by Lucy Roy
She laughed. “You know, I think that’s the most fatherly advice you’ve ever given me, Commander.”
Chapter 27
As per the queen’s instructions, Lea and Freya met Lord Edrin at the market entrance the following morning, their guards following quietly behind.
“You really should have worn a dress,” Lea whispered as they waited for Lord Edrin’s carriage which slowly rattled down the road toward them.
Freya flicked her a glance from where she leaned against the pillar that framed the market gates. She’d opted for more casual attire, her normal leather pants replaced with a pair made of loose, black muslin, and a fitted, sleeveless blouse the color of blueberries. Her hair was pulled back in a tight braid that fell over one shoulder, keeping it off her neck and making the color a bit less obvious. “I’m going to be trudging through a hot, crowded city all day. If I need to take flight, I’d prefer not to flash my underthings to all of Iladel.”
“You won’t need to take flight, my lady,” Cecilia told her. “Not while we’re around.”
Freya bobbed her head side to side, considering. “I will if my aim is to evade you.”
Rissen arched a brow. “We’re under strict orders from our commander and the prince to report back if you choose to fly off.”
“That’s certainly not a hassle you’d want to face on your return, is it?” Cecilia gave her a knowing look.
Freya narrowed her eyes. “You’re basing that conclusion on the assumption I find no joy in irritating my father or my fiancé.”
Rissen folded his arms and stared at her evenly. “Yes, but do you enjoy the resulting reaming Cecilia and I get each time you evade us purely to spite them, my lady?”
“He’s got you there,” Lea sing-songed, smiling smugly when she saw the look of guilt on Freya’s face.
Freya sighed. “You’re lucky I’ve taken a liking to you both.”
Lea smirked up at her own personal guard, Iska, who continued to maintain his typical stoicism. “And here you thought I was a difficult child.”
He gave her a reluctant smile. “Never, my lady.”
“Ha!” Lea snorted.
“I’m not difficult!” Freya exclaimed as Lord Edrin’s carriage rolled to a stop in front of them.
“Problematic, then?” Lea suggested. “Ornery, perhaps?”
Before Freya had a chance to retort, the carriage door swung open and Lord Edrin was beaming down at them, his bright white teeth flashing in the sun, the pale skin of his face already showing a tinge of redness at the heat.
“Ah, Lady Balthana! So lovely to see you again!” He stepped down from the carriage and sent a dazzling smile to Lea as the coachman pulled the carriage off into a waiting area. Smartly, he’d chosen to wear a lightweight tunic and loose-fitting pants, ideal for walking through the city on a hot day.
Turning to Lea, he gave her a deep bow. “And you must be Lady Calliwell.”
“Yes, but please, call me Lea,” she replied with a small curtsy. “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
“Please, it’s Jonas.” He looked between them both expectantly. “Now, shall we? I’m eager to see what treasures await.”
“You haven’t brought any guards?” Lea asked, frowning at his carriage.
He laughed. “When I’ve got a Valkyrie queen to protect me? No, I think I’d prefer this tour without a cadre of guards lurking behind us.” He cast a somewhat annoyed look at the stoic guards that had accompanied Freya and Lea, the three of which stood a respectable distance away. “Although I suppose that was unavoidable.”
“You’ll get used to them, don’t worry,” Lea whispered conspiratorially. She gestured toward the market. “Shall we?”
“Where would you like to go first?” Freya asked as they ambled toward the gates. “Were there certain wares you were hoping to examine?”
“Jotunheim is interested in expanding on its mineral imports,” Jonas said. “Stones and metal, mainly. ”
“It might be worth a stop in Caelora on your return trip, then,” Lea advised. “Iladel holds a great deal of their forged metals, but if you’re hoping to acquire raw materials, you’d be better off going to their source.”
“Is there a reason for a renewed interest?” Freya asked. “I was under the impression the Jotnar had no use for importing those types of goods because of your own mines.”
“We didn’t, but the labor involved in extracting minerals from our own mines has become a bit cost-prohibitive in many areas,” Jonas replied. “Many of our people have been traveling across the border to Lindoroth for them instead, so Empress Lessia would like to provide them within our own lands, if possible.”
Lea gestured down an aisle that appeared to hold what Jonas was looking for. “Let’s start with minerals and make our way around. Then we’ll find ourselves a bit of Iladelian cuisine for lunch.”
Letting the two of them walk slightly ahead, Freya scanned the crowded market, already bustling despite the early hour. Rows upon rows of stalls stretched out in all directions, offering fragrant spices, potions, and other magical goods, along with Allanorian leather, Edhillian jewels, Caelorian weapons, and Saithian silk. Its hurried feel reminded her a bit of Watoria’s market, despite being easily quadruple the size.
For the next few hours, their group wandered through the avenues of stalls, sampling foods and examining gems and various metals. Jonas took notes in a small notebook along the way, taking particular interest in the quality of blades made of Caelorian alloys. As Lea and Jonas continued along the row, Freya lingered for a few moments at the stands of jewelers, her eyes drawn to the lovely pieces created by the artisans of Edhil and Caelora. A witch, her smooth skin beginning to soften with age, smiled at Freya when she saw her admiring a pair of rose stone earrings.
“Do you like them?”
Freya nodded. “They’re lovely.” Gently, she touched the stones, their facets causing them to flash in the sun. “How much would you like for them?”
The witch eyed Freya, taking in her features and narrowing her eyes a bit. Freya saw them shift the moment recognition hit. “For you, my lady, a gift.”
Freya held the female’s gaze, unsure of how to proceed. She could almost hear Byrric whispering in her ear, telling her to accept the gift with grace.
“Alright, I’ll take them,” she said after a moment. “But only if you sell me the matching necklace.”
The witch gave her a knowing grin as she plucked the necklace from the velvet-covered table. “Your father is a stubborn one, too, you know.”
Freya laughed as the female packaged the pieces in small velvet bags. “So I’ve told him.”
“My name is Rosina,” she said, handing Freya the two bags and accepting the gold fifty-sil coin Freya dropped in her hand.
Freya’s eyes brightened with recognition. “Oh! I believe Kallan procured a few pieces from you for a dinner and ball I recently attended.”
Rosina smiled and nodded. “Yes, he brings me a good deal of business. Should you have need of any other pieces, my lady, I would be honored to have your patronage.”
“Thank you, Rosina. I’m sure you’ll be seeing me again soon.” With a final wave, she went on to join the others, who’d move on to a vendor’s stand that sold flatware and heavy serving dishes. She found Jonas turning a gold serving spoon over in his hand as he examined the designs etched into the metal.
“Are you in the market for new place settings, my lord?” Freya asked when she approached.
“Ah, there she is!” Jonas grinned. “As I was just saying to Lea, the metals we mine for jewelry and flatware aren’t as strong as yours, which are seemingly ageless. Although I’m sure there’s a bit of magic involved.”
Freya gave what she hoped was a bashful smile. “Unfortunately, I’m not well-versed in the methods of our craftspeople,” she said. “They’re unmatched, however, whatever they may be.”
“Indeed,” he murmured, flicking a glance at her leather boots. Then, s
miling, he set down the gold serving spoon he’d been looking over. “Shall we eat, then? I’m quite famished.”
“Of course,” Lea said, drawing his attention away from Freya. “There’s a cafe just inside the gates to the city I think you’ll enjoy. We can walk a bit more after that, unless you’re eager to get back, of course?”
“No rush at all, Lea,” Jonas replied.
As they made their way toward the gates that led from the market into the main part of the city, Freya fell into step beside him.
“So, how was your trip from Jotunheim, Jonas? I’ve never been that far north, but I’ve always heard it’s a lovely trek.”
Jonas clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at her. “I live on the eastern edge of Rodrun Lake, and since we don’t have a canal system like yours, the trip took about a week on horseback. The lands between here and there are majestic, to say the least.”
“I’d love to see it someday,” she said wistfully, not having to fake her sincerity. “Dystone, as well. I’m told the human lands are a good deal different than our continent.”
“Indeed,” he said with a nod.
“Have you been, then?” Lea asked him.
“I have.” He gave them both a rueful smile. “Sadly, they’re still a bit wary of my kind across the sea.”
Freya had to bite her tongue to keep from telling him she understood the humans’ reticence. To the Linds and the Jotnar, the three centuries since the war were barely a blink, something the humans knew all too well. Many of the Jotnar who’d attempted to overtake the humans were still alive, still holding onto their old prejudices and animosity toward the beings they saw as lesser. In the time since the war, international sea travel had been severely limited for the Jotnar, enforced by both the Lindorothian and Dystonian navies. Even still, the Jotnar hadn’t done much in the way of curbing their tendency toward battle over discourse. The draugs and lower beings of their lands often snuck into Lindoroth to wreak havoc, and little seemed to be done on the part of their empress to quell their behaviors.
As she examined Jonas now, a fair-haired son of Jotunheim and barely thirty, it was difficult to tell if he carried those same prejudices and violent tendencies. He seemed more open, more willing to accept those from outside his homeland, but Freya knew better than anyone how deceiving appearances could be. Even still, she didn’t want to live her life under a cloud of cynicism, so she made herself a promise not to write off a person simply because of the history of their lands. Being open to those whom others would consider beneath her was largely the reason she’d spent most of her life in Watoria instead of the capital, after all.
“Has there been discussion of reviving international travel between your countries?” she asked as they stepped through the door to the small cafe Lea had led them to.
He sighed and let his eyes run over the busy market as he responded. “I’ve pressed my aunt a good deal to work on building friendships with the Dystonians, but both parties seem quite reluctant. She’s made some headway since the new monarchs arose, so my hope is we might be able to try once more.”
“Your aunt was a commander in that war, though, correct?” Lea asked, ignoring Freya’s silencing look as they sat, their guards taking up residence at the table beside them. “I would imagine that would make it difficult to trust her intentions to be noble.”
Jonas gave her an understanding smile. “Which is why she sent me as her emissary. Even still, King Willem insisted I was to be the only one to disembark from my ship and refused to meet me further inland than the palace in Caldel.”
“At least you were still able to see the land,” Freya said. “I’m told the human provinces are a good deal different than our continent.”
“Indeed.” Smiling, Jonas rubbed his hands together, then picked up his menu. “Now, what do you recommend?”
Lea gestured for Freya and Jonas to set their menus down, then beckoned toward the female who’d been hovering to the side, waiting to approach. “Clarissa, could you bring us a bit of everything, please? Lady Balthana and I would like to show our guest the best Iladel has to offer.”
“Yes, my Lady,” the small brunette said, smiling. She gave Freya a quick curtsy, then dashed through a door to the kitchens.
Freya threw Lea an amused look. “A bit of everything?”
Lea shrugged. “She knows what I prefer, and what I prefer is superb, so I’m certain you’ll both enjoy it all.”
Jonas laughed and looked at Lea. “Have you lived in the capital long?”
“We began summering here three years ago,” she said. “I moved here from Edhil just before the start of term this year.”
“Ah, the southern lands! Tell me, which regions do you prefer?”
“Oh, I quite love them all,” Lea gushed. “Even the desert is nice to visit in the cooler months. The canyons are such a treat to see.”
“Yes, I hear they’re quite lovely. Perhaps over the summer I’ll make a visit.”
Lea smiled. “I’m sure my father would welcome you warmly.”
Shifting, he turned his attention to Freya. “Freya, I’m eager to hear more about you. When I heard Lindoroth’s next queen was the daughter of Byrric Balthana and Cina Enrieth, I was quite stunned, to say the least.”
“Why is that?”
“I’ve found female monarchs often have—need, even—an air of submissiveness. Forgive my bluntness, my lady, but I don’t see that in you at all.”
Lea coughed back a laugh as Freya angled her head curiously.
His eyes darted between her and Lea briefly, and whatever he saw in their expressions had him backpedaling immediately. “I meant no offense, of course. I simply assumed you would follow in your father or mother’s footsteps.”
“Both chose to serve their land, protect its people,” she countered. “Isn’t being queen doing just that?”
“Forgive me, I thought—”
“That a betrothal means I’ll be a reluctant queen?” Freya’s lips slid into a slow smile. “I can assure you, my lord, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Aerelius and I are quite fond of one another.”
Lea rested her elbow on the table, propping her chin in her fist as she watched on in amusement.
Jonas held up his hands in apology as a slight flush mottled his pale skin. “I’m sorry, my lady. Truly, there was no offense intended.”
“Then none will be taken,” Freya replied coolly. “Now, my father mentioned you might want to see Aldridge while you’re visiting. Is that correct?”
“Ah, yes!” He smiled, seemingly relieved at the shift in topic. “I enjoy comparing the teaching methods in other education systems to our own. It’s wonderful to think outside the proverbial box, so to speak, and I’ve always had an interest in the field.”
“You should come visit this week, then!” Lea grinned at Freya before continuing. “Our last class each day is Combat, so you might even get lucky enough to see our Valkyrie take on her prince.”
Jonas’ eyes widened. “You fight your betrothed? With weapons?”
“Of course!” Freya smiled wickedly. “Sometimes I even let him win.”
He stared at her for a moment, shocked, then gave her a bewildered smile.
“That, my lady, is something I’d like to see.”
After lunch, Lea led them on a tour around the city, showing Jonas the sights as Freya nostalgically recalled the times she’d spent walking the streets with her parents as a child. She’d always seen Iladel as the best place to go if one wanted to see what the whole of Lindoroth had to offer, and it seemed that hadn’t changed at all. The scent of spices mixed with fresh flowers, the quiet hum of magic, and the cheerful sound of street performers had always left her with a feeling of contentment as a child, and now that she was grown, the additional knowledge that this was now her city and these would soon be her subjects gave her a sense of added pride.
“You seem quite happy here, my lady,” Jonas commented to Freya when Lea stepped into a tea shop for ref
reshments. “At home, even.”
She gave him a curious look as they took seats at a small table. “That surprises you?”
“Indeed. I can honestly say I wouldn’t adapt so well if I were pulled from my homeland and dropped into a distant realm.”
Freya frowned. “Had that been the case, I can assure you I might have struggled.” She held a hand out, gesturing around the busy plaza. “This was the place I called home for four months each year up until my teen years. It may not be my homeland, as you say, but calling it my home now is something I feel blessed to be able to do.” She couldn’t help feeling irritated that she felt the need to explain herself so frequently to him, but it was all she could do not to thoroughly chastise him for his presumptions.
“Ah, I was unaware you were so familiar with Iladel,” he said with a tense smile. “Again, I fear I’ve offended you.”
She appraised him for a moment, taking in the slightly uncomfortable expression he wore, then sighed. “Can I offer you a bit of advice, Jonas?”
“It would be well-received, I assure you,” he replied, letting out a relieved breath.
“If you’d like to know something about me, all you need to do is ask. No matter how you phrase your questions, my answers will be the same. My status as Aerelius’ bride gives me both pride and happiness, as does my future as a leader of Lindoroth. If you hope to unearth some discord in my heart, you’ll find yourself disappointed.”
Jonas studied her for a moment, a look of slight consternation on his pale features. After a moment, he shifted his gaze away from hers and across the plaza. “I must say, Freya, I’m surprised at that. I’ve never known a female to be content to be traded away from her family into another.”
“Traded?” Her brows shot up in warning at his bitter tone. “I would be careful how you proceed, Lord Edrin. Insulting my parents and our monarchs isn’t something that would lead me to look upon you favorably in the future.”
