The Lords of Valdeon

by C. R. Richards

  "Yes. You are the man who charges me three times its value to let the McPherson Farm." Leo marched passed the elder without another glance. "I know exactly who you are. Come, Seth. We go."

  Seth gave a slight nod to Elder Newcastle as he hurried past to join Leo. A fierce grin stretched upon the Valdeonian's face. Leo burst into laughter. It was rich, deep, and very contagious. Seth begrudgingly joined him.

  "Leo, who are you and how do you know my mother?"

  He smiled and put a hand on Seth’s shoulder. "I knew your mother before you were born. My troop was stationed on Horner Island while Anne was on holiday. I was in love with her, you see. We all were." Leo smiled at the memory. "She was an incredible woman. I swore to always be her friend if ever she had need of one."

  "Did you also know her Edmund, my real father?"

  "My friends call me Leo. It is a name I was given in my service to Andara." Leo gave him a small smile. "I am Edmund, Seth. I am your father."

  The amber-flecked eyes matching his own waited for Seth to respond. He turned away and stared straight ahead. His life was changing quickly, too quickly. He needed time to sort things out. Questions he had for the man walking next to him were anxious to come out, but still he hesitated. Conflicting emotions pressed against his heart. Imagine coming from a warrior like Leo. No more lectures or dull classrooms. Leo could teach him how to fight, and he could show him about the world away from Marianna. Then he remembered his mother's sorrow the last time he'd seen her alive. Could Seth admire and trust a man who had abandoned his pregnant lover so easily?

  Darkness covered the island, but Leo walked the row with the confidence of a native islander. He turned onto the small lane leading to the McPherson Farm. Leo took the steep hill at a steady pace, not slowing despite their long walk. Seth raced up the hill after him, clutching at his side. His father was not winded at all.

  "Come, I smell Dante’s stew."

  The warmth of a comfortable home greeted them when Leo opened the farmhouse door. Floorboards missing for years had been replaced and covered with clean throw rugs. Fresh paint brightened the living area and kitchen. The home's large fireplace had been scrubbed clean of old ash.

  His nose caught the scent of food. A bubbling pot hung over a cheery fire. The delicious smell of stewing meat and vegetables mixed with the aroma of fresh bread. Seth’s stomach growled and his mouth began to water.

  "Well, home at last!" A grizzled head popped out from one of the rooms down the short hallway. "You look like a shipwreck, Cub."

  "Seth’s had a busy day, Dante. Let’s see how you look after scaling the cliffs of Marianna."

  Dante snorted and marched toward Seth. The Valdeonian frowned and shook his head. He nearly ripped the waistcoat and shredded shirt off Seth. A rough, old finger traced along the scar on Seth's bare chest.

  "And what battle was this from?"

  "It’s from a raider’s knife, sir." Seth puffed up with pride when the two Valdeonians whistled in appreciation at the pink line.

  "You will tell us of this adventure, yes?"

  "What the boy needs is a full stomach, a hot bath, and a good night’s sleep." Dante motioned impatiently toward the door. "Both of you go wash up. My stew is ready for eating."

  Leo winked at Seth as they made for the side of the farmhouse. A barrel filled with water from the well stood upon the covered porch. Leo scooped out some of the water in a small bucket. He handed it to Seth and waved at a bar of soap upon a table next to the wall. Sniffing at the small block of soap, he began to lather. The bubbles smelled like wildflowers and spring grass. They'd not gotten this soap from the islands.

  Seth rinsed off with the bucket and noticed Leo watching him. A strange sort of melancholy smile was upon his face. He turned away to grab a towel off the table and tossed it to Seth.

  Dante had their plates full of stew and bread when they returned. The meat was seasoned with wonderful spices Seth had never tasted before. His tongue tingled as he savored the first few bites. Then he shoveled spoonfuls of stew in faster and faster. He gave them an embarrassed grin when he realized his plate was empty before either man had taken his first bite.

  "You like my stew, yes?" Dante asked, taking his plate and filling it up again.

  "I've never tasted the like, sir." Seth kept his eyes on his plate as the talk quieted around the table. "Why have you come to Haven Bay now, Leo? Why not before?"

  He kept his tone measured, taking a tight hold on his anger. Growling and demanding why the man before him had ignored his son would be warranted. Despite his impatience, he couldn't bring himself to show his pain to a total stranger. He wasn't sure what to make of Leo. The evidence supporting his claim of being Seth's father was there in the portrait he'd found and the striking resemblance they shared.

  "A month ago, a letter from a friend of your mother reached me. She told me of Anne’s death and asked me to find you. I'm here to look after you, Seth."

  "My mother told me she feared for me the night she was murdered. She didn’t explain why."

  In truth he could give a good guess why she had been frightened for him. Pavel Sandor. The killer was ruthless and determined to end them both. These attempts on Seth's life wouldn't end until he or Sandor were dead.

  "Anne's fear started before you were born, Cub." Dante swirled his fork before him. "She disappeared one day and went into hiding. Now we know why. She'd found out she was pregnant with you."

  "Dante!" Leo pounded a fist upon the table.

  "Well, it's true. Your father didn't know you existed until he got our friend's letter." Dante took Leo's spilled plate away and came back with another. "We were on a ship bound for this island almost the same moment he found out you were here."

  Seth stared at the man who'd sired him. The same pain and confusion striking at Seth's heart was etched upon his face. Life had been a bumpy ride on a rickety wagon. He'd grown up believing his father had died. Then he'd been led to believe, by his grief-stricken mother, that Edmund had abandoned them. Now these men were asking him to believe she'd kidnapped her own son away from his father. He didn't know what to believe anymore.

  "Anne was such an exciting woman, so intelligent and kind. You remind me of her, Seth." Leo swallowed hard. "We were wed at the little church on Horner Island. Our witnesses were the people we thought we could trust. Before I had a chance to tell my family, my regiment was called to the Outpost Territories."

  "What happened?"

  "Our families didn’t approve of us. One of my uncles used his connections to extend my tour and somehow stopped my letters from reaching your mother." His fist gripped at an unlucky eating utensil until the blood drained from his knuckles. "While I was away, the priest who married us was persuaded to annul our marriage. A dear friend of your mother wrote me about their plan, but your uncle took Anne away before I could find them. No amount of searching or threats helped my cause. In the end, I clung to my duty and an unhappy life."

  Words wouldn't come as Seth regarded the father who'd been cast out of his life. The pain and grief Leo had shown at Anne’s grave were real. He hadn't known his father long, but clearly he was a man of honor. Why would his mother hide from such a man? He shifted in his seat to ease tense muscles. Mother had her own secrets, and Fergus McCloud knew them. Contempt for his uncle grew to seething hatred. How could he steal away another man’s wife?

  "I don't understand. Why would Mother take me away from you? And why would she lie to me about who I am?"

  "I think she was trying to protect you, Seth. Our families didn't approve of my marriage to Anne. They may have threatened to hurt you."

  "It would explain Pavel Sandor's claims." Seth took another bite of bread and chewed as the two men stared at him. "Sandor and his raider friends ambushed me on the road. He told me he'd been paid by my family to kill me. Then he poisoned mother and tried to poison me as well."

  "How did you escape such an assassin?"

  "A Valdeonian ranger saved me. I didn't see hi
s face, just the legion badge. He said he would be back for me at the appointed time. I'm not certain what he means to do with me."

  "Traitor!"

  Leo pushed away from his chair, sending the unlucky furniture smacking against the wall. Amber fire burned within his eyes. His father turned from the table with a feral growl. He fell against the windowsill and stared out across the farm.

  Dante cleared his throat and shook his head. "Finish your bread, Cub, and there is a piece of pie for you. I go to fill your bath."

  He disappeared down the hallway, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging over the house. Leo's breath slowly calmed as he struggled to control his temper. Used to such angry fits of bad humor, Seth sat quietly. He kept a tight hold upon his own emotions. Nothing good would come of his powers striking at Leo.

  "Forgive my anger, Seth. Your visit from the Valdeonian ranger concerns me. My side of the family knew about you and kept your existence from me. It will be more difficult to find a safe place for us to hide once we leave Marianna."

  "I'm not leaving, not yet. My mother's killer is somewhere on this island. Sandor cut those boards on the Sea Steps in order to murder me. I'm certain of it."

  "You don't understand, my son. I must get you to safety. This is important, yes?"

  Seth rose from the table as quickly as his sore muscles would allow. He took a step toward the farmhouse door, but Leo moved to block his path. Two firm hands rested upon Seth's shoulders. His father's face softened, and a tired smile came to his lips.

  "Very well. I want justice for Anne too, but you must promise to be careful. Sandor is the deadliest assassin Andara has seen in centuries. He won't be easy to find. I will help you look on one condition. You must allow me to train you in the sword. I can teach you many things, Seth. But you must want to learn, to carry on with your life."

  "I do want to learn, Leo. You have my promise."

  "The sword will wait. Come along, Cub. I have to chisel the dirt off you."

  Dante led him down the hall to the back of the farmhouse. He swung open the porch door and stood aside to let Seth pass. The smell of mint and strong spirits made him stagger back. Dante pulled him forward onto the small back porch. A large metal tub stood at its center. Dante had filled it with steaming water. Slick liquid — bathing oil — floated on the surface.

  "Take off the boots and get out of those filthy clothes."

  The Valdeonian folded his arms, blocking the door. He wasn't welcoming an argument. Seth hurried out of his boots and stripped to the skin. He stuffed the vile and the gargoyle coin into his boot when Dante's back was turned. Then he hurried to stand by the tub, shivering in the breeze.

  "In you go, Cub."

  "You want me to get in the water, sir?"

  "Well, I don’t want you to drink it! Haven’t you ever seen a bathing tub before?" He gasped when Seth shook his head. "What a barbaric country this is. How do you wash yourselves?"

  He sank down into the water with a sigh. Heat penetrated his sore muscles. Stretching his arms and legs, the tightness in his body began to loosen.

  "Did the tub come from Valdeon, sir?"

  "Yes and stop calling me ‘sir.’ I’m not your grandpapa."

  Dante poured a bucket of water on Seth’s hair and began to scrub at it with a soap smelling of spices. He was beginning to resemble a rabbit in a roasting pan. It would be worth it if he could get a little more information out of Dante.

  "The soap and the spices, they came from Valdeon as well, sir? I mean Dante."

  "Yes, as did Leo and I. Your father will tell you all about his life in Valdeon when he's ready."

  He rinsed the soap off and pulled Seth up from the water. The Valdeonian held out a long piece of fabric to wrap around his shivering body.

  "And how do you dry yourselves, shake off in the breeze?" Dante snorted as he watched Seth finger the soft cloth. "Here, put this on."

  He took the offered nightshirt from Dante. It was a rich fabric with ornate stitching upon the breast pocket. He couldn’t imagine why a person would need a pocket while they slept. Pulling on the shirt, he found that it fit him very well. Hurriedly stuffing the vile and the coin into the pocket of his nightshirt, he followed Dante. They moved back into the kitchen to find Leo sitting by the fire, sipping at a small glass of amber liquid. The amber flecks in his eyes glowed in the light of the flames.

  "Your nightshirt fits the Cub, Leo." Dante pulled at the fabric. "He has a bit of room to expand, but I'll soon fatten him up."

  Leo nodded with a smile and poured two more glasses of the liquid. Seth took a seat beside him. He accepted the glass from Leo and sniffed it. Strong spices with the hint of fruit wafted from the glass.

  "Let us toast to new friendships."

  Leo lifted the glass toward them. Seth raised his too when Dante did. The amber liquid was spicy and rolled down his throat in warm streams of sweetness. The streams began to burn, and he coughed, clutching at his throat.

  "This is special liquor made from the barks of cherry trees around my home in San Leonora. It is called spice wine."

  "I like it."

  He took another mouthful and turned to stare into the fire. The flames rose and fell in undulating bands of warmth. Seth pushed aside all the memories of the day to focus on Leo’s words as they’d walked down the Main Row. His warrior father had called Seth a hero. No lie darkened his eyes when he'd said those words and none as he spoke of Seth's mother. It was time to tell Leo the rest.

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the tiny vial and the gold coin. He handed them to Leo, who stared at them silently. Slowly, careful to include each detail he could remember, Seth recounted the events on the day of his mother's death and everything he'd learned up to Leo bailing him out of jail.

  "It is a promissory marker issued by the Tslavian Royal Family as promise of payment for large sums of money. They aren't given lightly." Leo handed the coin back to Seth. "Whoever lost that coin can't collect his money without it. He'll be back."

  "Let us hope it belonged to one of the men you struck down today, Leo." Dante sniffed at the empty vile. "Devil's Cape. This is Sandor's calling card."

  "I don't think the villain is concerned with money. He despises me. My death is personal to Sandor. Hatred compels him to continue his attempts to kill me." Seth touched the crystal beneath his shirt. "Why couldn't he let us go? The last letter from Mother’s friend welcomed both of us to her home. We were leaving Marianna together with no intention of hurting or bothering anyone."

  "Letter?" Leo lifted his eyes from the vial to regard Seth.

  "I found letters and some other things in Mother’s hiding place after she died." Seth pulled the necklace from under his nightshirt.

  "May I see these things you found?" Leo's fingertips gently caressed the heart crystal at Seth’s neck.

  "I'll fetch them as soon as I can sneak down the Sea Steps again to the wharf. A portrait of you and mother was among the letters. I'm sure you'd like to have it."

  "My thanks to you." His father leaned back in the chair, keeping his eyes focused on Seth. "Now you must go to your rest. I have kept you up too long."

  A gentle touch pressed heavily upon his mind, pushing him toward sleep. His eyes closed as the heat of the drink seeped into his body. Warmth surrounded him, and he leaned his head against the side of the comfortable chair.

  "He is very much like her."

  "The Cub has his father in him too. He has courage."

  "Yes, it is my hope he has more of his mother in him than his father."

  "Well, courage or no, Leo, the boy looks half starved. What do they feed their young on this barbaric dot upon the water? He needs fattening up."

  The fragrance of exotic spice and citrus wrapped gently about him. Seth breathed it in deeply, easing the last of his fears. His head rolled forward and he started awake. It took a few moments for him to realize he was back in the cozy farmhouse. Leo was close to him, kneeling at his chair. Seth opened his hand, letting h
im take the full glass of liquor. Seth stifled a great yawn. He must have fallen asleep in the warmth of the cozy kitchen. The night was full on now. He struggled to make his legs move as he staggered away from the chair. Leo seemed to understand and took his arm.

  "Come, Seth. Your bed is ready. You need a good night’s sleep, yes?"

  The insistent power continued to lull him toward sleep. He nodded dully, trying to reason out where they were headed. Leo brought him to a small room with a comfortable-looking bed and a small writing desk.

  "Into bed with you, my son."

  Seth did what he was told and sunk down into the soft blankets. He closed his eyes with a contented sigh. Safe. The word echoed in his exhausted mind. He recognized the voice. It was the same soft whisper that came to him upon the breeze as he stood at Lands End.

  "Sleep well, little one. You will live with your father. I am with you now and will keep you safe. This I swear."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Old lips gripped the glass as thick, amber liquid passed between them. Julian sat across from Chancellor Benito, waiting as the old man finished his drink. The expensive liquor was a delicacy from Heidelbreckt. He'd taken great care to pick up a bottle on his last visit. The drink was one of Benito's favorites.

  "You spoil me, my prince."

  "It is the least I can do for the man who keeps our country at peace in such turbulent times. You carry a great burden, my lord chancellor." Julian brought the contrite mask of sympathy to his features.

  Benito stretched his arms overhead and yawned. The tired smile came slowly to his face, but Julian wasn't fooled. Beneath the old visage burned the ambition of a young man. He would not easily give up the power he had been given.

  "True. In my younger days, I could stay on my feet for much longer."

  "The pressures of office, no doubt. It is your wisdom which guides us now, Benito. Younger men don't have your experience." Julian poured them another glass. "It is your guidance and wisdom I seek now. As the last surviving son of our dead king, I feel there is much more I could be doing to help. I ask you to use me, my lord, in any way you can."