Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the world in which they live. They belong to the wonderfully talented Sherwood Smith. I also used dialogue from Crown Duel. This is 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.

I woke the next morning at first green feeling buoyant. Galdran was dead, how could I not have a good day? What I needed was a personal interview with our would-be king, but I wasn't sure if he had the time to humor me. I sent off a note to him asking when he could see me and made certain he knew it was not business related. I was sure there were many more things he needed to do before I made him tell me a story.

Second gold I received a hastily written not from Vidanric requesting my attendance for dinner with him and his mother. He would tell his tale then.

It was a beautiful day, so I left my rooms in pursuit of more diverting pastimes. The winter chill was beginning to lift, but I wore a cloak over my walking clothes to be safe. I hated being cold.

Strolling through the winter gardens, I easily found Tamara surrounded by her usual followers. Her cheeks were slightly pink with cold and her long black curls fell across her deep purple cloak. Her eyes seemed lighted from behind and were framed by those infamous lashes. I could not help but catch my breath. She was beautiful.

"And she can be dangerous," I reminded myself. She was not one to just give her heart away, but then again neither was I.

I approached the group and was greeted by bows, curtsies, and compliments. Most were personal friends, such as Lady Trish, Lady Renna, Lord Deric, and Lord Geral. I noted with distaste Lady Arasa and her brother Lord Olervic. Arasa was the biggest gossip in Athanarel and perused me with little discretion and her brother was always scowling. Not my idea of good company. Standing taller then all his company was Lord Branaric.

As an afterthought, I noticed Lady Nimiar, a cousin of Tamara's and a good friend to Trish and Renna. Though I had known her all my life, I did not know her well. What I did know of her I appreciated. She never gossiped and was kind to all; unique traits among many of our contemporaries. Lady Nimiar and Tamara had an interesting dynamic. Lady Nimiar was not a leader of fashion and a minor member of her family, so Tamara shunned her and rarely recognized Lady Nimiar in public. Nimiar on the other hand was the epitome of graciousness.

"Your Grace," Tamara sweetly addressed me, "Lord Branaric was just finishing his version of the heroic deeds that have transpired of late. I trust you are much relieved to have your cousin back. I speak for us all when I say that the days were rather dull at court without the distraction."

"Indeed, my lady," I replied, "it is good to be returned home though I fear there is much work to be done before peace and order is restored."

"I do hope that all is resolved quickly, recent days having been so distressing. I trust Lord Vidanric is not working too hard. It is a pity he could not join us. How is he passing his day?"

Her tone and her fan gave me the impression that she wanted to claim Vidanric as hers. What was love when a crown was in sight? Those skilled in the art of innuendo saw it too. I was also trapped in the subject. In deference to rank, no one else would speak until I opened the conversation for them to do so. Arasa was watching with bated breath.

Suddenly remembering just why that woman was so dangerous, I steeled my court mask and lightly said "Truth is I do not know where my esteemed cousin is-"

"Oh, he's searching the Merindar house, looking for what else Greedy Galdran was up to," Lord Branaric interrupted. "Said he was up to his neck in paper work too. Glad I'm not in his place!"

For the second time in as many days, Lord Branaric had made a blunder. Slight laughter erupted though no one seemed offended. We were all well aware of his ignorance and could not fault him for it. Besides that he was a hero.

"I expect Lord Vidanric shall be much occupied for some time to come," Trishe spoke up in a friendly, yet quelling tone. The sudden informality of our situation seemed to embolden Lady Nimiar.

"Lord Branaric, I trust you shall remain at court for some time?"
"I hope so," he said with and easy grin. Nimiar blushed slightly as she smiled back. "Our deal with Danric was that we would have a say in the forming government. I'm not sure how much help I can be, Mel's the one with the head for ruling, but I'll try to do whatever I am asked. Besides that, I've never seen so fancy a place. I could get used to this."

Again there was laughter from all, this time much more sincere. There were changes in the future of court, and it was sure to be an interesting time to come. Interesting but difficult. We all bore out scars from Galdran. The darkest day had passed, but the sun had not quite broken on the horizon, I realized. Until there was a king, we were vulnerable. It pushed that idea out of my mind and returned to the conversation.

Most of the walk was spent listening to Lord Branaric's stories of Tlanth and his family. It was an amusing afternoon filled with laughter. Branaric was so unlike any other Lord in Athanarel, but I liked his honesty. He was Vidanric's friend and he would be mine as well. I noticed Lady Nimiar stayed closed to Branaric's side while he shot smiles her way every few seconds.

"They would make a good pair," I thought. "She is the most honest of the court ladies. Too bad I'm not a hero. Not like I wanted to see war, but Vidanric and Branaric are very popular with the women. Especially Tamara."

I quickly dispelled the thought. There was no use as to being jealous, it would gain me nothing. Time passes quickly and I found it necessary to excuse myself to prepare for that evening's dinner.

Later that evening I found myself being lead into the dining room at the Renselaeus' private house in Remalna city. While it was not as opulent as their castle in Renselaeus, it still rivaled the beauty of Athanarel. A doorman announced my presence as Vidanric and Aunt Elestra rose to great me.

"Russav, look at you!" my aunt exclaimed, embracing me as ancient carved doors closed behind me. For so small a woman, she was surprisingly strong. "I think you have grown more handsome since I saw you last. I've missed you."

Smiling down at my aunt I jokingly said "Thank you Aunt, I am not complimented enough. Have you been well this last month?"

"Well in body, but not in mind, my dear. I was very worried for both my boys. Now I have you both home safe and I can rest much easier." She gave a sly grin and added, "What Russav, do you not get enough attention at court?"

"Mother, I do not think Russav ever feels he has enough attention." Danric and I clasped hands. "Good to see you cousin. How do you feel know that you have more competition for the ladies attention?"

"Are we now discussing Lord Branaric? If we are I need not worry about competition from him. He seemed quite enchanted with Lady Nimiar Argaliar this afternoon, and she with him. I do not think he will be available for very long."

My aunt took the opportunity to take both of our arms and lead us to the table.

"Come my lads, we shall eat and talk. Russav tell me of you adventures."

I gave them both my tale, which was not very long or particularly eventful as we ate. By the time we were through with dinner, my tale was done. I was ready for Vidanric's story.

"That's basically all that happened to me," I said as a finish to my tale. "Vidanric, your turn, and your story had better exceed mine in excitement."

"Alright. After Lady Meliara's escape from the royal dungeons, I rode with Debegri for close to a week searching the villages to the east. No one had seen or heard of the Countess and Debegri was becoming restless. As he searched for her blood, I took every opportunity I could to hatch a scheme of what to do when did find her. Debegri vowed she would not get away from him again, so I was not certain I would be able to help her should I need to. The Greens outnumbered my personal men three to one, and I would never be able to attack Debegri himself.

We finally started to hear word of a girl matching Lady Meliara's description and set off down the river road looking for more leads. I soon found out that we were very close on her trail. As we rode to Thorsek, I saw her. She was sitting on the side of the road, watching as we passed. She met my eyes. I had no choice but to keep riding as if I did not know who she was. As we continued our search, we received more sighting of Lady Meliara, but they were not too specific. I distracted Debegri as much as possible. I hoped she would return to Tlanth before she was caught again. Shortly thereafter, she reappeared at Lumm, where she of course disrupted the good Baron's dinner. I realized at that point that I would have to stop making plans since nothing went as I hoped it would.

She had the courage to return to Lumm. Debegri sent me to search the section of town she had disappeared into. I had no choice but to order my men to do so. If I hadn't, she wouldn't have run into Debegri's arms. When I meet up with his forces again, he informed me that Meliara was in his custody and being taken to Chovilun, and I, as well was my men, were free to do as I pleased. I changed my plans for approximately the fifteenth time in three weeks. I left, giving Debegri a story of how horrible life on the road was and that I would be returning to the luxuries of the palace in all due haste.

We left, riding to the west. As soon as it was safe, I was forced to explain to the men my true intentions. It was our duty to rescue the lady. The ridings and I drove our horses hard as we rode back toward Chovilun. Along the way, we procured peasant's clothing for our disguise. We reached the hills above the fortress in the morning before Debegri arrived. We waited, but not for long. Early afternoon, his column appeared. Lady Meliara was quickly escorted away while Debegri ordered his soldiers about. Time was of the essence and we dropped on them. It was not much of a fight." A dark look came over Vidanric's face.

"I found Meliara in the dungeons; it seemed the most obvious place to look. I killed both men just before they branded her. She fainted on the dead guards. I left her with a riding and ordered them to Renselaeus." He shook off his dark mood.

"Arrangements then had to made to inform her brother where his sister was. I felt it as good time as any to inform them to whom I was a partisan. I then rode for home to meet them both and arrange an agreement."

"Lord Branaric arrived the day after I returned home. It was another day before Meliara arrived. Lord Branaric, as has been noted, was quite trusting and in good spirits. I explained our situation and he readily accepted my words. Meliara, on the other hand, was reluctant to lend us her faith."

Up until then Aunt Elestra and I had listened with much interest, but had yet to speak. It was usually considered rude to interrupt narratives. I laughed recalling his tale of her throwing prowess. He knew what I was laughing at. His mother seemed to know as well.

"Russav," he questioned me, "what have you been telling my mother?"

"My dear, he has told me nothing of the sort. I fear it was your father who has been telling me tales of the Astiar's visit to our home. He was impressed with the spirit of the Astiars. Especially the Countess."

Vidanric gave a wry smile and continued his story.

"It seems you do not need to be informed of the events that took place with the Astiars were our guests. They left the next morning with a riding in accompaniment though Lady Meliara was not made aware of the fact at her brother's request. I do not think she ever meant to be rude during her stay; I think she just wished to return to her own home. She knows her people well." He hesitated before continuing, his eyes shining.

"During our journey to Remalna-city, I had informed her that her people had made several rescue attempts and informed her there had been causalities. She asked me who had died. She knows all her people by name. She knows the people, the people who she pointed out provide us with our wealth. Not only is she courageous, but she does not see people for what they are, but who they are. I realized that is what the court is missing. But I digress. When the pair was attacked as the sojourned home, Meliara had thought we were behind the ambush. I had told them that we held Vesingrui and that our men were dressed in Remalna's colors. As soon as I received news of the attack, I rode Bran's position. I expressed my worries that there would be a misunderstanding between our side and Lady Meliara, but Bran thought not of it." Here he laughed.

"Sure enough, she was soon at Vesingrui, ready to attack and kill me herself. Under white flag, we released her men and took her to her brother. After the situation was worked out, we prepared to meet Galdran, runny noses and all. I believe you also know the tale of the battle, so I will spare you both the torture."

His mother smiled at him. "Vidanric, did you see any of the Hill Folk for yourself?"

"I wish I had, but no. Without their aid we would have been defeated. Without Lady Meliara, we never would have gained their sympathy. We all owe her our freedom from Galdran."

"Yes," I agreed, "we all owe them a profound debt. One that will be difficult to repay."

"I think the least that is owed to them is the life that should be theirs. My idea is that Galdran's personal fortune should become property of the house of Astiar. It will take some time though to get Galdran's affairs in order. Mother, what do you think?"

"A splendid idea. They have both suffered greatly. It is the very least that can be done for the kingdom to show their appreciation. I still have many questions for you my son, but I think it is time I must retire."

"Of course. Russav and I must head back to the palace."

We all rose to leave the room.

"Good night Auntie, rest well," I said bidding her farewell with a parting hug.

"You too my dear." She turned to Vidanric.

"Good night to you as well." She smiled with pride at her son, resting her hand on his cheek. "You have done well for yourself. Your father and I have much faith in you." He smiled back and grasped her hand and kissed it. I knew how much Vidanric valued his parents. He knew all too well that he was lucky and rare is to have both of them alive. He had seen how quickly a family could be ripped apart through Galdran's undiscriminating rage. Galdran could not harm the Prince and Princess of Renselaeus. The price of the outrage from Sartor was too high.

They were a close knit family, especially by court standards. It was times like these I wished I had my parents instead of fuzzy memories of people I would never know.

Vidanric and I took a coach back to Athanarel together.

"So dear cousin," I asked, "how are your relations with Lady Meliara." He rolled his eyes at me.

"What relations? She wants nothing to do with me."

"That will be a problem. Rumors have already sprung up as to the reason of her absence. Her brother is too honest a man to lie."

"I have the feeling she is not here because she hates the court too much to face the people she had been taught to distrust. She does not trust me."

I took a chance.

"But you wish she were here, for more than political reasons."

"You," he said succinctly, "are far too observant. How'd you know?"

"Your eyes lit up every time you said her name."

"Then my mother knows. I began with a great respect for Meliara and soon saw how courageous she was. She is so unlike the court ladies. It was nice to hear someone be so honest, even if what she was saying was not very flattering to my character." He gave a shrug. "There is nothing I can do now, only be polite and hope she comes around. She has fine ideals, ones that would do our government much use. Perhaps one day we'll but the past behind us and maybe then I can hope for her friendship."

A/N: So the letter thing. Sherwood Smith wrote the letter in Chapter Two and I wrote the one in Chapter Four. The letter can be found at www. pax-romana. net/ remalna/ vidanricsletter. org , minus all the spaces. Lots of cool stuff at that site, check it out. The letter was written as an alternate POV for CCD.

Ok, Nee and Bran are in the game. I don't how much they'll be around, but I'll try. They are just too cute.

I do realize that I am starting to butcher the intended plot line of what Savona knew and was up too, but I'm trying to stay as true to Sherwood's explanations of Savona's actions and thoughts. I've been doing some homework in that area.

Alqualyne- Thanks for the idea of getting rid of the breaks. Sometimes I need help with the obvious =) I think we all love Vidanric. Thanks for such in depth reviews. You're so helpful. You going to update "The Aftermath" soon? I promise to leave you a long one if you update soon. Hint, hint.

FelSong- Tamara to the ruler of all ice queens. She resists Savona because as Nee said to Mel "Interest and ambition sometimes overlap and sometimes not." Tamara's keeping her options open for something better, if she can get it. I too like Vidanric better, but I'd take Russav just the same.

To all my other reviewers, I'm glad you like it and thanks for the complements. =)