Sword and Illusion

by Nancy S. Brandt

  In one hand, he held a cow and in the other, he had a staff as long as he was tall and as thick as a man's thigh.

  "It is a Dreaming Giant," Moonrazer said, looking at Varian.

  "You know about them?"

  She told him briefly about Olaf and how he came to be in her company.

  Varian motioned toward the wizards in the center of the room. "There is a certain type of wizard called Weavers, who are skilled in the magic of controlling dreams. This painting was created by one of the first Weavers to arrive here. He thought it was something he had picked from someone else's dream, but after a few years, several of the Weavers realized they'd had similar dreams."

  "They were sensing Giants."

  "Yes. The Dreaming Giants came here hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago. They were looking for a peaceful place to rest. Since they sleep nine to ten months out of a year, and this world was desolate, Tellan was the perfect home for them. They could sleep in peace, and if they needed food, they were able to dream up whatever they wanted."

  Moonrazer nodded. "The Giant we encountered protected a village of dwarfs who, in turn, provided him with food when he was awake. When he was asleep, he made sure their crops grew and their cattle. Then he started developing nightmares…"

  Suddenly she stopped and looked at the Weavers. "The Giants create the illusions. How do the Weavers fit in?"

  "When King Rillaur's ancestors banished all wizards from Andarnnon, they believed we would die, because nothing could grow here. Even with the wizards bringing as much food as they could with them, many of them starved to death."

  Varian looked up at the painting. "Then one day, a wizard, whose name has been lost to history, sat on a rock, wishing with all his might for an apple. He must have unknowingly entered a Giant's dream because soon a tree sprouted from the rocky soil. Within a day it was nearly bent over under the weight of all the apples on its branches.

  "Soon after that, through trial and error, they discovered that some of us have the ability to influence the Giants' dreams. Over a period of decades, the environment was so changed that Tellan became a paradise."

  He took her hands. "The Weavers control the climate and environment of Tellan by manipulating the dreams of the Giants. The average citizen of this world doesn't know this. My father passed the secret on to me when I came of age, and I swore a vow to protect it and this world to my death. I never told Violetta, even though as my wife she had a right to know. I never trusted that the secret wouldn't end up in her father's or brother's hands. She discovered it accidentally, and it frightened her. That was the reason she ran away. Elizabeth Louise was born and raised on Tellan so the secret was as important to her as it was to me."

  "You can trust me, Varian," Moonrazer said. "Our children will learn this secret when they are old enough, and they will take the same vow."

  Varian kissed her, and she let herself sink into his embrace. However, something troubled her, and after a moment she pulled back.

  "How do Dragons and the curse fit into this?"

  "A Dragon came here, ages ago, drawn by the scent of Giant magic. He found one of their caves and attacked, killing many Giants while they slept. The Weavers used their magic and the Giant's dreams to defeat the Dragons."

  Moonrazer frowned. "Nightwind would never do something like that."

  "I only know what I've told you. The Dragons and Giants are at war. When the other Dragons found their brother was killed, the Weavers took the blame and kept the presence of the Giants a secret. As a result, many Weavers were killed. Prince Aurick, my ancestor, went to the king of the Dragons, Cloudburst, and pleaded for mercy. It was granted, but he was made to accept the Dragon Moon curse in punishment."

  "Why did the Dragons not find the Giants again?"

  "The Weavers were able to discourage their investigation by manipulating the dreams to create natural barriers against the Dragons, such as windstorms in the upper atmosphere, or swarms of biting insects that would get into the most sensitive areas of a Dragon's body."

  "An impressive defense strategy." Moonrazer imagined what she could do with such power at her command.

  Varian nodded. "If our line is ever to end, if ever there is not a Dragonborn heir at the Dragon Moon Festival, which occurs every thirty years, the ruler of Tellan would be sacrificed and the Dragons would finish taking vengeance on this World."

  "They would kill the Weavers or use them to get to the Giants."

  "So you see why it is so important that we conceive a child as quickly as possible."

  She took his hand and together they walked outside, through the snowy Portal.

  Just a little ways from where the white flakes fell continually, there was a sunlit meadow where the air was warm, and the breeze was filled with exotic fragrances.

  Moonrazer sat in the grass and pulled him down next to her. Wildflowers grew in abundance, and she picked a yellow blossom. The scent of honey and cinnamon filled her nostrils, and the sweet blend made her sigh.

  She looked at the mountains and the grass and the flowers.

  "None of this is really here?"

  "No, no," Varian said quickly. "It's all here. And it's all real, in the sense that you can touch it and taste it and smell it, but when a Weaver gets sick or gets old, things don't work right. Plants die or rivers dry up."

  "If the dreams stop, it could all vanish." She thought about his words. "If Rillaur ever succeeded in capturing this world—"

  "It would revert to a barren rock. Not immediately, but eventually."

  A shiver ran through her.

  "Are you cold?" he asked, starting to take off his jacket.

  "No. I just remembered one of our Sacred Writings. I memorized it as a child because it seemed so impossible. I had forgotten it until now."

  "What does it say?"

  After a moment, she said, "'The Exalted Warrior will leave her position and her throne, and find her destiny elsewhere. A new Exalted Warrior will come from an unexpected place, and there will be unity between the people of dreams and the people of swords.'"

  He smiled. "It seems we were destined to be together, sword and illusion."

  ****

  When Moonrazer was well enough to travel, Varian took her to his palace.

  A week later, on the morning of her marriage to Varian, Moonrazer and the Prince sat on one of the many balconies of the palace, enjoying the sunrise and each other's company.

  "I am glad you are here," he said. "You've made me a very happy man by agreeing to be my wife."

  "I hope I can be a good one," she said. "I have never had much tolerance for courtly intrigue and gossip."

  He chuckled. "That is one of the things I love most about you."

  Just then, Adazzra came out of the palace behind them.

  "Good morning," Varian said. "You are up early."

  "It is an important day," Adazzra said. "There is much the new princess needs to do, and I'm here to make sure she doesn't forget any of it."

  "As if I could, with Gloriana and Estelle constantly asking me about flowers, tea sets, and colors." Moonrazer took a last swallow of her now tepid beverage and stood. "I should go visit the stable first, however. I understand Lord Percival George sent us two breeding mares as a wedding gift, and I want to see their quality."

  "That can wait," Adazzra said. "We should get you changed for the ceremony."

  Moonrazer wanted to complain about all the fuss, but she looked into Varian's eyes and realized that as a prince and ruler of his people, he deserved all the formality and ritual she could muster.

  He had been married twice before and certainly, his subjects would compare this wedding to his others. She wanted her joining with him to be the stuff of legend. She wanted his people to remember this day for generations.

  "Adazzra's right," she said. "I need to leave you for a time, Prince Varian."

  He bowed. "I look forward to our next meeting."

  ****

  "I'm waiting for the complaints,"
Adazzra said as she hovered near the bath where Moonrazer soaked. Several of the palace servants had been assigned to help Oakgold with the wedding preparations. A few of them held lotions and perfumes.

  "Complaints?" Moonrazer asked.

  "Well, yes." Adazzra moved to the other side of the sunken tub in the princess's apartment. Estelle had made sure these rooms were ready for this day, and Oakgold had dogged her steps to make sure everything was worthy of her mistress.

  "You hate this kind of thing," Adazzra said. "Yet, here you are, letting servants bathe you in fragrant oils and rub lotions all over you. This is not the way the Exalted Warrior acts."

  Moonrazer stood and allowed Oakgold to wrap a huge, thick towel around her. "Gloriana came to my room last night with three servants carrying trays of oils and perfumes. She wanted me to pick the ones I wanted to use today. Apparently, it is tradition for the Tellan Princess to have perfumes created just for her. However, the perfumers will consult with me after the Festival of the Dragon Moon, if things go as planned."

  "So what did you and she decide on?" Adazzra picked up one of the bottles and sniffed it. "It smells like honey and cinnamon."

  "Yes." Moonrazer moved to a vanity table near the fireplace. "It is reminiscent of a flower I found when Varian and I were at the Weavers' Tower. Gloriana would never know this, but I found out that the Master of the Royal Stable uses this same fragrance to calm the horses and mask their scent whenever there is an official hunt."

  "I thought you found what you've been hunting for."

  Moonrazer walked over to where her wedding gown hung.

  "This is another thing I thought you'd complain about," Adazzra said, fingering the fabric of the dress.

  "It is a type of armor, silken steel. The Weavers created it for me. It can withstand a heavy blow, and block the thrust of a sword. While it is not as strong as chain over leather, it will leave me able to move freely."

  "I assume Gloriana didn't approve this."

  "Correct, but this is not about her. Varian loves me and has found many ways to help me be myself." Moonrazer paused. "If you had tried to get me into a dress and doused with perfumed liquids for the Sword Ceremony, I would have had many complaints. I have worried that I would have to give up being a warrior, but Varian is happy to let me be a warrior and a woman."

  Adazzra smiled. "I'm sure Varian would see you as a woman if you wore all your weapons and led Wind Rider in with you."

  "I will never forgive myself for leaving him behind. I worry that Whiteshadow has had him killed, just because he belonged to me. I am sure my… I mean, the Sarl warriors are not happy with her guidance."

  "I would not worry about that," Oakgold said as she guided Moonrazer to a chair before a table with a mirror. "You have trained them well. They will survive. As for Wind Rider, that horse would never let anyone abuse him without a fight."

  Another servant, Sylvia, a short, young girl with red hair and bright green eyes, began working a comb through Moonrazer's dark brown hair, massaging cream into the tangles to ease them.

  Oakgold opened the large trunk beside the mirror and pulled out satin and lace undergarments. Adazzra watched, a grin on her face, as the servant handed the dainty wisps of fabric to Moonrazer.

  "Do not laugh, Adazzra of the Tree Women," Moonrazer said as she fastened a thin silver blade to her ankle in a scabbard of silken steel. "I am to be Princess of Tellan, and I am sure women of Varian's court wear such as this every day."

  "But Moony," Adazzra said, the smile fading, "you are not like the women in his court, and it is one of the things he loves about you."

  Moonrazer stopped, a chemise in her hands. "My body is changing, preparing itself to carry a child. Eventually, I will have to leave the warrior part of me behind for the sake of that new life. I will have to be more a soft woman than strong warrior."

  "No. You will always be like silken steel; beautiful and made for battle."

  Moonrazer was shocked by Gloriana's voice and stared at the woman who had just entered the bathing chamber.

  Varian's sister stepped behind Moonrazer and picked up the comb the servant had been using. "You are dismissed for now, Sylvia."

  "Thank you, ma'am," Sylvia said. She curtseyed and then stepped out.

  To Moonrazer's surprise, Gloriana began working on her hair.

  "You are very different from the noblewomen at court, and I thought you would never fit in. However, after seeing how you have behaved with my brother and with the servants, I realize you are exactly what this world needs.

  "Varian is under the Dragon Moon Curse. We all are, really. He needs you."

  Moonrazer understood what Gloriana meant, and it wasn't just about conceiving a child. Even if she were pregnant at the Festival, the Dragons could decide that wasn't good enough and kill him anyway.

  A chill washed across her heart, as if water from the glaciers had somehow made its way into her veins, and her sword arm tensed.

  "Let us pray to the Holy One that my ability with a sword will not be needed," she said, turning around to look at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. "I love him as much as you do."

  "It is my prayer every day," Gloriana said, tears filling her eyes. She knelt on the floor in front of Moonrazer, the comb and its task forgotten. "If the Dragons do decide that an unborn heir isn't good enough, I know Estelle and I would feel better knowing you were standing by him. You've killed Dragons before."

  Gloriana didn't know that the Dragons she'd fought were actually men in disguise. "I will defend Tellan as I would my own world."

  "If I knew nothing else about you," Gloriana said, "I would love you for that alone. I will be proud to call you my sister and my princess."

  "Thank you." Moonrazer stood and embraced Gloriana.

  "Now," the younger woman said, "we can't have you dressing like any other woman. We want the people of Tellan to see they have a singular and special princess."

  Adazzra stepped over to them, holding a bundle wrapped in a green and blue silk scarf. "I think I had something shipped from the tower that will help." She unwrapped a sword.

  Moonrazer gasped, taking the weapon. "Adazzra. I cannot believe you have this."

  "It is not the last surprise in store for you this day."

  The hilt of the sword was scratched and the handle had a dent the size of the Tree Woman's fingertip.

  The blade was dull, unlike most weapons in Moonrazer’s arsenal.

  "I don't understand," Gloriana said.

  "I took it off a slain enemy in my first battle."

  Varian's sister smiled. "Then you must wear it."

  ****

  The palace chapel was filled with people, and as Moonrazer stood at the end of the aisle, she wished there were more Sarl.

  "I always thought my Joining would be on Carrick among Sarl," she murmured.

  "I know," said Adazzra, who was serving as her hand maiden, "but isn't the important thing that you're marrying a man you love?"

  "Yes, of course." Moonrazer hugged her friend. "Nearly everyone I love is here. I only wish things with Whiteshadow had worked out differently."

  Music from the orchestra, located on a loft above the altar of the church, filled the air.

  "It's time," Adazzra said. She kissed the bride's cheek and started down the aisle.

  Moonrazer took several deep breaths to calm her pounding heart.

  The aisle seemed to be the length of a battlefield, and Varian was so far away, she could barely make out his expression.

  However, once she took the first step toward him, she relaxed. She moved from the shadows surrounding the doorway, and the light exploded around her. Her eyes scanned the crowd.

  The palace chapel of Janico had light blue walls and marble pews. Lengths of blindingly white silk were draped in graceful scallops along the ceiling. Flowers of yellow, blue, and pink were tucked into the folds of the fabric and gathered into massive bouquets set around the sanctuary.

  The steps to the altar were covered
in yellow carpeting and pink satin streamers. Above the altar hung a vast star with a great red lens made of Cornarine stones in the center. These stones, which were found deep within the glaciers of Carrick, were very rare and magnified the light that shone through them to a dizzying brightness.

  Moonrazer smiled. This felt right. She belonged to Varian, heart and soul, and she knew the Holy One had brought them together for a reason. She silently offered her prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

  A flock of white birds was released as she passed each of the five great marble columns that lined the aisle. The birds circled the sanctuary and then flew out through the huge skylight at the top of the chapel.