Erstad’s eyes narrowed, drawing a glare from Farrell. Everyone had interrupted his day—his special day—without notice. He didn’t need to apologize for wanting them gone.
The baron gave him a smile and a nod. Hopefully he took the hint. “My thanks, Lord Farrell. I would not have intruded on you like this were it not a matter of great importance to Honal.”
“Please, call me Farrell. Rank has less importance among wizards. Ability and wisdom count more than titles, especially when there are so many princes and sovereigns at Haven.”
Glaus and Kerstand turned to each other, then back to Farrell.
Before he could explain, Horgon took up the discussion.
“Many of those at Haven had titles and positions tied to kingdoms Meglar conquered. Rank is still recognized among the various communities, but Haven has its own court, and Farrell is our prince. Some nobles have positions of authority in Haven, some do not. Myself, I led my people before Lenore sent us here. At Haven, I retained that authority over my people, but as a vassal to Prince Farrell. My position as first minister was at his behest, not due to some right. Those who have not accepted this new reality are not part of Haven’s court.”
“It sounds like a wise solution to an otherwise difficult situation. My cousin and I shall remember that while we are here.” He glanced to Prince Kerstand, who gave him a small nod. Glaus seemed put off by the lack of comment but recovered quickly.
“King Christian has sent us to Haven as emissaries from Honal. Since the fall of Endor, his majesty has been tireless in his preparation for Meglar’s inevitable attack. From our agents, we know Pelipan is doing the same.
“We are, however, faced with a simple reality; we lack wizards capable of standing up to Meglar. Our wizards paint a grim picture. Even if Meglar is only as powerful as when he conquered Endor, we cannot defeat him.”
Farrell nodded but otherwise kept his emotions in check. Of course they couldn’t defeat him. Heminaltose had told them that years ago and they ignored him.
“Our people won’t turn and flee. We’ll fight to the end, but my uncle understands that, barring divine intervention, Honal will fall. The wizard, Cylinda, advised us we could find aid at Haven. His majesty sent us to discuss a treaty.” Glaus briefly looked to his cousin, but Kerstand didn’t turn. “In addition, King Christian asks that you allow his son to remain here for his safety and to ensure the survival of the royal line toward that day when Honal can be reclaimed.”
Farrell waited to be certain Glaus had nothing more to add. Miceral’s hand on top of his helped keep his voice steady.
“Prince Kerstand is of course welcome.” Farrell ignored the look Erstad gave him. “Your people are also welcome, should you choose not to fight to the end. Haven was created to preserve the Seven Kingdoms until the circumstances favor us and not Meglar.”
“What circumstances would entice you to confront Meglar?” Kerstand asked. “Join your forces to ours and we might not be forced to flee.”
Staring at the young man, Farrell shook his head slowly. “No.”
Kerstand’s jaw tightened. “Why not? Are you afraid?”
Glaus put a hand on Kerstand’s leg, drawing an angry look. “Forgive my cousin’s tone. The prospect of Honal being conquered is a cause of great distress to all, especially the ruling house.”
Ignoring the baron’s words, Farrell locked eyes with Kerstand. Did he even understand the irony of his words coming from a son of the house of Honal? He took a breath to remain in control.
“Prince Kerstand, I don’t fear Meglar, but I have a healthy respect for his power. We will meet him when and where the Six have decreed.”
“You’re prepared to let Meglar conquer the rest of the Seven Kingdoms while you wait for a sign from the Six?” Kerstand’s voice bordered on disdain. “With your aid, Honal and Pelipan might be strong enough to defeat Meglar. We need your help now. Surely that’s enough of a sign.”
Tuning out the others, Farrell kept his eyes on the prince. “I understand you’re emotional, but don’t speak to me about inaction. What aid did Honal offer Yar-del or Endor? None. Instead, your father sat safely behind his walls and did nothing.”
Kerstand leapt to his feet. “How dare you suggest my father is a coward!”
Standing, Farrell stared him down. “I was there when Queen Zenora asked your father for aid ten years ago. He refused her. Your father sat back, hoping Meglar would be satisfied with Yar-del. No!” He glared at Kerstand, not willing to be silent. “I was there! Heminaltose told your father Meglar wouldn’t stop with Yar-del. Only Clement and Endor stood with Zenora.
“Had your father and the other kings stood with Yar-del and Endor that day, we might have prevailed. Instead, he did nothing, and my master died.”
He fought back the tears raised by his mother’s death, unable to tell them the truth.
“When Meglar turned to Endor, again your father and the other kings turned a deaf ear to Clement’s plea. They reasoned that if Endor had not sided with Yar-del, Meglar wouldn’t have turned on them. Fools. All of them.”
Much as he tried, he couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. How dare they question him when they gave nothing themselves?
“Sanduval was the last grand master in the Seven Kingdoms and the last hope to defeat Meglar. Had Christian and the others come to Clement’s aid, Meglar might yet have been vanquished. But instead they stayed safely at home, and Meglar conquered Endor and slew Sanduval.”
Kerstand’s righteous anger seemed gone as he slowly sat down. The sound of people breathing cut the silence.
“Now that I’m the last grand master, I’ll not risk my life until I’m ready. If Honal or Pelipan or both fall, so be it. There is no debt to repay for aid rendered. But lest you think my words are simply anger or bitterness, though I have enough of both in me, know this: I cannot defeat him yet. The Six have devised a plan, and only if I follow it can I be victorious. Without a doubt, their plan does not involve me confronting Meglar at Honal.”
Silence followed as he sat down. Horgon stood up, drawing all eyes to him as he walked over to get some food.
“Perhaps a break?”
Miceral stood up, but Farrell shook his head. Erstad and Wesfazial joined father and son, while the cousins from Honal remained seated.
Looking chastised, Glaus turned his gaze to his host. “Farrell, I hear the pain and sorrow of your loss. Hindsight is a wonderful tool, and with it, we in Honal realize the folly of our response to Meglar’s threat. There is nothing we can do to make amends for our lack of support to Yar-del and Endor. If I thought your decision was driven by spite, I’d argue the ill-conceived decisions of one man, even a king, shouldn’t doom everyone else to death.
“However, Cylinda told my uncle you would not aid him and why. Though she shamed him for his inaction, she also explained you would not deviate from the plan the Six set forth. For that reason, knowing you cannot aid us as we needed, King Christian sends you his son. It is his hope that you will prevail and Honal can be restored.”
“Christian should send all his people, not just his youngest son,” Erstad said, handing Farrell a plate of food. “Eat. I know you won’t later. Both of you as well.”
Glaus smiled at the older man before standing up. Kerstand
remained rooted in his seat, staring at the carpet. “Kers, you need to eat.”
Kerstand shrugged, never looking up. The baron left him, only to return a moment later with a plate he almost had to force into the prince’s hands. “If you don’t, I’ll send you back to your father until you listen to me.”
Glaring at his cousin, Kerstand grabbed a wedge of cheese and took a bite. Glaus rolled his eyes but went back to the food.
Farrell had as much interest in eating as Kerstand, but under the watchful eye of his mentors, he did as instructed. When Kerstand lifted his head, Farrell couldn’t hold back a smile. “It would appear, Kerstand, that our authority as princes does not extend to eating.”
Kerstand rewarded his comment with a grin and showed a bit more enthusiasm for his food.
“That’s the truth,” Wesfazial said, taking the seat next to Farrell. “You’d both do well not to forget it, either.”
“Yes, Master Wesfazial.” Out of his mentor’s field of vision, Farrell rolled his eyes, making Kerstand laugh.
“We may take you up on your offer, but our pride is too great to leave without a fight.” He heard Glaus speaking to Horgon and Erstad. “Any aid you can offer will of course be greatly appreciated.”
“Fighting back does have some benefits,” Erstad replied. “Chamdon require energy to create and can only be used once. It takes Meglar years to gather enough slaves to turn into his army. That has given us time to work on what the Six outlined for Farrell.
“Short of confronting Meglar directly, we have significant resources we can offer to help save as many of your people as possible. Unfortunately, once Meglar arrives in person, he sweeps aside all resistance. When that time comes, you must flee rather than stand until the last. More than survival is at stake.
“Every person he captures becomes another Chamdon he will use against his next target. Fighting to the last, while honorable, only hastens Meglar’s next attack. Every person you deny him is the same as killing a Chamdon. Make sure your uncle understands the danger.”
Listening to Erstad talk about what to expect soured Farrell’s mood. Now he wanted everyone to leave before he could no longer maintain proper decorum for his guests. “As I said before, Prince Kerstand is welcome at Haven. He can help prepare for the arrival of your people and stand as a liaison for his father. I think for now it’s best if we retire for the night and talk more tomorrow. Horgon will find someone to escort you to your quarters.”
Fortunately, everyone took the hint and started to leave. Horgon and Glaus led the way, discussing what time to meet. Farrell remained with Miceral, waiting to follow the others out. Before leaving, Kerstand walked over to Farrell.
“My apologies, Farrell. I was terribly rude to you. I didn’t fully appreciate your loss.” He looked up at the picture of Zenora. “She’s beautiful. Who is she?”
Farrell caught himself before he said “My mother.” He felt Miceral reach for his hand, lending him strength to keep control.
“Queen Zenora of Yar-del. She and Master Heminaltose were always close. That picture was his. Since he died defending her and Yar-del, I felt it fitting that her picture and the royal pennant of Yar-del hang here as a reminder of who and what he gave his life for.”
“Your master was by all accounts a great and honorable man. I’m sure you miss him dearly.” Kerstand gave Farrell a deep bow. “I appreciate your hospitality, even if I do not wish to be sent away. I hope we three can be friends.”
“Prince Kerstand, you will always be welcome in our home,” Miceral said before Farrell could respond.
Chapter Fifteen
“DON’T GET any ideas of dumping me for a younger prince!” Farrell said to Miceral as he watched the door close.
“As if that little boy could compare to you.” Miceral swept him into an embrace. A passionate kiss followed, and Farrell stared up, feeling bemused. “Life-partner-to-be? When did that happen? And how come no one asked me?”
“Ugh. I knew I shouldn’t have said that. I froze when I thought about how to introduce you and convey how important you are to me. Friend? Close friend? Really close friend? What should I have—” He would have continued, except Miceral’s lips covered his.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Miceral said when he moved back slightly. “I’m not mad.”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry.” Farrell freed a hand and rested it against Miceral’s cheek. “That was too personal to blurt out in front of everyone, especially before we discussed it. Hopefully it won’t spread to the five corners of Haven.”
“We could always fix it so it’s not a problem.” Miceral flashed him a wicked grin.
He laughed at the grin. “How’s that?”
“We could make it official and have a union ceremony at this year’s Winter Festival.” The smile disappeared but Miceral still seemed happy.
Farrell stared at him, trying to process what he heard. Union ceremony. Before he could answer, he smiled.
“Shall I take that as a yes?” Miceral asked.
“Of course it’s a yes, you big oaf.” Farrell kissed him before Miceral could respond.
Miceral scooped him up, kicked the door to their private suite closed, and carried him to their bedroom. “This calls for a private celebration.”
FARRELL COULDN’T stifle a yawn as he rubbed the water from his hair. “Someone kept us up too late last night.”
Across their room, he heard Miceral snort. “The way I remember it, when I pulled you closer so we could go to sleep, you decided twice wasn’t enough.”
Blood rushed to Farrell’s face, and other places, when he remembered how they’d ended their night. “I didn’t hear any complaints.”
“And you won’t. I just wanted to be clear it wasn’t me who kept us up with his overactive affections.”
“I never said you kept us up, just that someone did.” He went back to the bath chamber to empty the tub. “Too bad we couldn’t sleep in, but if Lisle hears this from someone else, we’ll never live it down.”
“Never live what down?” Lisle’s voice caused him to lose control of the spell, flooding the room.
Silencing a curse, he cleaned it up before she could see what happened. “Us leaving early without emptying the tub.”
Miceral appeared from the bedroom, struggling to control his smile. “I’m trying to get him up early enough so we aren’t in your way, but sometimes things keep us up.”
Lisle stared down her nose at Farrell. Feeling himself turning crimson, he quickly offered a less embarrassing reason. “Unplanned state visit from the Prince of Honal.”
The mock frown turned into a real one. “By the Six, you had those people here?”
Lisle dashed toward the formal room, and Farrell and Miceral followed, shaking their heads.
“Child.” She turned on him the moment he set foot in the room. “Next time you have guests—royal guests—you let me know in advance.”
“Lisle—” Miceral stopped when she glared in his direction.
“None of your lip, either.” She snapped her fingers at him, then pointed until Miceral seemed to submit. “Just because you’ve kept him neater and made sure he wakes at a respectable hour, that doesn’t give you a free pass. To think, everyone in Haven . . .”
Farrell waved his hand, and her voice trailed off. Her body stiff and her eyes barely open, she glared at him. “If you’re finished . . . oh wait . . . you are.” If he thought she was ready to spit fire at him before, now he expected her to grow scales, wings, and a tail. “Would you please join us in our private area? We want to talk to you about something important.”
Snapping his fingers, he turned without waiting for her to answer. If nothing else, he knew she’d follow just to lecture him. Farrell motioned toward an overstuffed chair against the wall, and it slid toward him. Under a withering stare he ignored, he held it out for her as she eyed him suspiciously.
“What did you boys do this time?” She scanned the room before taking the offered seat. “And how dare you use magic on me like that? I ought to walk out and leave you to clean up after yourselves. Then who’d take care of you? No one, that’s who. Tell me why I shouldn’t leave now.”
“If you leave, you won’t be the first to know Miceral and I are getting joined at the Winter Festival. I suppose you could get the details from the gossipy old women, but if you want to go, there’s not much we could do to stop you.”
For the first time he could remember, Lisle was speechless. She looked from him to Miceral and back. Then, to his complete shock, she began to cry.
“Great Mother Lenore.” When she started to wipe her eyes with her sleeve, Farrell conjured a silk hand
kerchief for her. Dabbing her face, she smiled despite the tears. “Lads, you don’t know how happy I am for you. Look at me gushing tears like you’re my own children. Well, I’m thrilled beyond words. And thank you for letting me know before I heard it from those old biddies who do nothing except gossip all day. I mean, if they found out first, they’d run around Haven clucking like a mother hen about how you two didn’t tell me.”
Miceral laughed first, causing Farrell to lose his control. She stopped talking and cocked her head at them before joining in. It took a few moments to settle, but Farrell decided he needed to tell her the rest before he lost his nerve.
“Who else would I tell first? You’ve always been something of a mother to me. Great Honorus, why else would I put up with your lip if I didn’t feel that way?” Seeing her face go from a happy smile to a stony frown brought a mischievous grin to his face. For three seconds he had the upper hand.
“Now you listen here. Just because I clean your rooms and look after you doesn’t give you the right to treat me like that. If it wasn’t for this nice child who’s taken a liking to you—why, I cannot understand, other than you put one of your little spells on him—I’d short-sheet your bed and see to it your towels were as coarse as sanding paper.”
Farrell walked over and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Lisle, for watching over me when I had no one. Whether you meant it or not, you were my lifeline when I needed one. You were the one constant in my life before Miceral. I’m not sure I’d have survived if you hadn’t been there for me. I’ve never given you the thanks you deserved, but let me say it today. Thank you for everything you do for me.” He bent and kissed her cheek again.
“Boy, you had to ruin a perfectly good lecture by saying something sweet like that. If what I did meant that much, then you are welcome to every last bit of it. It has always been my pleasure watching over you and a tremendous joy to see you so in love. I’m happy for you both.”
“For what it is worth, let me add my thanks.” Miceral kissed the other cheek. “He’d be impossible to live with if you hadn’t taught him some sense.” Miceral leapt back to avoid Farrell’s swat.
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