The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice

by Melissa Collins

  “How did you convince him to talk?”

  “Is it really so difficult to believe that I simply asked him questions?”

  “The Chief ’s men have asked questions since he regained consciousness and met with nothing but resistance. What did you offer which made it more agreeable for him to speak?”

  Settling the bag over her shoulder Neomi stared straight ahead. She could trust Moinie. During the years of her marriage to Onuric, she had proven herself capable of keeping a secret. This was just one of those topics she wasn’t sure she wanted to risk. There were too many things that were more important right now. One of which being the battle they were about to face. To take on the Ythes on their home territory, with the depleted number of warriors left after the initial assaults – it was far more dangerous than any hunting trip. “He prefers to hear the questions asked politely. I see no reason to dwell on the means by which the information was learned when the point is that we have the answers.”

  The conversation was over. She had no intention of discussing it in further length than she’d already entertained. Moving toward the door she found her path blocked by Moinie, a stern look across her pale features. “Are you prepared for this battle, Neomi?”

  Prepared? Of course she was prepared. She was the daughter of the Chief. As far as she was concerned, she was always prepared. “Why do you question me, Moinie? I have fought many battles alongside you and Onuric since this began. You know me well enough to understand that I will do whatever it takes to see my people victorious.”

  “You have been different since Mevuk’s death. Onuric and I have been concerned that you might be too distracted. We do not want to see you injured or killed if we can prevent it.”

  “Distracted?” she laughed, a humorless sound, her lips remaining straight, devoid of any enjoyment in her friend’s misconception of her behavior. Since Mevuk’s death she was more focused than she’d ever been. Her responsibilities as a wife were no longer a burden. She was free again. Able to do whatever she needed to get the job done without having to consider anyone else. “Moinie – think about what you are saying. Mevuk was a powerful warrior. I admire him for his strength and determination, but our marriage was the will of my father. In five years we never uttered any terms of endearment. If I mourn anything in the loss of his life, it is the loss of a great hunter, not a husband. He would not have felt differently if I was the one lying in that grave instead of him.”

  “Then how can you claim his death to be the reason you disobeyed your father? Surely you must feel some melancholy over the loss.”

  “I regret that I am a widow and am now worthless to my father as anything more than another warrior within his ranks. Do not misunderstand me. I do what I do because I must. It is my duty.”

  Lowering her arm from the door Moinie held her gaze steady. “Chief Okivra has given orders that you are to command a second unit along with Mevuk’s men in this battle. Do you consider yourself capable of this task?”

  Frozen at the thought Neomi pondered what her friend was saying. A second unit? They barely had enough men to serve the commanding warriors they already possessed. “Where exactly is this second unit coming from?”

  “Word of Emakai’s treachery has spread,” Moinie explained, her voice steady and calm. “The leaders of the Hauthus and Velinost tribes have traveled to join arms with us against the Ythes. As the daughter of the Chief, you are expected to help lead our allies. This is no small task. We need to be sure that you can do what is being asked of you.”

  It was worse than she thought. For months she’d convinced herself the fighting was nothing more than a squabble between the Komoa and some other faction. With the arrival of the Velinost and Hauthus, this was a full offensive attack. They were going to war. “Do you mean to tell me that we are leading a civil war against our own people? Ovatai against Ovatai?”

  “They have left us no choice. If we allow them to continue, the Ythes will see us all killed. Emakai will strike down your father and name himself Chief so that he can abuse his power over our fellow tribes. Would you have us let that come to pass?”

  “No,” Neomi frowned. It was absolute madness, but she couldn’t argue the reasons. They had no choice. The Ythes couldn’t be allowed to succeed. They needed to be punished for their deeds. “You can tell my brother that I am prepared to take on however many units they require me to command. If we are to fight at each other’s side, he needs to trust that I am competent and able to make my own decisions. I cannot have him undermining my orders and going over my head. The men will have no respect for me if he does so. Can you make him understand this?”

  “I will do what I can. You know how your brother can be.”

  “As I see it, he has no choice. If he will not trust me, then we have already failed.”

  “Leave Onuric to me,” Moinie nodded, turning to follow Neomi from the room as she pushed through the curtain into the hall. “Just be careful, Neomi. Do not let this sense of duty you find yourself consumed by be the reason you rush into something foolish and end up at Mevuk’s side. Widow or not, your family still cares about you. We do not wish to see anything happen which would take you from us.”

  “Nothing is going to happen. We are going to win this war. Do not let yourself doubt that.” Pushing ahead of her friend Neomi quickened her pace down the long corridor. She had to believe they would be victorious. To think otherwise would be detrimental to their cause. They were of the Komoa. The highest tribe of Ovatai warriors. They didn’t gain their position by chance. It was strength and perseverance. Indomitable will. The Ythes would see why Okivra was Chief. It was unfortunate that it would be the last thing they realized before death released them from their miserable existence.

  Callum paced back and forth outside the bedchamber door, his constant motion almost hypnotic in its consistency. Edric’s eyes followed him from one side of the room to the other, lost in his own thoughts, curious as to what must be going through his friend’s mind. It was a horrible feeling, sitting there, not knowing what was going on, wishing there was something he could do to help. He could only imagine how much worse that feeling must be for Callum.

  It had been nearly two hours since the physician arrived and locked them out of the room. Only the King and Queen were granted admittance, leaving the rest of them on the edge of their seats, anxious for word of Aiva’s condition. The length of time the physician took was making Edric uneasy. If it was trivial, he would have found the source of the problem sooner than this. So what was keeping him?

  Cadell and Valeska sat silently at Edric’s side, watching Callum’s incessant pacing, unsure of what they could do to calm him. There was nothing to be done without answers. No one could blame him for his distress.

  The Consul had taken the others out to leave the drawing room less cramped and overcrowded. Everyone was becoming restless. Soon enough it would be time for Audri to leave. Edric hated the idea of her going away without some word of her sister’s health. The rites of adulthood required absolute focus. A distraction like this before her departure was unfortunate, to say the least.

  A click from the door revealed the Queen, her expression stoic. For the first time in hours Callum ceased his pacing, gazing at her hopefully. Sympathetic of his concern she shook her head, lightly brushing his cheek with her thumb. She said nothing. Her skirts lightly brushed the tiled floor as she made her way through the room and out into the hall, closing the door behind her.

  “It must be time for young Audri to leave,” Cadell commented, his gaze watchful in the direction the Queen had gone. “I don’t understand what is taking so long.”

  “If the doctor needed to speak with Aiva about her symptoms, perhaps they had to wait for her to regain consciousness.” It was the only thing Edric could think of, though it was a stretch. His other theories were best not spoken out loud for fear of causing Callum more unease.

  “He is a physician, Edric. Unless it is something severe, a fainting spell is nothing a
strong vial of smelling salts couldn’t undo.” At Cadell’s words Callum sat stiffly down on a chair positioned just outside the chamber door, bent forward, face buried in his hands. Realizing his mistake Cadell rose to his feet, striding across the floor to stand by his son’s side. “I am sure it is nothing. She will be back on her feet in no time. You and I both know how resilient Aiva is.”

  Edric’s heart went out to Callum. It was obvious he blamed himself for Aiva’s sickness. What he failed to see was that this couldn’t come back on him. Everyone knew how Aiva was. Even if Callum had called for a doctor to see her in Escovul, Aiva would have turned them away at the door. The fact that one was allowed close to her now was only due to the presence of her parents. After things were calmed down, she would receive a long lecture from their mother and father about being so obstinate. And when their lecture was finished, Edric had every intention of giving her one of his own. He hoped she would listen. As a friend, as well as a brother.

  At the Queen’s return they were all on their feet, her eyes shifting between them, silent and thoughtful. Edric took a step forward, thinking better of it when he saw her quicken her pace toward the bedroom door, hurrying inside to close it behind her once again. “Surely they must know something by now,” he stated, unhappy by the lack of information being shared. Callum was Aiva’s husband. He deserved to know what was happening to his wife.

  “If we have not heard anything within the next hour, I will take the liberty of going in,” Cadell nodded. “I’m sure I can concoct some reason for the intrusion without upsetting anyone.”

  Resigning himself to his chair Edric propped his elbows on his knees, tapping his foot anxiously. The secrecy was nerve-racking. It was bad enough to watch Callum suffer though he couldn’t deny his own desperation to know the diagnosis of his sister. She was too young for anything to happen to her. What if she doesn’t make it? No. He wouldn’t let that be a possibility. To consider the chances made it too real. Her death would send their people into a frenzy. Without a child to take over as an heir, the line of succession would default to Shaelyn. Callum would be left with nothing. Edric couldn’t allow that to happen. Shaelyn was a good woman, but she and Herryk would never rule with the efficiency and strength that Aiva and Callum could. He had to do something. Waiting was no longer an option.

  In a fluid motion he was on his feet, moving toward the door of the bedchamber. They couldn’t keep him out. If there was anything he could do to help, he would do it. He wasn’t going to let some old cantankerous doctor keep him from his sister.

  “Edric, what are you doing?”

  He barely heard Cadell’s voice as his hand came to rest on the knob. Edric wasn’t entirely sure of the answer to that question himself. What was he doing? Getting in the way. No different from any other day at the palace.

  Under his fingers he felt the handle suddenly twist without any effort of his own, blinking in surprise to find the door opening, a startled looking Thade on the other side. “Edric,” he breathed. “What have I told you about eavesdropping? You know I dislike when you do so.”

  “I assure you I was not.” Edric scolded himself silently. It was just his luck that his attempts to make use of himself would only create more trouble. He didn’t need a lecture right now. He needed answers. “I was coming to see if there was anything I could do to help. If I cannot enter, at least allow Callum to…” his voice trailed off, realizing the harshness of his tone in address to his father. Demanding anything of the King was no way to get what he wanted. “Father, please. I mean no disrespect. We are worried and desperate for anything you can tell us of Aiva’s condition.”

  “Calm down, Son,” Thade smiled, the pleasant expression unexpected, softening the usual lines on his face. Patting Edric on the shoulder he pushed through the door, pulling it closed behind him. Callum was to him almost instantly, staring up at him, the glow of his eyes seeming to plead with Thade in silent desperation. At the sight of him Thade’s smile widened. “Callum, my boy,” he chuckled. “Perhaps you should sit down.”

  “I have been sitting for too long, Sir. Please. What is wrong with Aiva?”

  “Suit yourself,” Thade nodded. Gently he rested his hand against Callum’s arm, guiding him further away from the door. “I suppose the General should hear this as well. Cadell, if you will come closer? You may bring your wife.”

  “Please, Sir. Why do you torture me so?” Callum sighed. “Is she alright? Will she recover?”

  “Oh, yes. She will most certainly recover… in a few months. You are going to have to make sure she does everything the doctor tells her.” Thade tilted his head to one side as if amused by the idea. “I know that is not a simple task. We will do what we can to help.”

  “A few months? What ailment has befallen her which requires so much time to recover?”

  Curious at his father’s vague responses Edric came around to stand at Callum’s side. A look of realization filled Cadell’s eyes, his arm reaching out to draw Valeska closer as she moved gracefully toward him from the chairs. What was the big secret? Why would his father not just come right out and say what the doctor found? A few months. That was a long time for an ailment unless… “Oh, sweet Sarid,” he gasped. “Father, is she –”

  Thade raised his hand to silence Edric, a twinkle in his eye as he shifted his gaze to Callum once again. “Young man, you are going to be a father.”

  What little color was left in Callum’s face drained away. Blindly he reached for Edric, grasping at his sleeve to keep from stumbling backward, overcome with shock and awe at the news. “I… A father?” he whispered. “Are you sure?”

  “The doctor has confirmed. However,” his smile faded slightly, gazing at Callum sternly. “She is not to be out of bed. Too much movement could risk further complications. I don’t care how much she argues, you have permission to tie her to the bedpost if that is what it takes to keep her still. This is very important. Do you understand?”

  Edric watched Callum in fascination, the way he fumbled over his words, unsure of what to say. Although he claimed to understand the directions given by the King, Edric doubted whether he even heard anything being said in that moment. He was too focused on trying to keep on his feet. If not for Edric and Cadell at his side, he may have fainted straight away. Chuckling to himself Edric tightened his hold on Callum’s arm, shaking him gently to try and pull him from his scattered thoughts. “Congratulations,” he smiled. Looking over to Cadell, Edric couldn’t help laughing, recalling the banter shared between him and the Consul during the picnic. “Looks like you are finally going to be a grandfather, General. Your days of being called an old man are only just beginning.”

  “Took him long enough,” Cadell smirked, giving a hard pat on Callum’s back. “Your mother and I have been waiting years for this.”

  “Well, you know us… we like to be difficult,” Callum mumbled. Swallowing hard he looked up at Thade, slowly seeming to regain his composure, though the chalky pallor to his complexion remained. “Can I see her, Sir? Is she awake?”

  “She is. And she has been asking for you,” Thade nodded. “You may all come in, if you like. The doctor is nearly finished.”

  Lingering behind, Edric let the others file into the room before him. His presence was forgotten immediately upon their entry, seeing Aiva there on the bed, covered to her chin with thick blankets, propped up on feathery pillows for added comfort. He smiled to see Callum rush to her side, kneeling to wrap her in a warm embrace. Their voices were hushed. Impossible to decipher the quiet sentiments uttered between them. He was happy for them. The addition of a grandchild would ease the lingering tension of their parents and grandmother. A secure heir in the line of succession.

  In the excitement of the announcement people began to make their way to the room, ushered in one at a time to offer their congratulations to the proud parents-to-be. Edric watched it all, detached from reality. Why did the news create such a void inside him? His pleasure in his sister’s joyful condit
ion was genuine. There was no jealousy or bitterness toward her or Callum. Buried under his happiness was a biting sadness he couldn’t overcome. He couldn’t imagine what Callum was feeling. He didn’t know what it was like to share something so special with a woman he loved. That was the most painful realization of all. Edric wanted that. He wanted to feel that nervous excitement. To feel his heart leap into his throat at the news of becoming a father. But that didn’t appear as if it would ever be the case. The women at court simply didn’t suit him.

  Seated in a chair at the back of the room he stared in a daze at each visitor. His brothers and sisters offered their felicitations. Shaelyn was filled with advice about being a mother, her voice chattering excitedly, the words she spoke blurring together. He was amazed anyone was able to understand her. It was his grandmother’s arrival that brought the most frenzied response. She bestowed her praises upon Aiva and Callum, showering them with kisses and sweet words. To see her so happy – it only added to the emptiness inside Edric’s heart. His grandmother was getting old. The family tried not to think on the truth, but there was no denying her graying hair, the fine lines on her face now giving way to more distinct creases. Would he ever see her smile at him with the same affection she showed his sister? He didn’t want her to pass from this world thinking him so useless.