Brian Rathbone - The Dawning of Power

"It has been many years since this house hosted a member of the Kyte family," said the Lady Mangst. "It has been far too long. I welcome you, Jharmin Olif Kyte, and I thank you for the kindness you've shown my granddaughter." Catrin felt Lissa's glare. "You have shown great courage and humility in coming here. I commend you."

"I've postponed my journey home so that we might discuss the future. As Catrin has said, the time for fighting is past."

"Agreed."

"How, Lady Mangst, would you suggest we resolve the differences between our families?"

"Perhaps the Zjhon were right about one thing," the Lady Mangst replied. "Perhaps a marriage between our families is for the best." Lissa's face flushed, and she glared at anyone who met her gaze. "My granddaughter Lissa has reconsidered her refusal to marry. When it was the will of the Zjhon, she found this difficult to accept. Now she sees that it is simply the best thing for our people."

Lissa showed no enthusiasm for the prospect, but she did not voice any objections.

"Ah. So that is why you sent Catrin in her stead?"

"It is."

"Lady Lissa, I've not heard you say this is what you desire. Do you wish to see this marriage through?" he asked, and the Lady Mangst nodded to Lissa.

"Lord Kyte, it would be an honor to join your house," Lissa replied formally.

"I suppose you have no reason to desire me as a husband, but a bitter marriage is not something I seek. If you will not come to me of your own free will, then I suggest we look for some other way to resolve this conflict. Perhaps Catrin would have less aversion to marrying me?"

Catrin opened her mouth, but she could find no words. Lissa, though, did not give her the opportunity. "Forgive me, Lord Kyte. It has been a trying time."

"I understand, Lady Lissa. Catrin tells me you believe my family was responsible for the death of your mother. I cannot guarantee that my family was not involved, but I can tell you that I had no knowledge of such cowardly acts. On behalf of my family, I apologize. I realize this may not mean much to one who had to grow up without a mother, but it is the best I can offer at this time. Perhaps, if you would allow me, I can do more over time."

Lissa was bereft of words.

"Our family owes you apologies as well," said the Lady Mangst. "We've not been innocent of senseless and cowardly deeds. I can assure you that Lissa and Catrin had no knowledge of these doings. I take responsibility for the actions of my late husband and his father. I know they did not treat your family well."

"All this suffering over a feud whose origins are long since forgotten," Jharmin said, shaking his head.

"Not completely forgotten," said the Lady Mangst. "It was the death of your great-great-great-grandmother that started the feud. She was riding with Catrin's great-great-great-grandfather when she was thrown from her horse. She landed on an outcropping of jagged shale, and a sharp edge slit her throat. His explanations were never accepted, and so began the senseless acts of violence. Perhaps now we can leave it in the past."

"Can we do this, Lady Lissa? Will you join with me to right the wrongs of our forefathers?"

A long moment of silence hung between them, but then Lissa drew a deep breath. "Yes, Lord Kyte. I will."

Beneath the waves exists a bizarre world, full of life. -Gorksi Veraga, fisherman

Departure from Ravenhold was bittersweet for Catrin. Despite meeting under less than friendly circumstances, Millie and Morif had been loyal companions, and they had saved her life more than once. Millie dabbed tears from the corners of her eyes as Catrin's party prepared to depart for Ohmahold. Just before Catrin mounted, Millie discreetly pressed a fat purse into her hands. "It's yours, m'lady. May it lessen the burdens of your journey."

"Thank you, Millie. You are a good friend. I'll never forget you."

"You will come back and visit. I insist. If not for me, for your grandmother."

"I make no promises, but I assure you I will try," Catrin said. Lissa avoided her as best she could, but Catrin pulled her aside. "I know you don't like me, but I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. You're my cousin, and I don't want bad feelings between us. Even if you disagree with my actions, or I disagree with yours, we are family."

"You need not remind me of the blood that bonds us. I've spent my life trying to protect the people of Mundleboro, and you walk in as if these lands are rightfully yours. Where were you during the droughts… or during the Zjhon invasion? You've no idea what our people have been through, and you had no right to take my place. Go back to your homeland and never return," Lissa said, and she walked away.

"She'll come to understand over time," Jharmin said, seemingly embarrassed by Lissa's behavior.

Catrin's grandmother trembled as she embraced Catrin, and she whispered in her ear. "I am so very proud of you. You deserve the Mangst name more than any of us, and I thank you for what you've done. Come back to us. You'll always have a home here."

"Thank you, Grandma."

As the sun reached its zenith, Benjin mounted and called for the rest to do the same. Samda climbed awkwardly atop his mount with Chase's help, and Catrin cast one final glance at her ancestral home, not knowing if she would ever see it again. In her pocket was a rolled parchment, a writ of passage bearing her grandmother's seal impressed in wax. Within Mundleboro, at least, they would have no reason to fear the local authorities. In the lands beyond, however, the writ would be little more than a piece of parchment, a keepsake.

Following a familiar trail, they rode back toward Ohmahold. A creeping fear gripped Catrin when the toll bridge came into view. Beyond that bridge she no longer had the protection of her homeland. When they reached the top of the span, the toll collectors viewed them with suspicion, but one look at the writ of passage, and they were more than accommodating. The captain of the guard even offered to provide them with an escort through town.

"Thank you, friend," Benjin said. "But that won't be necessary. It's kind of you to offer, though."

When they passed the market, Catrin saw Yusef hawking his livestock, and she wondered what had come of Curly. It had been necessary to sell him, but still she felt guilty.

A few days later, they came to the farmstead where the Tillermans lived, and Catrin asked that they make camp on the outskirts. "There's someone here I need to speak with."

"Are you certain that's wise?" Benjin asked.

"Wise or not. I'm going."

"I'm coming with you."

They rode slowly, trying to not to alarm the locals. Those who saw them went indoors and closed up tight. When they reached the Tillerman farm, it was Jessub who saw them first. "Gramma, Grampa, Cannergy and Elma are back! Look at Elma's clothes and hair and-"

Collette appeared at the cottage door, and she pulled Jessub inside. Rolph emerged from the barn, and he drew a deep breath when he saw them. "I want no harm t'come to my family. If yer angry, punish me. Leave them out of it."

"Be at ease, Rolph. I've not come for revenge. I just had to know why," Catrin said, and Rolph looked relieved but tired. His shoulders seemed to sag under an enormous weight.

"I am sorry. I truly didn't mean ya harm, but I couldn't take Belegra's lies. I couldn't let 'im put other parents through what he put Mother 'n' me through. This came only days after ya left," he said, handing her a wrinkled and worn piece of parchment. On it was a badly faded message, but between the lines was a newer message, a message from Rolph's son Martik. Father and Mother, Artus and I are both in good health. I'm so sorry. I tried to keep Fenny safe, but he fell ill during the long voyage to the Godfist. He died before we got here. The Herald of Istra gave us a choice between freedom and death, and we chose freedom. The Herald gave us time to get to land before she destroyed the Zjhon ships. She could have killed us all but didn't. Her father has granted amnesty to all those who defected, even when his own government would not. Wendel Volker is a good and just man, and I suspect his daughter is no different. She has left the Godfist and is presumed to be traveling to the Greatland. Her name is Catrin Volker, and she is a granddaughter to the Lady Mangst. Artus and I will come home to you when we can. Until then, know we are safe. Please tell Jessub I miss him, as does Uncle Artus. All my love, Martik