Dawn of Dusk

Vistyral was glad to arrive at the palace almost half a day earlier than he had anticipated. He expected to arrive the morning of the fifth day of the seventh month. He stopped the party of Elves half way through town so he could change out of his Elven Armor, and back into his clothes. Of course his normal clothes were still back in Flageran in the Temple. All he had to wear were the Elven clothes that were given to him when he became part of the Elven royal family. He made the change and Valedif at his side; he led the Elven Soldiers to the entrance of the palace.

“Please step into the light and announce yourself so you can be identified.” The guard seemed tired, at this time of the day, shortly before sunrise, the watch always was less alert than they should be.

Vistyral stepped over to the light and said, “I am Vistyral, Duke of Cryarlac, and the Guardian of the East, son of Lamercal, King of Karrondor and Lord of Karron.”

“I’m sorry sir, everyone knows that the Duke of Cryarlac always wears blue and gold, be off with you, or I’ll have you flogged.”

“I really am the Duke of Cryarlac, call Viental, Captain of the Guards, he knows me.”

“If you think I am going to wake my captain because some fool claims to be nobility, you are mistaken.”

Vistyral was getting aggravated, he didn’t need this now, and he needed a bed. Before he could say or do anything else, Valedif stepped into the light and said. “I am Valedif, cousin to King Landif, King of the Elves; I have brought your Duke of Cryarlac back from the lands of the Elves. Please open the gates and let us enter.”

“Yeah, and I’m the queen of Fulsimter. Get lost or I’ll throw you into the dungeon.” The guard started to turn away as thirty arrows struck the fortification just below his hand. The guard became hysterical and sounded the alarm.

Vistyral became concerned that the men might think the Elves were actually attacking, so he prepared to send Valedif and his men back into the shadows. Valedif was a step ahead of him and before he could say anything, gave instructions in Elven for all the Elves to disappear.

In a blink of an eye, Vistyral was standing alone again in the light. He held his hands out so all could see that he held no weapon. Six archers, then twelve then twenty-four had their arrows knocked and pointed at Vistyral’s heart. Viental, a few pounds heavier, than the last time Vistyral saw him, but no slower, came running up with his sword in his hands.

“Where is the attacking army?” he bellowed at the guard.

“They are down there sir, look at all the arrows in the wall.” He looked over the edge with Viental where the arrows had been, and there were no arrows there.

Vistyral tried not to look amused and said quietly, “Viental, all this fanfare is not necessary; after all, I am a member of the family.”

Viental looked down at Vistyral and said disgustedly, “Open the gate, the Duke of Cryarlac is here.”

“I do have a few Elves with me.”

Viental looked suspiciously at Vistyral, “How many?”

“Certainly it has been communicated to you, that Valedif, cousin to the Elf King, and an honor guard of forty-nine would be arriving. Since I just completed a treaty with the Elven King, they were accommodating enough to allow me to accompany them here.”

“It is unusual to open the gates to soldiers of a foreign nation that opened fire on of the King’s guards.”

“Oh come-on Viental, the guard up there wouldn’t let me in because I wasn’t wearing blue and gold clothes, Ambassador Valedif announced himself, and our “guard” up there, threatened to throw us both into the dungeon. The guards of Ambassador Valedif acted with admirable restraint in protecting the emissary of their King in his poor reception at the Palace of Karron.”

As he listened, Viental looked at the guard with open hostility. The guard shrank back from him and kept saying, “Sorry, I didn’t know. How was I supposed to know?”

The gate opened, Valedif and his honor guard appeared in the identification zone with all their weapons put away. Vistyral breathed a sigh of relief as Respel, the king’s chamberlain and some of his staff came out the gate to see to everyone’s needs.

Vistyral went to Viental and said to him, please let me discipline the guard today.” Viental nodded.

“What is his name?”

“Mentel, he has done a good job up until this time. This was inexcusable; however, both your names were on the expected list.”

“Just so you know I expect to be rather lenient with him after I have had a chance to explain to him the ramifications of what his actions were tonight. I hope he will be a better guard for it afterward.”

“You always take the fun out of punishing someone. Your brother now, he can let a man punish his soldiers for a mistake after he has given him the “what for” already. I guess you were the one that was harmed by his actions so it is the least I can do.” Viental smiled at his own sarcasm and went away laughing.

“Respel had told him which rooms were to be his during his stay in Karron; he would be staying in the Cryarlac Suite. The decor was done in the colors of Cryarlac which were blue, scarlet, and gold. There was a suite of rooms down the hall that had been reserved for the king and queen of Artermador and further down the hall, a suite for the Princess Mirtar and her chaperon.

Vistyral made a mental note to check with Respel later in the morning on flowers for the princess’ room. He happened to know that yellow roses were her favorite.

He thought back to that day four years ago when she was fifteen she had come to visit with her parents to this castle. Borrial, as usual invited Mirtar to go hunting, and then disappeared after she declined. This left Mirtar to spend time with Kaymar, who was eleven at the time, or Vistyral who was there at his father’s request.

Mirtar had spent a substantial amount of time trying to find out what he knew of the inner workings of each of the kingdoms. He was amazed at her knowledge, and what he had learned from her. After she had spent time covering each of the kingdoms, including Cryarlac as a separate issue, she had asked him to go with her to the gardens. She had spent time going over the plants that grew in Karrondor that would not grow in Artermador, and vice versa. She had spent time fawning over the yellow roses. He had cut one with his dagger and handed it to her. He had thought that she blushed at the time, but now he wasn’t so sure. She had promised to keep that flower forever, somehow now he hoped that she had.

His father was usually up by six so, Vistyral asked his chamber-boy to wake him in four hours. He closed the door to his room, pulled off his boots, unbuckled his sword and placed it on a table across the room. Despite the dust and dirt from travel, he fell face first down on the bed and was asleep before he bounced the first time.

He heard the door open. It was a quiet door and the mechanism that worked the latch was well oiled and worked smoothly. It was not the locking mechanism that he heard, but the rush of air as the door opened. He rumpled the coverlets and the comforter on the bed and slipped quietly off the bed and onto the floor.

He worked his way under the bed, and got to where he could see anyone approach the bed. The door was closed now, so he knew it wasn’t the chamber-boy, because they always made a lot of noise and took plenty of time before coming into the bed chamber, to allow any discreet workings to take place if need be.

Vistyral saw someone dressed in black or other dark color moving quietly toward the bed. A glint of light on steel sent a shiver down Vistyral’s back. The intruder thrust the blade into the bedding that Vistyral had piled up before getting off the bed. Vistyral took his dagger and jabbed it into the shin of his attacker. The injured intruder did not cry out as Vistyral had intended. The only indication that Vistyral had that any damage had been done was a slight grunt, and a fast retrieval of the sword from the bedding.

Vistyral regretted now striking out at this person. This was not some person with a grudge against him; this was a planned assassination attempt by a professional assassin. He was now in a position of serious danger being under the bed.

He pushed himself to the other side of the bed and rolled free into the center of the room. The assassin, slower now because he was hurt advanced on him.

The face was covered, but, Vistyral could look into the eyes. Cold eyes stared at him with absolutely no emotion. He advanced slowly, his sword ready. Vistyral looked at his dagger and realized he was way outmatched. He remembered his sword and dove for the table it was lying on.

The assassin saw what he was doing and tried to head him off. Vistyral got the sword, and brought it up scabbard and all to protect him from the blows the killer was already trying to strike him with. The additional weight of the scabbard made him slower. The assassin, however, was not experienced in swordplay; he probably liked using daggers and knives more than swords.

Vistyral got a good grip on the handle of his sword, pushed the attacker away and swung his sword as hard as he could. The scabbard flew off and crashed through the window in the far end of the room. Vistyral smiled as he brought up his blade. He was a pretty fair swordsman, the attacker had an injured right leg, and from what Vistyral could see was barely a moderate swordsman.

Vistyral advanced on the intruder and began forcing him back. The assassin, jumped onto a trunk sitting by the door, threw the sword at him, and then dashed out of the room.

Vistyral had to drop to the floor to avoid the sword as it sped towards him. It hit the floor point first and then toppled over. Vistyral ran out the door and saw an open window in the hallway. A trail of blood went to the window sill; Vistyral cautiously looked out and saw the intruder let himself over the walls with a rope.

He looked down the hallway, and could see guards running to him with their swords drawn. Viental was four or five men back but was passing a man about every four strides.

“What happened?”

“I believe someone tried to assassinate me,” Vistyral said as he headed back to his room.

He lit a candle and looked around the room. From the amount of blood on the floor, the would-be-killer was hurt pretty badly. He had limped distinctly as he had made his break from the room.

He walked over to the sword and suddenly everything became clear. “This sword belongs to Valedif,” Vistyral said.

Viental said, “Go and arrest the ambassador. He’ll not get away with this.”

“No, you will only awaken him and offend him.”

“But Vistyral, it was his sword that was used to attack you.”

“His sword yes, but he was not wielding it. The person that got in here today was not a good swordsman. I believe that he was a professional assassin sent in here to steal Valedif’s sword and then kill me with it making it look like Valedif was the murderer.

I cut about a three or four inch slash to the bone on his right leg and the only sound the intruder made was a slight grunt. It takes discipline and control to not cry out when a wound like that is inflicted on you. Look at the blood, I really hurt him.”

“I can’t wait until the ambassador awakes to start looking in his room for clues, he could be hurt as well.” He turned to the guards, “send the chamber-boys to wake the king, the prince, and the ambassador. Ask them to come here.”

The guards hurried off and another guard arrived with Vistyral’s scabbard. Viental looked at the nicks in the outside and said, “Pretty smart of you to throw it out the window. It allowed us to know there was a problem. How did you get time while drawing your blade amidst an attack in progress to throw the scabbard out the window to attract attention?”

Vistyral smiled. “I suppose I could impress you with a lie, or I could tell you that it was pure chance that it went through the window, so I think I’ll impress you with the lie.”

Both men laughed. Now that the danger was over Vistyral began to shake. He went over and poured himself some water and sat down in a chair to await his father, brother, and Valedif. He took a few deep breaths and relaxed himself.

“Are things always this exciting, or did you save all of this up for me?”

“I haven’t seen this much commotion since King Krakal died.”

“Tell me Viental, just between you and me, was that an accident.”

Viental gave him a hard look and said, “Of course it was an accident. There wasn’t anyone around except King Krakal and Prince Borrial. I’m sure Krakal didn’t jump on the bug himself, and I know that our fine prince didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Viental had put enough emphasis on “know” and “fine” for Vistyral to understand that Viental too thought that Borrial had done something wrong. He decided not to discuss it any further with him now.

Borrial came in looking angry; for a second Vistyral wondered if he was angry because someone had tried to kill his brother; or if he was angry because they failed to kill his brother.

Lamercal came in a few minutes later. Both he and his son were very aware that a serious wrong had been done to the Duke of Cryarlac. He walked over and put his hand on Vistyral’s shoulder.

“I am sorry that you were attacked in my home. It disturbs me, that with all the guards, and with all the measures of security that we take, we are still vulnerable to senseless acts like this one.”

“This was not a senseless act Father, this was planned. Someone stole Ambassador Valedif’s sword and tried to use it to kill me.”

“Hum, I see. Just as we get the relationship on track with the Elves, someone tries to make it look like the Elves are killing our favorite duke. Of course, our reaction would be to not sign the new treaty and possibly even to open hostilities between us. In a masterful stroke, someone would eliminate an excellent diplomat, destroy a good treaty and possibly even start a war between the two parties.

Who would benefit from all of that? If we can determine who could benefit from these events...”

“Unlikely Father, I think there are too many variables. First, it could simply have been someone who hates Elves. It could have been someone who dislikes me for some reason. It could be someone who has something to gain financially if trade with the Elves falters. It could have been a plot, but we don’t know if the attempted murder was the plot, or simply a tool for another plot. We also have to consider that the attack was meant to fail and consider what end would be achieved if the attack failed. In my opinion, there are too many variables to consider.”

Valedif came running down the hall escorted by four palace guards.

“Duke Vistyral, are you hurt?”

For the first time Borrial spoke. “Yes, appear to be surprised that someone tried to use your sword to kill my brother.”

Valedif looked at Borrial for a minute in silence, and then he smiled and shook his head. “If I was going to kill your brother, he would have been dead in the Elven woods and never found I assure you. It is highly unlikely that I would place him under my protection, get him safely here when there is an order to have him arrested in the lands of Men and then have someone use my sword to do the deed. We may not be as smart as you Men are, but we’re not as stupid as you often give us credit for.”

Lamercal looked up. “What do you mean arrest order, there is no order to arrest him.”

“Yes there is Father.” He handed him the posting from Port Menia.

Lamercal read aloud, “Be it known that the Great High Priest of the Gods of Karron has seen a danger to the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Karrondor. A demon masquerading as a man has been seen traveling west of the city of Karron. It is believed that the demon may be found in either the ports of Pottswine, Flageran, or Port Menia.

“The demon looks very much like the Crown Prince of Karrondor except his hair is black instead of brown. He carries a sword of royalty but he is nothing but an impostor. The Demon is to be considered dangerous. He travels with another man who has dark hair, black eyes, and a scar on his left cheek and carries a short sword with a golden handle.

“This man is reported to be extremely dangerous and the two men are believed to be heading to the Land of the Elves in Arborlea. If seen make no attempt to detain or apprehend these men, contact Pa Coastral who will place the men in the care of the Guardians of Karron for further enlightenment.′

“Why this is an outrage! How dare he order the arrest of a member of the royal family, why this describes both you and Chertal to a tee, except for the hair color?”

“That is exactly it Father, he indicated that Borrial has black hair, I do too. He can claim that there is an impostor running around with brown hair and order his arrest, as long as you leave him the authority to order arrests. If I am arrested by mistake he will probably publicly chastise his priest but he would have what he wanted.

“I know for a fact he wanted to delay me from arriving in the Elven Woods and Arborlea, because Pa Vernal in Flageran told me so. I suppose since I was already in his custody that he could gloat and he let some important information slip. He didn’t count on Chertal, who got me out.”

“Very clever, there really is nothing I can do is there?”

“Not about the arrest order, but you can forbid him from ordering any arrests. I have been telling you for some time now that allowing him to order arrests is too dangerous. You may have had a wonderful relationship with Mon Grael, but Mon Treel is much too ambitious to allow him that authority.”

“The problem is taking it away, he has had it and the position has had it since the religious reforms in the days of my father.”

“Then make him send all requests to you and tell him that if you agree they will be joint declarations of arrest. Make sure though, that he understands that he can no longer send out an arrest order without your approval. You can say that it is to show the people that you support the church, but it will give you the veto on things like this in the future.

“Yes that would allow me some control over an uncontrollable man.”

Borrial spoke. “I don’t know why you don’t just revoke the authority. He has certainly given good provocation to do so.”

“Yes he has, my son, but a king is not much of a king who has to keep reminding his subjects of his authority over them. The idea is to revoke the authority privately, and allow the High Priest to give up his right as unnecessary. This will help him save face in front of his priests and the people. That way you don’t create an enemy. You may need his support someday.”

“I will never need his help in anything!”

“I hope you are right, nevertheless, you would be in a difficult ruling situation if the high priest was looking the other direction when you need his help.”

“I will meet with Mon Treel in Fulsimter in a few days,” Vistyral said with a grim look on his face, “I know we can work this out.”

“Ambassador Valedif,” King Lamercal said, “I want to assure you that I am absolutely certain that you had nothing to do with this whole mess this morning. I must assume however, that the man who tried to kill my son managed to get into your room. I would like to move you into another room and allow Viental and his men to search the room for any clues and to make sure that nothing was left in the rooms that might harm you or someone else at a later time.”

“I would be delighted to move to another room; if I may be so bold?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“On the east side of the castle there is a lovely grove, would you mind if I was given a room with a view of the grove? It makes me feel more at home.”

“Not at all, in fact that is the very reason that you were placed on that side of the castle in the first place.”

“I don’t understand my room last night was on the Southern side of the castle.”

Lamercal’s expression darkened. “Respel, please come here.”

Respel walked over to where the king, his sons, and Valedif were talking. “How can I help you Majesty?”

“I thought I had asked you to give a view of the Grove on the eastern side of the castle to the Ambassador.”

“I intended to do that Majesty but last night we had a terrible storm and it rained into the room which was being aired out and so for just last night, I put the ambassador into the blue room on the front of the castle.”

Viental had been listening in on the conversation. He walked over and joined it. “When did you make that decision, Respel?”

“Last night when they arrived I told his chamber-boy to put him up in the blue room until tomorrow morning.”

Viental turned to one of his men, “Go get me the chamber-boy for the ambassador’s room.” The nodded and left.

He turned back to Respel, “How many other people might have heard you tell the chamber-boy where to put the ambassador?”

“Not many, maybe one or two of the other chamber-boys, but I doubt it.”

The soldiers returned, one saluted Viental and told him that the chamber-boy for the ambassador was not to be found. His clothes were found near the duke’s room, but, they had been stuffed into a corner by a window.

Borrial spoke for everyone. “We had an assassin masquerading as a chamber-boy, how long was he here?”

“He grew up in the castle,” Respel answered.

“Well, either he was either bribed or bullied into giving out that information (in which case we would have found his body) or, he was the attempted assassin,” Lamercal said.

“Is it possible that someone trained this man as an assassin when we weren’t looking?” asked Borrial.

“No, but it would be possible to make an assassin look and sound like the chamber-boy, by using magic,” Vistyral said.

“Ah, that thought never occurred to me at all, but of course you are right,” Lamercal said. “I’ll go find Thorak and see if it would be a difficult thing to do.”

Vistyral and Borrial watched their father walk away. Valedif excused himself and followed Respel to his new room. For the first time in a long while, Vistyral found him alone with his brother.

The last thing he wanted to discuss with Borrial was Mirtar. If Borrial had the chance to talk first, he knew that she would be the subject of conversation. The alternative was to start a conversation on another subject.

“It must have been very upsetting to you to have witnessed King Krakal fall onto the devastator bug.”

Borrial looked up, surprised. “Why, yes, it was; it almost got me too. When he fell on it, I didn’t know it was there. When I picked him up, it almost stung me as well. I did what I could for him, but, there was no hope. He had been injected with too much poison.”

“I am sure that there was nothing you could do. Well, I am bloody, and dirty, and I really didn’t get much sleep, I’ll see you later, is that all right?”

“Yes, that will be fine. See you later.”

Vistyral’s chamber-boy took him to a new suite of rooms further down the hall. A bath had been prepared and there was some bread, fruit, and cheese to eat. Vistyral undressed and climbed into the hot water. The chamber-boy moved the food closer to where he could reach it and handed him the soap.

Thirty minutes later a new bath stood ready and Vistyral moved into it. The water from the first bath was so fouled that he needed a second. After he had washed off he got out and got dressed (luckily he always kept three or four outfits and two changes of formal clothing in his suite at the palace. He put on a blue and gold outfit so the gate guard would know who he is.

After he ate, he prepared to meet with Mirtar. He called the chambermaid for Mirtar’s room and asked her to have yellow roses put in her room. Then he gave her a note for Mirtar along with instructions to give the note to her when no one else was around he then gave her for her trouble two gold bekars.

The note was written in yellow paper with a blue seal. This indicated that the letter was of a personal nature. If it had been on Blue paper with a gold seal, it would have been official business of the Duchy.

The chambermaid, who he had known since he was a boy, smiled knowingly and handed back the two bekars. “If this be the letter I thinks it is, then I’s be happy to deliver it your Grace, I’s wouldn’t dream o’ taken nuttin fer it.”

“Thank-you Tantar, I only wish I could figure out how to get you over to the Stronghold in Cryarlac.”

“Wills ya be livin in Cryarlac your Grace? Or wills ya be sittn on a throne somewheres else?”

“I just think you are too smart Tantar, well, we will see won’t we?”

She smiled and patted his cheek and left to go get yellow roses. She was singing some kind of love song as she strode away.

Vistyral smiled, shook his head and headed for bed for an hour or two. Later, he thought he would find Thorak to find out what was going on. He kept pretty tight reins on what was going on around the palace.

Mirtar, her mother Vertimar, her father Montrosal, and Veritak and the attendants arrived at the port in Karron. They found a carriage waiting for them with a wagon for their supplies and their baggage. Since they had bathed on their ship, they were refreshed and ready to go on with the day when they arrived at the palace. It was already past noon and they had eaten on the ship, but custom would require having a drink of sorts, with some bread and cheese at the welcome by the king and his family.

Borrial would be there she knew, but, she had no idea whether or not Vistyral would be there, she had not been able to find out. She hoped that he would but her last information was that Vistyral would be in Arborlea until a treaty was reached with the Elves regarding trained wood. Contrary to custom, they were not met by the king. Respel, the king’s Chamberlain met them with apologies that the king was receiving important information and would tend to them shortly.

They were taken to an antechamber where really important meetings were always held. The king was obviously in the next room and from the sounds emanating from the audience chamber, he was not pleased. The other person was obviously someone of no small authority because their voice was raised and they were getting away with it. A third voice was heard occasionally but it was not raised in anger.

Montrosal looked at Veritak and raised his eyebrows. Veritak said nothing but shook his head in a negative response. Montrosal shrugged and continued to listen. After a few minutes it appeared that Lamercal and Borrial were upset at the other individual. The other person was not raising his voice so it was almost impossible to hear what he said.

Borrial and Lamercal had not been informed of the arrival of the royal visitors because they had given instructions that they were not to be disturbed while Vistyral was debriefed concerning his visit. Lamercal was already in bad spirits after the attempt on Vistyral’s life. Now it seemed that Vistyral was the target of all his anger.

Two things bothered him about the treaty with the Elves. The first was that they had accepted all his recommendations, to the without negotiating a better position. Second was the fact that the Elf king, Landif insisted that a separate treaty be drawn up to deal specifically with Cryarlac.

Was Vistyral trying to set himself up as a king over the eastern portion of his realm? Was he planning to split the kingdom and leave Karrondor a weaker country? He and his fathers had worked too long and too hard for that.

Ambassador Valedif, cousin to the king, and third in line to the throne after the king’s brothers, had told him the official reason that Landif insisted on two treaties and hinted that there was a more private reason why he wanted the other treaty, as well.

He would talk with Valedif later, but for now, he was going to make sure that Vistyral was doing everything he was doing for the right reasons. As he thought about it, it was Vistyral’s acceptance of his distrust that bothered him the most.

“Why did you expect me to think you had betrayed me?” He said uncharacteristically loudly.

Borrial had the sense to keep quiet at this point. You didn’t get between a father and his son in a loyalty question; even if you were another son.

Calmly and quietly Vistyral answered, “Father if I was in your position, I would distrust me too. First you cannot afford to trust anyone now. I know that you are ill, most of the world does. People tend to take advantage of a situation of weakness, history has given too many lessons of a father or brother who is deposed or over thrown because they unwisely trusted family.

I assume that King Landif sent a personal message to you via Ambassador Valedif. I can live with your distrust until you have had an opportunity to speak with him.”

Borrial spoke then, “You know the contents of the message. Give it to us. There is no point in delaying this further.”

“If the king had wanted Father to know the information from me, he would have given it to me to deliver, I would have done so. He asked me to deliver no message except this.”

Vistyral handed Lamercal a rolled parchment. As Lamercal began to unroll it Vistyral told him what he expected it said.

“Basically in a nutshell it says that I have been adopted into the Elven Royal family as a brother to Valedif. I was given an Elven name which is Meadowlea and I am welcome anytime as an elf in their lands.”

Lamercal was silent as he read. Borrial tried to look over his shoulder but Lamercal held the scroll so only he could read it. Tears filled Lamercal’s eyes and he looked over at Vistyral.

“It says more than that, Son. It says things that make lots of sense now. At the end of my days, in the final months of my reign (I intend to abdicate as soon as Borrial is off his honeymoon) I have found that in my life I have done things that I can be eternally proud of.”

He threw the parchment into the fire. Borrial looked upset that it wasn’t shared with him.

“Have no fear Borrial. This had nothing to do with matters of state. The Elven king was letting me what he thought of your brother. It seems that they hold him in no small esteem. He has apparently helped the Elves resolve some serious internal problems. They think so highly of him it seems that they have placed him in line for the throne; fourth after Valedif and his own two brothers. This was virtually unheard of in the land of the Elves, but it has been accepted by the Elven High Council and in a referendum of all the Elves in Arborlea. Landif is very careful to indicate that you will have no control in military matters. That is good, because I could not have you commanding an army that someday could be in conflict with my own. King Landif feels that your title as Defender of the East is the most important title you could ever possess. You will henceforth carry a new title however. From this day forward, you shall also be known as the “Torchbearer of Arborlea.” Arise, Vistyral, Duke of Cryarlac, Guardian of the East, and Torchbearer of Arborlea. I’m sorry that I doubted you my son. I never suspected that you could have such an influence upon them.

You actually opened your mind to them to let them read your memories?”

“Under the circumstances, Father, it appeared the only way to get them to trust me. In order to complete the duty you gave me, they had to not only trust me, but to trust my motives as well.”

Borrial spoke, “you will have to give us all the information as soon as possible on your visit. Would you mind starting again from the beginning?”

“I would be happy to brother, but I would guess by now that we have some guests waiting, since Thorak left us some time ago. It would be impolite of us to keep them waiting any longer.”

“Oh yes,” he said smiling, “I had forgotten that they were arriving today.”

Lamercal started to give him a lecture on court protocol but he avoided it by saying, “We had best not keep them waiting any longer.”

The three men rose and went to the door of the anteroom. As the lowest in rank, Vistyral opened the door for the others. As the door opened, he heard Respel announce, “Their Royal Majesties King Montrosal and Queen Vertimar of Artermador and her Royal Highness Princess Mirtar, Princess of Artermador, holder of the Candle of Light, Keeper of the Light of Artermador, and Watcher of the gates of Myra.”

Since he was holding the door for his father and brother, Vistyral did not bow, but he did catch Mirtar’s eye and incline his head to her. He thought she was blushing.

He never really understood women, sometimes they would stare at you until you looked away in embarrassment, other times they would blush at the most innocent gesture. Chertal seemed to understand women much better than he did. He looked at his father who had an amused expression on his face, and suddenly he felt heat blossom in his face as well.

Borrial strode into the room and walked up to Mirtar. She curtsied as he bowed to her.

“I hope your journey was easy and tireless, Princess. I trust you will not be too tired for the festivities tonight.”

“How sweet of you my prince, I am quite rested, thank-you. I look forward to the festivities with excitement.”

Lamercal greeted everyone and then it was Vistyral’s turn. It seemed to him that both Montrosal and Vientar were giving him an extra hard look as he greeted them. As he took Mirtar’s hand, he felt a slight shock. It was difficult to not pull his hand away. He kissed her knuckles and said something. (What had he just said?) Everyone but Borrial seemed amused and he seemed even less so than usual.

He realized that he still held her hand and released it. She looked him in the eye and he felt as if he knew how a mouse felt when it looked into the eyes of a cat.

Montrosal broke the silence in the room by asking Vistyral how the treaty with the Dwarves was going. Vistyral tried to concentrate on the question, but all he could think about was Mirtar.

“King Lamercal would be able to tell you better than I, Your Majesty. Once the treaty was signed between Karrondor and Vermath, my treaty between Cryarlac and Vermath became subject to the greater treaty.”

“Things are going well, Montrosal. There have been disconcerting news stories about Vermath however. Sources tell me that there has been some sort of political upheaval there. I have sent an emissary to meet with the Dwarven Cadot, Stonpiker. They should be there today or tomorrow, I should know more by pigeon when I return from Fulsimter.

Respel had wine, bread, and cheese in the room and it appeared as though they had been in the room for some time. “It appears as a host, I have been impolite, please pardon my breech of etiquette. Vistyral arrived just this morning from a diplomatic mission to the kingdom of Arborlea. After some excitement early, we let him rest a few hours and then debriefed him until this very minute.”

“We arrived early, King Lamercal, do not concern yourself. We would like very much to have some time to prepare for our dinner with you this evening. Prince Borrial, I thank-you for your hospitality as the host of this dinner. The drinks, bread, and cheese were excellent. I hope our time here is as enjoyable as always.”

“It was my pleasure King Montrosal, I am indeed sorry that we lost track of time and ran late. We gave Respel instructions that we were not to be disturbed and I am afraid he took us too literally. Respel, you have kept their majesties and the princess waiting by not letting us know they were here, do show them to their rooms as quickly as possible.”

Bowing low Respel with a face devoid of emotion said, “I am sorry my Prince, please forgive my slothfulness, I will do as you wish immediately.”

“That is well; we may even decide to keep you on.” Borrial walked away laughing.

Vistyral was embarrassed for Respel. It wasn’t his fault that he followed instructions. If he had interrupted his debriefing, he would have been verbally accosted for that. Vistyral never understood why his brother could not be nice.

Respel led the way to the rooms that had been prepared for the visitors. Vistyral hoped that his room was clean and ready for him again. He did not like being in any other room. Cryarlac was his now, and he was proud of it.

He turned to his father after the guests were out of the room and said, “Why can’t Borrial be nice? It wasn’t Respel’s fault that our meeting went long and that we told him not to disturb us. There was no need to humiliate him in front of all those others like that.”

Lamercal sighed, “I don’t know the answer to that Son, and maybe it’s a personality flaw. He can’t admit that he is wrong. He has to blame it on someone else. I have talked to him about it until I am blue in the face and he refuses to hear what I say. Maybe his wife will teach him something.”

“More than likely, she will become his new scapegoat.”

“Yes, you’re probably right.”

Vistyral left to see Viental about the guard the previous night. He arrived in the captain’s office and noticed the guard sitting in the corner. Viental came out of his office and said, “He’s yours your grace, do with him as you wish. He is no longer part or parcel of the Kings Guard.”

“But, I told you...”

I know Duke Vistyral, you wanted to handle this yourself but the king wanted heads after what happened this morning and this fellow and another, a Victorial were the ones on duty when the problems came.”

“Where is Victorial?”

“In there Victorial! Get out here!”

A tall well-built and obviously dejected soldier came out of Viental’s office and stood at attention.

Vistyral turned to them and said, if you two would please be seated for a few minutes, I will deal with you. May we speak in your office Captain Viental?”

“Of course, Duke Vistyral, after you.”

Viental followed Vistyral into the office and closed the door. Would you like some wine your grace? Oh, I forgot, you don’t drink alcoholic drinks, some water?”

“Thank-you, yes.”

Viental poured them both a cup of water and sat back. “I have known you for many years, Vistyral, what are you planning to do?”

“I’ll tell you in a minute, what kind of a soldier are these men?”

“Young, but good; Mentel, is from Landsend or is it Landsdown, yes it is Landsdown and Victorial is from Meadowlands. Both have done fine up until now, it will be a shame to send them back in disgrace like this.”

Could you release them to me as my personal guards on assignment whenever I am in the palace?”

“If Cryarlac is willing to pay their wages, I’ll do whatever you want with them.”

“Good, I want them. Make them do every hard job every heavy lifting job, work them twice as hard in arms training, make them into animals. I want them to be experts at hand to hand and with the knife, all kinds. Daggers, dirks, throwing blades, I want them expert with them all. If they ever complain, send them home in disgrace.”

“As you say, so shall it be done.”

“Thanks, Viental, if I am right about these guys, you will be glad they are no longer after your job.”

Both men laughed, drank their drinks and opened the door. Both young men shot to attention.

Viental glared at them and Vistyral turned to them and said, “Do you realize what is going to happen to you men?”

Both answered in unison, “Yes your grace.”

“What will happen to you?”

“We will be sent home in disgrace, your grace.”

“Would you rather go home in disgrace, or would you like another chance at life?”

Life came back into Mentel’s eyes, before he had looked devoid of hope, now he actually looked as if he would do anything to keep from being sent home. Victorial too looked ready to do anything.

Mentel looked into Vistyral’s eyes, “tell me what I have to do, anything I will do it. I’m not afraid of any punishment.”

“I’m not afraid either; I would bring great shame to my family if I was sent home. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“First I want a few answers. Mentel, who told you to delay me and my party at the gate? Understand one thing before you answer me, you are no longer in the service of the king. If you are kept here it will be as my personal guards, not as the king’s. You will do what Viental tells you to do, and I have told him to give you the very hardest jobs and the most rigorous training that you can get. If you are to work for me, then I must feel I can trust you with my life, which is what I will be doing.

Now, who instructed you to delay me?”

Mentel looked uneasy for a few seconds as if he was making up his mind and said, “Prince Borrial. He said he had a few surprises prepared for his younger brother and he needed time from the time you arrived to get it ready. There was a chamber-boy that he left here with me that was to go and prepare the surprises. I never saw him before, and I haven’t seen him since.”

“Okay, good. Now we are making progress. Victorial, what part in this did you play? What were you told to do?”

“Victorial answered quickly, his decision had already been made, and Prince Borrial wanted me to allow a chamber-boy to leave the castle without notice. He never showed up, you were attacked, and I was relieved from duty.”

“Viental, would you give me a few minutes, please?”

“Of course, your grace.”

Viental went into his office and closed the door. “Now I don’t yet know how much I can trust you two. Knowingly or not you may have been involved in a plot to harm me. I make no accusation at this time at my brother, but things are not well between us.

If you want to earn my trust, I want to put you in the visitor’s wing of the palace as my guards. I want to know who enters the wing, which rooms they go into, and by whose authority they do it.

You have already failed the king. Fail me, and there will be nothing more for you. Your lives will be as bleak and empty as they seemed to be a few minutes ago. Serve me faithfully and there is no limit to what you can do. As of today you can write your families and tell them that you have been assigned as a personal guard to the Duke of Cryarlac.

You will no longer wear the king’s uniform. I will have clothes made for you, for now, come with me as you are and I will put you to work.

One last thing, I have instructed Viental to send you home at the first complaint. If you think you have too much work or too hard work, I will ensure you have some time to rest up before you begin your chores back on the farm. Agreed?

Both men snapped to attention and said, “Yes sir.”

Vistyral went to Viental’s door, knocked and opened it. Viental rose and came out. “They are yours to command when I am not here. Right now I would like to position them in the hall near the Cryarlac Suite so they can observe goings and comings in the hallway.”

“That is well sir, what will they wear?”

“I’ll have some clothes made for them right away something like the kings uniform but not in crimson and yellow, something less flashy and less conspicuous, like tan and brown.”

“The king will have to approve all of this you know.”

“Don’t worry Viental, I can handle the king, he is like a father to me.”

All three men laughed. Vistyral didn’t think it was that funny, but it didn’t matter if they were laughing because it was funny, or because a duke made the joke.

“Come-on men, you have much work to do.” Vistyral strode out of the guard room with two men who would gladly kill for him.

*****

Mirtar was shown to her room and told that her servant would be sent in shortly. She unlaced her own dress and took it off so she could lie down. She spent a few minutes in thought about Vistyral. He certainly was showing more interest than he had ever shown before, and he had shown her that he cared for her on other visits, he just never said anything about his feelings. There were yellow roses in her room, lots of them. He was the only one she had ever told. That could not be a coincidence. The chambermaid had given her a letter from the duke asking her to meet him in the garden later at midnight. She would go alone but she would bring Alexar, her servant to stand outside the area, if she needed her, she could call for her. She trusted the duke; it was his brother she didn’t trust.

She lay down on the bed and tried to rest, this was not going to be an easy night. Borrial had insulted them and then blamed it on the chamberlain, contemptible. The worst part of marring Vistyral would be her brother-in-law, but since she will have to deal with him as the ruler of another country, it might be easier if he was family. She never noticed him pushing Vistyral around, even though he was the crown prince.

Suddenly she realized she was no longer alone in her room. She reached for a knife she kept on her at all times.

“Who’s there?” she called.

No one answered, but she knew someone was there. Just as she was about to call out again, Borrial stepped out where she could see him.

She wished her dress was on but that couldn’t be helped now. Reaching for something to cover herself would show weakness. She still had on two layers of clothing, it wasn’t meant to be seen by just anybody, and Borrial was the last one she wanted to see her this way.

She stood but kept her knife hand behind her, “Just what do you think you are doing here Borrial?”

He kept advancing slowly, “How is it that you can always tell? Mother and father had us dress special so they could tell us apart. I come to you in clothes like Vistyral’s and you immediately know that I’m Borrial.”

“That is far enough. You are not welcome in this room, and I want you to leave right now!” Fear began to grow within her; Surely Borrial could not be so stupid as to try anything here? “My parents are in the next suite and you don’t want them to find you here with me in this state of undress.”

She hated the shake in her voice; still it was stronger than she felt right now.

“Don’t worry about your parents; they just went down to meet with your sorcerer, Veritak. It appears that a communication breakdown took place, Lamercal asked to see Thorak, and the servant thought that your father sent for Veritak, and sent someone to tell them he was available.”

Panic was rising within her now, this was one of Borrial’s plots and he always planned them flawlessly. “Vistyral’s room is on the other side of mine, he will hear.”

Borrial stopped and smiled as he looked her over, “Oh, I’m afraid he is busy doing good deeds at the present. He felt obligated because a couple of his father’s guards let an attempted assassin in here early this morning. My brother is always doing good deeds. His deeds are always making me look bad. Well, you are betrothed to me, and I come to claim what is mine.”

“That is not allowed before the wedding, besides you intend to ransom my dowry.”

He smiled a wolfish grin and started forward slowly. “After.”

That one word broke what control she had held on her fear to this point, she ran to the other side of the bed to put it between herself and Prince Borrial. He just smiled that infuriating smile and kept moving slowly toward her.

“It won’t be too bad, and then you can marry my brother. After all, it will be the same face you see now. Except for our tattoos, we are exactly the same.”

“No, you’re not. You are nothing like him, he is nothing like you.”

He was climbing onto the bed now; he was only a few feet from her. As his second foot left the floor, she ran across the room, toward her door. He grabbed her from behind and began kissing her neck.

She struggled free and ran back toward the bed. He stood there smiling.

“Why? Why do you want to do something like this?”

“Why, I will tell you why, because I can get away with this and because you have been despising me for years while swooning over my brother. You can have him if you want, but you will always remember me when you are with him. It seems the perfect revenge to me.”

He ran over and threw her down on the bed. She brought up her knife and slashed his arm. He cried out in pain, and staggered backwards.

He looked down at his arm and then at her, “So you want to play rough do you? I thought you might.” He took a towel from the vanity and wrapped it around his arm and tied it.

He began advancing on her again this time much more malice in him than before. She screamed, screamed again, and he laughed out loud. He grabbed her wrist and squeezed until she dropped the knife. He shoved her away and picked up her knife.

As she stood up, he looked at the knife, “I guess I did need something to remove all those clothes that you have on you. You will have to be still though; I would hate to hurt you. A cut on me is explainable, I’ll go practice swords after, but how will you explain nicks and cuts on you?

You won’t tell you know. That would mean war between our kingdoms; you are too practical for that. You would not let hundreds, maybe thousands die for your honor would you?”

As he said it, she knew that he had won. No, she wouldn’t tell anyone, she couldn’t. The shame alone would be too great. She would never let the thousands die that would be killed in a war between the two countries, so she could not tell anyone, she had lost. She screamed again, not in fear, but, in rage.

*****

Vistyral was showing Mantel and Victorial where he wanted them posted when he heard the scream from Mirtar’s room. He ran and burst through the door with his guards following him.

Borrial turned and froze. Of all the people in the world, that could hurt him with this knowledge the most dangerous was his brother. Mirtar ran past him and into Vistyral’s arms.

“Borrial, What are you doing here?” His voice was calm but Borrial had heard that tone before when they were growing up. It meant Vistyral had crossed the line of tolerance, when he sounded like that; he was like a coiled snake ready to strike. All he needed was to see the target.

He disengaged Mirtar from his arm, and advanced on Borrial. He pulled his sword. Borrial regretted removing his, he thought he have freer movement in here without it. He never expected Vistyral to be done punishing the guards so soon, and to have the two idiots with him, this was too much.

“Mirtar, what is going on in here?” Vistyral dared not take his eyes off of his brother.

“Oh, Vistyral he came to, I mean he wanted to, I mean he...” She burst into tears, all of the emotions finally finding their way to the surface.

“I think I get the picture; Mentel, go get Viental. Tell him to bring leg irons and wrist manacles. We have a criminal to bring to the dungeon.”

“Yes, Duke Vistyral.” He was gone down the corridor.

“No Vistyral, I don’t want this to get out.” Mirtar shouted.

Something didn’t add up, why didn’t Mirtar want Borrial in jail? Was Borrial here upon invitation? How would he know, and he did have to know.

“Victorial, would you step outside for a minute. If you hear the sounds of a struggle, come right back in.”

“Yes, Duke Vistyral.” He gave Borrial a malevolent look and went out and closed the door.

Borrial was relaxing visibly. He looked as though he was relieved.

“Now, Mirtar, can you tell me what happened in here? Why you don’t want him arrested?”

Mirtar realized that Vistyral was not sure whether Borrial was an invited guest or not. She told him everything that had happened. Trust was a fragile commodity, one she couldn’t afford to do without, where Vistyral was concerned. What surprised her was that Borrial didn’t even try and dispute her story. He just raised his shoulders in a shrug.

“Oh well, we take our chances and then live with them. Well little brother, here is a situation for you, if you tell, you will become king, I will be imprisoned. If you tell, however, you will lose your chance at your love. Which will it be, king of Karrondor or your love and your chance at being king of Artermador. You can’t have it both ways you know you can appoint a duke regent for Cryarlac but you cannot appoint someone else to rein as king in your absence while you go run another country. If I know you, and I think I do, you will let me apologize to Mirtar here and let me get on with making her available so you can ask her to marry you. She seems to be the only person in the world who doesn’t know you are in love with her.”

Vistyral heard Mirtar gasp when Borrial said he was in love with her. He wondered if that meant that she was happy or unhappy now that she knew.

“Mirtar, what do you want me to do to him? Mind you I’ll make the final decision but you are the one most offended by this.”

“I loathe him; the two of you could not be more different than if you were fire and water.

You ask Borrial how I can tell you apart. It is easy; you have an aura of evil, death, and destruction. Vistyral has an aura of goodness, peace, and love. That is not new, that goes back as far as I can remember.

I’ll never forget that you entered my bed chamber uninvited and then refused to leave when pressed to do so. You intended me bodily harm and mental distress.

You tried to interfere with my relationship with your brother by making me hate the face he wears. I’ll tell you, you do not look alike, not in the least, in that you would have failed.

Vistyral, you ask me what I want. I want him dead, but I cannot have that. Instead, I would have him taken out of my room and down to where the men practice, I would have the best swordsman of Mentel and Victorial spar with him and open the cut I gave him so he can explain away his injury.”

Borrial smiled and Vistyral gripped his sword tighter.

“Then I would have him write up right here and right now a document granting independence for Cryarlac when he becomes king and seal and sign it in front of those two men. I use them since they are aware of this situation and could testify of it in the future.”

Borrial became enraged, “Give away part of my future kingdom! You have got to be out of your mind woman.”

“Well let’s see. If I made the charge that you had attempted to rape me, and since it didn’t happen I would be more willing to do so, your father would be forced to disown you and maybe even hang you. How much kingdom would you have then Borrial? Don’t flatter yourself into thinking that your father wouldn’t do it. He would do it to keep from killing thousands of innocent men in a war with Artermador, and likely Fulsimter, without Cryarlac and its army to help him.”

Borrial paled, he knew she was right. “Give me pen and parchment. I’ll write a proclamation, I’ll present it to father tonight for his ratification.”

“Is this all right with you Vistyral?” She asked.

He was amazed; she had in a matter of sixty seconds bent the future king of the strongest nation in the world to her will. She could be hard as steel and soft as velvet.

If he wasn’t sure if marrying her was the right thing before, he certainly knew so now. She was the most wonderful woman that he knew. He nodded his assent.

Then she turned to Borrial, and picked up his declaration of emancipation for Cryarlac. “Vistyral, would you help me back into my dress, I am somewhat uncomfortable running around like this in front of people.

Vistyral helped her back into her dress and hoped she didn’t notice that his hands were trembling. She tied it back in the front and then she turned her wrath to Borrial.

“You will present this at dinner tonight, before you ransom my dowry. You will do so in front of the entire assembly. Afterward, I will give this to Vistyral, who will hang on to this. As long as you act responsibly as a king, it will never be presented to the Kings’ Council. If you ever act in malice in any way toward your brother, or to me, he will present this document, dated this day signed by your father, your brother and my parents, along with the written testimony of these two witnesses that saw what you were attempting to do here today, duly deposed before a Judge of Karrondor and Mon Treel himself; you will be disgraced before all the world. You will lose Cryarlac and its income and military might as well.”

Borrial looked as if he was going to vomit. “I understand. You will have no further trouble from me.”

“Understand this, Borrial, I will not hold this over your head for more than I have just exacted from you. As long as you behave yourself, there will be no mention of this from me.”

A knock came at the door, Vistyral opened it Viental holding manacles and leg irons and Mentel and Victorial were there. Vistyral took the irons and manacles and handed them to Borrial.

“Here brother,” he whispered, “a token to remember this day with.”

“Thank-you brother, I will always keep them.” In his mind he added “and someday I will put them on you.”

“Viental,” Borrial said, “which of these soldiers is the better swordsman? I wish some practice.”

“Mentel is better with the knife, your grace, Victorial is better with the sword.”

“Victorial, may I have the pleasure of you as a sparring partner in the practice field in ten minutes. Full contact, mind you, I absolve you of any damage to me.”

Victorial’s eyes seemed to light up, “as you wish your grace. I’ll try to give you some true practice.”

Borrial strode from the room without another word. He had to allow this man to strike him on the sword arm; he didn’t have to like it.

Viental turned to Vistyral, “what may I ask is going on here?”

“Viental if you want to be Captain of the King’s Guard after my father dies, you don’t want to know, and you will make as big a show as you can of not knowing. Things have changed, I cannot leave these two men here, but I think I can send them somewhere for training that will be almost as good as what you could do. As a favor, could you send two of your most trusted men to guard this hallway, please?”

“Yes, Duke Vistyral.” He turned and walked away.

To Victorial he said, “Don’t get too fancy, and strike him on the cut he has, and then refuse to fight him further and no strikes elsewhere first.”

Victorial looked disappointed but answered quickly, “Yes Duke Vistyral.”

To both of his personal guards he said, “Your lives are in great danger here. Once you are done there, return here. Do not let each other out of your sight, and do not leave this hallway. No one is allowed into a room without the occupant of the room giving permission first.”

They answered together, “Yes your grace.”

He waited until the two men had disappeared down the hall then he went to a pull and signaled with a bell three rings. In a few minutes the chamber-boy for his room appeared.

“Princess Mirtar is waiting for her servant Alexar, Please find her and bring her here immediately.”

“Yes, your grace.”

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yes, Duke Vistyral?”

“How many rings for her chambermaid?”

“Two rings to call the chambermaid sir and one for her parents’.”

“Thank-you.”

“I’ll go find her servant now your grace.”

“Very well.”

He rang the bell twice and in a moment Mirtar’s chambermaid arrived. She curtsied to the princess and to the duke.

“The princess has had a very upsetting time. Her servant has not been brought to her and she has an important dinner this evening with King Lamercal and her parents, I have sent my chamber-boy to find her servant, and I would like you to stay with her until her servant arrives.”

“Yes, your grace.”

To Mirtar, he said I “will remain outside your door until some guards arrive. There are certain people in this castle whose lives are in danger. Keep that in mind.”

Viental arrived with two guards. He stationed them in front of the princess’s room.

He turned to them and said, “no one, I mean NO ONE is to be admitted to this room without receiving permission from the princess herself. If King Lamercal himself desires to pass and the princess says no, you are to protect the door to the shedding of blood. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?”

“Yes sir, captain sir.”

“Another thing, anyone requesting entrance to the princess’s room must be duly logged in and out. One of you is to block the way while the other goes to request audience.”

“Yes sir, Captain Sir.”

Viental turned to the princess and said, “Your grace is there anyone you wish to allow to pass unchallenged?”

“Yes, my parents, and my servant, Alexar.”

Viental turned back to his men, “Make a note of it. All others are to be challenged. Is there anything else, Duke Vistyral?”

“Yes, shortly Mentel and Victorial will be returning here, I would like these men to coordinate efforts with them.”

“As he commands.” Viental barked.

“Yes sir, Captain sir.”

Vistyral turned to Mirtar, “Until dinner then.”

“I am looking forward to it Duke Vistyral.”

He turned and with Viental walked away. “Are these good men?”

“Trust me, they are the best.”

“I do trust you Viental, but for your own good, you need to stay away from me. My brother and I have broken for good. I have had to do things today that he will never forget or forgive. Just so you know, don’t ever let on that you know, or your live won’t be worth a pile of garbage, Mentel, Victorial, and I came upon him trying to rape the princess.”

“That contemptible lowlife, I’ll...”

“You’ll do absolutely nothing! I mean that. When my father dies you will probably be assigned to Captain at Arms. That is the worst he can do to you for all your years of service. He will want his man as Captain of the Guard.”

“Yeah, and I know who that will be, Mendrel; another lowlife like the prince himself.”

“The most you can do for Karrondor is to stay informed on what is going on. Serve faithfully, hopefully he will become the kind of king that father has been.”

“Somebody is dreaming, Duke Vistyral.”

“Do your best and if things ever get too bad, I could use you at Cryarlac if he will release you.”

“I can always resign or retire if it gets too bad, and I would be happy to come to Cryarlac; and help you there, Duke.”

“You are welcome to come, but you probably won’t find me there. Maybe at first, but eventually, I will be in Artermador.”

“Will you be there as king? Marvelous, there will be someone to check your brother.”

“For your own good, act hostile toward me for the rest of my visit here. I wish you no harm. My life is in danger here, Borrial was behind the assassination attempt this morning, and that was before this afternoon. Mentel, Victorial, and Mirtar’s lives are in danger as well. He was humiliated by Mirtar. She made him sign a proclamation giving Cryarlac independence. He is to present it to Father tonight for his signature. I expect that he will sign it with no hesitation. He will probably have me pledge to give military assistance in the event of hostilities. He will want me to sign a non-aggression clause that will return control of Cryarlac to the crown if I ever initiate hostilities against Karrondor. Cryarlac would be a very small country; I would probably keep the title of Duke for the ruler of it, maybe Prince. I’d have to think about that.”

Viental took his hand, “May the Gods of Karron always bless your soul Duke Vistyral, you’re a good man. I’ll be hostile to you from now on. The more hostile I act, the more you will know that I love you.”

“Thank-you Viental; may the Gods of Karron keep you.” He turned and walked down the hall to see his father.

As he arrived at his father’s door, he thought that he should tell his father in private the things that had transpired. Then he dismissed the thought because his father would only think him scheming for favor over Borrial.

He requested audience with his father and waited while one of his father’s personal guards went in to request admittance. He returned shortly and opened the door to admit him.

His father was lying down resting, but he waved him in to the room. “Come in, my son, this is probably the last time in quite some time that we will talk together.”

“Father, it is probably the last time we will talk together alone. Borrial gets nervous when I speak to you without him present.”

“I wonder why that is.” He looked at Vistyral with the penetrating gaze of an eagle. Vistyral knew better than to answer the question; they both knew the answer.

“Vistyral, I love you and want the best for you. Ask princess Mirtar to marry you. I must leave this kingdom in the hands of your brother, but I will feel better if I know you will be there to balance him in the politics of the world.”

“Father, I am no balance for him in politics, I am a good manager, I know what is important and what makes things work, and I am a good diplomat. When it comes to the intrigues of international politics, I fear Borrial has no rival.”

“No, there is someone who can best him every time, Princess Mirtar. She lacks many of the talents that you possess in great abundance, and she can teach you to deal with your brother. You would make a good team like your mother and I were. Soon now we will be together again.

Vistyral, I want you to know that I am probably a fool to leave this kingdom to your brother. I know what kind of a man your brother is. I have prayed to the Gods of Karron to take him before me, so I could leave this kingdom in good hands. It is not to be – whatever happens will happen.

I believe that the accident that killed Krakal was no accident. Your brother plans to take control of Fulsimter and have their navy at his command. What he plans after that I cannot say, but I expect that you will have to destroy your brother with the sword. That is why I sent you to squire with Mastral. He was the best military mind in the world, until you.

He told me that you started learning from him and learned and learned, and then you began teaching him. Most of the strategies he used to defeat the western and central armies were designed by you. That is why you received the title, Defender of the East. I trust that the war games have continued to be successful for the eastern army.”

“We have yet to lose, Father.”

“Vistyral, you do not know the pain this conversation is causing me, yet I must say these things. You owe it to me, to all our ancestors, to bring your brother down if he does what I fear he is already planning to do.

“The attempt on your life, and the attempted rape of princess Mirtar were his doing. I sent two of my most trusted men to her room to protect her. They got there just a few minutes after you and they told me that you had intervened. If your life was in danger before, it is doubly so now, as is hers. I can only do so much now even as king. My body is dying and I must rely too much on others. Borrial knows this and he has taken license to begin running things. I am surprised that he hasn’t set himself up as Prince Regent, but I have told him that I plan to abdicate after his wedding.

“Marry this lovely woman, love her and cherish her. I know she will make you happy and you will do the same for her. In cold hard truths, without her, you are no match for your brother, he is too ruthless; so even if you don’t love her, marry her if she will have you, so you can save the world from your brother.”

“I planned to ask her father, I do think she will accept.”

“I know your brothers plan this afternoon was to poison her to our family so she would not marry you; that and his perverse need to dominate everyone around him. You have managed to avoid his humiliating you and your wife to be this time, maybe you can continue.”

“I don’t think that is possible, Father, Mirtar forced him to grant independence to Cryarlac this afternoon. He will present it to you at dinner before he ransoms her dowry. She has promised to allow me the option to remain part of the kingdom as long as he makes no effort to act against her or me.”

“I hope that was not a foolish move on her part. She usually knows what she is doing. He won’t rest until the document is back in his hands, then heaven help both of you. I give my permission, I don’t like seeing my kingdom cut up into pieces, but it will give you a foothold on this continent if you need it. I expect that is why she did it.”

“I think the reason she did it was to reward me for helping her, and to protect the people of Cryarlac from his vengeance if I leave it in the hands of a regent.”

“Have you given that a thought as to who your regent will be?”

“Yes I have, if I need a regent, I will appoint Chertal. He is almost as good at military strategy as I am. He is even better at politics than I am and being the son of a baron of Cryarlac should make him acceptable since he cannot become a baron himself as long as he is my regent.”

“Be sure that you handle personally any disputes involving his family or their manor. That way, a claim of partiality cannot be used against you or Chertal. May the Gods bless you, my son; I will probably not get a chance to talk to you alone again.”

Vistyral got up and left the room by the back entrance.

*****

The dining hall was in its entire splendor. The most lavish and sumptuous feast Vistyral had ever seen was prepared for tonight. At least Borrial wasn’t being disrespectful. Of course after what he had attempted this afternoon, had he been successful, this would have been another humiliation for Mirtar having to sit through this wonderful feast next to Borrial.

It made his skin crawl to see them side by side at the center of the table. She was on his right her parents were sitting on her right and since they had no other children, Koripak sat to their right. To Borrial’s left was Lamercal, Vistyral, and then Kaymar their younger sister. To Kalmar’s left were Valedif as a guest of state and then Thorak who completed the head table. Since this was not a state dinner, all the Dukes and other nobles had not been invited. The other tables were used for the staff of the castle.

Borrial was making no show of any humiliation he may have had to suffer today. The feast was finally over and business could begin. He stood and offered a toast to Mirtar.

Vistyral felt tense, he looked to his right and saw his father’s knuckles white as the gripped the edge of the table, Mirtar’s hands were folded calmly in her lap and she was looking at her plate. She would have to offer a toast to Borrial before it was all over.

Suddenly, Vistyral was furious at his brother. The shock of what had happened this afternoon ended as he looked at Mirtar readying herself to offer a toast to a man who was so sick and depraved that he didn’t deserve to live.

Almost as if he read his mind, Borrial looked at Vistyral and smiled his most charming smile. He forced himself to return the smile and nod slightly; after all, he was the prince.

At last Borrial spoke, “Years ago, my parents and King Montrosal and Queen Vertimar entered into an agreement that betrothed the beautiful Mirtar and me. Over the years both countries have benefited from the trade and good relationships that have prevailed as a result of this betrothal.

Now we are both adults, and we are both able to make decisions for ourselves and for those that we will someday rule. Both the princess and I thank our parents for their foresightedness in developing a strong alliance.”

He pulled a paper out of his satchel and handed it to his father and another to Vistyral. Lamercal opened it and looked very surprised.

“I have handed my father and brother articles of complete independence for the Duchy of Cryarlac. If he agrees with my recommendation, Cryarlac will become an independent nation comprising what is now the Duchy of Cryarlac, and all lands now known as the Bermaldine Wastelands, subject of course to any claims made upon such wastelands by peoples we are not yet aware of. This also includes all lands which are now considered part of Cryarlac to the north and east of Vermath up to the Kingdom of Drathmire.”

Vistyral’s mind was racing. What was his brother doing? Suddenly it became clear. Borrial was making an independent nation of Cryarlac, so he wouldn’t have to watch Drathmire. If they ever invaded southward again, his country wouldn’t have to worry about defending against them. Cryarlac would stand alone.

In addition, Cryarlac had no port. All exports would have to go down the Mangoso Divide and since the Bermaldine Wastelands didn’t start until the other side of the Bermaldine Mountains, all imports and exports would be subject to a transportation tax down either the Krakowal River or down the Mangoso.

Borrial would bleed Cryarlac dry, and then offer back his protective arm when the people had rejected Vistyral as King because their lives were worse off than before.

Surely his father wouldn’t sign this request. This was not what Mirtar had requested it was turning something good into utter disaster!

He looked over to where Mentel and Victorial were standing and nodded. They both jumped to attention and saluted the prince. They could not understand the implications of what was happening. He looked at Mirtar and she was still sitting with her hands in her lap looking at her plate.

Lamercal took out his pen and his sealing wax. He couldn’t wait any longer, he stood.

“If you will pardon the interruption, Prince Borrial, I would like to say a few words before this document is signed, since I have some small interest in this document.”

“Of course Duke Vistyral, what would you like to say?”

“I am not convinced that this document as it is now written is in the best interests of either Karrondor or Cryarlac. First of all Cryarlac has no port. Both the Krakowal River and the Mangoso Divide are large enough for all known craft. Rites of passage are not covered in the articles of independence, neither is a mutual defense agreement. Karrondor would be giving up over one third of its military might. An agreement requiring one country to come to the aid of the other in case of invasion would serve the military needs of both countries. Also there is no mention of tariffs or import and export taxes. The people of both countries would have to see this as a positive and progressive action.

I am in agreement that the Bermaldine Wastelands need exploring and settling, and we now know that another group of Elves live somewhere across the Bermaldine. We have many sons of nobility who have nothing to inherit that would gladly take a portion of the Bermaldine and build it up and develop it.

This is a wonderful Idea, and very unselfish of you, Brother, few who stand ready to inherit all would make such a generous gesture as you have. In a short time, these questions can be addressed, and then perhaps before the rest of the Dukes of the Kingdom where their concerns can be addressed, this can be completed.”

Lamercal rose. “I am pleased with what I have heard from both of my sons here today. I am in agreement with Borrial that these new areas need to be explored and settled if possible. It is true that even with brothers, all aspects of this agreement need to be fully explored.

This is something I should have thought of years ago myself. Congratulations Borrial, you have come up with a wonderful idea; and Vistyral, your foresight in potential weaknesses in the articles shows that your training in diplomacy was not wasted. I will sign this document, or one like it, within the next two months.

At the funeral of Krakal, I will ask all of the other dukes of the kingdom to return here for a conference on autonomy for Cryarlac and the unclaimed lands north and west. I feel much better now.” He sat down smiling.

For just a second, Vistyral thought that he saw a look of annoyance on Borrial’s face then it was impassive. Mirtar was looking at him and was smiling as if she was pleased with the way he had handled himself. He gave her a smile and a slight bow.

Borrial went on as if nothing had happened. “Well, now that business is at least started, we can get on with the real reason we are all here. Now that Mirtar and I are old enough to make our own decisions regarding our lives and the directions our countries will take. Because of this I am requesting a ransom of her dowry.”

He signaled to a guard in the back of the dining area. The doors were thrown open and fifteen chests were brought in. Each chest was in turn thrown open and was filled with gold bekars.

“I present to princess Mirtar Two hundred and sixty thousand and ten bekars, slightly more than double the one hundred thousand was in the princess’ dowry, an even seventeen thousand three hundred, thirty four bekars per chest. If this is satisfactory, I have an absolution of betrothal here for the princess and me to sign.”

Mirtar rose, she didn’t look at Borrial. She stared at the chests of Bekars. “Forgive me for breaking tradition somewhat. There is a precedent however for what I am about to do. Princess Flaviar from Fulsimter almost three hundred years ago was the first to do this, and it has been done three times since.

“In my days of visiting and being visited by my betrothed, I have come to know him as well as a woman can know a man before she decides whether or not marriage to him is the right thing to do. I have also come to know his brother, Vistyral quite well, since he actually spent more time with me than Borrial did on those visits.

“I have been blessed in that my parents have not tried to force me into a marriage of state. This betrothal which is custom for all royal children is as far as they would go in arranging a marriage for me, for now. I realize that it is time for me to marry.”

She turned to look at Borrial and said, “Borrial, I accept your ransom, I also offer it as dowry to another. Vistyral, if you can accept me as your wife it would be my greatest joy, if you do not accept my offer, I stand before the world ready to accept my shame.” Her gaze had shifted from Borrial to Vistyral.

An awkward pause followed. Vistyral suddenly realized that a response was required of him.

He rose looking at her, “Mirtar, I accept you offer, I would have asked you later this evening and you could have saved this dowry, but yes, I accept your offer with all of my heart.”

“I suspected that your intent was to ask my hand in marriage but in my life prophesy, which was given to me by Koripak it said, ‘You will choose a fine leader and a loving man to be your husband and to share your kingdom with you, you will not wait to be asked but will take the lead and ask him to marry you.’ I guess that is why I had to ask you here and now.”

She turned to Koripak, “Did I do the right thing?”

He nodded and smiled at her. “You have always done the right thing.”

She picked up her goblet and said, “A toast to Prince Borrial the Star of Karrondor, Keeper of the Flame of Karron, and Holder of the Keys of the city of Karron for making this engagement possible.”

Vistyral was proud of her. She was required to offer a salute to him and she managed to do so in a way that gave Borrial no honor.

Borrial was obviously put out. Because Mirtar had asked Vistyral to marry him, and as crown princess, this was her right, their engagement announcement could precede that of Borrial and Lymar as could her wedding. If Vistyral had asked her, then by custom, they would have had to wait until Borrial announced his engagement to announce theirs, and their wedding would have had to wait until after Borrial’s as well.

He stood and raised his goblet. “A toast to the future king and queen of Artermador, may they reign together wisely and happily and may their days be long upon the land.”

Etiquette dictated that he use their honorific titles. Those titles were, Vistyral, Duke of Cryarlac, Guardian of the East, Torchbearer of Arborlea, (and now) Keeper of the Flame of Artermador; and Mirtar, Princess of Artermador, holder of the Candle of Light, (and now) Keeper of the Light of Artermador, but no one objected so it went unsaid.

After the banquet and the entertainment, Borrial rose, and indicating that the next day was a travel day to a funeral, that the party was at an end. It was about 2:00 in the morning and they had to be away in the morning, early.

Vistyral made his way down to the garden he sat down in the grass and waited for Mirtar. He had given Mentel and Victorial the assignment of watching over her and her servant, Alexar until the wedding. He knew that they would keep a close watch on her.

She entered quietly, and strode over to where he was. She knelt before him and said, “Vistyral please forgive me for ruining your plans for this evening. I could tell from the way that you were and still are looking at him that you hate him. You cannot show that kind of emotion in public.”

“I know that, I’m sorry, I will be fine by morning, and I don’t hate him he is my brother; but when I saw what he attempted to do...”

She put her hand on his lips; it was so soft. He had never felt anything so wonderful on his lips. “It is all right, he didn’t succeed because of you. I want you to know I didn’t ask you to marry me because of what you did for me this afternoon; I have wanted to be your wife since I was fourteen.

I asked you to marry me so we would not have to wait for Borrial’s schedule. You would have been obligated to wait at least thirty days after Borrial’s wedding to announce our engagement. I was not held by that bond as princess of another country so if I asked you, we could set our own schedule. I want it to be as soon as it can all be arranged.”

“Will you allow me to ask you now?”

“It would please me greatly.”

He knelt and took her soft, delicate hand, “Will you marry me Mirtar? If you do, I will be the luckiest man in the world.”

She looked at him, he was looking at her with that same look he always had when she came to visit in the past. She quietly cast a spell that Veritak had taught her. It allowed the caster to tell if another was telling the truth. It wasn’t always effective, the stronger willed the person was, the easier it was to break the spell.

He looked as if he felt the spell, but he made no effort to break it. She was sure that his will was strong enough that he could have broken it if he wished.

“Do you love me Vistyral?”

“Yes, I have been in love with you for years, since even before you were fourteen. I always felt that you loved me too, but that you couldn’t show it because you were betrothed to Borrial.”

“Do you want to marry me because I am Princess of Artermador?”

“No, that has been the biggest stumbling block for me. I love Cryarlac and would have happily lived there as duke for the remainder of my life. I would have preferred it if you were a second daughter or even a milkmaid or something common like that. Hopefully, if you will marry me, you and I will be able to do more for the world than I could alone in Cryarlac.”

She could see he was telling the truth. “Yes, Vistyral, I will become your wife.” She canceled the spell.

“Why did you cast the spell on me?” He asked.

She looked embarrassed, her face flushed, and she looked down.

“Forgive me; I’ll never do it again. I did it because I would be your wife for any reason, but it was important for me to know that you truly love me for who I am not for what I am. Many would have me for a wife simply because it would put them on a throne. I am sorry that I did it.”

“Its okay, do you believe me?”

“Yes, and I promise I’ll never put another spell on you unless you ask me to.”

“Why are you studying magic?”

“I just recently received my life prophesy. It was just a few weeks ago. Most of it told of challenges that I would have and how I could overcome them. One of the things that I was told was that my learning magic would be an important part of my life.”

“I don’t think that Borrial or I ever received a life prophesy, I wonder why?”

She shook her head and thought that it was probably because Thorak could not bear to put into words the horror that he saw when he placed hands on Borrial’s head. If Borrial didn’t have one, Vistyral couldn’t get one either.

“Well Vistyral, I must bid you goodnight. Will you ride with us to Fulsimter tomorrow?”

“I’ll let you know in the morning. My father may want to cover more of my visit to Arborlea. We cut it short today after we realized you were here.”

She started to go but he took her hand and pulled her to him. He gently pressed his lips against hers. He had never experienced anything like it in his life. She stepped away from him and staggered for a second. She looked him in the eye, smoothed her dress, smiled, and left the garden.