The Hope of Vitality, page 36
“I hope you will pardon my directness, but I would like to get to know you, Maive. You as a person, not as an agent. Would you be willing to let me do that?”
She looked uncertain, and he took a deep breath. “Something happened when we were together,” he told her plainly. “I can’t pretend to understand it, but I felt like I came alive.” He looked her in the eye. “You told me it meant nothing to you. Were you speaking the truth?”
She looked away, remaining silent for a long moment without responding. Then she shook her head, unable to meet his eyes.
His heart soared. “Whatever was awoken back then might not survive the experience of us getting to know each other properly. But I would like to give it a chance.”
The tension had slowly been easing from her face. “I would like that too, Your Majesty.”
Taking a step toward her, he reached out and took her hand. “Please walk with me. We have some attractive gardens in the palace grounds, and I would like to show them to you.”
She nodded shyly but seemed content to walk hand in hand beside him.
“If we are going to get to know each other properly, you’d better begin by calling me Delmar,” he told her with a smile.
Thomas had become restless to return to his family, and he knew that Will was no less eager to be gone. Eventually Will managed to conclude his business with King Krasmir, and they prepared to leave.
To their delight, Brother Ander had decided to join them for at least part of the journey. He was planning to return to Arvenon after spending some time in Aen-irac. Since Thomas and Will planned to make their journey on horseback, it made sense for him to travel with them for a while.
“Is the king planning to give you an official farewell?” Thomas asked Will.
“He would if I’d let him. Lord Kulferan and Lady Tulinay seem to have tolerated me well enough, but the other nobles must be smarting at the special attention I’ve received from the king. I have no interest in adding fuel to that particular fire.”
Nevertheless, as they were about to depart, King Krasmir himself rode up, escorted by a detachment of royal guards. Dismounting, the king approached them.
“We are grateful to you for the gift of the horses, Your Majesty,” said Will.
The king waved it away. “It is the least I can do. I owe you more than I can possibly repay, Lord Torbury.” He regarded Will frankly. “A king chooses his friends carefully, and I hope you know that I have come to regard you as a friend. It need hardly be said that you are welcome here at any time.”
Will bowed low in response. “I am humbled by your words, Your Majesty. For my part, I hold you in high esteem. Rogand is fortunate indeed to be led by you, and I value your friendship greatly.”
The king turned to Thomas. “I confess you are a mystery to me, Thomas Stablehand. I cannot shake the feeling that things would have turned out very differently if you had not been here, but I cannot explain why. In any event, you will also find a welcome in Rogand should you ever decide to return.”
Thomas thanked him sincerely.
Lastly King Krasmir addressed the monk. “I wish I could convince you to make your home in Rogand permanently, Brother Ander. Nevertheless, you have assured me that you intend to return at some point, and I will hold you to that. Everyone who knows you will look forward eagerly to that day.”
“I thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty,” the monk replied. “God willing, I will visit often in the years to come.”
Greatly heartened by the king’s words, they left the palace. After riding through Rog, they guided their horses onto the main trade route heading south.
There was no shortage of things to talk about.
At one point Will asked Brother Ander, “Have you been to see the High Priest?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Several times.”
“Inside the temple?” Will asked in surprise. “The place sounds horrific from everything I’ve heard.”
The monk shook his head. “I went inside briefly on my first visit. I found it so oppressive I had to leave. The High Priest was gracious enough to meet with me in the temple grounds.”
Will’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “That’s totally unheard of!” he exclaimed. “He never leaves the temple! Everyone knows that.”
Brother Ander shrugged. “We met with him on Rheibas’s ship.”
“Those were exceptional circumstances,” Will returned. Abruptly changing the subject, he asked, “Do you know how he got to be so old? We know he doesn’t have the Stone of Vitality.”
Thomas grinned. “I suppose he could have invoked the ritual in Drettroth’s scroll—the one that relied upon a bargain with the dark gods.”
“I believe the explanation is much more simple,” the monk replied calmly. “He told me that many of his forbears were long-lived. Apparently it runs in the family.”
“Not an especially attractive explanation,” said Will disappointedly.
Brother Ander smiled. “My mentor, Brother Elias, used to say that a simple explanation rarely draws a crowd, but it most often turns out to be the truth.”
“Did you find out how he came to be on Rheibas’s ship?” asked Thomas.
“He didn’t say a lot about it, but I believe it was a power play on the part of his second-in-command, the Archprimus.”
“Presumably he’s had the man removed.”
“There was no need. The High Priest told me a struggle broke out among the priests during his abduction. The Archprimus succeeded in taking him, but he was badly wounded in the process. It seems he didn’t make it through the night.”
“Thereby ending the power struggle,” observed Will. “I’m sure the High Priest has rooted out the other conspirators by now.”
“I believe so.”
“What did the two of you talk about?” asked Thomas curiously.
“Many things,” the monk replied, “but mostly theology.”
“Do you think you’ll see him again?”
“I hope so. He invited me to visit him again next time I’m in Rog.”
* * *
When they reached the borders of Aen-irac, both Thomas and Will were sorely tempted to divert with Brother Ander to visit old friends. But a long journey lay ahead of them and their families drew them onward. They parted after the monk promised to pass on their greetings.
As soon as he found a suitable moment, Thomas asked Will, “What will you do with the Stone of Authority?”
“Return it to Amyra,” Will replied without hesitation.
“Will the two of you share it?”
“Perhaps, under exceptional circumstances. Only if it involves animals though. To be honest, I’ll be glad to see the last of it.” A grimace came to his face. “However hard I try I can’t get the memory of that giant squid out of my head.”
Pressing on to Arnost, they arrived to an enthusiastic welcome from their families. Swarming around Thomas and Will eagerly, their children left no room for Amyra or Elena to even reach their husbands. However, as soon as both men retrieved gifts from their saddlebags, the children ran off in great excitement to enjoy their new prizes.
For a while Thomas lost sight of all else in the joy of his reunion with Elena.
A short time later a dazzling burst of sunlight drew Elena’s attention heavenward. “Someone’s pleased to have Will back again,” she said with a smile.
Up to that point the day had been overcast, with dark clouds blotting out the sun. Sunlight was now streaming through a large opening in the clouds above them, shafts of light picking out the two couples.
“I see you’ve handed it over already, Will,” Thomas exclaimed.
“I completely forgot to bring a gift for Amyra,” he returned, “so I had to give her something.”
She punched him in mock anger.
“What about you, Elena?” Amyra asked.
Elena patted her bodice with a grin. “Thomas was just as eager for a handover. But he’s assured me he didn’t only bring gifts for the children.”
Chatting happily, the four of them wandered into the palace.
* * *
King Steffan was no less delighted to see Will and Thomas return safely. He was greatly relieved to hear that all of the hostages had been released, not least because it meant that Queen Essanda could come into the open at last. Hiding herself away might have been essential to preserve the fiction that she had been abducted, but it had also become increasingly difficult for the king to bear. He wasted no time in sending a message to Newhaven.
As soon as an opportunity presented itself, the king sat down with Amyra and Elena to hear an account of the dramatic conclusion to the saga in Rogand. All of them listened with amazement as Will and Thomas laid out the unlikely outcome of the Grand Vizier’s scheming.
Amyra shook her head in wonder. “Perhaps we’ll finally be able to enjoy an extended season of peace.” She eyed Will and Thomas shrewdly. “I have a feeling that both of you understated your own role in what happened. I’ll look forward to quizzing Brother Ander next time he visits.”
The king nodded. “I’m eager to see him and hear his account myself. Brother Ander has become more remarkable than ever—if such a thing were possible.”
He addressed himself to Will and Thomas. “What are you planning to do now?”
“Return home with our families, Your Majesty,” Will replied.
“I could use your input on a few matters while you’re here, Will,” the king observed. “But I know what my wife would say. I can almost hear her telling me that after everything you’ve been through, the only pressing need for both of you is to spend time with your families.”
He gazed at the two women. “I’m sure Amyra and Elena must have been starting to wonder if you would ever return!”
They said nothing to contradict him.
He sighed. “I managed without you while you were in Rogand, Will, and there’s no reason I can’t continue to do so.”
* * *
After a single night in Arnost, the two families set out for home, accompanied by a group of soldiers. Both Will and Thomas tried to decline the protection, but the king wouldn’t yield.
When the time came to part ways, Thomas insisted that the soldiers continue on with Will. “You know how strongly Anneka and Rellan feel about Newhaven’s privacy. And we don’t need the protection. Not here.”
“I scarcely know how to thank you, Thomas,” Will told him. “I dragged you into danger once again, and it could so easily have been the end of us this time.”
“You’ve never done it for your own sake,” Thomas replied. “And we needed to be there—all three of us. It could have ended very badly without the help of the stones.”
They parted with a confused mixture of regret and eagerness to reach their homes.
* * *
The sun was sinking low in the sky when Thomas and Elena and the children finally reached Newhaven. Voices rose up to greet them, and they responded with cheery greetings of their own. Reaching their hut, the children raced inside, eager to rediscover everything they had left behind.
Stepping inside, Thomas took Elena in his arms. “We’re home at last!”
He kissed her deeply, ignoring the noisy reaction of the children. “As soon as the children are asleep we’ll find a quiet corner,” he promised. “There’s so much I still haven’t heard about your time in Arnost.”
She smiled up at him, a sigh of contentment passing her lips.
“I’ve never wanted fame or palaces, Elena,” he whispered. “This is where I belong—right here with you.”
40
30 years after the death of the Grand Vizier
* * *
With the Arvenian delegation drawing closer to Rog, a guard rode up to Lord Torbury’s carriage, bringing an end to Thomas’s conversation with his friend.
“A messenger has arrived from King Rimek, My Lord,” the guard announced, addressing himself to Will. “The king is planning to greet the delegation in person. We expect to reach Rog by mid-afternoon.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Will replied.
The guard bowed and rode away.
“King Rimek.” Will shook his head. “I’m still not used to it.”
“It isn’t surprising,” Thomas replied. “You and King Krasmir were good friends over many years.”
“I’m finding it harder to accept change these days,” Will acknowledged. “I’m getting too old to be bothered with it. Still, young Rimek deserves his opportunity. He’s waited long enough.”
“He’s certainly needed to be patient. And he isn’t exactly young—he’s in his early fifties!”
Will grunted. “Fifty sounds young to me.”
Thomas laughed. “In that case I suppose you must think of King Aiden as a mere child. He isn’t forty yet.”
“He’s a good boy,” Will conceded. “His father would have been proud of him.”
The mention of Aiden’s father prompted Thomas to glance at the carriage behind them. Elena and Amyra were chatting enthusiastically with Essanda, the Dowager Queen of Arvenon since the passing of King Steffan two years previously at the age of 71. Elena might be a commoner, but preserving such boundaries held no more interest for Essanda than it had for her late husband.
“I suppose I’d better make myself presentable,” said Will abruptly.
Thomas grinned. Will’s appearance was always presentable, and his mind remained sharp as a dagger.
“I want you to take a good look at the Lestanorian ambassador, Thomas. He’s certain to put in an appearance. I want to know if Lestanor is behind the recent trouble with the plains nomads.” He looked at Thomas sharply. “You did bring it, didn’t you!”
“Of course,” Thomas assured him, patting his chest. As always, the Stone of Knowing rested securely on its clasp beneath his tunic. “I’ll see what I can learn.”
He glanced up at the sky. “Those dark clouds look threatening. We’re incredibly fortunate to have avoided rain completely these last few days. I hope the weather doesn’t intrude on the ceremony in a couple of days’ time.”
Will waved a hand dismissively. “Being fortunate has nothing to do with it. Rain won’t interrupt the coronation any more than it did our journey.”
Thomas’s eyes went wide. “Do you mean to say you badgered poor Amyra into using the Stone of Authority—just to keep yourself dry?” He shook his head. “You’re an old tyrant.”
“Me? A tyrant? Ha!” he snorted. “Don’t waste your sympathy on Amyra—she’s more than capable of looking after herself!”
Thomas just grinned at him.
“Besides, it was never about me,” Will insisted. “The queen is traveling with us. She’s too old to be caught in the rain.”
“She’s younger than any of us,” Thomas reminded him.
“Everyone’s younger than us these days,” grumbled Will.
The arrival of King Rimek brought an end to their conversation. Climbing down from the carriage, all of them bent at the waist.
After greeting the dowager queen and her companions, Rimek turned to Will and Thomas.
“Lord Torbury, Thomas Stablehand, you are both very welcome.”
“Our sincere condolences on the loss of your father, Your Majesty,” said Will. “He was a worthy king and a good man.”
“He held you in high regard, Lord Torbury. He especially looked forward to your visits.”
“It was an honor to know him.”
“I trust that Arvenon understands that I value our alliance no less than my father. These are uncertain times.”
“Lestanor?” asked Will.
The king nodded. “The new king has been flexing his muscles.”
“The nomad tribes have been restive of late,” Will told him. “We have wondered if Lestanor is behind it.”
“Rogand also shares a border with the plains in the southwest,” Rimek observed, “and we have noted similar stirrings. Whatever ambitions Lestanor’s king might harbor, I am confident he will show restraint while we stand firmly together.” Rimek smiled. “I am hopeful we will not need to draw upon your tactical genius anytime soon.”
“My son Ethen might be of more use, Your Majesty. He shows considerable promise.”
“I will gladly meet with him as often as King Aiden is willing to release him,” the king replied. “In the meantime, I hope you will join me later. I find myself confronted with a number of strategic challenges, and I would value your wisdom.”
“It would be an honor.”
After a smile and a quick nod, King Rimek remounted and returned to the city.
As they rolled into Rog and headed for the palace, Thomas mused on Will’s effortless transition from blustery old rogue to smooth-talking diplomat. The strange thing was that both identities reflected who he was. Thomas knew better than anyone how much the world needed men like Will, and he could only appreciate him in all his guises.
Dark clouds brooded heavily as the morning of the coronation dawned, but, just as Will had promised, the sky cleared well before the event got under way. The palace boasted extensive grounds, and the ceremony would be taking full advantage of them. In addition to nobles, officials, and envoys, King Rimek intended to admit a large contingent of commoners to the palace grounds to observe the coronation. Accordingly he made arrangements for a broad area to be cordoned off to accommodate the common people. Thomas had heard that refreshments would be freely provided to all after the formalities were over.
The coronation would also be the official commissioning of the new family crest, featuring a bear on a field of green. Even in the absence of visible opposition to his rule, Rimek understood that he needed to build a popular base of his own. Krasmir had often been likened to a bear, both before and after his coronation, and Rimek intended to use the symbol both to honor his father and to leverage Krasmir’s popularity with commoners and nobles alike.
