Lunamae (9 page)

Lunamae and I looked at each other, mouths
slightly open in awe. This was actually the first time we had ever
seen anything remotely magical, not to mention someone telling the
chief dame she was wrong about something. The Guardians, always
closely intertwined with nature, were also very avid followers of
the Creator. It was a close connection they shared being ones to
promote life and new growth rather than death and destruction. Even
in death, we are told by the Text of Illumination that there is a
place for us in the heavens and we are reborn as immortals. I could
only assume that the Guardians worked their power with the help of
the Creator.

“That was interesting,” my aunt said and then
urged my father to continue the caravan forward into the village of
Moir Awin. The obstacle in the road was gone and the only thing
ahead in our paths was the river Shibher but it would be low enough
to easily cross this time of year.

Lunamae courageously gathered her needlework
project up but was quickly reprimanded by her mother saying the
last thing she needs to deal with is a bloody finger spraying all
over the place, especially when we were going to be meeting her
grandparents and a good first impression was desired.

“Why don’t we go over the Text of
Illumination?” I asked her, sensing that she was bored which was
quite easy to be in this cramped coach.

“That would be appropriate,” my aunt
commended, allowing Lunamae to sit beside me. It was a bit
difficult to switch positions in the coach but my aunt must have
done it before, because in no time at all, Lunamae was sitting next
to me.

I took out the large book, the gifted one
from Lunamae’s altram ceremony. Lunamae had always been asking for
more to read as there was only a small collection of writings
available in the keep. She said she always wanted a big library,
the kind spoken of in other places. Books were expensive and not
easy to make, although I heard from Gaius that Kyrie had started
working on a press that would put ink on metal word and letter
plates. Those plates transferred to paper and could be rapidly
duplicated—much faster than a scribe.

I dug through the pages until I found the
section I was looking for, the part where the Creator came to us in
human form. We called him the Teacher. It was hard for Lunamae to
get her head around the fact that the Creator could be more than
one entity at once. I compared the Creator to water which made much
more sense to her. Water can come in many forms, the tangible
liquid and solid, as well as the air. I read about the Teacher and
how he performed miracles, which was long before magic was ever
discovered. It was in Old Orinda when the world was all one
community. The Teacher traveled to all edges of Orinda—even to
Cragash. We don’t speak of Cragash much anymore. It’s a desolate
land home to humanoid creatures called the gorlags. They used to be
servants of the humans but when Orinda was split, the humans left
them. Maybe one day we will go back in peace. The Teacher gave his
life as a sacrifice for us all so one day we can, as he did, return
to the Creator. The Text of Illumination speaks of his return to
Orinda sometime in the future. Perhaps that is why the Kyrians rely
so much on the stars.

Lunamae always liked hearing about the
Teacher. I did as well. The words he speaks that are presented in
the Text seem always so calm, gentle, and loving. I almost had got
to the next part about the followers spreading the words of the
Teacher when Angharad stopped us.

“We are nearing Moir Awin so put down the
Text and get everything in order,” she said, brushing her hands
past her hairs on either side of her head. “There is not much we
can do with the way you look since everything is loaded up in
chests.”

“They know we have been traveling, sister,”
my mother said affectionately. I knew she was trying to be overly
nice since she called her sister. I peeked out of the coach and
noticed a couple walking towards us and a younger girl behind. The
coach stopped abruptly by their presence.

“Angharad, is that you?” I heard the older
woman shout out.

“Freyja, there is no need to shout,” I heard
a man nearby say, he came next to the woman to stand by.

“Yes Mother, it is. We thought we would visit
since we are on our way to Fanarion,” my aunt answered. The older
man Freyja was with offered the chief dame a hand to get out of the
coach and then helped the rest of us out. We were on the outskirts
of the village of Moir Awin. It was nearly the same size as Feyris
but much less protected. Instead of a moat, there was a trench with
sharp poles protruding out, forcing travelers to enter only one
way. I noticed the solis was starting to head downwards into the
earth so I assumed we would also spend the night in the
village.

“What brings you so far south?” the woman
asked curiously.

“My daughter, Lunamae. I think she is old
enough to be paired with a suitable match—
if
we can find a
decent suitor. I would have thought to come here but I think the
bloodlines in our families will run too close. We don’t want
Lunamae to be barren,” the chief dame explained. She drew Lunamae
from my side and presented her. “This is Lunamae. Lunamae, these
are your grandparents, Freyja and Chieftain Bothildr. They are your
father’s parents.” Lunamae uttered a shy hello and a proper curtsey
to which the rulers nodded with approving eyes.

“This is Rika, our dalta,” Freyja said,
motioning to the girl. “We figured that at our age there would be
no more children and we were getting lonely. One of the clansmen
suggested we take her in next. She has been quite a blessing.”

“Have the monks of Bexweth been by?” my aunt
inquired.

“Yes with their new variety of beers for the
winter season. Have you tried them yet?” Freyja asked and the chief
dame shook her head. “Oh you must. Let us get you all in our lodge
and cleaned up and then we will all sample some.”

My mother drew Lunamae and me back and
escorted us to the lodge while Freyja talked with Angharad. My
father helped with watering the horses instead of coming right in
although he said he wouldn’t be too long since his presence was
important.

“Chieftain Bothildr doesn’t speak much,” I
said.

“He doesn’t have much to speak about,” my
mother said. “The last time we were here he said it was much easier
for Freyja to do all the talking. He would handle the business end
of things and she would handle the social. Right now there isn’t
anything business going on—at least I would assume that given his
silence.”

We were led into the lodge. Unlike the keep
in Feyris which was all made of stone, this was made of large logs
and some kind of filler between. The logs I assumed were from the
Oycos forest of Fanarion or perhaps from the jungles of Chalos.
When we entered the lodge we looked up. Instead of arches of stone
to greet us, there were arches of wooden beams. The whole room
smelled of rich pine.

We were led to a few rooms where clean water
awaited us. We weren’t that dirty since we had been traveling in a
semi-enclosed vehicle but I couldn’t imagine how much grime my
father had picked up. We went to join the rest in the large hall in
the center of the lodge. It was a lovely meal and while I didn’t
quite enjoy the taste of the bitter beer, I found that they also
had honey mead due to the season which I readily enjoyed. We ate
our fill and went to bed promptly, although the chief dame decided
to stay behind and converse with her late husband’s parents. I
couldn’t wait to continue on the journey and finally reach our
destination.

It had been over a day since leaving Moir
Awin and my aunt was still quite somber. She said when we left that
when she looked at Bothildr all she could see was the haunting
shadow of Leofric. We spoke kind words to her and tried to ease the
pain with my recitation of the Text of Illumination, particularly
the songs of praise in the middle.

When we entered Midonia the next morning, we
were greeted warmly. The Fanarions had been expecting us—which was
good because if they weren’t then the guards and spies weren’t
doing their jobs. The city was all busy in a stir of activities.
Large white flowers were positioned along the path to the palace.
The people—dressed in clothes much like the Kyrians—clapped with
our presence as well which seemed a bit odd, but they had a
different culture so I respected it. After heading up the steps of
the palace, we were led to the Basileykoss Avaylle which I was told
meant “Royal Court” in the native language of the Fanarions. Unlike
most of Orinda, the Fanarions decided that they would adopt a new
language in honor of their independence. They also find it good for
cheating out foreigners and telling secrets. Chalosians did the
same as well—although only the women knew the language. At any
rate, we did as we were told. Before entering, I passed a tall male
servant carrying some foods. He offered them to us and I met his
eye. I suddenly realized that the servant was quite handsome with
dark curly hair, broad shoulders, chocolate-brown eyes, and an
olive complexion like the rest of the people I had noticed in
Fanarion. His gaze toyed with me for a second before he lowered his
head and continued on his duties.

We paused before entering the Basileykoss
Avaylle and were told to wait until we were summoned. I shifted
nervously while waiting for the doors to be opened. I had never
been in such a formal setting, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I was
never taught these things, even though my mother knew I would be
going on this trip with her. The doors were opened and the servants
presented us saying,

“May I present the Chief Dame Angharad, her
daughter Lunamae, and her relations Keolan, Adelle, and Muirenn of
Clan Frys,” the servant said. We walked forward and approached the
king and queen of Fanarion. They were both about the same age as my
parents by the looks of their faces. Their heads were both adorned
with a crown of gold leaves. We were greeted warmly and were
invited to sit down nearby.

The Basileykoss Avaylle was so much different
than the hall of duty or the lodge at Moir Awin. It was very much
like an open courtyard and if we looked up we could see the sky.
There were columns all around supporting the Avaylle, with a rich
marble floor at our feet. The walls of the court were richly
painted. The artistic style was different than the tapestries we
make in Feyris but it was still beautiful. It was also quite
soothing being able to hear the birds and the sounds from the Sea
of Ayreni. I was unaccustomed to the sound of seagulls. The sound
may not be for everyone because of the high pitched screech, but I
found it to be unique and thus pleasant. There was incense lit in
the Basileykoss Avaylle. I had heard about this incense from one of
the merchants, but it always thought it as similar to the smell of
the cinnamon in my aunt’s fireplace. It was not at all like I had
imagined.

“I am King Cyrus and this is Queen Eirene,”
the king said, his voice lightly accented. The king and queen both
had dark, curly hair. From what I assumed, it was one of the traits
of Fanarion’s people. They also had darker skin—no doubt as a means
of protection against the heat of the south. “We would like you to
meet Alexo, our son. We would consider him to be an appropriate
choice for Lunamae. This is such a formal setting. Perhaps we could
take a walk out to the docks as I’m sure Lunamae would be very
eager to see the sea. Perhaps, just you, Angharad, and Lunamae can
come in a more private atmosphere. The rest of your family can come
and go as they please here. We will see to your rooms.” The king
then called out to the servant who had given us something to nibble
on outside the court. I found out his name was Theron. I couldn’t
understand much because the king was talking to him in the Fanarion
language. Theron came back to us and urged us to follow him while
the chief dame and Lunamae went with the rulers to the docks. We
were led to the area where the royal living quarters were, the
entrance to which was a courtyard as well, with seating in the
center and opaque white fabric stretched out over the ceiling of
sky.

My parents were led to a room on the far end
of the courtyard. They entered their room and I was shown the door
to my room, which was perpendicular.

“I would like to offer you something,” the
man said in a low voice before I could open the door. His voice
also had the slight accent of the people of Fanarion. It was
mesmerizing. “I know you would like to freshen up from after such a
long journey, but if it wouldn’t be much to ask I wouldn’t mind
taking you on a tour of our city. I can imagine that you might be
bored with no one your own age around.”

I contemplated it for a second—and only a
second. Truly, I would probably have stayed in the room until the
royals of Fanarion returned to this palace and it would be lonely
without Lunamae with me. While he still was only a servant, I
couldn’t imagine anyone denying such a handsome face.