Even when I was a child, Mother had never been a warm parent. I was always secure in her love for me, but she kept me at a distance. When I first realized this at the age of ten, I had been deeply hurt. That was also the year I figured out that I was the disappointment. But then, I watched her with my brothers and realized that she was distant with them too. Not even Father received warm, uninhibited affection from her. Then, I began to understand that it was just the way she was. It didn’t mean she loved me any less than any of my brothers. She simply wasn’t demonstrative. So, when she gave me opportunity, like this, for a hug and a kiss on the cheek, I embraced it with a whole heart.
“Now be good, child,” she said, smoothing my hair and placing a scented kiss on my cheek. “Remember your manners and be a well behaved guest. I don’t want to hear that you have been abusing the Silas’ generosity. Treat their daughters well also.” With that, she hugged me again and sent me off.
I obediently crossed to the door. Behind me, I heard her call for her handmaid and begin giving instructions for the day. As I turned to close the door behind me, I glimpsed her throwing back the covers to rise. I was going to miss her.
I padded across the sitting room to my own bedroom. Drina and the other maid were packing as though their lives depended on being finished by a certain time limit. I barely rescued a simple long tunic and underslip and the other basic necessities for dressing and grooming myself. In the end, Drina followed me around for the last few steps of fixing my hair and cleaning my face, snatching up the things I finished with as I set them down. She flew away to disappear them into various boxes so that when I stepped into the sitting room ready to leave, the boxes were on their way out the door.
“Do you know where I am to meet Master Silas?” I asked Drina after she gave instructions to the carrying boy.
“I believe Master Silas and his wife are going to be leaving from the front entrance,” she informed me.
“Thank you.”
She bowed and excused herself, and I made my way to the stairs. The great gallery was empty except for the occasional servant rushing past on one errand or another. I descended the stairs and made my way toward the front entrance. Just beyond the open doors, I spotted a woman. She was standing near two loaded carts as though waiting for someone.
She was about the age and height of my mother, but otherwise she looked nothing like my mother. Dark hair escaped from her pins and braids to curl in all directions. The simple gown of blue revealed the pleasantly plump frame of a matron. Her face, when she turned in my direction, was open and welcoming. She smiled at me as I approached.
“Please Donelle, I am looking for Master Silas,” I said.
Her smile blossomed wider. “You must be Donellea Ilar,” she replied.
“I am.” I couldn’t help but smile in return.
“Good, then all we need is my husband and we can set off. I am Donelle Silas, Errol’s wife.”
I saluted her. “I am pleased to meet you Donelle.”
She laughed. “Call me Adreet. I am not used to being called Donelle. It is such a formal title. You shall be living with us after all. I don’t allow formality among family and friends, and from what my husband tells me, you shall be part of our family. My girls will be so delighted to have another sister.”
“You have daughters?” I asked before I completely thought about it. Her relaxed manner was contagious.
“Ah, yes.” She smiled broadly. “I have three. You would think with a talent like Errol for a father they would have some talent, but they don’t. They can’t sense a sending between the three of them. Now, you, however, I understand have plenty of talent. It will be so nice to have another talent in the family for a time. We haven’t had one living with us since Ilias.”
“Ah, I see you have met each other,” A new voice interrupted. I turned to find Errol Silas himself watching the two of us with great amusement. “Made friends?” he asked.
“Of course, darling,” Adreet declared. “Are you ready to leave? We have a long trip ahead of us.”
“We do indeed, my dear,” Errol agreed. “Are you ready?” he asked me.
“I would like to say goodbye to my father and brothers.”
Errol’s face grew solemn. “I am sorry, but they are in a meeting that is scheduled to go until the noon meal. I don’t think that will be possible. However, when we reach our destination, you will be free to invite them down for a visit.”
Although I was disappointed, I nodded. It made sense.
“Very well,” he said. “Shall we mount?”
The three of us climbed into the covered cart and our journey began.
Chapter IV
Hadrian
“Heathen,” the Mesitas spat. “You would give the choosing of the next High King over to a heathen.” I watched the color rise in his cheeks as the anger in his voice bounced off the walls.
“I think he is about to explode.” Korneli commented to me. I resisted the urge to turn and meet my old friend’s gaze, but he was correct. The Mesitas did look as though he were about to burst. I frowned.
“At least he is stating his stance openly,” Tavey offered, the thought soothing.
“True,” I admitted. He was stating it openly before the entire council and the High King.
It was comforting
