by T P Sheehan
“And a familiar one.” Catanya stood and looked at Austagia, then Xavier. “Will you be interrogating us separately or together this time?” She crossed her arms.
“There’s no need for that,” Xavier grumbled. “At least I don’t have to accuse you of stealing Trillium, what with you arriving on a dragon and all.”
“I left on a dragon and all, if you recall.” Catanya moved her hands to her hips. Magnus turned back to the fire, hiding his amusement.
“All jokes aside, Magnus—may I speak with you? In confidence?”
Magnus got to his feet. He was surprised that Xavier would want a private audience with him after the way things ended last time. Nevertheless, he was intrigued. “Of course,” Magnus said. “After you.”
Xavier led Magnus to the familiar door at the back of the room. They stepped inside the den and Xavier shut the door behind him. Magnus had gone back to this room so many times in his thoughts, rewording what he said on that fateful evening long ago when he asked Xavier’s permission to marry his daughter. So much had changed since then. Not least of all, the fact that Catanya was not even Xavier’s daughter.
Predictably, Xavier went to the tall cabinet against the wall, removed a flask and poured two glasses of red wine. He handed one to Magnus. “Congratulations,” Xavier said, extending a glass.
“This is a familiar sight.” Magnus clinked his glass against Xavier’s.
“Indeed, Electus.” He shook his head and smiled. “I can only imagine what events led to that, let alone what you’ve been through since I last saw you.” Xavier looked Magnus up and down. “You’ve certainly filled out.”
Magnus frowned, though not intentionally. “Catanya and I have both changed since we last saw you.”
“Indeed,” Xavier said again. “Six months a slave-fighter in Ba’rrat,” he sighed. Magnus wondered how he found out. “I’ve spoken at length to your father. He’s been through as much as you, by the sound of it.”
“Aye. It seems you have too—fending off the Quag for seven months without pause. I can’t imagine there was a single good night’s sleep in that time,” Magnus pushed back. He wanted to hold a mirror to Xavier’s callous demeanour and yet he could not help feeling compassion for the man. After months of leading the defence as Knight Commander, Xavier was sure to be at the end of his tether. Finding out Catanya was not his daughter would not have helped matters.
Xavier refilled his glass, offering the same to Magnus, who had not touched his drink. Xavier then sank into one of the two leather-bound chairs.
“Tough times for us all, Magnus. It seems that it continues. Please.” Xavier gestured to the second chair. “There is a pressing matter I need to discuss and have not done so with anyone. Your father seemed the logical choice, but learning you were the Electus—of both the Fire and Ice Realms—brings greater relevance the issue. I think, therefore, it is a matter better discussed with you.”
Magnus took a sip of his wine. Xavier stood again and walked to the long desk at the centre of the room, opened a draw and pulled out two scrolls. He returned to his seat and handed one of them to Magnus. “Read it, please.” Xavier’s face twisted as though with fear. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Magnus lingered on the man for a moment, wondering what could have him so frazzled. He looked at the scroll and rolled it between fingers. His heart leapt when he saw the broken blue wax seal with the Ice Realm symbol of two icicles imprinted on it. He unfurled the scroll and read it aloud—
“To the Authoritarium’s Knight Commander of the Fire Realm,
The order of the Authoritarium has been officially disbanded. Its elders have been executed. Guame is now under martial law by order of the Rhydermere of the Ice Realm.
All knights who served under this regime are given until winter’s first moon to swear allegiance to the new Ruling State of the Ice Realm.
All Knight Commanders are to be replaced with a Rhydermaël—our most senior and accomplished Rhyders. As a former Knight Commander, you have the opportunity to swear allegiance alongside your fellow knights and, if one’s mettle is proven, advance through the ranks under the Ruling State.
Complete and sign this charter nominating both your former position, and whether you intend to retire or swear allegiance under the conditions described above.
Alavia of the Rhydermere,
Imperial Rhydermaël.
Ruling State of the Ice Realm.”
Magnus let the scroll drop to the floor. Dumbfounded, he stared at Xavier.
“This is the charter your mother would have me sign,” Xavier said through gnashed teeth, red wine bubbling from his anxious lips. He wiped his mouth clean with the back of his hand and handed Magnus the second, larger scroll.
Magnus turned from Xavier to the charter, but his mind was fixed on a memory. It was the High Priest staring through the bars of his prison cell in the Romghold—‘The Electus of our realm carries the blood of our new enemy,’ he had said. He spoke the truth…
“This isn’t going to happen,” Magnus said. He handed the charter back to Xavier without bothering to read it.
“Don’t you want to look at it?”
“No. It isn’t going to happen.”
“Oh, come now,” Xavier scoffed. “I’m sure Alavia’s got a special spot in the new regime for her son!”
“Is that what this is about?” Magnus was on his feet, shouting. “Your position? Your personal aspirations?” Xavier was silenced. Catanya came bursting through the door. Magnus kept staring at Xavier. After all these months of battle to save his people, he could not believe Xavier was letting a threatening letter have this effect on him. He was disgusted at the idea. He was disgusted at the sight of him. “No wonder your wife left you.”
“Magnus!” Catanya touched him on the shoulder. He brushed her away.
“I get it—I do,” Magnus continued. “You couldn’t wait to get rid of your oldest daughter. The windfall for you is she’s not even yours to worry about. And your wife and youngest have gone!”
“Keep going,” Xavier spoke calmly, watching Magnus.
Magnus felt his ears burning with rage. He knew he would stop himself if he paused for thought, but quite simply did not want to stop until he was done. “When last we spoke in this room, you told me our people need warriors who are prepared to fight for what is right. Yet now, after everything we’ve been through, you are left with nothing but your position, which you’re bemoaning, and why? Because someone writes you a damn charter saying you should sign off!”
“MAGNUS!”
Magnus took a step back and raised his hands. “I’m done… I’m done.”
“You’re done? Are you sure?” Xavier asked. He was still in his chair, calm and composed. “It seems there’s a lot on your chest you need to vent, Magnus.”
Magnus nodded. He was half a step away from apologising, but was afraid more anger would pour from his mouth if he opened it again.
Catanya stood between Magnus and Xavier—apparently anticipating a backlash.
“You are right, Magnus,” Xavier said, looking directly at him. Catanya turned slowly to look at him. “Everything you say is right and there’s plenty more you could say as well.”
“Sorry?” Catanya looked dumbfounded. Magnus waited for the catch.
“And I’d deserve it. All of it.”
“What do you mean?” Catanya asked.
“Bonstaph told me far more than I admitted before. I also spoke at length to my brother and to Eamon,” Xavier chuckled. “What you two have done for one another is something I have never done for my family. You put each other first. You risked everything to be together and… I am humbled.”
Catanya’s wide eyes looked at Magnus. He dared not budge an inch.
“Furthermore, you opened my eyes just now, Magnus. I felt threatened that someone should try to take my position away from me. You were shocked that I’d consider letting someone do that—with a charter no less!”
“It’s just a pi
ece of paper,” Magnus said.
“That’s right. It’s just a piece of paper. And the next piece of paper I intend to sign, as Knight Commander, is your marriage agreement.”
“What?” Magnus and Catanya both said.
“I know it’s not for me to give you permission. Not now. Not after all you’ve been through. But I would be honoured to do you this one good deed as a father, if Austagia doesn’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Austagia was standing in the doorway looking as puzzled as Magnus felt.
“And Magnus, in my ten years as Knight Commander, you’re the first person to ever give me a proper piece of their mind and damn, it feels good to hear it.” Xavier stood, took two long strides toward Magnus and shook his hand enthusiastically.
“Well, thank you,” Magnus said, giddy with shock and yet Xavier’s firm grip was testament to how real it all was. He was sure he would remember this conversation in Xavier’s den as much as the first.
Magnus tried to sleep as best he could in Catanya’s bed that night, but the conversation with Xavier ran over and over in his mind. His mother’s actions did the same. What exactly were her intentions? In the end he gave up on sleep, stepped out of the room and peered into Hannah’s room. Catanya was lying on her sister’s bed with hands behind her head, peering out the window. The moon’s rays penetrated the lace curtains, casting pale blue patterns over her body and face.
“Hello,” Catanya said softly.
“You’re thinking of Hannah?”
“Aye.” Catanya sat up, inviting Magnus to sit next to her. She was clutching a leather bound book in her hands.
“Is that…?”
“My diary, yes.” Catanya opened it. The flower was resting in its centre page. The flat petals were purple in the moonlight. The second petal had the black inclusion Catanya mentioned. Each petal sat in its perfect depression in the page.
“You will find her, Catanya.”
“I hope she’s okay.”
“What does your heart tell you?”
“That she’s alive… lost… scared.”
“You’d best find her, then,” Magnus concluded.
Catanya smiled. “You sound like me.” She punched Magnus lightly on the shoulder. “You’d best sort out your mother.” Magnus knew what she meant. They had to go their separate ways. “We’ll both be safe. Anywhere I go, Rubea will come. Anywhere you go, Brue will follow. The two of you are kindred.”
Magnus had not paid thought to it, but Brue did seem to be kindred to him.
“Catanya…” Magnus wanted to ask her the question once again, more so as an affirmation than anything else.
“Yes?”
“We’re different people now. A lot has changed and we need to go separate ways again. But before we do, I want to ask again, just for the record. Will you marry me?”
Catanya closed her diary and stared at Magnus. She traced his cheekbones with her fingertips—her touch so beautifully familiar.
“Aye.”
HUNTERS
Catanya admitted to herself she was glad to be going into Froughton Forest. She would finally be looking for Hannah and her mother, but it was more than that—it was a chance to get away from the priesthood. Not for the first time, Catanya reflected on how every relationship she had formed since leaving Nuyan had evolved. Some had done so for good, some not so good.
Jael…
Catanya was unashamedly happy to say goodbye to Jael. She saw no chance of warming to her again until she knew the truth of what happened to her all those months she went missing. Was she mentally scarred as well as physically, or was there something more going on that not even Austagia understood?
Austagia…
As for Austagia, she needed time to sort through her emotions and what it meant now that her once-estranged uncle whom she hated, then learned to respect, turned out to be her father.
Father…
Or Xavier—whatever he would be to her in the future—had shown a true change in himself the previous night. Catanya took it as a good turn of fate that they were parting on good terms. She hoped they would see eye to eye next time they met.
Eamon…
Other than Magnus, the only difficult farewell was Eamon. How could someone she’d only known for a measure of days be so endearing to her? His strategy for finding the OhUid folk was eccentric and typically Eamon. She loved him for it. The sight of him leaving the fire-sword at Balgur’s feet in the Temple of Fire had moved her so, and the thought of it now still did. She hoped he found peace knowing Balgur’s death was not at all in vain.
The last kiss goodbye would be the sweetest. Catanya looked to her left wrist. Her brown bracelet, which has seen its own journey across Allumbreve, was now stowed away in her dresser drawer. In its place, Catanya wore one of a pair of cream-coloured leather bracelets. They were pousse-plaited and enchanted, just like the brown one. Magnus was wearing the other—a mark of betrothal in the Fire Realm. It was always given by the woman to the man she was going to marry. Catanya would meet Magnus back here, in Nuyan, as soon as they were able. Part of her wanted to be first back, another part did not want to be the one waiting.
Catanya had sorted through her things and found very little she needed to pack. She did find Hannah’s wardrobe was missing her favourite pomegranate dress. Catanya’s brown suede jacket was also missing. These were the two items of clothing she remembered Hannah wearing in the chamber beneath the temple. Catanya had no doubts what she saw was true.
She considered changing out of her Ferustir suit and wearing some of her own clothes, but knew she was kidding herself—they were designed for a slimmer, curvier version of herself. Besides, in the dark depths of Froughton Forest, her Ferustir armour could save her life again. And so, Catanya checked over her weapons one more time before squatting to retie her mismatched bootlaces.
Csilla looked every bit the warrior she always had to Catanya. She had her dragon-hardened bronze-silver longsword sheathed over her back, a myriad of knives of various lengths stashed all over her copper and patina-blue body armour—some hidden, some easily accessible. Her crimson, hooded robe covered all but the sword.
“Shall we?” Csilla said, handing a second crimson robe to Catanya.
“What’s this?”
“Can’t have you dressing like a Ferustir whilst wearing a betrothal bracelet. Besides, I’m sure you can make this work better than that black robe you’ve butchered.”
“Absolutely,” Catanya replied, removing her rolled up priest robe from Rubea’s saddle and replacing it with the new one.
Catanya turned to Magnus who was waiting with Brue to see them off. She hugged him with all her strength and kissed him one last time. “I love you, Magnus.”
“I love you too, Catanya.”
Catanya and Csilla climbed into Rubea’s saddle with Catanya to the front, gripping the saddle horn. Rubea pushed off from the hard-packed ground. Catanya looked down to Magnus and waved goodbye. The dragon unfurled her huge wings and ascended, banked to the east and made for Froughton Forest.
HOME
Magnus watched Rubea climb into the morning sky. He waved a final farewell to Catanya, still able to taste the sweetness of her lips. When she was gone from sight, he turned to Brue and rested his forehead on the dragon’s nose.
“To the Western Margins, Magnus?”
“Aye, Brue. To the Western Margins.”
Magnus turned to those gathered to wish him well. He first addressed Xavier. “I will speak with my mother. This will be resolved amicably.”
“Let’s hope so, Magnus,” Xavier shook his hand again. “For all our sakes.” Xavier handed a large folded robe to Magnus. “I want you to have this. It is something I think your father will appreciate as well.” Bonstaph approached to see what it was. “It is my knight’s robe from the old regime—the Knights of the Realms.”
Magnus let the robe unravel. It was a magnificent, suede robe of smoke-grey finished with silver, embroidered lining
. The back of the robe continued the embroidered theme with the four realms of Allumbreve represented as four symbols in four distinct colours. The Jaat, Air Realm wind symbol in white, the Spindlefax, Earth Realm leaf in green, Ertwe, Ice Realm icicles in pale blue and the Couldradt, Fire Realm flame in bronze. Magnus removed the scabbards of his twin swords—Thioci and Iisilée—and fitted the robe. It was form fitting and had a satisfying weight to it.
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Bonstaph remarked.
“You never had the chance to be the knight you and your father would have been proud of—under the true regime of knighthood,” Xavier explained. “Now you carry our hopes and dreams and represent everything we were and more. I would be honoured if you would wear it.”
Magnus looked to the sky. “If only Catanya could see me now!” Xavier and Bonstaph laughed. “Thank you, Xavier. When I travel to the Ice Realm, I will wear it as a symbol of unity of the realms.”
“Brilliant,” Xavier said. He and Bonstaph broke off for a conversation together and Magnus turned to Jael.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asked.
“I am. This has to be done.” Magnus knew he was the only one who could reason with his mother.
“I haven’t given up on you,” Jael whispered.
“Given up on me?”
“You know what I mean. See you back in the Romghold—to continue your training.” She gave Magnus a soft kiss on the cheek.
Magnus smiled sheepishly and turned to Austagia. The priest embraced Magnus’s forearm and looked him in the eyes. “It has been quite a journey, Semsdër,” Austagia said. Magnus was sure he was using the formal name in subtle jest. He appreciated that. “I dare say the journey has much to come. But know this, Magnus—we are with you. As friends and as family, you can always count on us.”
“Thank you, Austagia.” It meant a lot to Magnus. Austagia did not mince words and it gave him confidence knowing no matter what he faced in the Ice Realm and beyond, he had the support of this group before him.