Davie the Mage (Generations of Eredwynn Book 2) (17 page)

              She looked at her shoes. “Yes, My Lord? What would you like to talk with me about?”

              “First, you can drop the formality. I’m still Davie. Second, I wanted to tell you that I love you very much and know that you didn’t know of your father’s plans. You won’t be held accountable for his actions. I have given the punishment of your father over to the family, because what I feel is justice and what actually is justice might be quite different. The family will take into account my wishes, since it was my wife who was murdered and I’ll take into account yours, because I love you.”

      She began to cry and put her arms around me. “Davie,” she whispered, “Please don’t let them kill him. I know he deserves it for what he’s done, but he is my father and loved me.”

              I sighed, wondering if vaporization would actually be considered ‘death’. I figured it probably would be, so I turned to my expectant family and the wizards who were popping in from everywhere in the kingdom, due to my light show. I said simply, “I don’t want him condemned to death.”

              Father nodded and they set about doing things the way the family does, by talking to each other. I saw house staff running toward the keep and I assumed banishment to somewhere was in order. Finally, the circle broke and Father turned to Cenric. “For the crime of the murder of a member of the royal family, we have decided your punishment will be banishment from Eredwynn. Due to my son’s request, which I’m sure came from your daughter; the death penalty that most of us believe you deserve won’t be administered. We will be sending you to Sabia, which is a civilized country, more or less. Bedding, rations and other items you may need are being packed for you. Do you have anything to say before you’re transported?”

              Cenric stepped forward and said, “Mira, I’m sorry.” And he turned away.

              I walked toward him and he flinched back. I whispered, “I have two things that I’d like to give to you.” I placed my palm against his forehead, and then let my arm drop to my side. I took a breath, took his hand in mine and dropped ten platinum coins into it, then closed his hand around them. Still whispering, I said, “The first gift you’ll never even know you have, but the second is the money to help you make a new start. After all, if I have my way, you’ll be my father-in-law soon.” And then I backed away.

              Cenric turned back to the group of wizards to be transported, and all the wizards that could see magic, gasped. Emblazoned on his forehead in bright white magic was the word ‘MURDERER’. Every wizard that met the man would know what he’d done. He was handed his pack, Mira was allowed to hug and kiss him goodbye and the
porting
was faster than a blink.

              I took Mira’s hand and walked across the courtyard, away from everyone. I could feel scores of eyes on us. As we walked I said, “I know you’re upset and understandably so, but when you calm down, do you think you’d consider marrying the man who had your father banished?”

              She smiled. “Banished, but not killed, for the crime of murdering a royal family member. That just doesn’t happen. Of course I’ll marry you, because you must be the most tenderhearted person in the kingdom. But for now, could you walk me home? It will be strange being there alone, but I’ll get used to it.”

              “You could always stay here in a guest room. My sister has taken custody of the guest suite but the other rooms are very nice. We have hot and cold running water, too. My girls and I would be willing to help you move anything you needed tomorrow. One thing I need to mention, while I’m thinking about it. My girls were concerned that if I were to remarry, they would be put out of their positions. I told them that wouldn’t happen. Do you have any concerns there?”

              “Well, let me try to answer all that. I’d love to stay in the castle and you could have one of the girls show me how the hot water works. The only thing I can think of about the girls would be changing their title from courtesans to consorts. I just hope they’ll accept me.”

              I smiled. “I know they’ll accept you. They always want what’s best for me and I believe that you are what’s best for me. Now let’s go let everyone know that I just blew up the sky and won’t be leveling the castle or the town in the near future.” I walked back to the crowd and called, “Mother, I know you’re here somewhere.” There was the quiet pop of my mother’s ‘blink’ spell and she was beside us. “Mother, do you think that you and Mira might be able to work up a small ceremony for us?”

              Mother’s worried look switched to a grin and her eyes twinkled, “When you say ‘small’ do you mean like shooting up signal sparks or doing like you did and causing the sky to glow? Maybe we could plan something in between?”

              “I’ll leave it to you ladies. Mira is going to be staying in a guest room here, so you’ll have no problem finding her. I’m going to show her around and then I’m going to sleep, but she may need a gown. I don’t think the girls’ things will fit her.”

              “I’ll take care of that, Son. And I’ll pass on the news of your engagement after you’re inside, so you don’t have to deal with all these people right now. I know it’s been a stressful day for everyone involved.

              Holding hands, we walked inside. I showed her the court room that she’d seen before. Going into the keep proper, I showed the kitchen where we’d eaten on the right and the two side-by-side offices that my finance people used. I took her down the hall to the left, made another left and passed the guard. I opened the province vault and told her that those were the funds for the running of the castle, docks and whatever else came up. I locked it back and opened the other door. I told her that the money in that vault was my private fund. I had two point one or two point two million, I wasn’t sure. I’d paid for the dock and most of the ships out of my own pocket to help the people. We went to the second floor and I pointed out ten empty rooms. I said she could use any of them but I’d prefer she be on the third floor, closer to me. She smiled and nodded. On the third floor I pointed to the double doors on the right and told her that was my room and where the courtesans usually slept. I smiled and winked, saying that they wouldn’t be in there all the time, in the near future. She blushed and hid her face. I pointed to the double doors on the left and said that my sister had moved into that room, otherwise I’d let her stay in there, since it was larger. We went to the wall and turned left down a small hall. I opened the first door on the left and lit it up with a wave of my hand. She looked around and confirmed my first assessment: the room was beautiful. She suggested we go to my room and let the courtesans know that they had a title change in their future. I grinned and warned her to cover her ears.

              We walked into my room and my girls were all piled up on the bed waiting for me. They were oblivious to the happenings of the evening. “Excuse me for interrupting ladies, but we need to talk.” They got very serious, very quickly. “I’ve been talking to Mira and we’ve come to the conclusion that there will have to be a change made soon.” I could see Mira covering her mouth with her hand to help fight the giggles. “What we plan to do is to change your titles from courtesan to consort.” I slapped my hands over my ears barely in time to avoid hearing loss. The squeals echoed through the castle. They almost tackled Mira in their enthusiasm to welcome her to the family and thank her for accepting them, too.

              Jana asked, “Davie, is she going to sleep in here tonight? I’m sure all of us would understand if you want to… umm…spend some alone time together.”

              Now it was my turn to blush. “She’ll be staying in the castle, in the guest room next to Baissel’s. Mother is supposed to bring her a gown and knowing her…”

              “Shopping!!!” from all the girls in unison.

              Mira giggled, “I take it that your mother likes to shop. Does she take the girls often?”

              I laughed, “If I let her, she’d take them and keep them, but I’m way too fond of them to let them go. That is why I asked you about them. If you’d wanted to dismiss them, I don’t know what I would have done.”             

              She smiled. “I would never ask you to give up those girls who have been with you through so much. I’m sure I’ll love them as much as you do before long. They can talk me though the duties I’m to take care of and the duties of the consorts.

              My father and James came through my open bedroom door. My father said, “Excuse us, ladies, but we’d like a word with my son.” The girls all curtsied and backed away to give us some space.

              James looked at me and shook his head. “You don’t look like you’ve used enough magic to light a candle! Father and I both saw you falling out of the sky, unconscious from the over-expenditure of magic! Father caught you and I wrapped you like a Novice in a
levitation
bubble to bring you home. We were talking about how it might be better that you were out for a few days while we sorted this thing, when you flew up beside us. I’ve been unconscious and so has father from doing exactly what you did. If you have a secret, we’d sure like to learn it!”

              I shrugged. “When I first came to, I remembered the stories about the headaches and other effects I might be facing. I moved slowly at first and checked my own magic reserves. Everything seemed to be in working order, so I cast my shield and flew up alongside you. I have no secret and I can’t explain it, either.”

              Father shook his head. “I was actually hoping that there was something that you could teach every one of us. There have been countless cases of wizards rendering themselves unconscious by the over-expenditure of magic. Every one of them was out for hours or days, not minutes. And they definitely weren’t able to use magic, other than very limited spells, for quite some time.”

              I looked at James and winked at Father. “James just doesn’t like it that I can do something that he can’t. He shouldn’t be upset just because I’m better than he!”

              James whipped around. “Davie, it’s not that I think you’re better…” and he realized I was teasing and trying to get a reaction.

              Father and I both laughed and James started to chuckle. Father said, “Seriously, Davie, I’d like to look into this further, if we can find a safe place to do it. There doesn’t seem to be any ill effect and if we could get you to purposely drain your magic without destroying the kingdom, we could monitor your magic regeneration.”

              “That would be the trick, Father.” I said. “You saw the amount of energy that was put out on the blast to the sky. If I did that on land, there would be no telling the damage it would cause. I’m not trying to brag, because honestly, it frightens me a bit, but I’ve never even heard of a wizard producing that much power before.”

              “Son, neither have I. But you seem to control your very impressive power very well. You’ve lost control twice and those times were under extreme stress. The way things are looking now, those stressors shouldn’t be repeated and you’ll be fine.”

              I sighed. “I hope you’re right. While I’m thinking about stress, I’ve asked Mira to marry me and she’s accepted. We won’t be able to have the wedding at Wizard’s Castle because I wouldn’t be able to look at the cliff wall and take vows. I hope you understand. Anyone have any other suggestions?”

              “Well, Son, I can see how that cliff wall could dampen your spirits, but let’s not dwell on that. Since you are the Lord of the province, I suggest you have your wedding here at Perlsea. The courtyard could be set up and it could make for a nice ceremony. Then you wouldn’t have too far to travel for… you wouldn’t have too far to travel.” He winked at me then Mira, who lit up the room with a rosy glow.

              “Now I understand why you and my mother get along so well!”

              “The stories I could tell you, Son. There was this time…”

              “No, please no, Father. Ignorance is bliss. I really don’t want to know.”

              James saved me by changing the subject, sort of. “Have you two given any thought to where you should go on your honeymoon? I have a suggestion of one stop, but I don’t want to give too much away. Father, don’t you think that a lady by the name of Translucia would like to meet Davie and his bride?”

              Father grinned. “That would be a good stop. Mira would like to meet her, I’m sure. She is a sweet lady. We met her before you were born, Davie. We’ll see if we can work that into your plans.”

              I nodded, just as confused as the girls were, and Mother arrived to save the day. The girls didn’t move because the King was in the room with them. Mother said, “Girls, don’t be intimidated by this old softie! Let’s go into Amee’s room and discuss important things, like what we need to buy the bride-to-be.”

              The ‘Alba’s around’ giggles were turned on and the girls followed her to Amee’s room. I winked and nodded to Mira who, like a proper Lady, walked in to join them.

              Father smiled. “I think she’ll be good for you, Son. I’m very sorry for the circumstances of your meeting, but she seems like a very kind young Lady.”

              “Well, Father, at least some good has come out of all this tragedy. I met Mira and we learned that I’m not exactly a normal wizard. Maybe I’m not a wizard at all and we’ll have to figure out exactly what to call me.”