Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Smoke and Quartz
We attended the ceremony as a group of three, Eberon in his Spring Court attire, Schula and I in our Autumn things.
I was saving my new dress for the picnic tomorrow, partly because the king would probably like to see it, partly because Caldon would be there.
I hadn’t taken off my necklace since I’d first laid eyes on it.
“Stars, there are so many fae here,” Schula said, a somber expression creasing her face.
“I would expect no less.” Eberon shuffled down the hall in front of us, ensuring we weren’t getting lost in the maze.
“You were getting a gift from the king this afternoon, right?” I asked Schula.
“Right.” She nodded.
“What did you end up getting?” I prodded.
“You’ll see. It’s very Baeleon. He’ll be pleased.” She pushed me forward. “Let’s try to get a seat high on the steps, shall we?”
“Here, this will work.” Eberon pulled us through a doorway into the light of the setting sun.
The top platform that jutted out into the staircase like a balcony was roped off.
On a slab lay a gorgeous male that must have been Galavan.
He had been tall, with silver hair and a square jaw.
He was surrounded by flowers, and his abdomen was covered in roses.
“A belly wound?” Schula whispered, then turned to me. “We don’t usually conceal any of the body.”
“What could have done that?” I asked.
“Not much.” Eberon grimaced. “This is a discussion for our rooms; let’s just watch the ceremony.”
All kinds of people crowded the stairs to watch.
The king himself was on the other side of the body from us, surrounded by Spring guards and mourners.
As the sun kissed the city walls in the distance, a fae approached Galavan’s body.
She was as beautiful as he had been, tall and dark with silver hair.
She carried a plain, unadorned staff, and when she tapped it on the steps, a silence fell over Dwellonmar.
“My cousin will be missed,” she said, addressing the crowd. She stared for a long while, then stepped to the body and stroked his cheek with her free hand.
“Galavan, we went on many hunts together. I wish we had many more. But the Stars put us here as they see fit, and they take us away as well. You were a strong leader. You are loved. You are missed. Goodbye, Galavan.”
She stood back from the body and produced two obsidian rings. She looked to the king’s side and nodded two fae forward. Lean, muscled males. Warriors.
They somberly stepped forward, and the fae placed the rings on their thumbs. She bowed her head to them and whispered something. Then she retreated into the crowd and sat down.
“That was it?” I whispered. Schula nodded, not letting her eyes drift from the body.
The two males spoke, just as quickly as the female had.
After them, the king said a few words, and so did many from his court.
All of them said words of goodbye to Galavan, not for each other.
Once the king and court were done, they retreated inside, and a line formed quickly for people to say their own goodbyes.
There was still gray light in the sky, and a few candles had been lit around Galavan for the mourners, but that was it.
“Come on, let’s get inside,” Eberon said.
“Don’t we need to say words too?” I asked as he helped me stand.
“We will later, this line will take a while,” Schula said. “But you hadn’t even met Galavan, so you can stay at the table. Let’s see what sort of food the Spring Court provides on such an occasion. We’ll step out when it’s time.”
We headed back to the great hall, which had been completely transformed.
The ivy-covered walls were now roses from floor to ceiling.
Low tables and cushions lined the floors, and attendants in white escorted guests to their seats in order of rank.
It didn’t take long for us to be seated close, but not too close, to the high table.
“Lord, Lady, Miss.” Our attendant, a small red nymph, bowed and left us to our seats. The table was already laden with bowls of Spring fruits and vegetables.
“Stars, I’m hungry. It’s been a long day since lunch.” Schula took her seat and scooped a large helping of carrots onto her plate.
“Lavanah did a wonderful job,” Eberon commented, taking his own seat.
“Was that his cousin?” I asked.
“Yes,” Schula said around a mouthful of carrots. “Our tribute should be here soon. It will brighten her eyes just a bit. Don’t you think, Eb?”
“I hope so.” He served himself and me some kind of egg dish, then reached for a bowl of plums. “I’m more curious about what Thain has found on the border.”
“You miss him.” Schula watched Eberon’s hands as he moved. No, his ring.
“That is irrelevant to this mission.” Eberon did his best to even his tone as he began inspecting the food.
“Your emotional stability and well-being is relevant to this mission.” Schula stared at him.
“These plums are delicious.” I tried to break the tension.
“Right? They’re my favorite.” Across from me at the table, an old willow sprite and the twin princes were being seated. One of them stared at me, pointing to the bowl of plums.
“Good evening, Highness, Highness, and Master Draedon.” Eberon bowed his head from his seated position. The princes cordially stood and bowed, then plopped into their seats, grabbing for every bit of food within reach.
“Their young highnesses are supposed to practice dinner etiquette.” The sprite looked tired beyond his years, however many years that was. His soft purple clothing and pale blue beard caused his bright yellow eyes to stand out. The twins looked at each other then at their tutor.
“Sorry, Master Draedon.”
“Sorry, we’ll practice harder.”
“It’s quite all right, boys, but you should introduce yourselves.” The old sprite smiled and took a seat himself.
“I’m Prince Arran.” The one on the left bowed his head.
“I’m Prince Alban.” The one on the right bowed as well.
“Prince Arran, Prince Alban, allow me to introduce our party. I am Lord Eberon of the Autumn Court, and this is Lady Schula of the same.” Eberon bowed his head, Schula followed suit. “This is the recently found youth, Miss Wren of the Southern Mountains.”
“A pleasure,” the boys said in unison.
“So, Miss Wren, I’m sure you’ve had a number of us who want to talk to you, but can an old scholar ask a few questions about the current state of humans?” The sprite was directly across from me, between the twins.
I was surprised that any of the fae would take an interest in humans at all, but the charming old willow was very earnest, and I was more than glad to give him what answers I knew.
It didn’t take long at all for me to fall into the conversation.
It was almost like talking to Mila, someone with a teacher’s nature.
The hall filled, and the food emptied, was refilled, and emptied again.
The princes did their very best to behave and entertain the guests around them.
Alban seemed to be having a better time with Schula than Arran was with Eberon, but otherwise they both did splendidly.
“Ah, here we go.” Eberon drew me from my discussion of the current state of Sulls’ military when the doorway was cleared to make room for a large troupe of fae in colorful green costumes.
“You had better introduce them; King Diamid is already looking your way.” Schula smiled, the twins wide-eyed at the players pouring through the door.
“Right.” Eberon stood. “Sire?” Eberon said over the crowd, and the king nodded to him with a smile.
“Galavan’s passing is felt even as far as the Autumn Lands.
At my king’s request, a tribute to the fallen warrior has been prepared.
In true Autumn Court fashion, as you all know of King Baeleon, my only requirements were something fitting and something dazzling. ”
A small round of laughter and clapping echoed through the room. The king smiled and nodded once more. The princes were about to bounce out of their seats.
“Galavan was known by the Autumn Court for two things: his love of the hunt and his love of a party. I could think of no more fitting tribute than a show of acrobats depicting one of his most famous hunts. Today is a solemn day, but let us not forget whom we mourn.” Eberon bowed to another round of applause, and the king clapped for his musicians to begin playing.
The players quickly took up positions between the tables and played out the hunt of some great stag, a player in an elaborate mask.
Some in the room teared up. I searched for Lavanah at the high table.
A single tear rolled down her cheek, but a small turn at the corner of her lips told me it was the perfect gift.
Of course it was; Eberon had had a hand in it.
“Marvelous.” Master Draedon clapped softly and smiled at our party. “And none here will soon forget it is most definitely from King Baeleon.”
“Naturally.” Eberon smiled and bowed his head.
The princes were thoroughly distracted by the players, and I was eager to continue my discussion with the tutor.
Schula and Eberon took the opportunity to slip out of the hall and pay their respects to the body.
The candles grew low, and one by one fae either left for their rooms or fell asleep right at the tables.
Master Draedon excused himself and led his young charges to bed.
Schula and Eberon weren’t back by the time our company had left, and I found myself drifting off over my glass of wine.
“Wren?” Caldon’s soft voice tickled my ear. “I can’t have our important guest found sleeping on a table. Let me escort you to your room.”
“Caldon.” I sat up straight, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “I was just waiting for Schula and Eberon to return.”
“I would be happy to let them know where you went if you like.” He offered a hand, and I took it.
“Well, I don’t want to fall asleep on my plate at my first visit to the Spring Court.” Either the wine, the heat from Caldon, or my own shyness around the opposite sex brought a flush of heat to my cheeks. Caldon didn’t mention it. He simply took my hand and led me from the hall.
“That Eberon is a clever one; Galavan would have loved the players.”
“He seems so competent with these important court situations. That’s probably why King Baeleon sent him here.” I repressed a yawn.
“You don’t become a king without having your wits about you.
And Baeleon has been king for a long time.
” Caldon’s warmth was about to smother me.
That was, if my own heart didn’t crush my ribs first. He had laid a hand on my arm as he walked with me, keeping me steady from the treacherous wine tripping my feet.
“King Diamid seems very fit to his crown as well,” I said. Caldon beamed at the compliment to his own king.
“And how have you found life among the fae so far?” he asked.
I heard it for what it was: How have you found life in the Spring Lands so far?
“I am learning every day. It’s certainly different from my life before.
” We reached a fountain against a wall depicting a strange creature covered in what looked to be a head of hair but with the face of a cat, mouth agape and spilling water into a bowl below.
I’d seen it earlier, and from the directions we had been given on arrival, I recognized it as the lion fountain where we would turn toward the quarters we had been given for our stay.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Caldon stopped me at the door. “Rest well, Wren. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Caldon.” I opened my door and steadied myself on the frame.
He leaned forward, his face inches from mine. It sobered me up as his eyes crinkled in amusement at my face. He reached forward and lifted the smoky quartz from my neck, kissing it gently before letting it fall back onto my skin.
“Good night, Wren.” He nodded and turned back down the hall. “You know, I think gray is quickly becoming my new favorite color.”
He rounded the corner, and I grabbed the smoky quartz at my neck.
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
I was not ready for this.