Chapter Twelve

Devona dropped the armload of chopped firewood onto the ground then stepped aside to allow Coran to do the same. With their burdens lessened, the two early teenagers began to stack their findings on top of the already impressive stack of tinder along the north exterior of Devona's homestead.

"Thank you for helping me, Coran." Devona said, "I can't imagine this sort of work is normally asked of you."

"I'm glad to help. Though your mother is recovering, she still isn't strong enough to handle chores." Her friend answered with a pleasant smile.

"That's another thing I wanted to thank you for." Devona said, this time fighting back tears. "You've been a good friend while my mother was sick. You helped me and the priest take care of her… you've been helpful…"

"My father would have accepted nothing less from me. He feels he owes your father, and by relation, you and your mother, very much." Coran replied, "He says I wouldn't be here if not for your father, and so I owe you the same. Anything you needed, and will need, all you need to do is ask."

"Thank you." Devona replied gratefully. She had been so worried during her mother's illness, especially on the two occasions she nearly died. Coran spent every moment he could spare with her and Devona, aiding the priest sent to heal her as well as helping Devona maintain the homestead.

She threw her arms around his neck, not noticing the blush on the prince's cheeks as she repeated her gratitude. "Hey, what are friends for, right?"

"Right!" Devona affirmed. "Same goes for you, by the way. Anything you need from me, name it!"

Coran dropped the last log into place, and pointed toward the front of the homestead. "Well, now that that's done, what do you say we take a break and you and I can warm up some cider?"

"You could have read my mind." Devona sighed. They followed the perimeter of the house until voices from the window adjoining the living room, voices that riveted their attention.

They hadn't realized that other company had arrived while they were doing their chores, but sure enough, the distinctive voice of King Adelbern carried through the open portway. "Allisette, it is good to see you up and walking again. I trust you know Duke Baradin."

The Duke's voice then added, "Greetings, dear lady, I am truly amazed that you have recovered from the pox so quickly as to have left your bed."

"Well, I probably shouldn't be… but I just couldn't bear spending another minute lying down." Devona's mother answered. "Besides, it isn't fair that your son, his highness, is doing my chores for me."

"He refused to do nothing less." Adelbern answered. "And I will not allow you to stress yourself until you are ready. You came far too close to death for everyone's tastes."

"So I've been told." Devona's mother sighed, "I was deathly worried for Devona through the fevers. It's just… your highness… I'm all she has left. Had I died, she would have been alone with no one to care for her."

"That's actually why I'm here with Barradin, Allisette." Adelbern said, the secretive smugness in his voice clear. "Barradin, my son Coran and Devona seem to get along rather well, don't you think?"

The Duke laughed, "I would certainly think so. Devona's one of the few things I've noticed that brings a smile to the prince's face. They clearly are good friends."

"You flatter my daughter and myself, my lord."

"Nonsense! Your daughter is a charming, strong, and well-raised young lady." Adelbern shouted dismissively. "At any rate, you need not ever worry about the future of your daughter's care. I will personally attend to that this very moment."

"Your Highness?" Devona's mother said breathlessly, "Whatever are you saying?"

Adelbern stated grandly, "You see, your husband and I made a promise to each other, that if one of us were to die, that the other would take care of that person's family for as long as they lived. But I owe Julius a debt that I can never hope to repay in my meager lifetime."

The King paused momentarily before he added, "So I'm doing something about that. I already informed the Lord's Conclave as to my intentions, which is why Barradin is here, as a witness to what I am about to request."

"Indeed." Barradin acknowledged. "I apologize if it seems like we are railroading you here, dear lady, but when your life was in peril, we wanted to move the process along quickly."

"You don't mean…"

"With your blessing, fair Allisette, I would like to extend the offer of a bonding between my son, Prince Coran, and your daughter, Devona."

Devona's mother gasped in disbelief. "Your highness, you can't possibly mean that!"

"Of course I do, or else I wouldn't have said it!"

"But Devona is hardly a noble child… I can't imagine the Lords would allow such a thing!"

Barradin cut in, "The Lords are in full agreement. The actions of your husband, his valor, bravery, and sacrifice, granted him a nobility of spirit more than equal to the nobility of blood. Besides, even if we objected, the King can make whatever bondings he wishes."

"So, do I have your blessing?" Adelbern cajoled.

"Of… of course!" she finally forced out. "If that is what your highness truly wishes, and it is truly a relief that you'd consider my dear Devona worthy of the prince. I am honored beyond words."

Devona ducked down underneath the window, and Coran took the hint, following suit. "What just happened in there?" She asked.

Coran's face twisted into a half smile, and said, "I do believe we have been engaged to be married."

Devona's eyes bulged, and she almost forgot to remain quiet. "They can do that?"

"My brother and Barradin's daughter have a similar arrangement... this happens all the time among the noble families. As a matter of fact, I know that the Lords and Dukes have been pestering my father for some time about my availability."

"And it doesn't bother you? You're just going to accept that?" Devona said in amazement. She was in denial as it was, and she hadn't had the specter of an expected union hanging over her head like he had. "I'm of half a mind to strangle my mother right now!"

"Considering all the young girls that have been pressed on me the last year, I'm actually quite pleased with the choice." Coran said with a shrug and a smile.

Devona froze, an embarrassed blush crawling up her neck. "Really? I'm sure there are more ladylike girls among the nobles…"

"None that I'd be comfortable crouching under a window after eavesdropping on our parents with."

"It continues to amaze me that you can take such life-changing things in stride." Devona muttered with a shake of her head

"Devona! Wake up!" Cynn shouted into the warrior's ear, jerking her out of her memories. "Your lover-boy has been calling you!"

Devona sneered, and snarled, "He is not my 'lover-boy', got that?"

Cynn smirked triumphantly, "Oh, so you'd be willing to track just any old person across Ascalon and Charr territory? You know, Devona, if you had told the rest of us why you were searching for the prince, we wouldn't have tagged along and thwarted your… alone time."

Before Devona could come back with a scathing retort, Coran had drawn close. "Ah, there you are, Devona. I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me and I can show you around the colony before everything is ripped up and abandoned."

Cynn's eyebrows rose suggestively, and earned her another trademark Devona glare. "I'd be glad to. Anything to get me away from the children I call companions."

The prince laughed, and offered his hand for Devona to take as he helped her up from the ground. He paused momentarily to address the elementalist still sitting, his face momentarily stern. "And Cynn, I will have you know Devona and I were friends long before we were bonded, and I do not appreciate such inappropriate suggestions in the future. Understood?"

Of course, Cynn was immediately apologetic. "Of course, your highness… I was… out of line. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't." He asserted before his face turned bright again. "Shall we go, Devona?"

She slid her arm inside his elbow, and replied, "Yes, let's."

Once they were a safe distance away, he said, "So, does the idea of marrying me really repulse you that much?"

"No!" Devona replied, "I hope that wasn't the impression I was giving you! I mean, I would have liked to have had some say in the process… I'm just irritated by Cynn's constant jibing, and now she has a whole new thing to get under my skin with."

"That's right, you were an only child, you obviously don't realize the nuances of siblings."

"What?" Devona asked incredulously.

"From the way you two interact, it's clear a sort of sibling bond has grown. Cynn sees you as a surrogate older sister, if you will. I used to tease Elana just like that when I thought she was fawning over Lord Caville's eldest son. She, predictably, acted very similar to you… although she added juvenile threats of bodily harm…"

"You get some strange ideas, Coran." Devona remarked dismissively. "I can barely tolerate Cynn most of the time."

"You think that was a strange idea?" He answered, "Just wait until I'm done showing you around…"