The Serf and the Soldier

by Holly Law

  “You can't…?” Vasi looked at her startled. “I'm sorry, Elara, I didn't realize you didn't know how. I would have taught you years ago. No wonder you never started Lairk on his letters.”

  “I'm guessing Corden will fix that too.”

  “Fix what?” Corden asked from the doorway. He went straight to Vasi and kissed her on the cheek. Turbek caught him in a tight hug. “I heard you were both in the palace and had to come and say hello.”

  “You never do that enough,” Vasi told him. “I remember when you left you said you'd come and see us every month.”

  Corden looked a bit guilty. “I meant to, but every time I set my mind to it Koldre would come up with something urgent for me to do.”

  Turbek grunted. “And now we all know why that is.”

  “Yes, we do. So what does my lovely bride expect me to fix?” Corden asked her in a light tone. “Not enough servants attending to her every need?”

  Elara laughed. “One is almost too much for me. No, I was telling them that you promised years ago that you would have someone try to teach me how to read and write. Vasi commented that she hadn't known I couldn't and would have taught me. And then said that explained why I hadn't started on teaching Lairk. I told her you would probably fix that.”

  “Already am,” Corden said smiling. “I hired a tutor for him a couple of weeks ago. He spends a couple hours every day with him. Lairk seems to be enjoying it so far. I had forgotten you couldn’t read and write. That will need to be fixed.”

  “People would probably laugh if they found out I couldn't read,” Elara agreed.

  “Not for too long,” Corden disagreed. “I would have something to say about people laughing at my wife.”

  “How did you convince her to marry you again, Corden?” Vasi asked curiously. “She was so set against it before.”

  “She became a bit jealous when I informed her I was still going to marry Orelia and hid in her room and cried all day. My solution was very simple. I went in and held her until she would tell me why she was crying--which took until the following morning to get it out of her. Then it was pretty straight forward.”

  “Have you set a date?”

  “Not yet, no,” Corden confessed. “But I was hoping it wouldn't be more than a week or two. We've been separated too long for anything lengthier than that.”

  “You better get her in touch with a dressmaker then.”

  “I was hoping to talk with Elara about it first.”

  “Perhaps we should leave you to do that then?” Vasi suggested.

  “Well…”

  “Talk with your wife here, Corden. We'll go round up Corilee and Marilee and head out.”

  “You could stay for dinner if you want,” Corden said at once.

  “No, you need to have that with Elara,” Turbek said firmly. “If you want to have dinner with us, you know where to find us.”

  “I don't want you to think that…”

  “Corden, speak with your wife,” Vasi said firmly. “Don't almost mess things up for a second time. We'll see you later.”

  And Elara found herself left alone with Corden. Corden seemed a bit confused about how it ended up that way, but didn't seem to object. He sat beside her on the couch and kissed her. It was pleasant and lasted a minute or two before they began discussing the details of the wedding. It was only after an hour of conversation that Elara asked, “Did you tell Lairk yet?”

  “Which one?”

  “Well, either I suppose,” Elara admitted.

  “No, I didn't tell either of them. We should probably take care of that relatively soon. I'll have a message sent to your brother and we can go talk to our son.”

  Together they both walked down to Lairk's room. It wasn't too far away, but Elara still was not fully accustomed to the palace. Corden didn't hesitate a single step down the hallway and Elara wondered how long it would take her to gain that much confidence. Lairk was once more playing with his blocks only he was at the beginning of the building and not the end. It appeared to have a completely different lay out than the previous one. Lairk looked up at both of them and seemed genuinely glad to see them.

  “Did you come to help me build again?” Lairk asked hopefully.

  “Sadly, I don't have time this morning,” Corden apologized to his son. “Maybe after dinner--if you haven't finished already. Your mother and I wanted to talk to you about something.” Lairk looked at him confused. Then his lip started to tremble. Corden looked startled by that reaction.

  “You don't want us?” Lairk asked.

  “No!” Corden said at once. “I mean yes! I do want you. I want both of you very much. That's what we wanted to talk to you about, Lairk. Your mother and I wanted to get remarried.”

  Lairk's response was instant and positive. He threw his arms around Corden and hugged him tightly. Corden laughed. “That's the most best news ever,” Lairk said at once.

  “Most best?”

  “Most best,” Lairk said again. “So we're going to be a real family then?”

  “Yes, we are,” Elara said smiling at her son. She had never seen him so happy.

  The next two weeks went by faster than Elara could imagine. She found herself swamped with all sorts of appointments and she wasn't certain she enjoyed them. She frequently snuck away from her appointments to play with Lairk. No one could complain if she spent time with her son after all. She was not disappointed to find that Corden did the same thing. Once they both reached the door at the same time and laughed.

  The plans for the wedding did continue and Elara was amazed at all the details. She had been spared such worries the last time she had married Corden. He had taken care of everything. She hadn't been forced to worry about flowers, food, clothing, hair, or who should sit next to who. After a little over a week of planning she half jokingly begged Corden to just take her prisoner again and plan everything himself.

  But the day did arrive and with so many servants helping out things could not help but go right. Elara found herself bathed much more thoroughly and Vasi even came to help oversee her getting dressed. The dress was beautiful, but Elara was impatient just to get the ceremony over. Vasi insisted every detail was perfect even when Elara objected that she had already married Corden previously and it did not matter as much. Vasi ignored her objections. Elara was satisfied with the end result, but would just be happy to have everything done.

  Finally, the time for the ceremony arrived and Elara found herself escorted down to the throne room. Elara had not seen all the plans fully carried out until that moment. The details in the throne room were stunning. The flowers that decorated the room were perfect and lengths of crystal draped from the ceiling sent rainbows everywhere. Elara had not been fully prepared for all the people, however. More members of the nobility were in the throne room than had been there for Lairk being named the crown prince. Elara found herself shaking just ever so slightly as she made her way down the long aisle. She became more and more thankful her brother was standing beside her. He was proud of her and completely unaffected by the crowd.

  Corden looked perfect, there was simply no other way to describe him. He had spent nearly as much time preparing for the wedding as her and it had paid off wonderfully. Elara was certain the only time he had looked more handsome was at their previous wedding, but she would not tell him that. She much preferred him dressed as a soldier than as a king. The gold crown didn't look fully right to her, but she would also keep that to herself. He would always be the simple soldier she had knocked off the cliff and had felt obligated to escort her home.

  The oaths and promises they recited were more familiar. She had seen several other Corscan weddings in that time. Corden had made sure she was fully comfortable with the nuances of the ceremony before hand. He whispered no words of instruction in her ear as he had at their previous wedding.

  The ceremony ended as all wedding ceremonies do. The crowd cheered when they kissed, but Elara was far happier with the reaction of their son. The kiss was
interrupted by Lairk running forward and hugging both their legs tightly. They both laughed and Corden lifted their son into the air and placed him securely on his shoulders. Lairk laughed as the three of them walked down the aisle together.

  The End

  Excerpt from Empress in Hiding

  Chapter 1

  Maggie double checked the paper work placed before her as her patient watched her with eager eyes. Everything was progressing as it should. The muscle growth was impressive and encouraging. The patient’s heart was regaining strength and that was an even better sign.

  Maggie smiled at the patient. “Do you want to try standing today, Patricia?” Maggie asked, putting the chart down.

  “I would,” Patricia said, her voice soft and weak.

  “Are you sure that’s best?” Patricia’s husband worried. He was standing nearby, his eyes watching with unease and not full trust. Alarm and panic edged his voice.

  “She’s made a great deal of improvement,” Maggie assured him. “She’s at the point where she should be able to manage it. Moving her muscles has become easier and no damage has come from more extreme movements.”

  “I want to try, Charlie,” Patricia said softly.

  With Maggie’s help, Patricia sat up and turned in bed. Patricia put her feet on the ground for the first time in two months. Her legs were thin and had very little muscle tone, but it was enough to try. Patricia rose slowly. Every movement was filled with great care as her fragile muscles strained. Maggie watched, wary of any sign that it was too soon. But Patricia stood successfully, her eyes alight with joy. Her husband stood rigid, ready to help if his wife looked to be in danger.

  “Good,” Maggie said with an encouraging smile. “I’ll help steady you if you need it. You’re doing great. Can you lift your foot?”

  With extreme care, and not a little difficulty, Patricia managed a slow. shuffling step. Tears sprang to her eyes as she did. Maggie worried at first that they were from pain, but the smile on Patricia’s face showed them to be of joy. The woman took a few more shuffling steps as Maggie hovered near her protectively, her hands ready to aid her at the first sign of weakness.

  A minute later, she had taken the few steps to her husband. They embraced and both wept in joy. Patricia had done what she hadn’t been able to manage for two months. “This is amazing,” Charlie said, hugging his wife with great care. “Thank you, Dr. Morrin.” The words came out with a great deal of effort and force.

  Maggie smiled at the reluctant words. It would not be the first or the last time someone had doubted her and was surprised by the results. She would be surprised if that was the only time that day.

  “There is still a long road ahead of us,” Maggie told him. “But we’re heading in the right direction.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” Patricia said, her voice scarcely more than a whisper.

  “Seeing you up and moving is enough for me,” Maggie told her gently. “Now, let’s get you back to bed. I think this is enough movement for your legs today. We’ll have to build it back slowly.”

  Maggie helped Patricia back into bed. It was a slow process, but everyone was satisfied. Maggie left them and headed off to check on her two other patients. A nurse stopped her in the hallway.

  “Clefta wants to talk with you,” Helen told her with a sympathetic smile.

  Maggie wrinkled her nose. That was not news she wanted to hear. Being called into speak with her supervisor never meant good news. “Thanks,” Maggie said with a sigh. “I’ll go see him. Any idea about what?”

  “No idea,” Helen said with a shake of her head. “You know he doesn’t really talk to me. He didn’t seem too grumpy though.”

  “That’s something at least.”

  Maggie strode down the hallway, knowing Clefta didn’t like to be kept waiting. She stopped outside his office door and quickly checked herself over. Clefta was also a stickler for perfection. She straightened her scrubs a bit and knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” came a short reply.

  Maggie stepped into the meticulous office. Every book was in its place and there wasn’t a speck of dust on a single surface. There was a file open on the desk in front of Clefta. Jaris Clefta regarded her coolly as she entered. His business suit spoke volumes about his position of power. His black hair was cut severely and she doubted his tanned face had ever cracked a smile. His dark eyes were impossible to read.

  “Sit,” Clefta told her.

  Maggie obeyed instantly and forced herself not to fidget with her hands nervously. She knew Clefta hated her and was looking for any excuse to get rid of her. She hoped he had not finally found a way. The Eranian had been out to get her ever since he had taken over the division. The number of Dorites at the hospital had dropped substantially since his arrival six months earlier and he did not approve of her methods at all.

  “You have a new patient who will be arriving soon,” Clefta told her. His tone was clipped and disapproving. “You were requested as a last resort.”

  “I will see to the patient when he or she arrives,” Maggie said and she felt confused. Clefta had never informed her of any patients’ arrivals before. He had nothing to do with her work at all, except to criticize it.

  “This is his file. You will not share it with anyone. Is that clear?” Clefta said sternly, his dark eyes fierce.

  Maggie looked at him confused for a moment. She had never had problems with patient confidentiality before. “I have always respected the privacy of my patients.”

  “This one is different. His name and identity cannot be made public under any circumstances.”

  “I understand,” Maggie said simply and the file was slide across the table to her. She opened it carefully, curious about who would warrant such a threat. She stared at the name and picture on the cover page in complete shock. “Are you serious?”

  Kristen pushed the shopping cart through the aisles. double checking her list as she went. She seemed to have gotten everything. Everything she could afford to get at least. She brushed a strand of light brown hair out of her face when it fell in front of her view of the list. She walked to the front of the store, dodging several carts and excusing herself around those glancing at the shelves.

  The lines at the front were long. Kristen sighed and leaned against her cart. She glanced at the novels on the shelves near the register. Nothing interested her—they were the same as they had been last week. The candy looked enticingly at her from colorful packages. She ignored those. Briefly, her eyes glanced over the tabloids to see what the current scandals were.

  In one corner there was a brief indication a famous actress had an affair with another actor. Kristen thought that might have been the third such story on that actress in just as many years. There was another blurb about Free Dori disbanding after major arrests. Kristen rolled her eyes at those rumors. She knew enough of the members of Free Dori to know they were still going strong—even if she preferred they weren’t. The majority of the front page was taken up by three glamorous looking people. One was a handsome and arrogant Eranian man and the other two were pretty models. He had apparently been on a date with both of them. He was easily recognizable as the crown prince of Erania, or the Lorran as the Eranians referred to him. She didn’t like his behavior, but it was fairly typical of an Eranian. She wondered why the magazines always felt obligated to report on his antics. That was normal behavior for him.

  She rolled her eyes and noticed the woman in front of her was done. She pushed her cart forward and unloaded groceries. The attendant ran them with a bored expression and Kristen paid with the card her mother had given her. She briefly thanked the oblivious attendant and wheeled the cart outside.

  She saw a pair of familiar faces on the way out to her car. Devon Mercolai smiled at her when he saw her. His pale brown hair was a mess from the wind, but that didn’t detract from the rest of his well-kept appearance. His father, Eric, greeted her with a smile as well. His face was far more weather beaten than Devon’s and had
several scars marking his cheeks and one on his brow line.

  “I haven’t seen you two for a few weeks,” Kristen said by way of greeting.

  “We’ve been out of town,” Devon told her, “enjoying the last bit of summer.”

  “How’s your mother?” Eric asked her. His gray eyes were shrewd as he glanced over her groceries. “She must still be busy at work if you’re doing the grocery shopping.”

  “I help out how I can. She is busy though. You know how things are.”

  “It’s also a tight month if your cart is an indication,” Eric observed. “You know I’m willing to help out if you need it, Kristen. You don’t need to…”

  Kristen waved a hand dismissively at Eric, cutting him off. They had been over that many times before. “You know we don’t want your help, Eric. We don’t want to be indebted to you,” Kristen told him, “but thank you for the offer.”

  As she spoke Devon had hurriedly taken off his dusty blue jacket and draped it across her shoulders. She looked at him confused and Eric nodded with approval. Devon whispered in her ear, “Your makeup was fading.” Kristen went pale as she looked at him. With that one, simple gesture Devon had just saved her life. It was a small thing, but Kristen was deeply grateful.

  “Thank you,” Kristen said, fighting back tears. “If anyone had seen…Thank you, Devon.”

  “Anything for you, Kris,” Devon told her with a reassuring smile.

  “I’ll give you back the jacket when school starts if I don’t see you before then. If you need it sooner, you can come get it,” Kristen told him in a rush of words. School started in two days. She couldn’t have any mistakes like that then or she would be dead.

  “That will be fine, Kris,” Devon assured her. “Take care of yourself. I look forward to seeing you at school. Stay out of trouble.”

  “Thanks again,” Kristen told them as she continued to push her cart towards her car.