Farrell was glad she’d believed him. “I told her I wouldn’t have made the offer if I couldn’t do what I said.”
“She mentioned that. But I think it was the high priestess of Seritia coming to collect you that made her so certain you’d succeed.” Amicilar’s life partner moved closer, drawing an uneasy glare from Jagwin.
“Are they always so distrustful?” she asked, glancing at Jagwin and the others.
Farrell laughed at the sneer her comment drew from Jagwin. “Always. I’m Farrell. This is my life partner, Miceral, and Father Lingum.”
“A hundred pardons, Your Majesty,” Amicilar said. “In the excitement of my brother’s return, I’ve lost all my manners. This is my life partner, Vilesa.”
Vilesa bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesties.”
“Farrell and Miceral will be fine,” Miceral said.
She and her life partner bowed to Father Lingum. “You honor us with your presence, Holy Father.”
Before Lingum could reply, Anoria called out, “Lord Farrell!”
Farrell smiled broadly. “Lady Anoria, allow me to introduce my life partner, Miceral, and of course you know the holy father.”
Miceral bowed deeply. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Anoria. Farrell spoke so highly of you, I needed to come here myself to thank you for taking care of him.”
Anoria grew more flustered. “He exaggerates.”
“I think not,” Father Lingum said. “A generous act to one in need with no expectation of recompense is a blessing from Falcron. May the Blessed Father watch over and protect you and your family.”
“Thank you, Holy Father. Thank you.” She bowed again.
When Lingum stepped back, Anoria raised her hands and dropped them, took a step toward Farrell and stepped back, and generally seemed at a loss. Farrell reached out for her hands and was mildly surprised when she hugged him.
She started to cry, and he gently rubbed her back. His skin prickled as a chill raced across his body. When his nose tingled and his eyes started to water, he noticed several of his guards rubbing their eyes.
He allowed her time to compose herself. When she moved back, she dabbed her eyes with a small cloth she’d brought with her. “This is a gift beyond all others. I can never repay you for this.”
She grabbed his face in both hands and kissed his cheeks. The emotion threatened to break his control, so he took her hands in his and smiled. “All debts are settled. I couldn’t tell you the truth when we met, and I know you didn’t believe me, but I did say I was more than I seemed.”
She fidgeted again, grabbed Hendris’s hand, and pulled him closer. “I believed you mostly, but I didn’t want to be too hopeful. I’d been disappointed before.”
“I know.” The way she looked at her son reminded him of the day his mother had returned. “I wish I could have told you the truth, but too much had just happened, and I needed to collect my wits before I said more. I’m sorry I left you so unsettled.”
“Sorry? You? You’ve given me the greatest gift anyone could give me. You’ve nothing to be sorry for, Your Majesty. There is nothing I can do to thank you for returning my son. Nothing.”
“Not calling me ‘Your Majesty’ would be a big step.” He tried to give her a stern look, but he smiled. “What you did for me that day . . . this doesn’t come close to repaying you. For reasons Hendris can explain, I rescued him as much for myself as for you. We all give according to what we have. Returning your son is something I did because I could. You owe me nothing.”
She beamed at him and reached out to hug him again. “Thank you. We will never forget you for this.”
“And I shall never forget you,” he said softly.
“Still think you’ll end up like Meglar?” Miceral asked.
“No.” He held off adding “not today” to avoid ruining the moment. Right then he felt nothing like his father. Neldin would likely try to change that, but Farrell wouldn’t let it happen without a fight.
“Having reunited you with your son,” Farrell said, “we will take our leave.”
Anoria’s smile faded. “So soon? You just arrived.”
“This day is for you and your family. We would only be in the way. There isn’t room in your home for Miceral and me and our guards. And I assure you, the captain of our guard will not consent to leaving us unattended.”
Jagwin stood a bit taller and patted his war hammer. “His Majesty speaks the truth.”
“Then allow me to invite everyone back to the temple for a proper celebration,” Lingum said. “I ordered the preparation before we left, as I anticipated this development.”
Farrell raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Showing off your wisdom again, Holy Father?”
“Think of it as my setting an example for the new, less experienced Chosen of Falcron.”
“I can’t attend a formal affair with the holy father.” Anoria’s eyes were open wide, and she shook her head. “What on Nendor would I wear?”
“Much as you would not allow Farrell to decline your offer of tea, it would be terribly rude not to attend a party I’m holding in your honor.” Lingum winked at Farrell. “More wisdom.”
“Your Majesty, if I may?” Hendris held out his hand.
It took Farrell a moment to realize what Hendris wanted, but when he did, he reached into his endless pocket. “Sorry, I forgot I brought these for you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Hendris accepted the bundle Farrell gave him and handed it to his mother. “These are for you, Mother.”
“What’s this?” She eyed the package suspiciously.
“Just a few items my benefactor helped me purchase for you.” Hendris smiled at her. “There is a dress inside that is suitable for attending an event at a palace. You can wear that to the temple.”
Still holding the gift, she looked at Farrell.
“I had nothing to do with his purchases,” Farrell said. “Miceral and I provided Hendris with a few coins to compensate him for the lost wages he suffered during his capture. How he chose to spend them was his doing.”
“Lord Farrell’s idea of ‘a few coins’ are enough to put wealthy merchants to shame.” Hendris shook his head. “I have enough left that we can all live like nobility for the rest of our days.”
“We have far more than we will ever need,” Miceral said. “And it doesn’t begin to repay you for what you lost.”
“So King Farrell kept telling me, Your Majesty,” Anoria said.
“His Majesty speaks the truth,” Jagwin said. “They are the heirs to Trellham’s legendary wealth. They are likely the richest monarchs on all of Nendor.”
“Go inside and change, Mother.” Hendris gently prodded her toward the house. “We’ll wait for you here.”
Vilesa took her mother-in-law by the hand. “Come, Mother, I’ll help you.”
As the two women moved away, Farrell pulled out a second bundle. This one was longer and rattled as it moved. He handed it to Hendris.
“These are for you and your life partner.” Hendris handed the cloth-wrapped items to his brother. “Dwarf-made weapons commissioned by the kings of Trellham for you both. I’d say, ‘May they serve you well,’ but I have plans for us all that do not include any of us working again.”
Staring at the gift, Amicilar grinned. “Always one to make an entrance, eh, big brother?”
Hendris laughed. “I’m making up for lost celebrations.”
Amicilar reached forward to hug his brother. Their armor clanged as they embraced.
“It’s good to have you home.” Amicilar began to cry.
“It’s good to be home,” Hendris said. “Good beyond words.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Farrell’s fingers danced across the keys of the piano. It had been a long time—too long—since he’d used the music room. Everyone had eaten, the kids were asleep, and Miceral sat on a cushion with a book. He had a stack of pages with music on it, but he preferred to play what he knew. That limited his selectio
n, but it also made it less stressful.
A loud knock intruded on their peaceful evening. Miceral looked up from his book and Farrell shrugged. It had to be someone important, or the guards wouldn’t have allowed anyone to disturb them.
“I’ll get it.” Farrell stood and reached for the door spell so he could answer their guest. “Be right there.”
When he opened the door, Father Aswick had his hands on his hips.
“Father Aswick, what a pleasant surprise,” Farrell said. “Why the dour face? Did the guards give you trouble?”
“Don’t try to sweet talk me. You’ve been avoiding me since you returned from Rastoria. It’s been almost three weeks now, and you’ve not come to the temple to complete the coronation plans.”
“Whoa, slow down.” Farrell held up a hand to get the priest’s attention. “First, how are you tonight?”
“Humph,” Aswick muttered. “I’m fine, but your guards thought they’d turn me away. I let them know the error of their ways.”
Farrell gave his guards a commiserating look. “Why don’t we have this conversation inside our home, instead of in the doorway?”
Farrell stepped back to let Aswick come inside. The priest moved with a determined stride.
“Miceral is in the music room.” Farrell indicated Aswick should go first. “We can speak there.”
Aswick barely acknowledged the invitation. Instead he marched across the empty vestibule toward their destination.
“Aswick is here, and he’s not happy.”
“We knew we’d need to deal with him.” Miceral sounded as resigned to his fate as Farrell felt.
Aswick motioned for Farrell to join Miceral and then stood in front of the pair. “Three weeks I’ve been patient. Three weeks I accepted excuse after excuse for why we couldn’t meet! No more! This foolishness has to end!”
“You’re right,” Farrell said. “When do you want to hold the coronation?”
Aswick flinched like Farrell had slapped him. “You agree?”
“Of course.” Farrell directed him to a large stuffed chair near the window.
“Well . . . I mean . . . Khron’s Hammer, you ruined a wonderful lecture.” He sat heavily in the chair.
“My apologies, Father. It was wrong of us to avoid our duties.” He sat next to Miceral. “But the fault is all mine. I’ve been scouring the materials we retrieved from Yar-del and have been reluctant to take the time away from that important work.”
“This is important, too.”
“I know, and again, my apologies.” Farrell walked over to a pitcher and cups. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Aswick eyed the pitcher. “What do you have?”
“This is water, but I can get whatever you want.” Farrell winked.
“Ale would calm my mood.” He raised an eyebrow hopefully.
Closing his eyes, Farrell focused on what he wanted and fetched a flagon of ale from the kitchens. He filled a tall mug, used a cooling spell to chill it, and handed it to the smiling priest.
Taking a long draught, Aswick sat back, his body more relaxed. “This went much smoother than expected.”
“Actually, if you hadn’t come tonight, I’d have come to see you tomorrow,” Farrell said.
“So this is a ruse?” Aswick’s body tensed again.
“Not at all,” Miceral said. “We’re committed to finding a date to your liking for the ceremony.”
“There’s more to this you’re not saying.” Aswick put his cup down and crossed his arms. “I’m not some wet-behind-the-ears dwarf. You need something from me.”
“Right again, Father.” Farrell smiled. “Since I returned from Rastoria, I’ve been searching for an answer to Arritisa’s question. I believe that if I know what the Gifts do, in particular the Blood of Arritisa, I’d be better able to answer her.”
“That makes sense, so far, but why do you need me?”
“Kel and I believe the Six left the world some guidance on how to use the Gifts. Using the Eye of Honorus, we think those instructions are located in the rubble of Seritia’s temple in Trellham.”
“Really?” Aswick perked up. “That’s astounding, if it’s true. Are you sure they’re there?”
“Sure? No, but I’m certain there is something under the rubble, and it has something to do with the Gifts. The Eye was specific about that.” Farrell shrugged. “Whether it’s what I’m hoping for isn’t clear at all.”
“If the Eye already told you where to look, how do I fit in?”
“I need a good reason to be over by the ruins,” Farrell said. “I thought if we could work it into the coronation planning, it wouldn’t raise any questions.”
“Why?” Aswick looked from Farrell to Miceral and back. “Why not just go there and avoid the charade?”
“As kings of Trellham, any time we go anywhere near the city, it’s a big deal—guards, elders, crowds, and so on. I don’t know if I can find it right away, so I may need to go a few times.”
“You want me to work in a visit to the temple during the ceremony?” Aswick’s tone indicated he didn’t like the idea.
“Not into the ceremony but the planning. Maybe have us walk by there a couple of times, something like that. By coronation day, I hope I’ll have what I’m looking for. If not, that day won’t be the time to root about Seritia’s temple.”
Aswick smiled and nodded. “Glad you understand how important the ceremony is. Assuming I can do what you ask, do you think that will keep tongues from wagging?”
“I do,” Farrell said. “No one would suspect anything unusual if you keep the area clear of everyone not associated with the ceremony. I can use the time to search under the ruins. Once I know where it is, I can sneak over and retrieve it.”
“Why not ‘sneak over’ to look? Why go through all this?”
“Again, it’s about time. I don’t know how long it will take. I can only hide my tracks so many times before I’m noticed. If that happens, it will be the subject of intense gossip.”
Aswick peered into his cup. He drained the contents and held it up. “Would you mind?”
Miceral refilled the mug and poured a second one for himself. “I hate to see you drink alone.”
“Always the good host.” Aswick winked at him. After taking another drink, he cleared his throat. “Your request is reasonable. I’ll give it some thought. Come by the temple tomorrow at eighth hour, and we can discuss what I come up with.”
“Eighth hour?” Farrell shook his head.
The wicked look on Aswick’s face told Farrell he’d given the priest what he’d hoped for. “Some penance is necessary to atone for avoiding me for three weeks. I’m exacting retribution where it hurts the most.”
Miceral laughed. “You’re a wicked dwarf, Aswick. I’m proud to call you friend.”
“You’re not blameless in this, despite what your partner said.” Aswick pointed his finger at Miceral. “From what I hear, he’s a cartful of fun when you wake him early . . . the price of aiding in the deed.” He downed the last of the ale and set the cup down. “Plan to be there through dinner. We have a lot to do if we’re to hold a proper ceremony.”
“All day, Father?” Miceral asked.
“You’re the kings of Trellham, yet you spend most of your time here.” Aswick’s words lacked any malice or anger. “The dwarves understand the demands on your time but still wish to see their kings in residence.”
“No grand ceremonies,” Miceral said.
Aswick smiled and shook his head. “No promises. My help comes with a price.”
Miceral scowled. “Wicked dwarf.”
“Very well. Eighth hour and all day.” Farrell silently told Miceral to be quiet. If Miceral made things more difficult with Aswick, he would make his partner pay. “I’ll make arrangements with Lisle to take care of the children. My one caveat is if Geena requires us, we will have to leave and come back.”
“That’s understandable.” They’d briefed Aswick on Geena’s training. “Thou
gh I joked about retribution, this isn’t about that. Trellham needs to see its kings. They need you both. I wish you would reconsider and live in the palace.”
“No!” Farrell said. “On this I can’t budge. While I can agree Trellham needs us to be there more often, Trellham is not my only responsibility. Things might appear calm, but we’re still in the middle of a war and we need to be here. Moving would only make our task more difficult. Haven is the heart of the opposition to Meglar, not Trellham.”
“But the staff has almost finished refurbishing the rooms to suit you and the children.”
Farrell shook his head. “I wish you’d tell them to stop. They’ll need to undo their work soon enough.”
“What does that mean?”
“A dwarf king will rule Trellham when this war is over.” Miceral laced his fingers through Farrell’s. “We plan to leave ruling to others and retire to a quiet place to raise the children.”
“That is something the Six will have to approve,” Aswick said.
“Perhaps. But once this war is over, I intend to be more forceful in saying no to the Six should They insist I rule. There are others who are just as suited or more. It’s their turn to take on the responsibilities.”
Aswick looked at Farrell for a long moment and then stood up. “That is a fight for another day and for someone else to wage.”
“Leaving already?” Miceral asked.
“I have what I came for,” he said. “And I don’t want my staying late to be an excuse to sleep in.”
The constant reference to his sleep habits had begun to grate on him. “No need to worry, we’ll be there at eighth hour.”
Aswick ignored his harsh tone and smiled. “Had I known all I needed to do was dangle something you wanted in front of you and you’d come running, I’d have prayed to Khron to tell me what to offer.”
“Can I speed your journey home?” Farrell walked to the permanent Door in the music room.
The priest’s eyes brightened. “That would be appreciated.”
Farrell opened a passage to the temple of Khron. Once he made sure he’d connected to the right place, he motioned Aswick to walk through it.
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