Ch 10 A New Day, A New Direction
Darkwind and Elspeth were eating lunch when the servant came with the message.
Elspeth open the letter and read while Darkwind continued with his meal, they had been getting a lot of invitations lately from various members of the court, now that they were becoming prosperous enough to worry about position.
Mostly they didn't go to them, but some of the Invitation's were amusing. Elspeth had Darkwind in stitches with her take on some of them.
Darkwind knew something was different when Elspeth looked up suddenly, by her expression, he knew this wasn't another invitation.
"He did it" She said.
"Did what" He waited patently for her to finish.
"Marin found Sander and they are coming here to talk, the Sentry saw Marin and two men, they should be here later this afternoon".
She frowned at the letter again.
"What's the matter" Darkwind asked.
"This can't be right, it says that two of the men are riding companions, One obviously Marin, but two companions" she shook her head.
"Maybe they're confused, most of the people here aren't used to companions, maybe he's riding a white horse, that would make sense if he's coming for parley" Darkwind said.
"Maybe" Elspeth conceded, but she was still frowning as they finished their meal.
Tremane and his court had plenty of time to get ready for their arrival, Elspeth and Darkwind sat in their seats as well waiting to see what was going to happen.
Even though he wasn't one of the ambassadors, Herald Cam was allowed to sit next to Darkwind and Elspeth. He sat on the edge of the chair they had brought on for him, Looking for sight of his friend Marin.
The Majordomo announced them and the three men entered the throne room. The two bandits followed Marin as he crossed the room. They stopped close enough to be heard, but far enough away so that the guards wouldn't get nervous.
One of the men, the taller of the two bandits stepped forward. He had a slight grin on his face as he stared into Tremane's face. He tilted his head to one side and his grin strengthened as Tremane's only reaction was to frown at him.
"I know you, I've seen you somewhere" Tremane said in an abstracted tone.
"You're getting old, Tremane, The memories the first to go".
Temane gave a surprised laugh then leaned forward "You".
"Yes me, still don't remember" he asked.
"Lord Lysander, what are you doing here, you should be back with your father, or.." he stopped in midsentence as he remembered what Lysander had been doing the last few years.
"Do you think they'd really sent an untried" Lysander asked gently. "besides what would be the point of what I've been doing these last few weeks" Lysander added.
"Then why are you here" Tremane asked, watching him intently.
"I couldn't do it, they wanted me to kill a child" he looked away.
"You're still alive" Tremane said.
"Well, you can blame the luck, the magestorms, and my master, in whatever order you want to pick" Lysander answered.
"Well, now that you're here, what do you want, what are you doing running around with bandits" Tremane asked coming to the point.
"Aunt Lyrel always said I'd come to a bad end" he joked. "But seriously, It was by accident, some of them attacked me"
"You let them live" Tremane interrupted.
"Well, I think we established I wasn't cut out to be an assassin"
Gherin started at that and shook his head.
"You didn't tell them" Tremane said looking thoughtfully at the other Bandit.
"It doesn't matter" Gherin spoke up. "we support him".
Lysander looked at Gherin, who looked back with an encouraging smile. He turned back to Tremane "In any case, I've found myself with a dilemma".
"And what is that" Tremane asked. Leaning back on his throne.
"I've acquired a responsibility, there are people who depend on me now, and I find myself an adversary to kin".
"Distant kin" Tremane said softly.
"True, but being kin, you know what I can do" he answered.
"What makes you think I won't send someone to take you out if you become a large enough headache" Tremane asked him.
"Well, aptitude aside, I am trained as an assassin, I would see anyone you sent from a mile away" he said "But there are other, better reason's why that wouldn't be a wise move".
"What reason's" Tremane asked watching him carefully.
"I've been chosen" he said.
"Chosen" Tremane asked, puzzled.
"Yes, just ask your allies what that means" he said nodding in the direction of Elspeth.
Elspeth who had been watching this little slice of Empire politics with fascination, stiffened as she recalled what the letter had said.
Tremane turned to look at her. "If he's been chosen" she said slowly "It would be an act of war with Valdemar to harm him".
:Gwena: she sent quickly :Was he chosen:
:Yes, Sheyrin chose him: she sounded a little disgruntled. :She was always contrary, she would have to choose someone at the worst possible time:
:Maybe the best time: Elspeth thoughtfully added.
:Huh: was her answer.
Elspeth kept her grin off her face, her long training at court coming in handy.
She focused her eyes back on Tremane, he had been waiting impatiently, knowing from past experience that she had been talking to her companion.
"Well" he asked.
"I'm afraid so, he's been chosen by Sheyrin" she said.
He frowned, well that limited his option's, he didn't like dealing with an assassin, kin or no, but now he had no choice.
Lysander stood watching him while he thought this out, a small grin hovering at the side of his mouth, it strengthened as the silence lengthened, he knew that Tremane had no other choice as well, he had to deal with him.
"Fine" Tremane finally growled "What did you have in mind".
"Amnesty, for all involved, they want to join your Kingdom, there are several villages set up now besides Newhaven" he said.
"How many men do you command anyway" Tremane asked.
"More than you want to deal with" Lysander answered, still not giving anything away.
"If I agree to this, who will I be dealing with, who's to be lord" Tremane asked.
Lysander opened his mouth, but before he could say anything Gherin started talking.
"We'll only accept Lysander" Lysander whipped his head around staring at Gherin, mouth still open. "He's to marry Carra the mayor's daughter to seal it" Guerin added.
Lysander stilled, closing his mouth and said softly "Only if she'll have me".
"She'll have you" he said to Lysander.
Dazed he turned back to Tremane. Tremane took one look at his face and laughed "It's good to see someone can still get the best of you". Lysander gave a weak chuckle at that.
"It's settled then, you can come back in two weeks and do the welcoming ceremony, and perhaps have you're wedding at the same time.
Lysander pulled himself together "we can do the ceremony now", he pulled out one of the little caskets of earth that the Lords had been bringing in as they pledged themselves to Tremane.
"Thought of everything have you" Tremane said.
"Not everything" Lysander said ruefully.
The ceremony went smoothly and at the end Lysander was announced as Baron Lysander of Newhaven.
(In case you're wondering I do plan another story, so it doesn't totally end here.)