Bella Luna did not appreciate how close they were becoming. She didn’t know Laelliandir well enough to trust him with her sister and suspected the worst. After a couple of weeks, she made this abundantly clear. She wouldn't address Luminear, but one day after the two returned from a saunter in the city, Bella confronted Laelliandir demanding to know his intentions with her sister. "You're up to something, and you won't be enlisting Luminear. Whatever you have planned, you leave her out of it!" Bella had popped around a corner within the keep snapping at Laelliandir after he escorted Luminear to her chambers. As always, Bella was spunky and brash, but Laelliandir did not take offense and admired how protective Bella was of her sister.
"I assure you we've been sharing nothing but friendship, and I have no intentions or plans hatching other than making it day by day here in Garroth of Gargurthian. I'm glad to see that Lady Luminear has you to look out for her. I have never had an older brother or sister doing this for me." Laelliandir smiled. His short golden hair was parted in the middle, and as he often did, he wore shining white apparel. Bella, likewise, wore an elaborate white dress. In her case, it was not by choice, but Lady Laella had strict ideas on what a proper girl should wear, and Bella often wore clothing she would never have chosen. Even her hair was done daily, braided, pulled up and fastened with a brooch.
"Oh, is that so? Why Lumi? Surely there are other girls your age. After all, you are Lord Javalla, rich, powerful, and famous. Why give the time of day to a girl that isn't near your esteemed bloodline?" Bella questioned. Laelliandir smiled and shook his head.
"I have plenty of friends and allies in the world of government, but I sorely lack in genuine friendship.”
"Friendship? Or companionship? She's not yet fifteen, and she's carried away by make-believe stories of love and absurd notions of dashing princes," Bella whispered. She was flustered as she looked around the long halls making sure they were not heard by distant hall roamers. "You're as close to a prince as she's ever met." Laelliandir chuckled slightly at Bella's words and shook his head.
"Oh, Bella. It is nice to see you again, but talk to your sister yourself. She's not interested in the things you think she is. Her obsession with love is more of a longing to close the gap and mystery of who your parents are. She may have curious eyes for boys, but it is not I she wants," Laelliandir assured her, as Bella's curiosity sparked even more. She considered Mark first and wondered if Luminear could be interested in him. Just the idea made her upset.
"Mark? No, never. They are friends. What are you talking about?" demanded Bella jabbing him in his chest with her finger. Laelliandir smiled and sighed at her protective display.
"I think she likes the skinny chap. The one who keeps his face in books all the time," Laelliandir responded, and Bella's eyes lit up in surprise, realizing it was Fern he spoke of. Bella, out of instinct, playfully poked at Laelliandir's chest again.
"Fern!" Bella chortled, "No. He's way too... he's too..."
"Too what?" asked Laelliandir as Bella crossed her arms.
"He's Fern. He's boring. Good guy, but he's always reading and writing, and doing dull things."
"And Lumi doesn't have a love of these things, Lady Luna?" reminded Laelliandir, who only upset Bella more when she realized he was right.
"For one thing, I don’t enjoy being called Lady Luna. Just Bella or Bell. And I am not older than Lumi. We're the same age. Aye, she reads and writes, but Fern doesn't have an ounce of adventure in him. Where is the excitement?" Bella huffed.
"Lumi has told me a lot about you, and it seems excitement is something you are looking for. Not what your sister wants."
"Oh, so you know my sister for a couple weeks, and now you're a regular scholar on me? Don't presume to tell me what I like." Bella ordered in a stern voice, trying hard to act as tough as she could before this renowned young warrior.
"I am not one to be presumptuous, and I'll remember that in the future," Laelliandir concluded, as Bella nodded in approval.
"Thanks."
"But if I may." He started once more getting Bella's attention.
"May what?"
"I'm not a bragger. I'm really not, but I am one of the champions of Divox. Not by myself alone. My uncle, mother, and father have trained me from a very young age to become a sword master, and I'm aware of your desire to be more than just a lady for my mother.” Bella was already listening but realizing where he might go with this, she was nearly jumping out of her skin. "I can barely sit still waiting for this wretched wedding to bind minotaur and Javalla as one. I enjoy the long talks with your sister, but I was born a warrior, and I would like a sparring partner. Perhaps we can benefit from one another? I'll train you. I'll teach you to do things you never imagined yourself capable, and in return, you help me fill my days with something more than these dim feelings that refuse to leave me." Bella could not have been more excited by his words. She could barely contain herself. Instead, she did something uncharacteristic and threw her arms around him, squealing aloud in a tone far more feminine than was typical of her. Laelliandir wasn’t sure how to take her embrace, but he had little time to consider it for Bella shoved herself away and changed her tone.
"This is a joke?" she questioned. He smiled shaking his head.
"This is no joke, Bell. It would be an honor."
"Yes!" Bella blurted out. "Teach me. Please. Everything. It is my greatest desire. I would do anything for the chance to learn how to fight like a master. I am motivated and determined.”
"Oh, I know. Lumi has said that much for certain."
"When? When do we start? Now? I can be ready in half an hour." Bella suggested, only increasing Laelliandir's smile.
"I bet you are, but I have to meet with the council tonight," Laelliandir reluctantly told her, but it didn't disappoint Bella too much. "Tomorrow. After sunup, we will begin your first lesson. By the falls behind the keep. And don't worry about my mother. I'll talk to her and see if I can't get you out of some of these classes." Bella was overjoyed at the thought of the opportunity to be trained by one of the most renowned fighters in the south. She could not have asked for more, and no longer held any ill thoughts towards the young man.
So Laelliandir of house Javalla took Bella as his personal apprentice and friend. Despite his mother's disapproval, Laelliandir began training Bella every morning and afternoon how to fight, passing down everything he knew. Although it would not be a skill learned overnight, Bella was a fast learner, and she kept Laelliandir busy and entertained. In little time, and to Bella's surprise, she found herself a victim to what she had suspected of Luminear. She grew fonder of Laelliandir by the day, and although he said nothing, he too developed feelings for Bella. They were both very shy at first and spoke not of it. For one, Laelliandir was so disconnected from his emotions, he disregarded and ignored any thought he might have had concerning Bella as anything more than a friend, while Bella was too embarrassed to speak of her own attraction even though she thought of him from the moment she woke until she went to bed.
Luminear would sometimes join the two of them in the afternoon, but she was kept far too busy with her classes to join them in the morning. While Luminear had no desire to fight, she enjoyed their company. Laelliandir was kind to them, and Luminear loved watching her sister's excitement as she progressed. Being observant, she noticed how they liked each other. She picked up on the way they'd tease and complement one another. He'd tickle her now and then, and she'd play with his hair. He'd call her Bell, and she'd call him Lae. It was the small things that Luminear noticed. Even if they were clueless, Luminear knew well enough Bella and Laelliandir were growing attached, and it was only a matter of time until the two of them realized what was happening. Laelliandir was a welcome addition to their lives after losing Zynoa and the prolonged absence of Lonewolf. Luminear and Bella were beginning to feel like part of a new family.
Although Laella tended to be unfriendly and strict, she was far better than Icaz, and she made sure they were well attended
to. Life was different for them now, but for that moment in time, it was also excellent. Daily they missed their departed grandmother, but Luminear and Bella attributed their new life and brighter future to her.
Chapter Two
Arrival of the High Queen
A s promised, six months after the trial, the long-awaited wedding date for Albatros and Laella arrived. The binding of Lamisdoria's respected son, Albatros, and Lady Laella, ruler of Gargurthian, set in motion a peace treaty between two nations, but given the circumstances, the peace would remain fragile.
The idea revolted Offedius the Black, Queen of Lamisdoria, but there was little the minotaur country could do. To storm into Divox and wage war with Nova's combined forces would leave a gaping opening in Lamisdoria's defense giving their other enemy, the centaur, an open invitation to invade. Novanian lords understood this. They used this to force their neighbor's hand into an unwanted alliance. No matter how well the Overlords treated Albatros, he was a prisoner used to keep the peace. Nova controlled Laella and the house Javalla, despite all their previous power. Given the current circumstances, Gargurthian was a puppet state used by Nova to enact their political ploy. As victims of this plot, Albatros, his people, and the house Javalla made the required unfortunate sacrifices. This cunning plan Lonewolf and Neighraellium helped create had left many in anguish.
Despite the objections, the wedding day had come. Because it would take place in the courtyard of Garroth's keep, people had worked long hours for days preparing for the grand event. Fine silver bells and white flowers streamed from city gates throughout the streets and leading up to and inside the keep and the courtyard where the wedding would take place. On the day of the ceremony, helpers tossed rose petals hither and thither amongst the fresh flowers that lay or hung plentiful throughout the city. Hundreds arrived and gathered under the high walls of Garroth's castle where everyone dressed like nobles. White-gowned maidens played upon their harps nearest the vacant stage, while the people drank, sang, talked, and celebrated under the morning sun on this first day of spring.
City guards of both Nova and Garroth, filled the outer and inner city, prepared for anything. Nova had sent one thousand troops along with Albatros and a few of their lesser captains. For as big as the ceremony was, only Ishanna Maelor, the High Queen of Nova, bothered to attend the wedding. Most people just called her the High Queen though, and her coming without her spouse showed how little Nova thought of the occasion. The King had no interest, for this was a wedding of convenience. Pathorus Maelor disagreed with the decision, but saw no other reasonable option. He would have never stood for one of his own marrying a minotaur, and the Javalla name was the next best family of respected power in Divox. Thus, the Overlords refused Neighraellium's request to leave Novanian lands to attend the wedding. For once, Lonewolf had not come up with an argument to persuade them otherwise, which meant he would likely not leave Nova and see Bella or Luminear until his probation ended in six months. This meant no contact as the King would not permit him to even write letters.
Albatros dressed more like a warrior than a groom. Many tailors had worked day and night to present him with regal wear of all sorts, but each of them ended up looking strange on the minotaur, at least according to Albatros. It was beyond his comfort zone, and after much trial and error, he requested clothing suited to him. Therefore, when he arrived with the High Queen, Ishanna Maelor, in her royal carriage, he wore his Lamisdoria armor with his ax fastened upon his back. He may have ridden beside the High Queen like royalty, but her personal guardians also toured with them, and each of them had their eye on him as if waiting for him to do something untoward. Prepared for the worst, they did not trust him for a moment. Pathorus and Ishanna Maelor of Nova had promised Albatros that his native Queen of Lamisdoria could send him a rhinoceros of his own to ride upon again, but only after his wedding. It was just another small form of bribery, and Albatros knew it.
Albatros was well aware these people saw him as a potential threat rather than an ally, but it did not bother him. He imagined if a similar situation presented itself in his home country, he would have reacted the same way to prevent a potential threat to Lamisdoria. It was enough they allowed him to attend his wedding with his armor and his ax. Although he was not looking for an escape, he felt safer equipped with his faithful weapon.
Through the scores of people and loud cheers, the High Queen, her guards, and Albatros rode through the city all the way to the castle. Once there, castle guards welcomed Ishanna dressed in a green gown with a golden crown on her head. She, along with her armed guardians and Albatros, entered the keep while accompanying soldiers scattered within the city to take guard at random posts. Wasting no time, the High Queen took her own guardians to accompany Garroth's escorts and find Laella and Laelliandir, who had not been there to greet the Queen. While Albatros waited in the main foyer, dozens of castle guards stared at him. The men and women kept their distance and whispered amongst themselves while Albatros stood alone, awkward and out of his element after the High Queen ordered him to wait in silence.
"This is my new home?" Albatros thought to himself. He could not have been less welcome as most of the surrounding people seemed either scared or angered by his presence. “Queen Offedius, forgive me if I don't make it out of this alive. These people want me dead," Albatros continued to think to himself as he gazed around the square-shaped hall, glancing down the long hallways to his left and right, and then back to the twin curled staircases before him, where the queen had ascended. Behind him lay a city of soldiers and somewhere before him was the courtyard where he was to be married. While he had never envisioned marrying a human woman, he knew his bride was even more upset about this than he. He looked forward to meeting her, but doubted she shared that emotion. In uncomfortable silence, moments passed until Albatros could no longer take it.
"Soldiers of Gargurthian." Albatros broke his silence as he stared down some twenty soldiers before the grand staircase. They all looked at him, shocked he had said a word.
"Yes, minotaur lord?" A silver-armored soldier shouted back from the center of the soldiers.
"No minotaur lord is needed. I'm future husband of your ruling Lady Laella, and humble servant of Nova, as are you. You can call me Albatros. I hope to be of service to this city." Albatros hoped to put them at ease. He realized it was in his best interest to win the trust of these people if he didn't want to be stabbed in the back by a minotaur-hater or loyalist to the late Orion Javalla. "The Overlords demand a wedding, and a wedding we shall have. I thank you for your hospitality." The soldiers struggled to respond to this polite minotaur.
"Yes, my lord. It is just that we, or most of us, have never met a minotaur before, and your presence-" the same man stuttered. "Your presence here. It's...” Albatros cleared his throat loud enough to silence the man, and he gave a proud nod.
"You don't know what to expect?" Albatros finished the soldier's sentence. Many of the soldiers nodded confirming this. "Neither do I. I'm far from the land where I was born, and surrounded by kind men and women, but your lands are foreign. It is scary. Walking into a town of strangers, unsure if they would greet me or spit at me. It is most unsettling." Albatros cleared his throat again as they listened. "You shouldn't fear me, and I should not fear you. This is our home. I will serve the Lady Laella well and earn the trust of the people and honor the house of Javalla to the best of my ability." Albatros was outspoken and even surprised himself. He had not planned to say anything, but found himself full of words
"Yes, sire. We welcome you. We are not scared," said a young soldier woman, as a few others said the same.
"Silence down here!" The High Queen interrupted. From high above, Ishanna Maelor descended the curved stairway. Around Ishanna marched her guardians, and to her side, walked Lady Laella Javalla down the stairwell with their arms latched together. Laella donned an emerald gown similar to the High Queen, but golden designs twirled around the seams of her waist then down to the floor. Around her
elbow was more golden embroidery. Even though she was thirty-nine, Lady Laella could have passed for a lass in her twenties. In her stunning wedding dress, Lady Laella was gorgeous. Her fiery red hair styled in boundless braids, was pulled up and held in place by an elegant green pin, visible under the filmy jade headdress. She held herself like graceful nobility and her beauty shone through, but for all her allure, Albatros recognized the grief in Lady Laella’s every step. The sorrow within her deep jade eyes had no place to hide as she fought back a sea of tears. Lady Laella glanced upon Albatros but a moment before turning her head to stay in synch with the High Queen.
Although majestic, Lady Laella walked as if she were a prisoner. Her proud name had not saved her from this fate, and within her heart, she felt anything but royal. Ishanna seemed bored and put off with the entire ordeal, and she did not hide her feelings. She was in a hurry to get down the stairs, shamelessly dragging the younger woman along with her.
"Did I tell any of you to talk?" Ishanna shouted as she grimaced at them all. The Gargurthian soldiers stayed quiet while Albatros groaned below his breath. The High Queen looked back to Laella, checking her dress. "You be careful and don't step on that dress and fall. You'll take me right along with you. Let's get the ridiculous wedding over. You hiding away like a scared wench? Have you no honor or pride? You're a Javalla and esteemed names come with sacrifice. Do you think I was happy when forced to marry the High King? No, of course not, but I grew to love him. You lost a husband, not your life. You're a grown woman. A Javalla woman. With great power comes tremendous sacrifices. You should know this, so quit acting like a youngster," the High Queen whispered under her breath to Laella, talking down to her as she did to everyone with whom she crossed paths. Laella heard Ishanna's words and wanted to push the rude woman over the balcony. She could imagine what the High King would do to her and her family for such an act and opted to tune her out as best she could, but it was difficult to ignore the High Queen. Ishanna made sure of it.
Medley of Treason Page 2