Aram smiled. “I think he’s solid. Leorg trusts him, anyway.”
“I don’t know that he’s untrustworthy.” She frowned, thinking about it. “It’s just that he is sort of scary.”
“I’ve met him,” Aram nodded, “and scary is a good word for it. Still, Leorg trusts him and I trust Leorg.”
“I think that he has been hurt, deeply.”
Aram hesitated and frowned at her. “Gorfang? Wounded?”
“No – hurt. Inside.”
“How do you know?”
Ka’en shook her head. “I don’t know. But it’s what I think.”
He pulled on his gauntlets and removed the sword from under the bed, slipping it over his head to rest behind his right shoulder. He glanced around the room and then looked at her. “I wish we could sit together quietly forever, Ka’en, but it’s not possible – I need to see to things. I need to know how Nikolus and his people are doing, and check on Thaniel – and Findaen and I should catch up on what is happening on the plains to the west of Derosa. And there are crops to plant.”
She inclined her head, silently.
He stood for a moment watching her. “Would you like to come with me?”
“Yes, of course.” She answered, but she did not move; and then she shook her head slightly. “Aren’t you hungry?”
He was hungry, a fact that until this moment had not registered. “I am.” He said simply.
She came to him and took his hand, leading him to the chair opposite the bed. “Please, sit down, Aram. I want to tell you something.”
Reluctantly, anxious to be about his business, he nonetheless complied, watching her in puzzlement. She sat on the bed and looked at him. “First – Nikolus and his people are fine. He’s come to the city everyday to ask about you. He and Jared, by all appearances, have become inseparable. He’s very excited about the town you gave them; he says that they will make it into a fine city. They are apportioning fields and sowing crops already.
“Second – Thaniel does need to see you. He has been beside himself, stomping around the front of the city in high dudgeon, afraid that you would die. He’s huge and when he is like this, everyone is frightened of him. If he does not see you soon, I think that he may tear the city apart.
“Third – Findaen and the others have sown your crops, including some potatoes that we brought from Derosa. Perhaps you would have done it differently than they did, but it’s finished nonetheless.” She stood and moved toward the fire pit where the flames of a small fire flickered. “Now, I am going to feed you, and then we’ll go down.”
He gazed at her in amazement. “You took care of all that?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Everyone else did it all. I just kept track, so that you would know when you awoke.”
“So everyone worked while I lay here like a dead man.”
She turned and frowned at him. “While you were very ill. And why shouldn’t they?” She folded her arms in front of her. “Aram, you cannot do everything by yourself. You cannot kill every lasher in the world on your own. Others will follow you willingly. Let them follow. Others will fight. Let them fight.” She turned away and began cutting potatoes into a pan. “And others can plant crops. A lord shouldn’t plant his own fields, anyway.”
“Yes, he should, actually.” Aram said quietly. “And I am not really a lord – except by the greatest of accidents.”
She did not look at him but continued preparing his meal. “Is this your city, Aram?”
“Yes.”
“Are you not lord of this valley?”
“It’s my valley.” He answered. “I live in it. But that alone doesn’t make me noble in any sense of the word.”
She turned then. “Do you not know what people think of you?” She gazed at him with wide, earnest eyes. “I love you. I would love you if you were still a slave in some village somewhere out on the plains, with no other prospects beyond such an existence. I will love you for the rest of my life. But you are more than just the man that I love.”
She walked over to the window and looked out over the valley. “Because of you, Aram, those people out there have hope. Because of you, men and horses and wolves and eagles and hawks are in alliance against him who would enslave us all.” She glanced over at him. “I remember what you told me last year, before you went away. You said that it was up to you to destroy Manon because there was no one else.”
“It is up to me, Ka’en.” He confirmed. “Because there is no one else.”
She trembled slightly as if disturbed by a sudden chill. “Aram, I – live in terror of your death – afraid that you will die somewhere far away from me and I will never see you again. There was a time during the winter when I was afraid that it had already occurred. It was a long, terrible winter for me. For months I had no news of you, whether you were alive or not.” She trembled again. “If I asked you to take me far away, to some place where we could live out our lives in peace –” She looked at him, her eyes shining with moisture “– would you do it – and abandon those people out there?”
“You know that I can’t.”
She watched him for a long moment and then nodded, and the slight smile that came onto her face was both sad and proud. “And that’s what makes you a lord on the earth, my love.”
“I only want to be your husband.”
“And I only want to be your wife – to see you come through the door every evening and sit by the fire while I feed you. But you are destined to be so much more than that. And it cannot be helped. I am caught in the currents of the river of destiny that is your life and I must go where it carries me – I have no choice.” She shook her head. “But I would take no other choice even if it was offered.” She gazed at him a moment, the proud, sad smile still clinging to her features, and then returned to the pan by the fire.
Aram stood and went to stand behind her, resting his hands gently on her shoulders. Her right hand was busy; she reached up with her left and placed it on his. “This war must be fought, Ka’en; there is no choice for me in this either.” He said. “But we will win it. I promise you.”
“Promise me but one thing – that you will survive it and return to me.” She answered.
“I will always return to you.”
She drew in a deep breath and let it out with a shudder. “You must take no more risks like the one you took on the road with Thaniel.”
“He told you of it, did he?” He reached up and touched the bandage on his head. “Believe me, my love, it is a lesson that I have learned well.”
“Sit down. Your breakfast is ready.”
As she brought the plate to him, he suddenly looked up and smiled broadly. “You asked me if this was my city.”
“I was making a point.” She said.
“Well, it is my city.” He answered, as he partook of his breakfast.
“I know.”
“And are you going to be my wife?”
She sat on the arm of the chair and put her hand on his shoulder. “I already answered that question.”
“Then it is your city, too.” He looked around the small room below the tower. “Surely, a princess of Derosa would prefer something grander than this.” He smiled up at her, suddenly proud. “Any house in this city is yours, Ka’en. Choose one and I will fix it up for when you come to live here.”
She ran her slim fingers across his head. “This will do fine for now. I will live where you live. But first you must speak with my father.”
“About us?”
She nodded.
Aram slid the last of the potatoes into his mouth, chewed the delightful morsels, and swallowed. “That was wonderful, better food than I have had in a long time – thank you. Do you think your father will object?”
She laughed. “No, of course not. But this is a major thing – the marriage of the Prince’s eldest daughter. Don’t you understand, Aram? You will become the heir to the Prince of Derosa the moment we are married. And I am afraid, my love, that it will be a muc
h more public thing than you would wish.”
Aram stood, frowning. “I remember – Findaen told me of this custom of your people. I do not want to marry you just to gain a position, Ka’en. And I doubt that I would make a very good prince.”
“Well, then you are the only one with such doubts.” She smiled gently. “I just want to be with you, Aram, to be your wife. But the people have their own expectations for the man who marries me – it is our way. I’m sorry that I come with such baggage. Would you like to reconsider?”
His frown faded as he looked at her. He shook his head and grinned. “Oh, no – not ever – but you are making that suggestion of yours about us running off into the wilderness appear more attractive by the moment.”
She walked past him and went to the window and gazed down over the city. “Any house that I like, you said?”
He went to her and slipped his arm around her small waist. “Any one you want.”
She smiled up at him. “Maybe I’ll look around while you attend to your business then.”
“Don’t get lost.”
“I’ll take Leorg with me.”
He met her eyes. “Leorg?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I doubt that he would get lost. And we seem to have an understanding. I may adopt him.”
He laughed. “Alright – take Leorg with you then. But only after I speak with him first. Come; I’d better see to Thaniel.”
They went down through the city in the bright morning, holding hands and laughing together. To Aram, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to walk the streets of his beautiful city beside the woman he loved, and for the moment the dark clouds that hung over all the earth were nowhere in sight. When they came out through the arches onto the great porch, Thaniel saw them immediately and pounded up, blasting huge amounts of air from his nostrils as he slid to a stop in front of them.
“My lord – you are well?”
Aram put a hand on the great broad chest. “I’m fine, my brother. And you?” He looked at the pink circle of flesh where the lasher’s lance had pierced the horse’s chest. There was no evidence of infection but the short hair that was growing back around and over the wound was pure white, a strange small star against the immense blackness of the horse.
“I told you, Lord Aram – it was nothing.”
Aram nodded, grinning broadly and happily at his enormous friend. “And you would have said that regardless.” He glanced around the great porch but the three of them were alone. “Where are the others this morning?”
Thaniel swung his head and looked out toward the valley. “Findaen and his friends are in the orchard, eating breakfast. Jared and Nikolus have not come up from the town by the crossings yet this morning. The wolves are down near the river, I believe.”
“And Alvern?”
“Here, Lord Aram.” And within minutes the eagle swooped down to alight on the pavement.
“News?” Aram asked.
“None, my lord. All is quiet to the northwest and there are no enemies in the valley.”
“Good.” Aram frowned suddenly and looked at Ka’en. “Why are Findaen and the others eating in the orchard? I have wood in the great hall.”
She shook her head. “No one will stay in the city without permission from you, my lord.”
Aram’s frown deepened at her use of a title in addressing him, but she silenced his potential objection with a quick shake of her head. He watched her for a moment. “That is something that will be remedied immediately.” He continued to look at her, and again he frowned. “Where did you sleep, my lady, on the journey here?”
Ka’en shrugged her slim shoulders. “On the ground – like everyone else.”
“You should never sleep on the ground.” He said, reprovingly.
She smiled at him and said nothing. He turned to Alvern. “Lord Alvern, do you ever talk to wolves?”
“If I must.”
“There are two wolves near the river. I would like to speak with them.” He looked at the eagle quizzically. “Do you ever go indoors?”
The eagle stared back. “Under a roof – away from the sky?”
“Yes.”
“Not gladly, my lord.”
“But will you do it?” Aram persisted.
“If I must.”
Aram looked at Thaniel. “And you, Thaniel, will you go indoors?”
“I agree with Lord Alvern.” The horse answered. “I will if I must.”
Aram nodded, a slight smile curling the corners of his mouth, and gestured with one hand toward the archways at the front of the city. “I would like to hold a council in the great hall. Will the two of you – and Jared – join us?”
Thaniel hesitated. “Is this to be a council of leaders, my lord?”
“Yes – of sorts.” Aram nodded. “I intend to discuss my plans and seek advice.”
“Then Huram should join us.”
“Huram?”
“Yes, my lord. Though Jared and I are most directly descended from Florm, the lord of horses; Huram is older than both of us and is also from an ancient family.”
Aram considered it for a moment and then nodded again. “I will speak with him myself, in that case. Now, will you two grant my wish and meet with me in the great hall?”
The horse and eagle glanced at each other and then offered their assent.
“I am grateful, my friends,” Aram said. He looked at Alvern. “Is it too much to ask you to summon the wolves, Lord Alvern?”
“I will away at once.” The eagle answered. Spreading his great wings, he caught the wind, lifted up, turned in a wide arc, and fLew toward the river.
Aram looked at Thaniel, but before he could speak, Thaniel laughed low in his throat and turned toward the stairs. “I will fetch Jared and Nikolus, my lord.”
“Thank you, my friend. Tell Huram I wish to speak with him as well, if you would.”
“At once, my lord.”
After they’d gone, Aram reached down and took Ka’en’s hand and led her toward the stairs. They went down the steps and found Findaen, Wamlak, Jonwood, and Mallet seated on the rubble where Borlus the bear had once lived. Ka’en started to pull her hand free, but Aram held on tightly, not looking at her, and after a moment she relaxed.
“I don’t care what anyone thinks.” He whispered, gruffly. Findaen and the others stood as he and Ka’en approached. Findaen glanced down at their clasped hands and his eyes sparkled for a moment but when he looked up again, an expression of cautious deference took possession of his features. The men bowed stiffly, their voices acknowledging his lordship in unison. Aram greeted them in turn, instantly missing the old familiarity that had once existed between them. He looked at Mallet, the big man.
“How are your children, Mallet?” He asked.
The big man’s face lit up. “It’s kind of you to ask, my lord. They are all well – thank you.” He said this cheerfully, but then he glanced at his somber companions and went silent again.
Aram and the men gazed at each other until Aram grew tired of the unease and frustrated at the awkwardness of the situation. He was happy and did not want the feeling to be diluted by the memories and leftover concerns of past troubles.
“This is a foolish thing,” he said, “my friends sleeping on the ground before the walls of my city when there are thousands of empty rooms inside.” Taking a deep breath, he wiped the expression of frustration from his face, lowered his voice, and spoke gently to Findaen. “My friend, you are always welcome in my house – my walls are yours, my wood, my fire, and my food – you may walk the streets of my city as if they were your own. Do you not know this?”
Findaen raised his eyebrows in amazement. “No, my lord, I did not know this. Forgive me, but the last time we spoke in Derosa, you expressed a desire to never see me again. You expressed it most forcefully. I would never have come into your valley uninvited but my sister was determined, and I could not let her travel the wilds alone.”
As Aram gazed back at the man’s earnest
face, the joy that had been building inside him since he learned of Ka’en’s regard for him suddenly burst its bounds, washing the awkwardness and frustration away, and he laughed, full and deep. The men of Derosa watched him with a variety of emotions; Mallet grinned, his own good humor bubbling to the surface, Jonwood frowned, as usual, Wamlak watched impassively though his eyes twinkled, and Findaen’s eyebrows rose higher as if they sought his hairline.
Aram released Ka’en’s hand and stepped forward, grasping Findaen by his shoulders. “I am the one needing forgiveness, my friend. I have been a fool. When I thought that I had lost all chance at gaining the affections of your sister, I took it out on all of you. You may safely forget all that I have said before – and hear this. My valley and my city are open to you always, my friends – always.” He met each man’s eyes in turn, looked at Ka’en and then glanced up at the defensive wall rising above them.
He nodded slowly. “May we someday stand here together in times of peace and freedom.” He said it quietly, like a benediction.
“Indeed.” Mallet said solemnly.
Wamlak glanced up at the big man, the twinkle in his eyes deepening, but said nothing.
Aram smiled. “Come, my friends, gather your things and come into the city. There is wood for a fire in the great hall and a supply of kolfa. Findaen; you always make the best cup. Perhaps you would consent to brew some up?”
Findaen returned his smile gladly and inclined his head. “With pleasure, my lord.”
While the men went into the orchard to collect their belongings, the horses trotted up – Thaniel, Jared, and the great dappled gray, Huram. Aram nodded to Jared and looked at Huram.
“My friend, are you willing to go indoors, beneath a man’s roof ?”
Huram glanced at Thaniel, who remained quiet, and then looked back at Aram. “I will go wherever you wish, my lord.”
Aram nodded. “Good. I wish to hold a council – to discuss what we must do to face the threat of the enemy. I want to talk with everyone in the great hall of my city.” He looked up at the big gray horse thoughtfully. “Later, if you are willing, there is something else you could do for me.”
Kelven's Riddle Book Two Page 24
