The Legend of Nightfall

by Mickey Zucker Reichert

  Edward started the conversation. "So you and Sudian grew up together. When did you first meet?"

  Kelryn glanced at Nightfall for clues. In truth, they had come together for the first time a scant five years ago.

  Nightfall gave her nothing, testing. She had heard his vague comment to Edward in her room, and he had added nothing to the details. Whatever she said would serve well enough so long as she did not revert to truth. Her reply would show how seriously she had taken his threat.

  Kelryn hesitated to the edge of impropriety. Then, when Nightfall gave her no hints, she improvised. "Birth. Mine, at least. He’s older."

  "Alyndar or Mitano?" Edward asked.

  “What?" Kelryn looked nervous.

  "Sudian told me about how his family moved from Alyndar to Mitano when he was young. I just wondered whether you met before or after the travel."

  Nightfall raised his brows, surprised Edward had recalled an offhand detail born of Nightfall’s need to cover for King Rikard’s claim that he came from the south. He hated having to create Sudian’s history piecemeal, but he had never expected to be recognized. Never before had anyone identified him across disguises.

  "Before," Kelryn said, apparently concentrating more on the need to sound casual than on keeping the story as plausible as possible. Then, seeing a need to explain the oddity, she added, “Our families moved together. Our mothers were distant relatives and close friends. I have a brother Sudian’s age . . ."

  A serving maid approached, a plump teenager with long, dark hair tied away from her face. Kelryn broke off and became suddenly intent on the newcomer, using the interruption to escape the need to create a lifetime of history from air. "Good evening.”

  "Good evening, lady," the youngster returned. She took a position between Kelryn and Edward, then curtsied. “Good evening, noble sir." She ignored Nightfall. Servant livery tended to make a man invisible, a benefit in Nightfall’s mind. "Today we have mutton cakes, venison stew, roast pheasant in gravy, and shark steaks. What can I get for you?"

  Edward and Nightfall had eaten in so many inns where storage and hunting determined the fare, the choice caught them without opinion. Kelryn, too, remained silent longer than mannerly. The cook in the dance hall surely made a single dish, each meal depending upon available supplies. Likely, however, she had had rare occasion to dine here. Nightfall had also done so, in "demon" guise and as Balshaz the merchant. From experience and gossip, he knew that seafood carted up from the south tended to age more before preparation than the hunted or farmed animals in Noshtillan. He had also learned that Heffrilen’s cook’s talents fell short when it came to spicing fish.

  Nightfall broke the silence. "Kelryn, I know your likes and dislikes. Might I suggest the shark steak?"

  Kelryn glanced at Nightfall, obviously surprised to find him talking to her. "Thank you, Sudian, but I’ve had my heart set on fowl. I’d love to try some of yours, though." She rescued herself from bad food, placing the onus back on Nightfall at the same time.

  Nightfall gave her the win, having little at stake in the verbal spar. Though he knew Edward’s order should come next, he responded to the attention of companions and serving maid, now directed toward him by her comment. “Kelryn, my dear. After our fishing trips on the Lixdar River, how could you forget that eating shark makes me ill? I’ll have the mutton, if my master will forgive my selecting before him."

  Prince Edward made a gracious gesture of dismissal. "If you recommend the fish so highly, Sudian, I guess I’ll have it."

  Nightfall stiffened. Rescuing his own taste buds had proven easy. Saving the prince would likely become more difficult. "Please, Master. Don’t go by my advice." He tried to look stricken, keeping his voice low. "If your taster gets sick, how will you know . . . ?"

  Edward returned his squire’s gaze, brows raised in question. Nightfall had not insisted on testing his food for poison for some time.

  Nightfall kept his return stare earnest, hoping Edward would attribute his resurgence of paranoia to the sorcerer rather than Kelryn.

  A light dawned in the prince’s eyes, and he smiled at the serving maid. "I’ll have the pheasant, too, please. And a glass of your best wine for each of us."

  The server gave Kelryn an envious look that spoke volumes. Her sigh told Nightfall that she wondered how a dance hall girl snagged a prince as handsome and polite as any storyteller’s hero. She trotted off to fill the order, and conversation fell once more to Prince Edward.

  "Families so close they move together.” The prince returned to the previous conversation, to Kelryn’s obvious chagrin. "Sudian must have seemed like another brother."

  Kelryn glanced at Nightfall who returned a glare in sullen silence. Everything about the current situation irritated him, from the need to guess Kelryn’s motivations, to the prince’s dutiful kindness to one he believed his squire’s friend. Trapped into breaking bread with an enemy, he felt as restless as a child getting lectured, and the serving maid’s assumption that Edward and Kelryn formed a couple raised an anger that seemed dangerous and sourceless. Apparently taking its cue from Nightfall’s consideration of Kelryn as a threat, the oath-bond maintained a steady, head-jarring ring.

  Kelryn gave the only safe answer. "Oh, very much so. Like a brother, but without the competition for my parents’ attention. In some ways, he seemed more brother than my brother."

  Edward folded his napkin onto his lap and tried to draw Nightfall into the conversation. “And you only said you grew up with her. Was she like a sister to you?"

  Nightfall replied dutifully. "Yes, Master. A sister.” He copied Edward’s table manners since he had never been trained to have any of his own. Few places wasted cloth on linens, and it never occurred to him to place one on his lap.

  When Nightfall did not go on, Edward pressed. "Tell me what it was like. Growing up together, I mean."

  Kelryn also directed her attention to Nightfall, letting him play featured speaker this time.

  Nightfall shrugged, in no mood for chatter, especially happy lies. "Master, there’s nothing to tell. Really.”

  Prince Edward shook his head, grinning even as he dismissed his squire’s detachment. "Has he always been like this? Modest, I mean. He didn’t even mention to anyone that he saved my life."

  "Yours, too?" Kelryn joined the conversation with all the eagerness Nightfall lacked. "He killed a snake that tried to bite me once. A poisonous type. Grabbed it with his bare hands, killed it, and continued a story he was telling without missing a word."

  Edward gave Nightfall a pleasant look that both admired and condemned his squire’s humility.

  Nightfall shrugged. That incident had happened, though only a few years ago. And, to his recollection, the topic of conversation had remained the snake for quite some time afterward.

  The prince turned back to Kelryn. “I got caught in the middle of a bar fight. Sudian grabbed a dagger intended for me in midair. Nearly lost his fingers.” He nudged his squire. "Show her, Sudian."

  Obedient to his master’s command, Nightfall gave Kelryn a quick glimpse of the scar. She cringed in sympathy, though whether unconscious or feigned, Nightfall did not try to guess.

  "If he makes you his friend, you never need to doubt his loyalty," Kelryn said, the statement sounding ludicrous to Nightfall from the mouth of a traitor. Forming bonds had always proven difficult or impossible for him, and only his friendship with Dyfrin had lasted.

  Prince Edward agreed heartily. "Loyal to me before himself. A rare and special squire, indeed.”

  Nightfall glanced around the tables at the other patrons, uncomfortable with Edward’s heartfelt but ignorant praise and Kelryn’s fake allegiance.

  Kelryn smiled, her plain features alight and almost beautiful in the lantern glow. Even the sunken eyes and bloodshot whites that evinced fretful nights seemed to disappear. "Then you must be very remarkable yourself to earn such treatment.”

  "Thank you."

  Nightfall believed he saw a reddis
h tinge to Edward’s cheeks. He hoped but doubted conscience was the thing disturbing Kelryn’s sleep.

  Having found a familiar topic of conversation, Kelryn stuck with it. "Sudian always protected me. For instance, he hated that I used to sometimes have to sleep with strangers for money. He’d spread rumors that I had the clap so men would stay away."

  "Really." Edward’s tone went thoughtful, and he glanced at Nightfall.

  Caught in a lie, Nightfall avoided the prince’s gaze and wished the night would swiftly end.

  But it did not. Late evening chased into night, and the conversation scarcely seemed to change. Each of Nightfall’s companions extolled his virtues while he sat in a bitter silence interrupted only by the occasional need to address a direct question. He kept his replies clipped, monosyllabic when possible, and avoided lengthy explanations or descriptions. The food arrived. Nightfall ate quickly, hoping to set the pattern for the meal and the night. But Kelryn dined with her usual slow elegance, and the prince appeared more interested in conversation than food. It seemed an eternity before Prince Edward left to tend to payment in private, leaving Nightfall and Kelryn alone.

  Kelryn scarcely waited until Edward passed beyond earshot, whispering to keep other diners from overhearing. "Marak, how . . . ‘?" She reached for his hands.

  Nightfall moved first, catching her fingers in a grip that appeared tender but was tight enough to cause pain. "No acts or explanations. You’ll only enrage me." He met her hazel eyes with an icy glare. "You’re alive because of the prince and only because of the prince. If you harm him, I’ll feed you to the wolves piece by screaming, bloody piece." He threw her hands away and returned his own to the tabletop.

  Kelryn paled, obediently silent.

  The urge seized him to storm from Heffrilen’s Tavern, leaving his rage bunched and tangible at the table while he escaped into the night. But he knew the anger would only accompany him, and he would not leave Prince Edward alone and vulnerable in a deceiver’s grip.

  Kelryn’s eyes blurred, filled suddenly with moisture. "Marak, listen. Please."

  Her farce dragged pain and fury to the surface. Before he could think, his half-closed fist slammed against her cheek, throwing her head sideways and sending tears splashing to the unoccupied table beside them. With unconscious grace, she managed to catch her balance and keep the chair, or herself, from falling.

  Nightfall stared at his hand, outrage against Kelryn and himself welling in concentric waves. Not since he had avenged his mother’s murder had he lashed out in anger and never in any guise other than that of Nightfall, especially in a public tavern. He knew fury at himself for loss of self-control, against Kelryn for driving him to that loss, and against the mother who had taught him to respond to unhappiness with violence. That he had hurt Kelryn did not matter. Hours before, he would have slain her; given the opportunity, he would do so now. Something deep inside drove him to apologize until his soul emptied of guilt and sorrow, to beg for the forgiveness of the only woman he had ever loved. Yet, he dismissed the seed as something ingrained from his childhood and forced away the image of his mother pouring forth promises of devotion and tranquility while he still ached from the blows she beseeched him to excuse. He believed no leftover vestige of caring made him feel guilt and drove him to seek absolution, just a haunting memory from his youth.

  Kelryn’s head sagged to the table, and her shoulders shook rhythmically as she wept in silence. Nightfall looked away in time to notice Prince Edward returning. A new discomfort swept him, one that took consequence into consideration. He could not explain Kelryn’s tears to his master, and he would not bully her into a lie now even should he have the time to do so.

  Prince Edward returned to his seat talking. "It’s dark outside already. I hadn’t realized . . ." He trailed off, apparently noticing Kelryn’s state of mind. "Are you all right?"

  Kelryn wiped her eyes, then raised her head, tossing back her short, white locks in a gesture that she probably intended to look casual. "I’m fine. Just a bit queasy. The food tasted wonderful, and I thank you for it. I just think maybe something in the gravy isn’t sitting well in my stomach." She started to rise.

  Edward stood and caught Kelryn’s arm. "Here, let me help you up." He steadied her as she gained her feet. "Do you need a Healer?"

  "No." Kelryn rubbed the remainder of the tears from her eyes, using the gesture to brush aside strands of hair clinging to her forehead. "I’ll be fine. I just need some rest."

  Edward continued to clutch Kelryn’s arm. "Here. Let me walk you home." Finally, his attention shifted to Nightfall. "Sudian, why don’t you go back to the room and get things settled for the night? I’ll take Kelryn home."

  The idea of leaving those two alone pulsed dread through Nightfall. The oath-bond’s warning tingle worsened. "Master, I can escort her." He tried to gear his tone to imply "my friend, my responsibility" rather than concerns about the decision.

  The prince’s reply was firm, making it clear that he would brook no further suggestions. "I appreciate your offer, Sudian, but I’d rather handle this exactly as I instructed."

  Nightfall’s next recommendation, that he accompany them, died on his tongue. Edward’s manner suggested it would not be well-received. "Yes, Master. I’ll see you back at the room." He headed for the exit, the oath-bond becoming stronger with each step he took. He quelled it with the understanding that he would not leave Edward alone with Kelryn. Even if not for the risk of her association with sorcerers, he had no wish for the two to discuss him without knowing what got said. Although he felt certain Edward would trust his word over hers, he could prepare better if he knew what he needed to defend against. Likely, she would tell Edward things she would not dare to have mentioned in Nightfall’s presence, at least about how he had struck her that evening. Surely, she knew she could not dissolve the relationship between prince and squire in a night. She might insidiously infuse Edward with information, winning his trust until she delivered the blow that destroyed them both: Nightfall for being the demon of legend and Edward for associating with him.

  Nightfall backed into the shadows outside of the tavern and waited.

  Shortly, Prince Edward and Kelryn exited into the warm, summer air. He kept her arm in his own, worrying for her every step like a mother with a toddler. Nightfall waited until they passed, then followed at a distance that kept him well-hidden but revealed nearly every word of their conversation.

  "Feeling better, lady?"

  "Much, thank you, Ned. I think I just needed the night air."

  Prince Edward seemed noticeably relieved. "I’m sorry about the food. I wanted to nourish, not poison, you."

  "No, please, don’t apologize.” Kelryn touched the prince’s upper arm with her free hand. "It was the best meal I’ve had in a long time. And I really do feel fine now."

  "Do you still want to go straight home?"

  "A walk might be nice.”

  Kelryn’s words and gentle tone brought back vivid remembrances of Nightfall’s own times with her. With them came a raw jealousy he could not deny. Bad enough Kelryn seemed to be striking up a friendship with the one he needed to protect. The thought that she might sleep with him drove Nightfall back to the wrath the shock of hitting her had dispelled. Worse, he could not quite figure out why the idea bothered him so much. It might do for the prince to lose his sexual innocence. He just wished it could be with anyone but her. Wished, not only for the prince, but for himself. For all that he hated her, the love and esteem he had once held for her could not be fully banished; and that realization only fueled the anger.

  Prince Edward and Kelryn strolled through the darkened streets, oblivious to the shadow that trailed them in practiced silence. Although they seemed to walk together, stride for stride, only Kelryn knew the town well enough to lead the way. They chatted about the sights, such as the night allowed, and the meal, gradually wandering further from the streets and alleyways to a grassy knoll just north of the town’s edge. There, they sat
beneath a spry, young oak; and the conversation ceased as they settled into place.

  Nightfall found a hiding place, low and shadowed by a copse of prickly bushes. He kept his need focused. Every movement, of Kelryn or a surreptitious stranger, might mean danger to Prince Edward. Every word might place Nightfall in a compromising position that risked anything from simple punishment to the loss of his soul to magic. Yet, he could not help but notice how the moonlight striped highlights through Kelryn’s silver hair and the dress outlined a figure that had come to define female perfection, at least in Nightfall’s mind. Even her face seemed to gain a beauty in the glow. The moon complimented the prince as well, adding life to golden features that needed no enhancement.

  "So how did you and Sudian come together?" Kelryn started the conversation, turning it back toward the topic that most bothered Nightfall. The tactic surprised him. He had expected her to snuggle up to Edward first, winning him over with sex before turning him against his squire. Yet, Nightfall could also see the strategy in defining his relationship with Edward before attempting whatever evil she planned. Perhaps she was still in the fishing stage, gathering information, checking Edward for a natal talent or for wealth, and seeking the best means to sell out Nightfall and his gift/curse once again.

  Prince Edward studied Kelryn, obviously liking what he saw. "He came to the palace and pledged himself into my services with a vibrant loyalty to me and my causes that I appreciate every day we’re together." He looked away into the distance, a transparent attempt to balance his staring. "Does he do that often? Pledge himself, soul and mind, to people and their principles?"

  Kelryn shook her head. "Never before that I know of. You must be as special as you seem." She pulled her legs to her chest and stared at the stars. "In fact, Sudian tends not to trust anyone."