Chapter 17 #3
“Oh no, I couldn’t, Highness. Especially not after the news.” Ugh. These Elves work fast, Corrik’s not even gone a year and the word’s out I’m to be Crown Prince Consort. “My condolences for the passing of your first husband.”
They are the first condolences I’ve had.
Other than the servants who are not supposed to get too friendly with me, I’ve only had contact with Alrik and Diekin.
Alrik, who was going through his pain about Corrik and Diekin, who believes as I do, that Corrik is out there somewhere.
I’m not sure how to respond. Thankfully, Jagarbendir saves me.
“Save your condolences, my dear. We’re off to find him. ”
Her body lifts and her features fill with hope. “Does that mean you’re off to find Salamir?”
“We are,” I say, feeling proud to be on this mission.
She cries. “Oh, thank you, thank you, Your Highness.”
“Tell no one, Cil,” Jagarbendir warns.
She nods and her expression gets serious. “Jagar.”
“We will get him back.”
“Then what of you? Have you asked Suki if you can take Aldagir?”
Apparently, the wives watch out for each other. “Aldagir is a man,” he says, his voice becoming stern.
“Say that to his mother and see what she says.”
“I do not have to ask her permission.” His eyes harden.
Aldagir is quiet as they talk about him as if he’s not there, which I can relate to; it reminds me of home. It was like that with my parents, the three of them bickering over what’s right for Tristan until Father told them what would be.
She seems to remember her place, which to Elves is not gender-dependent, even for humans; it is based on your designation, which is dependent on how you are wired within.
Aldagir is clearly dominant, especially if he can handle forty-seven spouses.
Seven of them must be men. I remember he’s likely lived a very long time to have so many.
I have a lot of questions for him not covered in my study books. I hope he’s prepared to talk.
It’s fascinating. I do love Elven culture even if I think the lot of them are arrogant.
She nods stiffly, her chest out and lips pursed. “Forgive me, Jagar.”
“I understand your worry, my dear, but Aldagir came to me. I would dishonor him by leaving him here.” Placing a hand on the side of her face, his small boy still hanging onto him, he tilts her chin up to kiss her lips.
“I will tell Suki. Come here, boy,” she fondly says to Aldagir. “Now.” This woman is no wallflower.
Aldagir blushes but suffers her affections as she pulls him into a hug. “Em Cilrilda,” he complains. It’s entertaining watching the large stoic Elf, embarrassed by the small woman.
“Never mind.” She kisses his head.
Even though Cilrilda isn’t his mother, she’s due a particular amount of respect similar to that of a mother.
Em is used to designate a category of mother in Elvish, Om is the prefix he’d use for his father’s husbands.
Jagarbendir kisses the boy. “All right, to your mother with yah.” Cilrilda takes him. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
I’m not sure if she believes him, but she has no choice but to have faith. “Thank you again, Highness. I know you’ll help keep them safe.”
It means a lot to me that she believes I can. “The Kanes family are descendants of dragons, we are bred to keep people safe. I will look out for them both.”
“I’m glad you will become King-Consort one day. You are good for our people,” she says. I know she’s being respectful; I understand that currently, my status is only a notch below Crown Prince, but it’s not a label I want, and I hope this journey ends with me absolving that title.
“Thank you, my lady. I will always do my best no matter which title I serve under.’
We set out for the second realm, and I am glad to have them with me.
And while I still think locking me in a room was way overboard, I start to see why Corrik was paranoid.
These lands are dangerous. They may have been banned for humans, but the Elves cannot keep all magical creatures out.
If not for Aldagir and Jagar, I would not have made it far.
I once threatened Corrik that I would find a way to leave if need be.
That he believed I could tells me he always did think I was fierce and I begin to feel more sympathy for his prophetic vision.
There are also the patrols. We have to stay off the main roads, which means a harder ride through the thick forest and the land heading into the third realm filled with obstacles my army of two know how to traverse well.
It’s not all bad. I get to know my travel companions. They are impressed with my skill with a sword and a bow. “You don’t have any spouses yet?” I ask Aldagir.
“Father will not allow it. He’s a bit old-fashioned,” he leans in to explain.
“I heard that,” Jagar says, smiling. “A proper Male Elf should reach his three-hundredth year before choosing a mate.”
That’s what the royal family believes too, usually. They made an exception for me because I’m a regular human—not the kind residing in Mortouge, who live a lot longer—and Corrik was permitted to marry early.
I can’t help the contentedness I feel hearing the firmness from Jagar. Aldagir doesn’t harbor any true resentment over it, he respects his father’s word, deeply. I relax missing my father and his firmness. Never thought that would happen. “Of course, Father,” Aldagir says.
“I suppose I’ve married quite young and look at me, on my way to a second husband,” I say.
Something in my tone causes Jagar to frown. “You do not wish to marry our crown prince.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. I shake my head. “We’re not suited. I know that doesn’t negate my duties, but I would prefer the husband I had.”
“You love him.”
“Very much.”
“If he’s out there, we’ll find him,” Jagar says and I appreciate his fatherly tone.
I need to change the subject from Corrik and marriages. “How did Salamir go missing?”
Both Elves get serious. “Many of the halfling children began disappearing last spring. It took me some time before I could get the attention of the Crown Prince and then, nothing for a long while. We never found the first four children to go missing, but then it stopped until a couple of months before Alrik put Corrik on the case. My Salamir went missing after Uric and Stemnary.”
“Only halfling children are being taken? What could be the reason for that?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t like to think about it. My Salamir, he’s still very young, I know he’s terribly frightened.”
“If Corrik is there, he’ll look out for him.”
“I hope so, Warlord.”
Irelay Diekin’s directions and they seem to know what it all means, leading us over dangerous terrain, through rivers, and finally to a ridge, with tall stone slats that reach high into the mountain.
I get off my horse. “This is it,” I say.
“This is where Corrik went.” I don’t know how I know that, but I feel like he’s nearby, my heart bubbles in my chest.
“What should we do, Warlord?” Jagarbendir says.
Jagarbendir is a few thousand years old; he has more experience than I could fathom. There’s no way I’m going to have an answer over him, he’s giving me the respect he thinks I deserve because he feels it’s my mission since I’m royalty. But it’s just as much his.
“My instincts tell me to go in carefully, but I know little of magic Jagar. I’m hoping you can offer me, counsel, here.”
He nods, and his eyes seem to belay respect.
I’m sure he’s not used to having royalty ask for his opinion, even when said royalty doesn’t have half the knowledge he has.
“There is magic all around this place. The area is shrouded in it. If we go in there, I’m not sure we could hide from whatever’s set the traps. ”
I nod. Magic is something I’ve had little experience with.
As Markaytians, we don’t deal in magic. I have a small amount in my blood, being a descendant of dragons, but it’s not even comparable to the small amount the humans of Mortouge have.
I certainly don’t feel confident in deciding about it.
But once again, because I am royalty means the responsibility automatically falls to me.
I recall when Father encountered new situations. I always thought he wasn’t afraid of anything, but Papa would tell me that was not the case. “He has to muster all his bravery, be extra vigilant and do it anyway, Tristan,” Papa would say.
“I say we stick close and assess as we go. Whatever took Corrik surprised him, it was more powerful. I am welcome to anything you want to add, Jagar,” I say, knowing he won’t interject his opinion to a royal unless given permission.
He nods. “You’re different,” he says. “I like it.”
I smile. “Compliment me when I’ve gotten us safely through this, my friend.”
“Lead the way, Highness.”