by David Pauly
Alfrahil and his escort moved slowly eastward over the next few days, confident that reinforcements were on the way. Thankfully, small stone barracks with stables were set along this section of the road every twenty miles, so each night Alfrahil and his men had some security and were sheltered from the weather.
Rising at dawn the fourth day after the ambush, Alfrahil enjoyed a brief walk before returning to his men for breakfast. After a short, simple meal, he walked out to the stables and found that Helfaloth was well enough to stand but not to carry him on his journey. A messenger rider, a Shadow escort, and six spare horses clothed in silver and gold streaked past westward, most likely bound for Mostyn, but Alfrahil was shocked that the man did not speak with him. Five minutes later, however, as Alfrahil and his men were getting ready to ride out again, they were joined by an impressive escort and another messenger.
The messenger approached Alfrahil and handed him a sealed glass cylinder, so that Alfrahil knew the message was genuine. Snapping the glass in his hands, he removed the message and saw that it was a terse note from Mergin instructing him to return with these guards by the most expedient means possible. Two hundred Citadel guards, with ten Shadows disguised as guardsmen, were waiting outside the fortress to escort him back to the City. While Alfrahil did not know the men's faces, Mergin's letter told him that each man would have two deep scuff marks on the outside of each boot, clever enough to look like an accident, but enough to tell Alfrahil where his special guards were. Alfrahil, checking the men and seeing the coded signs, thanked Trystan and asked him to accompany Alfrahil and his Eldoran escort for Titania.
#
Five days later, Alfrahil and his escort entered the City; passing the gleaming doors of Platina and steel, where he was joined by a dozen fresh Shadows. Alfrahil paused, thanking the riders for their aid, indicating a cavalry captain who would escort Trystan and his riders to their temporary quarters. Alfrahil tried to dismiss the rest of his escort, save the Shadows, but all two hundred guards were under strict orders from Mergin to escort Alfrahil through the city to the gates of the Citadel, where the Shadows would escort him inside.
Arriving at the Citadel without mishap, Alfrahil dismounted and handed his horse to a groomsman, then strode toward the astrology tower. But a Shadow redirected him to the Royal chambers instead, where he saw Mergin waiting for him.
'Your father asked for you to report to me while he sleeps,' said Mergin. 'Please follow me to my study.'
Alfrahil extended his new senses but found no emotions from Mergin besides fear and frustration. After a few seconds, his control lost focus, and he was bombarded with the feelings of the guardsmen on the stairs and the Shadows that were with him still. Closing off his extraordinary powers, he followed Mergin to his study.
Alfrahil knew few men had ever been invited into Mergin's inner sanctum, as the minister wished to preserve his privacy by meeting outside of his study at all costs. Alfrahil had never had reason enough to enter these rooms before today.
He expected to see the opulence that had become the style in Titania, with courtiers outdoing each other to show their wealth and power. Instead, he observed a neat but rather sparse main room, with closed doors leading off to two other rooms. A roomy desk piled with papers, journals, logs, and maps occupied one side of the room, with an empty brazier for cold mornings set in front of the desk. Alongside the desk stood two plain wooden chairs decorated with ancient leather trimmings. Bureaus and cabinets adorned the walls, with only one fair painting of Kelsea to break up the utilitarian nature of the room. Daylight streamed in from the one narrow window, illuminating dust motes that drifted in the stuffy air.
Mergin stood behind his desk and bade Alfrahil be seated. Alfrahil did so and was about to speak, when Aradar entered with two other servants carrying trays laden with fruit, cheese, sweet meats, coffee, and a flagon of crisp white wine. Aradar remained in attendance after the other servants had departed, and Alfrahil was able to sense only a general anger from him. This did not disturb or surprise him; knowing the man's history, Alfrahil assumed that he was always angry and bitter about the life fate had bestowed upon him.
Both men ate for a few minutes in silence before Mergin asked Alfrahil about his journey and the attempt on his life, bidding him to begin at the beginning.
Alfrahil told him briefly what had transpired; leaving his encounter with Priscus vague and stating only that Priscus' visions indicated they should look abroad for enemies. His voice shook when he described the ambush of the Stone Asps, and he shuddered at the memory of how one snake had touched him briefly. Recovering his composure, he spent half an hour answering Mergin's questions.
'Why don't you go get some sleep, my lord,' Mergin said at last. 'It's nearly midday, and you must be exhausted after your long ride. I will send word to you when your father is awake and ready to speak with you. It is not safe for you and your father to appear together outside the Citadel, so one or both of you will have to remain here until I can make further progress regarding this plot. I do not believe that the King is any safer than you, but the conspirators are actively pursuing you for now, for reasons I don't yet understand.'
#
Watching Alfrahil go, Mergin was more determined than ever to choose Creon's successor. As a normal mortal, there was little likelihood he would out-live Creon, so Mergin had taken extraordinary steps to extend his life. Entering into his bed chamber, he barred the door after telling the Shadows to keep everyone out of the Royal corridor for the next two hours, as he would be resting.
Going to his desk, he opened the innermost secret cabinet and withdrew a Fire Opal of the Dwarves. This he dissolved into pungent sharp liquor that accompanied it. He drank the bitter mixture with a shudder and collapsed onto his couch. His body convulsed as the ancient Dwarven magic coursed through his veins, extending his lifespan.
Fire Opals were fabulously expensive, and Mergin could not afford them on his salary, but he was wise enough to siphon off some of the corruption that came through the land and use it to buy these stones from time to time.
'So much for the honor of the Dwarves,' he thought. 'Selling me their precious opals as long as the price is right. Clearly anyone and everyone can be bought; everyone but me.'
Drifting off to sleep, Mergin began planning anew for the royal succession. No doubt Creon still had many years to reign. But with these latest assassination attempts, nothing could be taken for granted. The fate of the realm might well depend on the decisions Mergin came to now.
#
Alfrahil returned to his own chamber in the Astrology tower and spent several hours napping, awakening in the mid-afternoon. He rose, put on a soft leather jerkin along with leather pants, and soft shoes rather than heavy boots. He returned to the Council chambers, expecting to see his father.
'Lord your father is still asleep,' said Mergin, who was waiting there. 'Shall I wake him?'
'No, Mergin, my father needs his rest. Do you have any news for me?'
'Yes, lord. Here are the intelligence reports we have gathered since the initial ambush. Please review them while I attend to other matters. Would you like some food?'
'Yes, Mergin, just a cold collation, some toasted cheese, and some white wine. I can see there is plenty here for me to read.'
Mergin departed, and after fifteen minutes or so, while Alfrahil was deep into the intelligence report, Aradar appeared; gray and distant, bearing another tray, while a different servant bore wine, napkins and cutlery. After placing the food and wine on the table, the other servant withdrew, leaving Aradar to care for Alfrahil.
'Aradar, it is good to see you again.'
'My lord, I am grateful that you escaped this last terrible ambush alive; I watched a friend die from a Stone Asp bite once—he lasted only half an hour or so,' said Aradar with another flash of bitter anger on his lined face.
'How did you know about the Stone Asps, Aradar? I was the only survivor familiar with their description. None of my guards had s
een one before.'
Aradar blanched briefly before replying. 'Lord, I heard Minister Mergin muttering about Stone Asps a day or so ago when the latest reports came in. I keep such news to myself, never fear, my lord.'
'I hope that you are discretion itself,' said Alfrahil, and he now used his powers to search for Aradar's emotions. A deep well of anger lay there, but overall was a concern for his prince's well-being, and Alfrahil did not sense any treachery.
'Well, Aradar, please get some rest. I can pour my own wine.'
'Very well my lord,' said Aradar and left the room.
Two hours after sunset, Alfrahil stretched and, after marking his place in the intelligence reports, emerged into the hallway and addressed the nearest Shadow. 'Take these reports to Lord Mergin. I will return to my apartments now.'
Walking back to his apartments, Alfrahil saw the guards and Shadows stationed outside his door, and, nodding to them, he entered his chambers.
To his surprise, no servant was waiting for him. In fact, none of his servants seemed to be present. Only the knowledge that his guards stood just outside, kept Alfrahil from drawing his sword.
Entering the cooking area , Alfrahil noticed a small silver bucket upon a table as bright moonlight streamed in from the kitchen window. Approaching, he saw ice and water surrounding a bottle of sparkling wine: a rare delicacy from the eastern slopes of Alton Hill in Amadeus. Hearing the rustle of fabric, Alfrahil supposed that Mergin or one of the other ministers had provided him with an interesting diversion for the evening. Turning, he saw the slender yet curvy silhouette of a short woman clad in dark silk, wearing a mask that covered her features. Alfrahil presumed this was a girl for hire, sent by Mergin, and was excited: it had been over a year since he had last enjoyed such a diversion, and, knowing the tastes of the First minister, she would be beautiful and talented, perhaps even talented enough to make him forget his grief. 'Well, after all I have been through, I suppose I deserve a little companionship and an enjoyable evening,' he thought.
Fetching two crystal goblets from a shelf, he moved to the wine. Wrapping the wet bottle in a towel, he began the delicate task of removing the cork. Slowly but steadily, he eased the cork from the bottle, and, hearing a slight hiss from the unique air contained within, Alfrahil smelled the yeasty odors and fruit emerge, along with the sharp but subtle hint of alcohol. Truly it was an exceptional bottle, and he anticipated its complexity and flavors with great desire.
Sensing the woman's approach from behind him, Alfrahil want to turn and have a better look at her, but a soft voice whispered, 'No, my prince, not yet.'
Alfrahil searched briefly with his mind and felt only lust and, surprisingly, love before his mental concentration was distracted by the strong yet delicate hands that caressed his neck from behind, gently sliding down his back to remove the straps holding his leather jerkin in place. Swiftly, the leather leggings he wore were also undone, leaving his long linen pants as the only lower barrier.
Now all that remained upon his chest was his soft undershirt. He was enjoying the art of being undressed by someone unknown; there was a delectable tension in having layer upon layer stripped away by a complete stranger. The fragrance of the sparkling wine filled the room, along with the musky heat of his body. A soft feminine scent was also there, wafting gently from behind and below him as his companion continued to remove the outer trappings from his torso. Now his shirt was lifted over his head. Playfully turning to his right, all Alfrahil saw was a lithe form gracefully but quickly moving to his left, with the whispers again at the back of his neck bidding him to be still. Feeling himself rapidly rising to the sensual advances of this mysterious stranger, he willfully complied.
Sudden kisses upon the back of his neck startled him but added to his general sensation of pleasurable anticipation.
'She is very talented indeed,' he thought, 'to have me so ready for play and to have done nothing out of the ordinary yet in such an extraordinary way.'
Now her warm hands were upon his chest, probing his muscles, touching points under his flesh he didn't know existed. Groaning softly, he felt her hands rise up to his nipples, gently caressing at first but then insistently pulling at them, causing Alfrahil to nearly collapse on knees that had mysteriously weakened beneath her sensual onslaught. Completely occupied with her very talented fingers, he suddenly felt the warmth of her body press against his back. He felt her own hardened nipples through the fine silk against his back and the heat from between her hips, and he knew that she was as aroused as he was.
Finally turning, he saw her more clearly. The thin silk she wore in no way detracted from her feminine curves. Slight, firm hips were revealed along with a strikingly slender waist that rose into the firm breasts that had touched his back. Her face was hidden in shadow the mask removed, but he bent to kiss her lips and felt the ardent need contained within her kiss. Kissing her back with increased fervor, Alfrahil felt his breath coming in shorter and shorter gasps. He moved his lips down her throat, kissing it again and again. Hearing her gasp and feeling her yield within his arms, Alfrahil finally broke off the embrace.
Turning, he poured the wine into the two goblets. Then, guiding the mystery girl into his bedroom, he saw a small candle carefully covered to give only the barest of light. He took a long appreciative sip from his goblet, savoring the tart fruitiness of the wine upon his tongue. Under the fruit, however, was the sophisticated structure his brother was always going on about. Turning, he brought the shadowed young woman to the bed. Watching her take a healthy drink from her crystal goblet, Alfrahil moved his hands along her back, feeling the silk between his fingers. Searching for the ties he knew must be there, his hands instead found nothing. He groaned in frustration, moving his hands to her waist. Giggling slightly, she reached down and slowly slid the garment up and over her head, falling to the floor. As he was bending forward to kiss her, a small insect flew into the candle. In the brief flash of its corporeal disintegration, he saw the flushed, beautiful face of Findalas.
'Findalas!' he gasped. 'How? Why?'
'Hush, Lord. Yes, it is me—but I come to you as a woman, not a healer. Finish your wine, my Lord, so that we can continue what we have begun.'
He began to reply, but she placed a delicate finger to his lips.
'Say nothing, Lord, for we have tonight to ourselves. No one knows I am here; your guards saw only a veiled young woman carrying a pass of the highest level enter and dismiss your servants. Relax, and let us bring joy to one another.'
Still stunned, Alfrahil did a thing he rarely did when beautiful women were concerned: he stopped speaking, asked no further questions, and placed his mouth where it was most needed.
#
Late the next morning, Alfrahil awoke with a great smile upon his face. Rolling over in his bed, he saw that Findalas had slipped away some time during the night. He was sorry she had not lingered, yet as he recalled the wonderful events of the night before, he felt truly happy and relaxed for the first time in years.
'She is a wonderful woman, and I shall enjoy spending many more nights with her,' he thought.
Rising from his bed, he slipped on a robe and approached his bedroom door. The servant on duty, alert to his footsteps, opened the door from without and inquired if he would like some breakfast or perhaps an early lunch.
'A hearty breakfast would be most welcome,' Alfrahil said. 'Bring coffee, lots and lots of coffee.'
#
Alfrahil spent the rest of the day ensconced in a meeting in the Council Chambers, where it seemed that nothing new would be said. While Alfrahil did not mistrust Mergin; somehow, some way, most secret information was leaking from the Citadel, and after three assassination attempts, he was determined to keep the information he found between his father and himself. He was grateful when the meeting finally came to a close.
After everyone else, including Mergin, had left, the king spoke. 'My son, will you join me atop the Astrology tower one hour before midnight? There will be time for
us to discuss your journey in complete security.'
'Yes, Father. If you don't mind, I will take my leave and attend to some personal matters until then.'
Nodding his agreement, the King rose, and they both returned to their quarters.
Alfrahil found Findalas waiting for him in his bed, two small candles flickering to reveal her more clearly than the night before. He eagerly undressed to join her.
An hour later, rolling onto his back and gasping for air, Alfrahil was astonished at Findalas' stamina and skill. Recovering, they began speaking, with Findalas telling Alfrahil that she loved him and hoped they could spend as much of the future together as possible.
'Findalas, while I care deeply for you, I do not love you yet. As you are aware, I may only marry a woman of royal descent under my father's decree, so I am afraid to love you when I cannot keep you. Court protocol forbids us even to be seen together in public, much less to wed someday.'
'Love me as much as you can, Lord,' she answered. 'I will always be with you, even if you are forced into a political marriage by these ridiculous protocols.'
Feeling her anger and frustration wash over him, Alfrahil knew that it was directed at his father; indeed, he shared those feelings. Findalas' purely Eldoran origins and high education would make her a formidable queen, were she allowed. He decided in an instant that he would try, gradually, over time, to convince his father to change the protocol, but he said nothing of this to Findalas.
At last it came time for him to meet with his father at the Astrology tower. Kissing Findalas good-bye, he said, ' Findalas you are welcome to stay tonight and every night thereafter.'
'I must arise before dawn, lord, for I have my patients to attend. Perhaps I will return tomorrow night,' she said with a laugh. Her ready acquiescence, with no attempt to cling to him, as other women had done in the past, made him desire her all the more.
