Alizand
As Alizand slipped into the outer courtyard of the palace in Cedris, the sun peeped over the horizon. Today was his fourteenth name day, but the occasion brought no joy. Though he should be declared Prince Heir, his father hadn’t spoken to the elders about the ceremony that would mark the choice. Alizand’s fingers tightened into fists. Prince Zedron had hopes his new spouse would present him with an heir who wasn’t a halfling.
The loss of this position wasn’t what troubled him this day. Today, his only friend and protector was being sent to patrol the land at the rear of the mesa behind the henge.
“Lad, I knew you’d come. My good wishes be with you on your special day.”
Alizand wanted to throw himself into Sergeant Dragen’s arms and weep, but that display of emotions wasn’t fitting for one who was no longer a child. “I wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“Prince Zedron’s orders must be followed.” The older man joined Alizand in the shadows cast by a balcony several stories above. “Gifts I have for you.” He held a chain of red-gold metal with a multi-colored crystal dangling from a loop. “’Twas your mother’s. Gave me this before she entered the birthing chamber. ‘For my son. Should you ever have to leave him unguarded, give him the stone.
‘Twill warn him of danger. Should he have an affinity, the crystal will enhance his talents.’”
Dragen placed the chain around Alizand’s neck. The swirling colors of the stone coalesced until the crystal glowed with a scarlet light.
Warmth flowed from the stone. Alizand fought a fresh need for tears. His mother had died at his birthing. He’d been raised by an ever-changing group of nursemaids and this man. “’Tis not fair for him to send you away.”
Dragen raked his fingers through yellow hair tinged with gray. “Not much in this world of ours is fair. Lad, one day things will change.” He held a sword in a plain leather sheath. “My gift to you. The naming of the sword is yours.”
Alizand drew the weapon. The sword was the color of the chain about his neck. “How does one name a blade?”
Dragen touched his weapon’s hilt. “Mine is Loyal for that’s what I swore to be.”
“Courage,” Alizand said. “That’s what I need.”
A trumpet sounded. Dragen straightened. “Must go. Be brave. Stay safe.” He pulled Alizand into a fierce hug. “You’re the son I never had and the hope of a better world."
The tears Alizand refused to shed choked him. “Be safe.” He said no more, but remained in the shadows to watch Dragen mount his war steed and lead the patrol from the yard. Alizand thought of all the things he’d wanted today and prayed there’d be another time.
Why had the army been sent against the henge? Hadn’t Dom Jonden once been Wesren’s prince? Isn’t my father far cousin and step-brother of that Dom? If Dom Jonden hadn’t shown affinity for the elements, Zedron wouldn’t have been named House Wesren’s ruler. How could he move against his kin? The only answer Alizand had found chilled him. ‘Twas that man lately come to the palace who’d laid the plans.
Instead of returning to his chamber, Alizand scurried across the yard and entered the stable. His war steed snorted. He stroked the animal’s side. He’d chosen the near-white colt because like him ‘twas a misfit. With Dragen’s help he’d trained the stallion. Another secret they’d shared. Arrow was Alizand’s. No other could mount the horned beast.
He ran his hands along the steed’s fighting horn. “Dragen is gone. You’re all I have to keep me safe.”
A shudder rippled through his body. Without Dragen at his back, his step-mother’s sons would express their hatred in more than words. The bullies were older and stronger. Twice in the past, he’d felt their fists.
The mount lipped his hair. Alizand smiled. “If they attack me again, I’ll flee on your back and no one will catch us.” The idea of leaving Cedris wasn’t new. Until his father had taken Melena as his spouse, Alizand had been content. Since then, his life had changed. He straightened and grasped the hilt of his sword. Courage and resolve filled his thoughts.
He left the stables, crossed the yard and pressed the pattern in the stones to gain access to the inner passages. Within the walls of the north wing and tower he’d found a warren of ways and several hidden rooms. As far as he knew, he was the only one who used these corridors.
He took the taper he’d left, called fire and lit the wick. He had until the name day feast at midday to savor his presents. He would leave the sword in the hidden room. If he wore it into the hall, Mandir or Lodar would covet the weapon. Melena would badger until Alizand gifted the sword to one of her sons, and the other would express his disappointment with his fists.
When the first summoning bell sounded, Alizand left his chamber. He’d donned the silk tunic and breeches he’d found on the bed. As he walked along the corridor, he heard footsteps behind him. His spine prickled and the scarlet crystal flared.
Mandir grabbed his arm. “Happy name day, halfling.”
“Where’d you get this?” Lodar reached for the stone. He yelped. “You dare hit me when you have no armed guard at your back?”
“I did nothing.” Alizand struggled to keep fear from his voice.
Mandir’s ebony eyes glittered with menace. “Where’d you get the bauble?”
“A gift from my mother.”
Both boys laughed. “Do they dead walk?” Mandir asked.
Lodar dug his fingers into Alizand’s arm. “Give me the crystal.”
“No.”
Mandir whirled Alizand around. “You dare deny us?” He reached for the stone and stumbled backward. He rubbed his hand.
The second bell rang. Lodar twisted Alizand’s arm behind his back. “Give me the pretty or I’ll break your arm.”
A door closed with a bang. A tall man with flowing fair hair emerged. When Lodar released Alizand, he nearly fell. He heard the thud of boots as the bullies retreated. “My thanks, Dom Senet.” Alizand stared at the crystal on the man’s chest. The colors swirled red, blue, green and clear.
“Name day greetings, Alizand, son of Zedron, son of the House Wesren.”
Alizand kept his gaze on the Dom’s stone. He sidled away.
“Where did you get the crystal?” The man’s sonorous voice bristled with curiosity and veiled threat.
“’Twas my mother’s.” Alizand looked up to see the man’s pale blue eyes narrow.
“So the tales are true. Though you haven’t the startling coloring of most halflings, you have the eyes. Perhaps we share a kinship. Something to think on, Prince Heir.” Dom Senet stroked Alizand’s crystal.
Alizand swallowed. “The feast … I’ll be late.”
“Then let us hurry,” the Dom said. “Hide the stone beneath your tunic or that greedy pair will pry it away. ‘Twill protect you from all but me. I’ve keyed it to mine.” He smiled. “No matter where you go, I can find you.”
With a shudder caused by the man’s words, Alizand followed the suggestion. As third bell rang, he entered the great hall. The large doors closed behind him. His father and Melena were already at their places at the high table. Lodar and Mandir sat in the places of honor on either side of the older couple. Alizand approached the table and dropped to one knee on the last step.
“You’re late,” Melena said. “Your older brothers have claimed the honor seats.”A smile thinned her lips.
Alizand swallowed the denial that hovered in his throat. Her sons would never be his brothers. “Father, sorry I’m late.”
Zedron set his wine goblet on the table. “’Tis your name day so you’re forgiven. Approach. I have gifts for you.” He rose. “All hail Alizand, son of the House Wesren on his name day for he has come of age.”
Representatives of the House Wesren and the other major and minor Houses cheered. Had they noticed his father hadn’t claimed him as his son? Nor had he been named Prince Heir.
Melena’s cold gaze raked Alizand. She rubbed her hand over her swollen abdomen.
Once the shouting stopped, Prince Zedron draped a cloak lined with silken zercat fur over Alizand’s shoulders. Then the prince lifted a sword from the table. The hilt and scabbard were studded with precious stones. For Alizand, the weapon had none of the appeal of the blade Dragen had given him.
“My thanks for the gifts.” Alizand moved with his father around the table.
“Mother, I want that sword,” Lodar whispered. “Make him give it to me.”
“Then the cloak is mine,” Mandir said.
“Be patient, my dearest sons. When the day ends, you’ll have your due.”
Alizand glanced at Melena. He would gladly give them the sword but not the cloak. If he left the palace, he would have need of its warmth.
Dom Senet smiled. “Join me, Alizand, son of Zedron, son of House Wesren, son of high lands and low.”
Melena stroked the prince’s arm. “What of our other sons? Shouldn’t they have gifts to share in their brother’s bounty?”
“They’re of your body, not mine,” Zedron said. “When you leave the birthing chamber and present me with a son, your offspring will have their desserts.”
“As you will, my prince.”
Alizand sat beside the Dom. His appetite had fled. Would Melena’s sons wait until tomorrow to claim the name day gifts? Alizand stared at the House banners on the walls.
Once the fourteen courses had been served, the elders of the Houses approached the table. Each House gave Alizand fourteen coins of gold, silver, brass or copper according to their status. He saw the avaricious looks Lodar and Mandir cast at the coins and knew the pair would follow him and demand the pouches. How could he escape them?
When the last sweet had been eaten, the pair slipped away. Alizand knew they’d be lurking in the shadows to seize his gifts. If only he could enter the hidden ways, but there were no openings near the great hall.
Dom Senet walked with Alizand to the door. “I’ll see you to your chamber. I have some questions.”
The stone resting against Alizand’s chest heated. Did it mean the Dom was a threat, or were his step-brothers near? As they passed a dark side corridor, Alizand heard muffled curses. He sighed with relief. He would be able to hide the coins and the cloak before his sleeping chamber was invaded.
“Have you an affinity for one of the elements?” Dom Senet asked.
Alizand gathered his thoughts. He couldn’t lie, but he feared what the truth would mean to him. “I’m not a Dom.” He paused at the door to his chamber.
“Inside and I’ll show you.”
“Why?”
“At times, halflings show an affinity.” The Dom followed Alizand inside and closed the door. “There’s this.” A branch of tapers flared and burned. “Or this.” He touched one of the stones in the wall and it slid forward. “Can you raise pictures on the surface of still water or call the wind?”
Alizand swallowed. The crystal burned against his skin. He couldn’t tell this man he could call fire to light a taper. “Can you show me how to do these tricks?”
“They aren’t tricks. If you have an affinity, you can learn. I control the four elements. You can perhaps learn one.” He placed his hands on Alizand’s head.
The crystal burned hotter. Alizand closed his eyes. For a moment, he felt as though a knife jabbed into his head.
“Strange, your thoughts are blocked. You could be a latent. Unfortunately, I must leave the palace, but when I return, you are to come to me and we will explore ways to release your talent.”
Alizand shivered. “Why do you encourage my father to become a kinslayer?”
Dom Senet laughed. “Zedron needs no encouragement. He has ever been envious of Dom Jonden. Your father would see his step-brother dead and the henge under his control. He wants the Doma Calanda, but she is not for him. As for their whelps, if you are what I think, they will be your companions.” He strode to the door. “Await my summons.”
Alizand’s legs began to shake. He sank to the floor and fought the terror Dom Senet had raised.
What can I do? In the palace, I’m unloved and unwanted by all but the Dom. He sucked in breaths until the tremors ceased. Then he rose and opened the way into the secret room. He dropped the cloak on a chair and added the coins to his store. When he returned to the bed chamber, he tossed the sword his father had given him on the bed.
Perhaps Lodar and Mandir would be satisfied with the blade.
He slid behind the heavy tapestry that concealed a window seat set in a deep niche. The drum of thunder sounded in the distance. Vivid slashes of lightning streaked across the blue sky. One of the bolts gleamed as red as fresh spilled blood. He wanted to be away from here, but where could he go?
If Dom Senet was right, there were others like him in the henge. Years ago, he’d seen Doma Calanda and Dom Jonden. She was of the high lands like his mother. In his dreams, he’d imagined his mother resembled the Doma.
A creaking sound startled him. “Oh, brother, dear brother.”
Alizand pressed into the niche. Would they search for him?
“Not here,” Lodar said. “Here’s the sword. ‘Tis mine.”
“Then the cloak and coins are mine,” Mandir said. “Where would he hide them?”
The sounds of their search angered Alizand, but he kept quiet. Drawers crashed on the floor. He heard their muttered curses. They would find nothing. All he valued was in the hidden room.
“Where’d he get to?” Mandir asked.
“Probably off with that creepy white-haired man. Mother detests the Dom, but Zedron refuses to send him away. Will this Dom Senet keep us from taking care of our dear step-brother?”
“Not if he doesn’t catch us,” Lodar said.
“What you gonna do to Alizand?” Mandir asked.
“Crush his hands. Won’t need a sword then.”
“Me, I’m gonna break his legs.”
Their laughter chilled Alizand. He had to leave Cedris tonight. He’d go to Dragen. Maybe they could flee to the high lands.
“If we hurt him too bad, Zedron will be angry,” Mandir said.
“Won’t matter,” Lodar said. “When Mother has his son, Zedron will give her what she wants.”
The door creaked. “So this is where you got to,” a woman said.
“Just waiting for our dear brother,” Mandir said.
“We’ve name day presents for him.” Lodar’s laughter was high and shrill.
“Your mother wants you. She’s about to enter the birthing room. She wants you to stay with the prince.”
“We’ll go.”
“Where might Alizand be?” the woman said. “He’s wanted as well.”
“He left the name day feast with Dom Senet. Bet he’s gone off with him.”
The woman gasped. “Surely the Dom wouldn’t take him to the henge.”
Once Alizand heard the door close, he left the niche. He changed into riding clothes. If he was to leave Cedris, this was the perfect time. Even the guards at the gates would be too busy speculating about the birth to be alert.
In the hidden room, he touched the pouch of coins in the pack he’d prepared months ago. After belting on the sword, he gathered his cloak and pack, then entered one of the hidden ways. He ran down the steps and exited in the courtyard. Clusters of servants and members of the many Houses gathered near the palace doors. Alizand scurried to the stables andsaddled his war steed. He led the mount to a little used and unguarded gate.
As he rode along the streets of the city, he encountered groups of people heading to the palace walls. He took to alleys and side lanes. At the west gate, the guards passed a bottle and placed bets about the coming birth.
“A son at sunset.”
“A daughter at dawn.”
Alizand spurred Arrow and sped through the gate.
“Hey,” one of the guards called.
“Let him go. Must have orders,” a second yelled. “That was a war steed.”
No comments:
Post a Comment