Lady Warhawk (21 page)

The last time Mrillis was in Fenliss, the people hadn't been so supportive of the
purebloods, and hadn't been so distrustful of magic. What had happened? He had only been away
from the place for two years, maybe three.

The opinion of Athrar and Indreseen's courtship and proposed marriage varied from
kingdom to kingdom during the year-long tour of Moerta, and was not always influenced by the
nobility's approval or disapproval of magic, their longing to have control over star-metal, or their
fear of it. Some kings wanted their eligible daughters to have a chance to win Athrar's heart.
Some were a little too obvious in pointing out how Indreseen was related to them.

Mrillis found it amusing how some had to go back six or seven generations to find the
link. He discussed all this with Athrar and Lycen. They laughed at the efforts to have some
connection with or influence over the Warhawk's heir.

That could be part of it,
he admitted to Meghianna, during one of their long
midnight chats, when they shared news from either side of the sea.
Efrin has not been back
to Moerta in eight years. The kings think he has abandoned them for the sake of Lygroes. It does
no good to remind them that Moerta's land has been relatively safe from Encindi
invasions--

Because our Encindi allies guard their coasts and patrol their mountains,
Meghianna said, her tone wry.

Admittedly. Why do we even try to speak logic and common sense to these people
anymore, my dear?

Because we have the duty of being parents to spoiled little children, fighting in the
proverbial mud hole.

Ah, yes, I had forgotten.

Speaking of forgotten--

We receive a courier letter from Indreseen every other day,
he hurried to say,
knowing what concerned her.
I feel sorry for Markas, having to provide riders to follow us
all over the continent. Of course, the entire romance has caught the heart of every woman in
Moerta.

I would have hoped Indreseen would run out of things to say or Athrar would get
tired of having to respond to every letter. Doesn't it frustrate him?

He's facing it like a battle challenge. He's run out of things to say, so he resorts to
finding something to send her with little notes. Fruit, unusual rocks, a chain he carved from
wood. Dowager Queen Sibylla entertained all our boys by teaching them to fold colored bits of
parchment or cloth, to make clever little animals. Athrar sends a new one with every letter. He's
even taken to folding up her letters. I assume that endears him to Indreseen even more.

I could almost hope she would be insulted. What is it about falling in love that turns
an otherwise sensible man's brain into overcooked oats?

Are you afraid Lycen will follow in Athrar's footsteps?

To his surprise, Meghianna burst out laughing. Mrillis wished they were in the same
room, so he could reach over and shake her until she stopped.

You obviously haven't paid attention to anything other than Athrar and politics.
Lycen has a sweetheart. She has enough imbrose for them to speak through the Threads while
he's separated from her. Ilianora, granddaughter of Lord Maskil of Pevens. I don't suppose you
remember--

The scholarly girl. Yes. I remember her. She kept me quite busy during our five days
in Pevens, asking all sorts of questions and offering various scrolls and records for Athrar and
Lycen to... Ah, yes, clever girl. All that time I thought she was trying to impress Athrar with her
scholarly talents and her prodigious memory, and she was making calf's eyes with Lycen. Right
under my nose.

Lycen keeps telling me how clever she is and how she would enjoy visiting the
Stronghold. He was embarrassed for about three seconds when I confronted him with trying to
hide his sweetheart from me. I quite look forward to meeting her.

Are you coming to Moerta?

No, you are going to invite the girl to come back with you as a lady to attend
Indreseen. After the wedding, I intend to establish Ilianora in a school of her own, teaching
healers and historians. Close enough to Quenlaque that she and Lycen can have a decent
courtship, and far enough away to ward off scandal and silliness.

Quenlaque?

Meghianna sighed.
Papa has an idea for a wedding present and making a grand
political statement, but it will take you and me to accomplish it.

* * * *

With nearly one-fourth of the small kingdoms of Moerta left to visit, Markas relented
and sent Indreseen to join Athrar's traveling party. The girl was utterly miserable. Someone had
convinced her that the daughter of every noble and minor king was set on stealing Athrar from
her, despite the official betrothal and plans underway for a lavish wedding in Welcairn.

Mrillis was surprised to see Megassa riding with the girl when she arrived. He approved,
because he shared Meghianna and Glyssani's fondly exasperated opinion of the girl. He knew
Megassa would keep her out of trouble and talk sense to her when no one else could. He and
Lycen found some private amusement in the frustration Megassa's four sons displayed when they
saw their mother approach. Mrillis speculated that the four princes obviously had been doing
something that made them feel guilty, and expected their mother had come to check up on
them.

Athrar and Indreseen ignored the teasing of his nephews and the attempts of other
nobles to insinuate a new bride into his heart, once they were reunited. Mrillis was impressed by
how the delicate girl ignored the rigors of travel, the inconvenience of sometimes having to camp
between kingdoms they visited. She was in love, and being with the man who loved her removed
all the misery she had been suffering.

More important, Mrillis approved of how Athrar didn't let Indreseen distract him from
his diplomatic duties. He watched over her, so no one could accuse him of neglecting his
intended bride, but none of the nobles and officials and tradesmen and guild masters they met
could complain that he neglected them. Mrillis approved of the man the boy had become. Still,
twenty was very young to be married.

Papa wasn't much older when he married my mother,
Meghianna told him,
when he voiced his last real objection to the marriage ceremony and festivities that would take
place at Welcairn Castle at the end of the tour.

Tragedy made your father grow up much faster.

Have you thought about how we will handle our task?

Yes, and modified it a dozen times already. A sign of things to come.
Mrillis
wasn't sure if he should laugh or be worried or frustrated.

What is that supposed to mean? There are so many images in your mind, they're
spilling over into the Threads. What does Indreseen have to do with the castle at Quenlaque that
we haven't even built yet?

That is it exactly. She knows about it. Athrar can't keep a single secret from
her.

Meghianna sighed.
Is he truly under Indreseen's control?

Not control. They're entirely wrapped up in each other, which is a good thing. She
tells him every thought that whisks through her head. I suppose Athrar feels he must reciprocate.
We must teach your brother to keep his counsel and to keep secrets from his wife. Especially
when it deals with politics and war craft and the defense of our land.

So what does this have to do with the castle? Oh! No, I can guess.

The touch of laughter in her voice warmed Mrillis and relieved a few of his
apprehensions.

Indreseen doesn't like the design we have planned. She wants different color stone.
She wants colored glass in the windows. She wants a flower garden where we have put the
training grounds, and the laundry where the kitchens belong. Yes?

Very nearly that. She doesn't like the location we have chosen. The silly girl has
never seen Quenlaque, but she says the castle will be too far from the town. She won't be able to
visit her friends at their inn when they come to visit.

Her friends will have their own rooms in the castle, and the town will come up to
the walls of the castle in only a few years. Please, blessed Estall, why did my brother have to fall
in love with such a wad of fluff?
She groaned, and Mrillis laughed to hear the frustration
mixed with amusement and weariness.
How are you handling all the changes she wants to
make?

As only a wise man could--I told her that you were designing the castle, and she
will have to approach you.

Coward.

No woman, no matter how self-centered, will dare tell the Queen of Snows that she
has created something that is not workable or beautiful.

Coward.

Enough. We have half a moon to assemble our materials before we lay the castle's
foundations. Let us hope the wonder of a castle built by two enchanters provides more protection
for your brother than all the warriors that fill it.

* * * *

Laying the foundations of Quenlaque Castle began a moon before the wedding
festivities were set for Athrar and Indreseen.

Meghianna was pleased that she had a good excuse not to be part of the frivolity that
would take place for eight days before the actual vows. She and Mrillis planned to arrive at
Welcairn Castle the day before the ceremony. More than enough time to be heartily bored before
the festivities were over.

It wasn't that Meghianna disliked Indreseen. Comparing her to Ilianora, the scholarly
girl who had captured Lycen's heart, only made the silliness of the future queen even more
apparent. Fortunately, Meghianna was sure that Athrar wouldn't let the girl influence him when it
came to his duties as Warhawk. She had heard multiple reports from Lycen and Mrillis, about
little incidents where Indreseen thought something should be done one way, and Athrar chose
common sense over pleasing her whims.

Lycen was especially scathing when he described an incident when Athrar patiently
explained the reasons for why he wouldn't make some change in their guards. Indreseen insisted
that her arrangement of riders around their traveling group was 'prettier,' even if it left gaping
holes in their defenses, and that 'prettier' was more important than safety.

Do you know what her response was, when Athrar pointed out that she would be the
first target if anyone attacked us?
Lycen said, frustration crackling through the Threads to
Meghianna.
She giggled and said she wasn't afraid, because he was the bravest and
strongest warrior in the entire World, and he would protect her. Athrar looked like he fought not
to burst out laughing. Mikyl did, and had to leave quickly. Garyn said he was going to be sick
from the overindulgence in sweetness. Mother, if I ever become such a fool over a girl--

Does that imply you're considering breaking off with Ilianora?

Of course not!
The horror in her son's voice prompted a few chuckles from
Meghianna.

A little silliness when you're in love can be quite welcome. But I know what you
mean. You, my dear, are free to be ten times as silly. Your choices won't affect the World. Your
life won't be lived out in view of your friends and enemies. Have some sympathy for
him.

He shouldn't be in a position to need sympathy,
Lycen growled. Then he
sighed.
How is the castle coming?

Meghianna gladly dropped the subject of Indreseen and showed Lycen the trenches she
and Mrillis had dug with magic, deep into the bedrock of the plateau that rose above Quenlaque.
The finest stonemasons had come together to quarry enormous blocks, bigger than any ever
moved before. With the help of enchanters and scholars who had come from Wynystrys, the
foundations and outer walls of Quenlaque would be in place in one-tenth the usual time, and
would fit together so tightly that only the most massive earthquake could shift them. Meghianna
only partially understood the numbering involved, the calculations of angles and pressures, but
the stone would fit together like a puzzle, each putting pressure on the other so they didn't slip
apart, with no need for mortar.

The foundations and outer walls and defensive towers of Quenlaque Castle would be
done before Athrar and Indreseen's wedding. Meghianna and Mrillis' part in the task would be
done then. It would be up to hundreds of masons and carpenters to build the living quarters and
council halls, kitchens and stables and workshops that would fill the largest, most elaborate
castle the World had ever seen.

And only the Estall can help Indreseen if that silly child dares to find something to
complain about,
Meghianna thought at least once each day during the task. Quenlaque
Castle was part of her, because she had envisioned it before there was even a hint of Athrar being
born as Warhawk's Heir. Meghianna refused to let a silly girl, who couldn't comprehend her
responsibilities as the Warhawk's queen, ruin the grandeur of her vision becoming reality.

* * * *

Meghianna stayed in the background at Athrar's wedding celebration. But it wasn't her
dislike for the noise and lights and crowds that spilled out of Welcairn Castle that made her
move like a misty spirit being, Mrillis decided. She was just as disturbed as he by the
overwhelming delight of the Noveni with Athrar's choice of wife. This marriage was more than a
political alliance for the people of Moerta. The Noveni were relieved to the point of desperation
and exhilaration combined that the Warhawk had chosen a Noveni pureblood wife. And not just
any pureblood, but one without any
imbrose
.

The Noveni saw it as a chance to counteract the Rey'kil influence that had hovered over
the Warhawk's throne for generations.

They want to breed imbrose out of the Warhawk's line altogether, and think they can
do it in one generation,
Meghianna responded, when Mrillis shared his observations with
her. Her mental voice was both acerbic and weary.
Yes, I'd almost come to that conclusion
myself. How do they expect Athrar's heir to hold Braenlicach and lead in battle if the boy has no
imbrose?