by Rinelle Grey
And then stood up.
There was a stunned silence, then the crowd burst into cheers.
The looks of strain on Brianna’s and Lyall’s faces were replaced with smiles and tears of joy. The queen turned to hug them both. Mianna and Terion looked startled when she hugged them next. Then she turned to her husband and walked into his outstretched arms.
If it were possible, the cheers grew even louder. It was plain that the queen was much loved. Even Jasyn, who barely knew these people, felt a lump in his throat.
The lump didn’t shrink any as Lyall and Brianna stepped to the edge of the balcony, followed by the king and queen, and lifted up little Lylis.
“And now let me introduce your new princess, Lylis,” the king announced. He held out a tiny crown and the little girl stared at it for a moment.
Lyall took it from his father’s hands and put it on top of Lylis’s head.
“So am I a pwincess now?” the little girl asked, her voice magnified by magic from the king.
“You are indeed, sweetheart,” her doting father said and kissed her forehead.
It was a touching moment between the royal family and their subjects. Jasyn almost felt like he was intruding. But their turn was coming. The king had insisted, despite their protests, that this was the perfect time to introduce Jasyn and Kriss.
And it probably was. The people were so happy now, and that happiness would colour any other announcements. But it felt a little like cheating.
It didn’t matter. If this made life better for his people in the long run, he’d take it. So when Lyall motioned for Jasyn to step forwards, he did so, pulling a reluctant Kriss with him.
“While we’re performing introductions,” the king said, “I’d like to include Jasyn and Kriss. They’re the leaders of the group of mages who lived over a ridge to the north.”
This time, there were no cheers, no gasps of surprise. Jasyn looked out over the silent sea of apprehensive faces.
No matter when they were introduced, no one would be able to see them as anything other than the other mages, the ones who had caused the war. He took a deep breath. It was his turn.
“A few days ago, my people and I were trolls, cursed during a battle we didn’t even remember. We fought with the inhabitants of Brianna’s village, desperate for food that we couldn’t grow in the cold lands we had been exiled to.”
His words were met with silence. Jasyn tried not to let it unnerve him. He knew what he was going to say, he just had to make the words come out.
“All this,” he said, “appears to be a direct result of the twin marriage law. Our people shared a village, united. Until two women, unlucky enough to be born twins, were supposed to be married. But they didn't love the same man. In desperation, one of them ran away from the planned marriage.”
The crowd was silent, all eyes were on him, mesmerised by the story he told. Jasyn continued, “That was what started it. The villagers tried to force the woman to marry the man her sister had chosen. Instead, she and the man she loved decided to fight back.”
Jasyn nodded to Kriss and she took a deep breath, before taking over the story. “There are some battles that you go into knowing you can't win, but you know that you have to fight them anyway or spend your life regretting it. I guess this was one of those battles.”
Jasyn couldn't tear his eyes away from her face. It was right to insist Kriss tell this story with him. She brought something else to the narrative, something only she could bring. The knowledge of a warrior.
And a woman.
A stunningly beautiful one. He'd been attracted to her as a troll and he'd wondered how he would feel after the change. But even though her body was different, his feelings hadn't changed one bit.
“The villagers chose sides, some to enforce the twin marriage and some against it. I'm sure you can guess what comes next. I haven't seen much magic myself, but for all of you the results must be easy to imagine. It wasn't good, for either side.”
The faces in the crowd were solemn and sad now.
Kriss looked out over the crowd, meeting the eyes of several people. “But even as their members—and the two women who had been the cause of the fight—lay dying, the fight raged on. The two men remained and one side hurled a curse at the other, turning all of them into trolls. Those people were my ancestors.”
Jasyn watched the crowd, waiting for the final line.
“And those who created the curse were yours.”
There was a hushed silence. Had their story worked?
When he looked at the crowd, people were shifting on their feet, looking at each other, guilt etched on their faces.
Time for the next step.
Brianna stepped forwards.
“My people refused to choose sides and stayed on the edge of the ridge, protecting the graves of the two women and determined to keep the two sides apart. We have kept this guard for centuries, despite the fact that we had forgotten the origins of our vigil. Until the day my sister and I faced the same choice—accept the twin law and have one of us live with a husband she didn't love, or find a different way.”
Lyall spoke up now. “And it was the very fact that we decided not to follow that law that ended a centuries old war. When Jasyn and Kriss saw that we had abandoned the law that caused this war, they chose peace.”
King Balen, with his wife holding onto his arm, gave the final part of the speech. “Will you join with us in abandoning a law that has caused nothing but misery and in welcoming these mages back into our family?”
His comment was greeted by silence. Jasyn held his breath. Would it work?
Then a voice, a woman he thought, yelled out, “Yes, I will!”
It was as if a dam broke. More and more voices yelled affirmation, until it sounded like a roar.
Jasyn almost sagged with relief. It was done. The trolls were no longer outcasts.
He was going to have to stop thinking of them as trolls. They were people. Humans. No different from all the other humans.
They could take their place anywhere they wished in the world. The possibilities were endless.
He looked over at Kriss, watching her as she stared at the crowd, her eyes wide. He didn’t really care where he went, so long as it was with Kriss.
He suspected though, that this particular battle would not be so easily won.
18
Friends
Kriss stared around the room, too tired and overwhelmed to take it all in. It was too big. The bed itself, with four corner poles and curtains, was almost as large as the tent she and Jasyn had shared.
If she needed another reminder that the trolls had received the short end of the stick, she had it. While her people had struggled for simple necessities like food and shelter, the humans had been living in luxury.
A simple curse preventing humans from having twins, if it even existed, seemed minor in comparison. But at least it had stopped them from marrying off any more people who didn’t want to be married.
“Look, the curtains are on a pole and they slide.” Jasyn was experimenting with the bed.
“I don’t really care.” Kriss tugged at the dress Brianna had loaned her for this trip. The woman was a bit shorter than she was, so Kriss found the dress uncomfortably tight in a few key places. But she had nothing else to wear.
Jasyn dropped the curtains and came over to her. “Are you all right?”
“This dress is too tight.”
“Take it off then.”
“You just want to see what I look like naked.”
She wasn’t going to admit that she was a tiny bit curious what he looked like. Human bodies were so different. Were there other differences, ones she couldn’t see?
Jasyn stared at her for a few moments, then walked off into one of the rooms connected to theirs. He came back holding a pile of something white and fluffy.
“Here, this is some sort of coat. To wear after bathing, I think. There’s no one here but us, so I don’t think it matters. It l
ooks loose and comfortable.”
Kriss studied him. He really wasn’t the least bit curious? Maybe he wasn’t attracted to her human body. It’s not like she could blame him. She was weak and puny now. What was there to find attractive?
And why should she care? This marriage wasn’t about love or attraction. The two years they’d spent sharing a bed without anything else proved it. That was what she had wanted, and it was what she still wanted.
And Jasyn had never tried to make it anything else. Even now, when she had insulted him, he just wanted to help her.
If only she deserved his kindness.
“Thank you.” She couldn’t make herself meet his eyes as she took the clothes.
Jasyn smiled. “You can go into the other room and try it on if you like. I can even send for the woman to bring hot water so you can bathe.”
He was always so kind and thoughtful. And he took in the details of how these things worked. She hadn’t even listened to the woman’s instructions when they were shown the room.
“That would be lovely,” she agreed.
Kriss felt a little strange, standing watching while several women brought buckets of steaming water and emptied them into the tub. She was used to doing everything herself, and she had never bathed in hot water. It seemed a little extravagant.
But when she lowered herself into the warm water, she couldn’t help a sigh of contentment. The humans might be on to something. She could get used to this. A thought popped into her mind, reminding her this wasn’t her life, she was only visiting it, but Kriss ignored it. She wasn’t going to let it spoil her enjoyment of this treat.
She lay in the water, feeling the heat seep into every part of her body. It was so wonderful to feel totally and completely warm, and on a full stomach, too.
Eventually the water began to cool, so she pulled herself out, dried off, and slipped into the clothes Jasyn had given her. He was right, it was kind of like a coat, only loose and comfortable. Much better than the tight dress.
When she returned to the main room, Jasyn was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He looked at her and smiled. “Better?”
Kriss nodded. “Much better.” She hesitated for a moment, then came and sat on the bed beside him.
It felt weird. They had a routine at home, a way of being together that seemed natural and normal. But everything seemed strange here, and their relationship was no different. Even though she was exhausted, she couldn’t imagine crawling into this huge bed beside him and going to sleep.
Jasyn rolled onto his side, raised himself on one elbow, and looked at her. “Their lives are so different to ours, aren’t they?”
So he felt it too. “Completely. They have everything we don’t.”
Jasyn nodded. “Hopefully we will have a chance to have it now, too.”
That seemed impossible. Kriss sighed. “But how? How do we go from what we had to this? We can’t expect them to give us houses. How do they even make these?”
“The human system works on something called money,” Jasyn explained. “I asked Lyall about it on the voyage here. You do a job that the city needs doing, like building, or cooking, or teaching, and they pay you money for it. With money, you can buy clothes, building materials, and food.”
His explanation didn’t make it any less intimidating. Kriss heaved a sigh. “We’re in trouble then, because all that trolls know how to do is fight, and there’s no need for that now.”
“We can learn,” Jasyn said. “Look at how we learned gardening. I’m sure there are many other skills people will enjoy learning, too.”
“Yes, but that’s going to take time. What do we do in the meantime? Return to our tents? Live here on the human’s goodwill and borrowed clothes? It’s not that simple, Jasyn. What are we actually going to do tomorrow? Or next week? Or next month?”
Did Jasyn have an answer? She hoped so.
But to her disappointment, his face fell. “I don’t know, Kriss. I never planned past this moment. And how could I? I didn’t know enough about the humans to know anything about how they lived. We need to take it one day at a time right now, until we can see the path we need to take.”
It wasn’t really an answer. There was no answer. Jasyn was right, they needed to know more. That thought didn’t make her feel any better. She didn’t like sitting around and not having a plan. She liked problems she could sink her teeth into, deal with, and move on from.
This issue wasn’t like that. Whichever way they went, it was going to take time for the trolls to build up their own place in this society.
She just wanted to go home and hide out for a week, pretending none of this existed. Maybe then she’d be able to figure out how to respond to it.
But that wasn’t an option. She was the champion, her people’s leader. Looking calm, certain, and in control was part of her job. Even if she didn’t feel like it.
Even if her personal feelings were in a jumble.
She lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Sleep would help. It had been a long day of many surprises. Tomorrow would be better, surely.
*****
“Mugos will remain in our most secure dungeon until you decide what is to be done with him,” King Balen said. “Indefinitely, if necessary. And of course, you are both welcome to stay as long as you’d like. If you need anything at all, just ask.”
Easy for him to say, Kriss thought. He was the one giving out presents like a benevolent leader, not the one feeling like he was accepting handouts.
“Thank you, that’s most kind,” Jasyn replied.
Kriss was glad he had answered, because her response wouldn’t have been anywhere near as polite.
“I, for one, need new dresses,” Brianna said, her voice a little too loud. “I didn’t bring many with me, and most of them aren’t appropriate for Isla de Magi wear. Would you like to come with me, Kriss?” She offered Kriss a friendly, welcoming smile.
Kriss was torn. New clothes were a necessity, but she didn’t want to agree without knowing how the clothes would be paid for. Everyone knew she didn’t have any money, but she still feared being put on the spot in this strange, unfamiliar world.
“Here, this should be enough for both of you to get a new wardrobe.” Lyall handed Brianna a full pouch, gold coins jangling.
Even Brianna hesitated. “I only need a dress or two, I don’t need that much money.”
“You represent the royal family now,” Lyall said seriously. “Not only will people expect you to dress extravagantly, but anyone who sells you something will expect to be paid well.”
Brianna sighed and accepted the money. “This is going to take some getting used to.”
Even though she felt bad about the other woman’s discomfort, it did help Kriss to feel less alone.
Lyall kissed Brianna’s lips lightly. “I’m sure you will be the perfect princess.”
The king cleared his throat. “Well, if that’s sorted, you can come and help me debrief the soldiers, Lyall. Would you like to come with us, Jasyn?”
“Of course.”
As Jasyn, Lyall and his father walked off, Brianna nodded to Kriss. “Let’s get this over with.”
Kriss couldn’t help grinning at Brianna’s resigned tone as she followed her down the hallway. “Because we wouldn’t want to enjoy it or anything.”
Brianna stopped and looked at her, then laughed. “Well, we wouldn’t want to admit it, anyway. I won’t tell if you don’t.”
To her surprise, Kriss realised that she quite liked the human woman. She hadn’t expected that. “I won’t tell,” she agreed.
Brianna gave her a conspiratorial smile.
As they emerged from the castle and out into the warm sunshine, Kriss felt better than she had in days. She followed Brianna through the cobblestone streets, trying to ignore the sideways glances they were getting from the locals. However, no one stopped them or did anything other than bow and move out of their way. In a short time, they arrived at a row of open buildings wi
th colourful cloth awnings.
Slowing now, Brianna began to look at the material and glance at the dresses displayed on wooden racks behind the counter. There were so many choices. Everything was so different to the clothes Kriss was used to that she couldn’t even begin to figure out what would be appropriate. She hung back, watching Brianna as she fingered the different fabrics.
At each stall, women rushed to serve them, bringing out special material for Brianna to feel. She obliged, nodding and smiling, but didn’t pause for long at any one shop.
Until she came to the fifth one.
There, the woman smiled at her and just said simply, “If there is anything I can do to help you, let me know.” Then she stayed back and let Brianna look in peace.
After only a few minutes of regarding the dresses, Brianna asked, “Can I come through and try on that pink dress over there?”
“Of course.” The woman showed them through to a warm, well lit back room, where many dresses hung along each wall. She looked curiously at Kriss, but didn’t say anything. She just brought the dress Brianna had requested.
“Is there anything you’d like to try on, Kriss?” Brianna asked, holding the dress over one arm.
Kriss gave an uncomfortable shrug. “I don’t know where to start,” she admitted. “I’ve never done this before. In fact, the only dress I’ve ever worn was for my wedding, and it was nothing like these. I don’t know what I’m looking for.”
It wasn’t an easy admission to make. Kriss wasn’t used to being in a position of not knowing what to do, much less admitting it. But she was way out of her depth here.
Both Brianna and the other woman looked her up and down a couple of times, which didn’t help her discomfort.
“I’d recommend blue or pink with your colouring,” the store owner said.
“And slim fitting, so it won’t get in the way of your sword,” Brianna offered. “But still flared enough for easy walking. You want clothes for comfort, not just style.”
The woman nodded. “I have a couple that might do.” She returned to the racks and brought back three dresses, two in different shades of blue, and one pink. “Here, try these.”
