Their Bonds of Love

After saying goodnight and receiving good luck wishes from the lords in the manor, he left the study. Caerwyn walked down the hall towards the small parlor he knew Selven liked to spend his evenings. Lord Cadwin had already sent several pitchers of his best wine to the room, and Caerywn hoped Selven had drunk at least one by now.

As he turned towards the parlor, he saw Emilia walking towards him with a few books in her arm. She slowed as she approached him.

“Where are you headed tonight?” she asked.

“To spend time with Selven. There is something I need to ask him to do, and I am not looking forward to it.”

She cocked her head. “He has been agreeable to just about everything. I am sure Lord Cadwin is paying him well, and he must enjoy his residence here.”

“I’m sure he is very comfortable here, but what I have to ask tonight might make him flee before the sun rises,” said Caerwyn.

“Are you going to tell me, or is this some secret mission I shall have to wonder about?”

He considered her for a few seconds. “Do you know anything about Selven’s father?”

She shook her head. “Selven Pirey is one of the few in the land I know little about. He is very secretive when it comes to his life. I know he grew up on the Pirey estate, and I don’t think he had a happy childhood. The family there never speak of him. There is talk he is some bastard of the master of the estate.”

“He is not,” said Caerwyn. He checked the halls to make sure Selven was not wandering around. “Do you know Dillion Pirey?”

“In name only. He is the Keeper of Argenta House, and I don’t believe he leaves it often.”

“He does not, but he did not have to travel to find love in his youth,” said Caerwyn. “He found it in a young woman who served in the house. Even the pride he has in his position could not keep him from her. I understand that he planned to take her as his wife, never mind the repercussions.”

“And why didn’t he then?” asked Emilia.

“She died giving birth to his child, a son. He gave the son his name but then left him for others to taker care of while he kept his position.”

“She opened her mouth and took a step back. “You mean, Selven?”

Caerwyn nodded. “He is the natural son of Dillion Pirey. Apparently, the man has tried to contact Selven over the years, but Selven wants nothing to do with him.”

“And what does this have to do with asking Selven something?”

“Argenta house contains a way into the Silver Palace that will be much less guarded than any other entrance. It may be the only way we can enter to save Eleri.”

“And no one gets into Argenta House without Dillion’s approval. I imagine he could have any guests he wished without anyone knowing but him,” said Emilia with raised eyebrows. “Will he not help Lord Cadwin with this? He was the First Advisor, and Eleri is the heir to the position.”

“Dillion Pirey knows no loyalty except the house. He will do nothing to betray his position no matter who the rightful master should be. The only way we can get into the house is with Selven’s help.”

“And you are afraid he will not do it? Surely once he learns what is at stake, he will help you. I’m sure Lord Cadwin will let him name his price,” said Emilia.

“Lord Cadwin will give him whatever he wants. The prince has declared he will bestow any position Selven wants when he is king, but though Selven has never told me who his father is, I know he despises the man. He once told me he would claw his own eyes out if he were ever forced to be face to face with him.”

“So you must change his mind then,” said Emilia. “If this is the only way to save Lady Eleri, what else can you do?”

“Nothing,” said Caerwyn. “If we try to enter the palace in any other way, we will fail. If we cannot gain access to Argenta House, then Eleri will have to stay with Lord Fellen until we have a strong enough force to take the palace.”

“But the wedding is scheduled in a little over two weeks. She will be bound to him in some way even if it is unwillingly.” Emilia shook her head. “We cannot let that happen.”

“I know.” Caerwyn put his head down, feeling tears come to his eyes for some reason. It was so strange for him to think of Eleri. He was fully in love with her but lived knowing that she was completely out of reach. Even when he pushed her away all the years before, he still had hoped they were not separated forever. Now, he knew it was truly over. Never would he experience her passion or see the look of intense love for him in her eyes. All he wanted now was for her to be safe and happy. He would still devote his life to her in some way.

“She is strong, Caerwyn. No matter what happens, she will not break. I have faith that Selven will put aside his anger and fear and do what is right.” She took his hand with her free one and squeezed it.

He swallowed hard. “Then I shall have to watch her love another.” He knew it sounded petulant and pitiful. He shouldn’t have said it, but it came out against his will.

“Do you have no hope?” she asked quietly.

“None and I do not think I want it. I have done too much to her, and her memories are coming back. She fell in love with Prince Conri, and when she remembers it, I would not want to change something that makes her happy.”

All was quiet as Emilia held his hand, and he worked to control his tears. There was too much happening for him to wallow in his heartache.

“You do not have to be alone, Caerwyn,” Emilia finally said. “I know I could never come before her to you, and I would never try. I am here, though. You know how I feel about you, and I will not waste your time repeating it. Come to me if you wish, and I will ask nothing from you.”

He looked up at her. She was beautiful and good. He could see her eyes were steady, showing she meant what she said. It would be so easy to go to her again and again. He cared for her, loved her in some way, but he did not want to trap her in a cycle of being used by a man who would never love her as she deserved.

They broke apart as they heard footsteps coming towards them. Caerwyn looked over his shoulder to see Prince Conri walking down the hall.

“Good evening, Lady Farrow,” he said with a bow when he stopped by Caerwyn.

“Your highness,” greeted Lady Farrow with a curtsey. “I hear you have a tough night ahead of you.”

“It would seem so, my lady, but I have faith we will be successful.”

“I should let you both get on as I know there is no time to waste.” She adjusted the books in her arm. “Good luck, your highness. Caerwyn, if you need anything, you can come see me.” She gave Caerwyn a small smile before walking past them down the hall.

Conri looked at Caerwyn for a moment. “She seems a good and worthy woman. I have enjoyed getting to know her these past weeks.”

“She is beyond good and hasn’t lived the life she deserves. I can only hope for better things for her,” said Caerwyn. He started walking, and the prince joined his side.

“Perhaps you could offer her those better things one day? I hope you know I still meant what I said on our journey. I want you to be happy, and if taking a wife would make your life better, you should do it.”

“Emilia deserves better than being tied to me,” said Caerwyn.

“Does she believe that? I got the impression she might not be opposed to the idea,” said Conri.

“We shouldn’t be speaking about this. We need to focus as we have one chance to convince Selven. He could easily run tonight and disappear into the land. We will never find him if he decides to hide.”

“Very well,” said Conri with a sly grin. “I shall not bring it up again tonight or until Eleri is back safe with us. I’ll even try to leave you alone until all is settled in the land.”

“You don’t need to push me towards another,” said Caerwyn. “I know I have lost Eleri forever. No matter what, I will not try to come between the two of you.”

Conri stopped at the door to the small parlor and rolled his eyes. “Good goddess, Caerwyn. Isn’t it possible I just want you to be happy?”

Caerwyn shrugged. “We haven’t been on the best of terms lately.”

“No, and I let my anger and worry get the better of me for a time, but I am determined to do better. You and I cannot be at odds. It will not do Eleri or the land any good. I do want you to be happy.” His sly smile grew into a mischievous one. “Having you not an option for Eleri would just be a small part of my satisfaction.”

Before Caerwyn could respond, Conri opened the door. As Caerwyn walked in, he saw Selven sitting by the fire on a well-worn chair. He had a cup of wine in his hand with a mostly empty pitcher beside him. Caerwyn sat down close to Selven with the Prince across from them.

“Well, look at you two together,” said Selven as he sat up a bit straighter. “Have you worked things out then?”

Conri shrugged as he adjusted himself in his chair. Caerwyn was afraid the prince would appear anxious, but he looked as comfortable as ever. He showed no signs of what threat hung over their conversation. “We are getting there. I can’t avoid him forever as he is always in my head in some way.”

Selven laughed. “You almost sound like lovers.”

“More like an annoying gnat buzzing in my ear,” replied Conri. “Are you planning to drink by yourself, or do you mean to share your wine?”

“I can spare a bit,” said Selven as he leaned forward. He grabbed a full pitcher and poured two cups. Caerwyn took them and handed Conri one.

“It’s good wine,” said Selven. “Lord Cadwin suggested I try it. He is a most accommodating host.”

“A very generous lord,” agreed Conri taking a sip. “Probably some of the best wine I’ve had.”

“You should travel more, your highness,” said Selven. “One day, you should come with me across the sea to the Adilian. They have the best, richest red wine. The women are something to behold as well. They do not have the false modesty of women here. You will never meet such passionate and wild ones as they have there.”

“I wouldn’t mind drinking with you, but I have no interest in meeting any women. I am very satisfied with the passionate nature of I the one I want.”

Selven took a long look at Caerwyn. Caerwyn took a deep breath. What could he do but silently agree? He couldn’t imagine a more passionate woman than Eleri. He had hundreds of wonderful memories of seeing that side of her. At least no one could take that from him.

“Very well, your highness. What have you two been up to today?”

“I spent the morning enjoying the snow. Perhaps it was immature, but I needed a moment of levity to see me through this time,” replied Prince Conri.

“You like snow?” asked Selven, shaking his head. “I don’t see how. I dread winter as it is much too cold and wet. It is good for nothing but curling up in front of a fire as we are now and drinking some good wine to keep warm.”

“I take it that is due to your upbringing at the south of the kingdom,” remarked Caerwyn. “You don’t have such cold winters there.”

“It got plenty cold there,” said Selven as he took a drink. “Cold enough where I had to spend too much time indoors. As big as the house is, there were not enough dark corners for me to hide away from those who wished I wasn’t there.”

“Your own family was so bad to you?” asked Conri, sounding surprised.

“They were barely my family. I didn’t really belong to them, and they never wanted me. Only pride in the family name made them keep me as long as they did. I left as soon as I was able. I knew Pirey tower was still standing. I vowed to make my own way in the land while staying in that ruin. I’ve done alright for myself.”

“You have,” agreed Caerwyn. “You are clever and bold enough for anything.”

Selven took a long drink. “And I am not hung up on rank or knowing the right people. As if any of you upper borns know the right people. If you want things done in Elathia, you should look beyond the vast estates. The people who really know what is happening in the land live in places you would both rather avoid.”

“You know me better than that,” said Caerwyn. “I have spent plenty of time in places such as you speak. I met you in the seediest bar in the land with my uncle.”

“Your uncle was a good one, Bright One. He never looked down his nose at me or talked as though I was lesser. I don’t think I’ve ever met a better man,” said Selven.

“I agree. It’s hard to believe he and my father were brothers,” said Caerwyn as he looked at the prince out of the corner of his eyes, willing him to keep quiet. This was his opening.

“What has become of your father?”

“My brother wrote me to say our father tried to call on him, but I had already let Alwyn know what had happened. He thinks our father retreated to the estate, though he said he had plans to return to Niamhan. I find I don’t care. He should stay out of my sight, though. I am not sure I could hold back from the man at this point.”

“At least I shall never be a father,” said Selven angrily. “I have been careful to make sure of it. I never want to take the chance of damaging some child for no fault of his own.” He filled his glass and drank again. “I suppose we all have father issues in this room. Yours died before you could know him, Prince Conri. Caerwyn, yours is the filth of the land and mine…”

“What about yours?” asked Caerwyn.

“He is nothing, not to me anyway. He has never been anything. He threw me away like I was worthless into a den of vipers. He knew what he was sending me to.” Selven put down his cup and wiped his eyes.

“Has he never contacted you?” asked Caerwyn carefully.

“What does it matter if he has? I would never answer him. Had his chance to know me when I was born. I hear he took one look at me and practically threw me aside. Said he never wanted to lay eyes on me again. Then he writes, saying he wishes to meet with me. Why? So he could ridicule me some more? So he could tell me what a failure I am?”

“Perhaps he doesn’t wish to say any of that,” suggested Conri. “What if he wishes your forgiveness?”

“Then he is a fool because he will never gain it,” said Selvyn loudly. “He can sit there in that big worthless house and lord over it like he owns it. Now that it is inhabited by a man that hated his family as well, he must be very pleased.”

His head dropped, and he made a soft grunting noise as Conri looked at Caerwyn. What could he do but ask?

“Selven, is your father the Keeper of Argenta House?” asked Caerwyn.

Selven looked at Caerwyn sharply. “Where did you hear that?”

“Lord Cadwin and Lord Cecil told me earlier today.”

“Why were you speaking of Argenta House?” asked Selven as he picked his cup back up.

“It’s the only way we can get into the Silver Palace,” said Prince Conri. “It’s our one chance to save Eleri.”

Selven finished his glass and put it down so hard, Caerwyn didn’t know how it didn’t crack. “You need into Argenta House?”

“Yes,” said Caerwyn. “You know the only way in.”

Selven nodded. “The Keeper can let anyone in he wishes. The master of the house doesn’t even have to know.”

“I know you don’t want to do this, Selven, but I have to ask you. I will beg you if I have to,” said Caerwyn.

“Tell me what you want,” said Conri seriously. “Whatever you ask for, I shall find a way to give it to you when I am king. You want to be a lord? I will make you a high lord over any property you wish. I will give you Pirey Estate.”

“Lord Cadwin said he will pay any price,” said Caerwyn. “You just have to name it.”

Selven stared at them both for a moment before breaking out into a wild fit of laughter. Conri scooted forward in his chair as Caerwyn shook his head. He had no idea what to expect. Perhaps he was laughing at their question. He would call them ridiculous and then run from the manor and disappear.

Selven stopped laughing as he filled his glass. He looked into the fire. “You both think I am so selfish that I would let some grudge against my father stop me from helping such a good woman? I guess I have put on a shield that would make you think I care for little more than myself, but I am not as hard as you think.” He finished his wine and stood up on shaking legs. “Is there pen and paper in this room?”

“I believe so,” said Conri. “There is a small desk.”

Selven walked clumsily over to the desk and flopped down in the chair in front of it. “I will write the damn fool tonight. I have a man nearby who will deliver it within three days. Where do you wish me to meet my father?”

“Lord Cecil’s in a week two hours after supper,” said Caerwyn, remembering what they decided earlier.

“Good, that will be well after super, and I will have a little time to drink. I will need to be almost as close to drunk as I am now to deal with the man. I suppose you wish me to say nothing of your plans until we see him.”

“Just say you wish to meet. We can discuss later how we will handle the meeting,” said Caerwyn as he stood up.

Selven nodded as he pulled out a piece of paper and a quill. He started writing, stopping every so often to rub his eyes.

“Are you sure about this, Selven? You won’t change your mind, will you?” asked Caerwyn.

“I am very sure, Bright One. I won’t even ask you to beg or Prince Conri to make me a lord.” He paused as he wrote a bit more. “I would like Lord Cadwin to give me a few more bottles of this wine, and perhaps when this is all over, he would pay for a nice long trip across the sea.”

“I usually don’t like to speak for others, but I think I can easily shake your hand in this bargain for Lord Cadwin,” said Caerwyn before he smiled at Conri.