David Dalglish - Blood Of Gods

“Nervous?” Carskel whispered.

“Yes,” she responded. This time, she didn’t lie.

Detrick drew their attention. “We come here today,” he said, patting the book in his hand, “to celebrate a return to the values of old. It was written by Ignacious Thyne, the first of our race whom benevolent Celestia blessed with life, that the royal house was to stay united, the family line kept pure. For five hundred years we held true to those teachings, until our people strayed, thinning the royal blood. That thinning has left us weak, and we refuse to be weak any longer! Today I announce, in the spirit of Ignacious himself, the betrothal of Carskel and Aullienna Meln, whose marriage will lead our people to a great and bright future!”

The massive gathering of elves broke into soft applause. Aully could plainly see at least half of those packed onto the skywalks looked confused, a couple even disgusted. “Brother and sister?” she heard someone proclaim. “Unnatural!” It was all Aully could do not to grin.

“However,” said Detrick, ignoring the objectors, “there is a slight problem that must be overcome first. Our texts say that when a Dezren is betrothed, there are only two instances in which the promise can be broken: by death or a renouncement. Princess Aullienna has already agreed to forego her engagement to the Prince of Dezerea.” He turned to her, and she nodded, though her stomach was clenched with dread. “However, it takes two to enter a pact and two to break it. Now bring forth Kindren Thyne!”

Aullienna looked away from him to see the dullard Dukat and one of Ethir’s sentries escorting Kindren and Lady Audrianna along the adjacent skywalk. Her mother was in front, Aully’s betrothed three steps behind, and both walked with their heads held high, needing no prodding. A collective hush came over the throng of elves as Aully’s jaw clenched. Come on. You expected this. It changes nothing.

Detrick gestured for the pair to be shepherded onto the causeway. “And what betrothal is complete without a blessing?” he bellowed to the crowd. “Audrianna Meln, the former Lady of Stonewood, is here to provide it!”

That statement drew even more hesitant grumbles from the throng. Even those who had been cheering so vociferously before stopped. Aully realized that almost no one was looking at her anymore, but at her mother. A great many gawked with what could only be described as reverence.

Kindren and the Lady of Stonewood made their way down the gently swaying causeway, holding tight to the rope handrail. Kindren stared intently at Aully, as if no one else existed. He blinked three times in rapid succession. At first Aully couldn’t decide whether he was nervous or trying to send her a message, but then he nodded to her while grimacing, and she understood, right then and there, that he knew what she was about to do and approved. As if to prove his point, he held up his spoiled hand, of which only his thumb and little finger remained. Aully grimaced at the sight, then gathered herself and blinked, telling him silently that she understood.

Her mother, however, was a different story. Audrianna waved to her people, her lips parted in a kind smile. It was her mother’s public face, similar to the one she would wear when the Lord and Lady of Stonewood held court during each Spring Festival. When she had that familiar face on, it was nearly impossible to tell how she truly felt. Cleotis had often joked that if his wife were to put on that expression for him, she would be just as likely to bludgeon him as kiss him.

Thoughts of her father caused a wrenching in Aully’s heart. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

When she opened them again, Kindren and Audrianna were standing before her, with Detrick off to the left. Her uncle sang a short refrain from his book, some nonsense about the glory of the Dezren, eternal life, and smiting enemies. He then tucked the book beneath his arm and stepped between Kindren and Audrianna.

Her uncle took Kindren’s good hand in his own. “Do you, Kindren Thyne of Dezerea, denounce your betrothal to Aullienna Meln of Stonewood? Do you release her from the ties that bind?”

Kindren lowered his head. He hesitated, but eventually his lips moved, though with the murmuring crowd, it was difficult to hear what he said. Beside Aully, Carskel tensed.

“I am sorry, but we could not hear you,” said Detrick.

“I will,” Kindren stated, loudly this time.

Detrick released his hand and proceeded to do the same to his sister-in-law. “And now, Lady Audrianna Meln of Stonewood, do you bless this coming union, with all your heart and with Celestia’s sanction?”

Carskel visibly cringed at the sound of the goddess’s name.

“Of course,” Audrianna said, turning her head from side to side. She kept her voice raised so all could hear. “Of course I do.”

Detrick smiled warmly and stepped back, which brought Aully’s anger back to the surface. Kindren continued to stare at his feet while the Lady of Stonewood waved to her admirers. Then the elegant and beautiful elf, in the briefest of moments, peered at her daughter and mouthed, Do it.

Aully’s breath came so quickly that she almost didn’t realize that Carskel had leaned back down, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Now is the time,” her brother said. “Address your people. Half of them are mine already. Once we reach Dezerea, you will be the Lady of this city. Tell them how much you love me. Tell the disbelievers that the stories they have heard aren’t true. Tell them we will bring them glory that Stonewood has never seen.”

Aully nodded and took three steps away from him. She placed both her hands on the platform’s hempen railing, gazing out at the swarm of elves. She scanned their numbers, seeing face after familiar face. She spotted Hadrik, Mella, and Lolly as well as her cousin Mariah, lingering on one of the upper skywalks. They were among those who appeared downcast, defeated. Aully closed her eyes and remembered the last time she’d stood here. She recalled how she had fought inwardly about whether she should do as Carskel told her. How she had taken a half measure by shouting out his sins instead of ending all the pain, all the torment, right then and there.

That would not happen again.

“They are waiting,” she heard Carskel say, impatience in his tone.

Aully faked a smile and raised her left hand to wave at the crowd. A smattering of cheers answered her. Her right hand she kept by her side, holding her middle three fingers out straight while bringing her thumb and little finger across her palm until they touched. The words of a spell entered the forefront of her mind, and she could feel the web pulse as the land’s magic infused her.

“For you, Celestia,” she whispered, softly as she could, and stared at the circle of bright sky amid the canopy.

“Invaders!” shrieked a loud, panicked voice. “Lord Carskel, they’re coming!”

The spell died on Aully’s lips. She whirled around and glanced up to see Davishon Hinsbrew, the Surveyor of Stonewood, slinging down from the top of one of the nearby trees. His face was a mask of panic, eyes wide and teeth grinding together.

The elf landed on the causeway, pitching the hanging walk into an exaggerated sway. Carskel stormed toward the elf, his clenched right fist inching ever closer to the khandar on his hip.

“What is the meaning of this?” he roared. His normally pale cheeks were flushed.

Davishon scampered along the causeway, pointing east. “They are coming , Lord Carskel!” he screamed. “Karak’s soldiers! They are here !”

The Surveyor’s voice was so loud that those standing on nearby skywalks heard him, and panic ensued. Elves dashed this way and that, scrambling to climb the ladders to their homes. Ethir and Mardrik barked orders to the other sentries, who snatched their bows from their backs and dashed along the walks. The din was so loud that Aully could barely hear herself think. Hands were on her then, gathering her close. She looked up. It was Kindren who held her, while Lady Audrianna began shoving them toward the other end of the hanging causeway.