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  For the remainder of their walk, Ipid prattled on about the route to Lake Mithrel, respecting the governor’s house, remembering that he was a guest, and a number of other things that seemed obvious. Through it all, Dasen nodded and agreed without really hearing anything. As his father had suggested, too much time spent with Rynn had trained him to half-listen while seeming to be fully engaged. As his father spoke, Dasen stared at the coach they were approaching. It stood by the road that defined one edge of the village green. The six draft horses had already been hitched up. Esso, the driver, circled, checking the wheels, springs, and harnesses. There was a wobble to his step that Dasen had not seen before, and he wondered how much of the ale that was flowing in the green had made its way down his gullet. Waiting in front of the coach were six of the guards with their mounts. They were receiving orders from their captain while looking longingly at the celebration they would be leaving behind. Finally, on top of the coach was Elton tightening the straps that would hold Dasen’s trunk onto the roof. Beyond that, there was only the small trunk that Ipid had given to Tethina and a small leather bag that must be Tethina’s – she hadn’t been joking when she said that she didn’t have any proper clothes.

  As they approached, the coach suddenly seemed smaller than it ever had. Though it was, in reality, an enormous beast of a thing – large enough to serve as Ipid’s mobile office – the prospect of sharing that confined space with Tethina for the next few hours was terrifying. What would they find to talk about? How would he approach her? Should he start defining the rules for her new life immediately? Should he talk about her previous life, clear the air of it so they can move on, or ignore it so as to leave it entirely in the past? Then when they arrived at the governor’s lodge? Would Tethina be offended if he didn’t at least try to complete their bond? Would she skin him if he did? What of his father’s advice and that of the villagers?

  As if summoned by the thought, Pete Magee and his band, walked out from between two of the village’s last buildings and closed on Dasen and Ipid. “Your lordship,” Pete said. He removed his ragged hat and made a small bow. His fellows followed.

  Ipid grunted. “Enough of that, boys. I already told you, there are no lords today. We are all the same, villagers celebrating a joining ceremony.” He turned to Dasen and lowered his voice. “I’m going to make sure everything is ready for the trip. Don’t dally. Tethina should be here any time.” He patted Dasen on the arm and walked quickly toward the coach.

  With Ipid’s departure, Pete’s deference dissipated. He replaced his hat and closed on Dasen with hand outstretched. “We’s just come ta see ya off,” he said.

  “That is very thoughtful.” In respect to his father, Dasen remained friendly. The last thing he wanted to do was make nice with Pete and his gang, but his father had decreed that morning that they would treat the villagers as their hosts and afford them all the appropriate courtesies. “It is very kind of you to think of me, but I do not want to take you away from the festivities.”

  “Plenty of time fir that.” Pete grinned, placed his hand on Dasen’s back, and escorted him toward the coach. It was only a few hours past noon. The festivities had been raging since the end of the ceremony, for hours now, but Dasen had no doubt that they would last long into the night, especially since Ipid had declared the next day a holiday for all in his employ. And the Solstice celebrations was only another day after that. “Besides we’s got a gift fir ya.” He looked across his gang for Jeb. He found the boy running in from the village with a jug in his hands. Jeb approached quickly then seemed to trip over his own feet. He lurched forward and crashed into Dasen. Neither of them were hurt, but liquor sprayed from the jug like a geyser, dousing them both.

  Dasen backed away and quickly began blotting his face and jacket. “Ya clumsy idjot,” Pete scolded. He cuffed the boy and pulled the jug from his hands. “Where’s the cork? Ya can’t give it ta him without a cork. How’s he s’posed to carry it?”

  “Sorry, Pete,” Jeb stammered. I had ta use an old jug and couldn’t find none of the corks.”

  “Well, git over ta the green an’ find one then.” Pete cuffed the boy again and turned to Dasen. “I’m sorry ‘bout that. The lad ain’t got the sense of a stump. ‘Ere take my handkerchief.”

  “It’s alright,” Dasen said. Most of the liquor had hit his face and was easily wiped away. His jacket had a damp spot as well, but the clear liquid was not a great threat to the brown linen. The greatest damage was that the smell of the sweet, herbal liquor permeated him.

  Dabbing at the spot, he walked toward the coach. Pete prattled on about how much he and his fellows had enjoyed the ceremony and celebration that followed. He did not mention Tethina except to say how beautiful she looked in the joining dress, “Like a right proper girl all ready ta become a woman.”

  By the time they made it to the coach, Jeb was running back with a cork. He handed it to Pete, who made a show of sealing the bottle. “I wish we could send ya off wit’ a drink, but wouldn’t look good ta yir lady fir us ta be passin’ a bottle round. She might start thinkin’ you’s the one that needs tamin’.”

  Dasen could not help but laugh at that. He accepted the jug from Pete before handing it on to the driver. “Thank you for your hospitality. You have made me feel most welcome.”

  “Mighty glad ta do it.” Pete grinned, took Dasen’s hand in his, and pulled him in close. “Give her an extra one fir us, will ya,” Pete whispered in his ear. Then he pulled back and slapped Dasen on the back so hard that he nearly lost his balance. “We’ll leave ya now,” he bellowed, “yir wife won’ be ta happy she sees who yir new drinkin’ buddies are.”

  “Thank you again,” Dasen managed as he shook each hand and tried to hide his relief that they were leaving before Tethina’s arrival.

  And none too soon as it turned out. As Dasen shook hands with the last of the villagers, a shimmer of blue appeared from behind the nearest house. He looked up and found Tethina striding defiantly across the open space that separated the coach from the village. She was wearing a magnificent blue silk dress that actually fit her. The silk shimmered and flowed around her, defining each confident stride with a motion like the sea. Her fine, auburn hair was pulled back behind her ears and held by blue glass clips. The hair that hung loose in the back barely made it to the bottom of her head, leaving her impossibly long neck exposed all the way to the top of her chest where a tan triangle was framed on either side by purest white. The dress itself was the best that could be made in the three short days they spent in Wildern, but the simple style suited Tethina perfectly.

  Dasen felt his pulse rise. He tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat and watched her come. Eventually, his eyes found their way from her body to her face, and his anticipation withered. Throughout the day, he and Tethina had seemed to find a certain familiarity, an understanding and trust. But her tight mouth, stern eyes, and upturned jaw showed none of that now. What Dasen saw in his wife now was defiance, resolute and unbending. His mind swam. He had been so hopeful that they were going down the right track. Now this. He sighed.

  Tethina cleared the final steps to the coach and looked Dasen up and down as if only seeing him for the first time. He tried to stand up to that stare, to meet her eyes with the same conviction and confidence she seemed to possess. Eventually she looked away, turning her scornful eyes to the villagers who had gathered to see the couple off. She stared at them with disdain until she found Pete Magee and the look turned to purest vitriol. Her eyes narrowed, mouth tightened, and body nearly shook.

  And everything fell into place. She had seen him talking with the villagers. Dasen could only imagine what she must have thought, what that imbecilic exchange must have looked like to her. And Pete had planned it all. He was no bumpkin, he had seen a way to get his final revenge and had played Dasen perfectly. He kicked himself for being made
a pawn. He looked toward Pete and his gang, silently planning his revenge. But first he’d have to explain everything to Tethina. As soon as we’re underway, he told himself. We’ll probably have a good laugh about the whole thing.

  “Ah, Tethina,” Ipid nearly shouted, breaking the tension, “you look magnificent. I am so glad that the dress fits. I am sorry that we did not have time to commission something more elaborate, but I think this suits you.”

  Tethina turned to Ipid. She looked at the portly man slightly shorter than herself, and her face seemed to take on a hint of sadness. “Thank you, Ipid,” she said. “You have been so kind to me through everything. Your goodwill, support, and understanding were the only gifts I ever needed. I have never properly appreciated them or thanked you. I am sorry for that.” She embraced Ipid then. He looked surprised but wrapped his thick arms around her slender back.

  “You are most welcome, my dear,” he mumbled as he held her. “I just wish I could have done more.” They pulled away from each other, but Ipid held her arms. “Now that you and Dasen are joined, I can provide for you as I always should have. Remember, I am always here for you.”

  “Thank you,” Tethina said again. She gave Ipid one last small hug then turned to the coach. She inspected the vehicle quickly then moved toward the steps.

  The driver met her with an outstretched hand, but Dasen waved him away and offered his own hand to help her up the three tall steps. Tethina looked at the driver then Dasen with the same sour expression. "I am perfectly capable of getting into a coach.” Dasen and the driver both stepped back in surprise and watched her climbed into the box with three sure strides.

  Dasen looked back over his shoulder as she climbed and saw Rynn standing behind him with a wide smile. He turned and held his hand out. Rynn took it with a snicker. “You are in so much trouble.”

  “I know” was all Dasen could say in response. “Are you sure you will be alright here in the village? You could always come with us to Lake Mithrel. I am sure there are enough rooms.”

  “And deny you this time with your bride? I would never do that to a friend.” He flashed a sarcastic grin. “You’ll do fine,” he finally turned serious, “just give her time to get to know you. Trust me, once she knows you, she’ll realize how lucky she is. You are a good person, Dasen. There is no way that she won’t see that.”

  Dasen was so shocked by the seriousness of Rynn’s words that he did not know how to respond. For a few heartbeats, he searched for the sarcasm that must be present, but finding none, he clasped his friend’s hand, pulled him into an embrace, and said, “Thank you for everything. You have been a true friend.”

  Rynn pulled back. “No need to thank me. I’m having the time of my life. These people know how to celebrate. The drinks are flowing and no one cares if you know how to dance, if the conversation is proper, or if your choice of song has to do with barmaids with expanded services. Maybe I should be a counselor in a village like this.”

  Dasen laughed. “I don’t think this qualifies as a typical Teaching Day lesson.”

  “Well it should. I’m not sure what anyone would learn about the Order, but they’d definitely have more fun.”

  Dasen laughed again then turned to his father. “You should not leave Tethina waiting,” he warned. “I will see you in a couple of days for the Solstice, right?”

  “Then, or even sooner. Tethina doesn’t want to be away from her aunt, so we may be back every day.”

  “That’s a good thing you’re doing. I don’t think she has long, and it would be terrible for Tethina if she couldn’t be here at the end.”

  Dasen nodded as an uncomfortable silence stretched between them. “You will be alright here?” he finally asked.

  “Certainly, I have work to do in any case. I should tour the work sites and see how they are organizing the cutting teams. They are also asking for new roads, tools, and all number of other things. And the governor’s seeming prosperity needs looking it to. In all, I could probably spend weeks sorting everything out. I will have plenty to keep me busy while we wait for the other coach to be repaired.”

  Dasen nodded again, but his eyes drifted to the coach where Tethina waited. “You want to be on your way,” Ipid started again. “And so you should be. I am sending half of the guards with you. The governor assures me that the forest masters have doubled their patrols in the past few weeks and no bandit activity has been reported, but don’t take any chances. If anything out of the ordinary happens, let the men do their jobs. Don’t try to manage the situation. They know what they’re doing.”

  “Certainly, father, I am sure we won’t have any issues. Now I should probably be on my way.”

  “Of course, have a good trip and remember what we discussed.” Ipid gave Dasen a serious look then pulled him into an embrace. “I am proud of you, son,” he whispered. “You are doing the right thing. It may not seem like it now, but you will see.”

  Dasen looked a last time at his father then turned and waved to the crowd. “Thank you all for your hospitality. I will always remember the kindness you have shown us on this momentous occasion. I look forward to seeing you again soon.” With that and a hand from the driver, he climbed the steps into the coach.

  Chapter 10

 
H. Nathan Wilcox's Novels