by James Dale
"I'll keep it thank you," Jack replied quickly. "It was ummm, earned with some difficulty. I don’t want to let it out of my sight."
"You will not be comfortable sitting at the table with that skewer about your waist," the king smiled, "Have no fear. It will be well cared for."
"That's not it your majesty..." Jack said hesitantly. "It's just...well I'd planned to present it to you under more fitting circumstances, but I suppose now is as good a time as any."
Jack knelt again before the king, unbuckling his sword belt as he did so. Theros' smile grew wider, thinking he meant to offer himself to his service. Then Jack slowly began to unwind the buckskin wrapping from the sword’s cross guard. When the sword's Ithlemere hilt was uncovered, exposing the hawk's head symbol of the Crown Prince of Brydium, the king's countenance shifted from one of pleasure to astonishment. As the last of the wrapping fell away, revealing the green stone gripped by clawed talons, his expression changed to disbelief.
"I believe this belongs to the House of Th'nar," Jack said quietly, laying the sheathed sword across his forearm and presenting it the king.
"How..." Theros stammered. "Is this...some kind of trick?"
"It is no trick your majesty," Jack replied solemnly. “I assure you.”
"What is it father?" Thonicil asked, his view of the sword blocked by Braedan's back.
"Come my son," Theros whispered. "The right to draw it is yours."
"Sire?" the confused prince asked, stepping forward. Then he saw what had been concealed beneath the leather wrapping, and realized why his father was so shaken.
"Draw the sword my son," the king prompted in a trembling voice.
Thonicil reached out hesitantly, as if Jack was a prankster magician and the slightest tough would break the illusion and the sword would vanish in a puff of colorful smoke. Then his hand closed tightly around the Ithlemere wrapped handle and the blade seemed to leap from the sheath of its own accord. The young man gazed at it in wonder for several seconds, then lifted the weapon aloft for all to see. Light danced along the sword's gleaming, razor edge and the green stone in its hilt burned with emerald fire.
"Behold Bin'et ardendel!" King Theros cried, "The Talon of the Hawk has returned!"
Chapter Ten
The House of Arthol
"Jack Braedan," the king said, his voice thick with emotion as he placed his hands on the kneeling man's shoulders. "When Thessa was returned unharmed and informed us of your courage and unselfish gallantry, I promised her I would grant you a full, unconditional pardon should you ever make your way to this kingdom. I was further prepared to make you a knight of the realm. But now...after this? Whatever you ask of me, if it be within my power to grant it...it shall be yours."
"I ask for nothing your majesty," Jack replied humbly. "Being permitted to serve as Thessa's champion is payment enough. I helped her because it was right. I return Bin'et ardendel for the same reason. It has served me well in the short time I've had it, and though it came to me through darkness, and much pain and hardship, I knew the Talon of the Hawk was never rightfully mine to keep."
"Well-spoken sir," King Theros smiled. "Well-spoken indeed. Thessa chose wisely when she selected you as her champion. And I had planned to make this man a knight?" he cried, his booming voice filling the room as he turned to the other guests. "What ceremony or ritual could add more nobility to the blood flowing through this man's veins than has already been bestowed by the Creator? Even men of noble character may accept gifts," he said, addressing Braedan once more. "Tell me, what you desire? Gold? Station? Up to half of my treasury you may have, if you ask it."
"Do you seek to insult me sire?" Jack asked to the shocked gasps of the dinner guests.
"Insult you?" Theros chuckled. "Forgive me, Jack Braedan. It has been so long...I have forgotten there are still men of honor left in the world. But surely you will accept some token of my thanks?"
"Perhaps..."
"Speak," the king commanded.
"A sword to replace the Talon of the Hawk? I seem to be in trouble more often than not and wouldn’t want to go long without being able to defend myself." Jack smiled.
"The pick of any in the place armory shall be yours," Theros promised. "If one cannot be found to your liking, the greatest swordsmith in all of Brydium shall be commissioned to forge one for you."
"Thank you sire," Jack nodded.
"Can you think of nothing else?" inquired the king. "A mere sword for Bin'et ardendel makes me seem a miser."
"I will take nothing more your majesty," Jack replied, then his smile slowly widened, "Except...perhaps? Could you a spare plate of that roast? It smells delicious. It’s been a long time since I had a decent meal."
"It does indeed," Theros laughed, once again helping him to his feet. "Come Jack. Sit at my right hand and I will personally carve your dinner myself!"
A chair was brought out and placed at the table to Theros' right and Braedan took his seat next to the king. Thain Arthol, who had still as yet not managed to speak a word, took the seat on Braedan's right, while across from him on the king's left, Prince Thonicil and Thessa resumed their places at the table.
When the other guests had returned to their seats as well, plates of freshly cooked roast, hot from the kitchen, were brought out and set before them. King Theros, true to his word, took a carving knife from one of the servants and began to slice off huge slabs of meat and placed them before his guest. Jack fell on the meat hungrily, but was nevertheless mindful of his manners and ate as delicately as his ferocious appetite allowed. While he ate, the other guests talked curiously among themselves, politely permitting him to eat his fill without interruption. After he'd finished his first plate however, the questions were not long in coming.
"So, Jack Braedan, will you tell to us how you came into possession of the Talon of the Hawk?" Thonicil asked, caressing the sword laying in his lap as if to reassure himself it was not some fanciful dream.
The entire table immediately froze, some with forks and knives comically poised halfway to their open mouths. As one, they seemed to unconsciously lean towards Braedan, eagerly awaiting his reply.
"That...is a story best left for the bright light of day," Jack replied with a shudder, remembering the dark path which had led him to the blade.
But Thonicil pressed on.
"We know the sword was taken from Prince Thoniel's body," he continued, seemingly ignoring of Braedan’s reluctance to speak. "The hordes of the dark-King despoiled him after he fell defending the Circle of Nobles. It is one of the darker moments in Brydium's history."
"Indeed?" asked Jack with weary resignation, realizing the prince's curiosity would not be sated until he had extracted the painful story.
"Many historians believe it was lost forever," Thonicil proceeded, blindly unaware of the dark memories this talk was causing Jack. "However...there are others, and I include myself in this group, who believe the sword was carried south by our enemies when Th'nar the Dragonslayer and the High King Ljmarn drove them from Brydium. It is further assumed the Talon of the Hawk finally made its way to Iron Tower, where it was eventually given to...where it was given as plunder to...to the dark..."
"I would say the story is probably correct," Jack interrupted.
"Then where...how did you..."
"I have recently traveled…in the south." Jack replied slowly.
"How...how far south?" the prince asked hesitantly, perhaps finally realizing where his questioning had brought them.
"Amar," Jack answered quietly. "The Bergaweld. And...beyond."
"Are you saying..." the prince had grown pale. "That you...found the sword in..."
"Agash Thugar," Jack whispered, closing his eyes wearily.
The guests sitting close enough to hear Jack's whispered reply gasped in horror, turning quickly to their neighbors to relay the shocking claim. They in turn informed the person next to them, and so it went as word of what he had said rapidly made its way down the table.
&nb
sp; "Enough!" Theros cried, silencing the growing murmur. "Speak no more of this tonight Jack Braedan," he said firmly. "As you have rightly said, this is a tale best left for the bright light of day."
Jack nodded thankfully toward the king, the memories of what had happened to him in that cold, dark place still painful to recall. "I also perceive there are...details to this story," Theros whispered, leaning close so only Braedan could hear, "best left recounted in a room with fewer ears."
"Your majesty is wise," Jack agreed.
"Very well," the king replied. "We will speak at length tomorrow."
"Tonight," he continued, speaking once more to the other guests at the table. "Please enjoy the gracious hospitality of the House of Arthol. As for me, the hour grows late and I am scheduled to greet a trade delegation from Annoth early tomorrow morning. I must therefore, regretfully bid you all a good night. Thain," he finished standing, "my thanks for an evening I shall never forget."
"Majesty," the count said, coming quickly to his feet and bowing.
"Come to the palace around noon tomorrow," Theros instructed Braedan. "I should be finished with the Annothians by then. We will talk more of your...travels and I will introduce you to the queen."
"As you wish," Jack nodded.
"Good night all," the king said, and the entire table scrambled to their feet, bowing respectfully as he made his way from the room.
Once Theros had departed and the guests had resumed their seats, Thain Arthol turned to Braedan and addressed him directly for the first time. "Where are you staying?" he inquired. "Have you had opportunity to acquire a room?"
"Well...no, actually," answered Jack. "The watch brought me directly here when I entered the city. I didn't get a chance to make arrangements for the night."
"Then I offer you my hospitality," the count smiled.
"I wouldn't want to impose sir."
"Nonsense!" Thain insisted. "What sort of host would I be if I sent my daughter's rescuer away at this late hour to search for a room?"
With the mention of how late it was getting, Jack suddenly remembered how tired he was and had to suppress an involuntary yawn.
"See?" the count said with a kindly smile. "I insist you at least stay the night. Tomorrow, if you wish, you may look for an inn. But...I assure you, you will find no warmer welcome in Brythond than under my roof. For as long as you desire."
"You are staying in Brythond?" Thessa asked hopefully.
"I am staying until Ljmarn Haelfest at lease," Jack replied. "After that? I haven't really planned farther ahead."
"Then you will remain here as my guest until then," Thain announced. "There is certainly enough room and it has been an empty house since my daughter moved to the palace. Speaking of which," he said, turning to Thonicil, "Will you and Thessa be returning to the palace highness? You may of course, remain here as well?"
"Like my father, I must also greet the Annothian delegation in the morning," Thonicil said. "I will be returning to the palace. Thessa?"
"I would remain for a while yet my husband," the young woman replied. "I will see Jack settled in then I shall send for an escort when I am ready to return to the palace."
"Very well," Thonicil nodded. "I shall bid thee good night Lady Wife."
Though he smiled and kissed her cheek, it was obvious Thessa's decision to remain was not at all to the prince's liking, but he was too much of a gentleman to voice his displeasure in front of her father and his guests, and too proud to do so in front of her champion. Jack could sympathize with the young man. He would have undoubtedly felt the same way if he were a new husband and expectant father and his wife had chosen to stay behind and visit with a man from her past rather than accompany him home.
Jack could see he and Thonicil were not getting off on the right foot. At the moment unfortunately, he could think of nothing to say to the prince which would smooth things over between them. The best he could do was try and keep the situation from growing any worse. He therefore wisely chose to say nothing except to politely wish him good night in return. The guests again came to their feet as Thonicil left the room, bowing to him as they had to his father. But before they could resume their seats the count stopped them with an upraised hand.
"My friends," he smiled. "I know how much each of you would like to remain and welcome our guest to Brythond but..."
The group sighed as one, realizing their evening had come to an abrupt end.
"But the hour indeed grows late," Arthol continued, confirming their fears, "and I am certain our guest would like to refresh himself before retiring. Soon I am certain, invitations will be forthcoming from the palace for an official reception in his honor. I am confident each of you will be no doubt be included. My thanks for your attendance this evening, but I must now bid you all a good night."
The count left the table and took up a position by the door at the end of the room and the guests began to file slowly out of the hall, each stopping by him as they departed to receive a handshake or brief embrace and a few personal words of parting. Soon only Thessa and her father remained, along with one lone guest. He was a tall, imposing gentleman, who grinned mischievously at Braedan as he walked towards him. "We meet again," the man said, extending his hand.
"Ambassador Thongril?" Jack grinned happily. "How are you sir?"
"Well as can be expected," the ambassador shrugged. "For a diplomat who has been out of work since Kiathan tossed me out of Doridan."
"What!" Jack said cried. "He found out you..."
"Oh no!" Thongril interrupted. "The duke only suspects I played a part in your escape. He couldn't uncover enough evidence to actually...prove anything. Nevertheless," he shrugged again. "Here I am."
"What about Duke Morgan and Princess Annawyn?" Jack asked, his voice trailing off to a whisper as he spoke here name. If Kiathan had had Ambassador Thongril censured and sent back to Brydium simply because he suspected he'd had a hand in his and Tarsus' rescue, what might he have done to them?
"They were fine last I heard," Thongril reassured him quickly, seeing his concern. "Though he no doubt suspects others were involved as well, he is not yet strong enough to make a move against the Duke of Dorshev. Morgan is much too crafty to be so easily removed and Kiathan still needs Annawyn to reach the throne."
For an instant, Jack considered telling the ambassador of Kiathan's traitorous alliance with Gorthiel, that he'd actually seen the duke with his own eyes during his escape from Gorthiel. What would he think of Kiathan's strength if he knew he had the secret support the Iron Tower? But now was not the proper time to reveal such ill news and he held his tongue.
"Where is Tarsus Aernin?" Thongril suddenly asked. “Did he not accompany you?”
"Yes." Thessa added as she and her father joined them. "Where is Captain Tarsus? Did he not wish to enjoy Brythond’s hospitality?"
Could he tell Thessa he feared Tarsus dead? Killed in the Margalags by grim'Hiru so he could escape their clutches a second time. Not tonight. That story could wait until later as well. "Regrettably," he finally replied, "he couldn't come. I am hoping to hear word he will be following in the near future."
"Pity," Thongril sighed. "Well at least you have decided to pay us a visit. So, tell us what you've been up too son. Exactly how did you come by..."
"Leave it be Ian," Arthol interrupted. "You heard the king."
"Can't blame me for trying," Ambassador Thongril grinned.
"I think it's time to say good night Ian," the count said firmly.
"Very well," Thongril sighed. "I know when I am no longer welcome." But he winked at Jack to show his words were spoken in jest. "Good night lad. Glad to see you are safe and sound. If you do not care to be seen with an out of work diplomat, look me up tomorrow."
"I will sir," Jack promised.
Thongril took Thessa's hand and kissed it, bidding the princess good night, leaving the three of them alone in the empty dining hall.
"I will send servants to prepare the suite down the hall from
mine," Count Arthol informed his daughter. "Would you be so kind as to escort our guest to his room while I make sure Ian gets home safely? Once again, he has sought to drown his... situation in wine. I wouldn't want him to get lost in the fog."
"Certainly father," Thessa smiled.
"And do not keep him up all night with your questions," he warned his daughter. "You will have ample time to talk with later. Let him get some sleep. Tomorrow I think, will be a hectic day."
"Yes father," the young woman sighed, hooking her arm in Jack's. "Come along my champion."
Thessa led him from the dining room, turning right as they entered the parlor. "This way," she said, indicating the stairway leading to the upper floor. "Your suite will be at the end of the hall-way on the third floor."
"So far?" Jack asked in mock horror.
"You have traveled all this way," Thessa laughed, pulling him toward the stairs. "Surely you can manage a few paltry steps."
"A few paltry steps?" Jack grinned. "This house is huge! The end of the hall could mean walking halfway back to Dorshev!"
"And would you mind so much?" the young woman asked coyly. "Do you think I missed the tremble in your voice when you spoke her name?"
"Whose name?"
"Do not play the innocent with me," the young woman laughed. "Whose name indeed!"
Jack blushed bright red.
"You love her!" she guessed suddenly, her eyes widening.
"Does it matter?" he sighed, now longer pretending he did not know to whom she was implying.
"Does it matter?" Thessa cried. "It has been less than a week since I last received a letter from Annawyn, the last of many I might add, asking if there had been any news of your where-abouts. And you ask, 'Does it matter?'"
"She's been...asking about me?" Jack inquired softly.
"Of course, I may be mistaken," the young woman continued teasingly. "When Annawyn attended my wedding last fall, she spoke privately to me of how you road off him her heart that morning. It is...possible she could have been speaking of her Val'anna. Eaudreuil does mean 'Stout Heart' in the Ailfar tongue."