Disclaimer: Sherwood Smith is the sole owner of characters, places, and
things mentioned in the book(s) Crown Duel. Some activities belong to her
as well, although most interactions are of my own creation.
If instinct had not demanded that I inhale, my lungs would have deflated completely and I probably would have passed out cold on my bedroom floor. Vidanric, his sword held at the ready, yanked the tapestry aside to reveal a round, frightened, face.
"Azmus! Life, you scared me! What are you doing sneaking around our rooms?" Vidanric yelled, all traces of a courtier gone. "What is so difficult with leaving a note or, at the very least, arriving as a goldsmith?"
"Vidanric," I said, walking towards him with my hand out apprehensively. "Please stop yelling and regain your composure."
His face quickly acquired his familiar court mask and he held out his hand saying, "Forgive me, Azmus. You really did frighten me. I hope that your news is not wholly terrible, is it? You rarely grace us with unexpected visits."
Azmus stepped forward and clasped Vidanric's hand in his own replying, "I thank you, Your Majesties. However, I am unhappy in telling you that my news is indeed terrible."
"Oh, Azmus! Whatever is it? Please, sit down. Would you like a cup of tea? Chocolate perhaps? Mora! Would you please bring us a pot of warm chocolate? Thank you," I babbled while my husband and Azmus, my family spy, seated themselves at my tiny tea table.
"I have acquired some news through my contacts at Sles Adran. The Norsundrians are acting rather suspicious, and I believe that they might launch a war against Remalna in the coming years," Azmus spurted. "As of right now, sparse groups of soldiers are appearing along the border and several spies have been caught. They admit nothing, of course, but all patterns lead to an upcoming war."
I gasped and my breath was caught in my throat. "A war? Azmus, are you absolutely sure? Danric, what think you of this?"
Vidanric had his head lowered and his brow furrowed in thought. He looked up and over at me slowly saying, "In truth, my dear, I do believe that a war will happen, although my sources predicted that it would occur in a few years. I have gradually been increasing our military strength, given what it is as there has only been a ruler for a few months. Remalna's army is gaining strength, and in addition to my own private army from Renselaeus, we have a decently strong force. However, I believe that unless the entire country volunteers, we might not be able to defend ourselves and defeat the Norsundrians."
"You are saying that a war is going to happen and that I am going to be left here, in Athaneral, to rule with our child while you are away fighting an unbeatable foe?"
"Meliara, I did not say that the Norsundrians were unbeatable. I merely said that unless we increase our forces, there is a chance that we will be defeated."
"Well, as I am learning magic, why not enlist the aid of the mages of Sartor? And perhaps while we are enlisting their help, I can ride the borders with you and use what I know to our advantage early on?"
Both Azmus and Vidanric yelled "No!" in unison, Vidanric's eyes intense and worrisome, Azmus's appalled.
Azmus replied with careful words at my suggestion, saying, "My Lady Meliara, please do not startle us with ideas such as that. You very well know that while your husband is away at the border, your duty is to stay here and rule in his place. You will also need to care for your child, as war is no place for a future heir of Remalna. You need not worry about your husband Meliara, as we will take great care of him."
I stared at Azmus ferociously. "'I need not worry?' You seriously expect me not to worry?" I glared at Vidanric. "Do you actually agree with him?"
"Meliara, please do not be angry. I do not wish for you to be angry with me or Azmus. I honestly hope that we will have years to prepare for a war. When the time comes for Remalna to defend itself, perhaps you will have had enough magical training to join me in battle. I know that it is futile to tell you not to go."
I cautiously looked at his face for any trace of falsehood, but he still wore his court mask. "Are you telling me the truth, Vidanric?"
"Yes."
"Positively?"
"Yes."
"Azmus, tell me. Do you know of any Sartorian mages that would be willing to come to Athaneral to teach me their craft?"
"Well, Lady Meliara, I know of one in particular that has wished to be of service for many years. She would be honored, I am sure, to assist you in your studies, if that is indeed what you wish," Azmus replied.
I again looked at my husband, who still gazing at me. "Vidanric, what do you think?"
"I think it a wonderful idea for you to have a tutor. Azmus, are you positive that the mage will be a woman and not another man for my dear Meliara to fall in love with?" Vidanric inquired, smiling.
Azmus rose to his feet and bowed. "My Lord, I am sure of it. I will depart now, as I am sure you both have much to discuss. Good night, Your Majesties."
Vidanric and I both stood. "Thank you for your information, Azmus. Please, go to the Kitchens and take something to eat for your journey back home," I said.
"Yes. I agree. Also, Azmus, please be careful on your journey. We do not wish for any harm to come to you," my husband added.
Azmus gave us another graceful bow, merely replied "I thank you," and departed.
Vidanric stared after him for a moment, but then suddenly turned to me with one of his assessing looks. I was caught staring at him.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what, my dear? Please, enlighten me," he said, approaching me and pulling me into his strong arms.
"Oh, well, you know. The usual."
"And that would be?"
"Well, there is you, our child, you, Azmus's news, you, our kingdom, you . . . "
"Oh, so you think about me a lot, do you?" he asked, smiling tenderly.
"Perhaps, I do. There is not a problem with that, is there, my dearest?"
Vidanric did not reply, but kissed me softly.
"There is not a problem with that, is there, my dearest," I repeated, hoping to receive another kiss, which I did earn.
"Have I told you lately that I love you?" Vidanric asked.
"I do not think so," I said.
"Well, I do indeed love you."
"Well, I do indeed love you, too," I giggled.
"All right, Meliara. Now that I have your devout attention, do you really intend to call a mage here to tutor you?"
I attempted to pull away from him but his arms held me in place. "Yes, why?"
"If you join me at war, I do not think I could bear losing you. I almost did so months ago with Flauvic and I intend to not do so again."
"Vidanric," I pleaded, "if you do not allow me to study, I will have less of a chance surviving than if I do. I speak truth do I not?"
"Yes, my dear. I do believe that you are right," Vidanric sighed, clearing giving in. "Can we perhaps go to sleep now and discuss this tomorrow?"
"I suppose. Yes, I am a tad tired, thank you."
We changed into our sleeping clothes and climbed into our bed. It was scarcely seconds after I laid my head upon my pillow that I fell into a deep slumber, Vidanric already asleep at my side.
If instinct had not demanded that I inhale, my lungs would have deflated completely and I probably would have passed out cold on my bedroom floor. Vidanric, his sword held at the ready, yanked the tapestry aside to reveal a round, frightened, face.
"Azmus! Life, you scared me! What are you doing sneaking around our rooms?" Vidanric yelled, all traces of a courtier gone. "What is so difficult with leaving a note or, at the very least, arriving as a goldsmith?"
"Vidanric," I said, walking towards him with my hand out apprehensively. "Please stop yelling and regain your composure."
His face quickly acquired his familiar court mask and he held out his hand saying, "Forgive me, Azmus. You really did frighten me. I hope that your news is not wholly terrible, is it? You rarely grace us with unexpected visits."
Azmus stepped forward and clasped Vidanric's hand in his own replying, "I thank you, Your Majesties. However, I am unhappy in telling you that my news is indeed terrible."
"Oh, Azmus! Whatever is it? Please, sit down. Would you like a cup of tea? Chocolate perhaps? Mora! Would you please bring us a pot of warm chocolate? Thank you," I babbled while my husband and Azmus, my family spy, seated themselves at my tiny tea table.
"I have acquired some news through my contacts at Sles Adran. The Norsundrians are acting rather suspicious, and I believe that they might launch a war against Remalna in the coming years," Azmus spurted. "As of right now, sparse groups of soldiers are appearing along the border and several spies have been caught. They admit nothing, of course, but all patterns lead to an upcoming war."
I gasped and my breath was caught in my throat. "A war? Azmus, are you absolutely sure? Danric, what think you of this?"
Vidanric had his head lowered and his brow furrowed in thought. He looked up and over at me slowly saying, "In truth, my dear, I do believe that a war will happen, although my sources predicted that it would occur in a few years. I have gradually been increasing our military strength, given what it is as there has only been a ruler for a few months. Remalna's army is gaining strength, and in addition to my own private army from Renselaeus, we have a decently strong force. However, I believe that unless the entire country volunteers, we might not be able to defend ourselves and defeat the Norsundrians."
"You are saying that a war is going to happen and that I am going to be left here, in Athaneral, to rule with our child while you are away fighting an unbeatable foe?"
"Meliara, I did not say that the Norsundrians were unbeatable. I merely said that unless we increase our forces, there is a chance that we will be defeated."
"Well, as I am learning magic, why not enlist the aid of the mages of Sartor? And perhaps while we are enlisting their help, I can ride the borders with you and use what I know to our advantage early on?"
Both Azmus and Vidanric yelled "No!" in unison, Vidanric's eyes intense and worrisome, Azmus's appalled.
Azmus replied with careful words at my suggestion, saying, "My Lady Meliara, please do not startle us with ideas such as that. You very well know that while your husband is away at the border, your duty is to stay here and rule in his place. You will also need to care for your child, as war is no place for a future heir of Remalna. You need not worry about your husband Meliara, as we will take great care of him."
I stared at Azmus ferociously. "'I need not worry?' You seriously expect me not to worry?" I glared at Vidanric. "Do you actually agree with him?"
"Meliara, please do not be angry. I do not wish for you to be angry with me or Azmus. I honestly hope that we will have years to prepare for a war. When the time comes for Remalna to defend itself, perhaps you will have had enough magical training to join me in battle. I know that it is futile to tell you not to go."
I cautiously looked at his face for any trace of falsehood, but he still wore his court mask. "Are you telling me the truth, Vidanric?"
"Yes."
"Positively?"
"Yes."
"Azmus, tell me. Do you know of any Sartorian mages that would be willing to come to Athaneral to teach me their craft?"
"Well, Lady Meliara, I know of one in particular that has wished to be of service for many years. She would be honored, I am sure, to assist you in your studies, if that is indeed what you wish," Azmus replied.
I again looked at my husband, who still gazing at me. "Vidanric, what do you think?"
"I think it a wonderful idea for you to have a tutor. Azmus, are you positive that the mage will be a woman and not another man for my dear Meliara to fall in love with?" Vidanric inquired, smiling.
Azmus rose to his feet and bowed. "My Lord, I am sure of it. I will depart now, as I am sure you both have much to discuss. Good night, Your Majesties."
Vidanric and I both stood. "Thank you for your information, Azmus. Please, go to the Kitchens and take something to eat for your journey back home," I said.
"Yes. I agree. Also, Azmus, please be careful on your journey. We do not wish for any harm to come to you," my husband added.
Azmus gave us another graceful bow, merely replied "I thank you," and departed.
Vidanric stared after him for a moment, but then suddenly turned to me with one of his assessing looks. I was caught staring at him.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what, my dear? Please, enlighten me," he said, approaching me and pulling me into his strong arms.
"Oh, well, you know. The usual."
"And that would be?"
"Well, there is you, our child, you, Azmus's news, you, our kingdom, you . . . "
"Oh, so you think about me a lot, do you?" he asked, smiling tenderly.
"Perhaps, I do. There is not a problem with that, is there, my dearest?"
Vidanric did not reply, but kissed me softly.
"There is not a problem with that, is there, my dearest," I repeated, hoping to receive another kiss, which I did earn.
"Have I told you lately that I love you?" Vidanric asked.
"I do not think so," I said.
"Well, I do indeed love you."
"Well, I do indeed love you, too," I giggled.
"All right, Meliara. Now that I have your devout attention, do you really intend to call a mage here to tutor you?"
I attempted to pull away from him but his arms held me in place. "Yes, why?"
"If you join me at war, I do not think I could bear losing you. I almost did so months ago with Flauvic and I intend to not do so again."
"Vidanric," I pleaded, "if you do not allow me to study, I will have less of a chance surviving than if I do. I speak truth do I not?"
"Yes, my dear. I do believe that you are right," Vidanric sighed, clearing giving in. "Can we perhaps go to sleep now and discuss this tomorrow?"
"I suppose. Yes, I am a tad tired, thank you."
We changed into our sleeping clothes and climbed into our bed. It was scarcely seconds after I laid my head upon my pillow that I fell into a deep slumber, Vidanric already asleep at my side.