Legacy (31 page)

In an attempt to make the city's provisions last as long as possible, the King had ordered an inventory of food supplies and had instituted rationing. Cannan, for his part, frequently met with his troop commanders, belaboring strategies to retake the land between the city and the Recorah River. We would be in desperate need of supplies come spring…if we could last that long.

Security at the palace had, of course, been tightened, and the social activities that would normally have been held at this time of year, including my mother's holiday party for the young nobles, had been cancelled.

During this tense time, Narian resumed his late-night visits, eluding his guards by climbing out his window and across the roof to drop down onto my balcony. At first, he would stay but a brief time, as it gave us a chance to talk freely. As the weeks passed, he stayed for longer periods, and we would often sit together in front of the fireplace in my parlor, watching the flames dance while the cold January rain drummed against the windows.

There was now a persistent voice in my head telling me to put an end to these secret meetings, but I could not bring myself to do so, for I enjoyed Narian's company more than anyone else's. I also could not deny my feelings and end my physical relationship with him. My resolve melted every time I looked into his eyes. I chose to live purely in the present, refusing to acknowledge the passage of time and its unrelenting march toward my eighteenth birthday.

On a clear night at the end of the month, Narian helped me escape the palace just as he had once before. He again secured a horse for our use, and we rode for a time on the military
training field, Narian familiarizing me with the common gaits employed by a horse—walk, trot and canter. Then we sat peacefully on the hill that sloped down to the field, gazing at brightly burning stars rather than at smoldering fireplace embers.

While sneaking me out of the palace had not posed a problem for him, returning me to my quarters did represent a challenge. Given the increased security at the palace, we could not expect to pass unquestioned through the front gates as morning approached. Narian, of course, had already given this problem due consideration and had fashioned a harness of sorts, which he used to assist me to scale the courtyard wall and climb up to my balcony.

After we returned to my bedroom, Narian waited while I changed out of the black clothing he had again brought for me. Upon reentering my room from the bath chamber, I brought the garments to him, as I dared not keep them lest my maid discover them and the resulting gossip reach the ears of my mother, my guards, Kade, Cannan or the King.

“I should go,” Narian said, placing the items in his pack. “The sun will be up soon and then it will be impossible for me to climb unseen over the roof.”

I nodded, sinking into his arms. We kissed, and as he ran his hands through my tangled hair and down my back, drawing me against him, a thrill swept through my body. It was becoming more difficult to part from him on these nights, and I knew he felt the same. He remained a gentleman, however, and took a step back, opening the balcony doors to depart. I stepped outside with him and he gave me one last kiss before bending down to pick up the harness and rope.

“My things,” he said, bewildered. “They're not here.”

I, too, scanned the balcony floor, but the items were gone.

“Looking for these?” said a man from the shadows behind us.

I jumped and whirled about to see London leaning against the palace wall, Narian's harness and rope in his hand. My heart dropped to my feet, for I knew we were now in serious trouble.

“Inside, both of you,” London commanded, and we complied, neither of us daring to speak, for there was really nothing to be said that would excuse our actions.

London followed, closing the balcony doors, then he brought his eyes to bear upon me.

“Tomorrow we will board shut these doors, as they seem to be letting in too much cold night air. I wouldn't want you catching a chill.”

“London, I know what this must look like—”

“Don't,” he said, cutting off my meager attempt to explain.

Then he spoke to Narian through gritted teeth. “You will come with me. And we will leave the
proper
way, through the parlor door.” With a scowl, he again addressed me, and I cringed in the face of his rage. “You, Alera, will stay here. I will discuss your behavior with you later.”

He opened my bedroom door and pushed Narian through it, slamming it shut behind him. I lingered by the threshold to listen, as I knew Narian had taken offense at London's handling, and I was certain he would be unreceptive to London's reprimand. It was but a minute before I heard a scuffling sound and a thump as someone's back slammed against a wall.

“You will keep away from Alera or you will deal with me,” London growled.

“Do you really think I would find you to be a worthy opponent?” Narian's voice was low but steady.

“You will find me to be much more dangerous than anyone else you have met in Hytanica.”

There was silence, and I imagined London and Narian staring at each other, each sizing up his adversary.

“Now, we will proceed out the door, and you will return directly to your quarters, and I had better not catch further sight of you today.”

I heard the two of them step into the corridor, leaving me alone in the unsympathetic darkness.

 

London waited until late afternoon to discuss my early-morning excursion with me. I suspected he had purposefully left me to stew over my actions all day as a sort of punishment. He entered my quarters with a carpenter, whom he directed to my bedroom with instructions to board shut the balcony doors. As the man undertook the task, London rested his back against the wall that separated the parlor and the bedroom, arms crossed, eyeing me critically. I sat on the edge of the sofa, head pounding in rhythm with the carpenter's hammer, wishing this would all soon be over.

After the craftsman had gone, a most uncomfortable silence reigned, until London, still leaning against the wall, opened the subject.

“Explain yourself to me, if you can.”

“I don't believe I have to do so,” I said, attempting to stand up to him.

“Then perhaps I should take you to your father,” he responded, and my bravado deflated.

“London, say what you will to me, but I beg you not to tell my father.”

He cocked an eyebrow derisively and I felt compelled to continue.

“I have no excuses,” I said. “I simply wanted to spend time with Narian alone, and…these late-night meetings…just developed.”

Even as I spoke, I knew my words sounded ludicrous.

“I don't understand you,” London snarled, shaking his head. “Both Destari and I have warned you to stay away from him and yet you do not heed us. You place your faith where it has not been earned. You ignore your upbringing and demonstrate no sense of propriety or respect for tradition. You recklessly endanger your life without thought for those who care about you. In short, you act like a child, and at seventeen that can no longer be tolerated.”

London's disapproval cut me, and I examined my fingers as I twined them in my lap, unable to bring myself to look at him. Pushing away from the wall, he came to stand in front of me.

“Look at me, Alera.”

I raised my eyes, which brimmed with tears, to his face, cheeks burning with shame.

“Are you in love with him?” he asked, voice more sympathetic.

“Yes,” I replied, tears now tumbling freely.

He dropped to one knee before me, indigo eyes dark with concern.

“We cannot control our hearts, but we must control our minds and bodies. You cannot marry him, Alera. It is best that you keep away from him, so that these feelings will gradually lessen.”

“You don't understand,” I choked, feeling as if the air were being sucked from my lungs. “I
must
seek my father's permission to marry Narian. My happiness lies with him.”

“Do not bring this to your father, for no good can come
of his knowing. Now listen carefully. Hytanica cannot have a king with divided loyalties. We have fought far too long and sacrificed too much in our effort to prevent Cokyri from conquering our people. We cannot let them conquer us insidiously, through the domination of our ruler.”

“It is not your opinion that counts,” I retorted, wiping away my tears, not wanting to concede that he was right.

London stood, running a hand through his untidy hair.

“Then your father will need to have all the facts to make such a decision. I once said that the time would present itself when your father should know about the Legend of the Bleeding Moon and Narian's destiny. It would appear that time has come.”

“My father will not care about Narian's past. My father will judge him on who he is now, and who he can become in the future.”

While I wanted to believe my own words, I did not need London to contradict them, for no one was as paranoid as my father about the dangers posed by Cokyri. I felt as though I were drowning, only this time London was not throwing me a rope.

“None of us can completely escape our pasts,” he said.

“Then perhaps I will give up my claim to the throne so that I may be with Narian,” I dared to put forth.

“Your father still would not permit the marriage.”

I stared at London, tears again welling in my eyes as some part of me knew he spoke the truth. I watched in misery as he moved toward the door, then intercepted him with a question.

“How did you know?”

He frowned, as if deciding whether I deserved to be told, but then gave a candid reply.

“I've been noticing for some time that you and he seem exhausted on the same days, and any fool could see from the way you look at each other that you are more than acquaintances. I started monitoring Narian's movements and last week discovered his remarkable talent for climbing over the roof. Then I simply waited for him to pay you another visit.”

As I listened, I had a new appreciation for London's shrewdness and abilities, and understood better than ever what would make him dangerous if he were an opponent.

“If his actions hadn't been so inappropriate, I would have been impressed,” he concluded.

I held back my despair until after London's departure, then curled up on the sofa and cried in earnest.

I DID NOT SEE NARIAN AT ALL THE NEXT WEEK, as London and Destari had determined to keep us apart and had even taken to guarding my door at night. But our forced separation only made me more aware that, in many ways, the young man held my life in his hands.

I had begun to marshal arguments in Narian's favor: He was young, yes, but mature beyond his years; he was estranged from his family, but Koranis would certainly provide him with an inheritance were he to marry the Crown Princess; he may not have attended Hytanica's military school, but he had extensive military training. But the one objection I could not counter was the only one that mattered, that his loyalties might be divided. Although my heart did not want to admit it, reason told me that London's assessment of the situation was correct, for it would be foolish, and entirely unnecessary, to risk a union between me and Narian when the son of the Captain of the Guard was prepared to assume the throne. Even London, who probably disliked Steldor as much as I, would see Steldor crowned before he would put Narian in a position of power.

Just when it looked as though things could not get worse, Steldor came back into my life. My father called me to his study to inform me that our family would be dining on the morrow with Cannan's family in honor of Steldor's twenty-first birthday. While I was thankful that I would not be spending the evening on my own with Cannan's son, I dreaded the occasion nonetheless. I had not seen him since he had interrupted my shopping trip prior to Christmas, for the siege by Cokyri had been keeping all military commanders extremely busy, and that encounter hardly constituted a warm memory.

“As it is Steldor's birthday, a small gift would be appropriate,” the King was saying.

“Yes, Father,” I said reflexively.

“I intend to discuss betrothal arrangements with Cannan, as I know of no other suitable candidate to be your husband. This decision can no longer be delayed, for your birthday is but three months away.”

My entire body tensed, causing my temples to pound. While it had become clear to me that joy lay with Narian and heart-ache with Steldor, I felt ill-equipped to persuade my father of this, for the simple fact remained that my feelings would have no influence on his judgment as to whom I should marry.

“I have invited Temerson as well, as a companion for Miranna. And, of course, Galen will be in attendance.”

“Yes, Father,” I repeated, curtseying as I prepared to leave. But the King was not through with me.

“I desire your happiness, as does your mother,” he said unconvincingly. “But you must desire it as well, and within the strictures of your position. Our hearts are not always wise, Alera, and cannot be relied upon in making certain decisions.”

I nodded, wondering if he had perhaps read my thoughts, and left his study without further response, afraid my voice would betray my feelings.

 

I arose early the next morning to make a hasty trip into the Market District, glad that February's sunshine was at last chasing away January's chilling rain. I had already decided what “small” gift would be appropriate for Steldor. As he had bestowed the exquisite and expensive sapphire pendant on me, I felt the need to match the lavishness of his gesture. When I came to the shop I had in mind, I surprised Destari by soliciting his advice on the purchase. Although he was uneasy about the nature of the item I was set on procuring, he assisted me in my selection and we returned to the palace within an hour.

That evening, Miranna entered my quarters, already dressed for dinner, to wait for me to finish my preparations. As Sahdienne brushed my hair, my sister flounced about my bedroom, more animated than usual, and I smiled broadly at her.

“Are you perhaps a little nervous about Temerson joining us for dinner?” I asked.

“Is it obvious?” she replied, sounding mortified.

“I'm afraid so. But don't fret about it. I'm sure he will be equally flustered.”

“It's just that we have never joined Mother and Father for such an occasion before.”

“I know. But he will pass the test.”

“He will, won't he,” she agreed, and the color high in her cheeks gave away her affection for the young man.

Miranna was radiant in a deep green velvet gown over a cream brocade dress. She had chosen not to put her hair up,
and it fell about her shoulders, adorned with a gold tiara set with emeralds. My gown was of white silk, with a bodice and tightly fitting sleeves of deep blue. Sahdienne had just placed the silver, double-banded sapphire-and-diamond tiara that I had worn for Semari's birthday celebration around my upswept dark brown hair, and the silver-and-sapphire pendant that I had received from Steldor encircled my neck.

Once I was dressed for the evening and had dismissed my maid, Miranna and I chatted in my parlor until a Palace Guard arrived to inform us that our escorts had been shown to the small dining room on the first floor. Destari and Halias accompanied us down the stairs, then departed, off duty for the night, since Cannan, Steldor and Galen together were more than capable of protecting the royal family.

Miranna touched my arm and we stopped in the corridor outside the dining room while she moistened her lips and pinched her cheeks. I smiled as she began to fuss with the placement of her tiara.

“Your beauty already exceeds mine. There is no need to increase the disparity,” I teased.

She giggled and stepped sprightly into the room just a pace ahead of me.

Steldor stood to the right of the dining table, one hand resting on a high-backed chair, the very portrait of elegance and charm as he casually swirled the wine in the glass he held in his other hand. Temerson, looking refined in a gold doublet, stood silently next to him, his brown eyes occasionally darting to Steldor as though he were afraid to be in his company.

The near end of the oblong table was covered in white linen and had been set for ten with opulent golden plates and glass goblets. My father's place was at the head of the table, with my mother on his left and Cannan on his right. I would sit on my
mother's left, with Steldor beside me, then would come Galen and whomever he had invited to accompany him. Faramay would sit next to her husband, with Miranna and Temerson likewise seated on the right side of the table.

Steldor, magnificent in a black silk doublet embroidered in gold, set his goblet of wine down on the table before he came to greet me. He inclined his head to kiss my hand, and I could tell that he was pleased to see the sapphire pendant resting just below the hollow of my throat.

I took his proffered arm and permitted him to lead me toward the refreshment table. Miranna hung back, looking expectantly at Temerson, who stumbled across the room to her side. They remained just inside the door, talking quietly, and I supposed that the young man needed to warm up to her before braving the rest of us.

As Steldor poured me a glass of wine, Cannan and Faramay arrived. Steldor's parents cordially greeted Miranna and Temerson, but then Faramay caught sight of her son and crossed to us, Cannan a step behind. After giving me a curtsey, she adjusted the lacing on Steldor's shirt, her face radiant with joy. Cannan, inclining his head slightly, moved to my side.

Steldor indicated his dislike for his mother's pandering with a roll of his eyes. I raised a hand to my mouth to hide my amusement, and as I did so, chanced a glance at Cannan, who appeared disgruntled by his wife's overly solicitous behavior toward their son.

As mother and son stood together, I was again struck by the strong resemblance between them—her oval face, high cheekbones, straight and narrow nose and perfect smile were mirrored in Steldor. We continued making small talk, and it was but a short time later that Galen arrived with a young woman by the name of Tiersia. She was petite and feminine,
but would have been rather plain were it not for her clear green eyes and long, bronzed-brown hair. As she was two years my senior and rather reserved, I had never before spoken with her.

“Ah, Galen! Late as always, I see,” Steldor said as he took note of his friend's entry into the room.

“I'm never late,” Galen returned. “You should know by now that the party doesn't begin until I'm here.”

A mischievous glint flickered in Steldor's eyes as Galen guided Tiersia into our midst.

“And who is this lovely young lady who has somehow been prevailed upon to accompany you?” he inquired.

“Relax, I'll get to the introductions in a moment.” Like Steldor, Galen was in excellent spirits. Turning to me, he bowed and kissed my hand. “Princess Alera, may I present Lady Tiersia, the eldest daughter of Baron Rapheth and his wife, Baroness Kalena.”

I nodded as she curtseyed, and Galen then addressed Cannan and Faramay.

“Lady Tiersia, I would like you to meet Baron Cannan, Captain of the Guard, and his wife, Baroness Faramay.” Galen's manner remained formal, and he bowed his head in respect.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Cannan responded, but I saw Tiersia glance apprehensively at him, and I knew his mere presence was once again having an intimidating effect.

“And this, of course, is their son, Lord Steldor, whom I sometimes claim as my best friend,” Galen finished with a flourish.

Steldor inclined his head to Tiersia and clapped an arm around Galen's shoulders.

“Let's get you some wine,” he said, drawing Galen to the
small table that held goblets and several different types of drink.

As the younger men served themselves, Cannan took the opportunity to lead Faramay across the room toward the well-stoked fire, and Tiersia moved to my side.

“How long have you known Galen?” I inquired, attempting to ease her nervousness.

“We met at a small holiday gathering, and he has called upon me twice since then.”

She was soft-spoken and genteel, and I couldn't help thinking that Galen was doing well for himself.

The two friends returned, extending to us fresh glasses of wine. After taking a sip from his own goblet, which he had retrieved, Steldor addressed Tiersia, continuing in his earlier vein.

“So tell me, what type of bribe was used to entice such an enchanting woman into accompanying Galen tonight?”

Tiersia did not answer, but cast her eyes toward her escort as her cheeks turned deep pink, uncertain how to react to Steldor. Draping his left arm around her waist, Galen nobly intercepted his friend's remark.

“You may have had to resort to a bribe or two to persuade young women to accompany you, but I've never had to use such measures.”

“No, no, your memory is flawed, Galen. It was
they
who bribed
me.
”

“And how long was it before they demanded a return of their money?” Galen was grinning widely, enjoying the exchange of jibes.

Again addressing Tiersia, Steldor continued, “I should warn you about Galen. His charm wears thin about…well, about now, after which he becomes quite a bore.” Motioning to the
refreshment table, he added, a devilish glint in his eye, “So, feel free to partake of the wine throughout the evening, and when you are in need of…more stimulating companionship, come find me. I'm always willing to lend a hand to a desperate young lady.”

Lifting his eyebrows, Galen gave Steldor a small shake of his head to let him know he was overstepping his bounds with Tiersia.

“I feel the need to remind you that Princess Alera is your companion this evening, while Tiersia is mine. Do try to remember that.”

“I never forgot.” Steldor smirked, then he slapped Galen on the back and pulled him a few feet away, saying, “Excuse us, ladies, as we have matters of the kingdom to discuss.”

Tiersia and I now stood together in confused silence. She did not know what to make of the best friends, and I was both annoyed and amused by Steldor's scandalously flirtatious style. Thankfully, the King and Queen were announced by Lanek at that moment, thus saving Tiersia and me from awkward conversation about our escorts.

My parents greeted Cannan and Faramay, who were now standing by the fireplace on the near side of the room. Steldor and Galen came to reclaim Tiersia and me, and we approached our elders so that Galen could once again make introductions.

After a few minutes of polite conversation, the King and Queen moved to the table to seat themselves for dinner, and the rest of us followed.

The dinner would be served in several courses, although they would be less extravagant than usual, due to the rationing instituted throughout the city. Soup would come first, followed by bread and thick stew, then legs of beef and mutton.
The final course would consist of pastries and fruits. The feast would last well over an hour, as formal dinners tended to proceed slowly, and often seemed like a dance, with certain movements deemed appropriate and missteps duly noted by the older generation.

Despite the perceived pressure to display impeccable manners, the meal progressed pleasantly enough. Steldor was, naturally, on his best behavior in the presence of my parents and his, and paid just the right amount of attention to me while simultaneously charming the rest of the room. I, on the other hand, was aloof and somewhat distant, knowing that my input was not needed in order to carry the conversation, and preferring to simply observe Steldor at his best.

The feast concluded and my parents invited everyone to join them in the adjacent tearoom, where more intimate seating had been arranged. Steldor extended his hand to assist me to my feet as my father moved toward us, a broad smile upon his face.

“I would like to steal your young man for a few moments. I have some affairs to discuss with him. You can get along without him for a short time, can you not?” he asked, chuckling.

I nodded, and my father put his arm around Steldor's shoulders and drew him companionably away from me and into the tearoom. I began to follow, walking with Galen and Tiersia, when I noticed Cannan standing by the doorway between the two rooms, his eyes upon me.

“Princess Alera, may I have a word?” he said as I approached.