“We are seventeen now, Wolf. In most lands that is old enough to make your own decisions. Some places you need not be older than fourteen before being considered a grown man or woman. Some in history are married as young children.”
“Seventeen already? You are acting far older than I recall, Lumi. You look like a woman already. Even have bosoms now. I’ve been gone too long. I have no idea what you kids have been up to.” Luminear grew red in the face and almost laughed if not for the uncomfortable mention of her breasts.
“It’s been many years since we left Frenmere. You cannot expect me not to grow up.” Luminear insisted.
“She is older than her years. She scares me sometimes,” retorted Laella as she sipped on a glass of crimson wine. “But I assure you Markus is a fine boy or man. He treats Bella well, and at any rate, they aren’t anything more than friends.”
“That’s right. Anyway, what do you do for the Overlords? Why you? Do they not understand Bella and I see you as our family too?” Luminear questioned. Lonewolf glanced at Laella, figuring she knew more than she was saying.
“They are aware. They see it as a generous gift letting me come here. I have a duty to them first, and whatever they let me do beyond that is up to them.” Lonewolf grabbed the bottle of red wine off the table with one hand, and snatched Albatros’ goblet with the other, helping himself. “I am a busy man now.”
“Sounds like more of a slave. Can you not have any fun? How long will you be there? How long are you here for?”
“Lumi,” scolded Laella. Lonewolf gulped at the red wine and waved Laella on.
“It’s all right, my lady. No offense taken. How could I take offense anyway, right? Laella knows as well as I the type of woman the High Queen is. She’s a cold-hearted wretch most of the time, and when she’s not, she’s just plain rude. High King or not, it is her show, and she does not care about family. I’ve been there for years and not once have I seen her children, sisters, brothers. By Xio, I doubt she cares they exist. Laella, you know.” Laella wondered what Lonewolf’s game was, and she felt threatened by his talk of Ishanna and Pathorus Maelor. Was this a trap? She would not insult her Overlords to a man she didn’t know or trust.
“It is against the law to speak against your Overlords, and you bring great shame to our righteous High King by pretending he holds no power. You lessen your tongue in my house, Lord Wolf. Lessen it, or I will be forced to-” Laella threatened him as she rose to her feet. “I’ll be taking my leave now. Luminear, if you will clean up this time, I would be most thankful for that service. Wolf. Keep a civil tongue in my house.” With that, she turned to walk away toward the kitchen exit to follow Albatros and her children.
Lonewolf turned to Luminear with a goofy grin as Luminear hit him in his shoulder trying not to laugh. “She’s tougher than I thought,” Lonewolf whispered.
“You stop that. She’s a good woman! Quit playing around. How old are you?” Luminear asked in exasperation, but Lonewolf could tell she was ready to crack up in laughter.
“Older than you, but apparently not old enough to know better.” Lonewolf smirked as he poured wine into Luminear’s cup. “Come. You’re drinking tonight. Have you drunk before?” Luminear blushed shaking her head.
“N..n..no,” she stammered as he handed her a glass. She looked outside to see the children in the water and peered around the room for Laella. “You will get me in trouble, Uncle Wolf.”
“No. With me here, you are untouchable. Drink and tell me how you and Bella have been. Let us have a night of celebration. Life is short. Live a little dear.”
Luminear didn’t resist long. After giving into that first sip and finding it as sweet as strawberries, she figured anything that tasty couldn’t hurt. Within no time she was gulping down wine and talking about everything. So much had changed, and all their lives had taken different paths. There was sadness concerning Zynoa, but they tried to stay on merrier topics. Lonewolf had to do a nice bit of lying to avoid sharing the truth of what he had been up to but lying came as naturally to Lonewolf as slithering does for a snake. He had gotten so good at it he didn’t even realize when he was doing it. Yet, Luminear was smart, and she could tell something was different about him. She didn’t know what he was up to, but things were not as they appeared. It didn’t matter because she trusted him and enjoyed having him home, no matter how brief the visit.
Chapter Ten
The Other Man
O ver two years had passed since Laelliandir left Garroth, and Markus had spent much of that time trying to win Bella’s heart. He’d met Bella first and known her far longer than The White Lion, and he believed he was much better suited to her than the other man would ever be. Markus would never leave her, or so his young mind imagined.
Markus had been head over heels about Bella since the day she introduced herself, and he was adamant that she both knew where he stood, and gave him the chance to win her over. He wasn’t a stubborn man unless it came to Bella. He was all too aware that he was a commoner who would likely never amount to anything significant, but he found nothing wrong with being ordinary and figured Bella shouldn’t either. After all, Markus was both funny and loyal, qualities that Bella appreciated.
Bella had humored him and allowed Markus to try as much as he liked to woo her, but she swore she had no interest in such pesky things as relationships or love. Besides, she had no desire to ruin what the two already shared. She cared deeply for her friend, but after having her heart betray her once, she was determined not to allow emotions she perceived as weak, to get the best of her.
Because he knew Bella so well and wanted to spend as much time as he could with her, Markus had also been helping her sword arm for the last year by trying to keep up with her and block her every swing. Even though he was no sword master, and she was already way out of his league in that department, his steady committed effort helped her get better and better. It didn’t hurt that Bella also had the benefit of a private instructor Laella hired for her. Still, given the effort of their daily practices, Markus too was learning how to fight.
∞ ∞ ∞
At the same time Lonewolf was making his surprise appearance in the castle, Markus escorted Bella to see the local play in town that Luminear recommended. She had already taken Laella, her children, Albatros and Fern to enjoy it with them. In fact, she had made Fern go twice. The play was about a lonely young woman tormented by her responsibilities as the future heir to a noble house. She was supposed to choose a proper husband, but instead found love in the most unlikely of places… with a commoner. Bella couldn’t care less about the story, but after Markus pestered her for over a week, she finally agreed to go with him.
The grand opera house sat in the wealthy district of Garroth. It easily held a few hundred patrons, but at midday, the old structure was almost vacant with only a few dozen people scattered around the darkened stadium circulating the bottom foyer. Markus and Bella sat on a high balcony upon red cushioned seats usually reserved for the rich. The seats below them were pure stone slabs for the common folk. Laella could have gotten them into the opera house for free and given them the richest of seats, but Markus paid for the entire date with what money he had raised doing odd laborer jobs around the city. Even though he made little coin from his positions, Laella gave all the children, servants and adopted family a substantial allowance.
“Oh, Markus. You are so hopeless,” Bella laughed after watching a scene of the young noblewoman telling the common boy how she loved him and could not live if her parents did not approve of their desires. Bella poked fun at the entire plot and even the singing. She understood what Markus was up to and told him several times to give up the charade, for she had no time in her life for the silliness of it all. Mark, as always ignored her requests and jabs.
“Luminear loves this play!” Markus responded, getting annoyed at Bella’s mockery, but the smile on her face was worth it. Bella gave him a stern look before rolling her eyes.
“Mark. Just take he
r here next time then,” she kidded before looking back to the stage. Markus pretended to yawn and stretched out his arms wide, before slowly dropping one arm around Bella, as if Bella would not notice. She looked to him from the side, without moving her head, and then back to his arm around her shoulder.
“Sneaky there are you?” she asked but settled in and laid her head upon his shoulder. Markus had dressed for the occasion, wearing a blue tunic and white leggings. He’d taken the time to shave and comb his short dark hair back. Bella had pulled her hair up and also dressed in finer clothes for as much as she preferred to dress her own way, she was on a date, and part of her wanted to look nice for Markus. She secretly enjoyed his compliments and the way he looked at her. Whether or not she was comfortable, she felt beautiful when she saw the way Markus reacted when he arrived to escort her to the play.
“You don’t seem to mind, Bell.” Markus looked down at her, noticing she was watching the play while resting her head on his shoulder.
“Not today, Mark. You have a comfortable shoulder,” she laughed, and lifted her head to look at him. “And you have been lovely. Don’t get any funny ideas, but you really are my best friend.”
“Fair enough, lass.” Markus smiled at her, and she moved closer and gave him a kiss upon his cheek.
“Desperate romantic. What would I do without you?” Bella told him, before laying her head back on his shoulder.
“Probably run away is my guess.”
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t leave Luminear here. It’s not a bad place to be, but I want to move to Magwhen one day. Maybe Kald’s Rest. The stories I’ve heard. It sounds magnificent and the opportunities that must be there. Oh, and I can’t wait to quit attending these silly church events. I’ve been dragged to those ever since I was young, thanks to Zynoa. No matter how much I loved her, there is nothing that will convince me it isn’t anything but silly stories.”
“I think it must be an orphan thing, because I don’t buy into it either, but they mean well. Imagine the persecution we’d endure if they realized we didn’t believe in Xio. But Magwhen. Yes, sounds like a nightmare too. It wouldn’t change the religion part. You’d have to move out of the south altogether for that. Anyway, it’s too crowded. I’d never be able to convince Fern to go there.” Although they watched the play, they weren’t paying it any mind.
“Oh, I don’t know. You work on Fern, and I’ll bring it up to Lumi, and they’ll break and go with us.” Bella imagined the big city and a chance to serve in the Novanian army. Laella and Albatros had never spoken ill words toward the new order around her, and Bella did not understand how bad things were outside Gargurthian.
“I’ll go wherever you want to go. One day, Bell.”
“One of these days.”
The two talked and teased until the play completed. Bella and Mark missed entire chunks of the plot, but neither seemed to care. The plan to come to the play was more of an excuse to do whatever they wanted instead of attending the family feast. After the two finished viewing the play, they headed to the local marketplace for ripe fruit and jerky to eat on their way home. They knew they’d missed supper, and with the servants off for the rest of the day, food would be scarce until morning.
Neither Bella nor Markus was handy in the kitchen, so it made sense to buy food that required no preparation. Besides Markus still had a few coins left he was dying to spend on Bella. After they chose a couple fresh green apples and steamed jerky, they sat on a vacant bench to eat. Markus could always make Bella laugh, but when Bella tried to reciprocate, her jokes often fell flat.
Still, their spirits were high, and after they finished eating, they took to the road and headed toward the castle. They hoped to get back in time to join the rest of the Javalla family for a swim, and afterward spar swords for a bit before bed. Outside of classes and Markus’ job, Bella and Mark spent a lot of time together, even if most of the time, others were also present. Fern, Luminear, or someone else would be nearby, so their one-on-one time was limited, and Markus wanted to take advantage of every moment. It went well, and on their way home Markus had her laughing so hard her stomach hurt. Every silly thing he said set her off in peals of laughter, and Markus was full of stories to tell. Their mood was light, yet their day together was about to change.
“Bell and Markus!” The two had come upon the gates to the castle when they heard the booming voice behind them. Alarmed, Bella and Markus spun around to see who approached.
Neither were prepared to see Lord Laelliandir atop his splendid white horse trotting toward them. Strapped in white and golden armor, shoulder to foot, he smiled as he came nearer. His short blonde hair looked a mess, and he had stubble on his face, but his bright blue eyes were the same as Bella remembered. Her heart sank at the sight of him. Markus’ did too, but for different reasons.
As his horse came to a stop before them, Laelliandir hopped down. “My, my, if you two aren’t a sight for longing eyes.” His mood was much lighter and more pleasant than when he had left long ago, and it seemed his heart was not as heavy or as sad as Bella recalled. He walked right up to them and shook Markus’ hand then grabbed Bella’s hand and planted a kiss on the back of it.
“Yo… You’re alive,” Markus stuttered in confusion. He believed Laelliandir had run away never to return or that he had died. After looking at Bella and noticing the way she stared at the other man, he wished Laelliandir had never returned. He elbowed Bella to snap her out of her trance and rolled his eyes. Bella closed her mouth and blinked to get hold of herself. Almost as if no time had passed, butterflies filled her stomach, and she was shy and awkward.
“Lae.” Bella stopped. The sight of him made her so happy that she forgot all the times she had cursed his name and scolded herself for having feelings for him. “You’re back returned here. Again see I. Your mother happy see you.” Bella said the first thing that came to mind. Unfortunately for her, her words made no sense at all. Markus looked at her in embarrassment and elbowed her harder.
“Are you all right, Bell?” Laelliandir asked. Bella, realizing what she said was incomprehensible, blushed, but couldn’t seem to respond. Markus was there to help her out.
“She’s unwell. We’re out walking to help break the fever. She likely won’t even remember this in the morning, sire.” Markus scrambled for an explanation for Bella’s bizarre behavior. However, Bella became infuriated with herself for letting the mere sight of Laelliandir trigger love-sick emotions, the ones she’d promised herself would never again get the best of her.
“You!” Bella shouted as she shoved Laelliandir back a few paces with both her hands outstretched. “I ought to take my steel out and scrap you all the way back out of this city, you selfish, lying scoundrel!” Bella reached for the sword that hung about the belt of her dress. While she wore dresses, she refused to leave her sword behind unless attending functions that prohibited them. Markus feared Bella might actually do it, grabbed her from behind and tried pinning her arms down. Her reaction caught him off guard, but he was all too familiar with Bella’s quick temper.
“You get your hands off of me, Markus, or you’re next.” She fought to shake him off her back and free herself.
“Bell? Hey, I’m sorry it took a while.” Laelliandir had expected she would have understood his duty was essential, especially given the time he’d been gone. “I got held up. I said I’d be back and I am.”
“Two years! Two sarding years later and you come prancing back into town as if nothing has even happened? You little shite!” Bella shouted as she elbowed Markus’ rib and ducked out of his grasp. She reached down for her sword once more when a loud, deep horn sounded from behind them. One of the two guards stationed at the castle gate bellowed on the horn while the other ran up to the trio.
“What is this?” the man asked. “Lord Laelliandir, are you all right?” the guard asked as he drew his own sword and glared at Bella. Bella took a deep breath and looked away, experiencing a mix of shame and anger.
“Aye. All is
in order. Just a simple dispute. Right Bell?” Laelliandir asked. She didn’t look at him, but she bit her lip and nodded.
“Ya.” she responded in a huff, before turning around to Markus who motioned her to calm down with a cautious look.
“She is sick and needs to go back to bed. The symptoms are bad, and she’s hallucinating,” Markus added. The guard looked to each of them before addressing Laelliandir once more.
“If that is the case, she should be in bed. Welcome home from your hunt, Lord of Garroth.”
“Thank you, soldier,” Laelliandir responded. To himself he wondered what hunt the soldier referred to until he realized this was likely the story his mother had fed the people as an excuse for his absence. “Never mind. If you will open the gates for our passage.” The soldier bowed before hurrying back toward his partner.
“Long hunt,” Bella said under her breath, but Markus had no problem hearing her.
“Bell. I’ll be around for a while. We can get caught up on your sword training. I’ve missed you too. I really have.” Laelliandir walked his steed to her side. Bella looked over at him, still agitated.
“I’m sure you have. You’ve sent letters to your mother. Had time for her. But Luminear and I. Five letters. Brief letters leaving out way more than you put in. I’ve worried I’ll have you know.” Laelliandir caught Markus’ eye. He was bewildered by Bella’s behavior and hoped Markus could give him a clue, but Mark turned away uncomfortable himself. The girl he had bent over backward to win still carried a torch for another man.
When Markus pondered it, he could hardly blame her for being swept up. Laelliandir was older, wiser, wealthier, and one of the most highly respected men in all Divox, carrying the title of one of The White Lions of Javalla. Sure, Neighraellium also was a White Lion by title, but he seldom referred to it, and here in Garroth, Laelliandir was the Lord of the city and province. Markus could not compete with such a man. He would always be a poor orphan boy who was lucky enough to be a part of the Javalla family for Bella and Luminear. He was a nobody.
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