Tales of Regventus : Adalwen

Young Lord Kedan slouched in his tall chair at the end of the long table of the Council of Ancients. The twelve chairs around the table, six on each side, were filled with those who ruled the twelve lands of the kingdom. Kedan adjusted the chain and clasp that held the long robe that sat on his shoulders. He shook his golden hair and the curls bounced against his scalp. His piercing blue eyes looked up and down the council, a grimace on his full pink lips. He felt his cheeks grow hot as he listened to the chatter of those on the council; he was getting angry.

Kedan was being ignored as usual. The council was whispering amongst themselves, and he heard the word shadows and new king. He didn’t like the sound of any of it. Kedan slammed his hand down hard on the table.

“What are all of you whispering about? Am I not the Lord of Kingdom? Talk to me, and tell me what is going on.”

The leader of the council, Till, the Viceroy of Aurumist, bowed his head and smiled at the young lord. “We were merely getting all the stories together so we could give you the news all at once. We know your time is valuable, my Lord.”

“I don’t like the idea of any of you deciding what I should and shouldn’t hear. Now, what is this I hear about shadows and some sort of king? Why would anyone talk about a king?”

“Oh, your majesty”, said a middle-aged woman named Alis. She was the Viceroy of the Grasslands just north of Aurumist. “There is still so much superstition amongst those who aren’t quite as polished as those who live around Aurumist, such as those in The Great Surrounding. They are a primitive people who stick to their old stories, and that is what all these are, just stories. There is nothing to them.”

“What do you say, Bernot? Is all this coming from The Great Surrounding?” asked the young Lord.

Bernot seemed flustered at the far end of the table. He may have been in charge of the largest part of the kingdom, but it was a part no one took seriously. The land was not heavily populated. The villages were small, and the people were simple.

“Well, I’m sure each land has its own folktales and lore, my lord. My land is peaceful and loyal to our lord, loyal to the Ancients. If there are tales going around about some new king, then it is nothing but harmless stories told to children.”

Most of the other leaders nodded their head, but Kedan could see that the old woman at the other end across from Bernot did not. She was named Daracha, and she was the Viceroy of the Forest of the Lowlands. She always seemed a mystery to Kedan. He could even admit to himself he was a little scared of her. He sat a little higher and addressed the old woman.

“Do you agree with them, Daracha? Do you think these are just harmless stories?”

Daracha looked at the young lord with her dark green eyes. “Harmless? Hmmm. I don’t know if I would say harmless. If these stories came to fruition none of us would be here, including you, my young lord. No, they are not harmless.” Daracha said in a quiet voice.

“So, we must act in some way then. What can we do? How can we stop these stories?” asked Kedan loudly.

“Ah, my young lord, acting on them would be confirming we find them dangerous. It would be admitting they could be true. Patience is what is needed here, patience and watching. We need to find out more of what is going on,” said Daracha.

“Excellent advice, Daracha,” approved Bernot as he smiled. “Where is your lead advisor, my Lord? What does Golnar have to say? Has he heard any news from his spies?

Kedan gave a snort. “Golnar barely shows himself below his tower. He hasn’t come to me in two weeks. He insists that I go see him, but he should come to me. I am the Lord of Kingdom.”

“Yes, of course you are, but Golnar has been lead advisor to the Lord and this council longer than any of us have been alive. He is due some respect,” said Till.

“Respect? I am the Lord of Regventus. I was chosen by the Ancient ones. You all serve me, including Golnar.” Kedan paused and turned. “Teryn,” he called angrily.

“Yes, my lord,” answered the pretty woman who stood along the wall. She was learning to serve the future Lady, a woman who would be married to Lord Kedan. Her green eyes surveyed the council quickly and then her gaze settled on Kedan.

“Where is Golnar right now?” inquired Kedan.

“In his tower as usual, my Lord. Would you like me to call him down for council?” Teryn asked.

“If it is as you say, it won’t do any good. Poor Golnar may not be able to use the stairs anymore. Leave it for another day. We have much to discuss,” said Bernot, clearly wanting some peace in the chamber.

Kedan didn’t like being told what to do, but the other council members were nodding their heads. He wanted to be done with this for the rest of the moon cycle. He knew if he could get through this meeting, they would all go back to lord over their own lands until the next cycle began. Kedan could work on putting Golnar in his place when they all left.

“Fine, let’s get on with it. What else is there to report?” asked Kedan.

Kedan walked the halls after the meeting. It had been dreadfully dull after the beginning. It was just the usual talk of the status of the harvest, some land boundary squabbles, and the needs of the people. Kedan tried to listen; he really did. He knew he was in the position he was in because of years of hard work by his parents.

It was stated that the Lord of Kingdom was chosen by the Ancients. It was told the lord was destined to be over all since his birth. There was talk of a ceremony where the priest of the Ancients would be told by their gods where to find this child. It was all very mysterious. It gave a sense of awe to the lord for the subjects throughout the kingdom. The reality was much less mysterious.

Families of the high class who had children born after the lord had died bartered for their child to be chosen. They had elaborate parties for the priests of the Ancients and the council. Spies ran through the palace and land, finding out what bribe it would take to earn a lord in the family. People were often killed; much money was exchanged, and in the end one family would curry enough favor with those in charge. Kedan supposed even those in charge could delude themselves enough to really think they were doing the work of the Ancients. Maybe they thought those who worked the hardest and would go the furthest was the family who was ordained to have the Lord in its midst.

Kedan wondered what his parents were doing now. Since he had been brought into the palace as a 12-year-old, he had only seen them at festivals thrown in the palace. He saw them dancing at Mid-Winter last year. They gave him a curtsy and bow as his other subjects did. His mother briefly took his hand, and then they were gone. He supposed they were living the good life as parents of the Lord of Regventus. They were probably hosting lavish parties and receiving bribes and favors from those in the high circle. He thought maybe one day his parents would come with a request, but that day had not come.

Did Kedan miss his parents? He wasn’t sure. He hadn’t seen them much in his life. Even as a child living in the same house as them, he was barely around either parent. He was raised, as most were in the higher class, by nannies and instructors. He was sometimes brought out during dinners and parties and fussed over by his mother. He was looked at, cooed at, and pinched by different ladies of the first ring.

Men would examine him and shake his small hand. It wouldn’t last long as soon his mother would send him up to bed with the nannies, giving him an affection kiss on the cheek. His parents would leave for weeks on trips together. His father was often in meetings with his stewards about his vast land holdings.

When Kedan was taken by the palace staff at twelve, his father shook his hand and his mother hugged him and dabbed at her eyes, yet Kedan wondered if there really were tears in them. His parents always seemed to be actors to him, always on stage, always giving a great performance.

Kedan stopped as he reached his chambers, and the soldiers on either side of the door bowed to him. Kedan nodded his head, and the soldiers opened the double doors and shut them behind him as he walked into the large sitting room that was at the front of his suite of rooms. Kedan tugged off his robe and threw it one of the wing back chairs by the fireplace. He then flopped down on the other chair, and leaned his head back, giving a loud sign.

“Rough day, my Lord?” said a female voice from the shadows.

Kedan didn’t even flinch, he had expected this. A small smile came to his face. “I don’t remember summoning you to my rooms. Do you dare take such liberties with your lord?”

“Oh, I thought you would want to relax a bit after such a long, tedious meeting,” said Teryn with dripping sweetness as she emerged from the shadows. She made a big show of bowing down at his feet; her long shiny, light red hair pilling on the floor. “I do beg the pardon of the lord and hope he will grant me forgiveness.”

Kedan reached down and grabbed the young woman off the floor, placing him on his lap. “I think you will have to do something to earn my forgiveness. I think you will find I can be quite generous to those who show me favor.”

Teryn threw her arms around him as she passionately kissed Kedan. Kedan had known Teryn since he had come to the castle. She was from the first circle as well, though not as high as Kedan. She had been sent to the castle in hopes that one day she would be an advisor and servant to the coming Lady that would be chosen for Kedan when he reached the age of twenty five in a little over a year.

He had noticed her almost as soon as he had settled into life at the castle. He had seen her sneak off to the kitchen to grab sweets. He had watched the way she had talked herself out of trouble and even out of lessons. She was always charming and sneaky, and Kedan was always fascinated by her.

She had grown into a beautiful young woman with a svelte figure, full red lips, and alluring green eyes. Her hair was the color of the sun as it set over the river behind the palace. She smelled of sunshine and wildflowers. He remembered the first time she had snuck into his rooms. She had figured out many of the secret passageways of the castles, probably even ones that guards didn’t know about, ones that had been secret for centuries.

As twelve-year-olds they would stay up late, playing card games and plotting adventures for after Lessons. As they grew, their feelings changed. He remembered the first night after his 15th birthday celebration when she had kissed him for the first time. Since then he had been under her power it seemed, always wanting more from her.

He wondered why she continued to come to him. He hoped she felt the same attraction he felt for her, the same desire. She must know that he could offer no position higher than the one she was working towards. He certainly couldn’t take her as his wife, as his Lady. He wouldn’t have much choice in who would be his wife. Did she hope to be his mistress? Kedan didn’t know. Now, he was only living for the moment. As their kisses deepened, he slid his hand down her leg and under her dress, and he heard her sigh against his lips. He felt the usual desire start to take over his senses, and he was about to stand up and carry Teryn into his bed chamber when there was a loud knock at the door.

“Damn,” cursed Teryn, breaking off their kiss.

“Shhh,” said Kedan quietly, not letting go of Teryn. “Yes? Who is it?” yelled Kedan at the door.

“My Lord, Till, the Viceroy of Aurumist, is here and wants to speak with you,” answered one of the soldiers.

“Hmph,” said Kedan. Till wasn’t busy like the others on the council, preparing for a journey. Till lived within walking distance of the palace in the Viceroy of Aurumist’s manor.

“Yes, I will see him. I will be there in a minute,” said Kedan letting go of Teryn. She hopped up off his lap, adjusting her skirt.

“I will go then, my lord,” she said with a smirk.

“Come back in an hour?” asked Kedan standing up and pulling Teryn to him. He started placing little kisses on her neck.

“I have meetings and training,” replied Teryn.

“Forget them. No one will care, or if they do, I will make sure they don’t,” growled Kedan between kisses.

“You have a fitting for the Harvest Ball this afternoon and visitors coming for dinner.”

Kedan huffed in frustration and ceased kissing Teryn’s neck. “Fine, come tonight then, after dinner. Come directly here.”

Teryn gave him a quick kiss on his mouth and replied,” Yes, my Lord,” against his lips.

She wiggled out of Kedan’s embrace and quickly stepped to Kedan’s bedroom where the secret panel she used to escape was located. Kedan made sure she was truly gone before he straightened his own clothes and opened the door to greet Till.

“My Lord,” said Till in answer to Kedan’s greeting. “I know you must be weary from the meeting today, but I feel as if I must speak to you urgently away from the others.”

Kedan nodded and showed Till into his room. Kedan picked up his robe and threw it over the small sofa in the room. He sat down in the winged chair and offered the other to Till. He opened the small decanter of wine that was on his table and poured himself a small glass. He gestured to Till offering him some.

“Thank you, my Lord, but no. What I say will not take long,” said Till sitting down in the other chair across for Kedan. “I wanted to talk about what is being said around The Great Surrounding. Other’s may want to brush it off, but I feel we need to act soon.”

“Really? The others didn’t seem so sure. Daracha herself said it was a bad idea, that waiting was the right thing to do.”

“I beg your pardon, but the others do not like to disrupt the peace even when it is necessary. Daracha is of the forest folk, she can be sympathetic to those who live in The Great Surrounding. She has lived a long time, and they say she even has ties to magical folk.”

“Surely not, “scoffed Kedan. “she might be old, but she can’t be that old. There hasn’t been any report of real magic in at least one hundred and fifty years, if it even really existed at all.”

“Still, she is not one to stir things up, but I’m afraid the time is coming when things will be shaken up whether we like it or not. Why should we not strike first? We should get ahead of this situation and snuff it out before it has time to even start to smolder.”

“Well, what would you suggest?”

“I think it is time to remind The Great Surrounding of who is really in charge of Regventus. They have been able to do what they want for too long. They have skirted by the rules of the Ancients. They don’t even really teach about the way of the Ancients. The temples are unkept and rarely used. They could easily be swayed by anyone who might want to start some sort of rebellion against the Ancients and you, my lord.”

Kedan smirked and scoffed again. “Come now, Till, who would rebel against us? We are in a time of prosperity. The kingdom is doing well. Who would be discontent?”

Till looked at Kedan warily. “Yes, the kingdom is doing well, but there are always those who suffer and struggle so others can prosper. It is sad, but necessary to have a safe and successful kingdom. Then there are those who don’t want to follow the ways of the Ancients just because they are either stupid, stubborn, or lazy. Those soft minds will be easy prey for anyone who might want to cause trouble for us.”

“I think you are jumping to conclusions, Till. Have there even been any real reports of any sort of rebellion in the kingdom?”

“Not really, my lord, just whispers, but you must know there are those who think they deserve more. There are those who do oppose us and all we have built.”

Kedan rolled his eyes. He wasn’t sure what Till wanted him to do. Yes, he was the Lord of Kingdom, but he served the people with the council. He could act on his own, but it would be unprecedented. He was taught to seek the wisdom of the council and to rule with them.

“Well, I suppose I could bring it up with the council at the next cycle meeting. I will look into it, and if I feel it is the right course you can count on my support.”

“I beg your forgiveness my lord, but this is something that we, that you, might have to do without the council. You can give the orders. You can call our forces to The Great Surrounding and start imposing the way of the Ancients on the people. “

“I would still like the council’s approval if possible and if this is something I actually deem necessary. Let me think about it until the dawn after tomorrow and we will meet again.”

Till looked like he wanted to say more, but he nodded. “Very well, my Lord. I will come to the palace to talk again then. If you need further guidance in the meantime just send a messenger.” Till rose to leave and Kedan rose with him.

Kedan saw Till out and then flopped back down in the chair. His tailor would come soon, but in the meantime he had much to think on.

Golnar stood at his tall table next to the fireplace in his room. He turned at a knock and the door, already knowing who was there.

“Enter,” he called before looking back at the kettle over the fire.

Teryn entered and looked at Golnar as he worked. He bustled around the room looking for ingredients. One he found what he needed he walked back over to the kettle and carefully added all he had gathered to his strange brew.

“How was your meeting with the young Lord today?” asked Golnar as he looked up from his work.

“Short, interrupted,” said Teryn taking a seat in a chair close to where Golnar was working.

“Interrupted by who?” asked Golnar as he stirred the liquid in his kettle.

“Till. He came to talk to Kedan about something. I listened at the door for a bit, but I couldn’t make out much.”

“Hmmm,” said Golnar. “When will you meet with him again?”

“Tonight. Though I don’t know how much talking will take place,” replied Teryn with a smug grin.

“Get him to talk somehow, wait till after if you have to. Find out what Till wanted. I can help you get what you want girl, but only if I get what I want first. I am close, but until I have figured things out, I need information.”

“You guarantee I can have whatever I want?” asked Teryn “Anything?”

“Well, anything within reason. What do you want?”

“I want him,” replied Teryn.

“It doesn’t seem you need my help for that. I think you already get your fill of him,” said Golnar crudely.

“No, I want him always and all that comes with it. I want to be his Lady, to rule by his side.”

Golnar looked up at Teryn. “Fine. If I get what I want, then you will get what you desire as well.”