Dawn of Dusk

Vistyral and Mirtar dressed for dinner. Since the status of both had changed, special garments were made for the feast. The colors of Artermador Crimson red, tawny, and sky blue, the colors of Cryarlac, were navy blue, gold, and scarlet. The sigil of Artermador was a sunrise on the sea while the sigil of Cryarlac the stag on a mountaintop.

Vistyral wore scarlet pants, Mirtar wore a crimson skirt. Vistyral’s tunic and Mirtar’s blouse had the same design on front. The design showed a crimson sun rising over a navy blue sea with white, tawny, gold, and scarlet clouds in a blue sky. On the right of the design, was a stag standing on a mountaintop. The design incorporated the sigil of Artermador and the sigil of Cryarlac for this one event.

Neither of them knew of the murder that had taken place earlier, and because nothing could be done, they were not disturbed until they were ready to leave their room. Vistyral offered Mirtar his arm, she smiled, put her arm in his and they opened the door to go attend the wedding feast.

There, standing in the anteroom were, Mirtar’s father Montrosal, her mother Vertimar, Veritak, Vistyral’s father Lamercal, Thorak, Shandar, queen of Cathermania and her sorcerer Tekak, Xerusal, king of Verden and his sorcerer Akak, Borrial, Vientak, Lymar, Kaymar, Chertal, Victorial, Mentel, Marshak, and Toverak. Lymar was crying uncontrollably, as was Kaymar. Chertal was glowering at Borrial who was trying to console Lymar.

“What has happened,” Vistyral said, as Mirtar ran over to console Lymar and Kaymar.

“Lemmal is dead, apparently at Lymeel’s hand,” Lamercal said, “then Lymeel killed himself. When they opened the carriage, Lemmal was dead; stabbed in the heart with a poisoned dagger. Lymeel covered in blood and holding the dagger then stabbed himself with the same dagger.”

Borrial stood and shook a piece of parchment, “and we found this in Lymeel’s boot.” Borrial held the parchment out to Vistyral.

Vistyral took the parchment and read it aloud:

Vistyral looked up. “This is either the worst frame ever or both Lymeel and Maltapel were bungling idiots. While I would like to think it is the former, it appears that it was the latter. Where is Prince Maltapel now?”

Borrial took the parchment back and said, “He is being held by my g.. Father’s guards.”

Vistyral let the corner of his mouth raise just enough to let Borrial know he caught his slip.

Lamercal spoke and said, “I have spoken to him, he seems very upset and claims that he never wrote the letter or had any conversation with Lymeel. He seems very distraught.

“Montrosal, this crime took place on your sovereign territory, so ultimately you will preside over the trial in Kings’ court, although I can’t imagine how difficult this trial will be with the evidence collected so far.”

“Well, there are only two things that bother me. I happen to know that there were in fact two attempts on the life of the Duke, I mean Prince Vistyral’s life before the wedding this morning.”

Mirtar perked up, “what? Two attempts on your life?”

Vistyral shook his head and Montrosal said, “And one of them was almost successful, after he survived that, my guards almost undid what your husband’s guards managed to avoid.”

Mirtar looked at her now innocent looking husband and said, “We will talk about his later.”

Vistyral looked back at Montrosal with an accusing look and said, “What is the other thing that is bothering you Montrosal?”

“Oh, did you not tell my daughter about our adventures this morning? She is hard to keep any information from you know.”

“I was concerned with other matters since the wedding.”

Montrosal looked startled, “Oh, yes, well of course, that makes sense.”

“The other thing that was bothering you?”

“Oh, yes, well the letter indicated that a coachman would be there to confess, but the coachman was missing.”

Borrial spoke up, “maybe it was because Lymeel didn’t manage to kill my brother, maybe Montrosal called the coachman off to punish Lymeel.”

“Well now,” Montrosal said as he winked at Vistyral and then turned to look at Borrial, “I hadn’t thought about that. Thank you Borrial for that idea.”

Chertal coughed and Mentel pointedly looked away. Borrial said, “well, I actually found the letter and had the opportunity to read the letter more times, it seems to me that the implication was if Vistyral wasn’t dead, let’s see here it says, ‘First the Duke, then your brother and I will split Artermador into two parts when married to Mirtar and give you a place in the south where you can avoid the cold Fulsimterian winters.’”

Montrosal looked thoughtful, “you know you are right Borrial, that implication is there, I totally missed that when I read it. Thank you.”

“Lamercal spoke up, well the first order of business is setting up a regency for King Maltal since his Regent is now unable to serve, and likely never will again. The entire king’s council is here and will likely approve whatever Montrosal decides.”

Montrosal looked over at his daughter, who is best able to manage Westonisia?”

Without a second’s hesitation, she said “Duke Vantec of Saffron, he is old but still competent, smart, and he is loved by most of the people in his Duchey. He is king Maltal’s brother, Maltapel, was his older brother Flendel’s son. Vantel was the third son and Maltapel was prior in succession as the son of his older brother.”

Xerusal added, “I agree, he is the best Westonisia has.”

Lamercal said, “You are right, Mirtar, he is actually much more competent than Maltapel was.”

“Thorak said, “That is good enough for me, is everyone in agreement?

Borrial looked up and said, “what about Kalamel, Duke of Maltar, he is younger and more likely to rule for a while?”

Vistyral then spoke, “Kalamel is a fool, maybe someday he can rule but for now, he is too malleable. He needs to be stronger; he needs to put his country and his people first. Right now he is so foolish that he would give away a part of his authority to be liked. No, Kalamel is not the ruler for Westonisia right now.”

“Wait brother, he isn’t much younger than you or me, and we can rule.”

“Yes, and we have been prepared from birth to rule. Even though I was not in line to rule, father knew that Cryarlac would need a strong ruler and he prepared me for that while he prepared you for Karrondor. Kalamel was not even expected to inherit; he had three older brothers who all drowned in a shipwreck on their way to a wedding along with their father. They left Kalamel behind to manage things for a fortnight. He has had it now for five years and he is getting better, but he is still not ready to rule a nation.”

Shantar, of Cathermania added, “Kalamel visited recently for Maltapel, he was fairly inept, Vantel will be a better ruler.”

“I agree son, Lamercal said. He isn’t ready to rule. He patted Borrial on the shoulder, I know you two have hunted together, and that you like him but he is not ready to rule and Vantel’s claim to the throne is stronger anyway.”

“We are all in agreement then?” Montrosal said looking at Borrial.

Borrial looked vexed and then smiled, “you are right, of course, it is true that Kalamel and I are old friends we squired together for a short while, and I was thinking of helping a friend rather than a ruler. I am sorry father, I let my personal feelings come before what is best; I won’t let it happen again.”

Lamercal went over to Lymar who had finally managed to gain some control of herself. “My dear, you are to be queen now, you hold Fulsimter’s vote; what do you say?”

“Vantel of course, but frankly my first feelings were to take our navy and lay waste to the entire nation. I understand that the people had nothing to do with it, but my family has had so much tragedy in the last year, I can hardly breathe.”

Mirtar went over to her and put her arms around her, “it will be alright dear. You have to be strong for your people; they are all depending on you.”

Lymar stood and hugged Mirtar tightly, “Thank you. Borrial has been so brave in the investigation, and has sought justice for my brother, he hasn’t had time to comfort me or Kaymar, although I see Vistyral has gone to her. They were to be married you know, Lymeel and Kaymar. They were truly in love, and now she is alone again.”

“Vistyral will help her, they have always been close,” Mirtar said.

“I don’t mean to be a jerk, but almost all of the nobles in the world are waiting to congratulate the newlyweds.” Thorak said, “And the decision of the Kings Council needs to be announced. Mon Treel, you have witnessed these proceedings, and while slightly informal, I believe they are legal. Do you agree?”

“Yes, and I think the council has made a good decision.”

“You will make the announcement then?” Veritak said.

Mon Treel nodded, “yes I will, but I have not seen Vantel, has anyone?”

Vertimar spoke up, “Yes he is here, and he came to me earlier and congratulated me. He should be sitting at the lower front table. Veritak, will you take him aside and invite him to take Maltapel’s place on the high table?”

Veritak nodded and left the room.

She then turned to Mirtar, “I am sorry my dear, this is not going to be the wonderful night we had hoped and planned for you. I am sorry.”

“It is okay mother; we have privilege but with it comes responsibility. What has happened today must not lead to conflict between any of our countries. There is already strife in the north; we need to stay calm and united with all the change. This is the third change in leadership in the last year. That often leads to concern and unrest among the citizens, and that is not good.”

She stood, walked to her husband took his arm and led the group form the anteroom and to the wedding feast. Vistyral looked at her and realized that at nineteen she was so much more composed than he was; her love had already made him more than he was only a few hours ago. He realized that he did truly love her and that protecting her from his brother was his biggest responsibility.

He realized that he was finally ready to fight his brother for the world, because if he lost, she would suffer. Many others would suffer and many would die in his conflict with Borrial; but if he won she would not. He could not allow Borrial to make Mirtar suffer. That of course would be one of the certain consequences if he failed.

The two of them walked into the great hall, the beer, mead and wine had been flowing for a while, but a gasp of appreciation rose form the hall as they entered, followed by a roar of welcome from the guests.