Chapter Three- Meetings
Notes- Sorry, it took so long! I hope you still like!
~*~
"Whoa, there!" Arend laughed, patting the neck of the beast he rode. "Slow down a ways. We aren't in a race." He glanced back at his friend, who was still coming after him at a gallop. "At least, most of us aren't," he added.
Ranin pulled up next to Arend's horse and sighed. "Ah, this is great. Nothing like tearing across the countryside, eh?"
"I agree. Though I'm not sure I enjoyed that race through the woods."
"Ah, don't be ridiculous. You loved every second of it," Ranin answered. "The challenge always gets to you, doesn't it? I feel it pouring through my veins, and I am but a mere humble knight-"
"Yeah right," Arend said with a laugh. "Humble. Yes, that describes you perfectly."
Ranin mimed a blow at his friend, who pretended to be struck and moaned, covering his face with his hands. "My face! My beautiful face!" Arend said. "You will pay for that!"
"You'll have to catch up to me then!" Before he had even finished his sentence, Ranin was racing on his horse up a nearby hill, yelling the words back at his friend. Arend laughed again and kicked the sides of his own horse lightly so it too would pound up the hill.
A while later, Arend pulled up his horse again. "I think we should walk them from here on in," he told his friend, who was also pulling up short. "They seem very tired."
Ranin raised an eyebrow at the panting horses. "No, I didn't notice."
Arend rolled his eyes. "Come on. Let's get these two back into the stables, and then go to the inn. I heard Bran is giving out spirits again."
"Ah, but don't let your father know!" Ranin laughed.
"Oh, come on Ran. We're both quite old and mature enough to handle a drink or two." Arend slipped off his horse and, holding the reins, began to walk it towards the city. After a moment, he heard his friend walking behind him with his horse.
Ranin was chuckling still. "Old and mature enough in our eyes. What about your father's eyes, Arend?"
"A father's eyes only behold a two year old," Arend moaned theatrically. "Oh, when shall we be considered grown?"
"When our horses learn to fly, I suppose."
Arend snorted.
The two reached Bale a short while later, and were greeted by a number of people. A middle-aged woman with a little girl asked them if she could paint another portrait of them as they passed. Ranin offered to come by later. An old man called out, selling foodstuffs. General folk were coming by and greeting the prince and the young knight.
When finally they reached the stables, and rubbed down their respective horses, Ranin stretched and sighed. "Ah, I agree with you Arend. Let's head down to the inn before any good seats are taken."
Arend raised an eyebrow. "Good seats, friend? And what in Serdio does that mean? Is there something you're not telling me?" He nudged his friend.
"Perhaps," Ranin said, also grinning. "How about you? Visiting the inn without me?"
"Why, never!" Arend said.
The two young men laughed and headed out together.
~*~
"Dart, what are you doing here?" Albert asked, walking quickly to meet his old friend.
The other man smiled. "Sleeping tonight, I hope," was his reply.
Albert chuckled and the two shared a clasping of hands. Their grips were still iron-strong, despite the past few peaceful years. "It is good to see you. But, where is Shana and your little one?" Albert made a show of peering around Dart, who laughed and shook his head.
"Shana is still in Seles. Her parents refuse to let her go when she is about to give them a second grandchild," Dart said. "But this was our usual meeting-"
"Nonsense! You realize you will bring the castle down upon us all when my wife hears you are here and Shana is still in Seles," Albert said. "And while you can escape tomorrow easily enough, I must still live with her."
"I apologize, Your Majesty. I was planning on staying here just for a day or two. Shana isn't due for at least another month, the midwife says." Dart smiled. "And she learned from the best, after all."
"Yes," Albert agreed. He recalled that day twenty years ago, when they'd found the old midwife struggling to put her home back together after the attack of the Sandorans... And the young girl who had offered to help the old woman. "That she did. Well, shall we head into the castle? It is better for us to face the worst as soon as possible so Emille may recover."
Dart sighed. "I suppose you're right. Let's head in."
The two men turned to enter the castle, with the two knights following a discreet distance behind them.
"So how has the past year been in Seles? I have reports, of course, but they are hardly personal," Albert said. "How has Shana and your little one been?"
Dart smiled, and Albert saw some pride on the other man's face. "Well, my son is now strong enough to start practicing with his own sword. Shana is a little concerned about him practicing so much, but I am going with extreme caution. Despite the fact that one is supposed to get hurt during practice." He shrugged. "It's the only way one learns."
"Indeed," Albert agreed. "I only barely got Emille to agree with me on training Arend. That required the backing of every knight in the city as well."
Dart winced. "Wow. I don't suppose you'd be willing to lend me a few of your knights until I convince Shana, would you?"
"I'm sorry, but they are like glue to their posts."
They headed into the King's study, where Emille was draped over a couch reading something.
Dart took a long moment to admire the huge room.
It was a library almost as extensive as the National Library in Mille Seseau, somehow packed into a normal castle as this. Books were stacked either neatly in the shelves (Emille's insisting kept this true) or stacked near the shelves on the ground (Albert's piles of recently read books that Emille couldn't put away anywhere). Along with all the books, Albert had put in a desk covered in papers, two or three chairs, and a couch.
Emille looked up curiously at the sound of the two men coming in, and slowly sat up. Her hair had remained golden all these years, though she held herself with a slower grace than before, a calmer grace. Her dress was perfectly clean; today, she had pulled herself away from her usual pink and donned a blue-gray that went with her eyes.
"Albert! And... Dart?!" she exclaimed delightedly. "Oh, it's been too long since we have had you here! Please, come take a seat! Where is a drink when you need it? It must have been an awful trip in this weather." She waved a hand around.
Dart smiled. "Not too bad, Your Majesty. It was actually quite nice to be travelling again. Of course the monsters were no challenge- they kept me warm enough. Though I am looking forward to a nice, warm bed again."
Emille nodded understandingly. "I see." She glanced around. "But... where is Shana? Has she given birth already? How is the baby?"
Dart now coughed uncomfortably. "Well, uh..."
Emille's eyes narrowed. "Did you leave her in Seles in her condition?" she asked.
"Yes, well, I did..."
"Dart! A woman appreciates a man who stays nearby while she has her children, not one who wanders off while she's pregnant!" Emille began to scold.
Dart fidgeted a little under her gaze, suddenly feeling like his son. "But it was the usual time I..."
"That doesn't matter, you could have sent us a letter explaining and come next spring! Heavens, leaving your wife like that!"
"My son's taking care of her," he said defensively. "He is eleven."
Emille raised an eyebrow at that. "Eleven," she stated.
Now Albert coughed. "Dear, are we going to get Dart something warm to drink?" he asked timidly.
"What? Oh, yes, I apologize." She turned around towards someone they hadn't noticed earlier. "Can you please bring in some tea and something to eat?"
The maid curtsied. "Yes, Your Majesty." She disappeared quickly out the door.
"Now, where was I? Yes, right... How is Shana and the baby doing?"
Dart shifted a little on his seat. "They are both doing very well. Our midwife tells us she is not due for another month, so it was safe for me to come and go quickly. As for my son Jim, he's doing pretty well. He's learning to take care of himself, and ah, taking care of his mother."
"I see."
Albert took a seat himself as the maid returned with tea. "Thank you," he murmured to her. "Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing well, Dart."
Dart nodded at the maid, then at Albert as he took a sip of his cup of tea. "How about Prince Arend?"
"He is very close to gaining knighthood himself," Albert said. "Though today he was having a little trouble deciding what was a legal move when fencing and when actually fighting."
"What happened?" Emille asked. "Thank you, dear. Go on and have a couple hours off," she told the young maid. The maid curtsied again and left.
"He was trying to twist the knight's arm, and the knight returned the favor," Albert replied.
"Albert, we don't need the knights breaking Arend's arm. He's going to need it for the rest of his life," Emille said.
"He didn't break it, or even harm it very much," Albert assured her. "He just held Arend down until our son gave up."
"Hmm."
"So have you heard anything from Tiberoa or Mille Seseau?" Dart cut in. "How is Meru? Anyone heard from her?"
Albert gave a pained expression. "Actually, she's coming by in a couple months with her husband."
"Husband?!" Dart exclaimed. "You mean someone has enough energy to marry her?"
"Apparently. Remember the Wingly Guaraha? He finally got off probation for helping Humans and their Elder's getting tired of locking everyone up because all the children in their forest are running around in the forest talking to human children, now that the forest is safe."
"Oh, dear," Dart whistled through his teeth.
"Meru said that she is going to come by with Guaraha because that will signify the day that that forest of Winglies, at least, will no longer be locked. Winglies and Humans will be allowed to go in and out at will. It's just a matter of time for everyone to get the protesting Winglies out of there."
"Well, that's great news," Dart said with a grin. "How about Miranda?"
"She's taken over the priest's job of explaining the Divine Tree phenomenon," Albert said with a grin. "Can you imagine Miranda as a priest, even calmed down as she is?"
Dart started laughing. "Those poor people! I can imagine her now." He imitated a scowl. "'Look, the damn tree wanted to bring us all to life and then kill us. What, you don't believe me?' Whack!" He hit the palm of one hand with his other hand in a fist.
Albert shook his head. "That's how I hear it's happening. How's Haschel?"
Dart sighed. "...He's still hanging in there. But our doctor says he's only got maybe a year left before..." he trailed off.
Albert nodded. "He's what, in his eighties?"
"Nineties, from what I can figure," Dart said. "Though he refuses to tell us his age."
"I agree with him, it's not your business," Emille said primly.
"And how old are you, dear lady?" Albert teased.
He was rewarded with her hitting him on the arm.
Dart grinned. "I'm glad you're all doing well, though... where is Arend?"
"Off with one of his friends," Emille said. "Ranin, I think his name is. A very nice young man. He's a knight, so they get a lot of training done together."
"Ah."
Dart set down his tea cup. "How is Lady Slambert?" he asked delicately.
"She is still with us, amazingly. She is a resilient woman," Albert said. "She calls the boy she adopted after... Lavitz left us, her grandson. He's married now and his wife just had a child. Lady Slambert insists that she won't leave until she hears him say 'Grandma' to her."
Dart shook his head sadly. "She wanted a family from Lavitz so badly... but... well, she has one at least."
The group was silent for a moment.
Then Dart said, "Well, how about what's going on in Tiberoa? How is everything with your sister, your Majesty?"
~*~
Arend and Ranin entered the inn to the sound of laughter and a few other men shouting their names. Some were drunk already, this early in the day, though most were still quite sober.
"The usual, my lords?" the bartender asked cheerfully.
"Yes, of course," Arend said. "We cannot rest until we've had our usual."
A few of the drunker folk cheered at that statement and ordered more rounds for themselves.
Ranin chuckled and shook his head. "Ah, what a life," he said as he took one of the mugs of ale from the bartender. "To be young at this age. And to be friend to a prince, who pays nothing at all for this!"
Arend raised an eyebrow as he took a sip from his own mug. "I beg to differ. I pay once every month."
"When?"
"When my mother storms in and rants about how bad this is for us," he replied. "Really. My father has been known to have one or two. Why can't I have a pint once in a while?"
"Better than these SLOBS!" Ranin howled at a drunken group in a corner. They waved at him and returned to their drinking. He chuckled again. "Well, shall we find a seat?"
They did so, and were well into their mugs when the door opened again.
Ranin, who was facing the door, gave a low whistle. "Whoo, Arend."
Arend glanced up from his drink. "What is it?"
"You should take a look at that beauty," his friend said.
Arend blinked, and turned around to face the door.
A young woman was making her way through the door. She had long hair tied back from her face in a braid that fell halfway down her back. She wore a dark violet vest with a white blouse underneath, and dark leggings to match. If the inn had had just one or two more windows to let in light from outside as well as more candles inside, Arend would have been certain he could see metal glinting at her sleeves.
She walked in, glancing around once with a cool, businesslike look on her face before turning to the bartender. "Wine, please," she said.
"Of course, my lady. Anything to eat?" the bartender asked. He seemed a little nervous around this woman.
"Yes. The freshest loaf of bread you have and some cheese."
"Will do, my lady." The bartender found himself bowing, caught himself, and turned to get what the woman wanted.
Arend turned back to a grinning Ranin. "Did you know that you were gaping?" Ranin teased.
The prince shook his head. "Don't tease me, Ranin. I prefer my women to have a spark of life in 'em, if at all."
"Yeah, well, maybe you can go over and give 'er that spark, eh? Come on, you need to spend some time with a woman or two. You haven't even spoken to one for months except for Dania. Unless your preferences have changed...?"
Arend snorted. "You wish, my friend. But no, I don't think she wants to be given anything right now except her meal. We'll let her alone."
Ranin pouted. "Party pooper," he muttered, and took another gulp of his ale.
Despite his words, Arend turned to look at the woman again, and found himself staring into her eyes. They were an odd, blue-violet color in the dimming light of the common room in the inn.
"Er, hello," he said lamely. He felt embarrassed being caught looking at this woman.
She nodded at him, and returned to her drink.
Ranin was grinning from ear to ear as Arend returned to his drink again. "Er, hello? Is that all you can think of to say? You're worse off than I thought, Arend."
"Oh shut up," he retorted. "I think I'm done for tonight." He put his ale down and stood up.
At the same time, a few of the drunks in the corner decided that they were going to cheer up this mystery woman. About three of them staggered over to her table, where she sat alone eating.
"Hey, there, sweetie," one slurred. "Why don't you eat with us? You look lonely."
"Thank you, no," she said, in a voice as cool as her expression.
"Ran," Arend said in a low voice.
"I know," his friend replied, watching grimly. "Isn't there that new law of how many drinks you get a night?"
"Yes. They are far over the limit."
"Aw, come on there," a second said. "You don't wanna be lonely. It's getting cold out there, ya know. We could... keep ya warm."
"I'd rather you left me in peace. I've no business with you," she said. The uncaring voice was replaced by an even icier tone, one that made Arend shiver.
Then the third pulled out a knife. "I don't think ya got a choice, honey."
"Hey, no weapons in my common room!" the bartender demanded, stepping out from behind the bar.
The drunks ignored him, circling the woman.
Arend walked over and casually hit one on the head with the hilt of his sword before he realized what he was doing. A moment later, Ranin was by his side with his own sword out. "I don't suppose you fellows could leave?" Arend suggested.
The woman glanced up at him, and returned to her meal.
"I suggest ya leave, prince," the drunk leader slurred. "We ain't from 'round here, and we know different fighting techniques. We can beat ya anytime!"
Arend raised an eyebrow- the man was having trouble standing, much less fighting. "As you wish." He nodded to Ranin.
A moment later, the three drunks were being thrown out the door, unconscious.
Ranin was demanding water, saying he wanted to clean his hands off from dragging those people out the door. A few of the peasant patrons, who'd been watching, immediately got water for him and he cleaned himself off.
Arend looked at the woman. "Did they touch you, miss?" he asked.
"No."
Arend nodded. The voice had returned to being cool and distant. He turned away.
"Wait."
He turned back. "Yes?"
"You are the Prince of Serdio?"
After a long moment, he nodded again.
She considered him with her odd violet eyes, then nodded back. "I thank you, Prince of Serdio." Then she returned to her food as though nothing had happened.
Arend watched her for a while longer, and walked over to where Ranin was drying his hands off on his leggings. "Come on, I don't feel like being here anymore tonight," he said softly.
"I agree. I didn't think the guards would let such... people... into the town, much less the inn!"
"They're probably perfectly good men who just had too many drinks," Arend pointed out. "Come on, let's go to the castle. My father said that Lord Dart has come today, and I want to speak with him for a while."
"Lord Dart? Wow, yes, let's go see him!" Ranin agreed.
They both left the inn, not realizing that a pair of dark eyes were watching them from behind a lifted glass of wine. "So be it," the woman murmured, and continued to eat.
~*~
Notes- Sorry, it took so long! I hope you still like!
~*~
"Whoa, there!" Arend laughed, patting the neck of the beast he rode. "Slow down a ways. We aren't in a race." He glanced back at his friend, who was still coming after him at a gallop. "At least, most of us aren't," he added.
Ranin pulled up next to Arend's horse and sighed. "Ah, this is great. Nothing like tearing across the countryside, eh?"
"I agree. Though I'm not sure I enjoyed that race through the woods."
"Ah, don't be ridiculous. You loved every second of it," Ranin answered. "The challenge always gets to you, doesn't it? I feel it pouring through my veins, and I am but a mere humble knight-"
"Yeah right," Arend said with a laugh. "Humble. Yes, that describes you perfectly."
Ranin mimed a blow at his friend, who pretended to be struck and moaned, covering his face with his hands. "My face! My beautiful face!" Arend said. "You will pay for that!"
"You'll have to catch up to me then!" Before he had even finished his sentence, Ranin was racing on his horse up a nearby hill, yelling the words back at his friend. Arend laughed again and kicked the sides of his own horse lightly so it too would pound up the hill.
A while later, Arend pulled up his horse again. "I think we should walk them from here on in," he told his friend, who was also pulling up short. "They seem very tired."
Ranin raised an eyebrow at the panting horses. "No, I didn't notice."
Arend rolled his eyes. "Come on. Let's get these two back into the stables, and then go to the inn. I heard Bran is giving out spirits again."
"Ah, but don't let your father know!" Ranin laughed.
"Oh, come on Ran. We're both quite old and mature enough to handle a drink or two." Arend slipped off his horse and, holding the reins, began to walk it towards the city. After a moment, he heard his friend walking behind him with his horse.
Ranin was chuckling still. "Old and mature enough in our eyes. What about your father's eyes, Arend?"
"A father's eyes only behold a two year old," Arend moaned theatrically. "Oh, when shall we be considered grown?"
"When our horses learn to fly, I suppose."
Arend snorted.
The two reached Bale a short while later, and were greeted by a number of people. A middle-aged woman with a little girl asked them if she could paint another portrait of them as they passed. Ranin offered to come by later. An old man called out, selling foodstuffs. General folk were coming by and greeting the prince and the young knight.
When finally they reached the stables, and rubbed down their respective horses, Ranin stretched and sighed. "Ah, I agree with you Arend. Let's head down to the inn before any good seats are taken."
Arend raised an eyebrow. "Good seats, friend? And what in Serdio does that mean? Is there something you're not telling me?" He nudged his friend.
"Perhaps," Ranin said, also grinning. "How about you? Visiting the inn without me?"
"Why, never!" Arend said.
The two young men laughed and headed out together.
~*~
"Dart, what are you doing here?" Albert asked, walking quickly to meet his old friend.
The other man smiled. "Sleeping tonight, I hope," was his reply.
Albert chuckled and the two shared a clasping of hands. Their grips were still iron-strong, despite the past few peaceful years. "It is good to see you. But, where is Shana and your little one?" Albert made a show of peering around Dart, who laughed and shook his head.
"Shana is still in Seles. Her parents refuse to let her go when she is about to give them a second grandchild," Dart said. "But this was our usual meeting-"
"Nonsense! You realize you will bring the castle down upon us all when my wife hears you are here and Shana is still in Seles," Albert said. "And while you can escape tomorrow easily enough, I must still live with her."
"I apologize, Your Majesty. I was planning on staying here just for a day or two. Shana isn't due for at least another month, the midwife says." Dart smiled. "And she learned from the best, after all."
"Yes," Albert agreed. He recalled that day twenty years ago, when they'd found the old midwife struggling to put her home back together after the attack of the Sandorans... And the young girl who had offered to help the old woman. "That she did. Well, shall we head into the castle? It is better for us to face the worst as soon as possible so Emille may recover."
Dart sighed. "I suppose you're right. Let's head in."
The two men turned to enter the castle, with the two knights following a discreet distance behind them.
"So how has the past year been in Seles? I have reports, of course, but they are hardly personal," Albert said. "How has Shana and your little one been?"
Dart smiled, and Albert saw some pride on the other man's face. "Well, my son is now strong enough to start practicing with his own sword. Shana is a little concerned about him practicing so much, but I am going with extreme caution. Despite the fact that one is supposed to get hurt during practice." He shrugged. "It's the only way one learns."
"Indeed," Albert agreed. "I only barely got Emille to agree with me on training Arend. That required the backing of every knight in the city as well."
Dart winced. "Wow. I don't suppose you'd be willing to lend me a few of your knights until I convince Shana, would you?"
"I'm sorry, but they are like glue to their posts."
They headed into the King's study, where Emille was draped over a couch reading something.
Dart took a long moment to admire the huge room.
It was a library almost as extensive as the National Library in Mille Seseau, somehow packed into a normal castle as this. Books were stacked either neatly in the shelves (Emille's insisting kept this true) or stacked near the shelves on the ground (Albert's piles of recently read books that Emille couldn't put away anywhere). Along with all the books, Albert had put in a desk covered in papers, two or three chairs, and a couch.
Emille looked up curiously at the sound of the two men coming in, and slowly sat up. Her hair had remained golden all these years, though she held herself with a slower grace than before, a calmer grace. Her dress was perfectly clean; today, she had pulled herself away from her usual pink and donned a blue-gray that went with her eyes.
"Albert! And... Dart?!" she exclaimed delightedly. "Oh, it's been too long since we have had you here! Please, come take a seat! Where is a drink when you need it? It must have been an awful trip in this weather." She waved a hand around.
Dart smiled. "Not too bad, Your Majesty. It was actually quite nice to be travelling again. Of course the monsters were no challenge- they kept me warm enough. Though I am looking forward to a nice, warm bed again."
Emille nodded understandingly. "I see." She glanced around. "But... where is Shana? Has she given birth already? How is the baby?"
Dart now coughed uncomfortably. "Well, uh..."
Emille's eyes narrowed. "Did you leave her in Seles in her condition?" she asked.
"Yes, well, I did..."
"Dart! A woman appreciates a man who stays nearby while she has her children, not one who wanders off while she's pregnant!" Emille began to scold.
Dart fidgeted a little under her gaze, suddenly feeling like his son. "But it was the usual time I..."
"That doesn't matter, you could have sent us a letter explaining and come next spring! Heavens, leaving your wife like that!"
"My son's taking care of her," he said defensively. "He is eleven."
Emille raised an eyebrow at that. "Eleven," she stated.
Now Albert coughed. "Dear, are we going to get Dart something warm to drink?" he asked timidly.
"What? Oh, yes, I apologize." She turned around towards someone they hadn't noticed earlier. "Can you please bring in some tea and something to eat?"
The maid curtsied. "Yes, Your Majesty." She disappeared quickly out the door.
"Now, where was I? Yes, right... How is Shana and the baby doing?"
Dart shifted a little on his seat. "They are both doing very well. Our midwife tells us she is not due for another month, so it was safe for me to come and go quickly. As for my son Jim, he's doing pretty well. He's learning to take care of himself, and ah, taking care of his mother."
"I see."
Albert took a seat himself as the maid returned with tea. "Thank you," he murmured to her. "Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing well, Dart."
Dart nodded at the maid, then at Albert as he took a sip of his cup of tea. "How about Prince Arend?"
"He is very close to gaining knighthood himself," Albert said. "Though today he was having a little trouble deciding what was a legal move when fencing and when actually fighting."
"What happened?" Emille asked. "Thank you, dear. Go on and have a couple hours off," she told the young maid. The maid curtsied again and left.
"He was trying to twist the knight's arm, and the knight returned the favor," Albert replied.
"Albert, we don't need the knights breaking Arend's arm. He's going to need it for the rest of his life," Emille said.
"He didn't break it, or even harm it very much," Albert assured her. "He just held Arend down until our son gave up."
"Hmm."
"So have you heard anything from Tiberoa or Mille Seseau?" Dart cut in. "How is Meru? Anyone heard from her?"
Albert gave a pained expression. "Actually, she's coming by in a couple months with her husband."
"Husband?!" Dart exclaimed. "You mean someone has enough energy to marry her?"
"Apparently. Remember the Wingly Guaraha? He finally got off probation for helping Humans and their Elder's getting tired of locking everyone up because all the children in their forest are running around in the forest talking to human children, now that the forest is safe."
"Oh, dear," Dart whistled through his teeth.
"Meru said that she is going to come by with Guaraha because that will signify the day that that forest of Winglies, at least, will no longer be locked. Winglies and Humans will be allowed to go in and out at will. It's just a matter of time for everyone to get the protesting Winglies out of there."
"Well, that's great news," Dart said with a grin. "How about Miranda?"
"She's taken over the priest's job of explaining the Divine Tree phenomenon," Albert said with a grin. "Can you imagine Miranda as a priest, even calmed down as she is?"
Dart started laughing. "Those poor people! I can imagine her now." He imitated a scowl. "'Look, the damn tree wanted to bring us all to life and then kill us. What, you don't believe me?' Whack!" He hit the palm of one hand with his other hand in a fist.
Albert shook his head. "That's how I hear it's happening. How's Haschel?"
Dart sighed. "...He's still hanging in there. But our doctor says he's only got maybe a year left before..." he trailed off.
Albert nodded. "He's what, in his eighties?"
"Nineties, from what I can figure," Dart said. "Though he refuses to tell us his age."
"I agree with him, it's not your business," Emille said primly.
"And how old are you, dear lady?" Albert teased.
He was rewarded with her hitting him on the arm.
Dart grinned. "I'm glad you're all doing well, though... where is Arend?"
"Off with one of his friends," Emille said. "Ranin, I think his name is. A very nice young man. He's a knight, so they get a lot of training done together."
"Ah."
Dart set down his tea cup. "How is Lady Slambert?" he asked delicately.
"She is still with us, amazingly. She is a resilient woman," Albert said. "She calls the boy she adopted after... Lavitz left us, her grandson. He's married now and his wife just had a child. Lady Slambert insists that she won't leave until she hears him say 'Grandma' to her."
Dart shook his head sadly. "She wanted a family from Lavitz so badly... but... well, she has one at least."
The group was silent for a moment.
Then Dart said, "Well, how about what's going on in Tiberoa? How is everything with your sister, your Majesty?"
~*~
Arend and Ranin entered the inn to the sound of laughter and a few other men shouting their names. Some were drunk already, this early in the day, though most were still quite sober.
"The usual, my lords?" the bartender asked cheerfully.
"Yes, of course," Arend said. "We cannot rest until we've had our usual."
A few of the drunker folk cheered at that statement and ordered more rounds for themselves.
Ranin chuckled and shook his head. "Ah, what a life," he said as he took one of the mugs of ale from the bartender. "To be young at this age. And to be friend to a prince, who pays nothing at all for this!"
Arend raised an eyebrow as he took a sip from his own mug. "I beg to differ. I pay once every month."
"When?"
"When my mother storms in and rants about how bad this is for us," he replied. "Really. My father has been known to have one or two. Why can't I have a pint once in a while?"
"Better than these SLOBS!" Ranin howled at a drunken group in a corner. They waved at him and returned to their drinking. He chuckled again. "Well, shall we find a seat?"
They did so, and were well into their mugs when the door opened again.
Ranin, who was facing the door, gave a low whistle. "Whoo, Arend."
Arend glanced up from his drink. "What is it?"
"You should take a look at that beauty," his friend said.
Arend blinked, and turned around to face the door.
A young woman was making her way through the door. She had long hair tied back from her face in a braid that fell halfway down her back. She wore a dark violet vest with a white blouse underneath, and dark leggings to match. If the inn had had just one or two more windows to let in light from outside as well as more candles inside, Arend would have been certain he could see metal glinting at her sleeves.
She walked in, glancing around once with a cool, businesslike look on her face before turning to the bartender. "Wine, please," she said.
"Of course, my lady. Anything to eat?" the bartender asked. He seemed a little nervous around this woman.
"Yes. The freshest loaf of bread you have and some cheese."
"Will do, my lady." The bartender found himself bowing, caught himself, and turned to get what the woman wanted.
Arend turned back to a grinning Ranin. "Did you know that you were gaping?" Ranin teased.
The prince shook his head. "Don't tease me, Ranin. I prefer my women to have a spark of life in 'em, if at all."
"Yeah, well, maybe you can go over and give 'er that spark, eh? Come on, you need to spend some time with a woman or two. You haven't even spoken to one for months except for Dania. Unless your preferences have changed...?"
Arend snorted. "You wish, my friend. But no, I don't think she wants to be given anything right now except her meal. We'll let her alone."
Ranin pouted. "Party pooper," he muttered, and took another gulp of his ale.
Despite his words, Arend turned to look at the woman again, and found himself staring into her eyes. They were an odd, blue-violet color in the dimming light of the common room in the inn.
"Er, hello," he said lamely. He felt embarrassed being caught looking at this woman.
She nodded at him, and returned to her drink.
Ranin was grinning from ear to ear as Arend returned to his drink again. "Er, hello? Is that all you can think of to say? You're worse off than I thought, Arend."
"Oh shut up," he retorted. "I think I'm done for tonight." He put his ale down and stood up.
At the same time, a few of the drunks in the corner decided that they were going to cheer up this mystery woman. About three of them staggered over to her table, where she sat alone eating.
"Hey, there, sweetie," one slurred. "Why don't you eat with us? You look lonely."
"Thank you, no," she said, in a voice as cool as her expression.
"Ran," Arend said in a low voice.
"I know," his friend replied, watching grimly. "Isn't there that new law of how many drinks you get a night?"
"Yes. They are far over the limit."
"Aw, come on there," a second said. "You don't wanna be lonely. It's getting cold out there, ya know. We could... keep ya warm."
"I'd rather you left me in peace. I've no business with you," she said. The uncaring voice was replaced by an even icier tone, one that made Arend shiver.
Then the third pulled out a knife. "I don't think ya got a choice, honey."
"Hey, no weapons in my common room!" the bartender demanded, stepping out from behind the bar.
The drunks ignored him, circling the woman.
Arend walked over and casually hit one on the head with the hilt of his sword before he realized what he was doing. A moment later, Ranin was by his side with his own sword out. "I don't suppose you fellows could leave?" Arend suggested.
The woman glanced up at him, and returned to her meal.
"I suggest ya leave, prince," the drunk leader slurred. "We ain't from 'round here, and we know different fighting techniques. We can beat ya anytime!"
Arend raised an eyebrow- the man was having trouble standing, much less fighting. "As you wish." He nodded to Ranin.
A moment later, the three drunks were being thrown out the door, unconscious.
Ranin was demanding water, saying he wanted to clean his hands off from dragging those people out the door. A few of the peasant patrons, who'd been watching, immediately got water for him and he cleaned himself off.
Arend looked at the woman. "Did they touch you, miss?" he asked.
"No."
Arend nodded. The voice had returned to being cool and distant. He turned away.
"Wait."
He turned back. "Yes?"
"You are the Prince of Serdio?"
After a long moment, he nodded again.
She considered him with her odd violet eyes, then nodded back. "I thank you, Prince of Serdio." Then she returned to her food as though nothing had happened.
Arend watched her for a while longer, and walked over to where Ranin was drying his hands off on his leggings. "Come on, I don't feel like being here anymore tonight," he said softly.
"I agree. I didn't think the guards would let such... people... into the town, much less the inn!"
"They're probably perfectly good men who just had too many drinks," Arend pointed out. "Come on, let's go to the castle. My father said that Lord Dart has come today, and I want to speak with him for a while."
"Lord Dart? Wow, yes, let's go see him!" Ranin agreed.
They both left the inn, not realizing that a pair of dark eyes were watching them from behind a lifted glass of wine. "So be it," the woman murmured, and continued to eat.
~*~