by Timothy Bond
In his struggles, Darius only became more tightly bound. He managed to pull his ever-present knife from its sheath and attempted to tear open the bubble. The walls simply opened and closed around the blade, neither resisting nor showing damage.
"What form of magic is this, Witch?" Darius demanded.
"It is simply a binding spell, but one that I can leave unattended for a very long time. I will add another spell that prevents anyone outside of this room from hearing your screams, pay your bill for a month, and walk away from the tavern if you refuse to tell me the full message from the Queen."
She sat on the edge of the bed and looked down on Darius, now forced to sit with his head bent over and one shoulder twisted awkwardly.
"Very well," he replied. "Release me and I'll tell you."
"Tell me, and I'll release you."
Silence greeted the sorceress as the inevitability of the situation finally caught up with the Elf.
"Very well," he began. "The Queen demands that the Princess return to Kalystra at once. Laurentis has agreed to share all of his dreams pertaining to The Prophecy with her, and together they will chart out a plan for the future. The time is not right for The Children to enter the world, and should she go through with this marriage and attempt to bear these children, she will die in childbirth and The Children will not survive. The Dark Wizard grows powerful in the south, but he is not yet as strong as he needs to be. There is another evil threatening that may be more dire than the wizard. That threat must be assessed and a plan of action put in place. The Queen will give the Princess all of the support she needs; however, she must return to Kalystra at once."
Drianna waited while Darius seemed to be finished, before asking, "Did you tell this to the Princess?"
"No," he replied. "She would not hear it."
"None of it?"
"Only that Laurentis was the source of new information, and that the Queen had ordered her to return."
"You did not speak to her of the likelihood of her death in birthing The Children?"
"No."
Another period of silence, and the tension in the room was now almost physical.
"And did you profess your love to the Princess?"
Darius did not answer right away, but finally he quietly said, "She already knew."
"And did she say ... she loved you?"
"No."
Drianna seemed to be measuring Darius' words, seeking the truth of them. Though there was truth in the statements he made, they seemed to be incomplete. She sighed before continuing.
"You will leave the city in the morning and return to Kalystra. It matters not what your orders are from the King. If I see you again before the wedding, I will take your life. Doubt not that I will do it, or that somehow you may avoid me, as I will not hesitate, and you have no weapons that can harm me. You will die in mere moments, and it will be a very painful death."
She rose from the bed, spoke a single word to release the bubble, and then stepped from the room into the hall beyond.
Darius collapsed on the floor of his room, all his strength gone, his resolve spent. His Princess was lost to him forever, and it appeared there was nothing he could do about it.
Twenty
The wedding was beyond anything that Rozlynn could imagine. People started to fill the square the night before, and everywhere she looked, there were more and more people gathered to witness the grand event. The roofs of surrounding buildings, every balcony, every window, any place where anyone could catch a glimpse of the proceedings, had a person waiting to see their King joined with their new Queen.
The nobles had places of honor, of course, lining the central aisle where Rozlynn would present herself in her wedding dress to those gathered. The dress was incredible, and the royal dressmaker, a new position created just for the Queen-to-be, had crafted a gown of unequalled beauty.
The white satin bodice was snug but not overly tight. It showed off Rozlynn's ample curves, and though the plunge-cut neck did not hide much of her bosom, it was elegantly cut and did not make the Princess feel whorish, as many such dresses had in the past. Her gown flared just above her waist, and the mix of chiffon and satin complemented her every movement with its flowing, almost liquid-like effects.
The train was long, and the pearls that accented the gown from the neckline to the waist flowed in sinuous lines of opalescent reflection. Long enough to require several attendants, the train appeared to sweep along under its own power as the Lady Rozlynn practically floated past the guests.
The Lady Anne and Duke Randolf's ceremony completed not long before Rozlynn emerged from the main entrance to the castle. Due to the major pomp and circumstance involved in her own presentation, Rozlynn was unable to be a part of the proceedings for her new best friend. She watched from a small window in Minister Nolan's office, next to the castle entrance, as the Lady and the Duke exchanged their vows. Leondis was by the Duke's side as his best man, and he beamed with delight as his friend was joined forever with the woman who had so completely captured his heart.
Leondis stood at the base of several wide steps at the end of a long red carpet waiting for his bride-to-be. The entire length of the carpet was strewn with rose petals, though it was not clear to Rozlynn where so many could have come from this early in the year. The weather was pleasant, but the roses around the castle were not yet in bloom.
The Royal Orchestra played a song that was only played at royal weddings, and as a result had never before been heard in Solenta. The music was foreign to Rozlynn, but in a strange way, it was very comforting as she let the satiny rose petals caress her bare feet beneath her gown. Though her dressmaker was horrified that the Lady Rozlynn was not going to be wearing slippers, Rozlynn saw no reason for it, as it would be impossible for anyone to see her feet anyway.
On reaching the steps, Leondis offered the Lady his arm as they mounted the wide steps together to stand before the Archbishop. Randolf stood to one side of the King, smiling broadly for his friend. Anne stood to the side of Rozlynn, still the blushing bride in her demure, pastel gown.
The next few minutes were a blur for the Lady, as the many steps in the practiced ceremony uniting King with Queen were carried out. She spoke the words as appropriate, answered the questions when asked, knelt, stood, knelt again, and finally, when it was all over, she bowed her head slightly to accept the crown of the Queen of the Realm.
The gathered crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Leondis and Rozlynn kissed passionately before them. There was no shame in this in the eyes of the Queen, and her love for this man, this human King she was once to trick into marrying her, was deep, strong and true.
The archbishop announced in a loud clear voice, "And now, by the power of The Trinity and the blessings of the Church, I pronounce you man and wife, King and Queen, Guardians of the Realm, Protectors of the People. Long may you live in blissful harmony, and long may you reign."
The crowd again burst into cheers and applause, as King and Queen stood gazing out over their people, the city, and the realm that they would rule together to the end of their days.
"Let the celebration begin!" Leondis shouted to the joyous assembly. Though it seemed impossible for them to cheer any louder, the roar climbed to unimaginable heights.
* * *
"Where's Randolf?" Leondis bellowed. The reception had been going on for several hours, and Leondis was well into his wine.
"He is still in the small ballroom, Your Majesty," Minister Nolan replied. "He will be joining you here shortly, as was the plan."
"Tell him to come now! I want to dance with that bride of his!" the King shouted in his enthusiasm.
Rozlynn stood just outside the doors to the ballroom talking quietly with Drianna.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself," the sorceress said.
"I am, yes. Why wouldn't I?"
"You have danced with practically every man here by now, I think," Drianna said disapprovingly.
"A human wedding tradition, Dr
ianna," the Queen replied, "nothing more."
"The way some of those men leer at you and look down your dress, I would think your husband would take offense, even if you do not!"
"It is perfectly innocent, I assure you. The nobles are simply trying to gain favor with their compliments and show how well they can dance. I am glad I practiced these wedding dances, as they can be quite complicated."
The Queen was flushed and more than just a little influenced by all the fine wine. The spread of food was spectacular, and as soon as one platter emptied, another one took its place.
"Rozlynn.” Drianna softened her tone. "I have a wedding gift for you."
"A gift?" The Queen perked up. "Seriously, Drianna, there is no need for this."
"Nevertheless, I have a gift for you, following the traditions of my people." The sorceress pulled out a small, plain box and handed it to the Queen.
Rozlynn smiled and opened the box, to find a most remarkable bracelet inside. There were two cut stones, one ruby and one emerald, set in a twisted silver wire band. Two heavy wires wove themselves through intricate patterns along both sides of the stones and around her wrist.
"It's spectacular! Thank you, Drianna!" Rozlynn pressed the bracelet over her wrist.
"Wear it at all times, Princess," the sorceress replied. "It will block your sister or her daughter from scrying you, and will augment your own Elven abilities. The Change suppressed many of your gifts, but this bracelet will help bring some of them back."
"Thank you.” Rozlynn hugged the Gaerwitch close, her eyes tearing up slightly. "Did you try the dishes from the Free Cities, Drianna?" Rozlynn asked, changing the subject. "One of the new cooks is from there, and she brought her own recipes and spices with her. They are really quite spectacular."
"Yes, I ate," the sorceress replied, more coldly than she intended.
* * *
"Randolf!" Leondis bellowed from inside the ballroom. "I thought you would never get here."
"The Duke and Duchess of Eagles Reach," Nolan announced as Randolf and Anne entered from the main hall.
"Please, Nolan," Randolf said, placing a hand on the minister's shoulder.
"Protocol demands it, Duke Randolf."
"Just this once, Nolan, but please, no more."
Nolan just tipped his head.
"Randolf! Bring that bride of yours over here. It is time she dances with her King!"
Randolf smiled and escorted the Duchess to the middle of the dance floor where the King held court with several of the single ladies in attendance. The Lady Victoria managed just about every other dance with the King, but no one was really paying any attention.
"Your Majesty," Randolf said, bowing, "may I introduce you to the Duchess of Eagles Reach."
Leondis reached out and practically swept Anne off her feet as he pulled her into a dance that was well underway already. Randolf just smiled and seeing the Queen with Drianna out in the garden, approached the two ladies.
"Your Majesty," he said as he approached. "Forgive my interruption, but I believe you owe me a dance."
"It will be my great pleasure, Duke Randolf," Rozlynn replied, smiling at Drianna and taking the Duke's arm in her own.
The sorceress watched them disappear into the ballroom with a sour look on her face.
"It must be tonight, Princess," she said to no one.
"Tonight?" the voice was a man's and came from deeper in the garden.
"Oh it's you.” She lowered her hands. She had instinctively raised them in a warding gesture.
"You plan to cast one of your Wiccan spells my way, do you?" Rendil asked the sorceress as he stepped into the light.
"I did not see you earlier.” Drianna ignored the question.
"I was below for the ceremony—such an extravagant affair. I'm afraid it is much more than I am used to. I take it from your comment that the Princess has not yet released the spell."
"No, not yet."
"What is stopping her?" Rendil asked, not quite demanding but the urgency obvious in his voice.
"She wished the King to marry for love, but that is over, and now she must proceed."
"Did she get the message from Laurentis? Apparently he suddenly decided he needed to share his dreams with the Queen."
"No, she did not. Darius brought the message here, but she refused to hear it. I forced him to tell me, but she does not know."
"She must suspect," Rendil said quietly. "She has studied The Prophecy longer than anyone else alive. Darius will surely tell her.“
“I sent Darius away. She suspects," Drianna replied, "however there are multiple paths where The Children are born, and not all of them—"
"Result in her death?" Rendil interrupted. "Yes, I know. Everything I have confirmed so far however, leads to only one possible result. We must be prepared to take The Children away when they are born. I am counting on your help there, Drianna."
"You will have to find another to help you, Wizard," the sorceress replied. "The Princess made me agree to leave Solenta after she releases the spell."
"She what?"
"She does not want me around her, and I agreed."
"Now that will pose more of a challenge.” The wizard pulled a pipe from his sleeve and called up a magical flame to bring it to life. A long pull, followed by a slow exhalation, and the sorceress was standing alone in the garden once more.
"Wizard?" She shook the cobwebs from her head and looked around, but Rendil was nowhere to be seen. "Was he really here?" she asked herself. "I hate wizards."
Twenty-One
"May I introduce my brother? Brother Cadresean of the Abbey in Alnen, meet Queen Rozlynn Tarbane," Anne was arm in arm with a portly monk in brown robes. They stood directly in front of the small table that the Queen used for her weekly Ladies Tea.
"My Queen.” The portly monk bowed as deeply as his enormous belly would allow. Rozlynn smiled as the sun reflected off his bald pate.
"Please, call me Rozlynn," she replied. "Pull up a chair and join us, Brother. That is if you are staying.” She looked to Anne.
"I am afraid we cannot stay today," Anne replied. "I'm taking my brother to meet with a midwife from Eagles Reach, who came to the city for the wedding. The monks at the Abbey in Alnen do not currently have the services of a midwife, and they wish to have her train someone for them."
"I thought that the Church trained midwives in the Saint Julean Abbey?"
"We normally do," Brother Cadresean replied, "but the Abbey has been going through some remodeling, and there are very few openings at present. I'm afraid we will not be getting our own midwife for quite some time, and there are several women from near the Alnen and Tibouli Abbeys that are going to give birth very soon."
"Then you two run along," Rozlynn said, shooing them away with her hand. "I will catch up with you later, Anne."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Anne said mockingly, bowing to her friend before leading her brother out through the garden's East Gate.
"She seems like a very nice woman," Cadresean said as the King's Elite closed the gate behind them.
"She is a wonderful woman, and a dear friend," Anne replied, smiling. "She will also tame Leondis and bring a woman's touch to the way this Kingdom is run. Something that we need desperately."
"Who needs a women’s touch?”
Anne slapped her brother playfully on the shoulder. "Coming from a monk in a celibate order!"
* * *
When Anne and her brother entered the common room of the Motte and Bailey Inn, Rendil, Karoel, Randolf, and two others that Anne did not know were already there.
"Welcome, Brother.” Karoel stood and shook the monk's hand, extending a full tankard of mead in his other.
Cadresean was a little confused at the size of the meeting, but he gladly accepted the drink and dropped into a chair.
"Let me introduce everyone," Duke Randolf announced, "since I believe I'm the only one everyone already knows. This is the Wizard Rendil, whom you may know by reputation." Ren
dil waved his pipe absently in front of him, as Randolf continued. "Next to him is Ornwen, the midwife from Eagles Reach. The man next to her is Woolen, a long time friend and retainer to my family. Ornwen is his sister-in-law. Karoel, a former comrade in arms, served with me out of Northcastle. I believe everyone here knows my wife, Anne, and this is her brother, Brother Cadresean from the Abbey in Alnen."
Acknowledgments and greetings circulated around the table. More mead and some light snacks arrived, and Randolf turned to Rendil and requested he begin. The innkeeper latched the door, and Brother Cadresean realized that the large common room was empty except for their table.
"First, thank you all for coming," Rendil said, tapping out the remnants of his pipe on the sole of his shoe. "Randolf, do you have any more of that fine tabac?"
Randolf dug into his pocket and tossed the wizard a pouch. "Please go on, Wizard."
Stuffing his pipe full and then lighting it with a snap of his fingers, Rendil continued. "I am not sure how well all of you know your history, but I have a story to tell, and trust me when I say that every word is the truth. Please make yourselves comfortable, as this will take a little while."
Cadresean looked to his sister who nodded her head as she took hold of her husband's arm in her own. "Pay very close attention," she instructed. "The future of the world depends on what we decide here today."
* * *
When Rendil finished, he once again lit his pipe and drained his honey-mead, signaling for another. It was now dark outside, with several hours having passed in the telling. Though Karoel, Randolf, and Anne had heard much of what the wizard said before, they were completely enthralled by his story once again.
"I cannot help but think that this is all some fairytale," Karoel said, not for the first time.
"You, of all people, should know better," Rendil replied. "You fought Goblins in the North for many years."
"I get it," Karoel replied, "but it's easy to believe that Goblins exist. They are simply vile creatures who live underground and attack humans when they can. To go from there to Elves, Dwarves, wizards—no offense—dragons, and magical talismans that tear apart the world, that is all just so much harder to accept."
