The Ring Keeper, page 12
Several more of the emperor’s men were still abroad outside the Warding. Fear clutched at Ana every time she heard the Shekkar had killed someone, and she waited in desperation to find out if it was Zarek.
Once they brought back a man who had been attacked by a demon. Ana went to him and closed her eyes against the sight of his body, torn beyond recognition—she could feel it wasn’t Zarek, but she could still sense the man’s pain. She knew she had to heal him. After the agony and the unconsciousness had passed and she was awake again, he came to offer his gratitude and his wife wept at Ana’s bedside.
After that, Ana didn’t mind that it had hurt so much. She was glad of the ring and that the woman didn’t have to go home as a widow.
The seasons came and went until, by the Sarine calendar, it was the fortieth year of the Warding. Ana was nearly eighteen, and she never stopped asking for news of him even though Zarek had been gone for almost a year.
In Callonen’s care, Ana had everything she could want—in fact, far more than she ever thought to want. There were always fresh flowers in her room and beautiful clothes; every luxury she could imagine. He always made time for her if she wanted to talk.
He treated her as if she were really his child, and she gave him the affection she would have given a father. She did anything she could to help him. They often shared meals, and he would stop or postpone his work for her. Even when important people visited the emperor, he would make them wait in order to give his attention to Ana.
Tess was there to mother her, and she became a wonderful friend, always there if Ana needed her. And as she grew older, there were things she didn’t want to discuss with Callonen.
One night, Ana and Callonen stood on the west tower watching the sunset, as they often did. “You’ve done very well in your studies,” he said.
“Thank you.” His praise made her feel appreciated. As always, he was much too generous. “I’ve enjoyed learning about the customs of the nations around us.”
“Good.” He sounded pleased. “I hoped you might assist me. The king and queen of Paraman will make a state visit here next week. They don’t like me much, and I thought perhaps you could help me smooth things over. We want very much to keep them as friends since we need all the allies we can get. The king of Kethel is so afraid of Ara that he won’t even talk to me.”
“You want me to help you entertain a king and queen?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes. You’ve studied the protocols. I could really use your help.” He turned and smiled. “That is, if you don’t mind.”
She hugged him. Callonen should know she would do anything he asked. “Of course I will. But tell me, why don’t they like you?”
He cleared his throat and looked away. “I, uh…”
She put her hand on his shoulder. “You’re embarrassed. This had better be a good story.”
He smiled and shook his head. “I’m not embarrassed, and the story isn’t that good.”
She waited for him to go on.
“Many years ago, my father signed a treaty with Paraman. Things were going well; the two nations were on friendly terms. The king of Paraman had a beautiful daughter, and he hoped she would marry advantageously for his kingdom. He and my father spoke, and she came here to visit.”
“They were hoping you would marry her, and she was horrible?” Ana guessed.
Callonen smiled. “She wasn’t horrible. She was very nice, and I have to admit, every bit as beautiful as rumor had reported.”
“Did she fall madly in love with you?”
He shrugged. “I hope not. I don’t think we knew each other that well, and I never meant to hurt her.”
“But you didn’t like her?”
“It wasn’t even that. I just couldn’t look at her in that way. All I could think of was Allia. No matter how badly everyone wanted me to marry someone else, I couldn’t do it. My father was furious when I sent the princess back to Paraman. And her parents have avoided me since then. They are still our allies and have remained in contact, but it’s been many years since they have agreed to visit.”
Ana knew Callonen was still in love with Allia. She could sense the loss and pain he felt, and she wished she had some way to heal him.
The king and queen of Paraman visited, and they were civil and respectful. Ana could tell they loved their people and were kindly rulers, and she enjoyed getting to know them.
The leaders of both nations had many of the same concerns. Neither of them were friends of Ara. And Ara was expanding in all directions, with people flocking to join them in exchange for safety from the demons. Ara’s armies were rapidly growing.
“We can’t just stand by and let them take over,” Callonen said.
“Are you asking me to send out my troops against the Shekkar?” the king of Paraman exclaimed. “You know as well as I do that no one has any defense against them!”
“Only the Warding, Your Majesty,” Ana said. “No other land can keep them out.”
The king took a deep breath. “I suppose that is true.”
“And I will always offer sanctuary inside the Warding for anyone who wishes to enter,” Callonen said. “If Ara destroys the rest of Kethel to the southeast, they may turn toward Paraman to the southwest of here, despite the distance between.”
“Ara is determined to swallow every other nation,” the king said, shaking his head. “I would rather side with you than with them, but I don’t have the power to stop them.”
Ana’s mind flashed back to Zarek. Had his quest failed? Had he died searching for a way to defeat the demons? Could he still be searching?
By the time they finished negotiating, Paraman agreed to maintain their alliance with Sarine. They would also provide supplies for the army, but could not spare troops to send against the demons. Instead, they would search the mountains on their western border for a wizard who might help defend their nations against Ara’s might. In the end, they had come to an agreement.
At the farewell banquet, Ana danced with the king of Paraman. He was tall, with iron-gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
“Lady Cirana,” he said. “You’ve made our stay here very pleasant.”
Ana smiled. “I’m glad. We want to count you among our friends.”
The king nodded. “I know there’s history between our two countries, but the misunderstanding with my daughter was many years ago. She is happily married to someone she met only a year later. Despite how upset everyone was at the time, I know Emperor Callonen is a good man. He’s lucky to have you to help him.”
Callonen had the next dance, and he seemed delighted. “You’re amazing, Ana,” he said. “They adore you, and thanks to you, they’ve decided to overlook my shortcomings.”
Ana laughed. “I think you give me too much credit.”
In the months that followed, Ana became deeply involved in running the empire. She helped Callonen constantly and gradually took on more responsibility. She enjoyed the work, and her insight into their people’s feelings was a valuable asset.
During one of their frequent sunset talks, Callonen asked, “Ana, may I ask you something important?”
“Of course,” she said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next several years. We’ve tried to form alliances with our neighbors as much as we can. But Ara is still out there, growing in power and influence every day. We’ve already had many conflicts along our borders, and with the Shekkar on their side, I don’t have the power to stop them. I’m planning for the future well-being of our empire. I want to name you as my heir.”
“Your heir?” Ana asked. All the breath had left her lungs. He couldn’t be serious. She was nobody, just an orphan raised in a tiny farming village. She stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and admit he was joking. “Are you… serious?”
Callonen met her gaze with no trace of humor in his expression. “I have never been more serious.”
“You mean you want me to rule Sarine after you?”
“As much as I wish it could be, I’m afraid it won’t be exactly like that,” he said. “I don’t have a child. And so, when I die, the Warding will vanish. It can only pass to my firstborn child. When the Warding fails, there won’t be an empire. Sarine will fall to my brother. He will send the demons here, and in a few days, we will all belong to Ara. I want to name you as my heir to make your rank and position official. But unless we destroy the demons, you’ll have to leave Sarine immediately if anything ever happens to me. The king of Paraman will offer you his protection. We discussed this when he was here.”
Ana stared at him with narrowed eyes. “You’re not telling me this because you’re ill again or expecting something to happen to you, are you?”
“No, but I want you to have the recognition you deserve for your skills.” Callonen put his arm around her shoulders. “And I want everyone to know that you are truly my family. I think you would make a wonderful leader for Sarine. If not for our circumstances, I would be very content to leave my empire in your hands. And maybe that will still happen. But only if we find some way to destroy the dark magic. If we can kill the demons, then you would become the first Empress of Sarine.”
She looked up at him. “You really think that I could rule Sarine?”
He nodded, and she could sense he meant what he said.
“I know you could. You’re caring, kind and intelligent. The people already love you, and you love them too. I will have General Gray start teaching you what you will need to know in order to lead our army. You’ll have everything you need to rule this land.”
“Callonen…” She hugged him fondly. “I think maybe you have too much confidence in me. I’m not sure I can. But if you ask, I will try my best.”
“I know you can do it. But either way, be aware that I have a plan in place for your protection if anything should happen to me. Someone will be ready to take you to safety if things should go wrong.”
“What can go wrong if I’m here with you and I have the ring?” she asked.
“Your presence is a great source of protection, of course. But the ring is not a guarantee.”
She thought about it. Of course, there were things that could still go wrong. If he were attacked and she healed him, what if someone attacked him again while she was still recuperating? He had a point.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “But if anything ever harms you, I’ll be right here to heal you. I promise.”
“And I intend to make sure you are safe. With this new position, there will be a need for more protection. I am assigning a guard to watch over you full-time. At least one of the guards is near me every moment. It’s something you have to get used to.”
“You mean he would go with me wherever I went?”
Callonen nodded.
“Is that really necessary?” she asked.
“Yes. There is nothing more important to me than your safety.”
Callonen assigned Captain Toren to guard Ana. He was tall, quiet and serious, and he had a formidable reputation among the soldiers. He was one of Callonen’s most trusted men.
On the first morning of the new arrangement, he waited outside her door. When she left the room, he silently followed her. She stopped in the hall and turned to face him. “Did the emperor tell you not to speak to me?” she asked him. “You’re just going to follow me wherever I go?”
“That’s right, my lady,” he said.
She looked back at him. “If you’re going to follow me everywhere, you could at least say good morning.”
The corners of his mouth twitched, and he bowed to her. “Good morning, my lady.”
“I’ve never had a guard before,” she said. “What if my routine disturbs you?”
“Emperor Callonen assigned me to see that you are safe,” he said. “I will fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities.”
“What if I go out into the market and go shopping, or sit in the garden for hours with my friends? Won’t you be bored?” she asked.
“As the emperor ordered, I will follow you wherever you go. You don’t have to consult my opinion about what you do. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“I appreciate that, Captain,” she said.
He smiled then, and he didn’t look nearly so intimidating.
It didn’t take long for Ana and Toren to become friends. After Callonen’s announcement that Lady Cirana was to become his heir, she received a lot more attention—especially from young men. After her eighteenth birthday, a steady stream of suitors came, hoping to win her heart, from noblemen of assorted ages and foreign dignitaries to soldiers and tradesmen who worked in the city.
Some of Ana’s admirers left her feeling uncomfortable, making her grateful to have Captain Toren constantly beside her.
On one occasion, she had been invited to dine with the son of a nobleman at his home. After dinner, they strolled in the garden under the stars. He took her hand in his as they walked. The stars glittered overhead.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured.
And just like that, she realized he intended to kiss her. Ana removed her hand from his. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Dinner was lovely, and I’ve enjoyed our time together, but I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m not ready to…”
He did not understand her meaning. Instead, he put his arms around her and pulled her close.
“Stop,” she ordered, shoving him away with all her strength and turning to make a quick departure.
He must have tried to follow because she heard a heavy blow, and when she whirled around, the young man was facedown in the dirt, Toren’s boot in the middle of his back.
“I believe Lady Cirana made her wishes clear,” Toren said courteously.
“I’m sorry,” came the muffled reply.
“You should pay more attention to what she says.” Toren applied a little more pressure. “You will improve your behavior in the future, won’t you?”
“Yes,” the young man gasped. “Get off me!”
Toren removed his foot and the young man scrambled up, rubbing his bruised jaw. The would-be suitor and Ana stared at each other for a long, uncomfortable moment before he bowed awkwardly.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied stiffly.
With a last glare at Toren, he departed.
In a moment, they were comfortably seated in the carriage, heading back to the palace.
Busy months and seasons flowed by until a year had passed since Callonen named Ana his heir. One morning at breakfast, they were discussing her appointments for the day. Several of Ana’s admirers had asked to see her.
“I didn’t realize how many there would be,” Callonen confessed. “I’m not prepared for this. What if you actually like one of them? I don’t want you to grow up and marry. I want you to stay with me.”
She reached over and gripped his hand fondly. “Don’t worry yet,” she said.
While there was no shortage of social occasions, few of her suitors were as easy to talk to as Zarek had been. Many were attractive, but none captured her attention until she met Gavin.
He was the youngest and newest member of the Emperor’s Guard. The first time she saw him, he smiled at her as she passed him in the hall. He had dark eyes and dark, curly hair. Several days passed with no sign of him. At one of Callonen’s banquets, he approached her and bowed. “I’m Gavin. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“I would.” Ana extended her hand to him.
As he took it and led her toward the dance floor, her pulse quickened slightly.
He bowed, then smiled at her. “I’m flattered you would dance with me, my lady.”
She couldn’t help but notice he was an excellent dancer, and the pressure of his hand on her back made her feel warm. His build was athletic, and his features attractive. It was obvious that he was interested in her.
They shared several more dances that night, and he asked if he might see her again. “In five days, I have a break from my duties. Will you go riding with me?”
She hesitated for a moment. What should she say? Callonen probably wouldn’t like it much, but she wanted to accept Gavin’s invitation. Surely it wasn’t wrong to enjoy herself a little? “Yes,” she said.
The next morning at breakfast, she told Callonen about Gavin. He shook his head. “I was afraid this would happen. You sound as if you like this boy.”
“He’s nice,” she said. And very charming. But she didn’t say that out loud. “I’m almost twenty,” Ana continued. “Many of my friends have married already. I’ve waited a long time to meet someone.”
Callonen had to smile. “I know you have. I’m sorry. I’m just not ready to let you go. If he’s one of my guards, isn’t he too old for you?”
“He’s twenty-four,” Ana told him, “and he just came to the city.”
“The new one, with the dark hair? He seems like a nice young man. I don’t sense anything from him that would cause me to worry. Where is he from?”
“Some town outside the Warding. I had never heard of it.”
“Where does he want to take you?”
“He wants to go riding.”
Callonen smiled. “Of course, you may go with him if you wish, but Captain Toren will still accompany you. He’s the best man I have, and I trust him with my life.”
Ana groaned. Toren was a good friend, and she appreciated his efforts to fend off unwelcome advances. But what would they do if there came a time when she felt ready to accept someone’s attention? It would be awkward to get to know Gavin with a guard along. “It’s not like we’d be going very far from the city.”
“I know,” Callonen said. “And I’m sorry, but I have to be sure you’re safe.”
On the day of Ana’s ride with Gavin, Toren shadowed her. By now, Toren knew her well enough to know that his presence would be a little awkward. He said nothing as he joined them and tried to remain inconspicuous.
Gavin didn’t look happy about the arrangement. He was a member of the Emperor’s Guard, after all. But Callonen himself had assigned Captain Toren to protect Ana.
