Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (3 page)

Allegra looked out the rain-splashed window of her room at the palace and saw flashes of lightning in the distance, then heard the rumble of thunder. The weather matched her mood. Days had passed since her escape from Elegia to Avador, with little to occupy her time save desultory conversation with Elsa. She longed for her books or even her embroidery, a hobby at which she didn’t excel but one that at least kept her busy. More than anything, she wanted to go outside, explore the country, but especially go horseback riding, a skill taught her by a horseman at the court of Elegia. A woodsy area far to the east of the palace fascinated her, its trees so different from those in her country, she could tell even from where she stood. How she’d love to explore that area. She clenched her hands, tired of being cooped up inside. A few days ago, when Elsa fell asleep while reading, she had attempted to go outside for a walk. But the footman would not even open the door for her, would not permit her outside! She had refused to beg him and instead explored the palace. But she would not contend with this situation much longer. She would speak to Rowan Leinster next time he visited.

Mourning her mother and father and missing her country, she turned from the window. She recalled the happy times spent with her parents, who, truth to tell, indulged and spoiled their only child. Tears clotted her throat as childhood memories came back in a rush, joyous days spent with her parents and all her friends in Fomoria. In her mind’s eye, she saw the forested mountains of her native country as if she were there now, this very moment. She recalled the Fomorian winters, when snow layered the mountains and frigid temperatures chilled one to the bone. And spring, her favorite season as it was now in Avador, when flowers bloom and–

A knock on the door scattered her thoughts. Elsa opened the door, and Rowan Leinster stepped inside, his hair and clothes drenched with rain, a leather bag in his hand, a puddle forming at his feet. Despite her melancholy reflections, she found herself staring at him, wet clothes clinging to his hard-muscled body.

He made a slight bow. “My apologies for bringing the rain in with me, also for not visiting you sooner, Princess Allegra. Other, less pleasant duties demanded my time, but I surely didn’t mean to ignore you. Now,” he said, setting the bag on the floor, “it occurred to me that you might like certain diversions, such as games and books.”

“All well and good, sir. But when can I go outside? I’ve been kept a prisoner here.”

“Hardly that, my lady.”

“What else would you call it?” She related her attempt to go outside, watching the play of emotions across his face. Did he care?

“My lady, we are trying to protect you, keep you safe. We can’t permit you to go outside without an escort.”

Inwardly, she fumed but would keep the matter in abeyance for now, but not for long.

Elsa returned with two towels. “Sir, this may help you dry your hair and clothes. You can use the other one to set on a chair.”

“Ah, thank you.”  He vigorously dried his hair, long brown strands that fell almost to his shoulders, then set the towel aside. “My lady, when the weather is not so inclement, we can go riding.”

She clapped her hands. “Good! I’d like to go riding every day.”

He frowned. “Nothing would make me happier, but I do have other obligations.”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure your position keeps you busy. Here, let’s sit down,” she said, leading him to a chair next to a table. She sat next to him. “Just what does your work entail?”

“Representing my country to other countries on the continent–Galdina, Partholonia, Elegia, and until recently, your own country of Fomoria. If one of the Avadoran citizens gets into trouble in another country, I go to his assistance. I also arrange for cultural exchanges between my country and another.”

From inside a trouser pocket, he brought out an envelope and handed it to her. “Just a welcoming letter from the Minister of State. I can translate it for you.” 

“Later, this is my first chance in a long time for diversion. Politics can wait!” she said as she set the letter on a table.

He reached into the bag and brought out a piece of wood that opened out to reveal a checkered board. “We call this game fidchell, which means ‘wooden wisdom.’” He drew out two sets of men and set them on the board. “Have you ever played this game before?”

“No, sir.” She marveled at his fluency in the Fomorian language, spoken in that bass voice of his.

“Please call me Row
an.. I can show you how to play. First, we roll the dice.”

She liked his hands, tanned, like his face, and as the game progressed, she noted those muscular hands as he moved the pieces about.  Enjoying his company, she easily caught on to

the game, a relief from her monotonous days. The time passed quickly, the game ending with her winning, although she suspected he’d let her win on purpose.

After he put the game away, he reached into the bag and brought out several books which he set on the floor. “You might like these, adventure stories written in your language.” He glanced her way. “Are there any other kind of books you might like?”

“Adventure novels are fine, but I like histories and biographies, if you have any written in my language.” She threw him a questioning look.

“I’ll look for them next time I go to the Treasury of Knowledge in the capital. I’ll do that just as soon as I can.”

She twisted the amethyst ring on her finger. “Tell me, sir–“

He smiled. “Rowan.”

“Tell me, Rowan, when do you think I can return to my country?”

He sighed. “I fear that may be a long time from now. The men who assassinated your parents control the government. It’s not safe to return now.”

“I must confess I don’t understand as much as I should about this war that went on for years. Remember I was very young when I was sent from my home.  After the truce was signed between m-my father and the Elegian king, I thought there would be a lasting peace,

“So had we all hoped, my lady. Unfortunately, the usurpers have been scheming for a long time to renew hostilities. They don’t want peace.”

“Why not?” Tears filled her eyes as she fought for control, thinking of all she had loved and lost. She brushed her tears away. “Why does Elegia want this constant war?”

“Not just Elegia. Someone should have explained it to you, the reason for this continual fighting.” He paused, as if collecting his thoughts. “There is a disputed territory between your country and Elegia. It’s rich in gold mines, so both countries want this land. Your father signed a truce with the Elegian king that neither country would mine this territory. However, the temptation is too great for many. Just imagine all the things gold can buy! There is a war faction in your country that’s eager to gain control of the government and thus the gold mines. I fear more trouble will soon arise.”

She looked away for a moment, then returned her attention to him. “That wasn’t what I was told. I was told that Elegia was envious of Fomoria, and that’s why that country wanted war.” She sighed. “I weep for my country!” She turned away, fighting for composure, then spoke again. “If I were queen, I would appoint advisors to study the problem of the gold mines and meet with a similar group from Elegia. Surely the two groups could come to a compromise.”

He nodded. “A sensible solution.” He thought for a moment. “Can a woman inherit the throne in your country?”

“Only if there is no male heir. But I know I could rule as well as any man.” She paused. “My parents used to speak of a man who has a distant claim to the throne of Fomoria. What do

you know about him?”

Looking puzzled, he shook his head. “My lady, I know nothing about him. What is his name?”

“I don’t know. For reasons I’ve not understood, he was always referred to as ‘prince’ even though he was somewhat removed from the throne. Perhaps he could defeat the war faction and bring peace to my country. But if he can’t, I swear I will!”

* * *

Prince Arnou brooded inside a splendid castle, set deep in the northern forests of Fomoria. After the assassination of the king and queen, he’d realized he might well be the next victim of the war faction. Despite his worries, he smiled to himself. So far, things had gone his way. In the dead of night, he and his retainers had fled and found sanctuary in the Castle Vaden. From here, he planned to overthrow the war junta and work for his eventual ascendancy to the throne. His country had been bled dry by the perpetual war with Elegia. After King Covell had signed the truce with Elegia that had ended the war, everyone had breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone, that is, but these traitors who would stop at nothing–not even murder–to gain control of the country and so renew the war.

He rubbed his chin, wondering where Princess Allegra was now. The last he’d heard, she lived in Elegia, where she’d been taken as a hostage years ago. But would she have remained in that country, with the possibility that war might erupt again? Not likely, but where was she now? If he could locate her, he would propose marriage to her. Once he had overthrown the usurpers—and he would defeat them–he and Allegra could rule together. How old was she, he wondered, nineteen, twenty? Surely she was of marriageable and childbearing age. At the age of twenty-five, it was time he married, too. Yes, the sooner he found her, the better for him and his country. He must overcome the war faction and bring peace to Fomoria.

But first, he must find Princess Allegra. He rang a bell on his desk. Immediately, the door opened.

“Sir?”

“Merle, I have a task for you. I want you to find Princess Allegra. The last I heard, she resided in the royal palace at Elegia, but I doubt if she has remained there. Take as many men as you need, but I want you to discover her location and bring her back to me.” He tossed him a bag of coins. “Bribe as many people as you need. As for the princess, use persuasion if you can, appealing to her love of country. Let us hope persuasion will work.” He frowned. “I’d hate to use more drastic measures.”

Chapter Five

How can I keep the princess safe? Rowan agonized. If the war faction in Fomoria was determined to find her–and he remained certain of that–they would stop at nothing to discover her location and assassinate her. Only a matter of time before someone found her sanctuary here in Avador. At his desk in the Hall of State, he tapped his fingers, his mind sifting ideas and plans. He turned and looked out the window, saw people strolling along the cobblestone streets, children clinging to their mothers.

Memories from long ago surfaced. He recalled tales of magic portals that led to the Otherworld, a very few of these scattered throughout Avador. It could well be that one of these portals would serve as a means of escape for the princess, should danger threaten her again. He must learn more about these magic portals, but where to begin? Surely the Treasury of Knowledge, with its vast collections of books, would contain such tomes. As soon as he completed a few other tasks, he would head in that direction.

No point in moving her to another palace, if the need arose. Anyone determined enough to search for her could find her, and there were only a few royal palaces extant in Avador. What about having her reside with one of his friends? He immediately dismissed that idea. Their wives would be jealous of a beautiful woman such as Princess Allegra. And surely he couldn’t have her stay with Neala Dechtine. Neala would be jealous. No, if he had to, he must take her to a place where no one would find her, a site no one would even consider. 

Not until early afternoon did he find the time to leave his duties at The Ministry of State. A short walk from the Hall of State took him to the Treasury of Knowledge on Aventina Way. 

Hours later, after searching through dozens of volumes, he’d found no information that would help him, nothing that revealed portals to the Otherworld. He hadn’t dared ask one of the librarians, for she would wonder at his curiosity. Remembering at the last minute to fetch Fomorian histories and biographies for the princess, he left the library and walked out into the brilliant sunshine. He sighed, no closer to finding the information he so desperately needed.

He stopped to get a mug of mead and a bowl of beef stew at the Hungry Bear, continually thinking about his problem.

He thought of one other place, the library at the royal palace of Emain, a place he should have considered sooner. After he deposited the books for Princess Allegra at his desk, he hired a horse from the city stable for the ride to Emain Macha, a distance of several miles. As an assistant to the Minister of State, he had access to the royal library, and indeed, had frequented the library in the past.

Despite his concern for the princess, he enjoyed the ride past the villages and farmland, the acreage burgeoning with many crops, all planted in neat rows, as far as the eye could see.

Arrived at the palace, he left the horse at the royal stable, then entered the vast palace, the marble floor echoing his boots. He greeted servants along the way, all of them dwarves, many of whom he knew by name.

The royal library on the second floor, although not nearly as spacious as the Treasury of Knowledge, would more likely have the information he needed, a book of maps that would reveal the sacred portals. He found a section of the library that contained books so old the pages were yellow and loose. Thankful for his solitude, he gathered several books from the shelves and settled himself at a table to pore over them. He turned the brittle pages carefully, fearful of tearing them and afraid he would face disappointment again. The text in all of them was written in an ancient Avadoran language, the words unfamiliar to him. He searched instead for maps that would show the sacred portals.