Thinblade

by David A. Wells

  What a precious and fragile thing love was. It was so worthy of protecting, of nurturing and sheltering. He wondered how many others had discovered this miraculous feeling within themselves. All in a rush of renewed terror, it dawned on him that this was what was at stake. Love would be the ultimate casualty of Phane’s ambitions. The peace and security that every family in the Seven Isles depended on to survive and thrive was in jeopardy. And then, in a flash of stark horror, he imagined losing Isabel. The mere thought was agony itself. How many others would experience such unendurable pain if Phane prevailed?

  The music stopped. Isabel’s bright smile faded and a look of worry overtook her face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  Alexander pulled himself back from the darkness of what might be and anchored himself in the moment. He was still holding Isabel and looking down into her piercing green eyes. He shook his head slowly and let the joy of her presence back in with a smile. “Nothing. I just let the challenges ahead distract me for a moment.”

  The dance floor was clearing as the minstrels took a break. Isabel put her hand on his cheek. “It’ll be all right, Alexander, you’ll see.” Then she smiled with mischief. “Come on,” she said, taking his hand and leading him to the bar.

  One of the young bartenders saw them coming and put off another customer politely so he could serve the guest of honor. Isabel smiled at him familiarly. “Hi Aaron, we’d like two chocolate swirls.” He nodded and began to prepare two rather elaborate-looking concoctions involving warm cream, chocolate shavings, and some kind of syrupy liqueur. “These are my favorite,” Isabel said with excitement.

  Alexander marveled at her enthusiasm for simple pleasures. She was essentially a princess, yet she was as giddy as a schoolgirl at the prospect of sharing a confection with him. When the drinks were served, Alexander was actually impressed. They were delivered in large silver goblets wrapped in white linen napkins to protect against the heat of the drink. The rich chocolatey-looking contents had a swirl of white in the foamy topping and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings just resting on the surface of the foam.

  Isabel sipped at hers and moaned softly. Alexander thought to himself that he could be happy simply watching her enjoyment. Then he tried his and understood. It was sweet, smooth, creamy, and chocolatey with just a hint of bite from the liqueur and a spicy aftertaste that only left him wanting another sip. He smiled at Isabel in surprised delight.

  She giggled in return, “Told you.”

  They walked slowly back through the crowd toward the head table, nodding to a guest here and smiling to a guest there, when Rexius Truss stepped into their path. Alexander really didn’t want to talk to the self-important little man, but thought it would be unwise to snub him. Isabel’s hand tightened slightly on his arm.

  “Your Majesty,” Truss bowed ever so slightly. “That was quite a harrowing tale we heard tonight. Your proxy certainly has a flair for the dramatic.” Isabel’s grip tightened a little more.

  “Yes, he does have a way with words.” Alexander smiled agreeably. “I trust you are enjoying the generous hospitality of Lady Alaric.”

  “Yes, quite. I was wondering if I might have the pleasure of a dance with Lady Isabel here.” His smile was almost as greasy as his slicked back hair. Isabel’s grip on his arm tightened further still.

  Alexander leaned in so he could speak to Truss without being overheard. “I’m afraid that I managed to step on her foot and I think she would really like to sit down. We were just headed to our table. Perhaps another time,” Alexander said with a look of embarrassment.

  Isabel feigned a slight limp, leaning on his arm as they started around the little noble, but he stepped in front of them again.

  “I’m terribly sorry to hear that, Lady Isabel. I do hope Lord Alexander hasn’t seriously injured you.” His look of concern was almost believable. “I would be happy to have my personal physician look at it for you if you like.” He turned and waved to one of the men at his table.

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary, really, I just want to sit down.” Isabel took another step to skirt Truss but he intervened again.

  Before he could say anything more, Jack appeared from out of the crowd. “Duke Truss, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time. I understand your vineyards are responsible for this vintage.” He swirled the wine in his crystal goblet. “It has a most delightful character.”

  Truss turned to Jack with a much more genuine smile. “Ah, yes, this is one of the signature blends of my family estates.” When he turned back Isabel and Alexander were nearly to the head table. Jack cleared his throat to draw him back into conversation. Truss indulged him for several minutes before returning to his table and his entourage with a somewhat sullen look.

  Isabel laughed quietly to Alexander when they reached the head table. “You’re my hero,” she said, taking her seat. “Truss just won’t take no for an answer.”

  “I’m sure he’ll get the hint sooner or later.”

  Alexander scanned the banquet hall. Most of the guests were mingling amongst the tables or near the bar. Hanlon and Anatoly were telling stories of their time together in the border wars to an audience of half a dozen young men including Erik. Abigail was talking quietly with the attractive young woman who had accompanied Erik to the banquet. Jack was moving through the crowd from one talking circle to the next, and Lucky had dragged the chef from the kitchen, sat him down at a table, and was busy extracting recipes from him.

  Alexander was about to suggest that he and Isabel take a walk on the ramparts when a group of three nobles, including Truss, approached and planted themselves across the table from him.

  “Ah, Your Majesty, may I present Duke Covington and Duke Shivley,” Truss said, looking down at Alexander past his sharp little nose.

  “Pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.” Alexander didn’t stand. He really wasn’t in the mood for politics. “Chase must be your son,” he said to Duke Covington.

  Duke Covington drew himself up proudly. “He is indeed.”

  “He’s a good man. You have reason to be proud,” Alexander said.

  Covington beamed at the praise for his son. “You are very kind to say so, Your Majesty. We don’t mean to trouble you this evening but we thought you should be aware that there are still some significant issues to be worked out at council before we can agree to support your claim to the throne.”

  Alexander felt his mood fall and his anger start to rise, but he kept his voice civil if not somewhat cold. “Really? What issues might those be?”

  Truss jumped in before Covington could continue. “You must understand our lands and holdings have been in our families for many generations. We have a duty to our progeny to preserve our estates. We simply seek some assurances that our property will not be taken without fair compensation.”

  Alexander mused for a moment before replying. “Your lands are indeed yours, as the Old Law says. However, you must understand,” he paused and looked hard at each in turn with his gold-flecked eyes, “the Seven Isles are about to be consumed by war. As I said at council, you have a choice to make. Side with me and lend what support you can to preserve the Old Law or side with Phane.”

  Truss tried unsuccessfully to smile. “There are those who would choose to abstain from the war you speak of. After all, we have much to lose and little to gain by such sacrifice.” He spoke in such reasonable tones.

  Alexander schooled his emotions while hot anger rose in his chest. He held Truss with his gaze, anger glittering in his golden-brown eyes. The other conversations at the table had fallen silent and all eyes were on him. When he spoke, he did not raise his voice but instead spoke with deliberate calm.

  “My brother is dead. My home burned to the ground and my parents may be lost to me as well. Do not speak to me of sacrifice.” Truss recoiled half a step and tried to back pedal but Alexander cut him off. “There will be no middle ground. For two thousand years, Glen Morillian has enjoyed the protection of the barrier mountains create
d by Mage Cedric. This place was created to lend support to my cause. You swore an oath to support my cause when you were granted title to your estate. If you choose to abstain from this war, then I will count you with Phane.” Everyone at the table held their breath. Truss opened and closed his mouth like a fish searching for a response to the hard choice that had been placed before him. Shivley and Covington went pale and shifted ever so slightly away from Truss.

  “That is hardly fair and certainly does nothing to respect the Old Law you claim to revere.” Truss seemed to gain confidence as he spoke. “Our property is ours alone; you have no right to take it from us.”

  “I have no intention of taking your property. I expect you to offer what support you can to your king.” Alexander tried to sound calm yet confident, both to establish his authority with the nobles and with the crowd of people who were gathering to watch the exchange.

  Truss turned slightly crimson as his anger boiled over. “You are not our king unless and until we say you are.” His arrogance was insufferable. “The council of Glen Morillian has yet to recognize you and without the Thinblade, you have no legitimate claim to the throne. You have no right to demand anything from anyone.”

  The room fell deadly silent. Every guest in the banquet hall turned to watch Truss rail against Alexander’s claim to power. Alexander regarded the petty little noble through glittering gold-flecked eyes for a moment while he calmly considered his options.

  He stood slowly and pulled his collar aside so all in the hall could see the mark burned into the side of his neck. It was Jack who bailed him out of the tense confrontation. Standing in the very front of the gathered crowd of guests the smooth-tongued bard deliberately went to one knee and bowed to Alexander. There was a moment of hesitation, then, like a wave emanating from Jack Colton, the assembled guests all went to a knee and bowed their heads in fealty.

  Alexander smiled at the little noble ever so slightly and motioned past him with his chin. The three nobles standing before him turned as one. Truss squeaked slightly and jumped at the sight of the entire hall bowing to Alexander. His head snapped back around to find Covington and Shivley on bended knee as well. He looked from side to side searching for support from any quarter, but found none. Shaking with rage, Duke Truss turned and fled.

  “Rise,” Alexander commanded in a clear voice. “Honored guests, I trust you will forgive the interruption. Please enjoy the evening. Lady Alaric has gone to such trouble to make this night memorable. I would hate to see her efforts wasted over a simple disagreement.”

  Alexander found Jack in the crowd and gave him a nod of thanks before addressing the remaining two nobles still standing in front of him. “Gentlemen, I trust this matter will be settled at council tomorrow morning.” It was not a question.

  Duke Covington actually smiled. “I assure you it will be, Your Majesty.” He and Shivley bowed gracefully and melted back into the throng of guests.

  Isabel leaned in and whispered in his ear. “That was magnificent.” He felt a little thrill race up his spine at the feel of her warm breath on his neck.

  “I’m glad you liked it,” he whispered, looking toward the door Truss had left through. “I hope he comes around.” Alexander was worried that Truss might yet prove to be trouble.

  Isabel laughed. “After that, he’ll have no choice. His supporters on the council will abandon him. By lunchtime tomorrow he’ll be a laughing stock everywhere in Glen Morillian.” She shook her head. “I doubt he’ll even show for council tomorrow.”

  Alexander was still worried. He hoped the self-important little man wasn’t fool enough to throw his lot in with Phane.

  Hanlon and Anatoly stepped up to him. “Looks like you carried the day, Alexander,” Hanlon said with a chuckle.

  “I must say, Jack certainly surprised me today,” Anatoly added, looking out over the crowd at the bard.

  Alexander nodded with a smile, “He definitely has his strengths.”

  Alexander spent the rest of the evening with Isabel on his arm, chatting with his guests. He listened politely while people of all walks of life explained their trades and offered their services in the coming struggle. They all seemed to have a romantic view of what lay ahead and Alexander didn’t have the heart to shatter that vision. He knew that the future held death and hardship but he needed these people. He needed what they had to offer and so he listened politely and offered his gratitude for their support. Most were nervous speaking to him and puffed up with pride when he acknowledged the value of their promised contribution. He spoke at more length with a few of the ranchers simply because he understood their business and could talk to them in terms they were familiar with. They were especially proud that their new king understood and valued their trade so well.

  Eventually he found himself standing in a circle of nobles. Alexander felt somehow uncomfortable with them and it was obvious that after the events of the evening they were intimidated by him, but he knew he needed them so he made his best effort to be friendly. Conversation revolved around the types of goods each noble could offer to the war effort. Some had food while others had timber and still others steel. It was clear that they had come around to supporting Alexander as each tried to best the others in terms of the value of his contribution. Eventually talk came around to Alexander.

  Lord Covington broached the subject. “Lord Alexander, if I may ask, how do you plan to proceed now that you have the support of the council, and Glen Morillian is set to formally recognize your claim to the throne?”

  Alexander thought for only a moment. He had a pretty good idea what he was going to do, but he really didn’t trust the members of the council enough to reveal the full extent of his plans. “I intend to build an army but I expect most of that will be done by Warden Alaric and his Rangers. As for me, I have some work to do with Wizard Kallentera and then I’ll be leaving.”

  Isabel’s hand tightened on his arm and she gave him a slightly worried look. Duke Shively asked, “Where will you go? You’re safe here. Surely it would be wiser to remain here until the army is ready to move with you.” There was a murmur of assent from the ring of nobles.

  “It may well be safer here but I can’t gain the support of the other territories from here. I need to get to New Ruatha and claim the throne so I can summon the territorial governors and demand their allegiance.”

  Alexander tried to sound calm even though he had no idea how he was going to accomplish such a thing. He didn’t tell them about Blackstone Keep, which was his real destination. Nor did he tell them about the mana fast that he intended to undertake.

  In the stunned silence that followed, Isabel’s grip on his arm tightened a little more. Lord Covington broke the quiet. “That’s quite a bold plan but it does put your safety in grave jeopardy. Surely you will take a sizeable force of Rangers as a royal guard.”

  Alexander shook his head, “The Rangers will be needed here to help Warden Alaric build and train the army. Besides, I have to move faster than a large unit can travel.”

  They all started speaking at once, mostly in protest.

  Alexander held up his hand to silence them. “Ruatha must be reunited under one flag if we are to build the kind of army we need. Phane is gathering forces to himself at this very moment. Glen Morillian is a safe haven that can be easily defended, but we will not win this war by defense. I must find a way to strike at Phane, to put him on the defensive, to disrupt his plans, and undermine his allies. I can’t do that behind the safety of these mountains. I must be visible if I am to draw the territories of Ruatha together again into one nation.”

  Duke Covington smiled approvingly, “I see your point and admire your courage. A lesser man would remain in the safety of our barrier mountains as long as possible. I do hope you will make adequate preparations for your safety.”

  “I certainly intend to. Now, gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day.” Alexander bid them all a good evening and extracted himself with Isabel still on his arm from the
circle of nobles, leaving them to discuss amongst themselves how to best build an army.

  The banquet was winding down. The guests were starting to thin and the servants were clearing dishes and glasses from the tables. Alexander realized he was tired.

  Once they were out of earshot, Isabel stopped and looked up at him with her piercing green eyes. She was so beautiful it made his heart ache. “You know I’m coming with you, right?” He could see she was ready to overpower any objection he might offer. “You’re going to need a guide who knows the forest and Slyder gives me the ability to see the enemy coming a long way off. Face it, Alexander, you need me,” she said with mock haughtiness and a defiant smile, daring him to refuse her.

  Instead he gently brushed her hair back over her ear. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he whispered.

  Her face flushed slightly at his touch. She blinked a few times as if she hadn’t fully expected his response before smiling radiantly. They walked wordlessly from the banquet room and through the halls of the palace to Alexander’s suite. There didn’t seem to be any need for words. They each simply took comfort in the presence of the other.

  He didn’t say anything when they arrived at his door. Instead he simply took her in with his eyes before gently pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly yet passionately. She leaned into him and returned his kiss with abandon.