Richard Parker - Elsewhere

“Oh!’ Vio answered with a timid smile of her own.

“And Gwaynn is sure enjoying the fact,” Samantha commented and with practiced ease pulled on a pair of trousers.

Vio blushed and then let out a high pitched giggle that surprised both girls. They looked at one another for a moment then burst out laughing all over again. They left the room smiling and laughing all the way to the courtyard, making several guards and Tar Kostek wonder just what they were up to.

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Gwaynn returned with Lonogan, happy that the area to the west of Manse seemed to be free of any threats. There was also no activity out on the plains as far as they could see. As he rode past the western bailey he spotted Vio, Tam, William and a few other students from Noble milling along the very edge of the Scar a little farther to the east. On impulse Gwaynn turned his mount and rode out to meet them.

Vio saw him coming and skipped away from the others to greet him. She was smiling happily as he approached.

“Good morning Vio,” he greeted, relieved that she seemed to have shaken off the melancholy that surrounded her after the battle.

“Hello Gwaynn. I’m sorry you missed our run this morning,” she said coming close to his horse and looking up at him with those dark eyes of hers. “But perhaps we could spar later…I’d like that,” she added and placed one small hand on his knee.

Gwaynn smiled, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Instinctively he glanced about for Samantha, realizing her tendencies toward jealousy. “I’ll try,” he added as William and Tam came over.

“She’s coming!” Tam said excitedly, pointing farther down the Scar. Gwaynn looked up and spotted two figures approaching. It took him a few moments to recognize the smaller of the two as Samantha, who was running very slowly next to his old master, Tar Kostek.

“I can’t believe she’s doing so well,” Tam exclaimed with wonder and though all of the students of Noble finished their runs over a half hour previous, Samantha’s delicate condition was readily apparent.

Gwaynn made to go to her, but Vio read his intentions and reached up to grabbed the reins.

“Let her finish,” Vio said then added. “She’s remarkable.”

Gwaynn looked down, surprised and pleased at the praise coming from Vio. “Yes, she is,” he agreed and dismounted, absently handing the reins to William, who took them with a grin.

Gwaynn walked forward with Vio at his side. Tam and William trailed excitedly behind. They all watched patiently as Kostek and Samantha slowly approached.

Samantha was still a hundred yards away when she noticed Gwaynn and smiled and she continued to smile all the way to the finish. She reached the group at little more than a walk, but she was dripping with sweat, her hair hanging darkly from her scalp. She was breathing hard as she stopped by Gwaynn and bent slightly at the knees.

Gwaynn patted her wet back and felt her heat. “Keep walking, it will help you cool down,” he said and after a moment she straightened and began walking. She reached out and took hold of Gwaynn’s hand as she went.

“I’m….” she began but couldn’t catch her breath enough to finish for several long minutes. “I’m going…to be an archer again,” she finally said and squeezed Gwaynn’s hand. Her hand was still slick with sweat as he returned the pressure.

“How?” He asked, confused.

“Tar…Tar Kostek, when he was a boy, knew an old one armed Tar, who fashioned a specially designed bow. The bow itself is attached to a thick wooden shaft that has a cup on the end made of wood and leather. The cup will fit over my forearm,” she said quickly catching her breath. Gwaynn could feel the excitement radiated from her. “He says he can make me such a bow,” she finished then turned and smiled so brightly he couldn’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm, though he tried not to think of her rejoining the fight.

Gwaynn glanced back, thinking the others were following, but they were far behind.

“If you’re going to spar with Vio, I’d like to watch,” Samantha said startling Gwaynn. “She’s amazing. She’s an incredible runner and Kostek claims she’s even better with her kali.”

“If you wish,” Gwaynn answered tentatively, clearly confused. Samantha smiled then leaned up and kissed his cheek.

“I like her,” Samantha added. “Oh!” She added and her hand went to her belly. Gwaynn stopped concerned, but she just shook her head. “The baby moved…there it goes again.” She reached out and took his hand and guided it to the spot of the commotion. Gwaynn felt nothing a first but then something from inside her struck his hand.

“I think your daughter is trying to run already,” she said.

“Son,” Gwaynn answered automatically. They gazed at each other in wonder. Tam came running up quickly.

“The baby’s moving isn’t it?” She asked and without invitation placed her hand on Samantha’s belly. The others soon joined them and then they were all trying to feel the baby.

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The army began to arrive the following morning though it took over two hours for all the troops to march into Manse. There was a great roar from the townspeople who felt perhaps now the imminent danger of attack was over.

“What are they waiting for?” Prince Phillip asked as he stared out at Temple Knights. There was some movement throughout the camp, but it was very quiet and clearly the little activity going on was not preparation for another assault on the walls.

“I think I know the answer to that,” Queen Ramona Toranado said straining a little as she climbed the ladder to the ramparts.

“Mother!” Phillip said, surprised at her appearance. She’d spent precious little time out of her quarters since the fall of Eno. The Speaker Zebo Sorbello and the young Traveler Laynee climbed in her wake.

“They’re waiting for the High King,” Laynee reported excitedly in her small, girlish voice.

Ramona smiled at the young girl’s need to break the news. “Yes, but Captain Wicks reports that Lord Mastoc will not be attending this little party.”

“What do you mean?” Gwaynn asked, glancing briefly at Jess na Gall and then Lonogan.

“Captain Wicks has informed me that a fleet of Rhondono troopships were intercepted by the Cassinni,” Ramona said happily. “Not one of the ships made it safely to Massi soil.”

“The Cassinni?” na Gall asked as if she didn’t quite believe it.

Ramona smiled. “Yes, we are in debt to King Marc and all the Cassinni,” the Toranado Queen said, her affection for na Gall obvious.

“So the Knights are stranded,” Bock said and then turned to look back out at the enemy camp.

“Yes,” Gwaynn said but kept his eyes on the Toranado Queen. “You mentioned that the High King will not be attending…was he with the fleet?”

Ramona smiled and shrugged. “We do not know, but Captain Wicks reported sinking a Rhondono vessel flying the flag of the High King.”

“If the High King was truly on…” Prince Phillip said then stopped; the implications of the thought were too immense to contemplate.

Everyone stood silent for several long moments and in the hush Laynee moved to Prince Phillip’s side and stood very close to him. Tabernas shifted to make room for the young Traveler, smiling at her blatant infatuation.

“I think it is time to go home,” Ramona said to her son, who nodded.

“Yes, I think it’s time to see King Weldon and make our demands,” Phillip answered and looked to Gwaynn, who agreed.

“Traveler na Gall, could you and High Tarina Monde meet me in the main room of the eastern bailey in an hour?” Phillip asked. “My mother and her guard will need a head start on their way home.”

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