Paul Kemp - Twilight Falling

Cale too stared daggers at the young man. It was all Cale could do to not walk over and punch Tamlin in the face.

"His name is Ren, my lord, and he is a loyal servant of this house. As am I."

Under that onslaught, Tamlin wilted like an arctic lily in the summer sun. His face flushed; his gaze found the table.

"But you're different. I only meant… I mean …"

Cale said in a cool tone, each word a hammer, "This house is only as good as its men, my lord. To keep good men, you must treat them all as your family. Your father would have paid a king's ransom to retrieve one of his guards. Treating your servants as if they are-"

Shamur rose from her seat and cut him off.

"That's enough, Erevis."

Cale turned to face her with angry words on his lips, but when he saw her, saw the disappointed look in her eyes-at him or Tamlin, he couldn't be sure-he held his tongue.

Shamur looked him directly in the eyes and said, "Tamlin is not his father. And you've made your point."

Cale was not so sure, but still he held his tongue. His words had been harsh, true, but Tamlin needed harsh. The young lord of Stormweather's life had been too soft, too insulated, and it affected his decision-making. Tamlin seemed to regard his men as interchangeable commodities. If the men came to know that, House Uskevren would soon have no men, or at least none with loyalty. Despite Tamlin's growth over recent months, Cale still found him too weak.

The word was hard, but Cale thought it accurate. He could never serve such a man. It was well that he was leaving.

Shamur, still standing, stared at him, awaiting his acknowledgment.

He gave it, saying, "My apologies, my lady."

He felt Tazi's gaze on him but did not look at her.

Shamur nodded and sat.

In a softer tone, she said, "Erevis, I would ask that you reconsider your resignation until this matter is resolved."

To his credit, Tamlin immediately added, "Yes, Cale. Your advice is needed and would be welcome."

Tamlin's words surprised Cale. It could not have been easy to make that request after the rebuke Cale had just given him. It showed maturity. Cale sighed. When it came to his perception of the young lord, he seemed to careen at random between contempt and hope.

Shamur must have read his face. She smiled at him and nodded, obviously proud of her son. Perhaps Tamlin could preserve House Uskevren. Perhaps he was just young, and would learn with time.

Cale decided that he would think so. He gave Tamlin a deferential nod.

"As always, my lord is gracious with his praise. Please forgive my harsh words. I spoke in haste, still flush from combat. I-"

Tamlin waved a hand dismissively and said, "No apologies. . Erevis. I deserved it. You're right about ensuring the return of our man, of course. Please, continue."

Tamlin had never before called Cale by his first name. Cale thought that might mark a step forward in their relationship. It pleased him to think so.

"My lord, lady, I appreciate your offer but I believe my presence here only adds to the family's danger. I would propose another way."

"And that is?" asked a wary Shamur.

"I propose that I take the half-sphere and leave Stormweather."

Tamlin and Shamur both began to shake their heads.

"My lord, lady, the presence of the half-sphere in the house only ensures another attack here."

"Let them come," said Shamur.

"Yes, let them," added Tamlin.

Cale ignored them and went on, "I have contacts that I might call upon. We can keep it hidden until our attackers make contact. In the meantime, I can attempt to learn more of the sphere."

He was, in fact, desperate to learn more of the sphere.

"Where will you go?" Thazienne asked, softly. The concern in her voice touched Cale.

"It's better that none of you know. I will allow them to make contact with me after I've learned the nature of the sphere. When they do, I will handle the negotiations for Ren's return."

Tamlin stood, turned, and walked to the large window that overlooked the gardens. He stared into the darkness, his hands clasped behind his back.

"You'll give them our half of the sphere?" the young lord asked.

Cale hadn't made up his mind about that yet. It depended on what he learned of it.

"If necessary, my lord."

"And if it's valuable, or dangerous?"

"My lord already knows that it must be both." It had to be, else why risk a direct attack on Stormweather to get it? Cale approached Tamlin and looked him in the face. "I'll find out all that I can before I make any exchange. If it's such that I cannot risk turning it over, I'll so inform you and get Ren back another way. Afterward, we can discuss what to do with this half."

Tamlin sighed, turned toward the window, and considered Cale's words. In the dim light, his posture and expression looked eerily like Thamalon.

From behind, Shamur asked, "Why alone, Cale? Why you?"

Tamlin too seemed interested in Cale's answer to that question. He turned to look at Cale. Cale could not tell them that he thought his god was involved, and that his internal code demanded that he personally avenge the attack at the Stag.

"My lord, lady, I believe that I am best equipped to resolve this problem in the manner safest to the House." He looked Tamlin in the eyes. "My lord, I told your father once that I worked best alone and that remains true today. He understood that. I know that you and Lady Uskevren wish to give me aid, and that it is difficult for you to let this unfold out of your sight. Rather than aid, I ask that you give me your trust. I will see it done and will allow no harm to come to House Uskevren in the process."

The room was quiet. Tamlin studied Cale's face.

"My father loved you, you know," Tamlin said. "As much as he did me. As much as any of us."

Cale knew. He bowed his head and said nothing.

After a time, Tamlin cleared his throat and extended his hand.

"Luck to you then, Cale. You've always had our trust. We'll leave it in your hands."

Cale took Tamlin's hand and shook it, genuinely grateful.

"Tamlin-" Shamur said.

"Enough, Mother. We've left more delicate matters in Mister Cale's hands before. It is done."

Shamur said nothing else, and that was that. With the exception of Cale, everyone began to leave to return to their beds. As they filed out, Cale stared out the window with his back to the room, thinking.

"Good luck, Erevis," Shamur said, as she left the room.

Cale didn't know what to do next. Find Jak, certainly.

Then? Tamlin's sage idea was a good one, he thought. Perhaps Jak knew of a sage or academic of the arcane that they could trust. Cale certainly did not.

From behind him, Thazienne softly cleared her throat.

His breath caught. Instantly, his heart leaped in his chest. His legs went weak. She didn't say anything but her mere presence….

He took a breath and turned to face her.

Before he could say a word, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the mouth.

"Good-bye, Erevis." Her eyes were wet and her tears streaked his cheek. "Please take care of yourself."

Her hair smelled like chrysanthemum. He resolved never to forget that smell.

"I will," he said.

Without another word, she turned and ran from the room.

He stood there a long time. Perhaps she did love him after all, at least in a way. Perhaps things would have been different if she had known of the note before so much time had passed.

Perhaps.

He remembered the many good moments they had shared: the first time they had touched; the night she drank too much brandy and he'd carried her to her bed; the first time he'd made her laugh. He would savor those memories.

As he stood there, an elven proverb came to him: "Part well, regret nothing." He and Thazienne had parted well. He was content.