by Mlyn Hurn
Syranna shook her head. “No one but you recognized me, so there is no problem. Things can go on as before, as if I were never here, except for my delivering you this message.”
It was William, shouting at them both that caused them to turn toward the other man. “What the hell are you talking about, Marcus? Who is this woman? What nonsense does she speak? What does she mean for you to keep the throne?”
Marcus laughed softly. He stepped back from Syranna and bowed deeply. William stared in surprise. People bowed to Marcus these days, not he to anyone, except another royal house. Marcus looked at his friend. “You need to bow also, William. This is none other than Her Royal Highness, your true liege ‘lady’, the Honorable Princess Syranna.”
William gasped and choked a bit. “What? No, that isn’t possible…”
Syranna looked at him, and he could see the truth. Those were truly the old lord’s eyes staring back at him. But it went beyond that; it was as if the truth were revealed to him as he looked into her eyes. She smiled ruefully.
“I’m afraid it is true. But no one else needs to know. I didn’t come here to claim a throne. I am very happy living on Kalledane. There is nothing here on Vikalla that I want or need. I will gladly write and sign some kind of official document. It can say I abdicate the throne and for them to crown you king. All’s well that ends well.”
She turned and started for the door. This time it was Sir William who grabbed her arm to stop her and then dropped it as if burned, as he recalled who she was. “Lord Marcus is right. You can’t leave. You have a duty…”
Syranna shook her head. “No. I have no duty. I have no title. Everyone believes I died years ago.” She looked at Marcus. “You are the liege lord. The throne is yours. You deserve it, from all I’ve heard. Have the coronation and claim the crown. And besides, I no longer belong here. My life is now on Kalledane.”
Marcus moved forward. “Stay the night. It is a long ride back to the flight station. Stay and have dinner. Then you can leave in the morning well-rested, if that is what you still want to do.”
He had already rung the bell for a servant. Within a few moments, his summons was answered. Syranna listened to him direct the servant to make her comfortable. She finally nodded her head and followed the servant out of the room. As soon as the door had closed behind her, William moved over to his friend. Marcus was standing with his arms crossed, staring rather bemusedly at the closed door. His friend’s words, though, quickly got his attention.
“You will have to marry her.”
Chapter Two
Syranna accepted his accommodations reluctantly. She had definite feelings of foreboding. Her sensory powers had only increased during her years on Kalledane. Everything that she was now, that she knew, was telling her to flee back to Kalledane as quickly as possible. She couldn’t help but wonder if Sir Ralus had suspected what would happen when he had extracted this final promise from her.
Syranna dismissed the servant girls and went into the bath by herself. She slipped off her floor-length dress and shoes. She happily eased her tired body down into the hot, steamy water. She enjoyed washing her long hair and rinsing it clean. She relaxed in the water, letting its soothing properties reach her inner circle of balance and begin calming her once again.
She was only half Kalledanian, from her mother’s ancestry, and Vikallan on her father’s side. Yet her sensory powers and skills had developed at a remarkable speed once she had returned to her mother’s home world of Kalledane or, more specifically, to the nearly uninhabited region known as Mystonia.
The world of Kalledane had many beautiful divisions, but only one was as deeply shrouded in mystery and misconceptions as it was by fog. In Mystonia, the dense forests were frequently almost completely concealed by the thick mists that covered the unusual, yet beautiful landscape. Upon her arrival, it had taken her some time to adjust to the strangeness she found in a world concealed and cloaked part of the time behind its ever-changing veil of secrecy. Before her arrival here, her mother told her very little about this place. But being a child, and open to new experiences, she had very quickly adapted to this beautiful world.
Her presence there had come about when her father had contacted her maternal grandfather, who had still been living on Kalledane in peaceful seclusion. Her grandfather had happily accepted the child into his shrouded solitude. King Thomas’ plan was to send her to her grandfather for protection and safety while war raged on Vikalla. At just eleven years of age, it had been difficult and confusing to understand why she had to leave the only home she’d ever known. She had learned the particulars of the sudden upheaval in her life from Sir Ralus many years after her arrival and her grandfather’s death.
Her grandfather had embodied all that was this mysterious place known as Mystonia. He was intelligent, reticent and mystifying at times. As Syranna grew up, she learned that her grandfather’s powers were legend on the world of Kalledane, and especially in Mystonia. He had suspected his daughter would have surpassed his own level of skill and intuitive powers, but she had never had the chance to develop fully.
Sylvia had fallen in love with the bold, daring prince who had arrived on Kalledane to complete a mission for the king, his father, when Sylvia had only been seventeen years old. Thomas had swept her off her feet, according to her grandfather. Sadly she had died shortly after giving birth, and her grandfather had given up his own diplomatic position on Kalledane, in the capitol city, and sought seclusion in Mystonia, the home of his ancestors.
Syranna had been wary of her tall, quiet grandfather. But it had not taken long for the two to find a level of rapport and communication, which rarely required spoken words. Her grandfather had reveled in her developing skills and powers.
Over the years, he had brought many of his friends to visit his secluded castle in the region of Mystonia. Few people of Kalledane chose to visit the foggiest region on their home world. At times, visitors to the unusual region said that you literally could not see your hand held in front your face. Of course, Mystonians had no trouble at all because they did most of their seeing with their “mind’s eye” anyway. To them, the world was clear and easily visible. It was common for strangers to complain that sometimes they saw weird and indescribable things when the fog and mist would part for brief glimpses into an open glen or a quiet pond. Yet when they turned to get their companion’s opinion, nothing was there.
* * * * *
Syranna finally stood up from the cooling water in the tub, wrapping the large, warm towel around her torso and tucking it between her breasts. She had one change of clothing with her, and to her surprise, she found the soft gray dress had been laid out on the bed for her. She pulled the dress on over her head, shook her wet hair free, combing her hair with her fingers. Things certainly were not going as she had planned. First, she had been sure that she could be back on Kalledane by late tonight.
Lost in her thoughts, she fingered the large, elongated, marquise-cut diamond that hung from a platinum setting and chain around her neck. Her grandfather had presented the diamond to her, telling her that over time she would learn about the stone. She tucked the stone beneath her dress.
Her most pressing concern was the new liege lord. Since she had spent most of her life with men who were at least fifty or more years older than she, it had not prepared her to encounter a younger specimen of manhood who had quite obviously received a full accompaniment of male hormones. At first, she had fought the nearly overwhelming need to cringe away from the man’s size. He was so big! He was tall and wide-shouldered, tapering to a flat waist and hips, and her breath had caught in her chest when he came near to her.
Everything about the man was over the top. There was no denying that his face was pleasing to look upon, especially his strong, squared jaw. His eyes were that of an honest man, meeting hers and never flinching or looking away. As he spoke, she’d jumped when she realized that she was staring at his lips. When he had touched her arm the first time, nerves that she d
idn’t even know existed had suddenly come alive and started demanding even more stimulation from his touch.
In fact, she had not yet been able to identify all of the strange feelings that were compounding her senses ever since she had arrived back on Vikalla. She felt out of sync with her inner being since she had stepped upon the ground, and her feelings of foreboding had been growing the closer she drew to the castle. A knock at the door drew her attention.
Syranna opened the door and found Lady Stancia on the other side. Syranna knew that the other woman had been informed of who she was because she sank into a deep curtsy in front of her. “Damn!” Syranna whispered softly to herself.
Lady Stancia looked at the other woman. “I beg your pardon, my lady; I didn’t hear what you said.”
Syranna shook her head. “No, forgive my discourtesy. I tend to be rude and abrupt when things don’t go my way.”
Syranna realized Lady Stancia was staring at her. It was almost too easy to read the woman’s thoughts because they were equally apparent on her face.
Stancia wondered how things could not be going Syranna’s way. This woman was royalty, and she was now going to reclaim her throne. And if Stancia had read between the lines correctly from what William had told her, Syranna would soon be marrying the strongest, bravest and most handsome soldier in all the lands.
Lady Stancia introduced herself quickly. “I am Lady Stancia, your highness. It would be an honor to serve as your lady-in-waiting.” She curtsied deeply once again.
Syranna looked at her for a moment, breaking the mind-reading transference link that she’d established with a blink of her eyes. She spoke to Stancia.
“Look, Lady Stancia, right?” When the other woman nodded, Syranna continued. “I am not going to be here for long. I’m planning on leaving at sunrise in the morning. The only thing I do need is something to eat.”
Lady Stancia laughed. “Well, I could order the servants to set up a light dinner for you in the main hall. Or if you prefer something quieter, and probably quicker, then let me show you the back way to the kitchen. It is a while ‘til the evening meal is served, so we shall just have to bribe the cook.”
Syranna laughed in response, wondering if perhaps the other woman might be more natural and less reserved than she had first suspected. She followed the other woman, holding her tongue, when Lady Stancia held her fingers to her lips to indicate stealth was needed.
A few minutes later the two women entered the huge, warm and very clean kitchen quarters. It became obvious to Syranna that Stancia was well-liked by the serving staff, and she observed as the other woman conversed with them all quite easily. Soon the two women were seated at a table near the open back door eating sandwiches, cut-up fruit and sweet wine.
Syranna had quite easily gotten Stancia to open up to her, and was soon hearing the whole story of how she had met Sir William. It appeared that the happy couple was to be married soon, and until then, she managed the castle for Lord Marcus. Syranna leaned forward, holding the other woman’s gaze, and then she touched her hand. Stancia seemed to freeze. In that moment, her mind, thoughts past and present, were opened to Syranna, as were her feelings. Syranna saw the truth of her words, and she also saw that William had revealed the plans he had for Marcus to wed the returning princess, and heiress to the throne.
Syranna jerked her hand away, breaking the gaze when those thoughts were revealed to her. She knew now that she had to leave as soon as possible. This would not do at all. Her life was planned, as far as she was concerned, and it did not include staying on Vikalla for the rest of her days. She hurriedly stood, feeling panic rising within herself. But as she turned, she found her way blocked by Sir William.
“Ah, there you two are. Your liege lord would like you to join him, Lady Syranna, in his private chambers. He has some important matters he would like to discuss with you.”
Syranna stepped away from William, trying to hide the rising sense of panic and the growing need to escape. “I’ve changed my mind. I need to leave tonight. Now, in fact.”
William caught her arm in his hand as she was turning to flee the kitchen. “It is much too late for you to be riding across the marshlands at this time of evening. It can be quite dangerous if one doesn’t know the way. Lord Marcus is waiting.”
Syranna stiffened at his tone. It said that his liege lord was waiting, but also that no one kept him waiting, certainly not for long, and never more than once. William indicated that Stancia should follow them. He quickly escorted the ladies to the private meeting chambers of the liege lord. Syranna recognized the room instantly. She had often played on the lush carpet while her father had held his meetings with leaders from other parts of their world. Even royalty from other worlds had watched the little black-haired girl who had played quietly while her father discussed weighty matters.
* * * * *
Marcus stood as they entered. He motioned for Syranna to be seated next to him, then for William and Stancia to sit as well. He wasn’t sure how to proceed with this delicate subject. Before he could decide, though, Syranna surprised them all.
“I won’t marry you, Lord Marcus. So you need not bother asking. I am going to leave as soon as possible. You need not worry that I will return; I promise you I won’t. This throne, all of it, is yours. From what I have learned, you have earned it and you deserve it. Do with it as you will.” Syranna stood as she finished talking.
“How did you—” Both men turned to Stancia angrily. Syranna’s words stopped their protest, though.
“Lady Stancia said nothing to me. She didn’t have to. There are many things about me that you don’t know; just accept that I am leaving.”
Marcus stood facing the small woman. “It isn’t that simple, milady. The fact that you are here, and now many people have seen you…word will spread. The die is cast, so to speak. There can be no turning back now.”
Syranna shook her head. “No one has recognized me. It was just a fluke that you did before you read the message. If you had not, I would have been long-gone and easily forgotten.”
Marcus shook his head this time. “I can assume that you did not know what the message contained. It was from your father to me, in fact. Interesting that he seemed to know how things would turn out. Anyway, in the message, he told me of your existence and how I was to find you. Even if you leave now, I will find you.”
Syranna quickly walked away from the others in the room, gazing out the window to the green grass below. She considered pushing the window open and jumping out. She was pretty sure she could make the two-story jump, and once she reached the cover of the forest, she was confident that she could make it back to Kalledane. It might take a little longer than she had planned, but she was skilled at many things that others wouldn’t expect from a royal princess.
In the glass of the window, Marcus’ reflection appeared with hers. Almost instantly, she started to move away from him. His hands caught her shoulders and held her fast in front of him. The moment Syranna looked up into his eyes he felt the connection she could make into people’s minds. In the reflection, it was as if he was falling into a deep, blue pool. How long it lasted, Marcus couldn’t tell. He abruptly released her and stepped away from her. Marcus saw her turn away, and he had no doubt that the elusive princess was quite aware of his newfound information as well.
Marcus stared at the beautiful young woman opposite him. Unconsciously, he took several more steps away from her. Syranna turned her face from him quickly. His voice was curt when he spoke. “Why did your father send you to Mystonia? Of all the places on Kalledane, why there?”
Syranna moved even farther away from the other people in the room. Marcus got the distinct impression that she wasn’t just putting physical space between herself and the others.
“You mean, he didn’t tell you in his message? Perhaps he didn’t consider it important why he had me go there,” Syranna answered him, glancing back over her shoulder. In that moment, Marcus knew that regardless of what the wo
man might claim, she was “royalty” down to her toes! Rarely had he seen such a haughty, disdainful gesture. He fought back the need to smile.
Stancia leaned forward at this point. “Is it true what they say about Mystonians?”
Syranna heard the curiosity in the other woman’s innocent question. She knew from her grandfather the opinion many people had of Mystonians. The powers possessed by Mystonians in varying degrees were unknown, in many cases, to the general public. Since Mystonians rarely left the mist-covered lands they called home, very few actual truths were known about them, mostly just rumors and legends. Syranna turned to look at the woman who didn’t know that Syranna was half-Mystonian herself. Her years of living there had made her more than half in her mind.
“Yes, it is true, if you mean that there are all kinds of rumors and stories about the people who live there,” Syranna replied quietly.
William stopped Stancia’s further questions by leaning over and whispering loudly enough to be overheard, “Hold your tongue for a bit, woman.” Stancia’s startled expression revealed that William had never spoken to her that way, and she did as he asked mostly out of surprise.
“To allay any further questions, and so you will understand why I must leave here, yes, I am Mystonian myself.” Syranna heard the loud gasps from Stancia and William. “My mother was not just from Kalledane, and my father sent me to live with my grandfather nearly eleven years ago. So, I’m sure you can see why it is necessary for me to return there as soon as possible.”
Marcus shook his head, crossing his strong arms over his firmly muscled chest. He looked very formidable as he stared at her from the far side of his private chambers. There was no way he was letting her leave. Syranna didn’t need her powers to read his mind because his intent was obvious in the set of his jaw and determination in his eyes. But, very carefully, she entered his mind to read his thoughts.