Chapter 9

The counsel chamber hummed with the anger of its occupants– even as silence reigned. The ranking fae lords sat rigidly in their chairs. News of the disappearances had unsurprisingly angered the lords, and now the whole counsel sat in attendance with each member hoping to make his voice heard. Kaelyndra mused that they looked almost as upset as when they were called before her to discuss taxes.

The chamber was shaped as an oval cut in half– with the thrones along the flat wall opposite the doors. The counsel members themselves sat along the curving walls on either side facing the center. From the doors, steps led down to the center of the room, which was open for those who wished to speak. Duke Eonsahr held the floor.

"But we cannot say with certainty that the missing are dead, let alone that the goblins are responsible. Wantonly killing them will only prove to alienate the loyal and further the discontent of the dissenters. It is the guilty that must be found, so that the lesson is clear," Follyn said.

"The lesson should be that we still have control," replied the duke. Eonsahr stood ramrod straight with his arms crossed over his chest and a perpetual scowl upon his face. One of the oldest counsel members, Kaelyndra could not remember a time when he was not on the counsel– or a time when he was not annoyed at something.

"But not control over ourselves and our anger?" challenged Duke Thridi, one of the more outspoken in support of the king.

"Every minute that we do not act is not seen as mercy or prudence but as more proof of our weakness," said Eonsahr.

"What control do we show when we blindly react?" asked Follyn.

"What if we never find the guilty?" called Duke Forhin from his seat.

"Indeed, are we to let this act go unpunished?" asked Eonsahr.

"Surely you are not suggesting that we punish the innocent?" Kaelyndra cut in.

Eonsahr's back stiffened at the rebuke. "All of the goblins are guilty of rebellion."

"Be that as it may, good Duke, we are not here to discuss executing them for insurgence." Follyn replied mildly. "It is folly to demand such rash measures when we do not possess all of the information. We must wait for Lord Eldryn's report before we act." Follyn stood and walked to the center of the room. Eonsahr fell back before him and reclaimed his seat.

Follyn took a quiet, deep breath before continuing to speak. "My lords, is it truly believed that the goblins would be intimidated by the killing of but a handful of their number? They were our soldiers in the oldlands, they are no strangers to death. It will anger them, no doubt, but would it really cow them into submission? I believe not." Follyn paused then, to look every noble in the eye before continuing. "We must not go into this as blindly as some unthinking, angry badger. By the shining sun we are the endless lords and there is always time for us to plan. The time is early yet. At the very least we must wait until Lord Eldryn's return. I called you here to share with you this news and to hear your thoughts. I have. I call this counsel ended."

The counsel muttered for some moments, but obeyed. The nobles slowly began trickling out of the room in twos and threes or held back to talk amongst themselves. Once the doors opened, one of the palace messengers, a slyph boy-child who stood a scant two feet tall, darted between the legs of the lords and raced up to Follyn.

"What message, boy?" Follyn asked.

"Lord Silvendar has arrived with the human emissaries."

Follyn nodded and the child ran off, his tiny wings shimmering as he ran. "I must meet with their leader to make sure they settle before I am lost in my duties. Do you wish to attend the meet?" Follyn asked.

"I would, though I am not free to until the day is late."

"Then we shall have a late meet. It will give the emissaries time to rest after their travels."

Kaelyndra nodded her thanks and farewell as another claimed Follyn's attention. There were always many who needed to speak with the king after such counsels and Kaelyndra left him to it.

As she exited the counsel chamber the sweet ringing of a bell floated through the air. The time-tower could be heard throughout the palace during the day, but at night the sound stayed outside so that people might rest. It now gently informed Kaelyndra that she had spent more bells than she had wanted in the counsel chambers. She had time before her next meeting but not enough to eat as she had hoped.

Kaelyndra needed to meet with the Stonemason Guildmaster. The festival had brought to light the deplorable state of the roads within the fae lands, and they simply could not handle the amount of traffic that the solstice caused. This was a new problem for the fae lords– more than merely an issue of creating a whole new network of roads– in the homelands roads were only used by lesser-fae and then only to transport goods. Personal travel among the higher fae meant the use of fairyrings, which could transport them anywhere they wished. But, as with much of the fae lord's magic, it was now lost to them.

Stepping out into the hallway, Kaelyndra found Silvendar waiting for her. Her cousin looked none the worse for wear after his extended journey, his clothing was free from travel dust and his hair was neatly braided. Even though he must have been tired he stood straight and his golden eyes held no weary shadows.

"Silvendar," Kaelyndra said warily. "'Tis good to see you returned to us safely." She held out her hands in welcome.

"'Tis good to be returned." Silvendar took her hands and squeezed them briefly before releasing them. "Cousin, 'tis troubling news that I arrive to. Is it truth that we do nothing about the goblins?"

"There is nothing to be done. We do not yet know all we need to know."

"All one needs to know is that a dozen fae lords are dead–"

"Four." Kaelyndra interrupted. "There are only four and they are missing, not dead." Silvendar looked startled. "I do not know where you heard such rumors but it is beneath you to spread them. This situation is bad enough without people making up stories."

"Four or forty. It makes no difference. Something needs be done."

"And something shall. Follyn will do what needs be done, when it needs be."

"You know as well as I, Follyn is not from a... high bred family as you and I." Silvendar said quietly.

"He is lord enough to command the lesser-fae." Kaelyndra reminded Silvendar angrily, hackles rising at the insult. All of the high-fae, the noble and beautiful race that had ruled over Atlantis, held dominion over the many breeds of lesser-fae. But only the most royal of the high-fae, the fae lords, could command the will of the lesser-fae. A fae lord had only to make his wishes known to one of the lesser-fae and they would be compelled to obey. This was how the fae lords controlled the more headstrong of the lesser fae, and in the past the fae lords could command whole armies of goblins on the battle field. It was the mark of the right to rule.

Silvendar waved his hand dismissively. "A baron can command, it means nothing."

"It might not, but my father made me his heir– and Follyn my husband. And you, cousin, forget your place."

Silvendar's face became pale and still. Without a word he nodded and stalked off.

Kaelyndra stared after him, feeling a pang of regret. It troubled her how their relationship had fallen apart– they had not always been at such odds with each other. She regretted her harsh words already and only wished Silvendar didn't feel the need to condemn every action Follyn took. He was bitter, she understood that. Before the war had destroyed their home he had been the heir-apparent and betrothed to the princess of the Winter Court. The marriage would have put him on the throne and ended the war peacefully. But fate was cruel and even the best laid plans can fall apart. When the war started again in earnest her father made her his heir, preferring that his own blood follow him now that he did not need a male heir. By this time she was already married to Follyn.

The oracle, one of the greatest treasures now lost to the fae, was known to tell the truth of the past, present and future. No one commanded the oracle, it told what truths it chose only when it chose to. It was attended night and day lest any revelation be missed. On Kaelyndra's eighteenth birthday, the oracle blessed her with the name of her soulmate– Follyn, a minor lord from a minor family.

It was not often that the oracle would single out individuals in such a way. Kaelyndra had never dreamed that she would marry for love, she was a princess and as such, she was to be wed to politically. But even the king would not ignore a gift from the oracle. Soulmates were too rare and too blessed to simply be dismissed, thus Kaelyndra and Follyn were allowed to wed.

When the war between the courts ended with the Summer Court triumphant, Kaelyndra became Queen and Follyn became the first Erlking in three generations– almost five hundred years.

Follyn's rise was not without its detractors. While it may have been true that uniting soulmates was a sign of good fortune, few lords were happy with the idea of one barely more than a commoner being elevated above them. Many wanted Kaelyndra to appoint a regent for the duties of the king, as her father had appointed one for the duties of the queen when her mother had passed. She had almost given in to the pressure because without the support of the counsel her ability to rule would have been crippled, something that she could not afford while trying to re-settle her people. But with the madness of the flight from the oldlands there was never time to find someone suitable enough and Follyn simply slipped into his position and proved himself to be a far better ruler than anyone could have expected.

Kaelyndra continued on her way once Silvendar was out of sight.

The Guildmaster waited for her in the west wing of the castle, the quickest way was across the western courtyard. Kaelyndra's steps carried her quickly through the corridors to the busy, sun lit grounds.

A large human male stood in the yard brushing a horse while the brownies that worked the stables watched. He was as bulky and over muscled as his breed were wont to be, and he wore thick traveling leathers. He had thick blond hair that was loose but held many small braids, as did his beard. Kaelyndra paused, her curiosity piqued– she rarely interacted with non-fae. It would be a welcome distraction from her melancholy thoughts. He did not notice her approach.

"Good day to you, emissary."

The man looked up, startled from his work. He quickly stepped away from his task and bowed deeply from the waist, his right hand pressed to his chest. "Good day to you, bright lady."

Kaelyndra smiled at him, for though she doubted he knew who she was, he was still greeting her as nobility. "You need not trouble yourself with seeing to your mounts, our servants are very skilled and I am sure you must be wary from your journey."

"I be sure of the ability of the wee ones to care for my horse, that be not the reason I do this. Swift carried me all the way here, the least I can be doing is look to him myself."

"How conscientious." Kaelyndra smiled.

"Thank ye, I do try to see to my responsibilities as best I know." He pulled himself up. "I be Hjorleifr, bright lady, at your service. It be a blessing to be visiting yor graced lands again."

Kaelyndra frowned. "Again? You have been a visitor in our lands before?" That was not possible, she would have known of any northmen to cross their borders.

"Da, when I was very young... before, ah, before ye bright ones moved to this new land. My father be one of the few who sailed yor lands. Mine and Ivan's, he be leading our troupe. His father met with yor king more than once. That be why m'lord sent us."

"I see." Kaelyndra remembered that her father had met with humans before, although she did not know for what reason. She had wondered at the time why her father would bother– for he had never much respect for them. Believing them weak and not just a little stupid, as easy to control as any lesser-fae only not as useful. "What business did your father have with the king?"

"Oh, my father was not but a sailor, only Ivan's father be the one meeting yor king."

"I see."

"Da. He... oh, he be there." Hjorleifr pointed.

Kaelyndra turned– behind her another human male was crossing the grounds towards them. He was slighter in build than Hjorleifr and had a scholarly air about him. Where Hjorleifr was fair, Ivan was dark, but his eyes shone with intelligence. As he approached his eyes raked over Kaelyndra, assessing her. He nodded quickly in greeting before dismissing her and turning to Hjorleifr.

"Be ye done with yor beast yet?"

"Not yet m'lord, I be talking to... ah, I be sorry lass. I know not yor name."

"I am Kaelyndra a'Thagon." Ivan's eyes widened and snapped back to her at this. "Well met Hjorleifr, Ivan."

"It be an honor yor majesty.” Ivan bowed deeply, his black hair falling over his shoulder to almost touch the ground. "I met yor esteemed husband just a moment ago, before I came to fetch my comrade."

"Yes, Hjorleifr was just telling me of your fathers’ journeys to the oldlands." Kaelyndra said, smiling. Hjorleifr coughed and looked flustered.

"Da, my father was known to travel to many lands." Ivan said modestly, giving Hjorleifr an unreadable look.

"Ah," Hjorleifr spoke up, still looking embarrassed. "I did not mean to be seeming... familiar with ye... I..."

"Worry not, I was not upset by your words."

"I hope not," Ivan said. "It would not do to anger yor highness before we even begin peace talks," he smiled. It seemed to Kaelyndra that his smile did not quite reach his eyes. He reminded Kaelyndra of some of the more jaded counsel members, a politician at his core.

"It was most pleasant to meet you both," Kaelyndra said. "I regret that I have duties that I must attend to, but I pray that you find your time here fruitful and as enjoyable as your last."

"I be sure that we shall at that, yor Majesty." Ivan said politely, while Hjorleifr murmured his agreement. "I do be sure at that."

~ ~ ~

Marquis Eldryn stood in the center of the counsel room before the royal seats. He was pale and road worn. As soon as he had entered the city, he had requested an audience, forgoing any rest from his journey. The counsel was quickly gathered, all wanting to hear Eldryn's report.

Kaelyndra compared the Eldryn before her to the Eldryn she remembered from when last she saw him. He had been a well-kept and confident lord that bore little resemblance to the haggard, worn man that now addressed the counsel.

He bore terrible news.

"My lords, in the last week before my coming, another eight men have disappeared without a trace." Stunned disbelief answered Eldryn's declaration. "Afetim, young Foromuil, Aelgon, Sir Legmas, Normuil, Sir Thas and his brother Falenian, and Anihian. Each of these lords– while noble in spirit– lacked the power to command."

"What?" Kaelyndra spoke first, breaking the tableau. "How could this have happened?"

"We do not know my queen, each vanished when they were doing some solitary task and was not missed for several bells." Eldryn paused. "No one is allowed to go alone anymore," he all but whispered.

"And what of the goblins? What have they to say?" Kaelyndra demanded while Follyn remained mute beside her.

"They claim to know nothing, my queen. Nothing of how nor why… only…" Eldryn trailed off and for the first time looked uncertain.

"Only what?" Kaelyndra prompted, trying to keep the impatience from her voice.

"It strikes me that the timing of the disappearances… they happened in the day before and after the humans were brought through the province. I believe this… attack was retaliation for halting the treating between the goblins and the northmen."

Kaelyndra stopped, her mind racing. Were the humans involved? How? Even the weakest of the fae had magic, it would take a human years of training to reach the lowest level of power. Of course, it was possible for one empty of magic to defeat a magi, and the lords were alone when they went missing. But how would the northmen know which high-fae could command, and why would they care? The fae could not command humans. And for the love of the silver moon, why? Why would the northmen attack? Kaelyndra remembered her meeting with Hjorleifr and Ivan the day before. Could they really have attacked and then come under the guise of peace? She could not conceive that Hjorleifr would be capable of such deceit.

However, it would be like the goblins to try and throw suspicion onto the humans.

"This is monstrous!" shouted one of the lords. "It would be madness to let this continue! I call that the goblins be put to the blade now!" Quickly the other lords took up the cry.

Follyn stood, and slowly silence came over the room as every eye was on the king. "It is clear now to me that goblins are more than merely discontent. This act of treason must be answered swiftly. The goblins shall be culled."

A murmuring broke out, but before it had time to grow Silvendar stood and stepped forward, throwing the room into silence once more.

"My lord," Silvendar said, bowing. "At your word, I will go to the goblins myself to see that this matter is put to an end. I would leave on the morrow, so that the shadow of this specter does not hang over the Solstice and the celebration of the Longest Dawn."

It did not surprise Kaelyndra that Silvendar would volunteer for this task, he craved the popular approval of the peerage. Even should Follyn not give him command of mission, he would undoubtedly join whoever was charged.

"No," Follyn said. "It is far past the time when I should take a more personal hand in this. I shall over see the culling myself."

~ ~ ~

"No one would think less of you for sending another in your place. You've only just returned home, after all."

Kaelyndra watched as Follyn finished donning his armor. They had not spoken of his leaving since his declaration the night before. She knew that there was no changing his mind now, even if he was of mind to stay, he could not go back on his decision without appearing weak. It was not to challenge him that she spoke, it was to question. She needed to hear him tell her why.

Follyn stepped towards her and pulled Kaelyndra into an embrace. "That is not the reason I need go." Follyn ran his fingers through her golden tresses and pressed his lips to her crown. "I have let the counsel corner me into this, it is my responsibly to see it through 'til its end." He sighed. "I do not like this."

"Of course you don't. Executions are not meant to be liked." Kaelyndra pulled away to look him in his eyes. "You would be a poor king if you enjoyed watching even the least of your people die."

A small smile touched the corner of Follyn's mouth. "Indeed, I have taken many an opportunity to express my distaste of what is to come. No, I meant I do not like being forced in this way. I have never cared to be told what do to."

"Then it is good that you are king after all," Kaelyndra smiled.

Follyn laughed quietly. "No, I have learned much since I first took the crown. Above all things a king must do as needs be done, not as he wishes... Or you and I would only concern ourselves with dancing the festival, and leave this trouble far, far behind. I fear that I have no power over this fate at all."

"I am sorry, my love. I know you never wished for this power, but it is better that you wear this mantle than another that does not hold your wisdom."

"You need not be sorry," Follyn kissed her lightly on the lips." Being king is a small price to be by your side."

Laughter spilled from Kaelyndra's lips. "How lucky I am that you would take such a sacrifice," she said, hitting him lightly on the shoulder.

Follyn swept her back into his arms, laughing with her. They held each other for long moments after their mirth gave way to silence.

"I will do my utmost to return to you before the Longest Dawn," Follyn vowed.

"You had better."

The ringing of time-tower sounded through the room. Their time together had come to an end.

"Walk with me?"

"Do you really think that I would not see you away?" Kaelyndra asked.

Follyn just smiled in response. Kaelyndra retrieved his crown from its resting place on the table. She followed him through the castle out into the busy front courtyard where his entourage– of a half a score of guards and Silvendar– awaited him.

Almost all that called the castle home stood where they could best see the king. There was a festive mood in the air that belied Follyn's grim bearing. His citizens saw only that their king was off to punish unruly goblins– that this would require innocent blood was not something they would see, so they paid it no mind. And Follyn did look the hero they wanted to see, he stood tall and his armor shone bright white and silver in the early morning sun. He easily mounted his horse, a pure white stallion. Kaelyndra went to his side and presented him with his helm. He bent slightly to reach for it, caressing her hand as he grasped the crown. Donning the silver helm, Follyn guided his horse to the front of the small precession. He looked fierce– adorned for war, with the imposing mask of the Erlking and at the head of the elite guard. One of the guards sounded the horn and they all marched forward to the cheers of the crowd. Kaelyndra returned to the steps and turned to watch Follyn pass under the gate. She stood vigil until he had passed from her sight. He did not look back.

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