The Lady Brendelle, retrieving her hand, seemed pleased, “Mark, it is I who am fortunate to meet you at last. By all accounts, you are the man who makes my daughter’s heart sing, and I am grateful for her good fortune.”
Mark, usually so composed, stammered, “I-I…you…m-m-my lady, you have no worries on that account, as I cherish Delphine with my life, and will always strive with every fiber of my being to take care of her, and make her happy.”
“I can well believe it, sir.” She turned away and sat again at the table, smiling.
Jorelial Rey pulled Mark to one side, “Mark, I called you here to help us. Delphine has neither seen nor heard from this Lady her entire life. We did not even know if she lived until today. Meeting her in the flesh might be something of a shock. There might be all sorts of deep feelings that she isn’t even in touch with. She might be angry or upset, or she might even refuse to come…”
“Delphine? Our Delphine? But you know she has the biggest heart in the world.”
“I know, but, even so, she WAS abandoned. It’s hard to tell what her heart will do. Somehow, I thought you might be the man to break it to her gently, prepare her a little, feel her out…”
Mark nodded, “I understand. I will go right away.”
“If she will come, bring her here, while we are all present to support her. If she would rather not, send me word, yes?”
“Yes, my lady. I will do my best.” He bowed to her, then to the others, and hurried out the door. Rel turned to Brendelle. “I thought it best to let Mark tell her first. I’m sure you’d like to see her, but it’s hard to guess what her initial reaction will be to your sudden re-appearance. I’ve never heard her say a harsh or judgmental word about anyone in all of our years together, but I wouldn’t want to vouch for her feelings in this matter. I told him to sound her out, and bring her here straightaway if she were willing. We should know soon.”
“Thank you. You have been, again, most kind. Jorelial Rey, do you think, at least, that it is possible we might be friends? One day…?”
Rel considered a moment, and offered a sort of half-smile, “It is an old and deep wound, Brendelle. But hearing your story now makes it very difficult to keep harboring the old grudges. We have both aired our grievances, and they are in the past now. I have no real issue with you, and I am grateful for your offer to help. I suppose, then, the answer is, given a little time for us to come to know one another, yes, it is possible.’” She offered her hand across the table, and Lady Brendelle looked up with a new expression on her face, as if years of care had just fallen away, and the light of hope, or gratitude, or healing, could shine through. She reached up, smiled a wide and generous smile, and grasped Rel’s proffered hand, as their eyes met, for the first time as peers.
Tvrdik, looking on, found himself confronting many emotions; he felt proud of Jorelial Rey for letting go of her old anger and hurt, and finding compassion in her heart for the lonely, confused young woman who had done a desperate thing many years ago. He felt incredible respect for the Lady Brendelle, in how she had evolved, and he hoped that Delphine could also find it in her heart to forgive and welcome her estranged mother. He saw many parallels in Brendelle’s story with his own journey, and wished to get to know her better. There was much they had in common.
The three of them sat silently for a few moments, picking at the food that had been brought to them, and sipping the wine. Brendelle ventured, “So, what are these so-called ‘wrinkles’ in your defense plan? If you have an unconventional strategy, I am sure I would be excited to hear it.”
Tvrdik laughed, “Oh, it’s unconventional, alright, but you need to hear the whole story in order to understand at all, and we are all tired now. I promise to find time to bring you up to date sometime tomorrow. Will that serve? I assure you, you will not find my tale dull.”
“You have intrigued me. I will look forward to learning more with eager anticipation.” And she flashed him an almost flirtatious smile, quite reminiscent of Delphine’s, causing him to turn pinker than usual.
Even though they were all awaiting a knock on the great wooden door, they all jumped when it came, and then exchanged anxious glances. Warlowe took a step in, cleared his throat and announced formally in his best baritone, “The Lady Delphine…” But he had gotten only halfway through the pronouncement when the Lady herself pushed past him and into the room.
“Rel, is it true?” she called, breathless.
Mark entered right behind her, “She ran all the way here, my lady. I didn’t even have a chance to get her to talk to me.” The Lady Brendelle rose, and stepped away from the table. Delphine, still running toward them, stopped in midstride when she saw the woman with the cascading torrent of auburn hair. Absolutely still, the two women stood and stared at each other across the room, open-mouthed. Equally disconcerting was this moment for everyone else present, as they shifted their gaze back and forth between the two women, so remarkably alike, and yet so different. No one dared speak, or even breathe. Time seemed to grind to a halt, waiting for Delphine to reveal her heart. And then, she ventured into the void. Delphine took a single step toward the strange foreign woman who looked so much like her, she tilted her head slightly to one side, an expression of wonder on her lovely face, and murmured, “Mother?”
Brendelle, living the moment she had dreamed of for so many years, could not speak. Tears welling up in her large, green eyes, she tried to smile at her beautiful daughter, nodded several times, and with amazing courage, held her arms out wide. Rel, Tvrdik, Mark, and Warlowe stood frozen for one eternal second, wondering what Delphine would do. What she did, of course, was to run across the floor, sobbing, “Mother, mother.” She threw herself unreservedly into the waiting arms of Brendelle. The embrace that followed brought a lump to everyone’s throat. Time resumed its accustomed motion, and those in the room found themselves breathing again. Rel reached for Tvrdik’s hand and took hold of it, as he had done hers on the field earlier that same day. Could it possibly be the same day? Both were speechless. Warlowe, a wide grin replacing his usually controlled features, faded back to his post on the other side of the grand doors, which he carefully shut behind him. Mark kept shaking his head, muttering, “That’s my Delphine. I knew it. I told you. She only knows how to love.” He was watching the miraculous reunion with a broad smile, letting the stray tears that escaped his brown eyes fall where they may.
Delphine, of course, being Delphine, with all her usual natural exuberance, wanted to know everything and hear everything and tell and share everything all at once. But, having assured her sister that there would be time in the coming days for getting acquainted, Jorelial Rey insisted they go and find Bargarelle, and have him assign suitable quarters to the Lady Brendelle. So, stopping to ask Warlowe to arrange for the lady’s armor to be collected and delivered to her rooms later, Rel led the little procession through Theriole’s courtyards and halls to the Steward’s offices – the hub and heart of the palace. She knocked on the door, which was, at the moment, closed. An exasperated voice called out, “Yes, what is it?”
“It is your Lady Regent, sir.” Jorelial responded in her best mock indignant voice.
The door opened almost instantly, Bargarelle sputtering apologies, “Oh, my lady, I am so sorry. I was not expecting your visit, and what with being out on the gaming fields all day, I am so behind in my work…”
Jorelial Rey smiled at him, “Sir, I have brought an old friend who wishes to see you.”
The little man looked positively mystified until she stepped aside, revealing Brendelle. It took him no time at all to recognize her, and his face transformed. Almost in a whisper, he breathed, “Oh, dear lady, is it you? How can you be here? When did you arrive?”
She smiled at his astonished expression, “However can I repay you for all your years of kindness, my old friend. It is so good to see you once again.” And she stepped up close to the Steward and threw her
arms about him. Not certain what the appropriate response should be, especially in front of the Regent, Bargarelle stood stiffly in her embrace for a moment. But then his reserve melted, and he returned her hug with obvious enthusiasm. Stepping back, he sized her up more thoroughly, “Lady Brendelle, what have you done with yourself? You look so different, and so wonderful! Welcome…welcome back.”
Jorelial Rey stepped in. “Steward, the lady Brendelle has come from Euligia, with three ships, and two fully equipped companies to add to our defensive force.”
“Oh...Oh, my!...but, does she know?”
“Not yet,” Tvrdik interrupted, as Brendelle’s eyebrows pulled together in an unspoken question. “It will be my task and privilege, tomorrow, to fill her in and persuade her to our cause.” Brendelle shrugged, deducing that her curiosity would not be satisfied until the next day.
“But for tonight,” Rel continued, “Do you think we could find a suitable space for our guest to lay her head?”
“Oh, yes, of course, my lady. Right away. You have all taken me by surprise is all. Let’s see…” He consulted a master list on his ubiquitous clipboard, and pushed out between them to lead the way. Before long, they were installing the visitor in a lovely suite on the first floor, appropriate to her rank and station. Bargarelle assured Brendelle that he would have her trunk brought her from shipboard, and her armor delivered to her presently, and that he would see to proper accommodations for her ship’s personnel and troops. He then let her know that dinner would be served very soon, if she would like to freshen up and attend. Delphine offered to lend her a more formal outfit until her clothing arrived, and, after a moment’s hesitation, Brendelle agreed. Mark excused himself in order to prepare to play at dinner that evening. Delphine and her newly rediscovered mother went off to play with fashions, chatting merrily together as if they had known each other all their lives. Bargarelle, bubbling over with delight at Brendelle’s return, bustled out to make all the arrangements he had promised. Tvrdik and Rel were left standing by themselves in the hallway before Brendelle’s quarters, uncertain as to what to do next.
“Some day, eh?” the wizard ventured.
“Feels more like several.” the Lady Regent replied. “A day we will surely remember, though. Did Mark say that eight hundred people signed the roster for the Legion?”
“I think so. I can hardly take it in, a miracle of that magnitude. We shall have to begin training right away, though.”
“Yes. We shall have to take some time tomorrow to organize a plan for the next few weeks. Our deadline with Boone is looming, but we can’t even be certain that will be in time for Drogue.”
“Right.” Tvrdik responded. There was another uncomfortable pause. Then, Rel looked up at him with what he thought was a very vulnerable expression, and spoke her mind.
“I could be jealous, you know. I was the one who was there for her, growing up. I nursed her when she was ill, when her little heart, or her arm was broken. I had to say good-bye to a second mother too, but I had to think about what Delphine needed.” She looked down at the floor, “It’s hard to stay angry with Brendelle. I suppose I can see it all from her point of view now, and I suppose she has suffered enough. But I can’t help feeling a little twinge of hurt that she can waltz back in here after nearly two decades and be welcomed with open arms. No questions, no explanations, no period of adjustment or recriminations. Just take right over as Delphine’s mom, as if she had just stepped out for a moment to see what the weather was like.” Her voice had become increasingly agitated and higher in pitch, as she had gone on speaking. Tvrdik laid his arm gently around her shoulders and began conducting her slowly down the hall.
“Jorelial Rey, you know your sister. She simply cannot hate, or stay angry for long. It’s her nature. When I had to confess to her weeks ago who I really was, and that I had been deceiving her, she treated me exactly the same way, with forgiveness and genuine affection. I was certainly glad of it then. Listen, Brendelle’s arrival is all very new and exciting and wonderful for her today. But, trust me on this, no one will ever take your place in her heart or in her life, Jorelial Rey. You are her sister, her mother, her inspiration, and her best friend, and you will always be the one she turns to when she is overjoyed, or heartbroken. It will always be you.”
Her shoulders relaxed tangibly under his touch. “Thanks. I really needed to hear that. Stay to dinner?”
“I thought you’d never ask. Yes, please.”
She chuckled, “However did you get to be so smart?”
He frowned, “Oh, years of solitude and contemplation…”
“Now, how would that teach you to be so good with people?”
“People? Oh, I couldn’t tell you a thing about people. Now, I do know a thing or two about trees and sparrows and squirrels and bears and stars and clouds…” He dissolved in laughter as she pummeled his good arm, and they made their leisurely way toward the dining hall, following the trail of wonderful aromas that always advertised dinner at Theriole.
THIRTY–TWO
Under Siege
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WERE a whirlwind of activity for everyone. True to his promise, Tvrdik made time to fill the Lady Brendelle in on his story, the plan of action they had committed to as a result, and all about the Legions of Light. When he had related everything there was to tell, she sat biting her lip and contemplating her options. After careful consideration, she told them that she admired their courage in acting on their beliefs, and would be honored to be a part of their campaign. She was happy to dedicate herself and the three ships she had brought along. But, as for her men, she felt it was only fair to put it to them individually, as they would be asked to participate in something quite different from what they had signed on for. She promised to relate the situation as persuasively as she was able, and let each man decide for himself whether he would be comfortable fighting with the Legion under their terms.
Delphine spent as much time as possible with her mother, catching up, showing her around, getting to know her. Mark joined them when he could, and Brendelle seemed to enjoy his company at those times. But his time was divided between his duties as a court musician, Nyree’s guild meetings, and trainings with the Legion. Of course, Delphine and Brendelle were also at the trainings.
Tvrdik and Jorelial Rey would hold them on the gaming fields every day except his healing day, which continued to present him with a steady stream of patients. There were also meetings of the various Captains, where suggestions and ideas were broached, complaints and questions aired, and strategies practiced. When a new tool or technique passed these meetings with universal support, it was brought to the field to be taught to the rank and file. Tvrdik’s ‘secret weapon’ had been perfected and cleared for mass production by the palace armory, and he was impatient for the arrival of the finished product in order to demonstrate its uses. Meanwhile, he taught some defensive techniques that Jorelial Rey had brought to the table, demonstrated things he could do as a mage to support them (which was good practice for him as well), and had each group run maneuvers that were specific to their peculiar skills – bards, beasts, healers and so forth. Each day it seemed there were more participants, as word spread and interest grew, until the gaming fields could scarce contain their activities. The unicorns and talking beasts set up a temporary camp somewhere in Theriole’s gardens, in order to be readily available. The three visiting dragons, having made up their minds as to the wisdom of Tvrdik’s approach, left to rally the rest of their kin, who were scattered across the kingdom. Tashroth was thus freed to support Jorelial Rey, and to appear as an encouraging presence during the practice sessions.
Evenings, Tvrdik went through Xaarus’ library for anything that might prove useful. He read, studied, and tried out new skills that were unfamiliar to him. Twice, he summoned Xaarus for suggestions, clarifications, and explanations. These contacts, although brief, were quite helpful, Xaarus sharing his ideas, and offeri
ng input on those that had come from others. When he could steal an hour, the young mage would arrange to meet with Ondine as well, who was running a sort of training camp of her own underwater. She understood the vital part her unit played in the line of first defense against Drogue’s ships. In a new bit of good news, she informed Tvrdik that, with the unicorns’ help, she had worked out a way to contact some of the few remaining dryads, or tree spirits. These were very supportive of the non-violent approach, and agreed to spread the word among trees, in case they could be of possible assistance. Tvrdik was delighted and gratified to hear of this new addition to their forces, despite the fact that dryads were less mobile than the rest of their company.
The Lady Jorelial Rey divided her time between her duties at Theriole, time with Darian, brainstorming meetings, and field practice with the Legion. At the palace, she often crossed paths with Minister Boone, who assured her that his own forces were in readiness for any circumstance. However, he did not seem terribly interested in what was going on out on the gaming fields. The sea wall had been shored up, the space at the gate closed, and ships were outfitted for battle if the need arose. No further intelligence of Drogue’s activities had come in, but everything was at high alert, should information reach him that an attack was imminent.
Lord Corbin Maygrew also sought her out a time or two in the palace halls, or at mealtimes. Still on the fence as to how he felt the looming threat should be addressed, he was gratified at General Boone’s reports, but asked the Lady Regent all sorts of serious questions about the Legions of Light, listening to her responses with great interest. He, at least, was paying attention, and recognized a grassroots movement when he saw it. Lord Alanquist, the Minister of Justice, aged as he was, was already out on the field with Verger and Bargarelle, practicing maneuvers. There were still many powerful lords and ladies, however, who were extremely skeptical of the value of this rag-tag bunch of peasants, beasts, and assorted oddball characters playing games in the field every day. Some thought that entirely too much time, money, and energy was being wasted on the venture. Still, there had been an agreement, and the time of reckoning would come soon enough.
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