Chapter 2:
The ball ended as all balls end: when the music stopped, the drunks stumbled home, and the sober said polite farewells. The princess returned to her quarters to toss and turn throughout the night.
The next morning, Ren was noticeably quiet. Kathryn didn’t mind, since she didn’t particularly want to discuss the previous evening.
Near midday, she went to the library to read as she often did, and he stood by the door with his arms folded. Under normal circumstances, Kathryn loved the library. So what if the room smelled dusty and some of the hand-lettered books and scrolls were falling apart? There were books on matters of state and strategy, books on personal style and accomplishment, and books on history. In short, this place was her first and most faithful teacher.
But even as she selected several large tomes for her reading, her uneasiness grew. She couldn’t help but sneak glances at Ren. The look in those unwavering eyes intimidated her, and she had to avert her gaze.
Eventually, he spoke up. “I doubt you can remember anything you read if you read that fast.”
Kathryn glanced up from her book, grateful for the reprieve from his stony silence. “According to legend, Queen Reblinka was the first and only warrior-queen of Iridalys, and won the Battle of Calder in the Great War of Tephraya by hiring pirates to plunder her enemy’s camp in the dead of night. But since she paid them with opals belonging to the four great noblemen, she was executed days later by her own people,” she recited with a tolerant smile.
“All right, all right; keep showing off.” Ren flopped down on an elegant couch, put up his boots, and clasped his hands behind his head. He stared up at the ceiling and whistled aimlessly. The sound grated on her ears.
Kathryn tried to lose herself in the book once again, to no avail. She cast another quick glance at Ren. His body was stiff, and she knew why. After all, he was no fool, and she’d seen Illian talk to him the day before and could guess what they discussed.
There’s no way around it.
Her mind made up, she closed the book with a thump. The resulting cloud of dust made her cough before she could say, rather sheepishly, “I really was going to tell you.”
“Oh, well, that’s exactly the same thing as telling me.” Ren’s tone was cold, and it cut her to the heart.
“It wasn’t easy to talk about,” she whispered.
“What’s not easy?” Ren sat up. “Agreeing to a political marriage when the king said it was fine for you to refuse? I know that wasn’t the only way, Kat. I just don’t see why you didn’t want to tell me. Did you think I couldn’t guess? I may not be very clever, but I’m not a fool.” The words tumbled over each other.
Kathryn sat next to him, turned him away from her, and started unbraiding his long blond hair. She didn’t want to see his face at that moment; he looked so very disappointed and angry. “I never thought you were,” she said softly. “But I did think you’d be upset.”
“Of course I’m upset! It’s an insane idea,” he retorted. “Running into a collapsing mine makes more sense.”
“It’s not insane. This is a strategic choice, and it benefits me as well. If I marry Prince Lorrin, I have a chance against Illian if he makes a move.”
And I can keep Lenore safe.
“I could protect you from anything anyone throws at you,” Ren said dismissively.
“Did you ever think that you might get killed trying?”
Ren stiffened. “When’s the last time you watched me fight?”
“I’m not saying you’re weak, Ren. I’m saying you’re not a god.” Kathryn smoothed his hair and divided it into four braids as she talked. “We both know Illian has more power and the full support of the soldiers and nobles alike. Should I wait around until father dies to see how much Illian decides to offer me, if he even wishes me to live?”
Ren dismissed such political machinations with a wave of his hand, insisting, “I thought it was important to be honest with each other. So in case you’re wondering, yes, I’m angry.”
“I know that too.” Kathryn removed the ribbon from her hair and tied it around the bottom of the braids to pull them together. “But that won’t change anything.”
“You don’t have to go.” He caught her hand. “There’s no reason. I can do anything for you, Kat. You don’t have to go this far.”
What am I supposed to say?
Anything was better than admitting the truth, which would surely only make him more upset. “It isn’t my fault, Ren. If Illian was the same way as when we were children, I wouldn’t have to,” she began.
Ren shook his head, his face reddening. “You’re lying again. Illian wouldn’t hurt you, and if he ever tried, I could protect you. What’s the real reason?”
“This is the best choice for Iridalys-“
Ren grit his teeth and snapped, “That’s not it either. Why won’t you tell me the truth?” When she didn’t respond, he pressed, “You just have to have power. You have to be in control.” He was clearly trying to provoke her.
Subtlety has never been his strong suit. But it still hurt.
“You’re not being fair.” Kathryn reddened a bit in spite of herself. Stay calm. Don’t say anything you’ll regret. “You’re going to come with me, anyway. You’ll be able to protect me there.”
“I could think of a lot of things I’d rather do,” Ren muttered.
Kathryn decided to pretend she hadn’t heard him. “Anyway, I’m glad you decided to come talk to me. I need you to do something.”
“You want me to vote for you to go,” Ren said flatly. “I’m not going to do it, Kat.”
She gathered her courage to say more sternly, “You have to. I only have half the generals, and your vote will decide.” She put a hand on his arm. “If Illian’s generals win the vote-”
“I won’t agree! You shouldn’t ask me to.”
“Ren…”
“No! My job is to protect you, not watch you do something so foolish!”
Foolish?
Kathryn’s face hardened, and she pressed her lips together tightly. He could be so stubborn sometimes! But she couldn’t afford to allow him the pleasure this time. “Your job is whatever I tell you, General Ren. You work for the royal family — no, you work for me, and only for me.”
She could see the absolute fury in his eyes. He turned his back on her. “You shouldn’t play that card, your highness.”
I’m sorry, Ren.
“I already did. You will do as you are commanded, General Ren, and I order you to vote in my favor in the meeting tomorrow.”
“Not until you tell me why.” He turned on her and grabbed her shoulders. “For the last time, tell me why you want to do this!”
Why did he have to make things so difficult? Kathryn’s eyes blazed and she pushed him away as she burst out, “Why do you suppose? Do you think that I should just let Lenore marry that madman?” She instantly regretted the words as she saw the shocked look, followed instantly by understanding and pity. How she hated that look of pity!
“Kathryn?” The voice made them both turn. Lenore stood in the doorway, her wide brown eyes staring at the scene in surprise. Her lips trembled with anger, and she said, “That’s why you said that to Father? Because you thought I wanted you to? Who gave you the right to assume such a thing?”
This was exactly what I wanted to avoid.
Kathryn pulled away from Ren, dashing the tears from her eyes with an impatient hand. “Because I thought you were far too young to handle the situation in Navinor.” Her tone hardened. Lenore’s anger was easier for her to stomach than Ren’s sympathy. “Clearly, you are not the best choice, especially since you have not even passed your examinations as a Warden. An inexperienced and overly emotional mage would be a liability in this situation.”
“How dare you! I’m old enough! And you’re only two years older than I. What right have you to ruin my chances? You always make everything about you; flawless little Kathryn is going to save the country; perfect Kathryn is going to keep all the paupers fed and end the war.”
Ren put a hand out to stop Kathryn as she started to reply. “Princess Lenore,” he began, “It’s a misunderstanding. Kathryn meant-”
“Don’t speak to me! You’re on her side in this, aren’t you?” Lenore glared at him and shrieked, “And don’t you call her Kathryn! She is a princess, and you’re a General in name only.”
“That’s enough, Lenore. Stop behaving so childishly.” Kathryn towered a full four inches over her petite sister as she put her face close to hers and said, “The generals will make the decision, and they will NEVER vote for you.”
Lenore shook with rage, but she didn’t have an answer. She turned on her heel and left. Kathryn hated herself just a little for lying. But there was no reason to let Lenore get overly sentimental. She would only run to the king and demand that he overrule the generals. “Why won’t you tell her the truth?” Ren demanded. “If she knew that you were doing this for her-”
“She doesn’t need to know.” Kathryn glanced at him. She hated herself even more when she saw the sorrowful look in his eyes. So perhaps her voice was a little sharper than she intended when she continued, “I need you to vote for me tomorrow, Ren. I know it is painful; I know it will hurt you. But you have to do this. I will never forgive you if you refuse and Lenore gets hurt. Never.”
Ren was quiet for a minute. At last he said, “So I have no choice but to pretend to agree and go along?” Kathryn let silence fill the air instead of responding. Finally, he sighed in defeat and bowed. “As you wish, your highness.”
“Thank you.” Seeing the bitter, unhappy look on his face, she relented just a little and touched his hand lightly. “You’re the only one I can trust, Ren.”
“Of course, your highness.” Ren couldn’t quite manage a smile. But then as he was talking, he put up his hand to his head and only just then realized he was wearing a beautiful pink silk ribbon in his hair. “Really?” he said.
“I can’t believe it took you that long to notice,” Kathryn giggled. “Here; I’ll take it out.”
“Not a chance. It’s mine now. You put it in my hair, so I’m keeping it.” He seemed relieved to be able to get the best of her, even in something small.
“Carina will be furious; she loves that ribbon,” Kathryn protested, reaching to take it.
Ren playfully ducked, and they scuffled briefly before Ren caught her wrists. “I’m keeping it,” he said firmly. “I’m stronger than you, so you might as well give it up.” He ducked out before she could reply.
Kathryn called after him teasingly, “I could have you arrested for theft, you know!”
“You put it in my hair, so it’s mine.”
“That’s not how that works!”
But he was already gone. Kathryn rolled her eyes and sat down to continue reading her book. She tried to put Ren out of her mind, but his reproachful eyes haunted her. He would vote for her, wouldn’t he? He had to.
The grand chamber, where the top generals of Iridalys convened, had a heavy feeling to it, perhaps thanks to the fact that generations of generals had debated war and tactics in this very room. Tall windows draped in deep purple curtains allowed only slender rays of light, which cast elongated shadows over the ornate mahogany table. The walls bore the names of many who had fallen, along with banners of victories and ancient paintings of thirteen generations of royalty. Here, only the most serious affairs were discussed, and the most crucial decisions made.
And it was the same today as the 11 generals of Iridalys came together to discuss the possibility of a marriage between the princess and their mortal enemy, the second prince of Navinor.
Most of the generals were seasoned warriors in their late thirties or early forties. A few were even older. All of them carried themselves with dignity except for one. General Ren lounged back in his chair, playing with his braid and wishing he was anywhere else at that moment, preferably on the training grounds knocking down guards like ninepins. Illian sat at one end of the table, his face grim. Kathryn sat at the other with her hands folded and eyes that betrayed absolutely no emotion. Ren almost wished she would at least look nervous.
Illian leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands. “As all of you are likely aware, Princess Kathryn has come forward with a request that the Generals approve her marriage to Prince Lorrin of Navinor,” he said. “What are your thoughts, sirs?”
The oldest general rubbed his beard and remarked, “It does seem sudden. I believe Princess Lenore was originally chosen because Princess Kathryn was indispensable to our efforts with Tephraya. Is there a reason Princess Kathryn is stepping forward?”
Ren noticed how Illian’s fingers drummed on the arm of his oak chair as he said smoothly, “The king and I agreed Princess Lenore was the logical choice to secure a treaty. But Princess Kathryn will have to explain for herself why she believes differently.”
Kathryn took a deep breath before saying with a slight smile, “I think we are all well aware of Princess Lenore’s temperament and education. While she has shown some talent as a mage, she has yet to graduate as a Warden. At best, she has enough knowledge to be dangerous. On the other hand, Prince Lorrin’s ambitions for the throne are well-known. Should he become king eventually, it is possible that the right match would bring us the advantage of Navinor’s shipyards for trade with the far kingdoms. I ask all of you, would Lenore be the best choice for a position with such a level of diplomatic sensitivity and complexity?”
“Your highness.” Another general leaned forward and spoke in a voice well-trained by shouting orders over the noise of countless battles. “This seems odd to me.”
Ren took his boots off the table and fixed his eyes intently on the speaker.
“Odd?” Illian asked.
“Yes, my lord. As I recall, the princess has steadfastly refused all past marriage offers. So it seems to me that this offer must provide some personal benefit instead.”
What’s his game? Ren glanced from Kathryn’s expressionless face to the general’s.
Illian said, “The Princess knows her duty, General Valen, and it is unquestionable that this marriage will provide her with far more status and power to be used for the kingdom than any other match could.”
“What if there is another war?”
Valen’s words seemed to awaken a dread that rendered them silent. Except of course Ren, who was quick to retort, “That will never happen.”
All eyes turned to his face, which reddened with annoyance. “And how can you be so sure of it?” Valen questioned as if humoring a child.
“Because the princess won’t allow it. I would say she’s wise enough to avoid another one.”
Illian’s face twitched and he interrupted, “This argument is pointless. The princess’s qualifications are not in question.”
“I disagree,” Valen argued. “If anything, General Ren’s point only makes the concern greater. The Princess has intimate knowledge of our defenses, tactics, and secrets. She also has the intelligence to understand their significance. How can we be sure that knowledge will not be used against us one day?”
The loud “crack” from Ren’s fist slamming into the table made them all jump. “What in blazes are you talking about? Who do you think you are?!”
Valen held up a hand to stop the flow of words. “I am not suggesting she would do it willingly. But those of us who fought in the war know what sort of animals those people are.” Several of the generals at the table nodded in agreement, a shadow crossing their faces like the ghost of a dead comrade. “Is it so unreasonable to think this may be a trap designed to lure the princess to the kingdom so she can be held hostage and the information extracted by any means necessary?” As Valen spoke, the other generals shifted uneasily, avoiding Ren’s fierce gaze.
“That’s nonsense,” the young bodyguard began.
“Enough, General Ren,” Kathryn said quietly. “It is a reasonable question.” She stood up. “Lenore has little education in matters of state, and her tactical knowledge is next to nothing. But I assure you that any information she might unwittingly give the enemy regarding the practices of the Wardens could be just as damaging, if not more so. And as for whether this is a trap…” she turned to smile at Ren. “I believe you are forgetting that the strongest warrior in the five kingdoms would be going with me.”
Ren swelled with pride and folded his arms with a smug look at General Valen. The other generals murmured in reluctant agreement amongst themselves.
Illian allowed the silence to stretch out before saying, “Thank you, Princess Kathryn, for your insight. If you would be so kind as to step outside, the generals will cast their votes.” Kathryn curtseyed. As she turned to go, she brushed past Ren’s chair. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder for a split second, but he flinched at the touch and turned his face away.
After she left, the air in the room seemed close and suffocating.
Illian said, “All those who vote for Princess Lenore to marry Prince Lorrin, raise your hands.” Valen and four others raised their hands. Ren’s heart beat faster. He had hoped that the vote would be inarguable and would not require his intervention. Now it looked like it was going to be up to him.
Illian continued, “All those who are in favor of Kathryn, please raise your hands. If you do not raise your hand, I will assume you are abstaining.” He looked directly at Ren as he spoke.
Ren grit his teeth. He knew Illian was trying to give him a way out. As the other generals raised their hands, he also knew he only had a second to decide. All eyes were on him. The vote was even, as he’d feared. Illian waited a couple seconds before saying, “Very well; I suppose since you are abstaining, Father will have to decide. And since it was his original desire for Lenore to marry-”
“I’m not abstaining.” Ren raised his hand as high as it could go and gave Illian a defiant look that completely hid the sense of regret he already felt.
Illian’s face went pale, but he only said, “Then the vote is passed in favor of Princess Kathryn. General Ren, since you are her guard, you may tell her the news.” He stood up abruptly. “The meeting is adjourned.”
Ren shoved back his chair with a sharp scraping sound and left the generals to collect themselves and follow after.
He found Kathryn in the courtyard. She was meeting with an unfamiliar man who seemed to be a trader. The trader said, “Here are the seeds, my lady. If what that Tephrayan trader told me is true, they should begin to bear fruit before six months have passed, even without the help of verdant opals.”
Ren paused. For some reason, he didn’t want to interrupt. Kathryn looked more excited and happy than he had seen her in a very long time. She reached out to take the seeds and turned to a nearby flower bed, saying, “If this works, it will be the end of hunger in Iridalys, whether we recover the opals from Navinor or not.” She scattered the seeds over the soil.
The trader agreed, “A crop like this could make all the difference. They said it grows in pretty poor soil and doesn’t need much water, so even the farmers who don’t have access to a Warden should be able to make a go of it.”
Kathryn patted the soil and smiled up at him radiantly. “Thank you, Hermel.”
“Of course, your highness,” the grizzled trader replied, blushing in spite of himself and rubbing his beard again in embarrassment. Then he saw Ren and started violently. “Er…your highness, I believe the General wishes to speak to you. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Oh…” Kathryn rose and turned to Ren, anxiety making her movements quick and her voice sharper as she brushed the dirt off of her dress. “Ren, what did they decide? Did you…”
He held up his hand to stop her. “You’re going to Navinor,” he said.
Kathryn’s face showed a variety of emotions. First came the relief that made her grab his hands and say joyfully, “Thank you so much, Ren!”
“Don’t thank me, my lady. It isn’t as though I wanted to vote for you.” Ren put a hand on her shoulder and tried to smile. “But I’ll stand by you no matter what happens. I promise you that.”
“I know. But I still want to thank you.” For some reason, after that first flash of excitement, he saw regret in her face. Kathryn turned back to the flowerbed. She stared at the seeds. He could hear tears in her voice as she said, “I suppose I won’t be able to see them grow. It may be a very long time before we come back to Iridalys.” The words trailed off.
Ren started to speak, but she pulled away, wiping her eyes and saying, “I have another meeting shortly. I will see you later.” He watched her walk away with a ramrod-straight back and graceful steps. He was probably the only one who would have been able to tell that her heart was breaking at that moment. And his own ached painfully as well.
Loyalty Fallen Hub 