Sword and Illusion

by Nancy S. Brandt

  "Prince Varian," she said, "I have heard fascinating stories about Tellan. I would love to hear about your world from you."

  He took a sip of his wine. "It is a lovely world. There are oceans so blue, you'd believe they were dyed that color, and fields of flowers every hue you can imagine."

  His eyes grew distant. "There is fertile land, abundant with life. On the Summer Continent, the forests of fruit trees stretch for miles and provide more than we can eat. No one there need work to stay alive, as the land provides a succulent variety of foods. Many who see it for the first time say they can only have imagined such a place."

  Moonrazer felt a quiver from the Sword of Justice, and she slid the blade ever so slightly from its scabbard beneath the table. There was the faintest of blue glows, as if it detected some kind of minor deception throughout his speech. She wondered what he would be hiding.

  "I'm sure it is a beautiful world," she said. "Are there cold regions on Tellan? Perhaps something resembling Carrick?"

  "The Winter Continent may be more to your liking. Heavy coniferous forests are forever clothed in white. The clear streams are filled with salmon whose flesh is as sweet as honey. Beneath the shelter of the forest canopy live an immense variety of foxes clothed with exquisite fur, soft and lush. Many noblewomen wear coats of this fur."

  Again, she felt the strange, faint quiver from the sword.

  "Are there glaciers as well? Is your palace within sight of the Winter Continent?"

  He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. The palace of Tellan is on the Summer Continent near the Gardens of the Patriarchs, an immense area set aside to preserve every kind of plant that can grow on my world. It is said that there is no disease that cannot be cured by the variety of herbs that grows there."

  "That sounds fascinating, doesn't it?" Adazzra asked, turning to Moonrazer.

  "Yes, my sister, it does. Almost like a dream."

  Varian gave her a startled glance, and their eyes met. She felt a glimmer of the hypnotic power she had seen him use.

  "It has been said that the wizards of Tellan are a people of dreams," Varian said.

  Moonrazer turned her attention back to her own food.

  Prince Varian's world did sound beautiful, almost too beautiful to be real.

  "Lucan," Adazzra said, "is your world as beautiful as Tellan?"

  "Well, no, Mistress Adazzra," Lucan said. Moonrazer looked up to see him smiling.

  "It is a very green world," he said, "and it sustains us well, but I like Carrick better. It is much bigger, with so many beautiful places to explore.

  "I would like to bring a herd of our finest horses here, and run them along the glaciers. They are among the fastest in the Known Worlds and much of our wealth has come from their excellent bloodlines."

  "Your own mount, Smokey Traveler, is a fine animal," Moonrazer said. "I have no doubt he would sire some strong offspring if mated with the proper mares."

  Lucan's smile grew wider. "I have been looking for such a mare, but until I find a place to settle, Smokey must content himself with good food and only looking at the ladies."

  "I am sure he is eager to remedy that situation," she said.

  Adazzra shot her a questioning look, but before anything else could be said, a troupe of jugglers entered the banquet hall and began to entertain the diners.

  Moonrazer had seen these men and their antics before, so she took the time to watch the Candidates’ reactions.

  Varian seemed to enjoy the show, the shadow of a smile on his face. At one point, he looked in her direction, and his smile deepened. His blue eyes, the same color as the sky in the last moments before darkness fell, reflected intelligence and depth of feeling. There was a capacity for great love there, as evidenced by deep wounds which he already bore.

  Lucan seemed to enjoy the jugglers rather more, laughing and slapping his knees at some of the more inventive and dangerous stunts. He didn't take his eyes off the performers.

  He was a good man who enjoyed the simple things in life. It would be interesting to see how he reacted to her announcement.

  After the jugglers, a group of young Sarl women and a few men with homemade instruments came into the banquet room. Taking seats on the floor in front of the women, they began to play.

  One of the women, a girl Moonrazer had never seen before, started to sing about the Exalted Warrior and all her battles. The other women danced, interpreting the song with movement.

  Moonrazer did her best to ignore this. She had hoped the History Cycle was enough of a tribute to the legacy of the Sarl, but apparently not.

  The last bit of entertainment was another dance troupe, but fortunately, there were no songs of Moonrazer's glory. She'd heard enough about herself to last for awhile.

  The dance troupe finished, and applause thundered through the ballroom.

  When it died down, Whiteshadow stood. The Sisters of the Flame had finished their meal and clearly, the Mother Prioress was ready for the Exalted Warrior's announcement.

  Moonrazer stood, and her sister joined her.

  "Are you prepared to share your decision with your people?" Whiteshadow asked.

  Moonrazer nodded. "I am."

  The Mother Prioress faced the audience. All conversation ended.

  Moonrazer's heart pounded harder than before any battle in her memory. When she finished what she had to say, Whiteshadow would be angry, and even though she was the Exalted Warrior, she hated to face her sister's ire.

  Nightwind had reminded her of her responsibilities, and she knew what she had to do.

  Whiteshadow bowed and walked to a screen near the wall. Two of the Sisters removed this and revealed a table that held a golden circlet and an ornately jeweled goblet. She filled the latter with wine and carried both items back to the throne.

  Lucan and Varian moved to their designated seats to the right of the throne, near Whiteshadow. Adazzra took her place to the left of the throne.

  Moonrazer faced her people. "Sarl warriors, men, and distinguished guests, I have made the most important decision in my life as Exalted Warrior. Mother Prioress Whiteshadow has reminded me the traditions of our ancestors held our people together for generations."

  All eyes were on her, and she took a deep breath.

  "For too long, our people had no homeland and were scattered all over the Known Worlds. Now that we are back on the world given to us by Janico, the Holy One, it is important that we honor the ancient ways."

  Both Whiteshadow and Adazzra smiled at her.

  "However, our life now is different than it was seven generations ago, when the Sword of Justice and Ruby Medallion were lost. We must take that into consideration.

  "When the last Exalted Warrior named her consort, it was after many blizzards of knowing the men who would take on the challenge for the Offering. I have not had such luxury. Our people have been more concerned with survival than with raising sons who may one day join with an Exalted Warrior. The two Candidates were strangers to me only a few weeks ago.

  "Therefore, I have decided that while I must make a choice, as the ancient traditions dictate, I choose an intention at this time. The joining will not take place for at least three moon cycles while I become acquainted with the man I choose."

  She turned to Whiteshadow, who looked horrified. Moonrazer took the goblet from her.

  "I will not share this wine with my choice today." She poured the wine onto the floor, amid gasps and murmurs around the ballroom.

  "What are you doing?" Whiteshadow said in a harsh whisper. "This is not according to tradition."

  "Traditions sometimes have to be reinterpreted."

  She took the circlet from a stunned Whiteshadow's hand and faced the people again.

  "I also state now, as Exalted Warrior, that the man I choose will be my Sword Bearer only. If I decide that my choice was wrong at a later time, I will release him from the betrothal."

  She looked at her sister. "Mother Whiteshadow, does this contradict anything in the An
cient Writings?"

  Her sister shook her head. "It will not glorify the Holy One to have you mate with a man you do not know."

  Moonrazer was surprised at this response. She'd expected Whiteshadow to complain about tradition and remind her of the changes happening in her body.

  The fact that Whiteshadow did none of these things made Moonrazer wonder if her sister were ill or just eager to get the rituals finished.

  However, this was not the time to speculate on her sister's behavior. She had an audience to consider.

  She turned back to them and said, "The Consort Intended, like all Sarl men, must be a capable hunter. Also, he must be a man strong enough to stand next to the Warrior Sage, which is what I will become when my time as Exalted Warrior is over."

  She looked at the golden ornament in her hand. "There are personal criteria for my choice as well. I love Carrick, and I have fought much of my life to bring you, my beloved people, back to our home. I cannot imagine leaving this world and making my home elsewhere."

  Turning to the men, she said, "Both of you have shown yourselves strong men and capable hunters; however, Prince Varian, as fond as I have become of you, and as much as I respect you, I prefer to not leave my home to stand as Princess of Tellan."

  Holding the circlet in front of her, she went to Lucan. "Therefore, I have tentatively chosen Lucan. He will act as the Sword Bearer tomorrow at the Confluence celebration, then he will move into the Tower for the next three moon cycles. After that time, should the Holy One will it, there will be a life joining ceremony."

  She placed the circlet on his head and took his hand. He stood next to her as she turned to face her people.

  Most of those in attendance applauded, but Moonrazer noticed Varian and Adazzra looked disappointed.

  She released Lucan's hand, and walked over to the Prince. "I hope you understand why I made the choice I did."

  Prince Varian stood up from the table, then knelt before her. "I accept your choice, of course, Warrior, but may I request a private audience. I have an important matter to discuss with you." He reached into the pouch hanging from his belt and pulled out a coin. "I make this request in accord with Sarl ancient tradition." He handed her the coin.

  Moonrazer stared at it. "I have never seen one of these, but all Sarl know the stories of the Coins of Valor. How did you come by this?"

  He briefly related the story of rescuing the child from the well.

  "Of course, you may have your audience as a reward for your courage."

  She spoke to Adazzra. "Will you ask the minstrels to begin the ball? I am going to take Prince Varian to the Throne Room, so he can talk to me in private."

  The Tree Woman looked confused but said, "Of course."

  Whiteshadow hurried to her sister's side. "What are you doing? If you begin the ball, the guests will expect you to dance with Lucan. You have made your wishes known about the mating, but you cannot ignore him now."

  Moonrazer held up her hands to stop the lecture. "I do owe him something."

  She took his hand. "Lucan, I must speak to Prince Varian in private. He has requested an audience according to ancient Sarl tradition."

  He furrowed his brow in obvious confusion. "If this is something you must do, then of course I understand."

  Motioning for Varian to follow her, Moonrazer left the ballroom.

  ****

  Varian followed Moonrazer. He had the distinct feeling that she was glad for the excuse to leave the festivities.

  A Sarl guard stood outside the Throne Room and bowed to Moonrazer as she approached. "Is there something I can help you with, Warrior?"

  "Prince Varian and I need to speak alone." She opened the door. "Your Highness?"

  The large room looked even bigger now that the throne had been moved to the ballroom. There was no other seating and Varian found himself at a bit of a loss.

  Moonrazer apparently felt no need to stand on ceremony. She sat down on the top step of the throne platform.

  She took off one of her shoes and rubbed her foot. "I hate playing dress-up. What is it you want to talk to me about?"

  He hesitated, not knowing as much as he'd like about Sarl protocol.

  "Oh, please, just sit," she said finally. "I do not know if your feet hurt as much as mine do, but I do know that I will get a sore neck if I have to keep looking up."

  She was so unlike any royal female he'd ever met.

  "Warrior," he began.

  "Only Sarl address me as 'Warrior'," she said. "My name is Moonrazer."

  "Yes, Moonrazer." He took a deep breath. Now that he was here, saying the words he'd come so far to say was more difficult than he'd expected.

  "My wife recently died, and on her deathbed, she revealed to me that we had a daughter."

  "Your wife?" she asked. "The one killed by Lord Olivier?"

  "No. My first wife, Violetta, left me. I searched for her for years, and finally decided that she had to be dead. She left me within two years of our marriage, and I never knew she was pregnant." Varian clasped his hands together and stared at them. "We should never have married. It was a political alliance arranged by our fathers. I believe her father had ulterior motives."

  "Did you come here to confess your marital history? Perhaps, if you are looking for absolution, Mother Whiteshadow would be a better counselor."

  Varian looked into her eyes. "What I'm trying to tell you is that after our daughter was born, my wife left the infant on a rock in the middle of a stream to die. Warriors, possibly Sarl warriors, were camped in that area. Is it possible that my daughter still lives with a Sarl family?"

  "How long ago was this? On what World?" Moonrazer asked, her eyes narrowed.

  "Sixteen years. On World Lireek."

  She didn't answer right away, but she looked at the floor, her brow furrowed. After a few moments, she raised her head and looked at him.

  "Until ten blizzards ago we were scattered throughout the Known Worlds, living as nomads. It is possible that Sarl were camped on that world at that time. If one of my warriors had found a child abandoned on a rock in the middle of a stream, it is quite likely that she would have taken it, yes."

  "So, you'll help me?"

  "I may be getting too old to be Exalted Warrior, but I'm not too old for one more quest." She grinned.

  Varian stood. "When do we begin?"

  "While I appreciate your eagerness to get started, I think we probably should get back to the ballroom," Moonrazer said, slipping her shoe back on. "After all, I think I have left my guests alone long enough." She stood. "Thank you for telling me this."

  "Why?" He was confused.

  "All my life, I have wondered why the man who fathered me was not with my mother. He might not have known about me."

  He bowed his head toward her with a smile. "Even though I've never met my daughter, I love her. I'm sure your father would love and be proud of you."

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Moonrazer and Varian came into the ballroom where Whiteshadow, Lucan, and Adazzra waited.

  "Will you now dance with your Consort Intended?" Whiteshadow asked, scowling.

  The Exalted Warrior nodded. "I will, after I have had a drink."

  The Mother Prioress looked upset, but she merely bowed and walked away.

  "I'll get you a glass of wine," Lucan said.

  "Thank you."

  "What did you and the Prince talk about?" Adazzra asked, watching Varian move across the room to his friend. "From the look on his face, I assume there was a positive outcome, at least from his point of view."

  Moonrazer smiled. "Are you up for one last adventure before I get too old to do it?"

  Adazzra spun around, blinking. "What is going on?"

  "I do not know the whole story," Moonrazer said, "but his first wife left him when she was pregnant sixteen years ago, and she left the child to die on World Lireek."

  "What?" The color drained out of Adazzra's face. "She left her own child to die?"

  "He bel
ieves the child did not die. Warriors, possibly Sarl warriors, were encamped in that area. If one of them found the child, she may be alive and living here on Carrick."

  Adazzra's eyes grew wide. "That's why he came for the Choosing. He wants your help in finding her."

  "I believe he truly was looking for another wife," Moonrazer said. "He has not behaved falsely in this regard. I told him I would. Indeed, I must."