Kelven's Riddle Book Four

by Daniel Hylton

  “I will not sully the King’s quarters by my rough presence,” he said.

  Aram, who’d stood behind his litter, unseen, stepped up and grinned down at him. “You will in fact stay in my house, Captain – whether you agree to it or no.”

  Muray angled his head to look up at him, grimacing against the pain. “Apologies, my lord; I didn’t mean to offend.”

  “There is no offense, Muray,” Aram assured him. “Your mother and father will stay in my house when they arrive, and they will wish to be near you.”

  Eoarl and Dunna arrived a day after Muray was placed into Aram’s old room. Having been warned that their arrival was imminent, Aram and Ka’en waited for them in the street as the oxcart bearing them came up through the town. The small, round woman fairly leapt from the cart and ran to Ka’en. Throwing her arms around the taller woman, she smiled up at her with eyes full of moisture. “It’s good to see you, lass.”

  “Hello, Mem,” Ka’en replied and buried her face in Dunna’s shoulder.

  After a moment, Dunna eased away slightly and looked closely at her. “What is wrong, my dear?”

  In quiet tones, Ka’en informed the older woman of her recent loss.

  In response, Dunna pulled her close and patted her head gently. “I’m so sorry, lass, so sorry.” After a long moment, Dunna pulled away again and placed her hand on Ka’en’s belly. “When did this happen, my lovely?” She asked.

  Ka’en leaned back and looked down, wiping at her eyes. “In the winter – when we went east,” she answered.

  Dunna’s black eyes twinkled. “In my own house then, perhaps?”

  Ka’en flushed, but smiled. “Perhaps.”

  Eoarl turned from watching the two women and extended his hand to Aram. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lord Aram,” he said. “How is my young lad, Muray, then?”

  “It is good to see you as well, sir,” Aram replied and then he nodded. “He will live, and will recover. Muray is a tough man. He says he’ll walk again, despite what the surgeons say, and I believe him.”

  “Is he here – in town?”

  Aram pointed up the stairs. “In the house.”

  Eoarl hesitated. “In your house, my lord?”

  “Of course,” Aram affirmed. “He is one of my best captains. You will stay here as well, if that suits you.”

  “I brought money,” the older man protested. “I can pay for lodging.”

  “We have plenty of money, my friend,” Aram replied. “We’ll need none of yours. Come; let’s go see your son.”

  After arranging for Eoarl’s and Dunna’s things to be moved into the room adjoining Muray’s, Aram and Ka’en took them inside where they met Lestar Hayesh, who was now acting in Lancer’s stead. After greeting the newcomers, Lestar asked to speak with Aram privately. He would be happy to manage daily business until the prince decided on a new chancellor, Lestar informed Aram, if that was satisfactory.

  “And who would you suggest that I choose to fill the post?” Aram asked him.

  Lestar didn’t hesitate. “Findaen is the obvious choice, my lord.”

  Aram shook his head. “I cannot spare Findaen.”

  Surprised, Lestar frowned. “But it should be a member of the family, should it not?”

  “Why?”

  The furrows in Lestar’s brow deepened. “It has always been so, for time out of mind.” He thought for a moment. “But if not; then – Dane would be a fair choice; he is honest and reliable. Then there is Donnick, or perhaps Arthrus.”

  Aram watched him closely. “Why is not your name listed among those others?”

  “Because I already hold the position of Chairman of the Council,” Lestar replied, “which advises the prince – or, in his absence, the Chancellor.”

  Aram moved his hand, as if indicating everyone around him. “We are a small people, at least for the moment. You are a clever and reliable man. Cannot you hold both positions?”

  Lestar gazed back at him for a long moment, and then slowly nodded. “If you wish it, my lord – at least until such time that you may spare Findaen.”

  “Good.” Aram extended his hand. “That is my wish. I must know that the town is in capable hands, for I will seldom be here.”

  Lestar bowed slightly and took the proffered hand. “I am honored, my lord.”

  Aram smiled. “And I am relieved.”

  Lestar returned his smile and then offered to do whatever the Lamontans needed to make their stay comfortable.

  Thanking Lestar, Aram led Eoarl and Dunna on up to Muray’s room. To Aram’s eye, the captain looked much improved, even regaining some of the weight he’d lost since his encounter with death. But Dunna broke into sobs upon sight of her only child, thin and weak, lying prone and small beneath the coverlet. Nodding to Eoarl, Aram took Ka’en by the arm and the two of them discreetly withdrew.

  Later, when Muray had fallen asleep, exhausted, and Eoarl and Dunna had been properly settled, the four of them supped on the veranda. Ka’en told them stories of her father, a man they’d never met; how he had raised three children in the absence of their mother. After a while, Dunna hugged Ka’en, wished her goodnight, and went in to sit again with her son. Ka’en also said good night to the two men, kissing her husband on the top of his head and then she went to her room to lie down, leaving Eoarl and Aram alone as the evening fell.

  Aram found once again that things he kept secret from almost every other man were easily divulged to this farmer from the east. He told Eoarl of his concerns over Ka’en, and how he wished that she would stay in Derosa until the birth of her child, finishing with, “If I am delayed in the west, she will be without human company there, except for her nurse.”

  Eoarl puffed at his pipe and gazed out over the valley, where shadows were growing long across the fields. After a moment, he looked over at Aram.

  “Dunna will need some time with her boy,” he said. “But he looks like he’s on the mend to me. If you are delayed, and Muray continues to improve, then she and I can go stay with your lady, if you would be so kind as to arrange transportation. My Dunnie has helped many a woman through the process of bearing a child.”

  Aram shook his head. “I didn’t mean to suggest this, sir,” he stated quickly. “It’s just –”

  “Easy, lad,” Eoarl cut him off, chuckling. “I know how you are about such things. But it’s logical, isn’t it,” he argued. “Dunna only had the one child; something went wrong and she couldn’t bear more. Since she met your lady, however, she feels like she has two. It will be like helping a grandchild come into the world.” He held his hand up to quell further protest. “It’s decided, lad. Is there someone who can take us north if you are delayed?”

  Aram watched him intently for a long moment. “You would do this for us?”

  Eoarl chuckled again. “I admit that I’d like to see this marvelous city of yours. Besides, Dunna will insist upon it.”

  “I am very grateful,” Aram answered, abashed. “Arthrus, the metalworker, can take you north if I am not able to return in time,” he said in answer to the older man’s question. “I will send word by Alvern or Kipwing. But I hope to be back in time to take you there myself. In the meantime, stay near your son.”

  “Is it true that my Muray slew one of those huge beasts like they say?” Eoarl asked.

  “A lasher – yes.”

  “Not many men have done such a thing, isn’t this true?”

  “Few others besides your son and myself,” Aram acknowledged.

  The farmer turned away to gaze back out over the valley but not before Aram saw the glint of fatherly pride that came into his eyes. After several minutes Eoarl looked back at Aram. “I must tell you, Lord Aram, that news of your victory against the forces of the evil one caused much rejoicing throughout the land of Lamont.” He grinned broadly. “I confess that I drank my share of beer.”

  “It was only one victory,” Aram cautioned. “There will be more struggles ahead.”

  Eoarl chuckled again
. “You are an unusual man, my lad. Even as your actions instill confidence in others, you recommend viewing such confidence with a careful eye.”

  Aram grinned in response but the grin faded quickly. “Our situation is improved, of that I am certain. We defeated a formidable force of the enemy. The men gained experience and the enemy suffered loss. But it was, after all, just one battle.” His green eyes clouded over. “If the grim lord decided to send everything he has against us – a distinct possibility – then things will become desperate for us very quickly.”

  Eoarl, abruptly somber, blew out a circular puff of aromatic smoke. “I understand, son. Still, confidence is a somewhat better state of mind for a man – or an army – than fear.”

  They were silent for a while, gazing out over the darkening valley; then Aram looked at Eoarl. “Forgive me, Eoarl, for asking one more time, but … you will go and stay with Ka’en if I am delayed?”

  Eoarl nodded. “Don’t worry your mind over it, Lord Aram. Once Dunna has seen that her boy is truly on the mend, if you are yet away, I will have this Arthrus fellow take us north.”

  Aram breathed his relief. “Thank you.”

  The next day, he loaded Ka’en’s things onto Yerba and Tristan, and they made their farewells to Muray, who seemed stronger, and to Eoarl and Dunna. The small rotund woman held Ka’en close. “You be very careful, my lass, and we’ll see you soon enough. I just need to nurse my boy for a time.”

  Muray struggled up onto one elbow and scowled. “I don’t need nursing – I need to get back to my men.”

  Aram grinned. “Be careful with your words, captain. For your mother is the one tasked with making such a decision.”

  Muray leaned back with a groan. “My doom is assured,” he growled, though his scowl faded to be replaced with a slight smile.

  Aram and Ka’en bade Muray farewell. Accompanied by Eoarl and Dunna, they went down to the street

  Leaving Ka’en with Eoarl and Dunna for the moment, Aram went inside to the council chamber where Lestar and other members of the council were arranging Lancer’s personal effects for disposition. He looked up as Aram came in.

  “May I help you, Lord Aram?’

  Aram glanced around at the men gathered there. Then he met Lestar’s gaze. “Time,” he said, “is a commodity of which I have very little. The war, I fear, will be of long duration, and someone must manage the affairs of Derosa. I have considered our earlier conversation. Will you consent to holding the position of Chancellor on a permanent basis?”

  Lestar stared back at him for a moment before responding. “I of course will agree to whatever you wish, my lord; but as I stated, that position since ancient times was ever held by a member of the prince’s family.”

  Aram shook his head. “I cannot spare Findaen; and I cannot see a time coming when I will be able to release him from the army. As for the others you mentioned – Arthrus is tasked with the needs of the army and Dane is often with the army. Donnick is my infantry general – I cannot spare him. There is none else. You, sir, know what is required as well as anyone. Will you do it?”

  Slowly, bending his gaze around at the other members of the council, Lestar nodded. “If there is no objection.”

  Aram started to retort that he would brook none, but held his tongue and looked at the others. Every man shook his head. “I have no objection to this, my lord,” Dane said, and the others consented.

  “Good.” Aram said simply. “I will go then and leave you to it.”

  Gathering Ka’en, Aram bid farewell to their guests from the east and the two of them went up the path above the town to Arthrus’ workshop. The ironmonger was dismantling some of Ka’en’s furniture when they entered. He left off his work as they came in and went to retrieve a curious contraption from a corner which he held up for inspection. “I’ve designed something to make Lady Ka’en’s journey to the valley more comfortable,” he said.

  The contraption proved to be a saddle specially crafted for two people, made in such a way that Ka’en could sit behind Aram on Thaniel with both her legs to one side or the other if she so desired. Also, there was a padded brace that went up the back of the thing which she could lean against when she grew tired.

  When its purpose was explained, Ka’en went to Arthrus and hugged him. Pleased by her reaction, Arthrus promised them both that upon Yerba and Tristan’s return he would have the furniture ready to load up and that he would bring those things to Ka’en along with her nurse, Cala, as soon as Cala was ready to make the trip.

  “Don’t rush Cala,” Ka’en instructed him. “She is about to be a grandmother – any day now, in fact – and she will want to enjoy that experience fully before she joins me.”

  Because of Ka’en’s condition, Aram did not intend to make the move all the way to the valley in one day, perhaps not even in two, though the horses could have managed it easily. The days were still hot and the nights warm, so there was little danger of the sickness that often accompanied exposure. Besides, Ka’en, though prone to becoming chilled even in the middle of summer, had the warm cloak that Dunna had given her the previous winter for protection. Loaded on Yerba there was also a small folding canvas chair and a padded sleeping mat – both things that Arthrus had devised to provide her a measure of comfort as they journeyed.

  They left that morning, before the sun was very high in the sky and made good time up the long ridge and into the hardwoods that thickened as they neared the top of the east-west ridge. It was the gentlest season of summer, that period when all green growing things take a rest between the urgency of spring and the poignancy of autumn. At mid-afternoon Aram felt Ka’en tense up behind him as Thaniel negotiated a rough place in the worn, ancient road, so he spoke to the horses, bringing them to a halt. Dismounting, he reached up and lifted Ka’en down to him. He held her in his arms and looked at her closely. She had not complained, but he saw the lines of weariness gathered to each side of her eyes.

  He glanced around. They were in a small glade where the trees rose up tall and dark on all sides and there was the noise of a brook tumbling down through a hollow a short way off. He smiled as he set her gently on her feet. “We’ll stay here this evening and then go on tomorrow.”

  She smiled tiredly. “I’m alright, my love. We can rest a moment and then go on a bit further today, if you want.”

  “No.” He looked around again, examining the glade. “This is a good place; I can make you comfortable here. And it’s more than halfway to the valley. We’ll eat and then I’ll make camp. I’ll start a fire before evening.”

  He unfolded her chair, which was constructed of a piece of canvas stretched between two wooden braces that formed X-shaped legs on either side, and found her a level spot between two large oaks. Then he unloaded Yerba and Tristan and pitched the tent with its open side near where he intended to start the fire. After releasing the horses, he gathered wood and though the waning afternoon was yet warm, he put flint to stone so that they might share a cup of kolfa. Besides, though Ka’en had said nothing, he noticed that she had laid Dunna’s cloak across her lap and gradually inched it up higher as the late afternoon shade deepened.

  When the kolfa was ready, he poured her a cup and smiled as he handed it to her. “If it’s a boy,” he asked, “what will we name him?”

  She looked at him, surprised by the question. “The baby?”

  He nodded.

  She sipped at her cup. “What would you like to name your son?”

  He shook his head at that. “I have no experience in such things. No, my love; you will name him – or her.” He thought for a moment. “Name him after your father if you like.”

  She gazed into the fire for a long moment, and then shook her head. “My father had a younger brother who died while he was small, when they first came to Derosa. He’s talked of him often, even more these last few years.”

  “What was his brother’s name?” Aram asked.

  “Naetan.”

  Aram knitted his brows in thought
and then smiled gently. “Naetan – I like it. And if it’s a girl, we’ll name her after your mother, Margra’eth. So that’s all settled.”

  “Are you sure? What about your family names?”

  “No.” Aram shook his head. “I’m sure.”

  The evening fell softly as they talked of the future and what it might bring, and then the night fell. Aram positioned Ka’en inside the opening of the tent, where she would benefit from the fire which he would mind throughout the night. He wrapped her in Dunna’s cloak and then in his arms, so that she would not suffer from the chill of the wee hours.

  They crossed the river by the town at the next mid-day. Oskus and the others were at work in their fields. As the citizens of River’s Bend stopped to watch the horses go past, Aram didn’t halt but simply saluted them with a wave of his hand and he and Ka’en and the horses continued on to the city.

  Florm and Ashal came galloping up before they reached the pyramids by the junction with the great avenue. The old horse inclined his head to Aram and then addressed Thaniel.

  “You look well, my son. It cheers my heart.”

  “And you, father – and you, mother; you both look well,” Thaniel acknowledged his parents. “Yes, I am fully recovered. It was nothing more than a few scratches.”

  Florm snorted. “If those were scratches then Lord Aram’s fine city is but a hut.”

  Thaniel shifted uncomfortably. “Nonetheless, father; I am well.”

  Florm lifted his head to look at Aram and Ka’en. “Good day to you, my lady.”

  “It’s a pleasure to see you and Lady Ashal, my lord,” Ka’en responded graciously. “I am come to stay.”

  Ashal looked at her in surprise. “To stay? Here – in the valley?”

  Ka’en returned the horse’s gaze proudly. “I will bring my child into the world in the city of Aram’s fathers,” she said.

  Florm and Ashal watched her for a long moment, and then Florm said, “I can think of no place more appropriate.”