Tempered Hearts (Hearts of Valentia Book 1) (21 page)

Chapter 21

Darius

In the receiving room off the
Varkomen
assembly hall, Darius watched Ehlren pacing the floor. When they met him earlier that morning, he was immensely relieved to see the king, but his grin for Arden quickly faded to anxious worry. As they all waited for the yar’s appearance, his friend kept casting her concerned looks. While Darius shared his discomfort at her presence in a potentially hazardous situation, he accepted that she wouldn’t be swayed in involving herself.

“Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer to wait at the ambassador’s house?” Ehlren paused, frowning at Arden. “I don’t think any of you have a good understanding of this situation.”

Arden, ever patient, wore that smile she used on people who underestimated her. It was incredibly unassuming if you didn’t recognize it. “Then why don’t you enlighten us while we wait? I understand you weren’t allowed to discuss it during your visit to Castle Dulaine, but I think the time for secrecy has passed.”

Ehlren glanced at the door, still frowning. “Just over a month ago, our daily output started dropping. Miners had been getting sick for weeks before that, but it wasn’t considered an issue until it was so widespread quotas weren’t being met. We think it’s something in the mines, but we haven’t found any Torn Ones or unusual fungus to explain it. At first, we weren’t overly concerned, as sometimes there are small outbreaks of things. It’s grown too big for us to ignore any longer, however.”

Curious about what he was getting into, Darius delved for more information. “How does the disease present?”

“One day a person is fine, the next morning the skin discolorations appear.”

“Skin discolorations?” he asked from his seat beside Arden. “What sort?”

Ehlren scratched at his braided beard. “They start off as bruises on the torso, so no one thinks them unusual. Mining isn’t work for the weak, after all. Within a few days, the bruises spread out to the arms and legs. That’s when the first of them start… changing.”

Vennic leaned forward in his chair. “Changing to what?”

Ehlren returned to pacing. “They darken and grow more defined, collecting into strange markings, black as pitch. When the first of those form, the pain begins. Those affected become incapacitated by a physical torment without any cause and grow cold, rather than develop a fever. It reminds me a little of the poisoned ones who turned, but these sick never get that far. Eventually, we have to tie them down for all their thrashing, but they don’t complete the transformation. After two weeks, the infected dies.”

Arden shuddered beside him, and Darius knew where her memories took her, as he’d witnessed haegaroi poisoning himself. He reached over and squeezed her hand briefly, but continued the conversation. “So it presents similarly to
hega rohtaru
, but you say there’s no haegaroi in the mines?”

“Not a one we can find,” Ehlren said. “I’ve been down there myself. All that’s in our newest tunnels is dampness and rock.”

“Perhaps it’s the rock, a fine particulate from an unknown mineral,” Arden mused. “Have any new materials been uncovered lately?”

“None at all. A new vein of silver, lots of coal, but nothing we haven’t seen before. Even the new spring down there has cleaner water than we’ve found in a long time. Those tunnels were a boon until the sickness started.”

The door opened, and they all stood. Accompanied by three armor-clad guards, the dwarf Darius had championed to be yar strode into the room, his broad shoulders puffed out under his immaculate green leather doublet and black cloak.

“Proseika Darius Marillion!” His voice boomed in a boisterous greeting. “When I heard you took Valentia’s crown, I thought perhaps we’d not see you again. How are you, lad?”

“Yar Bronson.” He bent at the waist. “I’m doing well. I’m glad to see you in good health.”

He snorted a laugh. “Despite the best attempts of my detractors to get me into the mines, I am.” He turned his gaze to Arden, a keen sparkle Darius wasn’t sure he liked glinting in his gray eyes. “And who is this beautiful gem?”

Arden set a hand in his and curtsied low. “Arden Marillion, formerly of House Tanarien. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah! So you’re our proseika’s new wife.” The yar turned to him with a wink. “A much better choice, Darius.”

Bronson missed it, but Darius couldn’t mistake the momentary falter of Arden’s mask of pleasantry. The yar was no admirer of elves in general, and had never liked Naya despite her assistance in gaining his current political position. Though he might think his approval was well met, his comment was hurtful and unkind, especially to Arden.

He motioned for them to sit after a cursory nod at Vennic. “I assume you’ve heard about our troubles, then?”

Darius nodded, pushing away thoughts of how he’d smooth things over with Arden later. “I’d be honored to offer my assistance in the matter. Ogtern’s hardships affect all of Valentia. I’d see your people well again, not only as their proseika, but as their ally in the outside world.”

Bronson lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “So the supplies are why you’ve come then, is that it?”

“Not at all,” Arden said before he could speak. “He planned this visit before we had any idea you were having troubles. I’ve always wanted to see a dwarven colony and learn more about your culture. From the moment your general presented me with the Gordian dagger, all I could think of was coming here and speaking with you and those who know about its creation. But, if we can help in any way, of course we wouldn’t hesitate to do so.”

The yar shifted in his seat, slightly perplexed. “A bit of metal fascinates a human noblewoman so much?”

Arden straightened, her face lighting up with keen interest. “Absolutely. Gordian weapons are legendary, and to be presented with one… I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I was. I thought I might see if any progress had been made in recreating the method in which they’re forged. I’d also offer my assistance in any research on them as well.”

Bronson shifted his incredulous eyes to Darius. “Research?”

Taking a page from Arden’s book, he smiled and nodded. “Her Highness is quite accomplished when it comes to metallurgic knowledge, actually. She studied dwarven-made weapons to greatly improve the quality of the steel coming from Aerenhall. I dare say she’ll have half of Castle Dulaine converted to hold forges and smelting equipment before long.”

She looked at him, smirking a little. “Only half?”

Yar Bronson cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I suppose if anyone would know about such things, it’d be Thrass Merdavin, son of Hig. He keeps to himself, mostly, in his workshop in the main refinery. He’d probably point you to Argravian, one of the scribes in the athenaeum, first, however.”

Arden leaned forward, elbows on her knees, the collar of her blouse falling to the side in a most provocative manner. “I heard the shards of broken weapons don’t have the same sheen and color. Is that correct?”

When the yar’s gaze dipped ever so slightly, a twinge of discomfort caught Darius off guard. “That’s correct, yes.”

She dropped her shoulder just a little, now revealing the swell of her breast at the top of her corset. “And what is it you do with those shards?”

His tongue darted out of his mouth, wetting his lips. “Do? They’re useless, my lady. What could we do with them?”

Arden shrugged, knowing full well what the consequences of her movements would be. Darius’s hands balled into fists as the yar’s eyes fully locked onto her bosom. “I thought if they weren’t of any use to anyone, perhaps I might acquire some for my own studies. I wouldn’t dream of conducting experimentation on an intact weapon, after all.”

Nearly jumping out of his chair, Yar Bronson stood and offered his arm. “If my lady would accompany me, I believe I’ve a few I could part with in my private vault.”

Staring up at him with wide, blue eyes, Darius couldn’t believe how thoroughly convincing her surprise was. While part of him was impressed, most of him was not at all happy about her manipulation. If the yar got the wrong idea…

“My dear,” he said, keeping a cool head as he stood, “as much as I’d love to have a peek at that vault, would you mind terribly if I stole Vennic for a while and looked into the matter in the mines?” He leveled a warning look at Ehlren. “I’m sure the general would be quite happy to accompany you in my stead and wherever else you need to go today.”

The picture of innocence, Arden stood and lifted up on her toes, leaving a light kiss on his cheek. “That sounds like a wonderful plan. Do try to not get yourself killed, all right? My earlier threat still stands.”

In moments, she hooked the yar’s arm and was happily chatting their way out of the room, Ehlren and the guards on their heels.

“That skill of hers comes in handy, but I wonder if it won’t get her into trouble someday,” Vennic mused once they’d gone.

“Yar or no,” Darius grumbled at the door, “if any harm comes to her, I’ll personally see Droogan’s cousin put on the throne in his place if he so much as misplaces a hand around her.”

It wasn’t an idle threat.

Arden

The yar was taller than she thought he’d be, but it still felt odd to walk arm in arm with a fully grown adult who barely came up to her shoulder with his crown on. However, if she was to get her hands on those shards, she had to put aside any awkwardness and embrace the situation fully.

What was most surprising about the whole thing was Darius’s reaction. It was possible she misread his insistence on Ehlren’s presence, but she was fairly certain she detected a note of jealousy in his voice. Perhaps she was wrong, as he demonstrated little interest in her body prior to that morning, but showing a hint of flesh to the yar prodded at something in Darius she hadn’t seen before. She filed it away for future reference, however, and focused on her company.

They passed through the Varkomen assembly hall once more, and she couldn’t help but gush over the stunning architecture. The large, circular floor was surrounded by four rings of seats partitioned into boxes for each noble house. She marveled over the meticulous way every inch of the hall was carved out from solid stone. The mastery in the acoustics was boggling. Even the
tick tick
of a pebble skittering away at their feet resonated through the entire place.

“It must get incredibly loud when the Varkomen is in session,” she said to the yar. “Every sound carries as though it’s shouted.”

“The wonderful racket of leading the people to a greater good,” Bronson said, wistful. “It’s music to my ears. I do miss it a little. I may get the final say, but I always enjoyed being a part of the early process.”

“And your wife? How does she feel about your station? I imagine she’s very proud of the work you do.”

“My wife passed on three years ago,” he said, a touch of sadness in his voice, “though I like to think I’m carrying on the way she would’ve wanted. Our sons’ futures are secure in ways we never dreamed of. Well, they were before this sickness began. If it continues much longer, there stands to be a total uprising. My opponents only fuel that, of course. Nothing is ever settled as far as they’re concerned.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your wife, but I know Darius will do all he can to help your people.”

The yar nodded. “Yes, he’s a good man. Strong and smart, a combination you don’t see often down here. I’ve no idea how a person could fight a thing they can’t see, but if anyone can, I’m sure it’s him.”

They left the assembly hall and passed through the grand rotunda of the building, leaving its gilded floors for the more utilitarian passages off to one side. The walls held portraits of imposing dwarves in battle armor and bronzed busts ensconced in alcoves, their eyes seeming to follow as they went. That hall led to another down a stairwell, with plain doors to either side. At the end of that corridor, two guards kept watch over an iron gate, a person-sized cage waiting behind it. The soldiers snapped to attention, one unlocking the way as the other saluted and reported all was well, but his words went mostly unrecognized outside of a nod from the silent Ehlren. Nervous, Arden entered after the yar and found herself sandwiched between the two dwarves, suddenly and frightfully aware of what was in store for her.

A potential drop to her death.

Clinging to her hands to keep them from shaking, she swallowed back her terror of the lift. It was the only thing she disliked about mines. As Ehlren reached for the lever to take them down, she shut her eyes and focused on her breathing, pretending Darius was there the way he’d been when they climbed the cliff path. All the way down, her stomach sat in her throat, but she focused on remembering his voice, his reassuring smile, his arms around her waist…

They hit the ground with a slight jerk and a thud, and she gave a quiet sigh of relief when the doors opened. Her fear vanished as soon as they stepped out into the dimly lit, gray passage, replaced by awe at the massive contraption before her. Gears larger than a man comprised a circular door taking up the entire wall. No two cogs were of the same color; some looked like copper alloys, others iron, and still others in various shades of brass. Each gear interlocked or overlapped another, and the door itself would’ve been indistinguishable from the rest were it not for the sparkling crystal wheel to open it all. It nearly glowed with the light it absorbed, and she was certain it possessed magical properties of some kind.

She leaned in close to inspect it, but didn’t dare touch. “It’s beautiful, Yar Bronson. May I ask what it’s made of?”

He dug around inside his doublet for a moment, eventually producing a key matching the wheel. He held it out in his palm towards her, the length of it extending over the edges of his hand. “Iridian crystal,” he said. “My family perfected the cutting of them several generations ago. If you do it correctly, then fire it at the right temperature, it will be nearly unbreakable. But if you’re careless with the raw stone, it shatters at the touch of a chisel.”

“Fascinating,” she murmured, entranced by the shimmering surface. “Perhaps I’ll see about acquiring one for my own collection if there’s any to be had on the market.”