Eventide (Meratis Trilogy Book 2) (43 page)

Around them, the wounded were carried down the mountain on the few stretchers they had, the dead laid out and brought down afterwards.

Jayden had hailed Jeff and Venn that it was time to go, and together, Brady draped between Jayden and Jasmine, they had started down.

After that, they faced a whirlwind of activity. Getting everyone back to the Keep, treating injuries, processing what they had seen.

Their losses had been relatively low, but still over a hundred men had to be taken down from the mountaintop and returned to the Keep for interment. Jeff tried to involve himself as much as he could. He told himself it was just to help out during a difficult time, but his honest side knew that he wanted to get everything squared away so that when he went back into his world, there would be no loose ends. The Keep would be in capable hands, safe, and would go on coping with life.

Then he could try to start one with Cassie. An honest relationship with no other secrets.

With the rush, he only managed a brief conversation alone with Brady. Jeff found him in his library, right where he should be. The serenity in the room offered a refreshing pause after the chaos elsewhere in the Keep.

“Welcome back,” said Jeff. The words didn’t do justice to how happy he felt, but Brady’s return smile suggested he knew.

“I wanted to thank you,” Brady said. “For trying to pull me out of myself before. If I’d listened….” He stopped and shrugged. “But it worked. In the end.”

Jeff had fallen into the wingback chair across from Brady and stretched out his legs. “Was it worth it?”

“Remains to be seen. Saved your lives, so I’d say yes.”

Jeff snorted. “I would have used Maggie’s binding spell, we could totally have done it without Talfyr.”

Both men grinned, well aware he was full of shit. Then Jeff’s smile faltered. “How do you think he’s doing anyway? Talfyr, I mean. As much as he’s a fire-breathing dragon, I really like the bastard.”

“He’s healing,” said Brady, and Jeff stared in surprise. The scholar chuckled. “Turns out the connection is a permanent sort of thing. We’ve found a balance for the most part between myself and him, but he’s still in there. Hurt, but he’ll live.”

“Did he go back to Treevale?”

Brady shook his head and closed his eyes. “He’s somewhere dark. I can’t see any details.” He opened his eyes again. “But I’m not worried. I’m sure we’ll see him again.”

Jeff cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. “I’m glad. That he’s alive.”

Brady smiled again, picking up the double meaning. “Me, too.”

***

When the summons came from the Palace, Jeff was disappointed. That morning he and Cassie had discussed asking Maggie to send them home, ready to put this second episode behind them and find out what they had missed in their own lives. If Cassie still had a job or a Masters degree to go back to; if Jeff still had an agent or parents that would speak with him. So many questions remained unanswered. But their presence had been specifically requested on the queen’s personal invitation, and while Jeff was willing to ignore it and go home, knowing the queen’s disapproval couldn’t follow him, Cassie insisted they stay.

“It’s only polite,” she said. “And who knows, maybe we’ll find out more about this Ariana. Do you think Jayden has any chance with her?”

Jeff stuck his fingers in his ears. “I refuse to get involved.”

So now they were here, taking a moment to breathe before the doors opened and the rush of cheers flooded out to embrace them. Applause and yells of gratitude from the strangely-dressed courtiers in the crowd. Brady seemed to shrink at Jasmine’s side, uncomfortable under the attention, but she gave him a nudge, smiling up to offer courage. Jeff noticed how the scholar pulled his shoulders back in the face of that smile, and he couldn’t help but grin himself.

That was one storyline he was glad to see wrapped up. And according to his original outline.

Jasmine looked lovely. Only once in four books had he written her in a dress, and in that scene she’d been uncomfortable, preferring the freedom of trousers to skirts. In person, she cleaned up well. A swath of rich silk wrapped around her body into layers of varying shades of green, with gold embroidery swirling around the hem. A large emerald—her mother’s favourite piece of jewellery—sat on a gold chain around her neck. Cream-coloured gloves reached up to her elbows. She looked like the perfect lady. Except that Jeff had seen the flash of a dagger before she tucked it into a hidden pocket in her skirt, and he knew the shoes peeking from the dress were more practical than fashionable. Jasmine Feldall: shield-maiden in disguise.

They reached the front of the room, Jeff giving Maggie, Conrad, and William a subtle wave in reply to their eager gestures from the crowd, and lined up.

Queen Ansella sat up on the dais, the court mask in place, flanked by Princess Ariana on her right and First Counsellor Basten on her left.

He rose on their arrival, and the room fell to a hush.

“Today, we honour courage and heroic efforts in the face of a great national threat,” he began. His voice projected across the length of the room, echoing over the walls. “The House of Feldall has long been held in high regard by our sovereign family, and they have proved their loyalty not once but twice within the last year. Most recently, they stepped in where no one else dared to bring the sorcerer Raul to heel. Using whatever means necessary, with the help of Venn Connell and the scholar, Brady Reed, they have eliminated the danger and kept our country safe.”

He left the details out, Jeff noted, and probably for the best. Did these people really need to know how close they’d come to being incinerated, or that they owed their thanks to a dragon?

“But this is not the only favour they have done for this court. With the assistance of Cassandra Murphy and Jeffrey Powell, who have come from a great distance and have no allegiance to the throne, a conspiracy to depose Her Royal Majesty, the Queen Ansella, was unravelled, and its leaders punished to the fullest extent of Andvellian law.”

Murmurs ran through the crowd at the mention of the conspiracy, and Jeff looked over his shoulder to take in the faces. How many of them were truly surprised? How many disappointed or guilty? He guessed that Basten’s words served as a warning for any remaining conspirators.

“All of this have they done with no request for compensation or reward. The definition of a hero!” Basten continued, his voice growing louder as he built up to his point. “But Queen Ansella will not allow their actions to go unrecognised.”

He took his seat, and the force of Queen Ansella’s presence filled the void his sudden silence left behind. Jeff admired her mastery in projecting her wishes without a word being spoken. The buzz of anticipation grew as she rose to her feet, stepped down the dais to stand in front of them. Ariana followed, staying a step behind her mother.

Ansella stopped first in front of Jayden. “Lord of Feldall,” she said, her voice soft and yet heard by everyone in the room, “for all you have sacrificed for throne and country, you have Our eternal gratitude. In spite of your limitations, you proved your determination and ability to protect your people. You are well deserving of the title of Head of Feldall House, and can now claim the personal approval of Andvell’s Head of State.”

Jeff saw the queen’s quick glance towards her daughter, and Jayden’s face flushed a tomato red.

“Your Majesty,” he said in reply, bowing at the waist to avoid having to look at Ariana, who stared with equal intensity at the back wall over Jayden’s head.

Behind her mask, the queen’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and Jeff suspected that she enjoyed how uncomfortable she’d made her daughter and the Feldall lord. He bit his cheek to suppress a smile.

Ansella took a step to the side, stopping in front of Jasmine and Brady.

“Lady Feldall and Consort. You both suffered personal injury over the course of the past two weeks. You faced death and ordered it to stand down so your task might be accomplished. Lady Jasmine, my men reported that you tried to challenge the enemy in a private battle, and when that failed, due to reasons beyond your control, immediately focused your efforts on protecting the weaker members of your army,” she nodded towards Jeff and Cassie. “For your dedication and bravery, the Crown grants Feldall’s Keep an extra ten thousand hectares of land, including the ruins of Treevale Fortress to do with as you like. The Treasury will also donate the necessary coin to rebuild your village so your House may flourish under your rule.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Jasmine choked. Her eyes glistened as she dropped in a curtsy.

“And Brady Reed, your passion for knowledge inspires Us. You have proved that a lack of skill with a blade does not mean that one is unnecessary in the safety of the people. Knowledge
is
power, and when wielded by one who is good in heart and sound of mind, it can be instrumental in life’s most important battles. In recognition of your sacrifice, We hereby name you Counsellor Brady Dragontongue, a title worthy of a Lady of status, an epithet worthy of your actions. May your wisdom continue to guide the Lord and Lady of Feldall down positive paths. And one day, perhaps, this court.”

Brady’s mouth fell open, etiquette slipping for a moment as he stood in shock. Basten had to clear his throat for the scholar to remember his manners and bow.

Ariana brought a knuckle to her lips to hide a giggle, and again, the queen’s humour was hidden behind the stoic metal face.

Venn came next, and the young woman’s hands clenched at her sides. Her gaze shifted around the room, unsure where to settle.

“Venn Connell,” the queen said. “Your name, unknown to Us prior to these events, will now be added to the historical record for your valiant acts in the protection of your country. In spite of your youth, you have accomplished great deeds and should hold your head high. No titles or land do you hold, but it seems to Us that in light of your role, you deserve them. Please kneel.”

Trembling, Venn sank down onto one knee, keeping her chin level with the ground, her stare fixed straight ahead.

Basten stepped forward and bowed as he held out the long ceremonial sword the queen kept by her throne. She took it and rested the blade on Venn’s shoulder. “Do you swear fealty to the Crown of Andvell and to all who wear it?”

“I do,” the young woman said.

“Do you swear to protect the throne and the country of Andvell with your life, to come when called to guard against any threat thereon, upon your honour and the name of your family?”

“I do.”

“Then rise, Sir Venn, as a knight of the court, and accept the title with Our appreciation.”

Jeff wanted to clap and cheer, but decorum kept him quiet. Inside, his chest swelled with pride. And a certain amount of relief. Venn would find her place in this world, just like anyone her age did in any world.

Happiness sank back into nervousness as Queen Ansella took her final steps to the right, stopping in front of him and Cassie.

“And what does one offer those to whom titles and land serve no purpose?” she asked. “For reasons of your own, you seem obligated to help these friends whenever necessary, and such love and loyalty must be recognised. We insist you name your reward.”

Jeff and Cassie exchanged a glance, the uncertainty on her face likely mirroring his own. Licking his dry lips, he gave a short bow and said, “While your offer is appreciated, I don’t feel that we—”

“Your Majesty,” Cassie interrupted, and Jeff stopped, mouth open. She shot him a look of apology and then swallowed, straightened her shoulders, and raised her chin. “As my reward, I would like to request that Venn be allowed to return home with us. If she chooses.”

Jeff’s surprise morphed into shock, but his reaction couldn’t compare with the expression on Venn’s face. She froze, mouth agape.

“Wait, what?” he whispered to Cassie. “Have you thought about this?”

“Yes,” Cassie replied. “A lot, actually.”

“Isn’t she kind of … violent?” Jeff tried to be tactful, but a woman who expressed her anger with a knife would stand out in their world.

Cassie raised a shoulder. “In downtown Montreal? Who would notice?”

Jeff had no answer to that.

The queen’s silence spoke to her own surprise, and Jeff feared to face her anger. She listened to their banter without interruption, but when they stopped, she said, “This is not what We expected, and it seems We are not the only one surprised. For the same reason as Mr. Powell, We have concerns. People jumping between … cities,” she paused to choose her words carefully in front of the crowd, and then continued, “has never been tried. We do not know if We can grant this boon.”

“I understand, Your Majesty, but if you would hear my reasons?” Queen Ansella gestured for her to continue. Cassie swallowed again. “Venn has no family left, and while I know very well that she can take care of herself, I believe it’s important she have people around to offer support if she needs it. Of course, I wouldn’t want to force her, just give her the option to make a life for herself in a stable environment.”

Queen Ansella regarded her from behind the silver mask. Jeff still couldn’t believe this request was on the table, but as he looked at the growing excitement on Venn’s face, he couldn’t bring himself to oppose the idea.