Crown of Destiny

by Small Bertrice

  BUT KOLGRIM HAD already decided how he would gain his fated bride. His army was small, for the benefit of soldiering for the Twilight Lord was more often death than anything else. He had a small standing force just large enough to prevent anyone attempting to invade his lands. He would not go to The City, an army at his back. He might steal the girl, but he did not know who she was. He needed time to ascertain that. Nay. There was another, a more skillful way, and he would employ it.

  He chuckled as he considered it. His imprisoned father would appreciate what Kolgrim was about to do, but Kol’s companion, who was the young Twilight Lord’s twin brother, would not. Now and again Kolgrim would take his reflecting bowl to observe his sire and his sibling. Kol was a sad figure, weakened by the loss of his magic, and the decades he had spent in the windowless dank stone cell. Kolbein, however, alternated between stamping about his prison swearing as he sought a means of escape, and sitting in a corner whimpering with his frustration. Kolgrim always enjoyed seeing him thus. But when the Twilight Lord finally triumphed and brought the darkness to the world of Hetar, he would transmit that knowledge to his father via his thoughts. Kol had never done him any harm, and indeed had favored him over his twin. He deserved that small bit of happiness in his declining years.

  6

  IN THE CITY THE LORD HIGH RULER PALBEN II was enjoying the Springtime. The Icy Season had concluded, and the early flowers, all shades of yellow from the palest to the deepest, were at their most vibrant. The flowering trees in the Golden District and the Garden District were in full and glorious bloom, their shades of pink, peach and white perfuming the air. The skies were a clear bright blue each day, and the sun warm upon his back. The breeze from the south was soothing.

  Lord High Ruler Palben was a tall, slender man in his middle fifties with dark eyes and hair. He knew from the portrait that hung in the royal palace that he very much resembled his grandfather, Jonah, who had been Lord High Ruler some eighty years ago.

  By rights Palben should not have been Hetar’s Lord High Ruler. His grandfather, Jonah, had a son, Egon, from a first marriage. Egon, it had been predicted, would be a great soldier, but in the last war he had been too young to either fight or lead. And there had been no more wars. Egon turned to the pursuit of knowledge. It consumed him to the point of neglecting everything else. While he was a frequent visitor to the Pleasure Houses, he did not marry, nor did he produce any progeny. Hence, it was Egon’s half brother, Palben I, who had inherited the throne of the Lord High Ruler when Jonah died.

  Palben I had been the son of Jonah’s second marriage to the Terahn princess, Zagiri. Zagiri was the daughter of the Dominus of Terah Magnus Hauk, and his wife. His great-grandmother was reputed to be a powerful faerie, but Lord High Ruler Palben didn’t believe that for an instant. In fact, he did not believe in magic at all. He had never met his great-grandmother for after his grandmother Zagiri died she never came to Hetar again. It was rumored that she had been born in Hetar. He didn’t really know, and she would be long dead by now, but his great-grandmother had been responsible for opening up the previously insulated Terah to Hetar.

  The Lord High Ruler Palben’s mood was a particularly good one this morning. He had, to his amazement, received a missive from the Twilight Lord of the Dark Lands. It had been delivered to his secretary, who had brought it to his master immediately. The Twilight Lord asked his permission to visit Hetar for talks he assured Palben would be mutually beneficial to both their lands.

  Palben did not believe there had been any contact with the Dark Lands in more than a century. If the vague history he had been taught was to be believed, the Twilight Lords in the past had launched an unprovoked attack upon Hetar and Terah. They were, of course, a savage uncultivated group of ignorant barbarians. Still, the message he had been sent was exquisitely worded and beyond polite. Palben was curious.

  He dictated a reply to his secretary.

  “We would welcome a visit from the Twilight Lord Kolgrim. We will prepare for your arrival, and will await your coming in the month of the Full Summer Moons. Palben II, Lord High Ruler of Hetar.”

  “How shall I have it delivered?” the Lord High Ruler’s secretary asked his master.

  Palben looked confused then he said, “How was it brought to us?”

  “I don’t know,” the man replied. “I found the envelope with the message on my desk when I arrived this morning, my lord.”

  “Put it in the same place then tonight before you leave,” Palben said. “Whoever brought it came carefully, not certain of their reception. He will most likely return for the reply, but come secretly again. If the letter is still here in the morning, we will seek another way of answering my fellow monarch.” He laughed. “It is all quite mysterious.”

  The Lord High Ruler kept peeking into his secretary’s chamber until he finally retired for the night. The letter remained propped up on the desk to his great chagrin, but when he hurried to see if it was still there in the morning he found it gone. Most curious, he thought. He knew there was a mail service called faerie post, but he never used it. It was a silly name, and there were no such things as faeries. At least he had never seen one.

  KOLGRIM HAD NOT USED faerie post. He had simply sent his missive via magic. He opened the message from the Lord High Ruler Palben, read it and smiled with evil satisfaction. He would be interested in meeting this mortal. They were distantly related actually for his half sister Zagiri, was Palben’s grandmother. He wondered what Palben would think of that fact. The month of the Full Summer Moons would be a perfect time for wooing and seducing a maiden.

  As the time grew closer for Kolgrim to make his visit, he sent messages to the Lord High Ruler requesting a northern exposure for his guest apartments. He would expect his servants’ quarters to be nearby. And there must be a kitchen quarter for he was frequently hungry late at night. He did not like flowers, and so there must be none near him or in the chambers that he would occupy. His favorite frine was distilled from blackberries, he informed his host. And he was so looking forward to their meeting.

  THE LORD HIGH RULER PALBEN gave his majordomo orders based upon his guest’s preferences. He wondered if the Twilight Lord would bring a concubine or a wife with him. He decided not, as no mention was made of it. But would he enjoy having a Pleasure Woman at his beck and call? That could be decided once he met the man.

  As the month of the Full Summer Moons drew near Palben grew more curious.

  “I am told he is a dark lord,” the First Lady of Hetar, who was named Laureen, said. “Is it wise to entertain such a man?”

  “He has done nothing to incur our wrath,” Palben replied. “He has politely requested permission to visit us. I see no danger in that.”

  “But why does he seek to meet with Hetar?” Laureen queried her husband.

  “You ask too many questions, wife,” Palben said. “Whatever he seeks of us, it is not your affair. He is coming to see me, not a mere woman. Attend to your household, to our children and grandchildren. That is your province, not diplomacy.”

  “I but wondered,” Laureen said meekly. But she was an intelligent woman, and this sudden desire by the Twilight Lord to visit Hetar disturbed her.

  “The Dark Lands are an unknown,” Palben continued almost to himself. “It is a place of mountains, wife. What riches those mountains could hold! And they could be Hetar’s,” he said excitedly. “A new source of wealth, and I would be the one responsible for obtaining it. How I wish my father were alive to see this.”

  “If this Twilight Lord seeks you out, he will want something from you,” Laureen said quietly. “I but fear for your safety,” she added, so he would not scold her again.

  Palben smiled benignly at his wife. Reaching out, he took her hand in his. “Of course he will want something, and I will want something in return, my dearest. That is the way of the world, is it not?” He patted her pretty plump hand. “Mayhap the Twilight Lord’s mountains hold transmutes. Then we shall not have to depend upon Terah
for them. I do not like this new young ambassador the Dominus has sent us. He is too arrogant by far. But old Amren is still here. He is the most skillful player of Herder I have ever played against. Perhaps if we make a pact with this Twilight Lord, we may relegate Terah back to where it belongs.”

  “Their Dominus is your kinsman,” Laureen said softly.

  “So it is said, but I have no idea what the connection between us is, my dearest. They are really nothing like us, the Terahns. I am told they have raised up a marble town mimicking The City. But no one lives there.” He laughed. “What a waste of good resources to build a city where no one lives. I have also been told towns, little better than slums have risen up where our ships now dock. They are attempting to be like us, but no place can compare to Hetar. And the poorest of our own Hetarians are certainly better than any Terahn,” he sneered. “I see an opportunity in the visit of the Twilight Lord, wife. A great opportunity.”

  THE MONTH OF THE FULL Summer Moons arrived. It was this particular year when Hetar’s four moons would be visible and fully waxed at the same time. Pale green, blue, butter-yellow and copper-red, they would shine together over the city when the Twilight Lord arrived for his visit. Usually the four moons shone each in a different phase, but not this year. It had been some forty-three years since this quartet had waxed simultaneously. Festivals were planned throughout Hetar.

  Kolgrim had decided to enter The City as any noble visitor would. To appear with all his retinue in a puff of smoke could frighten the Hetarians. He had not been out of the Dark Lands since he became Twilight Lord. Consequently he cast a stunning spell over his lands so all life was frozen in place. It would remain that way in his absence, and he didn’t have to worry about any rebellions as Alfrigg was to come with him. He then created a retinue of well-trained, virtually silent servants who would serve their needs.

  He materialized his royal train in a deserted wood several miles from The City. A small troupe of men-at-arms dressed in his black-and-silver livery rode ahead of him on matching dappled gray horses with black manes and tails that had been decorated with delicate silver chains and dark crystals. The soldiers’ saddles were black leather trimmed with silver. Their polished silver helmets caught the sunlight, gleaming. Next came the flag bearers, and following them Kolgrim—wearing black leather pants, boots and jacket over a purple silk shirt—rode alone. Behind him his old chancellor was borne along in an ebony-and-silver litter chair carried by four liveried slaves with silver neck collars.

  Following Alfrigg was the household of the Twilight Lord. All the servants wore black, silver and purple. Two dozen of them marched behind the chancellor. Others drove the carts accompanying the Twilight Lord. The carts contained his household goods and the gifts he had for the Lord High Ruler. Looking at the assembled train, Kolgrim added a group of musicians and dancers behind the men-at-arms, dancing amid the flag bearers, and before him. The dancers were both male and female, and very beautiful. He would give them to Palben in a seemingly careless gesture of generosity. The Lord High Ruler would be impressed, Kolgrim decided.

  The Twilight Lord’s impressive train exited the desolate wood following the road that, like all of Hetar’s roads, led into The City. Forewarned of his coming by the Lord High Ruler, the guardsmen on the wall, seeing the great train sent immediately to Palben. When Kolgrim reached the gates of The City, he was welcomed and ushered through. A guide upon a fine dark bay horse was provided to lead him to the Golden District.

  Kolgrim was fascinated by The City. The streets while dirty were lively, filled with noise and smells both pleasant and unpleasant. The citizens of The City gaped at the spectacle passing by them, and the Twilight Lord felt a sense of deep satisfaction. First impressions were most important. Reaching the entrance to the Golden District, they were again welcomed and led to the palace where Palben awaited upon the steps of the building to welcome his honored visitor.

  The Twilight Lord’s gaze quickly swept over this great-grandson of his mother’s. There was nothing of Lara visible in him, and Kolgrim was very pleased to note it. The man was pure mortal and would have all of a mortal’s weaknesses. The victory over Hetar was already his, Kolgrim decided. But still he must not judge too quickly. Palben might prove cleverer than he looked. He should know in a few days if this was so.

  Dismounting his coal-black stallion, the Twilight Lord stepped forward, both of his hands outstretched in greeting. He was smiling his most winning smile. “My lord Palben, I greet you in friendship.”

  Palben was pleased by the Twilight Lord’s words. The fellow did not seem at all a barbarian. “My lord Kolgrim, I greet you in friendship. Welcome to Hetar and my house!” He took the hands held out to him, squeezing them before releasing them. “We have prepared everything as you requested, but you will tell me if it is not correct. Tonight there will be a small banquet with a few of our more important citizens.”

  “I shall look forward to it,” Kolgrim said, continuing to smile.

  Palben took his arm, leading him into the palace. It was not a particularly grand home, Kolgrim thought, but it was lavish in its decor. “My wife, like all women, is curious as to why you have come. Our two lands have lived estranged for many years.” The Lord High Ruler brought Kolgrim to a garden and indicated he should sit.

  Kolgrim sat, and patting the bench next to him, invited his host to sit, as well. Palben did, and at once servants brought heavily carved gold goblets decorated with rubies filled with blackberry frine. The two men accepted the vessels and silently toasted each other before drinking. “I have come with a specific purpose,” he told the Lord High Ruler.

  “And what purpose would that be?” Palben asked. So it was not just a social visit. What could the Twilight Lord possibly seek from Hetar?

  “I have come to take a bride,” Kolgrim said quietly, and then he waited.

  “A bride?” Palben was surprised.

  “Aye, a bride,” Kolgrim replied, smiling again. “There are few females in The Dark Lands, and none of rank from whom I could choose a wife. You see, my lord Palben, Twilight Lords can sire as many daughters as we choose, but only one son. My mother was a lady of high rank. I wish a bride of high rank.” Kolgrim drank the frine in his goblet, and set it aside.

  Palben nodded slowly. “Of course,” he said. “I understand completely. And I am honored that you would come to me to help you find the proper lady.”

  “The Twilight Lords live by a specific code that is laid out in our Book of Rule,” Kolgrim explained. “The book has directed me to choose my bride from the House of Ahasferus, my lord Palben. I am sure this family is of high rank, and known to you.”

  “My youngest daughter is eighteen,” Palben began, considering that to have his family allied with this ruler would be an excellent thing.

  Kolgrim held up his hand to stop the Lord High Ruler. “I mean no disrespect to you, my lord, and none to your daughter, who I am certain would make a good wife, but the Book of Rule has directed me to the House of Ahasferus. You will understand that I cannot go against the Book of Rule. It is our holy book.”

  Palben nodded sympathetically, but the truth was, he did not understand. He wondered what kind of a god the Twilight Lord worshipped. It certainly wouldn’t be the Celestial Actuary. And in Hetar there was no holy book of which he knew. “Of course, if your holy book directs you to the House of Ahasferus, then it is there you must go,” he said to Kolgrim. “The current patriarch of that house, Grugyn Ahasferus, will be one of my guests tonight. He is a magnate, and his family can be traced to the earliest days of Hetar. Will you allow me to speak with him first, my lord Kolgrim? Then I will introduce you. He has several granddaughters who are of marriageable age. The women of that family are noted for their beauty, too. While it is said all cats look alike in the dark, a man lives more in the light with his wife.” Palben chuckled, giving Kolgrim a friendly poke.

  Kolgrim joined his host laughing and gave him a friendly wink.

  “You will want to se
e your quarters now,” the Lord High Ruler said. He clapped his hands, and his majordomo appeared immediately. “Take Lord Kolgrim to his quarters. His servants are already settled, I hope.”

  “Indeed, my lord, aye,” the majordomo said.

  “A servant will come to fetch you and bring you to the banquet,” Palben said.

  Kolgrim bowed with an elegant flourish, and then without another word went off with the majordomo.

  Palben rubbed his hands together, delighted. He could hardly wait to tell his wife of the reason for the Twilight Lord’s visit.

  But Laureen said, “Thank the Celestial Actuary that he did not want our youngest child, my lord! I could not bear it if she were so far away.” In actuality she was relieved, for she had watched the Twilight Lord’s arrival from a window that fronted on the palace entry. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, but he had made her shiver. She remembered that when she was small and misbehaved, her grandmother would say, “If you do not behave, Laureen, you will be sent to the Twilight Lord, and live in his Dark Lands forever.” It was a common threat made to children of her generation.

  “Well,” Palben continued, unaware of his wife’s genuine relief, “Grugyn Ahasferus will certainly be in my debt now. A match between one of his granddaughters and the Twilight Lord will bring our Hetar and the Dark Lands closer. I cannot speak for the citizens of that far place, but this ruler is a man of excellent breeding and good taste. Did you see his train, Laureen? The horses’ manes were braided with silver! The musicians and dancers were garbed in the finest silks. There have been rumors of great wealth in the Dark Lands.” Palben paused, thinking. “I wonder,” he continued slowly, “how we can profit financially from this possible marriage?”