“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Good. Edric, you will come with your mother and I. There is nothing else for you to do here.”
The Prince appeared struck by the directive. Although he nodded to his parents, he moved toward the man at the door, his stride lacking his earlier confidence, replaced by anxiety, the look in his eyes revealing an obvious distress at what was going on around him. Intrigued by the unusual behavior, Neomi watched them, absorbed in the display. Straining her senses she listened to the conversation whispered between the men. She didn’t care if it was impolite to eavesdrop. If these men were to be her allies, she felt it her right to know what secrets they kept. How else was she to trust them?
“How did you know we were here?” the Prince asked, his eyes trailing over to where his parents waited near a door at the back of the room, eyeing him with disapproval.
“I was on my way back to the party when I saw you outside the door. My father is usually the one who introduces guests to the Queen. When I realized he was absent, I thought it wise for me to remain near in case something was wrong.”
“Then my sister is sleeping? She is well?”
“Well enough. We shall see how long that lasts.” The Captain nodded to Neomi, nudging the Prince as if to direct his attention to her presence. Given the hasty silence of their conversation, she gave the Captain credit for noticing her intrusion. “I hope you will forgive me, miss. I did not catch your name.”
“Neomi It’aryn. You must be the Captain?”
“I am,” he took a step forward. His head twitched slightly, the gesture looking unintentional at first before Neomi realized the indication was aimed at the Prince, directing him to go with his parents. “Come with me. We will go somewhere more suited to discuss military matters.”
She stood still, her eyes following the Prince as he begrudgingly moved toward the King and Queen. He cast a final glance over his shoulder at Neomi, their eyes meeting briefly. She wasn’t sure what passed between them in that instant. Whatever it was, she didn’t have time to dwell on it. He was already moving away from her, his back the only thing she could see of him now, the glow of his eyes no longer visible. Dismissing the oddness of his departure, she focused her attention on the Captain, her concentration returning, breath coming more easily now that the Prince was gone. “I will follow you,” she stated calmly, waving the Captain toward the door. “There is much to discuss. Let us move quickly and try not to waste more time than we already have.”
Edric followed his parents through the rear door of the ballroom, rubbing at his temples to try and clear the fog which had settled in his head. His mind was reeling. If he could just get it to slow down for a minute, he might be able to make some sense out of what was going on. The Ovatai needed their help? From what? Their people were said to be the strongest warriors in existence. What threatened them which required Chief Okivra to request assistance? Neomi never said. She was vague in her descriptions of everything and yet his parents gave no argument. The Vor’shai soldiers would be sent to aid Ethrysta. This would no doubt mean that Callum would be taken away from Aiva.
He couldn’t let that happen. Whatever was decided upon regarding the troops, Callum couldn’t be allowed to go with them. Aiva needed him in Tanispa. If anything happened to him in battle, she would never recover from the loss. Their parents must know that.
But what if they didn’t? The extent of Aiva and Callum’s personal troubles wasn’t public knowledge. Edric had hinted at the truth when left alone with Cadell after Aiva was taken ill. Would that be enough? Somehow he didn’t think it would. “Mother,” he said quietly, stepping in closer to avoid being overheard by the courtiers. “Do you really intend to send Callum away with the other soldiers? Don’t you think he should stay here with his wife?”
“That decision is not mine to make,” the Queen frowned, turning around to lightly rest her hand against Edric’s face. He took only a mild comfort in her touch, finding the reassurance less than convincing enough to console the entirety of his distress. “I would prefer to see him remain here in Sivaeria with your sister, but it will be in the hands of his father. Only one of them will be sent north. If the General chooses to remain in Tanispa, Callum will have no choice but to travel with the men. I wish there was another way, but there is not.”
“Is it really necessary to send our men at all? That woman couldn’t even tell us who their enemy is –”
“Edric, listen to yourself. I know you are concerned, but we have obligations,” she frowned. “When the Ven’shal were at war with us, the Ovatai asked no questions when we sent for assistance. We would not be here now if not for them. Do you really expect me to consider turning them away in their time of need? How ungrateful of a woman do you think me to be?”
“I don’t think you are ungrateful at all,” Edric weaved his fingers through his hair in frustration. He was too distracted. Nothing he intended to say was coming out right. If he didn’t regain his composure, he would never accomplish anything. “Mother, please,” he sighed. “I’m begging you. Do not let Callum go off to fight this battle. It isn’t my place to explain the number of reasons why it would be a terrible idea, but I assure you it will destroy Aiva. I fear the stress will cause her to lose the child.”
His mother closed her eyes, inhaling a deep breath to steady her nerves. She was less composed than she’d been inside the throne room. In Neomi’s presence the decision had been obvious for what needed to be done. Back in the crowded ballroom, faced with the realization of what they were undertaking, the situation was quickly revealing the extent of its complications. “If you truly think this to be possible, then I urge you to speak with Cadell. He is not unreasonable, though I suspect he will not wish to venture into such harsh climates as they endure in the north. The General is not as young as he used to be.”
“You know as well as I do he is still in his prime.”
“He was in his prime when he fought with the Siscalian troops against the Namirens. He was in his prime when he fought for our freedom against the Ven’shal. And although I would disagree, he considered himself in his prime some forty years ago when he chanced the Nahpoa Sea to rescue Shaelyn from the pirates in Luquarr. The man has seen enough bloodshed in his lifetime. I cannot possibly think to order him into the line of fire once again. Especially if our men have a better chance of survival under the direction of his son.”
“I do not question the fact that he has endured many battles. All I’m saying is that he’s not incapable of leading the troops. If Callum goes away, he will be distracted by the thought of leaving Aiva behind. I have reason to believe the General would be more suitable for leading the men under the current circumstances. They need someone who will be focused.”
“Calm yourself, Edric,” the King replied quietly, patting Edric on the shoulder. “The General does not even know what has transpired this evening. He and Callum are in a better position to determine who will be more suited to go. It is their lives they put on the line, not ours. If Callum feels he is the best man for the job, he is within his rights to go. On the same token, his father is his superior. If Cadell gives the order, it is his call. You are arguing with the wrong people if you are trying to state your friend’s case.”
Edric’s shoulders bowed forward in defeat. His father was right. While the King and Queen had the authority to override decisions made by the military, the call would be Cadell’s to make. “Then let me go with you to speak with the General,” he added, the hopefulness in his voice dwindling. His parents wouldn’t want him underfoot while they explained the situation. At this point he was already making a nuisance of himself.
“Edric, we need you to take a few breaths and calm down,” the Queen replied softly. “You are going to frighten the guests if you keep going the way you are. Find your sisters and dance with them. Direct the attention of the guests to you so they do not notice when the General departs. Can you do this for us?”
Damn. Was he so useless tha
t his only worth was to act as a distraction? He was in no position to argue with his mother. The expression on her face told him that she had a great deal on her mind. She didn’t need him adding to it. There would be time after the celebration to try and talk some sense into everyone. The General would hear reason. He was sure to understand why Callum couldn’t be allowed to go. Edric found it hard to believe that Cadell would risk the health of the Crown Princess simply to avoid a trip north.
Nodding his head he turned away from his parents to move toward the dance floor. If he said anything, he would end up fighting with them again. Right now he needed to do what was asked of him. Find a partner. Twirl aimlessly around the dance floor. Exactly what he was trying to avoid doing when he first found Neomi in their yard. He was beginning to think he’d made a mistake in seeing her inside. But what difference would it have made? In the morning she would have returned and his parents would have seen her. The soldiers would be sent regardless of when the meeting took place. This only hastened their departure.
“Edric, what is the matter?” He lifted his head to find who spoke, unsurprised to find his cousin Jaslyn standing a short distance away. Of course she would be more observant to the coming and going of the Queen. Her father had been present when Edric first requested them to accept the audience with Neomi. She no doubt was watching for their return.
Caught up in his own thoughts, he took Jaslyn’s hand, leading her with him toward the dance floor. “Care to dance a moment?” he asked, his voice distant. She made no move to stop him, taking her position with him for a waltz. The musicians smiled at them as they began to play, even the gentle melody doing nothing to ease Edric’s mind. “Can you see my parents? Are they with the General?”
From her arched posture Jaslyn let her eyes shift, searching the room to the best of her ability with every turn they made. She was surprisingly crafty in her ways. Even if someone in the crowd had been watching them closely, they would have been unable to notice her straying gaze. “They are approaching him now,” she said through her smile, her lips never moving to indicate she’d spoken out loud.
If only Edric was focused enough to be so composed. This was unlike him. Of all his siblings, he tended to be the most levelheaded. What was it about this particular situation that had him so out of sorts? He recalled the night when Shaelyn was kidnapped by the Luquarrian pirates. Edric had been a picture of perfect calm in helping plan the method they would use to rescue her. Something about this was different. Maybe it had something to do with his recent depression. Could it be that it was affecting him in more ways than he realized?
“Edric, you still have not told me what is wrong.”
Blinking his eyes Edric was reminded of Jaslyn’s presence, held securely in his arms, their feet moving gracefully along the floor, flawless in their performance despite his obvious distraction. “I apologize,” he whispered. “My parents asked me to be a diversion so they could speak with the General without anyone being too observant. I’m not sure when, but it sounds as though our soldiers will be sent north very soon. We have been summoned by the Ovatai.”
“The Ovatai?” she gasped, her pleasant expression faltering for the first time since they started their show. “They are not the type to seek assistance.”
“That’s just it. Chief Okivra’s daughter came to make the request of my parents. She was not able to explain what they are facing which requires our aid, but you know my parents are bound by honor and our alliance with the Chief to send troops to support their cause. They did the same for us. We cannot insult the Ovatai by denying their request.”
“You disagree with the decision to go?”
“I think there is nothing wrong in disapproving of sending our men away without more knowledge of what they are up against. Callum shouldn’t be away from his wife while she is in her delicate condition. Further stress will be a burden upon Aiva. I have been desperately seeking some other way for my parents to send our troops without interfering with Callum or his father. The threat in the north cannot be that great. The Ovatai are strong warriors. We should be safe in only sending a small unit.”
Jaslyn took Edric’s lead, giving a balletic turn under his arm, the rise and fall of their steps in perfect flow. Around the floor courtiers clapped at the display. Good. The distraction was working.
She returned to their frame, thoughtful in her expression, the disbelief which had been visible a moment ago having dissipated. “What if you went?” she asked.
Edric stared at her, nearly stumbling over the long skirts of her gown at the sudden question. “I beg your pardon?”
“What if you went in Callum’s place?” Jaslyn repeated, recovering from their fumble with a brilliant smile to conceal it from the crowd. “I have seen you fight and you are more than capable of leading a few soldiers. As the Prince, I see no reason why you should not be allowed to take the task. In the past the royal sons have gone to war with our military on many occasions. You may recall that your father’s brother, Prince Enaes, fought alongside my father during the war in Siscal. It would not be out of line for you to request the role.”
Why did he not think of it sooner? It was genius. If he went north to aid the Ovatai, it would solve every problem he currently found himself faced with. The alliance with the Chief would be kept, Callum would be able to stay with Aiva, and he would finally find a use for himself among their people. No one would argue his purpose if he was leading the soldiers to victory. The thought of getting out of the palace and venturing into the world was enticing enough to sell the idea. “You are brilliant,” he breathed, leaning forward to kiss Jaslyn on the forehead as the music came to a close. She stared at him, confused by his sudden display of happiness. “I will need to speak with my parents as soon as possible to make the arrangements.”
“Well, do not be too hasty, Edric,” she cut in, gently resting her hand on his shoulder to guide him away from the center of the floor. “Your parents continue their conversation with the General. Perhaps it would be best if you waited for them to finish. If you approach them now, it will only draw more attention to their meeting.”
Of course. He was letting his head run away with him again. What was wrong with him these days? He wasn’t himself. “You’re right,” he agreed, unable to hide his discontent. “It would be better if I waited until morning when things have had time to settle. The General and my parents will be more open to the idea if they have had time to sleep on the matter and think on it with a clear head. If it is decided that Callum is to remain in Sivaeria with his wife, then my offer would not be necessary.”
There was nothing else to be done. His parents would handle business the best they could for now. But it was so frustrating! To have no say in the matter… it ate away at him. I should have stayed with Callum to hear what Neomi had to say. If he was going to be leading the soldiers north, it would have been beneficial for him to have an opportunity to ask his questions of Neomi. There was much he would need to know before heading off on a journey like that. No one from Tanispa these days ever ventured that far north. The thought of going there himself was somewhat frightening. He had no idea what to expect. Foreign travel was something Aiva and Callum were more familiar with.
He barely felt the soft brush of Jaslyn’s hand on his arm as she was led away by another gentleman toward the dance floor. It was probably for the best. He wasn’t very good company for anyone right now. Not even himself. Constantly dwelling on the situation wasn’t going to do anything to fix it. There was sure to be another chance to speak with Neomi. She’d only just arrived. His parents would insist she stay for the evening before beginning her journey home.
In his peripheral vision he watched the General slowly breaking away from the crowd. He was surprisingly skilled at making stealthy exits in times of distress. This wasn’t the first time such a thing was required of him. It was part of his job. People looked to him when it came to stressful situations. If he let on that anything was wrong, it would incite panic.
And that was the last thing they wanted right now. The Vor’shai had no reason to fear. If what Neomi said was true, there was a chance the enemy would find its way south to the Tanispan borders. But they wouldn’t let that happen.
Satisfied that he had performed his duties well enough, Edric finally allowed himself to move away from the dance floor, his gaze steady, locked on the main entrance of the ballroom. The musicians had played through several dances since he first led Jaslyn onto the floor. By now Callum must have finished speaking with Neomi. If he wanted to find her, this would be the perfect time. Once she was seen to the guest quarters, it would no longer be appropriate to pay her a visit.
No one seemed to suspect him of anything as he attempted a casual exit, their heads nodding in pleasant greeting as he passed. He had no intention of returning to that room for the evening. Callum would be entangled in business for the rest of the night and the other company within was not tempting enough to make him endure the torture a third time.
Moving into the foyer he caught sight of something near the front door of the palace. A streak of white in the corner of his vision. Curious, he turned to face it, mouth agape to find Neomi disappearing into the darkness outside. She was leaving so soon? But there was still so much he needed to know. Desperately he made his way toward the entrance, a burst of cool, rain-filled air blowing over his face as he stepped outside. “Neomi!” he called out, running down the steps after her. At the sound of her name she spun around to face him, confused by his approach.
“Prince. Why do you follow me?”
The rain felt good against his skin. Refreshing. Something about it cleared his head, leaving him slightly disoriented after the blur that had been his evening. Why did he follow her? What was there for him to ask which had not already been discussed between her and Callum? “You are leaving?” It was the first thing which came to mind. Idiot. He was doing nothing to improve her image of him.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 14