The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (90 page)

“This is an interesting twist in events,” Thade frowned. “The boy is less than half my age and seems to have a better grasp on how to be king than I do. He is right. It is in the best interest of our people to allow her to fight, though I will point out that if anything happens to her, it will be equally destructive to the morale of Tanispa.”

“My decision is not entirely selfless, Your Majesty,” Callum said calmly. “I must admit that part of my reason for conceding is in the fact that I am more comfortable knowing she is with me. There are few men I would entrust her to and if she is by my side, I can make sure she is well cared for. It is a compromise which serves both the people and myself.”

For the first time that night Aiva saw a smile tug at the corners of her father’s lips. He came to stand in front of her, hand extended to gently brush her hair with his fingers. “My dear, Aiva,” he whispered. “From the start I have questioned the decision your mother and I made in forcing this union of marriage upon you. It eases my heart to see the two of you together now. I see him look upon you the way I do your mother and I know he will do anything for you, the way I would for her. If fighting is what you truly desire, then I will trust you into his care.”

The expression on his face made her almost melt. He gazed at her with such love and adoration. In that moment she was proud to be his daughter. “I love you, Father,” she said quietly, wrapping her arms around him in hopes of comforting his troubled mind. “Edric and Callum will take good care of me. They always have.”

“I know,” he replied, kissing her gently on the forehead. “It is the only reason I allow this.” He took Callum’s hand in his, placing it around Aiva’s with a nod of approval. “For the second time I give my daughter to you. Protect her with your life. I will not tolerate anything less.”

“I will not let you down, Your Majesty,” Callum stated confidently, squeezing Aiva’s hand in his. She stared up at him fondly, lightly caressing his cheek, her lips meeting his in a tender kiss. She didn’t care if anyone saw. He was her husband. There was no shame in making her love for him known. She’d witnessed her parents do so on many occasions. At the initial pressure of her lips against his, she felt Callum tense, aware of their fathers’ watchful eyes.

Clearing his throat uncomfortably Thade nodded his head, turning away from them to face Cadell. “Right. Well, that is cleared up, then. I should explain our plan to Commander Varik so he can prepare a unit and begin the journey to Dackdyn.”

Cadell chuckled, tossing a sympathetic glance in Thade’s direction. Moving from around the table he clapped Thade on the shoulder with an understanding smile. “They grow up so fast, don’t they?”

“Too fast,” Thade frowned. “I do not think any father wants to see a man touch his daughter. It will take some getting used to.”

“It is not so bad…”

“That is easy for you to say. She is not your daughter. It is less complicated with sons.”

“Oh, Your Majesty, you forget,” Cadell shook his head. “I have already suffered the pains of letting a daughter go, before your children were even a glint in your eye. My Islene tested my sanity and I swore I would never have another child,” he laughed quietly to himself, “and now look at us.”

“Does it get easier, General?”

“No,” Cadell smirked. “Not with daughters. It is best not to think about it. If you like, I will stay here long enough to see that young Aiva is safely settled for the night while you seek Commander Varik. Afterwards, I will accompany you to arrange the scout.”

Thade nodded in his distraction, his gaze focused on the flap leading out of the tent. “Yes, I think that will work,” he stated calmly. In a swift motion he turned to face Aiva and Callum, shoulders straight, resigning himself to the sight of them still in each other’s arms. “General, do see that my daughter puts some clothes on. She may be growing up, but I can still insist upon her not roaming about half-naked in front of the soldiers. She is a married woman. It is improper for the men to see her in such a way. Take whatever you need from my bags to see her properly attired.”

Without another word he turned on his heel to make his way out of the tent, leaving the others to stare after him. The room was quiet at his departure, no one sure of what to say. Callum and Aiva stood rigidly beside one another. She was concerned about what Cadell would say of their actions. He tended to be harsher than her father; more severe in nature after his years of work in the military. She found herself pondering what it must have been like to grow up with him as a father. It was no wonder Callum turned into the fine man that he was. Cadell would never have allowed him to become anything less. To her surprise, she heard the General laugh softly, his relaxed demeanor easing Edric and Callum from their uncomfortable silence, the sound of their laughter eventually mingled with Cadell’s.

“Princess, not since your father met your mother have I seen him under so much stress. You are going to be the death of him and he is not yet to his hundredth birthday,” Cadell chuckled. “I cannot blame him. To be honest, I hesitate to look upon you while you are dressed as you are. Edric, if you would, fetch some clothes from your father’s bags. We should get her covered.”

“You know, General – I really do not understand what the problem is with this dress. At first I was somewhat put-off by it, but it has grown on me,” Aiva mused. “It could be much worse.”

“I disagree,” Cadell replied. “There is very little which could be worse than that.”

“If it makes you feel better, I do happen to enjoy the way you look in it, darling,” Callum grinned, pulling her into him once again. His father laughed, quickly crossing the floor to where Callum stood. He tucked his finger into the back of Callum’s shirt neck, tugging him firmly away from Aiva, the gesture more teasing than indicative of displeasure.

“Your opinion does not count in this matter, boy,” he said lightly. Aiva watched him, curious, catching what almost looked to be a wink pass between him and his son. “You can have her wear whatever you like when in the privacy of your room. When in front of the lady’s father, you may want to be a bit more fastidious. Now, help Edric find some clothes for the young woman. I should check her sutures before we get her settled in for the night.”

Her arms remained outstretched toward Callum as his father pulled him away. Disappointed to have his company removed she frowned at Cadell, hands on her hips, foot tapping disapprovingly. She tried to maintain an air of false annoyance, unable to keep the façade with Cadell’s lighthearted smile directed at her. It had been months since she’d seen him look this relaxed. Not since the day of her and Callum’s wedding. He was, and always had been, like a second father to her. It eased her nerves to see him happy.

“Come, lay here on your father’s bed so I can make sure you have not pulled the sutures loose,” he directed, motioning toward a makeshift mattress near the far right wall of the tent. She did as she was told, her steps confident, though somewhat sluggish from the fatigue which continued to hinder her.

Slowly she lowered herself onto the bed. Cadell came to her side, his hands gently tugging a blanket over her legs where they were exposed from under the fabric of her skirt. His fingers were cool against the skin of her abdomen. She flinched at his touch, laughing reflexively out of nervousness. “The wound should be fine. I was careful not to apply much pressure to the area.”

He clenched his jaw in concentration, examining the laceration with a critical eye. Satisfied with what he saw, he let his gaze shift over the rest of her stomach, seeking injuries which might have been overlooked during the initial check. “I was more concerned about infection,” he said, distracted by his work. “Luquarr is not the cleanest of places. We cannot be too cautious. You will need to be careful if you are going to fight at my son’s side. The strenuous movement of the battle will aggravate the wound. If you are not mindful of it, you could open it again.” His hand slid away from her stomach, coming to rest on the intricate design of the sheath strapped at her waist. Curious, he took it in his palms, appraising the craftsmanship. “May I?” he asked.

Aiva nodded to him, a smile returning to her face. At her permission he pulled the sword from its casing, the flickering orange light of the torches in the room casting their reflection in the polished metal of the blade. He placed it over his index finger to test the balance, seeming impressed by the quality. “It is perfectly balanced,” she explained, sitting up on the mattress to gesture toward the weapon. “The folded steel makes it incredibly durable. That particular sword was what I used to slay the tiger in Tunir.”

“This is a Tuniron forged blade?”

“Yes. General Uttae gave it to me as a gift. Callum has one as well, though his is larger. A good bit heavier.”

At the mention of his name Callum’s head perked up while he and Edric carried several items of clothing to where Aiva and Cadell were seated. Callum took note of the sword in his father’s hands, motioning toward it in appreciation. “The Tunirons have quite a skill with weapons and their construction. Did she show you the other blades General Uttae provided?”

“She did not,” Cadell said, placing the sword back in its sheath. “It is a fine weapon indeed. We will have to send our thanks to the General. What other blades did he gift you with?”

Reaching under the blankets she drew the dagger from the sheath at her thigh. Cadell eyed it curiously, accepting it from her outstretched hands. Callum placed the clothes on the bed, making his way around Cadell to lean over Aiva’s side, grasping the handle of the blade hidden inside the bracer at her wrist to reveal it for his father to see. “This particular weapon is my favorite,” he nodded. “Perfect for catching an unsuspecting enemy off his guard when he thinks her to have no means of defense.”

Aiva met his gaze, an understanding passing between them at his words. He knew that blade to have been responsible for the death of her assailant on the road to Targas. It was no coincidence that he valued the weapon as highly as he did.

“She is certainly well-armed. The General must have been concerned for her safety to provide such an arsenal.”

“Tuniron wildlife is not the friendliest,” Aiva agreed. She held out her hands as Cadell returned the dagger to her. The notches on the blade caused it to catch as Aiva slid it into its sheath, pushing the other blade back into place inside the bracer, content with Cadell’s approval.

The tension between Callum and his father appeared nonexistent. A drastic change from when Aiva saw the two men earlier in the day, their familial bond restored to the state she remembered all those years ago when training with Callum under his father’s instruction. Cadell stood, tugging the sleeves of his shirt at the wrists to make sure it was in order. When he lifted his head he faced toward Callum, the smile on his lips slowly starting to disappear. “Son, you can show me your new blade while we walk. The Princess will be safer here with her family. We should gather the rest of your belongings from the inn and bring them to the tent. By then the King will be ready to meet with the scouts. I want you with us when we explain their mission.”

“Yes, Father,” Callum nodded. His eyes strayed down to Aiva, a silent apology seeming to flash in his sympathetic gaze. “You will be safe here with Edric,” he said softly, leaning in to give Aiva a gentle kiss. “My father and I should not be long.”

She stared up at him, disappointed to see him leave, though pleased by his acceptance into the ranks of command. After so long of being questioned for deeds he didn’t commit, it was nice to see him again restored to his rightful power within the Royal Army. He deserved the recognition for his bravery. She didn’t want to stand in the way of his duties by urging him to stay behind for her own selfish reasons. “Be careful,” she said softly. “I will wait here for you.”

His eyes brightened, a smile spread across his lips. He gave a brief nod of farewell to Edric, moving toward his father who already stood at the tent flap, an impatient look upon his face in wait of his son. “I am coming,” Callum stated calmly, hastening his steps to close the distance.

Aiva watched him disappear through the opening with his father, a sense of longing settling over her at his absence. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed Edric come to sit beside her, his gaze distant, staring blankly across the tent to where the map table was arranged. He said nothing. When she became aware of his presence at her side she looked over to him, surprised by the tension she could see in his face. He was distraught over something. It sent a chill through her spine to consider what would make his usually confident demeanor falter. “You have been quiet this evening,” she said, her voice soft, not wanting to startle him from his reverie. He looked faraway. She was worried he may not have heard her speak.

Distracted, he finally tore his eyes from whatever invisible sight he focused on, bringing them to rest on Aiva with a forced smile. “It’s nothing.”

“I don’t believe that for one second,” she argued. “I have never seen you so taciturn. It is unlike you. Did something happen?”

He let out a miserable laugh at the question. “It has been a long day,” he sighed. “I have witnessed and partaken in things this afternoon which I never want to endure again. All things considered, however… I probably will not be so lucky. Such are the joys of being a member of the royal family. I don’t envy you the crown. If anything, I sympathize for you in having to bear that burden.”

Twisting on the mattress Aiva slid closer to Edric, hand rested upon his shoulder in attempts to comfort him. She didn’t know what troubled him, though she had several ideas. None of which she wanted to think on. “Does this have to do with the trial? I have been curious as to the outcome. What was the verdict? Has Dacian been taken somewhere?”

“Aiva…” Edric started, shaking his head in dismay. She stared at him, suddenly afraid, the pained expression on his face saying more than words. Something happened. Something… terrible.

“Edric, what has become of him?”

“There is a reason we were so concerned about Callum’s head remaining attached to his shoulders,” Edric stated, distant, troubled by the mere thought of what he spoke. “I recommend you forget about Dacian and simply be grateful that Callum was found innocent.”