Richmond looked at Rosana, his queen, and admired her tan skin and dark eyes. He looked to her dark braids, perfect and exquisite beauty, and probed her delicate features for some emotion, a caring glance, anything. For six years now, there was none. His father had arranged the marriage, and it had fared both Caberra and Harlaheim well, but she was older and wiser than he. Her long gowns of blue and white, her innocence, her soft words from a kind and educated mind; he hated her and all that she pretended to be. In court she would tease with words, smile through men that would die for her, and speak so eloquently that the king looked much less noble and royal than she. Had he not needed an heir, he would have sent her back to her family in Caberra years ago. Not that an heir was in the immediate future, Rosana would have to visit her kings bed for that to occur. He wanted her just for that reason, desired her, and she was well aware of it. Besides his feelings of lust that he played out on chamber maids instead, Richmond had no desire to be near his two-faced queen and thought of arranging her untimely and accidental death many times.
Queen Rosana did cast a look to her husband, and met his brown eyes staring back at hers. His long nose, his youth, curls of brown hair around his round uncaring face stood out to her. He was born and bred nobility, but not brave or just like his knights and lords of Harlaheim. When she looked upon Richmond, she saw a cowardly boy, flimsy and weak, dressed in the regal robes and adorned with a crown that he did not deserve. She felt herself a powerful ruler, fair and willful, yet wore the crown of a kingdom that had a child of a man as their king. Unless to murder his family off for more power, his sword would never see a scratch. His eyes never would gaze upon a battle and he would never lead, only command others to lead for him. Rosana despised Richmond, for all that he was and was not. Should it not benefit the people of two kingdoms, she would have left for Caberra years ago. The pressure for her to bear a child was diverted many times, as she could not bear herself to be closer to him than she was at this moment. Rosana wondered if her pompous husband had ever thought of killing her, like she did so often of him.
The king and queen smiled at one another, false and full of contempt, but nonetheless the ruling couple looked united in front of their court. Heavy wooden doors opened, shedding light into the dim royal chamber, the castle guard walking with Bishop Javiel at a quickened pace. Past rows of stained glass and statues of old Aldane saints, the Bishop of Harlaheim marched in and looked troubled.
“Your majesties, Bishop Javiel of Harlaheim wishes to speak to the court.” the sergeant bowed, followed by the Bishop, rising as the hands of the king and queen elevated in favor of his request.
“Bishop, you look tired and fevered at the same time. What troubles you so?” Rosana motioned for him to stand before the thrones, at the proper position on the blue carpet before the steps to the raised dais.
“Let him catch his breath my queen, it seems God did not grant him a horse this morning.” Richmond laughed, followed by all in the court, nearly twenty men in all. The queen did not follow suit in the acknowledgement of humor, nor did Javiel.
“Your majesties, there is a matter of grave importance to the church that I wish to discuss and request your sanction of.” the old priest caught his breath and composed himself as the highest representation of the Aldane in the kingdom should.
Silence fell over the court. “Speak, bishop, and we shall see.” Richmond always liked anything that cut the tedious boredom from his rule.
“I have come across a relic, in the hands of those that were responsible for the sinking of the Altesani warship last month. Fugitives from Chazzrynn arrived with a holy scroll, most likely blasphemous and stolen in nature, yet a powerful artifact important to the church to be certain. They have it in the Tower of Kalzarius, and have not sought to allow any member of the clergy to view or appraise its validity.” Javiel chose his words carefully, yet accentuated the point of view to his favor.
“I have heard of this scroll you speak of, in passing. Are you certain it is truly that important?” the king looked to his knights, a mere seven of them present at court today. He met the gaze of Sir Bernardus with his red beard, Sir Sebastian the young cousin of the Cardinal, Sir Sulian who was Savanno’s nephew, and Madame Florin who acted as Seneschal if, and when, the rulers were away from court. Sir Leonard and Sir Karai were both present from the knightly order of Saint Tarumin, and Sir Phillip stood behind his uncle, Sir Bernardus, as always. Richmond’s eyes fixed for a moment on Seneschal Florin’s dark eyes, short curls above her armor, and knightly uniform. They shared a brief understanding that they needed to speak, then she looked away from her king.
“It is, your majesty. The scroll contains powers, possibly of a heretical nature that need to be identified and clarified by the church. Kalzarius, in league with Lord Savanno Lisario himself, unleashed something that had an effect on a minotaur fugitive they hide in the tower. He claims to have been given this relic by an immortal being, and will not relinquish it. This is dangerous and blasphemous in the highest regard of the charge, an offense against God and the church. I saw it with my own eyes, my king.” Javiel heard the doors open behind him, and the announcement of the Lord Knight Errant and the wizard Kalzarius. The Bishop smiled, feeling he had gotten the lead with the throne that he and the church needed.
“Your Majesties, Kalzarius and the Lord Knight Erra-“
The two men walked to stand on either side of Javiel, not waiting for introductions, and bowed quickly to the King and Queen of Harlaheim. “Your highness, my queen, the bishop speaks in error. He was most certainly invited to the tower, in fact we journeyed there together this morning.” Savanno spoke with his usual stern composure, honest and respectful. Many hushed whispers flowed through the court. All at the nobles table not certain why the bishop would dare accuse their leading lord of anything since his loyalty and piety to Alden were well known.
“It seems he is confused then, my Lord Savanno.” Rosana quickly added her comment, discrediting the bishop that she could not abide already. Her eyes darted across the gaze of Sir Savanno, holding a smile back as best she could.
“The scroll in question was found by Saberrak of Unlinn, in Chazzrynn, your majesty. It is not ours, the churches, or anyone else’s for that matter. He and his companions, three of them tied to nobility I might add, have decided to have it examined in my tower. They have traveled far to do so, and I request that they be allowed that courtesy.” Kalzarius tapped his staff on the stone floor beside the blue carpeted walkway, casting an echo throughout the great chamber.
“The crafty warlock, Kalzarius, should also mention he has used the scroll’s powers of evil and gifted them to this criminal minotaur. I saw the invocation of rites and ritual into this killer beast, then he threatened me with his axe!” Javiel yelled, pointing his finger at both the wizard and the knights present.
Arguing and threats issued from several of the knights toward the wizard. Then Savanno stood opposed the bishop, starting a heated discussion that was overwhelmed by the rest of the court sending their raised voices and decrees toward the center of the chamber. Shouts of blasphemy and treason could be heard, yells of rights of the church echoed, and rapiers began to pull from scabbards. The war of words continued for minutes, escalating into idle threats and challenges between church and knight, officer and priest, rights and justice. The Lord Knight Errant, leader of the Order of Saint Tarumin, most powerful lord under the rulers of Harlaheim, was powerless to gain control of the verbal battle. He stared for a moment, maybe more, at Rosana. Her beauty, her smile, and her eyes meeting his across the sea of dirty politics gave him hope. Hope that he would see her again tonight, alone, without all of the noise to distract them. Her eyes told him the same.
Madame Florin attempted to get the kings attention, hoping he would stop laughing at this debate and give her an order or a sign of some sort. She needed to know whom to side with, whom to watch, and perhaps who to deal with secretly with her sword in the dark of night. He was too busy en
joying the mockery, and the lady knight fumed on the inside as his immaturity shone through again. She did, however, notice a long stare and caring glance from Savanno during the middle of the violent battle of tongues. She followed his stare, across the carpet, and to the throne on the left, right to the mutual look of Queen Rosana. Florin smiled, sheathing her rapier, having found exactly what she needed to in just a look. Her talk with the childish king would wait till later, after she had a meeting with Alec Silverblade and her men in the shadows of the city. A woman knew when another woman was in love, after all.
“Enough! Enough, enough, enough, well done everyone. I am amused, but I am hungry.” Richmond laughed as he spoke, nodding to the bishop. He had enough problems with the shadow of Kalzarius the wise and eternal looming over his rule, and the pull that Savanno held as well. His father had left him with many men that had decades of glory and power beyond his, and he seized every opportunity to rise himself above it. This was simply another step for him, to gain the advantage over those he ruled. “Kalzarius, I admire your arts and devotion to foreign nobility. I could only hope that someday, you felt the same for your own kingdom. Lord Savanno, I sincerely question your loyalties to the knights you lead and to the crown in this matter. Perhaps there is something in this scroll or with those that carry it that needs some revealing, would you think?”
Silence turned to hush whispers, heads lowered and bowed. Kalzarius and Savanno were humiliated by their king. Yet not defeated in their cause, as neither of them were willing to give up easily. They had to delay, and give James the time to reach Cristoff and return with the protection they needed. Time for Saberrak and the scroll of Annar to make way from the tower.
Lord Savanno bowed, “Your majesties, if I may-“
“Majesties? I do not recall the queen speaking to you. I asked you a question, and you give an answer to myself and my wife? What honor is there in that? I would expect better tactics from one such as yourself, Savanno. Continue.” Richmond the Second glared victorious at the leader of the knights of Harlaheim, knowing each step was a step closer to having a new hierarchy.
“My king!” Kalzarius boomed his voice, slamming the end of the dark staff hard onto the stone. “This is enough petty talk of nonsense. We have a serious matter of refugees and a relic that needs protection, not interrogation, from our kingdom. These games of words are getting us nowhere. Perhaps the queen could shed some light on the matter.” the old wizard tried to turn the conversation around, and get things back to the real issue at hand. He hoped the queen would not stumble now that he had thrown her the floor most inappropriately.
Tension as thick as molasses filled the silent chamber, all eyes on the queen. She looked across the men and women present, feeling their glares, their nervousness, and the hatred steaming from the king for Kalzarius. She knew that if she sided for the church, she would be discredited for merely following her husband’s careless and treacherous games of debate. If she sided with Kalzarius and Savanno, she would pay for it a hundred times over in the halls and corners of the castle, and risked someone watching her bedchamber too closely from then on. She would lose either way, and she accepted it. Rosana stood, and bowed to her king. “I will take my leave, my king. I do not feel well and must rest.”
Lord Savanno and Kalzarius showed no emotion as she left. The robed wizard could not, for he had spoken loudly and was now further in embarrassment. Lord Savanno dared not show even a glance with all eyes on them before the throne. All bowed as the Queen of Harlaheim left the great hall, and retired to her chambers.
“My lords, knights, and subjects, I feel we should also rest. Let us dine, cool our tempers and tongues, then reconvene this matter immediately following. Seneschal, a word if you will. The rest of you are dismissed to the dining hall, where I will see you in but a moment.” Richmond received his bows, and watched the old bearded wizard and the lord of his knights carefully as they headed not for the dining hall, but for the entrance to the castle. “Gentlemen, will you not dine with us?”
“Keep walking Kalzarius, I will handle this matter.” Savanno whispered as he slowed his pace. “Get them ready, I will meet you on the road to the mountain with Cristoff.”
“No Savanno, I am too old and stubborn for these cat and mouse chases. Go to Rosana, see what you can do there beyond romance. I will speak with the king now, and ruin his lunch.” Kalzarius turned, smiling, and walked back toward the throne.
Sir Savanno was shocked, stunned for words, he had thought no one knew of he and the queen. His father who had died many years ago was close with Kalzarius, and the Lord honored the friendship they had and would trust the old wizard with anything. If word ever freed of his love affair, his execution would be known throughout many kingdoms. He could not help it, his heart had been hers since he laid eyes upon her. She had been deeply saddened by the arranged marriage, and was a woman that longed for a mature and brave man. What she ended up with was nothing of the sort, and both of them had seen Harlaheim decline since Richmond took the throne.
“Your highness, forgive me. I would love to dine with thee, as I have many questions about the lack of naval support that the merchant ship received on the night of the Altestani attack in the bay. It seems that they were put in peril without a Harlian vessel in sight willing to help. I would much like to know about the naval officers and their priorities. Simply for the safety of the kingdom, for perhaps you are unaware of their deficiency.” his words like magical daggers as he walked to the dining hall, leaving a stunned expression on the young king. Kalzarius knew that his words would inflame the king, but he hoped to also keep the focus on him for some time.
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The lord of the holy order of knights snuck around the corner, and up the stairs outside the castle hall. The guards were not minding his destination, and he crept in the shadows up winding stairs and servant balconies. Through two closets, around an unused room, then he lifted a tapestry depicting the feathered cross of Alden over Harlaheim. Savanno pushed the central stone in, and turned it, opening the door to the queen’s closet. He shut it behind him, quietly, and peered around the gowns, shoes, boots, and royal wardrobe and into the vanity. She was waiting there for him, her eyes full of tears that were ready to drop.
Rosana rushed to him, throwing her arms around him, kissing his neck and face wildly. “I am sorry, my sweet lord, so sorry.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for my queen, you did what you felt was best. Is the door locked?” Savanno began taking his tabard off and removing his swordbelt.
The queen was undoing her strings in the back of her gown, “Where are they now? What is Richmond doing?” her eyes and cheeks were wet as she looked at her lover then to the sky releasing soft rains. She was hoping they had all the time in the world on this rainy day.
Savanno unstrapped his chainmail and plates, piece by piece, and placed his armband with the feathered cross of Alden on the bed. “They are in the dining hall, Kalzarius has it all taken care of. We have not much time Rosana.”
She kissed his rugged stern features, soaking them all in as her gown dropped to the floor as her knight loosed her ebony hair from the braids and pins that held it up. “I have missed you this week my love, my knight errant.” her kisses, matched by his, let out her words in staggered phrases and heavy breathing. The room had gotten warmer in mere moments. The two could barely talk as the passion of each others’ embrace took an intimate priority over the need for words or even air, neither could control it even if they had wanted to.
Savanno’s tunic and pants fell after his leather boots. He walked quickly to the windows, shutting all of the drapes of the queen’s chamber. “I have had many meetings with a priest and a knight from the south, good men that the bishop wishes now to condemn. Forgive me, my wife.”
“Do not say that word, for we will slip someday and someone will hear us!” she whispered loudly, but continued to kiss her husband as he lifted her to the bed.
“
Our marriage eight years ago in Caberra was in secret from your father the king, it remains a secret here in Harlaheim with this king. How can I not say what is on my lips and heart, but once or twice a week?” his hands pulled at her hair and gently stroked her curls over her naked tan body.
“We will need to leave soon, seek refuge in Shanador, or Chazzrynn, my knight. This cannot go on much longer, he is suspicious and moreso each month. He wants an heir.” she closed her eyes, wishing they were somewhere else.
“Soon, my love, very soon indeed. I have spoken to the Duke of Gillian several times, we will have refuge and safety. Just a little while longer.” Savanno loved his queen, his wife, as if it had been a thousand years since last he had been with her. He made love to her, and she to him, as if it would be yet another thousand years.
Rosana could not help but feel safe in the arms of her husband, despite the consequences should either country or the church ever discover them. She prayed as they made love, prayed that they would leave soon. She held to that prayer tight, for dear life. For now she had not only she and her husband to worry for, but another life that had started three months earlier. The queen dared not tell Savanno he was to be a father, not until they were safely away from Harlaheim, forever.
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Madame Florin motioned toward the thirty foot draperies of blue and gold, noticing a scarred and humbled Alec Silverblade awaiting his orders. She stared, and nodded twice, meaning he was to stay until the king left the throne room. She kept her course toward the king and bowed as she reached his feet. The others had all left for the dining hall and Richmond waited in anger at the words of the wizard, Kalzarius.
The Exodus Sagas: Book II - Of Dragons And Crowns Page 6