Chapter 14 - The Uninvited Guest
In the anteroom within the tallest tower, the young, girlish Wynndh announced, "Maithe jylo desires I bring to your remembrance the words of Alugona on the eve of the departure of ma Lafiegr. The sretetdwra is strengthened daily, yet is remains hidden from our Xin jylo. The danger is upon this generation. She requests that you make known to King Exlir this threat to Faere and Kynd alike. You are given charge to summon who you will require of Maithe's most valiant to safeguard Abbon Dwin's stronghold."
The Faere ambassador's colors dispersed as he spoke. "I adjure you, heir of the Shield of Prye, grant me an interview at once!"
Fear and curiosity flickered in Wynndh's eyes before she closed them to exact his request. The opalescent sphere in her palm glowed and floated in a mist of white vapor above the Faere's fingertips. "Jylotei gailhsetje yr lut kheru da'laet. Yr tairisetje ro'arrta."
Aaliristo watched Wynndh's face closely. This child of power, trained from birth to temper her displays, was quite controlled. He only detected the dispersing of the magic upon her countenance minutely. Great was her mastery; for suddenly her eyes opened and through her spoke Maithe, the Queen of the Faere.
"Aliristo. I am heartened to see your eye of discernment once again."
"My beloved Queen," Aaliristo knelt upon the floor of the chamber. "I am honored by your attention and your communication. I received your missive by the bird yesterday morn. I am greatly troubled-,"
"Missive? To what do you refer?"
Aaliristo paused. His fear was now confirmed; it was not her advice he had received and followed. He stared upon the countenance of Wynndh, as he tried to explain to Maithe what had occurred. "Queen jylo, I wrote to you and received response."
"There has been some treachery, Aliristo. I feared as much, though I had nothing to confirm. Tell me what has transpired."
Aaliristo quickly related the events, concluding with Arisdona's danger. "She is bereft of all essence but that which her husband could bestow. She lives, but cannot protect nor strengthen her child."
"Is the child of Risdona in any danger?"
"I perceive none. All the day they have been guarded and watched. Risdona will not be parted from her for a moment and seems at peace."
"Yet, the threat is still imminent. You must watch, Aliristo; she is nigh. I wish to transport my troops this very hour to assist Exlir."
"My Queen, I would delight in receiving them; but, the Kyndciant King has had no knowledge of the danger of ma Lafeigr. I have never spoken of her, as you commanded me; therefore, I beg you: give me time to relay your words and intents."
"It is well, Aliristo. Your counsel is wise. The appearance of my warriors within his stronghold might cause the King to construe my assistance as a breech of our mutual goodwill. He might find it an unforgivable intrusion. Go to Exlir immediately and perceive what course he would welcome. I will remain at hand to hold counsel with him myself, should he desire."
"You are gracious, Xin jylo. I will relay your message with all haste."
"Aliristo, do not let the matter grow cold. I perceive the shrouded approach of Lafeigr the sretetdwra, intent upon malice."
Willifus knew he had little time; he had met his servant returning from the spring. Crazed with fright, Jann had told the woodward all, fully convinced of the curse of Numfverfolgt. He had commanded his man to be silent, but he knew nothing would keep the news from reaching the ear of the warden now. What if it was true? What if his children were demons? He must hide them quickly or some edict would proclaim them an evil to be destroyed by fire. He hurried on, contemplating how the packhorse he rode and the second which he led could perform the task. The "ghost-child" he had left at the spring was of little concern; though, from his servant's account, the strange girl was still there. He hoped she had fled in fear at his servant's display of terror. He wished no more to do with her.
It was the hour before dusk when Willifus approached the spring, desirous that the moon would light his way on his return. Though he had been informed of what he might see, the sight of the gaping boulders took his breath away. How could those great rocks have moved? For a moment he judged that the girl was gone, but his heart dropped in its elation when the red-hooded child came toward him from the water. He heard the gurgle of the spring, more vibrant than he had espied earlier that day. He saw the thick, translucent lather upon its surface, but took no thought for it. He climbed the mound determinedly.
There he saw them, his Willifric and his Heta. He could have persuaded himself they were resting but for the radiant light shining from the eyes. He could not deny what was before him. They were his children, but they were changed. He hesitated.
"Papa," said Nivea.
Willifus turned sharply. "What did you say?"
"I can hear them. They cry, 'Papa'." Nivea's dark brows came together in pain, but Willifus did not perceive it.
"They did not speak," Willifus argued roughly. He was torn. His chest ached to hold his children, but he saw that there was truly some evil there.
"The boy," Nivea returned. "He says the man who concealed them broke his reeds."
The words stung Willifus. He turned upon Nivea with a snarl. "You have done this. You have awakened the curse here!"
"No!" Nivea answered, and Willifus watched as the water behind her began to crash and murmur all the more rapidly. He began to back away until his back met his horse. The beast nudged him and began to sniff at his pocket, searching for a carrot or turnip which Willifus sometimes kept there for him. Willifus pushed the beast's head, turning to view the eye of the horse. Toneic was not frightened. The spring rippled, the white child stood before them; yet, the horses did not sense anything to upset!
"Your children sleep. They have been rescued, and they need your protection now. Do not desert them," Nivea said, relaying the message that the lady of the lake spoke to her.
Nivea watched the man's countenance, openly displaying his surprise at her admonition. His hand went to his head, pressing the mat of fiery hair as he pondered her words. "Willifric's pipes," he repeated. "How could you know of that? What of Heta? What does my daughter say?"
This time he watched the features of the girl before him. As she concentrated, he perceived the pain of her trial. When she opened her eyes to speak, they were swimming in tears. "She is crying. She says she is sorry for leaving the camp."
Willifus stared at her, his mouth agape. "Tell me how to hear them."
Nivea shook her head. "I cannot."
"How is it that you may hear?" Again the girl shook her head. He spoke his thoughts, "I must hide them. Someone will come soon. You will return with me. If they find you, they will know all." Willifus' hands shook as he brought the rope from the horse's satchel and began leading Toneic up the mound.
The woodward worked to hoist his children onto the horse's back. The light of the full moon was bright, and aided them on their return. Nivea hungered, but did not complain. There was a change with her. As she walked, she felt the life about her and drank it in with every breath. Each breath became deeper, more intoxicating. Her senses heightened, and she was aware of the sounds and scents about her more keenly. She attributed these new sensations to the meeting with the lake lady. Nivea had whispered a silent goodbye to the water, hoping she would return to her only friend.
It was night when the great, black carriage approached the risen bridge of Abbon Dwin's stronghold, Kraeftholo. Two sentries called out into the darkness.
"No one may enter in this eve."
"You may celebrate in the village and seek entry on the morrow."
From the seat of the carriage a form moved, stepping down. It unfolded its massive figure and dropped the cloak from its head. Consternation went through the guardsmen as they recognized one of the Nayar race. His white face seemed to glow in the light of the moon. "I am Yaryellig of the Mount Yaryth. My lord bids me inform you that we come in goodwill and extend the hand of friendship. He has traveled many leagues to show his deference to the great King Exlir of Abbon Dwin!"
It was some time before the bridge was lowered and a band of soldiers filed forth, encircling the massive black horses which were shining with sweat, pawing the ground violently. It seemed the edict had changed for the visitor; he would be granted entrance. "Tell your lord to show himself. We have orders to search all manner of conveyance."
Tholke lifted the latch upon the door and stepped from the carriage. With all the boldness he could muster, he folded his hands over his chest and boomed forth, "Is this the hospitality I should seek from a great king? This is the diplomacy of King Exlir?"
The guards stepped away in surprise, and Tholke knew that the enchantment Malafiegr had taught him was indeed at work. The guards of the gate of Kraeftholo beheld him as a giant Yar lord. He approached the sentry closest him, addressing him and his comrades while waving his arm toward his carriage.
"Be quick, then. Search the carriage. Search my servant. By any means, you have my permission to insult!" The guards whose duty it was to search the interior of the great compartment were hesitant. Tholke watched as the chief of the watch gave clear indication with his eyes that the searchers go forward with their task.
"My lord," addressed a man running forth from the gate with an entourage of servants and the marshal. "We did not expect the honor of your tribe this day. We are very humbled by your presence." Tholke's eyes alighted on the greeter eagerly. "You and your servant will accompany me, and your horses will be attended to," the representative of the castle instructed.
Tholke followed the officer through the gate, as his Yar guard addressed the marshal and his grooms, who looked apprehensively upon the spent but mighty horses. "Take care," warned Yaryellig. "The stallions are rogues after such a pace."
"Come to the guest quarters beyond while your arrival is announced," Tholke was directed, as he followed the guide through each raised portcullis of the stronghold. He and Yaryellig took the winding stairway to enter a small tower nearest the gate. Guards were posted outside the door.
Two sentries had been stationed within the anteroom, as well. It was obvious that they had expected the two guests to enter the inner chamber and leave them to a whispered conversation. But Tholke did not remove himself from their presence, sighing grandly as he folded himself to sit at a small table. Without ceremony, he extracted his card from his robes and began to separate the card in his hands. He had their attention instantly when, with a flourish, he manipulated them swiftly. The guards watched with interest, and he began to prey upon their minds with his enchantment. So intent did they become upon the cards, they did not notice Yaryellig open the door to the chamber.
"What do you do?" one of the soldiers without demanded of the guards in the room.
"Come and see," Tholke caused the guard nearest him to appeal to his fellow-soldier.
"To your task," the guard outside reproved shortly, but not before he had glimpsed the movement of the cards. His eyes stayed transfixed, and Tholke drew more of the sentinel until all clamored to see the spectacle which would keep their minds ensnared. The magician and the Yar passed down the steps completely unencumbered. Tholke slipped the original card into his pocket and concentrated on feeling the Faere essence at work within the fortress. He remembered Malafiegr's warning: he would have little time before the one who guarded the king would sense his small enchantment. That Faere would show no mercy, and his Nivea would die if he should fail.
A/N: A Kynd mated to a Faere enjoys the advantage of infiltrating without a Faere perceiving the presence of magic, which explains why Malafiegr would want to be bound to one of the Kyndciant race. At the beginning of the story, she entered the city on market day for the express purpose of hunting a candidate. Tholke (or Agmund at the time) was chosen specifically because he already had the ability to use slight enchantments, meaning his mind would be more flexible to training. Yet, it angered her that he ignorantly toyed with this ability, and she made a fool of him in front of the townspeople for it. She's very impulsive.
Faere Vocab Aid:
sretetdwra ('sreh-tet-'dwar-ah) – (fem) means "murderess" in the context.
Jylotei gailhsedm yr lut kheru da'laet. Yr tairisetje ro'arrta. – "Beloved Mother awaken/listen to this strong voice of the child which you possess/your child's voice of power. This loyal servant begs this word/petitions for an audience."
Xin jylo – "majestic mother"
Pronunciation Guide:
Maithe – Mayth
jylo - shy-loh
Alugona - A(like the letter)-loo'– guh– na
ma Lafiegr - Mă'- Luh-fay'-air (This is how the Faere pronounce her name.)
Lafiegr – Luh-fay'-air (original Faere name of Malafiegr)
Malafiegr – Măl'- uh-fay'-air
Exlir – Ex-ill'-yer
Kynd – Kend
Prye – Pree
Wynndh –Win'(wh creates a whistling sound)-nuh
Aaliristo - A'(like the letter)-al-eh-ris'-toh
Aliristo – Al-eh-ris'-toh (original Faere name of Aaliristo)
Arisdona – A(like the letter)-ris-doh'-na
Risdona – Ris-doh'-na (original Faere name of Arisdona)
Kyndciant – Kend'-shant
Jann - Yawn
Numfverfolgt – Numf'-ver-fult
Nivea – Ni-vay'-a
Toneic – Toh'-nyic
Kraeftholo - Krayft-hoh'-loh
Yaryellig – Vorv'-e-lig
Yaryth - Vor'-vut
Nayar – No-vor'
Tholke – Thul'-kye
Yar - Vor