Please enjoy chapter three.
Family Ties
Chapter Three
Steam rose as the hot water spouted from the tap and splashed gently against the cool porcelain surface of the washtub. Lyude placed a thick, clean towel on the hot-rock heated rack and sat patiently at the tub's edge, waiting for it to be filled. The sound of the pristine water flowing into the tub filed the softly lit room and echoed off the walls, filling his ears with crystalline music. Lyude exhaled calmly, and then inhaled the simple scent of the hot water, feeling truly relaxed for the first time in a couple of weeks. Reluctant though he had been to leave Ihe, he was inwardly glad to be back in Diadem; he needed the time to reflect and unwind. Despite the leisure day he'd taken to spend time with his niece, Lyude had really had very little time to take in all that he'd learned in the past couple of days. A nice, hot bath would give him the perfect chance for reflection – not to mention the fact that his stay in Ihe had not been a very clean one, and he was grateful for the simple pleasure of a hot bath.
Once the tub had mostly filled with water, Lyude turned off the tap and removed his robe, draping it over the rack with the towel. He stepped into the water, recoiling slightly as the hot water bit at his chilled feet, and sank into the hot water's embrace slowly. Shivering slightly as his body began to warm up, Lyude reached for the decorated cake of soap and lathered it in his hands, mulling over his thoughts while he soaked in the hot water.
Despite the undeniable proof that had been thrust so insistently at him, Lyude still could not quite believe that Garrell had never been executed at all. The information and thoughts had been turned over in his head so many times that it all seemed so smooth and worn, like a piece of sea glass.
Lyude suddenly felt a wave of regret for not spending more time with Synthis. There were so many things he had left unsaid – so many questions he hadn't asked. How had Garrell and Aurelia met? Had Garrell missed his former home in the Empire? How well had he adapted to the Anuenue way of life? Had he enjoyed the simple life, the hunt, the people in the village? And had he crafted that spear with the same hands that had once held a gun, killed people?
Lyude rubbed at his temples, breathing in deeply. He had regrettably few memories of his eldest brother. He'd been ten years older than Lyude himself, and had thus enlisted in the Imperial Army when Lyude had been small, returning to stay at home only a few times a year. The few memories he did have of Garrell – those prior to his insurgence – were fond. Garrell had always tried to maintain his feigned Imperial aloofness, but the truth was that he'd had a soft spot for his baby brother. When Almarde was away from the children, for whatever reason, leaving the older children in charge of little Lyude, Garrell and Lyude would always steal away, and Garrell would tell him all manner of things. Some of them were sweet and flighty, and some of them were soft stories that Lyude could take to his dreams with him, but sometimes, the haunted look on Garrell's face would take him over completely, and Garrell would only be able to tell little Lyude gruesome things, the horrible things he'd been forced to do in the Imperial Army. Lyude had been too small to understand these things, and he could never understand that gaunt look about Garrell, so he only patted his brother's hand comfortingly and listened, for Garrell's sake.
Even after they'd joined the Imperial Army, Vallye and Skeed were home much more often than Garrell. They had been given a local posting, whereas Garrell was often sent out of Mintaka and even the island of the Empire itself. Lyude took what he could from Garrell's teachings, realizing the intrinsic value of learning from another's mistakes and experiences. Almarde was not the only one to have taught him the virtues of a kind heart; Garrell had, in his own way, also built upon those teachings.
But that all changed when Lyude was twelve years old. It had been months since he'd last seen his brother when the Imperial Courtier knocked on their door and emotionlessly delivered the report of Garrell's insurgence and his death sentence. Almarde had tears in her eyes when she told Lyude and his siblings, but Skeed and Vallye had remained emotionless. They were in the Imperial Army, and they were the perfect examples of the Empire's societal conditioning. When Almarde had gone to bed that night, Skeed and Vallye had taken Lyude aside and told him in very precise terms why Garrell was not coming home anymore. "He deserved it," Skeed said, with so much conviction that Lyude could hardly bring himself to deny it.
"Why?" he'd asked tearfully.
"Because he did bad things," Vallye told him, staring sternly down the tip of her button-like nose at him. "He is a bad man, and he did bad things, and we no longer speak his name in this house."
"But Garrell – "
Skeed slapped Lyude across the head, earning a sharp cry from the smaller boy. "Didn't you hear your sister? You're forbidden from speaking that name anymore!"
Lyude sniffed, rubbing his head where he'd been struck. "I'm sorry," he said meekly. "I won't do it again…"
"And you'd better not end up like him, either," Skeed warned him. "You follow all of your orders. It's not your job to think about them. Don't disgrace the family. Don't disappoint us."
Lyude shook his head earnestly. "I wouldn't ever want to disappoint you! I promise!"
But he had. Only a few years later, Lyude did exactly what his brother and sister told him he must never do – he used his brain; he followed his conscience. He had done what Garrell had always hoped he would do…he had followed in Garrell's example.
And where had it led him? Exile.
"But I'm happier now," Lyude said softly to the slowly churning water. "It wasn't for nothing…"
He had long since learned that no one's efforts are ever in vain. Skeed and Vallye succeeded – at least for a while—in brainwashing him. Lyude succeeded in helping to defeat Malpercio. And Garrell had succeeded in deeply sowing the seeds of rebellion and courageousness in his youngest brother.
The water was starting to cool. Shivering slightly, Lyude reached for the warm towel and stood up, drying himself off quickly. As quickly as he could without slipping on the smooth tile, Lyude stepped out of the tub and threw his warm robe back on, hurrying back to his private quarters with the towel tucked around his neck, soaking up the moisture from his hair. His head felt much clearer now, he decided.
Once he was clothed and warm again, Lyude sat down at the carved wood desk, pulling out a sheet of royal stationery. He had promised Jyenka he would write. Perhaps it was a little early, but it would take a couple of days for the letter to reach her.
Dear Jyenka,
I only left Anuenue this morning, but already I miss you. Things are probably going to get busy here in Diadem son, but I'll do my best to try and visit you as soon as I can. I promise I will come for your birthday, too.
Here in Diadem, there are clouds everywhere. That's why it's called the Land of the Clouds. It's very beautiful here, especially in the morning, when the sun is just coming over the horizon. Everything turns into a rainbow of colors, just like the rainbows in Anuenue. I hope one day I can take you to Diadem and show you, so you can see for yourself. You could even meet King Ladekahn if you wanted!
I'm sorry I had to leave so soon. I wish I could have spent more time with you. But I want you to tell me about your life in Ihe, Jyenka. What do you do every day? I hope you're staying out of trouble. I don't want you to get taken away again or hurt, so you must listen to your grandmother, all right? You have to be a good girl for her so you can come visit with me, and you'll grow up to be successful, just like your father and mother.
I hope this letter reaches you safely. Take care and be safe, Jyenka, and hold onto that Magnus for me.
Love,
Uncle Lyude
Satisfied with his letter to Jyenka, Lyude took out a fresh sheet of paper and dipped his pen back into the inkwell on his desk. This one would be for Synthis – there were too many things he'd left unsaid back in Anuenue.
Dear Synthis,
I wanted to thank you again for your generous hospitality during our stay in Anuenue. I know that your village is not a large or wealthy one, and yet you opened your home to us. Modesty aside, I just wanted to say that as I work for King Ladekahn, I have no shortage of money, so should the need arise for money, if you need it for Jyenka, please – do not hesitate to ask.
When I left Anuenue today, I realized that there were many things I still wished to ask you. I know that you said that no one knew much of Garrell's past, but you and Aurelia must have known him the best out of the village, and there are things I've wondered about him ever since he disappeared from my life. You see, I never got to see him much as a child, and I would like to hear about his life in Anuenue from those who knew him. I know he must have been happy – it was evident in the photograph that you showed me. I'm certain that after his escape from the Imperial Fortress, he must have changed, to have loved Aurelia and Jyenka so warmly. What was he like, as you knew him?
Again, should you need anything at all, never hesitate to ask. I would grant it without a thought if I knew it would benefit you or Jyenka.
Sincerely yours,
Lyude
It had been but a week since Lyude sent the letters to Anuenue when he received one himself. It was written on uneven, pulpy paper in thin ink, closed with a cheap, sloppy wax seal which bore the national seal of Anuenue. Lyude opened the letter with care and cast his eyes upon the spidery writing, excited to have received a reply so quickly.
Dear Uncle Lyude,
Gramma's writing this for me because I can't read or write, but she can. Gramma read me your letter. I really liked hearing it. I keep it next to my bed with the Magnus you gave me. It's really special. Just like Papa's spear, right?
Don't worry, Uncle Lyude, Gramma say I'm always a good girl. I don't want to get took away again, so I'm always doing what Gramma says, just like you told me.
Every day I wake up in the morning and eat breakfast, but before I leave my room I always kiss my picture of Mama and Papa. I have a whole book of pictures! Next time I'll show you. Gramma makes baskets and sells them so sometimes I help her carry them out of the house to sell. Sometimes she takes me to the river so I can have a bath. Bath time is always fun! Sometimes if Gramma doesn't need my help I go play with my friends. Usually Gramma needs my help with something though. She takes me to the jungle and we pick flowers and fruit! They smell and taste and look really good, really pretty!
I can't wait to come visit you, Uncle Lyude. I want to see the pretty clouds in Diadem. I'll be really good I promise. Please write me more letters!
Love, Jyenka
Lyude smiled fondly, turning the page to find a letter from Synthis, but something that had been tucked between the pages slipped out, falling into his lap. Lyude picked it up; on its blank surface was written a message from Synthis: Please keep this and cherish it.
Lyude turned it over; it was a photograph he had not seen before. It appeared to be a candid shot. In the picture, a sickly-looking but still beautiful Aurelia was holding a newborn baby adorned with a patch of vibrant red hair close to her breast. Garrell was close to her, standing over the baby with one of his thick fingers in its little grasp, his eyes brimming with tears of pride and joy. The newborn Jyenka's eyes were already wide open and staring at the world in awe. Lyude smiled gently and placed the photograph on his desk; he'd find a frame for it soon. "I will cherish it forever," he murmured to himself, and turned to Synthis's letter.
Dear Lyude,
Thank you kindly for your letters. Don't worry about us, please. I know Ihe Village is not a rich place like others, but we are self-sufficient. I don't predict any particularly hard times. I know you're especially concerned with Jyenka's future, and you ought to be as her uncle, but please don't lose sleep over it. I'll see to it that she gets the best we can offer.
As for Garrell…I will tell you what I can, but I'm afraid it may not be as much as you were hoping to hear. Once Garrell and Aurelia were married, he moved into our home with us. When he was not at home, he was on the hunt or with some of his friends – and he did have friends, rest assured. We could tell that he had come from a place where he had not been happy, and it seemed as though a weight had been lifted from his heart when he came to be accepted here in Ihe. After Aurelia died, it became just the two of us, working raise Jyenka.
Garrell was a devoted husband and father. I can't pretend to have known him as I knew my Aurelia, but I do know that he loved her dearly. He was also quite the skilled hunter, especially considering he said he'd never hunted before he lived in Anuenue. You mentioned that he was in the Imperial Army, did you not? Perhaps that has something to do with it. Garrell could not only hunt, but he even learned to make his own weapons like the rest of the men. The spear that Jyenka gave you was the first weapon he learned to make on his own. I hope this helped, Lyude. I'm sorry I have so little offer you.
There is one thing I would request of you. I'm no fool, Lyude; this old body is only getting older, and Jyenka is so little. My days on this blessed Earth are numbered. When I die, I want you to take care of my Jyenka, Lyude. I see in you the same love for Jyenka that Garrell held in his heart, and I would not have anyone else watch over her.
Thank you for everything, Lyude.
Sincerely,
Synthis
Lyude put the letter down on the desk, giving himself a moment to think about the weight of Synthis's request. Of course Synthis was old; this he'd known, but somehow, it hadn't occurred to him that she might die while Jyenka was still young. Would he be capable of raising a little girl? Why would Synthis put her trust in him, when there were others – others she knew, others closer to home – that could do it, probably better than he could?
Lyude lifted his eyes to the wall above the desk, where he'd had Garrell's spear mounted. He reached out and touched it, running his fingers over the engraving of his brother's name on the head of the spear. Of course she would want him to look after Jyenka, he realized; he was the only connection to her departed son-in-law he had left. Lyude thought he felt a warmth tingling in his fingertips when he drew his hand away from the spear. If it came to it, he realized, he'd do it in heartbeat – if nothing else, then for Garrell's sake.
Sitting back in his chair, Lyude looked at the letters from Ihe on his desk, illuminated softly by the glow of candlelight. After a moment, he drew out another piece of paper and began to write.
Dear Jyenka,
I'm glad that you enjoyed my letter. Things in Diadem are beginning to get busy again – we've got a lot to do around here, especially me. I told you what I do here, didn't I? Well, I'm a Statesman of Internal Affairs. That means I make sure everything works the way it's supposed to in Diadem. It's a very busy job – sometimes I get s busy that I have no time for anything else! But King Ladekahn is a very kind man, and he makes sure that I have time off – time that I can spend with you, now.
Your father's spear is on my wall now. You're right; it's very special, Jyenka. I'm glad to hear that you're keeping that Magnus safe. Who knows? Maybe it will come in handy someday. But for now, I don't want you getting yourself into any trouble that might call for battle Magnus.
I don't know how soon I'll be able to visit you again, but I'll try my best. Things are really picking up here, and I've found myself with lots of work to do! But I'll see you again soon, I promise.
Love,
Uncle Lyude
Dear Uncle Lyude,
Wow you are really busy, Uncle Lyude! In Ihe all the grownups do is fish and hunt and sell and cook and talk. I've never been to a city. King Ladekahn's castle is in the city, right? Gramma say it's in Sheliak which is the castle town. What's it like? Miz Julo and some of the other grownups have been to city before but they all say mean and nasty things about them. Like they're crowded and ugly and the people are mean. But you live in a city and you're not mean so it can't be true, can it? Right, Uncle Lyude? I want to visit the city too.
So the king is nice too. I want to meet him! I have never met Queen Corellia but I hear that she is nice also. I think kings and queens are all nice, right?
Last night I had a bad dream about the man who took me away from Gramma. I didn't see his face. I never saw his face, ever. He's really scary. I don't like having bad dreams. Sometimes I wish you were here so I wouldn't have to wake up Gramma when I have bad dreams.
Love, Jyenka
Dear Jyenka,
Some people don't like cities. It's true that they're bigger and more full of people, but it doesn't mean they're bad. People who have lived in a village like Ihe all their lives aren't usually accustomed to cities, so they might not like them as much. But Sheliak and Castle Elnath are beautiful, in my opinion. So is Mintaka, in Alfard, which is where I grew up. I hope you'll like the city, too; someday I'll take you to Diadem with me.
I'm sorry I'm not around when you have bad dreams, Jyenka. But please, never fear. Even though I may seem far away, if you think about it, I'm always close to your heart. Don't worry, Jyenka. That man won't get you again – not as long as I'm around. And your grandmother is watching over you, too. Don't ever forget that we're watching over you.
Be good, Jyenka. I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Uncle Lyude
Lyude's correspondence with his niece continued in such a manner over the following months. Since his return from Anuenue, Lyude found him constantly immersed in his work. It was simply one thing after another – first, the gradual education reform that had been proposed by the board of education in Sheliak had not gone over well with the villagers in Nashira; then there was a series of complaints about the rise in price of rope for the fishermen's nets, which had been brought about by the unexpected rise in the Lesser Celestial River, which had made it all that more difficult to get to the materials needed; after that, the town council in Sheliak couldn't decide what day of the week to change their meetings to after the election of the new chairman, and they'd brought it all the way to Castle Elnath for debate. Lyude found himself working tirelessly, and he couldn't seem to find a weekend to get to Anuenue without leaving a daunting pile of work in Diadem – or without having one waiting for him upon his return. He regretfully informed Jyenka each month that no, he would not be able to make it this time – maybe next month.
The time spun past him with alarming speed, and the sweltering middle of summer was upon him before he knew it. He was so absorbed in his work – assignment after assignment – that he didn't realize just what was approaching until he looked at his calendar.
His heart sank. Jyenka's birthday was coming up – when, exactly, was he going to find the time to leave? It had already been five long months since he'd seen his niece, and to miss her sixth birthday would be unforgivable.
He was startled by a knock on his door. "Y-yes?" he called, distracted.
The door opened, and Martello – the senior knight that seemed so fond of Lyude – poked his head into the room. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything," he said, "but King Ladekahn has requested an audience with you."
Lyude jerked slightly, snapping out of his distracted state. "I – er – what? – oh, yes. Of course. I'll be right here." He shook his head briefly, sighing, and touched his fingers to his forehead. "Thank you, Sir Martello."
"It's nothing," the senior knight chuckled, shaking his head. "Come now, boy, what's with you? Get your head out of the clouds; we don't live in the Sky anymore!"
Lyude smiled faintly. "It's nothing…I've just had a lot of work on my plate, lately." He brushed a stray strand of hair from his face. "Well, I'd better not keep His Highness waiting any longer…thank you, Sir Martello. I hope you have a nice day…" Lyude hustled out of the room, still fretting inwardly about his busy schedule. Martello watched him with fond amusement.
"That boy," he said to himself, strutting off in the opposite direction, "he works so very hard…"
Ladekahn was waiting in the throne room when Lyude arrived, looking slightly fizzled. "Yes, Your Highness," he said, bowing. "What was it you wished to speak to me about?"
Ladekahn looked at him for a moment, a faint note of concern in his eyes. "Lyude," he said, finally, "have you been sleeping?"
"I – what?" Lyude was caught off guard. "Er…I've been sleeping fine, sire. Why do you ask?"
Ladekahn smiled slightly and shook his head. "You run yourself ragged, Lyude," he said. "Sometimes, I don't think you even realize it. To be honest, I'm a little concerned you're working yourself to the point of exhaustion. You work so hard – it is all right for you to take time off; you know that, right?"
Lyude wasn't entirely sure what to say. "I – er – well, thank you, sire," he said, feeling a bit abashed. "But you don't need to worry about me – it's really not all that much, and I do take time to relax sometimes – "
"Lyude," Ladekahn said knowingly, giving him a pointed look. "I don't remember the last time you requested time off. Your hard work is exemplary, and it's much appreciated – but don't run yourself into the ground. Besides, I know you have a niece in Anuenue. When was the last time you took time off to visit her?"
Lyude suddenly felt a little guilty. If he'd realized that he could simply ask for time off to see Jyenka, he'd have done it sooner. He realized then that he'd never really had much of a reason to request time off until now.
"And in thanks for all of your hard work," Ladekahn continued, "I'm issuing you a one-week vacation – a mandatory vacation – effective this weekend. Take a trip to Anuenue and see your little niece. I'm sure she misses you. And if I hear you've been doing any work at all during your vacation, there will be consequences." The king's face bore a wry smile, and Lyude couldn't help but laugh a little to himself.
"Of course, sire," Lyude said, inclining his head with a smile to mirror the king's. "I wouldn't dream of defying your orders."