Their Bonds of Love

The first snow was later than usual, but it seemed to be making up for its late arrival by the size and frequency of the flakes. Conri had always enjoyed the snow. As a young boy, he loved being out in it, doing just about anything. Whether it was forming snowballs to throw at the other children on the estate, making large snow people, or rolling around it, winter was always his favorite time of year because of the snow.

When he learned to shift, he found that he loved running through it in his wolf form more than anything. He liked the way it felt against the pads of his feet. The soft sound each flake made as it came in contact with the ground was one of his favorite sounds. He didn’t even mind how it stuck to his fur and muzzle.

He ran through the trees by Cadwin manor, bounding through the snow like some excited puppy. He needed something to distract him from the waiting. They had received another message about Eleri that morning, and there was a note in it from her. It wasn’t long as it was a very small piece of paper she had to sneak to Lord Cecil’s wife.

It said,

I remember the night in the inn and the day we flew over the Red Forest. While I cannot make promises yet, every day, I could imagine myself more and more saying them to you. I look forward to your visit and hope you plan to escort me back home. -E

She remembered more and more, and it made him want to see her beyond anything. He wanted her back amongst them all safe, but what he really wished was to talk to her and more. He wanted to help her remember and make new memories. Perhaps she would run with him through the woods in the snow. They could spend some time in their wolf forms. They could bundle up in thick cloaks walk in the snowy fields.

After a time, he could escort her inside, where they could sit in front of the fire. He could imagine all sorts of ways he could warm her after being chilled outside. He gave a low growl as he thought of loving Eleri. After spending many nights with her in his arms, it felt as if it had been so long since they had been together. He knew they had much work ahead of them to save Elathia, but he hoped to convince her quickly that they were right for one another. As much as he wished to give her time to figure out her heart and mind, he didn’t want to waste one moment with her.

He stopped close to the tree line as something grabbed his attention. He felt Caerwyn’s presence before he caught his scent. Even in the deepest part of his anger, Conri could not deny his connection with the Bright One. His fury toward Caerwyn had lessened to the point, Conri wasn’t even sure he was angry anymore. It was still hard to see spending time with Caerwyn past anything required, but he did not hate him. He felt pity for him more than anything.

Conri imagined life as the Bright One was not easy. While Conri had responsibility, he could choose a wife to help him with his burdens. The Bright One had always remained solitary, putting his ruler over everything. He believed Caerwyn had other issues that pushed him away from Eleri and to another, but Conri knew he held back much of himself to her and almost everyone because of who he was.

Conri should have been the one person Caerwyn could speak with freely. They were meant to depend on one another, but it was difficult. He did not wish Caerwyn ill, but it was hard to get over how Caerwyn had hurt Eleri. He had changed her in ways, damaged her as well. It was against Conri’s instincts not to want to protect her from him.

Stopping at a large tree where his clothes hung, Conri shifted. He quickly dressed as the icy wind blew around him while the thick flakes hit his skin. Once fully clothes, he pushed back his wet hair and walked forward to find Caerwyn waiting for him near a large well on the property. He was leaning against it, watching Conri as he walked.

“You’ve been gone for some time,” said Caerwyn.

“I needed to think and stretch my legs a bit. This is the first good snow we’ve had, and it is long overdue.”

“We were growing concerned. Grace fretted that you lost your mind and ran to Niamhan by yourself.”

“As if you didn’t know exactly where I was the whole time. You would know the second I left the estates boundaries,” said Conri.

Caerwyn nodded. “Still, you missed lunch, and Grace and Lady Haven’s are half sick with worry.”

“I didn’t realize it was so late,” said Conri feeling some guilt. “I guess I lost track of time.”

“It happens,” said Caerwyn. “I don’t blame you for wanting to work through your thoughts this way. I often do it.”

“It’s the waiting I can’t stand. I know I should feel relieved we have regular word on Eleri, but every day it gets harder and harder to stay here, especially knowing the Winter Moon Festival only grows closer.”

“You will want to know why I came to fetch you then,” said Caerwyn. “We have some new visitors, and it is the ones we have been waiting for. I don’t think you will have much longer to wait.”

“They are here now?” asked Conri.

Caerwyn nodded. “They are settling in as Lord Cadwin awaits you to join them so the final plan can be made to save Eleri.”

Conri hurried past Caerwyn, who caught up with him before they came to the house. They entered together, both taking off their soggy cloaks before going to Lord Cadwin’s study. As he entered, Conri saw Lord Cadwin at his desk with two men in front. The first was not much older than Conri, with light red hair. His face was covered in freckles, and his nose a little crooked.

The other man was at least as old as Lord Cadwin. His brown hair was graying a bit, and he had lines around his eyes. He was nodding at something Lord Cadwin was saying as Conri walked forward. When Lord Cadwin noticed he and Caerwyn had entered, he stood up. The men in front rose from their chairs and turned around.

The young man gave Conri a small smile as the older stared at him with wide eyes. “You weren’t kidding, Ewan,” he said as he turned slightly to glance at Lord Cadwin. “Almost a replica of his father.”

“Prince Conri,” said Lord Cadwin coming forward around his desk. “Let me introduce these two gentlemen to you. This is Lord Finnley Rees. His father was the seventh advisor on your father’s advisory council. His son has taken up the cause to see you to your rightful place.”

“I am honored to meet you, your highness,” said Lord Rees with a bow. “My father always wanted to be able to see you grown, but we lost him early last year.”

“I am very sorry, my lord. May he rest in the silver light,” replied Conri.

“And this is Lord Elis Cecil. He was the sixth advisor and a good friend to your father and me,” said Lord Cadwin.

“Prince Conri, I have waited long for this day. I want you to know I never betrayed you or your parents. I have done what I must to keep my position in the land, but it was all done in service to you.”

“I am sure, my lord,” said Prince Conri. “If Lord Cadwin trusts you, there is no need for you to explain yourself.”

“You both should come sit with us,” said Lord Cadwin as he looked at Conri and then Caerwyn. “We have much to discuss and not much time to do it. We have to get to Niamhan in less than fourteen days, and if we travel by horse, it will take at least four alone.”

“I will fetch you a chair, your highness,” said Caewryn as he moved to grab two close to the fire.

“Will we travel by horseback?” asked Conri. “Couldn’t Efa take a few of us in an instant?”

“That is something we will need to decide,” said Lord Cecil. “We can talk a bit here before we join others later. I believe you said Efa Moss would be back later this afternoon, Ewan?”

“She had to visit her estate to check on some things, but she will be back soon. Until then, we can talk about our options.”

“I hope all these options include saving Eleri,” said Conri as he sat down in a chair that Caerwyn placed closed to the desk.

“There is no question that we will save my daughter, your highness.” Lord Cadwin sat down as the others found their seats. “We are only trying to decide the best way to do it.”

“Unless you have a large force ready to storm the city, I would not go that route,” said Lord Cecil. “Lord Fellen has more guards and soldiers than you might know. He is calling most of them back to the city for the Winter Moon Festival. He will have almost every entrance to the city and the palace surrounded by his men.”

“Our people are too scattered in the land at the moment,” said Lord Cadwin. “I have been working to collect them all to plan, but it is not easy. Many have troubles on their lands, and the magical community is dealing with several losses. It could take weeks if not months to collect any force beyond my own guards.”

“You will always have my men at your disposal,” said Lord Rees.

“Mine as well,” said Lord Cecil, “But now is not the time to strike in full on the Silver Palace. Lord Fellen believes he needs Lady Eleri as his bride for now, but I am not sure he would not sacrifice her and come up with another plan if he had to.”

“Eleri’s safety is all I care about at the moment,” said Conri. “I want to help the land, but I will need her by my side if I am to do it.”

“I agree,” said Lord Cecil. “If you want the people on your side, you will need her. Even if you don’t believe the prophecy, many do. She might not be your eventual queen, but having the belief that she could, will go far to gaining support.”

“So how do we get her back, then?” asked Caerwyn.

“I think the best course of action is to cause as little ruckus as we can,” said Lord Cecil.

Lord Cadwin nodded. “So a small group then.”

“The palace is large, and there are many places to hide, especially if disguised to fit in,” said Lord Cecil. “My wife knows where lady Eleri is kept most of the time. Her room is in the center of the palace. She is usually there unless she is with Lord Fellen in a small parlor close by or at some event.”

“I believe he lets her spend a little time in the west courtyard as well,” said Lord Rees. “My wife has visited with her there twice.”

“Still, it is very near her room,” said Lord Cadwin. “If there are just three or four of us who can get in the palace at the right time, we could sneak in somehow, grab her, and find a way to get out of the city so Efa could get us to safety.”

“How do we get into the walls of the palace without being seen?” asked Conri.

Lord Cadwin and Lord Cecil exchanged looks before both nodded to each other as though they had come to an agreement. “Argenta House,” said Lord Cadwin. “It will be our best chance.”

“Bren Farrow lives there now, but he spends much of his time in the palace,” said Lord Cecil. “It will not be easy to get in, but there might be one way. Is Selven Pirey still in residence here?”

“He is,” said Caerwyn. “I believe he is holed up in his room this afternoon. Why do you ask?”

“The keeper of Argenta House is Dillion Pirey. He has served as keeper even before I lived there. He is loyal to no one but the house,” said Lord Cadwin.

“How can someone be loyal to a house?” asked Conri. “Do you mean he serves the master?”

Lord Cecil chuckled. “Dillion Pirey serves no man. His position is sacred as Argenta House is almost as revered as the palace. When there were weak kings or kings too young to take their throne, Argenta House has served as the seat of power. Prince Conri, I mean no disrespect to your family, but there have been many times when the advisory council did the true running of the land with the First Advisor having the final say. Even when your excellent father was king, he depended on Lord Cadwin for his wisdom. Many plans about the land were made in the house.”

“While the First Advisor has say in kingdom manners, the Keeper of Argenta House has the final word on what goes on in the house,” said Lord Cadwin. “I know it seems strange, but if I were to have visitors, I would clear it with Master Pirey. He knew every schedule of the servants, everything that was needed, and what guests should be welcomed, and which would be better met with elsewhere.”

“If you want in Argenta House, you have to get past Dillion Pirey,” said Lord Cecil.

“And Selven Pirey is related to him?” asked Lord Rees.

“There are very few true Pireys left in this world. A few that work as stewards throughout the land, the small family that lives on Pirey Estate, Selven, and his father, Dillion,” said Lord Cadwin.

“His father?” said Caerwyn with surprise. “His father is the Keeper of Argenta House? How is that possible? I always assumed his father was some castaway in the family.”

“Selven is the castaway,” said Lord Cadwin. “Evidently, his father has had two loves in his life, Argenta House and some servant girl he met there. He struggled with his feelings but gave in eventually. She became with child, and he planned to marry her no matter what anyone said or thought. Unfortunately, she died giving birth to Selven. It is said Dillion was heartbroken and became angry and bitter. He sent Selven off to live at the Pirey Estate as an unwanted ward but gave him his name. Selven left the estate as soon as he was old enough, moving into Pirey tower.”

“You think Dillion Pirey would care if his son asked him into Argenta House?” asked Conri. “It sounds like he hasn’t been much in his life.”

“Dillion found forgetting his son harder than he thought,” said Lord Cadwin. “I believe he has tried to speak to his son for many years. I know it happened while I was in residence. He is an old man now and doesn’t have many chances left.”

“So we need Selven to contact his father to enter Argenta House? What good will it do?” asked Conri.

“There is a tunnel from Argenta House to the palace,” said Lord Cadwin. “I’m sure Lord Fellen has it guarded, but it will be easier to get past than the palace gates.”

“Then we need to get Selven to write straight away,” said Conri.

“It is not as easy as that.” Caerwyn leaned forward. “I had no idea who’s Selven’s father was, but I know he does not care for the man. I have heard him rant about his childhood and his father’s part in casting him off. He has no wish to speak with his father.”

“We will have to convince him then,” said Conri. “He will have to do it. If this is the best way to save Eleri, then he will have to put aside his pride and hurt for a time.”

“This is not only the best way,” said Lord Cecil. “It is the only way.”

“Then I will beg the man if I have to,” said Lord Cadwin. “I will pay him whatever he asks.”

“I am not sure it will be as simple as money this time, my lord,” said Caerwyn. He glanced at Prince Conri for a moment. “Will you let the prince and I speak to him this evening after supper? I think it would be best if we approached him with this in private over a few bottles of good wine.”

“You know him best, Caerwyn. I will have to defer to your better judgment, but let him know I will do anything to persuade him. I can make sure he lives the rest of his life in luxury if that is what he wants.” Lord Cadwin rubbed his forehead. “I might give him this estate if he will help us.”

“I don’t think it will come to that,” said Caerwyn.

“I will trust you with this, Caerwyn,” said Lord Cadwin. “But if he will not agree, then you must know our options are very limited. Eleri’s life may hang on this.”

“I will not fail, my lord,” said Caerwyn.

Conri nodded. “I will not let him. I will offer Selven any position in the land he wants once I am king. I would offer him my crown if I could. You know I will do anything to save Eleri.” He turned to Caerwyn. “The Bright One would as well.”

Caerwyn raised his eyebrows at Conri before nodding. As they went back to planning how to save Eleri, assuming they could get into Argenta House, Conri knew he meant it when he said he would give up his crown to save her. If being king was his future, he would need her as he knew more and more each day that there was nothing ahead for him without Eleri by his side.