by Matt Heppe
Maret curtsied. “Perhaps I could stay and comfort the Ambassador.”
“She will be fine, thank you.”
“As you wish, My Prince.”
Morin’s face grew grim as the maiden departed. “Hadde?”
“After I left you Waltas attacked me on the stairwell. I broke free, but took a wrong turn and ended up in a cellar. He pursued me and forced me to flee into the sewer. I lost him there.”
Morin turned to Nidon. “Have him detained.”
Nidon nodded, but then grimaced. “Ambassador Hadde, did anyone see him?”
“I don’t know. I passed a servant on the stairwell, and maybe she saw him. The shit farmer helped me find my way back into the keep, but never saw Waltas. What would it matter?”
“I need just cause to detain him,” Nidon said. “He’s an earl. I cannot just clap him in irons.”
“But I just told you—he attacked me.”
“It’s not enough.”
“What?” She turned on Morin. “You can order it, can’t you? Or your brother? He’s the king!”
“Meaning no insult to Ambassador Hadde,” Nidon said, “but she is common. A common accusation isn’t enough.”
“My brother declared her an ambassador and a baroness….”
“Not enough, I think,” Nidon said. “Those are just honorary, she's not really a baroness. I’ll take it to the Council of Judges.”
“And my brother’s relations with the council are a frayed rope,” Morin said.
“What is all this?” Hadde demanded. “I don’t understand. Can’t a king do as he wishes?”
Astor laughed. “No,” he said, speaking for the first time. “Especially not a weak king.”
Nidon shot Astor a stern look. “The strength or weakness of the crown is not of importance. It’s the law that matters. Hadde, can you imagine the chaos that would reign if commoners could bring up false charges against nobles? Who would have the experience to rule?”
“Oh, well we couldn't have that, could we?” She turned from Nidon to Morin. “Can't you do something, Morin?”
“I'll tell you what we can do,” Astor said, as he moved away from the wall. “We could make Earl Waltas disappear.”
“What are you saying?” Nidon demanded.
“I'm saying there are ways of dealing with this problem.”
“We are Knights of Salador,” Nidon said. “I'll hear no more of this, Sir Astor.”
“These are difficult times,” Astor said. “A good end justifies—”
Morin put up his hand. “Nidon, have eyes placed on Earl Waltas,” he said. “And see if the judges will swear out a warrant.” He fixed Hadde with his eyes. “I will speak with Waltas. He will bother you no more.”
Chapter Fifteen
Hadde stood outside Orlos’s chamber, her two knight-escorts taking position with the guards already standing at the spiridus’ door. Despite her enthusiasm to speak with the spiridus, part of her mind still roiled on the day’s turbulent events. She missed the simplicity of Landomere. She missed her family and Belor.
A rap on the door, and a muffled “enter” interrupted her thoughts. A guard opened the door and she stepped into the simply furnished room. The only luxuries were an oversized fireplace and a large stuffed chair. Books and papers lay piled on the table, chairs, and floor. The door closed behind her.
“I was told…” Hadde’s gaze swept the room, but she didn’t see anyone. There were no other doors. A wardrobe stood to her right.
She yelped as Orlos appeared next to her. “You scared me. You appeared from nowhere.”
“Now that doesn't make any sense,” he said with a grin as he shuffled past, a heavy blanket draped across his narrow shoulders. “How can someone be nowhere? Come in, sit down.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Hadde said, her heart still thumping in her chest. She looked to her left, to where the fireplace stood. How had she not seen him? “I've asked many times to see you, but received no response.”
“Sit, Hadde.” He lowered himself into his stuffed chair, and waved her to a padded stool next to him. “I have been ill, as I am certain you have noticed. I'm afraid that I am not long for this world. The weight of centuries hangs heavily on me.” He rubbed his temple with a bone-thin hand.
His hand trembled as he placed it back on his lap. “Isn't there anything that can be done for you?” Hadde asked as she sat.
“There is no cure for age—or at least for my kind of age.” He gave a rueful smile and a slight shrug. “But I didn't ask you here to tell you of my woes. It is you I want to hear about. Things are difficult for you here,” he said.
“It is strange here. Everything is strange.” She smoothed her red dress across her lap. “You know of Earl Waltas?”
“I do. And you must be careful of him. Don’t trust too much in Saladoran law to protect you. Politics and power always trump law.”
“Prince Morin and Sir Nidon have said they will help me. And Nidon is to fight Waltas soon.”
Orlos stared into the glowing embers of the fire. “Earl Waltas is entangled in the web of politics. That is why Nidon brought him here. They won’t fight if Nidon accepts his apology.”
“If Waltas apologizes to Nidon? I’m the one he should apologize to.”
Orlos smiled, and reaching out, patted her on the arm. His hand was withered with age and trembled. “Sir Nidon won’t accept the apology unless you accept the apology.”
“Never, I’d—”
“At what price would you accept an apology? Five mules loaded with grain and salt? Ten?” Orlos took a deep breath and stifled a cough.
Hadde looked down at her hands. Was that what it would come to? The aid she needed for her people if she accepted an apology. She would do it, of course. To Dromost with Earl Waltas. But how much would she ask for? She glanced back at the spiridus. “Prince Morin said he would try to help.”
“Hmmm…Prince Morin. You are enjoying your time with him?”
Hadde shifted in her seat. She hoped he couldn’t see her blush in the dim light. “He was kind to me in the Great Hall. And he reminds me of someone I loved. He is filled with passion and thinks he can make the world a better place.”
“You are teaching him archery.”
“Yes. He’s learning, but he’ll never be Landomeri. He speaks a lot of military tactics and strategy.”
“And gets to pass his winter mornings with a pretty Landomeri girl.”
Hadde bit her lip as she struggled for a response.
“I think you will soon have bigger things to think of.” He cleared his throat. “The archer’s offspring shall slay the sun,” Orlos intoned.
“Excuse me?”
“The archer’s offspring shall slay the sun. It’s a fragment, Hadde. Part of an ancient prophecy.” He gave a short, rasping cough before continuing. "Or it might be hunter's offspring. The translation is not certain."
“You’ve discovered something?” Hadde leaned closer to the wizened spiridus. “You’ve learned the meaning of my Token?” She touched the pendant as she spoke.
“Perhaps. It's impossible to be certain. I discovered it while reading the Blind Prophecies. Much of it has been destroyed or reads as gibberish. But this one fragment stuck out.”
“What does it mean?”
“That is why I called you here. What do you think it means?” He stared at her with piercing gray eyes.
Hadde shook her head. “It means nothing to me.”
“Do you have any children?”
“No.”
Orlos drummed his fingers against the chair’s arm. “Do you know what the sun could mean?”
“Helna is the sun goddess and the life bringer. But an archer can’t slay a goddess.”
“But her symbol is the Orb of Creation.”
“I still don’t know what it could mean,” Hadde said.
“Another name—an ancient name—for the King of Salador is the Sun King.”
“An archer’s child wil
l slay the king?”
“Or destroy the Orb.”
“You think I’m the archer?” A chill crept up her arms.
“You bear the Spiridus Token—Helna’s Orb.”
“But I’ve no child.”
“Not yet.”
“The Wasting has left me barren. Like many others, I can’t bear children.”
“So I heard.” He paused a moment and then said, “Perhaps you are the offspring that shall slay the sun. You father is an archer, correct? And a hunter? A Saladoran wouldn't think a woman a threat, but I know better.” He chuckled, but it turned into a fit. Hadde held his hand as the coughing wracked his body.
“Can I get you something?” she asked as the fit subsided. He waved her to a mug sitting by the fire. Orlos drank and then sat for a moment contemplating the fire. “After your archery display, they won't make the mistake of assuming you are a harmless woman,” he said.
Hadde wrapped her arms around her body. The room was cold and yet the huge fireplace held only a small fire. “Let me stoke the fire,” she said.
“No, leave it for a moment.” He waved her back. “I’ve not shown this prophecy to the king. I'm concerned how he might react.”
“But—” A knock at the door interrupted her.
“I was afraid this might happen. I must cut our discussion short.”
“No... I have to learn more. I need to speak with you.” Hadde glanced at the door, wishing the visitor would leave. “I've waited so long to speak with you.”
“I know, Hadde, but I am meeting Prince Handrin. I promise to see you again, and soon. Stay for a time with us.” He turned to the door and called, “Enter.”
The door opened and round-faced boy of nine or ten years stepped into the room. He stared at Hadde. She smiled back. Handrin wore rich clothes of red embroidered with silver. His hair was a tousled mess, at odds with his fine clothes. A knight stepped into the room behind him and gave Hadde an appraising look.
“Thank you, sir knight,” Orlos said. “He’ll be safe with us.” The knight nodded and backed out.
“Prince Handrin,” Orlos said from his chair, “I present to you Ambassador Hadde of Landomere.”
She stood, “I’m glad to meet you… Your Majesty?” She hadn’t intended for it to come out as a question.
“Call him Prince Handrin,” Orlos said.
“Are you a spiridus?” the prince asked. His red outfit exactly copied those of the Knights of the House.
“No, Prince Handrin.”
“Not entirely correct," Orlos said. “There's a fair amount of spiridus in you.”
Hadde turned to him, surprised at his comment. “What do you mean?”
“I see it in you,” he said. “The spiridus and the Landomeri used to be on very... ah... friendly terms,” he said with a glance at Handrin.
“You aren’t wearing those strange clothes,” Handrin interrupted. “And what’s that on your face?”
“She usually dresses in Landomeri attire, Handrin,” Orlos said. “But not this evening. And many Landomeri have face-marks. Now, be a gentleman and greet Ambassador Hadde properly.”
The Prince faced Hadde and, bowing at the waist, said, “It is my pleasure to meet you, Ambassador Hadde of Landomere.”
“Very good.” Orlos looked at Hadde. “Stay a little longer. You will enjoy this. Handrin, I grow chilly. Will you tend the fire?”
“Yes, Master Orlos.” The child stepped closer to the fire.
“What are you doing?” Orlos asked, his tone sharper than before. He pulled his blankets closer around him.
“I'm tending the fire, Master Orlos.”
Orlos sighed and then choked back a cough. “Perhaps I was not specific enough. Would you tend the fire, young elementar?”
Handrin grinned. “My apologies, teacher.”
Hadde watched as the boy narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to the fire.
“Remember,” Orlos said. “The four elements are all tied together. All linked by magic. You are an elementar, and your will controls that magic. Think about what you wish to accomplish. The greater the task, the greater the energy that will be taken from you. Now, how will you tend the fire?”
“I’ll use my will and urge the element of fire to consume the log.”
“Hmmmm… I suppose you could do it that way.”
Handrin took a deep breath but Orlos’s dramatic sigh interrupted him. Hadde wanted to laugh at the old spiridus. The prince let out his breath.
“I can make it burn,” Handrin said.
“I am certain you can,” Orlos replied, but he looked unconvinced. Hadde watched as the prince clenched his fists and stared into the fire. Hadde felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle.
“Are you trying to kill us?” Orlos asked.
“But what do—what do you want me to do? I’m trying to make the log burn brighter!”
“What element are you using?”
“Fire.”
“Is it the only element?” Orlos settled deeper into his blankets. “Is it the only element that makes things burn?” Hadde could see the child puzzling over the question. The prince rocked from side to side as he thought. “You’re not going to squeeze water from the stones of the fireplace?” Orlos asked.
The boy grinned, pursed his lips, and gently blew at the fire. Hadde saw the flames react to a sudden onrush of wind. The flames fanned higher. It was as if a large bellows blew into the hot coals.
“Why did you use the element of air?” Orlos asked. Hadde watched as the prince relaxed. The wind stopped but the fire crackled brightly.
“Master Orlos, I used air because it’s the easiest to master. It also uses the least strength.”
“Why else?”
The boy paused a moment and then said, “It’s the complement of fire.”
“Well done.” The spiridus pulled his blankets up to his chin. “But it is still chilly. Throw another log on the fire, young prince.”
“Master Orlos?” Handrin asked as he gathered wood. “Is it possible that my magic could get weaker?”
“What do you mean, Handrin? It is like any exercise. As you practice and study the skills you will get stronger. If you exhaust yourself your magic becomes weaker. With old age and illness it will become weaker. You won’t reach the prime of your power for many years.”
“But when I practice lately, it is harder and harder to do. The flames are weaker, the wind is weaker—”
“Are you ill?”
“No, Master Orlos.”
“I will speak to your father. He knows the elements better than any. Don’t worry yourself.”
But to Hadde it seemed Orlos was worried. “Are there only three elementars?” she asked.
“Just the three: father, brother, and son. The magic is passed through the bloodline, but not always for certain. Less frequently since the Orb of Creation was lost.”
“And elemental magic cannot end the Wasting?”
Orlos shook his head. “No form of magic can end it. There used to be other forms of magic besides elemental—blood, song, spirit, but they are long gone. Only the Orb of Creation can save us. And it is out there.”
“My father will find it.” Handrin said. “He is a great king.”
“Yes, yes he is,” Orlos said.
But Hadde wondered if he meant it.
***
“You might want to consider leaving Salador,” Orlos had said before she departed.
“But the king hasn’t given me permission.”
“Hadde, if he discovers the Blind Prophesy and deems it a threat, you will wish you had.”
“You were with Prince Morin again. Before Earl Waltas attacked you.” Maret said.
“What?” Hadde shook herself back to the present. She and Maret sat in Hadde’s room, it was late evening and exhaustion from the long day’s events settled over her. Half a loaf of bread and a slab of butter lay on a tray beside her. She didn’t want it. Guilt washed over her. Weeks ago not wanting food was unim
aginable. She was certain no one in Long Meadow would pass up food.
“You were with Prince Morin today,” Maret said.
“Yes, he’s becoming proficient with a bow.”
Maret buttered her toast, but pressed so hard the bread ripped. “I don’t know why he would want to learn the bow. It’s a peasant weapon.”
Hadde glanced at Maret and then back into the fire. She didn’t want to talk archery. “That’s what most Saladorans think. But he sees some potential in it.”
“Do you like him?” Maret dropped her toast onto the tray.
“Like him? He’s been very kind to me. Next to you, he has treated me better than any Saladoran.”
Maret stared into the fire. “People are starting to talk.”
“About what?”
“Don’t act as if you don’t know.”
“Maret, speak plainly to me. We’re friends. You can tell me.”
The young girl glared at Hadde. “They’re talking about you and Prince Morin. They say you’ve used a spiridus spell on him to make him love you.”
Hadde laughed. “That’s absurd. Who is saying these things?”
“People.”
“Maret, the prince does not love me. He wants to learn to wield a bow.” She paused. Maybe it wasn’t exactly the truth. There was some spark between them. Morin hadn’t done anything overt, but she had felt the growing attraction. “What would you have me do? Sit in my room? There is little else of interest in this place.”
“Well, that isn’t what I’ve heard. I’ve heard—”
“You’re hearing it from me. The prince and I are not in love.” She laughed, hoping that it sounded more convincing than her words. “After all, what Saladoran man would be interested in a barbarian from the forest?”
“Well… I guess you’re right. But you should be careful.”
More warnings.
Chapter Sixteen
“Let me show you something new, Hadde.” Morin placed Hawkeye next to the Weapons Gymnasium door. “I told you that you needed to study the broadsword in case you lost your bow. But what if you lost your sword as well?”
