“Well, this is quite a turn of events in the court room today,” the farthest judge commented.
“Your honor, in light of the revelations here, I do not believe we can further prosecute the noble Forgon for the murder of Lord Monsant,” the prosecutor spoke up. “I move for the dismissal of the charges.”
The crowd’s roar redoubled, and the center judge began to bang his gavel rapidly.
“Officials, clear the room if the crowd does not become immediately silent!” he roared.
The shouts descended to whispers, then hushed.
“We have seen remarkable and unexpected revelations here today,” the judge spoke in an authoritative voice. “For my part, I agree that we cannot trust the claim that this ring belonged to Forgon, and that he wore it when he killed Monsant. Furthermore, the contents of the ring, as related by this young boy of Limber, this relic of the past, further disprove that Forgon had reason to attack Monsant.”
“I agree,” the farthest judge spoke up quickly.
“As do I,” the third judge added.
“The court unanimously calls an end to the proceedings against Forgon, and directs that he be set immediately free,” the center judge pronounced. He banged his gavel down authoritatively, then stood up. The other two judges stood as well, and the trio proceeded to leave the room, as everyone else scrambled to respectfully rise to their feet.
“This is a travesty!” Glock shouted in outrage. “Where is justice for Monsant?”
“Thank you,” the prosecutor said to Theus, speaking into his ear in a low voice as he grabbed Theus’s arm and drew him close. “I appreciate your discretion.”
Theus still held the stone, he realized. He handed it to the prosecutor.
“Your secret wasn’t mine to share, under the circumstances,” Theus answered. “But your wife is a beautiful woman; I can’t imagine why you’d ever look at another.”
You with Coriae Warrell as your companion, you can say that,” the prosecutor shrugged. “And perhaps you are right; I’ll think on it.
“And in the meantime, if you ever want to be paid to be a memory stone reader, there’s a spot waiting on my staff for you. You could change the whole course of the criminal justice system,” he told Theus, then turned and walked away.
Forgon came pounding on Theus’s back, just as the prosecutor left. “My friend! My dearest friend! You saved my life today!” he hugged Theus tightly.
“Theus! You’re never going to stop amazing me!” Coriae broke free from the crowd and ran to join them, tackling them as she hugged the pair tightly. She kissed Forgon on both cheeks with glee, then turned and kissed Theus was passion, leaving his knees weak.
“You’re descended from the nobles of Limber?” Forgon asked, as he pulled away from the others. “I thought those only existed in fairy tales and stories! We’re talking to a living legend!”
“You’re talking; I’m doing more than that!” Coriae spoke in a smoldering tone of voice. “I’m so confused by so many things, I don’t know what to think!”
“I think you could take me home and let me taste some decent food for the first time in days, not to mention open a bottle of wine!” Forgon said. The trio proceeded to wind their way through the backslaps and hugs and congratulatory words that lined their path out of the courtroom and to the street. They caught a carriage, and finally started to relax when the three of them sat alone in the cozy chamber that rumbled down the street.
“How in the world did all of this come about?” Forgon asked, as he sat in the carriage facing Theus. Coriae sat next to her brother, both her hands holding tightly to one of his, a contented look on her face.
“Theus just showed up, as if the gods had dropped him back into our lives,” Coriae answered placidly. “Within hours of his arrival, we were on the way to Great Falls to regain the ring, and now this,” she smiled at Theus, who sat across from the two.
“Thank you Theus, thank you again,” Forgon said. “But tell me now, how did you happen to arrive in Stoke just when I needed you? Were you hiding in Limber all this time?”
“I’d feel better if I had been hiding in Limber,” Theus answered. “But where I’ve been, and what I’ve seen in the past few months have been frightening,” he began, and he recited the story of what had befallen him after his flight from Great Forks.
The story lasted through the rest of the carriage ride, and then into the luxurious home. The three of them took seats in a parlor, as servants brought fruit and crackers and wine, while Theus unburdened himself of the searing tale of evil that was growing in the south.
“A forgotten, ancient, evil god?” Forgon said in wonder after Theus wound down his tale, and sat in a despondent slump. “It’s too incredible to believe, except that the most believable person in the land just told the tale.”
“You’re a lost heir to Limber?” Coriae, left her seat to come sit on the arm of Theus’s chair as she asked. “You’ve been living in secret, waiting for your nation to rise again?
“No,” Theus answered. “I’ve lived a life as a poor farm boy, whose mother happens to be descended from Limber nobility.
“I’ve never lived in any place as grand as this,” he told them both.
Coriae seemed on the verge of asking a question, and Theus looked at her expectantly. She started to purse her lips, then paused.
“When we get home to Great Falls,” she began to speak, having seemingly decided to pursue a different topic, “you’ll have to stay in the family quarters, of course.”
“Without question,” Forgon said enthusiastically. “But before that, I’d like to eat a really good meal – anything better than prison food!” he laughed. “What can cook prepare for us?” he asked.
“I’ll go see right now,” Coriae offered, and she slipped out of the room.
Forgon watched her leave.
“I’m so glad you’re going to join our family,” he said when the girl had left. “You’re the best person in the world for her,” he spoke from the heart.
Theus’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Your engagement,” Forgon said cavalierly. “The way you two are together. Have you talked to father yet? Is there a date?”
Theus shook his head vaguely, stunned by the suggestion. “We haven’t,” He tried to begin, then stopped, at a loss for words.
“You haven’t set a date?” Forgon asked, trying to finish the incomplete sentence.
Coriae re-entered the room.
“Cory, have you and Theus spoken to father about a wedding date?” Forgon asked.
The girl blushed deeply, her complexion growing dusky.
Forgon looked from one to the other.
“I’ve put my foot where it doesn’t belong, haven’t I?” he asked.
“We haven’t had any conversations like that, along those lines,” his sister replied, as she came and sat beside him, not making eye contact with either of the others in the room.
“I went to check on food, and cook happens to have a leg of lamb ready. He’s preparing some vegetables now. Shall we go to the small dining room?” Coriae asked, changing the subject deftly.
She rose, and the others rose with her, then all three walked to a side room with a suitably sized table, and took seats, as servants calmly provided place settings, a basket of bread, and condiments.
“You have this small room, but we’ve been eating in that great big, formal dining room?” Theus asked Coriae. He was torn between acting as though no topic had been raised, as well as his fear of making eye contact with her.
Where could Forgon have gotten the notion of an engagement, Theus wondered.
“I thought you ought to grow used to the larger dining room,” Coriae answered, her eyes also not turning in his direction. “You’re going to have to sit through a lot of meals in rooms like that – except they’ll have a great many more people,” she laughed softly at her qualifying comment.
Forgon took a slice of bread from the basket, then s
tood. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he excused himself, and left the room.
Theus and Coriae sat in silence, alone, neither looking at the other. The atmosphere was uncomfortable.
“I didn’t start that conversation,” Theus blurted out. “Forgon just started talking like that.”
“I’m sure you didn’t; you haven’t said anything of the kind to me,” Coriae confirmed in a carefully neutral tone.
“I don’t know what to say,” he let him emotions explode. “You’re so beautiful and desirable and such a great fighter.”
“You started well, but that last comment is truly sweeping me off my feet,” she laughed.
“You know what I mean,” Theus swept her words aside. “And I’m just a, just a, a vagrant, practically a fugitive. You’re nobility,” he drew the contrast. He didn’t bring up the objection that had faded as a concern in his mind; he’d come to rationalize her murder of Monsant as a measure of not only self-protection, but a favor to the kingdom.
“Theus, you’re a master craftsman of memory stones, a healer beyond any that I know, one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom, and apparently, you’re lost nobility yourself, we’ve just been told,” she cut him off. “And you’re funny, kind, and loyal. And you’ve got good looks,” she added.
“Coriae,” he looked at her helplessly. “I don’t know much about how to do this,” he stood and approached her. He awkwardly reached out, then took one of her hands in his. “I think,” he paused, then began again, “It seems,” he stopped.
“Coriae, you are the woman my heart belongs to. Will you marry me?” he asked at last, and his eyes this time were focused solely on her, watching intently to see what answer she would give to the unlikely question he had asked. It seemed unbelievable that he would be doing this, proposing to such a woman. He couldn’t have imagined such a scenario being possible six months earlier, yet here it was.
“Theus,” her sparkling eyes were locked on his now, while her mouth was creased with a wide smile. “When my father gives us his permission to marry, I will say yes with all my heart! And I have no doubt of what his answer will be.”
She smoothly stood up, and glided into his arms, embracing him.
A pair of servants entered the room with platters of food, saw the intimate pose, and backed out in confusion.
Forgon entered the room again. “Hey ho, what’s this?” he asked upon seeing their hug. “In the middle of dinner?”
The couple broke the pose and laughed, while still holding hands.
“I’ve just asked your sister to marry me,” Theus announced.
“I had no doubt that you would,” Forgon said calmly. He paused a moment, then laughed loudly, and hugged the pair. “Such great news, the best I could ask for, once I got out of prison, that is.
“And what was your answer?” he teased Coriae by asking.
“If father says ‘yes’, I’ll say yes,” she answered her brother.
“Oh, you’ll have father wrapped around your finger in no time!” Forgon dismissed the condition as already met.
“So, when will we start on the journey home?” he asked.
A servant peeked in the room, saw that conditions had changed, and opened the door, allowing the food to be delivered, along with a bottle of wine. All was placed on the table as the celebratory party of three were seated, and began feasting and toasting merrily. They finished in the late afternoon, and sat comfortably and silently reflecting for a while, until Forgon spoke.
“Shall we visit the armory?” he asked. “I may have forgotten a few things, but I think I can still put on a decent match, once I knock off some of the rust.”
When Forgon entered the armory, followed by his sister and her bedazed fiancé, he was greeted with whoops and applause from those who were practicing inside the facility.
A long session of congratulatory banter followed, then, more serious conversations.
"I hear Glock is so angry, he's left the city," one of the participants reported.
"I hear he wants revenge on Coriae's practice partner," a girl nodded at the silent Theus, who stood off to the side as the others stood in a tight cluster.
"How's he going to get revenge if he left town?" a voice asked.
"Where did he go?" someone else asked.
"Who cares, as long as he's gone," a third voice spoke, and the conversation transitioned to discussion of Forgon's plight and freedom, and the rumors about the dramatic trial scene.
"Is he the one?" someone pointed at Theus as the group discussed the trial.
"Can you really read memory stones?" they asked him directly.
"I can; I've learned how," Theus admitted reluctantly.
"And you're a prince from Limber?" another question immediately rose.
"We're just here to practice blades," Coriae spoke up protectively. "Let’s go to the mats."
"Be careful what you place in your memory stone, Coriae," one wag laughed. "You'll have no secrets!"
Coriae laughed with the others, but then shot a thoughtful look at Theus as they walked towards the practice weapons.
The crowd of young nobles chattered and played and practiced and mixed throughout the afternoon in the armory. In addition to those he had met before, Theus met many more people, who treated him as though he were born to their class. His skills with the weapons, and the good things that Forgon and Coriae mentioned to their practice partners, soon created an aura of mystery and competence about Theus, and also brought him a few discreet inquiries about providing medical advice or treatment.
He answered as best he could the questions directed at him, and by the end of the afternoon he was not only tired and sore and sweaty, but accepted by the young nobility as though he were born among them.
"You're almost as much a topic of conversation as Forgon is," Coriae told him as they squared off with staves for their final match of the day. She feinted a thrust at his knees as she spoke.
"I haven't told anyone we're engaged," she said in a lower voice, though no one was near to overhear. "But I made sure they all knew you weren't available socially!" she smiled. "Unless I was included."
Theus tried to sweep his staff at her feet, but she blocked the effort and countered.
"I've been invited to offer medical treatment to one or two," Theus reported. "Do you want to join me?" he asked with a grin.
"It depends on who they are," she grinned back.
They finished and joined Forgon on the walk home, turning down multiple offers to go out to dinner.
"I'd just like a quiet first evening at home," he politely declined.
As the trio walked together down the street, Coriae began to speak. "Theus?" she began.
He waited as they walked on, and her pause lengthened.
"Yes?" he prompted at last.
"Nothing," she dismissed the matter.
Later, at dinner, she began again.
"Theus, can you see the memories in any stone, no matter who’s it is, or how it's protected?" she asked.
Theus noted that both she and Forgon were watching him intently.
"As far as I know," he replied. "I only just started working with memory stones when I went to Falstaff's shop, so I haven't handled many."
There were things he felt he shouldn’t discuss very much. He wasn't going to admit that he spoke to and listened to an invisible voice. Coriae would be likely to break off their surprising engagement, he was sure.
"When shall we journey north to go home?" Forgon asked. "I'll write a note home tonight to tell mother and father the good news of my freedom, and announce we're coming back soon."
"Theus needs to talk to father," Coriae responded. "Let’s go soon. How about the day after tomorrow?"
They all agreed, and headed to bed soon after.
"What an extraordinary day!" Coriae murmured to Theus when they stood together on the staircase landing. "I'll never see so much drama again in my life, I hope!" she smiled. "But you made it possible.
"You'
ve made so many things possible," she added. "We were meant to be together, don't you think? We met in Greenfalls, we were together in Great Forks, and we found each other again in Stoke."
"Even if we hadn't seen one another across the street, I was on my way to Great Forks to find you," Theus assured her. He placed his arms around her, and they stood in the comfortable embrace for a long time, until they went to their separate rooms for the evening.
The next day was a combination of preparing to leave and receiving the constant flow of visitors that streamed to the house to see Forgon and congratulate him on his acquittal. The visitors universally protested the planned abrupt departure from the city, and were only slightly mollified by the promise to return soon, once the visit to Great Forks was complete.
In the afternoon the three enjoyed more time at the armory.
"We're both a bit rusty compared to when we were practicing for the tournament every day," Forgon pointed out when they faced each other on the practice pad.
"But you're still very good," Theus protested.
"And so I am, and so are you," Forgon agreed. "But we were better before, and I imagine we'll be better again, say around tourney time next year?" he grinned.
They finished practice, then returned home for a moment to clean up, before they went to dinner with friends. After a short ride, Theus watched in amazement as the carriage pulled into the drive of an elegant small palace.
"Prince Holco was always friendly and supportive during the trial," Coriae explained. "I don't think he ever doubted Forgon's innocence, and I'm not sure he really was upset at Monsant's death in any event," she cast a furtive glance his way to check his reaction.
Theus maintained a neutral expression. He owed her a conversation, he concluded. He had to tell her that he knew she had killed the royal villain. And he needed to confess that he had read the one memory of Forgon's that had revealed the truth. They needed to be as open as possible, he felt. Except for the invisible voice, he amended his pledge.
They enjoyed an elegant meal with many friends of Forgon and Coriae. Theus and Coriae sat across from each other in the middle of the long table, people on either side of them. Theus found that the man on his left, a young officer in the guard, was interested in hearing what Theus knew about the invasion of Steep Rise, for no details of the battle there had reached the capital.
The Deadly Magician (The Memory Stones Series Book 2) Page 28
