After my parents were married, my mother became very involved in the council, and still functions as the minister of health and education. My father died while your parents were honeymooning. I always felt that my parents were happy together and loved one another very much, but had very little time to spend with their three children.” Ayron explained that his brother Azavon was the oldest, he was born next, and his sister Alysan was the youngest.
Ayron distracted by Keroc’s squawking, laughed and suggested that they stop and have some lunch before his little drakenhawk fainted from hunger and fell from Raffe’s saddle. Elwyn laughed because it sounded so like Keroc and agreed they should stop. They found a shady spot a few miles up the road that was close to a small stream. They unsaddled the morden and let them eat as well. Ayron was given a picnic lunch by the innkeeper so he and Elwyn feasted on cold chicken, a fresh loaf of bread, and cold tea. As they sat in the shade, Ayron continued to describe his family to her.
“I guess I’ll try to describe a little bit about your father. In my mind, Azavon was always the gentlest of the three of us children. Although he excelled at weapons and woodland training, his heart beat much more fondly for intellectual pursuits. During his childhood and youth, I could always count upon Azavon to be found with his nose buried in a book about one subject or another.
Azavon also believed that he was destined to meet your mother and your uncle Rhys. My parents were adamant that you father serve time in the military for two reasons. The first was so that, when he had to order an army to war, he could lead them, if necessary. Second, and most important, was so that he understood the price his people might have to pay if he declared war while serving as ruler. The border patrol we were on when we met your mother and uncle was the only actual military exercise that Azavon ever participated in. When he laid eyes on your mother, he was immediately taken by her. My brother worked hard to keep his feelings to himself until Rhianna was older. She’d been through so many traumas that he wanted to give her time to recover. The two hardest things that my brother ever had to do was; to wait to profess his love for your mother, and then wait again until she had the time to get a little older so that they could be wed.
“Why did they have to wait?”
“Rhianna was only sixteen when they met. She grew up sheltered in a castle, was thrust into very traumatic and horrific experiences, and lost everyone and everything she cared about except for her twin, Rhys. My parents and I felt she needed some time to recover and heal from the past so that she could joyfully embrace a new future. As difficult as it was for him, Azavon also felt that it was wise to wait. He wanted to make sure that her feelings for him weren’t just gratitude.”
“I can certainly see the sense in that. I have to tell you that the experiences of the last two weeks, have convinced me that I’m not ready to make life changing experiences on my own yet. Although before I was thrust into the real world, I know I believed otherwise. I felt ready for anything. I think your parents were wise to ask them to wait.”
“When my father died, it was only reluctantly that Azavon ascended to rule because he had no desire to be separated from your mother so frequently. It was actually your mother that kept him going during those early days by reminding him how much his people needed him, having just lost their beloved ruler. She kept insisting that only he could fill my father’s shoes.
Azavon is a good ruler and really cares about his people, but when he was told that your mother committed suicide, something in him died as well and he has never been able to shake off the cloak of grief he wears so tightly wrapped around him.”
Elwyn was very sad to hear how grief had taken such a huge toll on her father. His story, while different, reminded her of her uncle Rhys. Both men seemed to go through life dragging grief and unhappiness along them like a huge ball and chain. She was anxious to hear the rest of his story, but Ayron reminded her that it was time to clean up and resume traveling. He also told her that they would most likely be setting up camp that evening, but if there were no delays, they would be able to stop at a village inn the following night. They were both ready to ride within a short time. The only delay was the time it took to convince Keroc to fly down from a branch in a nearby tree. He had flown up higher than he planned and was still a little reluctant to put too much pressure on his broken wing. Elwyn examined him when he landed and pronounced him almost as good as new.
As they traveled through the afternoon, Ayron continued to talk about his family, hoping that Elwyn would come to know more about them from his words and, at the same time hoping that they would be able to eliminate some suspects from the extensive list they had.
“To be honest, Elwyn, neither Azavon nor I have ever been close to our sister. She is several seasons younger than we are and was never interested in playing or doing anything in a group. I often worried about her spending as much time alone as she did, until I came to realize that it was by her own design. She refused to honor our parent’s request that she undertake some physical training and serve a short term in the military. She was quite adamant about it. Unfortunately she also feels the same way about her son, Remi.”
“I’m surprised by that. From what Thane shared with me about your culture, they value honing their physical abilities and skills as much as they do the academic ones. He assured me that your women were offered the same opportunities to excel in physical skills as your men.”
“That is correct, but somehow, I think that my sister has decided that physical skills and military service are beneath both her and her family. Her husband has never served a term in the military either, but I have heard that he is a rather accomplished archer.”
“I feel a bit sorry for their son. In my village, most of the boys couldn’t wait to learn how to fight and hunt. It was a whole lot more fun to them than being in the schoolroom.”
Ayron nodded his agreement and continued sharing more about his sister.
“Alysan is also very unhappy about the way she looks, because she believes she is too human in appearance. This has always puzzled us. While it is true that Alysan resembled my mother’s side of the family more than my fathers, she is extremely lovely. Azavon and I grew tired of her constant complaints and comparisons as we were growing up; her pale blond hair and our jet black tresses, her green eyes and our violet ones, and her rosy skin and our pale skin. It was after listening to my sister’s feelings that I began to become aware that not everyone in Silvendil believed in the equality of the races.
I never understood why she felt the way she did, but as she grew older, she clung to our father and virtually ignored our mother. Since our father’s death, she completely avoids our mother except at formal functions, and even then stays close to her husband’s family. I actually think that my sister’s issues with her human genes could possibly be the reason that she married Gelmir, who was an elf. My sister was ecstatic when her son Remi was born with jet black hair and pale violet eyes. I think it is unfortunate that Alysan married for political and racial reasons, because her marriage has never been a happy one and she spends most of her time trying to take over the duties of running the castle from our mother, who is reluctant to give them up.”
He then moved on to the last of his parent’s offspring, himself.
“I have to admit that I have always loved the outdoors more than anything else. I love being a part of and surrounded by nature. To be honest with you, my young niece, I have never found a woman that I’ve wanted to spend time with more than I want to be out in the countryside, either alone or with my soldiers. As the younger son of the ruling family, it became my responsibility to head up the army and see to the defense of Silvendil once Azavon took over as ruler. I try very hard to combine my love of the outdoors with my responsibilities. I travel all over Silvendil patrolling the borders, visiting the different military outposts, and overseeing the training of the troops. I am never in Findara any more often than is necessary. Although, I guess I will have to spend more time at home now t
hat I have a niece to get to know better.”
Elwyn was excited to know that she had a cousin and asked him to tell her something about Remi. It was obvious that she hit a hot button with him because he curtly told her that his sister was extremely overprotective and would never let the poor child out of her sight. Ayron also said that Remi was almost as old as she was and, to his knowledge, had never even held a bow or a sword. Elwyn was sorry to hear that. She was looking forward to meeting and getting to know some young people about her age. Naturally she’d thought that perhaps her cousin might be a good place to start. Ayron told her that he didn’t want to be anywhere near Findara when Remi decided that he been coddled for too long and began to rebel. Apparently Gelmir had next to no interest in the boy and spent all of his time with his father.
“He’s probably politicking to be his father’s replacement on the Council of Elders when he retires,” said Ayron with a disgusted look and a shake of his head. “I can’t imagine politics being more important than his son.”
“It sounds to me as if Remi is kept in a cage of sorts. I would be surprised if he isn’t looking for a way to escape it and fly away from all that coddling. It sounds as if Gelmir has been raised much the same way though. In our village, the sons learn a trade from their fathers. It sounds as if Gelmir and then Remi are paying the price because Gelmir’s father was more interested in position and power, than teaching them how to live and relate to those around them. Unfortunately that type of father has probably left his son and grandson too weak to be the conspirator.”
Ayron frowned, obviously trying to digest Elwyn’s words.
“Well we have stopped here long enough. It is time we were traveling again. I think that Keroc has had enough to eat to last him until dinner,” said Ayron smiling at the little drakenhawk.
Within minutes, they were mounted and riding north again.
Chapter 38 – Rhianna’s Sorrow
They rode for a while in silence. Ayron seemed talked out and Elwyn had lots to think about. Part of her was looking forward to meeting her new found family, but the other part of her was very reluctant to get involved with the politics that seemed to permeate throughout Findara. She checked in with Toruk once or twice during the afternoon as they rode north, but apparently the drakenhawks saw nothing that appeared threatening. Late in the afternoon, Ayron led them a ways off the trail to a lovely spot with a little waterfall and a small cave. The cave’s entrance was surrounded by flowering bushes and small trees, almost obscuring it from view. He felt it was a good place for them to camp, and since he was anxious to hear what she had to say about her mother’s diary, he wanted to settle in early.
Ayron sent Elwyn out to hunt for game, so they would have fresh meat, while he tended to the morden and set up the camp. He wasn’t trying to test her, but he was still tired and knew she wanted to demonstrate her hunting skills. While he was setting up camp his mind traveled to the problem looming largest in his mind. He had no more excuses for not getting in touch with his brother and telling him about Elwyn’s existence. He hoped that Kierra would remember to join them in the evenings so that she could hear what Rhianna had to say as well. Ayron felt sure that between the three of them, they could figure out what really happened to Rhianna and take steps to ensure Elwyn’s safety.
Elwyn came back to camp about an hour after she left with a small deer slung over her shoulders. Both she and Ayron were looking forward to a good dinner. Elwyn laughed as she told him that she had to politely chase off the drakenhawks that were trying to protect her, because their scent was scaring off all the game. Toruk made her promise to keep in touch and let him know as soon as she was able to hunt successfully. He seemed somewhat appeased that it didn’t take her very long to find the deer once they left the area. Ayron volunteered to prepare dinner since she did the hunting, and Elwyn was happy to let him do so. She went over by the little waterfall, sat down next to the water’s edge, and dangled her feet in the small pond. Before she knew it, Ayron was calling her over to dinner. They had a wonderful meal of roasted venison, fresh baked bread and cheese, along with hot tea. Ayron had somehow managed to find some fresh fruit in the village and brought it along for dessert. The crackling of the fire and the local insect population were the only sounds that penetrated the mouth of the cave while they ate.
After dinner, while her uncle cleaned up, Elwyn unrolled their bed pads and put more wood on the fire. She then went to her saddlebags and pulled out her mother’s diary. Ayron was amazed as he beheld the beautiful crest of Rhianna’s family tooled into the front of the book. As they both sat down and Elwyn prepared to read, they both sensed Kierra’s presence. Elwyn started by explaining to them both that the early entries in the diary were spent describing her mother’s feelings about her parent’s murder, having to flee for her life, and how it make her feel to be hunted by assassins that her own uncle sent after her and Rhys.
Elwyn described the next section in the diary as the love section. She briefly told them about Rhianna’s feelings meeting Azavon, her long courtship, and how wonderful it was being married to the man of her dreams. She read a few of the entries in the diary that she found to be significant to them.
“I think the most exciting moment of my whole life was when I was chosen by Gemma to be her life-bonded companion. Even though Ayron urged me to go to the Choosing, I never dreamed I would be chosen; especially by a morden as beautiful and brilliant as Gemma. I will be grateful to Ayron forever for having more faith in me than I had in myself.”
It seemed that the only thing that marred her happy existence was how much Alysan seemed to dislike her.
“I approached Alysan again today with an offer of friendship. I’ve been so excited at the thought of having a sister, but she doesn’t seem interested in even becoming friends. I have no idea what I could have done to offend her, but she told me to leave her alone and to stop hanging around her with my ugly human looks. She says that I’m an embarrassment to her and the whole family, and that no one wanted to see me marry her brother.
I went to see Alysan to congratulate her when I heard that she was also expecting a child. I asked her if she wanted to work on our layettes together over the coming months. She got very angry at me and shouted that I should leave and never come to her suite of rooms again. Then she told me that no one was happy to hear that Azavon and I were going to have a baby, and that any child born to us would never be accepted as ruler in Silvendil. She said that I was ruining her family’s bloodlines. I went back to my room and sobbed. I love my husband and his family and the thought that our child might bring shame to him causes me great pain. I’m afraid to ask him about it though; because I’m afraid it will hurt him to know how his sister feels about our child. Maybe I will talk to Ayron when I see him next. I have to admit to being disappointed that my mother-in-law is always too busy to spend time with me, and my sister-in-law just doesn’t want to.
“I think that my mother really struggled trying to understand why Alysan disliked her so,” Elwyn said shaking her head.
“I can see why Rhianna would have been puzzled,” said Ayron thoughtfully. “However, for those of us who were around to see just how much my sister hated her own human appearance, it doesn’t surprise me that she wanted to have nothing to do with your fully human mother. Alysan began to reject our mother’s attentions even before she was even old enough for lessons. Unfortunately she only wanted time from our father, who had very little of it to give. I believe that Alysan still dislikes anything human. Her marriage was obviously all about trying to redeem herself by having a child who resembled an elf,” said Ayron in a tone laced with frustration and sadness.
“I think the question we should be asking ourselves is,” said Kierra in their minds simultaneously. “Who influenced Alysan when she was so young and taught her to hate humans and herself in the process? Hatred and prejudice has to be taught, and we know that your parents never felt that way about the humans. So, even thought you thought that Alysan s
pent her time alone as a child, someone had enough influence over her to fill her head with poison,” said Kierra, her sorrow being communicated along with her words.
“Have you ever wondered why no companion, morden or drakenhawk, has ever chosen to life-bond with Alysan,” continued Kierra. “She is just too full of anger and bitterness. Her mind is too rigid and rejects everything that does not fit into her image of perfection. I’m sure that you both can understand just how enraged Alysan became when Gemma chose Rhianna over her.”
“I have to admit that I never gave the matter much thought,” said Ayron slowly, trying to recall the events so far in the past. I remember that I actually talked Rhianna into going to that choosing, but to be honest, I don’t remember even seeing my sister there,” he said. “I was just so happy for Rhianna that I probably didn’t even notice her,” Ayron said sadly.
“Ayron, please don’t take on a burden of guilt over this,” said Kierra. “We companions knew that there was a problem from the time Alysan first began to attend the Choosings,” she added. “What we need to discover is who took the time to slowly and methodically poison your sister’s mind against humans. I’m sure you can see that the situation is full of political undertones. As far as all of Silvendil is concerned, Remi is to be the next ruler of the land. Why do you think that your sister has kept him isolated? She has been trying to pass on this legacy of hate,” said Kierra, her sadness almost palatable.
“Wow,” said Ayron who was reeling from shock. “I feel so stupid for never noticing any of this. I just thought that my sister was determined to be bitter and unhappy. I’m sure that Azavon would be shocked to hear this as well,” he added. “So Kierra, if I understand you correctly, we agree that bringing Elwyn into Findara might well trigger those who attempted to end Rhianna’s life to strike again.”
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