Owain's head thudded against their headboard as he sighed. Little Melina and young Therolina slept comfortably once more, now across the hall and in the company of five of his sentinels. Ranni snored against his chest and he squashed the small jealousy he felt at her ability to rest so easily. He knew what awaited him when he closed his eyes.
Though, it was not as if his waking mind were any less assailed. Memories stole his sense ever more oft of late. He was considering returning to Caria for that blade of sleep, but he was unsure it would be any real help. Ranni murmured in her slumber, lithe hands seeming to reach for something. He offered his hand with a smile.
What were they to do about Rykard? A serpent capable of devouring the gods? Even ignoring the magical danger, how was he to combat a snake the size of a small castle? Especially if he was to keep the beast alive. Perhaps it was time he admitted he was out of his depth and beseeched both carian royals the use of their magic. He'd seen Ranni conquer dragons with little effort, seen the respect Queen Marika held for Queen Rennala's might. This coming conflict might just require the use of more than just brute strength and brash luck.
Still, he was reluctant to place his wife in any danger, especially in combat against…what remained of her brother. Rennala's mind too, had already proven more fragile than the queen had presented. What if one, or even both, lost control? Then he would need fight the serpent, protect his family, and escape its chamber. Could the beast break free? Tanith had said it was currently in a state of half-slumber, gathering strength. What would happen should they wake it and be unable to defeat it? This was not a problem more sentinels could solve, even if he threw the hundreds of troops he'd brought with them at the enemy, he doubted they would make much of a difference. Not if the magic Tanith described the serpent to possess was accurate.
He grimaced at the pool of drool Ranni had created at his collarbone. She would not even let him tease her about it, even though he very much desired to. Owain pressed soft kisses to her temple. Perhaps he too should try to rest, at least for a little while. Of course, it was when he closed his eyes, he felt more memories bloom in his mind.
"A ball, my lord?" It was rather late in the season, perhaps his lady desired one last celebration before winter?
The elden lord's eyes crinkled in amusement. "Aye, Wain. A grand one."
Owain saluted, fist to chest. "Understood, I shall start preparations at once." It was rather last minute, but he could arrange the logistics adequately if he rushed.
A heavy hand caught his shoulder before he could turn away. "Ah, my wife commands thy attendance as a guest."
"My lord?" Owain frowned, there would be many strangers within the palace, how could not attend to his duties?
The king rumbled out a laugh. "Leave the arrangements to Reginald, boy. She's plotting something."
"Ah." Oh. Not again! The queen had been forcing him to be more social of late, surely she did not hold this ball simply to force rest upon him? He smoothed the frown from his face. "Of course, my lord." The glint in his lord's eye as he left the king's study bred unease in him.
The nobles had been flittering around him for nigh an hour now. Owain had hardly moved from his spot beside one of the many high windows, as it granted an excellent view of the entire venue. He could could keep all the royals within his sight with ease. Noble men and women both continued to pester him with small talk, and it was becoming ever more grating.
The men sought his influence for them or their sons, he was sure. It was folly for one to try and secure a spot in the sentinels through influence alone, but the nobility never seemed to learn. The women…the women had been rather brazen in their attempts to flirt. At least, those that were brave enough to seek him out for conversation, it was not oft that he was thankful for his naturally stern face, but it served him well in deterring many would be suitors. They sought his influence as well, if through different means.
He sipped idly at a glass of champagne, perhaps the fifth or so he'd been had since the ball began. Owain knew he should slow himself but by the goddess, was this whole event draining. It did not help that his queen had been shooting him disapproving glares all the while. At least Ofnir had yet to come and needle him, though he saw the man lurking about.
He was startled from his brooding by Alecto, who was dressed elegantly in a gown of deep blue. He smiled at the sight of her, finally someone that was not trying to curry his favor. "Wain, I believe you are supposed to actually dance at these events." She tilted her head at him with a smile of her own.
He chuffed a laugh. "Me? Dance?" He tried to avoid dancing if he could, there were few partners that came close to his height, so he usually felt as if he were dancing with a child.
His friend lay a soft hand on his shoulder, patting it teasingly. "Oh, yes, Highlord. Perhaps a smile might be in order as well." He fought the smile from his face, he'd not fall pray to her jokes.
"The memory of such steps eludes me, please old friend, you must have enough fun for both of us." He gestured to the many dancing couples before them.
Alecto laughed, slow and easy. "Pity for you, Wain. My lady commands I bring the statue of her commander to life for at least a single dance."
"Her highness?" He glanced towards the royal pavilion, his queen giving him a clear warning with her eyes. Owain sighed. "Pray, forgive my mistakes then, Lady Alecto."
Her slender hands gripped his with surprising strength as she pulled him to the dance floor. It was a relief the woman was so tall, he barely had to stoop. Alecto gave him a rare smile as he clumsily began to lead her in their steps. "You must relax, Wain. The people can hardly set aside their troubles if you look so very…tense." The people hmm? Had his stress been worrying the court? Her hand came up between them and for a moment, he thought she might physically smooth the frown from his face, but she adjusted her own hair instead. Its low gold glinted softly in the warm light of the ball room. He only just noticed how much care she'd put into her outfit tonight.
He willed the frown from his face himself, trying to keep a small smile on his lips. His friend was doing her best, so should he. "Funnily enough, this is the least stressed I have been in quite a while. When my lord is beside my lady, the weight of my duties is greatly diminished." He glanced once more to the royal pavilion, where his queen was amusing herself by feeding her grumbling husband small bites of food. Even after all this time, it was still amusing to see the mightiest warrior to ever live wrapped so around the fingers of his wife.
Alecto laid a hand on his chest as he shifted them before they could collide with one of their neighbors. Great tree, he was so unskilled at dancing! At least he'd yet to step on her feet. "I suppose you are right, one might be foolish enough to try you, but Lord Godfrey…"
Owain laughed. "Yes, the elden lord is a different matter entirely. I sometimes wish he were not so hands on in the deployment of our troops. I much prefer it when he resides in the capitol."
The handmaiden was silent for a moment before she spoke again, voice uncharacteristically soft. "You do a wonderful job, Wain."
Had he ever seen Alecto look upon him so gently before? "Would that I…" His train of thought was abruptly halted as the latest delegation was announced. The Carian Royal family? He scowled, how had he not been informed? Such a visit would require a great deal of planning! His annoyance was washed away for a moment at the sight of the Carian princess. Images of her laughing sweetly flashed behind his eyes. The feeling of lips upon his…what were these bizarre moments? They felt almost like memories.
When had they stopped dancing? Ah, he'd blundered, Alecto was looking pensively at the delegation as well. "The Carians? You journeyed there recently with Lord Godwyn, did you not?" She began their steps anew, but he could hardly concentrate.
The Carians were making their way towards the golden queen, he should be at her side. "Yes…"
Alecto's hand softly tapped his chest. "Owain?"
He turned back to his dance partner, startled. "Forgive me, Alecto. Reginald did not inform me of their coming, I should ensure they are adequately situated." His hands fell from her waist, he mustn't tarry, they neared the queen!
"Wain-" She took hold of his hand, eyes bright, but dropped it after a breath. The gentleness that had surprised him earlier was gone. "Alright, commander. Thank you for the dance." She dipped her head.
He smiled distractedly, "No, thank you, my friend."
Owain did not make it to the royal pavilion in time to greet the Carians before his queen. Instead he waited patiently to one side, glaring at Reginald, who stood a ways behind the Leyndellan monarchs. By the sentinel's shifting, he knew the man could feel his gaze. A royal visit was momentous, this had been a concentrated effort to keep Owain in the dark and he did not appreciate it, even if it was the eternal one's mischief. She'd ramped up her efforts to see him 'relax' of late.
It seemed only the Carian princess had made the journey with her parents, both sons must have been occupied with their territories. After a few more moments of polite conversation, Queen Marika gestured towards the ball, imploring the visitors to enjoy themselves. Queen Rennala and her consort were quick to join the dance, too quick for him to interrupt them. Instead he was met with the piercing eyes of the towering princess.
"Your highness." He said softly, nodding his head. He'd made a right fool of himself when last they'd met, but hopefully she thought of his actions as gallant, not reckless.
"Lord Commander." She responded, primly offering a hand. He kissed it hesitantly. Her beauty was once more rapidly stealing his wits. Lo, this woman was perfection, grace and loveliness incarnate. Her lips quirked as she pulled her hand away. "I am glad to see thou art hale. Thy wounds do not hinder thee?"
His wounds? Ah, Godwyn had healed them splendidly, naught but scars remained. "No, Your highness, though I appreciate your concern." His eyes flickered to her parents. "I had hoped to ensure you and your party were sufficiently guided and protected. Have you any needs that have not been met?"
Dainty fingers covered a smiling mouth, he noted the green of her nails matched the emerald of her flowing dress. "Oh, I have many needs, commander." her smile only grew.
He knew it! Reginald had done shoddy work in his preparations! His Vice-Commander seemed to always gift him such wonderful headaches. The man was fortunate he was so skilled in combat, or Owain would have little use for him. "You have my apologies then, Your Highness. I would not bore you with logistics during this celebration, but I will ensure whatever you require will be provided posthaste."
The woman finally laughed, a low, husky sound. It sparked some feeling in his chest that almost…discomforted him. "Mine own pardons, Lord Commander. It seemst thou hast mistaken my words for complaint. Come, dance. Any discontentment I might have would be ameliorated, if thou wouldst do me the honor."
Huh? Owain blinked in confusion. He shook the tension from his shoulders, he could hardly deny this request from a visiting royal. It was odd, he was so loath to prance about before, but now, nothing seemed like a better use of his time than to dance with the woman before him. "The honor would be mine, if you would have me, Your Highness. Though I must warn you that I am not so skilled in the art."
Her smile grew ever broader, "Oh, I will have thee. Be not afeard, Lord Owain, I am quite talented at most every courtly dance." The sound of his name from her ruby lips made his stomach perform acrobatics. Had she been this engaged with him at their first meeting? He'd been so nervous, he did not remember.
She was taller than him, he admired. It was…it was quite nice. For some odd reason, the feeling of his hand in her's felt familiar. The shimmering lines of her hair, the dazzling starlight in her eyes; it felt like a half forgotten dream. "Thou'rt not so very graceless as thou believest, methinks."
She spoke! He'd been operating entirely on instinct, long lost in the storm of her eyes. "You are too kind, Your-"
Her eyes flashed in annoyance, "Ranni. Name me Ranni, Owain."
Was he blushing? Him? "R-ranni then. Forgive my hesitance, I am not one used to casual address." She was too close, the fragments of his mad dream kept flaring in his mind. Her scent of lilacs and ink made him smile but he did not know why.
She leaned even closer, head tilted, gaze far too heavy. "But t'is not casual. There art few who I would deign allow use of mine name."
He swallowed nervously, concentrating mightily on not stepping on her precious toes. "You…would grant me such privilege?" Alas, he was hopelessly lost in her eyes, he must look away! Owain could not become complacent.
Her voice was a breathy whisper, "Is it not to be expected? Thou'rt my savior, such a thing shouldst be a given." Surely this dance did not call for her to be so pressed to him, surely he was overstepping his bounds? He tried to create distance, but she only edged nearer still. Would her lips taste of the same sweetness as his dream, he wondered treacherously.
"I only-my duty, I only did my duty." He murmured dazedly. Fie! He'd had too much to drink, his mind was foggy.
That husky chuckle of hers stirred his heart once more. "Duty, hmm? If I wished from thee something more than duty, what wouldst thou say?"
"Your Hi-Ranni? I do not understand." Some distant part of him realized the music was nearing an end.
"I shall reside in the capital for a few moons. I told mine mother that I wished pursue the Queen Marika's library." She slowly parted from him and Owain found he grieved the loss of the contact much more deeply than he'd expected. "A half truth. Thou'rt my true goal, burnished one."
His shallow bow to her was a shaky thing, he could not seem to stop the trembling of his fingers. He must take this chance! "Then, I will see you again, Ranni?"
She flashed a broad grin at him. "Oh, yes. This was but the first of many dances, Owain." She gave him a small wave as she turned to go to her parents' side, who were just finding their seats beside Queen Marika.
Owain clasped his hands behind his back, clearing his throat. Just what had come over him? He was a fool! An idiot beyond compare to behave so brazenly in public, before the golden court especially! He quickly hailed a passing waiter, downing two more glasses of wine in quick succession. It was likely unwise, but he needed to calm his nerves. His gaze, as ever, shifted to check on his queen and he was surprised to find her watching him intently. He yearned to rush back to his quarters, party be damned, he'd embarrassed himself in front of his goddess! The small smile she gave him was contemplative, and did nothing to still his thrashing heart.
Ranni's peaceful face greeted him at the return of his senses. She slapped him lightly as he readjusted his hold on her. At least…at least not all these memories were so marred by grief.
"Thou'rt not angry, mother?" Rykard's voice was timid.
Rennala sighed as she stroked her son's downy hair, when last had he allowed himself the childish act of laying his head upon her lap? "Not anymore, sweeting."
He was silent a moment, "Then thou approvest the match?"
Rennala pursed her lips."As a queen…I should not; but as thy mother, I can not help but support it. I knowest love when I see it." She was nothing if not a doting mother.
He reared up, eyes earnest. "Tanith is quite intelligent, and she instills in me a desire to be better than I am now!" The queen smiled softly at her boy, looking at how much he'd grown.
She patted his hand, when had they become so much like his father's, callused and scarred? "Some ambition from my eldest, something I have long desired."
"What dost father think?" Rykard questioned softly.
"He is content to leave the matter to me." Radagon had reacted more evenly than she'd expected at their first born's reckless announcement. She should not have been surprised, the man loved their children just as fiercely as she, and had not the weight of her crown to mold his thoughts.
"But dost he…she is ever anxious to impress both of thee." His earnest eyes really were just like his father's, it made her chuckle.
She lay a hand on his cheek, had Tanith told him to grow out his beard like this? "Thy father is softer than thou knowest. He is only happy to see you joyful."
Rykard gently squeezed her hand. "I am. Joyful, I mean."
"Then I am as well, dear heart." She brought her son into a tender embrace, Rennala could never resent him for choosing love over duty.
The queen struggled to break from her shifting dreams, but they would not relinquish their hold over her.
"He toys with dangerous magic, Rennala. I worry." Radagon's fingers made delicate passes through her still damp hair. It was cute that he enjoyed braiding it so much.
She hummed out her contentment, today had been overlong and to take such respite in the soft dark of their chambers with her husband was balming. "I have taught him just as I taught thee, thou needst not fear."
As he began gathering strands to weave, she let him work through his thoughts as he was wont to. "This pursuit of power, might it not…change him?"
"The shadow of his parents is long, its temper cold. It is no wonder he seekest a name for himself. Tanith breedest ever more proactivity in him. I think it a welcome change." Her hands reached back to find his smooth cheeks. Her man so beautiful, she misliked it when his fine features were marred by worry, as she knew they would be now, should she turn to face him.
"Thine eyes art clear when mine art not, it seemeth." His voice was soft and hesitant.
"What blunders couldst he make that we would not be able to mendest?" She eyed him over her shoulder, why did he worry so?
Radagon sighed lowly, "I only wish for him to inherit his mother's kind nature, never his father's cruelty."
Rennala laughed brightly, "Cruelty? If thou art cruel then I have never known true evil."
"Thine love alone lights my steps." he whispered after a long while, having reached the end of her braid.
She turned, sitting atop her heels as she took his face in her hands. Did his eyes glisten with tears? "It is fortunate then, my golden lord, that thou wilt never walk in darkness." She kissed away the wetness on his cheeks, laying her brow to his.
"I do not understand." he murmured, voice fragile.
"Radagon?" She whispered.
"How one so wretched as I, could be allowed to love one so noble as thee." These moments of self-doubt in him were rare, all the more heartrending for their potency. She was unsurprised that she found her voice so constricted in her own passion, "Thou'rt not wretched, beloved hearth."
Rennala did not mean to bare her teeth, but seeing him so despairing woke deep wrath in her. What hardships had he faced to view himself so?
"Thine-thine eyes art clear." He uttered brokenly. His face contorted and she gently wiped away fresh tears.
"Aye, mine heart, I am wise beyond all others." She kissed him slowly, lingering in their shared breaths. "I declare thou'rt good and noble, righteous and kind; I shalt not be questioned, dost thou understand?"
Radagon leaned back, smiling smally as he loosed a weak laugh. "Aye, most beloved wife of mine." Rennala pushed him forward until they toppled back against their many pillows. She would force this lingering doubt from him, even if it took her all her life. There was no rush, they had an eternity after all.
Rennala woke with a gasp. Sudden sobs claimed her as she once more realized the emptiness of her bed. Why! Why had he left? The queen palmed away her tears but it was no use, too many memories haunted her. She gasped anew when what she had forced from Tanith's mind came once more to her own.
Her fingers worked into her hair, nails biting into her scalp as she moaned in grief. Her baby had been turned into such a monster. She should have listened! Should have cautioned his overeager antics. In pursuit of strength, he'd been consumed by an encroaching evil. In pursuit of knowledge, cruelty had taken root where only kindness should have grown.
A figure of silver she'd not noticed before stirred in a corner chair. "My lady?" Came Linde's groggy voice. Rennala did not respond, her sobs had tighter hold to her than they had they'd any right to. "M-my lady!" Linde cast off her helm and gauntlets, rushing to her queen's side.
Rennala reached out to her heedlessly, her queenly regality had long abandoned her and she had not the strength to pretend it hadn't. Her knight's armor was cold, but her hands gentle. Long minutes did they spend embracing, Rennala could not seem to help herself. How shameless, how foolish. She wept in the arms of her sworn soldier like a pathetic wretch. When at last her tears were spent, she laid cool palms to burning eyes. "Fetch Moongrum, Linde."
"Aye, my lady, he sleeps aside your door." In the few moments she had to wait, Rennala wondered at her commander's sleeping arrangement. Moongrum was a cautious man, but surely he could have slept in the room across from her? She was sure Owain had posted too many sentinels outside her door already, something must have happened whilst she slept.
"My lady?" Sounded Moongrum's grizzled baritone at her door. Rennala waved him in distractedly. She must pull herself together, there was work to be done afore Rykard could be saved.
"Sit, there is much I must disclose." The knight sat silently in Linde's vacated chair. Moongrum's stolid nature was reassuring, if ever there was a constant in her life, it was her oldest friend. He'd served her since they were both barely out of adolescence. He'd guarded her wedding, the births of her children, the throes of her madness; Moongrum could be trusted beyond any other at this point.
"Have you knowledge of Rykard's fate?" He asked, tentatively.
Rennala scowled at the floor, hoping the serpent could feel the fire of her gaze, even through many tons of stone and fortifications. "Aye, and the inklings of a plan to save him, though we shall need to find an unlikely ally."
"Say the name and I shall set them before you, my queen."
"Sellen. Bringest me the witch Sellen, I wilt need her magic before all is done."