Episode 188 Warrior Braids
Warrior Braids
“Cerian,” Arisanna says softly as she meets his gaze in the mirror in his water closet. He’s been standing there, silently braiding his hair, for the past five minutes.
Warrior braids.
He said Tharios had his hair braided in the vision.
Arisanna won’t claim to understand how braiding his hair helps him face this, but he definitely looks the part, especially with that korathite lining his eyes.
Never has her gentle prince looked so fierce. And that’s saying something.
“I have to do this,” he whispers.
She steps closer to him. “I know. I just wish you’d take me with you. It’s the barracks. Is it really that dangerous?”
“You weren’t in the vision.”
“Technically, neither were you.”
“I owe this to Tharios. I won’t let him face it alone. Please don’t ask me to.”
She lets out a breath before nodding. “I’m sorry. You’re being brave, and I’m clawing you back. What I should have said is, I’m proud of you.”
He turns to draw her into his arms. “I know it doesn’t make sense. But—”
“You need to do this. To prove to yourself that you can.”
He doesn’t respond with words, instead tightening his hold on her and resting his cheek against her hair.
“Just don’t forget there’s a Nunian princess depending on you not to die,” she adds.
“That’s Elowyn’s line,” he says with a chuckle.
“Cerian!” a voice calls from Cerian’s bedroom.
“And that’s Elowyn.” Cerian lets Arisanna go, and she follows him out of the water closet.
“You didn’t even pretend to knock,” Rominy says to Elowyn, but she ignores him.
“Why didn’t you tell me you have visions?” Elowyn asks.
“Two. Two visions,” Cerian says. “It’s not a—”
“It is a big deal. Rominy said you saved my life, and no one told me. Cer! Please let me hug you before I implode.”
He chuckles and wraps his arms around his sister, and Arisanna struggles not to smile.
“Thank you,” Elowyn whispers. “For everything.” Soon, she lets him go. And then she frowns as she looks at him. “Why are you wearing warrior braids? And you painted your eyes.” Dread fills her voice. “What did you see?”
“Not much.” Cerian sighs before filling her in.
“Are you sure I wasn’t there?” Elowyn asks, and Rominy laughs.
“Not this time,” Cerian says quietly.
“Well, you look fierce, Cer. I sure wouldn’t want to go up against you today.”
Arisanna reaches for Cerian’s hand. “Let’s get breakfast, all right? Keep you strong?”
“I’m uncertain I’ll be able to eat much, but I’ll try.”
As Elowyn crosses the vestibule to change before breakfast, Rominy lays a hand on her arm. “Hey, I want to see if Jonas is back. I won’t go far.”
Smiling, she nods and disappears into their room, and Rominy turns as Lorial steps into the vestibule.
He looks distracted, but every worry filling his eyes slides away when he sees Rominy, and he steps closer. “How did it go?”
Rominy opens his mouth and closes it again before finding his words. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
A gentle smile fills Lorial’s face. “Only if you wish to talk about it. My door is always open.”
Rominy nods. “Thank you.” He might as well say something. “As I told Elowyn...it’s a journey. And I’m a patient man. Thank you for the help, though. It was perfect. And we’ll get there.”
“Have I told you how glad I am that you are exactly who you are? If I could choose anyone in this world to entrust my wildling’s heart to, it would still be you.”
“You make it sound as if putting her first is a hardship. But isn’t that what love is, sir? Choosing her? Every day, over and over again?”
Lorial meets his gaze before responding. “It is indeed. And I stand by every word I said. I used to worry about Elowyn and this human prince I’d have to trust to care for her. I don’t worry anymore. Has anyone filled you in on what’s going on?”
“With Cerian’s vision?” Rominy asks as Lorial’s words settle into his heart. “Yes, we spoke to Cerian.”
“Good. Stay close today, all right?”
“I think that’s the plan. Have you seen Jonas and Taliel?”
Lorial frowns. “Are they not here?”
“No. They had dinner with Rafelis last night but never returned, and...oh, there they are.” Rominy turns as Jonas strides into the vestibule with Taliel at his side.
“Sorry for my tardiness,” Jonas says. “It won’t happen again.”
Lorial laughs. “It might.” Then he turns serious. “Did Rafelis receive my message?”
“He did, my king,” Taliel says. “He’s on his way. As is Deridyn, who arrived late last night.”
Lorial sighs. Was he hoping Deridyn wasn’t here? That Cerian’s vision was just a dream?
“I’ll see you at breakfast, Rominy,” Lorial says before turning back to Jonas and Taliel. “You’re welcome to join us if Rafelis hasn’t already stuffed you full of griddle bread and eggs. Does he even know how to cook anything else?”
Taliel bursts into laughter, and even Jonas smiles.
“We ate, Your Majesty,” Jonas says. “I won’t comment on the quality of the food.”
Lorial grins as he takes his leave, but the weight he carried when he first appeared soon descends on him once more.
Jonas faces Rominy. “I apologize again for—”
“Sleeping? I’m pretty sure you function better when you sleep. I don’t expect you to follow me around every second of the day. That’s why you have men to help you.”
“Still, I meant to return last night, but it was late. It made more sense to—”
Rominy turns to Taliel. “He won’t stop, in case you wondered. He’ll just keep apologizing until you stop responding.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” She looks up at Jonas with open affection as Jonas gawks at Rominy.
“So you enjoyed your evening with Rafelis more than you thought you would, you decided to sleep at Taliel’s place because it was late, and you’re here now.” Rominy shrugs. “I think we’re good.”
Jonas looks like he wants to apologize again, but he swallows his protests. “Can you fill me in on what we missed?”
Before Rominy can respond, Elowyn reappears. “Oh, you found them. Were they still at Riverstroke?”
“Riverstroke?” Rominy glances from her to Taliel. “Is that—”
“Rafelis’s house has a name,” Jonas says.
“Riverstroke is the Nunian translation of Elonistal,” Taliel says. “Averyn called it that when they met. She said she’d have what humans refer to as a stroke if she had to hear him talk about his house on the river one more time.”
Jonas swings his gaze to Taliel. “That’s why she named it Riverstroke?”
“Indeed,” Taliel says.
“I like Averyn,” Jonas says.
Taliel grins. “I thought you would.”
“Let’s get breakfast,” Rominy says. “We’ll fill you in on the way. Then I want to know what griddle bread is.”
“Pancakes,” the three of them say in unison.
“Very dry pancakes,” Jonas adds under his breath, and Elowyn laughs.
“That’s just how Rafelis makes them,” she says. “Cook’s are much better.”
Jonas gestures them forward. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
Tharios looks out the window in Father’s study after forcing himself to eat breakfast. Nearby, Father discusses the situation with Rafelis and Deridyn.
Mother and Corivos are there, too.
And Viala, of course.
“I know Valethan,” Deridyn says. “Many blame him for the loss of the elfling’s mother. Her name was Risial.”
“What happened to her?” Mother asks.
“She died giving birth.”
Tharios frowns as he turns. “She what? In Lostariel? In this day and age?”
“It’s a story I do not know the details of,” Deridyn says as he adjusts his Outerlander furs. “But that’s what I was told.”
“But Valethan is a healer,” Tharios says. “Why didn’t he save her?”
“He wasn’t always a healer,” Father says. “I believe his training commenced after his daughter was born.”
Mother sighs. “His response to Risial’s death?”
“It would make sense,” Rafelis says.
“Risial’s parents have longed for her elfling to return to them,” Deridyn says. “If she needs a home, they will come for her. They offered many times, but Valethan refused.”
Tharios glances at Viala. He can’t fault the man for not wishing to part with his elfling.
“I’d expect you to be more opinionated about this,” Rafelis says to Deridyn.
Deridyn inclines his head. “We Outerlanders are certainly not without opinions.”
That’s an understatement. No one says it, though.
“We are also not without compassion. Valethan has paid a steep price for his mistakes and deserves the chance to give his own account of his actions. I reserve my judgment for now.”
“Well, I suppose we know why you go with me,” Tharios says.
“Assuming he’ll speak to anyone but you,” Father says to Tharios. “He certainly wouldn’t speak to me.”
“I suppose we’ll find out soon. Is Cerian ready?”
“He’s waiting in the corridor,” Corivos says, though Tharios easily senses that himself. “I’ll remain out of sight and far enough away that my magic should get lost in the sea of warriors at the barracks. But I intend to be there.”
Tharios nods, and Mother whispers her thanks to Corivos.
“All right then,” Tharios says. “Let’s get this over with.”