He bowed to Gaea, Megan, Janai, Ryelle, Daena, Ravan and even her little daughter were all awaiting a turn. “My pardons to all you beautiful ladies, alas there is only one of me.”
“Don’t apologize,” Megan said with an arch expression. “Hurry up!” The women laughed and giggled.
He was so pleased that the ever-outgoing Janai was looking after his sister, putting her at ease and making her and her daughter feel welcome.
Bannor nodded to the floor. “Shall we?”
“With vigor!” The Queen declared.
He led the elf Matriarch out as the music for the next dance began. He was surprised when the high lady not only let him lead but snuggled in closer than was absolutely necessary. She was, not surprisingly, an accomplished dancer moving with extraordinary grace. They circled and dipped. As they swept around, he saw Sarai doing her turn with her father. They both seemed to be having fun, sweeping and swaying with acrobatic expertise.
Kalindinai looked over at them with a grin. “It’s been too long since those two had fun together.” She leaned in a little closer, her cheek brushing his. Her words were a low whisper. “I apologize for intruding on your family.” She raised her head, amber eyes serious. “I did not realize the depth of the scars until quite late.”
“Matradomma, please don’t apologize. I-i-it needed to be done—I don’t think I would have had the courage to face them…” His voice trailed off. “I—wanted—to—I just…”
The Queen nodded. “Good, I wasn’t sure if it would work out though Gaea assured me that it would.”
“I guess it’s true that she knows me better than I know myself.” He glanced over to the all-mother. She was sitting in a chair with Ravan’s daughter in her lap, leaned over saying something to her. She certainly had taken a liking to her. Earlier, his sister had seemed concerned by it, but now appeared more at ease with Gaea’s affection.
“So, now that we have them here, what would you have Us do with them?”
Bannor frowned. “Huh? What do you mean?”
“Please, my Son, don’t be dense. They are your blood. While Janai and Ryelle are ahead of you, you and Sarai are still in line for the throne. I had Gaea find them so that others less honorable would not locate them before Us.”
He rocked his head back. It had never even occurred to him. “Oh lords, my father is so stubborn, he’ll never…”
Kalindinai cut him off. “Your father is more reasonable than you realize. I told him they should come to the capital at least until after the marriage. I said that I couldn’t guarantee their safety or the safety of his daughter’s family unless they were here where I had a measure of control. I didn’t ask them to come to the wedding. I only said they would be welcome if they wished to take part.”
He blinked, totally taken by surprise. Kalindinai had not strong-armed his father at all. He had come on his own.
“You seem shocked,” the Queen said with a half smile.
“It’s not what I expected. I need to think about what to do.”
“Take your time. They aren’t in a hurry. I understand the crops did poorly this harvest and they were having trouble getting by. They refused to accept charity, so…” She chuckled. “I explained Sarai’s dowry was paying for it.”
“Father accepted that?”
“Bannor, he didn’t have much choice. Do you know what a handful of silver will buy in the capital?”
He frowned. “A meal—maybe.” His brow furrowed. “So, how much is the dowry of a princess?”
The Queen raised an eyebrow. “How much do you think it cost to put this wedding on?”
He looked around the giant hall, and the hundreds of people all eating and drinking. He shook his head. “I can’t imagine.”
She smiled. “About that much.”
The music ended and he led the Queen over to the King and bowed to them. Sarai came over and gave him a hug. “Mother seemed to be enjoying herself.”
“Yes,” he responded. “It was nice.”
Sarai sighed and put her head down on his shoulder. “Looks like no rest for the groom.”
“Hmmm?”
She nodded to something over his shoulder. He looked back and saw Gaea making a coming gesture with her finger.
He felt his face grow warm. “Sorry, Star.”
“No worries, my One.” She winked at him and grinned. “I’ll have you all to myself soon enough.”
He gave his wife a parting kiss and threaded through the crowd to Gaea and the others. The all-mother was dressed in a deep blue shiny wrap, her hands, wrists, neck and ears festooned with jewelry. A habit she had picked up from Damay who was always giving her something new to try out.
Gaea met him half way, and held out her hand. He took hold and put a hand on her hip and they did a slow turn together.
“I was jealous, my Son,” Gaea said with mock sternness. “You danced with Kalindinai before me. I was your mother first after all.”
They turned and dived through the other dancers. He didn’t know when the all-mother had occasion to learn to dance, but she moved with the grace of accomplished terpsichorean. Gone was the stumbling defenseless and child-like mother of the savants, she had matured into a vibrant and powerful being.
“You dance well, Mother,” he complimented her.
“Ziedra taught me,” Gaea said with a grin. “She used to dance for the King of Corwin.” She moved in closer. “This has been a fascinating day, I have enjoyed it immensely.”
“I’m glad.” As they swung around past the one side of the room where the princesses were standing, he saw Ravan’s daughter waving to them. Gaea waved back to her which made the little girl bounce and smile. He tilted his head. “You seem to have made a friend.”
“Mikka is darling,” Gaea said with a smile. “It’s the first time I’ve gotten to know one of my children when they were this age.”
Bannor felt a jolt go through him and he missed a step and almost tripped. “Mother?” he sputtered. “One of your ‘children’ children, or just one of your children?”
The all-mother raised an eyebrow. She pulled him straight and corrected their direction through the circling dancers. “Such a confusing question, whatever do you mean by it?”
His eyes were wide. “Are you saying my niece is a savant?”
Gaea chuckled. “My son, you act so scandalized. The blood of the Garmtur is very strong. It’s not surprising that someone else in your line would pick up the gift.”
“But she’s just a child,” he said, looking back as they turned.
“Bannor, you were a child once—” She gave him an arch expression. “Still are actually.”
He blew out his cheeks. “Did you tell Ravan?”
Gaea’s brow furrowed and she made an expression like she had eaten something sour. “What? Of course not. Ravan is frightened of her own shadow. I’ll leave that to you.” The all-mother pinched him. “What’s that dour expression for? She’s your niece, and your little sister. Can’t you be happy that there’s something there to help you come together with your blood relative?”
Bannor sighed. “I was thinking about never telling my family what I am.”
Gaea frowned. “And how did you plan on explaining Vhina, or any of your ascendant brothers and sisters?”
“I hadn’t really gotten that far in considering… I mean we only got back together a few bells ago.”
They swung around past the group and he glanced at his blonde-haired niece being doted on by the princesses. She was going to get a lot of attention. Still, did it make any sense to reveal something that might not matter? In a few summers, the Chyrith would probably come. It would be a war and children had no place in war. Did he have the right to take away the only chance she might have of protecting herself? Lords, he didn’t need these kinds of thoughts—not on his wedding night.
“Do you know what kind of savant she’ll be?” he asked.
Gaea gave his shoulder a squeeze. “It’s a bit early to know for cer
tain, but my guess is she’ll be a Latis Nola.”
“A savant of time?”
She nodded.
“I would think a time savant would be really strong.”
The all-mother sighed. “A single disrupted chronon can destroy all existence. So, yes, if it’s true, Mikka has some—potential.”
He felt a sharp pain throb in his temple. He rocked his head forward. “Mother, why do you take such joy in scaring me?”
The music stopped and they paused. Gaea leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She leaned back, letting her fingers trail down his jaw. “It’s just you I get the joy from, my Son, not the scaring part.” She turned and led him back to the group. “You should dance with your sister.”
Heading back he glanced around for Sarai. His wife was dancing with Loric. He noticed that Wren’s brother Azir had somehow managed to get Ryelle out on the floor. The first princess seemed to be enjoying herself. He paused as he saw Wren sweep by in the arms of a burly looking elf man. She was still in ascendant form, dressed in a brilliant red gown, her floor-length blonde hair braided and tailed. The blonde Kel’Varan was laughing and her face appeared flush. He stared after them. An elf who wasn’t daunted or challenged by Wren the ascendant? Someone who could make her smile? Truly, the world was changing.
“Whoa,” he murmured.
Gaea looked back, gaze finding where he was looking. “Ah yes, our little Wren has a new admirer; Kirran something or other.”
He glanced back again. “Kirran Sunglory, the high Praelor of the Hippogriff elite?”
Gaea shrugged. “That sounds right.” She stopped. “Ah, here we are. Ravan dear, I bring you your brother, still intact.”
His sister looked up at him with wide, dark eyes. Petite and pretty, she looked thin and pale in the pink satin dancing gown. “I-I don’t know, h-how to dance,” she said, a blush coming to her cheeks. “Your, ummm,” she glanced to Janai who was waving her toward the floor. “Sisters—kept insisting.”
He smiled. “Jan just wants you to have a good time.”
Wearing a white dress, blonde hair in tails, Ravan’s daughter Mikka came and pulled on her hand. “Aren’t you going to dance, Momma? It looks like fun!”
“It’ll be okay,” he said. “It’s easy.” He held out a hand.
After a moment of uncertainty, Ravan took his hand. He led her with slow steps onto the floor and turned. “Just put your hand on my shoulder.” He laced his fingers with hers and put a hand behind her back. “I have you. Now just relax and move.”
His sister fumbled at first, but she was a farm-raised girl strong and supple, and caught on fast.
Ravan laughed. “It’s easier than I thought.”
He smiled. “Of course.”
She tilted her head. “I think most of it is you. You seem to know where I’m going to move before I do.”
Bannor gave her hand a squeeze. “Shouldn’t a brother be able to do that?”
She searched his face. “Ban, I—” She stopped whatever she was going to say. She moved in close and put her cheek on his chest. “I don’t know why, even after all this time, I feel safe with you—like we’ve never been apart.” She shook her head. “You’re so strong.”
He rubbed her back. “Come on, let’s not talk about me. What about you? I heard you got married. Where’s your husband?”
“He didn’t feel much like coming,” she said with a frown. “He’s back at our rooms looking after Bannor.”
His brow furrowed. “Pardon?”
She sighed. “My son—he’s two—I, uhhh—”
“You named him after me?”
She nodded and frowned. “Olin, my husband, he hated the idea, but he gave in after I insisted.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why, what’s wrong with my name?”
“Olin, well, he really respects Father. He has something of the wrong impression about you. He doesn’t understand why you left.”
“What, he thinks I abandoned them?”
She shook her head. “I don’t really know what he thinks. I just know he gets grouchy when your name comes up. He even went up to Tenax looking for you one season.”
Olin. Why did that name sound familiar to him? He tried to remember any Olins he might have known as a child and came up blank. Drenin-town wasn’t very big and they knew practically everyone.
“How long ago was this?” he asked.
“Three summers, right after harvest before Bannor was born,” she responded.
“He said he didn’t find me?” he shook his head. “He must not have looked very hard. Everyone in the Baron’s legion knew me. I might not have been around but just about anyone in the corps could have gotten word to me.” He paused. “Right after harvest.” He felt a chill. “Your Olin isn’t a trapper is he?”
Ravan’s eyes widened. “He traps in the off-harvest season.”
“Uhmm,” Bannor shook his head. “Is his family name Greensward?”
His sister came to an abrupt stop in the dance floor, almost causing them to collide with another couple. “Yes,” she said with an astonished expression.
Bannor pulled her into motion again. “Well, I guess I know why he gets grouchy when he hears my name. He did a tenday in the garrison brig for poaching on the Baron’s private land; made a big stink about it too. He probably didn’t know my name until he’d cussed me up one side and down the other. He’s lucky he kept his teeth.”
“But why didn’t…”
“Rav, I’m surprised he didn’t tell you I was dead. He probably knows you well enough that if he had said I was dead, you would have come to look for yourself.”
“Ban, you want me to believe…”
“Sister, believe as you choose. He has the grudge remember? Ask yourself why.”
“Damn,” Ravan said, thumping him on the shoulder. “I was hoping you two could be friends.”
He shrugged. “There’s nothing preventing that. This isn’t Tenax. This is Malan. I can forget some stupid words. I won’t hold his past against him, if he doesn’t hold mine against me—fair?”
“Of course, but…”
“But…?”
“You’re right—” She sighed. “It’s fair.”
“I know.”
She gave his shoulder a squeeze and looked up at him in admiration. “You know, little brother, you’ve grown up a lot.”
“There hasn’t been much choice. My wife is four centuries old.”
She looked up at him with an expression of wonder. “Doesn’t that scare you? I mean the elf nobles live forever!”
“Hardly forever, Sister,” he responded. “Only four or five millennia.”
“Why do you think that’s funny?”
“Rav, it’s not funny, it just is. Forget that, tell me about Mother and Father. How have they been? I mean, I feel them over there in the corner hiding, and I don’t want to push them.”
His sister rocked her head back and fixed him with dark eyes. “What do you mean you ‘feel’ them?”
He blinked. “I mean I saw them…”
“No you didn’t,” she said with a firm voice. “When you said it, you looked right at them. You were first into the hall and we came in last, there’s no way in this huge place you could have seen them.”
“Uh, somebody told me…” he murmured.
She frowned at him. “What are you afraid of? Bannor, I know that something is going on. I see the way these people treat you. You’re not some Drenin-town farmer, and it’s not because you just became prince…”
He rocked his head side to side. “Rav, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“You won’t know unless you try…”
“Look, I promise to tell you everything, just not now, okay?”
“It better be soon,” Ravan said. She abruptly stopped dancing and dragged on his arm. “You want to know about Mother and Father, come talk to them yourself.”
“Hey, wait… no!”
He tried to slow his sister down but didn’
t want to make a scene in front of hundreds of nobility. Determined, Ravan threaded through the crowd like she were forging through a packed summer fair ground.
In the northern part of the hall near the entrances to the hall of judgment, his mother and father, dressed in fine party clothes sat at a table back away from the commotion. They weren’t by themselves though, Senalloy and Vera were sitting with them.
For a moment, a wild sense of urgency seized him. What might those two have told them?
“Mother, Father,” Ravan said in loud voice. “I think—come on—” She growled dragging him the last few steps. “I think it’s time for us to talk.” She paused looking at the two new women.
“Hello Sen,” he bowed to Vera. “Su’ko-sama.”
Ravan looked at him. “You know them?”
“Rav,” he gestured. “This is Lady Senalloy Moirae Corresont, acting Kul’praelor of the Nightslash Elite. She’s my second in the military unit. This other lady is Su’Ko Takara Hoshihana, a member of house Felspar, and my teacher. Sen, Su’ko, this is my sister Ravan.” He fixed his gaze on Senalloy. “Everything is okay—right?”
Senalloy brushed at her silver hair and waved him down. “Everything is fine.”
He frowned. “Fine like crossbows-in-the-trees fine, or fine fine?”
The Baronian lady grinned. “Fine fine. I took care of it didn’t I. Don’t I always?”
“Bannor?” his mother said with a concerned voice. “What is it?”
He rubbed his temple. “Nothing. Nothing.” He sighed. “I just thought—” He paused. “Well, Ravan decided… I mean is everything okay? Have they been treating you well?”
“Treating us well?” his mother gasped. “Son, I feel terrible. Those cute little serving girls won’t let me do anything! They are constantly underfoot, I can’t even brush my own hair! It has me worn out, they don’t understand a word I say and they’re too nice to fight with.”
They understand every word you say. They’re just ignoring you like they did me when I first came to stay with Sarai. “It’s okay, Mother. It’s something they are proud to do, something they take pride in doing for the King and Queen, taking care of their guests.” He focused back on Senalloy. “So, what’s going on?”
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