Update

Sorry about last week. There will be a chapter up sometime this week, for certain.

Two Hundred Thirty Five.

"Victor is overwhelmed by his sudden power," I say finally, slowly. "He...he is making a mistake, but he is not mad, and he will see reason."

"Do you truly believe that?"

I consider this carefully. Do I truly believe it? I certainly want to. "I have to," I say finally. "The alternative is unthinkable."

There is a long silence on the other side of the door, and for a moment I think he has left. When he speaks it is as serious as I have ever heard him. "It is good of you to believe in our childhood friend," he says finally. "But you cannot ignore what his father did. Perhaps he will see reason, but in the meantime, perhaps we should prepare as though he will not."

I consider this for a bit. "Then Vale must be removed," I say. "He would be his next obstacle to power. He may try to have him killed. You must find someone to take and hide him. Jerome, perhaps, or Robert should be able to have him spirited away."

I can sense him considering this. "I think you're right," he says, and his voice is less worried. "You have not lost your reason, as I was beginning to believe."

"Of course I haven't!" I cry. "If you think I am not infuriated you are quite wrong! I will try reasoning with him, and if I cannot, I will get myself out. I have been in worse places, and more dire situations." I sigh and lean against the door. "I know I am a fool, but try to believe in me."

"I do," he says gently. Oh, how does he do that?

I smile. "Very well. Still most important is to keep yourselves safe." I think about it. "If we must scatter, do you remember where we procured the goats?"

"Indeed."

"Then spread the word. If we are split up or driven from Merolith for whatever reason, that is where we shall meet."

"Do you wish to return to Adamant?"

"No. He would not appreciate a second visit so soon. No, it is just out of the way and it is unlikely any will think to look for us there."

Again there is silence as he considers. "Very well," he says finally. "I shall spread the word among our friends. But what shall we do then?"

"We shall decide then. Not that it will come to that. But you are right. We should always be prepared for the worst." I pause a moment. "Be careful, Nemean." I say quietly to the wood of the door.

"You too," he said gently. He sounds close to the door as well. "We shall not be far."

I nod, though I know he cannot see it. "I expect not."

He doesn't answer, and after a few minutes I am relatively sure he has withdrawn. I go and sit by the window to wait.

What has happened to the house of Dunn Maris? They can't all be mad, can they?

Update

The conversation continues on Friday.

Two Hundred Thirty Four

I never wanted to believe that Augustan was mad. And I certainly never thought that his son was mad as well.

But I am afraid I may have to rethink my position, for I awoke this morning to find my bedroom door bolted from the outside. After and pounding and kicking it for a bit, I go to peer out the window, but it is high, and I am reluctant to make the attempt.

A rapping at the door makes me straighten and walk over. "Enter!" I call. It is my chance for escape.

"I cannot," Nemean answers from the other side. "There's an iron lock on the bolt. What has happened here?"

"It appears my dear husband has locked me in," I reply, keeping my voice as light as I can. "I can't imagine why. I have never known a man so dedicated to breaking his word."

"You believe this to be about the dark elves?"

"What else could it be about?" I ask. "Don't worry, Nemean. He will return soon, I am sure, and hopefully then I can make him see reason."

"Zaphael," his voice is thick with a worry I rarely hear from him. "If he is locking you in your room, I fear reason has already left him."

I refuse to worry. I have been in worse situations, after all, this is not the seaward cave, is it? "Perhaps that is so, but I am not so worried for myself as I am for my companions. Do not let him bully you or drive you away. Make sure he does not know where the tunnel from Angel Gate exited."

"I will be certain to keep it a secret," he replies. "What else?"

I consider this. "Send word to C'raiven. Tell him what has happened. Tell him that my word is my bond, and that he will receive land from me, if he is patient. It may take more time then I thought. But if Victor will not give him land, I will, even if I must wait until I am put aside."

"You will not be put aside," says Nemean.

I peer up at the door, as if looking at him. "We have an agreement."

"As he had with the dark elves. Zaphael, he is as mad as his father."

"He is merely..." I stop. "I cannot believe that. He will see reason, he is just...insecure."

"Soren said you are talking such nonsense. I do not believe he has any plans to let you go. If he is insecure in his position as you say, there is nothing more secure than the daughter of Raguel at his side, providing him with an heir."

"I will provide him with no such thing."

"You may not have a choice," he protests quietly.

It takes me a moment to find the words. "He...he wouldn't dare."

"You are his wife. What recourse do you have?"

I open my mouth to reply, but find I have none to offer.

Two Hundred Thirty Three

That evening I pour over maps and deeds in Augustan's old study, looking for land free to give to the dark elves. Soren joins me for a while, rifling around the stacks of parchment and books. "I assume he knew where everything was," he sighs. "A shame no one else does."

"I assume Victor will go through it all," I say, raising a faded document to see it better in the lamplight. "He wishes to be responsible, here is his chance."

"What are you going to do about him?" Soren asks suddenly. "You cannot allow him to take such liberties with you."

"He is insecure in his power," I reply, setting down one paper and picking up another. "He is taking it out on me."

"Do you defend him so easily?"

"No," I reply stiffly. "But it is my concern, and no one else's. Besides," I sit back and look at Soren with a sigh, hating my own words. "We have a deal in place, and I can do nothing on my own if he changes his mind. It is better to endure his foolishness for a while and be free later than to anger him and be trapped forever."

Soren doesn't answer, but I can tell he is infuriated by my answer.

"Besides, I will need his blessing to ride against Zin. Aren't you the one who has always told me to be diplomatic? My tongue will only get me into more trouble at this point."

"But you still look for land for the elves."

"Of course I do," I reply. "We gave our word. What about the land where they roam now? The land below the Valour Mountains?"

"It is rocky and barren, save for the most hardy plants."

"Let us give them Pallas Arcum. Von'd claimed he did not fear the darkness there."

"They will charge tolls for the pass, and the men of Singh will not be pleased."

"Indeed not." I sit back a bit. "I could look to land closer to Fayde."

"I would get Bellaphon's leave first."

"Yes. Did the elves get along with the creatures there?"

"I do not believe they mingled much, but it may be possible, if Bellaphon agrees to take them on as neighbors, which he may or may not."

"We would have to make it worth his while," I sigh.

Soren merely nods and is silent for a long time. When he speaks it is very quietly. "I am troubled, Zaphael. For some reason I feel that Augustan's death may only be the beginning of our troubles."

"Indeed," I reply. "I'm not certain, but I believe this may be what Zin wanted all along."

"I do not believe you should return to face him," Soren replies.

I look at him then. "We must fight and defeat him."

"I know we must, but perhaps you should stay behind this time."

"And wave as the menfolk ride off to battle?"

"No. He claims that you belong to him. He predicted you would return to him. Why prove him correct, Zaphael?"

"I have no intention of returning to him," I snap. "I have every intention of slaying him."

He merely sighs deeply and turns to rifle through another stack.