The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice

by Melissa Collins

  “My business is concluded. I must return to my people and tell them of your Queen’s agreement to come north.”

  “Surely you must be tired. You and your company are welcome to stay the night. It will make the journey home more comfortable if you are well rested.”

  She stared at him, her expression revealing a hint of amusement at his offer. Her mouth opened to speak, closing again as a gust of wind blew the rain into her eyes. Leaning her head back she gazed upward at the sky. “You have strange snow here in your lands.”

  Snow? Edric held his hand out, letting the rain fall over it, paying no attention to the way it soaked into the fabric of his clothes. He didn’t care about getting a little wet. It was almost enjoyable. A reminder that he was alive. “That is because this snow is rain,” he smiled, turning his hand over to collect the droplets in his palm. “I suppose you do not experience it in the north. Do you see anything other than snow where you come from?”

  “I dislike your rain,” she frowned. Her body twitched from an unexpected shiver, lifting her arms to hug her chest tightly. At the gesture Edric was reminded of what little clothing she wore to protect from the chill caused by the dampness, her garments already soaked through to the skin. And he had no cloak, no means to help dry her and keep her warm.

  “You should come back inside,” he offered, motioning her toward the palace. “If you insist on leaving, I can at least find you something to wear which will help protect against the weather. You will get sick otherwise.”

  She said nothing in response. Her eyes remained locked on him, the expression on her face impossible to decipher. What thoughts could be going through the head of a woman like her? She was complicated. More so than any woman Edric had ever met. At her lack of argument he reached for her, hesitant, prepared to feel the harsh sting of her hand against his cheek again. His fingertips lightly brushed the bare skin of her arm, causing her to flinch at his touch. Reflexively he flinched as well, partially closing his eyes, braced for the impact of her palm. Instead he felt nothing. Only the persistent drops of rain falling heavy on them from above.

  They stared at one another from their defensive positions, silent in their questioning gaze, neither one seeming to know what to say. Slowly she edged away from him, the other woman who had been with her earlier rushing to her side, glaring at Edric angrily.

  “Keep your hands to yourself,” she scolded, stepping between the two of them. “No one touches the Chief ’s daughter without his permission.”

  “My apologies. I was only trying to help.”

  “I do not need your help,” Neomi scoffed, straightening her arms at her sides. “Moinie, let us go. My father will be expecting us.”

  The woman Moinie stood firm, eyes narrowed, her gaze unnerving, as if she could see inside to Edric’s very soul. She was intimidating, though he had no desire to let her know. It was best to let them leave. He was only making things worse by keeping them there. Moinie made no move to retreat until Edric took the first step back, nodding to her and Neomi with as much graciousness as he could muster given their current predicament. “Farewell then, Neomi. I wish you a safe journey home.”

  Without a second glance Neomi turned away. Her head remained upright, chin proudly forward, striding confidently toward a small group of Ovatai men standing on the path leading to the road. Moinie gave one last fearsome glare in Edric’s direction before following Neomi, leaving him to stare after them in awe and confusion. Such strange women the Ovatai had. If there were many more like them in Ethrysta, it would make for a very tense and uncomfortable time for the Vor’shai soldiers. It was impossible to know how to act without causing the ladies offense. He would need to brush up on his lessons about their people if he was going to make the journey with the troops.

  He remained motionless, watching Neomi and the others prepare for their departure. It wasn’t until after they disappeared down the path that the cold began to set in, reminding him of his wet clothes which now clung to his body, chilling him to the bone. He needed to take his own advice and go inside before he made himself sick. He wouldn’t be any use to the military if he caught cold right before setting out to war. Inhaling a long, cool breath of air, he tore his eyes away from the road to look back toward the palace. There was nothing else he could do until morning. The night would pass faster once he was out of his damp clothes and under the warmth of the blankets on his bed. A little rest might do him some good before telling the General of his intentions. He had a feeling it wasn’t going to be an easy task to accomplish.

  Sleep had sounded tempting to Edric while changing out of his rain-drenched doublet, shivering from the cold. To his dismay, he found closing his eyes impossible. In the dark he could see only the terrible things that might happen to his family. How Callum’s deployment would crush Aiva’s spirits – and if something befell him to prevent his return – he didn’t want to think of how his sister would react.

  Among the dark and gruesome images he found himself reminded of the way Neomi had looked, standing there in the rain, frozen through, yet refusing to admit her discomfort. Cold was common for them, but not in the way she must have experienced in Tanispa. Snow had a different effect than rain. A bitter wind would be easier to tolerate when not covered in water.

  There was something in her eyes in those moments before she left. He kept going back to it, playing the image over and over again in his mind, desperate to know what it had been. Not fear. She didn’t seem the type to experience fear. At least not in a noticeable sense. Something was troubling her, though. Through the hardened façade, it failed to escape him, adding to his discomfort at having allowed her to leave without taking rest.

  He tossed and turned, finding the silence of the room too loud. Morning felt as if it would take forever to come. When it finally arrived he could hardly contain his nervous excitement, already at his wardrobe to dress for the day before the sun had completed rising over the horizon. His parents were no doubt still asleep after their long night. They were awake long into the morning hours, far later than Edric dared to remain out of his chambers. A sense of guilt crept over him at his detachment from the events. Although he suffered the anxiety of the situation, he was at liberty to walk away. The rest of his family remained caught up in the tumult while he was in the comfort of his room. It somehow didn’t seem fair.

  The buttons on his doublet were only half-fastened when he moved through the door of his room into the hallway. Fumbling over the last few with his trembling fingers he made his way down the corridor, the soft echo of his footsteps reverberating off the walls around him in an eerily hollow sound. From somewhere he could hear the distinct sonance of a woman crying. Dread hung heavy on him, following the sound to the door of Aiva’s chambers at the end of the hall, pausing outside, hesitant to go in. Pressing his ear against the wood he listened. No voices could be heard, the only sound that of the gentle weeping.

  Quietly he turned the handle of the door, finding it to turn easily under the pressure of his hand. Not wanting to burst in unexpectedly he moved slowly, peering around the door to look inside before entering. On the bed he could see Callum seated, cradling Aiva in his arms, her face buried in the fabric of his doublet. The same one he’d been wearing the night before. He looked pale and drawn, dark circles formed under his eyes from lack of sleep. Edric couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Aiva cry. Not since they were children. She was never a frail girl, and in her adult life she remained one of the strongest women Edric had ever known. To see her reduced to tears hit him harder than he expected. There were very few reasons why she might express such sorrow at a time like this. He could only assume the worst.

  Callum’s eyes opened at the sound of the door, their umber glow dimmed into near darkness from the faint light in the room, a flickering orange haze the only source of illumination from the bedside table. Edric tried to look at his friend, finding it unbearable to see him in the state he was in now, desperately trying to console Aiva, possessin
g no means with which to do so. The anguish on Callum’s face made it clear that he was to a breaking point. A man could only take so much. It pained Edric to know that there was nothing he could do to help. Not right then, anyway. If he could get to the General and insist that someone else go in Callum’s stead. It was the only option.

  Saying nothing he turned away, closing the door behind him to leave Callum and Aiva in privacy. Edric didn’t care anymore whether or not the others were awake. General Cadell would speak with him. He would burst into his bedchamber with a drum if that was what it took to get his attention.

  Determination flooded every part of his body as he moved through the halls. The twists and turns were familiar to him. Even in the dark he could find his way, giving no pause outside the small door leading into the General’s quarters. In a rush he pushed inward, drawing a breath in preparation for what he might find upon entering. To his surprise he found the outer room empty. Dark. It didn’t appear as if anyone had been there at all.

  “Is something wrong, Edric?”

  Cadell’s voice floated down the hall from the direction Edric had just come, causing him to jump, startled by the sound. He couldn’t let his confusion get in the way. The General would hear him out. Edric may not ever be King, but he was still the Prince. And that held a superior position over any member of the military. “General, you and I must discuss a few things. I will not accept excuses. We will speak now.”

  “By all means. I would offer you to come inside my room, though as you have already done so… Feel free to continue standing there.” Cadell entered the door, making sure it was secured before taking a seat on the sofa positioned at the center of the room. Light from the sun filtered through the curtains, heralding the coming of a new day, though it seemed Edric was the only one who was not still dressed from the night before. “Your parents told me I might expect a visit from you. I was not prepared for you to come until later. I assumed you would still be asleep.”

  “How could I sleep knowing what is going on?” Edric folded his arms over his chest, curious at something the General said. His parents told Cadell he would come? Could it be that everyone in his family knew of Callum’s orders before he did? “General, is it true that your son will accompany the soldiers deployed to Ethrysta?”

  “It is true, yes.”

  “Do you not remember what I told you the other day? After Aiva was first taken ill?”

  “I may be old, but my memory is quite well intact. Callum is a grown man who made the decision to join the military of his own accord. He knew the risks he took in accepting the oath, and reaffirmed his agreement of the terms when he was promoted to Captain. While I admire your concern for my son, you must also recognize that my hands are tied in this matter.”

  “Then you both are going to Ethrysta?”

  Cadell’s head cocked to one side, peering at him curiously through the shadows. Unlike Callum’s, he showed little sign of his lack of sleep, presenting himself with his usual confidence and poise. “Callum is capable of handling this mission without me holding his hand.”

  “You would risk the health of my sister simply so you could remain here in Tanispa? Did you consider her when giving your son the order to go?” Edric’s anger was rising. It wasn’t like him to behave this way. The rational part of his mind was aware of everything he was doing wrong in that moment. There was nothing he could do to stop it now.

  “You think I ordered my son to travel into that miserable place?”

  “Are you denying it?”

  “Of course I deny it.”

  Edric found his confidence faltering again. If Cadell hadn’t given the order, then who? He didn’t want to accept the possibility of Callum offering to go. “Did the command come from my parents?”

  “There was no command, Edric,” Cadell sighed, shaking his head. “Valeska and I spoke with him after I finished discussing the matter with your parents. We voiced our preference for me to not accompany the troops. It was never demanded of him to go. In truth, I was prepared to make the trip to allow him more time with his wife. Valeska was less than pleased at the thought of sending either one of us. Callum weighed his options and concluded it would be best for everyone if he went.”

  “Everyone other than himself and my sister.” The answer did nothing to quell his frustration. Why would Callum do something like that? Edric refused to believe there was no coercion involved. Cadell and his wife may not have given a direct order for Callum to go, but enough guilt heaped upon his conscience might have been enough to push him against his will. “Let me go,” he stated flatly, unable to hold it in any longer. It was what he’d come there to say. His fear of the situation meant nothing if his going would bring Aiva and Callum happiness. They deserved it more than he did. “Callum should not be allowed away from his wife’s side until the child is born. If you also have no desire to leave your wife, then let me go instead. I have no wife to leave behind.”

  An odd expression crossed Cadell’s face at the suggestion. Curious, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, looking Edric over with a searching gaze. “You?” he questioned. “I was not aware you held an interest in military activity. Although you know how to wield a sword well enough, you lack the proper training necessary to command a large unit of men in the heat of battle. I’m not sure you would be the best choice.”

  “Cadell, you have seen me fight!” Edric shouted. His eyes opened wide, realizing too late the informal address in using the General’s first name. During family functions it was reasonable for him to do so. This was a business affair. He was out of line in making it personal. Shaking his head he tried to regain composure. There would be time to apologize for the slight later. “I may not have formal training, but I have enough experience with how to handle military strategy. Does no one in this wretched country give me the slightest bit of credit? I’m trying to protect your son, General. All I’m asking for is a chance. If I fail, you can send Callum north to clean up my mistakes.”

  There. It was said. He didn’t care what Cadell said. If he denied him, Edric would take the argument to the Queen. She would hear reason. Someone in this miserable place had to.

  Cadell’s features hardened, eyes narrowed, searching Edric as if to determine what was going through his mind. Edric stood his ground. He refused to give in. If anyone was going to take him seriously, they had to know that he meant what he said. “This is really what you want?” Cadell asked, rising to his feet in a single, fluid motion. “I’m giving you one opportunity to take it back if you spoke in haste. If you stand by your decision, then I will pose the request to your parents for their approval.”

  “I want this, General. More than you could possibly understand.”

  “Very well.” A hint of what almost looked to be sadness flashed in Cadell’s eyes, their burnt umber glow flickering before resuming their usual, steady light. “I will not lecture you about the task you seek to take on. You are old enough to know your own mind. It is not my business to try and change it.”

  “Nothing will change my mind. I have thought it over carefully and I am ready to take the responsibility. It’s something I need to do. For myself as well as our people and the Ovatai.”

  Cadell nodded in understanding, the harshness of his expression replaced by a look of solemnity. His long legs carried him across the floor to stand at Edric’s side, resting his hand on his shoulder, staring ahead into the hallway as he spoke. “I will do my best to accommodate you.” He paused, inhaling as if to speak again, losing the breath with a slight shake of his head, seeming to decide against whatever he’d thought to say. Quietly he moved out of the room, leaving Edric alone in the darkness.

  A sudden fear came over his heart, mingling with the quiet desperation he’d clung to since this all began. It was happening. General Cadell was going to the King and Queen to request Edric’s entrance into this war. Swallowing hard he brought his hands up to cover his face. What had he gotten himself into? This was an absolute mess. O
ne minute he knew what he wanted and the next he found himself questioning his convictions. Was he doing this for the right reasons? Did he really know what would be expected of him, or did he simply convince himself that he was more knowledgeable than he was out of some misplaced desire to be something he wasn’t? All he could hope was that it would start to make sense again. Preferably soon. He didn’t have much time left to figure it out.

  Neomi pulled her coat tighter around her body, wrapping her fingers in the warmth of the fur lining. She was grateful for the canopy of the leaves overhead. They provided ample cover from the incessant rain which hadn’t ceased its steady rhythm since she left the Tanispan palace. A fire snapped and crackled nearby, the heat helping to dry her dampened clothing while offering a soothing glow to the woods around her. The men were asleep. After days of traveling to the home of the Vor’shai, she couldn’t continue depriving them of rest. Fatigue affected her as well. She simply had no desire to let the others know.

  From the other side of the fire she could see Moinie watching her. Very little had been said between the two since their hasty departure from the Prince. Moinie no doubt had questions about the meeting with the Vor’shai royals. The problem was Neomi’s unwillingness to discuss the matter. She didn’t want her friend knowing how terribly she’d behaved during her brief time in their presence. Her mistakes were so many! None of this would have been an issue if Onuric had just swallowed his pride and done his duty the way he was trained to do. Though she had to wonder if he might have made different errors. It was apparent in the way he spoke of the Vor’shai that he had a low opinion of them. Neomi couldn’t understand why. They seemed helpful enough. Courteous. If there had been any misconduct, it was on her end, not theirs.