by James Dale
While he ate, the Lords discussed among themselves the details of his story so far, sometimes heatedly, arguing over whether a Mindspeaker could actually merge his thoughts with a demon among other things. Though Braedan had just reported the very thing had happened to him didn't seem to matter much. Their debate would have likely continued well into the night if Braedan hadn't finally finished his dinner.
"Like I said," he resumed, taking the last swallow of water. All conversation around the table ceased and everyone gave him their full attention. "I guess I was about fifty feet from the surface when my air ran out."
"What do you mean your air ran out?" Arrinor asked.
"I mean my air ran out," Jack shrugged.
"Obviously you didn't die," the prince sighed.
"Who's telling this story?" asked Jack.
"I'm sorry," Arri apologized quickly. "Please go on. What happened after...after you died?"
"An angel came for me," Jack continued. "She took me in her arms, breathed life back into me and..."
"She?" Tarsus grinned, scooting to the edge of his seat.
"She," Jack nodded. "Breathed life back into my lungs... I woke up on the beach...and... She was still out there in the surf. I went to thank her for saving me and that’s when I discovered the angel had a copper and gold tail."
"An Aerfal'Miera!" Harry cried. Until this moment, no one had noticed the Third Level Adept had remained in the Great hall after delivering Jack's meals.
"Adept Harold," High Lord Perigaen said quietly, "only the fact you have studied the Aerfal'Miera more than any student in the last five hundred years keeps me from sending you to Lord Dhoran this very instant."
"Forgive me High Lord," Harry whispered. "An Aerfal'Miera!" he cried, turning back to Braedan. "No one...No one has ever spoken to one of the Sea Children before! I mean...there are reports in the Staffclave library dating back almost a thousand years of sightings, most unreliable, and none certainly recorded by anyone who actually talked...From what...what little we do know, you are extremely lucky just to be sitting here Jack." In his excitement over discussing his favorite subject, the young Adept had apparently forgotten his new friend was also the Heir of Ljmarn Bra'adan. "Legends of their magic, especially the ummm...seductive magic of their females, is..."
"It was touch and go there for a while," Braedan admitted quietly. "I really should not have agreed to kiss her. I won't make that mistake again."
"You...you kissed an Aerfal'Miera female?" Harry cried.
"That reminds me Ailicia," Jack nodded. "I need to borrow one of your gowns. You two are about the same size expect for...well, ummm...the dark blue one I think would look best on her."
"On who, cousin," the Ailfar princess asked.
"Elua," Jack replied. "Elua'danna'ma'chaea'aerfal'mai to be precise. I invited her to stand for the Aerfal'Miera when I draw Yhswyndyr."
"You...you invited an Aerfal'Miera to Lord's Hall?" Harry whispered, hardly daring to believe his most treasured dream might actually come true.
"I did," Braedan informed him. "And I'll expect you to be on your best behavior or I won't let you within twenty feet of her. She's a person, Harry, a very precious person who saved my life. Not a frog for you to study in biology class."
"Prince Bra'Adan," High Lord Perigaen said hesitantly. "This, this is something the Staffclave should discuss. Adept Harold is not the only person who has studied the Aerfal'Miera. According to legend, they are wondrous creatures, but dangerous as well. How you survived an encounter with one of their females is almost harder to believe than your slaying of Rhondiyana."
"It was ummm…a close thing," Jack admitted. "But I survived with my legs intact. I promised her she could represent her people. I wouldn't be much of claimant if I broke my promise to a princess of the Aerfal'Miera." He didn't actually know if Elua was a princess of her people or not, but elder Mika certainly treated her with respect. "Besides," he sighed, "it was the price of my kiss. If Annawyn thought I kissed her just to be...well, let me put it this way. It will take more than the Lords of the Staffclave to protect me."
"High Lord," Arrinor said, coming to his defense, "If Elua can only communicate by Mindspeak, only I would be in any real danger. Jack withstood her magic. With his guidance and with the entire Staffclave here on Lordsisle, she should pose no threat."
"I'll keep everyone at a safe distance, High Lord," Braedan promised. Though how he would manage such a thing after they got a good look at Elua, especially his Lions, might be something of a challenge.
"Very well," the High Lord nodded. "She will be your responsibility."
"Fair enough," he nodded. "When exactly can we...ummm, when can I..."
"Yhswyndyr has waited seven hundred years for you, Jack Bra' Adan," Perigaen smiled. "It can wait until you go find this Elua."
"Then I should go get some rest," Jack replied. "I'll need to get an early start if I want to reach the coast tomorrow. Elua said she'd wait for me, but if I take too long to come for her...well, Aerfal'Miera or not, women don't much care to be stood up."
"I understand," the High Lord nodded with a smiled. "There will be time enough over the next few days to make introduction to the rest of the Lords and welcome you properly."
"Dinner was all the welcome I needed sir," Jack grinned. "Except maybe...maybe a nice hot bath?"
"Adept Harold shall insure you have one before you retire," Perigaen laughed. "Harold, while Prince Bra' Adan remains on Lordsisle, he will need a guide. Would you be so kind...?”
"Of course, High Lord!" Harry exclaimed happily.
"I will inform Lord Dhoran you are excused from your studies for the next few days," Perigaen said standing. "Jack Bra'Adan, I speak for the entire Staffclave when I say I how...relieved I am to find you alive and breathing, and finally here on Lordsisle."
The High Lord dismissed the assembly, instructing them to reconvene after breakfast in the morning to begin preparation for Ljmarn's Heir to go the Temple of the Sword at his earliest convenience.
"Before you go to your bath," Tarsus said to Jack, "I have a surprise for you."
"What kind of surprise?
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," the Amarian grinned. "Just wait right here. Don't you move an inch.” He insisted
"What kind of surprise is he talking about?" asked Jack, turning to Thonicil. "An hour ago, he thought I was dead."
"I haven't a clue," the prince of Brythond smiled, slapping him on the back as he passed by. "But he looks rather happy about it. From my limited experience with Amarian’s, at least it's a good sign."
The Great Hall cleared quickly and soon only Braedan and Adept Harold remained. Wondering what the devious Amarian had up his sleeve, he pulled up a chair at the crescent table and waited. About fifteen minutes later, Tarsus returned with a huge grin on his face.
"You certainly took long enough," Braedan sighed. "Where's this surprise you prom..." His mouth fell open in shock when he saw who entered behind the Amarian. At first, he couldn't believe his eyes. Of all the things Tarsus could have brought him, this...this was the last thing he expected.
"Dorad?" he whispered, rising slowly to his feet. "Dorad!" he cried, rushing across the room to embrace his friend. "Is it really you?"
"In the flesh," the Doridanian smiled, wrapping him in a bear hug.
"I'm not done yet," Tarsus grinned, motioning to others waiting out in the hall. Three more people stepped into the room.
"Alnordel!" Braedan laughed, releasing Dorad to embrace the Captain of the Laughing Dragon.
"Ayda'hoyas elon, kinsman," Alnordel grinned.
"Hello Jack," the raven-haired woman behind Alnordel said softly.
"Kai...Oh my God! Kaiddra!" Jack swept the Queen of the Seas up in his arms and swung her around with delight.
"Put me down you oaf," she laughed. "You're crushing me!"
"I...I thought...Kailmax told me you were dead!" He whispered. She wasn't a ghost for sure. No shade could be so soft. 'Judas
Bloody Hell!' he thought suddenly. How was he going to tell Kaiddra he was married! Obviously, Tarsus hadn't or she would be sticking a knife in his ribs instead of holding him so tight he could barely breathe.
"You're not dead," he said quietly, pushing her to arm’s length.
"You sound displeased," Kaiddra pouted.
"Of course not," Jack said, recovering quickly. "It's just…Kailmax told me he saw the Huntress go down fighting the Norgarthans."
"I wasn't on the Huntress," she informed him. "I was off sailing with these louts."
"Some surprise, eh Jack?" Tarsus grinned wickedly.
Bloody Hell!
"Hi Mister Jack," the last of the four to enter the Great Hall with the Amarian grinned. He was a tall young man of thirteen or fourteen, with dark brown hair and dark, smiling eyes. Braedan was certain he'd seen the boy before but couldn't remember...
"Heath?" he asked hesitantly.
"He's grown a bit, hasn't he?" Tarsus remarked.
"Heath!" Jack laughed, releasing Kaiddra to embrace the Seawolf's cabin boy. "My God! You're a foot taller!"
"They got better food here than Rhonn use ta feed us on the Seawolf," Heath grinned.
“They have better food, Heath,” Kaiddra admonished him. “Grammar?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Heath nodded quickly. “They have better food than Rhonn,” he corrected.
"I guess so!" Jack nodded happily. "Have you been keeping up with your fencing lessons?"
"Every day," he nodded. "Prince Dorad's been teaching me."
"Heath is going to make a fine swordsman," Dorad grinned. "If his muscles ever catch up with his bones."
"So, what has happened to you since we parted?" Alnordel asked. "You and Tarsus have moved up in the world if you've come to Lordsisle with the Heir of Ljmarn and Lady Ara’fael and a king."
"How...how did you know about..."
"It's all the Lords have been talking about for the last month!" Dorad interrupted excitedly. "Lord Faendil has the Sight. He prophesied almost to the hour when Muriel's Revenge would arrive with the Heir. What...what is he like? When can we meet him?"
"Tarsus?" Jack said quietly, turning to the Amarian. "You haven't told them?"
"We barely had time to say more than hello," Tarsus shrugged. "Lord Mannigan dragged us all to the Great Hall as soon as Lady Ara’fael told him you were...ummm, no. That would be no. I haven't."
"What haven't you told us, Tarsus?" Kaiddra asked.
"I think we'd better sit down," Jack grinned. "Harry...do the Lords keep any wine around here?"
"Uh...they don't usually allow drinking except for special occasions...Oh! Do you think this qualifies?" the Adept asked.
"I think it just might," Jack nodded.
"I will see what I can do," Harry grinned.
"I don't even know where to start," Braedan sighed, when everyone had taken a seat.
"Jack," Kaiddra said hesitantly. "Before...before you begin, there is something I must tell you. When we were forced to flee Brimcohn, and ended up here," she continued, wishing to get it out quickly. "I...I never expected to see you again."
"Kaiddra..."
"Let me finish Jack," she said quietly. "You…you will always hold a special place in my heart, but...Jack, I am engaged."
"Engaged!" he cried, relief washing through him. Kaiddra mistook his cry for one of regret.
"To...to Lord Dhoran," she nodded. "I'm sorry. I did not plan to fall in love."
"Kaiddra," Jack smiled, taking her hands. "I couldn't be happier for you."
"You are not upset?" she asked, sounding just the slightest bit hurt.
"How could I be? Like you said, you never expected to see me again. I...I thought you were dead. I also found someone else," he informed her. "If fact, I'm married."
"Oh," she said quietly. Then returned his smile. "I am glad. I feared when I saw you again...you...I am glad."
"Congratulations!" Dorad laughed. "When can I meet her?"
"Well about that Dorad," Jack grinned. "She's..."
"I found some wine," Harry announced, bursting back into the hall carrying two bottles.
"Let's have a toast!" Dorad said, collecting empty glasses from the table. He passed them around and Harry pulled the cork and began pouring out generous portions to everyone, including Heath.
"To old friends!" Dorad said, raising his glass. "And to Jack and his wife."
"Aye," Alnordel nodded. "To your wife Jack! What is her name, kinsman?"
"Ummm, her name is Anna," Jack replied.
"To Jack and Anna," Alnordel toasted.
"To Jack and Annawyn," Tarsus grinned wickedly, then downed his glass.
Dorad had half his glass down when it finally hit him. Most of it came back out his nose.
"You okay brother-in-law?" Jack laughed, slapping his back soundly.
"You..." Dorad coughed, wiping wine from his chin. "You and..."
"Yep," he nodded. Just thinking about his auburn-haired wife brought a huge, stupid grin to Jack's face.
"You have moved up in the world," Alnordel whispered.
"You don't even know the half of it," Tarsus said. "Pour another round," he instructed Harold. "They're going to need it."
"There's more?" Dorad asked, still trying to digest his friend was now his brother-in-law. "Next you'll be telling us you're the flaming Heir the Lords have been waiting on!" he said sarcastically.
"Well...about that," Jack shrugged.
"You...you can't be serious?" Kaiddra whispered.
"Let me do this properly," Tarsus said, standing. "Friends, allow me to re-introduce you to Jack Braedan, former Lieutenant of the Seawolf; now Sir John Braeden, His Grace the Duke of Thonbor, adopted Great Prince of the Kadda'Jhen, Swordmaster of Aralon, Prince Regent and husband of Annawyn, Queen of Doridan. High Prince of Aralon, Heir of Ljmarn Bra'Adan and claimant to the Highsword Yhswyndyr. Horse-brother. Wolf-brother. Did I leave anything out?"
"Elua called me Cu'ath'dathu. It seemed more of a title than a name. I don't know what it means, but it sounded important enough,” Jack shrugged. “Anyone ready for another round?"
Four hands held out empty glasses.
“Pour another round, Highness,” Jack grinned.
“My pleasure, Highness,” Tarsus bowed.
"That's about it," Jack finished much, much later. "I made my way to Lord's Hall and, well...here we are. Dorad...I'm sorry about your father."
"Thank you," the Doridanian prince said quietly. "It gladdens my heart to know, at the end, he was finally free of Kiathan. Though I am not...happy to hear he escaped, but...but it will give me a chance to kill the bastard."
"Get in line," Tarsus muttered.
"This is like something from a story book the Lords are teaching me to read," Heath grinned. "Demons and giants and magic swords and princess...uh, princesses..."
"I think you've had enough wine Heath," Kaiddra said, snatching the half empty glass from his hand.
"But Kaiddra!" he cried.
"Don't but Kaiddra me!" she replied. "It's long past your time for bed. You've got to be up bright and early for you classes. Now say good night to...Prince Jack and be off. If you show up hung-over in the morning, your behind will not be the only one to feel Lord Dhoran's switch."
"Come on Heath," Alnordel smiled, setting his own cup aside. "You wouldn't want Dhoran turning his bride-to-be over his knee for something you did, would you?"
"No sir," he sighed. "Good night Prince Jack."
"Good night Heath," he replied, giving the lad...the young man, a hug. "Though I wouldn't mind seeing this Lord Dhoran try and put Kaiddra over his knee, I don't want you to miss your classes."
"It would almost be..."
"You'd better not finish that thought young man," Kaiddra said quietly.
"Good night all," Heath paled, and headed for the door.
"Aren't you forgetting something," she asked, holding out her arms.
"Sorry," Heath said, returning to give her a hug and
a quick kiss. "Good night ma'am."
"Ma’am?"
"Good night...mother," he grinned shyly.
"Good night Heath," Kaiddra said, kissing his cheek. "Now run along! Or when Dhoran asks why your eyes are so red tomorrow morning, I'll tell him why whether he wants to turn me over his knee or not!"
"Yes mum," he nodded and ran off like a horde of grim' Hiru were on his heels.
"Mum?" Jack grinned.
"And what's wrong with that?" she asked sharply.
"Nothing. Nothing at all...mum," Jack said, giving her his own hug and kiss on the cheek.
"You might not want to let Lord Dhoran see you do that," Dorad grinned.
"Dhoran is almost as large as Tarsus," Alnordel chuckled. "I'm sorry my lord, King Tarsus. I meant no disrespect."
"Shut up and pass me the bottle," the Amarian muttered. "I don't have any classes in the morning."
"But you do have to be up bright and early," Jack replied. "You're going with me to meet Elua. I want all my friends with me," he said. "So, one more drink and I'm ordering you all to bed."
"Yes, my lord High Prince," Dorad grinned.
"Shut up and pour brother-in-law," Jack laughed.
Chapter Fifteen
An intriguing union
It was still well past midnight before their reunion finally broke up. After Braedan's story, his three friends felt compelled to return the favor and tell him what had happened to them since they parted. Dorad started by informing him much of what Admiral Kailmax had relayed in the hold of the Sword of Urgiss. The Council of Admirals had quickly grown tired of hearing his endless petitions to be released from their oaths, and when they could stand it no longer, Kailmax ordered Alnordel to take him sailing around the islands to get him out of their hair for a few days.
Seeking to fulfill Jack's wishes, Dorad also convinced Kaiddra to accompany them, hoping to somehow make the Captain of the Huntress understand the reasons behind their seemingly unexplainable actions concerning the Countess Thessa. Growing restless and bored after being so long confined to land, Heath had also begged his way aboard the Laughing Dragon for a few days at sea.
