The Crown of Anavrea (The Theodoric Saga)

by Rachel Rossano

Focusing on his movements instead of his words, Eve quickly made her way around the bed and stood in front of him.

  “You can tell me all this while you are still in bed. You are weak and your body needs rest.”

  “I have no intention of…" A knock on the door interrupted Labren’s protest.

  “Prince or not.” Eve went to answer. “You are not getting out of bed.”

  She opened the door and found the man that had introduced himself as Han the night before. He must have heard her last few words because his blue eyes danced in amusement. He flashed a friendly smile at her, before looking past her to Labren.

  “I see you have met your match,” he called over her shoulder to Labren. “May I come in?” He winked at Eve. “I am interested in watching this.”

  Eve did not even look to see if Labren wanted company before stepping back to give Han room to pass. She trusted Han enough to know he would help her keep Labren in bed. On her own, she didn’t know if she would be able to persuade the invalid to remain on his back. As weak as he was, Labren was twice her size and could easily overpower her strength.

  “So, Trahern.” Han crossed the room to the foot of the bed. “Where did you manage to find such a beautiful companion?” His eyes weighed Labren’s dark circles, pale face, sagging shoulders, and slightly labored breathing as he continued to speak. “I see your taste in women has improved since we last met.”

  Labren grimaced. “It has been a long time, Atluer.” Pausing in reaching for his boots, Labren glared at Han. “As I remember, your taste in the gentler sex was even worse than mine. At least, Trina did not try to kill me.”

  Eve realized that she had never experienced the full power of Labren’s anger. The air in the room suddenly felt thicker. Han met his piercing gaze and held it. Both men had hit their mark.

  “Professor Olof sent me up to fetch Eve and make sure that you were staying in bed.” Not breaking his gaze from Labren’s, Han turned slightly toward Eve. “The Professor’s study is on the first floor, first door on the left when you go under the stairs toward the back of the house.” Han settled in the chair opposite Labren. “I will make sure he does not go anywhere while you are gone.”

  Eve hesitated and looked at Labren. He tore his eyes away from Han and smiled weakly at her. “The Professor does not like to wait. You should go.”

  Turning reluctantly, Eve left the room. Her last glimpse as she closed the door behind her was of Labren swinging his legs back up onto the bed.

  A few moments later, Eve closed the study door behind her with great care. The deep red of the carpet met her eyes as she turned toward the desk on the other side of the room.

  "Come in and sit down," a warm voice urged her from the other side of the room. "I will be done with this in a moment."

  While she slowly crossed the short distance to one of the chairs sitting opposite the huge oak desk, Eve stole a quick look at the man behind it. A man's head covered in salt and pepper hair bent over a stack of forms. She judged him to be quite old. Even though the rest of him was hidden behind the desk, she remembered that he was tall and thin, but there was no trace of frailty in his thinness. It was not long before she found a pair of warm brown eyes regarding her with an honesty she did not expect in one so old.

  "You definitely look better than last night. I am probably safe in assuming that you slept well last night."

  Eve immediately dropped her eyes respectfully and nodded.

  He rose and walked around to the front of the desk as he spoke. "I wanted to talk to you alone before speaking with Trahern." He paused and waited for her to lift her eyes from his shoes to his face. When she met his eyes he continued.

  "I do not know how he got that leg wound and I figured I would get a straighter answer out of you. Trahern has a tendency to under evaluate his injuries. I also wanted make sure that you did not have any that needed tending also."

  Eve shook her head and dropped her eyes.

  "If you do not quit dropping your eyes, you will never convince anyone you aren't a slave." That statement brought her chin up. He smiled into her startled eyes. "I thought so. Has Trahern freed you?" He had crossed the room and turned his back to her by the time he finished voicing the question.

  "He removed my collar."

  "Are you married?"

  Eve regarded his back not sure of the purpose of his questions. He turned toward her and raised an eyebrow to remind her he was waiting. "Yes," she said finally.

  "Good." The Professor smiled in obvious relief. "He at least remembered that much of his studies. Now back to one of my earlier topics. Were you injured during the events that led to his injuries?"

  Eve shook her head. “He had already been hurt when I met him."

  The old man nodded in acknowledgment and walked across the room to take the seat next to hers. Turning so he faced her, he said, "Tell me everything you know." Seeing her suspicious reaction, he smiled. "You don't trust me."

  "I do not know what Labren would wish me to say."

  Her reply brought an amused smile to his eyes. "So he is going by Labren. Now that brings back memories." He leaned back in his chair and regarded the portrait on the wall behind the desk. His fingers of his left hand beat a steady tattoo on the upholstered arm of his chair. After a few moments, he turned back to her. "I will not ask you to betray your husband's trust. I will go ask him my questions."

  Rising, he offered her his hand. Eve hesitantly took it. Leading her across the room to the double doors she had just entered, he opened one and guided her through into the hall.

  "Come, we will go and see if Han has managed to make him behave while you were gone."

  Eve needed to trot to keep up with the energetic Professor. After exiting his study, he swiftly headed to the main stairs. As she dreaded, he started to climb at a neck breaking pace. Her legs shook a bit by the time they had reached the bedroom door. She must have looked similar to how she felt because when Professor looked at her, he frowned.

  “Are you all right?” He had knocked before turning to her so that his question was punctuated by Han opening the door. “Han, did you bring them breakfast?”

  Looking very ashamed, Han admitted that he had not. Sending him off with a frigid glare, Professor Olof ushered her into the room at a much slower pace. “I am dreadfully sorry for the oversight. I was so caught up in asking questions I forgot to ask how you were feeling.” Depositing her in the chair that Han had just vacated, the Professor turned to Labren who was now sitting on the bench at the foot of the bed.

  For a moment, neither man moved. The room filled with unspoken words. Finally Labren pushed himself slowly to his feet and extended his hand to the old man. “I believe I owe you an explanation, sir, of the events of a couple years ago.”

  Almost immediately the offered hand was taken and shaken with enthusiasm. “It is so good to see you, Trahern.” The Professor continued as if Labren had never spoken. “It is always a joy to see a student again. Given the circumstances though, I believe that you had better explain to both of us.” He gestured toward where Eve was sitting. “Unless, of course, she already knows she is married to a man that has a price on his head in at least three countries.” He took in Eve’s startled expression with concern. “It appears you have not.”

  Labren turned a stormy countenance toward his former teacher. “I have been trying to do just that, but I have been interrupted incessantly.” He shot a pained look toward Eve, pleading for leniency. He took a step as if to stride away from them, but stopped short with a sharp intake of air. He reclaimed his seat cautiously.

  “Would you like to tell her in private? I can step out of the room and come back later.”

  “No,” Labren answered with a shake of his head, “I only want to go through this once.”

  Eve’s throat tightened in dread. If the professor were not standing nearby, she would have urged Labren to go back to bed and changed the subject.

  “Do you want us to wait for Han to return also? I beli
eve you owe him an explanation as well.” The elder man regarded Labren sternly.

  “We have already had it out.” Labren almost winced. Taking a deep breath, he raised his head and fastened his eyes on the painting behind her left shoulder.

  “I have already told you that my true name is Trahern Theodoric and my true title is Prince. Before I came to this school, I spent my early childhood under the roof of Prince Hiaronical, my father’s brother-in-law. I grew up there because the current queen could not stand having the son of her predecessor, my mother, underfoot. During my stay under his roof I made friends with others my age. That is where I befriended Han and Trina.

  “In spite of the fact that the children of princes and slaves are not allowed to be friends, Han and I managed to get around most of those who tried to separate us. We referred to each other by nicknames to avoid questions. I was Labren and I called Han, Atluer.

  “Trina was a ward of my uncle and three years my junior. We shared a passing friendship, but she considered Han beneath her. Together the three of us plagued my uncle’s household.

  “Shortly after my tenth birthday, my father arranged for me to attend this school. I knew if I did not take Han with me we would be separated for life, we figured out a way to smuggle him to the school. It took the Professor only two weeks to find us out.”

  Labren looked at Professor Olof while he continued. “Han was a fugitive, a runaway slave. The Professor, realizing I knew nothing of the laws of slavery, made arrangements with my uncle to buy Han. As punishment for our adventure, he made me study in minute detail the slavery laws of Anavrea, Braulyn, and Sardmara. To this day, I can quote most of the statutes.”

  A knock on the door announced the arrival of the meal.

  Professor Olof let Han and the food in and served Eve himself. Eve noticed that Labren had not been given anything to eat when the older man indicated that the story should continue. “Trahern will be more liable to finish quickly if his stomach is waiting for food.” Han took a seat near the door and Labren continued.

  “Two days before I turned twenty, a message from my father arrived. He wanted me to come home and take my place at court. I did not want to leave, but I could not disobey my father.

  “The first three years of living in my father’s house I spent time in a different type of school. I learned a great deal about politics and the ways of government. During that time I also renewed my friendship with Trina. She served the Queen as a handmaiden.

  “On my twenty-third birthday, my father told me I would marry within a year. I had choice of the bride, if I could find one within six months. Naturally I thought of Trina and asked her for her hand in marriage. She said yes. I was ecstatic. I joyfully told my father and he set the preparations in motion.

  “The day before the wedding she met me in an alcove on the main stair and announced that she was going to elope with Lord Titolian, my father’s political enemy. By morning, they were gone.

  “My father grew livid. It did not sweeten his temperament when it was discovered the couple fled the country with a large portion of the treasury including items from the Queen’s dowry.

  “I suspected my stepmother of poisoning my father against me over the years. This time she succeeded. She accused me of plotting the theft with my bride-to-be in an attempt not to marry, which made no sense. An investigation began. New infractions appeared. The charges grew more muddled and flamboyant as the days passed. In the end I was accused of treason against the crown.

  “My father refused to listen to reason even though many tried to persuade him. He banished me from the country. My half-brother, Ireic, became heir to the throne. I fled to my uncle in Braulyn. Prince Hiaronical secretly sheltered me for about a year.

  “During the time that I had resided in Anavrea’s capital, Ana City, Atluer gained his freedom and returned to visit his mother. While there, he met a young woman, fell in love, and married her.” Labren tried to catch Han’s eye, but Han concentrated on the floor. However, Eve noticed tension in his practiced slouch. Labren continued.

  “When I arrived, Atluer introduced us and asked me to stay with them. Adria, his wife, decided that she liked me more than Atluer. When I made plans to move on at the end of the year, she secretly planned to follow me. The night before I left, she tried to poison Atluer and his mother. Thankfully Atluer, noticing her odd behavior, caught her. Adria told Atluer a bunch of lies. Not wanting to completely disbelieve his wife, Atluer confronted me. We exchanged harsh words and parted company.” Labren paused for breath.

  Han raised his head. “I found out the truth two weeks later. I saw it was too late to find Trahern, so, I came here to seek advice from the Professor. Adria died that winter in an epidemic.” A sadness, very similar to the one that occasionally haunted Labren’s eyes, shadowed Han’s. Eve’s heart ached for him.

  “Meanwhile,” Labren continued, “I joined the Anavrean army in Sardmara. After three years in the service, my identity was discovered and again I had to run. Some of my father’s men stumbled upon me near where I met Eve. That was when I discovered my father wants me dead. They recognized me and when I ran, they tried to bring me down like an animal. If Eve had not happened upon me, they would have succeeded.”

  Labren’s shoulders sagged.

  The Professor broke the silence. “Your father is dying. The Queen is dead, but her lies have endured. He is still against you. I believe she warped him with her hatred. He is no longer sane.” He stood and crossed to put a long hand on Labren’s bent head as if he were a small boy again. “Ireic has been in touch with me.” Labren looked up at the Professor. Hope glimmered in his eyes. “When your father dies, your brother plans to pardon you and offer you the crown.” Confusion contorted Labren’s face.

  Abruptly the Professor lifted his hand and walked across to the far side of the room. “Until then, you can stay here. Han and I have been discussing recently that we needed another teacher.” Turning without stopping, the old man marched back toward them still talking. “You would be perfect for the job. As well as paying your salary and board, I will train Eve.” As he turned and chose a new course across the room, he caught Labren’s surprised and puzzled expression. “We cannot have your queen acting like a meek slave.” He pointed out. “Besides I am sure she will need to learn something of reading and writing as well as government and deportment.”

  Eve, panic closing her throat, opened her mouth to protest, but Labren had quickly risen to his feet. Taking the two steps necessary to block the elder man’s way, he said. “I am not so sure that I am going to accept the crown of Anavrea.”

  The pain from his leg must have been awful because he trembled with the effort. Fighting for control of his limbs, he continued, “I also refuse to accept money for my services. Any teaching I do will not be worth more than our room and board.”

  Han reached Labren’s elbow before he had finished speaking. Eve, abandoning her plate, moved to his side. She attempted to coax him to lean on her. Overwhelmed by the pain, Labren closed his eyes and tried to gain control of his emotions.

  “Please lie down.” Eve had not even realized she had spoken. For a moment she was afraid he was going to refuse, but, finally, he allowed them to escort him to the bed. Once Labren settled on his back, the Professor sent Han for his supplies. Talking the whole time, he removed the old dressings and reapplied new.

  When he was finished, Labren ate. Finally Professor Olof left. Han lingered a moment more.

  “If you give Eve any trouble or move from that bed, I will personally tie you down so you cannot move.”

  Labren acknowledged the warning with a weary nod. Worry etched lines across Han’s brow as he left.

  The warning was not needed. By the time Eve made her way to the bed, Labren was asleep.

  With her mind full of Labren’s past, she laid down with the intention of only resting a few moments. Sleep claimed her quickly. She barely felt Labren’s seeking hand finding her and drawing her close.

  E
ve woke to the rumbling of her stomach. The sun’s after light had faded the bedroom to monochrome when she finally opened her eyes. Labren did not stir as she eased from the bed and dressed. Someone had brought up their clothing chest. The clothes were wrinkled, but clean.

  The scent of campfire smoke and grass filled her nose as she pulled the last layer over her head. Ulysses and the constant fear of capture flickered through her thoughts, but she shoved it away. Labren seemed to think they were safe here. She trusted him to know. After all, he was the one who had been living on the run for years.

  She crept to the door in the last of the fading light and let herself out into the hall.

  “How is he?”

  Her heart jumped. Hand to chest, she labored to calm it.

  “I am sorry,” Han immediately apologized. “I thought you saw me.”

  She shook her head. “He is sleeping.”

  “Any fever?”

  “Mild. It usually comes at night.”

  Han signaled his understanding. “And you?” Concern written clearly in his eyes, he smiled down at her.

  “Hungry.”

  “Well, that I can help you with. The kitchen is always well stocked. If Abrigail is about, she will fix you something. If she isn’t, I will see that you don’t starve. Come this way.” Catching her elbow with his hand, he gently guided her in the direction of the stairs.

  The sweeping staircase from the second to the first floor dropped them in the center of the two story entrance hall. Passing beneath its arch, he led her past the closed double doors of Professor Olof’s study. A bar of dim light on the sill signaled life beyond.

  “The Professor is probably writing letters or reading.” Han jutted his chin toward the right. “This floor is mostly classrooms. But, back here is the kitchen, the best room in the house.” The hallway opened into a huge room with floor to ceiling windows along the back wall. “Through here.” Han backed into a heavy swinging door and pulled her through into a spacious, immaculate kitchen.

  “I don’t see Abrigail so it looks like you get to taste some of my cooking.” He abandoned her in the center of the room to check on the fire casting a rosy glow across the worn hearthstones. “Come sit by the fire and rest. You still look a bit tired. I am not much of a cook, I must warn you. You are in for cheese and toast. I hope you don’t mind.”