The Silvering of Loran (21 page)

“Michael?” Voiced Loran.

“I wanted to apologize to you,” Michael blurted out. “It is because of my friendship with Gervest that he has been so adamant we are to be matched . . . well,
that
and my father’s influence.”

“I will give you two some privacy,” said Topen. “Liam agreed earlier to meet me in the library, after the ascension ceremony,” he remarked to Loran.

Loran reached for Topen’s hand and squeezed it gently for a brief moment, before letting it go.

“I’ll be in the dining hall when you’re done.”

Topen nodded.

Although Michael had resolved he would never have Loran’s love, it did not make her affectionate gesture towards Topen on his departure sting any less.

“Is Gervest well?” Michael asked.

“He is being cared for. I will let him know of your concern,” said Loran, unconvinced of the sincerity of Michael’s apology—since he had only now discovered Gervest would not be Sovereign.

Michael hesitated to speak further after Loran responded coldly towards him. In the moment of his indecision, Loran turned to leave.

“Loran! Please, wait,” he urged.

Loran detected sincerity in Michael’s anxious plea. She turned back to face him.

“I know you don’t trust me, I have made so many mistakes with you over the years. Please, just give me a moment.”

Loran acquiesced and nodded, letting Michael know he had the moment he had asked for.

“Since childhood, Gervest has been my friend. He has always known of my . . . obsession with you, and has tried to place us together many times. I never noticed the gradual changes in Gervest when we were younger. It was not until I once witnessed the contempt he felt for your father in the advisors’ chamber, that it struck me—Gervest had embraced evil.”

Loran let fall any reservation she held of Michael’s honesty and listened intently to his words.

“I think I grew up a little on that day. Still, I wasn’t strong enough to turn from what I most wanted, and what Gervest could give me . . . you. There was something else I also realized, that while Gervest is my friend, I think I am Gervest’s
only
friend.”

Loran quickly scanned her memory of her childhood, and of all the people that came into her brothers’ lives. It was true; she could remember no other that Gervest had called a friend.

“I want to help Gervest—if I can,” Michael continued. “I can’t say I am proud of what my destiny has revealed to me so far, but maybe the future holds greater promise.”

“I never imagined a time I would say this to you, but I’m pleased Gervest has such a friend as you,” said Loran. “And your destiny is yours to guide, Michael. Lead it well.”

* * *

T
open strolled by the last of the guests flowing into the dining hall. Excited voices and laughter permeated from the room and followed him down the hall—until he reached a turn, then all fell silent. His destination wasn’t much further now, but for Liam, Topen’s arrival would be the end of a journey, of uncertainty, of hope.

The library doors were already open when Topen stepped through. Liam perused the books on the second level. He collected a book from the shelf, and watched as Topen shut the massive library doors below him, before he spoke.

“I have given it more thought since you first arranged our meeting, and I suspect the news you bring is not pleasant,” said Liam, while he flipped through the pages of the book he held—paying no attention to its content. “Otherwise, you would not want to meet in private.”

“Your father
is
dead,” Topen announced.

Liam slapped the book shut in his hands, and then placed it back on the shelf.

“I’ve discovered you have a reputation for bluntness. It appears to have been well earned,” said Liam, as he began to descend the staircase. “How can you be sure of my father’s death?”

“During our battle, Nepsaril described your father’s fall from the wall, and that he saved him before he hit the ground.”

“But w
hy
would he save him?”

“To change his form and use him in a deception. Your father appeared as Nepsaril when he was killed.”

“I thought
you
killed Nepsaril.”

“So did I.”

Liam was prepared to learn that his father had perished during the time of the castle war, but numbness crept in when he realized that his father’s slayer was standing a few feet away. With all the questions that formed in the fog of his mind, Liam managed to focus on what he most wanted answered.

“How could that happen? How could you possibly mistake my father for Nepsaril?”

“It would be more effective to show you.”

Topen brushed his hand across his face. Liam was stunned when Topen transformed into the exact image of Gilvius—as he appeared earlier at Rolam’s ascension ceremony. Try as he might, Liam’s eyes could not detect any flaw in Topen’s subterfuge—that it was not Gilvius standing before him. Topen morphed once again, back into his own form.

“There are many ways to appear as another,” said Topen. “None of the methods can be detected without first having suspicion, and some approaches prevent all discovery.”

After Topen’s demonstration, Liam accepted that Nepsaril was the only one to blame for his father’s death. He pondered the absurdity of not knowing real magic existed, until he was involved in the strategy to unseat Gervest. Now, Topen had just revealed his and Nepsaril’s powerful magic touched him
personally
.

Liam pushed to learn more.

“What land do you come from that such magic is common?”

“A land far from your own,” Topen cryptically replied.

Topen said nothing more and departed before Liam could prod any further. Though Liam wasn’t surprised that Topen evaded his query, his elusiveness only flamed Liam’s desire to discover more.

* * *

T
he Avileen family sat together at a long wooden table in the front of the dining hall—where they overlooked the revelry of their guests. Only Gervest was absent. He took his meals behind the guarded door of his bedchamber until Gilvius could determine his true nature. Goblets of wine and platters of freshly prepared game—along with a variety of fruits—filled the tabletops.

Topen entered the dining hall and marched toward the front of the room. Leanna was the first to notice his approach, and she imparted a grateful smile. When Kelamar detected him, he raised a goblet of wine—in celebration of the culmination of their victory.

Topen had rounded the end of the table by the time Loran saw him. When she stood, raced to meet him, and hugged him for all to see, Leanna knew Loran had chosen her destiny. And although Topen had greeted Loran warmly, Leanna was unsure if he had committed to intertwine his destiny with hers. Loran led Topen to their chairs and hastily turned to her mother after she sat down.

“After the feast, I have something important to discuss with you.”

“Discuss . . . or tell, my daughter?

“Leanna, I am still bound to the pledge I made to you twelve-years ago,” assured Topen.

“I remember well our words, Topen,” responded Leanna. “All of them.”

“Can we meet with you and father in your chamber later?” Loran asked.

“We will return to our chamber soon, after the feast.”

Leanna tried to hide her anticipation of the words her daughter would speak later. However, while everyone else continued to relish in the festive atmosphere, Leanna only managed a few forced smiles in response to the happiness that surrounded her.

* * *

B
ehind the secured door of his chamber, Kelamar filled a goblet from a bottle of his favorite vintage wine—always kept securely hidden from the more common wines freely displayed. He handed the goblet to Topen, and filled another for himself.

“I’m sad to know this is our last adventure together, my friend,” said Kelamar. “Your visits are far too lengthy to suggest otherwise.”

“The future is uncertain, Kelamar—and beset with surprise,” toasted Topen, as he clanked his goblet against Kelamar’s.

“Surprise—such as you and Loran?” Kelamar blurted out.

Topen showed no reaction to Kelamar’s remark. He assumed Kelamar was commenting on seeing them together in the dining hall.

“I’m not talking about the display of affection you two demonstrated earlier. I mean the dance that has gone on for years—at least in Loran’s heart.”

Kelamar looked with disappointment at Topen’s passive expression.

“You could at least reward me with
some
surprise. I rarely get to see that in you.”

“Has it really been that obvious, Kelamar?”

Kelamar walked over and tapped Topen on his shoulder.

“To anyone trained for observation, it’s been one of Loran’s least kept secrets—and now, yours as well.”

“Soon it will be no secret at all. Loran and I are to meet with Gilvius and Leanna tonight.”

“For what it’s worth, I can think of no better pairing,” said Kelamar. “I’m confident Gilvius will extend his blessing.”

* * *

T
he sound of two quick raps on her door brought Leanna to the entrance of her chamber. When she pulled the door inward, Loran entered and swept her arms around her mother. As she squeezed her tightly, Topen followed Loran into the room.

Gilvius called out from deep within the chamber.

“Topen! I have not yet had the opportunity to properly thank you for all you have done.”

Topen nodded to Leanna as he passed by to greet Gilvius.

“It is through the efforts of many that Nepsaril can no longer harm your family,” Topen stated, while moving through the chamber.

Gilvius, well aware of Topen’s humility, just placed his hand on Topen’s shoulder at his arrival.

“Still, if your devotion to the Avileens is not to be recorded in our history, we can at least honor you in private. Come, let us sit.”

Gilvius directed Topen to the rectangular granite table in the front of the chamber. Leanna and Loran quickly joined them.

“My beautiful wife has taken a great deal of time filling in the gaps of my memory,” Gilvius informed Topen. “I have missed so much,” he said, while he gazed lovingly at his daughter.

“Loran, you revealed earlier, quite openly, your affection for Topen,” said Leanna. “Few who witnessed it would doubt you are in love.”

Loran looked at Topen. Her green eyes sparkled and pierced his when he returned her gaze.

“And what of you, Topen?” probed Leanna. “You, more than any of us, understand what it means for you to share Loran’s love.”

Topen didn’t immediately respond to Leanna, but scanned the pensive faces of everyone in the room, as they waited for his reply. Even though Loran knew of Topen’s desires from their bonded silvering, his hesitancy incited anxiousness within her.

“I pause, not due to uncertainty, but because I know what my answer will mean to your family,” said Topen when he finally spoke. “I would not be here with Loran tonight if I did not feel as she does.”

“While I have been lost in the grip of evil, Leanna has anticipated this day for many years,” said Gilvius. “After having my life only recently returned to me, I am proud to discover my daughter has carved her own destiny, and found true love. It is a rare thing,” he added, while looking upon
his
true love—Leanna.

Leanna felt tremendous joy for both Topen and Loran, but sadness that she had to speak her next words.

“Then, you must travel with Topen to his land. He has sacrificed much already for all of the Avileens, and his journeys are not yet complete,” said Leanna. She grasped Loran’s hands and held them close to her. “You both deserve the chance to live together, and grow old
together
.”

Loran peered into her mother’s eyes with a tearful smile, and then her father’s.

“You have always been so wise,” whispered Loran to Leanna.

“Unless you have further need of me at this time, we will leave in the morning,” announced Topen.

“Rolam is learning quickly from the magical books in the library,” said Gilvius, “and our stones are once again secure, along with an ample supply of the silvering. Do not concern yourself further; you leave us replenished in our needs.”

As they all rose from the table, Leanna hugged Loran tightly and then released her to go to Gilvius. Leanna then stepped to meet Topen. She embraced him and whispered into his ear.

“Watch over her.”

“Forever,” he assured.

Leanna knew she needed no such promise from Topen, but felt relieved at his utterance of that single word.

After Loran and Topen closed the chamber door on their exit, Leanna turned to Gilvius.

“Do you think she really understands that she will see us age rapidly with each visit, while she will be forever young to all of her family—far into the future?”

Gilvius took his wife into his arms and passed to her a reassuring smile.

“I think our daughter is as wise as her mother. After all, her best attributes, she received from you,” Gilvius proclaimed.

* * *

L
oran and Topen descended the chamber staircase, having just left Leanna and Gilvius. When they neared Loran’s chamber, she stopped and placed her hand against Topen’s chest—halting his movement as well.

“When you hesitated to answer Mother about your feelings towards me, I was surprised that I felt anxious,” said Loran.

“Please, come inside,” instructed Loran as she opened the door to her chamber.

Loran moved through her chamber and halted at her mirror near her bed.

“I do not want either of us to begin our lives with doubt,” she said, while gazing at her reflection in the mirror. “As magical beings, we actually share our feelings.”

Topen strolled over and stood with Loran.

“I wasn’t able to share with you in our brief bonded silvering, but now I can,” said Loran. “If we bond again now, we will know if there is any doubt between us.”

“Such a bonded silvering will be intense and intimate; more so than the last one—since you will share as well.”

“I certainly hope so,” Loran teased, and then stepped backwards to the mirror. She waited for Topen to approach.