94. Chapter 94
CHAPTER 94
Rawn
R awn woke from another nightmare where he thought he still beneath the Blood Keep. He sat up in bed, a sheen of sweat coating his skin. But his pounding heart slowed when he saw Aerina sleeping beside him. She was nestled within the covers, face down. The morning sun streaming through the windows fell over her bare back and the golden strands of her hair.
Then his fear and pain faded with each of her faint breaths and her warmth. Rawn kissed her temple.
This was real, he reminded himself. She was real. He was home.
A month had passed in Sellav. It was a month of healing for everyone. Though it may have not been enough. Some wounds ran too deep. He pressed a hand to the scars on his chest that still dully ached. Perhaps because they reminded him of Fair.
Above his mantle was a box of white wood. Fair’s ashes that Dyna had kept for him. Distant neighing came from outside and his pulse drummed at the familiar sound. He looked to the open terrace. The morning breeze tousled the sheer curtains.
Picking up his clothes off the floor, Rawn dressed and went outside. He leaned against the terrace collum’s as he watched his son train a white stallion in the pen far below. The horse looked a lot like Fair.
Aerina wrapped her arms around his torso from behind. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
“Good morrow, wife.” Rawn pulled her around and met her beautiful smile. She wore only a white sheet around her, and he was glad of the sight. Messy blonde curls fell around her face he had only seen in his dreams for the past two decades.
“I will never grow tired of hearing you wish me good morning.” She rested her head over his heart. “Did you have another nightmare?”
Rawn trailed his nose over her bare shoulder, relishing the feel of her soft skin. Memorizing it anew. “At times I half convinced I am still in that dark pit, and this is only the weavings of my imagination.” He planted a light kiss over her jaw to her lips. He sighed and looked out at the fields again. “Yet I know this is not another perfect dream…”
Aerina laid her head on his shoulder. “Rawn, I was without you for twenty long years. I suffered your absence, but I did not begrudge you. I held faith you would return, for I know the man you are, and what lengths you would go for your family. Nonetheless, our son was raised without his father, often reminded it was due to our past transgressions and duty to the crown. It is not aversion, my love. Raiden feels aggrieved.”
Rawn shut his eyes. “As he should.”
“When he was a boy, I would often find him in your study, admiring your badges, your armor, and weapons. He would spend hours staring at your painting wondering who you were. Yet as he grew, and other nobles bade to slight him for being the son of a soldier, one the court both acknowledged and reviled, that admiration became a shadow he could not escape. Now that you have returned, he is at a loss of how to perceive you.” Aerina took his hand, placing his palm against her cheek. “Yet I have no doubt he will come to see what a great father he has before you go.”
Rawn’s hand shook slightly. He had tried not to think about having to leave again, but each day brought that reality nearer.
“My courage fails me,” he admired only to her. “I do not wish to leave you.”
Her eyes welled and she smiled sadly. “Nor I, but I know why you must.”
Rawn embraced her tightly. He had decided not to pass on his oath to another. Not that it had ever been a real option he would consider in the first place. All he could do was seize the time left with his wife and his son.
Once he had bathed and dressed for the day, Rawn went in search of Raiden. His bedroom was in the east wing, past the library, on the highest floor. The door was made of a rich chestnut, carved with the intricate design of a forest.
At his knock, there came no answer.
Hesitating, Rawn opened the door, calling his name. But he halted there at the threshold, staring at the back wall of shelves. Each one was filled with wooden carvings set neatly in rows.
“What are you doing in my chambers?” Raiden demanded behind him, and he yanked the door shut.
Rawn blinked at him. “You kept them … I didn’t realize there were so many.”
His son looked away, his face flushing. “You sent 1,561 to be exact. What else was I to do with them? Why send so many?”
Then Rawn noticed the token hanging around Raiden’s neck and he couldn’t help smiling faintly. “I carved each one while I was thinking of my boy.”
Raiden’s flush deepened and he shifted on his feet. “I ceased to be a boy a long time ago...”
“Yes, I can see that. Then what would you prefer I send to you next time?”
Raiden’s expression shifted to disbelief. “You’re leaving again?”
“I must complete the mission…”
“I cannot believe this.” Raiden shook his head. “You were gone for years on that wretched mission . You left everything behind and for what? Many died to pull you from that desert, yet you plan to continue?”
Rawn reached for his shoulder, but he stepped back. “Raiden?—”
“No, I cannot accept this. I know the king gave you leave to stay. That red elf volunteered to go in your stead. I volunteered!” His shout echoed in the hall. “How can you be so selfish? Does Mother know?”
“Of course she does,” Rawn said softly.
Raiden’s eyes grew wet with anger and resentment. With his next breath, his reply was a soft whisper yet as sharp as any blade. “Merely admit that marrying her was a mistake and you’re ashamed of what my birth did to your honor. If your ambition was to die to regain, then you shouldn’t have returned. For I would have rather believed you left us because you had no choice at all.”
They stared at one another a moment. The despondency on his son’s face made a terrible remorse sink into his stomach.
Then Eldred appeared at the end of the hall and cleared his throat. “My lord?”
“Yes?” Both Rawn and Raiden replied.
Eldred glanced between them. “Ah, pardon me, Your Grace. Lord Varden Karheim is at the front gates, accompanied with a collection of lords from noble Houses. They have come to call … upon Her Grace.”
Raiden growled a low curse. “You tell that godsforsaken craven, we are not?—”
Rawn swept past him. “Open the gates, Master Eldred. See that they are welcomed to the dining room.”
He bowed his head and went on his way.
Rawn continued with Raiden following close behind. The head of his guards stood at attention. “Guests have arrived, Halder. See that they are shown proper hospitality.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Halder bowed then motioned to the men, and they marched on.
“What are you doing?” Raiden asked. “Why are you welcoming them in?”
“What are the standards of this House?” Rawn said as they reached the back stairwell.
“Respect and honor.”
“Words by which we live by. When a guest comes to call, we answer as etiquette demands.”
Raiden looked at him with disgust. “Then are we to be cowards who turn the other cheek? I was here to witness them insult mother and smear our name. I stopped them from attempting to capture her. Not you. Do not speak to me of respect and honor when you have none for her.”
Rawn paused a moment, then met his gaze. Whatever Raiden saw on his face made him shift back a step. “A man’s duty is to protect his family. A son’s duty is to show respect. Are you armed?”
Raiden’s brow furrowed. He had no scabbard at his waist, but with a flare of his hand, he conjured a blade of teal light.
He nodded. “Good. Now escort your mother and host our guests. I will join you presently.”
Rawn climbed the steps to the third landing and picked up his bow and quiver waiting for him by the alcove that overlooked the dining room. Dyna and the others were already there. They kept quiet and to the shadows, only to watch. This was something he had to deal with on his own.
Voices swarmed as many lords filed into the room. All doors were open, leaving the velvet curtains framing the windows to billow gently. They took seats along the long table, laughing and conversing. Servants set out platters of food and decanters of wine. Lord Varden chose to sit himself in Rawn’s chair at the head of the table, directly across from the alcove.
Fifty feet of distance.
Giving Rawn the perfect angle.
He rested on one knee and loaded his bow.
“Your Grace!” Varden called gleefully when Aerina and Raiden entered. “At last you bless me with your presence. I was beginning to believe you were snubbing me.”
“I could never, Lord Karheim,” Aerina’s voice floated up to him from below out of view. “I am pleased you could join us today.”
She came into view with her hand on Raiden’s arm. Aerina dressed in a teal-green gown with her hair pinned up.
“Forgive me mother, but I fear this cordiality is far too generously given,” Raiden whispered to her. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Hush and trust your father.”
They moved to sit on the far end of the table.
“I am told you traveled to Avandia regarding the concern with Red Highland and Rawn’s capture,” Varden commented. “I am sorry to hear of his passing. He will be greatly missed.”
It was said with enough sympathy, yet he could not quite disguise the satisfaction from his gaze.
Raiden stiffened in his chair, but Aerina lowered her head. “Thank you for your sympathies, Lord Karheim.”
“Let us toast to his great deeds.” Varden raised his cup then drank the rest of his wine as did the other lords, offering their empty praises. He motioned his empty cup to Aerina. “I seem to be out of wine. If you would be so kind, Your Grace.”
Aerina paused then stood up.
“Mother,” Raiden hissed.
She took a decanter from a servant and walked around the table to Varden. He eyed her with a leering smile as she poured more wine into his cup. Rawn’s bow creaked as he took aim.
“You must surely be in mourning for a time,” Varden said, taking her hand. “However, once that has passed, I hope you will consider taking another husband. An exquisite woman such as yourself should not be left alone to wither in this hovel. I will be honored to take you as my wife.”
“You are kind in your proposal, Lord Karheim,” Aerina replied politely. “Yet I am afraid I must decline.” She placed his hand flat on the table and took a deliberate step back. “For I already have a husband.”
Rawn’s arrow flew. It pierced Varden’s hand, pinning it to the table.
His scream filled the dining room. The lords jumped out of their chairs and the doors slammed shut. Kerheim’s guards immediately drew their weapons. Raiden conjured his sword, rushing to his mother’s side.
“Get this out of me!” Varden yelled at one of his men. He braced his other hand on the table and Rawn shot a second arrow. Varden could only scream and thrashed but he was pinned.
The fifty or so of Norrlen guards that had secretly positioned themselves on the second landing, drew their bows and aimed at the lords. All fell still.
Taking the velvet curtain framing the alcove, Rawn slid down and landed lightly below. All eyes fixed on him as he strode through the room. He nodded for Raiden to move his mother back.
The lords were caught between hands on their hilts or mid-step for the door. Kerheim’s guards braced, but none dared to move.
Rawn cloak dragged through the blood leaking on the floor as he took a seat beside Varden. “Lord Karheim,” he greeted.
Sweat beaded on Varden’s pallid complexion and he winced. “Lord Norrlen…”
“I have been given many noteworthy reports regarding your endeavors with my family as of late. Certainly unfortunate, for such a thing cannot be left unaddressed.”
“N-noteworthy?”
“Perhaps I need remind you. First,” Rawn took hold of the left arrow. “You accosted my wife.” He wrenched it out. Varden bit back a cry, slumping against the table. “Then you struck my son.” He yanked out the right arrow and Varden fell back into the chair with a whimper. “What punishment should I dispense for attempting to abduct my wife? The last time she was taken from me, well, there is a reason I earned my name.”
Varden glanced down at Rawn’s bloodied cloak and his eyes widened.
“You dare to threaten him?” the head of Varden’s guards shouted in indignation. “He is the heir of Erendor!”
“And this be the home of the Princess of Greenwood, sister to your king, who has given me leave to resolve this matter myself,” Rawn replied idly. “Halder.”
“Yes, Your Grace?” The head of his estate guard replied from the landing across from him.
“Should he open his mouth again, shoot him.”
“Gladly.” Halder aimed his bow at the startled guard.
Rawn returned his attention to Varden. “I am a sensible man, but I would sooner kill you simply for laying your hands on my pride.”
“For-forgive me, Lord Norrlen,” Varden stuttered, his throat bobbing. “I-I assumed she was—If I had known—I would never—For-forgive me. I did not wish to offend you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “No, you wished for something that was not yours to covet.”
“Could I not petition for your great mercy? I give you my sworn oath I will never be so bold as to disrespect you or your House again.”
“So it is sworn before the God of Urn and every soul present here today.” He looked to the lords. “Who states witness?”
“I,” every elf in the room replied in unison.
Rawn stood. “Be glad of my mercy, Lord Karheim. I will not spare you a second time.” He leaned down so they were eye to eye, and he said ever so calmly, “Should you ever step foot on my land again, I will bury you where you stand.”
Varden shrunk back.
“Do we have an understanding?”
“Y-yes, Lord Norrlen.”
“Thank you for this pleasant meeting.” Rawn motioned and the doors were swung open. “Kindly see yourselves out.”
The chairs screeched and boots skidded over the floors as the lords promptly departed. Varden’s guards helped him stand, then quickly led him out. Leaving Rawn and his family alone.
Once they were gone, Aerina took his offered hand and laughed as he spun her into his arms. “If I did not already love you as much as I do, that display would have left me irrevocably besotted, Lord Norrlen.”
He smiled against her lips and kissed his wife. That earned them whistles from the alcove and the second-floor landings. But he glanced over in time to see Raiden slip outside.
Rawn left Aerina with Dyna and the others and went after his son. He found Raiden leaning against the fens of the horse pen. Rawn came to stand by him, both merely watching a white stallion gallop through it. Soft whinnying carried on the wind.
“You did in one hour what I could not accomplish in years,” Raiden muttered. “They fear you and yet they respect you. All of Greenwood knows your name. It is no wonder she named me after you.”
“Your mother did not name you,” Rawn said. “I did.”
“Oh, how presumptuous of you. Even in name I am to stand in your shadow.”
Rawn looked at his son’s glower and couldn’t help but chuckle. So stubborn, so free to speak his mind in ways he hadn’t been able to at his age. As if his son could fulfil everything he could not. And that alone made him smile. With wonder. With love. With joy to simply be here to see it.
Raiden frowned. “You find that amusing?”
“I did not name you after myself. In Old Elvish, your name would be reydoner. It means miracle . One you have prayed for with such yearning, the fates sought to grant it.”
Raiden stared at him.
“You are my pride. Our miracle. There are many things I have done wrong in my life, but never would you be one of them.” He laid on Raiden’s cheek, warming the spot that had once been struck. “I chose to continue my journey, for I could not put that responsibility on the shoulders of another, especially that of my son’s. There is no burden I would not carry for you and your mother. No mountain I would not cross to find my way home again.”
Raiden looked straight ahead, and his eyes shone wet. There was no longer any resistance as Rawn pulled his son to him and held his child for the second time.