Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga (13 page)

The carriage maker intended the vehicle for three to four people. The designer would have been shocked to see three rather large young men, an older gentleman, and a small woman packed into the main compartment. On any other day, one or two of the men would have ridden on one of the fine horses tethered to the rear of the wagon, but today they were going to reach Ana City. The king or those in his intimate circle of friends would be looked down upon if they rode into the city like a common soldier. For appearance, they suffered together.

Eve squished between Labren and the professor in the seat facing the front of the contraption. Ireic and Han squeezed into the seat facing them. A tangle of knees and feet obscured the floor.

Claustrophobia pulled the four walls close. About the time she thought she could not stand it anymore, the driver called out from above.

“Ana City!”

Raising her eyes in hope to the window and the free, open space passing beyond it, Eve longed for the end.

“I understand how you feel.” Ireic said from his seat, knee to knee with Labren. He caught her attention with his warm brown gaze. Fine lines etched around his eyes and fatigue painted his cheeks pale. “I would prefer anything to this.”

“I wish we had our wagon again.” A wheel jumped out and then back into a rut making Eve bite her tongue. “At least we had space.”

“It is almost over,” Han pointed out with a wan smile. “Just remember. We won't have to listen to anyone's snoring tonight.” All of them looked toward the snoozing professor.

Labren laughed softly. “I believe he frightened every beast for a couple miles every night.” The arm around Eve's waist tightened slightly. “I, for one, am looking forward to a hot bath and a soft bed.” Both Han and Ireic murmured their agreement to this.

The carriage wheels struck the edge of the pavement with a jarring thump and then glided along more smoothly than they had in days. Silence again descended and Eve turned her attention back to the distant window and the forbidden freedom beyond.

A few moments later, they heard cries of greeting from a chorus of male voices. The hollow sound of a drawbridge echoed beneath the wheels.

“The gates,” Ireic informed them dully.

His statement must have been true because almost immediately the horses slowed and a voice inquired, “What is your business inside the city?”

“King Ireic's personal business,” the captain of the escort replied, tapping the crest on the carriage door. “Let us pass.”

“By all means.”

The sound of moving men and horses precluded an abrupt start. Outside the window, Eve glimpsed immense, wooden doors and the bottom of a portcullis. The rattling of cobblestones under the wheels began. As the sounds of everyday peasant life drifted in to the crowded passengers, all three men listened with memory-hooded eyes.

Eve was reminded of the world that she had left behind in Braulyn. So much had changed since then. Now she was loved, something she had never expected. She also had friends, Eve realized as she looked across at the three other men in the carriage. This revelation gave her a secure feeling. She was no longer alone.

 The journey through the city streets took longer than Eve expected. It was at least a half hour after they passed beyond the gates before they finally ground to a halt and the door closest the professor and Han opened.

Stiffly, the professor unfolded himself and climbed out. Han and Ireic followed. Hesitant and suddenly nervous, Eve accepted the gloved hand offered and ducked through the door into the dimming afternoon sunlight.

After the momentary blindness passed, Eve realized that a large group of people were standing before her. She heard the carriage groan.  Labren stepped to the ground behind her with a sharp intake of air. His leg was probably bothering him again. She turned to look up into his bent face.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

Labren nodded slowly before opening his eyes. “It does not like being moved after it has been sitting for a while.” He managed a weak smile. “I will need your shoulders though.” Their actions, smooth from repeated maneuvers like this, brought Labren forward, straight and tall with his right arm around Eve’s shoulders for support. This way she could support his body weight if his leg gave out or the pain became unbearable.

Now Eve got a good look at the group waiting to greet them and her heart sank. Most of the men were dressed in elegant clothing covered by identical dark brown robes. Standing a little apart from these men was a smaller group of many ages, sizes, and wearing different degrees of attire. Except for one woman, their clothing seemed to be the kind a high ranking servant would wear. The exception was a sophisticated young woman of about Eve’s age. She wore a more regal looking costume than the others and carried herself with somber dignity as if that was all she had left.

“My sister,” Labren informed her as they stepped forward to be greeted. Racking her brain, Eve tried to remember if either brother had told her about a sister. “Don’t look so startled, Eve.” Labren’s voice was low enough for only her to hear. “I will explain later. Just look composed and self-assured. Ireic and I will take care of everything.” He tightened his grip on her shoulders and Eve tried to relax.

“Welcome home, Your Majesty.” A tall thin man stepped forward from the group of men. A heavy silver chain hung around his neck that his comrades lacked. It fell forward as he bowed deeply and gracefully.

“It is good to be home.” Ireic nodded his recognition of the councilmen and then turned to the smaller group of servants. “What? No greeting for your older brothers?” He asked the elegant woman Eve noticed earlier.

An almost completely hidden flicker of surprise passed over the girl’s face before she stepped forward.

“Of course,” she replied, curtsying daintily. “I am just overwhelmed at the shock of seeing both my brothers home at last.” She dipped her head remorsefully. “Pardon my lack of decorum, dear brothers.”

“Granted,” Ireic replied. His movements were calculated and measured. His face showed none of the emotion Eve would have expected at the reuniting of siblings after their father’s death.

What followed these initial greetings Eve could only describe as a dance. Each dancer knew the complicated pattern to be executed. This hand there, that foot here, bow to the King, dip for the councilmen, each player knew their part and preformed it perfectly, scorning those who had not.

Eve did not understand the strategies and none of her training at the school prepared her for the elegance and cruelty of these proud dancers. She forgot that she was to nod at the councilman and almost dipped, giving them more esteem than due. Thankfully Labren caught her mistake before the others noticed. After the near miss, he whispered and coached her through the maze of people. His effortless negotiations were so smooth, she was shocked with all the others when he stepped out of sync and stopped the dance.

“Princess Eve will not be residing in the Opal suite.” Labren’s voice was calm, but Eve could feel the hard determination beneath the placid tones. A slight echo reverberated in the silence as all, two servants, the head butler, the councilor with the silver chain, and, of course, Ireic, stopped moving and talking. Ireic and the councilor turned to regard Labren.

The councilor spoke first. “Which suite would you prefer her to reside in?”

“She will be residing where I reside, which, I believe, is where I quartered before I left.” His placid tones disguised an undercurrent of pain.

The councilman turned white and an expression of mild admiration passed across Ireic’s face. For a moment the mask was gone. A smile played at his lips and laughter glinted in his eyes.

The councilman spoke. “Tradition mandates that each member of the royal family has their own quarters.”

“Do you and your wife keep separate quarters?” Labren’s voice challenged the older man’s superior smirk.

“As a matter of fact we do.” The man was obviously proud of their practice.

“I feel sorry for you.” Labren’s face showed genuine sympathy, but Ireic struggled not to laugh. One of the maids coughed and the butler frowned carefully, but Eve gained the impression that he wanted to chuckle.

Quickly pulling the mask back on, Ireic finally spoke to the now red-faced council member. “Very well, Princess Eve and Prince Trahern will be residing in the north wing. There is more room there than the old quarters. Of course if you would rather…?” Ireic raised an eyebrow as he regarded his brother.

“That would be wonderful, dear brother.” Labren replied immediately. “Those rooms have direct access to the gardens, a beautiful place for my young wife.”

“Now, if there is no new business?” Ireic addressed the painfully still man at his side. The councilman managed a weak head shake to indicate there was none. “I will retire to my rooms. It has been a long day.” Ireic quickly bowed to Labren, Eve, and nodded to the councilman. Turning on his heel, the king quit the hall in the direction of the royal quarters.

“We will also leave.” Labren announced. “This way, my dear.” They left the room without acknowledging the councilman, but Labren pointedly nodded to the stunned butler and two servants.

Later in their rooms, Labren visibly relaxed in his chair the moment the door closed behind the last servant.

“I forgot how awful this whole life is.” He sighed loudly. “If I had remembered, Ireic would have never talked me into this crazy idea.” Wearily he rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

Without the life in his eyes and their distracting glimmer, the strain of the past week of travel was plain. Slightly blue circles ringed his eyes and fatigue pulled at his mouth.

Kurios, please give him strength.
Eve crossed the room to kneel next to his chair. Taking his right boot into her lap, she began to work on the lacings.

“You promised Ireic two months, correct?” She glanced up to find her husband watching her hands work.

“Yes, but with the way things look, he is going to want me longer.” A small fearful flicker gripped Eve’s heart. She was about to ask for an explanation when someone knocked on the door. As she rose to get it she tried to convince herself that Labren would not agree to stay longer, but she failed. He loved his brother and his county.

As Eve approached the hall door, she heard the sound of a child’s voice on the other side. Puzzled, she was even more surprised to find Ireic when she opened it. The young woman introduced as his sister accompanied him and holding her hand was a young girl child of about two years.

“Uncle?” The toddler regarded Eve with liquid, dark brown eyes.

“No, Isica,” the young woman corrected. “Aunt.”

“May we come in, Eve?” Ireic asked. “I promise we will not linger long.”

Stepping aside, Eve let them pass. “He is exhausted,” she warned Ireic.

He flashed a reassuring smile before disappearing into the living area where Labren sat. His sister followed with the child in tow. Eve carefully closed the door.

“Ah, Trahern,” Ireic stepped forward.

As Labren started to rise, Eve rushed forward to protest.

“Your leg is swollen.” Pushing him gently back into the chair, Eve further prevented his movement by taking his foot again into her lap and continuing work on the laces.

“Sorry,” Labren managed through gritted teeth as Eve shifted the foot. “It seems I am not going anywhere.”

“That is fine.” Ireic took a seat on a couch opposite his brother and gestured to the woman and child to join him. “Yulandra wanted to see you as soon as possible and I was worried about your leg.”

“Isica.” The young woman, Eve deduced was Yulandra, spoke to the child. “This is your Uncle Trahern. I told you about him. Do you remember?”

Regarding Trahern with large eyes, the girl stuck her finger in her mouth and pointed at Eve with her other hand.

“Who she?”

“I believe she is your aunt…”

“My name is Eve.” Eve smiled and Isica smiled back. “Would you like to come over and play in the garden some day?” To Eve’s delight the child looked interested and turned a questioning face toward her mother. Yulandra nodded her approval and shot Eve a friendly glance over the girl’s head.

“We both would be delighted.”

The fear and hesitancy vanished in the young woman’s face and Eve felt she could hope she found a friend as well as a sister. Two things she never had before.

Sensing Labren’s pain, Ireic decided it was time they left him to rest and said as much.

“Do not worry about starting tomorrow, Trahern.” The king paused before following the females out the door. “I think I can handle it for a day and you need your rest.”

“Thank you.” Eve whispered after her brother-in-law. “He needs it.”

Ireic nodded knowingly before disappearing down the hall. Eve was sure she caught a worried look in his eye. Regardless, she had a husband to put to bed.

A few months later, Eve awoke to the delicious weight of her husband’s arm lying across her stomach. It was a rare and welcome sensation. She tried to linger and savor it. The sweet sound of Labren’s breath, the pleasant warmth of the bedclothes, and soft breeze blowing across her face were all wonderful invasions of the senses, but other sensations encroached. They elbowed their way to the forefront. A thick throbbing began at her temples and her stomach revolted.