Age of Valor: Awakening

by D. E. Morris

  “Has this anything to do with the Water Elemental's death?”

  Mairead shook her head. “I know nothing more.”

  Wessely leaned back into his seat, eyes going to the open window to watch the landscape pass as their carriage progressed inland. When he looked at Mairead again, his expression was unreadable. “It is not a light burden you carry in the position you hold.”

  “But one I would not trade.”

  “You risk your life pretending to be her. When she dresses you up in her gowns and puts her crown on your head, she does it because there is danger to fear and she wishes to preserve her own life.”

  “As a high queen should.” Mairead held Wessely with a level gaze. “It was my privilege to be chosen for this role and now it is my honor. I have come to love Ashlynn and would gladly give my life if it were to spare hers.”

  “Then she is truly blessed to have a lady like you by her side.”

  When the carriage finally approached the castle that evening, Ashlynn was waiting in the gatehouse. She stayed hidden in the shadows, a long cape over the gown she wore that was identical to the one Mairead had on. She sent a silent thanks up to the Giver for the rain, happy to see the weather had driven most people inside. There would be less chance to be spotted that way.

  As the horses pulled up to the gatehouse the carriage stopped so the drivers could exchange words of greeting and recognition. It was only seconds, but it was long enough for Ashlynn to shed her cape and switch places with Mairead, no one but the guard surrounding them the wiser. As Ashlynn settled in and fixed the smaller, lighter cape around her shoulders, she smiled at Wessely. “Hello, Papa.”

  “What a master of trickery we have become.”

  “Is that envy I detect in your voice?”

  “Perhaps a bit.” When she finally looked at him, all levity was dispelled. “How serious is it?”

  Ashlynn's expression was grim. “You're about to find out.”

  The carriage lurched forward and they were once again out in the falling rain. The plan had been carefully laid out before being put into action, and Ashlynn knew Mairead would hasten up through the gatehouse and into the castle, seeking out her own chambers to change before letting anyone see her. No one outside of Jaryn and her guards, not even Zarra or Lilia, knew the switch had occurred, only that Mairead had been given a task that would keep her busy all day and not free to roam as she usually did. Ashlynn stayed within her own private library until one of Jaryn's personal guards slipped in through a hidden entryway and informed her the carriage was approaching. He then led her down to the poorly lit and seldom used tunnels, one of which came out inside the gatehouse. A perfect plan with perfect execution, and Ashlynn was quite pleased with it all.

  Jaryn awaited them under one of the many arched overhangings that surrounded Altaine, as did several courtiers on the ground level and a floor above. The carriage came to a stop and a servant hurried forward with an umbrella. Wessely exited first and stood under the covering, offering a hand inside the carriage to help his daughter down.

  “High Queen Ashlynn has returned!” shouted a voice from the second story landing. “Surely now the sun will shine upon us again!”

  She looked up to see it was Jessiah who had made the embarrassing exclamation. His grin down to her was winning and he even winked, a thing that was not missed by her father.

  “He is a rather brave admirer.”

  “Foolish is more like it.”

  They passed under the stone arches and into the protection of the open hallway, clasping forearms with Wessely. “Welcome back to Altaine, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you for inviting me. I am only sorry it has taken me this long to return.”

  Ashlynn smiled at him, keeping up appearances for all who watched them. She desperately wanted to lead her father down to where the body of the messenger was being kept, to confer with him and with Tasarin as soon as the elf arrived. It was near torture to go about daily life as if nothing was out of the ordinary and there was nothing to fear. “Would you like to meet your grandson now, or perhaps some mulled wine to warm you up a bit first?”

  “I think I would like to get settled and exchange these soggy clothes for something a bit more dry before anything is done, if it is all the same.”

  She laughed in good nature, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically if the glance Jaryn threw her was any indication, and folded her hands before her. “Of course. Your rooms are still the same as when you were here last.” A pang of loss ran through her followed quickly by worry. “I hope that is all right.”

  Wessely's smile to his daughter was sad. “I walk with Emiline's memory all the time at Oceana. It will be comforting to walk with her here as well.”

  Ashlynn touched his arm, then gave a nod to the men at the carriage. Wessely's trunk was unbound and his three men followed him inside, taking a path Wessely knew well by now. Slipping her arm into the crook of her husband's arm, Ashlynn smiled cordially to those close enough to be in direct line of sight before also heading inside with Jaryn.

  “I trust your journey was uneventful.”

  She nodded but said nothing of it aloud. Instead she asked, “Has there been any word from Tasarin?”

  “With luck he will be here by tomorrow evening.” Ashlynn untied her cloak and handed it to a servant girl, then walked beside Jaryn down the wide hallway. He kept his voice quiet when he added, “Five men on horses left for Braemar late last night bearing no mark of Altaine whatsoever.”

  “Which means they should arrive in the middle of the night tomorrow at some point.” Ashlynn frowned. “I hate surprising Nuala like this, but I fear the surprise is the only thing that will keep us safe.”

  “If the men are stopped, they carry a gift for her from one of the smaller kingdoms of Siness: Drisha.”

  The corners of Ashlynn's lips rose. “There is a strong trade relationship between Drisha and some of the lesser kingdoms within Braemar.”

  “Exactly. A gift to their high queen wouldn't seem out of the ordinary at all.”

  “Well played, my love.”

  He grinned at her in reply and led her up to their private solar, leaving the guards outside and their followers and onlookers to go occupy themselves elsewhere. It wasn't too long before Wessely joined them and the three sat in discussion. Ashlynn told him of all that had happened since she was at Oceana. In the middle of their sharing Badru invited himself to the conversation, bypassing the guards entirely and appearing in a sudden burst of flame that had everyone clutching at their hearts. He hardly noticed as he sat and encouraged the three to continue with what they were saying. It was well into the evening hours before all four of them were completely caught up and had shared all they knew of what was going on.

  “I am glad Elas is not here to see this happening again,” Wessely admitted after awhile. “There is still shame in him for what happened because of those injuries.”

  “It wasn't his fault,” reminded Ashlynn. “It wasn't anyone's fault but the one who commanded those black demons.”

  Jaryn frowned. “It sounds callous to say, but Pierre is lucky he didn't live to see the damage he could do when possessed by the dark magic.”

  “I don't know that I'd agree with you entirely,” said Ashlynn darkly. “All I know is that we must be prepared for more incidents like this.”

  “How has your sleep been?”

  Pausing, Ashlynn looked at Badru, weighing her answer to his question. Sleep had been fine, but she was still relying heavily upon the potion he'd made for her. Despite his warning of her becoming dependent upon it, she couldn't bring herself to attempt even one night without it. She was too afraid of what she might see or even worse, what she might do. “Peaceful.” Her smile to him was genuine and one of thanks.

  “I have noticed more anxiety,” Jaryn spoke up. Ashlynn gave him a dirty look, but he remained unaffected. “When she thinks no one's looking I can see her searching the shadows.”

  “Can you blame me aft
er what has happened?” She felt her temper rising. It was happening entirely too easily with Jaryn since their return from Mirasean, and she took a breath to calm herself. “I worry for my family,” she continued, tone evening, “for my people, and yes, for myself. It would be impossible not to be anxious.”

  “I'm not blaming you, love. Just pointing it out.”

  A servant was granted entrance to announce the evening meal, sparing everyone the discomfort that had settled on the room. They walked to the dining hall together, Jaryn and Wessely a few paces ahead while Badru and Ashlynn walked behind. By the time they all entered for supper all tension had gone and both Ashlynn and Jaryn smiled at each other from across the length of the table that separated them. Perhaps they were having heated moments much more frequently and easily than before, but they never lasted too long. Neither one of them would allow negativity to burden their relationship; it was too important.

  Jessiah and several other guests of status within the castle joined them as they ate, and conversation flowed as freely as the laughter. A long time ago Ashlynn learned how to be able to divide her attention between many conversations, even allowing herself to be an active participant in one while still listening to others. It was what she did now as she spoke with a man visiting from Alybaen. She kept watch on the way Jessiah interacted with others, the way he tried to always have the answer he thought people would want to hear and the way he tried to make the women around the table smile, including her own ladies. Even Mairead, who was not easily fooled by false charm, giggled at his comments from time to time. Badru appeared charmed as well, as he and Jessiah recounted certain events from their travels across Ibays together.

  She'd made sure Wessely and Lilia sat next to one another and surveyed the way they spoke. As always, Lilia was sweet, fluttering her lashes when complimented or if Wessely said something particularly amusing. Unfortunately, her attention kept going across the table to where Jessiah sat. It was quite clear, at least to Ashlynn, that the young woman would rather be flirting with him and it saddened Ashlynn a little. She wanted her father to be happy again, to find love and not be so lonely. There was Mairead, of course. She was quiet and serious as Emiline had been. She also had blonde hair and her accent would always remind Wessely of his roots. Zarra was too young to even consider, but she was enjoying the food more than the company anyway. Taking a sip of her wine, Ashlynn looked from one side of the table to the other, thinking about changing her match-making tactics.

  By chance she caught Jaryn's eye and he raised a knowing brow. Color flooded her cheeks knowing she'd been caught. It was enough to make her husband laugh out loud. Those closest to him tried to figure out what it was that had him so amused, but Jaryn was quick to cover by raising his glass.

  “To my wife. May she never change.”

  The grin they shared across the table as everyone else raised their glasses in agreement was full of teasing and mirth. She shook her head at him before offering her own toast. “And to our guests. May we always be so lucky to count ourselves among such fine company.”

  It was late when the food was gone and people had begun splitting off for the night. Ashlynn offered to take her father to the nursery to meet Lochlainn and asked if Mairead would join them. Before leaving the dining hall, however, she suggested privately to Lilia that she ask Jessiah to go for a stroll in the gardens with her since they were so lovely in the moonlight. Lilia's eyes lit up and she hastened to do just that. Jessiah seemed only too happy to oblige and excused himself from conversation before offering an arm to Lilia and escorting her from the room.

  Jaryn, Badru, and Zarra decided to join Ashlynn and Wessely as well, and as they left the room behind it felt as though the frivolity was not following them. Shadows had grown longer and Ashlynn felt uneasy. She slid her hand into Jaryn's and he squeezed her fingers in reassurance. “Are you going to let me in on what was going through your mind at supper?”

  She smiled wanly and leaned into him, keeping her voice as quiet as his so the others wouldn't overhear. “I had thought to pair Lilia with my father, but it seems she has eyes for Jessiah.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “I think it would be a beneficial match.” She thought a moment, her brow wrinkling. “He's had a life at Ibayish court for years now. If he leaves that for Siness he leaves everything he's gained behind, including royal favor. I think he's trying to earn ours in hopes for either a place here at Altaine or at least some land and a title.”

  Jaryn glanced over his shoulder at the small group following them, also in conversation. “If he can help find Nealie's child I'd grant him nearly anything he wishes.” Ashlynn looked up at him in confusion and he frowned. “Badru and I have been talking and he's afraid whatever killed Pierre might know where he was going and head there to kill the child.”

  “How would anyone know where he was going? My seal wasn't even broken.”

  “I know, but Badru doesn't think that should be a sign of anything. He's generations old, Ashlynn. If he's worried about something it's hard not to worry about it as well.” He shrugged. “Anyway what will do you about your father now?”

  “I thought perhaps Mairead.”

  Jaryn's brows drew together and he looked almost disgusted. “No. Just...no.”

  “Why not?”

  “For one thing, she is here as one of your ladies as protection for you, not to find a husband like Lilia and Zarra. Secondly, she could almost be your twin and that would be so very wrong.”

  Ashlynn grimaced. “Good point. Well I suppose I shall have to rethink things a second time.”

  “Or you could just let them be.” Jaryn kissed her forehead, then opened the door to the nursery.

  Lochlainn was wide awake and happy to have so much attention on him. He only wanted Ashlynn to start, but once Wessely got a hold on him, he and the baby got along wonderfully and Lochlainn was soon cooing and smiling more than he had before. Badru also fawned over him, admitting he missed his many grandchildren and was eager to get home to them. He always looked so drawn and so serious, but to see him holding and talking to Lochlainn, one would have thought the baby was his own precious child.

  “Ashlynn, do you remember the first time you shifted?”

  The question came out of nowhere, but Ashlynn was thoughtful as she looked at Badru. “That depends on what you want me to remember. There was a lot of pain involved and I believe the very first time I didn't even make it all the way through.” Her eyes went to her father for confirmation and he nodded.

  “You blacked out before you even had wings or a tail.”

  Badru looked at Wessely as well. “And Kenayde?”

  “Kenayde is not a Gael.”

  The darker returned Lochlainn's babbling, his brows lifted and his tone light. “Of course she is.”

  Both Ashlynn and Wessely glanced at one another before Wessely replied. “She has been in my care nearly all her life. I would know. She would know.”

  Badru rose from his cross-legged position on the floor, making sure to keep Lochlainn in his sturdy arms. “Forgive me for making assumptions as I have only recently become close enough to Ashlynn to be able to call her friend, but from what I have been told of Kenayde, she is a rather timid girl, is she not?”

  Wessely nodded with slight reluctance. “For most of her life, yes, but the war has changed her.”

  “Did she ever express regret over not being like her sister at all?”

  “No,” Ashlynn supplied. “In fact she always said she was glad of it. I think the idea of changing her form at all frightened her.” Folding her hands she added, “There has been a time or two she was able to make fyre, but each time it bothered her so much that she vowed never to try again.” Eyes narrowing, she asked, “Why do you ask?”

  “It is not my place to argue, but I believe Kenayde is in fact a Gael.” If anyone within the nursery had found their attention drawn elsewhere before, now all eyes were on the older man. “She is the daughter of an E
lemental. It would be highly unlikely that she would be born a simple human child.”

  In the nearly silent room, Ashlynn and Wessely met gazes. She never would have guessed her sister was a Gael and couldn't quite wrap her mind around it. Kenayde had lost her temper on more than one occasion, and though her anger never reached the level Ashlynn's was quite well known for, it certainly would have been enough to trigger a shift. “Do you think...?”

  Wessely shook his head, blonde brows risen. “Surely we would have known.”

  “Not if she didn't want us to know.” Ashlynn took a step toward her father, eyes wide. “Or if she doesn't even know herself!” She faced Badru with a fluttering of excitement in her stomach. “How could we find out if she is a Gael or not.”

  “It is quite simple.” Badru's chin lifted and all of the burning torches and candles in the room went from orange and yellow to blue and gold, reaching dangerously high and filling the room with a bright, cold, silvery light. He nodded toward the torch closest to him and said, “Lady Mairead, if you would be so kind?”

  She nodded and reached up to grasp the torch, holding it far enough away from her face to as not to burn herself. Badru instructed her to come closer and shifted Lochlainn in his arms, moving him to the other hip and positioning him closer to the fyre. The flames reflected in the baby's dark blue eyes and he cooed, automatically reaching out for the source of light. Nearly everyone in the room gasped and took a step forward as if they could all prevent the baby from burning himself, but Badru laughed.

  “I will let no harm come to the child, but do come closer and see.”

  All within the room crowded around, but Badru wanted Ashlynn and Wessely to be closest. “King Wessely, put your hand by Lochlainn's.” He did as instructed, sliding his pointer finger into the palm of his grandchild and smiling as his chubby fingers grasped him. “See the way your skin is smooth even when wrinkled? You have fine lines as does every human being. Now look at Lochlainn's hand. See how defined those fine lines are even in his new skin.” Badru nodded to Ashlynn. “Look at the hand of your daughter and see the similarities.”