Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the world in which they live. They belong to he wonderfully talented Sherwood Smith. This my take on Savona's thoughts and feeling as well as what you didn't see of him. I stole the title from Oscar Wilde.
Chapter One
Staring out my window overlooking Athanarel's gardens, I wondered if I would ever see my cousin Vidanric again. In court that day, King Galdran had announced that Vidanric, Marquis of Shevraeth and heir to the Principality of Renselaeus would be the new commander of Galdran's war against the Astiar's rabble of villagers.
Debegri, the King's cousin, had been shamed for the entire kingdom to see. Galdran wanted blood, but he also wanted to save face. Vidanric was known as a court dandy without anything in his head except fashion, gambling, and women. Galdran believed that Vidanric would fare far worse in squelching the small revolt in the east, and that Debegri's failures would look like magnificent successes compared to the Vidanric's believed prowess. I knew my cousin to be much more than that. Vidanric was much keener then Galdran, most of the court was, but Vidanric was the best at concealing his true self from the evil King. That and Vidanric was well trained in warfare and command at the infamous academy at Marolven Hess. Not that Galdran was aware of that fact. This new revelation blew our family's plans for a much more low key revolution to the wind. We were counting on having more time, for letting Galdran orchestrate much of his undoing on his own.
Angry at fate, I cursed Galdran. Was this to be another ploy to decimate the noble houses so Galdran could hold even more control of the kingdom? Probably. Accident after accident still befell those nobles courageous or stupid enough to cross our King. Besides, Galdran could always send his vast army to kill the Astiars later. Until then, he would play with his victims and possibly get rid of Vidanric. Then Galdran would be free to take back the county of Shevraeth and do what he willed with the principality of Renselaeus once Vidanric's aging parents passed away. If I could, I would kill the King myself, to hell with the consequences. I sent up a silent prayer to the stars that Vidanric would return alive and we would all emerge from this unscathed.
The next morning, just before dawn, I said my farewells to Vidanric in the courtyard in front of the garrison.
I embraced him and whispered in his ear, "Good luck cousin and come back alive, or I shall never forgive you. Who will I wager with if you do not? " giving him a rakish grin as we pulled away.
Smiling at my apparent selfishness, he responded lightly, "I have every intention of keeping my head Russav. I will write you as often as I can." He knew of my concerns and had reassured me the night before that his family's plans would run smoothly. I still had reservations. Danric's goal, as discussed with his parents, would be to intimidate the Tlanthi and force them off to withdraw from the field. An uncontrolled army such as theirs would only lead to more bloodshed.
After saying a farewell to his mother, I watched Danric ride out the gates.
A/N: Okay, not much really happening, just background and setting up the story, but I promise there will be more action, and Tamara will make her appearance soon. Please review! This is my first fanfic.