The Coming Of Shadows (The Shadow Tide Book 1) Page 11

  “Then it is done. Allan Southerlin the representative of Mariella does not object. As the High Curate speaks, Joramon the High teaches that the union of man and woman is to serve him and his realm.

  “Joramon has blessed us all but we do not speak with his voice, only that of the High Curate, I speak his words and so I will now speak them.” Jayden said as he stepped aside so the High Curate could come in.

  The Curate stepped in and began to speak from the book of Joramon. “And Joramon said to the darkness. “I will bring in front of you a union of man and woman that will stand the influence of your power. The shadow of the union will be greater than the shadow of your evil. I will bless those who follow me and keep them safe from the evil, but to protect those I must take those faithful ones to serve the purpose.

  “Joramon says that he will protect us, but some must be taken to serve him. This union is a blessing of Him and therefore let it be known that I bless these two today. May Joramon’s blessing protect them and guide them.”

  He was done with the blessing and Jayden came back to finish the ceremony. “With the blessing of the soul I must now know. Does the blessing of Joramon fill you, Lord Dominic? Does it guide you to know that you will now spend your life with Mariella?” he asked Dominic.

  “Yes, Your Majesty, it does. I take this woman as my wife to accompany me through life,” he said.

  “And does the blessing of Joramon fill you, Lady Mariella? Does it guide you to know that you will now spend your life with Dominic?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty, it does. I take this man as my husband to accompany me through life. I will honor his rule and obey him faithfully,” she replied.

  “Then it is so,” Jayden said as he reached into his tunic and pulled from it two necklaces. One of them had a small pendant in the shape of the fir tree of House Carlye, the other a pendant of a ring. “Dominic, will you give this woman your crest of House Carlye?” he asked holding the necklace to him.

  He took the necklace and said, “Yes, I will.” Mariella turned for him to put the necklace around her neck. After that was done, she turned back around and took the other necklace from Jayden.

  “And Mariella, do you the same?” Jayden asked.

  “Yes, Your Majesty, I will,” she replied as Dominic turned and she put the necklace around his neck.

  “Bring it forward,” the king said as he gestured to a seamstress who held a tabard. The seamstress walked toward the king as he instructed her. “Please finish the union and adorn her with sealing of the union,” he instructed.

  The seamstress made her way between them and began to reach her arms around Mariella. It took several seconds for her to finish her task, but when she was done Mariella had on a tabard which matched the dress perfectly; even the abstract bead work lined up perfectly. The tabard was white and on the chest the golden fir tree shown in the day’s sun. “My I present to you the Earl and Countess of Easterway, Lord and Lady, Dominic and Mariella of the House Carlye.” Jayden said as he raised both hands to the applause of the crowd.

  And with that he was married to the woman he’d wanted for years. He looked at her and she was glowing more radiantly than the sun high above their heads. He could see her looking at him. “I love you,” she said quietly as the crowd applauded.

  XXVII

  He had watched as each of the Earls and their Ladies were introduced to the reception. Idris had been announced himself, but it was not necessary. He knew that that even though this day was for Lord and Lady Carlye, the King would come.

  He had been disturbed ever since his last private meeting with Jayden, but today the young King looked almost normal. Some days he is fine and others he is someone different. He thought as he drank a sweet grape wine that had been brought from the King's storehouses.

  Jayden was becoming more and unpredictable as the days, weeks moved along. He was afraid that Jayden would start something that he would have no power to control, but today was not the day to think of such things.

  He had mingled through the crowd of people waiting for his chance to speak with Dominic, and he found his chance when the Earl was standing with his new wife at the head of the serving table.

  “My Lord, may I congratulate you on your union, and, My Lady, may I say that your beauty is unmatched on this day,” he said taking her hand and kissing it in courtesy.

  “Thank you, Idris,” Dominic replied as he returned the gesture.

  “I understand that you intend to deploy your soldiers into the Commons in an effort to remove the crime that infects it?” Idris asked him.

  “Yes I do. I learned from my father that those who deny the law shall be punished to the full arm of it. I will not let the people who depend on me suffer at the hands of those who intend to harm it.” He said as he took a glass of wine from the tray of a server as he walked by.

  Words spoken by a true leader, Idris thought as he also took another glass of wine from the server. “Very well. I knew your father years ago and I must say he has raised an excellent son. Tell me, are the rumors true of the tension between you and your brother?” He knew the question was blunt, but he had been dying to know the truth of the story.

  He could tell Dominic didn't want to elaborate on the subject, so he was prepared to drop it.

  “A small misunderstanding between brothers, as my father said, boys will be boys and they will fight, but that doesn't change the fact they love each other,” he replied.

  True words. “Will you allow Easterway to be the voice of Denoi at the courts?” he asked. (Another question that probably didn't have a place.)

  “If it is right, I have sent word to my brother today, and I hope his response will be soon. When the time is right, I will make that decision and announce it to the courts.”

  Idris was about to ask his final question before the trumpets blared through the hall. “Lords, Ladies, and guests--Please. May I present to you His Majesty Jayden the First of the House Tiernan, King of Agantia and his guest, His Grace Jacob the Second of the House Ramsden Duke of Erinbur and Her Highness and Grace, the Princess of Agantia and Duchess of Erinbur, Dilys of the Houses Ramsden and Tiernan.”

  The entire room stopped and bowed before the King and sister. Dilys had not been in the capital in some time and had arrived late the night before. Duke Jacob had come to the capital at the request of Jayden.

  They each wore the brown and yellow of House Ramsden and both showed the horse signal of the house. “Return to your festivities,” the King said as they walked into the room. The hall went back to talking, eating and drinking as the King and his guests made their way toward Idris and the new Lord and Lady. “My friend, may I introduce my sister and brother by law.” Jayden said as he came to them.

  “It is an honor, Your Grace and Your Highness. Welcome to Easterway. May I present Lady Carlye,” he said as he presented Mariella to them.

  “The honor is ours,” Duke Jacob said as he took Mariella's hand and kissed it. “My wife, Dilys,” he said, presenting the princess.

  “Your Highness.” Dominic and Mariella both said as Mariella bowed and Dominic took her hand and kissed it.

  “Lord Carlye, must I say that your wife is more beautiful than the words of my brother. He believes that this union will be what this district needs to be cleaned and brought out from under the rule of the gangs and crime,” she said as she looked at Dominic.

  Idris noticed that her eyes were not that of a married woman but that of woman looking to be courted. Hmmmm. He thought as he watched her. She was beautiful. As they talked, Idris noticed Jayden.

  He appeared to be anxious at the reception. It was more like he was only there because he knew he had to be, but he had more on his mind. He was changing, and Idris knew that he found out what the problem was. He raised his hand to signal to the server that it was time for more wine.

  The server made his way toward them with a full tray of wine glasses. I wonder how they do it, he thought as he watched the server balance the tray perfectl
y with one hand and move through the crowd.

  The server made his way and Idris saw it coming, but he was too slow to react fast enough. He watched as the tray toppled and flew through the air. The wine, which would ruin anything it touched, hit the Princess and splashed not only Duke Jacob but on the King himself.

  “WHAT THE HELL!” Jayden screamed as the server fell to the floor on both knees with his hand clasped tightly together in front of him. “Please, Your Majesty, please an accident, a folly on my part, no please, please let me retire from my position and live a life of poverty,” the server begged as the King walked to him.

  “You have fouled my cloth and that of my sister and brother. You have been an errant servant and therefore your mistake will be paid for dearly,” the king said as he took his foot and kicked the server hard in the chest.

  The server fell over and tried hard to catch his breath. “Your Majesty, I beg of you....”

  “Shut up. Idris, take this man, make sure he knows that his clumsiness will be paid for.” The King ordered.

  “Yes, Your Majesty. Guard!” Idris said, gesturing to one of Dominic's men at arms.

  The guard came over and grabbed the man and yanked him up with force. “This way.” the guard ordered him.

  “Wait. What is the name of the man who has fouled this day?” Jayden asked as he walked to the man.

  “Allistair,” the man replied.

  “Well there, Allistair,” Jayden said, and he slapped the man with all of his strength. “Remember this day, for it is your last in this city.”

  The guard took the man and dragged him away as he wept. Idris followed in stride. What has Jayden become? He thought as he followed the guard from the reception hall and into the halls of Easterway.

  XXVIII

  The wine trick was perfect. It had worked to perfection and now he only had to worry about one guard and this Steward. The guard who was with them led them through the halls of the New Estate to a covered walkway which led to another building situated to the south of the estate.

  They entered the building and came to a small foyer with three doors leading off it. Once inside, they made their way to the left and into a narrow hallway lined with more doors. They came to the first door and the guard stopped and opened it.

  “Inside,” The guard said as he pushed Ash into the room.

  Just where I want to be. He thought as Idris came in and the door was closed behind them. “Mr. Idris, sir, I have something for you, look under the bed mattress.” Ash said gesturing toward the mattress.

  Idris looked confused for a moment then spoke. “How do you know my name, and why would you have something for me. What's the trick?”

  “No trick, I just remember being here in this room a few short hours ago.” Ash said sitting down on the small desk behind him.

  “Who are you and what do you want?”

  He knew that this Idris wouldn't break that easily, and he had to be careful about everything that had transpired over the past few days. He had a mysterious note and book for him plus a contract for his head.

  “I am someone who is more connected to you than you know, Idris. Under that bed is something that I think you will find very interesting. After you get it out, you will see what I mean. After that I must say... well... we will talk about that.” He said.

  Idris cautiously kept one eye on him as he reached under the mattress. His eyes grew wider when he touched the book Ash had planted there earlier in the day.

  Idris pulled the book from under the mattress and opened it. Ash had arranged the note so it would be the first thing he saw. His eyes read over the letter slowly and thoroughly. “Where did you find this?” Idris asked closing the book and putting it under his arm.

  “From a merchant in Caramon; a Fullbright sold it to him. After I got here to the city I discovered that a Fullbright was in a small group that was sent to retrieve this. Tell me Idris, am I right?”

  “Yes, how do you know this, what happened to them?”

  “Dead most likely, the Fullbright survived but he spoke of orange eyes.”

  “What?”

  “I read through it some, and I discovered what it was and found that,” Ash pointed to the letter he found between the pages, “I knew I had to get it to you.” Ash said as he looked at Idris.

  Idris looked confused and concerned all at the same time and then he spoke, “Why the games to find me?” he asked.

  “Because the King could ask questions. What better way to get you alone?” Ash said.

  He could tell Idris knew he was right. Now he wondered if the man had figured out who he truly was and what his purpose in life was. He knew he had a contract on the man in front of him, but he didn't know why. He wasn't planning on executing the deed today. First he was going to investigate the reason someone wanted the King's Steward dead.

  “What is your name? Not the one you gave the King.” Idris commanded him.

  “Allistair, Gerac, Mik, Ash, Gorge, Takado, Hormen.... The list is endless.” Ash said.

  “Very well, who do you work for?”

  “The weak, the innocent, the ones who need me.”

  “Doing what?”

  “I am the protector.”

  “Of what?”

  “Everything.”

  “My patience is running thin. What do you do?”

  “The Order…. Of the Righteous Blood.”

  Idris' face went blank. He knew now that he was in possible danger.

  “Do you know anyone or have you encountered anyone from Elm’ Ladin recently?” Ash asked him. He could tell the man was concerned but he remained solid.

  “No, why?” he asked.

  Ash reached into his belt and pulled the small sack of silver coins the stranger had given him and tossed them to Idris, he caught them and then opened the sack.

  “What is this for?” he asked

  “That is the down payment on your life,” Ash said, “Why do I have a down payment on your life? I for the life of me can't find a reason why you deserve my punishment.” Idris looked at the silver, reached in grabbed a coin and examined it. “No I don't. Elm’ Ladin is a country that has never had a strong alliance with Agantia. It was the first country to join the Shadow Beings during the Shadow War, I'm sure they are looking for a way to avenge their dark allies, even though the wars are long forgotten.” he said.

  “So you admit it.”

  “Admit what?”

  “You know too much. As you know, the Shadow Beings came to this land after the Watchers, the second of the Shadow’s races. But you know this already,” Ash said

  Idris replied, “The Watchers first, the Green, keepers of peace in the Shadow Realm.”

  “The Shadow Beings, the orange, the defenders of the dark,” Ash said

  “Then the Shadow War, the collision of the two,” Idris said.

  “But there was another race, the Guiden. A more powerful race, the ones sent to keep the balance, between the Shadows. But in the end they sided with the Watchers to defeat and trap the Shadow Beings. If my history is correct, the Watchers created the prison and the Guiden powered it?” Ash said looking into Idris' eyes. I know what you are. He thought.

  Idris spoke again. “The Guiden had to maintain the balance and then the Shadow War came. They had to pick a side because their power alone couldn’t control them both. So the Guiden used their power to cast out the darkness and lock the Shadow Beings into an eternal prison where they could not escape. The cost of the eternal prison was the Guiden’s new gift of immortality...as long as those Guiden who survived remained alive, the prison would never break.”

  Ash was pleased he had found his reason that this man could possibly live. “So tell me, Idris, do you deserve to die this day, or, more importantly, can you die?”

  XXIX

  These people don't understand. They don't know I will not let this world fall to pieces when I can do something about it. I really hate these people. Lord Wakefield is small and broke; Lord Candrin can
never hope to control this military with his frail body; Lord Gryn answers to a fat lard ass Duke living high on himself; Lord Walters is a forgotten Earl with no house left to his name.

  But Lord Carlye. You will serve me or I will take away everything you have been given. Your brother sits on his seat and when I find out exactly what transpired when you went north. I will find out and I will punish Aiden for his crimes. I am the king and the people must know that my resolve will be just.

  Yes, it is. I am King. It is my right. It is mine, mine, mine.

  Jayden walked into the meeting chambers. Today was the day that decisions had to be made, decisions that would affect the kingdom for a long time. He had learned that Lord Wakefield was no longer in the city and had returned to Sunvale to confer with his brother about the taxation.

  Duke Jacob Ramsden, had brought him news that Sunvale had made calls to all of their Banner men in the province to oppose the tax and together they would voice their concern to the King himself. Both his brother and sister were in attendance at this meeting along with the rest of the City Earl's and Idris. Idris today is your last day. He thought as he prepared himself for the meeting.

  “Order,” he said as he called the meeting to begin. “Reports of the east: have the reports changed?” he asked.

  Duke Ramsden stood. “No, your Majesty. The province of Sunvale has said they will oppose any and all future taxes that gain the crown more coin to spend recklessly.”

  Damn them, damn them all. “How many Banner men have Duke and Lord Wakefield raised?” he asked.

  “Ten thousand seasoned men, your Majesty. They intend to march the host to Derancross to oppose you,” Duke Ramsden said.

  “So he intends to bring a military force here. Not while I sit on this throne!” He was angry.

  “Before we move any further, tell me who here feels that the taxes that must paid are unjust?” He waited while his eyes moved along the Earls.

  “Your Majesty.” Lord Sandrin said standing. “As representative of the House Sandrin and of the New City, the taxes you have imposed are questionable...”