Raku woke up again in the silent room. He thought he was alone. He glanced around the room and then sat back contented. He would lie in the world of spirits and gods for a moment longer. Avarim was in a dark corner of the room, studying Raku. He looked so vulnerable and innocent. She made no sound, no movement to indicate she was there.
Raku was cheerfully relaxing on the bed, still dreaming of the White Virgin. He was afraid for anyone to disturb the peace he felt. He felt rather than saw the steaming bath, inviting him to bathe himself. He smiled as he dreamily walked towards the bath. He pulled off the servant clothes he had been given and slid himself into the hot water. He gleefully invited the water to wash him. He slid deeper and deeper into the water, going back into the dream world, where the White Virgin lay in wait for him.
Time passed. Raku was not sure how much but he had no care for time. Slowly and reluctantly, he climbed out of the water and slid into a clean set of servant robes. As he walked blissfully around the room, he noticed a small movement in the dark corner of the room. Instantly he saw Avarim. He felt a mixture of anger and bewilderment.
'How…how…why?' He stammered.
'I needed to see you content, Raku. Lord Roache has asked me to make you comfortable. This is my way of doing just that.'
'I don't need to be made comfortable. I am fine.' He retorted, and then added, 'My Lady.'
'You are having a rough time adjusting from this world and the dream world. It is normal. When people go into the Qibeta sleep, they wake up and have a different sense of being. They go into the dream world for a while. But you, Raku, you have been invited to stay in the dream world. You were touched.'
He stared at her in amazement.
'How did you know I was with the White Virgin?'
Avarim smiled secretly. 'Not a virgin for much longer. She will soon be the White Goddess.'
Raku stared at Avarim with a new respect. She, too, had been to the dream world and knew how he felt. He felt a sense of belonging.
'My Lady, I do not know how to adjust to this world. When I am with the White Virgin, I feel peacefulness. I feel happy there. But here in this world, I just feel disappointment and bitter. I never felt I belonged in this world.' His voice dwindled as he spoke.
'You still have a task to do, Raku. When you've finished, you will return to the White Virgin.' She stood up and walked towards the door.
'You've truly been blessed.' The whisper could barely be heard but before Raku could reply, the
door closed softly and Avarim was gone.
--
Lord Roache had been waiting outside the entire night. He could not hear their conversations and he did not know whether Raku could find it in himself to confide in Avarim. Near mid-morning, Avarim softly stepped out. Lord Roache thought he heard the whisper, 'You've truly been blessed.'
Lord Roache jerked to his feet and badgered Avarim.
'Is he alright? Does he need any help? Will he…'
'Roache! Stop, stop! Raku is fine. He just needed some time alone. I suggest you do not disturb him for the rest of the day.'
Roache agreed and decided to go riding. He needed to see how the town was going. He had not seen the villagers since he met Avarim and now he felt shame for not thinking about them. He rode Voi, a horse he had been given at the age of ten, and brought gifts of grain and wool for his beloved villagers. He knew all by name and called out as he went.
The villagers stopped working and crowded outside to greet him. He was well known and loved. Several brought their children and shouted gleefully, 'My Lord, My Lord! Bless my children, my Lord.'
Others came with grave tidings. 'My Lord, I beg you, send my wife to heaven. Bless her, my Lord.'
They happily accepted the gifts of grain and wool and rejoiced when he stopped for their child or the dead. He was truly a special man.
When he returned, Raku was waiting for him at the front gate. He dropped to his knees as he passed. Lord Roache sighed, dropped down from his horse and gently picked him up like a child. He gestured for a groom to take his horse as he led Raku towards his bedchamber. As he closed the door, he asked, 'Raku, how are you feeling?'
'Fine, my Lord. Happy. Content.' Lord Roache looked at his slight figure and nodded. He could see the changes in his behaviour and posture. He was accepting life.
'I was thinking that you would accompany me to my mother's cremation. I have left it too long and I must leave immediately. I shall only take you and Avarim.'
'Of course, my Lord. Anything.'
'You can arrange for Avarim and my clothing to be packed I hope?'
'Of course!'
Lord Roache smiled and waved him off. Raku was still only very young. He was glad that Raku came into his supervision so that his slow healing would be able to not only begin but to end.
--
'We ride.' Lord Roache shouted.
'My Lord,' his advisors begged, 'surely you must have a guard with you. We cannot risk the heir to the throne.'
'Pak, your duty is to obey. Never assume anymore.'
Pak bowed his head in submission. 'No, my Lord. I only wish for your safety.'
'Send for Avarim and Raku, please.'
'Immediately, my Lord.' He bowed and rushed off to do as he was bid. Soon Avarim and Raku entered the courtyard together, laughing. Raku was looking much better. He looked bright and there was a flush of red in his cheeks. It seemed as if all his troubles had evaporated. Roache smiled, happy for him but also concerned at the relationship between him and Avarim. He did not usually feel jealously but Avarim had touched him in a way he had never felt before.
'Come along, come along,' Roache shouted cheerfully, 'We must get to the palace. We are already weeks late. Come along, come along.'
Avarim and Raku rode faster to catch up with Roache. They were in a playful mood and as often as not, Raku found Avarim or Roache giggling like young girls and playfully pushing one another. Raku rode slightly behind them to give them a bit of privacy. He was, after all, only their lowly servant.
At midday, Roache held up his hand to stop them. They leaped off their horses, eager for nourishment. Roache signalled for Raku to set out the food while he relieved himself. Raku did so, relishing the chance to talk to Avarim. She always had a calming effect on him.
'Roache and Avarim make a great pair.' Raku thought, almost jealous. However, he did not see Avarim as a partner for himself, only as a friend and guide. Roache returned and they ate quickly, eager to get to the palace.
The journey took four days. They arrived at the palace dirty and very tired but they had arrived a few days before the actually cremation. The chamberlain, Jord, greeted Roache with affection. Roache had grown up in the palace under his watchful eye and Jord still cannot forget the numerous childish pranks Roache played on him.
Word of their arrival spread through the palace like fire. The heir to the throne was home! Soon
the elderly King walked out and greeted Roache.
'Nephew, welcome! I am glad you are well and I express my apologies for the loss of your mother. I am relieved you are home and hope you will be staying for a while. I cannot say the same for your brother though.'
King Femo had never disguised his dislike for Genor. Although Genor was his nephew, he had never seen any family resemblance in him. His attitude and behaviour was inappropriate and rude and the relationship between uncle and nephew had always been frosty.
'Uncle, I greet you well.' He bowed and then broke all pretence of formality by embracing the King.
'These are your guests?'
'Lady Avarim is my guest. Raku can sleep in my chambers and attend me.'
'Where is the rest of your entourage?'
'I decided to travel light, Uncle. I did not want to miss my mother's cremation.'
'And your crowning as heir to the throne.'
'Yes, and that, Uncle.'
'Well, well, we cannot stand here and talk all day. You and your guest must want a bath and some food.' He gestured for Jord, 'Jord, show our guests to their rooms and make sure hot water and food gets to them.'
'At once, Your Majesty.' He bowed to the King and then showed them to their rooms.
Later, Roache joined his uncle in his study later that evening.
'Roache, I have heard you have taken in some commoners. I assume those are the people that joined you today?'
'Yes, Uncle. Avarim is special to me and Raku needs my help.'
'Why bring so little people with you?'
'As I said before, uncle, I wished to travel light.'
'Surely you knew that once crowned heir to the throne, your home is at the palace. People would not accept you living in your remote country town.'
'I shall send for the rest of my household in the following weeks. I accept that I shall live here,
uncle, but as heir to the throne I must have a wife soon.'
'Yes, yes. All that can be arranged.'
'No, Uncle, you miss my meaning. I have already chosen my bride. I wish to ask your permission to marry.'
'Who have you chosen, my dear nephew?'
'Lady Avarim was my choice, uncle, the lady who accompanied me today.'
Femo sighed and replied in a gentle voice, 'Roache, she is but a commoner and you are of the highest blood. This cannot work out. You must accept that.'
'I cannot be happy with anyone else.'
'Roache, when you are of the highest blood, your first and foremost duty is to your kingdom. Love does not matter in the scheme of the world. You must marry for profit, as befits your status.'
'But Uncle! You married for love. Surely you cannot deny me my love.'
Femo sighed again. He realised he could not win. He grudgingly accepted it asnd replied, 'You may have your bride, Roache, but I warn you, later in life you will regret marrying for love.'
'Thank you, Uncle.'
