The Guided Journey (Book 6) (37 page)

They approached the palace gates, and Kestrel and Putienne’s elven features drew attention as characteristics seldom seen in the human city of Seafare.  When they reached the gates of the palace, the guards recognized Kestrel from his residence during the previous year, and readily allowed him entry into the palace grounds.

“We wouldn’t have gotten in so easily if you looked like your real self, a yeti,” Kestrel murmured to  Putty.

“We wish to visit the prince and princess,” Kestrel told the palace functionary who was fetched to greet them; the man led them to a parlor where they comfortably sat and ate fresh fruit while they waited for their hosts to arrive.

Minutes later they were all startled by a shouted greeting.  “Kestrel!” Wren burst in through the door, and flew at Kestrel as he rose hurriedly from his seat.  She slammed into him with a breath-crushing hug.  “You didn’t tell anyone you were coming!” she accused.

He felt joy in his heart at the sight of the cousin who he had come to trust.  From a late-in-life introduction and a rocky beginning to their relationship, the two had come to respect and rely upon one another – they were both of mixed human and elven heritage, and both were more than competent in battle.

“The others are all in a royal audience, but I was able to sneak away,” she told him, then looked around at the others.  “Who are your companions, and why have they put themselves in such disreputable company by being seen with you?” she laughed.

Her eyes traveled from Raines to Orren to Putienne, then widened as she studied the features of the replica of a young Moorin.  “Is she?”  Wren started to ask.

“Let me introduce them, and assure you that they are a better class of visitor than I am,” Kestrel grinned, as the two cousins separated.

“This is Raines,” he began, “a woman from Narrow Bay, who is moving to Seafare to start a new life here.

“And this is Orren, a former miner, also from the land of Narrow Bay, also moving to start a new life.  They have both been with me on adventures in the wilderness and in Kirevee.  We’ve just sailed in from North Harbor,” he explained.

“Nice to meet you,” both the humans murmured.

“And this is,” he began to introduce Putty.

“Moorin’s little sister?” Wren guessed.

“She looks so, but she has been traveling with me and others for some time now.  Her name is Putienne, and her appearance is, a coincidence,” he paused to make the right statement, one that felt truthful.  “Or it may be more than a coincidence, but she is no relation to Moorin, I’m completely sure about that.

“And for everyone else’s sake, let me introduce my cousin, Wren.  Our mothers were sisters, but we grew up in different lands, and didn’t know each other until just the past year,” he explained.

“And what a year it’s been!” Wren said quickly.  “Creata and I are engaged!”  she pulled a thin silver necklace from the front of her throat and showed Kestrel the ruby pendant that hung there.

“Congratulations!  That’s wonderful for both of you,” Kestrel said enthusiastically.  “He hasn’t seen enough conflict already?” he asked, then blocked Wren’s attempt to punch his chest.

“Do you like Kestrel?” Putienne asked Wren.

“Not when he makes wisecracks like that!” the cousin said laughingly.

“She does like me, Putty,” Kestrel interjected, recognizing that the changeling was uncertain of the dynamics between the two cousins.  “Because we are family, and friends, she can try to hit me for fun sometimes,” he explained.  “She didn’t mean to do harm.”

“You just keep believing that,” Wren murmured as she restored her pendant to its place beneath her blouse.

“Welcome to Seafare everyone,” Wren spoke to the group.  “Even though I don’t live here, let me be your hostess, since Kestrel has probably not thought to attend to your needs.  Would you all like some
more substantial refreshments?”  She stepped towards the door, watching for their reactions, then judged that they would appreciate something.

“Let me step out and fetch something for you all.  I’ll be right back,” she pledged, then was gone.

“She’s a lovely girl, Kestrel,” Raines said.

“She seems like a spitfire,” Orren opined.

“She’s good in a fight.  She was a big help.  And she’s the only family I have,” Kestrel replied.

“She hit you,” Putty protested, speaking slowly.

“She did not want to harm me.  I said something to make her mad, that’s all,” Kestrel reassured his young ward.

Wren returned.  “The food will be here in a minute, and I heard the assembly being dismissed, so the others will be here soon,” she reported.  “Everyone have a seat.”

“So what brings you all here?” Wren asked as they settled into chairs.

“I wanted to come see Merea.  I haven’t seen her since she was born,” Kestrel said.  “I was on a trip to the North Forest elves, so I came down here.  I met the others on the way, and we all decided to travel together.”

“She is cute as a button, and Picco spoils her rotten,” Wren said of the baby.  “She’s sitting up, and it won’t be long before she’ll start crawling, I’m told.

“You’ll see the elf in her,” she added.

“So that’s it, just a social visit?  How are things back in the Eastern Forest?  Have you been to see the folks at Firheng?  How’s Belinda?  I think she has a crush on you,” Wren smiled.

“I did see the Firheng group,” Kestrel answered, as he thought of his visit there with Hampus so long ago, when he had doubted that Hampus would be able to make a journey over the mountains.

Just then the door opened, and a servant pushed in a rolling cart that contained a number of food and beverage choices.  The man removed the covers, then quietly left the room.

Kestrel looked at Putienne, who sat very close to him.  This would be the first test of sorts, the first chance for her to eat in front of others using the manners that had been taught and emphasized during their time on the ship.

“Ladies first,” he murmured to her.

She looked at him, then looked at Raines, a mute appeal in her eyes.

Raines stood up.  “Let’s look at the cart together, shall we?” she said as she kindly came to Putty’s rescue, and the two of them went to the cart, so that the girl could copy every move that Raines made in handling her dishes, food, and utensils.

“Don’t think I won’t help myself to a snack,” Wren spoke up, and stepped over to the cart as well, then was followed by Orren and Kestrel.

They all had selected fruits and baked sweets, then sat back down when the door opened, and Creata and Picco, the brother and sister, burst into the room, followed by Picco’s husband, Ruelin the prince of Seafare.

“Kestrel you world traveler!” Creata shouted out as he crossed the room.  Kestrel just had time to set his plate aside when he stood up and embraced Creata enthusiastically.  The young man was as irrepressible as ever, it appeared to Kestrel, full of energy and goodwill.  Kestrel suspected that Wren was destined to be the anchor of sound judgment that would have to hold back the tides of enthusiasm Creata would bring to their relationship.

“I understand you wish to seek my cousin’s hand in marriage,” Kestrel said in a formal tone as the men eventually stepped apart.  “Have you received permission from her closest male relative?” he asked Creata.

The Graylee nobleman looked confused. 

“I’m glad you didn’t specify my closest,” Wren coughed, “living,” she coughed again, “male relative, because that’s not going to include you in about two minutes!” she threatened Kestrel, shaking a fist as she stood up.

The others laughed, and Wren came over to place her arm in Creata’s as Ruelin stepped up to Kestrel.  “It’s so good to see you,” the ruler of the land said.  “We hadn’t known to expect your visit, but you’re always welcome here,” he said warmly.  Ruelin looked at the other visitors, but his eyes stopped as he glanced at Putienne.

“She looks just like,” he began softly.

Was it time to reveal Putienne’s origins, Kestrel wondered?  Should he explain the reason why she looked so much like someone else, especially to these people who had known Moorin?  He didn’t know.  He had assumed, when he had even thought about it at all, that the change in her appearance – the alteration of a yeti into a human, or elf – was simply a cosmetic matter, a means to allow her to travel among humans without stirring fear and attack.  But now he found that there was confusion in his mind, as to whether to explain the whole thing or not
, and how to explain what influence he may or may not have wielded in determining her appearance.

“She’s no relation,” he spoke aloud.  “It’s just a coincidence.”

“She’s so young,” Picco spoke up.  “To be traveling as she is,” the new princess of Seafare said.  She glided over and hugged Kestrel warmly.  “It’s so good to see you Kestrel.  Thank you for coming to visit.

“Would you like to see Merea?” she asked.

“That’s the reason I planned this trip,” Kestrel answered with a smile.

“Let’s go see her now.  She should be awake from her nap,” Picco said.  “You’ll be so surprised to see how big she’s gotten.”  The blonde girl backed away from Kestrel and started towards the door, eager to show off her beautiful child.

“Let’s all go, shall we?” Ruelin suggested, and the visitors set their plates of food down as they stood up.

“These are my traveling companions,” Kestrel started to make introductions as they walked through the hallways of the palace.

“Orren and Raines are two people I met near Narrow Bay,” Kestrel began.

“Separately,” Raines interjected.  “We’re not together.”

“And they’ve traveled with me to Kirevee, then down here.  They each are looking to start a new life, and I told them Seafare would be a good place to try,” Kestrel explained.

“And it certainly is,” Ruelin responded appreciatively.  “You’ll find a good life here!”

“Raines would like to start her own seamstress shop,” Kestrel expanded.  “And Orren has been a miner, but he has the muscles to be a blacksmith if he stays in the city.”

“There is plenty of work,” the prince said.  “The city is coming back to life since the troubled times.”

“And this is Putienne,” Kestrel introduced the girl, who walked by his side.  “She’s an orphan,” he carefully explained, still uncertain what to say.  “She and I have been traveling together since we met in the Water Mountains.  We’ve seen quite a bit of adventure together, haven’t we?” he said affectionately. 

Putty nodded.

“You are such a pretty girl!” Creata said kindly.  “And you couldn’t have a better hero to travel with and protect you!”

“He is the greatest,” Putienne agreed, as they stopped, and gathered around the nursery door.  Picco gently opened the door, then stuck her head in to look.

“She’s with her nurse,” Picco announced, then stepped into the nursery, and led the others in.

Kestrel looked with joy at the small child whose face broke into a smile when she saw her mother.  Merea grew shy when so many strangers gathered around, and she clung to Picco, until she was offered over to Kestrel to hold.

Merea had clear evidence of Kestrel’s elven heritage.  Her eyebrows were arched and her cheekbones were high.  Her ears had a noticeable, but not dramatic, elven shape as they rose to rounded points.  She stared intently into Kestrel’s own face as he studied her, and then she reached up and touched his ear.

“She thinks you’re interesting,” Picco smiled gently.

Kestrel smiled broadly as he held her, delighted to see the inquisitive spark in her eyes as she studied him.

“Here, little one,” he said as he pulled out one of the sets of gnomish pipes.  He blew delicately on it, creating a soft lullaby, that startled, then fascinated the baby.  She plucked the pipes from Kestrel’s hands, then put them into her own mouth after puzzling over them intently.

“She’s going to be smart, like her mother,” he said.

The baby’s eyes glazed over at that moment, then her face turned red, and there was an explosive vibration a moment later at the other end of the bundle he held, and everyone laughed.

“Would you like to change a diaper?” Picco asked archly.

Kestrel passed the baby back to her mother, who passed her right along to the expectantly outheld arms of the nurse.

“Let’s go back to the parlor, shall we?” Ruelin suggested, and the group walked back down the hall.

“Where are you staying?” Creata asked as they strolled.

“We came directly here from the docks,” Kestrel replied.  “We don’t have arrangements.”

“You’ll all stay here, of course!” Picco said emphatically.  They reached the door to the parlor.  “Let me have someone make arrangements for you all,” she told them, leaving the group as they re-entered the parlor.

“You heard what the lady of the house said,” Ruelin pronounced.  “You’re obliged to stay here.  Kestrel’s been here before, and I’m sure he can tell you that it’s not a bad place.”

“Certainly not,” Kestrel agreed, as the others politely nibbled on the food that remained in the parlor.

Picco returned with several servants, and the group broke up, as the servants carried the guests’ bags to their rooms, while Kestrel and company walked along, and the others promised to see them at dinner time.