Daughter of the Disgraced King

by Meredith Mansfield

  “She is impressive,” Grandmama said. “You haven’t seen her work.”

  Mama shrugged acceptance of that. “Yes, but—”

  Chara cleared her throat. “There are many kinds of impressive. Do you want her to be majestic? To stop men’s breath?”

  “Hmm. Majestic, I think,” Grandmama said.

  Ailsa thought of Jathan. When he wasn’t with her, she couldn’t help being nervous about his reaction to his first taste of Far Terra. She smiled a little secretly. She didn’t have those doubts when she was with him. Still . . . “I wouldn’t mind taking one man’s breath away,” she said barely above a whisper. “Just one.”

  Apparently Chara heard her. The old woman cackled. “Well, well. With your figure we can do that right enough. And then it’ll be his job to worry about all the other men. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Believe me, the competition helps to put a fire under a man, too.”

  Ailsa was sure she didn’t need to light any more of a fire under Jathan. She might mention the idea to Mayra though. Maybe it’d work with Sav.

  “Haven’t you settled things between the two of you, yet?” Grandmama asked.

  Ailsa ducked her head and shrugged. “Yes. Well, mostly. He hasn’t seen Far Terra yet. I’d like to . . . keep him interested in spite of what he’ll see there.”

  “Who’s this?” Mama asked. “Someone your father and I should meet?”

  “You’ve met him,” Grandmama said. “It’s Jathan.”

  Mama’s eyes lit up. “We should get you some new traveling clothes, too, while we’re here.”

  “Mama, the plan is to keep my magic secret until the ball. That’s why I’ll be using my old clothes.”

  “Tut. You don’t see me wearing red every day. You must wear green while you’re at the Institute. And for most public occasions. But there’s no rule that says you have to wear your mage color when you’re not working. And if this plan succeeds, you’ll be traveling between Terranion and Far Terra often. You’ll need some extra clothes for that. Besides, traveling across the mountains in winter, you’ll need something warmer. Something . . . becoming. To help you keep his interest coming and going as well.” Mama smiled.

  Grandmama huffed, but smiled wryly. “From what I’ve seen, holding his interest is not going to be a problem.”

  ~

  Jathan grabbed Ailsa’s hand as they crossed the garden after leaving one of the frequent planning sessions for their winter foray into Far Terra. When they’d gotten far enough to be out of sight, he stopped and drew Ailsa closer. He lowered his head to kiss her.

  “Hey! Ailsa! Jathan!”

  Jathan sighed and leaned back to see who had interrupted them. It wasn’t one of his stepbrothers. He’d have known exactly how to handle that. No, it was her cousin, Perion.

  Ailsa sighed too and took a half step back, squeezing Jathan’s hand as she did. “Hi, Perion.”

  Perion frowned slightly as he took in their linked hands. “I just wanted to tell you the news.”

  Ailsa cocked her head to the side. “What news is that?”

  “They finally finished my testing. I’m a wind mage. Who would have guessed, right? But, you know, our great-great-great grandfather was a wind mage, back before the barons got so nervous about royal mages. I can’t start my formal studies until after midwinter, but I’ve picked up a few books about weather patterns. Fascinating stuff. Maybe I’ll even be able to move rain storms. That could be useful.”

  Ailsa smiled and took his hand with her free one. “Congratulations. Now you can stop worrying about your magic.”

  Jathan smiled, too. “Congratulations. Are you planning to go back to Far Terra to work as a mage?”

  Perion shrugged. “I haven’t had much chance to think about that, yet. I’ll want to talk to other wind mages. Mostly, it’ll probably depend on how things go back home between now and then.”

  Ailsa squeezed his hand. “Do think about it, Perion. Jathan and I are going to do our very best to change the way mages are treated in Far Terra. The emperor’s determined to change things too. Far Terra needs all the mages it can get.”

  Perion shrugged again. “Maybe. We’ll talk after you get back.”

  ~

  Ailsa wondered what Grandmama had planned for their lesson when she once again had them meet at the garden bench along the outside wall of her kitchen. Two small pots, about as big around as one of her fists, with tiny vines growing in them sat on the bench. Grandmama had said that both of them were through with the periodic standard testing, so what were these little vines for?

  “What do you think this is all about?” Jathan asked.

  Ailsa shook her head. “No idea. I thought we were past the making-things-grow tests. Our levels are set, aren’t they?” And, anyway, after some of the things they’d done, how much of a challenge could these little vines be?

  “I thought so,” Jathan said.

  She looked closer while they waited for Grandmama to join them. She needed something to focus on other than her worries about the upcoming journey. The closer it got, the more nervous she became. Not just about Jathan’s reaction to Far Terra—although that was worry enough. She also fretted about the trip itself. She remembered the enervating effects of the desert on her when she’d come here. Grandmama hadn’t said, but Ailsa had a strong feeling that it would be worse now that she was more in touch with her own magic. She really wasn’t looking forward to that.

  The vines looked familiar. Each vine had a few buds, just ready to open. One clearly would bear pink flowers, the other orange. Ailsa blinked as she realized where she’d seen vines like these before—at her testing and again at the Student Ball.

  Grandmama came out of the house carrying two small leather pouches attached to harnesses that would hold the pouch against the wearer’s chest.

  “What are those?” Ailsa asked.

  Grandmama smiled as she handed one pouch to each of them. “I’m coming to that. Give me a chance.” She looked at Jathan. “Now, Ailsa already knows this and I’d be surprised if she isn’t already getting nervous about the trip. Crossing the desert between the Ring Mountains and Far Terra is difficult for certain mages—especially green or water mages. You are both powerful green mages, so it’s going to be especially hard for you. But, there are ways to make it less difficult.

  “You’re already planning to ride and change horses as necessary to get across the desert more quickly. That may help. But not enough. The crossing of the desert won’t be just uncomfortable for you, it will also be the time when your magic is at its lowest ebb. The time when you’re most vulnerable. These will help with that.” She picked up the small potted vines and handed one to each of them—the pink-flowered one to Ailsa and the orange-flowered one to Jathan. “These are very special vines. They store magic in their roots. That’s why we use them for testing green mages. These are cuttings from the very vines used at your testings, so they’re already attuned to you.” Grandmama scowled unconvincingly at Ailsa. “Apparently Ailsa created a new pink-flowered variety. At least, you’ll be able to tell them apart. Keep them close. Put a little magic into them every day before you leave—but don’t make them grow too much. That make travel awkward.” She smiled at them. “The pouches that I gave you are crafted to hold the pots so you carry them close to you as you cross the desert. That will enable you to draw a little magic back out to mitigate the effects of the desert. Take care of them—and each other.”

  ~

  Ailsa stroked Diamond’s nose and gave him a quick rubdown before saddling Pearl for the day’s ride. Mama and Papa had already left with the coach and most of the baggage. One more day of classes and then the next day she’d be on her way back to Far Terra, too. She’d miss her weekly runs with Diamond while she was away in Far Terra. With a sigh, she admitted to herself that she’d grown a little too attached to Diamond. He nudged her hand to get her to pet his nose again. Maybe he’d gotten too attached to her, too.

  Mayra came up beside her
and timidly reached out to Diamond. “You should ride him to Far Terra.”

  Ailsa turned to face her friend. “I couldn’t do that. He’s your horse.”

  Mayra smiled slyly. “Well, as to that, I thought I’d give him to you as a wedding gift anyway.”

  Ailsa drew in her breath to reply. Does everyone already know?

  “Oh, don’t worry. Father and Mother don’t suspect yet. Or Prince Savyon, as far as I can tell. I can’t answer for Artair or Rishiart, though.”

  “Did Jathan tell you?”

  Mayra’s smile deepened. “He didn’t have to. Think I couldn’t figure it out from the way you two have been acting around each other?”

  Ailsa smiled and shrugged. “Are we that obvious?”

  “Only to someone who knows you—and especially Jathan—really well.”

  “Well, nothing’s definite until we get back from Far Terra.” Ailsa drew in her breath and admitted her greatest fear. “Jathan might not be able to deal with that.”

  Mayra smiled and nudged Ailsa’s shoulder. “He’ll deal with anything for you. Trust me.” She touched Diamond’s nose delicately. “You should ride Diamond. I’ve heard Rishiart and Jathan talking. They’re planning to use a change of horses to make the trip across the desert go faster, so you’ll need more than one mount anyway. He’s bigger and has more stamina than Pearl, wonderful as she is. And, you know, unicorns are supposed to be very good at finding water. That might be useful in the desert. He was originally trained as a war horse, too. That could come in handy if you come across some of those desert predators you’ve told me about. Plus, you know, if you’re supposed to be impressive, well, Diamond’s pretty striking himself.” She nodded. “Ride Diamond.” Mayra blushed. “Besides, he seems to be pretty interested in Pearl. If she happens to come into season while you’re gone . . .”

  Ailsa laughed and patted both Diamond and Pearl. “You two, too? It must be in the air, huh?”

  Mayra winced. “I wish.”

  Ailsa squeezed her arm. “Sav’s just very . . .”

  “Loyal?”

  Ailsa huffed a laugh. “That, too. I was going to say stubborn. It’s hard for him to change directions in some things. Hopefully, while we’re gone, he’ll figure out how wonderful you are. And maybe you should give him a little reason to compete for your attention, just to spur him on. Spend some time with Perion, maybe.”

  “Huh!” Mayra half-laughed.

  “What?”

  “That’s what I told Savyon. He was supposed to be paying attention to me to make you jealous.” Mayra smiled evilly. “Maybe I should take my own advice.”

  Ailsa looked at Mayra for a moment. “So . . . have you decided it’s definitely Sav, then?”

  One side of Mayra’s mouth turned up. “Well . . . yes, I think so.”

  “Do you love him?”

  Mayra drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Love is complicated for a daughter of the emperor. Sometimes, I feel the same way about that that you do about being made the center of attention. It’s not quite safe. But . . . I think I could love him—if he ever looked up and really saw me, you know.”

  Ailsa smiled. “Because he’s tall and serious?”

  Mayra chuckled. “Well, it doesn’t hurt that he’s tall and handsome. No, it’s not that. It’s . . . You know, if I can once in a while get him talking about Far Terra, he gets really passionate about what he wants to do to improve things there.” She shrugged. “I’ve known duke’s sons who were really just spoiled little boys grown tall. Some who wanted power for its own sake. But—outside of my family—I’ve never met another high noble who wanted power just for the good he could do with it. Or who was so fervent about it. That grand vision of his is contagious. A purpose that I think would suit me better than becoming a healer. If he could ever be that passionate about me, I think I could be as happy as my parents.”

  Ailsa gave her friend a quick hug. “Then I hope you get what you want. He’d be a fool not to love you.” Not to mention the political advantages/

  ~

  With Jathan riding on her left and Rishiart on her right, Ailsa could almost pretend that the first leg of their journey was just a long Starday ride, except for the guards. Half a dozen cavalry guards—three in front and three in back, leading the remounts—bracketed them.

  Well, the guards and the cold. That was different from their pleasant Starday rides down in the lowlands, too. As they climbed higher into the Ring Mountains, Ailsa learned a new appreciation for the quilt-lined cloak Mama had insisted she needed.

  Ailsa pulled Diamond to a stop as the lake and its inn came into view. The scene was so different from the other times she’d been here. Across the lake, the trees were dusted with white. Closer in, the view was just as strange to her. The miniature forest of cattails and the vine that covered the inn were both brown and . . . no, not dead, dormant for the winter. Odd. This was the season when the desert was most alive. Things in the desert went dormant for the summer.

  Ailsa narrowed her eyes. Something was different about the lake itself. Near the shore the water was unnaturally quiet, despite the chill wind and . . . “Is that ice?”

  Jathan followed her gaze. “Yep. The shallows sometimes freeze over.”

  “Not deep enough to skate on though,” Rishiart said with regret.

  “This isn’t a pleasure trip, Rish,” Jathan said.

  “Skate?” Ailsa hunched deeper into the folds of her cloak.

  “You put blades on the bottom of your shoes and sort of glide across the ice. Only if the ice is thick enough so that you won’t fall through. You don’t want to fall into that cold water this time of year.” Jathan shivered. “Maybe I’ll get a chance to teach you, later. After we get back.” His eyes glinted as he took her hand. “We could come up here—or to the lodge—for our honeymoon.”

  Rishiart twisted in his saddle. “Honeymoon? Who’s having a honeymoon?”

  Jathan let go of Ailsa’s hand just long enough to gesture between the two of them. “We will.”

  Rishiart barked a laugh. “Why haven’t I heard about this?”

  “Because we haven’t told anyone yet, Rish,” Jathan said. “Not until we get back from Far Terra. That’s how Ailsa wants it. She has some notion that Far Terra may be terrible enough to scare me off.”

  Ailsa shrugged. “A few people have figured it out, though. Mayra knows. And Grandmama.”

  Rishiart aimed a playful cuff at Jathan, who ducked. “Congratulations!” He bowed slightly to Ailsa. He turned back to Jathan. “Took you long enough.”

  Jathan shared a private smile with Ailsa. “There were reasons to take our time and be sure.”

  Ailsa looked across the unpromising landscape. With all the preparations for this trip, she hadn’t had time to give any thought to a wedding, let alone what would come after. “Wouldn’t it be awfully cold for a honeymoon?”

  Jathan winked at her. “Yes. The more reason to stay inside. In front of a cozy fire.”

  Ailsa choked back a laugh.

  “Snow ball fights,” Rishiart said with a grin.

  Jathan shook his head. “It’ll be a honeymoon, Rish. We don’t want any kind of fight. Not even play fights.”

  Rishiart grinned back at him. “But then you can play at making up.”

  This time Jathan choked. “We’ll save that for later.”

  Rishiart looked at the sky. “There’s maybe another three hours of light. Do you want to stop here or keep on? We might make it over the pass, but then we’d have to camp. It’s only going to get colder the higher we go. And the later it gets.”

  Jathan squeezed Ailsa’s hand. “Stop here. That way we can reach the pass earlier in the day—when it’ll be warmer. Well, as warm as it’s going to get.” He removed his hand to touch the potted vine tucked under his own cloak. “It’ll give us a little more time to prepare for the desert crossing. That’s when we want to hurry.”

  ~

  Ailsa pulled the folds of her cloak tighter ar
ound her, very glad that they had decided to stay at the inn last night. A light snow was falling across the pass. It must have been colder through the night, because some of the little waterfalls running down from the higher slopes were actually frozen over. The weather didn’t seem to bother Jathan or Rishiart that much. Perversely, Diamond almost seemed to be enjoying it. Ailsa shivered. “You actually want to c-come into this c-cold for our honeymoon?”

  Jathan’s grin wavered as he saw her huddled against the cold. “It was just an idea. And I didn’t mean for us to be outside while it was snowing. But I’m sure we can think of something more comfortable.”

  Ailsa nodded, afraid to answer because her teeth were chattering so hard. She might bite her own tongue if she opened her mouth.

  “Come on,” Jathan said. “Our horses are fresh. Let’s give them a bit of a gallop and see if we can’t get out of this snow a little lower down.”

  Rishiart squinted at the clouds. “Lower down, it’ll just be raining instead.”

  “Well, then, the sooner we get to the first courier station, the sooner we can get out of it for a little while.” Jathan kicked his horse into a canter.

  Ailsa gratefully let Diamond pick up the gait and speed them off this mountain. The desert crossing she’d been dreading for weeks suddenly didn’t seem so bad after all. The desert in winter wasn’t always exactly warm, but it wouldn’t be this cold, at least.

  Chapter 26: Far Terra

  They stayed overnight at the courier station in the foothills and rode out into the desert proper the next day. Ailsa stroked her potted vine. It really seemed to be helping. The barren landscape didn’t bother her nearly as much as it had on her first crossing. The storm had blown itself out down here, aided by a strong desert wind that blew her hair across her face no matter how tightly she braided it.

  Rishiart lowered the scarf that covered the lower part of his face against the blowing sand. “I’ll take snow, or even the rain, over this wind, any day.”

  Ailsa lifted her chin. “I wouldn’t.” She’d always loved the windy days. They seemed to charge the air with energy only she felt. Well, she and Perion. He’d liked the wind, too, which made perfect sense now that she knew he was a wind mage.