“And what news have you heard, my darlings?” She smiled and stroked their golden heads.
The younger of the two children, Princess Elena, her hair in long braids woven with golden thread so that they shone and shimmered as she danced on her tiny slippered feet, smiled happily at her mother, her green eyes twinkling with the merriment of her secret. Her sister, Princess Brianna, slender as a new spring shoot and dressed in bright blue, like her mother, pressed the queen’s hand and said, “Come and sit with us, Mother. We have so much to tell you!”
Princess Elena shook her head vigorously. “Yes, oh yes. So much to tell you!”
“Very well,” said Queen Bria, settling herself lightly on the bench at the table. “What is your news? I cannot wait another instant!”
The older girl glanced at her sister, and both burst into laughter. The sound was pure delight. Several kitchen servants stopped to look on and smile, arrested by the little princesses’ happiness.
“Will you keep your poor mother in suspense? I confess I must know at once!” Bria took their hands and squeezed them both.
Still laughing, the words tumbled out. “Esme is coming! Esme! Isn’t that wonderful?” they shouted. “Esme will be here tonight!”
“That is indeed wonderful news!” cried Bria, hugging her daughters.
“Oh, but please don’t tell Father,” said Brianna. “We want to tell him. Please?”
“Yes, you shall tell him. It will be your surprise.”
“Oh, let’s go and find him!” cried Elena.
The two would have darted off at once, but the queen called them back.
“The king is not here, my doves. He rode out this morning early to the temple.”
“May we go, too? Please, Mother?” they asked excitedly.
“Come and eat a bite of breakfast first, and we shall see.” Bria glanced around the room quickly. “And where is your brother? Still abed? The day is fleeing!”
“Oh, no. He grabbed a seedcake and ran off a long time ago. He is meeting Toli in the stable yard. They are going riding.”
“Riding again! Always riding. It is a wonder the boy does not grow hooves and a mane.”
The girls giggled at the thought. The queen sighed. She did not relish the idea of one so young riding such big horses. Still, she thought, as long as he was with Toli, no harm could come to him.
“Now then, eat your breakfast. We have much to do this day to make ready for Lady Esme’s visit!”
They sat down to eat, but the girls were in such high spirits that they could only peck at their food. At last their mother dismissed them, and they ran laughing from the hall. Bria smiled, watching their braids flouncing as they went.
So Esme is coming. That is good news, she thought. How did the girls find out, I wonder. Well, however it is, she will be greatly welcome. It has been too long since she was in Askelon. Too long. I have missed her.
Quentin stood at a large, rough-hewn table in the center of a great rectangle of stone. His head was bent in concentration over a huge parchment roll that was weighted down at either end with a stone.
“See here,” he said, pointing to a place on the plan. “If we raise this wall within the week, we can begin laying in the beams. What do you say to that, Bertram?”
Bertram, the grizzled old master mason, squinted at the place where the king’s finger pointed, then raised his head and scratched his scruffy jaw, nodding at the wall before them across the way. “Aye, it is possible, Sire,” he replied diplomatically. “But the corbels must be set first, and they are not ready yet. Nor the trusses, neither.”
“Hmmm,” said the king, frowning.
“But we’ll see her raised soon enough, m’lord. Indeed we will. Count on it. Up she’ll go soon enough.” He nodded his head and then called over to one of his masons. “Excuse me, Sire. I must attend—”
“Yes, of course. Go on. I am returning to the castle soon.”
“Good day to you, m’lord.” Bertram bowed and hurried away.
Quentin stood for a moment with his hands on his hips and gazed at the work going on around him. The morning was clear and bright, the long grass still wet from the rain through the night. The masons and their many workmen toiled away with vigor. Quarrymen with sledges loaded with stone added their loads to the rock piles at either end of the rectangle, while laborers selected rocks from these mounds and tumbled them into wheelbarrows, ferrying them to the walls. Mortar makers and their carriers stirred the mud pits and loaded fresh mortar onto pallets, supplying the masons, who continually clamored for more.
In the midst of this ordered confusion, the walls of the new temple, the temple of the Most High, rose slowly and almost imperceptibly. The work was in its sixth year, and it sometimes seemed to Quentin that it would never end.
He was impatient for the temple to be finished, for its completion would inaugurate the new era; and in this temple he would lead in the worship of Mensandor’s new god. The temple would be a symbol to all the realm that the new age had dawned at last.
The old gods are dead, he would proclaim. Worship the new God, the Most High, Creator and Ruler of all!
Word of the new temple had quickly spread throughout the land since construction had begun. There was not a house in all the realm that did not know of the King’s Temple, as it was called. But six years had passed, and four more at least were needed before it could be completed. Until then . . . well, there was much work to do until then.
Quentin heard the jingle of bells behind him and turned to see Blazer tossing his head impatiently. The great horse had cropped all the sweet grass within reach and was ready to move on. He tossed his head restlessly, setting the little bells braided into his mane and along his silver bridle ringing, as if to say, “Away! The sun is up; the day is good. Let us run!”
Quentin smiled and walked to the animal, placing his hand on the horse’s broad nose. “You are impatient, and so am I, old friend. Very well,” said the king, raising his foot to the stirrup, “we will go. I have bothered these good men enough for one day.”
He swung himself easily up into the saddle and jerked the reins. Blazer lifted his forelegs off the ground and spun around. Quentin lifted his hand to Bertram, who waved back, and then Blazer leaped away. They raced along the road leading down the broad slope of the hill, dodging the ox-drawn wains bearing food and supplies to the workmen. Then, feeling the sun on his face and the beauty of the day springing up inside him, the king spurred Blazer off the road and let him run down the side of the hill and out onto the plain below Askelon.
The castle rose up on its crown of rock, shining like a jewel in the morning light. Red and blue pennons fluttered and snapped from a thousand spires. The high battlements soared above, topped with turrets and barbicans—strong, safe, forever secure.
Quentin enjoyed the strength of the animal beneath him; his heart raced as they thundered over the still-damp ground. Blazer’s hooves struck up muddy turf and flung it skyward as they galloped on.
Presently they came to a great stone cenotaph standing alone in the center of the plain. Quentin reined Blazer to a trot as they approached. They stopped in front of the cenotaph, and Quentin dismounted. He walked to the monument and knelt at its base.
Inscribed in stone on both sides of the slab were the words Quentin knew by heart. Yet he read them once again. They said:
Here upon this field did the warriors of Mensandor meet and defeat in battle the barbarian host of Nin, called the Destroyer.
Here Eskevar, Dragon King, Lord of the Realm, fell, and many brave men with him, nevermore to rise. Peace was purchased with their blood and freedom with their swords.
After reading the words he had read so often, Quentin stood and remounted and rode off once more toward Askelon.
3
Away east of the city, in a meadow ringed with ancient oaks, secluded from prying eyes, Toli and Prince Gerin rode together. “Try it again, young prince,” called Toli, turning the cantering Riv toward a we
ll-worn path where the great trunk of a fallen tree lay.
The prince, a hardy young boy of nine with a tousled mane of dark brown hair, studied the obstacle before him, his quick green eyes narrowed in utmost concentration, his mouth pulled into a pucker. Flushed with excitement, color rising red to his cheeks, Gerin thrust out his jaw earnestly. The act was such an exact parody of the king that Toli chuckled behind his fist in order to keep from laughing aloud.
Then, with a flick of the reins, the prince kicked his heels into his pony’s flanks and away they flew, back down the path toward the fallen trunk.
At the last second the little prince threw the reins ahead and leaned forward against the horse’s neck. The pony lifted its legs and soared over the obstacle with ease, landing with a bump on the other side. The young rider rocked forward in the saddle and bounced to one side, but retained his seat on his mount.
”Very good!” cried Toli. “Excellent! That is the way! Come here now and rest a little.” He beamed at his charge, nodding well-earned approval.
“Just once more, Toli. Please? I want to remember what it feels like.” He turned the horse again and started for the log.
Toli reined up and dismounted, watching the prince carefully. This time as the boy’s horse approached the obstacle, the animal hesitated, unsure of his rider’s command. He jumped awkwardly and late, throwing himself over. Prince Gerin slipped sideways in the saddle and hung on, trying desperately to stop the horse. But he could not; his grip failed, and he fell to the ground with a thud. The brown pony jogged on riderless.
“Ooof!” The prince rolled heels over head on the soft turf.
Toli rushed to him. “Are you hurt?” He picked up the boy and brushed him off. There was mud on his chin and elbows.
“No—it is not the first time I have fallen. That, at least, I seem to have the knack of.”
“I am sorry it will not be the last time, either,” laughed Toli. “But I must keep you in one piece, or your father will have my head!”
The prince looked up at his instructor, frowning, his smooth brow knitting in consternation. “Will I ever get it right?”
“Of course, in time—”
“But the hunt is less than a fortnight away!”
“Do not worry, young master. You are making good progress. You shall ride with the hunt, I promise. And your father will have his surprise. All in good time. But first you must learn not to hesitate when you approach a jump. It confuses your mount, and he will jump badly.”
“May I try it again?”
“We should be getting back. I’ve duties to attend to.”
“Please, Toli. Just once more. I would not like to end the day’s practice with a fall.”
“Well said. One more jump, and then we race for home.”
The prince dashed to his mount, Tarky, who had stopped to nibble the grass at the end of the path. Toli went back to Riv and remounted. “Think about what you are doing, young sir!” called Toli. “Concentrate!”
The boy climbed into his saddle, a look of dire determination on his face. He eyed the obstacle ahead, gauging the distance, then snapped the reins and spurred the horse ahead.
Away they galloped down the path. In a twinkling they were hurtling toward the log. Prince Gerin leaned low in the saddle, lifted his hands, and the horse flew up and over the log, as graceful and light as a deer. The prince pulled the reins and with a whoop of triumph wheeled the pony around and broke for the far trees across the meadow.
“Well done, Prince Gerin!” shouted Toli. “Well done!” Then he, too, spurred his mount for the trees and beyond them to the road leading back to Askelon.
The two reached the road side by side and raced, laughing all the way to the castle. The sun was high in the clear blue sky, and both felt the joy of life running strong in them.
Durwin’s worktable was stacked high with dusty scrolls and hide-bound volumes. He sat hunched over the table on a high stool, chin in hand, mumbling to himself as he read. His hair was long and almost completely white now, but his eyes were quick as ever and his limbs sound. He appeared a man half his natural age.
Abruptly he raised his head and sniffed the air. “Ah!” he cried, jumping up. He dashed at once to a small brazier where a black iron pot was bubbling away on the hot coals. It had boiled over, and black smoke rolled toward the rafters. He picked up a long wooden spoon nearby and was stirring the pot when a voice called out from the doorway.
“Phew! Good hermit, what is that prodigious stench? It is most foul!”
Durwin glanced up to see the queen dowager standing in his wide doorway watching him, her nose crinkled in frank disgust.
“Alinea! What! You do not care for my poultice? ’Tis a powerful curative for aches of the joints.”
“It is to be wondered whether the aches would not be more enjoyable.”
“My patients, I assure you, do not mind its aromatic qualities.”
“Your patients?”
“I call them patients, my lady. This is for Toli.”
“Certainly Toli has no need of this.”
“His horses, madam. I am making it for his horses, although it would not hurt the rider in any case, if need were great.”
“And nose were strong!” she said, laughing. “But mine is not. Come away from your labors a little, hermit. I would have someone to walk with in the garden.”
Durwin smiled and bowed. “I would be delighted. Just the thing. I have been too long among these vapors, or I would have thought of it myself.”
They went out together, through the castle, past the Dragon King’s Great Hall, and out onto the garden steps. “See how brightly the sun shines,” said Alinea, “and how fragrant the flowers.”
They walked down the steps and into the garden amid the fragrant offerings of roses of all kinds. The spring flowers were gone, but the blooms of summer were just opening, and everywhere one looked, the eye was filled with color.
“Ah! It is peace itself to be here,” sighed Durwin. He turned to regard his companion. The years had been kind to her. Her hair was long—braided, gathered, and bound in a snood. There was much silver now among the auburn tresses, and lines had formed around her eyes and lovely lips. But her eyes were still as green as forest pools, and her voice held the timbre of laughing water.
Yes, thought Durwin, the years have been good to us all. I would not trade them for any others. The God Most High is good; he has poured out a blessing on the land. We have much to be thankful for.
“What are you thinking, my friend?” Alinea asked softly.
“That these have been happy years, my queen, and full. I am content.” He paused, and his voice struck a faraway note. “Though I lay down to die tomorrow, I would have no regrets. None at all.”
“And I might say the same,” replied Alinea. “But come, let us not speak further of dying. That will take care of itself.”
“So it is! Aye, so it is.” Durwin nodded slowly. Brightening, he said, “Then tell me, what news do you have? I heard that a messenger arrived early this morning. He brought good tidings?”
“Yes! Yes, I was going to tell you. He brought word from Hinsenby—”
“Hinsenby? From Theido?”
“From Lady Esme. She is on her way here even now. She will arrive before dusk this evening. The day is good for traveling.”
“Ah, Lady Esme. I have not seen her for many years, it seems.”
“She has been missed within these walls. And, sad to tell, no one felt her absence as keenly as Lady Esme herself.”
“Yes, an awful business. Very sad. It bears remembering that there are some among us whose lives may not be as free of regret as our own. I am certain she would have chosen differently if she had known.”
Alinea was silent for some time. They paced the garden paths, each feeling the warmth of the day and of companionship from the other. “I wonder if any of us would choose as we do, if we knew the future.”
“Perhaps not. But it is a blessing nonetheless
. The burdens of the day weigh heavy enough; we could not bear tomorrow’s as well.”
“Of course. How wise you are, hermit. Yes, it will be good to see Esme once more. Perhaps we may help heal old wounds.”
Just then they heard the happy twitter of childish voices and looked up to see Princess Brianna and Princess Elena running toward them as fast as their spindly little legs would carry them. Behind them Bria walked at a more leisurely pace.
“Grandmother! Oh, Grandmother!” called the girls. “We have a secret! A very great secret!”
“A secret. Whatever could it be?”
“You must guess it, Grandmother!” shouted Brianna.
“Yes, guess! Guess!” shouted Elena.
Alinea placed her hands together and raised them to her lips. “Let me see,” she said, her eyes shining at the sight of her beautiful grandchildren. “Are you going on a trip?”
Both little heads wagged from side to side, their braids flying.
“No?” continued their grandmother. “Then you have learned a new game and have come to show us!”
“That’s not it!” they cried, and burst into giggles. “Lady Esme is coming. She’ll be here tonight!” Both girls began hopping up and down.
“That is good news!” said Alinea.
“Did you hear, Durwin?” they shouted. “She’ll be here tonight.” Then they looked at each other as a new and better thought occurred to them. “Maybe she’ll bring us presents!” said Brianna.
They clapped their hands and then darted away among the rosebushes toward the fountain.
“Very like hummingbirds,” mused Durwin.
“There you are, Mother,” said Bria as she came to stand with them. “I see they have told you their secret.”
“Yes, dear. How happy you must be.”
“I am almost as excited as they are—if that were possible!” she replied and laughed, her eyes following the girls as they ran. “Good day, Durwin. I am glad to see Mother has dragged you from your noisome den. I was beginning to wonder whether you would ever come out.”
In the Hall of the Dragon King Page 76