“Ser Indigo!” shouted Istan. Mosaics made of precious stones covered the walls and ceiling of their apartments, and many of them contained heroes from the Book of Tides. Istan had been calling out the names of every one he recognized for what seemed like hours. Cara wondered how he could have such energy, even at his age. The journey through the Coldwood had been peaceful, yet taxing, and the climb upwards under the Titan’s Arm had drained most of the family of patience and strength. King Grar and Queen Halfi had been most understanding when they planned all the pre-wedding excursions the day after their arrival.

“I think Istan’s a dwarf,” said Hale. “Long journeys apparently don’t tire him.”

Cara was about to laugh when Keely caught the brush in her hair and she winced instead.

“Oh mercy,” said Keely, “please forgive me Princess Cara!”

“It’s all right, Keely,” said Cara. The apartments the dwarves kept for human guests were very comfortable, but somewhat cramped. There were individual rooms for sleeping and dressing, but no rooms for having one’s hair brushed. Also, Cara had to share bathing space with her sister and handmaids. Keely was evidently nervous brushing her hair in sight of her brother. It seemed Hale's mere presence caused her hands to shake. It didn’t surprise Cara, as Hale was not only the Crown Prince, but a strong and handsome man now. I’m still not used to him being a man, she thought. I don’t suppose I’ll ever see him that way, no matter how big he gets or how many maids blush over him.

"Yemi is the most amazing woman I know," Gislain announced.

"Woman?!" Hale was almost laughing.

"She's older than you," her little sister replied staunchly.

"Not really," Hale said back. "Dwarves age differently than us, Gissy. Surely you've noticed that."

"Well, she can do a lot more than all of us can, even if she's little. She can fight in armor, mend clothing, forage and hunt, and she's an expert at tending to wounds."

"That's very impressive," her mother said. "They teach all their young girls these things, you know? There's near twice as many men, and so their women learn at a young age everything they need to keep themselves safe, so that their kin never runs out of mothers."

“How could they have more men than women?” Gislain asked.

Between Gislain and Istan the noise had been constant all morning, and it was beginning to wear on Cara. Poor Keely, she then thought. She must be a nervous wreck right now. I’ll have her brush my hair in my bedchamber tomorrow. Its quieter in there.

“What do the other men do,” Gislain continued, “the ones who have no women to marry?”

“They’re the ones who do most of the building,” her mother said. “The elder Prince, their Army Chief, and all their miners, smiths, jewelers and soldiers are unmarried men. That’s what makes them so productive.”

“And dangerous,” said Hale.

He had been reclining on a sofa reading through codices that gave information on Thrond, and making increasingly pedantic comments as he did so.

“Why does not being married make them dangerous?” Gislain asked.

“Because,” said Hale, “they have much more time to train without silly little girls asking them endless questions.” He leaned across the sofa and gently bopped her head with the codex. She giggled.

Cara smiled. He’s so good to her. I’m glad he's as kind as I remembered him. I wouldn’t know him if not for that.

One of the things Cara had been happiest for since Hale’s return, was the quick bonds he formed with his younger siblings. They were very young when he left for Eruhal, and scarcely remembered him when he came back to High Alden. But he acted as if he had never left, and they took to him very quickly.

“Why aren’t you with Balvor, Auntie?” Cara felt sorry for her aunt. Idana had been sitting quietly by the window all morning, looking silently out on the slopes of the mountain. Cara kept expecting Balvor to burst into the room at any moment and lift her up and carry her away, laughing as they went.

“Oh,” her aunt said a moment later, “he’s with the King, and the King. I mean, your father and King Grar, and one of the younger Princes I believe. Ror, I think.”

“Salimod is convinced Ror will be named heir,” said Yselde.

“Is he not?” Cara asked. She had assumed him to be the Crown Prince, she realized, though she had not bothered to ask. He was so bold, so willful, so cocksure, where his brother had spoken a few words to her aunt about her necklace and then hung back in the shadows.

“They’re twins,” said Hale. “Father only mentioned it a dozen times on the road. King Grar has yet to choose which one will be heir apparent. My coin’s on Ror as well. I spoke with him last night, once Cara had managed to pry herself loose from him. He’s bold, willful, and strong-hearted. Prince Halfur slunk away like a packless wolf and scarcely said a word. It takes a man with the courage to face his people to be a King. Could you imagine someone prone to hiding away in the dark as King of this place? No. I daresay Father has the right of it.”

“So,” said her mother, “you made Ror’s acquaintance?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Cara blushed. “I introduced myself to everyone.”

“He said her hair and eyes reminded him of the new star.” Hale folded his arms and stared directly into her eyes. Keely snagged the brush on another curl, but Cara scarcely noticed this time.

“And what of that?" she said indignantly. "It's red, and blue in the middle. I have red hair and blue eyes. He was merely being observant. And he probably only noticed because most of his family has red hair. He didn’t mean anything by it.”

“A bit prickly are we? I daresay I threaded the needle. What do you think, Gislain?”

“Do the men who don’t get married braid each other's hair?” asked the little girl.

Cara braced herself for the snag of the brush as everyone laughed.

“Well, do they?” Gislain was intent. “Almost all the men have braids. Some of them even braid their beards.”

“Why don’t you ask them, sweetling?” her mother said while laughing.

Just then the doors burst open, only it wasn’t Balvor. The younger Princess, Yemi, came in and then stopped.

“Sorry!” Yemi said, then left the room, closed the doors, then knocked.

Yselde laughed again and gestured to her handmaiden, Betha, who went to the door and let the Princess in. Yemi entered slowly this time, and gave them a prolonged curtsey. Her mother stood and curtseyed back, and Hale dropped to one knee and bowed. Yemi ignored them and fixed her eyes on Gislain and Istan, who went running over to her.

“Can we go with her?” they both asked in unison.

“Betha,” said her mother, “would you fetch Dennel and have him arrange an escort?”

“There will be no need for that,” Balvor’s voice echoed through the room, and Idana leapt to her feet as if he had lifted her.

“Oh my love!” her aunt shouted gleefully.

Balvor smiled, but did not run to meet her. “Sorry to keep you waiting, my emerald moon.”

“I’ve missed you terribly, my crimson sun.”

Idana crossed the room and planted a long kiss atop Balvor’s ruddy head. There was something unusual about his demeanor. He seemed defeated, broken down. Cara began to wonder what had been discussed between him and the two Kings. She recalled Hale’s worrisome words in the chasm beyond the Horned Black Gate. Surely everything is well, she told herself. She could not help being perplexed by Balvor’s apparent melancholy, and recalled her words to Hale, that he at least would keep their Auntie safe.

“You seem out of sorts, Dread Highness,” said her mother. “Is all well?”

Thank you, mother! It was tearing Cara’s innards apart seeing Balvor so becalmed after meeting with his brother and her father.

“Of course,” he said halfheartedly. “My King Brother merely scolded me over some trivial things. He can be a bit harsh at times. He and His Grace, your husband, are talking in Grar’s solar. They’ll be along for luncheon. Until then the children are welcome to accompany Idana and I. We’ll keep a close watch on them.”

“Thank you, Balvor. You’re a brave man to take these two under your charge. Will Princess Klar and your nephews be available to tour my children around the citadel? Perhaps after luncheon?”

“Oh, I’m sure.” He didn’t sound sure. “Halfur’s with our husbands… er, I mean your husband, His Grace, and my brother, his Dread Majesty, I mean... forgive me, Your Majesty. Grar gave me quite a tongue lashing and I’m a little distracted. He’s a real terror when perturbed.”

“Was it to do with the necklace?” her mother asked. Both Balvor Idana went wide-eyed with shock at her mother’s question.

“What’s wrong with her necklace?” asked Gislain.

Her mother gave Balvor a wry smile. “I understand it was specially made, and he was supposed to wait until after we arrived to gift it. Quite a while after, if I’m guessing correctly.”

“You are, Your Majesty. I mean, oh, Titan’s chin!”

“It’s alright, Dread Highness. I think the necklace is beautiful, and I’m glad you sent it when you did. Now you take your emerald moon and our little titans and enjoy yourselves.”

As they all made to leave, a young dwarf boy with mismatched eyes and an uneven gate entered the room. He and Yemi exchanged rather an awkward look, and Cara remembered him from the day before. He had stood by Yemi when they arrived, but she had not met him.

I was busy speaking with Ror. she thought. I may as well admit it. I’m besotted. I understand why Auntie fell bosom up for Balvor. These men of Narvi's line are dreadfully handsome, charming, intelligent, and oh so very strong. And Ror can dance! Cara’s mind drifted off as she imagined holding Ror’s powerful hands while they spun around a ball room floor. She pictured him lifting her in the air as Balvor lifted Idana. She imagined she would be light as a feather in his stone hard arms.

Keely’s final snag woke her from her dreaming. Her mother was thanking the odd little boy for something, and he about smashed his face into the door as he turned to leave.

“He’s as odd as they come,” her brother said.

“Queen Halfi says he’s a bit touched in the head,” said her mother, “but she swears he’s brilliant in his own way. I’m going to meet with her now. If I were you, I’d explore the citadel by yourselves, and bid Klar and the Princes to show you Ormazzum. The citadel is lovely, but rather quaint for Thrond. The City of the Gate on the other hand is far grander.”

“I’m sure Ror won’t mind,” Hale smirked at Cara smugly.

“And I’m sure your father wouldn’t mind if something were to occur betwixt you two,” her mother was looking at her directly, leaving no room for doubt in her tone.

“I’ll hear no more from either of you!” Cara put on her best glower, but her heart had quickened its pace at the thought. Could that be what father is plotting for me? I honestly could think of much worse. I’m past the age of betrothal by four years at least, and father is surely anxious to strengthen his alliance with Thrond as much as possible. And Ror is so kind, so mirthful, and so respected. Could he find a safer man for me to wed? Could father be wiser than I’ve given him credit for? I hope so. I hope all these things. I hope to the red star that Hale’s fears don’t come true.