Chapter 2


Another night, another party. Two weeks had passed since Princess Vania's birthday, and he was no closer to finding a wife. Even worse, thanks to Larec's suggestion, he had started comparing each new match against Keladry. All had failed so far. He'd become convinced that Keladry would be perfect, even though he knew marriage would be absolutely impossible. She would have to be the only single woman in Tortall not looking for a husband. Seeing one of the serving boys, he took a glass of brandy and downed it.

"Drowning your sorrows?" A voice behind him said wickedly.

Wyldon didn't bother turning around. "This marriage business is doing my head in," he muttered.

"Are you pining for your warrior maiden already? She does seem to have lost her sparkle, tell me you haven't broken her heart already," Larec teased lightly.

He looked towards Keladry; she did seem a little less animated. Turning back to Larec, he said dismissively, "I doubt she's looking for a husband." Wyldon nodded at a passing noble as their eyes met.

"Maybe she is," Larec remarked coyly. He had the same smug expression Queenscove sometimes had, when he knew something everyone else didn't.

Wyldon scowled at him. "You know my dislike for needless dramatics. Out with it."

"So you are interested in her." Larec grinned conspiratorially at Wyldon. "You've heard of the floods in Northern Tortall?" He nodded. The recent floods had been horrendous, causing massive damage to many of the fiefs and crops in the northern regions. "Well, I hear Mindelan was hit rather hard. And they've been struggling to get funds for crops and rebuilding, because most of their connections are also in the north."

"And you're suggesting..."

"Offer them a bride-price. Mindelan won't refuse, he's too desperate for the money. And if the girl is as virtuous as you say she is, she'd accept without hesitation."

Wyldon considered it, then shook his head. "It wouldn't be right. I would be taking advantage of their situation."

Larec looked as if he wanted to smack Wyldon upside the head. "You would be helping them. It's unlikely they'll find the money they need in such a way as you could offer them. Their people would be able to rebuild their homes and survive through the winter. One girl's hand in marriage isn't all that much to ask in return."

"You make it sound like I'm offering for a horse, not a bride."

"The concept is the same. You may have married Vivenne for love, but you forget that most marriages between nobles are cold hearted arrangements. Marriages are to create new connections, strengthen alliances, and cement agreements." He shrugged. "It may sound cynical, but it's the truth."

"I still don't like it." Wyldon looked at him dubiously.

"You don't have to. The more compassionate you sound, the better the chances of Mindelan accepting your offer. Just think of this as the best chance of getting the Lady Knight to marry you. I'm sure you can sort things out with her once you're married." Larec turned to glare at a young squire who had bumped into him.

Wyldon considered this. "How much do they need?"

Larec looked back at Wyldon. "I'll have to enquire to be sure, but I've heard they need at least thirty thousand gold nobles to make it through the winter and fifty thousand to rebuild properly."

"That's a lot of money." Wyldon took some brandy from a passing serving boy, handing a glass to Larec.

"It is. The question is, is she worth it?"

He sipped his brandy and looked at Larec. "She is."

Wyldon knocked on the door tentatively. He was fairly sure that Baron Piers was at home today, but he was much less certain of how the Baron would take his visit.

The door opened. "My Lord," Conal greeted him, "come in." The young knight was dressed simply in cotton breaches. But beneath his wild hair there were lines under his eyes. Either he had finally grown up, or the family's woes had affected even him.

He gave a small nod in reply, trying his best to settle his nerves. "Is Baron Piers at home? I have I something I wish to discuss with him."

"Of course, Papa's in his study." Conal moved to let Wyldon in and led him to a small room. He was slightly appalled as Conal opened the door without knocking and announced, "Papa, Lord Wyldon is here to see you."

Baron Piers and Lady Ilane looked up from the papers they were poring over, and stood when they saw Wyldon. Both looked weary, as if they hadn't slept for days, and their faces were lined with worry. "Lord Wyldon," Piers welcomed him with a smile, "what brings you here?"

Wyldon felt a pang of guilt as he considered what he was about to do. Conal left as Wyldon entered, closing the door behind him. "Baron Piers. I had a matter I wished to discuss with you." He glanced at Ilane. "Although it may be best if we were alone."

Ilane opened her mouth to speak, but Piers was faster. "Anything you with to say to me may be said in front of my wife as well." He motioned for her to sit back in her chair. "We hold no secrets between us."

Wyldon kicked himself inwardly as he sat down. Insulting them was not the way to begin. "Forgive me, I meant no offence."

The other man smiled pleasantly. "There is none taken. So tell me, what did you wish to discuss?"

He was silent for a moment, forming the words in his head before he spoke. "I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," Wyldon stated carefully.

Piers had an odd look in his hazel eyes, and it took a moment for Wyldon to realise the look was one of confusion. "But surely you know our daughters are all married...unless you mean Kel?" He paused slightly, thinking his thoughts aloud. "But she hasn't given any indication of...you haven't been courting her, have you?" He looked alarmed at the thought.

"Yes, I am referring to Keladry, but she has no knowledge of my intentions, and we most definitely have not been courting."

"I see," Piers said a little tersely. "I am afraid I cannot help you. Our lands have been ravaged by the floods, and we are struggling to find money to help our people through the winter. We cannot afford to marry Keladry off at the moment."

He had seen this coming, and he knew the answer he had to give. "I understand your circumstances. As such, rather than asking for a dowry, I would be willing to offer a generous bride-price for her hand."

"Lord Wyldon, I hardly doubt that –" Piers was interrupted as Wyldon stated the sum of money he would offer. The couple looked at each other, a look of worry coming over their faces, instead of the relief he had envisaged. A moment later, Piers recovered. "That is a most generous sum, but I am afraid the answer is the same."

Wyldon opened his mouth to speak, but Lady Ilane spoke first. "It is not as simple as that, Lord Wyldon. When Keladry decided to become a knight, she also decided against a noble marriage."

Of course she would have, Wyldon thought to himself, and cursed Larec for putting the thought of marrying Keladry in his head. He nodded even as his mind reeled, trying to find a way to salvage the situation. "I understand. But Keladry is a sensible young woman. Surely she would at least consider the option under the circumstances?"

Piers nodded. "We can speak to her on your behalf, and encourage her to consider the proposal. But she is free to make her own decision."

"She is a young knight, and may not wish to be saddled with lands and an obligation to bear heirs." Ilane paused for a moment. "You should also consider that Keladry may no longer have her virtue," she added frankly.

Still unsure of where he stood with Piers and Ilane, Wyldon repeated the answer he had rehearsed. "I am aware of the possibility of her not having her virtue, and it isn't a concern to me." He knew it was likely, considering her relationship with Kennan in her squire years, even though he did not know of any romances she may have had since. Yet a part of him hoped that she hadn't yet taken a lover. "As for heirs, I decided long ago that I was happy enough without a son. If Keladry wishes to have children, I would be happy to have them, but I am not looking for a wife to bear me sons. I want a wife who understands me, and who can be my companion."

"I see." Piers was silent as his eyes met Ilane's. Wyldon knew that they were speaking to each other right in front of him, just without words. It had been the same for him with Vivenne. After a moment, he gave a short nod. "Very well. Then we have an understanding?"

"We have an understanding." Lord Wyldon rose, prompting Piers and Ilane to follow suit as he and Piers clasped hands. "Thank you for your time." He smiled, pleased that he was a step closer to his goal.