Avalyne Series 02: The Easterling (3 page)

‘
Agreed,’ Dare sighed with resignation. He wanted time to rebuild Carleon, to restore the wounded spirit of his people before he inflicted another war on them. Though he had been reluctant to extend the friendship across the Burning Plains to the very people who had warred against them, Dare knew that Carleon could ill afford further conflict after Balfure’s end had come. They needed recovery more than vengeance.  He prayed that diplomacy would be enough to heal the rift between the east and west because the alternative was war.

And he wanted to avoid that for as long as possible.

******

Melia
stared at herself in the mirror of the room she had been provided in the Keep and wondered how long it had been since she had been required to dress for a dinner. With sadness, she realised that it was well before her father had died. Those days seemed so far away that there were times when Melia wondered if they had happened to some other girl for who she was now could not imagine that she had ever been so young. Her life after his death had been one hard turn after another but Melia regretted none of it. As difficult as it was since fleeing Nadira, her life was her own.

S
till, staring at her reflection and seeing not the watch guard but the woman wearing in the one dress she owned, Melia could not help but think there was a stranger gazing back at her. The dress was simple, a blue shift that clung too tightly at the bodice with sleeves that seemed to drape over her hands in elvish fashion. She bought it when she was in Cereine, from a peddler who made his mark selling dresses sewn in the fashion of highborn ladies. She had no idea why she bought the thing for it was such a frivolous purchase but she liked the colour of the fabric and that had made the decision for her, impractical as it was.

It had remained almost forgotten in her saddlebag, kept because of its colour and
a memory of better days. When the invitation from the Queen of Carleon had come, she was rather surprised and realised finally, she had occasion to wear it. The invitation itself still astonished her. True, they had experienced some extraordinary things during their adventure in Sanhael but as a watch guard it was her duty to aid the Queen. Melia had never expected the friendship shared with Arianne and Celene to continue once they returned home.

In all
honesty, after Melia left Arianne and Celene at the Frozen Mountains, she never expected to hear from either again.

However, it appeared she was mistaken because
the Captain of the Watch in Baffin had sought her out and presented her with the invitation to visit Sandrine Keep. It was not an invitation she could refuse and so she had set out, convinced that when she had arrived at the palace, she would be told it was a terrible mistake. Of course none of this took place when Melia did reach the Keep and was presented to the Queen who greeted her with the warm embrace of a friend.

Many claimed that the
Queen of Carleon was the fairest maid of her day. Melia wondered if they knew her beauty was easily surpassed by the capacity of her kindness.

******

As Melia adjusted the gown upon her body, she pinned back her dark hair and hoped that she was suitable for the company she would be keeping tonight. However, each time she glanced at the mirror, she was startled by who she saw there. The woman in the mirror did not look like a watch guard. After one wore breeches and spent most of one's time riding through the wilderness, becoming a non person with neither identity nor gender, was a given. Now the reflection staring back reminded her she was once Melia, daughter of Hezare, a general of Nadira.

It was almost to her relief when she heard the door behind her. The sound of knuckles rapping against the thick wooden door had the power to snatch her away from her anxious thoughts and sent her hurrying to answer it.
She had no idea what customs and protocols needed observing whilst in the Royal Court so she did not wish to be perceived as being rude by leaving her visitor to languish outside her door.

‘
Melia!’ Celene burst into the room as soon as Melia opened the door wide enough and was greeted with another enthusiastic hug of friendship and joy.

‘Celene,’ Melia stuttered a response, still rather overwhelmed by the reception she was receiving from the Lady of Gislaine.

‘
My goodness,’ Celene exclaimed, sweeping her gaze over Melia in her blue dress. ‘Now I can see why so many were shocked when I discarded my breeches for a dress. You look beautiful.’

‘
I feel as if I should be better armed,’ Melia retorted, remembering that Celene had a dry wit and would appreciate the humour.

Celene
laughed and took her hand, leading her to the chairs in the room so that they could talk. Like Arianne, Celene had not forgotten how Melia had risked her life to aid them in the quest to Sanhael. Though she claimed she was duty bound to aid the Queen of Carleon, they knew better and took her to their hearts. Besides, there were not many other women with whom Celene shared common interest, who did not think battle and swordplay was wholly inappropriate subjects of conversation for the Lady of Gislaine.

‘
How have you been?’ Celene asked as they nestled comfortably into the wing chairs.

‘
I have been well though life does not vary much for a watch guard. We ride, we watch and we report what is important to those in authority,’ Melia explained.

‘
And how goes your search for your mother?’ Celene inquired, remembering Melia had set aside her own quest in order to help them.

Melia let out a disappointed sigh before responding.
‘I am afraid that I have found little evidence of her. Wherever she and her people disappeared, they hid well for I have spoken to no one who has even heard of her.’

‘
You will find her,’ Celene patted her on the arm in support, showing more confidence that Melia herself felt at this moment.

‘
I hope so,’ Melia smiled, grateful for the gesture. ‘Now, how about yourself? How have you and your husband been?’

‘
Ronen and I fare well. We have spent much of the past months in Gislaine trying to rebuild the outer settlements there but I fear that we our resources only stretch so far. Many fled across the Baffin during the occupation and until we prove that the south is free of Balfure’s forces we will not bring them back. I know the King would like the Southern Provinces peopled once more but it is going to take a long time for that to happen.’

‘
I understand that land of east of Gislaine is quite beautiful and the woods of Eden Ardhen are quite magnificent,’ Melia remarked, knowing something about the local topography.

‘
It is,’ Celene responded. ‘Unfortunately many of Balfure’s forces have taken refuge there. Tor Ardhen still stands even though the Disciples are gone. Its a pity because it was the centre of elvendom until Lylea was driven out.’

‘
I suppose they are retreating behind the Veil again now that Balfure is gone. It is a pity that Eden Ardhen is not occupied. That might solve your problem.’

‘
It might,’ Celene nodded in agreement and then added rather coyly. ‘Speaking of elves, Aeron is here.’

Melia's expression was as stone.

‘Is he?’ She asked feigning casual interest that was not at all unique in the Keep today.

‘
Yes,’ Celene nodded, having
also
heard of Kyou's description of the two’s interaction during the return trip from the Frozen Mountains. ‘Though I fear not for long. I am told that he has been summoned home to Eden Halas by his father Kangaloon.’

‘
Well that is hardly surprising,’ Melia snorted. ‘If he were my son I would try to keep a tight rein on him as well.’

Celene
chuckled and remarked, ‘I see you remember him well then.’

‘
And trying to forget him just as well,’ Melia replied sarcastically, recalling how she had almost taken her knife to him when they travelled together. He had taken the notion of chivalry beyond the boundaries of its intended use. She could not understand how he could have fought Syphia with her at his side and then treat her like some fragile damsel who needed protection the next minute.

‘
Are we speaking of the same, polite elf?’ Celene teased.

‘
Are we speaking of
a
polite elf?’ Melia cocked a brow at her.

Celene
laughed and Melia joined her before the conversation regarding the Prince of Eden Halas deteriorated even further.

‘
It is time we join the others for dinner,’ Celene prompted their departure. ‘Arianne thought you might prefer a friendly face to accompany you to the hall instead of a serving girl. We will talk more tonight.’

‘
I am grateful for your company,’ Melia did not lie in admitting that Arianne was extremely correct about that assertion. She made a mental note to thank the Queen for the consideration when they had a moment alone. Hopefully the rest of the night would transpire as smoothly.

******

‘Did you miss me?’

A
familiar voice spoke so closely to Melia’s ear she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. They were just about to enter the corridor leading to the great hall when they were intercepted by someone who knew how to approach them without giving any indication of his presence.

Melia sucked in her breath, perfectly awar
e of whom had asked the question and replied sweetly without turning around. ‘Like the pox.’

‘
Are you saying you afflicted with me?’ Aeron asked as he rounded the two women and stood next to Melia, smirking.

Celene
rolled her eyes, aware that Kyou’s description of the two had been quite accurate. ‘
Prince
Aeron, I take it you remember Melia?’

‘
Vaguely,’ Aeron shrugged, a little smile crossing lips as his eyes continued to stare at Melia. ‘Though I am certain that it was a scruffy watch guard I travelled with, not this woman,’ his eyes moved over her form, showing his approval of her dress.

‘
I remember you,’ Melia retorted, feeling uncomfortable enough in these clothes without this elven aristocrat making her feel more self-conscious about it ‘You were that annoying little puppy that kept tugging at my heels. I thought I had lost you in woods with the hopes you would not find your way home.’

‘
It is good to see that Kyou was
not
exaggerating,’ Celene chuckled, shaking her head while she drew away from them both to keep being caught in their sparring match. ‘I leave you to your verbal jousting. If you can rest your bladed tongues for long enough, do join us in the hall. I believe the Queenies waiting.’

Neither spoke until
Celene had gone and despite his earlier reminders to himself to keep from falling into old patterns around her, that resolve crumbled the instant Aeron laid eyes upon her. She was just as he remembered but the dress took his breath away even though he hid it well. It was her spirit he admired so when they first encountered each other. The lady was lovely too but it was secondary to her will and her wit which he found very similar to his own. However, this was the first time he realised how truly female she was and it had robbed him of the sense to curtail feelings he knew he should not be entertaining in the slightest.

‘
Would you let me escort you?’ He asked offering her his arm.

‘
Now you behave like a nobleman?’ She stared at him, wondering what was to be done with this impossible elf.

‘
A moment ago I was pox,’ he pointed out. ‘It requires time to rise above that distinction.’

‘
You are quite impossible,’ she said breaking into a smile as she took his arm and they started walking again. Despite herself, Melia found he was good company when he was not being quite so infuriating.

‘
I can assure you, I am not alone,’ he grinned before his tone became more serious. ‘So how have you been?’

‘
I think I preferred you impossible,’ Melia retorted and softened a little because his inquiry was sincere. ‘I have been well. I hear you are bound for home.’

He stiffened only slightly but enough for Melia to know
he was not happy about it and wondered why a Prince would dislike returning to his realm?

‘
Yes,’ he said with a resigned sigh. ‘My father requires me home and I have been away for far too long. It is time.’

‘
Does that not make you happy?’ She asked pointedly. Subtlety was something neither seemed to have cultivated with each other. It made dealing with each other a good deal easier and more honest.

‘
No,’ he admitted. ‘Not as much as I should be.’

A pregnant pause followed as she debated what she should say to him. It was far simpler dealing with the
Prince of Eden Halas when they were trading barbs and insults. However, seeing him visibly unhappy bothered Melia more than it should have.

‘
Perhaps you should go home only to visit,’ Melia suggested.