“Now, someone explain to me what is the meaning of all this? Why is my sister being forcibly detained in her own home?”
The Captain of the Guard stepped forward then and saluted her, every inch a professional.
“My Lady Regent, General Boone sent a portion of the guard out tonight as a precaution, to follow Lord Drogue and his company off of Theriole’s grounds. Our instructions were to make sure they broke camp and left without causing any trouble or attempting to return to the palace. While we were out on patrol, my lady, we came across these two, in travelling cloaks, and with all of this luggage, obviously planning to sneak off of the grounds together. Naturally we thought you would wish them apprehended in their flight and brought to you.”
“That’s not true!” shouted Mark, in as assertive a voice as anyone had ever heard the gentle musician use, setting off another wave of threatening motions among his guards. Rel raised a hand again to calm them. “It’s not true.” continued Mark. “We weren’t trying to sneak off the palace grounds at all. We were attempting to sneak back onto the palace grounds. We’ve been gone for nearly four days. Our timing was off, is all. We’d have made it back undetected if we hadn’t forgotten there would be so much extra security with the Grand Council and all.”
His words hit Jorelial like a blunt stone, and there followed an awkward silence where everyone’s eyes travelled from player to player in this little unfolding drama. Finally, Jorelial Rey, as the person ultimately in charge, summoned the captain to approach nearer, and in a low voice, addressed him.
“Captain, I think I see what is going on here. You did well to bring them in. I am most grateful for your vigilance.” Thinking she recognized the young officer, she placed a hand at his shoulder blade and urged the man a little aside. “I know you sir, don’t I? Your father worked in service to mine, if I do not mistake. Your name is …Virian, yes? Did we not only last year celebrate your wedding?”
The Captain relaxed a little and smiled, delighted at the Lady Regent’s personal reference. “My lady, it was two years ago last week. You do my family great honor to recall.”
“And how is your lovely wife, Virian? The Lady…”
“Anira, my lady. You are too kind. She is well, very well. We are expecting our first child within the month.
Jorelial Rey leaned in closer, “How wonderful! Please accept my heartfelt congratulations. So, Captain Virian, you are no stranger to the exquisite joys of family. The joys and (she sighed and cast a glance back at Delphine, who was now arguing with another guard over her carry-sack) the heartaches inherent in those bonds which touch us like no other force on earth.” The Captain raised his eyebrows, shifting his stance as the Lady Rey continued, “I wish you every blessing on your new family, Captain. As for mine…” she lowered her voice and gestured toward Delphine with her head, “I think I can probably take it from here. You and your company will see a small expression of my gratitude in your next pay – that is a promise. But for now, I believe you all have a more dangerous quarry to track, yes?”
The Captain came to attention. “Yes, Ma’am. Thank you Ma’am. Company, fall in…” Virian made bold to offer her a little wink, and turned on his heel, “March!” And with that, the handsome young man led his charges out the great doors and into the night, leaving the Lady Regent alone in the big room with her younger sister, Mark, and Tvrdik. Warlowe quietly excused himself to his customary position on the other side of the doors as they thudded shut.
“Sit,” she commanded the two youths, and they both set themselves down wearily at the great table. “Now, one of you explain to me what happened, and where you’ve been for the last four days. I’ve been searching everywhere for you, and have been nearly sick with worry.”
Mark replied first, “Really? Delphine swore we’d never be missed, as you had no time for her right now.”
“Ouch! Delphine, what an unkind thing to say, although I suppose I deserve it. Listen, I was so upset and confused after our argument that I flew off with Tashroth to the mountains for a day to cool off. When I got back, there was an awful lot of state business and last minute arranging for me to attend to, but I kept searching for you whenever I could. I wanted to apologize…”
“You wanted to apologize?”
“Well, yes…among other things, I thought I might have been a little insensitive with you. But you were nowhere to be found. No one had seen you. I was starting to panic…you know I am never happy when we are at odds. But the Council Meeting was demanding all my attention by then, and I had to assume we would patch things up after. Where were you?”
Delphine’s eyes were fixed on the floor, “After we argued, I couldn’t seem to find you either, so we decided to go off to Mark’s family estate in the mountains. We were going to – to - well, to elope.”
“Elope? After the discussion we had, you were going to defy me? Mark, I must say, this is not the best way to impress me with your good sense.”
“She talked me into it,” the poor minstrel hedged. “I had grave reservations, and I told her we should wait, but she was so sure, and I just can’t seem to deny her anything she wants.” He hung his head in misery. Rel frowned and turned back to Delphine, calmer now and genuinely trying to understand.
“Why in heaven’s name would you do such a thing to me, Delphine, after all we’ve been to each other? What were you thinking?”
Delphine was crying now. “I don’t know…I was so upset when you just out of the blue closed discussion, and then Tvrdik told me how you had so many worries and weighty affairs on your mind, and fears for the future… (Rel shot the mage a stern look, while he rolled his eyes heavenward and turned away, hands behind his back, a picture of innocence.) I…I thought I was just giving you one more tough decision to make on top of everything else, because you always feel you have to protect me. I figured that if we just went ahead and did it, and came back married, and you didn’t have to worry about making any decisions, you would be relieved and just get used to the idea in time. I…I hoped you would accept it and come to love Mark as I do, and then we’d all be happy…it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.” The two sisters just stared at each other for a moment, Delphine still shaking and sobbing. And then, quietly, Rel spoke.
“You really thought this was a good idea? And you couldn’t see how it would hurt me?”
“You never noticed how hurt I was that all you seemed to want to do was keep me away from my happiness.”
“You want to be married as much as that?”
“Oh, Rel, he is my soul! Every day that we are apart is torture for me.”
Mark chimed in, “Nothing happened, if that’s what you are worried about, my lady. We couldn’t – I couldn’t go through with it after all.”
“Why not? Have you changed your mind about her?”
“Gods, no! I love your sister more than life. I want her to be my bride more with each passing day. But when we got to my parents’ home, and my little sister greeted us with such excitement – she’s only thirteen now, but growing up so fast – and I got to thinking if someday she just ran off with a boy I barely knew, and never gave me the chance to sing at her wedding, or to share in celebrating their happiness, I’d probably never forgive them. It just seemed so wrong. That wasn’t how I wanted to start off our relationship, my lady, yours and mine. That was never my intention. So I screwed up my courage and told Delphine we weren’t going to do it this way, and that we were going home. She wasn’t happy, but I made her go. We thought we could just sneak back in with everything going on at the palace, and just reappear before any real harm was done. We were wrong.”
“Young man, you have just risen to new heights in my estimation. I want to thank you for that – for your wisdom and thoughtfulness, and for delivering my sister home to me safe and sound.” Her tone changed, “But the two of you have no idea how you caused me to worry, how much real danger you were
in out there wandering around unguarded in the mountains.”
Mark looked confused, “My lady, I know that region like the back of my hand. It is my homeland, and I know my way around. I would never have jeopardized Delphine’s safety in any way.”
Rel shook her head, “You see? Sometimes you just don’t have all the facts. This afternoon, I was elected by the Grand Council to be full-time, permanent regent to His Majesty.”
“Oh, Rel, congratulations! I am so happy for you.” Delphine jumped up and rushed forward intending to embrace Rel again, but the Lady Regent stopped her with a gesture.
“Save your congratulations; it is at the very best a mixed blessing. Lord Drogue was a candidate for the same position and lost to me. He swore up and down that he would take what was his by force if necessary, and be avenged on me personally in the bargain. Lord Maygrew threw him out. Three other mountain lords followed in protest. That’s why the palace guard is out in force – to make sure they all crossed the borders without wreaking any havoc. And wouldn’t Drogue have been delighted if a juicy plum like you should fall into his hands – one he could use against me to great effect. Oh, Delphine, the thought is unbearable! If anything ever happened to you, I don’t know what I would do.” Tvrdik, who had stayed silent all this time, letting the family drama play itself out, made a move toward Jorelial, and gingerly laid a hand on her shoulder. She did not shake it off. Mark’s face had become pinched and positively green, imagining what could have occurred.
“My lady, I am so sorry. I swear I did not know…”
“I am no monster to keep you two apart from sheer meanness. I have nothing against you, Mark. Indeed, I respect your gifts, your steadiness, and your ideas for the future. I believe you love Delphine the way you say you do, but will it be enough? If we are not officially at war now, we soon will be. The future is uncertain – I cannot keep you safe, or insure your financial security, or even your position. Times are tricky. What kind of circumstance is that in which to start a new life together? You could end up separated from each other, losing everything.”
Delphine, tears still glistening in her eyes, but a kind of serenity shining on her face, took both of her sister’s hands in her own and spoke with warmth and passion. “It is the best possible time to start a new life, Rel. If the future is uncertain, the present is all we have. One must cling to love and joy in dark times wherever one finds them. I don’t want to postpone our happiness one moment longer, do you understand? And you, too, need reasons to rejoice in these challenging days. Rejoice with me. Please?” They stood locked in each other’s gaze for a beat.
“Delphine, you are not royalty, but you are the daughter of one of the highest ministers at court – a counselor to kings. And you are sister to the Lady Regent. You are entitled to engagement announcements far and wide, celebratory balls, gifts from all of our peers, and the fairy tale wedding of your dreams. If we do this precipitously, you will be sacrificing all of that.”
Mark looked stricken, taking in Rel’s point. But Delphine remained radiant, “None of those things mean anything to me.” She took Mark’s hand in her own, “I have all I need right here.” The young man smiled, but tears shimmered on the edges of his eyelids.
Rel turned back to him, pointedly, “You visited with your family? You introduced her to them? And do they approve of this match?”
“They thought an angel had dropped into their home from the sky, and that I must be the luckiest man alive,” he looked down at Delphine, “and I am.”
There was a long pause while Jorelial Rey stood silent, contemplating, arms folded. After what seemed an eternity, she sighed heavily, threw her hands in the air, and pronounced, “Well, it looks like we will be planning a wedding as well as a coronation.”
“Oh, Rel, thank you, thank you!” Delphine flung herself at her sister and embraced her with such force that they nearly both toppled to the ground. Jorelial hugged her back, awkwardly, and then broke free.
“All right. I am ridiculously late for this banquet now, but I suppose that could play in my favor. Mark, would you say goodnight to your intended and escort me over there? I want you to point out some of the artists in your circle anyway. I’d like to get to know their names. I will send someone later on for the bags. Tvrdik, would you take Delphine to the kitchen for something to eat – you must both be famished – and then see she gets back to her rooms? May I impose on you one more time this day, my friend?”
“No imposition, my lady – a delight.” was Tvrdik’s reply. “How I love happy endings!” He smiled and offered his arm to Delphine. As the two couples exited into the night, the red-haired girl queried of her escort, “Why are you not invited to the banquet?”
“It’s a long story,” the mage replied, and Jorelial Rey turned back to catch his eye for a moment with a meaningful nod, then hurried away with Mark on her arm.
“Besides,” Tvrdik continued, “big, crowded parties like that are not really my style.”
“Oh, I can quite understand that,” Delphine replied, “I never liked them much myself. Tvrdik?”
“Hmmmm?” She stopped them in the courtyard and looked him in the eye, “In our tradition, at a wedding, it is custom for the bride to be given to her partner at the ceremony by two close family members, representing male and female role models – god and goddess. My parents are not here. My sister will of course take her part as goddess, but, well, would it be too forward of me to ask you to consider standing by me at the ceremony on the other side? It would mean a great deal to me…”
A host of emotions played over Tvrdik’s face, “Delphine, I am greatly honored to be asked, but we have only just met. Surely an old friend of your family, or one of the lords or ministers you’ve known your whole life would be a more appropriate choice?”
“No, there is no one I would rather ask. I know it has only been a week or so, but I felt drawn to you from the moment we first spoke, and I know I can trust you. Somehow I am certain you will be lucky for all of us.”
Tvrdik’s face fell as he realized the irony of her remark about trust. He hesitated, hung his head, then met her eyes, “Delphine, I can think of no sweeter task than to be a part of your wedding. Your faith in me and your friendship warms my heart. But, you spoke of trust, and I cannot permit you to go on believing in me when I have not been entirely honest with you.”
Her brow furrowed, “How so?”
“I am not who or what I told you I was. If you have time now, I should like to tell you everything while we share a bite. It is likely that after you know, you will think twice about your offer, and indeed about whether you still consider me fit company at all.”
Delphine grasped his hand and led him toward the kitchens, “Don’t be silly – it can’t be as bad as all that. Come, tell me your story…I have all night.”
And so, the two of them found a warm corner out of the way of the busy kitchen staff, and away from prying ears. They heaped a plate each of sweet and savory foods, and he shared his tale with her; who he really was and how he had grown up around Theriole, and the tragedy that had resulted in his self-enforced exile in the forest. She sat with rapt attention and wide eyes while he told of Xaarus’ sudden reappearance and his own recruitment to a mission. He told of his completed education, of Xaarus’ instruction to find Jorelial Rey; shared with her the story of his journey back to court with Ondine, and all about his first meeting with the Lady Regent on that fateful recent night, and with the dragon Tashroth the following day. He spoke of the days he had spent repairing and restoring Xaarus’ old cottage, and the nights reading, studying, and practicing for the conflict ahead. He told her what had happened that day at the council meeting, and what they expected they would encounter in the coming weeks. In Delphine’s trusting gaze, he felt it impossible to hold back, and it felt good, so good, to unburden himself of all the small deceits and misdirections with which he had begun their friendship.
“All at the right time, my dear, all at the right time…”
“And to meet a real water sprite.”
“That too. But even you sister doesn’t know about Ondine yet.”
“Ooooo! I love secrets.” She beamed.
Tvrdik frowned, “Then you are not angry that I lied to you about my coming here?”
“You were not at liberty to tell the truth then, and actually, I’m not at all sure I would have believed you. How could I be angry? Tvrdik?”
“Hmmmm?”
“It’s not your words that I trust so easily, but your eyes. They are sad, you know, and a little lost, but kind. I know you would never hurt me.”
He looked at her once again, amazed at the simplicity and depth of Delphine’s insight, and the breadth of her heart, and then he hugged her tightly, drinking in the goodness of unconditional love like a man dying of thirst. “I would be honored to help give you away, dear Delphine, and may you ever find your bliss and your heart’s desire in this union.”
The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare Page 23