His questions surprised Tanti. Nikon and Halior, the most important people in the kingdom apart from the queen, made time in their busy schedules and sat with him in order to question him about his father, mother, and brothers?
“My father is in charge of the mines on behalf of the Council of the Elders. In Izmeran we have no king. There’s a rule of people chosen to run the country.”
“Were you in the mining business as well?”
“Me and my older brothers. We would accompany our father on his journeys to locate deposits according to the type of earth, its shape, and location. My brothers always searched for new and original ways to find signs of crystal stones. I kept with my father’s teachings, and learned from him the ancient teachings of the secrets of the crystals.”
“Who do you think was right, in the end?”
“I think that combining the two teachings led to the best results. Also, the fact that the four of us were of one family and were used to working together increased the turnout. Although, today the situation is different.”
“In what way?”
“My brothers were appointed to different positions.”
“What positions?”
Tanti hesitated, unsure how to answer their questions. He sensed they wouldn’t be satisfied with evasive answers. He’d have to answer honestly, without revealing a thing about his quest. He told them about the many bandit attacks and how his brothers were chosen to prepare a defense watch.
Nikon and Halior nodded to each other. It seemed as though what he’d told them satisfied them, although he didn’t know why.
“Where you appointed to a certain position?” Nikon asked.
“Yes.”
“Did you fulfill it as expected of you?”
“I must return to my country as soon as possible. Only then will I complete my quest.”
“And if, when you return to your country, your quest is completed,” Halior said, leaning toward him. “What will you do then?”
“Things will be different when I return. My brothers, I’m not sure if they want to continue with mining, and the majority of the burden will fall on my father and me. I’d like to do different things than I used to.”
“Such as?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking of the knowledge we’ve accumulated. I think it should be saved and passed on to the next generations. When I return, I’ll suggest to my father that we establish a farm where earth and minerals will be studied, where we’ll teach and train young people to locate crystal mines. My father is getting old. When his strength fails him, he won’t be able to climb mountains and cliffs like he used to. My mother will be very happy if we aren’t away from home so much.”
Halior asked, “Is your work at the mines rewarding?”
“I guess,” Tanti said. “We’ve always lived comfortably, and we’ve also raised horses. My father’s wages were paid by the Council of the Elders, and finding a new mine granted us with a generous grant called a ‘happy grant.’” Halior and Nikon exchanged glances and smiled slightly.
“A happy grant,” Nikon said. “We’d also like to give you a generous happy grant of our own.”
“There’s no need.”
“Nevertheless, we will. And I’m sure you’ll use it wisely.”
“We’re asking you to stay for one more day,” Halior said. “In order to say goodbye properly.”
“I cannot refuse you, Princess.”
“Well then, we’ll see you tomorrow,” Halior said, and Tanti understood that the odd conversation had come to an end. He stood and left.
At the bottom of the stairs, the queen’s ladies-in-waiting and several other friends waited for him. “Tanti Marin!” they said. “Tell us again about the Blue Palace.”
“Tell us how you climbed the stairs and found yourself one story down.” They surrounded him. “And about the butterflies.”
“I’ll tell you how we escaped, my horse and I, from the horror of the furroids.”
“Is it funny?”
“No. But it’s scary.”
When the girls surrounded him eagerly, Tanti thought to himself, as he sat on the marble stair, that perhaps the Whites weren’t so different from the Blues after all.
He told them his story, enjoying the lively girls’ company, the attention, and how his story affected them, in this cold White country. Their company was a fine distraction during the long, boring days, which he spent looking forward to the pleasant evenings. His soul was torn between his burning desire to return home, and his desire to stay close to the White queen forever. He felt his heart clench in pain. A pain that even the healing mud of the mushroom couldn’t ease.
The pale twilight hour excited him. Soon, the two of them would meet, and magic would embrace their own private world. He couldn’t think beyond that.
When evening came, a messenger failed to arrive on behalf of the queen to summon him. Tanti waited, certain that the messenger was late. Perhaps the queen hadn’t finished her matters for the day. She was probably tired. No matter. Even a brief hour in her company was enough for him. Even half an hour.
The hours passed. No one came to his room. Impatiently, Tanti called Dom, his White servant, and told him to go ask if he could visit the queen.
The servant returned with the following announcement: The queen was busy. She would send for him when she had time.
Her answer was odd. When the clock approached midnight, the pain in his heart grew. He didn’t want to come to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t see the queen today. He left the room and went to the palace garden. Beneath the moonlight, the dark palace looked gloomy and distant. A small light shone out of one cluster of windows. Were those her windows?
Suddenly, he panicked. What if just now someone came to call him and he wasn’t there? He started running. Tomorrow, he was leaving. Tonight was supposed to be their last night together. What was it that demanded her attention this evening? Something she couldn’t postpone? He wanted to see her, even for a moment. Tonight, he’d reveal his heart to her. He’d reveal what he’d guarded and had been so careful with until then.
Perhaps she simply didn’t want to see him? Once again, those questions for which he had no answers started tormenting him.
No one waited for him at the door to his room. The White Palace was deep in sleep. In her room, he knew, the light still burned.
Tomorrow, during the day, there would be a farewell ceremony for him. Their conduct in public would be formal and distant. He wouldn’t be able to express himself before her.
At dawn, he woke up and found himself in the chair, sleeping uncomfortably in his clothes.
He got up, washed, and hurried to the stables. She would probably come to meet him there, for the last time.
When they had met two days ago, they’d decided to leave the decision with Gayalo, whether he’d stay with the queen or return with Tanti to Izmeran. Amused and laughing, they’d planned where each of them would stand and how they’d let the horse choose. Indeed, he was lucky to wake up in time.
The queen wasn’t there. Gayalo wasn’t there, either. The place where the saddle usually hung was empty. Tanti hurried to search for the grooms. “Where’s the horse?” he asked. “Has the queen been here this morning?”
No. She hadn’t. The long-necked horse had been taken away yesterday afternoon. Where to? They didn’t know.
Tanti felt as though the ground had been cut out from beneath his feet. Did the evasions and vanishing have anything to do with the odd conversation yesterday between him and Nikon and Halior? Had he said something wrong? Where had he gone wrong? Had he upset them by growing so close to the queen?
When he arrived at his room, his manservant was waiting, worried and urgent.
“Where have you been? Honorable Advisor Nikon instructed that I pack your possessions and that you prepare to leave for
your journey.”
“As far as I know,” Tanti said, “an organized farewell ceremony is supposed to take place right after breakfast, as is customary of the Whites.”
“Breakfast is ready on the table in your room.”
“In my room? Not the dining room?”
“These are the orders. Please be seated and eat. I’ll pour you the jasmine tea you’re so fond of.”
“I’m not hungry.” Tanti felt pressure in his temples. He entered the room, and in an attempt to calm down, drank the tea. He couldn’t touch the food. Why had Nikon and Halior asked him to stay for another day? To kick him out?
“I’m better off kicking myself out of here,” he mumbled.
“Sorry, sir?” The servant was worried and sensed his agitation.
“Everything’s fine,” Tanti said. “I’ll go bathe now.”
He dressed meticulously, wearing the new clothes the Whites had given him. He added his colorful tasseled vest over the white shirt. And of course, he didn’t part for a moment from his black scarf.
His possessions were carried by the servants, who took them somewhere. Tanti was brought to the meeting room. He walked with his escorts, as though frozen.
The huge meeting table and ornamented chairs were conspicuously deserted. Two people entered the room: the queen’s sister, wearing a handsome gown and a crown of pearls, and the advisor, Nikon, wearing ceremonial attire. Their faces were a bit somber and stern.
“We’ve come to say goodbye,” Nikon said. “And to accompany you to the delegation chosen to join you. Everything’s ready for the journey.”
“I don’t understand. What… Why…”
“You must be wondering about the urgency,” said Halior.
“Yes, I am wondering.”
“Please. Be patient. Things will be clearer later on. We’re following the wishes of the qu—my sister.”
“Queen Laorin? Where is she? Why didn’t she come to say goodbye?”
“As I said, she’s doing things her own way, and we’re just helping her.”
“As mentioned,” Nikon said, “the cavalry is at your disposal, well equipped for the journey. Among them is the guide who will bring you to Izmeran, taking the safest, most comfortable way. Take this bundle. In it is the financing you’ll need for your new life in Izmeran. This is the ‘happy grant’ we promised you.”
He wanted to ask further questions, but Nikon was already standing at the entrance, signaling that he leave.
Tanti was now trapped between four guards, two in front of him and two behind him. Nikon was at his right and Halior at his left. Not another word was said.
They passed by the beautiful garden and left the White Palace behind them. They reached the acacia grove, which was just starting to bloom. Few flowers opened their petals so early in the morning, and those that did were like beauty marks among the treetops. White birds chirped from among the trees. At the edge of the grove, a group of cavaliers waited for him by their horses.
Nikon gave a curt order, and the guards turned back and took several steps away.
They stopped. One of the horses moved and approached them. Tanti threw his arms around Gayalo’s neck.
When he noticed the glorious saddle on the horse’s back, he suddenly lost his calm. He didn’t want the royal saddle, nor did he want six cavaliers to accompany him. One guide was enough. He didn’t need a “happy grant” when his heart was broken. He wanted her, and she was gone.
“Take that saddle off my horse,” he said angrily. “Take it off, immediately!” He didn’t wait and started unbuckling the saddle, but to no avail. His hands were shaking. The straps cut into his fingers until they bled.
“It will be hard for me to ride my horse without my saddle,” he heard her say.
She stood in the middle of the grove, smiling at him, the light shining through the leaves surrounding her body in a luminous halo.
He rushed toward her and grasped her hands. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“You’re going to see me quite a lot.”
“I don’t understand.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her face.
“It’s very simple. I’m coming with you,” she said.
“I don’t understand.”
“If that’s what you want, of course.”
“Your Majesty… If that’s what I want? Of course that’s what I want. Yet I wonder why you’d want to give up your throne and come with me? And how will you endure the hardships of the journey? How will you leave everything familiar and go to a strange, different place? Life in Izmeran… There’s no palace that I can bring you to there. No servants. Just a house and a simple life.”
“That’s all I want,” said Laorin. “A house like any other house. A simple life, where I can decide what to do and what not to do. I chose you, Tanti. I can change my decision if you don’t want me to join you.”
“Of course I want, want, want. How can you even think differently? I didn’t even dare dream of that. That you’d be with me, by my side…”
“Well then, I’m joining you. Right?”
“It’s time to clarify matters,” Halior said when she approached them. “We’ve tormented his soul enough.”
Laorin, while holding his hand, led him to a nearby bench. Her sister and Nikon joined them. She told him how she’d decided to join him. She no longer wanted to be a queen. She wanted to live with her beloved, in a world that suited her true nature. Her small and large loves. Her sister, Halior, despite her young age, would rule Anura worthily, without feeling that her soul was suffocating beneath the yoke of obligating tradition.
“Saying goodbye to my sister is painful,” Halior said. “On the other hand, it seems crueler to force her to live a life she doesn’t want. Even I, a cold, exacting White, noticed the change in her when she spent time with you, Tanti. I was always angry at her rebellious, inappropriate behavior. This time, I realized my sister was different. Her needs were different. In your company, she became stronger, she became calmer, and she even became a better queen. Words can’t describe how much I’ll miss her, but on the other hand, I know her and understand her heart.”
She turned to her sister. “My dear, you abdicated the crown, but not in order to run away. You made your choice. And it’s brave and impressive.”
Halior fell silent. Her chin quivered. Laorin clasped her hands.
Halior added quietly. “I think that some of that Red blood must flow in me, if I agreed to your request, which is opposed to my worldview.”
They continued sitting there for some time, while telling Tanti how, in the past few days, the three of them had been busy transferring the crown to Halior. Of course, soon the coronation ceremony would take place, as well the official statement of her rule.
“We questioned you because we wanted to know where our sister was going,” Nikon said. “Your answers clarified that Laorin was joining a noble, respected family, who had contributed greatly to its country. We set a meeting place for letters at the same place where your escorts will take their leave of you. You will write to us and tell us about your new life.”
“Of course,” Laorin said. “With articulate, straight-lined snail writing.”
“You don’t use mail birds, like the Blues?” Tanti asked.
“Do you mean those cheeky-eyed birds?” Halior said. “They’re awful, and they’re filthy.”
“Perhaps you should try it,” Laorin said. “You can ask the Blues for several birds, as well as guidance.”
“I prefer to communicate with you in the older, safer, cleaner way,” Halior said.
“Of course, dear sister,” Laorin said. “You’re the queen.”
Nikon smiled.
The sisters stood up and talked for a bit more.
“It will be difficult to explain to the Anurians where their queen disappeared to,” Nik
on said to Tanti.
“I’ll do everything in my power to ensure her adjustment in Izmeran is easy,” Tanti said. “I’m sure my mother and father will love her like a daughter. Actually, I’m sure everyone will love her.”
Tanti fell silent. Laorin turned away from her sister and stood before him.
“I’m excited,” Tanti told her quietly. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Well… You can mount your horse and be on your way,” Laorin said. “The saddle, if you don’t mind, we’ll leave on Gayalo.”
“If that’s what Gayalo wants,” Tanti said, and they both laughed, their joy uncontained.
“You’re both incorrigible,” Halior said.
“We’re young and carefree,” Laorin said. “And you, sister, are going to be a glorious queen.”
“I’ll miss you,” Halior said.
“And I’ll miss you. And I’ll write a lot. Yes. You’re allowed to cry, if only right this minute, as we’re saying goodbye.” They embraced for a long time, finding it hard to tear themselves away from each other. “If you ever change your mind and want to come home,” Halior said, “remember that your place will be kept for you. I’ll always welcome you with open arms.”
“Thank you, my dear. I’ll remember that. But it won’t happen.” Laorin removed the crystal teardrop from her neck. She looked at Tanti questioningly. He nodded. “Take this, sister. It’s precious to me like nothing else. Carry it on your heart, and remember, you can shed a tear sometimes. If not in public, then before a person who holds you dear.”
“Sister…” Halior couldn’t continue. She lowered her head.
Laorin said goodbye to Nikon. The new queen and her advisor said goodbye to Tanti and returned to the castle. Much work awaited them there.
Epilogue and the Beginning
The small group of riders moved along the path leading to the mountains. Laorin was quiet, still overwhelmed by her separation from her sister.
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