Kyandi: Greetings, my lovely readers.
Alair: We have returned.
Kyandi: Yep! I hope all of you realize how difficult it is to write Alair's speech pattern.
Alair: Am I too formal for you?
Kyandi: For my normal speech pattern? Yeah, you kinda are.
Alair: Oh, that is right. You are a...what do you call it...a country hick?
Kyandi: Gee, thanks. Yes, I was born and raised in the country side. However, that does not automatically make me a hick.
Alair: Are you saying you do not speak with the accent and clipped sayings?
Kyandi:...Everyone please enjoy and review.
Alair: I will assume I was correct.
Kyandi: Just say your line!
Alair: Kyandi-sama does not own The Heroic Legend of Arslan.
Chapter 14 Misunderstanding
The trip to the royal capitol of Sindhura was a quiet one on the behalf of Alair. She rode beside Rajendra, on his request, and listened to his stories and tales. When they reached the capitol, she nudged Feng over to ride at Arslan's side, her back straightening even more to give her the appearance of the confident princess she was suppose to be.
People lined the streets to watch them pass, whispering behind hands and staring at them. It only served to make Alair more uncomfortable. She kept her eyes forward though. To look at the people would just make it worse.
When they reached the palace, their men and gear were taken care of and Arslan and Alair were shown to the quarters they would stay in while in the city. Alair was provided with a change in outfit. Once again, she had to question the taste of others when it came to picking out clothes for her. But she changed anyway.
She just hoped Daryun would be alright in his fight.
The others, save Arslan, were already gathered in the arena where Daryun would fight Gadevi's proxy.
"It's like some kind of grand tournament." Alfreed remarked.
"We're not here to enjoy ourselves." Elam told her.
"I know that, thank you." Alfreed retorted.
Arslan joined them then, having changed out of his armor and into clothing befitting of a prince. Rajendra greeted him, happily.
"Ah, good! I have been waiting for you. Welcome, Prince Arslan." Rajendra said.
"Naming an heir is a monumentous event. I wanted to be here to see you chosen." Arslan told him, offering his hand to Rajendra who took it in both of his.
"I am deeply grateful that you came." Rajendra told him, before turning to introduce Arslan to his father. "This is my father, King Karikala."
Karikala nodded to Arslan in greeting and Arslan bowed in reply. Rajendra looked past Arslan.
"Where is Princess Alair?" he asked.
"She will be here shortly." Arslan told him.
"I am here."
Everyone turned to face Alair when they heard her voice and Rajendra seemed star struck. Alair came towards them dressed in a dress of bright colors. It clung to her body like a second skin. It was strapless, a small, metal ring between her breast and a cut out piece baring her cleavage, the undersides of her breast, and her whole stomach to her navel. A slit rode up her left thigh to her hip.
Her hair was worn loose, bells hanging from clips that bound a few of the curls back from her face. Gold bangles decorated her ankles and wrist, a gridle of silver bells jingled from her waist as she walked. The ring and necklace that had been gifts from Daryun and Arslan still adored her person. Her two whistles, both her wolf whistle and the djinn whistle Farangis gave her, still hung around her neck, her Zot knife was strapped to her bared thigh, and the bejeweled bangle Gieve had gifted her, curled around the crest on her arm.
"You look wonderful, princess!" Rajendra told her.
"My thanks." Alair said, bowing her head in thanks.
Wolfsbane and Greyback came at a trot just behind her, Wolfsbane carrying her glaive on a harness around his chest, both eyeing their surroundings. Rajendra introduced Alair to his father as well and Alair bowed to him. Behind her, a servant lit the oil forming a moat around the ring where Daryun would fight, the blazing flame drawing Alair's attention and setting her fiery hair ablaze. Arslan stepped up to her side, looking at the ring as well.
"Your highness, this will be a test of your statecraft. Whatever happens, you must remain calm." Narsus told Arslan.
"I'm aware." Arslan replied, his face set in grim determination. Narsus turned to Alair then, who's eyes were fixed on the ring, the flames reflected in her eyes.
"Alair, I don't believe I have to tell you this." Narsus said, looking at Alair.
"No, you do not. I am not concerned." Alair replied.
Narsus looked at her and couldn't help thinking of what a little liar Alair was. She was worried, even if she wasn't showing it. He could see it in the tense set of her shoulders and the intensity in which she watched the ring.
Gadevi entered then, taking his seat to his father's right, while Rajendra sat to his left. Alair was ushered into a seat beside Arslan, her eyes set on the flame ringed ring as Daryun entered. From the other side, a large, beast of a man, entered the arena bound in chains and knocking men around. He easily broke his chains and roared so loudly it had her wolves whimpering and covering their ears. Wolfsbane, his ears back against his head, growled, baring his fangs. Alair sat a hand on his head, calming him, though she felt anything but calm.
"That beast is a man?" Alair asked.
"Prince Rajendra, what is going on? Who is this Bahadur?" Arslan asked.
"Nothing to be concerned about. He will be no match for Lord Daryun, I'm sure." Rajendra replied.
Arslan visibly tensed when the bridge connecting the ring to the rest of the arena, was pulled up behind Daryun. Alair's grip on the arms of her chair tightened.
"It will be alright, your highness. Whoever he faces, Lord Daryun won't lose. We all know a greater warrior has never walked this earth." Elam told Arslan.
Arslan agreed, though Alair was too focused on the arena to bother listening. When the fight started, Alair had a hard time remaining visible calm. She had never seen such a mindless, beast of a man before and it sent a chill down her spine. Daryun moved swiftly though, blocking and defending before finally getting a strike in. A strike that, on a normal man, would have finished him, but only amused this Bahadur.
"That should have finished him!" Arslan exclaimed.
"That thing cannot possibly be human." Gieve remarked.
"Animals that wear human flesh can be found in many places, but that is truly a savage beast. Lord Daryun would never lose to a man, but this creature..."
Farangis trailed off, laying a hand on Arslan's shoulder to calm the prince. It was clear Arslan was worried, his breathing becoming shallow. Alair reached out, grabbing hold of Arslan's hand. Arslan looked at her in surprise, only to find her face going pale, her eyes firmly attached to Daryun. Arslan turned his hand over, gripping hers back. Alair gave him a fleeting look and squeezed his hand. The two shared the same concern and fear.
Both turned back to watch the match, but as it continued, Alair's concern for Daryun only grew.
Arslan flew to his feet, Alair's face draining completely of color when Daryun's sword broke under Bahadur's attacks and Bahadur attacked again, sending Daryun's helmet flying. Daryun was hurt, the sight of his pain sending Alair to her feet. Farangis latched onto her shoulders, holding her in place, fearing Alair would try to rush to Daryun. Her wolves, sensing Alair's distress, tensed, ready for a battle.
"Yes! Now, Bahadur! Kill that miserable man! Finish him off and make the Parsians regret ever setting foot in the kingdom of Sindhura!" Gadevi yelled.
Alair turned her blazing eyes to the man, but she knew she could do nothing to the man. She had to remain calm, had to trust in Daryun and his strength. She had never thought she would care so much for another human being again and here she was, practically on the verge of a panic attack over the possibility of losing Daryun.
She had to remain calm, had to breathe. She clasped her hands together in front of her, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She had seen Daryun in several fights. He had yet to fail in a battle. He was strong, he was capable...he was an alpha unlike any she had ever seen. Even Shadowfang, Alair's adoptive, wolf father, had not been as strong and vital as Daryun, and he had been a fierce, old wolf.
It was then that it clicked in Alair's head what this strong feeling in her chest was. For her, in her world...Daryun was her alpha.
The realization rocked her to her very bones.
It made her concern for his well being even worse. She needed to swallow these feelings if she was going to make it through this battle without all her emotional guarding coming completely undone. If she kept this up, Daryun would be the cause of seventeen years of guarded walls and barriers crumbling at her feet in the course off a single hour.
"Daryun will be fine. He is too stubborn to die when his prince still needs him." Alair said, more to herself.
Arslan looked at Alair before turning his eyes back to the battle. He knew she was right. He had to believe.
Alfreed let up a premature cheer when Daryun landed a stab to Bahadur's back with his broken sword. Bahadur sent him flying, almost knocking him into the fire ring around them, with a single kick. It made Alair's chest ache just watching it. Daryun caught himself, though, with the tip of his cloak smoking and sporting a burn.
"It will take far more than that to kill my champion! You've toyed with him long enough Bahadur. Kill him and make an end of it!" Gadevi yelled.
"I have heard of this." Rajendra said, joining Arslan and his companions. " As you thought, he is no ordinary man. In addition to his size, he is also insensible to pain."
"Such a man truly exist?" Farangis asked.
Alair and Arslan turned to Rajendra as he answered with "yes". Arslan seized Rajendra by the shoulders.
"You coward! You knew about this and chose Daryun to be your champion, instead of risking yourself!" Arslan accused.
"Prince Arslan, please!" Rajendra exclaimed
"If Daryun is killed because he took up your fight, I swear upon the gods of Pars, I will take your head and the head of that monster and hang them from your castle gates!" Arslan threatened.
"Kingling."
Arslan stiffened in surprise when Alair stepped up behind him, laying a hand over his eyes. Unable to see, he could only focus on Alair's voice and the shaking in her hands as she laid the other hand on his shoulder.
"Please. Threats will do us no good. I am concerned too, but issuing threats and letting your head get away from you will do nothing to help us. Have faith in Daryun." Alair told him.
Arslan wanted to keep arguing. Daryun was strong, but his opponent was a monster. And it was all Rajendra's fault. But Alair had faith in Daryun, even if she was shaking from her fear for Daryun's safety. Arslan reached up to touch her trembling hand. It was more human emotion than he had ever seen from her in the time he had known her.
"Calm yourself, my young guest. I can explain."
Alair removed her hand from Arslan's eyes, setting it on his other shoulder. Both she and Arslan turned their eyes to Karikala as he spoke.
"Rajendra chose first. Only then did Gadevi select Bahadur. We know your knight is a hero without equal. Certain he had no other option, Gadevi freed Bahadur. That he would do such a thing shows how feared your man is by his enemies. Perhaps you should do him the honor and do as the lovely Princess Alairanna suggest and put your faith in him. It seems likely to me that he has earned it." Karikala told Arslan.
Arslan knew both the king and Alair were right, knew how much Alair feared for the safety of Daryun as well. He could tell it by the shaking of her hands as she squeezed his shoulders before releasing them. Arslan released Rajendra, the older prince laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Rajendra. I hope you are preparing yourself to concede defeat. Disgraceful. No crown prince should ever lose his composer over such a trifling thing. These Parsians are truly a weak people. And this so called War Princess is no better. Look at her! She is shaking! Some warrior she is." Gadevi said smugly.
Alair glanced in Gadevi's direction, her hands curling into fist to conceal their shaking. Farangis laid a hand on her shoulder in a calming manner.
"Are you so blind, Gadevi? If you cared for your subjects as the prince of Pars and the princess of Alhir does, if you cared half so much as they, there would be no need for this duel we are now witnessing. I would have named you, my heir long ago had you any compassion in your heart." Karikala told his oldest son.
"There are more important qualities than compassion." Gadevi told his father.
"I am not surprised to hear you say so." Karikala replied.
"There may be equally important qualities, but a ruler without compassion is one that will lose the support and hearts of his subjects."
Gadevi turned his attention to Alair, who stared at him with blazing eyes.
"Compassion, justice, wisdom, and honor. A ruler needs these qualities to endear his subject to him for without them, a kingdom could come crashing down around it's king. I mean no offense to you, King Karikala, but it is clear to me that Prince Gadevi lacks these qualities. That some of my own people have come to be in the care of a kingdom with such a prince would truly sadden me if it was not for the compassion of the kingdom's king." Alair said.
Gadevi grit his teeth, glaring at the girl.
"Wise words, my young princess. I can truly see your parents in you." Karikala told her.
Alair bowed her head to the king, but Gadevi scoffed, waving off Alair and her words. He turned to face the ring.
"I grow impatient. Settle this now, Bahadur!" Gadevi called.
Alair turned back to the ring. Daryun was left without a sword, his fist seemingly his only weapon left. He dodged the wild swings of Bahadur's ax, his smaller size working to his advantage.
"I've never seen such strength." Gieve said.
"Nor have I and Alhirian men were no slouches. But Daryun is strong in his own terms and far more clever than that creature." Alair replied.
She prayed she sounded more confident than she felt. Watching Daryun in this struggle for his life, shook her very heart even in its deep casing of stone.
"One way or another, it will soon end." Narsus said.
They watched as Daryun was backed up to the edge of the ring once more. Bahadur rose his ax to strike, just as the trailing end of Daryun's cloak caught fire. With a call from Narsus, Daryun yanked the flaming cloak free of his shoulders and threw it in the face of his opponent. Bahadur dropped his ax in his struggle to yank the flaming article of cloth from his head. Instead of bothering with retrieving his ax, he tried to grab Daryun, one eye free of the burning cloth. Daryun grabbed the wrist of one of Bahadur's massive hands, locking it under his arm. Bahadur finally yanked the cloth free, but it was too late.
Daryun drew a dagger from his belt. Holding Bahadur in place with his grip on the other man's arm, he stabbed the blade straight through Bahadur's throat. He released Bahadur's arm and backed up as the man swayed before dropping.
"He carries a short sword!?" Gadevi exclaimed in surprise.
"He bided his time so the broken long sword looked to be his only weapon and sure enough, his enemy let his guard down. Daryun is not a bad tactician himself." Narsus said.
Alair though, pressed a hand to her heart. She could feel the heavy hammer of her heart against her ribs. She felt like it would leap out of her chest from relief. Just this single battle made her feel emotionally exhausted and rubbed raw. A feeling she had not had since she was but a child, fearful of what the future held for a princess of a kingdom lost to fire.
"Thus it ends." Karikala called, rising to his feet. "Daryun has won the duel, which means Rajendra is heir to the throne."
Cheers rose up from all around the arena. Even Elam and Alfreed forgot their usual squabbling in their excitement at Daryun's win. Arslan's knees gave in relief.
"Your highness!" Narsus exclaimed.
"I'm just relieved is all." Arslan told him.
"I just might join you down there. I thought my heart would leap out of my chest with relief, it pounds so fiercely." Alair told him.
The crashing of one of the thrones, drew their attention back to Gadevi.
"I don't accept! No! It must be wrong. This verdict is unjust. Any fool could see that!" Gadevi complained.
"Think about what you're saying. You would challenge a judgement made by the gods themselves?" Rajendra asked, approaching his brother.
"Cursed brother. Cursed gods! Don't you see!? Obviously the gods are wrong!" Gadevi declared, drawing his sword.
"He's only now realizing something I have known a long while. The gods are constantly making mistakes. Yet it is always we humans who live with the consequences." Gieve said.
"Gieve, now just might not be the time for your observations, true as they may or may not be." Alair told him.
Gieve shrugged in reply to her.
"Stop this madness, son." Karikala said, stepping towards his son, only for Gadevi to turn his sword on him.
Alair's hand went to her dagger, her hand coming up to tell her wolves to ready themselves. All three bristled, raising their hackles.
"They are wrong. Correct their mistake and yield me the throne. Do not make me harm you." Gadevi told his father.
Rajendra stepped between his brother and his father, drawing his own sword.
"You've truly gone mad!" Rajendra told his brother.
"If you'd only been content to stay in your place, none of this would have happened. Royal guardsmen, kill Rajendra. He and his allies are frauds and liars!" Gadevi called.
Guards flooded the area, both Gadevi's and Rajendra's. Narsus ushered Arslan away, the others following. Alair whistled to her wolves, the three following.
"The interested parties can resolve any further dispute. Let's go. We don't wish to be caught up in this." Narsus said.
Guards swarmed into the hall before them.
"I do not believe we have much of a choice." Alair remarked.
The guards attacked, Narsus and Alfreed fighting off the first ones to reach them. Lunarwind snapped at a guard that ventured too close to Arslan for her taste.
"Go! See his highness to safety." Narsus ordered.
Alair drew her glaive from the holster strapped to Wolfsbane's back. She had hoped she wouldn't need it, but was glad she had thought to strap it to Wolfsbane anyway.
"Quick, highness, this way." Farangis said, Alair taking hold of Arslan's elbow with her free hand to pull him after her.
Parsian guards followed behind them, Gieve bringing up their rear, fighting off Shindran guards as he followed.
"Can we never leave anywhere peacefully?" Gieve asked.
"That would be far too easy and it seems easy is not to be the path for our lives." Alair replied.
More guards appeared in their path. Between Farangis and Alair, they cleared their way. The wolves guarded Arslan, coming to Alair's aid only when they felt she needed it or when she called for it.
"We came here to help them settle a dispute. Not much for gratitude, are they?" Farangis asked.
"Obviously the first prince never thought he and his monster friend would be defeated. He's quite the sore loser." Gieve replied.
"So we have gathered." Alair said, pulling Arslan out of the way of a guard, letting Lunarwind take the man down.
Alair was so set on the man approaching her from the front, she failed to see the guard aiming for Arslan and her back.
"Your highness! Alair!" came Daryun's voice over the fighting.
Alair turned, but even she could not react fast enough to stop the guard. She pulled Arslan behind her, prepared to take the hit, but out of nowhere came Jaswant. He took down the guard, but Alair remained guarded, keeping herself between him and Arslan, her hand on Arslan's arm. Jaswant seized her by the wrist of her glaive arm, dragging her after him, and, by extension, dragging Arslan.
"This way!" Jaswant ordered.
"Wait a moment!" Alair protested, but Jaswant didn't release her wrist.
"That's the second time you saved me. And Alair as well, this time." Arslan remarked.
"This is a quarrel between Shindrans. If a royal quest were to come to harm upon the day of the duel before the gods, it would bring shame to our kingdom." Jaswant replied.
"You would help us, Rajendra's allies?" Arslan asked.
"Quite frankly, none of that really matters to me at this point. If you would at least free my wrist so I can defend myself, I will follow freely." Alair said.
Jaswant's grip on her wrist was slipping and she was close to losing the ring on her thumb. She would be severely rubbed the wrong way if she lost the ring.
"If I lose the ring upon my hand, I shall be very cross." Alair warned him.
Jaswant readjusted his grip on her wrist, but did not release it yet. Alair heaved a sigh, making sure she didn't release Arslan. What a sight they must have made, a string of people running through the halls, wolves on their heels.
In the arena Mahendra tried to talk Gadevi into admitting his defeat, only managing to anger Gadevi, who struck him down with his sword. All guards stopped their fighting in shock. When Gadevi ordered his men to continue their attempts to kill Rejandra, none of them moved. Daryun drew attention to him, declaring that if anyone had a problem with the outcome of the battle, they could battle him, themselves. Several men dropped their weapons, declaring Daryun the Sher Senani, which meant "Fierce Tiger General".
Jaswant, still leading Alair by her wrist while she pulled Arslan behind her, arrived then, the rest of Alair's friends behind them.
"Hear me, all of you! Hear and be still." Rajendra called, drawing all attention to him, silence falling. "Gadevi has defied both the royal mandate and the will of the gods. Any who follow him will be found guilty of high treason and punished accordingly."
"No! He's the traitor! Why aren't you listening to me? Kill them all!" Gadevi insisted.
"That is enough. Please. Before you shame yourself further. Seize him." Rajendra ordered.
Guards took hold of Gadevi, leading him away. Jaswant released Alair's wrist then, running to the side of his adoptive father. He held the man as he spoke his final words and passed, leaving a heart broken Jaswant behind. Arslan turned to Alair in surprise as she left his side and joined Jaswant. She knelled next to Mahendra's body, surprising everyone who was watching. Jaswant looked up at her.
Alair bowed her head, holding her hands before her in prayer. Jaswant watched her as she clapped her hands, her prayer over, and she raised her head, her eyes meeting his.
"Princess..."
"Everyone makes mistakes, Jaswant." Alair said, cutting Jaswant off.
Jaswant fell silent, staring at her as her expression softened.
"We are humans and humans are flawed in that manner. It takes a true man to admit his mistakes and offer the lessons he learned to others. You should be proud such a man called you his son. The loss will hurt, there is no denying that. I have felt it too. But, even if he is not here, not by your side, he will always linger in your heart. As I have told others, home is where your heart lies. As long as there is someone there, thinking of you, you will always have a home to come back to. His heart laid with you, therefore his heart will always be with your's. Do not let the hurt keep you from celebrating the man you remember. You will live far too long to drown yourself in sorrow and I am sure he would not want that for you." Alair told him.
She laid a hand on Jaswant's and gave him a smile so endearingly soft, Jaswant broke into tears. Alair offered him comforting squeeze of the hand before rising to her feet. She turned her eyes to Rajendra and Karikala and bowed to them before turning to work her way down to Daryun. When she reached him, she gently took hold of his chin, turning his head.
"And you want to scold me for my injuries." she remarked, a small smile on her face.
"I am not the one of royal blood." Daryun replied.
"I fail to see what that has to do with the situation." she told him.
Alair, satisfied that he seemed to be in one piece, heaved a sigh. He was going to giver her poor heart a work out in the future. Of that, she was sure.
"I am just glad you are alive and mostly fine." she told him.
"It would take more than that to kill me." he told her.
"So I said myself. You are a stubborn man when you wish, Daryun."
Daryun wasn't exactly sure how to take that and didn't have to worry about it. The rest of their friends reached them, each expressing their gratitude that he was not harmed more than he was and their pride in him. Rajendra invited them to stay for the time being, to rest. An offer that Arslan took up. It would be nice to just rest for a while without having to worry about a fight.
Alair was just ready to rest her poor, beating heart.
-0-0-0-0-
A dinner was thrown celebrating Rajendra's victory over Gadevi. The Parsians were invited to join in on the celebrations. Something Alair wasn't particularly fond of. She just wasn't comfortable being stared at as the princess of Alhir. During the dinner, Rajendra asked to speak to Alair in private. Something Daryun wasn't particularly fond of. When she came back to rejoin her companions, Alair was silent and withdrawn, lost in her thoughts. Rajendra looked proud of himself and kept glancing at Alair.
It wasn't until after the dinner, when they were all gathered in Arslan's quarters, that they found out why.
"Daryun."
Daryun turned to look at Alair. He was busy working out battle plans with Narsus for when they returned to Peshawar. He should have known something important was going on by the way she was gripping one arm in an almost insecure way.
"I need to speak to you." she told him.
"It will have to wait. We are busy at the moment." Daryun told her.
"It can't wait."
That should have clued him in as well. Alair was never so impatient.
"Not now, Alair, please. We are-"
"Rajendra asked me to marry him."
Daryun cut off his sentence when she spoke. All activity stopped in the room and all attention swung to Alair. Daryun even dropped the cup in his hand. The metal cup clanged to the floor, what little bit of liquid left inside, spilling across the floor.
"He what!?" came the unison reply of Elam and Alfreed.
Daryun rose to his feet to face Alair. He couldn't describe the feeling in his chest as he looked at Alair. It burned, making his veins feel like they were on fire. Anger was there in the mix, along with something else.
Jealousy?
Yes, that seemed likely.
And the mix of dark emotions, made him uncommonly short.
"I see. That explains the proud look on his face when he looked at you. I suppose you will be staying here then. A family is what you wanted." he said.
Alair's back went stiff, her grip on her arm tightening. Her wolves picked up on the tension and went on alert, raising their heads. Narsus stared at his friend in surprise. He had never heard Daryun so short with one of their own before.
"What are you-"
"So your loyalty can shift that easily to Sindhura then." Daryun added, cutting her off.
Hurt, anger, and jealousy burned in his chest. A mix he had never experienced before. But he could see the hurt now reflected in her eyes.
"Daryun." Narsus said sharply.
Daryun looked away from Alair, his fist curling at his sides. Narsus turned to Alair instead.
"What did you tell him, Alair?" Narsus asked.
"I told him that I was not going to lay down my glaive for a ring and that, first and foremost, I have my loyalty to the kingling."
Daryun turned to look at Alair, his eyes meeting Alair's. The look on her face was enough to hit him low in the gut and drain the dark feelings from him.
"I thought you knew me and trusted me more than that, Daryun. I suppose I was wrong." she added.
"Alair, I-"
Alair turned on her heel, refusing to listen to him. She walked away, bells jingling in the silence. Arslan nudged Lunarwind, inclining his head towards Alair's retreating form. Lunarwind bounded after Alair, Greyback on her heels. Daryun jerked in pain when Wolfsbane nipped hard at his hand, hard enough to draw blood. Daryun looked down at the wolf who glared at him with his one good eye, drawing his lips back in a low growl before hurrying after Alair and his siblings.
"Alfreed." Farangis called, following Alair.
Alfreed slipped past Narsus and followed the woman. The two would talk to Alair, try to talk her out of her mood and cheer her up. Gieve shook his head when the women and wolves were gone. Narsus dropped his face into a hand. Even Elam and Arslan could tell that Daryun had messed up.
"You really can be rather thick, can't you?" Gieve asked.
Daryun looked at him. He had no idea what Gieve meant. He didn't understand why Alair was so hurt by what he said, either. Anger, he would have expected, but not the hurt he saw in her gaze.
"What do you mean?" Daryun asked.
Gieve opened his mouth but Narsus cut him off.
"Now, now Gieve, lets leave him to figure it out for himself. I doubt Alair would thank us for telling him what he cannot see for himself." Narsus said.
Gieve shrugged as Daryun turned a questioning look on Narsus. But Narsus simply shook his head at Daryun.
"Alair was so concerned for you during your duel, she was shaking, Daryun. Does that sound like someone who can so easily shift her loyalty to another?" Narsus asked.
Daryun watched Narsus as the man walked away. Alair had been shaking from concern for him? And he had basically accused her of deciding to leave and forget about their war in favor of a marriage proposal. He couldn't feel worse than he did at that moment. He was going to have to apologize to her and he knew it. She had done nothing at all to warrant this kind of treatment.
The question was...would she accept his apology?
-0-0-0-0-
Early the next morning Rajendra took Alair to see the company of Alhirians who served in Sindhura. Arslan and the rest of her friends, went with her. Alair, effectively ignoring Daryun who had yet to have a moment to apologize, walked beside Rajendra.
"I had them gather together. Even Griselda was given leave from my father's side to come. Of course I did not tell them the reason for it." Rajendra was telling Alair.
"I see. My thanks, Prince Rajendra." Alair said simply.
Rajendra looked down at Alair. Her friends could tell something was wrong as well. Alair usually attempted to be more chatty when she was around the prince. Just to be polite to Rajendra. Today, she wasn't even attempting it.
"Is something wrong, princess?" Rajendra asked her.
"I will admit...I am rather nervous." Alair replied.
"Nervous?" Rajendra asked.
Alair nodded.
"I know I was but a child, hardly more than a toddler when the fall of my kingdom came to be, but..." Alair heaved a sigh. "I was hailed the War Princess and yet all I could do was run for my life when my brother told me to leave. Those of my people here have every right to shun me. Seventeen years I have been gone, presumably dead to them and now I have allied myself with the prince of the very kingdom that destroyed their homes."
Rajendra thought about this. Arslan, who had doubts about his place in his kingdom, knew how she must feel.
"I'm not sure I agree with you." Rajendra said, making Alair look up at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I have heard the Alhirians here speak of you from time to time. None of them actually believed you dead and every time I hear anything, it is nothing but praise." Rajendra told her.
Alair thought that over, looking down at the ground as they walked.
"This is it." Rajendra said, stopping before a pair of doors.
Before he could push them open, Alair caught his wrist, making him look at her.
"Before we proceed, I must ask something of you." she told him.
"What is it, Princess Alair?" he asked.
The look on Alair's face was the most serious any of them had seen. Considering she was almost always serious, that was saying something.
"If my people decide they cannot forgive my absence or cannot bare to part from the home they have made here, I beg of you, please continue to welcome them here. Please, be good to them. I will not force them to come with me. My first concern, now and always, will be that they are safe and, most importantly, happy. I will never grudge them their happiness. Never deny them it." Alair told him.
And she swore she could never be a leader.
Rajendra smiled at Alair, laying a hand on her shoulder.
"If you are so concerned with their well being, you could always take my offer." he told her.
Narsus laid a hand on Daryun's shoulder when the other man tensed. Alair, though, just shook her head.
"I gave you my answer and told you the reason why. Your solemn oath will be enough for me." Alair told him.
Rajendra's eyes went to Daryun in a look that had the other man raising an eyebrow in questioning. Rajendra turned back to Alair when she cleared her throat.
"You have my solemn oath to the gods of Sindhura that I will welcome them and treat them as one of my own people should they decide to stay." he told her.
Alair nodded, pleased with the oath.
"Then let us proceed." she said.
Rajendra turned and pushed open the doors. Beyond the doors, about a hundred men and their families were gathered in the room. Silence fell on the people gathered and all bowed to Rajendra as he entered the room. Rajendra asked them to raise back to their feet. It was then that a woman in her late twenties stepped forward. Hair as dark as night fell in long curls down to her thighs and eyes as green as new grass shined from behind the fringe of bangs. She was beautiful with a heart shaped face, a beauty mark standing out against her lightly bronzed skin just beneath her left eye.
"Prince Rajendra, if I may, why have you summoned all Alhirians here? Have we done something to displease you?" she asked.
Rajendra shook his head, spreading his arms.
"Rest easy, all of you. I summon you here for good reasons, not bad. May I introduce, or rather, reacquaint you all with Princess Alairanna de fleur Alhir." Rajendra said, stepping aside.
The moment Alair was revealed to those gathered, gasp and exclamations to the gods sounded around the room. The woman in front raised her hands to her mouth, her eyes going wide.
"Princess Alair." she said lowly, her eyes tearing up as she took a step forward.
Alair smiled, holding out her arms.
"Griselda." Alair greeted, recognizing the woman easily.
With a cry of pure joy, the woman threw herself at her princess and childhood friend, wrapping her arms around Alair's neck. Cheers went up from the others, and all of the people in the room crowded around Alair.
"I knew it! I knew you could not be dead!" Griselda said, taking hold of Alair's hands.
"Griselda, my old friend, I am truly regretful for all the heartache and worry I have cost you these seventeen, long years." Alair told her.
Griselda raised Alair's hands to her lips, kissing her hands. Many of the others greeted Alair with smiles and tears of joy. Rajendra stood back with Arslan and the others, all of them watching as Alair took the time to greet all of her people, the truest smile they had ever seen, on her face. When she had greeted them all, Griselda stepped back and dropped to her knees. All of the others followed suit.
"Princess, please forgive our casualness. We have prayed all these long years that you lived. When Prince Cormac fell and the palace went up in flames, we all feared the worse. I always insisted you lived, highness. It is an answer to our prayers to see you before us now." Griselda told Alair, her head bowed.
Alair dropped to a knee before Griselda, laying a hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Please rise. All of you. It has been too long parted to mind formality now. I have missed all of my people so dearly. I could not stand to look at the tops of your heads when I would rather look at your faces." Alair told them.
Griselda, along with everyone, raised their heads to look at Alair. Griselda took Alair's offered hand in her two.
"Princess, is it true you have allied yourself with the Parsians? The very people who took everything from us? We have heard tales." Griselda said.
Alair smiled before turning to look at Arslan. Close to two hundred eyes turned to Arslan. Alair gave Arslan a smile before turning her eyes back to her people.
"I have, but before you think little of me, allow me to explain." Alair told them.
No one spoke, everyone waiting to see what their princess would say. It showed how much respect her people had for her, even after seventeen years had passed.
"This is Prince Arslan, the son of King Andragoras II of Pars. I refer to him as my kingling." Alair told her people, one hand gesturing to Arslan.
This was rewarded with several smiles of amusement. One man among those dressed as soldiers spoke up then.
"Your highness, you mean Osorosis is no longer king in Pars?" he asked.
"No. He fell a year after our kingdom did and his heir vanished into the shadows. The kingling is not like Osorosis. He is kind, just, and if my wolves deem him worthy of my trust, should we not as well? Our people believe in the wisdom of beast. The mighty wolf especially." Alair said.
Murmurs of agreement swept through the people.
"I have traveled a great deal, been through many a battle with him. I have seen a great deal of his character and believe him true. Our teachings are that if another offers us a hand in peace, we are not to shun it. I have chosen not to hold the actions of one king against an entire kingdom's people or a prince who wishes to set it right. What say you?" Alair asked, her eyes scanning those gathered.
No arguments rose as the people looked at each other and then at Arslan. Griselda eyed Arslan before she turned to Alair.
"If you trust him, princess, than so shall I." she said.
Agreement rose. Alair gave her old friend a grateful smile.
"Have you come to take us back to Pars then, princess?" another woman, with a child in her arms, asked.
"Not necessarily." Alair replied, raising to her feet to look at everyone around her. "I realize that in the years we have been parted, many of you, if not all of you, have made a home here in Sindhura. Sadly Alhir is gone. There is no Alhir to return to. That being said, I have been offered a home in Pars, along side the kingling, and there is room for any of you who wish to follow me. I will not, however, ask you to leave the homes you've built or the families you have started. If you wish not to follow me and to stay here, I will understand completely and will wish you all the fortune of the gods."
Alair turned, looking every Alhirian in the eye, refusing to miss a single person.
"My concern, first and foremost, is your safety and, more importantly, your happiness. I will not grudge you the home and families you have found here. If you wish to stay, then do so with my best wishes. If you wish to follow me, I will welcome you with open arms and all the love and gratitude of my heart. The choice will be your's. Before you decide though...I must apologize to all of you." Alair added.
"Apologize, highness? Whatever for?" one old man asked.
"That day, so long ago, I fled Truvelle, our royal capitol, to save my own life. I have lived, all these years, hiding, along with only my wolf companions. I am ashamed to say that I did not seek our people out as I should have. For abandoning our people, our kingdom, for running as no warrior should, I apologize to the most bottom depths of my soul. Please forgive me this transgression." Alair told them, bowing to the people, her head down.
Several of those around her, flew to their feet instantly, begging Alair to stand straight. She refused until she had heard, from each and every last one of them that they forgave her. Men and women, elderly and young, all forgave her, begging her to not think of it.
"You know, for someone who claims she is no ruler at all, she instinctively knows how to endear her subjects to her. How to win their hearts." Gieve remarked lowly from where he stood with the others watching.
"Just because she believes so, does not mean the rest of us do." Narsus replied.
Griselda finally coaxed Alair out of her bow. She gripped Alair's hands tightly in her own.
"Your highness, I have known you since you were but a new born babe that your mother allowed me, the child of low ranking soldier, to hold. You and I got into our fair share of trouble, did we not?" Griselda asked.
"That we did." Alair agreed with a laugh.
"You have always been so cautious never to hurt those you care for, to fight and defend those most important to you. But you were but a child who had lost everything that day. Your home, your family, your people, gone. All you had left was your life. It might seem selfish to you, princess, but we could not be happier that you did run. If our happiness means so much to you than please, we beg you...forgive yourself. We cannot be happy until you do." Griselda told her.
Alair stared at her childhood friend, orange-yellow eyes meeting green. Finally she nodded.
"That I will."
Griselda nodded, pleased.
"As for your request, princess, I have my answer. I love you, princess, as any best friend would...but I have a husband and a child here. You would love her, princess. I named her Fleur, after you. I am so sorry I cannot go with you." Griselda told Alair.
Alair's face lit up with a smile.
"A family. That is wonderful, Griselda! I am so happy to see you've found happiness and I thank you for the honor. Please be at ease. I will happily leave here knowing you are well and Prince Rajendra has given me his solemn oath that those of you who wish to stay will be forever welcomed as one of Sindhura's people." Alair said.
Arslan and his friends watched with smiles as Alair spoke with each of her people. Children, who knew only tales of their homeland from their parents, hung on Alair, giggling when she paid them attention. Men and woman, old and young, spoke to her with nothing but smiles. In the end, out of nearly two hundred and fifty men, women, and children, only forty men and fourteen women with no ties to Sindhura agreed to follow Alair. Alair blessed those staying with her well wishes.
Before she parted from her people Griselda informed Alair of even more of their people hiding out in the surrounding countries, waiting for any sign of their princess. Griselda parted with Alair promising that she would send out word to them, telling them to make way for Peshawar, where their princess would be awaiting them with open arms.
Those who wished to follow Alair were moved to quarters along side her men among the Parsian army. Alair spent the rest of the day reacquainting herself with her people. Daryun found Alair that evening in a side courtyard along side Griselda and a few men and women, sparing with their glaives. Alair had not sparred with another glaive wielder in so long that she was a little rusty, but she picked up quickly and was soon falling into a fast pace spar with Griselda, who was just as masterfully skilled with her glaive as Alair was.
The two moved so quickly, so surely, that their glaives were just blurs in the air. They twisted around each other in a lethal dance. The spark of metal on metal and the sound of clashing blades was the only signs of their glaives meeting that Daryun could pick up. Then Alair got the upper hand on Griselda. She dropped low, circling the butt end of her glaive under Griselda's guard to twist and yank the glaive from her hands, sending the weapon skidding across the cobblestones.
"You have bested me again, princess." Griselda said, holding her hands up in surrender.
"To think, when we were young, you were always the one to win. You have grown rusty in these years, my old friend." Alair told her.
Griselda smiled clasping Alair's hand in good sportsmanship. It was then that the woman's green eyes found Daryun, watching them from a distance. She moved close to Alair, her voice lowering.
"My princess, if I may, that man...who is he?" Griselda asked.
Alair turned, her eyes finding Daryun, who was currently watching two others spar, his gaze intense and intrigued.
"That is Daryun, one of the kingling's advisers and his strongest warrior." Alair told her.
"He is very handsome, this Daryun." Griselda remarked. "Of course, he has nothing on my Dadur."
Alair smiled and laughed at her friend's teasing. Her eyes found Daryun again, studying him, her head tilted to one side.
"I suppose he is, indeed, very handsome. He is a warrior with no rival and his loyalty and courage knows no bounds. He is...a good sort." Alair replied.
Griselda looked at Alair, studying her face. A smile curved Griselda's lips. Alair looked up at her in questioning.
"What is it?" Alair asked.
"My lady...do you have feelings for him?" Griselda asked.
"Nonsense!" Alair replied instantly, her face heating up as a blush colored her cheeks.
"You say one thing, highness, but your face says another." Griselda told her. "Alhirians do not lie to themselves when matters of the heart are concerned."
Alair, her cheeks bright red, tugged on a strand of her hair.
"It is not like that, Griselda. For me...Daryun is my alpha. But he believes me fickle with my loyalty." Alair replied.
Griselda raised an eyebrow, her hands going to her hips.
"Why don't you explain this to me, highness."
As Alair told Griselda what had happened after Rajendra's proposal, Daryun watched the Alhirians still sparring. He was amazed at how fast, agile, and flexible the people of Alhir were. They moved with such a free range that Daryun wondered if they had any bones and ligaments in them. He had seen Alair move much the same way but had thought it was something gained in her years with her wolves. Now he saw that it was a trait all Alhirians had. Years of the same conditioning exercises making them limber and quick.
Footsteps nearing him, made Daryun look up to find Griselda coming towards him. Behind her, Alair was busy checking the blade of her glaive after her spar with Griselda. Daryun's eyes turned to the green eyed woman as she came to a stop before him.
"So you are the mighty Lord Daryun. It is a pleasure to meet you." she greeted.
"You are Griselda?" Daryun asked, accepting the woman's hand when she held it out.
"I am. My princess has told me of you." Griselda told him.
Daryun didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. At the current moment, Alair still seemed to be rather cross with him.
"No worries, warrior. Though she seems a little hurt, she has spoken nothing ill of you." Griselda told him.
Daryun looked down at Griselda as she put her hands on her hips.
"Talk with me for a moment, if you will." Griselda requested.
Daryun's eyes went to Alair, but the young woman had been surrounded by small children, seeking her guidance with their miniature glaives. Alair, a smile on her face and a soft look in her eyes as she looked at the children, could not turn them down. She agreed, causing the children to cheer.
"She will be busy yet." Griselda assured him.
Daryun turned back to Griselda and nodded.
"Good. First and foremost, though I have not seen her in seventeen years, my princess has not changed so much that I cannot tell what crosses her mind." Griselda told him. "You said some things that greatly hurt her."
Daryun heaved a sigh, crossing his arms. He knew he had hurt her and didn't quite understand what had possessed him to do so.
"I know. I came to apologize to her." he told the woman.
"That is wonderful. I know it seems to hurt her more not being able to speak to you than your words hurt her. Her highness has always been a rather forgiving and simple person. She would rather forgive you and have you by her side once more, than remain angry. But you must take the first step by apologizing. Show her that you value her presence just as much as she values your's." Griselda explained to him.
"You are positive she will forgive me for the things I said?" Daryun asked.
"Lord Daryun, she forgave your country even after it's king was responsible for the death of her family and the destruction of her home. I believe Princess Alairanna can forgive a few words said out of fear of her remaining here. Just be sure to add in that you were a fool for over reacting and she might forgive you with a smile." Griselda advised.
Daryun's eyes went to Alair once more. Griselda gave his arm a nudge.
"Go, warrior. Wait any longer and you will cause her to believe you hate her. I may be nice now, but break my princess' heart anymore and I am likely to be the cruelest thing you meet." Griselda warned him.
Daryun smiled, unable to help it. He could see why Alair had been such good friends with Griselda. He bowed his head to the woman and headed for Alair. When he stopped in front of her, the children she had been working with, looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Whoa...big man!" one little girl no more than five said, pointing up at Daryun.
Daryun looked down at the girl, unsure on how to reply to that. Alair, though, smiled before knelling on the children's level.
"Yes, he is big and he seems to have something to say to me. Why don't you children go have Griselda help you?" Alair told them.
The children agreed, thanking Alair for her help before running off. Alair stood up, turning her eyes to Daryun.
"Is something on your mind?" she asked.
"Alair...I came to apologize for my words to your yesterday. They were unwarranted and untrue. I know you would not do what I accused. Please forgive me for hurting you." Daryun told her, bowing his head to her.
Alair stared at him before heaving a sigh.
"You spoke to Griselda, did you not?" she asked.
"She told me to admit that I was a fool for over reacting as well."
Alair dropped her face into her hand. She shook her head before looking back up at him.
"You were coming to apologize before that?" she asked.
Daryun nodded.
"As much as I care for Griselda, she can be rather nosy. Truthfully...I could never remain angry with you, Daryun. I do not understand why you were so short, and it does not matter. I accept your apology, but only if you can forgive me for my snark reply to your words yesterday." Alair told him.
"There is nothing for me to forgive." Daryun told her.
Alair smiled up at him, getting a smile back from him. Griselda walked past then, throwing a grin in their direction.
"You can thank me later, princess." she called.
Alair turned a sharp look on the woman and she hurried away, the grin still in place.
"Did I mention she is really nosy?" Alair asked.
Daryun laughed, pulling another smile and a laugh from Alair. He was glad that he was back on good terms with her. Life on Alair's bad side, was unpleasant and awkwardly quiet.
Two things Daryun didn't want in his life.
END
Kyandi: You know, I find it funny watching to oblivious people together.
Alair: Are you saying I am oblivious?
Kyandi: Yes, actually. Anymore dense and you could be used as a door stop.
Alair: I do not find that humorous in the least.
Kyandi: No, I didn't think you would. Everyone please enjoy and review.
Alair: We shall return soon.
Kyandi: Bye-bye!