Burden of Stones

by James Dale

  “I was your man from the moment you saved my life, Jack Braedan,” his friend replied, looking up at him. “I will be your man until I draw my last breath.”

  “Good enough for me,” Jack smiled. To the shock of everyone, he drew Yhswyndyr. “Don’t worry,” he said to a wide eyed Dorad, and before he could protest, Jack touched the naked blade of the Highsword to his left shoulder, then to his right. “Prince Dorad Ellgereth, rise to the service of the High King.”

  The cheers erupted once more as Braedan returned Yhswyndyr to its sheath and Dorad stood, unharmed.

  “I have a sword you, know,” Dorad said, loud enough for Jack to hear above the shouts. “And there are several gold coins in my kit on the Wind.”

  “You don’t have them with you now, right?” Jack smiled.

  “No,” he admitted.

  “Then the High King did not lie,” Jack shrugged.

  “Go stand beside the Ivory Throne, brother,” Anna smiled, kissing his cheek. “After this is finished, we will find Haemon and have him find you suitable clothing for dinner tonight. Hurry now. There is much yet to do this day and I have a promise to keep.”

  “I fear you have a few more oaths to take, Beloved.” Anna said, taking Jack’s arm once more.

  “I will accept the service of everyone in this room,” he smiled. “As long as you keep your promise.”

  “I will let you know when it is time to stop,” his wife replied, blushing

  “Prince Arrinor An’Mera,” Anna said, her voice once more bringing the room to silence. “Princess Ailicia An’Mera. Will you come forward on behalf of Ail’itharain and swear to the High King?”

  “We will,” Arrinor replied. Standing, he offered his sister his arm and they made their way forward. Lady Ara’fael followed, though she had not been called. Ailfar Spellweavers, much like Lords of the Staffclave, often did as they pleased whether asked to or not.

  “You do not have to kneel cousins,” Jack said when they stood before him.

  “We will,” Arri replied. “So long as you leave Yhswyndyr in its sheath.”

  “Ally?” Jack asked.

  “We will,” she nodded. “If Ail’itharain does not kneel to the High King, others may feel they do not have to pay you this honor as well.”

  “Well spoken, child,” Ara’fael nodded, pleased for once.

  “You certainly do not have to kneel my Lady,” Jack said, “You have already done enough for me to account for a lifetime of oaths.”

  “I come as a Cilidon’s witness his children have sworn oaths in his stead,” Ara’fael replied. “And to thank the Queen for the service she has done Ail’itharain.”

  “And what service is that, Lady Ara’fael?” Anna asked.

  “I’ll tell you later, Beloved,” Jack smiled. “If you are going to kneel cousins, do so.”

  The Prince and Princess of Ail’itharain knelt before the High King.

  “No words are necessary,” Jack said, placing a hand on each of their golden heads. “Your love and continued friendship are all I require from the House of An’Mera.”

  “Say the words regardless, Arrinor,” Ara’fael instructed him. “Oaths spoken to the bearer of a Highsword will hold even when love and friendship fail.”

  “The House of An’Mera, swears service to the High King of Aralon,” Arrinor dutifully replied. “To go where he commands, to fight where he fights. To make peace where he makes peace. By the Sacred Ahvendalia of the Golden Wood I make this oath, on behalf of my father the King.”

  “Stand Arrinor and Ailicia An’Mera,” Jack said, taking each by a hand to help them stand. “Oaths may fail, friendships may pass, but my love for you both never will dim.” He hugged Arri and kissed Ailicia’s cheek.

  “Lady Ara’fael,” Anna said, stepping forward to embrace the Spellweaver, “Whatever service I have done Ail’itharain, it pales in comparison to the service you have done for me, bringing my husband safely and swiftly home.”

  “Dear child,” Ara’fael replied, kissing Anna on each cheek. “Your husband is exasperating at times with his recklessness, but he is the bravest, most honorable man I have known in all my long life. I know very well, if we survive this, Aralon will have you to thank for it.”

  “May I do a two for one?” Braedan asked, as the Ailfar resumed their seats.

  “So long as they represent the same power,” his wife replied.

  “Daenel d’Lachaeland. Captain Ardel d’Kenna. Come forward please,” Jack said.

  The Captain of the High King’s Hammer and the Steward of Immer, both came and stood before the High King.

  “I have no need of your oaths,” Jack informed them both as the knelt before him. “Daenel, you are the honor and faithfulness of Immer made flesh. I task you only to continue to do what you have done in the name of the High King since you became Steward. Govern Immer in my stead until the day I can come to our city again.”

  “I swear to fulfill my oath as Steward until you release me from my duties, High King,” d’Lachaeland vowed.

  “Captain d’Kenna,” Jack continued. “The Hammer has protected me with their lives since the moment I proclaimed myself to be Ljmarn’s Heir. Eorl Longis, Dannis Ty’ael, Maerik Borel, and Graegor Vorhein, lay buried on these very grounds. My debt to you and your men can never be repaid. Continue to serve me as you have since that first day, and I will lay down my life for the Hammer’s lowest private if I must.”

  “Your debt was paid to the High King’s Hammer when you drew Yhswyndyr my lord King,” Captain d’Kenna replied. “I have no fear of your sword. Touch me with Lifebringer and renew our oath to the High King and our new queen.”

  Jack drew Yhswyndyr once again. As he touched d’Kenna on each shoulder, the Captain of the High King’s Hammer shuddered visibly. Not from fear of the blade but from the ecstasy of the moment each captain of the High Kings Hammer had dreamed of for over seven hundred years. “Ardel d’Kenna, I make this oath to the Hammer. Get me to Agash Thugar and I will see the Bloodstone destroyed and remove its threat to Aralon for good. Stand captain is service to your king.”

  There were tears of joy in his hard eyes as he stood.

  “Are there any others assembled here, not already bound by oaths to the thrones of Doridan and Ail’itharain?” Anna asked. “Or have the leave of their throne to swear service to the High King in their names?”

  The first to come forward were Alnordel and Kaiddra. For the briefest moment, Jack worried how Anna would react as his former lover knelt before him. The smile she gave them both however, dispelled any fear his wife might harbor ill will toward her.

  “The only oath that ever bound either of us, King Jack,” Alnordel said, “was our oath to the Free Brothers of the Sea. We broke our oath when we agreed to the Staffclave’s probation. Our probation has been fulfilled. I will swear to you.”

  “I have not spoken any vows binding me to another’s service,” Kaiddra added. “I will swear fealty to you and your queen until you release me to another.”

  “Dhoran should have been a little quicker to tie the knot,” Jack smiled at her. “Maybe this will speed him along, eh?”

  “Perhaps it will, King Jack,” Kaiddra nodded.

  “Until he does, I accept your service,” Jack replied. “Hear me,” he continued in a voice that carried loudly throughout the throne room. “Alnordel Iranahil and Kaiddra da’Caerl, both former members of the Free Brothers of the Sea, are pardoned of any and all crimes associated with their time in the Brotherhood. So long as they, or any other member of the Brotherhood still living, never returns to piracy, the High King of Aralon proclaims them absolved of any crimes.”

  “Stand in service to the King,” he instructed. “You both have been my friends longer than any save Dorad and Tarsus. I will find you both something to do that involves the sea if you wish.” He informed them as they stood. “Or any other service you desire if something else catches your fancy.”

  “Doridan’s navy always has need of captains
with experience at killing Norgarthans,” Anna added. “Alnordel Iranahil and Kaiddra da’Caerl, if you so wish it, I will commission you at your earliest convenience and give you a pick of ships.”

  “I will consider your offer, Queen Anna,” Alnordel nodded.

  “And I will see what a certain Lord thinks about what I have done before deciding,” Kaiddra smiled.

  “I suppose there is some sort reception or dinner after all this is finished?” Jack asked his wife.

  “Of course, Beloved,” Anna replied. “But only a small one. I promise.”

  “Stick around for dinner,” Jack informed them, “and we will discuss this further.”

  “As you command, King Jack.” Alnordel nodded.

  “If Dhoran hasn’t come to his sense by then,” Jack informed Kaiddra, “I’ll have Anna offer you the fastest ship in her fleet. If that doesn’t speed his tongue, I don’t know what else I can do except propose a marriage contract between you and the new Duke of Raashan. Sir Gain will need a strong woman at his side.”

  “I’ll pass that along, King Jack.” Kaiddra laughed. “Queen Anna, I look forward to dinner.”

  “As do I,” the queen nodded. “I am sure there are many things about my husband’s time as a pirate he has yet to share with me.”

  “Run along you two,” Jack said quickly, before the two women decided to start sharing stories right here in the throne room. “Someone else is waiting to bend a knee.”

  “Ambassador Thongril,” Jack smiled. “When did you return to Dorshev? And why didn’t you tell me he was here?” he asked, turning to his wife.

  “I’ve not even had time to kiss you yet,” Anna replied. “When was I supposed to tell you Ian had returned?”

  “I arrived a few days after you left for Lordsisle, High King,” Ian Thongril smiled.

  “I don’t know the legalities in all this,” Jack said offering him his hand. “But I imagine you bending a knee to the Duke of Thonbor would tie of up the courts for years.”

  “I imagine those same courts would argue Prince Thonicil has already taken oaths in Brydium’s name,” Ian replied, as he shook Jack’s hand. “Let us just agree Brydium, Immer and Doridan have shared the same interest for some time and we’ll let Theros decide what is legal and what is not.”

  “Agreed,” Jack nodded. “Welcome back Ian. You are coming to dinner as well?”

  “I am,” he nodded.

  “I owe several people here a lifetime supply of Surcca Valley,” Jack smiled. “Perhaps some of them will share their bounty with you. In fact, I may just need to purchase their winery. It would probably save me money in the long run. Is Richard de’Bracy in Dorshev my love?”

  “He has been in and out, waiting for you to return,” Anna informed him. “I believe he has even rented a villa in Ellorhan Falls.”

  “It’s settled then,” Jack nodded. “I’ll send for Richard and see if I’m rich enough yet to buy a winery.”

  “You could just commandeer it?” Ian suggested. “In the name of the High King?”

  “He certainly will not!” Anna replied. “If the treasuries of Immer and Thonbor combined cannot buy a winery, Doridan will buy it for you. Your debts are my debts, Beloved.”

  “I knew there was some reason I loved you beyond your green eyes,” Jack grinned.

  “I see it is time for me to remind you why you love me, Jack Braedan,” the queen said, laying her head on his shoulder.

  “And I see it is time for me to take my leave,” Ian smiled.

  “Only if the High King is finished discussing wine,” the High Lord interrupted.

  “Forgive us, High Lord,” Anna said quickly. “It was not my intent to keep the Staffclave waiting.”

  “The fault is not yours Annawyn Ellgereth Bra’Adan,” Perigaen assured her. “You husband often seems to think the world waits upon him to notice it.”

  “High Lord Perigaen,” Jack said changing the subject. “The Staffclave has no need to swear any oaths.”

  “Indeed, we do not,” Perigaen replied. “The only oath we take is to the earthe, to uphold the task given us by the Arch-Angel Mikael. A power superseding even yours, High King. For the time being.”

  “Did you see all this coming, Lord Faendil?” asked Jack. Perigaen had been joined by the entire Staffclave that had sailed with him from Lordsisle.

  “There was no need for any vision,” Faendil replied.

  “We began planning this with your queen even before we left Lordsisle,” Lord Dhoran informed him. “With Lord Shaeron’s help of course.”

  “Of course,” Jack sighed. Daenel d’Lachaeland and his wife, capable though they were, could not have arranged everything that happened today without the help of the Staffclave.

  “We thought it best to begin this…process, before we reached Tanaevar,” Perigaen explained. “When we arrive in Amar, there will be little time for oaths and well wishes.”

  “And to do it after in Immer, would be pointless,” Jack surmised.

  “Exactly, High King,” Lord Rhia’dan nodded. “Though if you require it, I will speak in my father’s stead for Caladin.”

  “I had assumed Caladin was sitting this one out,” Jack replied. “Given the amount of time it would take them to get to Tanaevar. With the need to secure their own northern border of course.”

  “A contingent is sailing south even now with the fleets of Amorhad,” Rhia’dan informed him. “With them is King Rhor’dal, my father. They should arrive in Doridan within a day or two. They set sail over three weeks ago.”

  “Then I will let King Rhor’dal swear Caladin’s oath,” Braedan replied.

  “Then I believe this day’s business is concluded,” Perigaen announced. “It appears no one remains who is not already bound by other oaths or has authority to speak them in someone’s place.”

  Jack saw that no one else was waiting behind the Staffclave. Though the throne room remained mostly full, it seemed that everyone still here was quietly discussing the events they had witnessed or were already preparing to depart.

  “By your leave, High Lord,” Anna suggested. “I will dismiss this assembly and we will retire to dinner shortly.”

  “This is your hall Anna of Doridan,” Perigaen replied. “Do as you will. One last thing however, Lord Shaeron, you have found her advice valuable?”

  “I admit I was a bit…aggravated, after Shaeron revealed herself to me,” Anna replied. “She has proven valuable since that time.”

  “Then she shall remain as the Staffclave’s counsel to the Ivory Throne,” Perigaen decided. “Queen Annawyn. High King. Until dinner.”

  With that, the Staffclave made their exit from the throne room of Doridan. Anna once again assumed the Ivory Thone. After thanking everyone for their attendance, she announced in celebration of the return of a High King to Aralon, a Jubilee would be declared. All debts to the crowd were forgiven and all prisoners not held on capital crimes would be given probation. “But take heed,” the Queen of Doridan concluded. “Though tonight and tomorrow we celebrate, war is coming. See to your houses. Secure your folds. Within the week, Doridan marches east to decide the fate of Aralon.”

  “Why did you do that, Anna?” Braedan asked his wife as the room cleared. “I would never presume to advise you on how to conduct the affairs of your kingdom, but that was…overly generous, don’t you think?”

  “Because I am happy you are home my husband,” she said caressing his cheek. “And because the debts owed to the treasury of Doridan are minor, but those who owe them will remember my generosity, should I require a favor from them later. As for the prisoners? My generals have been doing their best to rebuild our ranks, but time is short. Their condition of probation will be one year and a day of service as soldiers to the crown. Half may not fulfill their obligation and dessert on the way to Tanaevar, or even before we march, but of the half who stay? They will receive good pay and a pardon at the end of this. If they survive. And if…if we do not return from the east, nothing we did
here today will have been of consequence.”

  “My queen,” Jack said, taking her arm to escort her from the throne, “I have much to learn about ruling.”

  “Do not be concerned, High King,” she smiled, laying her head on his shoulder as they walked. “I will always be at your side to teach you.”

  “Now about your promise?” Jack whispered.

  “Gentlemen,” Anna stopped to address the High King’s Hammer commander. Jack had become so accustomed to his shadows in Lordsisle he barely noticed they were being followed. With him also was Captain Einnael and two members of her guard detail. “Would you give us some privacy please?”

  “Of course, my queen,” both captains replied almost as one.

  “My promise was not for five minutes of passion in some secluded alcove.” Anna said, patting his arm when their guards were out of earshot. “Our bed has been empty for too long. After diner, I am locking our door and we are not coming out until the sun has risen.”

  “I suppose I can wait for that,” Jack smiled.

  “Wait for what?” Dorad asked, joining them. As accustomed as Jack had grown of his shadows, his friend had become even more accustomed to skirting around them.

  “I thought I commanded you to go find Haemon after this was done and dress for diner?” Anna replied. “One hour has not passed and already you are disobeying your queen?”

  “I will,” he promised. “I only need to ask…do you know where Princess Ailicia…and Prince Arrinor,” he added quickly, “will be staying? I would speak with them on a matter of some importance.”

  “The Ailfar will be quartered in the Elldoride Suites,” Anna replied curiously. “As befits their station. You have much to relearn it seems, big brother.”

  “I’ll see you at dinner, my queen,” Dorad grinned and kissed her cheek.

  “Whatever was that about?” Anna wondered aloud.

  “How would the Queen of Doridan feel about a possible union between the House of Ellgereth and the House of An’Mera?” Jack smiled.

  “What?” Anna gasped, stopping in her tracks. “You do not mean?”