Page 11 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

R o got to the meeting room early, in part so she could have another cup of coffee, but also because she hoped Denwood might arrive early as well.

She wanted to have a quick word with him about the neph and her plans to reach out to them.

That way, he could think on it and possibly come up with helpful ideas by the time this meeting was over.

As the professors filtered in and greeted her, however, he wasn’t among them. When he did arrive, King Ehlzar and Queen Varyana were right behind him, which meant there was no time to talk. So much for that.

She put on a smile and welcomed the royals. “Good morning. I trust it’s been good, anyway.”

“It has been,” King Ehlzar said. “We slept well and had a wonderful breakfast.”

Queen Varyana put her hand to her stomach. “Your kitchen spoils us. The blackberry jam is so good, I fear I’ve eaten more than my share.”

“Nonsense. In fact, if you like it that much, I’ll make sure you have several jars to take home. It is delicious.”

“You’re so kind,” Varyana said.

Ro was glad she’d again worn the crystal bracelet Varyana had given her. The Wyvern had already become more than simply allies; they’d become friends.

Ehlzar nodded. “We have been touched by your hospitality. And the friendliness of your people.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Please, make yourselves comfortable and we can get this signing underway. Then you have the rest of the day to do as you’d like.”

“About that,” Ehlzar said, his smile fading a touch as he remained standing.

“Varyana and I should be headed home soon. I’m sure you understand.

But we’d like to leave a few of our guards with you.

Say, four or five? More if you like. There are many eager to stay.

In exchange, we were hoping we might take a few of yours back with us.

We believe we have much to learn from you.

And perhaps a few things to teach you as well. If such a thing would be acceptable.”

“I would love that. It’s very acceptable to me.” She glanced at Denwood and motioned for him to join them. “Professor, if you could?”

He came over, and she explained about the exchange. “Can you come up with a contingent of six guards to go to Hythe?”

He nodded. “I’ll do that this afternoon, your highness.” He smiled at the king and queen. “I look forward to having your guards with us. It can’t be said enough that the aerial advantage is unparalleled. I could put them to work today.”

“I hope you do. They will want to be of use. It’s set then.” Ehlzar nodded, clearly happy.

“Fantastic.” Ro gestured toward the table. “Let’s make this treaty official.”

It took less than half an hour to ceremoniously read through the documents and for Ro and Ehlzar to sign them. The witnesses were Everand Larksford, Professor of Protocol, and a Hythian scribe who’d accompanied the king and queen for that very purpose.

Ro stood as soon as she was done. “Thank you all for attending today. This is a significant day in Summerton history. I trust our alliance will hold strong for many years to come, and I look forward to furthering the friendship of our kingdoms.”

“Hear, hear,” Ehlzar said. He and Queen Varyana stood and made their way out. As they left, the other professors and staff got to their feet. “Professor Denwood,” Ro called out. “If I could see you for a moment?”

“Certainly, your highness.”

He stayed behind, and when everyone but he and Gabriel had left, she told him about her dream, the book, and her intent to send the neph a letter. “Unless, of course, you can give me a good reason not to.”

Denwood shook his head. “I know your dreams are your magic. I think it’s wise to at least test the waters with the neph, see what sort of response you get. If Malveaux launches an attack against us, we’ll need all the help we can get. You know a troll delegation arrived in Malveaux?”

Ro nodded. “I do.”

“If Anyka starts a war and the trolls send reinforcements, we could be in trouble.”

“Even with the Wyvern?”

“They’ll be a huge help. Provided they send us more guards. But the trolls are the best fighters in the realm. They’re unstoppable. Each one is worth two or three of our guards.” He frowned. “Another alliance would not be a bad thing.”

“Do you know anything about the neph? Anything that might help me craft this letter?”

He thought a second. “They’re cunning. Stealthy. Legends say they aren’t afraid of anything except the sun and move with a speed no other creature can match. I’d much rather they were our ally than Anyka’s.”

“You think she’d reach out to them?”

He snorted. “I think she’d do anything she could to take your crown, my lady.”

Ro exhaled. “Unfortunately, I believe that, too. Thank you, Martin. You’ll see to those six guards?”

“I will, ma’am. Won’t be difficult. A chance for an assignment like that will get a lot of volunteers. I’ll pick the most deserving. And the ones who will do you proud.”

“I leave it in your hands. I trust your judgment.”

He smiled and bowed. “Thank you, your highness. I’m off to take care of that immediately.”

Gabriel was at the other end of the room.

She wanted to lean on him. To feel the comfort of his arms around her.

But that wasn’t something that could happen in such a public space.

There were still guards at the doors. She gave him a quick smile.

“I’m going to Uldamar’s. He’s not expecting me, but I want to see if he’s found out anything. I’m eager to get that letter sent.”

“You want company?”

“I do.”

They headed for Uldamar’s quarters, which were in the opposite direction from the royal apartments. Ro had never been to his rooms, and she was curious.

Gabriel knocked when they arrived. It took a moment, then Uldamar opened the door, dressed in his usual robes with an old text in his hand and a pair of half-moon spectacles balanced on his nose. “Your highness.”

He bowed, eyes narrowing as he straightened. “My apologies. I forgot you were coming.”

“No, you didn’t,” Ro said, smiling. “I didn’t tell you I was coming. I’m just eager to see if you’ve found anything out. I want to get that letter sent.”

“Come in, come in.” He backed away. His quarters seemed to be at least three rooms: a good-size sitting room with a fireplace, which was where they stood; beyond that, a bedroom and small dining area, with access to a balcony.

There were plenty of windows and lots of light, but the rooms seemed cozy. The sitting room felt a touch cramped.

Maybe because the walls were lined with shelves stuffed with books, scrolls, glass bottles, pottery jars, carved bits of stone, and the most random assortment of things she’d seen.

Animal skulls, bird wings, driftwood, rocks, crystal, an old horseshoe, pouches stuffed full of something , metal bowls, wooden wands, folded fabric, and two balls of yarn.

Stacks of books sat by the chair nearest the fireplace, where even the mantel was covered with books, boxes, jars, and what appeared to be a necklace of claws on a stand.

He caught her looking and smiled. “I am what the mortal world would refer to as a hoarder, I believe.”

She laughed. “You do have quite a collection of things.”

“All of which will someday prove very useful, I assure you.”

“I have no doubt.”

“Can I get you something to drink? Tea?”

“No, we’re fine. Just came to see how your research was going.”

“Please, sit.” He glanced behind him and pulled a large roll of tanned leather, an atlas, and a spool of silver chain off of the couch. He set them on the floor and went to the chair near the fireplace as Ro and Gabriel got comfortable.

“What I’ve discovered is that—and this is my own speculation, mind you—the neph might be more open to an alliance than I originally thought. If my calculations are right, they are in serious need of more blood. Fresh blood, that is.”

Ro grimaced. “I don’t think that’s anything I want to promise them, regardless of what they bring to the table.”

“Pardon me, my lady. I don’t mean literal blood. I mean that they have been isolated for so long that they could use new people in their society. There are no full-blooded neph living in Summerton that I know of, but neph and fae are highly compatible, as my own lineage proves.”

“Are you suggesting we … What are you suggesting?”

“No actual plan. Just that they might be open to an alliance if they knew we would welcome them in our kingdom. That our people and theirs might be able to get to know each other.”

Gabriel shifted positions. “With the hope that marriages—and children—would be the natural conclusion.”

Uldamar nodded.

“I see,” Ro said. She looked at both men. “How do you think the citizens of this kingdom would feel about having neph among us? Especially so soon after the Wyvern? Change isn’t something all Radiant seem to immediately embrace. A good number of them didn’t want me.”

Gabriel sighed. “That is, unfortunately, true. But there are always some who will be open. It’s hard to say until the matter is actually put forth.”

“Perhaps,” Uldamar said, stroking his beard, “your aunt and Posey might be our best option here. They’re still very connected to the village. They could gently bring up the subject and see how it’s received?”

“Not a bad idea.” Ro felt like she’d put the people through a lot of newness lately. “Let me give it some thought. Anything else about the neph that might be useful?”

“They love stones. Gems and crystals.” He shrugged. “Other than mentioning we have good sources for trillianite?—”

“And crystals,” Gabriel interjected. “Thanks to the Wyvern.”

“And crystals,” Uldamar repeated. “Good point. You might bring that up in the letter. That you’re interested in trade with them?”

“Another good thought.” Ro touched the crystal bracelet Queen Varyana had given her. “Let’s get this letter drawn up. Do you have a way of sending it?”

“Fae messenger would be the best,” Uldamar answered. “One who is prepared for what could be a less-than-pleasant reception.”

Ro’s eyes narrowed. “A guard then. Is it a long trip? How far away is this Charred Forest?”

“A good distance,” Gabriel said. “But there’s an old portal not far from there that would bring a four-day trip down to a matter of hours. It was used for hunting ages ago. I doubt it’s been used much at all since King Reedly’s time.”

“And it’s still operational?”

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, but a quick attempt to access it will answer that.”

“Let’s make sure it’s working then.” Ro looked at Uldamar. “I’d like you to help me with the letter. Both of you. Would it be all right if we called Posey here and just used your sitting room to get this done? I don’t want to interrupt your work.”

“No interruption at all, my lady. That would be fine.”

“Thank you.”

Gabriel got up. “I’ll get her.”

“She and my aunt should be in the garden.” Ro leaned forward. “Do you know if the neph are ruled by a king or a queen or both?”

“I don’t. I recall, as a child, hearing about King Wyst.” He frowned. “Or was it Wynt?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, my lady. My memories of those days are thin.”

“That’s all right. We’ll address it to the Crown of the Caer Wyld. That should do it, don’t you think?”

“Yes.”

A few minutes later, Gabriel returned with Aunt Violet and Posey. Posey had her notebook, pen, and travel desk, holding them up as she came in to show Ro she was ready to work.

Aunt Violet greeted her with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind that I came, too.”

“No, of course not.” Ro scooted over to make room, but Uldamar was already returning from the other room with one of his dining chairs.

As soon as they were all settled, Ro began to dictate. “Begin the letter with, ‘To the Crown of the Caer Wyld.’”

Posey nodded as she wrote. “Go on.”

“I am Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft of Summerton, newly ascended to the Radiant throne. For reasons both personal and diplomatic, I am reaching out to you in hopes of creating an alliance between our kingdoms.”

She paused to be sure Posey could keep up, continuing when the older woman gave her another nod.

“We have goods to trade, food supplies, fine wool, wine, brandy, and an adequate supply of top-quality trillianite gemstones. We can also facilitate the trading of crystal with our ally, the Hythian Wyvern.”

Gabriel smiled. “Nice way of telling them we’ve already secured a strong partner.”

She smiled back. “I don’t want them to think we’re begging. But I don’t want to come off as full of ourselves, either.”

Aunt Violet shook her head. “I don’t think it sounds that way at all.”

“Good. Now to wrap it up. How about this, ‘If you are so inclined, our messenger will return in a day’s time to relay your response. The kingdom of Summerton wishes you all the best, and we hope for amicable relations in the future.’”

She sat back. “What do you think? Too much? Not enough?”

Uldamar glanced at the notebook in Posey’s hands before answering. “Well done, your highness. It’s direct and honest. The quicker we can get it sent, the quicker we will have an answer.”

“I agree,” Ro said. “Posey, get that ready to send. Gabriel, how soon can you tell me if that portal is working?”

He got to his feet. “By this afternoon.”

“Sooner would be better.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”