Tangled Engagements (The Memory Stones Series Book 4)

by Jeffrey Quyle

  At least, that’s how Theus hoped events would unfold.

  “Theus! Where have you been? I’m so happy to see you!” Coriae ran and met him in the drive of the Warrell property, shortly after he had passed the gatehouse.

  “I, we, were worried about you; you disappeared from the house yesterday and never came back. Were you practicing your white magic?” she hugged him and held on as she spoke, so that her voice reached his ear while he felt it reverberating in his chest.

  “I went out yesterday to see the camp of the Greenfalls soldiers,” Theus told her, as they disentangled, and began to walk up the drive. “And then, on my way back here, I ran into some of my friends, the other apprentices.

  “You remember Mason, who we met at the market, during the second day of the tournament last year?” he asked to clarify.

  “I do remember him; you thought he would gossip about us being together, and that it would harm my reputation,” she smiled at him as she recollected the incident.

  “Yes,” Theus agreed. “I ate dinner with them, and walked Glory home to her house,” he felt a subtle change in her posture as he spoke.

  “There were two burglars inside her house, looting the place when we got there,” he continued. “They hit Glory, and I killed them,” he said bluntly.

  “You killed them? Just like that? With magic?” Coriae looked at him in astonishment.

  “Not magic, just my staff,” Theus corrected her. He wished Coriae hadn’t spotted him walking back to the mansion. He knew what he said next might be interpreted the wrong way; news that he had slept in Glory’s house might be misunderstood, and he wanted nothing to interfere with his dream of reuniting with the spirited, beautiful girl.

  “She was frightened, because of the robbery, and she asked me to stay in the house overnight, to keep her safe; so I did,” Theus explained. “I slept in her mother’s room, while she slept in her own room,” he added hastily. “That’s all it was – just to help her feel safe. I couldn’t blame her. I really wanted to be here last night, not there. But I couldn’t just leave her alone after that,” he started to ramble in his futile attempt to reduce any harm his words and actions might inflict upon Coriae’s opinion on him.

  The pair was approaching the front door of the mansion, not the back door that he had uniformly used throughout his residence at the home. Coriae disengaged from their pose of walking with arms around each other’s backs, whether in reaction to his words or in reaction to the doorway, he couldn’t tell.

  “There are people waiting here with messages for you,” she spoke with a note of formality. “Do you want to see them right away?”

  They were standing in front of the door, and Theus heard the latch mechanism moving, as someone inside the house opened it for them.

  “Do you have any of the healing ointment ready to apply to my wounds?” he asked her as the door swung open.

  “No, but I’ll go have a fresh batch prepared in the kitchen, if they still have the recipe you gave us,” Coriae removed her hand from his arm, breaking the physical contact between them as they came into view of the interior of the house. The front hall held several people, and all were staring at the couple who stood on the threshold.

  “My lord, welcome back. I trust all is well,” Lorinse the steward spoke first, edging to block others from reaching Theus. “Would you like to retire to the study, or up to your quarters?” he asked, seeking to give Theus an opportunity to avoid those who were waiting in the hall for him. The steward’s eyes flicked quickly from Theus to Coriae, looking for any subtle clue about how to handle the situation.

  “I’ll go to the study, please Lorinse, thank you,” Theus answered.

  “I’ll go to the kitchen to have medicines prepared for the great magician,” Coriae spoke too, in a voice loud enough to be heard by those in the house. She might have been caught off guard by his night spent in another woman’s house, but she was still going to play the public role of his close friend and supporter in front of the audience at the Warrell mansion.

  The pair stepped in, as Lorinse stepped back to provide space. Coriae veered off to the side and found her way through the house, while Lorinse indicated Theus’s path, and a number of voices rose in greeting.

  Alamice was present, Theus noted, with a concerned look on his face. The captain of the Southsand guard was also present, as were officials from Great Forks who Theus didn’t recognize.

  Theus raised a hand in a gesture of greeting to them all as he started to pass by.

  “I’m not a king who can do this,” he silently told himself. His impersonal greeting wasn’t the way he should press past people he knew, people who had been his friends or his comrades in battle, despite the opportunity Lorinse was trying to arrange to allow him to reach the quiet sanctuary of the study. Theus knew he had to take time to treat the people in the hall as individuals; he was only a farm boy from the Jewel Hills, he reminded himself, despite all that had happened since those farming days.

  “Good to see you,” Theus stopped and shook Alamice’s hand. “We’ll talk soon.”

  “Thank you, my lord, it’s urgent,” Alamice smiled in relief at Theus’s greeting, though there was strain on his face. “I’m sorry to trouble you when you have so many weighty issues, and your wounds to tend to.”

  Theus squeezed his Southsand friend’s hand and moved along.

  “I’ll talk to you soon too. I hope nothing’s wrong?” he asked the captain of Greenfalls, shaking his hand as well.

  “Nothing urgent my lord. You take your time; I know you’re carrying a heavy burden at the moment,” the man answered graciously.

  “I’ll be sure to listen to all of you as well,” Theus spoke to the knot of Great Forks officials he did not know, a group of men and women, as he moved a step closer to the study, while their eyes all studied him.

  “Along with Lord Warrell,” Lorinse diplomatically interjected. “And once our guest magician lordship has had an opportunity to rest and be treated.”

  The pair stepped down the hall to the study, where Lorinse reached ahead and pressed one of the double doors open for Theus.

  “Are you well, my lord?” Lorinse asked as soon as he closed the door behind him. “Are you able to see others?”

  “I was just gone for the evening, keeping a friend safe,” Theus replied, trying to diminish the steward’s concern for Theus’s health. “I’m back, and tired, but I’m ready to work today. At least,” he added with a weary grin, “as long as it doesn’t involve more fighting – with the Southsanders, their magician, or Coriae!” he jested with Lorinse.

  “I understand completely,” the steward gave a momentary, warm smile. “We’ve all faced that last concern at some time.

  “I’ll go fetch his lordship, and shall I have some food delivered?” Lorinse asked.

  “Yes, certainly, please,” Theus affirmed.

  As soon as the door closed, Theus closed his own eyes and rubbed them wearily. He felt as though he’d had no sleep at all. The frightening nightmares about Donal had disrupted his rest more than he realized.

  He sat alone in grateful solitude for two minutes, before the door opened, and Blanche entered with a tray of fruits and juice glasses.

  “Would his lordship like something to eat?” the kitchen servant who he had met on his very first day in the mansion asked.

  “I’m hungry,” he spoke as he opened his eyes. “What would her ladyship recommend?” he tried to poke fun at her formality in talking to him.

  She gave him a considered look, evaluating whether he was making fun of her or being friendly.

  “I believe that someone who is eating for two should have a better opinion of the quality of the food than someone who’s just eating for one,” he pointed out, with a significant glance at her pregnant belly.

  “Theus!” she burst out laughing. “I don’t eat that much!” she insisted. “Did Marvin tell you to say that? He’s always poking fun at my appetite, and it’s not fair!” she spoke d
efensively.

  “I’m just teasing,” Theus said gently. He’d struck a sore spot, he realized. But at least he’d broken through the formality.

  “I’d eat the strawberries; they’re very sweet this spring,” she advised.

  The door opened, and she gave a curtsey to Theus. “Please let us know if you need anything else,” she said deferentially, then withdrew, as Lorinse and Lord Warrell entered the study.

  “My lord, we welcome you back,” Warrell said graciously, as he studied Theus. “Have you had further encounters with the dark magician?”

  “No,” Theus replied. He clearly did not look well, he realized. He hoped Coriae had a healing potion prepared soon, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to spend a great deal of time in the study. He just wanted to retire to his bedroom and rest. His sister was the queen, he told himself sourly; she should have to deal with matters like these, while he could focus on simpler things. Simpler things like fighting Donal, he contradicted himself, making him give an abrupt bark of laughter that caused the other two men to stare at him.

  “I see we have guests outside,” Theus decided to press on. “Are there troubles?”

  Lorinse answered. “We believe the Greenfalls captain is simply prepared to announce his departure. But the Southsand invader has refused to explain himself. He says his message is meant directly for you.”

  Theus bit his lip as he considered the news. It couldn’t be good.

  “What about the others, the men and women from Great Forks?” he asked.

  “I’ll deal with them,” Warrell assured Theus. “You just tell us if you want to hear the first two, and then your work will be done for a while.”

  “Send in the Greenfalls captain, Gane. I think he’ll be a quick and easy visit; at least, I hope so,” Theus decided. “We can hear from Alamice afterwards.”

  Lorinse stepped out of the room to bring in their first interview.

  “Is everything alright, Theus?” Warrell asked in a low voice. “You look unwell.”

  “I haven’t fought the magician any further,” Theus assured the lord of the mansion.

  “Is it about Coriae?” the man surprised Theus by asking.

  “No, my lord,” he replied. “There’s nothing to report regarding her, nothing yet,” Theus told him. He was ready to admit to Coriae’s father that he still had strong feelings for the girl, and hoped to woo her once again.

  The door opened, and Lorinse led in Gane, the captain of the Greenfalls guard, Theus’s companion during the river barge journey.

  “My lord magician, lord Warrell,” Gane bobbed his head in a perfunctory salute. “I wish to tell you that we are prepared to leave the city today, unless you tell me otherwise,” the officer reported. “We’ve had a great adventure here – no members of the Greenfalls guard have fought in a war in generations! But the war was over quickly, due to your great work,” he nodded to Theus.

  “Theus, how can you spoil these visitors’ fun by ending the war so quickly?” Warrell asked with a sly laugh. He stood up and shook Gane’s hand. “I understand your meaning completely, and we sincerely thank Greenfalls for the invaluable aid you sent to us. Without your arrival – both the magician and all the soldiers – we would have lost this war.

  “We’ll repay your city whenever you call for help,” Warrell pledged. “Please tell your leaders.”

  “Your magician friend knows our leaders better than I do,” Gane replied, “but if they ask me, I’ll pass the message along. And I hope our cities will remain friends, able to help one another. Who knows how the king and his advisors in Stoke are going to react to events in Greenfalls, or in Great Forks?”

  The officer bowed and took his leave from the study.

  “We haven’t discussed Greenfalls,” Warrell mentioned to Theus, as Lorinse went out into the lobby to bring Alamice to the study.

  “We can talk about the changes there, my lord,” Theus promised, just as the door opened, and the officer from Southsand and the steward of the mansion returned.

  “Alamice, it’s good to see you,” Theus rose heavily to his feet and shook the officer’s hand.

  “Theus, many of us don't want to go back to Southsand,” Alamice said bluntly. “If Donal has used his magic to go back to the palace to save himself after you defeated him, he will want to blame someone else for his defeat and the army's loss, and we know we'll be the scapegoats.”

  Theus sat back down, then closed his eyes as he listened.

  “A quick death would be a blessing compared to such a fate,” he interrupted the officer.

  “We're more likely to hijack our ships before they get close to Southsand,” Alamice explained. “We won’t return to Southsand.”

  “What do you want us to do?” Warrell asked as he listened and watched the reaction on Theus's face.

  “You, my lord?” Alamice replied to the Great Forks leader. “Nothing.

  “From you,” the man's voice betrayed his desperation at last. “From you, my lord Theus,” he swiveled to face Theus, “we ask to change allegiance, and serve you.”

  “Me?" Theus asked in shock, his eyes open again, staring at the officer. “What do you mean?”

  “Many of us will not return to Southsand. We will remain here in the north and serve as your personal guard. We will follow your orders, and share in your commitments, whether they are peaceful or warlike,” Alamice answered.

  “How many men do you think will refuse to go back to Southsand?” Theus asked, as he tried to comprehend the surprising request.

  “Most of the officers, those who fear we'll suffer the blame for Donal's defeat,” Alamice replied.

  Bring them to our city, Limber's voice spoke to him.

  “Do you trust them all?” Theus asked. He wasn't sure whether he was asking Limber or Alamice.

  “Eh, yes,” Alamice assumed the question was for him, and he answered. “A few of those who have made the choice surprise me, but, yes, I do trust them. They were all members of the guard before Donal came to the palace and gained influence; they are in the guard for the right reasons.”

  I do trust them, and so should you. Let them remain in the city, and bring them to my temple tomorrow to pledge their service to our city, Limber spoke to Theus. Then bring them to our city.

  Theus sat in silence as he digested Limber’s command. The others in the room looked at him expectantly, as the silence stretched out.

  “My lord?” Alamice asked softly. “Will you grant us this? Will you save our lives?”

  “Yes,” Theus replied. “Take your chosen men, and do not board the ships. My lord?” Theus turned to Warrell, “May these men remain at their camp for a few more days, after the ships leave?”

  “What are you going to do with them?” Lorinse blurted out the question, breaking his usual practice of standing quietly off to the side of such conversations.

  “Tomorrow,” Theus looked at Lorinse, then at Warrell, then at Alamice. “I will take them to the temple of Limber, near the shops of the memory stone merchants, and they will swear their allegiance to Limber. Then, they and I will make the journey back to the city of Limber.

  “And we’ll plan our next steps from there,” he faltered slightly, not knowing what his god’s plans were for the fighting force.

  “Thank you, my lord,” Alamice knelt on one knee and bowed his head. “You’ve given us life and hope.” He rose, and smiled at Theus.

  “Will you allow us to remain in your city for a few more days?” Theus asked Warrell.

  The nobleman and his steward exchanged looks.

  “Our people will be unhappy that a contingent of the invaders remains here,” Warrell reported; he looked uneasy. “After the ships leave, carrying the rest of the invaders back to Southsand, those of you who remain should transfer to the spot the Greenfalls troops are leaving, outside the city, up the river.

  “Will one week’s time be enough for you?” Warrell asked Theus. “I need to be able to tell my people that the invaders will be d
eparting.”

  “Yes,” Theus said assuredly. He didn’t know what his future held, but he was sure he would be able to leave the city within a week. The real question in his mind was what his relationship with Coriae would be at that time. He bid farewell to Alamice, who returned to his camp with his news.

  “We can deal with the other matters, my lord,” Lorinse addressed Theus, referring to the others who were waiting for audiences. “Those officials are here regarding city functions not related to the war.”

  “Go please, Theus,” Lord Warrell urged. “Rest and recover. You've certainly earned the right. We'll make all the arrangements for your new army to be moved to their new location.”

  Theus rose to his feet. He was exhausted and needed no further urging.

  “Thank you, my lord, Lorinse,” Theus said. He leaned on his staff and walked to the door, then opened it. Outside he saw the gaggle of people waiting to give reports or ask for instructions. Knowing the layout of the house, he turned and went down the back hall to the kitchen, where the servants’ back staircase was available to take him up to the bedroom above.

  “Theus, young hero!” the head baker in the kitchen greeted him. “What brings you here among us?”

  A trio of women at a counter turned, and Theus saw that Coriae was standing with two others who had bowls, and were evidently mixing the medicines he hoped to receive.

  “Are you headed upstairs, Theus?” Coriae asked as she walked rapidly over to him. “You need to, even if you’re not. Let me help you again,” she held his forearm with one hand, while her other hand rested on his back.

  “We’ll go up these steps; that’s why you came back here, isn’t it?” she asked with a kindly voice. “Or were you just coming to check up on us?” she teased.

  He was glad to hear the laughter in her voice, glad to think that she was no longer upset with the notion of him having spent a night at Glory’s home.

  “You’ll have the batch of medicine delivered as soon as it’s ready? Brought up to his lordship’s room?” Coriae asked back over her shoulder, as she and Theus began to walk towards the steps.