Note: This is a gay themed fantasy novel about kings and magic, love and war. Although I will often allude to sexual encounters, there are no scenes of sexual acts for this is, by and large, a love story. This author claims exclusive copyright to the characters, settings, and plot.
Dark Wishes
Part Two: Karandal
Chapter Ten
Karandal woke early the next morning at the sound of Octo moving about the room. He noted that there were fresh candles burning, Olan's work. He slid softly from the bed, careful not to wake Trelaine. Karandal had begun to understand that his lover needed as much peace as was possible.
"The men and horses are nearly ready, Sire," Octo said. "Olan is even now loading provisions for the journey to Chamel." Knowing his lord was awake, Octo left the room saying, "I will send servants with your breakfast. All should be ready for departure within the hour. Oh, and the Lady Annalie wishes to speak with you, My Lord."
"Tell my lady mother that she is welcome to join us at our meal, Octo." Karandal had no desire to deal with his mother just now, although he understood her reason for wanting to speak with him. He was the only surviving son of the house of Enworthy. She had been relentless in her questioning about the possibility of an heir.
Karandal woke Trelaine with a gentle shake on the shoulder. "You slept well, my love. But now you must waken. My mother will be joining us shortly. I fear that with the rumor of war she will wear at me again to get an heir."
Trelaine rose and slipped on a warm robe. "Your mother does well to consider the future of Enworthy, Karandal. Perhaps you should take a wife."
The suggestion distressed Karandal. "I know that many men like myself take wives to get themselves children, Trelaine. I am not one such. I could never perform the duty required to make a child."
"Then you must consider an alternative," the King replied.
Their conversation ceased as one of the servants knocked and announced Lady Annalie. She greeted the King with a deep curtsy and her son with a kiss on his cheek. Servants hurried about bringing food and seeing to the needs of the three. Karandal and his mother spoke for several moments about his recent visit to Elanen and he told her of the colt Trelaine had given him. He let her know of the cure Lord Lingred was offering for the orchard blight.
Trelaine listened as his lover and his mother discussed the coming planting season and Llewelyn's summons to council. As he listened, he studied the lady. She was still young for she had been taken young to wife.
The conversation soon turned to the subject that Karandal feared. His mother laid forth her concern. "Enworthy cannot be without an heir, my son. It will do no good for the land or for our King. And King Llewelyn's young son will need a strong ally when he assumes the throne. You cannot disregard this. You must think beyond yourself, Karandal, and consider the future of Enworthy and Endril."
Karandal was greatly distressed. "Mother, I understand your worry. I have spent many hours thinking of what must be done. I cannot do what you wish of me."
Trelaine allowed his mind to drift into a plane between the worlds of men and magic. "My lady?" he asked as a thought came to mind, "may I speak? You have a daughter, I believe."
"Yes, Selmaris," she replied.
"Perhaps Karandal could prevail upon Llewelyn to seek a suitable husband for her from his other lord's sons. Her firstborn male child could be named as heir to Enworthy. He would certainly agree to such an arrangement and not suggest one who would be ill suited to the girl."
"But she is young," Annalie said. "What will become of Enworthy should Karandal fall in war before her son comes of age?"
"I would suggest to His Majesty, Lady Annalie, that you be named as Regent for Enworthy."
"I, Majesty? I am only a woman."
"You have helped to raise Karandal so that he is a good man. You know as much of Enworthy and politics as any man. And your concern for the future of this land is recommendation enough."
. . .
The journey from Enworthy to Chamel was through thick forests and craggy hills. Trelaine set a hard pace but it would take a full three days. Realizing that neither man nor horse could travel without rest, he had the men make camp each night when none could go another step. Not knowing what the future held, he cast his magic around the camp each night so that none of his men would be needed to stand guard.
They reached Chamel shortly after noon on the fourth day and were escorted immediately to King Llewelyn. He greeted them with his wife, for Bolyn was his Queen and ruled the kingdom with him. She would act as Regent during his absence, a fact known to Trelaine when he made his suggestion to Karandal and Annalie.
They gathered near the fireplace in Llewelyn's private apartments and spent some time in conversation about the unusually cold weather and the effect it would have on the planting season. When Bolyn asked after Lady Annalie Trelaine presented his suggestion.
"An excellent idea," Llewelyn remarked, "as I am sure Bolyn will agree. My mother knew the lady well and thought most highly of her. I will have to give some thought as to who would make a good husband for your sister, Karandal."
Queen Bolyn touched her husband's shoulder and said, "Allow me. The young women of the court are full of gossip about who is a most likely suitor and who considered undesirable. There is little else to occupy their minds, although I have tried to interest them in other things. Still they will speak of whose youngest son looks to be handsome when grown, and who has the best prospects for a future."
"He need not be a lad who will inherit lads or title," Karandal remarked. "He and Selmaris will share in the fortune of Enworthy's future. For my sister I ask only that he be intelligent and gentle. She is a shy child and dear to my heart."
Bolyn nodded her head to her husband and said, "Then I will take my leave of you. There is a young woman in my court, Auralis, who will be perfect to query. Her sister will be ready to betroth in another year. The two are very close and Auralis will know from Aurelia which of the kingdom's boys will be most worth considering." Preparing to leave, she gave her husband a quick curtsy for his title.
When she had gone, Llewelyn gave Trelaine a welcome hug and took Karandal's hand in friendship. "I am well pleased that you arrived together," he said. "I have great need of both of you."
Chapter Eleven
The news King Llewelyn imparted to Trelaine and Karandal was upsetting, but not as bad as had been expected. The nomadic hordes on Endril's eastern border were making threatening sounds. It was Llewelyn's hope that a show of strength would discourage them from attacking small villages. A detachment of men from Elanen, added to his own men, would indicate a formidable defense.
There was no need for Karandal to order candles that night. Llewelyn had known how Trelaine reacted to darkness and their room was already lit by dozens of candles. The King also knew that Karandal would do his best to protect his love from hidden fears and unwanted memories. It was well that Karandal's sister would provide an heir to Enworthy for Llewelyn knew that his duke planted his seed in infertile ground.
Octo and Olan set their guards at the door to Trelaine's and Karandal's apartment, a custom that could not be ignored. Chamel was protected by Llewelyn's own guards. Trelaine had no need to call on his own magic for protection. Lying beneath warm blankets with Karandal, the only magic was their love for each other.
More of Llewelyn's lords had arrived by the time Trelaine and Karandal joined him for the morning meal.
These were all men well known to them for they had fought alongside the King through many campaigns. All were men of good standing and honor and would serve both kings well if another battle became necessary.
Llewelyn spread a map across the large dining table when breakfast with his lords was finished and the servants had cleared the table. "I want to reinforce the river crossings here, here, and here," he said indicating specific points on the map. Kerdin, have your men ready to dismantle the bridges if necessary. Montar, your men are the best light horse in the kingdom. I charge you with guarding the edge of these forests. Karandal, station your archers along these walls."
"And myself?" Trelaine asked.
"We need your heavy horse and infantry. If we make camps at strategic places along the river, the enemy might reconsider an attack. I have sent a courier offering their chief a parley. I know there has been drought and famine in the outlands. That might be what drives them toward Endril since they are a nomadic lot. I would be willing to offer them a treaty granting them food and grain. The land across the river would make good farmland and I am offering aid in clearing the land and laying crops."
The council agreed with Llewelyn and each lord sent messengers with instructions to bring their men to Chamel. The King dismissed his men and sent Karandal on an errand, indicating that he wished Trelaine to stay.
"How is it with you, my friend?" he asked when they were alone. "Does all go well in Elanen?"
"It does," Trelaine responded. "We have begun rebuilding the villages that were destroyed. The people need shelter and work. I increased the measure of harvest they may keep for themselves. Lord Egbert sent men to Aolane to establish fields for the fortress will feed itself in the future. The tax bounty paid to the royal treasury will be put aside for time of need."
"You are becoming the good king Egraine expected.
And things are well between you and Karandal?"
Trelaine looked at Llewelyn and smiled. The King thought he could see light shining from the silver eyes as he replied, "Our love is strong. He gives me inner peace and comforts my thoughts."
Llewelyn touched Trelaine lightly on the shoulder and said, "Know this, when the day comes that the land is calm and Karandal's heir born, I will release him from fealty to me. I need him now, for he has proven his loyalty and valor in battle. Chardel was a good man before the evil overtook him, but Karandal shows more determination and compassion than his father. In pleading for his life you saved a good man. I would like to keep him in Endril but I know the love you share and will let him go to you when I can."
"Thank you," Trelaine said. "Know that we will always be your friend and ally."
"Can you tell me, Trelaine, who you are?" Llewelyn asked.
The light disappeared from Trelaine's eyes. "I do not know."
Karandal could tell that something troubled his lover as they lay in each other's arms that night. Trelaine's face held a sadness that no amount of tenderness or passion had removed.
"What troubles you?" he asked.
"A small thing, my love, think nothing of it." Trelaine buried his face against Karandal's chest.
"A small thing? I think not so small to bring you such sadness. And if you are sad it will affect your magic. That could bode ill for the King in the days ahead. He will need everyone in good health and frame of mind. Would that I possessed magic for then I would wish your sadness away."
Trelaine raised himself up and looked at his lover. "Never say such, Karandal. To be born and made of magic is fraught with peril. I could wish for mild winters, but the trees would not go dormant and produce fruit in their season. If I wished time to stand still that we might be together forever, them time would cease for all. Wishes are dangerous when one is made of magic."
"And you live with this knowledge? How do you guard yourself from wishing?"
"Menfred was a hard teacher and allowed me to make small mistakes in order that I would not make large ones. Once, when I was sitting in my room and watching the doves in the courtyard I wished that one would fly into the room with me. And one did fly, but the window was closed and the dove smashed into it and died."
Karandal ran his hand down Trelaine's arm and whispered, "I am not made of magic and naught will come of my wishes. So, I will wish that you could tell me what causes you such sadness that even my embrace does not ease your mind."
"That cannot be granted, my love, else you would have power over my wishes. What troubles me has to do with magic and the Qell and you cannot help." As they drifted off to sleep, Trelaine wondered again exactly who Menfred had summoned and what had been released into the world.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning dawned bright and clear, with no chill in the air. Karandal woke to find Trelaine standing in front of an open window, tossing breadcrumbs to doves in the garden below.
"Good morning," he said as he crossed the room and took Trelaine in his arms. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, although he feared that his lover had not.
"Well enough," the King replied. Turning in Karandal's arms he added, "There is little chance that any of the men will arrive today or that Llewelyn will have grave need of us. I feel the need to ride. Will you join me?"
"Always," was the reply. "I will take any chance we have for simple things together."
Their passage was leisurely as they rode with their ever present guards for the roads still had patches of snow and ice. They were greeted with warmth from those few farmers and herders who watched them pass.
Not wanting his love to know that dark thoughts still troubled him, Trelaine allowed himself to return to his youthful innocence, less than a year behind him, and rejoiced in the beauty around him. "Do you see?" he asked Karandal, "the crystals of ice that cover the fields? Each blade of grass is a wonder. The trees are devoid of leaves, yet Olan assures me that the leaves will return when winter has truly passed."
"And so they will," Karandal replied, watching the look of wonder on his lover's face. He tried to see the world through Trelaine's eyes. Tree branches hung low with melting icicles. Tracks left by hares crisscrossed the snowy fields. Even the titmice had left their small, jumping footprints to note their passage. Karandal had not noticed these things since he was a child on his father's knee asking why flocks of birds flew sometimes north and sometimes south.
They stopped in a rocky glade to eat the lunch provided by Llewelyn's kitchen staff. Their guards would have preferred a different location for this one had a desolate feel about it.
"This place is said to be haunted," Karandal told Trelaine. "Legend says it was here that Ilafrain fell in battle."
Trelaine closed his eyes for a moment and then replied, "No. This is not the place where he died. This was once a great hall filled with many lives." He closed his eyes again and did not open them when he spoke again. "I know because I once ... I knew a lad here who was young, fair, and sweet to touch."
His eyes flashed open and his face held a look of panic. "I am sorry," he said. "I know not what came over me."
"It is acknowledged that you lived before," Karandal said. "I would be saddened to think you had not known love then."
Trelaine rose from the stone where he had been sitting and looked around. Seeing something that sparked more memories he said, "There, within that circle of boulders, was a garden with many hidden places formed by trees and bushes. They made pleasant places for lovers to meet. His name was Xoachin. Would it bother you if I told you of him?"
Karandal placed his hand on his lover's shoulder and answered, "No. If it pleases you to tell me, then it pleases me. He is not my rival for your affections now."
"He was a merry lad, always with a ready smile. He was the Duke's son. I should have known the outcome of our love for each other. His father learned of it and murdered him for it." Trelaine began to shake uncontrollably. "For that Miralen went into a great rage and took revenge on all who lived here. All were slain and the hall destroyed. I cannot ..." he carried going down on his knees in pain, "I cannot bear the memory!"
Olan and Octo approached at the King's outcry but the other guards made the sign against evil and touched talismans for protection. They had all been at that last great battle and remembered the devil wind that had blown about them as Trelaine rode Kamakas across the battlefield. He had wielded his sword with might and fury until the ground around him was covered with enemy dead. And when it was done, Trelaine had dropped his bloody sword to the ground and screamed, "Never again! I will never do this again!"
"M'Lord," Olan said, "you are not responsible for what happened."
His voice breaking as tears ran down his face Trelaine replied, "I should have known. We were as gods then and the Duke defied us."
"I will ask King Llewelyn to rebuild this place in Xoachin's memory," Karandal said.
Once more in control of himself, Trelaine replied, "No. Let the spirits here keep such peace as they have found. I only wish to depart from this place."
They returned to their guards and mounted their horses. They rode away as quickly as possible but Trelaine spared one last look across his shoulder. As he did, a gentle breeze blew from the ring of stones and it seemed to carry the merry peal of a gentle and loving laughter.
As they lay in each other's arms that night Karandal whispered, "I wish that I could make a wish."
"And what would you wish for -- if you could make a wish and I grant it?"
"I would wish that tomorrow we would be happy; that you would have no sad memories return to cause you pain; and that you would sleep in peace with no nightmares to trouble you."
"A harmless enough wish," Trelaine replied, "if you would also wished the same for everyone."
"I could make that wish also," Karandal answered.
They made it a child's game: `What would you wish for if wishes came true?' Trelaine ran one hand in lazy circles across Karandal's chest and finally whispered, "Love me tonight."
The kisses Karandal bestowed on him burned new memories into his mind. At the moment they reached ecstasy Trelaine let loose a little magic and whispered, "Your wish is granted."
To be continued...
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