The Tetrachrome

The King and Queen Must Go

"The gods are telling me the King and Queen must go." Baily Lembeck was certain of it.
She was at Miss Melen's home for some odd jobs and saw a man a bit younger than her in the kitchen - about nineteen years old. She didn't feel like working but needed money for the fireworks show scheduled in the city the next night.
"I'm Baily. Miss Melen hired me for farm work."
"Kelbren. I'm her nephew. Mind if I help you?"
"Be my guest."
Baily and Kelbren walked outside into a fragrant grove of maples behind Miss Melen's house. The trees' branches were naked as it was deep into winter. The scent of mud and damp leaves filled their noses as they walked down a soggy path.
"My sister Hayley and I used to play in these woods. It was lovely those days."
"I miss those times. I miss the food my mum cooked and my's dad advice. I hate the Royals," Kelbren said, beginning to tear up.
"The gods aren't pleased with them at all!" Baily said.
Kelbren paused a moment. "How do you know what the gods feel?"
"Wanna know a secret?"
"Sure," Kelbren said.
"I see colours others can't. I've known this for a while now. People will say two things are the same shade, but I see them differently. I see patterns in things I know are divine."
"Uh huh," Kelbren said.
"The gods say the King and Queen must go."
"I don't think you need the gods to tell you that!" Kelbren and Baily laughed.
"Um, I don't think I'm going to work today, but don't tell Miss Melen," Baily said. "I could be here all day. Hey look!" Baily pointed at a rotting log.
Baily picked a brown mushroom off the log, broke it in half and gave one part to Kelbren.
"Try it, we'll have a good time," she said. Kelbren hesitated a moment, but after seeing Baily eat her share he ate his.
Soon the mushrooms kicked in, and Baily and Kelbren had an awestruck look on their faces, as if their eyes were a thousand leagues inside their sockets. Neither of them said anything for hours, and they switched between looking at each other and studying the forest around them.
Baily said, "Well, we better get back inside."
"Yeah," Kelbren nodded.
Baily hadn't done any work and worried how Miss Melen would react.
Baily said to Kelbren, "I think you should go upstairs as soon as we're inside."
Melen was sitting on the front porch expecting them.
"I went to the garden this morning and didn't see you. You weren't in the orchard either."
"I got carried away. I wanted to show Kelbren a good time."
"You had work to do, and you didn't do it!" Melen sighed and handed her a silver coin.
Baily blushed, thinking about the extra work Miss Melen now had to do and how she didn't deserve anything.

Biarog the Blue

She stayed in Kelbren's room that night and dreamt about the fun times she had as a young girl with her sister Hayley, who was coming in the morning. Of games they played, like when they pretended to be sailors in the Million Islands and a storm was rocking their ship.
When she woke up her sister was already in the room.
"Ready for Biarog's fireworks show tonight?" Hayley asked.
"I'd love to. I know you've been raving about him for ages."
"I'd say I've hardly been raving."
"Admit it, you're infatuated."
"Well ... maybe." Hayley said. "He's brillaint, what can I say?"
That evening Baily and her sister walked for about an hour before they passed through a black steel gate which marked the city limit of Brenlyn, the capital. When they entered Brenlyn the road they took was no longer a dirt trail but rather a beautiful cobblestone pathway.
Hayley said, "I love the city. Don't you?"
"Not really. Why do you think I left?"
"If you didn't live here, I'd never bother coming. It's dirty and people are rude."
"We have to run, the show is starting soon!" Hayley said.
The sisters reached the Royal Ampitheatre, which was big enough to fit everyone in Brenlyn. Its outer walls were circular and were made of stone and marble, and the gated doors were archways twenty feet tall and decorated in gold leaf along the edges.
The stadium was already almost full. Hayley, who was normally level headed, was hyperventilating and couldn't keep a grin off her face.
Hayley said, "There's still seats up front, let's go!"
Biarog's opening act consisted of mimes and jugglers. Although they were talented, the girls caught the yawns around them; everyone was there for Biarog and Biarog alone.
"And now, the one you've all been waiting for ... Biarog the Blue!" the showmaster shouted into his megaphone. Cheers erupted in the crowd.
A youngish man of about six foot two waltzed onto the stage. He had a long red beard, two missing fingers on his left hand, and a bald head and was wearing a blue cloak.
"This performance is for everyone, but especially for the disenfranchised!" The audience broke out into cheers and shouts of "Aye!".
Biarog let off two enormous firecrackers, then flocks of flaming swans and cranes appeared above the stadium. Flowers of fire then filled the sky - likenesses of daisies, sunflowers and violet lynelmyns, the flower of the kingdom of Elas. The pungent aroma of saltpeter and charcoal filled the atmosphere.
In the next act Biarog's fireworks imitated the constellations. The concert was cut short when a bang sounded off, seemingly coming from the stage. The crowd didn't panic because they figured it was a part of the act.
"I'm sorry to announce that Biarog isn't coming back. Your coins will be returned." Voices clamored and people started butting past each other, rushing for the nearest exist.
After what seemed like eons the sisters made it out of the stadium, and they chanced upon Biarog's carriage.
"What happened!?" Baily said.
"I think the King has it out for me," Biarog said. "That wasn't an explosive, not a dangerous one at least."
Hayley said, "Let me come with you."
"No, it's not safe. They're probably already looking for you." Baily had a puzzled look on her face.
"Let's go to Elas. You're loved there, they'll protect you," Baily said.
Baily and Hayley wouldn't take no for an answer, and Biarog reluctanctly allowed them to follow him.

Kelbren Gets a Message

Kelbren checked Miss Melen's mailbox. He found a telegram addressed to him.
"My sister and I have gone into hiding with Biarog the Blue. We're in Calwyn, Elas at Loid Welman's mansion. I wanted you to know we're safe for now, but I probably can't visit you for a while. Hope you're doing well. - Baily"
"Biarog, eh?" Kelbren thought. He was big news in Dulin, but it was a small country, so he wasn't too surprised Baily was in his company.
King Malsem had hated Biarog for many years, and Kelbren suspected Biarog was hiding from him. The people of Elas held a special grudge against the Royals, being a conquered country, so it was only natural they'd protect Biarog, who was especially popular there.
Kelbren pondered whether he wanted to travel to Elas to see Baily again. During their adventure in the forest he'd grown fond of her, feeling almost a oneness with her under the influence of the mushroom they had. But he wasn't that brave, and the country between his home near Brenlyn and Elas was rough and sparsely peopled, with vast stretches of swamp and moorland traversed only by narrow roads which were rarely maintained. And Aunt Melen would worry.
"I could stow away on a ship," he thought. The river Cheren was navigable at Brenlyn, but crews were known to be cruel to stowaways, and ships were small and it's unlikely he'd go unnoticed.
"No, that's crazy. I hate water."
It was going to be over land, but he wasn't going alone. He'd been on little hikes through the woods with his foster brother Rolnem, who was two years older than him. They were close; almost like blood brothers. Rolnem was attending the Academy in Brenlyn.
The next day Kelbren decided he'd see him.
"Aunt Melen, I'm going to see Rolnem if you don't mind."
"You're twenty four now, I won't stop you. Just come back by the end of the week."
It took Kelbren four hours to walk from his house to Rolnem's dormitory. The Academy had a beautiful small campus, with a plaza of green grass which had a large pine tree in the center which was surrounded by four weathered brick buildings of considerable antiquity covered in moss and ivy, one being the dormitory.
Rolnem was sitting on a bench alone on the edge of the plaza.
"Long time no see!" he said.
"Good to see you too. So winter's break is around the corner. Are you interested in an adventure?"
Rolnem nodded. "What kind of adventure?"
"I was thinking of going to Elas. Biarog is in exile, and a new friend of mine is with him. I'd like to see her again. I'm afraid to go alone though."
"A girl? That's great," Rolnem said. "Do you have feelings for her?"
"I don't know her well, but I feel we connected," Kelbren said.
"So Biarog's in hiding? I know the Princess, she's fond of his performances. Her father can't stand it. She'd probably like to come with us."
Kelbren's jaw dropped. "You know Cheryl Eleraya?"
"Yeah, she goes here. Most days I see her around. Stay with me and I'll ask her if she wants to come with us tomorrow."
"I'd love to meet her."
Kelbren didn't sleep that night, being that the bed in Rolnem's dorm was uncomfortable and he was excited about meeting Princess Cheryl. A princess! Biarog was one thing, but Royals almost never spoke to commoners, unless they were attending school, addressing their subjects on Royal Hill or King Malsem was throwing eggs at some poor soul.
"Wake up," Rolnem said. "The Princess should be here by noon."
"Will she be?"
"Should be. A princess is never on time."
Kelbren smiled. "Maybe we're just too early."
"Well, I need to get to class. We're studying the differences between Jytens and Kuens, and why they don't get along. Should get heated."
"Can I sit in?" Kelbren said.
"Yeah. I'll tell the professor you're my guest."

The Academy

Professor Hesen was a sharp lady who could make just about anything fascinating, even to a group of jaded young pupils. She wore a black skullcap like every other Academy teacher, but she didn't need it to make her authority understood.
"Can someone tell me the origin of the Kuens?" A girl with spectacles raised her hand.
"Yes Jem."
"The Kuens came from Norlin, and founded the kingdom of Dulin with Jytens as their subjects."
"Very good! And why are Jytens lower status than Kuens?"
Rolnem chimed in. "I know, I know -"
Professor Hesen became stern. "You're supposed to raise your hand and I'll call on you. Go ahead now."
"Sorry. Jytens are lower status because the Kuen elite wouldn't let them speak their own language, and made them do the worst jobs."
"Correct. Does our guest have any thoughts?"
Kelbren hesitated, not liking attention centered on him.
"After the third wave of migration, Kuens outnumbered us Jytens, as they still do now. I read about it in a book my mother gave me."
"This is true," Professor Hesen said. "Who can tell me the core values of Kuens?" Jem raised her hand again.
"Someone else this time, Jem."
"Anyone?" "Order, justice, duty, modesty, reason, frugality and diligence. The Jytens value loyalty, mercy, joy, beauty, faith, generosity and talent. All good values, right? But the difference in importance explains a lot of the conflict -" The doorbell rang.

At Loid Welman's

Baily, Hayley and Biarog arrived by ship at the city of Calwyn in Elas, reaching the harbor at sundown. The voyage took two days and by then Loid Welman, an Elasian man of new money who owned stock in coal mining, received Biarog's request for asylum in his estate.
Baily and Hayley spent much of their childhood in Calwyn as it was their mother's birthplace. The city had changed greatly in the eight years since they left, with many homes and businesses now abandoned and stones missing from the streets. Vandals clearly had taken to the streets and rats were everywhere.
"I hardly recognize it," Baily said.
Hayley said, "It's not how I remember. Everything seems so ... dead."
Biarog had performed in Calywn many times and knew the city well.
"Loid's estate should be up Pear Street, on the hill past the old castle. It's only a fifteen minute walk from here."
Baily tripped stepping in a hole in the street and Hayley helped her up.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Close one though." Luckily she was able to block a hard fall with her hands.
Biarog said, "The Royals have no love for Elas. All they do is take from here, never give anything back."
Amidst all the abandonment Baily eyed a lively tavern built of ancient masonry on the left side of the street, but didn't want to delay Biarog who was on the lam despite being in the mood for a lager. People were sitting at tables out front chatting, laughing and smoking cigars and pipes. She could sense they were in good spirits, which was surprising given their circumstances in recent years.
"We can get a quick brew if you want," Biarog said with a rare smile.
"Nah, I was just people watching. We should be going. Seems like they're the only people in town!" Baily said.
They reached Loid's mansion when the last of twilight was nearly gone from the western horizon. A fashionable Loid was waiting for them at his porch when they arrived wearing a finely tailored suit and a grin on his smooth-skinned face.
"Biarog! Delighted to see you sir. Who are these lovely ladies with you?"
"I'm Baily and this is my sister Hayley. We're big fans of Biarog and grew up in Calwyn. Thanks for letting us stay with you."
"Make yourselves at home. I've got twelve rooms in my house, ten are available. One's for me and the other's for my cats," Loid said.
"I love cats," Hayley said. "How many do you have?"
"Three. Two boys and a girl. They're very friendly. What do you want for dinner? My butler is on holiday but I've got leg of lamb, mashed potatoes and chicken curry in my icebox I can warm up for you."
Hayley asked, "Do you have wine?"
"Do I have wine? Of course, I'm rich silly! I've got a '62 and an '89 Konlyn that are delectful."
Baily reached out for the '89, which had an appealing colour.
"Here's a toast to our gracious guest," she said.
"Cheers!"
"You sure have good taste," Biarog said. "And I'm not one to express pleasure unless I really enjoy something."
"Anything for you Biarog," Loid said. "I'm glad I bought good wine before the King's taxes put most of the best vineyards out of business."
Biarog said, "He cuts stipends for poor miners every day, yet has to tax wine and gunpowder to pieces! And then takes my fingers when I complain. It's maddening."
There was a draft in the room, so Loid started kindling the fireplace.
"Wanna check out the graveyard?" Baily asked.
Hayley said, "I'm just getting cozy. You go ahead."

On a Boat

Professor Hesen march to the door to answer a knock.
"We're here on behalf of the King. I'm going to have to ask all of you to go home."
"What's going on?" Professor Hesen asked.
"He doesn't like what you're teaching. Says the Princess is taking your lessons to heart."
"Like what?"
"You're going to have to come with us. Everyone else can go home."
"But why-".
Kelbren watched as the agent and several men with him grabbed Professor Hesen and took her away. Everyone in the class started talking loudly amongst themselves.
"Come on," Rolnem said. "Cheryl isn't coming."
"Are we in danger?"
"I don't think so. But we have to leave now."
Kelbren followed Rolnem out of the Academy, to the quays of the River Cheren several hundred feet downhill. He watched Rolnem reach for his pocket watch.
"There's a ship to Calwyn leaving in two hours. I have a gold sovereign on me which should be good fare for both of us."
"Can I see it? I've never seen a gold coin before," Kelbren said. Rolnem handed it to him; it was an older piece with the late Queen Fairweather on the front and a knight slaying a dragon on the other side.
"They were righteous rulers, her and her husband," Kelbren said. "Wish I lived during those times."
The ship arrived early. It was a tiny, rinky-dink rusted steamboat that had surely seen better days. Kelbren had never been on a ship and his heart was beating rapidly.
The captain greeted them and Kelbren handed her Rolnem's gold coin.
"You're good to go," she said.
Inside the ship was clean with beautiful wooden furniture, wide windows and a cozy atmosphere. Kelbren sat down with Rolnem and the captain served them each a bowl of clam chowder.
Kelbren asked Rolnem, "Do you think the Princess is in trouble?"
"No, Cheryl's fine. I'm more worried about Hesen - she could be tried for treason, and the courts are not lenient."
The boat started whistling and before they knew they smelled the salt air of the sea. The sound of seagulls crying accomplanied the noise of the waves. Kelbren felt slightly nauseated as the ship swayed to and fro.
Rolnem said, "I can tell you've never been at sea before. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
"I hope so, I feel awful."
The winds were favourable and they reached Calwyn just before midnight the next night. Kelbren still felt sick but was energized by the thought he'd see Baily again soon.
"I'll walk with you to Welman's, then I'm exploring the city or what's left of it," Rolnem said.

At Loid Welman's

Baily was up late and was startled when she heard a knock on the door.
"Good to see you again!" Kelbren said.
"You too," Baily said, running her right hand through her brown hair. "But couldn't you have waited until morning?"
"I would have, but there's nowhere to stay in Calwyn. Even if there was I don't have any money."
"Lemme get Mr. Welman. I'm sure you're starved!"
"I have clam chowder coming out my ears," Kelbren said. "As well as my nose." Baily giggled.
Baily went up to Loid Welman's room.
"Mr. Welman, Kelbren's here." No answer.
"Mr Welman!"
"Oh I'm sorry darling," Loid said. "Be out in just a moment."
When Baily came with with Loid to the lounge room Kelbren was sitting next to her sister Hayley on the couch in the lounge room.
Loid said, "Kelbren, would you like anything to eat? I have some delicious wild boar left over from earlier tonight."
"No I'm good thank you. Who is that painting on the wall above the fireplace by?" The painting depicted a scene of cherubs striking arrows into the breasts of two armoured warriors.
"I did that myself!" Loid said beaming. "I don't mean to be a braggart, but I'm very proud of my work."
"You're very talented," Kelbren said.
Hayley added, "It's beautiful. What does it mean?"
Loid sighed. "Well I'm pretty old, and when the war with Dulin was going on I just wanted the fighting to stop. Didn't even care if we were annexed. I wept when our border guards were slain." Baily wasn't alive during the war, but her Elasian mother often told her stories about those times.
She was curious if the guards were buried on the hill, so she turned to Hayley, "How about we check out the graveyard?"
"I'd like to."
The sisters walked through Loid's rhododendrons (which were beautiful and well-kept) and out the juniper hedge that encircled his property until they reached the cemetery. The stars were bright as the moon as new and there was little light from the desolate city below.
Hayley turned on the kerosene lamp she was carrying.
"Not so bright it hurts my eyes!" Baily said.
"You're like a bat," Hayley said, turning the lamp a bit lower.
Baily could see much more clearly in the dimmer light. There were tombstones she guessed must have been thousands of years old, with writing that went out of use ages ago.
Baily asked, "What do you think happens when we die?"
"I don't know, it'll be hundreds of years before I go," Hayley said. "We probably just rot in the ground, that's all."
"The gods wouldn't be that cruel, would they? Not from what they tell me."
"You'd know better than I would."
Baily was worried, thinking the divine messages she got from the colours she saw might not be all that truthful. What if death was the end? Would there be any point in living?
"I don't see any war memorial," Baily said.
Baily and Hayley stared at the stars, contemplating their lives and what might come.
Baily broke the silence eventually. "What do you think of Kelbren?"
Hayley said, "He seemed nice when I was sitting next to him. Do you know him well?"
"Only met him once before, but we had mushrooms together in the forest and I felt so close to him. So where do you want to explore next?"
Hayley yawned. "I'm cold and sleepy, let's go back inside."

A Game of Golf

Loid was always his brightest in the morning.
"Breakfast's ready you lazy gal! Got some bacon and eggs cookin' with your name on it!"
Baily walked into the kitchen. Kelbren as well as Hayley and Biarog were already eating.
"Compliments to the chef," Kelbren said. Loid grinned proudly.
"Thank my hens, they did all the work! Have you seen my golf course? We can play today if you'd all like to."
"What's a golf course?" Kelbren asked.
Biarog said, "You've never heard of golf!? You have a cast iron stick and you aim a ball into a hole far away. I was a master at golf myself before I got into fireworks. Can't play anymore without my ring and middle fingers though."
"I'll play!" Baily said.
Hayley said, "We wouldn't want to play without you Biarog. What else is there to do here?"
"I have plenty of books. Some very good comedies and tragedies, books you'd never heard of."
"I'll stay and read and the rest of you can play," Hayley said.
Kelbren wasn't sure if he'd enjoy golf, but he did want to spend time with Baily. After all he'd come all this way to see her. Even though it was only because they shared a mushroom trip together.
Loid led them downhill a couple hundred yards past his small vineyard to the lushest, most verdant grass Kelbren had ever seen. Far away was a red flag which presumably marked the course's hole.
"Put your left hand here and your right hand here and swing like I swing," Loid said. Kelbren tried and missed the ball several times, before driving it out maybe fifty feet.
"I'm no good am I?" Kelbren said.
"It takes a lot of practice. I was terrible for years."
After seven swings Kelbren finally got the ball in the hole.
"Not bad for a first timer!" Loid said. "Baily, you try now."
Baily made the hole on par.
"Excellent!" Loid said, clapping enthusiastically.
Baily smirked, "It's the Elasian side of me. Give it another shot Kelbren!"
Kelbren hit the ball on the first try this time. The second shot sent the ball out of the fairway, but he managed to make a single bogey, taking only five swings this time.
"Nice!" Baily said, quickly kissing a startled Kelbren on the lips. "How about me against you?"
Thanks to Baily's kiss Kelbren felt confident, like the world was his oyster.
Baily swung once and the ball only traveled about thirty feet, but her second swing took her close to the hole, and she made a birdie on the next one.
Kelbren made the hole in eight swings - a bogey of the fourth degree. But he still felt like a winner.
"Good game," Kelbren said.
Baily said, "I'm gonna check on Hayley and Biarog. Why don't you come with me?"

The Royals

Queen Melban was weary of her husband's philandering. So weary she was starting to no longer care.
"Where were you last night?" she asked the King.
"Just gambling with my friends," King Malsem said, averting his gaze away from her.
"You don't have friends, you have brown nosers." Queen Melban said, smirking and then sighing.
It was true. Nobody really liked the King, aside from his daughter Cheryl. But belief in the divine right of rulers and the desire for favour from the Royals was strong.
"So who was the gal this time?" the Queen said.
She no longer felt any attraction towards her husband. She wanted a real man. A younger man.
Cheryl had been gone for a week and she didn't miss her. King Malsem had pulled her out of the Academy and Queen Melban suspected she was looking for Biarog the Blue, whom Cheryl was fond of.
Queen Melban was envious of the way people gravitated towards Cheryl, while she herself had to give favours in order for people to tolerate her.
The royal castle was magnificent, built over six hundred years ago. Every stone was laid with precision into mortar, and the interior was lined with opulent oak and cherry wood. The King and Queen had lived in the tallest of four towers, but recently Queen Melban had been sleeping away from the King Malsem in one of the shorter spires.
The Royals spent weekends meeting with emissaries of the Knights, the military and political order of the kingdom of Dulin, but they paid their opinions less heed than previous rulers, listening instead to big money in industries they were invested in.
That Sunday the Queen and King cancelled their meeting with the Knights and invited Teeden Geren, leader of Dulin's largest steamship company, to the chamber court of their castle.
"Hello my Highnesses," Teeden said, bowing.
"The pleasure is mine for you to be here," the Queen said grinning. "What can you do for me?"
"For us," the King said.
"I'm proposing you help fund a new route between Brenlyn and Biaren in Farenna. I'll need a million sovereigns and I'll give you a fifth in profits once we get it going."
"A million sovereigns?" the Queen thought. Sure steamships were expensive to build, especially since the priesthood refused to use magic to help make them, but a million sovereigns could practically fund a war!
"That is a lot of money," she said. "How about six hundred thousand, and thirty of a hundred in profits?"
Teeden thought for a moment, then she said, "It's a deal."
"Malsem, do you agree?" the Queen asked her husband.
"Fine. It's done," he said.
Nea, the court jester ran in.
"The Princess has been found," he said. Princess Cheryl was behind him escorted by two knights.
"I'm twenty eight years old and you still treat me like a child," Cheryl said to her mother the Queen.
"It's not safe for you to be wandering alone. It doesn't reflect well on us," the Queen said. "Now go to your chambers, I have a visitor."
Cheryl walked upstairs to her room sulking after giving her parents a disapproving look. Nea the court jester, who was allowed to poke fun at almost anything proceeded to mock her, but was stopped by the King's icy stare.
"Do you value your head, Nea? I am not in the mood for humour," King Malsem said. "Teeden, thank you for your business, you can go now."

Cheryl Eleraya

Princess Cheryl was resigned, having been found and made to return to the castle. She knew her father hated Biarog. She knew he had Biarog's ring and middle fingers amputated for speaking out against him and that he told the people of Dulin they were blown off by a firecracker.
Cheryl was plotting her way back out of the castle. She wasn't sure how to pull it off, but she knew that while her parents were respected for their authority she had charm and grace on her side.
The King and Queen were going on a diplomatic trip to Farenna the next day. Cheryl just needed to sway Nea the jester and the staff of the castle would likely let her go.
Dinner at the Royal Castle was joyless and stuffy. Cheryl sat at one side of an ornate oak table while the King and Queen sat at the other, and four guests from various businesses sat between them on the sides. Pate on crackers and caviar were served as the entree.
"So, darling," the Queen said, sipping her wine. "I've told everyone you're not to leave Castle grounds while your father and I are gone."
Cheryl fake-smiled and proceeded to pretend to enjoy her food.
The King and Queen left early in the morning, and to her surprise Cheryl awoke to a castle empty of people! A perfect time to go on an adventure.
She had been friends with Loid Welman since she was a child and her family holidayed at his estate, but her parents weren't aware that Welman now had a bone to pick with them. Not with her; Loid loved her. He would want her to visit, she thought. And so off she went to his estate, not knowing who she'd run into.

Darts and Lobster

Loid and his two chefs were preparing a surprise feast for his guests. Kelbren, Biarog and the sisters had been sent to play croquet on the lawn, and Loid been slaving for hours making buttery rolls, roast turkey, stuffing, and, centrally, high class lobster from the waters off the coast of Kernlin.
"Come on in!" Loid yelled out his door.
Hayley beamed, not believing her senses. Laid out on a buffet table was a beautiful banquet and the room smelled like a maritime autumn evening.
Loid looked delighted at Hayley's expression and said, "Feel free to sit on my sofas."
Even the ever-anxious Kelbren had a relaxed look on his face.
"I've never had lobster before, or any food so expensive," he said.
Loid handed Kelbren a cannabis cigar. "It seems like you're finally in the right mood to partake, buddy!"
Kelbren took a sizable puff and passed it to Baily. Ten minutes later everyone was lounging in high spirits. Biarog and the sisters ate slowly, but Kelbren was ravenously conquering the rolls, stuffing them with bits of lobster.
Hayley was lost in time, almost forgetting where she was. The art on Loid's walls seemed to become three dimensional to her, in particular a painting of a white unicorn on a green hill she was eyeing. Then twenty minutes had passed, but it almost seemed like hours to her.
Biarog blurted out, "Anyone up for darts? I could throw one at King Malsem, gladly, but I'll settle for a dartboard."
"For real! I'd love to," Hayley said. She knew it probably wasn't a good idea to handle sharp objects in her current state of mind, but it sounded fun at the moment.
In Loid's mudroom there was an old felt red and black dartboard with many holes in it. He handed her three darts. She missed the board altogether on the first one, and hit just barely inside on the second.
"I'm kind of rusty," she said, looking away from Biarog. She spent a while scoping out a good path for the last one, but just missed the bulls-eye.
"Prepare to witness a master at work," Biarog said in a mock-cocky tone. He hit close to the bullseye on the first few shots but missed the rim on the third.
He shrugged and smiled. "Can't make 'em all." Then they both laughed.
"Rematch!"
"Nah, I'm tired."

An Unexpected Guest

Baily was beginning to realize she had deep feelings for Kelbren. His soulful brown eyes seemed to hide a deep passion, and although he was quiet and anxious she sensed a great kindness within him.
She was intent on getting him out of his shell. But other matters were more pressing - the King was after them, after all. They couldn't waste time on courtship.
Two days after the gang played darts Baily spotted a horse riding towards the gates of the estate.
"We need to keep cover," she told Loid. "I think someone may have found us."
Before they could plan anything, the gate was somehow unlocked and opened. A tall dark haired woman in a tight-fitting green uniform dismounted the horse and walked towards Loid's mansion.
"Cheryl Elerea!" Loid said in delight. "It's great to see you. What brings you here?"
"I want to tell Biarog that I've led my father's search party to believe he's hiding in Konlin, and that he's safe here. I also wanted to tell him something private."
"Well, come on in, Your Highness. I have wine for you in my kitchen."
Baily was wary of the princess. Something about her irked her - her body language came across as cold and arrogant. But she made a conscious decision to be polite.
"Hello Princess," Baily said, bowing. "I'm Baily Lembeck. Glad you made it here."
"No need to bow. On the road I'm only a lady," Cheryl said. Baily nervously looked around Loid's living room, unsure of what to say next.
"Um - do you want to sit down?"
Cheryl and Baily each took a glass of wine from Loid and sat in silence, taking a sip here and there.
"So why are you here at Loid's?" Baily asked Cheryl to break up the awkwardness.
"I want to make sure my father doesn't harm him. I know he's been jealous of him for a long time."
"And why's that?"
"I think it's because people admire Biarog. They see him as a leader, and that threatens my father."
"Did you know that your dad had two of Biarog's fingers cut off and had the press report it as an accident?"
"I know of all my father's misdeeds," Princess Cheryl said. "Sometimes I have trouble loving him after all he's done. My mother too, she isn't always the kindest."
"And how can I trust you, coming from the same stock?" Baily gave Cheryl a judgmental glare she rarely gave anybody.
"Trust me."
Silence filled the room and they both took a sip of their wine.

Back at the Castle

When the King and Queen returned to their castle, they discovered their daughter Cheryl was gone.
"Our girl has no self respect," Queen Melban said to her husband the King. "Our subjects are not to be trusted."
"It seems like all anybody wants is our money," King Malsem said. "You know the man we entrusted with our last mining investment? Vanished into thin air. Probably ran off to another continent with ten thousand of our sovereigns."
"You know, you can't blame people for taking advantage of you, Malsem," the Queen said. "After all you like to spend your spare time assaulting Jytens with eggs, and you never heed even the wisest of advisors."
"Shut up about that! I do what I want, I'm King!" Malsem said. "Anyway, I'm going to organize a search party to find Cheryl. I'll get a thousand men on it, this is a small kingdom she won't be hard to find."

Kelbren And The Princess

Kelbren was walking in one of Loid's forests when Cheryl Elerea came to the estate; he had no idea she was there.
Loid Welman set out with his hunting greyhound looking for him, as it was getting dark and the forest was dangerous at night.
Kelbren saw the light of his lantern and was relieved.
"Thanks for looking for me. I was starting to get lost," he said.
"Come on back! We have a surprise visitor, I think you'll be very pleased to meet her," Loid said. "You shouldn't walk in these woods alone at this hour. Wolves and bears often wander in from the Crown land above me."
They walked back to Loid's mansion and Kelbren was floored. He tried to speak to the princess but nothing came out.
"Hello," Cheryl said. "I understand you're the Kelbren Loid told me about. Don't be shy, I'm just an ordinary person."
"I've only seen you in pictures, but you're even more beautiful in the flesh," Kelbren said, nervously touching his face. "It's a delight to meet you, Your Highness Elerea."
"Please, just call me Cheryl," the Princess said. "So how do you know Biarog?"
"I'm just fond of his work, I met him after his show. It's terrible what the King had done to him - oh sorry, I don't mean to -"
"No, I understand. My father's hurt a lot of people. Do you want to sit and talk?"
"You're so humble. I'd love to get to know you," Kelbren said. Cheryl poured Kelbren a glass of wine and they sat down on one of Loid's sofas.
"What do you do for a living?" Cheryl asked.
"Actually nothing right now. I work on farms and in homes here and there, but I don't have a trade. I'm pretty much just a young adventurer."
"That sounds pretty romantic. I wish I had that kind of freedom."
"You wish you were a nobody?" Kelbren said.
"You don't even know," Cheryl said. "It's not fun having eyes on you all the time."
"I can understand that. Did you meet my friends Baily and Hayley?"
"I met Baily earlier today. I don't think she's fond of me," Cheryl said.
"That's surprising, Baily likes pretty much everyone."
"I don't think she trusts me because of who I am."
"You mean the Princess?"
"Yeah. It's nothing new."
Hayley calmly walked into the room from up the stairs.
"Elerea, good to see you. I'm Hayley."
"Call me Cheryl."
"Don't be hurt that my sister doesn't trust you yet. Some people it just takes time for her to open up to. You seem like a good person to me."
"Thank you," Cheryl said. "I try to be."
"So how long did it take you to get here from Brenlyn?" Hayley asked.
"Three days and two nights. I have to admit, I'm pretty tired."
"And you came alone?"
"I brought hot spray and a dagger. Besides, if anyone hurts me the penalty is death. I'm that important!", Cheryl said, letting out a good-humoured giggle.
"That's pretty brave. I'd still want to travel with a man to protect me," Hayley said.
"That's one of the perks of being a princess. I can't wait to spend time with Loid, he's the best! Do you want to know a secret?"
"Yeah I would."
"Loid is a lot more powerful than you might think."
"Really?" Hayley said.
"A lot of the Army wants him to be our new King. It's a well kept secret," Cheryl said.
"Don't you want your parents to stay in power?"
"Hell no. I love them, but even I know they're tyrants."
"And are you helping by being here?" Hayley asked.
"Yes," Cheryl said firmly. "Absolutely yes."

A Walk in Loid Welman's Woods

Kelbren was lost in contemplation walking through Loid's thousand acre beech and pine forest. He sipped water from a brook and was thinking about what Dulin would be like if he were King.
After his drink he sat on a large boulder and saw Baily.
"This reminds me of the first time we met," Kelbren said.
"I know! Is the water in the brook good for drinking?" Baily asked.
"Yeah, it's pure. You should drink a little bit."
Baily took a sip and sat next to Kelbren on the boulder.
"What do you think of Princess Cheryl?" she asked him.
"I like her. She's down to earth," Kelbren said.
"Almost too much so," Baily said, rolling her eyes. Kelbren nodded as if to reluctantly agree.
"I wonder if there's mushrooms here. Let's look."
The two walked up a hill; they struggled a bit because of thick underbrush and the rain from earlier that day.
They came to a meadow where they got a good view of Loid's estate and much of the Elasian countryside. By a tree on the edge of the meadow were some brightly colored red mushrooms, which they picked and ate.
"Why are you so down all the time?" Baily asked Kelbren.
"I don't know, you know? I guess I wish I still had a family. I haven't seen my sister in years, and I barely remember my mom and dad anymore. And life is fleeting."
Baily gave him a hug.
"I understand. My parents haven't contacted me and Hayley for many months now. I worry about them all the time."
"May I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Do you have feelings for me? I mean ... beyond friendship."
"I'm keen for you, yes," Baily said. "You're very handsome, and charming, despite being kind of a downer sometimes. But I still want to get to know you better."
Kelbren's mind was beginning to charge and race. Here he was, alone with a beautiful woman in a beautiful forest. He felt fully aware for the first time of how attracted to her he was, and how it could lead to more, knowing she felt the same. He'd never felt this way about anyone.
"I'd like to get to know you better too."
The two laid down in the meadow aside each other and looked down at the countryside holding hands. They fell asleep and didn't wake up until the following afternoon.

Roben

Queen Melban was stumped and furious at how her guards could have left her castle empty. Her daughter Cheryl couldn't look out for herself, she thought.
Her chief guard, Roben was called into her chamber.
"The place was empty. How could you be so incompetent?" Melban scowled at him.
"I had an emergency in my family," Roben said, defending himself.
"It would have taken less than an hour to find people to watch after Cheryl."
"My lady had a seizure. I needed to stay with her until she got back in her element."
The Queen sighed and gave Roben a rare look of compassion.
"Well, that's understandable. Your duties to me come first, but I can't blame you for looking after your wife. You're a good man. I'm just so worried."

A Room for Two

Baily and Kelbren returned to Loid's mansion and walked up to the second floor, wanting some privacy to continue their dalliance.
They went into a room with mauve walls and a very plush bed and sat down side by side.
"You're the most beautiful girl I've ever known," Kelbren said.
"And you interest me," she said.
Baily and Kelbren embraced and kissed each other for what seemed to them like hours. Baily played with Kelbren's blonde hair, and Kelbren held on to her waist.
"Look, it's Mittens," Baily said. She noticed that Loid's beloved tortoiseshell cat was sitting on the wardrobe in the room, so her and Kelbren both felt awkward and decided to pay some attention to the cat.
"I had a cat that looked like this when I was growing up with my aunt," Kelbren said. "Sadly she got run over by a horse carriage."
"That's terrible," Baily said. "Hayley and I used to have a pet squirrel. His name was Gadget. He ran away."
Baily was happy that Kelbren shared her fondness for animals, and they laid back on the comfortable bed and spooned each other.

The Leren

"We know of the one who is coming to claim the Croon," a man in a flowing flock said to his associate.
"Is she qualified yet?"
"No, I don't think so. She has to hone her passion and listen further to divine truth."
"The Creative Mind chose her to lead Dulin, I know that much!"
These men were members of the Leren, a secret spiritual society that had a strong, invisible influence throughout the nations of Realyn, and allegedly beyond as well, on the Continents.
Loid Welman was close to the Leren, and they were aware of his company on his estate and the crucial importance they might play in the near future - especially Baily Lembeck.
The Leren's authority also was connected to the current dynasty, and if they were overthrown, their power would be illegitimate, which was troubling to them, because they'd no longer be able to work magic behind the scenes.

Loid and the Masters

Six months before the company had come to his estate, Loid Welman had met with the Leren. He had a vision that his house would be the site of an important event, and that he better be careful and cautious with his actions.
"Great things are in store for you if you can play your part," Maben, the high priest of the Leren told Loid.
The headquarters of the Leren was a six hundred year old mansion in the north of Dulin. It had ornamentation which straddled between classical and gothic, with gargoyles on the roof and marble pillars in the front.
"The relationships between the people you host will change Dulin," Maben said.

Visions

Baily went back to the woods herself and was enamoured by the trees. Cherry bark, pine needles, and toadstools radiated in her eyes unimaginable colours.
She could visualize the connections between all the different life in the forest, like a divine plan.
"Am I at the center of this?" she asked herself, before having humbler thoughts.
She was looking for guidance from the web of life. Where did Hayley fit in it? Where did Kelbren fit in?
People are at the top of the chain, but many of them are wicked, and messing them up.
Baily went back into Loid's mansion.
"Hayley, where are you?" she yelled.
Hayley walked down one of the staircases.
"Yes?"
"I just had the most amazing time in the forest. It was so beautiful," Baily said.
"Tell me more," Hayley said.
"Everything kind of clicked together. But I still have questions."
"What was it like?"
"It's like, we are all part of this lovely web of life but something is wrong and messing things up. The forest was so vibrant, everything had its place and I could picture every toadstool's place, every frog's role. I saw a fawn and a doe and felt like I could almost speak to them."
"That sounds lovely," Hayley said. "But you're troubled by it all?"
"Yes I am indeed. I feel a bit weight on my shoulder. On our shoulders."

Chess

Biarog and Loid were sitting by the fireplace quietly, looking at each other's eyes and peering into the others' soul. One of Loid's kittens sat on the armrest of the loveseat and was taking in their company.
"Fire is my element," Biarog said. "And I can see a fire burning in you, Loid."
Loid smiled and nodded slightly but said nothing. They both got down on the floor and kneeled by Loid's antique marble chess set and began to play a game. Biarog was black and Loid was white.
Loid moved his left knight first and Biarog moved a pawn two squares ahead. After several more moves both of them castled their kings.
Unfortnately for Loid, he left his king open and Biarog strategically moved his bishop.
"Checkmate," Biarog said. Loid lunged out to kiss him, and Biarog moved back.
"Wait!" Biarog said. "This doesn't seem right."
"I understand," Loid said. "But you can't deny something is going on between us."
Biarog went back to the couch and started to play with the kitten. Loid went to the kitchen and began making eggs.

Suspicion of the King

King Malsem was stewing in his chambers.
"That Loid Welman hasn't paid me taxes in two years," he thought to himself. "What is he up to? And his queer ways. Such an odd fellow."
Now the King had invested in some of Loid's ventures, and despite his dislike for the man he knew it wasn't in his interest to oust him. A good deal of his treasure was tied to Loid. But he was growing more fearful of Loid's increasing power, especially in Elas where there was a popular separatist movement against the union with Dulin.
He had no idea his daughter Cheryl was with Loid. If he did, he would be furious at the insolence. Though to be fair, the King correctly suspected that Loid was gay, so the possibility of a liaison of a sensual nature wasn't what he feared.

Hayley and Loid

"My parents were simple shepherds and I built this empire with my own hands," Loid said.
"You might come across as silly and jovial, but everything you have, you're worked for," Hayley said.
"I am silly and jovial, that's my secret," Loid said, playfully smirking.
"You're a pimp. In a good way." Hayley said. Loid blushed a little bit.
Over the past weeks, Hayley and Loid had got to know each other. Loid saw great potential in Hayley - she was responsible, kind, fair, and intelligent. Likewise, Hayley admired Loid for his attitude and achievements.
Hayley and Loid went into the kitchen and made dinner for themselves, as everyone else was outside enjoying a walk or sports. Hayley made a watercress salad with walnuts and vinagrette, as well as mushroom-stuffed squash. Loid made spiced sausages and scalloped potatoes.
"Biarog has beautiful eyes," Hayley said.
"Yes, they look kind." Loid said. "Can I share a secret with you Hayley?"
"What?"
"I am in love with him."
Hayley smiled for a bit.
"I knew it. I've seen the way you look at him."
Hayley had affection for Biarog too, but didn't want to admit it, even to herself yet.
When dinner was served they sat down on the kitchen island and continued their conversation.
"Your sister has a gift," Biarog said. "She is very intuitive."
"Oh I know. She's always had such a great imagination."
"She's lucky to have you to keep her grounded. Otherwise I think her head would be so high in the clouds, bless her."
Hayley ate a hot scalloped potato.
"Ouch!" she said. Biarog handed her a glass of water as they were only drinking wine with their meal.
"Thank you," Hayley said with a grateful look on her face.
"I'm concerned about the treatment of the Jytens," Biarog said. "I'm a Kuen and I can't directly relate to their struggle, but it's not fair how they are seen as lesser than, and even as scoundrels by some."
"It's disgraceful!" Hayley said. "I sometimes fear for my safety in places that are all Kuen."
"Truly, I think when the old order is gone, as I see happening, it may only get worse," Biarog said. "We must be careful what we wish for."
Hayley pondered about what Loid said. He was a great man, but was his empire all his own doing?

Loid's Childhood

That night Loid retired to bed, and thought deeply about his early life. His parents hadn't much - but they instilled in him values of hard work and being true to one's self.
His neighbors were kind. One day as a young boy Loid fell out of a tree and his grumpy next door neighbor, a widower, took him to hospital and paid for his visit. He still felt gratitude for that, and missed him dearly as he had long passed on, for they became great friends after that.
It was Loid's mother who, after working in the city for two weeks, gave him a small loan to buy stock in the Northern Coal Company - an investment which grew immensely during Dulin's industrial revolution.
"True", he thought to himself, "I made the best of my lot. But I didn't do it alone." He smiled, thinking of the love he received in his life, and was glad.
Loid did experience hardships - he, his parents and his sister often went with one meal a day, and more than once thieves stole what little they had, even their socks and shirts.
He felt odd growing up for being more fond of the company of men than of women. Although few teased him and none abused him for this, he often wondered if there were others like him, and whether he would ever find love in a man. In school he had heard of the righteous Two Kings - the only dual kings to ever rule Dulin, but he thought it was an anomaly - perhaps one in a hundred thousand.
His parents were loving and supportive, especially his father - who he connected with in heart and mind. Although his mother was tender and warm and he loved her dearly, she was not curious of mind - he could talk to his father for hours about pretty much any topic - be it politics, or religion, or art, or the ways of nature, or business.
His best friend growing up was Jen, a girl from his own grade in school. Loid credited for for his sense of humor and easy-going approach to social life. Their friendship faded because Jen was in love with him and he felt guilty for not feeling the same way towards her, but they still wrote letters to each other at least once a month, even now.
Now he had this obligation for Hayley, Baily, Kelbren, Biarog and even Princess Cheryl - but it was more than an obligation. He felt love for them - and he knew they all had a mission. He had to keep them safe.

The New Order

Baily sat in Loid's garden, and was feeling overwhelmed. Her mission was grand, she knew, and she still yet didn't know how to accomplish it.
What exactly was even wrong? Yeah, the King and Queen were wicked, but why were they wicked? Was it the entire system?
"I am just crazy?" Baily thought, growing anxious and fearful for her sanity. The colors in the garden were flashing, almost as if they were technicolor lava melting into each other. The pansies were like firecrackers, the petunias like bottle rockets. Even the lillies seemed borderline menacing.
Dulin was a peaceful land before Malsem and Melban's wedding, and compared to most realms of Eria it still was quite peaceful. But in that peace was a hierarchy. You had people on top telling people below them what to do, and not everyone had freedom.
Yes, the Srumvo, the new telegraph and facsimile system had leveled things out to some degree, but moguls owned most of the shares of it - Loid himself owned about a tenth of its equity. Most people could speak through the Srumvo, to whomever they pleased, but they were being monitored, and with each word costing a haypenny many could only speak in abbreviations.
A thought came to Baily. Surely Loid had some say over the Srumvo - what if he convinced the board of directors to conspire against the Royals? Most share holders despised the Royals as they taxed them heavily.
But then again, what if they took power and became corrupt themselves?

Advice from a Fire-master

Baily shared her concerns with her sister.
"Hayley, surely Loid could pull some strings? He is very powerful," she said.
"I'm not sure," Hayley said. "I think the last thing Loid wants is a spotlight on him."
"But what if he was secretive?"
"How can he keep that a secret?"
Baily wondered for a second. "I don't know, Hayley."
Hayley said, "Maybe Biarog would know. He's been on the lam for so long."
Biarog was kindling a campfire in Loid's front yard fireplace.
"Can you help me gather some wood, girls?" he asked the sisters.
"Sure!" they both replied at the same time, and started to collect wood from a pile a few meters from the fireplace.
"Fire is a tricky thing," Biarog said. "It can be your best friend or your most feared enemy."
"Ain't that the truth!" Hayley said. "My grandpa was a lumberjack. Fire saved his life many times from a cold night, but one day the flames got a little too big and we lost him."
"Too much of a good thing can be bad," Baily added.

A Royal Prank

King Malsem rode from the capital to a village called Elben, on the northern part of the west coast of Dulin. His plan was to throw eggs at random people from his horse carriage, as he took pleasure in doing this, especially to Jytens. In part because of his prejudice to Jytens but also because a Jyten boy bullied him when he was in school - something he never fully recovered from. He felt power from emulating the behavior of his former tormentor.
It was early in the morning so mostly elderly people were walking the street - the rest were either not up yet or working. Malsem didn't like egging the elderly - it seemed cowardly and unsatisfying to him, and at least in the world of pranks, he liked to think of himself as a man of honour.
He wanted a royal prank. Who would be the unwitting victim?
There were some very popular people in Elben. There was Goncho, the beloved piper and dancer, who enticed the villagers with his mirth. There was Falen, the "princess" of the town, known for her elegant dress and impeccable manners. Even the garbage collector, Teggen Rea, was a highly honored man, known for his wisdom.
All of them, Malsem thought, would be good targets. But he still hesitated.
Malsem wasn't popular in Elben, so he had to wear a disguise. He put on thick makeup and wore a powdered wig and decided to eat at the local pub Layen Yebben, or the Dancing Dog. He ordered a lukewarm lager and a heaping mountain of potato wedges.
"Good luck finishing those," the barlady said, giggling a little bit quietly. Malsem ate them all and ordered a second round of beer.
Before he left the tavern he threw his wig at the barlady and tipped over a young couple's table.
"So long, suckers!" he yelled gleefully, running out the door.
Much to his surprise, Malsem ran into his own court jester when he left the tavern!
"Should I egg him?" he thought to himself. Pranking the prankster - it would be perfect. The irony.
But Malsem's jester Funven was smart. He would see it coming if the plan wasn't clever.
Malsem, still in his disguise, offered Funven a bottle of mead laced with a delirious concoction (drugging people was another sadistic thing Malsem liked to do).
"No thank you," Funven said with a smile. "I'm merry enough without booze."
"But, this is very expensive stuff," Malsem said in a voice that was hoarse but somehow also pleasant. "I'd be insulted if you didn't try it."
"Well, if you insist."
"Wow," Malsem thought. "This man is a sucker, not a master!"
"But I want you to drink with me."
"Dammit," Malsem thought, his plan being foiled.

Melban's Woes

Melban hadn't been by herself for a long time. She may have been a critical person but she missed her family.
"Get me some more wine", she said to her servant.
"Red or white?"
"Doesn't matter, dear."
Melban drank three glasses of wine and lazed in her throne. Honestly, neither her or King Malsem had really done any governing of the country for months - they'd just let their keys handle the affairs of the kingdom.
Melban wondered what her daughter Cheryl was up to. Had she fallen in love with a commoner? Was she spending time with sketchy, strange men?
Her thoughts then came to her husband. What foolish thing was he doing now?
After sleeping for a couple of hours she decided that she would get some work done in the castle.

Traveling to the Beach

Baily had desired to see the ocean, for she had been landlocked for weeks. It was only about twenty miles to the coast.
She went to see her sister.
"I want to go to the seashore."
"Oh! I've been dreaming about the beach a lot. We should go," Hayley said.
"We'll have to cover our tracks," Baily said. "We're being watched."
Baily and Hayley went to Loid and asked what he thought.
"I don't know if it's a good idea," Loid said. "But goodness, I've been missing the ocean meself. I'll have to think about whether or not to get you all on my horses."
Loid led the sisters to his horse stable.
"This is Midnight, she's steady and calm. And this is Stallion, he's a bit wild, but a sweetie. Nutmeg is old but always reliable, never fallen off her before."
"Let's spend some time getting to know the horses," Hayley said. "I love animals."
Loid gave Baily and Hayley some hay to feed them. Nutmeg took a special liking to Hayley, and Baily felt most comfortable with Stallion.
"We'll head out tomorrow morn', I know a great beach," Loid said.
That morning the girls got on their horses, and Loid mounted Midnight. It was the first time it had been just Loid and the sisters for an extended period of time.
They packed their bags lightly, with just crackers, almond butter, venison jerky and three canteens of water. They passed through several private properties (Loid's neighbors didn't mind) until they reached the nature reserve along Lynelmyn Creek, which was a small stream up here but gradually turned into a wide, meandering river by the time it reached the lowlands and collected a few tributaries.
Hayley took delight in the oak trees; Baily was more fond of the willows. They agreed on the pines, though - they were elegant in their own way, and wise.
Halfway between Loid's land and the coast was a town called Bilden, where they stabled their horses and stayed at the town inn, the Du Meu.
Two cats walked up to Loid and the sisters.
"He's so cute," Baily said when one of the cats walked up to her.
"That's a she - Misty," the innkeeper said. "She loves new people. Her brother is in the kitchen."
Baily and Hayley walked towards the kitchen.
"Oh no, you can't go in there," the innkeeper said. "Only my employees are allowed there."
Hayley stepped back, but Baily kept going. The innkeeper shrugged. Baily pet the cat anyway.
They were directed to the dining hall. Loid had a stout beer and the sisters drank mead.
Loid looked at Baily.
"So how would you rule?" he asked her. Baily was stunned.
"I'm not sure I ever said I wanted to."
"I swear you did."
"I would -," Baily stopped, "I would want to do what the divine powers wanted me to."
"And how would you know?"
"I'd just know. I will just know."
"Thanks for the drinks," Loid said.
"Thank you," the sisters added.
The waitress showed the three to a large room where they would sleep for the night. There was a kerosene lamp on the desk and a small bookcase with a little library. There were two beds with down pillows; Loid took the small bed and Hayley and Baily slept in the larger bed.
"Good night," Hayley said to her sister and Loid.
They woke up bright and early with the sun and considered having breakfast, as it smelled delicious, but decided to get back on their horses. The ocean beckoned!
The beech and oak gradually gave way to shore pines and other maritime trees, and the road widened, as they were in a more populated part of the countryside.
The scent of wildflowers and grass was fragrant, and the brook by the road babbled humbly but with confidence.
"Just ten more miles," Loid said.
The sisters and Loid could smell salt in the air by the time they were within six miles of the shore, and they were delighted by the sea breeze. Rhododendrons were growing alongside the road, and forget-me-nots. The songbirds were fading away into the background and in their place was the cawing of seagulls.
Hayley was craving some saltwater taffy and Baily had her mind on shrimp cocktail. In less than an hour they would be at the beach.
At this point the brook turned into a small tidal estuary, with pelicans and cranes nibbling at what were probably worms or grubs in the brackish marshes. A small boat, a big larger than a canoe came up from the sea towards them. It wasn't possible to make out if the person was young or old, man or woman at that distance.
"Should we say hello to the person in the boat?" Baily asked Hayley and Kelbren.
"If they come up to us," Hayley said. It was commonplace in Dulin for people in boats to greet those on the shore, but Hayley wasn't sure if it was the same in Elas.
The boat passed them. Apparently customs were different here.
"It's not that far now," Loid said. "The boat would be slower anyhow. Giddy up Midnight!"
The horses were starting to get tired; Midnight just a little bit, but moreso Stallion and especially Nutmeg. The three dismounted for a while and Hayley and Loid ate venison jerky for their lunch, but Baily just had crackers.
They were in a little meadow which turned into a marsh as it transitioned into the estuary. The grass was verdant and pleasant.
"I'm so hungry, this is better than a feast," Baily said.
"Same," Hayley added. "This jerky is delicious."
Loid sat quietly and had a thoughtful look on his face, finishing his meal. The three got out blankets from their backpacks and decided to take a short power nap.
Baily dreamed she was in an ornate, elegant castle and was being offered a crown. She thought about whether she should accept it or pass it on to someone else, a small child she didn't recognize, or a wise-eyed old woman.
She was tempted by the bright emeralds and diamonds in the tiara, but chose to turn it down. Then she woke up.

On The Beach

It was about seventy degrees and sunny; Hayley was walking down the grey sanded beach in quiet delight, and Baily was playing in the waves. Loid sat back and watched them, drinking somew ater.
Seagulls came and swarmed the three.
"Get away, you rats!" Baily said, giggling.
"Ah leave em alone, they aren't bothering anybody," Hayley said, feeding one of them a cracker.
This particular beach was on a small, open cove, not too far from a fishing village to the south. Wafting off in the distance was the aroma of saltwater taffy.
"Can you smell that?" Baily asked Hayley.
"Heck yeah I can," Hayley can. "We should go to town and get some."
"I'm okay with that," Baily said in approval. "Loid should we go in a few minutes?"
"Sure," Loid said. "But I need to talk to you first."
Loid and Baily walked into a a sizable hut - a yurt, with a fireplace inside. Loid rubbed two sticks together and Baily blew on the flame once it appeared, and a gentle fire started crackling.
"The gods have been talking to me," Loid said. "My goal is to get you and our crew ready for our mission."
Baily asked, "What do we need to do?"
"We need to turn the people of Dulin and Elas against the King. But first the people of Elas."
"And how do we do that?" Baily asked.
"You need to perform some miracles."
"Isn't that sacreligious?"
"No, you will do them with the power of God."
Baily thought for a minute. Was Loid being deceived? They fell quiet for a bit and roasted some marshmallows over the flames.
After they ate their marshmallows they went back to the waves and rejoined Hayley. A sneaker wave came in and Hayley screamed and was dragged away from the shore.
"Don't worry I'll come get you!" Baily yelled to Hayley. Hayley was submerged and Baily plugged her nose and swam into the water to get her. Loid went in as well.
The water was murky and Baily had trouble seeing, but she saw a darker area in the deeps and reached her arms out. She grabbed Hayley, and with a little struggle was able to swim back up and to the shore.
Loid had saved people who almost drowned before, and assisted Hayley's breathing. After a minute she coughed up some sand and was conscious again.
"What happened?" Hayley asked.
"You almost drowned," Baily said. "But we got you and you're safe now." Baily gave her sister a hug.
Baily wrapped a towel around Hayley and got back into the yurt and rekindled the fire, letting her take a nap.
Loid was off by himself meanwhile, looking for seashells - he had never found a pearl and it was always his dream to find his own, even though he owned many from purchasing them from others.
He spent three hours looking through oysters but to no avail as far as gems go. However he did find quite a few that were good for eating.
He came back to the fire and roasted the oysters with some garlic he brought with him.
"When Hayley wakes up we'll feast on oysters," he said to Baily.
"That sounds great," Baily said. "I don't get to eat shellfish much. But Hayley is allergic to most kinds."
"Will she mind if we indulge?" Loid asked.
"Nah, she's not a jealous person. But let's just eat them now."
Baily and Loid enjoyed the oysters and the next day, when Hayley woke up from her hypothermia-induced slumber, they left the beach and traveled to the fishing village.

A Royal Prank, continued

With King Malsem's plan foiled, he needed a new target. Someone who wouldn't forget his legendary buffoonery.
The famous comedian Sebeten came to Malsem's mind. The greatest prankster among the Jytens, Malsem felt he could assert Kuen supremacy if he pranked him.
He had some chemical hallucinogens on him - if he could spike his drink or food, he could make a fool out of Sebeten. Now, Sebeten was a fool but a wise, calculated fool. If he truly made an ass of himself, Malsem would get a big kick out of that.
The people of Elben were appreciative of pranks, though they would be angry if the King pranked one of them because of his prejudices and cruelty.
Malsem had a registry in the Srumvo of every address in Dulin, so he sent a message out at the telegram station in town to his secretary in Brenlyn.
Usually it took a couple hours to get the message back. Malsem went to the town square in Elben and went to a food cart and bought some pierogies and sausages, stuffing his face with manic glee in his wig and makeup.
"What a freak," a woman passing by hissed at him. Malsem's pride was hurt, and he mean mugged her and backhanded her in the face.
"Get the hell away from me," the woman said. There was only a few other people around and they watched in shock but did not intervene.
Malsem then started frantically dancing around the square like a maniac. The people there were staring at him, fascinated and disturbed.
Malsem then pulled out a knife and brandished it.
"I have more power than you think, don't mess with me, Gunen!" Everyone in the square fled.
Sebeten was a wealthy man and lived on the highest hill in Elben. Malsem went up a crooked alley and walked up the hill, until he was at the gates of his mansion.
He decided a prank wouldn't do. He wanted a duel! One of Sebeten's guards came to the gate.
"I know who you are, I can see under your clownish makeup. You are the King. What do you want?"
"I want to fight Sebeten. Fair and square."
"I - I don't think I can have that," the guard that.
"I will pay Sebeten a thousand sovereigns if he slays me," Malsem said. "And you, I will give a hundred."
A look of greed came onto the guards' face.
"Okay, I'll be right back."

Back at the Estate

Cheryl, Biarog and Kelbren were still at the estate, largely keeping to themselves at first, though Kelbren found himself drawn to the beauty, grace and power of Cheryl Eleraya, and Biarog was eager to get himself into his crafts.
Biarog found a keg of gunpowder in Loid's basement. Being a honorable man, he didn't help himself to using it, but felt a temptation to do so. It had been weeks since he'd popped even a firecracker and he wished he could have an artistic outlet.
Cheryl was an avid horseback rider, and she wanted to literally show Kelbren the ropes. She took him to Loid's stable, but found it was empty. She figured they had left on foot and was disappointed.
"Let's go for a walk instead," Kelbren said to Cheryl. "There's lots of good nooks and crannies to explore on this land."
"I would like that," Cheryl said, smiling with her eyes. "Where should we go?"
Kelbren said, a bit sheepishly, "I don't know, Princess. You choose."
Cheryl looked unimpressed, rolling her eyes a bit.
"Well, we can go to the brook," she said.
"I'll get a couple of Loid's fishing poles."
They went down to the brook, which was lined with trees, and put their fishing lines in the water. After some minutes they got bored and sat down on the rocks.
"I wish I was like you," Cheryl said to Kelbren. "You can do anything and don't have to answer to anybody."
"Really? You wish you were like me?" Kelbren said.
"I do." Cheryl flipped her hands through her hair and sighed.
"Why did you come here?" Kelbren asked her. "Why spend time with us?"
"I've always been an admirer of Loid. And I know this is the last place my father will look for me."
"Why do you travel alone? Isn't that dangerous for a woman?" Kelbren asked her.
Cheryl glared at Kelbren with a slight scowl. "I can be skilled with a knife if need be. And I know how to hit a man's weak spots." Cheryl wasn't small either; she was about five foot nine and well built, with strong calves and a well toned body.
"It's good to be able to watch out for yourself."
"Let me show you my dagger," Cheryl said. She pulled a six inch blade out of a sheath of ivory which was ornately decorated with images of cherry blossom flowers.
"This blade has done me well. It's one of the few things my mother has given me I truly cherish."
"It's ... beautiful," Kelbren said, holding and admiring it. Cheryl gently put her hand on his shoulder and they watched the babbling brook together in silence for a minute.

Other Worlds

Baily had a dream where she found herself bouncing between different universes. Some of them were like her own, others were slightly strange, and others were very strange.
One particular one was like the waking world, except that everything was in black and white. Also, there were no smiles on people's faces. No frowns either for that matter. Everyone was blank faced - except for a colorful jester who was constantly smitten with sadistic glee, trying to start confrontations with everyone, only to be met by passivity.
Another world was an endless forest of not trees, but large fungi. This world was in the hypercolored manner that Baily saw the real world in - but stood out as exceptionally vibrant even to her. She walked into a village and saw small dwarves, all of whom were giggling almost madly. It was a merry world but Baily sensed an inner darkness to it; almost like it was deceptively beautiful but wicked.
The other world that stuck out to her was one ruled by a giant cold and sullen woman, who was at least eleven feet tall. In this world everyone seemed sad, and colors were present but dull. The people looked tired as if they had to work every waking hour of the day, and only got enough sleep to not go crazy.
Waking up a bit disturbed, Baily reached out and pet one of Loid Welman's cats. He purred and kneaded her thighs gently. Baily found this comforting but wanted to see her sister.
"Hayley, come up here!" Baily said.
"Yes?"
"I just had the most horrific dream. It was awful."
"It's okay," Hayley said, giving her a hug.
"Loid told me about a dream he had, that reminded me of this."
"You should talk to him about it. I know you two have a strong connection."
Hayley patted Loid's cat on the head.
"Yeah you know, you know," she said affectionately to the feline.
Baily went down to the living area of Loid's mansion but nobody was there at the moment. The room was basked in the delicious aroma of walnut spice bread, much to her pleasure.