Crown of Destiny

by Bertrice Small

  Palben I had been the son of Jonah’s second marriage to the Terahn princess, Zagiri. Zagiri was the daughter of the Dominus of Terah Magnus Hauk, and his wife. His great-grandmother was reputed to be a powerful faerie, but Lord High Ruler Palben didn’t believe that for an instant. In fact, he did not believe in magic at all. He had never met his great-grandmother for after his grandmother Zagiri died she never came to Hetar again. It was rumored that she had been born in Hetar. He didn’t really know, and she would be long dead by now, but his great-grandmother had been responsible for opening up the previously insulated Terah to Hetar.

  The Lord High Ruler Palben’s mood was a particularly good one this morning. He had, to his amazement, received a missive from the Twilight Lord of the Dark Lands. It had been delivered to his secretary, who had brought it to his master immediately. The Twilight Lord asked his permission to visit Hetar for talks he assured Palben would be mutually beneficial to both their lands.

  Palben did not believe there had been any contact with the Dark Lands in more than a century. If the vague history he had been taught was to be believed, the Twilight Lords in the past had launched an unprovoked attack upon Hetar and Terah. They were, of course, a savage uncultivated group of ignorant barbarians. Still, the message he had been sent was exquisitely worded and beyond polite. Palben was curious.

  He dictated a reply to his secretary.

  “We would welcome a visit from the Twilight Lord Kolgrim. We will prepare for your arrival, and will await your coming in the month of the Full Summer Moons. Palben II, Lord High Ruler of Hetar.”

  “How shall I have it delivered?” the Lord High Ruler’s secretary asked his master.

  Palben looked confused then he said, “How was it brought to us?”

  “I don’t know,” the man replied. “I found the envelope with the message on my desk when I arrived this morning, my lord.”

  “Put it in the same place then tonight before you leave,” Palben said. “Whoever brought it came carefully, not certain of their reception. He will most likely return for the reply, but come secretly again. If the letter is still here in the morning, we will seek another way of answering my fellow monarch.” He laughed. “It is all quite mysterious.”

  The Lord High Ruler kept peeking into his secretary’s chamber until he finally retired for the night. The letter remained propped up on the desk to his great chagrin, but when he hurried to see if it was still there in the morning he found it gone. Most curious, he thought. He knew there was a mail service called faerie post, but he never used it. It was a silly name, and there were no such things as faeries. At least he had never seen one.

  KOLGRIM HAD NOT USED faerie post. He had simply sent his missive via magic. He opened the message from the Lord High Ruler Palben, read it and smiled with evil satisfaction. He would be interested in meeting this mortal. They were distantly related actually for his half sister Zagiri, was Palben’s grandmother. He wondered what Palben would think of that fact. The month of the Full Summer Moons would be a perfect time for wooing and seducing a maiden.

  As the time grew closer for Kolgrim to make his visit, he sent messages to the Lord High Ruler requesting a northern exposure for his guest apartments. He would expect his servants’ quarters to be nearby. And there must be a kitchen quarter for he was frequently hungry late at night. He did not like flowers, and so there must be none near him or in the chambers that he would occupy. His favorite frine was distilled from blackberries, he informed his host. And he was so looking forward to their meeting.

  THE LORD HIGH RULER PALBEN gave his majordomo orders based upon his guest’s preferences. He wondered if the Twilight Lord would bring a concubine or a wife with him. He decided not, as no mention was made of it. But would he enjoy having a Pleasure Woman at his beck and call? That could be decided once he met the man.

  As the month of the Full Summer Moons drew near Palben grew more curious.

  “I am told he is a dark lord,” the First Lady of Hetar, who was named Laureen, said. “Is it wise to entertain such a man?”

  “He has done nothing to incur our wrath,” Palben replied. “He has politely requested permission to visit us. I see no danger in that.”

  “But why does he seek to meet with Hetar?” Laureen queried her husband.

  “You ask too many questions, wife,” Palben said. “Whatever he seeks of us, it is not your affair. He is coming to see me, not a mere woman. Attend to your household, to our children and grandchildren. That is your province, not diplomacy.”

  “I but wondered,” Laureen said meekly. But she was an intelligent woman, and this sudden desire by the Twilight Lord to visit Hetar disturbed her.

  “The Dark Lands are an unknown,” Palben continued almost to himself. “It is a place of mountains, wife. What riches those mountains could hold! And they could be Hetar’s,” he said excitedly. “A new source of wealth, and I would be the one responsible for obtaining it. How I wish my father were alive to see this.”

  “If this Twilight Lord seeks you out, he will want something from you,” Laureen said quietly. “I but fear for your safety,” she added, so he would not scold her again.

  Palben smiled benignly at his wife. Reaching out, he took her hand in his. “Of course he will want something, and I will want something in return, my dearest. That is the way of the world, is it not?” He patted her pretty plump hand. “Mayhap the Twilight Lord’s mountains hold transmutes. Then we shall not have to depend upon Terah for them. I do not like this new young ambassador the Dominus has sent us. He is too arrogant by far. But old Amren is still here. He is the most skillful player of Herder I have ever played against. Perhaps if we make a pact with this Twilight Lord, we may relegate Terah back to where it belongs.”

  “Their Dominus is your kinsman,” Laureen said softly.

  “So it is said, but I have no idea what the connection between us is, my dearest. They are really nothing like us, the Terahns. I am told they have raised up a marble town mimicking The City. But no one lives there.” He laughed. “What a waste of good resources to build a city where no one lives. I have also been told towns, little better than slums have risen up where our ships now dock. They are attempting to be like us, but no place can compare to Hetar. And the poorest of our own Hetarians are certainly better than any Terahn,” he sneered. “I see an opportunity in the visit of the Twilight Lord, wife. A great opportunity.”

  THE MONTH OF THE FULL Summer Moons arrived. It was this particular year when Hetar’s four moons would be visible and fully waxed at the same time. Pale green, blue, butter-yellow and copper-red, they would shine together over the city when the Twilight Lord arrived for his visit. Usually the four moons shone each in a different phase, but not this year. It had been some forty-three years since this quartet had waxed simultaneously. Festivals were planned throughout Hetar.

  Kolgrim had decided to enter The City as any noble visitor would. To appear with all his retinue in a puff of smoke could frighten the Hetarians. He had not been out of the Dark Lands since he became Twilight Lord. Consequently he cast a stunning spell over his lands so all life was frozen in place. It would remain that way in his absence, and he didn’t have to worry about any rebellions as Alfrigg was to come with him. He then created a retinue of well-trained, virtually silent servants who would serve their needs.

  He materialized his royal train in a deserted wood several miles from The City. A small troupe of men-at-arms dressed in his black-and-silver livery rode ahead of him on matching dappled gray horses with black manes and tails that had been decorated with delicate silver chains and dark crystals. The soldiers’ saddles were black leather trimmed with silver. Their polished silver helmets caught the sunlight, gleaming. Next came the flag bearers, and following them Kolgrim-wearing black leather pants, boots and jacket over a purple silk shirt-rode alone. Behind him his old chancellor was borne along in an ebony-and-silver litter chair carried by four liveried slaves with silver neck collars.

  Following Alfrigg
was the household of the Twilight Lord. All the servants wore black, silver and purple. Two dozen of them marched behind the chancellor. Others drove the carts accompanying the Twilight Lord. The carts contained his household goods and the gifts he had for the Lord High Ruler. Looking at the assembled train, Kolgrim added a group of musicians and dancers behind the men-at-arms, dancing amid the flag bearers, and before him. The dancers were both male and female, and very beautiful. He would give them to Palben in a seemingly careless gesture of generosity. The Lord High Ruler would be impressed, Kolgrim decided.

  The Twilight Lord’s impressive train exited the desolate wood following the road that, like all of Hetar’s roads, led into The City. Forewarned of his coming by the Lord High Ruler, the guardsmen on the wall, seeing the great train sent immediately to Palben. When Kolgrim reached the gates of The City, he was welcomed and ushered through. A guide upon a fine dark bay horse was provided to lead him to the Golden District.

  Kolgrim was fascinated by The City. The streets while dirty were lively, filled with noise and smells both pleasant and unpleasant. The citizens of The City gaped at the spectacle passing by them, and the Twilight Lord felt a sense of deep satisfaction. First impressions were most important. Reaching the entrance to the Golden District, they were again welcomed and led to the palace where Palben awaited upon the steps of the building to welcome his honored visitor.

  The Twilight Lord’s gaze quickly swept over this great-grandson of his mother’s. There was nothing of Lara visible in him, and Kolgrim was very pleased to note it. The man was pure mortal and would have all of a mortal’s weaknesses. The victory over Hetar was already his, Kolgrim decided. But still he must not judge too quickly. Palben might prove cleverer than he looked. He should know in a few days if this was so.

  Dismounting his coal-black stallion, the Twilight Lord stepped forward, both of his hands outstretched in greeting. He was smiling his most winning smile. “My lord Palben, I greet you in friendship.”

  Palben was pleased by the Twilight Lord’s words. The fellow did not seem at all a barbarian. “My lord Kolgrim, I greet you in friendship. Welcome to Hetar and my house!” He took the hands held out to him, squeezing them before releasing them. “We have prepared everything as you requested, but you will tell me if it is not correct. Tonight there will be a small banquet with a few of our more important citizens.”

  “I shall look forward to it,” Kolgrim said, continuing to smile.

  Palben took his arm, leading him into the palace. It was not a particularly grand home, Kolgrim thought, but it was lavish in its decor. “My wife, like all women, is curious as to why you have come. Our two lands have lived estranged for many years.” The Lord High Ruler brought Kolgrim to a garden and indicated he should sit.

  Kolgrim sat, and patting the bench next to him, invited his host to sit, as well. Palben did, and at once servants brought heavily carved gold goblets decorated with rubies filled with blackberry frine. The two men accepted the vessels and silently toasted each other before drinking. “I have come with a specific purpose,” he told the Lord High Ruler.

  “And what purpose would that be?” Palben asked. So it was not just a social visit. What could the Twilight Lord possibly seek from Hetar?

  “I have come to take a bride,” Kolgrim said quietly, and then he waited.

  “A bride?” Palben was surprised.

  “Aye, a bride,” Kolgrim replied, smiling again. “There are few females in The Dark Lands, and none of rank from whom I could choose a wife. You see, my lord Palben, Twilight Lords can sire as many daughters as we choose, but only one son. My mother was a lady of high rank. I wish a bride of high rank.” Kolgrim drank the frine in his goblet, and set it aside.

  Palben nodded slowly. “Of course,” he said. “I understand completely. And I am honored that you would come to me to help you find the proper lady.”

  “The Twilight Lords live by a specific code that is laid out in our Book of Rule,” Kolgrim explained. “The book has directed me to choose my bride from the House of Ahasferus, my lord Palben. I am sure this family is of high rank, and known to you.”

  “My youngest daughter is eighteen,” Palben began, considering that to have his family allied with this ruler would be an excellent thing.

  Kolgrim held up his hand to stop the Lord High Ruler. “I mean no disrespect to you, my lord, and none to your daughter, who I am certain would make a good wife, but the Book of Rule has directed me to the House of Ahasferus. You will understand that I cannot go against the Book of Rule. It is our holy book.”

  Palben nodded sympathetically, but the truth was, he did not understand. He wondered what kind of a god the Twilight Lord worshipped. It certainly wouldn’t be the Celestial Actuary. And in Hetar there was no holy book of which he knew. “Of course, if your holy book directs you to the House of Ahasferus, then it is there you must go,” he said to Kolgrim. “The current patriarch of that house, Grugyn Ahasferus, will be one of my guests tonight. He is a magnate, and his family can be traced to the earliest days of Hetar. Will you allow me to speak with him first, my lord Kolgrim? Then I will introduce you. He has several granddaughters who are of marriageable age. The women of that family are noted for their beauty, too. While it is said all cats look alike in the dark, a man lives more in the light with his wife.” Palben chuckled, giving Kolgrim a friendly poke.

  Kolgrim joined his host laughing and gave him a friendly wink.

  “You will want to see your quarters now,” the Lord High Ruler said. He clapped his hands, and his majordomo appeared immediately. “Take Lord Kolgrim to his quarters. His servants are already settled, I hope.”

  “Indeed, my lord, aye,” the majordomo said.

  “A servant will come to fetch you and bring you to the banquet,” Palben said.

  Kolgrim bowed with an elegant flourish, and then without another word went off with the majordomo.

  Palben rubbed his hands together, delighted. He could hardly wait to tell his wife of the reason for the Twilight Lord’s visit.

  But Laureen said, “Thank the Celestial Actuary that he did not want our youngest child, my lord! I could not bear it if she were so far away.” In actuality she was relieved, for she had watched the Twilight Lord’s arrival from a window that fronted on the palace entry. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, but he had made her shiver. She remembered that when she was small and misbehaved, her grandmother would say, “If you do not behave, Laureen, you will be sent to the Twilight Lord, and live in his Dark Lands forever.” It was a common threat made to children of her generation.

  “Well,” Palben continued, unaware of his wife’s genuine relief, “Grugyn Ahasferus will certainly be in my debt now. A match between one of his granddaughters and the Twilight Lord will bring our Hetar and the Dark Lands closer. I cannot speak for the citizens of that far place, but this ruler is a man of excellent breeding and good taste. Did you see his train, Laureen? The horses’ manes were braided with silver! The musicians and dancers were garbed in the finest silks. There have been rumors of great wealth in the Dark Lands.” Palben paused, thinking. “I wonder,” he continued slowly, “how we can profit financially from this possible marriage?”

  “I am certain you will find a way, my lord,” his wife answered.

  “Aye, I will,” he agreed, nodding. “Wear something beautiful tonight, my dear. I would have you shine before our guest.”

  He would sell me to this dark lord if he thought he might profit by it, Laureen thought to herself. “Of course,” she answered her husband. “I have just the gown, my lord.” Then she curtsied to him and hurried off.

  The Lord High Ruler sat alone, and considered to himself what possible riches the Dark Lands held. He rubbed his hands together again gleefully. Tonight would be just the beginning of his personal triumph. Palben II would be remembered as Hetar’s greatest ruler for bringing the Dark Lands into Hetar’s circle of power. He could hardly wait for his guests to arrive. It was a small party, but the g
uest list was made up of the most influential men in Hetar. They would be fascinated by the handsome and urbane Twilight Lord. They would be astounded to learn what had brought him to Hetar.

  And they would be fiercely jealous of Grugyn Ahasferus’s good fortune. He would have to keep a tight line on his old friend Grugyn. There would be no marriage celebrated without the permission of the Lord High Ruler Palben. And it was going to cost the House of Ahasferus a goodly sum to gain their lord’s formal consent. Palben chuckled to himself. He had been considering taking a second wife for some time. Perhaps he would wed another of Grugyn’s granddaughters. Then he would have a blood tie with the Twilight Lord.

  “My lord.”

  He looked up to see his body servant. “What?” he demanded, irritated at having been interrupted in the midst of his musings.

  “You must come now, my lord, if you are to be ready on time to receive your guests,” the man said, bowing low for he saw the annoyance in his master’s eyes.

  Palben arose. “Thank you,” he said to the servant. “Is that new gold-and-silver robe ready for me to wear this evening?”

  The servant nodded in the affirmative as he led his master away.

  AT THE APPOINTED HOUR the Lord High Ruler of Hetar stood on the wide steps of his palace with Kolgrim the Twilight Lord greeting his guests. He was dressed in a light gray velvet robe with stripes of cloth-of-gold and cloth of silver. It glittered with his every movement. The robe had long wide sleeves with cuffs of gold. It was not a flattering design for it made him look leaner and more angular. But the robe was saved by a wide collar fashioned from gold and studded with rubies that sat upon his shoulders and his chest. Each of his long thin fingers was decorated with a bejeweled band, the ring of his office on the middle finger of his right hand. About his forehead was a gold band with a center ruby. His dark hair was close-cropped.