Diandra kept talking, and when she was finished, Seerim started.
Diandra translated.
“There will be uprisings. This is only the beginning. The Horde has been warned and they are aware. It will not be this easy. What it will be, eventually, is the legacy of the Golden Dynasty.”
“Don’t doubt that,” Noc replied.
Diandra translated what Noc had said then shared her own words, “It helps matters, I’m certain, that all the rulers of the Northlands have declared their alliance with this new creed and will block trade with merchants from Korwahk who won’t follow it. Rulers who have also vowed they’re prepared to ride with the Horde for those who take up weapons in an effort to defy it.”
In other words, Queen Aurora (with the support of Frey and Apollo, no doubt), Prince Noctorno, King Ludlum and whoever was ruling Fleuridia now (I was out of the loop, I’d heard there was a coup in the last conversation I’d had with Cora through my crystal ball, but it was no longer my world so I didn’t pay it much mind) were on board with Lahn’s decree.
“Not bad backup,” Noc muttered.
Diandra nodded.
Sheena said something and Diandra looked toward the thrones before saying to us, “Our Dax and Dahksahna wish our presence.”
I looked to the thrones too and saw now that the king and his queen had been reunited with their family.
Thus Circe was waving us her way even as she seemed to be attempting to control a very active Ashur in her arms (this effort failing as she was also holding her chalice of wine and the child very much wanted to launch itself at the white tiger, who was engaged in the activity of licking the baby’s leg).
This was happening while Lahn had his dark-haired toddler Tunahn riding his broad shoulders, the boy looking to the expanse before him like he already ruled the people milling about in it.
But his golden-haired daughter, Isis, had plastered her front to her father’s massive chest, blurring his paint, which was now smudging her golden garments, and giggling while she pulled at his beard.
Lahn felt no need to appear kingly with his daughter pressed to him, pulling at his beard. He’d just wrapped his strapping forearm under her bum, held her to him, and smiled wide into her beautiful little face.
“Time to attend the king and queen,” Noc said in my ear, putting a hand to the small of my back and starting us that way.
He was right, of course.
In a way.
But really, it was time to be with our friends and celebrate a momentous occasion.
The first new creed as proclaimed by The Golden Dynasty.
I took a sip from my cup as I moved, and thought, May it be one of many.
* * * * *
Fleuridia
I plucked a piece of lavender as I ambled down the lane beside Maddie.
I’d asked for this stroll.
Now I didn’t know how to go about the business of why I’d done that.
During our visit to my world, Noc wanted to see everyone, including Apollo and Maddie.
I’d said no words against it, even if I felt no small amount of concern that I knew Noc would be welcomed, but I likely wouldn’t.
This did not occur. Both Apollo and his Maddie were very cordial with me.
Cordial.
Not friendly.
It was clear they most enjoyed seeing Noc.
But they were very poor at hiding they were not the same with me.
Apollo was formal and terse, if not outwardly unwelcoming.
Maddie was hesitant and watchful.
We were only staying but days before being spirited to Bellebryn as arranged (and paid for) with Valentine, and I had thought to simply get through it and then move on with our holiday.
What I didn’t factor was the fact that Noc was as he was.
Highly perceptive.
At first, he seemed keen on the course of attempting, with his good humor and easy manner, to sweep away the awkwardness.
When this didn’t occur, and regardless that I tried to hide my discomfort, he started to get frustrated.
Then angry.
I feared he’d demand words with Apollo, and before he did something like that, altering a relationship I knew they both enjoyed in a way they would cease doing that, something had to be done.
And I had to do it.
Thus I’d asked Maddie on this stroll.
And I couldn’t begin to know how to sort through the matter at hand.
I just knew I must.
For Noc.
And, to be quite truthful, for Maddie.
I stopped, twirling the stem of lavender in my fingers, and called quietly, “Lady Madeleine.”
She stopped too, having walked on several strides, and turned back to me.
I decided to face it head on.
“When I said what I said to you at Brunskar, I know my words harmed you,” I declared.
“Franka,” she said my name uneasily.
“This has been made very clear to me,” I shared.
She seemed at a loss before she replied, “Things were very…emotional at the time.”
“They were indeed,” I agreed. “This does not erase the harm that I’d done.”
She took a step toward me, saying again, “Franka.”
“Those I care about, who care about me, call me Frannie.”
She stopped and stared.
“Even if I would never speak it aloud, until now, I’ve always admired Apollo for many reasons. His service to my country is one. Another is the love he has for his family.”
She looked to be fighting turning her gaze away and she won, holding mine steady but saying nothing.
“This man I’ve long respected, it’s good to see him again happy,” I declared.
A startled warmth moved through her gaze as she took the last step toward me, reaching out to wrap her fingers around mine.