Sword of Mist

by Tara Brown

  “Then let me distract you with the story of Princess Ilenia of the Elves and the Sword of Mist.”

  “Wonderful,” Amaya said with a smile.

  Hilde and Prince Landon joined them. “Hilde would like to hear the story and I am willing to lend my ability to recall historical details to ensure its accuracy.” Prince Landon nudged his cousin and the girls all laughed and formed a small circle around Lord Ivor.

  “A long time ago in the land of the high elves, the Cerne Mountain Range, there was a princess who was last in line of succession. She had a brother who would become king one day, and a sister, which was quite odd. Elves live such a long time, they tend to have only one child, possibly two but never three.”

  “And the elves were not like us; they didn’t care about gender and instead worried about birthright,” Prince Landon cut in. “So while the throne could pass to Ilenia, it likely wouldn’t.”

  “Indeed.” Lord Ivor cocked an eyebrow. “This Princess Ilenia was a carefree girl. She had a wild spirit and a brave heart.” His eyes flickered to Lenny’s. “She learned to fight with the warriors and trained with the battalions. She was a force to be reckoned with. She had no destination or expectations placed upon her. Being last in a long line of siblings, there was no firm hold on her. One day, she decided to venture into the world of man.”

  “Leaving the elven realm was frowned upon. Greatly,” Prince Landon added.

  “Yes, thank you, Cousin. I was remiss in skipping that detail.” Lord Ivor’s smug grin took ownership of his face. “Ilenia went out into the world of man, seeing much of the kingdom. She joined forces with the armies of men, helping them fight and teaching them the ancient combat techniques of the elves. But a war broke out, which worsened as a darkness began to cover all the land of Amaria. Ilenia felt this darkness fading her light and knew she must return home to seek the armies of the elves at once. When she returned to the mountains, she realized she had been absent too long. The way was sealed.”

  Amaya gasped.

  “The elves felt the darkness and instead of helping mankind, they chose to close the entrances to their lands and keep themselves safe with their magic.”

  “Ilenia was furious. She couldn’t believe her family were so cowardly and would betray her or the world of men,” Prince Landon cut in again.

  “So she returned to battle with the men, helping them fight the evil. In one of the final moments, the enemy, a dark conjurer, summoned a battalion of monsters from the sea. Ilenia held firm on the shores of the ocean, calling all the ancient magic of her world, whatever was left. She summoned it, sucking all the magic from the world, creating a sword made of the mist on the waves. She fought until there wasn’t a single monster left and the enemy was defeated.” Lord Ivor took a deep breath.

  “And there on those shores, she saved the world of men, but lost the battle for the light. She sacrificed the goodness inside herself and used up the magic.”

  “What happened to her?” Hilde asked her betrothed but it was Lord Ivor who answered.

  “It is believed she returned to the forest to die at the base of the mountains. It is also said she fell into the falls on one of the peaks of the White Mountains, becoming part of the river that might find its way back to the elven lands. Taking all the magic in this world with her.”

  “Gods.” Amaya’s eyes shone and Hilde’s lips were pressed firm together.

  Only Lenny smiled. “She sacrificed her life to save everyone else. What better death is there?”

  “Oh, Lenny,” Amaya nudged her sore shoulder. “Of course you would say that.”

  “I agree,” Lord Ivor affirmed. “Better to die for something and someone, than live for nothing.”

  Lenny’s eyes were trapped again by his, not just agreeing with his sentiment but also realizing she had been wrong about him. So very wrong.

  “It is a fine tale, and Ilenia and her sword of mist ought never be forgotten,” Landon spoke proudly. “And when I imagine her conjuring that sword on the shores of the bloody sea and fighting to the death, I shall give her your face, Miss Ilenia.” The young prince smiled politely and offered Hilde his arm again. “Shall we, I suspect my father will give the announcement soon.”

  “I’d love a drink,” Amaya said, following Hilde and Prince Landon back inside.

  Lenny knew her sisters were giving her a moment alone, should she wish it.

  Oddly enough, despite the awkwardness of the day and Lenny’s behavior, she did. She turned to Lord Ivor, offering a slight nod. “Thank you, Lord Ivor. That was just as if my gran had been telling me a story, though she never has mentioned that one.”

  “Your gran knows a different version,” he said but paused.

  “How do you know that?” Lenny asked, trying not to take the tone she had earlier with him.

  “I went for tea the day after the engagement party. After you dove and scared the life from me.” His lips toyed with a smile.

  “You had tea with my gran?” Lenny was so confused.

  “She sent for me. Asked me to come and have tea. And so I did.” He neared the stairs. “Shall we walk?”

  The garden was the size of downtown Blockley, and lit up, creating a perfect night garden. Seeing it, Lenny could almost believe the magic was back.

  “All right.” Lenny lifted the tulle gown and stepped down the stairs carefully. “But I want answers. Why did she invite you, a perfect stranger for tea?”

  “She wanted to know about Landon and the court and if things had changed much with his father in charge.” He chuckled. “We traded information. A secret for a secret.”

  “What?” Lenny gasped and Lord Ivor laughed harder.

  “Of course I only wanted to know about you. And apparently, I went to the right source. She knew everything.”

  “She’s my gran, of course she knew everything.” Lenny blushed, embarrassed he had gone to ask questions about her.

  “Lenny, I need you to understand something—”

  “I know.” She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “My mother told me you weren’t part of some scheme she cooked up. And that nothing I said to you was accurate, nor kind.” She took a deep breath. “I am so sorry. There’s no excuse for my behavior or my assumption.”

  “No, I’ve made a complete fool of myself regarding you. I assumed your sisters would have told you of the night at the inn in Pyle. But of course, being a selfish man, I didn’t realize none of your thoughts would have been about me.” He lowered his gaze to the garden. “I thought you knew when you came into the chapel, and you were toying with me to be a flirt.”

  “I was lighting an incense for my brother.”

  “As was I.” He sighed. “I had just lit one and offered prayers when I took a seat to mull over how to proceed. And then, as if the gods answered me, you were there.” He reached for her hand, taking just a couple of fingers in his grip. “I was raised better than I have behaved with you and toward you. From the moment I saw your face, I needed to know who you were.”

  Lenny’s heart thumped so hard she thought he might see the vibration on her chest.

  “I like that you are difficult and opinionated and strong. You are just as I imagined Ilenia, the warrior. Stubborn and independent, needing nothing and no one.” He ran his thumb over the tops of her fingers. “And now that you understand my feelings are my own and I have no schemes—”

  “Would you like to dance?” she asked, cutting him off before the question could be posed. She wasn’t ready to answer. She liked him. She liked that he chose her when she was wearing her usual attire and likely filthy from work. But she wasn’t ready to answer a question as serious as the one he was preparing to ask.

  “Yes.” He smiled but his gaze was pinched with worry. He offered his arm and led her back to the terrace. He didn’t try to speak and she didn’t know what to say.

  It was exactly what she dreaded.

  But the moment they were dancing, she felt lighter. She let him lead her around
the dancefloor, spinning and twirling her, careful of her shoulder but still making her dress lift and swish.

  He was obviously trained and she wasn’t completely without skill.

  Prince Landon and Hilde beamed at them, both seeming to enjoy the view.

  Her mother and the queen wore the same stare, intrigued maybe.

  Amaya was busy laughing with the princesses Lenny had been warned about, fitting in all too well.

  When the song ended, Lenny clapped as best she could.

  King Elias stood and strolled to the throne, lifting his arms to silence everyone. “All right. I suppose it’s time to introduce the reason we are all here. My future daughter-in-law.” He held a hand out to Hilde who glowed with pride and beauty. “The lovely Lady Hilde Alexandra Marisol Ailling from Blockley. Her mother is Lady Elsie Chadwick Ailling, who many of you, who have been here longer than a moment, will recall as my darling wife’s best friend and cousin. My son, Prince Landon Edward Lindley Evadarc, and Lady Hilde will marry in the spring. We are thrilled to announce this. We ask you to lift your goblets to them, and toast a long, happy, and fertile marriage!”

  Hilde blushed and Landon shone with pride as he smiled at her and lifted the glass he had been handed a moment before.

  They were all handed glasses which they lifted into the air and shouted, “A long, happy, and fertile marriage!”

  The night was almost exactly what Hilde had dreamed of.

  And the boy who would be king next to her, was better than anything she might have imagined on her own.

  Chapter 23

  “Lift it,” the physic, an elderly man brought over from Pappelwhick Island to treat Lenny’s shoulder, instructed her. “It’s healing quickly. You are lucky to have the muscle mass you have.”

  “I’m a diver at my uncle’s boat repair. I swim a lot. It’ll be all right for that?” The concern had lingered in the back of her mind.

  “A diver?” The physic furrowed his white wooly brow. “But you’re a lady.”

  “And you are a gentleman who is allowed to work. Why shouldn't I be?” she asked the question politely enough yet his cheeks reddened.

  “You have me there, my dear.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “This will be healed fully in a month or so. Be gentle with it and if something hurts, don’t do it.”

  She grinned. “Yes, sir. When can I travel?”

  “A few more days. But you must know that the tension of travel will knot the wound up. It will feel worse for days after your trip.”

  “Wonderful,” Lenny groaned.

  “You could spend your time here exploring. The city is quite diverting. Have you been to Pappelwhick yet?” he asked as he started cleaning up his tools.

  “I haven’t.”

  “You should come and see it. It’s a beautiful place. The Sisters’ Watch and the Silent Ministries have lovely temples dedicated to the varying gods of Dahleigh. It’s peaceful.” His eyes darted to the window of the castle. “Different from here.”

  “Then I will have to come see it.” Lenny didn't fight the grin that took over her face.

  “Indeed.” He winked and lifted his bag. “Good day, milady.”

  “Good day, sir.”

  He left her in her room as she adjusted her shirt.

  Hilde entered on the heels of the doctor leaving. “Are you all right?”

  “Fit as a fiddle. In a month, the shoulder will be as if it never happened. Until then, I have to go easy on it.”

  “Then I expect it will take twice as long to heal,” she chided and walked to Lenny’s bed, taking a seat on it. “Did you mend things with Lord Ivor last night?”

  “I did. I apologized for my assumption. And he told me something interesting.”

  “What?” Hilde asked, dubious of what Lenny might find interesting.

  “Gran invited him for tea when he was in Blockley. She questioned him about Prince Landon and the royal court.”

  “Gran did?” Hilde gasped.

  “That was my reaction as well.” She kept the part where he questioned Gran to herself.

  “Gods, I wonder what he told her.” Hilde wrinkled her nose and her eyes drifted to the right as she contemplated the possibilities. “He seems to be fond of his cousin. I hope he had nothing but good things to say about Landon.”

  “I can’t imagine anyone saying anything bad about him. He seems a perfect gentleman and quite intelligent.”

  “Did Mother tell you she wished she had matched you with him?” Hilde’s voice lowered.

  “Hilde, Mother might think Prince Landon and I would be happy, but she is no matchmaker. Look at Wilf. And perhaps Landon being like me, means you will get along well. He will make scandalous statements when you are alone, and you will say, ‘Landon!’ and he will laugh.”

  That made Hilde laugh.

  “See. I am certain you’ll be as good for him as he will be for you. And this life, it suits you. I can see you happy here. And I can see him protecting you. He is no fool.”

  “Protecting me?” Hilde gave pause to that statement. “From what?”

  “The rest of them.” Lenny waved a hand at the walls as though they were the people at court. “No one here is to be trusted. They are all playing a game and the rules change according to the prize at the end of the line.” She walked to her sister and sat beside her. “Promise me you will trust no one here. Even if someone pretends to be your friend or sister or lover, you will never fully trust them. There are no people here who have your interest at heart. Your interests are competition for their own goals.”

  “Lenny, you do them all a disservice—”

  “These are not my words, Hilde, nor my warnings. I was given them, gifted them.” Lenny paused and thought on Lord Ivor. “And I daresay, I trust the person who said them.” She stared at Hilde. “Promise me. I know it goes against your nature to be selfish or self-serving. But that is survival here. And we are outsiders and you ought not forget that, for I fear the people here will not.”

  “I promise.” Hilde’s eyes glistened with worry.

  “Then you will have a long and healthy reign.” Lenny took her sister’s hand and squeezed it.

  “Speaking of that, I have a lunch engagement with the queen and the princesses. Will you come?”

  Lenny parted her lips to say no, but she sighed heavily and nodded since she was Hilde’s only source of support now.

  “You could wear one of my dresses.” Hilde jumped up and rushed to her room. Lenny grumbled and followed after her, wishing she had any choice in the matter.

  Hilde didn't bother with makeup or a fancy hairdo; they were short on time. She made Lenny as presentable as was necessary and the girls hurried from the room.

  The queen’s parlor was in the eastern wing. Lenny noticed the picture frames changed to silver and she smiled.

  “Lady Hilde and Lady Lenny, Your Grace,” the-lady-in-waiting announced them with a bow when the girls reached the doors.

  “Come in, girls!” the queen said animatedly. She smiled wide, hurrying to them and taking Hilde in her arms, hugging her. She offered Lenny a similar embrace.

  Lenny wasn't certain how to take the kindness and warmth of the queen. Her mother had never spoken of her relationship with her.

  The queen pulled Lenny back to inspect her. Her eyes narrowed but a grin contradicted the look. “You must tell me everything your sisters and mother have been remiss in offering.” She laughed. “Your honest face suggests a bluntness I might enjoy.”

  “There’s a better chance you might not, Your Grace,” Lenny warned her.

  “I knew it! You are your father’s daughter. And dear Edwin always made me smile. Come and sit.” She pulled Lenny to a chair at the small table. No one else had arrived yet. Hilde followed and sat on the other side of the queen. “And you must call me Aunt Saleen. No more of this ‘Your Grace’ unless we are in public. You are family.”

  “Sorry your—Aunt Saleen, I wasn't aware you and Mother were friends.”
<
br />   “Yes, well, the moment we decided Hilde should marry my beautiful boy, we kept you all separated. You won’t recall but I saw you frequently as babes. You visited our summer home in Wetwoodshire many times before your second birthday. I am your godmother.”

  “What?” Lenny asked impolitely but the queen didn't bat an eyelash at it, though Hilde did.

  “Indeed. Your uncle Alek and I are your godparents.” She sighed. “And I have missed you all dearly. I hope you will consider coming and living here.” She turned to Hilde, taking her hand and Lenny’s. “Family is the most important part of life.”

  As if on cue, the princesses entered the room, both dressed beautifully and smiling wide.

  “Good afternoon.” They curtseyed to their mother and hugged Hilde as she stood. Lenny stood and curtseyed, as she should.

  “Princess Margit and Princess Alba, this is Lady Ilenia. We call her Lenny, have since she was a babe.” Queen Saleen chuckled. “Margit, you won’t recall, but you played with these girls when you were infants.”

  “Lovely to make your acquaintance.” Lenny nodded her head.

  The princesses smiled and sat, but Lenny didn't get the same warm feeling from them as she had their mother.

  “Mother, have you spoken to Father about the offer I wished him to make on the horse?” Princess Alba asked as she took the largest of the pastries from the plate and placed it in front of her.

  “I have and he will discuss it later,” Queen Saleen shut down the question with a cold response.

  Princess Alba sighed and took a bite, dusting her lips in powdered sugar.

  “Did you hear, Lady Aster is hosting a baby shower for her grandchild, as if that joining is something to celebrate?” Princess Margit scoffed and took the second largest pastry.

  Lenny saw instantly what her mother had meant.

  She disliked the princesses.

  “I did hear, and you are both to attend.”