Galdren took in a deep breath as he nodded. “Of course.” He then stepped back so they could all get onto the telepad. Once they were in place, he nodded to both of them before the operator activated the machine.
This time, Avila was better prepared for the gut-clenching feeling and managed not to stumble upon their arrival. She was still grimacing as the rest of the team took their luggage.
Nathan laughed at the sight of her but held up both hands when she glared at him. He winked as he said, “I know, not a word.”
Despite her discomfort, Avila grinned at his efforts. It was hard to stay upset with Nathan for long. Thankfully her disorientation was gone quickly, and the group was on the way.
The trip was going to be a long one, as the reserve was near the continent’s southern tip. There was a rocky mountain range at the far southern edge of the reserve that curved north between Peloun and the rest of the continent. It kept most of the ocean air from reaching far inland, served as an excellent natural barrier, and helped provide a thriving environment for a wide variety of all forms of life in one location. That made for a wonderful setting for a preserve, but it also meant that it would take them the better part of two days to get there via hovercar, as Nerada was still the closest port with a telepad. There were not many cities between the spaceport and the mountains either. After the peaks, there was nothing outside of the duke’s outposts.
They ended up stopping late that night at a remote walled location. Avila eyed the whole thing with distrust until Nathan explained that they were already technically on his father’s lands. This was an outpost situated for just this purpose—to be a guarded stopping point on the way to Peloun or to Nerada. He also assured her the next day’s travel would only be half as long.
As awe-inspiring as the trip had been so far, she couldn’t say that she wasn’t glad the next day would be shorter. Being in a hovercar all day was not her idea of fun, no matter how beautiful the view was.
―
Thankfully, the next day was just as short as Nathan promised it to be, a fact that had Avila grinning as the hovercars finally came to a stop in front of an imposing building. When she stepped out into the arid air, it nearly took her breath away, but her instant discomfort was soon forgotten as her eyes focused on the structure in front of them.
It was nearly half as large as the castle in Arinel, though the architecture was completely different. Where the castle had tall, imposing stone walls and thick doors with carved arches and weighty knobs, this place was full of open domes and fountains. The front doors were certainly as imposing as any others she had seen, though they seemed to be made from a lighter material, and images were carved into the wood.
She was no less impressed when they walked into a bright hall lined with large open windows that let in the sunshine. She was thrilled when she saw another fountain in the center of the room lined with a plethora of feathery leaves that seemed to dance in the mists raised by the falling water.
She was trying her best not to look like an uncultured bumpkin as she followed behind Nathan. However, she knew it was a lost cause when she saw the many plants that also lined the windows. Thankfully, she was drawn back to the moment when she heard a voice call her name.
She looked around with a bright smile to see an older version of the man standing next to her. He was smiling. She noted it didn’t quite reach his eyes, though his voice was full and warm when he spoke. “It is an honor to host you here at Peloun, Lady Durant.”
It suddenly struck her who he was. The Duke of Armand was second in power only to the king. Thankfully, her smile only faltered a little as she curtsied in return. “The honor is mine, Your Grace. I cannot express how thrilled I am with this opportunity.”
Nathan tried to stifle a chuckle next to her, but she barely had time to give him a confused look before his father spoke once more. “I am sure that my son has already expressed a dislike toward formality. Please, call me sir if you must, but there is no need for titles. I hope over the next few weeks that we have plenty of opportunities to work together.”
Avila smiled brightly. Despite her instinct toward a more formal approach, she could already tell that it would not be difficult for her to relax around the man. He had an air about him that was similar to Nathan’s. She nodded as she responded, “Of course. I am unsure what work there is needed, but after everything this estate has done to help me, I would be more than willing to lend a hand in any way possible.”
The older man chuckled slightly, then gestured toward a woman standing off to the side. She approached and bowed to Avila as the duke continued, “This is Evette. She can show you the rooms you will have while you are here and help you settle in. For now, I must beg your forgiveness, as I still have much to do. I hope to see you again at dinner.”
She gave him another bow as she answered, “Of course, I look forward to it.”
With that, the duke walked away and disappeared into one of the long halls. Avila’s attention turned to Nathan when he finally spoke once more. “I’ll leave you in Evette’s capable hands, but if you feel up to it, I might have time to give you a tour of this place once you freshen up. Unless you would rather rest, of course.”
Avila had to remind herself not to grab her friend by the arm as she grinned back at him. “I would love to see more of this place. It’s gorgeous. Just give me an hour. I think that should be enough time.”
Nathan chuckled at her enthusiasm but still shook his head. “Well, I do still have a report to give as well, so it might be closer to a couple of hours before I can get away. Still, that should give us plenty of time to look around before dinner.”
Avila’s smile dimmed, but she nodded as he waved and walked off. Once he was gone, she turned to the woman that had been patiently waiting. “Thank you for your help while I’m here.”
The woman gave her a shallow bow as she responded, “It is my pleasure, Lady Durant. If you would, please follow me.”
Avila followed the woman down one of the other halls. She almost felt like she was part of a procession as all her guards, two other gentlemen carrying her things, and one of the house guards all fell into step behind or beside them. At least it was something she was getting used to, so it didn’t bother her as much as it would have a month ago.
When they finally got to the set of rooms assigned to Avila while she visited, Evette opened the door and let Angelo sweep the room. When he gave the all-clear, the rest followed. It did not take the maid long to direct the rest of the group as to where everything should be put and show Avila the facilities at her disposal.
Avila was impressed with the rooms. They were not as large nor as opulent as the ones she used in Arinel, but there was a comfort to them that instantly put her at ease. It likely had to do with the abundance of plant life in the space. It was almost like being outside.
Once her things were put into place and Evette was sure Avila was settled, the maid left while Jacob and April took up spots outside her door. She wasn’t thrilled that they would be working overlapping shifts—not because there would always be two people with her, but because they would be working longer shifts to implement the coverage. She had already said something to them about the long hours, and each had reassured her that it was fine.
After everyone left the rooms, Avila did a little exploring and was pleased to find a large tub that nearly rivaled hers back home. She sighed at the thought of a bath to work out the kinks from the long drive but resigned herself to waiting for that. Instead, she took a quick shower and changed into one of the nicer sundresses. If they were only to be walking the halls of the castle before dinner, there was no point in having to come back and change again.
Since she still had a little time to wait before Nathan came to get her, she decided to go ahead and pull out the work that the professor had sent with her. There was no point in putting it off, especially when she could already tell there
would be more than enough to keep her busy.
She was concentrating on reading to the point that she nearly jumped when there was a knock at the door. She stood as soon as April ducked her head in. “Lord de Legris is here.” Avila smiled at the woman before she closed the book and pushed it aside. The rest would have to wait.
As soon as she stepped outside, Nathan greeted her with a grin. “I hope everything is to your liking. And that you didn’t get too bored while waiting.”
Avila was too excited not to share his grin. “The rooms are lovely. You know how I feel about plants. As for being bored, didn’t I tell you that the professor sent work for me to complete while I was here?”
Nathan’s eyes widened slightly before he chuckled. “I didn’t realize you were serious. He really expects you to work while you are here on vacation?”
Avila huffed at her friend, though she wasn’t actually upset. “Of course I was serious. This is technically not a vacation. It is an opportunity for me to expand my horizons and become better acquainted with all that is involved with taking care of a reserve, as that is my chosen line of work once I’m finished with my studies.”
Nathan held up both hands in surrender, but he let the subject drop as he took one of her hands and tucked it into the crook of his arm. When they started walking, April fell into step behind them while Jacob stayed by the door. Nathan ignored them like always and began pointing out the different aspects of the architecture as well as the various plants, most of which Avila had heard of but never seen in person.
It wasn’t long until the two of them were lost in conversation. Avila hadn’t realized that the sandstone palace was one of the oldest on Aril. Even more ancient than the one in the capital. She had long known that Aril hadn’t always been ruled by a single king, but she had forgotten that the current royal family had once come from these southern reaches. It wasn’t until the planet joined the Trading Alliance that the need for a single king was realized and Arinel was co-opted as the capital.
Avila had just commented on how amazing the structure looked for something that was more than a thousand years old, and Nathan was happily explaining the extensive work that went into keeping it that way, when they were interrupted by a young man Avila had never seen before.
He bowed to both of them before he spoke. “Lord de Legris, Lady Durant, I have been asked to remind you that dinner will be served in fifteen minutes.”
Nathan thanked the young man and assured him they would be there shortly. He then turned to Avila. “Do you need to freshen up, or can we head straight to dinner?”
Avila furrowed her brow slightly as she answered, “Do you feel I need to change?”
Nathan rolled his eyes as he took her hand once more. “That isn’t what I meant at all. However, I am aware that most women always find something they feel they need to do before dinner.”
She had no idea how to respond to that nonsense, so she ignored it in favor of asking about the arrangements. “So, will dinner be a formal affair, like in Arinel?”
Nathan paused and pulled her to a halt. He seemed to be thinking about something before he answered. “In the basic sense, yes. However, things here are a little more relaxed in general. My brother is out today and tomorrow, but when he returns, they might become—well, perhaps silent is the best word.”
As soon as he saw her troubled expression, he shook his head. “Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with you. Let’s just say that my brother and I have not seen eye to eye for quite some time.”
Avila wanted to find out what caused her friend to have such a twisted expression, but they had reached the dining room by that time. She tabled the question for the moment.
As soon as they walked in, the duke turned from where he had been standing next to one of the windows. His smile was just as charming as any of Nathan’s, even if there still seemed to be something missing. “Ah, Lady Durant, I am pleased you feel up to joining us for dinner.”
Nathan had already guided her to the seat prepared for her, but she didn’t sit right away. Instead, she returned the duke’s smile as she responded, “I can only imagine the number of things I could learn from you. I do believe I am just as happy to have this opportunity.”
The duke gestured toward her chair as he answered, “Please, sit. Although there may be much for us to share, there is no need to rush. Let us enjoy the meal.”
Once she sat, Nathan pushed her chair in before he went around to take the one across from her. Since it was only the three of them at the table, it was not long until they all got caught up in conversation, though most of it was carried by the two younger people. The bulk of the talk revolved around the trip and some of the plans already laid out for the next few weeks. Avila was thrilled to learn that they already had quite a bit set up.
The dinner as a whole was a relatively intimate affair for something that would usually have been considered a formal dinner. But Nathan had said they were more laid back. It wasn’t surprising since the household seemed to be rather small in comparison to the one in Arinel, though that did not mean it was lacking in any way.
The food was unfamiliar but still tasty. Nathan explained that the main dish was a mix of some local fruits and vegetables, along with a springy loaf made from bean curd cut into chunks and fried to add a mix of textures. Avila was thrilled to find she loved the combination, but she did have questions. “Did you say there was fruit in this as well?”
Nathan chuckled as he picked up one of the items on his plate with his fork. “Yes, these are a type of fibrous fruit that grow in the wetter parts of this area.” He rolled his eyes when she gave him a skeptical look. “Not all fruit has to be sweet.”
Avila laughed at the look and let it pass. She wasn’t inclined to complain, as it was tasty. However, as soon as her laughter rang out, the duke spoke, which was noteworthy since he had barely said anything throughout the meal. “It is good to hear such lovely laughter grace these halls again. I had almost forgotten what it sounded like.”
Avila felt her smile fade a bit as she noted the wistful look in the man’s eyes. He wasn’t looking at her, so much as looking through her. She had to repress a shiver as she looked over and saw that Nathan was wearing a frown. However, when their eyes caught, his smile instantly returned as he tried to smooth things over. “I will agree that it is a lovely sound. I hope this will be far from the last time we get to hear it.”
That was too much. Avila looked down at her plate to hide her blush. Thankfully, neither of the men commented on it, and the meal soon continued as though it never happened. Not long afterward, the duke stood. The other two were instantly on their feet, though the older gentleman only gave them a smile. “It has been a pleasure, though it is getting late, and I must turn in. I look forward to hearing your perceptions of this place as you visit.”
Avila bowed her head in respect as she answered, “I will make sure I note everything. I would also like to thank you again for this opportunity.”
He waved off her thanks with a tired smile as he turned to his son. “I have already spoken with Talor. The vehicles will be ready in the morning. Do not worry overmuch about the reports, I am sure you can handle them when you return.”
For a moment, Nathan looked a little uncomfortable, but it was gone by the time he answered, “Thank you. I will ensure nothing is left out, though that does mean things will be a little later each night.” The duke gave him a curt nod and Avila another smile before he turned to leave.
33. Nature in Action
The next morning Avila was up before the chime rang out on her timeglass. She considered trying to go back to sleep, but her excitement had already started to bubble up. At least it was only a half hour early.
She decided against taking a long bath, but she did shower and change. It did not take her long before she was ready for the day. Since there was still time before breakfast, she took a look a
round the room to see if any of the bookshelves she had seen contained more than props. Much to her surprise and delight, there were several about the surrounding area. Though, when she thought about it, she shouldn’t have been so shocked. The only people likely to be staying in these rooms were either family or visiting dignitaries. Having information about the land would surely be welcome by any of those.
It was not long before she became engrossed in a book about the relationship between the most common local flora and how the fauna interacted with it. Finding symbiotic relationships in nature was common, but it seemed in this region, it was far more necessary than she had initially thought.
In the plains within the mountain range, the rainy season was short and left the rest of the year dry. Bulbous plants that looked like stones grew there. They had adapted over time to not only hold water but also to withstand burrowing creatures. The symbiotic part came when it was time for the plant to reproduce.
Instead of releasing pollen to fertilize or grow seeds, that part of the process was internal. The tiny seeds were then left to float in pools of water the plant created near its base to draw in the local fauna. The seed casings were made of the same hardened shell the plant used to prevent intrusion, but by the time they passed through the digestive tract of whatever animal might have sipped them up, they were softened enough for the growing plant to break free.
She had just gotten to the part where it described the survival rate depending on the animal when she was startled by a knock at her door. She set the book to the side with a sigh as she called out for them to enter. Angelo poked his head in with a nod. “Ma’am, the lady’s maid is here to assist you in preparing for the day.”
Avila stood and gave him a confused look that then slid to the woman waiting patiently behind him. She gestured down to her body as she answered, “As you can see, I am already ready. You can send my thanks to whoever sent you, but there is no need for help. At least until it’s time to leave.”
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