents had hoped for.” Landis answered, feeling ill at ease with how comfortable he was with holding Petra in his arms.
Petra became serious, “Landis, we must pretend that this is real. Your father has convinced me that Seebaul is right; that you need to take the sword. So play along and steal it from me. I will discover what happened and report it later today. That way I will be covered. Jordan will verify my account, and he and Trevor can tell what happened between us on the Smuggler’s Road. I will be just another fool hearted, love-sick girl who did something stupid. The Elders will probably know the truth but they will not be able to prove anything. Trevor already knows and he and Jordan are going to do their best to help cover for me. What are they going to do, fire me? Once this is all done I will pardon you. Believe me, very few will know about it anyways. Do you think that the Elders will reveal the news that the sword was stolen by a half-elf who was having sex with the Queen?”
Landis reluctantly released his hold on her and unfastened his belt then hung it up beside Petra’s sword belt. “It does sound like a workable plan to me. At least it will get me out of town before anyone realizes what happened.”
“Turn around.” He told her.
“Why?”
“So you will not have to lie when asked if you saw me switch the swords.”
Petra turned around and Landis pulled the two swords out of the sheaths and switched them. The sword of Alexon was a few inches longer than Landis’ sword. He managed to secure it into his sheath without it protruding too far. He would have to stitch some leather around the top of the sheath to hold it more securely when they made camp for the night. “You will have to cover the hilt with your coat when you leave,” He instructed Petra, “otherwise someone might see the hilt and discover the switch.”
The Queen ran to him, embracing him once more. They stood together in silence holding on to one another, both thinking about what might have been.
* * * * *
“Where is Landis?” Jareel’s voice bellowed from outside of the stables where he waited with the others. “Are we planning to leave before spring or what?”
Landis arose from the pile of hay that he and Petra had been sitting in. “It looks as if I have been missed.” He said with a sheepish grin.
Petra put a couple of pieces of straw into her hair, ruffling her skirt as she stood. “I want to make it look like we really were rolling in the hay.” She said, “Imagine, most girls try to lie to save their reputation, and here I am trying to pretend that I have done something to sully mine.”
“You truly are a remarkable woman.” Landis told her. “Look, Petra, about what happened between us...”
The Queen pulled Landis close to her once more. “Say no more, Landis. I understand your reasons and I will not make this any harder on you than it already is.” She let go, then reached down to pick up Landis’ cloak, handing it to him she added. “Just promise me that you will take care of yourself, and take care of the sword. Bring it back, or send it back to me when you are finished. I will treasure everything that we shared and will continue to treasure our friendship. Now go before someone gets suspicious.”
Landis fastened his sword belt—now holding the Sword of Alexon—around his waist and then put on his cloak, making sure that the pommel did not stick out from beneath the cloak. “Thank you, Petra.” He said before turning and walking away.
Landis hurried to his horse as the others sat on their own mounts waiting for him. He did not look at Jordan, Trevor or Thenamin as he rushed to join his riding companions. “It is about time.” Jaylen said to his son as Landis swung into his saddle. “Now let us get riding before we waste any more sunlight.”
They rode out into the street and towards the gate. Landis felt as if every eye was watching him as he rode through the city with what amounted to a priceless, stolen artifact at his side. Seebaul rode up alongside of him, laughing softly in that same childlike manner that Landis had heard so often. “I knew you would get it, I knew you would.” He said as they trotted on.
* * * * *
Petra watched silently from the doorway of the stables as Landis and the others left. She had Landis’ sword hanging at her side, covering it with her coat as she continued to watch after him. “Farewell, my dear Landis. May you find happiness somewhere out there.” Petra choked back the tears as she spoke.
“Are you well, Petra?” Jordan asked as he came to join her.
“Yes, I will be fine.” She replied, “It worked, Jordan. How did things go outside?”
“Trevor told Thenamin about what happened between you and Landis on the Smuggler’s Road. Let’s just say that your protector was not very pleased that the Queen was throwing herself at a half-elf. He took solace in the fact that at least Landis is a prince. But he plans to speak with you about this later.”
Petra looked over to where Thenamin stood with Trevor Kahn. “Well, I assume that Trevor knows the truth. That nothing really happened in here between me and Landis.”
“Trevor has played his part well.” Jordan told her.
“Good. Now let’s go get something to eat.” Petra said, placing her hand over her stomach. “All of this has made me feel weak.”
Jordan observed that Petra’s face was pale and her eyes hazy. “Petra, what is wrong?”
Petra leaned against the wall and began vomiting. She was unable to hold herself upright and dropped to her knees. “Something is wrong with Petra!” Jordan shouted. Trevor and Thenamin rushed to her side. “What is it?” Trevor asked, seeing the Queen’s condition.
“Watch her,” Thenamin ordered as he began to run to the castle, “I will summon the healers!”
Chapter 37
“What do you mean he stole the sword?” Knight-Elder Boothe demanded of the Queen. Petra sat beside Jordan at the table in her chambers, attempting to explain that she had discovered that the Sword of Alexon was missing, and, being very cautious not to permit any discrepancies in her story, gave evidence to the truth. After collapsing in the stable yard, she had been taken to her room to be examined and treated by a cleric gifted in the arts of medicine. By the time she had finished a small crowd of Elders and members of Petra’s court were already waiting out in the hall for news. All they got in response to their questions from the cleric—a stoop shouldered, white haired, older woman named Suzanne—was “She is well, but is to be left alone to rest.”
Petra used as much of the time as she dared, before pretending to make the discovery that her sword was not the sword in her sheath. She reported the news at once and now she sat before four of the Elders, including Knight-Elder Boothe and the ever present Joth. Thenamin Sergius and Trevor Kahn were also present. “I do not know when it happened. I had the sword this morning, but when I got out of bed this afternoon, after resting as Suzanne insisted, I discovered that another sword was in my sheath.”
“I saw Landis meeting with you in the stables.” Thenamin said. “Either you gave it to him or he stole it.”
Petra did her best to stare down her Regent, “I did not give anyone my sword.”
Trevor Kahn came to the aide of his Queen. “Landis must have switched the swords.”
“But how could he have switched swords without your knowing?” Joth asked her.
Petra lowered her head; she did not need to pretend to blush.
“I believe that we do not need to make her answer that question.” Trevor intervened.
“That is true,” Thenamin added, “from what I know, they had a bit of a
relationship. Not uncommon, considering everything that she has been through. I believe that it is very possible for Landis to have switched swords with everything that may have gone on in the stables.” Thenamin was upset but he did not want Petra to face any unnecessary embarrassment.
“What are we going to do about Landis?” Boothe asked.
Joth was looking at Petra, he was not writing any of this down, which was uncharacteristic for the Chairman of the Elders. Apparently he did not want anything of what had transpired between Petra and Landis to be on record. He looked away from Petra to lessen her embarrassment. “Technically he is guilty of theft and dishonoring the Queen.”
“I will not permit him to be accused of that.” Petra spoke defiantly. “I am the one who threw myself at him at all times.”
Joth’s voice softened. “I was speaking hypothetically, Queen Petra. I would not wish to have anything done to harm Landis either. He has always been an upright and honorable young man.”
“You call this upright and honorable?” Boothe questioned Joth.
The old man looked at the Knight-Elder knowingly, “I am sure that you had your share of indiscretions when you were a young man.”
Boothe kept his mouth shut. It appeared that Joth knew something that Boothe did not want to be brought up. Trevor Kahn spoke up. “Look, Landis could have taken the sword anytime after leaving Sedau. He delivered it to Petra as instructed. I am certain that he believes that having it is absolutely necessary for their mission or he would not have done this. He probably believes that Petra will not even notice it missing and that he will be able to return it as soon as he is finished.”
“Are we certain that someone else did not steal it while the Queen was ill?” One of the other Elders asked.
“I do not see how?” Thenamin answered, “Someone was with her until she was taken to her quarters. And we would have seen someone carry it out. It has to be Landis.”
“I will send word to the Garrison at Aeth, and to Birhirm to see if they can locate Landis and take the sword from him.” Knight-Elder Boothe advised.
“I will not permit you to arrest him.” Petra insisted, “This mission is too vital.”
“I agree.” Thenamin said. “If we can locate Landis, then we will have him surrender the sword and continue on. If we cannot reach him in time, then we will try to catch him on the return trip and see to it that it is returned. I would suggest that we do not need to make this matter public.”
Everyone continued to talk, ignoring Petra as she sat there. Jordan slipped his hand to her beneath the table and she willingly took it into her own, thankful for his support. Finally the meeting ended and Petra was grateful to be able to depart and return to her own room. Jordan walked with her and she invited him to come and sit with her for a while. Jordan, as always, was happy to comply.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad.” Jordan told her as they took their seats.
“Maybe not for you, but I have to face those men every day until I get that sword back.”
“At least Trevor is on your side. And Joth does not seem to be that upset. What can they do? You are the Queen after all. It is too late to change that.”
“I really do not feel like a Queen. I just cannot imagine my grandfather getting into such a predicament. Or even my father for that matter.”
Petra began staring off into space at the thought of her father. She really did miss him. “I am so thankful for all you have done, Jordan. You have really been there for me throughout all of this.”
“I just wish there was more that I can do.”
Petra laughed for the first time that evening. “More, let’s see, you helped to rescue me from two men who meant to rape and kill me in Chio. You cut an arrow meant for me out of the air with your sword. Then you took two arrows in the back that should have struck me. And those are just the obvious things that you have done. And now you have become perhaps my closest friend and confidant, and co-conspirator in the theft of the most legendary artifact in the Westland. We might need to be careful as I have already heard rumors about us.”
“I’m not complaining.” Jordan responded. He was happy to be with Petra. And having found favor in her eyes was the most that he could ask for. “Are you feeling better?” He asked, noticing that the rosy color was beginning to return to her cheeks.
“I believe so,” The Queen answered.
“I overheard someone saying that there is a concern that you could be suffering from side effects from the magic of the Sword of Alexon. Perhaps now that you no longer have the sword the magic is dissipating and making you sick.” Jordan told her.
“Joth told me the same thing, but Suzanne said that the sword has nothing to do with this.” Petra continued looking off absently.
“What else is bothering you?” He asked.
Petra blinked. “Wh-Oh. I am sorry, Jordan. I was just thinking about something.”
“About Landis?” There, he had finally done it. “I know that what you did this morning was all an act for him to get the sword. But are you still in love with him?”
Petra’s eyes locked with his. “I do not know for sure. I was in love with him. And I do still love him. But I do not think that my feelings are what they were before I returned home. To be honest, I am rather confused about how I feel about everything right now. So much has changed. And what does it matter? Landis is gone and will probably never return to Alexon. And even if he does it is pretty clear that the two of us cannot be together. I know that he is right about that.” Then there is you… Petra thought silently as she faced Jordan.
Jordan felt confused. Part of him wanted to agree with Petra immediately. He wanted to tell her that she was right; that there was no use in dwelling on the matter. Nevertheless, another part of him felt her pain and wanted to comfort her, to do anything to alleviate the hurt that she was suffering. “He may return.” Jordan caught himself saying before it was too late.
Now it was Petra’s turn to lower her head. “I am sorry, Jordan. I have been so confused all day. I know what my feelings for him were at one point. And I know that Landis shared those same feelings for a brief time. But he was right about everything he said. He had not gotten over his love for that other woman who had died. What happened between us was partly out of need for companionship. He was right when he said that we probably could not work out. He was right when he left me in Talboth to come here. He was right when he took my sword and went back to Sedau. He is always right. Why in the abyss couldn’t he be wrong just once?”
Jordan saw the first tear form in Petra’s eyes. It was followed by more. Before he knew what he was doing he found himself holding his Queen in his arms. They held each other for several long moments before they both realized the awkwardness of their situation. Jordan released his hold and backed away. “I am sorry.” He apologized.
Petra forced a smile while wiping away her tears. “It is all right, Jordan. It is I who should be sorry for acting like a little girl.”
Jordan was more nervous now than he had been at anytime before. He had fought orcs, elves and men. He had seen his life threatened by a dragon. But tonight he felt his muscles shaking and his stomach was in knots more so than at any of those times. “I just wish there was more that I could do to reassure you that everything will be all right.”
“You have done enough already, Jordan. You have treated me as a friend and not as a Queen. That is something that I need most of all.” Petra could sense that something else was troubling him. “Is there anything else, Jordan?”
“You do not want to hear anything else that I have to say.” He mumbled.
“You have been a sounding board for my problems, Jordan. The least I can do is to offer to do the same for you.”
Jordan did not speak.
“Please, Jordan.” Petra asked softly.
Jordan looked into her eyes. He felt his longing desire to hold her in his arms. “I love you.” He said in a hushed voice. Oh God! Did I say that out loud? Jordan cursed unde
r his breath. Well, there it was. The cat was out of the bag, and Jordan Jarobohim had just made a fool out of himself before the High Queen of the Westland. Petra’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened but nothing came out. Jordan was both relieved and terrified by her silence. He wanted to turn and run but his legs would not move. Both of them sat in silence looking at each other. Finally Petra spoke. “How long have you felt this way?”
Jordan shifted in his seat. “I have felt like this for some time now. I thought it best to keep my feelings a secret. I mean you were going to be the next Queen of Alexon. You were betrothed to Prince Eric. Then suddenly you were with Landis. And here I am just a simple squire. How could I deserve someone like you? Then we became friends and I knew that I should stay quiet or else risk our friendship. I am sorry for saying anything.”
“And how do you expect me to respond?” She asked, feeling confused herself after the way she had been thinking of Jordan recently.
Jordan swallowed. “I do not know. I understand that you are the Queen. And it is not my place to expect anything more from you other than what you have already done for me. I am sorry if I offended you by sharing my feelings.”
“Relax, Jordan.” Petra sat back in her chair. “I do not mean to belittle you or your feelings. But this is all so unexpected.”
“Unexpected?” Jordan asked.
Petra leaned forward. “I do not know what I am talking about, Jordan. I must admit that your revelation has taken me by surprise. I have close feelings for you, though I cannot say that they are as strong as you proclaim yours to be for me. Still, there is something there that I cannot deny. You are a wonderful man and you are very special. I have been fawning over Landis for so long that perhaps I have overlooked what has been right here in front of me.” Petra was wringing her hands together. “Jordan. I do like you. But there is too much going on at this moment for me to risk opening my heart and seeking another relationship. I will not turn anything away if something develops. I can make no promises that I will fall in love with you. All I can do is to say that I will keep an open mind. I cherish our friendship. And if anything develops further, the fact that you are not of royal blood would not be any deterrence: You are, after all, a hero, and practically my champion.”
Elf Lords: 01 - Pearls of the Elf Lords Page 28
