Return to Aswin

By Carmenica Diaz

The long awaited sequel to Tales of Aswin has arrived!
All your favourite characters return and new ones introduced.
Note, it is recommended that tales of Aswin is read prior to reading Return to Aswin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326739201

Book preview

Return to Aswin

Return to Aswin

Carmenica Diaz

EPUB Edition

Copyright © 2016 Lulu Press

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-326-73920-1

1. Håkon

Even though the Long Winter was over and the wild geese were on the wing, there was still a light dusting of snow on the white walls and buildings of Håkon.

The geese were flying and the Cold Sea was cracking! The icy expanse that had protected the Northern Reaches during the Long Winter was thawing rapidly.

And, with the end of that winter, welcome activity was taking place. Across the Northern Reaches, farmers were urging their oxen on, the heavy beasts pulling the ploughs, as the farmers tilled the soil in preparation for the sowing of the summer crops.

The snow was slowly retreating from the lands and villages north of Håkon. The south was already experiencing steady sunshine. The green touches of spring were bursting on trees and bushes; pregnant buds were blossoming on bare branches.

Hunting parties were in the forests and Lord Svenwulf had ordered lookouts along the coast and on the walls of the city. As well, sentries walked the walls of the Ice Castle, the royal residence of Queen Rionna and her consort, Prince Warwick.

It was a busy and happy time for the Northern Reaches as the people rejoiced surviving the Long Winter. All acknowledged this winter was easier than before as food was plentiful and so was wood. All families had warming fires that burned all winter. Life was good in the Northern Reaches.

But, as people emerged from the seemingly endless winter, there was only one topic of conversation.

Has Queen Rionna given birth? Has the Royal Heir arrived?

The first message birds of spring had flown to Håkon from the Governor and Chancellor of the Frank Province in Constantine, asking the same question. All subjects of the Northern Reaches knew Queen Rionna had summoned the Royal Midwife and all were waiting.

Sir Gudmund, Northern Reaches Ambassador to the Everhaven court of King Arthur had also sent birds as did Lord John who was in Aelius, negotiating with merchants and caravanserai leaders. All birds carried the same question.

Has the Royal heir been born?

Within the Ice Castle, it seemed everyone was holding their breath and moving as quietly as possible. All waiting for the grand event of the birth of an heir, a symbol of the longevity of the now golden reign of Queen Rionna and Prince Warwick.

Whenever Lady Freydis, Lady Faversham or Lady Sigrunn emerged from the queen's bedchamber, they were besieged with questions. All three just said, ‘The Royal Midwife is happy with the Queen’s progress.’

If a courtier asked Birna, the queen's Lady in Waiting and companion, Birna would stare stonily at the questioner for a moment, before ignoring the question and hurrying by on her errands. Vigdis of the Laati guarded the Queen’s bedchamber and ignored any attempts to gain information.

Prince Warwick anxiously waited outside the chamber and refused to move. Loki, Queen Rionna's White Wolf pup, a wedding gift from the Laati, slept in front of the fire while the Prince nervously paced. Food and drink was brought to the Prince and, after a few bites, he pushed the food aside and paced again, anxiously waiting. Every now and again, Loki would raise his head and watch the Prince for a moment or two before returning to sleep.

Lord Valdemar was hurrying down the corridor towards the treasury offices when Lord Rolf and Lord Svenwulf stopped him.

'Any news, Valdemar?'

'Not yet, Sven. Sigrunn just tells me it is close.'

'And our queen?' Rolf asked. 'She is well?'

'My wife assures me our queen is very well.  Orlana and Freydis have said the same. There will not be any complications.'

'That is a relief,' Rolf said. 'Still, it is difficult not to worry...'

'I know,' Valdemar said kindly, clasping Rolf’s shoulder. 'We men can only wait and leave this matter in the hands of the women.'

'And the Prince?' Svenwulf asked.

'Nervous and afraid. Sit with him, Sven. And perhaps, Rolf, if there is no news you could sit with him this evening. He only eats when prompted.'

'I will go now,' Svenwulf said and hurried away. Rolf nodded and went the opposite way.

Valdemar opened the door to the treasury room where Emmanuel Viragio and Valdemar's son, Hafr sat at a long table, ledgers and documents before them.

'Milord,…' Emmanuel said immediately, '…you have news?'

'No,' Valdemar said with a shake of his head. 'I am told the birth is close, though. Meanwhile, how does the matters progress here?'

'The accounts show the realm is wealthy and will be even wealthier at the end of the coming summer,' Emmanuel said with a smile. 'Let me show you.'

Valdemar looked over the documents and listened as Emmanuel explained the accounts.

'That is welcome news, Emmanuel,' Valdemar said. 'And this system of accounting you have created is complex but it is easy to see the current situation.'

'I did not create this system, Valdemar. It is the same system the Benedictine treasury uses.'

'It is a wonderful system, father,' Hafr said excitedly. 'And Lord Viragio has taught me so much.'

'It is easy,…' Emmanuel said with a smile, '…when the student is enthusiastic and willing to learn.'

'We are grateful, Emmanuel, you decided to stay and make the Northern Reaches your home.'

'And it is my home, Valdemar,' Emmanuel said. 'I appreciate the honest and warm welcome. I am happy to have survived my first Long Winter. I am at peace here and feel I am contributing to something worthwhile and important.'

'That you are, Emmanuel,' Valdemar agreed.

The three men turned to the door as it opened. Vigdis stood in the doorway and the three men looked at her expectantly.

'Milord Chancellor,…' she said simply to Valdemar, '…it is time.'

The three men quickly followed Vigdis through the castle. Hafr ran ahead, shouting to the courtiers and servants, 'Make way for our Lord Chancellor and his party! Stand aside!'

Svenwulf and Rolf were already in the ante-room with Warwick when Vigdis led the men into the room. Warwick was pacing and constantly staring at the closed door that separated him from his wife.

'It's happening,' Warwick croaked to Valdemar the moment he saw the chancellor.

'It will go well, Sir,' Valdemar soothed.

Sir Biagio, Everhaven Ambassador pushed through the crowd outside the anteroom. 'News, Lord Chancellor?' he asked in the Northern tongue with a glance at the ashen faced Warwick.

'It's happening,' Warwick croaked again.

'All will be well, Your Highness,' Sir Biagio said, grasping Warwick's shoulder.

Vigdis stood by the door, arms folded and the group silently looked at her as the minutes ticked by. No one said anything for almost an hour, all watching the door and the expressionless face of Vigdis.

Suddenly, the distant sound of a baby crying could be heard for a few moments before silence again. The door swung open and Vigdis stood aside. The crowd of courtiers peered around the door, watching expectedly as Sigrunn, Freydis and Orlana stepped out.

In one fluid motion, the three women curtseyed to the ashen faced Prince.

'Sir,' Freydis said in a strong and clear voice, 'Our queen has brought you a daughter and asks that you join her...'

Prince Warwick did not wait for Freydis to finish. Eyes glistening, he thrust past the women and hurried inside, followed by Freydis and Orlana. Vigdis closed the door and resumed her position in front of it but, this time, she wore a small smile.

Sigrunn moved to her husband and smiled up at him.

'All is well, my love?' Valdemar asked his wife quietly. Rolf, Svenwulf and Emmanuel stood close to hear.

Sigrunn put a reassuring hand on her husband's arm. 'Our Queen is tired, exhausted really, but happy. The Royal Midwife said the child is perfect, husband! And we could all see she is so much like her mother! Our Queen has named her Una,' Sigrunn said softly.

Valdemar blinked so hard Emmanuel wondered if the chancellor was on the verge of tears. 'Princess Una,' Valdemar said at last. 'A connection to our past! Wonderful!'

'Yes, it is. '

Svenwulf, Rolf and Emmanuel were beaming but the smiles faltered when Sigrunn said softly, 'There is one thing. '

'What?' Valdermar demanded.

'Princess Una has the same birthmark as her mother. We all saw the trident...'

'The same...? How can that be, wife?'

'The gods have smiled on us, husband,' Sigrunn said firmly. 'She is like her mother; Princess Una is also a chosen one!'

‘We are blessed,’ Rolf murmured.

‘At last,’ Valdemar said with a smile but his eyes were still glistening.’

‘The birds can fly, husband!’ Sigrunn said, a comforting hand on her husband’s arm. ‘The bells and the horns can sound! Send the happy word to all! A princess is born! Joy to the Northern Reaches!’

Valdemar nodded, moved to the doorway and called, 'Ring the castle bell! Sound the royal horns from the battlements! Princess Una has been born!'

The waiting courtiers erupted into excited cheers. Hafr hurried in with two men following him. Both men bowed slightly to Valdemar who smiled at the shorter of the two. 'Gather your Criers, Master Corl! Walk the streets and tell all of Håkon that Princess Una has been born. Queen and Princess are well! Hurry, man!'

The Town Crier hurried away and Valdemar turned to the other man. 'Birdmaster, the same message to Constantine, the fishing fleet, Lord John in Aelius and Sir Gudmund in Therilia!'

'At once, Your Grace!'

As the Birdmaster hurried away, Valdermar turned to Svenwulf and Rolf. 'Send riders to every village with the news. Every Northerner is waiting for these happy tidings! All our people deserve to share this joyous moment.’

As the two lords happily and quickly moved away, the castle bells began ringing. Then the deep notes of the royal horn sounded from the battlements.

Valdemar and Emmanuel walked to the window and looked out at Håkon. Hafr respectfully hovered behind the two older men.

'A happy day,' Valdemar said softly after a few minutes listening to the bells and horns. ‘She named her daughter after her mother,’ he said softly, thinking. ‘After so long, so many dark years and now…I am… It is a fine day…’

'A happy and glad day for us all, Valdemar,' Emmanuel said warmly. He and Valdemar had become friends and could speak honestly. 'Of course...' he began quietly.

'...the Northern Reaches has an heir that ensures the royal line continues while the Benedictine Empire does not,' Valdemar finished. 'There is danger in that!'

'Yes, Valdemar,' Emmanuel agreed. 'There is jealousy already as well as fear. They do not understand Queen Rionna wants only peace and prosperity for her people. They fear her.’

‘Our queen would never order an attack for pleasure! And our coffers are full. We have no need for war.’

‘I know that, Valdemar but she is loved by the people. Myths, legends, tales, sagas, poems and songs about Queen Rionna were heard in Therilia when I was there. The Lord Chamberlain banned them as the minstrels did not sing songs or recite poems about King Arthur!’

‘Is jealousy a reason for war, Emmanuel?’

‘Sadly, yes but they will never reveal their true motives! They will manufacture a reason! The Everhaven king and Benedictine emperor want things to remain the same while our queen shows there is another way through compassion and fairness! They will attack in some way.'

'So, the Emperor and King Arthur may formalise their alliance?'

'Yes. Has there been news from Therilia?'

'The main message carried in the last bird from Sir Gudmund said Princess Dilara was expected to visit Therilia soon.'

'I see.'

'Tell me, Emmanuel, tell me honestly...'

'I am always honest with you, Valdemar,' Emmanuel said quietly

'Of course, my friend. Forgive me. I am worried, that is all. Can we defeat both?'

'The Emperor and King Arthur? Would they be that stupid?' Emmanuel looked thoughtfully at the closed door with Vigdis standing before it. 'Knowing our queen,…' he said at last, '…I say yes! Yes, we can defeat both Everhaven and the Benedictine Empire!'

2. Pussan

Princess Dilara, accompanied by her entourage of eight ladies, led the way through the corridors. The group of women were all dressed extravagantly with luxurious dresses and large necklaces. The attire and accessories of Princess Dilara were the richest in appearance. Her splendid headdress in gold and burgundy cloth was plainly magnificent.

Guards, in impressive red and yellow uniforms of the Golden Guards, were stationed at regular intervals against the ochre coloured walls and all came to silent attention when the Princess approached. She ignored them, leading the group with haste to a distant wing of the palace. In fact, they were moving far from the centre and away from the Imperial Court to what was, in reality, another palace.

Dilara turned and walked through an arch that led to a small open square with a fountain. The other smaller palace was close. She turned to the Ladies in Waiting. 'Wait here.'

The women silently curtseyed and watched the princess walk across the square to the smaller building. A servant opened two red painted doors with ornate golden hinges.

A black man with a spear and a large curved sword at his side bowed briefly when she walked through the doors. 'Princess.'

'Stand aside! I wish to see my brother!'

The man signalled another guard who was standing in the shadows near another door and that man hurried away.

'I said stand aside!' Dilara snapped.

'One moment, Princess. We will see if the Prince wishes to see you!' The guard made no attempt to move out of the way. Seething silently, Princess Dilara had no choice but to wait.

A moment later, the other guard appeared in a doorway and signalled.

The guard gave Princess Dilara a wintery smile. 'You are, indeed, fortunate, Princess. Prince Benedict will see you.'

Dilara glared at the guard. ‘You nomads are scum!’

She stalked past him and through the door. The room was bright and airy with