“Which is why we’re here, to see if this works. Can you spot Dagonet?”
I looked around. Even at a distance you could tell the elves from the halflings. The latter, bundled in wool and sometimes fur, were bulkier. My fellow elves mostly wore thermal underwear under their clothes, or else maintained warming spells.
“Hey, that’s Meerwen!” I hurried to where the vendors were selling shoes and bags. Meerwen was speaking to an elven leatherworker.
“… if you could make this a rush job? I’d rather not break in my spares.”
“Worry not, missy. I’ll do it right this moment.”
“Meerwen?”
“Excuse me. Angrod? Hi!”
She wore pants, a sweater, and a fur hat, all black. Stylish, but you could fight in it. “You look great,” I said. “What’re you doing here?”
“I always see Alberti for repairs. He’s always here during the Frost Fair.”
“Got to go where the business is, I always say,” Alberti said. I recognized the armour he was examining. Meerwen’s breastplate.
“Were you in a fight?” I asked her. “You look different from yesterday.”
“I can never get my makeup right. And you needn’t worry about the breastplate.”
“Too right you shouldn’t,” Alberti said. “… zzzip!” He ran a finger down one of the cracks. “… zzzip!” Another crack melted. The edges ran together and disappeared.
“Love the sound effects.”
“Hush,” Meerwen said. “The man is an expert.”
“That’s true. They told us how to do this in class—he’s working the leather on a molecular level. Damn difficult.”
“Heh heh.” The old elf smiled. “It’s one thing to know the theory, college boy, and another to do it for a living.”
“Tell me about it. The last time I did something like that, I had a headache for a week. Could I speak to you privately, Meerwen?”
Alberti looked up. “I’ve still some ways to go on this thing, dear. Why not enjoy the fair?”
“Why not?” Meerwen said. “Walk with me, college boy.”
We linked arms and walked further from the riverbank.
“Did you go out on patrol last night?” I asked.
“What’s it to you? I’ll bet the little goat kept you busy.”
“She did not, as it happens. But if she had, what’s it to you? What are we, Meerwen?”
“Friends?” Friends who sleep together once in a while, have plenty of reasons to grow closer, but can’t work up the courage?”
“So, a typical elf couple.” I reached over and took her hands. I had to untangle them first, but then we were standing across from each other, holding hands. “We’re together because, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were going to be a big part of my life. And I know you felt the same. At that moment all the parts of the world line up together and clicked, like it was important. Like it was fate.”
She smiled. “You’re one to talk about fate. Didn’t you tell me the prophecy was a polished turd?”
I thought about the weird little poem that had given me so much grief. “When I am king, I will require all fortune-tellers to take writing lessons.”
“Oh, is that what you’ll do?” She was silent for a moment. “So what are we?”
I extended my arms, bringing her closer. “I’m just a guy, standing in front of a girl…”
“Oh shut up.” She stepped back. She grinned despite herself. “Do you think we’re worth another try? No more missed connections? Do you think we might spend time together?”
“Erm, about that. I have to go away for a year.”
“What.”
“I have no choice! It’s a matter of honour! This took me completely by surprise!”
“Oh, and nothing’s more important than your damn honour? Since when do out-of-town trips fall out of the sky?”
And that’s when something broke through the ice.
One moment we were standing on the frozen river. The next I was skidding on my ass while the surface blew outward, heaving sheets of ice into the air. I recovered my balance—if not my dignity—by rolling onto all fours. “The fuck?!”
“Angrod! Angrod! Get up!”
The tentacle of water turned this way and that. It focused on me, then on Meerwen, who’d kept her footing. “It’s trying to communicate!” she said.
The shape refined itself, became humanoid. Light played over its surface and became solid colours. A woman, or rather the Sending of a woman stood before us. “Meerwen Elanesse, you’re our only hope!”
“Oh, fuck me.”
“Keep your distance, folks,” I said. “Private call in progress.”
Mina and I kept the crowds at a distance. City guardsmen had established a perimeter around the hole in the ice. Only Meerwen was close enough to talk to the sending.
“Who is that woman?” I asked. If her magical avatar was life-size she would be well over six feet and built like a goddess. A love goddess. Her plain garments couldn’t hide that splendid figure.
“She wears the maroon robes of a Fighting Nun,” Mina said. “I think she’s the abbess. I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“Got to be important. Life-and-death situation, probably. Dagonet?”
“On it, boss.”
Dagonet was getting some practice as my invisible bodyguard. We’d just put Cruix and Heronimo on a boat. Mina had to stay and do damage control. I needed all the backup I could get.
I looked at the Abbess. She was impressive, even for a human. She had rich brown skin and I found myself wishing she showed more of it.
“Notice the steel bracers,” Mina said. “She must’ve been Meerwen’s martial arts teacher. Most nuns content themselves with empty hands.”
“You seem to know a lot about the Fighting Nuns.”
“Unlike you, I was raised as royalty. Every prince and princess should know geography. The Sisters of the Gentle Fists are quite influential, especially in the Northlands.”
“How the hell can a fist be gentle?”
Meerwen was having a spirited discussion with the abbess. Lots of gesticulating, lots of shouting that carried over the ice. We were too far to make sense of it but clearly they weren’t exchanging soup recipes. Of Dagonet there was no sign. Damn, she was good. Not only did she have to keep track of Meerwen and the nun, but she also had to keep track of everyone nearby. She was generating dozens of false images at once, one for every pair of eyes.
“I think the discussion’s coming to an end,” Mina said, and indeed my girlfriend had calmed down. She was nodding. Something had been decided. The sending withdrew. Only, instead of falling back into the river it drained of colour. What remained was a hollow shell—an exquisite ice statue.
Mina walked away. The city guard checked if the hole had frozen enough. Halflings approached in ones and twos. Someone set up an easel and began offering his services. “Sketches! Sketches next to the Ice Queen! Guaran-teed a good likeness! Skee-etches!”
“Pikcher frames! Pikcher frames to go with! All colours! Piiiii-kacherframes!”
Halflings don’t miss a trick.
I met up with Meerwen. “What happened? Can I help?”
“It turns out I have to leave town too.” She shot me a look. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. Go take care of your precious honour.”
CHAPTER 8: MEERWEN
“What did the abbess say?” asked Father.
“She told me the temple was under attack. She wouldn’t say how. Just told me to hurry over to Snow Mountain with as many soldiers as I could trust.”
“Why you, specifically?”
“She trusts me in a fight, she knows I have military connections, and she respects my skills with earth magic. She told me the realm would be in danger if the temple fell. I’m leaving on the next yacht. I’d appreciate if you could send troops.”
“That will take some time. Will you be okay till then? What about your boyfriend?”
“He’s busy. He’ll be gone a year. I’m doing this alone.”
Father’s face darkened. “That little punk. He and I are going to have words.”
Mother walked in. “What’s all this?”
“Your daughter is going on a dangerous mission without backup.”
“Why is she always my daughter at times like this?”
“My family wasn’t known for recklessness until she came along.”
“You did not just say that, mister. Didn’t you teleport all the way to Corinthe on the word of a Veneanar retainer?
“And didn’t you recommend that Meerwen train with the Fighting Nuns? Her boyfriend isn’t going to lift a finger to help her. In fact, he’s going to be away for an entire year!”
“Maybe he has good reasons, we don’t know.”
“I’ve got to go,” I said. “People could be dying as we speak.”
“Aren’t you going to pack?” Mother asked.
I was already wearing my armour, so I opened the closet and took one of the backpacks. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“You had that ready?”
“This one’s for cold weather.”
Father shook his head. “My little girl grew up into a crazy survivalist. At least say goodbye properly.”
I hugged them. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Mother said, “Be safe, my baby.” Father patted my back. “I’ll assemble a task force. I’ll be there before you know it.”
This far into winter, the only transport fast enough were the ice yachts. One tall sail and three metal runners, with precious little space in between. I was not looking forward to the trip.
Mina met me at the docks. She was dressed for travelling. “I know about your mission. I’m here to help.”
“Did Angrod make you do this?”
“He told me to hire reinforcements, but I’m here on my own behalf. Brandish is my home too. And I wasn’t looking forward to facing the chroniclers when they notice the crown prince has gone missing.”
“Where are the hired men? Where are your friends the dragon and the barbarian?”
“We’ll meet the team in Lamemheth.” Mina pursed her lips. “And as you might have heard, we sent Cruix and Heronimo on an impromptu diplomatic mission.” She slung her duffel bag. “Now get aboard before I change my mind.”
“Well, short help is better than no help at all.”
CHAPTER 9: ANGROD
I rode through the moorlands, down the lonely country road. It was a dark night, and a cold one. Every gust of wind threw snow in my face.
It could’ve been worse. The old royal road was slush-free and plainly visible, drawing on stored energy to heat and even light its surface. It wasn’t very bright, but a dim glow went a long way on nights like this.
Elves didn’t make roads like these anymore, even though we still could. There were only a few remnants of what had been a continent-spanning system and most of these surviving examples didn’t go anywhere interesting. Wear and tear on the important bits had seen to that.
This was why Meerwen and Mina headed to another city by glorified sled while I headed to the middle of nowhere in relative comfort. I rode that glowing ribbon up to the old abandoned inn. My horse’s hooves clattered on the cobblestones of the innyard. All was quiet within. The windows were shuttered and dark. Nobody was home, so it seemed.
I gave a low whistle and Tamril said, “Don’t move.”
“Will something bad happen?”
“If you call an arrow in the back bad, sure.”
She stepped out of the doorway and lit a flare. “Stand down, guys. It’s him.” To turned to me. “Go right in. He’s waiting.”
Arawn, king of the caprans, was in the dining lounge. He looked more bandit than king, with the sort of good looks that weren’t spoiled by facial scars or a broken nose. He also had a silver hoop earring, an abundance of body hair, and muscles to rival a Northlander. He grinned. “We meet again! Please sit down. Drink with me!”
There was a wine bottle and a gas lantern on the table. He filled two glasses and allowed me to choose, then raised the other glass. “To life.”
“To life,” I took a sip. “It’s good. No doubt you’ve heard about my sweet tooth.”
“I get reports. It’s made on my own estate, out of raisins. Like your ice wine, except the grapes are dried instead of frozen. How have you been?”
I summarized the past few years. I didn’t seem to have done much in all that time.
“But that’s not true,” he said. “You have become a skilled combat mage and wyvern hunter. What’s more, you are now the famous crown prince.”
“Some prince. I don’t make policy, I just make appearances. I cut ribbons and give speeches. I even do weddings.”
He smiled. “How many schools and hospitals have opened in the past sixteen years, compared to the sixteen years before that? I think you’ll find that the various city governments have been more civic-minded since you began representing them.”
“On one hand they don’t want to be embarrassed, and on the other it’s nice when a royal shows up at your event. Is this what being king is about? Stand around and look good?”
“You don’t need to be special to run a kingdom. But to represent its people takes courage and strength. Your subjects—your entire race—will be judged by your conduct.”
“Gah. Really? I thought it was all palaces and harems.”
“Royalty is responsibility. You carry the crown—it does not carry you.” He took a drink. “Although harems aren’t out of the question. Would you like a few concubines?”
I took a long drink. “I’ll think about it. How are things in your kingdom?”
“Peaceful, although there are those who will rattle their sabres and complain their horses lack exercise. The crown is not too heavy, but it has begun to chafe. Your mission, should you accept it, is to rule in my stead for a year.”
“What?” I had leaped to my feet.
“I wish you to replace me for one year, during which I shall tour Brandish anonymously. I get a nice vacation, you get to practice being king, and no one shall ever know.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I was somewhere else when they were handing out horns and hooves.”
“That’s why I brought this.” He offered me a ring box.
“Why, Arawn, this is so sudden.”
“These are magic rings. They will allow us to masquerade as one another.”
I looked at the rings with my elven senses. Light pulsed across the burnished steel, forming swirls and spirals.
“I’ve seen something like this, once. An amulet that changed your apparent gender. Dwarven made?”
He nodded. “These are more complex. The rings are twins—the wearers can exchange likenesses indefinitely. The catch is they can’t use magic.”
“If I were posing as a capran, I could hardly be slinging elven spells.” I picked up a ring. “What would happen if I choose not to do this?”
He frowned. “Ask rather what would cease to happen. If you refuse, we could no longer be friends. I could extend you no further favours.”
Arawn’s favours were not to be taken lightly. He had been a good friend and valuable ally. If all I needed to do was give him a vacation, why not? “I would regret losing our friendship,” I said. “More, I would regret going back on my promise.” I put the ring on. “The things we do for honour and friendship.”
“Now we have to touch rings and recite the magic words.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope, it’s all in the manual. Okay, fist bump. Repeat after me: In brightest day, in brightest night, these rings shall make us seem alike.”
“In brightest day, in brightest night, these rings shall make us seem alike.”
“Let those who do not trust their sight, be made to think that all is right.”
I repeated the words. There was a slight electric shock. “Did it work?”
Arawn had become my double. “What
do you think?”
“You even sound like me. And I… sound… so irritating. Do we trade places now? Where will you go?”
“Here’s my cloak. You’re taking a carriage to the Silver World tonight. As for me, I’ve always wanted to spend time with the Wood Elves. I’ve heard they’re real swingers.”
Dagonet perched on the roof. There were a dozen caprans on the ground, as alert as any warriors she had encountered. Clearly they were elite bodyguards—it had taken all her training to reach this vantage point.
Iron Elf - A Race Reborn (Book 2) Page 5