Post by Jesse on Apr 26, 2007 16:35:41 GMT -5
(I wrote the end of this with writer's block. I still have writer's block. I need crit to inspire me to write something better. Help me make the nasty block go away please?)
Chapter Three
The Lords, King, and Jayden had been talking, arguing more like, with the representative from Amrt for over and hour with no progress. It was really only a formality, both sides knew neither was likely to give anything. Asal was a sacred valley to the Amrtians that had been won in a recent war by the Arlinians and provided them with a holding point in the mountains from which they could repel two enemy nations, the Amrtians and the Casalans. It was in the middle of the only pass through the mountains for dozens of miles and was often used by the Casalans as allies of the Amrtians, as a base from which to launch attacks through the pass. As long as Arlin held it they could use it the same way and keep their enemies from ever stepping onto Arlinian soil.
It was a stalemate, neither side willing to give up the land. And to both nations it was a point they would be willing to go to war over. That was the only possible solution as Jayden saw it, but she dared not comment as women were hardly more than slaves in Amrt and the man was hardly tolerating her presence in the meeting as it was. A smirk pulled at her lips as she wondered if that had been the king’s reason for insisting she attend the meeting, to annoy the ambassador.
She snapped back to reality when the ambassador began yelling at the king, he was speaking in his own language but everyone there could tell he was making threats. When the man’s hands slammed down on the table and his guards reached for their swords, she assumed it was at his order, Jayden stood. The guards attention was mostly on the gathered lords who were all knights and also drawing their swords and moving to stand in front of the king.
Before a fight could break out Jayden summoned a ball of fire in one burn scarred hand and yelled to get the men’s attention, “Stop this nonsense now! This is not a fight, it is negotiations leading to a fight, respect the order of things.” Making sure they could all see the fireball still growing in her palm she continued, “Now, I suggest you all drop those weapons and sit back down. Including you, lords.”
After a moment the lords of Arlin began to sheath their weapons and sit, most of them had known Jayden since she came to live at the castle at thirteen and also knew her power, they wouldn’t dare anger her even if she was technically on their side. The ambassador and his guards didn’t seem quite so willing to respond, “Who is this woman to interfere in the affairs of men? I demand she be punished for this!” The ambassador yelled, waving his arms violently.
“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” Jayden warned, she had no interest in being treated like one of the Amrtian women, no one would punish her for speaking out and escape without injury. Let me give you some advice, one should never anger a magician, especially one who has the power of a fire elemental.
The king raised his eyebrows at the angry ambassador and smiled, “My dear man, would you care to attempt to punish her?” When the ambassador failed to respond he continued, “Then why should any of my men attempt it if you will not uphold your own customs?” None of the lords looked particularly like they wanted to get within a foot of the angry witch, though the way the ambassador sputtered drew laughs from several of them.
“Tell your guards to put their weapons away. You came to start a war, fine, but wars aren’t generally fought in council chambers by men sent to negotiate.” With one last glance at Jayden’s angry face the ambassador muttered something to his men and they sheathed their weapons. In the orders Jayden caught the Amrtian word for witch in reference to her, “Not witch, that’s what commoners call their healers with only the slightest magical power, I’m a magician it’s really not that hard to tell the difference. I doubt any witch could summon an element, especially not fire.”
“I think it best that we take a break from negotiations for lunch, to give everyone time to cool down.” The king spoke before the ambassador could, “We’ll resume this meeting in two hours time.” With that he got up and moved into a small office off to the side of the meeting room, dismissing them.
With a shake of his head and muttered words to his guards the ambassador exited the room hastily, soon followed by most of the Arlinian lords. Only Jayden was left in the room after a moment, leaning against the table watching the door the king had exited through.
The bang of the main door opening made her jump and spin around to face it, hair and skirt flying. A man stepped through, tall and handsome with dark brown hair and stubble on his strong jaw. “Jacob?”
Jacob looked around the room, seeming confused by it’s emptiness. Then his eyes caught on Jayden and he smiled, leaving his confusion for later. “No hug for a returning war hero?” He asked, holding out his arms.
With a laugh Jayden launched herself into his chest, “It’s not a war, it’s a border skirmish.” She corrected him, her voice muffled by his shoulder.
“A battle is a battle.” Jacob said, “It’s good to see you again.” He hugged Jayden so tightly that her back popped before grabbing her by the shoulders and pushing her backward to take a look at her.
“War suits you.” She said with a smile, looking him up and down. “You look good.”
“Lazing about in a castle doesn’t suit you, you’re pale.” His face pinched up as he looked her over, “We’ll have to get you out in the sun. And what have they done with you to get you in a dress?”
“Don’t make fun, I can’t always run around in boys clothes. Especially when we have guests from such a foul country, the ambassador from Amrt would never have talked to us if he saw a woman in pants.” She made a face and pulled at the dress, “Not that it went very well anyway, I might as well have worn armor and gone against every custom they had for all the good this did.”
“What happened? Because it seems the meeting I was summoned to as soon as I stepped through the gates isn’t happening, and if that’s so I’d like to go have my first bath in a week.” Jacob moved to lean against the table, trying to hide a yawn.
“You should definitely take that bath.” Jayden told him.
“I smell that bad?” He raised one armor-clad arm to sniff under it.
“I wasn’t going to say anything…” She wrinkled her nose and nodded.
“Where’s my dear father? Let’s see if I can convince him to let me out of this meeting to bathe, else I may scare away our guest.”
“In there.” She waved toward the study.
“That’s never a good sign.” With a sigh Jacob pushed away from the table and knocked loudly on the door, “Father!”
The door swung open to reveal the king, “What?! Oh, Jacob. Returned already, we weren’t expecting you until the afternoon. How was your journey?”
“Nothing special, I’m just glad the passes were clear enough to get through so early in the season. I couldn’t stand another month on the border.” He had spent the winter fighting the constant border skirmishes with the Casalans.
“How goes the battle? Are we winning?” The king moved past Jacob to stand in the middle of the room.
“We’re always winning,” Jacob replied, “I don’t know why they persist.”
“They are a people of war, like us.” Jayden pointed out, “Our countries have been in constant battle with someone, often each other, for a thousand years, they don’t know what to do without it. And so they fight to expand the border until a real war starts, as it is bound to.”
“That war may be coming sooner than we thought.” The king sighed, running a hand across his face. “From the way the ambassador spoke during the meeting it seems the Amrtians won’t back down, they mean to take Asal from us by any means necessary.”
“Of course they do.” Jayden said, “It’s the sight of temples to their greatest god, they believe he blessed it and gave it to them. No way are they giving that up without one hell of a fight.”
“I had hoped to keep peace for awhile longer though, I grow weary of war.” The king said. “I have spent my whole life at war with one country or another, my life’s work is this Empire and I have built it on the ruins left by battle. I have conquered seven nations and brought them into my kingdom, three more pay tribute to me every year, and I have the troops to keep them all, my standing army is twice that of my grandfathers, who was in his time called the greatest military power in the world. But I grow to old for making war, and while others fight the skirmishes I once loved I have discovered peace.”
“Peace makes my skin itch and my mind wander.” Jacob said, “I love to compose poetry, write, read, and spend time in the quiet of peace, but I must always go back to the battle.”
“I once felt like that, always uneasy with peace and itching for the next battle. But I am old now, and I fear my life won’t last much longer, war is the sport of young men, and I will leave it to you.” The king sighed, “It will be good for you and your brothers, to learn to rule without me there, you are all military commanders in your own right, but now you must learn to truly lead so that when I am gone you will be able to keep this country in one piece.”
“Don’t talk like that, you’ll die no time soon. You’re not that old and you’re the healthiest man in the castle.” Jayden rushed to his side, more protests forming on her lips.
“I’m not as young as I used to be, and far from healthy anymore. My death is imminent, now I only wish to see my Empire carried on through my sons.” The king sighed, Jayden bit her lip to keep it from quivering. “Don’t look so sad, child, I’ve lived a long life and seen many joys and sorrows. If I passed tomorrow I would have missed nothing life has to offer.” He rested a hand on her cheek for a moment, it shocked her how wrinkled and weak it felt.
Before she could speak again Jacob interrupted, “Don’t talk like that old man, your sons need not learn anything of leading. We all know you intend for Nathan to be king after you, middle son that he is, Eric and I will have nothing, just like always.” His voice was cold, bitter, and rough.
“Jacob!” Jayden snapped, pulling away from the king to glare at her longtime friend.
“Oh, boy, do you still desire the throne?” The king asked.
“And why shouldn’t I?”
“You’re the youngest, haven’t you always know it wouldn’t be for you?”
“Nothing is ever for me.” Jacob snapped, “Mother chose Eric from the cradle, she spared no attention Nathan and I, and you have always favored Nathan. Who favors Jacob? Who sides with him in the fight for the throne that has been going on since our childhood? No one, no one ever thinks of me when the crown is mentioned!” He was yelling.
“Jacob, stop! You’re being an idiot.” Jayden grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward the door, “War has surely damaged your brain for you to talk so!” It shouldn’t have been physically possible for the slight girl to drag the tall, broad shouldered warrior anywhere if he wasn’t letting her, but with the right grip on his elbow she managed to propel him forward. A gust of wind opened the door with a slam and Jayden gave Jacob a final shove out of it. “Go, rest and find some sense of respect for your father, and if you can’t do that at least find some for your king.” With that she slammed the door and turned away.
“You didn’t have to do that, dear.” The king said softly, “He is right, you know. From the cradle his mother and I have favored the other boys more, leaving him to watch, never even thinking of him when we argued of who would succeed me.”
It stunned Jayden how old he sounded in that moment, “Don’t think of it, he was being an ass. War has tired him, he needs rest and peace and he will see that it’s not to be blamed on you.” She forced herself to sound sure of it.
“But it is my fault!” The king yelled, sweeping his table across the table in front of him and sending goblets full of wine and papers tumbling to the floor.
“My lord!” Jayden dropped to her knees on the floor and began picking up the papers before spilt wine stained them.
“Leave it!” The king thundered.
With shaking hands Jayden returned the papers to the floor and stood slowly. “My lord, you are tired.” She moved to his side, taking one of his worn hands in her own scarred ones. “Come, let me help you to your room This meeting can wait for another day.”
“No, dear child, it must happen today.” He said, though it sounded as if he to do as she asked. “But you may go, there’s not much left to no anyway, nothing we can’t handle without you.”
“But…” Jayden started.
“Don’t protest or I’ll make it an order, I may be old but I am still the king.” A frown crossed Jayden’s face at this. “Go, find that son of mine. I can see how you’ve missed him. Sometimes I think it’s him you should have been betrothed to.” The last was said so quietly that Jayden barely heard it.
“I could never care for Jacob that way.” She laughed quietly at the though, “No, he is my oldest friend and will never be anything more, though it would be preferable to marrying Nathan.” She moved reluctantly toward the door. “Summon me if you need anything.”
Chapter Three
The Lords, King, and Jayden had been talking, arguing more like, with the representative from Amrt for over and hour with no progress. It was really only a formality, both sides knew neither was likely to give anything. Asal was a sacred valley to the Amrtians that had been won in a recent war by the Arlinians and provided them with a holding point in the mountains from which they could repel two enemy nations, the Amrtians and the Casalans. It was in the middle of the only pass through the mountains for dozens of miles and was often used by the Casalans as allies of the Amrtians, as a base from which to launch attacks through the pass. As long as Arlin held it they could use it the same way and keep their enemies from ever stepping onto Arlinian soil.
It was a stalemate, neither side willing to give up the land. And to both nations it was a point they would be willing to go to war over. That was the only possible solution as Jayden saw it, but she dared not comment as women were hardly more than slaves in Amrt and the man was hardly tolerating her presence in the meeting as it was. A smirk pulled at her lips as she wondered if that had been the king’s reason for insisting she attend the meeting, to annoy the ambassador.
She snapped back to reality when the ambassador began yelling at the king, he was speaking in his own language but everyone there could tell he was making threats. When the man’s hands slammed down on the table and his guards reached for their swords, she assumed it was at his order, Jayden stood. The guards attention was mostly on the gathered lords who were all knights and also drawing their swords and moving to stand in front of the king.
Before a fight could break out Jayden summoned a ball of fire in one burn scarred hand and yelled to get the men’s attention, “Stop this nonsense now! This is not a fight, it is negotiations leading to a fight, respect the order of things.” Making sure they could all see the fireball still growing in her palm she continued, “Now, I suggest you all drop those weapons and sit back down. Including you, lords.”
After a moment the lords of Arlin began to sheath their weapons and sit, most of them had known Jayden since she came to live at the castle at thirteen and also knew her power, they wouldn’t dare anger her even if she was technically on their side. The ambassador and his guards didn’t seem quite so willing to respond, “Who is this woman to interfere in the affairs of men? I demand she be punished for this!” The ambassador yelled, waving his arms violently.
“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” Jayden warned, she had no interest in being treated like one of the Amrtian women, no one would punish her for speaking out and escape without injury. Let me give you some advice, one should never anger a magician, especially one who has the power of a fire elemental.
The king raised his eyebrows at the angry ambassador and smiled, “My dear man, would you care to attempt to punish her?” When the ambassador failed to respond he continued, “Then why should any of my men attempt it if you will not uphold your own customs?” None of the lords looked particularly like they wanted to get within a foot of the angry witch, though the way the ambassador sputtered drew laughs from several of them.
“Tell your guards to put their weapons away. You came to start a war, fine, but wars aren’t generally fought in council chambers by men sent to negotiate.” With one last glance at Jayden’s angry face the ambassador muttered something to his men and they sheathed their weapons. In the orders Jayden caught the Amrtian word for witch in reference to her, “Not witch, that’s what commoners call their healers with only the slightest magical power, I’m a magician it’s really not that hard to tell the difference. I doubt any witch could summon an element, especially not fire.”
“I think it best that we take a break from negotiations for lunch, to give everyone time to cool down.” The king spoke before the ambassador could, “We’ll resume this meeting in two hours time.” With that he got up and moved into a small office off to the side of the meeting room, dismissing them.
With a shake of his head and muttered words to his guards the ambassador exited the room hastily, soon followed by most of the Arlinian lords. Only Jayden was left in the room after a moment, leaning against the table watching the door the king had exited through.
The bang of the main door opening made her jump and spin around to face it, hair and skirt flying. A man stepped through, tall and handsome with dark brown hair and stubble on his strong jaw. “Jacob?”
Jacob looked around the room, seeming confused by it’s emptiness. Then his eyes caught on Jayden and he smiled, leaving his confusion for later. “No hug for a returning war hero?” He asked, holding out his arms.
With a laugh Jayden launched herself into his chest, “It’s not a war, it’s a border skirmish.” She corrected him, her voice muffled by his shoulder.
“A battle is a battle.” Jacob said, “It’s good to see you again.” He hugged Jayden so tightly that her back popped before grabbing her by the shoulders and pushing her backward to take a look at her.
“War suits you.” She said with a smile, looking him up and down. “You look good.”
“Lazing about in a castle doesn’t suit you, you’re pale.” His face pinched up as he looked her over, “We’ll have to get you out in the sun. And what have they done with you to get you in a dress?”
“Don’t make fun, I can’t always run around in boys clothes. Especially when we have guests from such a foul country, the ambassador from Amrt would never have talked to us if he saw a woman in pants.” She made a face and pulled at the dress, “Not that it went very well anyway, I might as well have worn armor and gone against every custom they had for all the good this did.”
“What happened? Because it seems the meeting I was summoned to as soon as I stepped through the gates isn’t happening, and if that’s so I’d like to go have my first bath in a week.” Jacob moved to lean against the table, trying to hide a yawn.
“You should definitely take that bath.” Jayden told him.
“I smell that bad?” He raised one armor-clad arm to sniff under it.
“I wasn’t going to say anything…” She wrinkled her nose and nodded.
“Where’s my dear father? Let’s see if I can convince him to let me out of this meeting to bathe, else I may scare away our guest.”
“In there.” She waved toward the study.
“That’s never a good sign.” With a sigh Jacob pushed away from the table and knocked loudly on the door, “Father!”
The door swung open to reveal the king, “What?! Oh, Jacob. Returned already, we weren’t expecting you until the afternoon. How was your journey?”
“Nothing special, I’m just glad the passes were clear enough to get through so early in the season. I couldn’t stand another month on the border.” He had spent the winter fighting the constant border skirmishes with the Casalans.
“How goes the battle? Are we winning?” The king moved past Jacob to stand in the middle of the room.
“We’re always winning,” Jacob replied, “I don’t know why they persist.”
“They are a people of war, like us.” Jayden pointed out, “Our countries have been in constant battle with someone, often each other, for a thousand years, they don’t know what to do without it. And so they fight to expand the border until a real war starts, as it is bound to.”
“That war may be coming sooner than we thought.” The king sighed, running a hand across his face. “From the way the ambassador spoke during the meeting it seems the Amrtians won’t back down, they mean to take Asal from us by any means necessary.”
“Of course they do.” Jayden said, “It’s the sight of temples to their greatest god, they believe he blessed it and gave it to them. No way are they giving that up without one hell of a fight.”
“I had hoped to keep peace for awhile longer though, I grow weary of war.” The king said. “I have spent my whole life at war with one country or another, my life’s work is this Empire and I have built it on the ruins left by battle. I have conquered seven nations and brought them into my kingdom, three more pay tribute to me every year, and I have the troops to keep them all, my standing army is twice that of my grandfathers, who was in his time called the greatest military power in the world. But I grow to old for making war, and while others fight the skirmishes I once loved I have discovered peace.”
“Peace makes my skin itch and my mind wander.” Jacob said, “I love to compose poetry, write, read, and spend time in the quiet of peace, but I must always go back to the battle.”
“I once felt like that, always uneasy with peace and itching for the next battle. But I am old now, and I fear my life won’t last much longer, war is the sport of young men, and I will leave it to you.” The king sighed, “It will be good for you and your brothers, to learn to rule without me there, you are all military commanders in your own right, but now you must learn to truly lead so that when I am gone you will be able to keep this country in one piece.”
“Don’t talk like that, you’ll die no time soon. You’re not that old and you’re the healthiest man in the castle.” Jayden rushed to his side, more protests forming on her lips.
“I’m not as young as I used to be, and far from healthy anymore. My death is imminent, now I only wish to see my Empire carried on through my sons.” The king sighed, Jayden bit her lip to keep it from quivering. “Don’t look so sad, child, I’ve lived a long life and seen many joys and sorrows. If I passed tomorrow I would have missed nothing life has to offer.” He rested a hand on her cheek for a moment, it shocked her how wrinkled and weak it felt.
Before she could speak again Jacob interrupted, “Don’t talk like that old man, your sons need not learn anything of leading. We all know you intend for Nathan to be king after you, middle son that he is, Eric and I will have nothing, just like always.” His voice was cold, bitter, and rough.
“Jacob!” Jayden snapped, pulling away from the king to glare at her longtime friend.
“Oh, boy, do you still desire the throne?” The king asked.
“And why shouldn’t I?”
“You’re the youngest, haven’t you always know it wouldn’t be for you?”
“Nothing is ever for me.” Jacob snapped, “Mother chose Eric from the cradle, she spared no attention Nathan and I, and you have always favored Nathan. Who favors Jacob? Who sides with him in the fight for the throne that has been going on since our childhood? No one, no one ever thinks of me when the crown is mentioned!” He was yelling.
“Jacob, stop! You’re being an idiot.” Jayden grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward the door, “War has surely damaged your brain for you to talk so!” It shouldn’t have been physically possible for the slight girl to drag the tall, broad shouldered warrior anywhere if he wasn’t letting her, but with the right grip on his elbow she managed to propel him forward. A gust of wind opened the door with a slam and Jayden gave Jacob a final shove out of it. “Go, rest and find some sense of respect for your father, and if you can’t do that at least find some for your king.” With that she slammed the door and turned away.
“You didn’t have to do that, dear.” The king said softly, “He is right, you know. From the cradle his mother and I have favored the other boys more, leaving him to watch, never even thinking of him when we argued of who would succeed me.”
It stunned Jayden how old he sounded in that moment, “Don’t think of it, he was being an ass. War has tired him, he needs rest and peace and he will see that it’s not to be blamed on you.” She forced herself to sound sure of it.
“But it is my fault!” The king yelled, sweeping his table across the table in front of him and sending goblets full of wine and papers tumbling to the floor.
“My lord!” Jayden dropped to her knees on the floor and began picking up the papers before spilt wine stained them.
“Leave it!” The king thundered.
With shaking hands Jayden returned the papers to the floor and stood slowly. “My lord, you are tired.” She moved to his side, taking one of his worn hands in her own scarred ones. “Come, let me help you to your room This meeting can wait for another day.”
“No, dear child, it must happen today.” He said, though it sounded as if he to do as she asked. “But you may go, there’s not much left to no anyway, nothing we can’t handle without you.”
“But…” Jayden started.
“Don’t protest or I’ll make it an order, I may be old but I am still the king.” A frown crossed Jayden’s face at this. “Go, find that son of mine. I can see how you’ve missed him. Sometimes I think it’s him you should have been betrothed to.” The last was said so quietly that Jayden barely heard it.
“I could never care for Jacob that way.” She laughed quietly at the though, “No, he is my oldest friend and will never be anything more, though it would be preferable to marrying Nathan.” She moved reluctantly toward the door. “Summon me if you need anything.”
