Disclaimer: I do not own the "Fable" universe. Characters you do not recognize were created by me for the purposes of this story. Thank you for reading\reviewing! I hope you all enjoy this latest chapter - Fallon.
Chapter Two
Logan sat alone in his war room, a full glass of whiskey in his hand and a scowl on his face. He sat slumped in his plush velvet armchair looking out the window at the city below.
His sister had been gone a week, and he had given up hope that she'd return. It was a fools hope of course, but he had allowed himself that as a small glimmer of light in the darkness of his life. He knew her leaving was meant to be, the blind seer had made everything perfectly clear. Rebecca was long gone, far from the castle and the pain he had caused her. He rubbed the side of his head with his free hand. She had her own path to follow now and Logan had his own, all he could do now was play his part of the game and hope Rebecca forgave him in the end.
He took a long swig of whiskey, savouring it's taste as it swirled over his tongue. His body was screaming for rest, but he didn't see the point. Sleep only brought nightmares.
A firm tap on his door tore him from his thoughts. "Enter." He said coldly.
The door opened with a soft whine and an older man entered. "May I have a word sir?"
Logan finished his drink, setting the empty glass down hard on the table beside him. He motioned for the man to step closer, not even bothering to look up to look the man in the eyes. "What is it Wilhelm?"
The man cleared his throat. "You'll be interested to know I've found a potentially interesting addition to the line up of musicians you have selected for the ball."
Logan groaned, not even bothering to hide it from the nobleman. His advisers had come up with the idea as a way of lifting the spirits of the people, and of course winning over powerful aristocrats who could side with his sister against him. He dreaded the idea of bending to the will of the bickering nobility, but saw the wisdom of the plan and conceded even though it meant playing their game for a night.
"Have you?" He glanced at the man from the corner of his eye. "Do tell Wilhelm, don't keep me in suspense." His voice was laced with ice, but if the bumbling nobleman noticed he said nothing.
Again the man cleared his throat. "I attended the Archer – Keeley wedding earlier today as a guest of the brides` family. During the reception a veiled woman appeared and sang the most beautiful song I've ever heard."
Logan stood and straightened the sash that lay over his armoured chest piece. "So, you heard a pretty song!" He hissed. "Good for you Wilhelm, good for you."
Wilhelm shook his head. "Nay sire, it was the girl's voice! She could have sung about dung and it would have been as beautiful as a rose!"
The King looked down at the short, balding man. "Do you speak such words to your wife good man Wilhelm?"
The man seemed to catch on that the King wasn't taking him seriously. "Sire, it would be a sin not to give the girl a chance. I asked her father, she has no patron. Her voice would be an asset to your court."
Logan folded his hands behind his back as he walked to the table map of Albion. "Why should I care Wilhelm?"
"She could weave grand songs for you sire! Spread your good name to the corners of Albion and remind the citizens who wears the throne." He was determined to make Logan understand. "But I can not describe to you fully how talented she is, you have to hear her sing for yourself your highness."
Logan sighed. Wilhelm had been a noble at the castle for as long as he could remember. The old man had even advised Logan's mother for a time, along side Sir Walter Beck. "What is her name?"
"Milena Archer, she is the only daughter of Braydon Archer." Wilhelm said grandly. "She's eighteen."
The Archer name was known to Logan, but he was only aware of the eldest boy whose marriage had just been announced. He would be lying to himself if he said he was not intrigued. Wilhelm was a rational man who never exaggerated and it was clear this girl's voice had moved him. "And why does she wear a veil?"
Wilhelm curled his moustache between his fingers. "Ask her yourself my liege."
Logan poured himself another glass of whiskey. "Draft an invitation demanding the Archer girl sing for me during this...ball." He sneered the word. "And Wilhelm?"
"Yes sire?"
Logan brushed back his hair with a elegant flick of his hand. "Make sure it is clear that this is her only chance."
Wilhelm nodded and quickly left Logan to his whiskey. He remembered the first time he met the feared king, back when the old hero-queen was alive and in her prime. Wilhelm had been summoned by the Queen to the throne room and had seen the young boy clinging to his mother's skirt. He was no older than six and had a innocent, plump face and bright, hopeful eyes. Wilhelm sadly wondered what Aurelia the Sparrow would think if she saw her beloved Logan now.
The next night...
The house was quiet save the soft sound of a well crafted lute.
Braydon Archer calmly played the impressive instrument, enjoying the few minutes of peace the strings brought him. Elijah was long gone, headed to Bowerstone Market to enjoy his life of wedded bliss in his new home with his new wife.
His son's absence troubled him deeply, but he dare not say a word to his wife.
He abruptly stopped playing and looked up from the floor. Milena stood silently in the doorway. Her veil was gone and he could see his daughter's eyes shining in the dimly lit room.
"Come in dear..."
She sat on the chair across from her father and placed her hands demurely on her lap. "I couldn't sleep, I keep worrying about Elijah."
"I worry about him too, but I spoke to him before he left and he felt better when he boarded the carriage."
"What did you say to him?" She asked, curious as to what he could have said to ease her brother's worries. She was not afraid that her father would lash out at her for her question, that was something only her mother did.
"What all father's need to tell their sons." He said with a smirk. "When you get married, your mother will tell you what you need to know."
That thought didn't sit well with Milena, but she held her tongue.
Her father set his lute aside and produced a tightly bound scroll with an elaborate seal that had been cracked open. "We've been invited to the castle..."
She lowered her head. "I'm sure you and mother will have a great time."
He shook his head. "You and I."
She perked up, but her surprise was immediately replaced by terror. "Why?"
"A nobleman close to the King asked me after the reception if you had a patron, one who funded your musical talents, I said that you did not." He smiled slightly. "It seems he spoke with the King, who has granted you a single chance to prove yourself worthy of his patronage."
Milena gasped at her father. "The King's patronage? I don't want it!"
"Don't be silly dear."
Milena could feel her face flush. "I'm not silly, Peter told me what the King has been doing and I want nothing to do with a man like that!"
"Even if it meant financial freedom?" He gave her a sceptical look. "Patronage could bring you all the beautiful dresses you could ever desire and a fancy home to call your own! It could even fetch you an influential husband!"
"Is that what this is about father?" She could feel her eyes watering and she fought not to run back to the safety of her room. "Do you think that without a rich patron I will be an old maid? That no one will want a scarred wife without it?" Her voice cracked as she shook with anger and shame.
He shook his head adamantly and reached out to grasp her hands. "I want you to be happy Milena!"
"I am..."
"No you're not, don't you think I know that?" He lowered his voice. "Prove yourself worthy of the King's patronage and be free of your mother; be your own person."
Milena couldn't doubt the wisdom of her father's words. A patronage could allow her the freedom she had always secretly desired, especially if her patron was a member of the royal family.
When she was a child she always dreamed about an elegant life in a castle. The courtly romance and escape it offered seduced her at a young age and she read many tales of princes and the great deeds they did to earn a woman's love. She wanted to see it for herself, go beyond the pages and see it in the flesh.
"What does the letter say?"
He handed her the parchment and watched her face as she scanned it. "What do you think Milena?"
She rolled it back up and shrugged. "You are my father, you can demand I go."
"Yes, I'm sure I could." He admitted. "But I would rather not."
She nodded. "I accept then. A chance for patronage is a blessing, even if it is from a tyrant."
Braydon squeezed her hands. "Then we leave in the morning."
"What about mother? Will she let me go?"
"You let me worry about her dear." Braydon said with a wink. "Go and get some sleep while you can."
She stood to leave. "Thank you father."
He watched her as she left but stood suddenly before she ascended the stairs. "And Milena?"
"Yes?"
Braydon smiled proudly at her. "I am very proud of you my dear."
Milena`s face brightened at his sincerity. "I love you."
"I love you too."
She ran up the stairs as silently as she could and jumped into bed. Wrapping the sheets around her until she was cocooned, she desperately tried to allow sleep to claim her. Her stomach churned with a mix of emotions that made her sweat and wring her hands. She thought about what she would say to the King when she met him. Would she curtsey or bow? Dress simply or elegantly?
Before Peter told her about what the King was like, she had heard some of the woman in the region gossiping about the king. Some of what she over heard claimed he was incredibly beautiful, but others swore he was a pale, sickly thin and very scarred man.
She yawned.
Milena wondered why people had such differing impressions of him, they had all seen the same man after all, right? How could the same man be both ugly and beautiful? She brushed it off for the moment as sleep was proving a difficult thing to resist. Whatever the king really was, she would find out for herself in the morning.
