“My king,” Aldric said as he took Dnara’s hand and gave it a small tug down. When she did not kneel, he let out a disquieted sigh. “Please forgive her, my lord.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” King Lelandis Eldramoore replied with soft levity in his voice. “Rise, my friend. I am glad to have you home, and grateful for your service in bringing her here.”
Aldric stood up, resting on hand on the hilt of his sword and clasping Lelandis’s forearm with the other in a greeting reserved for very few who came within the king’s presence. “My king-”
“Ah,” Lelandis tsked with a cluck of his tongue and a raised finger.
“Lelandis,” Aldric corrected but hesitated before questioning the king’s health. “How are you?”
“Better now,” Lelandis said with a thin smile and turned his attention to Dnara. Taking in her mud stained clothes and disheveled hair, his smile grew into a smirk. “Although, perhaps it would have been better to have her bathe first.”
“I apologize for her appearance, Your Majesty. We-” Aldric stopped as Lelandis held up his hand again.
Lelandis stood staring at Dnara in silence as the fire crackled and cast its sheen across her face. She could only stare back, meeting a pair of golden brown eyes playfully young in their appraisal but filled with the authority granted by his crown. They also looked tired, lined underneath with the marks of restless sleep and a life lived burdened by worry. He did have a crown, a circlet of fine gold and fire stones, less elaborate than the older man’s in the painting but more practical for one to wear outside official matters. His hair, a golden brown to match his eyes, curled at the ends, and a shortly shorn beard served to age his young face. Dnara’s mind took in these features and forgot them in the same, unhurried breath.
Satisfied with his appraisal, Lelandis glanced over his shoulder to the figure standing at the open door. “You didn’t say she would be this beautiful, Delmurra.”
The figure waiting at the door stepped fully into the room, and Dnara struggled to give the woman’s shape clarity. Slender and handsome. Dnara hung onto those two words before adding a third. Old. Old, as in aged, yes, but there were years to this woman beyond what time could bring. Sharp, clear eyes, long silver hair draped over one shoulder in a braid, thin fingers and a simple yet stunning dress of the purest white. Circling her head, a ring of silver set with a splendid multicolored starstone.
“I would not wish to deceive you with a promise of what I could not clearly see,” Delmurra replied to her king.
“She is beautiful, though,” Lelandis reiterated. “And quite... different, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes, my lord,” Delmurra agreed with a small dip of her chin. “I can assure you, she is quite unique.”
“Mageraetas,” Aldric finally spoke after being shushed by his king. Although his voice held a tone of respect, it also carried one of confusion. “You have had a vision, then? Of Dnara?”
“Yes, Commander,” Delmurra answered. “And I knew it would be you who would capture her. I am quite pleased you decided to use the collar I gave you, as that part of my vision remained uncertain. You have a reputation for bringing in uncollared mageborne.”
“I prefer to only use them when necessary,” Aldric replied. “And as such, it was not I who collared her. She chose to put the collar on herself.”
Delmurra’s silver eyebrows arched high. “Interesting.”
“The collar you provided, however,” Aldric continued as Lelandis seemed content to continue appraising Dnara’s appearance. “I believe it may be defective. It has put her into a state of... detachment.” Aldric settled on the last word, saying with an afternote of distaste. “She is not well.”
“The collar is working as intended,” Delmurra assured. “Dnara, you should bow before your king.”
“Yes, Mageraetas,” Dnara replied in monotone before gracefully bowing to Lelandis.
“Dnara,” Lelandis whispered, as if testing the weight of her name on his tongue. “An unusual name for an unusual woman.” He placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her bowed head up to meet his eyes. “It’s the eyes, I think. And... And you are certain of your vision, Delmurra?”
“I am, my lord,” Delmurra confirmed. “She is the one.”
“The one?” Aldric asked.
But Lelandis kept his attention squarely on Dnara as he lifted her chin higher until she stood up straight again. “And she will do as I wish?”
“You have but to ask,” Delmurra assured.
Lelandis took a step back and rubbed his chin in thought. “Dnara, stand on one leg.”
“Yes, sire.” Dnara lifted one leg off the ground.
Lelandis clapped once with an amused chortle. Commander Aldric looked on in growing unease. Dnara stood on one leg, her body teetering back and forth to keep the balance as she stared blankly into nothing. Slowly, Lelandis’s elation evaporated and he waved a hand in front of Dnara’s eyes.
“Is the collar truly necessary?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord,” Delmurra replied. “It insures her compliance, and your safety.”
“But, what of her choice?” Lelandis argued then sighed. “Please, put your foot down, Dnara.”
“Yes, sire.” Dnara complied.
“Lelandis,” Aldric interjected before Delmurra could answer, forgoing his ingrained formalities and recapturing his king’s attention. “I’m not sure I understand. Is Dnara intended to be kept?”
“I’m no keeper,” Lelandis said with ire in his voice, then he pinched the bridge of his nose
