Red Solstice (Alfheim Book 1) (17 page)

The visitors arrive late in the evening, well after our dinner hour, but some food has been left out in anticipation of their needs, mostly cold pastries and meats with jugs of mead and beer.  His Lordship has greeted the chamberlain and his servants and they have been shown to chambers to refresh themselves before having their supper in the hall.  He joins them for this to be sociable but the actual talks will start tomorrow when they will attend him in the hall on the following morning. 

As the visitors would be breakfasting in the hall, we were taking our breakfast in the kitchen area to maintain the fiction of our being somewhat contained by Lord Caranthir, rather than free moving guests.  Knowing that he was here in the same keep as myself was rather hard to bear but staying low was a necessity, although I doubted that it would be countenanced if he tried to steal the children away whilst under the guise of a guest himself.  I suppose that stranger things have happened and that others might see it as a possibility but, knowing Red, it would not fit in with his sense of morality.  Well I hoped I knew him to that extent, and that it would be a just conclusion on my part.

The great hall of lord Caranthir's keep has no spy holes which is unfortunate for those of us who are left to wonder what is being said.  To this end we are informed that the only two who will be in the hall are the chamberlain and Red.  Lord Caranthir's advisers will also attend so it will be a total of six men in all.  There are no raised voices for us to speculate on.  Time seems to stretch out into an eternity.

I am not happy in this role of negotiator but I can see that my presence adds some weight to the chamberlain's.  I had been advised of the gist of her request before we arrived but there also came some news that was enough to make me lose some of my composure.

The chamberlain opens with Chandrelle's desire for a more intimate relationship to exist between the two lands and how she had hoped that after the death of her betrothed, Lord Caranthir would, after a time deemed reasonable, have requested her hand for himself in line with their parents wishes on the matter.    Lord Caranthir in his turn expresses his astonishment that she had considered him as a suitable replacement for her betrothed as he thought she had been in deep mourning and it had never entered his head that she would have accepted any proposal from himself.  It is all rather like a stately dance using words instead of steps.  The chamberlain then asks if it is possible that now there are enough potential heirs in existence related to both lands, there might be a hand fasting between the Lord and Lady Chandrelle.  Lord Caranthir counters this, after consultation with his advisers, that he had in fact recently heard of a potential heir of his own.  The chamberlain seemed a little nonplussed by this fact and asked when this would in fact be confirmed or denied.  Lord Caranthir stated that things were under way, and that negotiations with other parties were taking place to establish the actual status quo, but no specific time had been set for the conclusion of this matter.  However, the Lady Chandrelle would be one of the first to know if it did reach a successful conclusion.  It was at this point that the bomb shell dropped.

The chamberlain continued to point two, that being her Ladyship had heard of the fact that her beloved granddaughter, together with her children, were at present in Lord Caranthir's keep, on a visit to her mother.  She was pleased to announce that an offer had been made for the said Granddaughter's hand in marriage and that she was inclined to accept this proposal as being beneficial to all concerned. She hoped that Lord Caranthir would also be pleased and willing to intercede, on her part, for the suitability of this intended groom. I admit I was saddened at this point but also in some way relieved.  Lord Caranthir, however, requested who this potential bridegroom might be and was told Lord Garrander.  At this point I thought Lord Caranthir might actually shout at the chamberlain, and in fact the chamberlain did turn an ashen colour at the sight of Lord Caranthir's face.  He was glowing.  However, I would prove no help if he erupted because I knew I was glowing too.  I do remember our eyes met across the table at this point and I think he could tell from my expression that I knew nothing of this piece of news.  At this stage Lord Caranthir rose from his chair and, with a brief nod of dismissal to his advisers, stated he would think on matters and that refreshments would be brought, and that we should regard the keep as a home from home, with which he walked through the door to his private quarters.  

We were waiting in the first ante chamber to his quarters but when he strode through the door I took one look at his face and dragged my mother back.  He needed time to come to terms with something and not be pestered by us.  She argued with me at this and tried to play the superior adult but there was no way I was allowing her near him for the present  and although she did not seem entirely convinced, I proved the stronger  so she acquiesced: Sending her to the garden, so that she could walk up and down the pathways with her ladies, and thus regain some composure,  I stayed at the door to his bedchamber and stopped various high ranking servants from also attempting entrance.  Word had travelled fast that he was  in a rage and yet the idiots thought their solicitations would be helpful.  It must have been a full hour before he emerged from his chamber, his face once again calm.  Those who had stayed with me like a proverbial Greek chorus tried to all talk at once but he waved them down and turned to me.

“We need to talk,” he said.

“I gather that fact,” I replied smiling ruefully. “Maybe out in the garden might be  pleasant as my mother is there already”

“An excellent choice,” he grinned at me and so we went out into the garden and the court ladies being dismissed we sat on one of his stone benches whilst he regaled us with the demands of my grandmother.

I am stunned to hear how I have been elevated to a beloved granddaughter and almost fall off the bench laughing.  But, the news of Lord Garrander's proposal leaves me speechless for since the visit I have been informed of much of the gossip surrounding him.  He has a reputation and one that is not easily dismissed as the result of idle chatter.  There have been four wives in total, to common knowledge.  The first was set aside for not being able to carry an heir to term and the other three have all met with accidents resulting in their early deaths.  There have also been mistresses and most of these have come from the lesser nobility, their families being handsomely paid to take them back when he has finished with them.  It would seem he likes to be rather strict with his ladies and infringement of this has often resulted in painful injuries to their persons.  All in all he is not the kind of husband my mother would wish for me or in fact I would wish for myself. 

“Perhaps Chandrelle wants me to get rid of him for her”, I put forward, trying to lighten the general mood.

My mother is almost hysterical but Caranthir says “I am certain that you might well be able to, or at least cause him more damage than he would be expecting, but I do know he is one of her favourites, not that I believe there has been any thing of a sexual nature between them.”

“This is a ploy then”, I say, “But I cannot see what she will gain by stirring things up in this way.  After all it will not result in you marrying her or my returning meekly to her fold.”

“I agree”, he says, “But I cannot think my way around this one at the present.  However, I think she may have alienated her Hunter as he was as shocked as I, when the chamberlain spoke of it, and as the twins father I doubt he wants them exposed to such a dangerous man.”

Mother interjects at this, “ I think this is her way of punishing me further by making it look as if my child will be subject to a cruel and ruthless man such as Garrander.”,  She bursts into tears and I have to take her off to lie down for a while.  I left her in the company of her ladies where she was soon receiving a reviving posset.  I am hopeful that she will be revived sufficiently to join us for the evening meal but in case, I take myself off to the kitchen to supervise some part of this.  After this I seek out Benjamin and appraise him of what has gone on so far.  He is angry, and somewhat shocked, but agrees it is hardly the fault of our guests, what plans our grandmother makes.  I am actually feeling sorry for the chamberlain as he is a very elderly and should not have been put into such an invidious position.

The talks will continue tomorrow but by this evening a small feast has been prepared for the chamberlain and my mother is sufficiently recovered to attend this .  Despite my doubling the wine order, and asking the servers to keep this flowing, the mood has become rather sombre so Benjamin and I offer to play some more lively tunes in the hope that this turns things around.  In honour of the chamberlain's age we make these in high elvish but choosing some rather more ribald and risqué songs to get the laughter flowing once again.  My mother is blushing at some of these as are a few of the younger ladies but the men, particularly the guards amongst them, seem to be enjoying the experience.  I have the personal pleasure of seeing Red's astonishment that I can actually master the songs of his land in their own language, as well as my own, and we are applauded most resolutely by the chamberlain  who it would now seem is our new number one fan.  With the tension eased I for one am glad to be seeking my bed, although part of me would rather seek Red's.

As a visitor of supposed high standing I am permitted to spend time in their training gymnasium and to this end I take myself there before the breakfast hour.  I am not surprised to find others with the same idea ahead of me but I am surprised that one has long red hair tied back out of their way.  She wears guardsmen greens much better than I have seen them worn before but I would not want to say so as she is in the process of beating up one of Caranthir's guards.  They are using some odd moves that are reminiscent of wrestling but without so much body contact and there is quite a bit of high kicks and arm blocks together with body flips and tumbles.  It is fascinating to watch in that it has a grace of its own.  Many of the others in the gym have paused to watch them and I surmise to also lay bets.  The hapless opponent is soon beaten however and he acknowledges this by bowing and she returns the bow.  I ask of the closest guard what manner of fighting this is and he tells me it is some form of martial art brought forth from Earth and proving to be very useful in both exercise and agility training.  It would seem that she is teaching them this on occasions but claims to be just an amateur at it herself.  I am totally intrigued at this side of her, somehow it does not fit in with the vain, poseur that I have frequently met with, or even the concerned maid with her babe in her arms.  She is at home here amongst the men and they, like the trader folk seem to hold her in some respect, more as one of themselves, rather than an honoured guest of their lord. 

She is doing some exercises now that seem designed to stretch her muscles and this too is rather interesting but I am here to work myself into a sweat so I challenge one of the men to combat with wooden swords and by the time we have thoroughly worn each other out she has gone.  Luckily she does not use their ablution facilities so I can shower in peace before I report myself for breakfast in the hall with my lord chamberlain.

I join him for breakfast and she is already seated with her mother and their ladies, looking like a true lady herself in her demure gown and recently curled hair, not the laughing combatant I had previously seen in the gymnasium.  It is as if she has two personalities or is perhaps a consummate actress.

I have received a request from Lord Caranthir to meet for a brief talk and I inform the messenger that it would be an honour to so do.  I am therefore led to his private chambers where he dismisses his man. 

He starts by looking at me before he suggests that I be seated .  “I understand that you are the father of the twins that I presently have staying with me,”  he says

“I believe so,”  I answer him frankly, although I am puzzled by his interest.

“You do not desire to marry their mother?” he enquires.

“Sir,” I begin, “I am not of noble birth and the children will be heirs to a considerable fortune if the Lady Chandrelle so wills it.  It would be unseemly of me to aspire to marriage with a noble lady, particularly one who is related to my liege lord.  Also I doubt that she would have me”, I smile but I am suddenly aware that it hurts to admit that.

“But,” he continues, “You are responsible for her pregnancy and therefore to an extent for both your children.”

“Yes, I totally agree and as such I would see her well married to a landed lord and my children raised  in the best possible circumstances.”  He stared at me again as if filtering this answer and making an assessment.

“I also understand that you have a similar ability to myself.  Will you let me take your hand so I can measure this?”

“If it is your wish, Sir,”  I reply and I extend my hand to him which he grasps firmly in his own.  It feels strange but I it is as if we are one heart beat for a moment or two and then he releases me nodding.  “Yes, we are of the same element and yours is a very strong gift.  But how came you by it?”

“My mother had a brief affair with a lord who left it as a heritage in me.”

“Did this lord not wish to take you for his child?”  he asked.

“I do not believe that she told him of the fact that I was either conceived or born”, I replied, “She was resolute on making a successful marriage with a landed lord and it would seem that he was not such.  When the opportunity came to marry well, she left me to the guards and that is where I have been ever since, rising in due time to be my ladies Hunter”.