The Pride of Tirillae

By Gillian Smith

The Pride of Tirillae is the companion volume to Beyond the Twilight Mountains.
Legally pardoned, Tamalaine is ready to return home to Tirillae with Arachlin when they learn that Queen Kaeolinu is dead. In a risky bid for power Princess Sybrielle has poisoned herself and two Minstrels as well as her mother, framing her sister for regicide and declaring herself queen. Though Laine's reinstatement was officially recorded into the continental archives, there is no proof of it in Tirillae, and the circumstances surrounding her exile make Sybrielle's charges unfortunately very plausible.
Using her blood bond to Loreitus, Tamalaine could easily force the issue by ordering the dragons to incinerate Tirillae from one end to the other, but such a savage act would irreparably damage both her kingdom and her reputation. Instead Arachlin counsels his wife to patiently build her public standing with the rest of the continent as he works with the Five Valleys division. Together they prepare for the Royal General to take back her kingdom, using traditional troops to avoid pointless mass destruction and taking advantage of the dragons' loyalty to plan an innovative method of attack that will hopefully spare many lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gillian Smith
• Release date: May 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476218854

Gillian Smith

Gillian is somewhat of a transient who currently lives in Kentucky. When not writing she is working, or reading, or playing piano. She likes animals, plants, & interesting scenery.

Book preview

The Pride of Tirillae

Gillian Smith

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Gillian Smith

Cover design copyright 2012

By (http://DigitalDonna.com)

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Much love & affection to my parents, without whose cooperation I couldn’t have written anything at all.

Chapter 1

During the following several weeks we sparred with each other every day, and though Santheum still didn’t really approve of it he didn’t argue with me over it any more. I strongly suspected Loreitus had explained a few realities to my warder. While he would never even consider attacking his own mate and obviously still had some trouble grasping exactly why I felt it necessary to raise my blade to Laine, he did understand now that it was at her insistence I did so, and every day that passed without my hurting Laine in any way made him a bit less uncomfortable with the idea.

My wife’s abdomen had begun to swell, and I realized with some surprise that I could actually sense the life of our child growing within her when my hand happened to brush across her belly. I actually did it quite a few times on the night when I made this discovery until Laine swatted my hands away and rolled over, gracing me with the view of her stiff back. She had been feeling particularly morose after making the discovery that she could barely fasten her tight leather leggings that afternoon, which she’d been sulking over ever since. It took a great number of kisses on my part to convince her I still thought she was beautiful, but at last I had her smiling again, and upon seeing her smile I formed the private opinion that Tamalaine’s pregnancy had pushed her past beauty into the realm of serene splendor.

It was around supper time on the evening of the next day when Niverius returned, clearly tired but just as obviously pleased with himself. The Council of Minstrels had been thrilled to add Tamalaine’s pardon into the records along with a copy of the first trade agreement between Evanedos and Tirillae, and Niverius was viewed in Harimonli as something of a continental hero for his witnessing of these events. Laine passed the news of his return along to Loreitus as she’d promised to do, and after supper we began to pack up our belongings.

Telgin and Kyri helped us out though they didn’t really need to do so, which made it plain that my brother and his wife were going to miss us a great deal. Kyri in particular seemed grieved at the idea of our leaving, and she frequently went out to the balcony with Tamalaine to indulge in more of those private female conversations whose contents would probably never be revealed. Niverius stood around watching, telling stories and jokes as he chronicled the trivial occurrences of the moment while the rest of us worked. It reminded me of all the time we’d spent together traveling, and though Laine became a bit broody an hour or two into the packing, muttering unhappily about her mother feeling ill when I asked what was wrong, this small dark spot did nothing to dispel the general glow of comfortable companionship we were all enjoying.

It was well past midnight when my wife and I went to bed, and I sat up for a long time watching her sleep. I must have dozed off, because the next thing to register in my mind was a blood-curdling scream. My eyes flew open at the noise and I sat up to see Tamalaine in a state of absolute terror. What’s wrong? I asked, reaching out to pull her close and comfort her. Laine? She wouldn’t stop screaming, and when I touched her she savagely raked her nails over my chest, drawing blood. I swore viciously, backing away from her, then lunged forward to capture her wrists when she started to claw at her own face. Santheum, what in the hell is going on!

Stay there, Arachlin. Stay there. My warder sounded even more panicky than I felt, and I guessed that whatever Tamalaine’s problem was, Loreitus was central to it. I’ll be there soon. We’re coming.

Make her calm down before Tamalaine hurts herself! My wife had struggled free of my grip to scratch her face again, and I almost started to cry when I saw blood running down her cheeks. Before I could talk myself out of it I slapped her as hard as I possibly could, and it gave me only the tiniest bit of relief to see reason return to her clear gray eyes as she went silent. Laine still looked frightened beyond belief, trembling in every limb, and I could hear Tel shouting for both of us as he pounded on my door. Shh, I soothed her gently, taking the precaution of grabbing her wrists once more before she could start clawing herself again. Come here, love. Come here.

I gathered her into my arms as Telgin burst through our door with Kyri close behind him, carrying a lantern. What’s going on? Kyri gasped, crossing through the sitting room to see Laine and I sitting in bed. Oh, sweet Desilea, Tamalaine! What did you do? She set the lantern down on the bedside table, tightening the tie of her robe before she leaned over and healed my wife.

Mother, Laine whispered, then she started to cry hysterically, burying her face against my neck. Kyri frowned, muttering another spell under her breath, and I finally began to relax as Tamalaine fell asleep against my chest with a little whimper.

That’s just great, Arachlin! How is she supposed to fly if you put her to sleep?

Isn’t she awake right now?

No, not since you involved magic in it! What do you expect me to do?

Figure it out for yourself! I snapped back. Wake her up and make her turn into a human and then carry her here if you have to!

I hadn’t thought of that, Santheum answered in a tone of near-wonder. Laine sat up when he presumably woke Loreitus, blinking drowsily as she brushed her fingers over the scratches she’d gouged into my chest.

How did she do that? the cleric said crossly, looking incredibly vexed as she recast her spell. Tamalaine slumped back into unconsciousness, and Kyri turned as Telgin came up behind her to rest his hand on her shoulder.

Arachlin, what is going on here? my brother asked, and I looked up to see that he was clad only in his shorts. We were sleeping, and then all of a sudden we heard Laine start shrieking.

I don’t know, I answered shortly. Let me see. Is everything all right now?

Yes. No. I don’t know, don’t ask me stupid questions like that right now!

Exactly what happened?

My mate was talking to the Queen Dame, and then Deanedria started to choke on nothing and turned purple. She died, Arachlin. Now will you shut up and let me fly?

Kaeolinu’s dead, I said quietly, pulling Laine’s sleeping form closer to my chest. I think she was poisoned.

How do you know that? Telgin asked as Kyri gave me a look of disbelief, and I sighed. I’d never bothered to tell them about my bond to Santheum, but I supposed I might as well do it now.

You remember Santheum, Loreitus’s mate? I waited until both of them nodded before I continued. He’s my warder. Any questions on that? No? Good. Laine was saying something earlier tonight about her mother feeling ill, remember? Then just now Santheum told me that while Loreitus was talking to Deanedria, who presumably also wasn’t feeling well tonight, the queen suddenly started to choke on nothing before she turned purple and died. I’m no Kalixandria Emshei, but it doesn’t take a pharmaceutical genius to guess that both the queens were poisoned. Laine’s extreme reaction is probably the direct result of Loreitus watching her mother die in front of her.

How did that happen? Telgin pressed as Kyri squeezed his hand.

How should I know how that happened? I snapped. I woke up to find Laine screaming and trying to rip her own face off, and everything else is information from Santheum. I cautiously ran one hand over Tamalaine’s belly as I spoke, relieved beyond words to feel the healthy life of our child growing within her.

Are you still going to Tirillae in the morning?

No, we’re not. Santheum told me to stay here, and he’s bringing Loreitus here. Kyri, how long will Laine be asleep for?

The spell lasts for about an hour, the cleric murmured, her face drawn with sympathy as she reached out to pat my wife’s limp hand. Do you need me to keep her asleep for longer than that?

She’s sleeping, isn’t she? And you’re carrying her? I asked the black sire, getting the impression of cool night air rushing past my face as I spoke to him.

Yes, and yes.

How long will it take you to get here?

I can make it in a day if I don’t stop to rest.

Do that. I’m going to keep both of them asleep until then, Santheum. I do not want to deal with Tamalaine getting hysterical again.

That’s a good idea, he agreed with alacrity. Loreitus will be better off sleeping, and it’ll be easier for me to carry her that way.

Yes, please, I answered Kyri’s question. Is it all right if I ask both of you to go away for a minute so I can get us dressed?

Of course, my twin replied.

Telgin immediately left with his wife, and when I heard the door close I loosened my grip on Laine, gently laying her back against her pillows. She whimpered again when I let her go, and I hurried out to the sitting room to choose some clothing for both of us. Finding a set of my leathers was easy, since I remembered exactly where I’d packed them, but I had to search through two of Tamalaine’s trunks before I came across one of her nightgowns. My wife was still asleep and tossing fretfully on our bed when I came back into the room, but she calmed down noticeably when I touched her, giving me very little difficulty in dressing her in her nightgown. I quickly pulled on my leathers, then went back out into the sitting room and opened the door.

You can come in now, I told Kyri and Telgin, who had taken the opportunity to throw on one of his robes. I don’t know exactly how we’re going to want to arrange this, Kyri, but I want Laine to be asleep until Santheum gets here with Loreitus.

We can take turns, Telgin told me, slipping an arm around the cleric’s shoulder as he spoke. I know a spell like that, too, even though it doesn’t last for as long.

Thanks. Bring some chairs in from the sitting room if you’d like. Try to make yourselves comfortable. I sat down on my bed, reaching over to pull my wife into my lap while Telgin went out into the other room to do as I’d suggested. Tamalaine’s face still occasionally twisted in agony, and her body was still quivering a bit, but she remained asleep even though Tel made what seemed like an awful lot of noise dragging two chairs into our bedroom. I sort of envied her, in a way. I knew I wouldn’t be going back to sleep any time soon.

Sometime around dawn Telgin put Tamalaine to sleep again, then turned to gently drape a blanket over Kyri, who was napping in one of the chairs. I’m going to get Niverius, he said quietly.

That’s fine. Will you bring up something to eat, please, Tel?

Of course.

Telgin didn’t make a sound when he left, and the only reason I knew he’d returned was because I heard him talking to Niverius. The Minstrel looked subdued as he came into my bedroom, and he offered a faint smile to me. How is she? Niverius asked, sitting down on the arm of Telgin’s chair.

She’s sleeping. I don’t know, Niverius. Something went very wrong, and I have absolutely no idea why. Tel, did you get anything to eat?

Hylios is bringing something up, he assured me. Do you think we should wake Laine up for breakfast?

No. I don’t think we should wake Laine up at all. I was holding her hand while I spoke, and I shuddered upon seeing the dried blood beneath her fingernails.

How long are you going to have her sleep for, then?

Until tonight, anyway. I’m hoping maybe that when she and Loreitus see each other they’ll calm down enough to reach the point where they’re not trying to hurt themselves any more.

That day seemed to take forever to pass, and my entire little family stayed in my room for almost the whole time, watching me hold my wife. Sometime in the afternoon I noticed Tamalaine wasn’t shaking any more, and I felt better seeing her expression smooth out into calmness. I still didn’t feel like taking any chances with her, though, and had Kyri keep her asleep. Around sunset I finally let go of her, standing up to stretch myself out. I’m almost there, Santheum told me. I’m flying up the road right now. I left my bedroom and walked out to the balcony. From there I could clearly see my warder flying toward me, and as he drew closer still I could perceive a small, pale form carefully grasped in one of his forepaws.

Good, I answered with relief as I went back to my bedroom. Stay out there, I’ll get some clothes for both of you and bring you inside. Niverius, Kyri? Do you two happen to have any clothing you might be willing to lend to Loreitus and Santheum?

Of course, the Minstrel replied instantly and Kyri nodded, straightening up from where she’d been bent over Tamalaine’s slumbering form.

Telgin, find something for her, please, she answered briefly. Do you want me to wake Laine up now?

I guess so, but put her back to sleep immediately if she starts getting frantic, I decided, leaning over the bed to gently kiss my wife’s cheek.

I will, Kyri assured me as she sat back down in her chair.

I left the room with Telgin and Niverius, then separated from them to continue downstairs and out to the front porch. As I was crossing the courtyard I saw Santheum walking through the gate in human form with Loreitus stumbling along beside him, and I hurried over to them. Is she all right?

She’s still upset, and very shaken, he answered out loud as I reached them.

I can speak for myself, Loreitus pointed out, a faint hint of anger underlying her obvious sadness. Where’s Tamalaine?

She’s upstairs. Stay out here for just a minute, Niverius and Telgin are bringing you something to wear. Even as I said it, my brother came out the front door with his Minstrel, both of them carrying garments in their arms.

Loreitus? I glanced up at the unexpected sound of my wife’s voice to see Laine standing on our balcony with Kyri protectively holding her, and I gritted my teeth in exasperation. Was Kyri out of her mind?

I’m here, the silver dragon answered, hastily pulling on the dress Telgin handed her as Santheum awkwardly donned the trousers and tunic he’d received from Niverius.

Tamalaine, will you go back inside, please? I asked plaintively. We’ll be up in just a minute, and if it’s all the same to you I’d rather not have you so close to anything you can jump off of.

I wasn’t going to jump off of anything, my wife retorted, frowning at me, though she did go back inside with Kyri.

I breathed a sigh of relief over that as Loreitus and Santheum followed me into the house. Laine sounded better, and she’d actually listened to me. I led the dragons up to my rooms with Niverius close behind us as Telgin paused to explain to Hylios what was going on. Laine was waiting in the upstairs hall, and she hugged Loreitus tightly when her warder came near, both of their eyes filling with tears. Well, Tamalaine, Loreitus said at last, aren’t you glad you made up with her now?

Though Tamalaine and Loreitus surely must have discussed the incident among themselves, it was another three weeks before official word reached us of what had occurred. Niverius came bursting inside one afternoon after a visit with Astinus’s Minstrel and shocked the entire house by demanding for everyone to immediately gather in the drawing room to listen to his news. Though we would’ve done so anyway, the fact that the Minstrel was so insistent about it made all of us move more quickly. Scarcely five minutes had passed between when he got home and when all of us were assembled in the newly mauve-carpeted drawing room, watching him pace back and forth in a way which suggested extreme agitation.

Erlissa found out today what happened in Tirillae, he said abruptly as Telgin shut the door and seated himself beside Kyri. Apparently there was a serious assassination attempt on the royal house. Queen Kaeolinu, her Minstrel, and the Minstrel of Princess Sybrielle all died by poison, and Sybrielle was poisoned, as well, though she’s expected to recover fully. She’s declared herself queen, and...

What!? My wife’s outraged interjection made the Minstrel pause for a moment, and Tamalaine roughly shook my hand off when I tried to pull her back down on the couch. She can’t declare herself anything! She has no right! I am the queen!

She’s saying you were responsible for the poisonings, Tamalaine, Niverius explained with a sigh. That you were blaming her over your exile and sent some of your soldiers to take care of things so you could assume the throne.

But that’s not true! Tamalaine protested angrily. I was reinstated over a month ago, I had no need to do such a thing!

I know, he said heavily, sitting down in a chair with a graceless thump. There’s no word about your pardon in Tirillae, though, and presumably no record, either.

Damn her! That mentally diseased, cock sucking, crab-ridden little bitch! Laine didn’t stop her description there, and the room was echoing with all of the invectives my wife had absorbed over nearly two centuries of military life before I finally persuaded her to calm down. Gods, what is she doing to my kingdom? she burst out, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Taking it, Niverius said bleakly. Worse, she’s killed Minstrels to do it.

His words caused a shocked silence to fall over the room as the entire picture became clear to everyone. Never in the hundred and eighty-three thousand years the Minstrels had been governing the continent had one of them died of anything other than natural causes. Minstrels could walk unarmed through the goriest of battles without fear, knowing they would survive. Kaeolinu must have told Sybrielle about Laine’s imminent return when my wife had informed her of it, and both her Minstrel and Sybrielle’s must have been present at the time. All three of them were dead now, and wasn’t it convenient that Sybrielle was the only one who hadn’t been poisoned fatally? Obviously my wife’s sister had destroyed Kaeolinu’s copy of Tamalaine’s pardon when she killed everyone who would be able to testify to its existence.

She has no idea Mother made three other copies, Tamalaine said at last, breaking the silence and following along with my train of thought. She thinks she can just point her finger at me, and she has no idea she’s turned the entire continent against her by doing so. But what does she mean by... oh, gods, she knows where Five Valleys is, she gasped, paling suddenly. I’ve got to get them out of there!

You can’t depopulate every outpost in Tirillae unless the commission agrees to it, I pointed out to her.

They’re my troops, it’s my kingdom! She was on her feet, pacing back and forth furiously. Loreitus, I need you to take me to Crantelikos right now. Niverius, I hate to do this to you, you’ve been riding so much lately, but you need to go to Harimonli and tell them what’s happened.

I was already planning to, the Minstrel said with a thin smile as my warder cleared his throat.

Aren’t you overreacting just a bit, Tamalaine? he asked mildly.

Santheum, be silent, Loreitus said flatly, and I felt the awesome power of her command through our bond. You have no idea what you’re talking about, you’ve spent no time among mankind.

Telgin, Kyri, go to Evanedos and talk to Astinus about gathering up his army, my wife continued, still pacing. I’m going to need...

You can’t do that, Tamalaine, I interrupted her pensively.

How dare you tell me I can’t! Laine flared, spinning to fix me with a fiery glare. This is my kingdom we’re talking about, Arachlin!

And your sister is very carefully turning it against you. Exactly how is it going to look to your subjects if you come down there with an army of elves at your back? She stared at me, then suddenly burst into angry tears.

Damn her! she screamed at the top of her lungs, and I winced.

It’s not irretrievable, love, I assured her, standing up and taking a vase out of her hands which she appeared to be on the verge of throwing. Loreitus, can you gather your people and have them get Laine’s division out of all the camps in Tirillae?

I’d need a map to know exactly where those places are, Loreitus answered dubiously, but I suppose I could.

You just said I can’t pull them out of there without the express consent of the commission, Arachlin, Laine reminded me bitterly.

Santheum and I can go to Crantelikos and kind of smooth things over while you and Loreitus go get Five Valleys, I suggested. Bring them to Crantelikos with you, and you can talk to the commission then. They’ll be upset over losing the revenue from Tirillae for now, but they’ll be a lot more upset if you permanently ban the brethren from your kingdom, won’t they?

My wife looked at me gratefully, and Telgin blinked in shock. What an unnatural thing for you to suggest, my brother marveled. I always knew you were more noble than you’d ever let on.

I can do without comments like that, Tel, I told him with a wince. I do have a reputation to maintain, you know?

Tell her to let me speak! I glanced over at my warder to see him gazing at me in near-fury, and I realized with some awe that Loreitus really had silenced him.

Loreitus, Santheum had something he wanted to say, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you to let him talk, I mentioned humbly, trying to stay on the silver dragon’s good side. Could she silence me like that, too?

Yes, she could. I was going to suggest that you call Vaxlineth directly up here and ask him to transport the Minstrel, Santheum said quietly. Niverius will move faster if he’s flying, and your cousin already knows him.

That’s a good idea, Loreitus conceded, reaching over to ruffle Santheum’s hair with one hand. I’ll think I’ll do that. Am I going to hear any more silly objections out of you, beloved?

I hardly agree that my objection was silly, since we’ve rarely become directly involved in the machinations of mankind, but I will obey you, my queen. You had only to command it. I deliberately ignored the pointed look Tamalaine gave me when he said this. If my warder wanted to be a doormat, that was his own business.

Niverius promised to wait in Irilliartha for the red dragon, who was traveling as quickly as his wings would carry him from the Range. Telgin and Kyri decided to go ahead and visit Astinus anyway, to keep the king up to date on what was happening with the entire situation. The issue of keeping in contact with them caused a bit of difficulty until Loreitus irritably pointed out that the Paralin was not just the useless trinket people apparently thought it was. It was, in the hands of anyone with the slightest proficiency in magic, a direct link to the eldest living descendants of Tirillae and Omnyreal. Kyri was more than slightly proficient, and the Paralin now belonged to her. After just a quarter of an hour of practice with it my sister-in-law reached the point where she had only to lay her hands on the blood diamond to speak without words to Loreitus or Tamalaine, which pleased those two enormously.

Less than two hours after Niverius had returned from Evanedos, Santheum and I were flying south toward Crantelikos. Loreitus and Laine stayed beside us for a while, then my wife blew a kiss to me as the silver dragon veered off toward the southwest. I sighed as I watched her fly away from me, staring after them until they were out of sight. Feeling gloomy, Arachlin?

I don’t like being away from Tamalaine, I answered my warder absently.

It was your idea to separate us, the black sire pointed out.

You don’t get it, do you? Sybrielle’s making Tamalaine fight for her own crown, and Laine’s not going to have any troops unless she goes and gets them right now. You and I need to go to Crantelikos because all of her troops are also members of the brethren, and the commission’s going to throw a fit when they find out Laine’s depopulating every single outpost in Tirillae.

Who are the brethren, exactly? Santheum asked curiously. And what is this commission you’re talking about?

The criminal government of the continent and the committee of twelve who head it, I explained briefly.

Is that legal? He sounded completely scandalized by the idea, and I laughed in spite of the gravity of the entire situation.

Sort of. It’s not legal in the same sense that the Minstrels are, but they’re allied to the Minstrels, and they have their own government, as I’ve said.

Why does your mate have a lot of criminals for an army? he asked indignantly, and I decided to cut that attitude short immediately.

She’s married to one of the most successful criminals on the continent, I coolly informed him. Does that offend you?

I felt him quiver beneath me as it finally seeped into his consciousness exactly why I was so good at stealing and killing. I couldn’t believe it hadn’t occurred to him before, but then I supposed he’d been just as preoccupied as I had trying to find his mental balance after our bonding. But you don’t feel evil, he said at last.

Who said I was evil? I’m just a procurer and assassin.

Criminals are evil, he insisted, sounding extremely baffled.

That’s not necessarily true, I sighed. He sounded almost like Telgin had when we were young and I’d first been disowned. Brushing incidents of the past ten years aside, Santheum, would you have been inclined to say Sybrielle was a criminal?

No, he replied automatically, shaking his head. Gomoin is sly, secretive, and very self-centered, but she’s not a criminal. I found it to be interesting that he talked about Loreitus’s sister rather than Tamalaine’s when he answered my question. Perhaps he didn’t know Sybrielle well enough to say whether or not she was a criminal, or perhaps the silver dragons were so intertwined with their dark elf warders that their personalities were essentially the same.

Eight years ago, Sybrielle lied to her mother and got Laine’s father killed. Then she manipulated Tamalaine into attacking Kaeolinu over that, and got my wife banished. When she found out Laine was coming home with all of her honors intact, she murdered Kaeolinu and two Minstrels to prevent it from happening. Murder of an official continental representative is something which has never happened in the history of the Minstrel government, Santheum. She’s throwing the entire continent into war because she’s determined to steal Tamalaine’s inheritance. Would you say that she’s evil?

But those were criminal acts, Santheum argued. Of course they were evil.

This was a very valid objection, and I frowned slightly. Let me think of another example, then. Suppose there’s an unsanctioned group of men who decide they want to rob some caravans.

Who would they be sanctioned by? he interrupted.

By the commission of the brethren. These bandits steal from others, and they even kill a few innocent people who had done absolutely nothing wrong. Is that criminal?

Yes.

Would it be criminal for the brethren to decide these bandits were giving legal crime a bad name?

How can you throw around terms like ‘legal crime’, Arachlin? Santheum asked critically, shaking his head. It’s a complete contradiction!

Just answer the question, please, I replied, managing not to laugh at his obvious exasperation.

No, it wouldn’t be, he sighed. Since there is such an obscure concept as legal crime and those people are outside of it, the brethren would be justified in their opinion.

All right. Let’s say the commission decides to have these unauthorized bandits removed, in the interests of protecting both the innocent merchants and their own reputation. Is that criminal?

He struggled with this idea for a while and I gave him time to mull on it, looking around at the nighttime sky. I’d always loved to look at stars, and the fact that I could see thousands of these glittering points of light in every direction made me almost giddy with delight. Up here there were no obstacles such as trees or mountains to interfere with my view, and I liked that quite a bit. I guess it’s not, he replied after thinking it over for a long time. It certainly isn’t nice, but I can see where they’d have the right to decide on that course of action.

Nice has nothing to do with it, Santheum, trust me. Now, let’s further suppose the brethren hired two people to take care of this job for them, to find the bandits and kill all of them. Would the people they hired be evil?

How would I know that? I don’t know the people going to do the job.

They hired me and Tamalaine, I informed him, and Santheum gasped in outrage.

You didn’t!

Why wouldn’t we? It was a job, it needed to be done, and we did it. We were well paid for it, too. Are we evil because of that?

Does Loreitus know about this? The black sire was absolutely beside himself with righteous indignation.

I’m pretty sure she does, since she happened to fly over on the very night when Tamalaine and I murdered fifty-one people. Are we evil, Santheum?

I can’t believe you did that!

It was a job, Santheum! Is it evil, or is it not?

That’s absolutely horrible! Fifty-one people?

What difference does the number make? You said yourself that these bandits were permissible to kill because of their own actions.

Civilization is very strange, he commented in a troubled tone after we’d flown along in silence for a while. People do not behave this way in the Range.

Welcome to civilization, then, Santheum. Now, about Tamalaine’s troops being criminals. The Five Valleys division was disbanded when my wife was banished, and all of her men decided to leave Tirillae with her rather than joining other divisions. They were completely dedicated to their Royal General. Is that wrong?

They should have stayed with the queen if it’s their job to serve the royal house.

Tamalaine is a member of the royal house, and she’s never stopped being the heir despite her exile. You should know that, because Loreitus was never in any trouble with her own dame, was she?

No, he admitted.

So is it wrong for these troops to stay loyal to my wife, since she was going to be the queen anyway?

I suppose it isn’t.

These men had nowhere to go after they left the capital, and the brethren took them in. Does that make them criminals, because they’ve stayed in Tirillae waiting for my wife to return?

You don’t have to beat me over the head with it any more, Arachlin, the black sire snapped, and I grinned triumphantly. I get the point. Civilization is strange, can we just leave it at that?

Of course, I answered magnanimously. Just as long as you don’t allow your prejudices to run away with you, especially not while we’re in Crantelikos. Crime is not only legal there, it’s openly supported, since that’s where the brethren keep their central government.

I still don’t think it’s right, Santheum grumbled, shaking his head. You steal things, don’t you?

Occasionally.

How can you justify that?

It depends on the target, I answered, shrugging thoughtfully. You can sense when I’m telling the truth, so you know I’m not lying when I say I’ve never stolen from poor, needy people.

No, you haven’t.

The people I steal from are always rich, and usually they’re cruel on top of that. They’re generally the sort of people who think their money gives them a good excuse to act like animals and beat their servants, or take all of the crops from their peasants, leaving them to starve.

Yes.

Why is it wrong for me to steal from people who don’t deserve their riches?

"Why does that mean you deserve them? Santheum countered. A man with nine hundred seventy six billion or so gold marks doesn’t really have any room to talk about other people not deserving their riches."

Nice, I complimented him, rather surprised that he’d picked my count out of my head. Now dig further, and look at all the times I’ve given my money to people who I thought needed it for whatever reason. I never asked for it back, just gave it away.

But you still have so much of it!

Gold’s pretty, and I like it. You do, too, don’t you?

It is rather pretty, he admitted wistfully. I think you’re the most corrupt person I’ve ever met, Arachlin.

Thank you.

It wasn’t a compliment, Santheum said tartly.

Of course it was, from my perspective. There’s Crantelikos, I told him, pointing even though I knew he couldn’t see my gesture as we drew closer to the torchlit capital city of Thastir. You might want to land outside of it so we can just walk in. You might startle them with your unspeakable magnificence, oh mighty warder.

How droll.

Without another word, the black sire flipped back his wings, sending us hurtling downward at a speed which suggested we’d leave a serious dent in the ground on impact. I knew he was doing it just to bother me, and indeed it was a rather terrifying experience, but at the same time it was absolutely exhilarating. At the last instant Santheum pulled up, landing gently about a mile away from Crantelikos, and I quickly slid off of his back to untie his harness as I struggled to control a sudden, severe bout of nausea. Very stylish, Santheum. I liked the way you waited until I could count practically every blade of grass beneath us before you finally decided to land.

Oh, did you? Next time we can do some tricks up in the air, then, he casually replied to my sarcastic comment as he shimmered into human form. You did remember to bring some clothes for me, didn’t you?

Yes. Here. I dug into the pack I’d brought, pulling out a pair of Niverius’s shorts, trousers and a tunic. My warder fumbled with the clothes when I tossed them to him, dropping them on the ground, and I shook my head. Poor reflexes, Santheum.

I don’t spend much time in this form, he said defensively.

I can tell. Do you think you could turn into an elf?

One form is the same as another, he answered indifferently, shifting again until he very closely resembled a native of Tirillae. His skin was a bit darker, but not very much. His hair wasn’t silver, but I could explain that away by saying he’d dyed it. Was there some particular reason you wanted me to?

Humans aren’t usually as dark as you, mighty warder, and I’d rather not attract any undue attention. Here, give me those clothes back, I instructed him, pulling a pair of my own shorts and a set of my leathers out of the pack. Wear these instead.

Why?

Because we’re taller than Niverius, and thinner. My clothes will fit you better.

Oh. I folded Niverius’s clothes again and tucked them into my pack as Santheum tugged on my leathers. He’d gotten much better at dressing himself since his first night in Irilliartha, thankfully, so he didn’t take too much longer than I might have. How do we go about finding the commission? he asked as we started to walk down the road toward the city.

First, we’re buying some socks and boots for you, I answered. No one will take us seriously if you’re unshod like that.

What’s wrong with my feet?

Nothing, but money talks in Crantelikos, and you look like a poor man.

And is there something wrong with that?

Don’t sound so offended, Santheum. You’re with me, and the commission knows exactly how much money I’ve got. Don’t you think they’d wonder why any partner of mine was running around without boots on his feet?

Don’t you think anyone who sees us before you buy boots for me will notice I don’t have any? And I’m your warder, not your partner, he reminded me.

The brethren wouldn’t recognize that term, so just let it go for now. It doesn’t really matter if anyone sees you barefoot when we go into the city, since I can lie and say I just picked you up outside of town. In the morning we’re going to present ourselves to the commission, so you need to have shoes by then.

Why does mankind always complicate everything so much? he muttered under his breath as we drew closer to the north gate, and I grinned at him.

It’s fun, you’ll see. Good evening, I greeted the two gnomes who were standing guard. Both were dressed in tyrillium chain and bearing pikes which were, for their short stature, rather long. Fancy meeting you here. Do you come here often?

Both guards peered up at me, then shifted their pikes back over their shoulders. Are you here on any particular business, sir? one of them asked.

Not really, I lied, digging into my purse. Just passing through.

Enjoy the city, he said indifferently, then smiled at me as I handed him four gold marks. Go on, pass through.

Thank you.

Did you just bribe them? Santheum sounded incredulous as we walked through the gate onto the cobbled streets of Crantelikos.

Of course I didn’t. You can’t buy gnomish guards, the commission pays them too well. It’s just a fee for the use of the brethren’s facilities while we’re here, is all. We want to go this way, I said aloud, leading my warder past the residential area to the professional district of the inner city. There were shops of all kinds as well as the buildings in which the various officials worked, and it took me very little time to find a cobbler. In here, I told him, pushing open the door of the shop and ducking through the low arch of the doorway.

Don’t these people ever sleep?

I’m sure they do, but in Crantelikos most places are always open for business. You can’t make money if your shop’s not open, can you? Good evening, I greeted the young gnome who came out from behind the counter to assist us. He appeared to be little more than a boy, with short, dark hair which he wore slicked back away from his face.

Hello, sir. Is there anything I can help you with? The youth idly toyed with the tape measure hanging around his shoulders as he spoke, looking up at Santheum and me.

My partner here could use some boots, I answered pleasantly. He had to leave home in a bit of a hurry.

Oh, I’d heard something about some trouble in Tirillae, he commented with a nod, assuming that my warder was a dark elf just as I’d hoped. Have a seat, sir, I’ll need to measure your feet.

Sit down, I commanded Santheum, who sank down onto a small ash bench with a slightly nervous expression. The gnome removed the tape measure from around his neck, humming to himself as he took the measurements of both of Santheum’s feet. Then he wrote down the numbers down on his hand with a quill he’d kept behind his ear, hurriedly computing them. Is the trouble affecting business at all?

Not much here, sir. Of course, that new queen of theirs has only been on the throne for a few weeks. No one’s really too sure yet exactly which way the wind is going to blow. You’ll be a twelve, sir, he told Santheum, who gave him a bewildered look. You can find boots of that size over there, he added helpfully, pointing to a shelf full of different pairs of boots.

Thanks, my warder answered laconically as he stood back up.

Will you need socks also? Father keeps them in stock, because sometimes people like to buy them together, the youth explained.

I think so, yes. Where did you say they are?

There’s a display of them up here by the counter. Did you want me to set aside a few pairs for you?

Yes, I told Santheum silently.

Yes, please, he answered after a brief hesitation, then followed me over to the shelf the apprentice cobbler had indicated to look for a suitable pair of boots as the gnome went back to his place behind the counter. Look at that! my warder marveled quietly as he picked up pair after pair, examining them. Who would’ve thought there were so many choices? I think I like these ones.

No, I told him flatly, taking away the boots he’d selected. They were gaudy-looking things which reached to midcalf, made out of alligator skin and embellished with shiny brass plates on the pointed toes.

Why not? They have scales!

They probably cost a fortune, and they’re not very efficient for working in, I replied, lifting them up so that he could see the soles. You’ll slide all over the place in these. There’s no tread at all.

I don’t want them to work in, Santheum objected. Besides, you can certainly afford them, can’t you?

I sighed, reluctantly handing them back to him. Fine, Santheum. Try them on, make sure they fit. My warder absolutely beamed at me as he sat down on the floor to slide his feet into the boots, and I was suddenly overwhelmed by the conviction that I was dealing with a complete child.

They do.

Stand up and walk around, I instructed. You want to make sure that your feet can breathe.

What an odd thing to say, since we’re completely covering them, he remarked as he stood up and took a few steps. How are my feet supposed to breathe in any pair of boots, or even socks?

They fit all right, sir? the gnome called from the counter.

Yes, they’re fine, Santheum called back, actually smiling. I’ll take these ones.

Take them off so I can pay for them, I told him. You’re going to want to put the socks on before you put the boots back on, too.

I know that, Arachlin. I’ve seen you put on boots before.

How much are they? I asked in a slightly resigned voice as Santheum set the boots up on the counter beside three pairs of linen socks the cobbler’s boy had set aside for him.

It’s eight coppers per pair of socks, sir, and then the boots are twenty-six gold marks and three silvers, he answered. Will you want a bag for them?

No, he’ll be wearing them out of here, I replied, giving my warder a resentful look as I dug into my purse and counted out twenty-seven gold marks, each of which the young man rapped with a tiny hammer when I placed them on the counter in front of him. That created a lot of empty space in my purse, but Santheum was smiling delightedly, and I couldn’t help smiling back even though I’d never seen a more useless and frivolous pair of boots in my entire life. Keep the change, and tell your father he does good work.

Yes, he does, my warder agreed gaily.

I’ll tell him you said so, thank you. Have a good night, the youth called after us as I pulled Santheum out the door, carrying our purchases in my other hand.

Can we go and buy other things? Santheum asked, sitting down on the step of the cobbler’s shop to pull on his new footwear while I tucked his extra socks into my pack.

Not with how much money you just spent, no. I don’t have a whole lot left in my purse right now.

I thought you had lots of money, he pointed out, standing up to stare down proudly at the alligator-skin boots.

On me? No, I don’t.

Can’t you get more?

Gods, you’re worse than Kyri, I sighed as we started down the street. Have you forgotten we’re supposed to be visiting the commission here, Santheum?

No, I haven’t forgotten at all! I just thought that since you look so formal in your armor it might be sensible to wear something a bit less poor-looking than these leathers, he explained with a look of wide-eyed innocence that I knew was totally feigned. Didn’t you say money talks in Crantelikos?

I conceded that he definitely had a point, since his new boots in no way matched my utilitarian leathers. Fine, Santheum. Let’s go to the bank.

What’s a bank? he asked with interest.

That’s where the brethren keep all the money I’ve earned so I can get some out when I need some, I explained, leading him around a corner and up the street.

You actually trust them to do that?

Why wouldn’t I? The brethren never cheat their employees. It wouldn’t be very good for business if they did.

We went into a money exchange building and Santheum waited quietly behind me, watching with avid curiosity as I arranged with the accountant on duty for the transfer of one hundred gold marks out of my count. After marking the transaction in her book, the accountant handed me a receipt and counted out my money for me. She made the same precise little stacks of ten Tamalaine did when she counted, and I sighed quietly. We had been separated only for several hours, but I missed my wife.

Did you want me to tell her that?

How could you? I asked my warder as I poured the coins into my purse, weighing the little bag down considerably.

I don’t suppose I could, personally, but I can certainly tell Loreitus, and I know she’ll tell Tamalaine for you.

Thank you very much, I said to the accountant, who smiled and wished me a good night before I turned and walked out of the bank with Santheum. Yes, tell her that, I decided when we were back out on the street again.

All right. Are we going to buy other things now, Arachlin?

Yes, we’re going to buy other things. Just talk to Loreitus, will you? My warder nodded silently, following close beside me as I led him down the street for a few blocks to a clothier’s shop.

Loreitus says that Tamalaine said she misses you, too, and yes, she ate supper, Santheum reported, sounding slightly puzzled. Why would she have to tell you a thing like that? Doesn’t everyone eat supper?

I started to laugh, though I missed her even more upon hearing this. Tamalaine gets careless sometimes about remembering to eat, I told him. How are they doing with rounding up Five Valleys?

I don’t know, let me ask. I paused outside of the shop, waiting while my warder communicated with his mate. A few moments later Santheum frowned, then went into the clothier’s without saying a word.

Well? I prompted silently as the aging gnomish lady behind the counter greeted us both warmly. Good evening, mistress, I answered her.

I don’t want to talk about it in here, Arachlin.

What can I do for you this evening? she asked.

I was wondering if you had any ready-made suits which might fit my friend here, I explained, managing to keep my voice calm although I could clearly sense Santheum’s unease and was on the verge of panicking, wondering if something was wrong with my wife. Surely he would have told me so if there was, wouldn’t he? There couldn’t be, Laine had just said that she missed me and that she’d eaten something. I knew there was no way Tamalaine would have been so placid if anything was seriously amiss.

I’m sure we do, yes.

I’d like something to match my boots, please, Santheum added as the lady came out from behind her counter to look at him speculatively.

Very elegant, those are, she complimented him. Perhaps you’d like something in linen, sir?

What’s linen?

It’s the same fabric your socks are made of. Just tell her yes, I answered.

Yes, please, my warder replied, smiling at her.

That’s always a good choice for summer, the lady opined, turning away from us and walking toward a rack of clothing. Come with me, young sir, and I’ll show you what we’ve got made up.

It took Santheum about half an hour to find a suit which would fit him correctly, a dress shirt, jacket and trousers made of cream-colored linen which I knew would end up impossibly dirty within the first half day of being worn. My warder liked them, though, and I counted out forty-six gold marks without complaint as he practically bounced with excitement, watching the lady fold his suit and put it in a paper sack for him. Do you think I should get a hat, too? he asked when we were back out on the street once more. The little lady in there said this suit would look really smashing with a hat, especially a fedora. What’s a fedora?

It’s a specific kind of a hat, and we’re not shopping any more tonight, I told him flatly. What’s wrong in Tirillae?

Gomoin didn’t answer the queen’s call, and neither did Banastren or Cimapher, Santheum answered, his jaw tightening as he reluctantly related this piece of information.

I wouldn’t have expected Gomoin to. Who are those other ones?

Her lovers.

So what’s the problem?

The queen’s authority is absolute among my people, he explained in a troubled voice. That anyone’s seen fit to disobey her is a serious issue, Arachlin.

It wasn’t to me, but I didn’t argue with him about it. Is everything all right other than that?

Yes. Loreitus said they’re gathering up Tamalaine’s division right now, and they’ll be here sometime tomorrow morning with them. There aren’t enough harnesses to hold most people on securely, so they’re going to have to fly a little bit slower and rely on gravity, but they’ll be here before noon, she said.

I glanced up at the waning moon, frowning as I calculated the time. That only leaves us with about nine hours, and we need to get some sleep.

Why exactly do we need to see the commission anyway, Arachlin? Can’t you just let Tamalaine explain things all by herself?

I intend to, but what do you think is going to happen when she comes flying up with her entire division and who knows how many dragons? I think it would be nice to at least warn people that she’s coming so she doesn’t throw the whole city into a total panic and seriously disturb the economic structure of the continent.

Chapter 2

I rented a room for us to sleep in which was located in a building a few blocks away from the Consortium, the ostentatious building in which the commission met to discuss their day-to-day business. Santheum was fascinated with the concept of paying for things, so I let him hand a mark to the innkeeper and take the change while I took the room key. I need a purse, he remarked thoughtfully as we went up the stairs, jingling the coins in his hand.

What for?

So I have something to carry money around in, of course. What else would I need a purse for?

I don’t know why you’d need to carry money around in the first place, especially since you haven’t got any, I pointed out.

Can’t I use some of yours?

I suppose so, I relented as I turned the key in the lock. We can get some of your gold minted later, so it’s not like I’ll really be losing anything by it.

But it’s mine! he objected, and I laughed as he followed me into the room.

I feel the same way about my money that you do about yours, Santheum.

Look at the little pictures! How cunning! he marveled, sitting down at the table between the two beds to meticulously examine the coins in his hand while I lit a lantern. What did you say these were, minty?

Minted, I corrected as I pulled off my armor. That’s when they melt down the metal, portion it out to a certain weight, stamp it, and mill it. Are you going to stay up for a while?

I don’t want to rest without Loreitus resting with me, my warder answered with a thoughtful frown. It’s not natural.

I tended to agree with that sentiment, since the first thing I did when I lay down on my bed was reflexively roll over to hold my wife who wasn’t there. Wake me up at dawn, will you? I asked.

Of course I will. I lay there for a while, drowsily watching Santheum play with my money and trying to ignore the empty place beside me where Tamalaine should have been sleeping until exhaustion finally overtook me.

When my warder woke me at sunrise I felt extremely refreshed, though I’d slept only for a few hours. Santheum seemed to be a bit tired himself, but immediately resumed chattering on and on about money. Copper, he’d decided, wasn’t as pretty as gold, and therefore shouldn’t be worth nearly as much. Silver looked better, but it still wasn’t as pretty as gold, so that shouldn’t be worth as much either, though it was certainly worth more than copper. Is that the way these things should be deduced? I asked as I put my armor back on, amused with the fact that he’d figured out the accepted worth of metals based