Origin (45 page)

He then moved on to the last of his parent’s offspring, himself.

“I have to admit that I have always loved the outdoors more than anything else. I love being a part of and surrounded by nature. To be honest with you, my young niece, I have never found a woman that I’ve wanted to spend time with more than I want to be out in the countryside, either alone or with my soldiers. As the younger son of the ruling family, it became my responsibility to head up the army and see to the defense of Silvendil once Azavon took over as ruler. I try very hard to combine my love of the outdoors with my responsibilities. I travel all over Silvendil patrolling the borders, visiting the different military outposts, and overseeing the training of the troops. I am never in Findara any more often than is necessary. Although, I guess I will have to spend more time at home now that I have a niece to get to know better.”

Elwyn was excited to know that she had a cousin and asked him to tell her something about Remi. It was obvious that she hit a hot button with him because he curtly told her that his sister was extremely overprotective and would never let the poor child out of her sight. Ayron also said that Remi was almost as old as she was and, to his knowledge, had never even held a bow or a sword. Elwyn was sorry to hear that. She was looking forward to meeting and getting to know some young people about her age. Naturally she’d thought that perhaps her cousin might be a good place to start. Ayron told her that he didn’t want to be anywhere near Findara when Remi decided that he been coddled for too long and began to rebel. Apparently Gelmir had next to no interest in the boy and spent all of his time with his father.

“He’s probably politicking to be his father’s replacement on the Council of Elders when he retires,” said Ayron with a disgusted look and a shake of his head. “I can’t imagine politics being more important than his son.”

“It sounds to me as if Remi is kept in a cage of sorts. I would be surprised if he isn’t looking for a way to escape it and fly away from all that coddling. It sounds as if Gelmir has been raised much the same way though. In our village, the sons learn a trade from their fathers. It sounds as if Gelmir and then Remi are paying the price because Gelmir’s father was more interested in position and power, than teaching them how to live and relate to those around them. Unfortunately that type of father has probably left his son and grandson too weak to be the conspirator.”

Ayron frowned, obviously trying to digest Elwyn’s words.

“Well we have stopped here long enough. It is time we were traveling again. I think that Keroc has had enough to eat to last him until dinner,” said Ayron smiling at the little drakenhawk.

Within minutes, they were mounted and riding north again.

T
hey rode for a while in silence. Ayron seemed talked out and Elwyn had lots to think about. Part of her was looking forward to meeting her new found family, but the other part of her was very reluctant to get involved with the politics that seemed to permeate throughout Findara. She checked in with Toruk once or twice during the afternoon as they rode north, but apparently the drakenhawks saw nothing that appeared threatening. Late in the afternoon, Ayron led them a ways off the trail to a lovely spot with a little waterfall and a small cave. The cave’s entrance was surrounded by flowering bushes and small trees, almost obscuring it from view. He felt it was a good place for them to camp, and since he was anxious to hear what she had to say about her mother’s diary, he wanted to settle in early.

Ayron sent Elwyn out to hunt for game, so they would have fresh meat, while he tended to the morden and set up the camp. He wasn’t trying to test her, but he was still tired and knew she wanted to demonstrate her hunting skills. While he was setting up camp his mind traveled to the problem looming largest in his mind. He had no more excuses for not getting in touch with his brother and telling him about Elwyn’s existence. He hoped that Kierra would remember to join them in the evenings so that she could hear what Rhianna had to say as well. Ayron felt sure that between the three of them, they could figure out what really happened to Rhianna and take steps to ensure Elwyn’s safety.

Elwyn came back to camp about an hour after she left with a small deer slung over her shoulders. Both she and Ayron were looking forward to a good dinner. Elwyn laughed as she told him that she had to politely chase off the drakenhawks that were trying to protect her, because their scent was scaring off all the game. Toruk made her promise to keep in touch and let him know as soon as she was able to hunt successfully. He seemed somewhat appeased that it didn’t take her very long to find the deer once they left the area. Ayron volunteered to prepare dinner since she did the hunting, and Elwyn was happy to let him do so. She went over by the little waterfall, sat down next to the water’s edge, and dangled her feet in the small pond. Before she knew it, Ayron was calling her over to dinner. They had a wonderful meal of roasted venison, fresh baked bread and cheese, along with hot tea. Ayron had somehow managed to find some fresh fruit in the village and brought it along for dessert. The crackling of the fire and the local insect population were the only sounds that penetrated the mouth of the cave while they ate.

After dinner, while her uncle cleaned up, Elwyn unrolled their bed pads and put more wood on the fire. She then went to her saddlebags and pulled out her mother’s diary. Ayron was amazed as he beheld the beautiful crest of Rhianna’s family tooled into the front of the book. As they both sat down and Elwyn prepared to read, they both sensed Kierra’s presence. Elwyn started by explaining to them both that the early entries in the diary were spent describing her mother’s feelings about her parent’s murder, having to flee for her life, and how it make her feel to be hunted by assassins that her own uncle sent after her and Rhys.

Elwyn described the next section in the diary as the love section. She briefly told them about Rhianna’s feelings meeting Azavon, her long courtship, and how wonderful it was being married to the man of her dreams. She read a few of the entries in the diary that she found to be significant to them.

“
I think the most exciting moment of my whole life was when I was chosen by Gemma to be her life-bonded companion. Even though Ayron urged me to go to the Choosing, I never dreamed I would be chosen; especially by a morden as beautiful and brilliant as Gemma. I will be grateful to Ayron forever for having more faith in me than I had in myself.”

It seemed that the only thing that marred her happy existence was how much Alysan seemed to dislike her.

“
I approached Alysan again today with an offer of friendship. I’ve been so excited at the thought of having a sister, but she doesn’t seem interested in even becoming friends. I have no idea what I could have done to offend her, but she told me to leave her alone and to stop hanging around her with my ugly human looks. She says that I’m an embarrassment to her and the whole family, and that no one wanted to see me marry her brother.

I went to see Alysan to congratulate her when I heard that she was also expecting a child. I asked her if she wanted to work on our layettes together over the coming months. She got very angry at me and shouted that I should leave and never come to her suite of rooms again. Then she told me that no one was happy to hear that Azavon and I were going to have a baby, and that any child born to us would never be accepted as ruler in Silvendil. She said that I was ruining her family’s bloodlines. I went back to my room and sobbed. I love my husband and his family and the thought that our child might bring shame to him causes me great pain. I’m afraid to ask him about it though; because I’m afraid it will hurt him to know how his sister feels about our child. Maybe I will talk to Ayron when I see him next. I have to admit to being disappointed that my mother-in-law is always too busy to spend time with me, and my sister-in-law just doesn’t want to.

“I think that my mother really struggled trying to understand why Alysan disliked her so,” Elwyn said shaking her head.

“I can see why Rhianna would have been puzzled,” said Ayron thoughtfully. “However, for those of us who were around to see just how much my sister hated her own human appearance, it doesn’t surprise me that she wanted to have nothing to do with your fully human mother. Alysan began to reject our mother’s attentions even before she was even old enough for lessons. Unfortunately she only wanted time from our father, who had very little of it to give. I believe that Alysan still dislikes anything human. Her marriage was obviously all about trying to redeem herself by having a child who resembled an elf,” said Ayron in a tone laced with frustration and sadness.

“I think the question we should be asking ourselves is,” said Kierra in their minds simultaneously. “Who influenced Alysan when she was so young and taught her to hate humans and herself in the process? Hatred and prejudice has to be taught, and we know that your parents never felt that way about the humans. So, even thought you thought that Alysan spent her time alone as a child, someone had enough influence over her to fill her head with poison,” said Kierra, her sorrow being communicated along with her words.

“Have you ever wondered why no companion, morden or drakenhawk, has ever chosen to life-bond with Alysan,” continued Kierra. “She is just too full of anger and bitterness. Her mind is too rigid and rejects everything that does not fit into her image of perfection. I’m sure that you both can understand just how enraged Alysan became when Gemma chose Rhianna over her.”

“I have to admit that I never gave the matter much thought,” said Ayron slowly, trying to recall the events so far in the past. I remember that I actually talked Rhianna into going to that choosing, but to be honest, I don’t remember even seeing my sister there,” he said. “I was just so happy for Rhianna that I probably didn’t even notice her,” Ayron said sadly.

“Ayron, please don’t take on a burden of guilt over this,” said Kierra. “We companions knew that there was a problem from the time Alysan first began to attend the Choosings,” she added. “What we need to discover is who took the time to slowly and methodically poison your sister’s mind against humans. I’m sure you can see that the situation is full of political undertones. As far as all of Silvendil is concerned, Remi is to be the next ruler of the land. Why do you think that your sister has kept him isolated? She has been trying to pass on this legacy of hate,” said Kierra, her sadness almost palatable.

“Wow,” said Ayron who was reeling from shock. “I feel so stupid for never noticing any of this. I just thought that my sister was determined to be bitter and unhappy. I’m sure that Azavon would be shocked to hear this as well,” he added. “So Kierra, if I understand you correctly, we agree that bringing Elwyn into Findara might well trigger those who attempted to end Rhianna’s life to strike again.”

“Ayron, if someone was willing to kill Rhianna to make sure that his or her plans to control the throne were not thwarted,” said Kierra. “Imagine now that that Remi exists and is coming of age, what they will be willing to do to rid themselves of Elwyn,” she said nervously.

“Elwyn,” said Ayron trying to lighten the somber mood a bit by tossing her an apple. “You have been very quiet for a long time. How is all this making you feel?”

“To be honest,” said Elwyn addressing them both. “I really don’t know how I feel about any of this. Two weeks ago I was a simple girl from a small village with an uncle, the village healer, and a horse as my only family. Then, I find out that a ruler of a distant land I’ve never even heard of is trying to have me assassinated because I pose a threat to his throne. Along with that there is the discovery that I have a father and a family that will be waiting to meet me. Next I discover that I may be the heir to another kingdom who is having their own difficulties with bigotry and prejudice. And finally, it seems that my existence may threaten the plans of another ruler, whose advisors will want me dead when they hear of my existence.” Elwyn sighed as she continued. “Part of me wants to run away as far and as fast as I can go and forget that all of this ever happened,” she said shaking her head. “But the other part of me knows that I would be running and hiding my entire life. Since I have no desire to hide anymore, I may as well go forward and face whatever my future holds. If it means my death, then so be it”, Elwyn said emphatically.

“You are very brave, my child,” whispered Kierra.

“I’m so sorry Elwyn,” said Ayron shaking his head solemnly. “I’d really hoped that coming to Findara and meeting your father would bring joy to you both. It seems that I have only brought you from one dangerous situation into another,” he added while getting up to put another log on the fire.

“I think we’ve all had a rough evening and should take a break for now. Ayron, while the two of you are riding tomorrow, why don’t you tell Elwyn about Lord Azavon’s council and any other key players in Findara. Elwyn, tomorrow evening, would you share with us the events that occurred after Azavon and Ayron left for Grimsfyne that drove Rhianna to flee Findara. Maybe we can make more sense of things then. For now, I wish you both a restful sleep.”

With that, Kierra withdrew her presence from their minds. Both Ayron and Elwyn were exhausted. The stress of everything that had happened combined with what might lie ahead was beginning to take its toll on them both. The last thing that Elwyn remembered hearing was her uncle telling her to rest while he went to check on the morden, and Toruk bidding her a quiet good-night.

E
lwyn woke up the next morning to the smell of biscuits baking and the raspy whisper of Toruk in her mind wishing her well and letting her know that the drakenhawks sensed no danger. She knew the smell of food meant that Ayron was already up and doing chores. She jumped up quickly hoping to apologize for sleeping late, only to find that she was the only inhabitant of the cave. She went to entrance and looked outside. The day was cloudy and overcast, and there was a slight chill to the air. Elwyn donned her cloak before stepping out into the crisp morning air. She immediately spotted Ayron over by the water grooming the morden. She ran over to greet him and offered to take over some of the work. He laughed and said that he had the chores under control but had saved the most difficult task for her; which was to seek out Keroc, who was sulking up in one of the nearby trees.