May and I separated after that to make at least a small effort to limit what would hit the rumor mill. I don't exaggerate when I say that all eyes were on us as we walked together, as platonic as it was. The timing of our meeting couldn't possibly have been worse. But, if not for these events and circumstances, we would not have met at all.
There was a clamor as I approached the Palace. Much running about and yelling of orders. The chaos was mostly being caused by Gnolls as Mag'stula's war wagon pulled around to where it had first dropped her off. Troops were running every which way to get in their fore and aft positions of the thing.
Just then, May ran past me, “I must stop her Tendil! She's a bargaining chip!”
The pulley platform that had been lowering the Witch jerked to a halt as it touched ground and the Gnoll Queen disembarked angrily, taking great strides as she went straight for her carriage. At a full sprint, May couldn't keep up.
She called out to Mag'stula “Your Majesty! Whatever is wrong, allow me to fix it!”
The Witch came to an abrupt halt and turned to May. I feared she would attack. Rather she was in May's face, barking down at her “You've lots of little birds about your Palace, Your Majesty, and little birds sing songs about things they've heard — sometimes disturbing things, sometimes hurtful things! I'm needed back in Yis-Gláz at any rate! I grow weary of this delicate environment!”
May seemed genuinely distraught at this turn of events. “But won't you stay to bid on the concession, Your Majesty?” She pleaded.
Imperiously, Mag'stula sneered “I'm capable of communication over distance, Queen. Perhaps you've heard I know a trick or two!”
With that, the Gnoll swirled her cloak about herself, turning for her carriage. Over her shoulder, she called, “Try to remember, Dear, nothing lasts forever, and some things fade quicker than others. Oh, and I'm not talking about Mister Bascombe though the sentiment is appropriate!”
May blushed visibly and there were murmurs all about the crowd that had gathered to watch the show. I could only look at my feet. Red-faced, I rushed off to my rooms for sanctuary.
I would imagine the rumors had reached most ears and tongues in the kingdom, but, for this audience, to see it nearly confirmed set ablaze the piles of collected speculation. Damn these circumstances! We had just had a beautiful day together and to end like this.
Back at my rooms, there was a fresh guard taking their places for their four-hour watch. They honestly looked like children, fresh and uneasy, but resolute. I found it a bit unnerving. In my sitting room, I found Ördelon there on my couch, head back and eyes closed, his mouth wide open with wheezing breaths coming in and going out.
“I thought you didn't sleep? Elves?”
I startled him badly and he bit his tongue, wincing, as he jerked upright.
“That's a fact, Mister Bascombe. Just meditating heavily. I've not had any time for rest with all of the experiments.”
I called out to the valet “Telest, a cof…” Looking to Ördelon, I asked, “Coffee or tea, Sir?”
“Tea, please. I've had enough coffee to float an armada.” he replied.
“Tea it is. Telest, tea service for two with some of those walnut biscuits, thank you.”
As the boy sped off, I couldn't help but think how close he seemed to be to the age of my guard.
Sitting on the couch next to Ördelon, I asked “Why the visit, Sir. Have you not seen enough of me yet?”
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He came back with a half-hearted sigh, asking “Bascombe, if you had a child who went bad, do you ever think you'd see them as beyond repair or redemption?”
That was a very serious question and one to which I had no adequate answer. What a position for him to be in. The experiments he was conducting with the amber were meant to be used to defeat his daughter. With all the additional stress and his memories of warfare, I wouldn't swap places with Ördelon for the world.
I replied best I could, “I'm not really one to answer that, Sir. Me being a bachelor and single. The best I can do is to try to relate it to the cats I feed back home, my strays. You'll forgive me, I know that's not an appropriate comparison, but it's all I've got.”
I looked into his face, engaging his eyes, trying to just help if I could. “Well, my little troop of felines is very loving. They enjoy being petted and brushed. They bump their heads on my legs, their sign of affection, you see. Terribly sweet things. But every once in a while, you might be petting them as you've done dozens of times before, and they'll just bite you. Hard. For seemingly no reason whatsoever. Of course, my first instinct is to hit them. But I don't. I don't think they realize what they've done. I certainly don't think it's malicious. I'll likely never know. But I still love them, and I'll keep feeding them and petting them. They're not around for a terribly long time, and they deserve to be happy.”
I stopped and stared at the floor. I'm an idiot. “I'm sorry, Mister Ördelon, I know that story wasn't the best for the situation. What I meant by it is yes, I do know unconditional love. It's just that it's for a bunch of furry demons rather than a daughter. I think I would not give up on her, hate her as I do, if she were my daughter.”
“I feel it's my duty, Bascombe. With her mother out of the picture, who's she to turn to? The thought of her, or anyone for that matter, being alone in this world just leaves my heart cold.”
“Whether or not I make it through this, Mister Ördelon, I'll be forever changed. I've been exposed to too much to go back. Soon I'll have my first and perhaps last taste of combat. I'm terrified, but I feel alive.”
“The feeling is well known to me, Bascombe. But war is such a brutal thing. Once you realize how quickly and insignificantly life can be taken, your perspective on everything is forever altered.”
“Mister Ördelon,” I faltered momentarily, my emotions roaring through me, “my perspective is out there in that hallway. I've already had four soldiers die for me. And the ones out there now, the lieutenant, he looks the equivalent of a 14-year old Human boy. Just discovering the world and life.”
He let out a subdued quiet laugh, “That ‘boy’ is Meersha Everyón, the son of Field Marshal Everyón. He'll be 75 next month, Mister Bascombe. There's some more perspective.”
Damned Elves and their longevity. I'll never get used to it.
“You just hear of so many families losing their children in war,” I said. “It saddens me that they're forced to fight.”
Ördelon nearly snapped at me, “And what should we do, Bascombe? Let them have the city, the forest, our lives?” His face reddened.
“This is our very existence on the line, Sir! For 9,000 years we've made this our home! Should we abandon it? Go out quietly, without a fight? You truly do, Sir, have a hard time bridling your sanctimony!”
He was fuming, and I let him speak.
“We've outlived dozens of entire Human civilizations! What we've accomplished here will never be matched, Bascombe, never! And you bemoan the possible loss of some younger soldiers? We may all be lost, Sir! Including you! Do not grieve for these young Elves who have taken up sword to save us! No! Rather encourage them and thank them for risking all to save all!”
He sat back on the couch, catching his breath and taking some tea.
“I'm sorry, Mister Bascombe, my passions are very high and I'm very tired. It's all too much for me, I fear.”
Sighing, Ördelon put his hand on my knee, “Lieutenant Hevistyón’s funeral is tomorrow, by the way. I knew you'd want to know. There'll be a pyre at his family's barrow in the Necropolis. A solemn but beautiful occasion. It will be held at six bells, at dusk. I can come get you before then if you'd like.”
“That sounds perfect, Mister Ördelon. Elves wear black?”
“The followers of Élois do, meaning most of us. I'm sure that would be most suitable.”
Rising from the couch, he said “Thank you for your time, your ears and your words, Mister Bascombe. They helped more than you can imagine.”
Taking one of the untouched biscuits, he winked at me and said “For the walk back.”
And he was gone and I was alone again. It was well past my afternoon nap time. Dinner would be in the dining hall at seven bells, giving me just enough time to get an hour's rest before I needed to ready myself.
“Telest,” I yelled for the valet, “If you please, come in and wake me at ten minutes before seven bells, and please lay me out something appropriate to wear.”
“Yes, My Lord.” He paused a moment. “The Queen will be there, My Lord?”
I didn't like the feeling I was feeling. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” was his response as he giggled his way out the door.
I bristled at that, but what could I do now? Everyone here knew everything about everybody. There were no secrets. Not for long, at least.
I needed to resign myself to the fact that it was out of my control. I only hoped it didn't cause problems for May. For now, the pillow called. I could escape all the madness for one hour.
Dinner was quiet, May distant to me. Without the Gnolls and Swalesians, the room actually seemed more tense. I think everyone there realized the impact of their respective exits. They had gone to their homes to ready for war. It seemed more and more inevitable by the moment.
After supper, I retired to my rooms, May seeming to avoid me purposely. Then there came a rap on the door.
“Come!” I beckoned. Who could this be?
Telest stuck his head in the door, “I've a message for you, Sir. From the Queen,” he added, stifling an unstiflable smirk.
He handed me a small parchment envelope sealed with sealing wax bearing her crest, and ran out the door giggling like he'd discovered the world's greatest secret. It was becoming obvious that the rumor mill of this kingdom was largely driven by these snooping little valets.
I pulled out my Gem of Pure Sight and looked at the envelope. It was apparent that the wax seal had been broken and resealed meticulously to avoid detection. Masterful work. It was time to have a talk with the Queen about her crew of valets. They were a villainous gang of scoundrels!
I carefully rebroke the seal and opened the envelope to find a neatly folded sheet of parchment covered in an elegant script.
My Dearest Tendil,
You have my most sincere apologies for my manner this evening. I'm so distracted and so distraught. Awaiting news on the enemy wears me down mentally. And then, there's you, filling my head with thoughts simultaneously warm and anxious. What a horrid time to fall in love! Yes, I said it Tendil — in love! But it can't be common knowledge, not yet. My people need me now more than ever and require my undivided attention. Perhaps I can make some time tomorrow. Your lips pervade my thoughts, Darling.
Until I next taste them,
May
image [https://i.imgur.com/Nu96kjY.jpeg]