into a chair at her side. Samantha colored slightly at the compliment, awed by the presence of the infamous Tar.
“My thoughts exactly,” she answered with a grin and Nev laughed loud and easy.
“I was thinking of my father,” she explained. “Of how I’m sure he would have approved of the match.”
Nev nodded. “Wise man, your father and a good husband. It was easy to see he adored Beth…your mother. And he was a master brewer.”
“You…you knew my father and mother?” Samantha asked, believing he was playing with her.
“Oh yes…Jon, my brother, always talked highly of Master Thomas Fultan but cursed him when he won the brewing contests, but then Jon was always a bit of a sore loser.”
“Jon?”
“Jon Baal,” Nev replied.
“Jon Baal!” Samantha repeated excitedly. “He’s your brother!” Jon Baal was a well known brewer, one her father always talked of with fondness and obvious respect.
Nev chuckled. “Mmmm yes, and is he going to be upset he missed this celebration.”
Samantha laughed then. “Father always said the greatest miracle in life was that Jon Baal could brew his ale faster than he drank it.”
Nev laughed again and then stood. “I believe you’ve rested enough,” he said and offered her his hand. “I would like to dance with our future High Queen.”
Samantha smiled and allowed herself to be taken out onto the field that served as the dance floor and was utterly surprised by the grace of the bushy haired master.
She danced a long while with Nev and entire time he smiled down at her. Surprisingly she didn’t tire and even seemed to grow stronger while in his arms. It was odd and she even felt a hint of melancholy as he finally passed her off to others, but her energy remained high and she danced with many, many partners. She danced with Tar Kostek and Endid, Lonogan Bock, Van Valencia, Jeffery Gaston, young Olney Hawser, three times with Prince Phillip and once with his Weapons Master…and of course with the ever faithful Cobb…and then there was Gwaynn. She danced with him first and she danced with him last, just as the large fires that lit the celebration were finally dying out in the early hours of the morning.
“Come let’s put you to bed,” Gwaynn whispered and led her away from a group of merrymakers. Everyone remaining extolled them to stay but they were ignored. By the time they reached their room Samantha could barely keep her eyes open. It was late and she was exhausted.
“That was fun,” she said softly as Gwaynn helped her out of her dress. She dropped on the bed and pulled up the covers, still in her slip.
“I’m glad you liked it,” Gwaynn answered as he crawled in next to her. “We get to do it all over again tomorrow.” But tomorrow they would do it as husband and wife.
?
“No…there are two in Deutzani,” Nev corrected lightly, three days later. He’d let Gwaynn enjoy a few days of marital bliss, but now it was time to gain control of the land and begin his reign. Nev was eager to be off, but he could manage to at least wait until all Gwaynn’s enemies were at heel and the land was at peace…then be damned with the place!
They were out on the plains in front of the main gates of Manse, a large group of the most powerful people in the land. There were seven Tars of Noble, plus another four students and four Travelers of Light, plus Gwaynn, Bock and Captain Gaston.
“Where?” Tar Endid asked, ready to be at them.
“One in Malche and another up north in Naught…she’s working with Prince Avaal and causing trouble all along the Cassinni border,” Nev explained.
“So do we hit them first?” N’dori asked.
“We hit them first,” both Gwaynn and Nev said in unison.
Nev laughed. “My apologies your Highness,” he added with a slight bow of his head. “However I think it would be wise if you would sit this one out.”
Gwaynn frowned deeply. He did not want to lose out on his revenge against the Executioners. His soul demanded restitution for the crimes they committed.
Nev held up a hand, reading these very thoughts in the young King. “The bulk of the Executioners are on King’s Island, including Nacht. You’ll have your due, but those few which are scattered about in the lands do not warrant an all out attack led by the High King. Stay here. Take the time to get Massi’s affairs in order. I take it you’ve someone in mind to rule the land?”
Gwaynn nodded and struggled to keep his eyes from Lonogan’s.
“Then let the lucky soul know about your decision. It’s only fair. We can handle these few killers of Sinis without you,” Nev finished, his eyes twinkling with some unknown amusement. “And I promise you can lead the attack to take back the King’s…your island.”
Gwaynn found that he could not truly find a good reason to argue so in the end he agreed.
“We’ll need your help to get us started,” Monde said. “Laynee and Daniel will assist you in getting us all out on the tip of the finger.” Daniel was growing stronger and the day of the wedding he Traveled for the very first time. It was quite an accomplishment, especially for a male student.
Gwaynn nodded, feeling worse by the moment that he would not be off with the rest of them.
“Let’s do this,” Endid said. It was quickly decided that he would be going after the Executioner in Malche, accompanied by the High Tarina Nystrom, Tar Myson and Tarina N’dori, while Tar Nev would lead the party against the female Executioner to the north. He would be taking along Tar Kostek and Halstad. Of course Monde and na Gall would also be going along on the first leg of the trip and would then send the others off to their final destinations. Vio, who was still wrapped up tightly in an air of melancholy, volunteered to go along with the Travelers to offer protection while they rested for the return trip and she would be joined by Saran, William and Tam. Gwaynn would be the lead Traveler for the move to the finger. He would be sorely tested and very tired when it was over. He just hoped Laynee and Daniel had grown in strength.
They had; in fact, Gwaynn was astounded in the growth of both young Travelers, especially Laynee, who might have been strong enough to send the group off by herself. From the very beginning the bridge was Laynee’s and it was Gwaynn and Daniel who offered support. Gwaynn could feel the power radiating out of the young girl and the vortex she created was enormously strong. When the task was complete and the large bridge that appeared over the grassing plains popped out of existence, Gwaynn and the two young Travelers shot back to their bodies and staggered in unison. Gwaynn felt immediately weak and hungry. He ignored the looks of awe he was getting from his two commanders and instead glanced down at the young girl to his left. She gave him an impish grin.
“I’ve been practicing with the High Zarina,” she explained and handed Gwaynn a sugar cube.
“Impressive,” he answered back, sucking on the sweet, hard block of sugar.
“Thank you M’lord,” she replied and gave an exaggerated curtsy.
“Quit that!” Gwaynn said with a laugh, “and go get your rest. We’ll need to bring them back when the job is finished.”
Laynee giggled but nodded, wondering just how long it would take the Tars to hunt down the evil people of Sinis.
“Both of you run along now and get something to eat,” Gwaynn told the two young Travelers and they smiled and headed off at nearly a run. Gwaynn shook his head, very impressed by their growing strength then he turned to Lonogan and Gaston.
“Walk with me,” he said and his two top men nodded.
The three turned together and walked back toward Manse at a leisurely pace, followed by nearly a dozen handpicked Knights who followed Gwaynn everywhere now. The morning was overcast and cold…there was the smell of snow in the air. They’d been lucky during the war and Gwaynn expected winter to hit them with all its fury any time now. Perhaps it would be a good thing to move to the more tropical islands in the middle of the Inland Sea.
“What do you think of Captain Hothgaard?” Gwaynn asked Jeffery Gaston as they made their way up to the main gates. The gates were swung open wide to accommodate the many peasants that now moved up and
