Attempting to lighten the mood, Bally announced, “I’ll have Animir join us for dinner tomorrow if that suits everyone. I would love to introduce him to our siren,” he beamed.
“Our siren,” Rey scoffed. “She isn’t a piece of furniture, Baldwin,” he snapped. “You don’t simply present her to people without asking if it’s all right with her.”
“Aye, that’s what I meant,” the younger man back-paddled anxiously. “If it’s acceptable to her, I’d like to introduce her to my friend.”
The siren, always aware of the conversation even if she didn’t take part, nodded in a single firm motion at him. Raising her goblet, she toasted him before tasting of her elvish wine, as if to seal the agreement.
“There, you see? She has accepted the invitation,” Ami declared. “Now that it’s settled, will you be presenting a guest tomorrow evening?” she asked, grinning behind her own drink as she cut her eyes over at Piers.
“I’m afraid not,” he admitted with a shake of his head. “I enjoy their company to an extent, when speaking isn’t required, but spending an entire meal with them is, well… exhausting.”
His three companions laughed at his declaration, and the conversation shifted in tone. A peaceful calm settled over them, and they shared bits about their days since having arrived in the City of Jerranyth. They had not had a discussion amongst the four of them as such since their arrival, and it felt good to catch up on their experiences and impressions of the elves’ realm.
To her surprise, Bally and Piers did not seem hard set upon staying there for any length of time. To the contrary, she noted that they both spoke of when time came for them to leave. “Where do you think we will go?” she dared to ask when the meal had been finished.
“I don’t know,” the Mate stated with a deep sigh. “Let’s get a bit more comfortable, and we can discuss it.”
Moving their chairs to form an arch in front of the fire, the group relaxed before the dancing flames. Opting to use the blanket as a shorter seat, the siren pulled it out of hers and sat upon it on the floor next to Rey’s feet.
Smiling down at her, Ami observed, “You seem to be feeling much better, Oldrilin.”
“Oh yes,” she grinned up at the girl, speaking for the first time since coming out of the bedroom. “You will hear my words, Amicia? I shall speak of the elves, if your time has come to listen.”
“Yes,” the blonde replied, signaling to the others with her hands to calm them. “What is it you wish to share?”
“The elves are not our friends,” the mermaid informed her. “We have lived here in Eriden under the rule of the dragons, but only as an enemy would allow his adversary to occupy an adjacent land.”
“Did they do something to you? Did they hurt your people somehow?” she asked, shifting her gaze nervously between the men. “She says that the sirens and the elves are not friends, and that the dragons are the rulers of Eriden.” Ami had already known that last bit of news but had yet to share it with the others. Knowing now that they would be receptive to moving on, she felt at ease to be more open with them about their situation.
“Is there a way we can share that magic shell of yours?” Piers asked, indicating her necklace by rubbing his hand over his own chest.
“I’m afraid not,” she sighed in reply. “I can share with one, but all three of you would prove difficult.”
“All right, just continue and translate what you can,” he instructed with a grimace.
Nodding, she wafted her hand at the siren, who dove into her story. “You see, a great war divided our kingdom. Two, perhaps three centuries ago,” the creature began.
“I’ve heard of the great war,” Ami said with a shake of her long blond strands. “Cilithrand told me about it and about her father’s passing, which gave way to her reign.”
“Yes,” Oldrilin agreed. “The particulars are unclear, perhaps lost over time, but her inheritance of the elven realm has wrought the discourse between our peoples. Galiodien was a mighty king, and he is sorely missed by the southern continent. Cilithrand has been loved less and despised more by those who share this part of the kingdom.”
Considering her words, Ami translated them for the others. Placing her hand on her chin, she leaned against the arm of her chair, then shifted the digits to chew upon a finger. “I’m not sure why the king being killed or Lady Cilithrand’s coming to power would cause the conflict,” she admitted with a sigh.
“Nor am I, sweet Amicia,” the mermaid agreed, shaking her head slowly. “I am young among the sirens and only know it has been so for many moons.”
“Wait,” Bally interceded. He had given what they had been told of the circumstances some thought but could not reconcile the discord. “You’re telling us you’ve been fighting with them over something that happened over two hundred years ago and you don’t even know why?”
Lin nodded firmly, confirming his suspicions.
“Well, that’s just silly,” Piers stated crossly. “In all that time, have you even tried to make peace between your peoples?”
Again, Lin indicated her response with a firm shake of her head, only this time side to side.
“No,” Rey translated, a small pout forming on his lips. “Oldrilin, you must understand that things may have changed a great deal after all this time. It could be that the elves are no longer your enemy,” he proposed, reaching to place his hand on her tiny shoulder. “We can’t hold a grudge for something so far in the past or even judge them because of it.”
Blinking at his reaction, Amicia held her tongue. She feared that their friend’s description of the elves had been spot on, but in the end, what proof did she have? A bad omen in the pit of her gut hardly qualified as strong evidence that the elves held anything against them.
“Perhaps you’re right,” she finally agreed. “We’ll stay until Lin is fully ready to travel and leave when she is able. I’ve been anxious to visit these nymphs and satyrs that the queen spoke of since she first mentioned them,” Ami announced with a wide smile. “What do you know of them, Oldrilin?”
Taking on the new topic with a happy grin, the siren eagerly shared what she knew of the third southern group, secretly relieved to be finished speaking of the seditious queen and what she feared would happen if and when the travelers finally decided to flee her realm.
Talking until the fire grew dim, the group eventually made their way to their beds. His table had not been replaced for the siren, so Rey, having given his mattress away, spread a blanket upon the floor. There he slept until the following morn when the light from around the cracks in his door awakened him.
This time, he found that the common room had been cleaned, with the remnants of their dinner removed, and in its place sat a hearty breakfast of fruits, dried meats, and bread. Knocking on Bally’s door, he called, “Food’s here. You might as well get up and have some.” Piers opened his door when he did, and Rey grinned. “Good morning, Mate.”
“What’s good about it?” the older man grumbled, ambling over to the table and helping himself to part of the spread.
Smiling at their leader’s half-naked and typically grumpy demeanor, Reynard made a similar announcement to their girl. He turned back to the food to have his own as Sadrir appeared at the top of their stairs.
Beaming at the group, she declared cheerfully, “I’m pleased to see so many of you awake. Our Lady Cilithrand has announced a visit to you within the hour.”
“A visit!” Piers gasped, clenching his jaw tightly shut.
“The queen is coming here?” Bally questioned, scratching at his wild morning hair. “What’s she coming here for? I thought she stayed in her palace all the time.”
“Why no, my lady visits many parts of her realm,” the elf informed him with a smile, noting that Amicia had joined them. “Enjoy your breakfast and have a wash. She will arrive soon.”
“For what purpose does she call?” Ami asked, smoothing her dress after a good stretch.
“To meet the siren, Oldri
lin,” Sadrir enlightened her readily. “She is healing, and it would be improper to ask her to make the trip to the queen’s chamber.”
Somehow, the girl doubted that, but let the matter fall to the wayside. Selecting a plate, she served herself from the delicious fare and took a seat at the table across from Piers. The others joined them, and even Lin enjoyed a bit of the fruit before they adjourned to their quarters to wash for the royal visit.
While they did so, the housemaid made quick work of cleaning the common room, and everything appeared neat and tidy by the time Lady Cilithrand appeared at the top of their stairs. “Is anyone at home?” she called upon her arrival.
“Your majesty,” Ami replied, plying her with her best forced smile. Offering a small bow, she indicated the ring of chairs that had been moved in front of the fire once more. “Please, would you like a seat?”
“No, I shan’t be long,” the queen informed her with a devious grin. “I’ve only come to pay my respects to the siren and to offer a small gift.”
“A gift?” Oldrilin questioned in a weak voice. Joining the other two women, she stood slightly behind Amicia, perhaps out of fear of the towering matriarch.
“Why yes,” Cilithrand smiled as she knelt and waited for the smaller creature to come forward. Holding out her hand, she offered a large white gem, the likes of which Amicia had never seen. “I wish to impart a token of friendship. Many moons has our two realms lain in distrust. Let us mark the beginning of a new age between us.”
Holding out the over-sized crystal, she waited for the smaller hands to accept the gift. Her smile broad, for an instant it twisted into an evil grin before it disappeared. “Oldrilin,” she breathed, standing once more. “Welcome to Jerranyth. May your stay with us be long and most enjoyable.” Glancing over at the girl, she gave her a firm nod and then turned to descend without so much as a parting goodbye.
“Well, that was quick,” Rey observed, a little miffed that they had not been properly introduced to her ladyship. “They aren’t big on manners around here, are they.”
“They stand high on ceremony here,” Ami corrected him. “Stations above and below do not mingle.”
“Are you saying she thinks she’s too good for us?” Baldwin bit angrily, having joined them only as the queen had prepared to leave.
“She is too good for us,” Piers corrected. He might have been the governor’s son, but that was another life and one he left long ago. “Aristocrats live very different lives than what we do, and not necessarily better by any means. Forget it, guys. We’re better off not being noticed by the likes of her,” he spat, jerking his head towards the vacated entrance.
Standing in the front part of the room where the queen had left her, the siren still held the large gem. Turning it with a look of awe as she studied its rare beauty, the facets caught the light of the sun that shone in from the balcony. The queen had offered it as a symbol of peace between them, and it would appear that Rey had been right; it was a new age between the sirens and elves.
Placing the stone in a hidden pocket, she turned to the girl and smiled. “When shall we go down to visit the sacred gardens? I’ve heard they are impressive.”
“They are quite lovely,” Ami agreed. “Allow Rey to carry you, and we will take you out for the fresh air as soon as everyone is ready.”
A Bad Omen
Gathering next to the stairs, the five members of the household made their plans for the day, but Oldrilin was less receptive to the idea of being carried than Ami would have liked. “It’s for your own good,” she insisted.
Stomping her tiny foot, her arms crossed her chest, and her face formed an angry scowl. “Tis not dignified to be carted about,” the siren growled, obviously feeling well enough to put up a fuss.
“I can put you on my shoulders,” Rey suggested, not understanding her words, but her meaning clear. Scooping her up despite her protest, he swung her above his head. Her legs straddling his neck, he commanded, “Be sure to hold on.”
Grabbing two small fists of hair, Oldrilin did precisely that, her eyes wide with fright as she looked down at the floor below. “Please do not drop me,” she begged in a shaky voice.
“Rey, you’re scaring her,” Ami informed him, stepping forward and placing a calming palm on the siren’s leg. “Lin, you’re fine,” she soothed, giving her a pat.
Uncomforted by the girl’s smile, the mermaid squirmed while holding firmly to the dark ringlets, her features twisted in terror.
“Eh ah,” Rey squawked, grasping her hands to free his shaggy mane. “Well she’s hurting me!” he blurted.
Behind them, Bally began to laugh hysterically. He had been suppressing the snicker from the moment Rey had hoisted Oldrilin up, but his admission of pain had been too much to control.
Amicia could see the humor in it, and giggled sporadically as she tried to help the pair find the right position. “Baldwin, stop laughing and help us!”
The younger man doubled over instead, hooting as Rey exclaimed, “Seriously, Lin, that’s my scalp you’re ripping away!”
“You told her to hold on,” Ami reminded him.
“Yeah, but not to my hair!” he snapped.
“I think you should let her walk,” Piers suggested, pushing up on the small rear end to get her in a more stable seat. “There, Lin. I think you can ride,” he growled.
Leaning over the top of Reynard’s head, she released one fist full of ebony strands, her palm landing on his face. Laying his over the back of it, he soothed, “Is she better now?”
“Yes,” Ami smirked, “I think we have it under control.” Looking at the Mate, she grinned, “Thank you. Are you coming with us to the garden?”
“Uh, no,” he confessed, smoothing his freshly washed beard. “I’m going for a walk. And if I’m late back for dinner… don’t wait for me,” he instructed as he pranced down the stairs on light feet to the tune of a merry whistle.
Watching his scrunch of hair disappear, Amicia sighed, her mood lost for the moment. “That’s really who he is, isn’t it,” she sighed. “A womanizer.”
“Aye,” Rey agreed, his voice equally subdued. “Don’t take it so hard, love. At least he’s honest about it.”
Shifting her gaze, she stared up into his clear hazel orbs. “Thank you, Rey. I’m sure being honest about our vices makes them perfectly acceptable. It’s fine to be a drunkard, as long as one is honest about it.” Her green eyes clouded, the sarcasm landed thickly between them, keeping Rey from commenting further.
“I’m afraid I’m not going either,” Bally stated calmly, his fit of laughter confined. “However, I will return for dinner, and with all hope, Animir will be with me to meet Lin,” he added with a grin and a nod at the siren, who appeared calmer in her perch. “Enjoy your garden!” he called over his shoulder as he followed the first mate down the stone steps.
Feeling less jovial about the outing, Ami retrieved her sweater and placed it on over her gown. The colors weren’t a good match, and it clearly removed some of her elegance, but at the moment, she had greater concern for warmth than appearances. “The gardens are this way,” she said quietly, leading them down to the ground level and holding the wall as she descended.
Letting her have the walk down to gather her thoughts, Rey stayed close to the wall as well. The sheer drop of the outer edge turned his stomach, and with Lin on his shoulders, he didn’t dare risk a misstep. Placing his hand over the back of hers, which she had refused to remove from his face, he grinned. And then he felt it. “Oh my God!”
“What?” Amicia sniffed as they reached the ground level.
Rubbing the small appendage between his thumb and fingers, Rey grinned down at her, “She spoke to me! I swear I heard it! It was in my head, as plain as day light,” he declared.
Scowling up at the siren, Oldrilin held a wide smile and nodded firmly to confirm his supposition.
“Is that possible?” Ami gasped, addressing the mermaid who had done the talking. Getting no reply, she fro
wned. “Well, she isn’t talking to me,” she snapped, turning and marching out onto the path.
Catching up to her with a few quick strides, Rey felt more comfortable with his load on the even ground. “This isn’t so bad,” he informed her cheerfully, his fingers gently holding a miniature leg as they bounced along. Sensing Amicia’s dark mood, he chided, “Listen. You should forget about the Mate. Honestly, it’s a waste of your time brooding over him.”
“I’m trying,” she declared angrily, clenching her fists so that her nails scarred her palms. “You think it’s easy? I love him, after all. I hate the thought that I wasted my only chance to be with him.”
Turning through the hedge, she dabbed at her eyes. Noting her distress, Rey carefully lowered his friend to the ground. Her bare feet made contact with the soft grass, and she giggled loudly as she ran across the clearing to the large flowers on the far side. “Be careful, Lin,” he called after her, again feeling as if he cared for a small child rather than a woman near twice his age.
Facing the girl next to him, he squared his shoulders, then grasped hers to pivot her towards him. “And then where would you be?” he asked softly, searching her tear-filled eyes for understanding. “You would have been another conquest to him, no different than Cothiel had been that first day we were here. Following him around, expecting or at least hoping for more. How embarrassing for her to be treated as such before her own people,” he pointed out in a quiet voice.
“That’s true,” she agreed with a small nod, sniffing quietly as she tried to hide her tears by pulling away. Blinking rapidly as she watched the siren play, she longed to be so carefree.
“And worse, you would have been stuck with him still in our group, knowing it had not meant the same to him,” he pushed, ready to speak his mind openly. “He’s a scoundrel, only caring for himself.”
“That’s also true,” she sighed. “How’d you get so wise, Rey Daye?” she asked with a small pout, meeting his tender gaze with her clear green orbs.
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