Divided (92 page)

Moving a thumb over Taeru’s cheek, he touched his lips, and
he felt the agonizing desire, need, and desperation shatter through him.  “Why
did this happen?” he whispered quietly.  “Why you?” he choked.  Warily, he
moved his hand up to Taeru’s black hair, brushing a little bit of it from his
forehead.  Then, he gripped his lover’s face while tears burned in his eyes,
letting out a sharp, keening sound through his teeth.  He lowered his head,
kissing Taeru lightly against his temple.  “I love you… please, come back… come
back.”

Light flickered over the clearing, illuminating Taeru’s face
just a little for a moment.  So many bruises.  So many failures that Calis
could see written across his face.  “I couldn’t save you… all I wanted to do
was protect you, and I couldn’t do it.  I couldn’t keep you safe.  I… oh,
Taeru…”

Gripping Taeru’s face again, Calis stared at the unmoving
lips, and his body quivered with anguish.  “Say something.  Please, say
anything.  By the Light… just… please, one more time… one more moment… please…
I just want… you.  Open your eyes.”

A sacrifice for a failure.  A mortal dabbling in the
affairs of the Magisters, a mortal having to stop what never should have
started… a Hero.  So too shall justice be with you.

The words flickered across Calis’s mind, but he stared into
Taeru’s face—in a never-ending abyss.  He could not force himself to think, to
care, to leave this spot, staring at the delicate, lifeless creature.  The one
thing in the world that he had fought for, had cared for, had loved.  And now
Taeru lay in his arms, completely out of his reach, despite Calis’s most
passionate desire to reach him.  His tears fell across Taeru’s cheeks, spilling
onto the ground beneath him, and Calis shook.  “I can’t—I can’t… I’m so sorry,
Taeru,” he whispered.  He clutched the form more desperately, clinging.

“Calis…” It was the softest, most disoriented voice he’d
ever heard.  “Calis.”

“Taeru.”  The light faded into the distance, and Calis
pulled back, staring blankly into Taeru’s face as tears continued to pour. 
Then, with the tiniest flash of blue, Calis pressed his lips to the soft, still
cold ones.

“Freedom from duty, and the power to see, were at last
the first prince’s, and he was at last the second prince’s.  Happiness is
always the final reward.”

-A Hero’s Peace v.ii

alis extended a hand into the carriage, trying to be
delicate as Lee pulled himself out of the door to the side of him.  This sun
would be filled with uncertainty to be sure.  The land itself was filled with
it, as far as the sun could reach, unfamiliarity and unsteadiness.  The hand
that reached into his own was evidence enough of that.  Her gloved hand was
unsure, but he offered her a smile and nod as she emerged from the carriage. 
“How do you feel, my lady?” he asked her gently.

The hazel eyes were filled with worry, but she raised her
chin and offered a quick nod.  “Well—thank you, my lord,” she replied briskly. 
Her dress was marvelous, all sparkling and shimmering pink.  It still fluffed
outwards, as all the dresses of noblewomen did, but this one was very pleasing
to stare at, Calis thought.  Her hair was all done up with ornaments that
sparkled in the sun.  Claudia ought to be proud, though she was doubtlessly
devastated that she couldn’t come.  Therefore, she couldn’t check to ensure
everything about Lady Avyon’s appearance was perfect.

“I dare say you’re lying,” he teased.  She frowned up at him
and stared forward as she stepped away from the carriage.  She linked her arm
through his, and he could feel the way she rested on him for support. 

She responded honestly, as was her way in times when she
could no longer contain herself.  “I am concerned.  Arranged marriages are
always frightening,” she murmured.  He offered a quirk of his head, and he
nodded.

“It will be alright.”

“As you say,” she agreed softly. 

Lee took a step beside him, and their eyes met with a
glimmer of amusement.  “Cathalar,” Lee said, with a bit of a grandiose tone,
“the city of Light and love.”  His words were teasing, though he seemed a
little taken aback by the foreign land.

The entrance of Cathalar had been so inviting, so unlike
Telandus, that it had jarred Calis to the very core.  Even the middle class
sector, what they’d seen of it as they’d ridden the path to the castle, was
filled with large buildings, plenty large enough for families to live happily. 
It truly was a lovely place, he thought.  A nice one to live in—to wed in,
perhaps.  “It certainly is no Telandus,” Calis said cheerfully. 

“Pity, that,” Lee said dryly.  Telandus was certainly
nothing to attempt to mimic, though Cathalar was another story.  Despite its
obvious shortcomings, as seen in the differences of the classes, it was a
lovely place.  Somewhere that happiness seemed to truly exist, Calis thought. 
What a novel idea.  Or perhaps… not so novel.  A smile touched his lips as he
escorted the lady on his arm towards the castle. 

A few guards accompanied him as well, though not many. 
Calis had insisted on a rather small entourage, after all, if these
negotiations were to go well, he couldn’t look as though he was prepared to set
fire to the place.  Anxiety ran up his spine as he thought of what was to come,
of what he anticipated doing.  The Cathalari castle was not the massive eyesore
that the Telandan castle had been.  It was majestic, authoritative, but not
frightening.  Closer to what a castle ought to be, he thought. 

The guards of Cathalar stepped in front of him as he neared
the castle gate.  “Prince Calis Tsrali,” one of them spoke with a respectful
bow.  “Lord Keiichi, Lady Avyon,” the man was knowledgeable, and he regarded
each of them by name.  “You are welcome in the Lassau castle.”

The name sent a shudder up Calis’s spine, and he nodded his
head in thanks.  Krystal bit down on her lip, but she offered a curtsy of her
own.  Lee, for his part, barely acknowledged the man.  Calis sighed as they
moved past the front gates, towards the front courtyard, which held a fountain
and flowers.  “It’s lovely,” Lady Avyon murmured.  She glanced at Calis to get
his approval, as usual.  Calis just nodded mild agreement.

They were greeted by another set of guards as they entered
the castle.  Even the entryway was more welcoming than the Telandan castle’s,
though that would not have been entirely difficult, considering Lavus had sent
people screaming from his entryway.  “You are about to meet our rival king,”
Lee informed him, as if Calis hadn’t already known.  “I do hope you brought
your charm with you.”

“I always bring my charm with me,” Calis assured.  Lee
offered a skeptical smirk in response.  Truth be told, though, Calis’s body was
bristled with nerves, apprehension, and anxiety.  Far more emotions than he
usually felt with these sorts of events.  He knew why, though, and there was no
question about that.

This was a rather important negotiation.  Much more so than
anything he’d done in his time at Dokak.  As they walked down the corridors of
the immaculate castle, the marble floors created a sense of openness, another
direct contradiction to Telandus.  Lady Avyon continued to look around,
somewhat awed by what she saw—though perhaps somewhat was an understatement. 
She even murmured her approval a few times.  There were many more windows in
the Cathalari castle, as well, Calis noted.

At last, they reached the teak doors of the throne room. 
They sat before him, with ornate silver handles, decorated lavishly.  Calis
took a deep breath, and when one of the Cathalari men looked at him, he nodded
his head.  There was no sense putting this off, as it would have been rather
odd for him to stand outside the throne room of Veyron Lassau for very long. 
The throne room was long, much like Lavus’s.  Though, the throne at the top had
smaller thrones to either side of it, and the staircase before it was much
longer.

The floor that led up to the throne, including the stairs, was
covered in a deep blue carpet.  The largest throne was silver, while the others
were a sort of pale gray.  Veyron had stood upon Calis’s entrance, and Calis
nodded his respects.  The man was broad, tall, and dark.  His mouth was framed
with a neat goatee, and his hair was cropped short and practical.  His clothes
were less so, with adornments of silver and blue, even a few gemstones dotted
his large shoulders.  A cape dropped down his back, a fantastic mix of silver
and blue.  His boots were gray, as were his gloves, and the crown on his head
was the same color as their crest—a sapphire along the center and done in
silver.

Calis’s eyes could not focus on these things, however, as
they were immediately drawn to another point in the room.  Veyron’s children,
Ryo and Aela, stood before the other chairs in the room.  Yet, all that
mattered to Calis, as if gravity shifted to the one point, was the small form
leaning against the side of Ryo’s chair.  Calis’s eyes met his, those pure blue
orbs, and Calis smiled an absurdly warm and happy smile, as a thousand
different feelings rushed into his chest. 

Taeru’s face twisted into an unintentionally charming glare,
and his eyes moved towards his father, signaling that Calis was being
disrespectful.  How did anyone watch Veyron, though, when Taeru was here?  He
wore the least of all the children.  Aela and Ryo wore heavily adorned
garments, Aela a soft, flowing blue dress and Ryo a silver armor, with a very
light cape that draped over his shoulder. 

Taeru, though, was wearing only a deep, blue uniform, with
silver buttons and piping.  He had silver boots that his pants were shoved
into, and gloves that disappeared up into his sleeves.  He was impossible to
look away from.  Somehow, though, from much blue-eyed urging, Calis managed. 
The flush on Taeru’s cheeks deemed well worth it.  From the corner of his eye,
Calis noticed Ryo elbow his brother suggestively.

“Calis Tsrali,” Veyron spoke then, and he appeared not to
have noticed the way Calis had just ogled his son.  “You come here with your
offer of peace, I presume?” the man asked, and his voice contained respect
Lavus’s never had.  His brown eyes shifted towards his youngest son for only a
moment after he’d spoken.

“I do, your grace, and I immensely appreciate the
opportunity to speak it before you.”  He nodded his sincerity, and Veyron
returned the nod. 

“Understand, boy, that Telandus has long since been an enemy. 
Someone whom we have vied for power with.  You may not be the ruthless ruler
that your father was, but that does not mean that forgiveness can be so easily
acquired.  Trust… not so easily gained.”  Again, the brown eyes eased to his
flushing son.

Calis just nodded his agreement with this issue.  Hopefully,
what he had to say this sun would resolve any worries Veyron had about the
kingdoms’ differences.  “I understand.  We were, after all, on the brink of
war.  However, Telandus is well aware that she has not done well at acquiring
allies.  Where better to start than with her greatest enemy?”  His words were
soft, calm.  “We are wounded.  And, what we have retained, we know that we owe
to your sons’…”  Two brown eyes burned into him, indignant, and Calis smiled,
“…and daughter’s strength.”  His eyes moved to Ryo, who offered him a nod.  Next,
they found Aela, who raised her chin and gave him a chiding expression.   “And
bravery.”  His eyes shifted to Taeru, and he was rewarded with a soft smile. 

“Indeed,” Veyron agreed.  He was cold, though, and Calis
could sense the hostility that had built within this man from years of being
raked over the coals for a war that ought never have come near to happening. 
“So understand, while giving aid may be possible—we are not sure how a truce
can be made.”

A smile eased onto Calis’s lips, but he shook his head at
once.  This seemed to silence Veyron, and effectively confuse him.  Calis
worked best when his opponents were confused.  “Oh, I am well aware of this,
your majesty.  I come here to offer an incentive to help us in our time of
need.”  Veyron’s eyes flashed with concern.

“Incentive?” Veyron echoed, obviously trying to see how the
word tasted in his mouth.  Calis let it settle for a moment, and then he nodded
his head.

This was going to be a simple negotiation, indeed, if Veyron
had expected Calis to request anything from Cathalar—well, his eyes moved to
Taeru, he supposed he was doing that.  “At one point, Telandus and Cathalar
lived in peace.  In light of recent events, I want to return to that time.  And
there is only one way I can think to do this.”  He removed his family crest
from his neck and laid it on the first step up to the throne as he knelt.  “I
would formally renounce Telandus to your rule, Veyron Lassau, gifting your very
capable kingship to my land so gravely in need of it.  I am aware that your
misgivings in the past have been fear of rebellion with such a distant land,
but understand that the people of Telandus know they owe Cathalar a great deal,
and they know that they were robbed of proper rulership for years. They need a
capable king.”

Veyron let out a breath, entirely shocked.  He sputtered for
a moment, which Calis got the impression didn’t happen often.  “And what of
you?” Veyron finally managed to ask.  “Should you renounce your good name?”

“I am willing to completely renounce my claim to rule,
though I would prefer my name not be spat upon by Telandan and Cathalari
alike,” he said.  Oddly enough, Veyron smiled at this.  Calis burned with
desire to see the look on Taeru’s face, surely he was surprised.  They had
talked of peace before Taeru had returned to Cathalar after the incident, but
Calis had been careful not to reveal too much of what he intended.  Taeru had
needed much attention in ways other than political awareness.  Calis’s cheeks
flushed at the thought.  Taeru still needed that attention he thought, very
much—especially in that bloody uniform. 

After a few moments, Veyron’s voice broke the silence of the
room.  “Very well, Prince Tsrali—you may keep your good name, and I will accept
your offer.  Telandus will come under Cathalari rule, and we will treat her
land and citizens as our own because they will be our own.  We will need
further declaration, however, that your land will not falter.”

Calis stood, offering a smile.  “Of course,” he said, “an
alliance ought to come with an assurance, and while I have no Tsrali women to
offer you, there is a rather beautiful woman, whose family holds much wealth
and position in my land, and I would gladly offer her to your eldest son—should
he agree.”

Extending a hand backwards, he gestured for Lady Avyon.  She
stepped forward, worried and unsteady, though her eyes were pinned on Ryo.  “Lady
Avyon, your grace,” she offered a quick curtsy.  She clearly found him rather
attractive.  Calis tried to suppress his smile.  He ought to become some sort
of matchmaker—no, probably he shouldn’t. 

Ryo was gawking at the lady, though, mouth ajar, and
uncertainty written across his face.  Veyron turned to his son expectantly. 
“Ryo, would you accept this beautiful young lady as your bride to seal this
alliance?”

Ryo was standing there, staring at Lady Avyon as though he
was staring at some sort of goddess.  She was rather pretty, and he seemed to
be having trouble collecting himself.  He swallowed, over and over, and his
mouth twitched as he tried to form words.  “I… ah… ah… y-y—Lady Avyon?”  He
sounded as though he no longer spoke the language of the land.

With a playful shove, Taeru stepped up and eased his brother
forward.  Calis could hear the low whisper of his voice, perhaps because he was
so aware of Taeru.  “Go on, then, brother,” Taeru breathed.

Naturally, Ryo staggered a little bit, casting a wary glance
back at his brother, but then his body straightened and he nodded.  He stepped
down, taking the first few steps without grace, and then finding it halfway
down the stairs.  When he reached the bottom, Krystal was waiting for him with
curious eyes.  Calis smiled, raising his eyebrows as he glanced up at Taeru. 
Taeru looked positively shocked, as though he were about to run down the stairs
and hug Calis.  Calis wished he would.