Rise and Fall (51 page)

“I’ve heard stories of that time. I’m sorry for your losses.”

Lobella smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty. You are too kind. She only has me now and a few distant cousins we rarely see.”

“You miss her already, don’t you?”

“Very much so.”

“I’m sorry you had to come with me. I tried to find another way but I needed someone I could trust to attend me while away from the city.”

“Oh, I understand. Your brother hired nearly half a dozen servants to replace me in caring for my mother in my absence. He said that not only would she be cared for, but that he would see to her home being repaired to look as new as the day it was built. I told him not go to any trouble but he insisted.”

Elyse was surprised to hear that. She knew Jonrell had made arrangements for Lobella’s mother, but she was unaware of the extent. Though to hear Lobella tell the tale, it sounded as though they had needed the extra help for some time. She wasn’t sure what else to say, so she went with the first thing that came to mind. “Well, you are definitely worth the effort.”

Lobella blushed. “The prince said the same thing, Your Majesty,” she said with a sparkle in her eye. “You are both too kind.”

Elyse smiled and they both turned back toward the road to Cathyrium.
She is already smitten by him and barely even knows the man.

However, she realized that without even trying Jonrell had taught her another lesson. She had always assumed that by asking how things were, Lobella would be honest and speak of any needs. Elyse realized that the young woman would not speak to her about such things.

I should have looked into it myself. I took her kindness and friendship for granted.

Staring out the window again, Elyse saw the signs of winter well under way. Branches swayed in the harsh winds as leaves blew to and fro across the ground. The faces of soldiers and servants reddened from the whipping air. And in the middle of it all, her brother moved among the men, talking to every one of them, treating each one as equal, regardless of station. And as her brother left, all stood a little straighter and seemed a little less bothered by the unruly weather.

They don’t want to let him down
, she thought.
If he can stand the weather and elements, then they have no right to complain.

She sat back and frowned. Thick blankets covered her while she nibbled on hard cheese and sipped a cinnamon tea.

The little I thought I had learned about leadership over the last few months was only me fooling myself. In one day he put the nobility in their place, and in just a short amount of time on the road, he’s gained the confidence of every man and woman not already his own. I haven’t accomplished a fraction of that.

She looked down at the book in her lap, an exposition on the daily life of a soldier. She had hoped it would give her insight into the men she would be around during the journey to Cathyrium. She closed it and peered back out the window. She watched Jonrell talk to one of his own men and saw the respect that was in the soldier’s eyes as they shared a laugh. She had made her decision.

Some things you just can’t learn in a book.

* * *

Jonrell looked over to his sister bundled up tight in her thick wool cloak. Water ran down from her eyes as the wind battered her face.

“Are you ok, Your Majesty?” he asked.

Her eyes met his, determined. “I’m fine. Who’s next?” she asked.

“Cisod. He’s a blacksmith I picked up on Slum Isle. We’ll talk to him and the other smiths we picked up from Grayer,” he said.

“Then let’s go.”

He nodded and smiled, kicking his mount into the wind. He was proud of her. She had come to him that morning and said that she wanted to meet those they were traveling with. At first Jonrell thought it was a nice gesture and suggested she would be more comfortable in the carriage. He never expected her to go through with his offer. To her credit, she stood firm and commanded that he let her go with him. They had been at it all day, and other than their break for lunch, she hadn’t left his side. She didn’t say much which for now was probably for the better since the troops were unsure how to act around their queen. Shocked at seeing someone of her station brave the elements was the most common reaction.

Jonrell finally saw that she truly wanted to be a good ruler. He felt better about the decision he had made before leaving Lyrosene.

I hope that she sees the value in such a decision.

* * *

Jonrell rode his mount through the arched gatehouse and into the castle at Cathyrium. He did his best to hide his displeasure with the awful condition he found the fortress in.

One Above, there is even more work to be done than I imagined.

Lord Caliva stood near the entrance. He was an older man, bald except for a wreath of white hair that blended into a short and well kept beard. Despite his age, he appeared in good health. A number of aides and servants, who appeared eager to serve, surrounded him.

“I thought the messenger you sent ahead was telling lies when he told me of your arrival, My Prince,” Lord Caliva said with a bow. He glanced around Jonrell’s shoulder as the queen’s carriage made its way through the archway. “But now I see it is true. Not only were the rumors of your return true, but the Queen herself has come to grace our presence.”

“Aye, it is all true, My Lord. My apologies for arriving in such an abrupt manner but I’m afraid there is little time to observe the proper formalities when the fate of the kingdom is on the line.”

Lord Caliva nodded. “I heard the news of the fall of Namaris. These are dark times indeed.”

“Yes, they are,” said Jonrell. He looked around at the gathering crowd of people.

Lord Caliva forced a smile. “My household,” he said gesturing to those around him, “will get everyone settled. Dinner can be ready in about two hours if that is fine with you, My Prince”

“Yes, that’ll be perfect. If you would, please keep the affair a private one. We have important matters to discuss.”

Lord Caliva nodded. “I’m sure some of the hopeful attendees will be upset. But they will understand the need for privacy.”

* * *

The heat emanating from the roaring fires of the dining hall was a welcome relief to Elyse. Leaving the cold winter temperatures in exchange for the warmth of the room made her a little drowsy at first. She also realized just how tired and sore she felt from spending the last several days with her brother on horseback.

But it was well worth it.

She had used the time to pick her brother’s brain about a number of subjects, even regaining a bit of the closeness she had once shared with him in their youth.

She forgot about her drowsiness as the scent of roasted pig permeated her nose. Stomach growling, her mouth watered as she took in the small feast laid before her on the wide table.

She noticed everyone waiting for her to find her seat. She smiled, and lowered herself with a small sigh onto the plush chair, its soft cushion another comfort she missed.

“Everything looks wonderful, Lord Caliva. I must thank you for your hospitality and allowing us into your home.”

He smiled. “It is an honor, Your Majesty. My home is yours.” He paused. “If you would allow me to do so, I would like to lead us in a word of prayer to the One Above before we begin our meal.”

“I cannot think of a more appropriate thing to do, my Lord,” she said, bowing her head.

It was a short, but fitting prayer. It spoke about being thankful for each day granted to them and how during times of great stress, they should remember what is most important. In fact, given their current circumstances, she couldn’t think of a better prayer to offer.

When Lord Caliva finished giving thanks, the servants began presenting the meal, to her first, and then to others in order of station. Despite her desperate hunger, Elyse remembered her etiquette and ate as a queen should with small portions and even smaller bites. The food tasted delicious, but she found herself distracted when she looked at the way many of the men at the table simply attacked their food, especially those from Jonrell’s group of mercenaries. She didn’t know whether to be disgusted by their lack of manners, or jealous that they could get away with such behavior.

The large rectangular table held over two dozen people. Lord Caliva sat on the other end from her, in keeping with the northern custom for the lord of a city to sit opposite their ruler.

It is an honor for a lord to be allowed to look their ruler in the eye
, she thought, recalling a lesson from her youth.

Jonrell had been seated to Caliva’s right. Several of Caliva’s captains and his mages were interspersed with the men Jonrell had brought to the meal. During introductions it was quickly evident that many of the men from either side held a particular area of expertise.

No doubt Jonrell and Caliva want the men to grow accustomed to each other as soon as possible.

Other than a polite comment from Lord Caliva’s men, few engaged her in conversation. Elyse felt so out of place that she kept to herself and enjoyed her meal while she watched the interaction of the others. During their journey, Jonrell had brought up many of his old lessons, emphasizing those on how to judge and learn from the behavior of those around you. It was a lesson she had heard many times as a youth and often dismissed. She had learned quickly while on the road that it would be a mistake to take her brother’s advice for granted again.

The first thing that became evident to her was just how out of place Jonrell’s men looked in comparison to the well groomed men of Lord Caliva’s council. Despite the boisterous conversations he partook in, Krytien appeared ragged. His faded black robes contrasted sharply with the vibrant colored robes of Caliva’s mages.

Her eyes turned to Yanasi and Rygar. Though rarely seen apart, Elyse wondered how two people so different had found happiness with each other. Yanasi had barely looked up from her meal except to whisper something briefly to Rygar. He on the other hand took in all the sights and sounds of the hall. Rygar tried to work himself into several ongoing conversations. Both were near her age, yet she felt little connection to either. In many ways, she was jealous as she watched them. They were each able to hold onto a piece of youth that Elyse never got to enjoy.

Cisod spoke with one of Caliva’s captains about the condition of their weapons and supplies. Raker leaned over and butted into the conversation at awkward moments, oblivious that neither was particularly interested in what he had to say. Their snide remarks and looks of frustration did little to deter Raker from giving his opinion. Each comment he accentuated by pointing a half gnawed rib. Elyse shook her head as she watched the exchange.

From what Jonrell had told her, Raker was an engineer and would be crucial during the siege but all she saw was a man who needed a bath and change of clothes. She had only spoken to him once. The conversation ended abruptly when Jonrell cast an icy glare that sent the man cowering away. The look was in response to some passing comment the mercenary made during their official introduction about rolling in hay. Elyse didn’t ask why it had aggravated her brother but based on his reaction, she later decided that she probably should have been offended by it.

Elyse was surprised that Jonrell had brought along the two young boys from Slum Isle. Drake seemed to be having a grand time listening to everyone and even laughed at Cisod’s frustration with Raker. Jonrell called Drake a genius and had put him under the tutelage of Raker. Their personalities reminded her of Rygar and Yanasi.

Two more people who couldn’t be more different.
Mal, on the other hand, sat in silence with his shoulders hunched forward while he played with his food. Elyse’s heart went out to the boy. Her brother mentioned that Mal had left his father behind to join up with them. Elyse watched the boy look up toward her brother before turning his gaze away in frustration. She wondered if he regretted his decision to leave Slum Isle.

No, I think he looks up to Jonrell. Perhaps he is upset that he is not closer to the conversation with Lord Caliva?
It was a guess since she had only spoken with him once and he had seemed uncomfortable speaking to her.

There were a couple others from Jonrell’s crew that her brother had brought along but Elyse was ashamed to say that she could not recall their names.
No wonder when I try to learn so many in a matter of days.

The last of Jonrell’s men fascinated her. She had met Kaz more than once since he usually hung around her brother. But despite their frequent meetings, he often acted as if Elyse wasn’t there when he spoke to Jonrell. Initially, she found the behavior jarring. Later, she grew more understanding when Jonrell had explained to her how he had come to know the man and how Kaz had little recollection of his past life up until a few months ago.

Noticing that he had not spoken once during the meal, and had been excluded by the others, she ran through several scenarios in her head to strike up a conversation with him. She wasn’t sure what had piqued her interest more, his appearance, which was darker than any Byzernian she’d ever seen, or the wonder of starting one’s life over, free to leave behind all the pain of the past.

Now I only have to figure out what to ask.

Elyse racked her brain for several minutes, feeling foolish, until she finally blurted out, “So, how do you like Cadonia?” She grimaced, but it was too late to take the question back.

Kaz looked at her from the corner of his eye, and turned with a questioning look. “Were you speaking to me?” he said in a thickly accented voice.

“Yes,” she said, trying to recover. “I was wondering if you have enjoyed your stay so far.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. Even through thick winter clothing, Elyse could see the hard lines of the man. “I have very little to compare it to. And with battle looming, I haven’t really thought about my enjoyment,” said Kaz, looking back at his plate.

Of course,
she thought feeling deflated.
That was a pretty stupid question, Elyse.