Tempest Rise (revised edition 10/2013) (Treborel) (7 page)

Accepting the
account, the guards headed back to the palace, where Lysette and Alia stood in the entryway. Gazing across the clearing as Lysette and the others disappeared inside, Katar rubbed his stomach, frowning. Perhaps he had made too rash a judgment of the Lon Tesse Surgeon. She was the most beautiful, feisty woman he had ever met. He shook the thought out of his head.  There would be no living with Hanlin if he discovered Katar was truly intrigued by this blue-eyed Physician. 

Pacing the length of Prince Roth's reception room, Alia waited impatiently for him to appear. What was she going to tell him? He should be warned about the Mountain Prince. There was a great disaster surrounding the Lady Lysette. She was in grave danger, and the Treborelan was in the midst of the entire ordeal. It would anger Prince Roth to hear of this, but he had to know, if the girl were to be saved. The suite door opened, and Prince Roth appeared. 

Glancing around the room
, he spied Alia, and stormed across to her saying, “What happened? I ask for one simple story to convince Lysette to marry me.  All you had to do was tell her I was the only hope she had for happiness. Now I hear  you were screeching about demons, and attacked by the entire Treborelan Delegation?"

Alia moved closer to him and said, “Your Highness, I tried to tell her of your love and future happiness.
But as I gazed into the water, a true vision appeared.  A tall man in the darkness, with an evil smile was calling her his love. Then a pair of eyes appeared pools of blue hatred, filled with death. I saw her reflection in them. She was screaming with fear for him to stay away. "

"Alia . . .” Roth said with a sigh. He was wise to the Mystic's tricks
and would not be fooled by the story of danger and death.

"I felt his presence, he was near. He was coming for her. I had to warn her!"

"Not another word!" Roth cut off her babble, "I understand the extent of your abilities, remember? I brought you here. From now on, you stick to your duties of keeping my mother under control. Stay away from Lysette, or you will find yourself revealed as a fake. My mother believes in your powers because I convinced her of them. Don't get too carried away with the role I created for you."

"I am not a false prophet, I have the power. “
Alia answered his threats calmly, and with confidence. "I would not have come otherwise.”

"Go back to your room, Alia." Roth ignored her, heading for the door.

"Don't let the Prince of Treborel near her, My Lord. Or she will be lost to you!" Alia called after him, desperate for him to understand.

Lysette spent the afternoon hidden in her suite
, avoiding Roth’s lingering attention over the incident at the bathhouse. Lysette’s only reason for opening the door was the anticipated arrival of a servant bringing her dinner. Instead, she was surprised to find Uncle Sean Nolan's tall form before her, with a smile of greeting.

“I've just returned from checking on our preparations for the Conference tomorrow. I understand you had an
interesting experience this afternoon." He kissed her cheek quickly, then moved past her to sit on the small sofa near her bed. When she didn’t answer, he turned back to study her face. When Lord Wills had come to his office to explain about the occurrence, Sean hadn't been concerned. Lysette was a confident, level headed young woman; he knew a simple misunderstanding, no matter how dramatic, would not affect her.  Looking back across the room at his niece's dark expression, he wondered if Lord Wills had omitted something.

"Lysette?”
He asked firmly, motioning her near.

“They are filthy barbarians." She announced, closing the door and crossing to sit beside him. "Their stench and outrageous, insulting attitude
, combined with that crazy Mystic . . . I'm glad I didn't have my bow. I might have killed one of them." Taking a deep breath, she released her anger. She was more shaken than she realized. “Roth wants to offer me his protection. I’ve been avoiding him.”

Sean asked softly, "Roth? I thought you had decided not to see him again?"  Sean scratched his dark, brown hair
, and smiled softly at her. It was hard to keep up with Lysette's personal life. Every available bachelor in Lavose had approached his beautiful niece, some for reasons of love. Others were professing love in an attempt to achieve a piece of her vast inheritance. Lysette was his only surviving relative. She would inherit all he had.

The worst of her suitors were the young
gentlemen who had tried to use her to approach him about a political matter. None of them had gotten much further than the front door, except Prince Roth, and that had lasted only a few months.  Sean approved when Lysette announced  their friendship had ended. Roth wasn't a bad fellow. He just wasn't worthy of Lysette. Sean knew he had the opinions of an overprotective father, which was what he had become. Since the day her father died, he had taken Lysette into his home. She was a small, frightened child. Shortly afterward, her grandmother's death had followed. Sean resigned his active commission in the Intelligence Service, to raise his brother's only child. 

Lysette explained further, "Roth was here when Lord Wills came to explain the situation and
apologize. After Lord Wills left, I couldn't get Roth to leave without hearing his opinion of the encounter." Nodding, Sean, said, “I believe it was an accident. Even if it weren't, there was no harm intended. They had been in the mountains for three weeks, and were eager to wash the dirt and grime away.  You can't blame them for dashing into the first bath house they saw. Lord Wills assured me Prince Katar felt wretched about the incident, and wishes to apologize to you in person. I've arranged a meeting before dinner in the library."

"I'm not going to dinner." Lysette answered sternly, "I'm exhausted from the tournament and the ordeal at the spa."

"Darling, they are Treborelan, just like your grandmother, my mother. She wasn't a barbarian. You and I both look very much like her, you more than I do.  There's Treborelan blood running through your veins. You can't simply deny the Prince of a neighboring country simply because your pride has been injured." He squeezed her hand softly, surprised as she turned away from him. Concerned  she hadn't told him all that had happened at the bath house, he questioned her with determination. "Why are you upset? You're not one to be put off by a simple embarrassment. Did one of them hurt you?"

"No, I'm not sure why I
feel this way." Lysette answered, frustrated, "Alia was so frightened, she kept screaming about demons and death. I guess she shook me up more than I realized."

"You haven't started believing that old witch, have you? You're too level-headed for that. You got your
common sense from your mother. Now I'm beginning to wonder if you got your father's stubborn streak." Sean teased, smiling as she turned back to him, frowning. "You know he was furious with me for not coming to visit after you were born. I was just so involved with my work. The years had passed before I realized it. Suddenly you were six years old, and your father was on the Communications screen telling me your mother had died. He couldn't forgive me for not being at the funeral. I can’t forgive myself. Your father was not just my brother. He was my best friend. We were arguing about family responsibilities when the tram derailed." Sean stopped as the vision of his brother's death flashed before his eyes. "I would have taken his place if I could have.  I was horrified about taking care of you.  But I found out  instead of a burden, you were a wonderful gift of love, one I cherish."

Cupping her chin in his hand, he frowned sternly and asked, "Now are you truly frightened
, or just being stubborn like your father?"

"You're a wicked man," Lysette accused with a smile, kissing his cheek. "Telling me such a beautiful story
, and then stabbing me with my faults." Sighing, she agreed, "I guess I am being stubborn. I just don't like foolish games, and I can't get over the feeling that's what they were doing."

"Get dressed. When you talk to Prince Katar, I'm sure you'll feel better." Sean rose with a smile. Relieved she'd come to her senses
. He left Lysette to shower and dress.

He closed the door behind him, deep in thought. Perhaps it would be a good idea to keep an eye on this Prince Katar. Lysette was not one to exaggerate
the situation, or run from a fight. He must have intimidated her in some way. Sean silently vowed personally to escort the young Mountain Prince to the border, if he showed Lysette anything less than the respect she deserved. Having heard of Prince Katar's reputation with women, he was fully prepared to take action.

Confused about her nervousness, Lysette tried to calm herself. Slowing her pace, she wondered what it was about th
e events of the afternoon had sent her into such a tizzy. Growing up with an Uncle, who had been an important link in the Intelligence Chain of Lon Tesse, had given her many advantages. One was the self-defense techniques he had constantly challenged her to master. It had been their favorite activity, until he introduced her to the crossbow. Seeing her interest, he concentrated on teaching her all there was to know about the weapon.  Lysette considered herself a confident, self-reliant person, priding herself on her independence. 

Weak females infuriated her, waiting for some strong man to come along before they felt their lives were complete. So why was she so apprehensive about facing this Mountain Rogue? She had dealt with Royalty all her life, titles and immense wealth meant nothing to her. If anything, she considered most of the Royal
heirs she had come across to be self-concerned, overconfident, and spoiled. There was nothing unusual about the large man, except  his excessive filth. She knew she had to confront her fears and defeat them. Once she saw he was just an ordinary man and not a demon, the nervous ache in her stomach would disappear.

Dressing in her pale green
, shimmering evening gown, she piled her hair high up on her head. Then glancing briefly at her reflection in the mirror, she headed for the library. Finding Prince Roth's sparkling eyes smiling at her, as she opened her door, caused a frown to crease her determined brow. He had decided  the incident this afternoon had been a blessing, enabling him to assume the role of her protector. Then after dinner, he would sweep the beautiful Lysette off her feet with a pitiful apology. Smiling at the vision before him, Roth offered her his arm.

Her long
, blonde hair fell in ringlets down the back, about her neck. As his eyes fell to her plunging neckline and ample cleavage, he announced confidently, "I've come to escort you to dinner."

"I'm sorry, Roth, but I'm meeting my Uncle
, and Prince Katar. He wants to apologize for this afternoon's misunderstanding." She answered, walking past him and heading down the brightly lit hall, toward the open staircase.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to join you and make sure it truly is a formal apology you receive." He followed, flashing a brilliant smile, not willing to
be dismissed.

"That's not necessary, Roth," Was her only response. When he continued to walk with her, she decided it wasn't worth the argument
, and allowed him to accompany her down the stairs. 

Above their heads hung an enormous chandelier, sparkling in the darkness of the stairwell.
They reached the entranceway lavishly decorated in tan and deep brown, the colors of Lon Tesse. They headed for the library across the hall from the dining room. With Roth on her heels, Lysette stopped in the doorway, as her Uncle glanced up and smiled. Frowning as he came to her side, Sean took Lysette’s hand and led her over to the fireplace. Prince Katar and Lord Wills rose from the high back chairs at their approach. The nervousness still plagued her, as she concentrated on her introduction to the tall Prince.

"Lady Lysette Nolan, we are humbled by your presence. You are most gracious to allow his Highness to meet with you." Hanlin spoke, bowing slightly.

Focusing on Lord Wills regal, yet pointed nose, noting how it matched his long pointed chin, Lysette relaxed slightly. The charming Lord had made a great impression on her this afternoon when he so humbly asked for her forgiveness. 

"How could I refuse such a gracious request?” She answered
, smiling back at him.

Turning to his side
, Lord Wills motioned toward Katar. "May I have the honor of introducing Prince Katar of Treborel?"

Chiding herself on her weakness, she forced her eyes to look up at the Prince before her. His attire was the formal, dark blue uniform of the Treborelan Air
Command. It gave him an air of authority. His shoulder length, honey blonde hair, was combed back away from his face. He looked a bit uncomfortable.  Lysette suspected it was the uniform, and not her presence that caused this. He didn't look like the sort of man who usually appeared in formal attire. He had looked at home in the filthy animal skins she’d seen him in earlier.

Meeting his gaze, her heart jumped
, as she looked into a pair of the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. The same intense fear welled up within her. His brilliant smile made it difficult for her to breathe. "The pleasure is mine, My Lady." He said, moving forward to take her hand and kiss it lightly, "I would like to offer my sincerest apologies and regrets, for the terrible misunderstanding this afternoon. I hope we didn't cause you too much distress."