The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  Maypre and Glasha were in the sitting room having tea when Angelina and Elise walked by the room on their way to see Elise's mother in the kitchen. They stopped when they heard a commotion in the sitting room and glanced in to see what was wrong. Apparently the young serving girl, Terrlynn, had accidentally knocked a full cup of tea onto Glasha's lap. Glasha was standing screaming at Terrlynn for her incompetence and lashed out, striking her across the face and knocking her to the floor. Glasha did not notice that Angelina and Elise had been standing in the hall watching.

  Angelina was furious with Glasha's actions and entered the room, trying to keep her anger under control. "Terrlynn, would you please leave us," she began through clenched teeth as both she and Elise helped Terrlynn to her feet.

  "I haven't finished with her yet," demanded Glasha as she gave Angelina a threatening look.

  "Yes you have," she replied giving Glasha a narrow look to let her know that what she said was final. She glanced at Terrlynn and Lady Elise. "Would you please take Terrlynn to the kitchen and I'll meet you there in a little while," she said directing her statement to Elise.

  "Yes of course," she replied giving Angelina a knowing look as she and Terrlynn both departed the room, closing the door behind them.

  Angelina waited until they had gone and the doors were shut before she turned toward the still furious Glasha. "I don't know how you treated your servants in the past," she glanced at Maypre to include her, "but you will not treat our servants like what I just saw." She was keeping her temper in check but her words were like ice.

  "We will treat our servants," began Glasha putting emphasis on the word our, "the way we wish to treat them," she replied as if Angelina were beneath her.

  "I agree," chimed in Maypre. She had been unsure when Angelina had first entered the room and took control, but now felt her sister's confidence that they were in control of the situation.

  Angelina knew it was time to stress her point. She pushed Glasha backwards into her seat and then leaned over her, holding her shoulders back against the chair with her hands. She was only inches from Glasha's face. "I don't think I've made myself clear," she began, "you and your sister are princesses by marriage only. I am one by blood. It seems to me that if I say something, someone ought to listen. Don't you think?" She didn't wait for an answer. "We treat our servants as well as others with respect. When you give respect you get respect in return. You don't think that our subjects are loyal because they fear what we could do to them, do you? I sleep sound each night knowing that I don't have servants who have been mistreated trying to stick a knife in me. My father rules fair and just and we are grateful that we have loyalty from our people. When you start treating people the way I've seen you two doing, you don't gain respect and loyalty, you gain enemies." She released Glasha and stepped back. Both women were just looking at her. She guessed that this was the first time anyone every spoke to them in such a way. As her anger faded, she continued in a milder tone. "You are now members of the royal family and are expected to act as such. I expect your behavior to change so that what happened today will not be repeated. If it does, I will notify my father and he will not be so kind as I in setting you straight." She looked at both women. "Do we have an understanding?" she questioned.

  Maypre and Glasha understood the situation and assured Angelina that nothing like that would happen again.

  Angelina then excused herself and left the room. She was on her way to the kitchen when she had to sit down for a few minutes. She hadn't realized until now how angry she had been and that she was shaking from her emotions. She also couldn't believe that she threatened them knowing that they were older then her and may not have listened as they did. She sat there a few minutes to calm down before she went to the kitchens to join Lady Elise.

  Maypre and Glasha realized that they had overstepped their bounds. They were now trying to be kind and respectful. Angelina was glad to hear from the servants that they had noticed an attitude change from the women. She was glad that Maypre and Glasha were finally growing up.

  Angelina decided that if they could change that she could also and she began to work on creating a friendship with her new sisters. It was awkward and slow going at first but over the next few years they did become friends. Angelina also had become close with the new Queen and would have tea with her at least twice a week.

  Chapter 14

  Suitors

  When Angelina got closer to the age of marrying there were a number of suitors who called on her. Angelina did not wish to give them a false impression of her by acting as a delicate princess so she acted herself and that ended up scaring a few away and yet others found it to be more intriguing. Since Phillip would one day be King and rule Talenvar and Amberlynn was betrothed to Prince Jarret of the Kingdom of Schoval, Angelina didn't have to get married to any one in particular or rush into a marriage. When her eighteenth birthday came and went her father asked her why she hadn't accepted any of the proposals of marriage she received. She told her father that she hadn't yet found the man she wished to marry but was sure the right one would come along soon. Little did she know that he would be someone quite unexpected.

  Chapter 15

  Claiming of a Promise

  During the feasting the court squire, Jonathan, approached the King and quietly whispered into his ear. "Sire, there is a man here to see you, he said that he has come for his reward," he informed the King.

  "Jonathan, please explain to this man that any visitors that arrive after dark must wait until tomorrow's court to speak with me."

  "Please Sire. I've already explained this to him but," he continued shifting on his feet, "he said that he helped you once when you were out hunting when you were but a boy and told me to tell you that he has come to collect his reward."

  Kalen's breath caught and his eyes sprung open. "It can't be," he whispered, "he would have gone to his grave by now."

  "Your pardon Sire," interjected Jonathan. "I'll tell him to wait until the morning."

  Jonathan began to turn away as the King grabbed his arm and pulled him around. "See if he wishes food or drink and then show him to my study and tell him to await me there," he hissed in a whisper. "Hurry! and tell Sir Larry to see me at once!"

  "Yes, Sire," the squire replied before he turned and hurried off to attend to the King's guest.

  "Kalen, who is this man that he makes you react so?" asked Queen Faleasha with concern in her eyes.

  "Once, when I was hunting, I became caught in a sinkhole and the only one near enough to save me was this old stick of a man. When he had released me I pledged him whatever he desired. He told me that one day he would come and ask me. I gave up long ago of ever having to fulfill that pledge. I figured he must surely have passed on," he explained. "I must see Sir Larry before I meet with this man." He turned to his wife, as he stood to leave, "Please attend to our guests for me."

  "Please be careful," she cautioned as she squeezed his hand reassuringly.

  He returned the squeeze and smiled down at her before turning and leaving the room. He hurried to his sitting room in hopes of finding Sir Larry there waiting and had to stifle a sigh of relief when he found him there pouring himself a drink.

  "May I get one for you, your highness?" he questioned even as he turned over another goblet and began to fill it.

  "Larry, I need your advice. It seems that someone from many years ago has shown up at my door asking for his promised reward. Now don't get me wrong," he hurriedly continued upon seeing the raised eyebrow of Sir Larry. "I have every intention of granting his request. I just have a feeling that I'm not going to like what he asks for." He walked over to Sir Larry. "This man, if it is the man I am thinking of, Airic as I recall, was very old and not looking in good health when I gave him my pledge. I must have only been ten at the time. It bothers me that over thirty years have passed and here he is. He shook his head, "Maybe I am just overreacting." He took a long swallow of wine from the goblet Sir Larry handed him and seated himsel
f in a nearby chair.

  "No, I wouldn't think so my lord," commented Sir Larry as he took a seat across from the King. "If it is this Airic, then my lord it seems you have no other choice but to grant him his reward and let that be the end of it. You certainly can't rescind that pledge. After all, you are royalty and when you gave that pledge even as a child, it was binding. I think that you should speak with this man first before you work yourself up. It may not even be him. And if not, he holds no obligation over you."

  "Yes, of course you are right. I guess I needed reassurance from a trusted friend. Thank you, Larry. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a visitor to see." He set his goblet down and rose from his chair. "Enjoy the evening." With those last words he left the room.

  Kalen headed toward the study his mind so far off in thought that he didn't notice the music and the laughter emanating from the adjoining banquet halls. When he reached the study he hesitated with his hand on the door handle and took a steadying breath before opening the door and entering. His steadying breath ended abruptly as he came face to face with the old man from his past.

  "What a fine King you have turned out to be," began Airic when the King entered. "It has been many a year since our last meeting. You didn't give up hope on seeing me again, did you?" he chuckled in a slightly tired but sarcastic tone.

  "Well, Airic, it is a bit of a surprise," he replied as he shut the door behind him and walked into the room, stopping to stand in front of Airic. "I hadn't heard from you since then and wasn't sure that you were still alive." He cocked his head to the side as he thought back to that time so many years ago. "It is odd, you look just the way I remember you even though it has been so many years."

  "I'll take that as a compliment, my lord," he responded with a slight bow. "I'm sure you recall that you pledged to me a reward of my asking."

  "Of course. Tell me what it is that you wish and I'll see to it right away," he offered with a tightening of his stomach. He just knew he wasn't going to like what it was.

  "It's not much," he began and paused a moment as he looked directly at Kalen. "Just one of your blood daughters," he informed the King with a smirk. He knew that the King was not going to be too happy. After all, he had been in this situation so many times before.

  "What, did I hear you correctly?" stammered the King. "You want me to hand over one of my daughters? Are you insane?!!" Kalen was trying to control his temper and could feel the hotness of anger washing over his face.

  "Well your highness, you did give me your word. As I recall, whatever you wish, is what you said," he casually replied, shifting to lean more on his staff. "One would hardly think that a King would go back on his word. After all, how would that look to your loyal subjects? One would wonder if anything you say after that would be true or not. Wouldn't you agree?" Airic was ready in case the King decided to lash out at him physically. Some of the people he had dealt with before were prone to think that he was just an old man and would be easily taken.

  "I would grant you anything, why of all things would you want one of my daughters?" he breathed unbelievably knowing that he had no choice but to grant Airic's wish.

  "It is my request and I will give you a day or two to break the news to her and then I really must be on my way," he replied as he stepped around the King and proceeded to leave the room, shutting the door behind him. He felt that familiar twinge of guilt knowing that he didn't want to take their daughters from them, it was just that he had no choice. Well, he did have a choice, it was just one he didn't want to make.

  Kalen turned and watched Airic leave, looking at the door even after Airic had shut it. He was still standing there in thought when Sir Larry entered.

  "Sire, what is wrong?" asked Sir Larry as he rushed to the King's side upon seeing his distraught look. He took the King's arm and guided him over to a chair. He sat the king down and filled a goblet with wine and forced it on him. "Drink this Your Highness, you'll feel much better," he insisted as he held the goblet up to the King's lips and waited for him to take a few long swallows.

  "Sir Larry, what am I to do?" he breathed in despair. He knew what he had to do but didn't want to face it at the moment.

  "Well, you can start by telling me what went on in here," he urged, "only then can I offer any advice. I saw the old man leave and thought I would see how things went." He then took a seat next to the King and waited for him to begin.

  Kalen related to Sir Larry what had just transpired.

  Sir Larry got up to pour both of them another goblet of wine and this time took a seat directly across from the king.

  "Well Sir Larry, what do you suggest we do?" Kalen asked taking a long drink from the goblet that he had been handed.

  "I suggest Your Majesty, that since a castle has many hidden dangers it may be possible that Airic has a, shall I say, accident," he advised with a smirk, looking even more sinister with the black patch over his left eye. A wound from a long ago battle.

  "No!" he exclaimed, "I will not take the life of a man that has saved mine! It is my fault that this is happening and I will not hide behind lies and my own mistakes. I gave a promise and even if it takes away my own beloved daughter I have no choice but to grant him his request!" He looked at Sir Larry who was now smiling and realized that he really didn't mean to have Airic killed. It was a statement so that he would have to admit to the only possible solution.

  "And shall we tell your subjects the entire truth, your highness?" remarked Sir Larry with a raised eyebrow.

  "The truth must be told; however, I haven't decided as of yet how much of the truth to tell," he answered with a defeated sigh. "Please tell Queen Faleasha to join me in our private chambers. I must talk this over with her first." He got up from his chair. "Give me approximately one hour and then gather the rest of my family and send them to my meeting chambers. Also have Sir Taz , yourself and Tolmac present," he instructed. "I will have need of Tolmac's talents."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Larry replied. Sir Larry set his goblet on a nearby table before getting up and with a bow toward the King, left the room to carry out the King's request. He had been with the royal family when King Jasper ruled and had become a close friend and personal advisor to Kalen. He was a knight but left that calling when he took a serious blow to the head during battle and became deaf in one ear. This impaired his fighting abilities. Since he had fought by King Jasper's side many a time, Kalen asked him to take a position as his counselor of war when he heard that Sir Larry was planning to leave the knighthood and start a small farm. Kalen insisted that Sir Larry stay as his counselor and made Sir Larry's daughter Angelina's Lady-In-Waiting. Sir Larry's wife, Lady Alfreda, loved to cook and asked to be added to the kitchen help, becoming the kitchen master not long after.

  Kalen was waiting patiently in his chambers when Angelina, Amberlynn, Philip and his wife Julia and Kalen's two stepdaughters Glasha and Maypre arrived. Sir Larry, Sir Taz and the King's wizard Tolmac had arrived shortly before.

  "Tolmac, please place a ward on this room so no one but those who are present may hear what I have to say. Of course, I'm not sure that someone already hasn't. Please go on with what you're doing Tolmac," continued the King as he noticed the look Tolmac gave him at his last statement. "Everything will be told shortly."

  "Yes, Sire," replied Tolmac as he walked to the nearest wall and placed his palms flat against it before beginning his incantation. A faint rose colored glow slowly trickled from underneath his palms and began to spread across the walls, outlining the pattern on the wall as it spread all across the ceiling and began to flow across the carpets on the floor and around the clawfoot legs of the desk and the brass and wooden legs of the tables and chairs that were arrayed along the walls. The glow went all over the room, along the round table with six plush chairs surrounding it by the window and encompassing the table next to the outer doors and the smaller table that was in front of the fireplace which had five long plush couches around it, two on either side and the largest one which faced the
fireplace itself. At last the rose glow covered the entire room and with a slight flare of color it disappeared. "The room has been sealed from prying eyes and ears your highness," Tolmac informed the King. Tolmac took a minute to shake the tingling feeling out of his hands before he sat down on a chair near the fireplace.

  "Please, everyone be seated," invited the King as he motioned to the chairs around the fire.

  Angelina took Amberlynn's hand in a quick squeeze and shared a worried look as they moved to take a seat.