by B J Hanlon
Edin could tell but didn’t say anything. Dorset seemed happy.
“Is that why you wanted to learn to fight? Learn the Oret Nakosu?” Another grin. “You’re a dog…” Edin said.
“What does that mean?” Dorset exclaimed.
It was then that he noticed a woman in a bright blue gown with golden hair enter. They caught each other’s eyes and she looked away and headed straight for Cannopina.
Edin’s chest pounded and his mouth went dry. Next to her was Casitas and not only that, she had her arm looped through his.
A server walked past with silver goblets and Edin stopped him. “What’s in these?”
“Wine sir.”
Edin took two and tilted one back setting it back on the server’s tray and then drinking from the second.
“Those are for sipping,” Dorset said.
“That seems odd as I’m not sipping yet still I’m drinking them.” Edin said. He quickly walked away. He didn’t want to see her, why was she here… this was supposed to be for him. Edin passed grand chairs, paintings, and other more ornamental furniture inlayed with gold or covered in velvet.
He walked through the grand foyer barely noticing the people looking at him. Some stared, others ignored him. Pariah, Edin thought. He had to slip in between large and small groups of revelers who spoke so loudly he could barely think. The party goers cluttered the foyer so much it was a maze. This was a bad idea.
Finally, he made it through to a large sunroom and glass doors that separated the house from the elements. Outside he could hear music, a string instrument that reminded him of Dephina and then he thought of Grent and Horston.
Edin wiped his eyes as he descended shinning marble steps to a huge garden the size of his village’s square. Undying lanterns, ones that used no oil, hung from ropes above and the place smelled of orchids, roses, and food.
Hundreds of people milled about, chatting, laughing, and drinking between long tables. No one acknowledged him. Edin guessed his friends from the other islands weren’t invited.
The band sat in a corner on a raised platform. The yard was filled with circular tables and at the front, like at a wedding feast, a long empty table stood on a second, rectangular raised platform.
Servers in uniforms darted in and out with silver platters.
Edin caught another wine steward and took another pair of glasses.
To the side of the stairs, he saw a swinging door where servers entered and exited. Just outside it, stood a pair of hefty men hovering like vultures.
As soon as a server came out, they were accosted by the pair who picked at the platter like a choosy bird with a plethora of worms.
“Master Edin de Yaultan. The noblest of men. So good of you to come.” The voice boomed like Belo’s name. It drew the attention of the closest revelers.
“The philios,” someone whispered as Belo pushed men and women out of the way with his bulk.
“This man saved my daughter’s life… he ran into a crowd of riotous comrades to pull her to safety.”
“After he started it,” someone whispered loud enough for Edin to hear it.
“He’s a hero and will dine at my table tonight.” He looked at Edin with big tearful eyes, they seemed to be happy tears though. Proud tears like a father would shed over his beloved son. Edin had seen the look when Vistach looked over Berka, and once in a while, over Edin.
“And Dorset…” Edin whispered.
His smile faltered for a second. “And Dorset Canborat… grandnephew of my colleague Mersett.” He waived Dorset over. But Edin who had just heard Dorset’s last name for the first time had a chuckle. If he married this man’s daughter, her name would be Can Canborat.
Belo glanced at him as he slapped Dorset’s shoulder, slightly harder than he should’ve. “Three cheers for these two brave boys.”
Some people did, the ones who were most intoxicated did so exuberantly. Others did so half-heartedly while more turned their backs.
Edin noticed one man, about Le Fie’s age glaring at him as if he were a piece of rotten meat that should be thrown in the fire. Probably one of Pharont’s minions. Edin held the glare until the man turned away and said something to the woman next to him.
Belo introduced him to his wife and other surrounding partygoers. He was showing Edin off like a prized sow at the market as they made their way down the grand stairs to the yard.
Edin glanced toward the rear wall and the exit. Leading to the rear gate, was a pergola covered in vines like a tunnel. No one was within ten yards of it and that is where he had to go. But not now.
“What are you looking at?” Dorset asked.
“Nothing,” Edin said and slipped toward an empty table. He regretted not being able to tell Dorset about the plan. Even Flack was kept in the dark, Darsol Rose business, Le Fie had told them by way of an explanation.
As he sat, he looked toward the top of the staircase. At the top and seeming to glow was Arianne. She stood as a proud queen would with Casitas on her arm. She seemed to be scanning the crowd. She saw him and glanced away.
Edin didn’t, she was as beautiful as always. Even when she’d been beaten and broken, when she hated him… when she loved him, if she ever did…
He couldn’t get over her. He never would.
Then he saw Casitas glaring at him a moment later, Casitas turned and whispered something to a man next to him. The man watched Edin, nodded, and then slipped into the crowd.
“Excuse me…” A young voice called from before him. He hadn’t noticed the child appearing as if out of thin air. He was no more than five years old and had bright blond hair, light green eyes and an inquisitive look, as if he were trying to figure out a problem. He tilted his head almost completely sideways. His mouth opened to say something but he just held it there for a moment. No more words coming out, nothing but his soft breathing.
“Hi,” Edin said trying to smile.
“You’re a philos.”
“I am.”
“Show me.” The boy was slightly demanding, almost pushy in what he wanted. Edin’s mother had told him he was that way as a child, in both temperament and looks.
Edin raised up an open palm and summoned a small ethereal ball, then made it grow and shrink.
“A bubble…” he gasped.
Edin grinned, he summoned two more, and caused the three to float. The boy was staring at them, his gaping mouth hung as he twisted his head to try and see all of them at once.
A light blue dress appeared in his periphery. Edin glanced at Arianne who held a concerned look on her face. She was only a couple yards away staring at the boy. Her eyes met his, for just a moment, he thought she was trying to tell him something but then Casitas came up and put his arm around her waist.
Edin’s smile disappeared and he returned his attention to the floating balls. He saw them moving, first in his head, then with his eyes toward the boy, they moved slowly around the kid like planets around the sun.
The kid giggled and poked one.
Edin made it seem to pop and the boy laughed again. He jabbed his finger at the next. It popped. As he was going for the third a man appeared and pulled the boy back so hard the kid yelped.
The man then stood in front of Edin, glaring down while the crying boy was trying to get his arm free. It was the man who had been glaring at him earlier.
“You’re not wanted here bastard.” A woman ran up and pried the kid out of the man’s grip. There was something familiar about him, something about his cheeks, his nose, and the shape of his head.
“I believe I was invited…”
“Arrogant, just like Rihkar… you are nothing to our family, a nonperson, as far as I’m concerned you might as well be a beggar in Porinstol.”
A family member… Edin thought. “I’m glad to know your concerns, mine don’t include you.” Edin grinned and stood. He was taller than the man. He ran his tongue around his lips. He’d realized that a lot of the people were staring at him. At them.
“Clearly you’re not as clever as Rihkar... they should.” He snorted. “My brother was a fool to believe what he did. You are nothing but a wretch of his philandering. Your mother was a…”
Edin raised a fist and the man flinched. “Watch what you say old man.” The words were sulphirc in his mouth. “I wouldn’t want your son to see you crying like a beaten housemaid who ruined the laundry. If I were you, I’d treat him better… or you may be the one alone at events like this with people saying you’re unwanted.”
Dorset said nothing, he just looked between them. “Lord Harlscot, Master Edin has not…”
“Shut up Dorset,” Edin said glowering at the man. “You’re the younger cowardly brother I’m guessing.”
“You dare insult me…”
Edin smiled. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I do hope your presence will not spoil my time.” Edin bowed to the man and walked away.
“You do not turn from me.” He grabbed Edin’s wrist hard and tried to pull. Edin spun with the yank, gripped his uncle’s hand to his own wrist and stepped into it. His uncle yelped as his wrist cracked and his knees buckled.
People gasped around him and the man howled like the boy had moments before.
Edin turned and saw Arianne, her face had somewhat darkened.
“Okay… okay, I want no more fighting…” Belo called out, “we need a healer over here.”
“You’re just like him…” The man spat and pulled himself to his feet. “I hope the gods smite you.”
“They already did.”
“Nice way to meet your uncle,” Dorset said. “His name is Rubinso, but most people call him Rube.” Dorset whispered. “Behind his back of course.”
A little later, Dorset disappeared again and Edin sat at one of the tables alone, a few more people came up to him, young children mostly, asking him to show off more of his talent. It made him feel like the entertainment.
After a while, he moved further from the party and closer to the gate. He studied it. Le Fie said it’d be unlocked. They were to meet out back around ten. Edin glanced at the clock at the back of the mansion. Only a quarter past eight.
A few older men began bothering him, they dressed in fine robes and spoke of daughters, their successes in business, trade, or law and how much an honor it would be to have a philios in the family. Others still looked at him with disgust.
His date, if Dorset could be called that, was at Cannopina’s side and causing anxious stares from Belo.
Edin tried not to stare at Arianne, it was hard though as he wanted him to leap up, whisk her away, and just be alone with her so he could apologize.
The cratmonger Casitas didn’t leave her side; he was trying to keep them apart.
He felt a sudden suppression of talent, it came on quick and then he heard, “you leave her alone,” a voice whispered in Edin’s ear. He felt something pressing against his kidneys. It was sharp, the tip of a blade and a wan stone.
Edin closed his eyes. “Good idea, stab a man in front of all of these people…” Edin said. “I know he’s a moron.” Edin nodded at Casitas who was glaring at him, “but you have to be smarter than that.”
The blade pushed in a little more, he felt the fabric tear and the blade pressing into his skin. He looked at Arianne and remembered… felt the rage at seeing her shot with the arrow. The fury rose, he saw his uncle sulking in the corner, heard the jabs about him echoing in his mind. He felt his talent. It was there, suppressed not cut off.
“People here have told me what to do since I arrived.” Edin stood with the man’s knife still in his back. He felt the hard tip cut into him and a drip of warm liquid flowing down his back.
Edin glanced over his shoulder. It was the broson that tried to grab him the day of the riot. Worian, if his memory was right. His broken foot healed. The man hadn’t stabbed him yet and wasn’t going to… at least Edin hoped.
“This is your last warning boy…” He pressed the knife further in.
Edin winced at the pain. He blinked and time seemed to slow.
“I… will…” the broson was speaking so slowly.
Edin took a step away, grabbed the knife hand and twisted it until he heard a snap. The knife slowly dropped. Edin caught it, flipped it and pointed it at the broson’s neck. A moment later he let go of the man’s arm and stepped back. The world returned to normal and the broson collapsed.
Edin pressed his hand to his back, he pulled it away and saw bright red blood. His white cape was surely ruined. Edin crouched still holding the knife.
The man looked up at him with shock… and fear. “You… move like a…”
“Terrin?” Edin winked in a way that would’ve made Dephina proud.
Someone shoved him in the back and Edin stumbled, trying not to kick or step on the broson.
Edin tilted forward, his hands bracing the fall. He rolled on his shoulder and came up facing Casitas. The knife hidden behind his wrist ready to be thrown.
“What have you done to my bodyguard?” Casitas demanded with two broson men flanking him.
He’d left Arianne behind, but Edin knew she was watching. Everyone was watching now.
Casitas moved so close, invading Edin’s space.
The fury was rising… further much further. Edin was fuming, a third time being assaulted at a party, his party. “I may have allowed you to live once, I will not again. Stay away from her.”
“It will be you who dies,” Edin growled. Edin twisted the blade so it pressed into Casitas’ stomach. “Boy.”
He blinked and faltered. “What is…” he nearly gasped through clenched teeth.
“A knife,” Edin noticed the brosons moving around. “That’s twice… once more and...”
“He has a knife!” One called and drew his sword. The man lunged, Edin stepped back as the blade barely missed him. Edin spun around to the sword, gripped the man’s wrist and brought his head into the man’s nose. The other broson took a step, Edin was quicker, sticking the knife at the man’s throat. He stopped and nearly fell back.
It went completely silent.
“My lord he’s a terrin…” the broson said from the ground.
“No magi are…”
“My my, what is happening here,” Belo yelled. “Lord Casitas, Master Edin…” His voice was higher pitched, almost screechy. “Why is it you are getting into arguments with my guests?”
“You may want to ask them,” Edin slid the blade back into his pocket. Casitas growled, pushed past Belo and started marching away.
“What happened to your uniform?”
Edin was taken aback by him calling the outfit a uniform but shook it off a moment later. “I scratched myself,” Edin said.
“I will need to be rectified.” He clapped his hands and instantly Nan appeared, “take Master Edin to the tailor, tell him I need this fixed right away. Fifteen minutes, we will eat upon your return.”
“I’ll be fine…” Edin said. He pulled off his cape revealing a large gash and a lot of blood. People gasped. When Belo saw it, he nearly fainted. The brosons were all gone, even the one with the broken nose.
“You cannot... dress like that at a party.”
“I’ll leave,” Edin said.
“Nonsense,” Belo said.
Edin was dragged through the staring crowd, some seemed to noticed the faltering of their talent with the arrival of the wan stone blade.
They went up to the second floor. Nan chuckled to himself. “If only I could break a broson’s nose. Next time put him in the infirmary will you… and maybe do worse to that arrogant little brat Casitas.”
Edin decided he liked the man.
Belo’s tailor was old, very old with thick spectacles. He sewed up the cut through his tunic and turned a white table cloth into a cape. A healer was brought up to take care of the wound.
Neither were magus and didn’t feel the power of the wan stone knife. Edin held it in his sleeve, feeling the suppression… but also his talent.
What would happen
if he could beat it? Was that part of the prophecy… no, I’m no prophesied whatever... Why would I even want to be.
Edin returned a short while later to more stares.
Belo regaled some onlookers, half of which seemed bored, the other half not listening. He seemed back in a jovial mood. At least on the outside. He spotted Edin and met him at the base of the stairs and whispered to a servant.
“Tell the band to play the march.” Then he looked at Edin. “You’re to sit next to my daughter.”
Edin nodded. At the head table was Belo, his wife Matia, Cannopina, Dorset, Edin, and Pharont who’d arrived just before Edin had come down.
Though Edin was up on the second floor he could hear the proclamation of his entrance as if he were the king. He heard cheers that drowned out some grumbling.
There was a schism in the Praesidium and the gentry… could they be called nobles? It seemed the most apt term.
When they sat, Edin was to one side of Belo while Pharont to the other, then it was Cannopina next to Edin and Matia on Pharont’s side. Dorset sat on the other side of Matia as far from Cannopina as possible. Other members of the Praesidium sat at the second table with Casitas and Arianne.
They ate, Belo raised a toast to Edin, most raised their glasses, it’d be impolite not to, Edin followed suit but said nothing.
The dinner was venison. Belo explained to anyone who could hear that it was shipped from northern Bestoria and dry aged in the cargo hold of a special ship. They ate vegetables and fruits, many of which didn’t come from the isle either. There was a much closer connection to the mainland than he’d originally believed.
After the food, there was more libations and songs from the band. People drank and began to dance as the tables were cleared to the side. He felt himself getting a bit drunker than he’d planned and had to slow down.
Dorset cut in on Cannopina and another man dancing they seemed to grow happier.
Arianne was laughing with some other finely dressed noble women. They danced and Arianne hitched up her gown to give herself more room.
This was her people, her life, and despite everything, Edin wanted her to be happy. Edin glanced at the clock, quarter to ten. With that thought on his mind, he hugged the wall heading back toward the rear of the property with a moseying gait. It was one of the other things Flack taught him, something he called, ‘the unwalk.’ He wanted people to think he was drunk. As he reached the pergola, a hand grabbed his shoulder.