Legends of Osaire Box Set

Chapter 2-2

Solna looked away towards the other side of his parlor. “No, you really couldn’t.”

He was saved from the sudden awkward feel of the room when Cia breezed in with a massive tray in her hands and a large bag that dangled from an arm. Solna jumped to his feet and relieved her of the tray. Without meeting either Cia’s or Vius’ eyes, Solna laid out the dishes of cold meats and cheeses and bread.

Once Cia left again, Solna sat back down and waited for Vius to come back to the table. He refused to find out where Vius went to change. It seemed too invasive when they barely knew each other. Vius wasn’t out of his sight for long, however.

As he gracefully took his seat again, the unadorned white apprentice robe a bit big and stark, Vius leveled him with as stern a look as Solna had ever received. “I accept your offer to wed, but we must set terms.”

Solna nodded and stuffed his relieved sigh down into his boots. Then he waved at the plates, encouraging Vius to eat. “Absolutely.”

Vius drew in a noisy breath. “First, we must decide which of us will give up his throne.”

“I will,” Solna said. Vius opened his mouth, probably to argue, but Solna cut him off. “It makes sense. This is my idea that you’ve graciously agreed to and I have an heir in my niece. She is more than ready for the throne.”

“Right.” Vius tapped a long forefinger against his lips for a moment. “In that case, we must also decide if you will be simply Consort or my co-ruler.”

That one gave Solna pause, but then, it wasn’t really his choice either. “Whichever pleases you. There is plenty of time to figure it out before we go to Osaire.”

Vius frowned. “Why are you so amicable to this? You are giving up a throne and kingdom like it is nothing.”

“To stop war? To travel like I never could with a crown as a tether? To be with someone who knows the burden of it? Whose burden I can lighten?” Solna smiled gently at his confused so to be husband. “Absolutely. I am willingly to take this arrangement as far as you allow.”

“I see.” Vius shook his head, but smiled anyway. “Do you have any conditions?”

“Beyond following our marriage customs and pretending this is a love match?” It was Solna’s turn to shake his head. “Not that I can think of.”

“And you are fine with fulfilling all the duties required of a husband?” It was a challenge.

“Of course.”

Vius’ disbelief was written across his face. “All of them?”

Then it dawned on Solna what Vius alluded to. “Well, we are going to have to. It is a required part of the proceedings to consummate the union in front of the kingdom.” For the first time in a long time, Solna flushed hot. “In front of those attending the feast, at any rate.”

Vius paled. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.” Solna picked up a piece of soft bread and stared at it, flaking crumbs off in a nervous twitch. “Will that be a problem?”

For a while, Vius said nothing. Solna didn’t dare look up to guess at his thoughts. Maybe his heart was a little more invested in this marriage to Vius than was warranted after such a short time. Damn it all.

Slender hands entered his line of sight and firmly stopped his fidgeting. Solna whipped his head up, eyes caught immediately by Vius’ warm brown gaze. “It will not be a problem, Solna.”

Solna slumped and blew out the breath he held. He dropped the bread and clasped Vius’ hands. “Anything else we need to discuss right now?”

Vius shook his head and Solna tugged him to his feet. “Then let’s sleep. I’m tired and you are still healing.”

“It’s not even midday yet!” Vius protested, but he didn’t resist either. Solna ignored it. Vius’ skin was paler than he liked and his eyes were starting to glass over.

He led Vius through the other door in the back wall and over to his large bed. Solna urged him up and drew the heavy quilt to Vius’ shoulders. Vius curled up on his side, facing the other side of the bed. Solna smiled.

After he kicked off his boots, Solna hopped onto the empty side and stretched out. Cradled in the soft feather mattress, a smile crept to his lips. In two days, he would announce Vius to his kingdom. Five days after that, they would be wed and he would finally have peace, without and within.

* * * *

The sun was long past midday when Solna woke from easy dreams. Vius was still asleep when he looked over, still on his side but much closer, with a hand on Solna’s bicep. He still seemed too pale, so Solna made the decision to leave him to rest. There was too much to do for Solna to continue lazing about.

Paramount was to bring the rest of Vius’ force into Helano’s walls safely.

With that in mind, he headed out to the city’s main gate, passing through rows upon rows of pale stone and sun-bleached wood buildings that blurred under the too bright afternoon sun. Solna climbed the steep stairs of a red stone tower built into the wall, seeking the Captain of the Guard, an indomitable dwarf lass that only answered to Ida. Luck was not with him.

“She rode out yesterday, my Lord.” The guard that manned the gate tower bowed low to him, helm nearly slipping off. “Out to the edge of the field, I think, to help with recovering the living and dead.”

The news would have torn at his soul before this, but now he had reason to hope. Soon, this war would be done. “Send her to me as soon as she returns.”

Next, Solna went back to his manor. So much to set into motion. The stable boy met him again, but Solna only stopped long enough to flash him a bright smile.

He called for Cia and Allag, issuing orders as soon as he heard their footsteps. Tailors to hire, decorators for the humongous city hall in the center of town, an officiant needed to be found, summons for the city needed to be made immediately following the pyre lighting on the morrow.

Cia rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm and Allag smiled, perplexed but happy that Solna was happy. Then he was off to check on Vius.

* * * *

Cia barged in with barely a knock long after the evening meal, the dusky dwarf Ida in her wake, bright citrine eyes hawkish.

Vius and Solna sat at the little alcove table, putting the final touches on their love story, but clammed up as soon as the door creaked open. Solna stood and sketched a short bow of respect to the Captain, which she returned. He had served under her when he was an impulsive boy of fifteen summers and still remembered her harsh tutelage with fondness. Vius didn’t have the strength quite yet to meet her standing, but he offered a regal nod.

Ida got straight to the point. “You called for me, Sire?”

Solna waved her to the seat he had just vacated. After she sat, he stood behind Vius. “We need to find the Osairan forces that are still standing.”

Vius tipped his head back to look at him. “What?”

“They need to be brought into the city for their safety and ours.” Solna brushed a light fingertip across Vius’ sharp cheekbone. “And they need to know that you’re alive. That there will be no more war.”

The elf caught Solna’s hand and used it to cup his cheek. “They need to hear our happy news as well.”

Cia huffed from the spot by the door. Solna grinned down at Vius, and then turned his attention to Ida’s curious stare. “We need to track them down, and the wall guards are the best at finding people. We want you to send out a patrol, find out where they’ve gone to regroup.”

It was rare to see hard, roughhewn dwarves smile about anything, but when Ida brought up her large hand to cover her lips, it didn’t hide the telltale crinkle of her eyes from Solna. “They are half a day’s march to the southwest of us.”

Vius slowly straightened up in his chair and leaned forward. “How do you know?”

“An old human told me,” Ida answered. “He was coming to Helano and had no clue that a battle had just concluded. Called himself Lacas when asked.”

“And he’s sure this is the Osairan army?” Solna pressed.

“Lacas told me it was a group of elven warriors,” Ida said. “What other elven army is there?”

Solna nodded to himself, feeling a touch foolish. Of course, Ida was right. “All right. I’ll leave at first light bring them here.”

“They will not follow you,” Vius murmured.

“How do you think we should do this?” Solna asked.

“I have to go.” Solna growled softly, repelled by the very idea of Vius riding half a day so soon after he was near death. Ke’s magic worked wonders, but the body still needed rest afterwards, to regenerate the energy used.

Vius tipped his head back once more, demanding Solna’s complete attention with just a look. “The generals are in command if I am confirmed dead, and only the generals. Until then, they await my orders. I must go.” Then, Vius smiled a little. “Unless you wish to be skewered the second you show yourself.”

Solna huffed a laugh. “Not getting rid of me that easily.”

“Besides,” Vius went on, “you cannot go until after the pyres are lit tomorrow and our announcement made.”

“As you say.” Solna turned to Cia. “Is everything ready for tomorrow?”

“Aye,” was her prompt answer. “Unless you have another task for me?”

“Have horses and guards ready to leave right after dawn.” He glanced at Vius again, then over to Ida. “I wish for you to come with us Captain.”

Ida nodded and rose. “At your command, Sire.”

Solna waved them out of his quarters before he resumed his seat. Vius dark eyes pinned him to the spot. “I can go alone.”

“No.” And Solna left it at that.

* * * *

“We render these, our most spirited, back to the world. That from their ashes, others may grow strong.” The crowd below surrounded the square pyres at the outside base of the city wall, silent as the stones beneath Solna’s feet. He took the torch from Ida, who stood at his right, and cast it over the wall. He truly hated this part and liked to keep the speech and rite as short as possible.

The first of ten pyres on the grassy field went up with a roar, a thousand corpses engulfed in seconds. An oil soaked rope led to the next, and it too ignited in a rush of heat and sound. The entire line took half a mark to fully start burning and Solna sighed to himself when the last one lit up the dawn.

Vius, at Solna’s left shoulder and a little less pale and tired now that he had slept fully, laid a discreet, light touch to his elbow.

Solna nodded without looking over at his intended. He raised his hands and waited for his people to turn their attention back to him.

“My people,” Solna shouted, “I have great news to help balance this bitter meeting. I have chosen a Consort!”

A lackluster buzz of sound rippled through the citizens. Solna didn’t blame them. What care did many of them have for his affairs as the flames reduced their loved ones to dust?

“By fortuitous circumstance, my chosen is one that can help me end this war. One just as battle weary as we. One who has decided to set aside the blood pact of his kin for love.” That caused quite a loud response of questioning shouts. Solna took Vius’ hand and guided him a step forward, so he stood in plain view to the crowd. “Here is my chosen. King Vius Tylele of Osaire.”

No one cheered, but again, he wasn’t surprised. And though he couldn’t hear the individual voices and gossip and questions, he was pleased to see his people weren’t outright hostile. It was a cacophony of promise that rose to meet him.

* * * *

Solna’s guard waited for them at the gate. As soon as Vius was helped into the saddle of the same bay that Solna brought Vius to the manor on, they headed southwest out of Helano. The leader of their guard set a brisk trot and Ida kept them on course. A half day’s march was much less on horseback and by the time the sun rose a quarter way into the sky, Solna’s party came to the lip of a vast, shallow depression in the field.

Maybe five thousand souls were camped there, huddled and tired and battered. A cry went up immediately, spreading fast through the tents, as fast as the funeral fires that still burned at the wall. There was a commotion in the middle of the camp, but Solna couldn’t see more than a flurry of movement.

Vius clicked at his horse and Solna’s guards moved out of the way. Solna bit back a protest when Vius started down the gentle slope and moved towards the camp. Instead, he rushed to catch up to his chosen. Vius stopped at the first line of tents and the elves that saw him bowed, tattooed and lean and stark and forever young. He acknowledged them as Vius did, with fingers to his brow.

The commotion suddenly burst through the edge of the camp in the form of a tall, dark elf. He bowed low to Vius. “My King, I’m pleased to find you among the living.”

“I am pleased to be alive, Ilul.” Vius shifted in his saddle and Solna was willing to bet that he was tired and sore, but Vius didn’t show it beyond that.

Ilul flashed a scornful look at Solna, then back to his King. “Why are these Sumentans with you?”

Vius turned and smiled at Solna and beckoned him closer. Ilul stepped back, but Vius whipped his head around and pinned the elf to the spot. “This is King Solna Nalion, my chosen,” Vius said, steel in his voice, as if he dared Ilul to object.

The elf backed down and touched his fingers to his forehead. “Greetings,” was all Ilul said. Solna was amused by Ilul’s petulance, but returned the gesture. No reason to alienate the elf.

“Ilul,” Vius snapped, “I want this encampment broken down and moving before the sun reaches its zenith.”

“Sire.” Ilul glared at Solna one last time before he darted off into the camp, shouting orders in his wake.

Solna chuckled and leaned over to whisper in Vius ear. “He doesn’t like me at all.”

Vius grinned back. “General Ilul is stubborn and set. I’m afraid he will not take any of this well.”

Somehow, Solna was certain his intended had understated matters greatly.