War's Ending

by A J Park

“Was Shalyrie in danger?” Olthorin asked.

  “No.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Nothing serious,” Galenor assured him.

  “You were about to tell me who he was,” Shalyrie reminded him.

  Galenor smiled and went on with his explanation. “The man is one of the horsemen. When we came here, we discovered that there were a few of them living far out in the hills. They ride on the backs of horses.”

  “What is a horse?” Shalyrie asked.

  “A large powerful animal, swift as a deer but much bigger. The men have somehow learned to ride on their backs. I don’t know how they do it. We’ve captured a few horses from time to time, but they were wild and dangerous.”

  “And their people ride them?” Olthorin asked curiously.

  “We’ve seen them do it,” Galenor said.

  Shalyrie was intrigued. She’d never heard of horses before. There were none on the island of Almoria. What did they look like? And if they were wild and dangerous, how did the horsemen tame them? She would have loved to ask them. “Can you talk with these horsemen?” she asked.

  Galenor turned back to her. “Not the ones in the hills. They are ferocious and ignorant. They can’t speak our language, and they won’t allow anyone to get close enough to try. They have no interest in communicating.”

  “How did any of them come to be here?” Shalyrie asked.

  “There were a few of them here when we came,” Galenor said. “Some joined us. Not many.”

  “Did they have a settlement here? A village, a town, anything?” Olthorin asked.

  Galenor laughed. “They are primitive people. They don’t build cities or even buildings of any kind. As far as we can tell, they are nomadic, or maybe they live in caves in the mountains. We don’t know for sure.”

  Back in her room, Shalyrie was still thinking about horses and wild men in the hills. Lorelei was out strolling with one of the soldiers, and there was no one there but Karrah, who was tending the fire and turning down the covers.

  “Karrah?”

  Karrah got up and came to her. “My lady?”

  “Will you bring me a basket of food, and a couple of blankets and a pillow?

  “Are you not warm enough?” Karrah looked at the luxurious bed.

  “It’s not for me,” Shalyrie said.

  Karrah asked no more questions but did as she was told. Shalyrie was waiting at the door for her to come back.

  She returned with her arms very full. “I can carry it for you,” Karrah said in a slightly muffled voice from behind the pillow.

  “Yes, I would love your help,” Shalyrie said. “Here, I’ll take these. She took the pillow and two soft woolen blankets, leaving Karrah the basket.

  They slipped quietly down to the courtyard. Shalyrie saw a couple of guards looking at her curiously, but she held her head high and ignored them. They reached the stairs without meeting anyone else. The long hall at the bottom was empty and dark. Karrah lit a lantern. They saw no one in its light and went down the hall to the cell where the insane man had been confined.

  He sat there alone, slumped dejectedly against the wall with his back to them. The cell was bare, with no means of comfort. An empty plate and cup lay on the floor. He’d eaten the food, and he’d cleaned his wounds and used the bandages to bind them neatly.

  He turned to look at them as he saw the light. He didn’t look insane, only sad and hopeless. Slowly, Shalyrie walked nearer. “We brought more food.”

  He stared back at her blankly. Of course, he couldn’t understand.

  Karrah was beside her and spoke a word that she didn’t know. He seemed to understand, and he got up and cautiously walked toward them. He came right up to the bars, and Shalyrie took a step back. She hadn’t realized how big he was, taller than Olthorin, and towering over her. He looked down at her and his dark eyes appeared uncertain, almost surprised. He didn’t look dangerous.

  She noticed a strange mark on his cheekbone. Now that she could see it up close, she realized it was a symbol, almost like an eye. She studied it curiously. When he saw her looking at it, he covered the mark with his hand.

  She looked back at his eyes, startled. What was this mark that he wouldn’t want her to see it? She held the blankets out to him. He looked even more surprised. For a long moment, no one moved. She began to wonder if he would take them at all.

  Slowly, he reached out and took them, and set them on the floor.

  Karrah held out the basket to him. It was too big to fit under or between the bars, but he took each thing out and brought it through them. He said something to Karrah and she responded.

  “You can speak to him?” Shalyrie wondered why she hadn’t thought of this.

  Karrah nodded.

  “He’s one of your people, isn’t he?”

  She nodded again.

  The man stared at Shalyrie with his dark eyes and said something. She looked at Karrah to translate.

  “He says you are one of the sea-folk. He wants to know why you would help him.”

  “I don’t want anyone to suffer,” she said. “If there is anything I can do to prevent it, I will.”

  Karrah relayed her words and Shalyrie saw the surprise return to his face. He was clearly not expecting help from an Almorian.

  “Why was he trying to attack the soldiers?”

  Karrah asked him and he replied.

  She turned back to Shalyrie and said. “He was only trying to escape. He does not wish to live as a slave to the sea-folk. They have killed all the others who attempted to escape. He thought they would kill him today.”

  “Escape? You are captives here?”

  Of course! Everything made more sense now. He hadn’t been senselessly attacking anyone. His goal had been to get to the gates—to escape. That didn’t fit at all with what Galenor had told them.

  Karrah was staring back at her wordlessly. Her large, dark eyes were full of terror. “Please,” she gasped. “You must not tell anyone! I am forbidden to speak of these things. We have to go. We must not be seen here!”

  “There’s no one here,” Shalyrie said, trying to calm her. She was dismayed to see that Karrah was crying.

  “Please! He told me if I spoke even a word of this to you, he would…” She pulled her hands away from Shalyrie and disappeared out the door.

  Was it Galenor who had threatened her? What secret was so important as to justify that kind of threat?

  Shalyrie went back to her room, turning everything over in her mind.

  The next day, Galenor showed Shalyrie, Lorelei and Olthorin a building they had not been inside before. “This should remind you of home,” Galenor said, leading them to a room lined with glass cases full of brightly colored fish.

  It was spectacular. “They’re beautiful,” Shalyrie exclaimed, looking at them in wonder. It was just like diving in the clear seawater by the reef back home. “How did you do it? How did you take them from the ocean and keep them alive here?”

  “We have men here with many skills and great new ideas.”

  “Look at these!” Shalyrie stared in disbelief into the next tank, which contained several slender black and white shapes. “Are they…?” She shivered.

  Galenor smiled. “Yes, Almorian sea snakes.”

  “But how did you capture them? They’re deadly. That’s the first thing they tell you when you want to swim in the ocean: never go near a sea snake.”

  “True,” Galenor said. “It was difficult to find a way to catch them, but they are remarkable creatures.”

  They walked along to the next tank and Shalyrie jumped back when she saw what was inside. “Sea-stars,” she whispered in shock, feeling cold all over. She stared at the brilliant blue starfish. “That’s the second thing they tell you. Don’t touch the sea-stars. You’ve collected the most dangerous creatures from
the ocean,” she said.

  “Don’t worry. They can’t get out,” Galenor laughed. “Are you all right? You’ve gone completely white.” He suddenly looked concerned. “What’s the matter?”

  Shalyrie took a deep breath and looked up at him. “I touched one once, when I was a child. It was a long time ago, but I still remember.”

  “I had no idea that seeing one would inspire such a strong reaction.”

  She smacked his arm. “Maybe if you touched one, you would be afraid of them too!” It was a little embarrassing for him to see her so afraid.

  “I’ve never felt the venom myself,” he said thoughtfully. “Maybe you’re right. Either way, they can’t get out of the tank. I will make sure you’re safe.”

  “I remember the day it happened,” Olthorin said seriously. “I had never run so fast before, and I’ve never forgotten the pain she was in until I got back.”

  “We’re all glad you were able to rescue Shalyrie,” Galenor said, looking down at her. His eyes held hers and part of her wanted to look away, but another part refused to. She could feel his intense charisma in his gaze. He smiled slowly and she found herself smiling back.

  Olthorin interrupted them. Trust a big brother to ruin the moment. “What do you plan to do with all this?” He gestured around at the glass tanks.

  “We have always been patrons of science and began studying ocean life years ago now, even before Newport was built. We’ve learned much here and have already discovered many uses for our knowledge, but there is still plenty to be learned from the sea.”

  “Fascinating,” she murmured.

  He reached out and took her hand. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?” he asked too softly for anyone else to hear.

  That night, a servant guided Shalyrie to a room where a table was laid elegantly for two. The soft glow of the candlelight lit a large, square room with a marble floor. It was richly furnished with thick rugs and glass cases along the walls with strange artifacts in them. No one was there, except Galenor.

  He wore a snowy white shirt and a black coat. She walked toward him and looked into his blue eyes and, for a moment, her unruly thoughts wondered what it would be like to marry him, to belong to him. Firmly, she jerked her thoughts back to the present. Galenor took her hand and kissed it.

  “Shalyrie,” he murmured, “you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she said, trying not to blush. His gaze made her feel very warm, and her thoughts threatened to wander again. She had to concentrate on making her voice calm and smooth. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “Of course,” he said. “Please, be comfortable. Would you like something to drink? The food will be here shortly.”

  Shalyrie accepted a glass and sipped from it. She looked around at the interesting relics in the cases. “You have so many unusual pieces in this room. Won’t you tell me more about them?”

  “It would be my pleasure. Please, look around,” he invited her.

  She went to one of the glass cases and looked closely at the set of armor inside. It was hardened black leather, finely tooled, with buckles on one side. A band of gold adorned one shoulder and appeared to be a designation of rank. It looked well-worn and had various cuts and scratches on it. In horrified fascination, her eyes lingered on a rent in one side and a stain below it, black on black.

  “Where did that come from?” she asked.

  Galenor smiled at her interest. “Some of these artifacts were discovered here as we began building the city. They were left behind by earlier inhabitants. The armor is one of those.”

  “So it came from this land originally?”

  “Yes. The workmanship is very interesting.”

  She turned to see a case with a blue stone shaped like a teardrop. “And that? Surely, no one would leave something like that lying around.”

  “Do you like it?” Galenor asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

  “It’s lovely,” she said.

  “We found it with the armor,” he said. “It must have belonged to the man who left the armor behind. I have kept it for years now. At last, it appears to have a purpose. You should wear it.”

  “I couldn’t…” she protested.

  “But I would give you anything that belongs to me,” he said. He unlocked the case and took out the stone on its chain. “Please allow me to give you the stone, though it pales next to your beauty.”

  He hung the chain around her neck.

  How could she refuse? “Thank you. It’s very beautiful.”

  “Please come and dine with me,” he said, holding a chair for her. “I’m fortunate to have this time with you, Lady Shalyrie.”

  She allowed him to help her into her seat. Two servants brought in trays of food, set them on the table, and silently disappeared.

  They sat and ate and talked. It was the first time they had been alone since she had arrived. He told her more about his plans for the future of Newport—new lands to farm, rich mining projects, shipping and commerce, and new growth for the colony. She listened politely, wondering what part he was planning for her in all this. They looked into each other’s eyes and smiled. One part of her mind wondered what her uncle and brother would think of their growing closeness. Another part was glad to have this time alone with Galenor.

  After they had eaten, he led her out to the balcony and they looked up at the stars.

  “The king is only planning to stay here for a few days and I know you’re supposed to leave with him,” Galenor said. “Will you ask him for more time? I… I don’t want you to leave.”

  “You want him to extend his visit?”

  Galenor smiled slowly. “If he chooses. But what I really want is for you to extend your visit. The king will agree if you ask him. There is nothing I want more than time with you.”

  “With me?” she asked. Was he serious?

  He took her hand. “I’ve wished for you to come here for such a long time. When I heard that the king was coming, I hardly dared to hope that you would come with him. I wanted to see you again.”

  “But it’s been so long, how could you possibly remember me?” she asked.

  “But I do remember,” he said softly. “All this time I’ve wanted to see you again.”

  He brought her hand to his lips and slowly kissed the back of each of her fingers. The sensation sent a shiver through her, but she kept her gaze steady.

  “All this time?” she asked lightly. “You would have embellished the memory until seeing me in person must have been a terrible disappointment.”

  He smiled slowly. “Oh, no,” he protested. “I found the opposite to be true. No matter how completely I cherished the memory of you, seeing you in person again was… overwhelming.”

  He released her hand, stepped closer, and reached out to touch her face. “I am still overwhelmed.” She felt his fingers touch her chin.

  Gently, he lifted her face to his and kissed her. His kiss was warm and new and exciting, and it was difficult to think rationally when he was so close.

  He whispered, “The king is planning to leave very soon. Please don’t leave with him. We’ve had so little time together. Please ask him for permission to extend your visit.”

  He kissed her again. It seemed impossible to refuse. She wasn’t ready to leave Newport. “I’ll ask him,” she whispered as their lips met again.

  Back in her room, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, breathing hard. It was a relief to have some distance between herself and Galenor. He was a very compelling person, and he knew how to use his charm well. It was so much easier to think clearly when she was away from him.

  “What happened?” Lorelei demanded excitedly, hurrying to her side. Staring at the blue gem in amazement, she asked, “He gave that to you? Tell me everything. Did he kiss you?”

  Shalyrie nodded.

  “We
ll? Did you kiss him back?”

  “I suppose I did,” Shalyrie said, trying to remember exactly what she had done. “He asked me to stay here longer—not to leave with the king when he goes.”

  “What did you tell him? Are you going to ask the king?”

  “I want to stay longer,” Shalyrie admitted.

  Shalyrie found the king alone in his room, sitting in a deep, comfortable chair near the fireplace. She drew up another chair and sat down opposite him. For a long moment, they sat together in companionable silence. He looked at her and smiled the special smile reserved only for her. His kind blue eyes twinkled.

  “Don’t you think this is the most intriguing stop we have made on our voyage?” he asked.

  She nodded, a smile at the corners of her mouth.

  “The land here is beautiful,” he said. “The harbor, the city and the mountain peaks. It makes me want to stay here and get a closer look. I’ve never really seen snow before.”

  “Me neither, Uncle.”

  He looked at her intently for a moment and then he slowly smiled again. “You do want a closer look,” he said.

  “A closer look?”

  “A closer look at Newport.”

  So he wasn’t going to be surprised when she asked him. “How did you know?”

  He took her hand. “I know you, Shalyrie. I’ve seen what’s happening. Did he ask you to stay?”

  “Just for a visit,” she said. “All he asked me was to stay a little longer. He…” she took a deep breath. “We wanted more time.”

  “Galenor is charming, isn’t he?”

  She felt her face color a little. “He is,” she admitted. “But it isn’t just that. This place, there is something about it. It fascinates me, and I would like to see more of it.”

  “How strongly do you feel for him?” Uncle Telthan asked.

  Her mind went back to Galenor’s kiss. He was compelling, that was certain. She looked up at her uncle and answered honestly. “I’m not sure yet. It all feels like it’s happening so fast. I wasn’t expecting any of this when we came here.”