Greatly expanded, previously part of chapter 98.

Garia's stay at Dekarran consists, as she had expected, of a number of meetings and explanations. Uncle Gil wants to know just what happened during her trip to Blackstone and then there's the whole matter of firearms to explain. The days' hard work is topped off by a banquet in the evening for all, in which the girls get a chance to dress themselves up for the boys.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

99 - Stories and a Banquet

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2014 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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"There! Look there, girls. That is the River Sirrel."

The two young maids looked out of the south-facing window at the view, impressive from this height. For once the sky was covered with cloud but the visibility was reasonably good so most of the river and the land beyond was plain to see.

Jasinet said, "That is the Sirrel? But, milady, it is so big."

Lanilla added, "So much water! I understand now what the Lord Terinar meant before, milady. And the land... why is it so flat? This is not the edge of the world, is it?"

Garia chuckled. "No, Lanilla, far from it! Just over there, in the distance where you can't see it, is another range of mountains even larger than those we have just come from. This whole landscape is the Great Valley and it was all made by the river. To your left is the end of the Sirrel and where the sea begins. The other direction is the Valley and it stretches for many marks, perhaps as many as we have come from Blackstone."

"We must needs cross this great water, milady? How do we possibly cross so large a space? Do we have to go on very big ships?"

"There are special ferries, like those we used at Teldor only much larger. Look! There's one over there, see?" Garia leaned out the window then came back, shaking her head. "I can't see the dock where we'll be going to get the ferry, we can't see it from here. Don't worry, the sailors who run those things know what they are doing."

"As you say, milady. Of course! You must have crossed already, when you traveled up from the palace."

"True. Oh! Actually, Lady Merizel and myself have crossed three times, although we were hidden in a wagon the last time."

"Aye, milady. You told us that story, I remember."

"Okay then, girls. We'd better be off to get our breakfast, I think. We have a lot to get through today."

* * *

"Uncle Gil! Aunt Vivenne! Good morning."

"Good morning, Garia. Did you sleep well?"

"Thank you, yes, Aunt Vivenne. It would be difficult not to in a bed that size."

"Everything is to your satisfaction?"

"Oh, yes! Lots of hot water and plenty of room to dress ourselves. Lots of light from those big windows. It's a shame we can't stay much longer."

Gilbanar said, "You are always welcome to come visit, you know that, Garia."

"I know, Uncle Gil. It's just that I'm going to be so busy when I get back to Palarand... and with winter coming on we won't be able to get back before spring at the earliest."

"Aye, but with the semaphore now working across the river we'll at least be able to keep in touch. To think, you'll soon be able to ask me a question at the palace and have an answer the same day!" Gilbanar shook his head. "I understood the world would be changing, I didn't expect it to change so fast."

"Dear, perhaps we should take our seats. I think breakfast is about ready."

Gilbanar looked around. "Where's Keren?"

Garia said, "Last night he told me he was going to do his Tai Chi with the men this morning. We did ours in the bedroom before we came."

"Ah. Then he should arrive shortly. Viv, should we delay breakfast until he arrives?"

"A while, dear. If we leave it too long then it will begin to cool."

"Uncle Gil," Garia asked, "are you doing the Tai Chi?"

"Uh, not just yet, Garia. Vivenne has begun to do it and I don't think she will let me escape for much longer." Gilbanar frowned. "Regrettably this business up-river has taken much of my waking hours and it is too important to postpone for a little arm-waving."

"Then you misunderstand the nature of the exercise, Uncle Gil," Garia told him. "Tai Chi does not just exercise the body, gently stretching muscles and relaxing joints, it helps clear and focus the mind to make you ready for the tasks of the day ahead."

Gilbanar gave her a rueful smile. "Consider your rebuke duly delivered, my dear. I will join the exercises from tomorrow."

"Here comes Keren now," Vivenne said. "Let us take our seats."

Over breakfast Garia explained the nature and philosophy of Tai Chi in more detail to Gilbanar, with support from Keren.

Gilbanar asked, "And this helps you in your unarmed combat, is that not so?"

"Well, you can do the combat practice without doing the Tai Chi but it doesn't make a lot of sense, seeing as the two are related."

"As you say. I'll begin tomorrow, though I may look the fool to begin with."

"It won't be a problem, Uncle Gil. Everybody has to start somewhere."

From along the table, Trosanar asked, "Highness, would it be possible for me and my men to learn this method? I have watched you do it along the way and it seems a useful thing for all to learn."

"Hmm. There's no reason why not, my lord. There's nothing secret about it. The Baroness and I will have to leave Dekarran tomorrow so it wouldn't be us who could teach you, though. Uncle Gil?"

Gilbanar shrugged. "As the Prince says, my lord. He has to depart but there is no reason why you and your men could not stay here long enough to learn the movements." He grinned. "There is no urgency for you to return, is there? I hear your demesne is left in good hands. Garia, how long would it take?"

"You might be able to do it in a week, Uncle Gil, but it would be very boring. Two weeks would be better, though really it takes a while to get into the flow of the movements."

"Then if you will allow me to remain as your guest, Your Grace, we will join you at your exercises and, perhaps, make you look less the fool than we will be."

"Done!"

Keren asked, "What are we going to do after breakfast, Uncle Gil? I had hoped to get some mat practice in while we have the chance. It hasn't been possible while we were out on the road."

Gilbanar thought. "Aye, we can spare the time. Trosanar, have you seen the Prince or the Baroness at their combat exercises?"

"I have heard them spoken of, Your Grace, but I have not seen them do any. Along our route, there was no opportunity for such activities."

The Duke gave the Count a wicked smile. "Then you shall be educated, my lord. I deem we can spare the time to permit our young warriors to show you what they can do."

* * *

"Maker!"

Trosanar flinched as the sole of Garia's boot stopped a finger's width away from Keren's windpipe. She stepped back and then offered a hand to help the Prince back to his feet. The two made Japanese-style bows to each other before stepping off the training mat and joining the watchers.

"Highness, Milady, I am almost appalled by the speed and violence of your exercise," Trosanar said. "Do you not injure one another?"

"Not very often," Keren replied. "We pick up the odd bruise now and then. Or, should I say, I pick up the odd bruise! Garia somehow seems to avoid most of that."

"That's not exactly true," she responded. "I get bruises too but I'm hardly likely to show you where they are, am I? Actually we don't have too much trouble with each other, we've trained together too often for that. If I get bruises, it is with some of the men who are still learning how to do the movements."

"As you say, milady. And these men, you trained all of them?"

"No, not all. Of those which I trained, Feteran and D'Kenik of my own men and Kerrak and Yasoon of the Dekarran contingent are the only ones present apart from the Prince. They in turn have begun training others." She turned to observe the apparent melee on the mats in front of them. "Seems to be working so far, doesn't it? I'm impressed by how far they have come since I was here last."

"Thank you, milady," Captain Jokar said. "The men were encouraged by the example you gave them when those men attempted the kidnap. Guard duty in Dekarran has been taken more seriously since that event."

"I heard you had made significant changes," Keren observed.

"Aye, Highness," the Captain responded. "Following your departure, we have made a full survey of the castle, and for the first time we now have plans of every level, every corridor, every chamber in the building. We shall not be caught out as we were before."

"That's good," Garia said, accepting a drink from Jenet. "Did you find anything interesting?"

"Aye, milady. Several lost items have been found and a number of forgotten passages rediscovered." Jokar coughed. "Perhaps we should not be discussing such matters in public."

"As you say. Well," Garia added, "I think I've done enough here, don't you agree, Keren? We must go and change before that other important meeting this morning."

"Aye, Garia. With your permission, Captain?"

~o~O~o~

Gibanar gestured. "Tell me your story, then."

"As you wish, Uncle Gil," Garia said. "I think we'll start when we got to South Slip, if I may... or would that be giving away some confidences?"

Her eyes slid to rest on Trosanar, who had joined all the others in Gilbanar's parlor for this meeting.

The Duke waved a hand. "You can leave out the small details, Garia. We know that you set out to go north with Milady Merizel and Mistress Jenet, all disguised as traveling women, on a caravan of Master Tanon's."

"That's right. Well, everything went fine until we reached Teldor, and then we discovered we had a problem."

Garia explained how they had discovered by chance that Keren's party had split and that this made locating them somewhat more difficult. She recounted how they had eventually joined up north of Haligo and continued north, mentioning the problem with the wagon wheel.

"But something like this is bound to happen, isn't it, Tanon?" Gilbanar objected. "With so many wagons, surely the chances of a wheel problem increase with every extra wagon."

"This is so, Your Grace," Tanon replied, "but I believe milady has a particular reason for mentioning this one, since the wagon was one of yours and the driver one of your own men."

"Oh. As you say. Durko."

"That's right, Uncle Gil," Garia agreed. "We didn't know it then but he obviously had some plan to delay us until he could get reinforcements from the south. Remember, until we met up with Keren he had no idea I was going north at all. It was only at that point he must have realized he needed to get a message out."

Gilbanar grunted. "As you say. Go on."

She took them through their stay in Tranidor and their departure after picking up the two mystified guildsmen. Then came their journey along the Chaarn road where Garia mentioned her discovery on the broken markstone.

"You say you can read those stones? Does this mean that the Chivans came from Earth?"

"Yes, Uncle Gil, although they aren't known as Chivans back there. We call them the Romans, and they had an empire that was the largest at the time and lasted about a thousand years. The Romans use the same letters as we do, or more accurately we still use their letters, although the language is somewhat different. I could puzzle out what was on that markstone but I don't think I could read some of the other inscriptions Master Bezan says the masons have."

She mentioned that they had made camp by the river, inside an old Chivan building.

"It's beautiful country, Uncle Gil. We were wondering if some of it could be saved, kept as it is. Very often you don't realize that something is gone until it's... gone."

Keren added, "I asked her if she wanted some of it for a forest preserve. I'm right in thinking that land is all yours, Uncle Gil?"

Gilbanar nodded. "Aye, it all is. Nobody else wanted that part of the Bray valley, and there seemed to be little of value there, so I was forced to administer it myself. The part I ceded to Garia was what I thought the better part of what land there was, since it included the town." He turned to Garia. "Did you want the forest? It seems to me that the people of Blackstone would have more interest in that forest than any other might. Shall it be added to your own lands?"

"Um, Uncle Gil, that's a generous offer."

Gibanar grinned. "Not really, Garia. It means somebody else gets to look after it. That land is a long way from Dekarran and I have enough trouble managing the forests and mountains nearer home. It makes more sense for your own people to have stewardship over it."

"Then I'll accept, Uncle Gil. But I don't want to run it like I've heard other forests are run, I want to make it a park for all the people of Palarand to enjoy. It will be separate from my other holdings and have different rules and regulations. That way we can keep it safe for future generations."

"Trosanar? What say you?"

"Your Grace, I was not privy to the discussion between His Highness and Lady Garia. The forest you speak of adjoins my own lands on one side of the Bray but I have no objection to your proposal. It will be better for all if the land is properly managed, whoever does that and however milady desires to do that."

"That's settled, then. The forest and all the land north of it shall become yours, Garia."

"What? Uncle Gil, you shouldn't."

Gilbanar grinned broadly at Garia. "I just did, milady. As Lord Trosanar has just remarked, the land would be better managed by somebody residing nearby, nearer than down here, at any rate! Have no fear that I am giving away of my own lands, for in truth the upper end of the Bray brought me no revenue at all, being so poor. It was only the wool trade that brought in any income at all and that disappeared when the disease hit the pakh flocks."

Keren objected, "But the lands are not so poor now, uncle. Do you not wish to have a portion of Blackstone's new-found wealth?"

Gilbanar waved a hand. "I don't need to, Keren. It is obvious that all Palarand shall become richer through Garia's gifts so, just as Tranidor will grow and benefit Trosanar, Dekarran will grow and benefit the Duchy. Garia, continue with your tale, if you would."

"So then we left the camp site, Uncle Gil, and rode the few miles to Blackstone. It was strange..."

Garia described how they had found the town dilapidated and eerily quiet when they arrived. She recounted the confrontation and battle and how the captive townspeople had been released.

"Trogan, you say? That was the name he gave? Describe him, if you would."

"Um, about Keren's height, mid to late thirties, dark hair, well-built, obviously well-fed."

Gilbanar shook his head. "That is not the same Trogan I sent out from the castle two years ago to make an assessment of my lands to the north. Trogan was small, fifty or so and nearly bald."

Keren said, "Jaxen's men found two graves in the forest when they returned to Tranidor the first time. The bodies had been there long enough it was not possible to tell who they may have been. Someone, I forget who, told us that the false Trogan arrived in town one day with five frayen on a line. It is likely that your servant was ambushed, robbed and killed, Uncle Gil, with the main bandit pretending to be your assessor in order to milk the town."

"Remember there may be other graves out there," Garia added, "two of the townsmen tried to get away, to get word to Tranidor and warn them what was happening. They never arrived."

Gilbanar's expression was grim. "Continue, Garia."

With many interruptions from the Duke, Garia and Keren gave him a condensed account of their time in Blackstone and what they had done. The only time they had to give more detail was when they described their other battle and the meeting with the ptuvil.

"Maker! When you do a thing, milady, you do it properly, don't you?" Gilbanar's eyes bored into Garia's. "This is one thing you did not mention in your letters, either of you. Tell me about these guns, as you call them."

"Uncle Gil, we would prefer to show you, as we have brought them with us. But it will have to be somewhere down below, somewhere we can have a bit of privacy."

"Can we use them here, against any attacker?"

Keren answered, "It wouldn't be wise, Uncle. The weapons are quite crude and one destroyed itself and killed the man holding it. We hope the guildsmen can use them as a pattern for much better weapons once we get them back to Palarand." He leaned forward. "The main point, uncle, is that the existence of guns proves that Garia isn't the only person presently here from Earth. She didn't tell anyone about guns, in fact she has tried very hard not to. Therefore, somebody else must have, and Yod is using them against us - and will use them against everybody else, if my thinking is right."

Gilbanar grunted. "As you say. Jokar, you and Feteran go and make what arrangements you need to show us these guns. Garia can tell us the rest of her tale and then we'll join you."

Jokar and Feteran both stood. "As you command, Your Grace," Jokar responded. The two left the parlor together.

"There must have been fourteen of them," Garia said. "Perhaps one or two less, it was difficult to count them up, especially as some of their frayen escaped and we couldn't catch them all. We think that two may have gotten away completely." She shrugged. "After that we rode back to the town and tried to find out more about them. That was when we discovered that Durko had been one of the attackers. It seemed he had been keeping in touch with them all along. Along with him was the town's shoemaker and his son, perhaps another two locals and six - we think - miners, although the miners might not have been real. Miners, that is. There must have been one or two more from outside, to bring the guns up. Later, we found a narrow valley where it seems they camped."

"So. We will speak more of this battle later, if we may. Let us continue with Blackstone. Garia?"

"We started thinking about how the town would develop once the mines began working and I realized this was the perfect opportunity to do some town planning. Most towns have just grown over the years and there's been no organization about where workshops or housing goes but in Blackstone we could actually designate zones where things could be laid out before the building started." She paused. "We had to do something, all the coal traffic would have had to go up and down the main street and it would have quickly overwhelmed the town."

Gilbanar nodded. "I remember your description from your letters, Garia. I wish we had something similar for Dekarran, but I fear it is too late for that."

"It's never too late, Uncle Gil, and you'll have to do some reorganizing when the railroad arrives in any event."

Garia briefly described the rest of her stay and then the arrival of the King's decree. She told Gilbanar about appointing Bleskin as Steward and how she appointed a Sheriff to maintain law and order in the town.

"An excellent choice, Garia! When Bleskin left here I wondered what would become of him, after he was unexpectedly left on his own. I am pleased that you have found a suitable place for his knowledge and experience."

"So am I, Uncle Gil. It helps that, because he is from the north, he is known to a number of people in the town already - and being the former captain of the Palace Guard does him no harm, either."

"As you say. Now, tell me a little more about this Sheriff of yours. How does his function differ from that of the Watch in, say, Tranidor?"

"The Watch which was set up in Blackstone had been disbanded by Trogan, Uncle Gil, and it seemed to me that it was really only useful within the town itself. So, when I decided to set up a replacement, I chose a system from my own lands. In rural parts of Kansas a Sheriff and his deputies can cover the whole county, rather than just the town."

"County?"

"Yes, that's what we call our larger administrative regions in Kansas." Garia's eyes narrowed as she thought through what she had just said. "Now I think about it, a county would be the lands a count ruled over, wouldn't they? We don't have counts or barons or dukes any more but I guess the word for the district survived through to the present day. I never realized that before."

"Interesting. Go on."

"I thought that, seeing as how Blackstone is going to grow bigger in the next few years, and with mine workings potentially all over the hills, we'd need a few men who could uphold the law over the whole of my lands. The posts are full-time, too, which means the men can concentrate on doing their jobs rather than just being called off some other task to help drunks get back home." She shrugged. "If it doesn't work out, we can always find a different way of doing things. I don't claim to have much experience of law enforcement and I don't claim my way will be better."

Gilbanar nodded thoughtfully. "An interesting idea, Garia. You will keep me informed how successful your Sheriff is? If it works it sounds like a system which I could use nearer to Dekarran."

"Yes..." Garia replied slowly. "But, if you remember a conversation we had a long time ago," in the Council of the Two Worlds, "I also mentioned that we have a number of different law enforcement agencies for different circumstances. I'm not sure the Sheriff system would work within Dekarran itself."

"Of course, Garia. I was not thinking of Dekarran but of some of the more remote parts of North Palarand. Like yourself - and, indeed, Trosanar here - I have lands which are not close to any large town. In very small villages, true, only a Watch may be needed, but something as you describe may suit the larger villages and small towns under my rule."

"Merizel?"

"Aye, Garia. I'll add it to the list."

"Lady Merizel."

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"I suggest you write a note to our esteemed Captain Bleskin, advising him of his additional responsibilities."

"Your Grace? Oh! You mean the new lands and forest that you have given to Garia."

"Just so, milady. I'm sure he will need to adjust his plans to take account of the new grants."

"As you say, Your Grace. Speaking for the town, I'm sure everybody will be delighted that you are willing to provide them further lands."

Gilbanar grunted. "I'm sure some will be delighted, milady. There will always be those who can find fault with anything."

~o~O~o~

"So that is a gun."

Gilbanar regarded the modified pipe which lay on the floor in front of them. They were in a chamber on the north side, with light coming in through some high-level glassless windows in the wall. Nobody was going to overlook this meeting.

"Aye, Uncle Gil. If Garia wouldn't mind, I'll go through what she told us in Blackstone and she or Feteran can correct me when I'm wrong. I want to make sure that I can describe this correctly."

There were no objections so Keren gave the audience a description of how a gun worked, what had happened during the battle and what one should do when faced by a gun. Garia took a sample of the powder and placed it on a square of paper which was then lit. It took some time for the smoke to clear.

"So you see, Uncle Gil, if just that small amount of powder can make so great a cloud of smoke imagine what a cartridge like this can do." Keren held up the silk cylinder.

"But it would just burn, surely," Jokar said. "How could such a burning propel anything out of that... barrel... fast enough to be a danger?"

"It is the speed of the burning, Captain," Keren explained. "And there is no other way for the smoke to get out. Trust me, it comes out so fast you cannot see the shot as it flies."

"My apologies, Highness, I still don't see how it can be that strong."

"Ah. Feteran, perhaps it's time we unwrapped the other gun."

There were gasps and mutterings as the other weapon was revealed.

"What did this?" Jokar asked.

"The gun malfunctioned," Garia explained. "Instead of the shot coming out the barrel the explosive was powerful enough to split the barrel along the top. That's how strong this powder is, captain, strong enough to blow open an iron pipe and kill the man holding it."

"These guns are a danger to those using them, then? "Gilbanar asked.

"Yes and no, Uncle Gil," Garia said. "These weapons failed because we believe the person who told them how to make them deliberately gave them bad information. They would work for testing and training and then maybe fail in the field. That tells us that the person they have working for them probably isn't doing so willingly. But a properly designed and made gun is probably safer than a longbow is to the archer."

"Uncle," Keren added, "it would be unwise to assume that any further guns we face will have the same defects. In the weeks since these would have left Yod they must have discovered the faults and corrected them." He shrugged. "Of course, there may be other faults in their newer weapons, we won't know until we face them."

"Hmm." Gilbanar pondered. "Jokar, you heard? This will mean further orders to the garrison. We will have no time to reproduce any of this before we are likely to encounter them but we must make sure that the men know how to shelter from such an attack."

"As you say, Your Grace."

"Garia, I assume that you can tell us how to make these? I mean, guns that will not be dangerous to the wielder?"

"Uncle Gil, there are no guns which are not dangerous to the wielder, not any, anywhere. In principle I can give you, or more properly the guildsmen who will do the making, instructions how to make guns, yes. Guns that will be as safe as anyone could make them. You can probably figure most of it out yourself from what you've seen here today. But, I can't tell you how to make the powder, simply because that is something that took centuries of experiment and refinement to get right. I wouldn't trust the captured powder at all and I wouldn't even want to make tests with it, it's too dangerous. This is going to require a special group of guildsmen and questors out on a remote farm somewhere where they can experiment without putting anyone else in danger."

Gilbanar regarded Garia for a long while before nodding. "If it were another who gave me such advice I would hesitate before following it. However, you obviously know your subject so I must bow to your knowledge. How soon might we see such weapons produced in Palarand for use by the armsmen of Palarand?"

Garia shrugged. "I don't know, Uncle Gil. Maybe around this time next year, but I'm not promising anything. We have so many other projects on the go it will take time to organize what we will need." She held up a hand. "I know Yod has these and we'll be at a disadvantage until we get something at least similar. I also know the King is going to want a priority put on gun manufacture."

Gilbanar grunted. "As you say, Garia." He looked up. "I see it is almost time for lunch. Let us pack this booty safely away and then refresh ourselves." He smiled at Garia. "I understand there is a fair-sized deputation waiting to see you this afternoon."

"There always is, Uncle Gil. There always is."

~o~O~o~

Garia stumped into her bedchamber and threw herself, face-down, onto the huge bed with a groan.

"Ooooh! How can some men be so intelligent and so stupid at the same time?"

Merizel came and sat on the bed beside her. Garia raised herself on one elbow to regard her friend.

"The same way women can, I imagine," Merizel replied. "Have we not encountered such variety as we traveled?"

Garia let her arm slide so that her reply was partly muffled. "You're right, of course. I should have realized that even apparently knowledgeable guildsmen can be... thick as two planks sometimes. We knew that already, didn't we? We've just been lucky in those we've had to work with so far."

Merizel smiled. "Maybe. I remember Master Yarling, it took you some while to convince him that you were serious about mining coal."

"So true." Garia rolled over, sat up and pouted. "It would help if I didn't look so much like a young girl. It makes it very hard for anyone to believe what I'm saying."

"Garia, you are a young girl, nay, a young woman, and you'll just have to get used to the fact." She thought, then grinned. "Don't you think His Highness would have treated you differently had you been another age?"

Garia returned a rueful smile. "Well, if you put it like that..."

Jenet approached. "Milady, I have begun running the water for our bath. Lanilla reports that your gowns for this evening have been placed in the dressing room."

Garia slid off the bed to stand in front of her senior maid. "That's just what I need, a good soak. All that standing around all afternoon, talking... I'm getting stiff. The evening gowns? Good. If Uncle Gil is throwing a banquet for us we have to look our best, don't we?"

Garia, Merizel and their three maids all bathed and then congregated in one of the dressing rooms to attire themselves for the evening. For this purpose gowns had been borrowed from the castle wardrobe and modified to fit each wearer while Garia was out meeting guildsmen and other notables. Garia had found a simple gown in green, but of vertical bands of different shades which merged into one another. Merizel had found a more complex design in a pastel crimson shade. The three maids each wore Blackstone green, their evening outfits cleaned and pressed by the castle staff during the day.

"Ow!"

"Hold still, milady. That is because you haven't worn anything in your ears for some weeks and the holes have begun to close."

"Yes. Er, as you say, Jenet. At home we had... do you know what I mean if I said the word 'keepers' to you?"

"A simple ear ornament just to keep the holes open, milady? I believe that young girls wear such items after their ears are pierced for that very reason. Of course, normally that would be done at a much younger age than when you came to us, milady."

"That's right," Merizel confirmed, checking her own hair in the polished-metal mirror. "Most girls have them done about the age of three or so. I remember I squealed when I had mine done, though it took but a moment."

"I'm sorry. Next time I'll come sooner."

"If you had been younger, you'd have had even more trouble getting people to believe you," Merizel reminded her.

"I wasn't being serious. Now, how's my hair?"

"It's... interesting, Garia. I wouldn't have thought it was long enough to pile up like that but it seems to work." Her friend smiled. "The Prince is already smitten, he will be speechless when he sees you tonight."

Garia smiled back. "It's a lot of hard work, isn't it, but I'm beginning to enjoy doing it, especially when we can make a big impression on those who matter." She turned to the two younger girls. "How are you coping? What do you think of the castle?"

"I never imagined such a place could exist, milady!" Jasinet gushed. "Such large windows, such fine paneling! And I have never seen rugs that stretch the entire width of the floor, either! Such an amazing place, so large, so many rooms!"

"Aye, milady," Lanilla agreed. "I could not dream of such a place as this. I thought the castles we stayed in along the way were like palaces but this one is so much better than any other. Is the palace itself anything like this, milady?"

Garia smiled. "Yes and no, Lanilla. Dekarran is mostly made of stone despite all the wood you see lining the rooms, but the palace is nearly all wood. Because of that it is only two stories high where the castle goes back up the hillside many levels. The palace is very old, though, and you'll see a lot of fancy carving and painting and gold leaf covering the walls and ceilings. It's just different. Oh, and Jasinet? Those rugs you saw would be called carpets when they cover the whole floor."

"Oh. As you say, milady."

There was a knock at the door of the suite and Jasinet went to see who it was. She returned with a grinning Korizet and an embarrassed Senidet. Both girls had obviously spent some time perfecting their appearance and it was apparent that Senidet was unused to having so much care lavished on herself. Korizet wore a gown Garia had seen before, a cobalt blue creation with a tiered skirt and dark red inserts while Senidet's gown was of ice blue. Both girls had small tiaras in their carefully piled-up hair.

"Wow! It seems we're not the only ones who want to make the boys drool!"

"Aye, Garia," Korizet grinned. "Tonight, we show the boys, as you say, what we can really do. Though I deem Mistress Senidet is unsure about preparing herself thus for the hunt."

"As you say, uh, Lady Korizet," Senidet said hesitantly. She turned to Garia. "Milady, I have never done anything like this before, I know not how to conduct myself. And all these clothes, so fine! I should not be wearing... Milady, are you sure I should not eat below stairs with the servants? It is my place, really."

Garia put an arm around Senidet's shoulder. "Nope, not tonight! We had explicit instructions from Duchess Vivenne to clean you up and make you presentable for this evening's do. Uncle Gil, er, Lord Gilbanar that is, wanted to make sure we all had a decent evening meal to remember our stay in Dekarran by." She grinned at the girl. "All the armsmen will be scrubbed up and squeaky clean as well, you know. Don't you want to see what Tedenis can look like when he tries?"

"Don't you want to see the look on his face when you enter the dining hall?" Merizel added.

Senidet blushed and lowered her gaze. "Milady, it would please me... but, in front of the Duke and all the other nobles?"

Garia tried a reassuring smile. "Look, whether you want to or not, your status has changed from that of a smith's daughter in a remote mountain town. You are, in all but name, a guildswoman, one of the first, and you'll have to get used to being seen in public, the same way I have had to. It's true this banquet will be different than what you'll usually eat in your new job but I can promise you there will be many more fancy dinners in your future. Besides, you know most of us anyway, don't you? You'll be among friends this evening."

"As you say, milady. It seems very strange to me, that I, who once helped my father puzzle out his drawings in his workshop, should sup with the Prince and the brother of the King, but you are right. It also seems I will not be the only one drawing attention this night, though, looking at your attire and that of Milady Merizel."

"That's right!" Garia grinned broadly. "Come on, girls, we're about to have some fun, let's go knock 'em out!"

Captain Jokar himself came to lead their escort down to the dining chamber. On seeing the four girls he executed an elaborate bow before leading them along the brightly-lit corridors. For this evening only, Garia's men had been given duty inside the chamber so their escort was of trusted Dekarran men. When they reached the chamber door the hum of conversation within came to an abrupt halt.

"Countess Korizet, Lady Garia, Baroness Blackstone, Lady Merizel of South Reach and Mistress Senidet of Blackstone," Gilbanar's chamberlain intoned.

The men surged forward, carefully letting Gilbanar reach the girls first.

"Well!" he beamed. "Who are these beauties and where have you been hiding in my castle? Garia, you look amazing as usual. Merizel, I see you usually keep your talents well hidden. Korizet, you are a sight to gladden any father's eyes. And who is this? A beauty I have not seen before, surely."

Senidet blushed and curtseyed. "Senidet, My - Your Grace. Forgive me, I am not used to gatherings such as this."

"Mistress Senidet, you are welcome at my table." He beamed again. "Relax, my dear, we shall not bite your head off. If you will be associated with Palarand's first Guildmistress then you will in time become used to such august gatherings as this."

"So she tells me, Your Grace."

Gilbanar nodded. "Good. Well, let me get out of the way, since I know that there are younger men here who wish to pay court to you all."

As the Duke stepped back Garia's prediction proved true: the men were all speechless. Garia only had eyes for Keren and there were no words she could say either. Dressed in his best outfit, with his royal sash across his broad chest and his gold fillet around his brow, he made an irresistable figure facing her. His expression showed first surprise, but she caught fleeting glimpses of others as his thoughts raced - appreciation, satisfaction, wonder, pride, contentment, love.

She felt goosebumps travel in waves across her whole body as she saw the desire in his eyes and she knew that she shared that desire. She wanted to be held in his arms again - for ever - and to feel his lips once more against hers. Awkwardly, she took a step forward and then curtseyed low, to which Keren responded with an elaborate bow.

"My Lady," he asked, "may I escort you?"

"I -" Her voice caught in her throat. Calmly now, you're in a big hall with hordes of onlookers. You have waited so long, a little longer won't hurt. "I would be honored, Your Highness."

He held out his arm and she slipped her hand through, holding him firmly.

"We have a few moments before the meal is served," he said. "Will you walk with me?"

Behind Garia all the other women had taken her cue and curtseyed at the same time. Terinar stared wordless at Merizel before stepping forward, his arm outstretched.

"Lady Merizel," he murmured. "You look wonderful tonight."

"Thank you, My Lord," she replied, her eyes fixed on his. "So do you." The two walked into the hall as the underlying conversation resumed.

Vivenne walked up to Senidet and took her hand. "Goodness! I have found a diamond hidden among the rocks. My dear, you surprise me. I had no idea such a beauty was hiding beneath that traveler's gown. I doubt not that the eyes of every man will be upon you this night." She smiled. "Except, perhaps, that of the Prince and my son, who have already chosen their partners, it would seem."

"As you say, Your Grace."

"Come, you shall sit next to me and we will plot our overthrow of these oafish men, who believe themselves lords of all creation. Korizet shall abet our efforts." Vivenne realized that Senidet's attention was elsewhere. "You have a man of your own in the room? I should have guessed. Which is he?"

"Your Grace, he is standing by the wall over there. He is Tedenis, and he and I have both left Blackstone together in milady's service."

"Then he has a duty tonight in this dining chamber. I understand. For the sake of discipline he must do his duty, but I will permit you to say a word or two to him before we sit down to eat. Afterward there will be time for you to meet, when he is released from his duties."

"Thank you, Your Grace. You are very kind."

Vivenne smiled. "Once upon a time I was as young as you, my dear, and in love with the brother of the King, though they were both but princes then. I understand how you both may feel tonight. He has seen you enter and will disbelieve his eyes, as I did. Whether you are promised to him or not you will be attended by many of the other eligible men here tonight, you realize that? Coming from Blackstone you may not be used to the press of attention, nor he."

Senidet looked uncomfortable. "This is true, Your Grace. Particularly since, before Milady Garia came to us, we were beset by bandits and there was no normal life in the town."

Vivenne nodded thoughtfully. "I remember. Then we must shield you from the onslaught. Let us pay our respects to your young man, and it will then be time for us to be seated. That will give us an opportunity to make a strategy for the dancing afterward."

"Dancing?"

Vivenne grinned. "Oh, yes. When my husband throws a banquet like this there will always be music and dancing afterward, you'll see. But we will shield you from such coarse entertainment." There was a twinkle in the Duchess's eye as she said this. Taking Senidet's hand, she headed for the indicated armsman.

* * *

At the end of the meal all rose to head into the other room, the one with the floor made of expensive imported hardwoods, suitable for dancing. As host, Gilbanar escorted Garia, who was the highest status female guest. Vivenne followed after, on Keren's arm. Behind them Trosanar took Merizel while Terinar guided Senidet between the rooms.

Gilbanar leaned toward Garia as they walked.

"Excuse me if I have been slow-witted lately, Garia," he told her, "but it seems to me that there is an understanding between yourself and the Prince."

She replied cautiously, "That is true, Uncle Gil. We've been careful but we haven't made any attempt to hide it from anyone."

"This is serious? Do Rob and Terys know?"

"It is, and they do, Uncle Gil."

"How long has this been going on? Since you set out from here for Blackstone, perhaps? I wondered if the temptation might prove too much for such a young pair."

"Uncle Gil, we first realized our feelings for one another during the rains." Gilbanar's eyes widened. "The Queen found out the same day we did, and we were properly told off."

"You have been told the Rule, then?"

"We have, Uncle Gil. We both understand the possible consequences."

"So long... and yet Rob still permitted you to travel north together."

They entered the chamber and Garia immediately flinched from the music the band were playing. Fortunately they were just providing background music at a low volume so she relaxed. She used her hand to draw Gilbanar away from the direct route to his chair so that they could continue to talk.

"Uncle Gil, we talked about this once we realized what was happening. Keren thinks it is some kind of test set by his father. Trouble is, we can't even work out what the test is, let alone the answer he's expecting." She looked at him, a thought suddenly fresh in her mind. "He didn't say anything to you, did he?"

"When he was here, you mean, before you both set out?" Gilbanar thought, then shook his head. "No, Garia, not to me. I am too simple-minded for such subtle games."

Garia grinned at the Duke. "You don't really expect me to believe that, do you? I think you and your brother are more alike than you care to admit. I'll believe that you didn't know, though. It's the kind of thing women would notice more than men would."

Gilbanar returned her smile. "Aye, you have the right of it, Garia. Vivenne constantly points out that which I have overlooked, or so she deems. Come, let us take our seats. Shall you dance tonight? I remember you practiced when you were here before."

The diners arranged themselves in the usual seats around the edge of the room while the band played several tunes in order to allow everyone's digestions to settle. People moved about, finding acquaintances, keeping the conversation levels low and light. Then the band struck a chord, the central area cleared, and people stood and came in pairs to form up for the first dance.

"You do not dance, Mistress Senidet?"

"Not like this, Lord Terinar," she replied as the dancers began their movements. "Of course, we have country dances at home on festival days but we have not been taught the formal dances the nobles do."

"You are like Garia, then," he commented. Senidet showed surprise. "When she last came to the castle, on her way up to your town, she could not dance either. We made it our business to ensure she learned the steps of many of the simplest dances before she departed." He gestured at those on the floor. "See? She has remembered the movements. Perhaps some of the dances to come will be like those you know."

"If you say so, milord," Senidet replied doubtfully.

"Terinar, are you corrupting that young woman?"

"Uh, no, mother. I enquired why she did not dance."

"She has not been brought up in the ways of the court so she would not know the steps to most dances," Vivenne said. "We do not have time to teach her as we did Garia those weeks ago."

"I was explaining that to her, mother."

"Even if she could dance," Vivenne added, "her young man could not, could he? I shall write a note to the Queen to ensure they both have tuition in the social customs once they reach the palace. That would be best, do you not think?"

"As you say, mother."

The evening advanced and everybody had a chance on the dance floor. It was as the activities were coming to a close that Gilbanar had an idea.

"I think I need some fresh air, my dear. If we go out onto the north terrace we should be sheltered from the winds, should we not? Keren, what say you? Shall you bring Garia? Terinar can come with Merizel and our beautiful guildswoman can bring her young man."

Accompanied by Jenet and Feteran and a discreet mixture of guardsmen and maids, the group followed Gilbanar out onto a narrow terrace which faced almost north. It was cool but not unbearable, at least for a while. The cloud cover was broken and Kalikan shone brightly through, illuminating the lower reaches of the Palar valley and turning the terrain to silver.

Keren inspected those who had come with them thoughtfully.

"You did this deliberately, didn't you, Uncle Gil."

"Me?" the Duke protested, with an air of innocence. "All I wanted was some fresh air."

"As you wish, Uncle Gil."

He took Garia's hand and walked along the terrace until they had some privacy. Garia noticed that the other couples were similarly spreading themselves out. She turned to look at the view over the valley and felt his arm snake around her waist.

"By the Maker, I like doing that," he murmured.

"I like you doing that as well," she said, leaning into his body. "I just wish we could be official."

Keren regarded the other couples, all of whom had now embraced after realizing the situation.

"It seems we shall be the only couple who are not official," he murmured, "at least until we can get back to the palace and resolve our... problem. Even then we may have to wait."

"I'll wait," she said, "until Hell freezes over."

"I've heard you speak of Hell once or twice. Shall you explain?"

"Ah, it's all bound up with our religions. Best you not know. Let's just say it's a bad place you get sent to after you die if you've been bad during your life."

"After you die? But..." Keren shook his head. "Perhaps there are Earthly customs it would be better for us not to know."

"I told you that. That's why we have the Council, so we can filter out the good from the bad."

"As you say. What did Uncle Gil say, earlier, when you were walking between the chambers?"

"It hadn't dawned on him that we were... a couple until then. He claims to know nothing about what your father intends."

"And his own attitude?"

"You'll have to ask him yourself, Keren. He may look like a big, bluff Duke but he's smart, and he can hide things, despite what the world sees. I can't read him."

"I have known him all my life, of course, so I may fare better. Come, let us enjoy the moment and I will try him later."

Eventually it became too cold for the couples to stay outside so they drifted toward the door back into the castle. Keren arranged it so that he and Garia were close to the Duke and Duchess.

"Do you approve, Uncle?"

"Of you and Garia? I was not sure at first. The Rule, you see. But then I understood that Palarand and likely the whole Valley will undergo such changes when you will be King that practically, you are a perfect match for each other. Garia will be at the center of things whether she is Queen or not, but becoming Queen will make the task so much easier. Since she is no noble but not of Alaesia either I think the Rule may be waived in your case but I do not know how the other rulers will take such a decision."

"Thank you, Uncle Gil."

"Don't thank me yet, the deed is not done. I have no idea what your father intends, if this 'test' which Garia spoke of really exists." He stopped, his serious expression plain by the flickering light of a nearby torch. "I may not defy the decrees of my King but, if it is needful, you have a friend at court for your cause."

The look Keren returned was just as serious. "Thank you, Uncle Gil. If I can figure out what my father wants me to do I may not need your support but I am pleased that you choose to give it to us." He gripped Garia's hand tightly. "We shall not let you down."