Note: This is a gay themed fantasy novel about kings and magic, love and war. Although I will often allude to sexual encounters, there are no scenes of sexual acts for this is, by and large, a love story. This author claims exclusive copyright to the characters, settings, and plot.
Dark Wishes
M.C. Gordon
Part Four: Devlin
Chapter Nineteen:
The journey to Aolane took several weeks for the rain continued and the road became treacherous. All but two of the wagons were abandoned and the two carried those who had been severely injured. The horses tired after hours of plodding through deep mud and soon carried only the children.
"Something must be done to improve the roads," Devlin said to Trelaine as he led Brindle through the muck. "Packed earth is ineffective. More might have survived had their passage not been impeded by thick mud."
"I agree," Trelaine replied. "But I do not know how." The King had been withdrawn since the day he had regained consciousness.
"There must be an answer in the archives," Devlin continued. "I will ask permission to search the most ancient scrolls for any knowledge of ancient times."
"Those scrolls were never recovered," Trelaine told him. "When we are home and my people tended to, I will meet with you, Dulva, and Kuyo. Their knowledge of masonry and mathematics is strong and I will place you in charge of the project."
Devlin raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Me?" he asked, "why me?"
"Because you take an interest in alleviating a problem I had never before considered. Karandal and Fanna both aided me, each in his own way. If you are to become my lover, you will also help to administer Elanen."
Devlin was not sure he was hearing correctly. This was a side of himself the High King had not shown in four hundred years.
"I will move you and your friends from the student area to an apartment near my own. The three of you will have more privacy in which to consider the solution to this problem. Katya will be with you, and I ask that you take one, possibly two, of the other children from your hamlet."
Devlin nodded his agreement and walked in silence. Much about the King had changed in the past few days. Trelaine carried himself more regally than he had before. His eyes burned with a deeper intensity and an invisible cloak of authority had settled about his shoulders.
. . .
Trelaine himself was unsure of the cause for the sudden change in himself. His mind, whether sleeping or awake, was assailed with memories that could only be those of his one-time enemies, the ancient Qell. Yet he sensed no threat from them now, no danger to mankind. He felt curiosity and an odd peace of mind as bits and pieces of Ilafrain and Resnaron made themselves known to him. Miralen's memories he had lived with for many years and had long since put fear of them behind him, knowing that he could look back on the short time with Xoachin without the anger at his death. Such was the legacy Karandal and Fanna had given him: that death is inevitable and those who remain behind must celebrate life.
. . .
Kings Jodel of Endril and Claren of Tilben sent aid to Trelaine for his people in food and medical supplies. Jodel also sent word that Glencoe Village was available if the survivors of Blaneau Ffestein wished to settle there. It had remained uninhabited since the massacre, before Endril and Tilben had forged a treaty of everlasting peace in the time of Llewelyn and Karandal.
The fifty orphans of Caern Arvis were welcomed with open hearts and homes in Aolane. Sondred and Belen opened their home to any who wished to become part of their family and increased their children by five.
"I did not carry them to term," Sondred said, "but I deliver five at one time, per your request that I be responsible our next child."
Gelemar, with Frit's absolute love and support, found himself the father of four siblings. Dermont's wife pleaded with him until he relented and three teenaged boys joined his own two young sons in their home. Ven returned to his small cottage with two boys, ages five and nine, and a seven year old girl. Pistach, finding one three-year old boy weeping silently, looked at Shanklen and the guardsman, who found children bothersome, nodded his head in acceptance of his lover's decision.
Devlin took his cousins, Mut's two sons and daughter, to be a family with himself and his sister. Dulva and Kuyo, both of whom were courting young ladies, decided that they could handle the responsibility of a child each if the ladies would also. The apartment that was to be a place of quiet deliberation quickly became too crowded and noisy and the young men were only able to concentrate on the High King's project when the children were sent to their studies.
. . .
"The problem is this, Majesty," Dulva said. "Stone and rock would suffice but be no better in times of flood or mudslides. The ground needs to be excavated to the bedrock and several layers of material used to build roads with a hard enough surface to withstand the weather."
"And there are inclines and declines in the topography of the land to be held in consideration," Kuyo added, "as well as fact that many of the mountain passes are subject to winter snows and ice."
Trelaine studied the drawings and figures the two presented him and shook his head in dismay, unable to fathom their reasoning. His knowledge was vast, his memories growing daily, but he could make no rhyme or reason of Dulva's careful annotations or Kuyo's complicated mathematics.
"Present your proposal to the Archive masters. If they believe this to be feasible I will decree that the roads of Elanen be done according to your instructions. It is obvious that it will take many years to complete and is best that we begin as soon as possible."
Devlin presented the proposal to the Masters the following morning. After great discussion and hours of studying the scrolls outlining the results of a year spent in desperate search for a way to improve the roads, the Masters agreed that it was a remarkable solution. Receiving word, the High King immediately issued a request for men willing to perform the physical labor required. Since many of the refugees had no skills other than farming or herding, many offered their services and were sent off to begin the initial excavation of the roads nearest Aolane. Trelaine sent couriers out to the rest of his kingdom offering the same employment to any who might be interested.
. . .
As the year had passed, Trelaine often invited Devlin and the children in his care to dine or ride with him. Devlin was aware that the King was paying courtship to him, something he had not been known to do before. Devlin knew that Trelaine loved him, and he had fallen deeply in love with his king. But Devlin refused to pursue his sovereign lord. He had no intention of refusing an offer to spend his life in the heart and bed of the High King but was determined that Trelaine would have to ask.
"Can you leave the children in the care of Dulva and Kuyo for several days?" Trelaine asked one afternoon.
"Perhaps," Devlin replied, not at all sure why Trelaine asked. "They are beginning to feel more comfortable and at home now, and consider Dulva and Kuyo part of their family. One or other still has the odd nightmare now and again of the catastrophe, but if I tell them I must be away because their King requires it they will understand."
"We will be less than a seven-day," Trelaine said. "Pack a saddlebag and I will request provisions from Cook."
Devlin watched Trelaine walk toward the castle kitchen, and his right eyebrow raised itself in wonder.
Three days later Trelaine called Devlin aside and left his guard at the edge of a large copse of trees. "That which I seek lies here," he said to Devlin.
"And what might that be, Majesty?" Devlin asked.
"You know that I am not the same since the day I attempted to hold back that which it is natural for the world to do. I knew I was dying and was prepared to do so for I have lived a long and full life. But the people summoned all the magic they could touch and poured it into me openly and with great love. In their attempt, they revived the dormant Qell and now the three are alive and awake in me. Certain memories of Resnaron and Ilafrain led me to this place and I wanted you with me, for within these trees lie the graves of Frayne and Nels. It is my desire to remove them to the castle garden and place their remains near Xoachin. I ask that you agree I do so because I will not if it will jeopardize the love I believe you feel for me."
Devlin was speechless for several moments as the realization dawned that Trelaine loved him so much that he would put aside a request that could only have come from Resnaron and Ilafrain.
"My Lord," he replied, "never would I nay say you of anything your heart desired. If that ancient part of you wishes those once deeply loved to be nearer, how could I deny that? Was it not Fanna himself who believed Xoachin should be where you could spend time in quiet reflection with him? I am not, and never will be, your Consort, Sire. But if you ask, I will become your lover. And I hold the memories of all you were and are today dear to my heart. If you desire that long departed loves be in a place where you may tend their graves and feel their spirits near you, then I not only agree but also encourage you to do this."
. . .
The day after Trelaine and Devlin returned to Aolane an old woman presented herself to the castle guards and requested an audience with the High King. " `Im and the one w'at's Ticid's kin," she said.
Sondred was slightly amused at the woman's attitude for she was shabbily dressed in the muted colors of one of the forest dwellers and her dialect was one of great antiquity.
"Which of Ticid's lineage do you wish, Grandmother?" he asked. "My brother and I are both of her line. Do you seek one of us?"
"Not ye," she respond, "the young'n from Caern Arvis, but ye can stay." She felt an immediate liking for this young man who gifted her with the respected title.
Sondred sent a guard to summon Devlin and offered the crone his arm. "I will escort you to His Majesty," he told her.
Trelaine was busy overseeing the work being done in the castle garden where Frayne and Nels would soon lie when Sondred approached him.
"Majesty," Sondred said, "this lady wishes to speak with you and Devlin."
Trelaine studied the woman closely. She was indeed old, her skin akin to the bark of gnarled trees in the primordial forest. Her hair might once have been black but was now white and woven into a thousand long, slender plaits and she leaned heavily on a walking stick, her back hunched and misshapen. He took her hand graciously and led her to the place he sat when he sought the memories of those he had loved.
"Sit, Grandmother, and tell me what you desire of me."
"When t'other is here," she replied.
"She requested Devlin's presence," Sondred explained.
Devlin was but a moment behind them and filled with great curiosity. The guard had simply said that he was needed immediately. Devlin left the children to the guard's care and hastened to see what could possibly be of such importance.
"I sees `em in ye," the woman said as Devlin joined them.
"See who, Grandmother?" Trelaine asked.
"Frayne and Nels," she replied. Turning to face Trelaine she said, "I know ye be High King Trelaine. By yon wall are those ye loved. Why do ye wish to take Frayne and Nels from their blood kin?"
"What blood kin, Grandmother?" Trelaine asked. "There would have been no issue between them for no magic can gift a man of a child by another man."
Lura exhaled a deep breath and shook her head. " O course not," she replied, surprised that the King could not see the most practical of details. "When t' old Qell died, the world became a dangerous place. Frayne and Nels sought out their brothers, sisters, and their families and brought them deep in t forest for safety. Others who stood by t memory of t' Qell joined em. There be many in t' old forest w'at came from those bloodlines. We tend their graves."
"Then I will leave them where they are," Trelaine said, sadness settling into his heart. "I will not take them from others who love them as we once did."
Lura rose from her seat and strained to look the King in the eye. Turning more swiftly than her age should have allowed she caught Devlin's eyes and studied the golden orbs that gazed at her with curiosity.
"Tell me," she suddenly demanded of Devlin, "who is this High King?"
"He is Trelaine, Grandmother," Devlin replied. "He is also Miralen, Resnaron, and Ilafrain. He meant no disrespect toward the memory of Frayne Nels, but desired only that they rest near Xoachin and his own heart."
Lura closed her eyes and stood quietly. "Summon all who are kin to Ticid," she suddenly demanded and Sondred immediately reacted for the power in her voice could not be denied.
When Sondred returned he had with him his brother, Gelemar, and his twins who were held by Mercatroid. Devlin's sister and cousins were escorted by the guard who had quickly summoned another to watch over Dulva's and Kuyo's children. Ten other young children of Caern Arvis slowly joined them, hovered over by concerned adoptive parents.
"Is this all?" Lura asked.
"All that survived the destruction of the mountains," Devlin told her.
"Is enough," she said. "Know ye that Ticid was from a line begun by one of Nels's brothers and Frayne's sisters, as are myself and t' rest of t' forest grandmothers. Before their deaths, Resnaron and Ilafrain passed a part of their magic to Frayne and Nels. While they lived, they passed t' magic to each newborn child by holding it at birth. `Tis known to ye as the sight."
"Then we are also of their bloodline?" Devlin asked.
"Yes," Lurah responded. "And enough are here to be keepers of t' graves. Ye may take them, King Trelaine, for so long as one of their line lives and is loved by Qell, they will rest in peace."
Chapter Twenty
Trelaine waited one month after Frayne and Nels were laid to rest in Aolane. He could wait no longer.
The road improvements were well under way. Dulva and Kuyo had both decided it was time to marry their young ladies and would be moving to newly built cottages. The children Devlin had taken to raise were progressing well under his care and had adjusted easily to life in the castle. The King had, in fact, welcomed one frightened child into his own apartments under his care: King Narcedar's only surviving brother, Dari, who had finally been brought to Aolane.
Trelaine surmised that the time had come for him to ask Devlin to join him. They had spent much time together since the destruction of most of the Chennai Mountain range both dealing with the road project and in private. He knew that Devlin loved him and the children had indicated that they would be pleased with a union between the two of them. Indeed Katya, outspoken for a child of seven, had even asked Trelaine if he ever intended to kiss her brother.
The High King quietly made arrangements. Dulva and Kuyo were joined with Milicent and Tatia by Trelaine to the joy of everyone in the castle. He had masons remove a wall between his apartments and the one adjoining it to add to available room. Frit, who had impeccable taste, was asked to find the time to see that furnishings were acquired suitable to the needs of the young.
Katya greatly enjoyed going to the market with Frit and selecting materials for her own room since she currently shared one with her cousin Ninia. The two of them spent hours bartering with cloth and furniture merchants selecting each piece and color with great care, replying only that Frit understood shopping when Devlin asked why the two had suddenly become such close friends.
Almost everyone who lived in Aolane was privy to Trelaine's intentions and all guarded the secret well for Devlin was completely unaware of what was happening around him.
. . .
"Walk with me?" Trelaine asked Devlin one evening when the castle was quiet. "The guards will watch the children. "I need your advice regarding something I must do."
Devlin had discovered that he greatly enjoyed Trelaine's company beyond the fact that he was deeply in love with his King, more so now that the other Qell were part of him and Devlin found himself falling in love with all of them. He knew that he was being courted by Resnaron for Trelaine/Miralen waited for their lovers to seek them out and Ilafrain had never believed in courtship. That Qell Lord had always gone directly for any man he wanted.
"I would enjoy walking with you," Devlin replied.
"I often sit here," Trelaine told Devlin as they reached the castle garden and the resting places of those that all of him had loved before. "They are long gone, but their spirits linger. And I must ask their permission for something I very much wish to do.
Do you think I should?" he asked.
"I would suppose it depends on what you wish to ask them, Sire," Devlin replied.
"I wish to ask them if they would approve of a union between the two of us."
Devlin smiled. "It has taken you long enough," he said. "Ask, but I think you know that they would approve, as I think they know that I wish the same."
The distance between them was swiftly breached as Trelaine took Devlin into his arms and kissed him deeply, pouring all the love of all he was into the kiss. With Devlin's acceptance of that love, Ilafrain emerged and swept Devlin from his feet. "Then tonight we shall consummate our love," he said.
They spent the night in the long abandoned apartment Trelaine had shared with Karandal and Fanna, away from the hurried and full life of the castle. Asking once again for Frit's assistance, Trelaine had seen that the rooms were cleaned and filled with flowers from the garden. A hot bath waited and the fireplace was lit.
Toward morning, before sunrise, Trelaine rose from the bed and blew out all of the candles. "I no longer need them," he explained as he took Devlin in his arms yet again.
. . .
"Well, this took time and secrecy," Devlin said as Trelaine led him and the children to their new apartments.
"You are the only one who did not know," Katya told him. "Everyone else did, even Dulva."
"Dulva?" Devlin asked.
"It was he I asked to take charge of joining the two apartments," Trelaine responded. "His designs for this and the road project were so well done that he will soon be granted title of Master Mason. Several commissions await him from other kingdoms."
The two men joined the children as each discovered the room done for them, Frit's handiwork evident. Katya and Ninia, the only two females, were not surprised for they had each had a hand in their own choices. Ninia's brothers, Bertram and Regober, were excited as they explored their rooms which Frit had insisted have hide-a-ways and cubby holes for the myriad things that young boys tended to collect: from oddly shaped pebbles to unusual bits and pieces of nothing in particular that they found as they explored dusty parts of attic and tunnel.
Young Dari, who had thrown together his own collection of treasures before Narcedar thrust him into the arms of a ship's captain, gave Bertram and Regober each a shell from the shores of Pompeni. The boy already had his own room and Frit had offered to make suggestions for changes, but Dari was content with things as they were, happy at the knowledge that his friends would now be his brothers and he was no longer alone. Katya and Ninia were only girls who had to be tolerated.
"How can I thank you enough for the love you show the children and myself?" Devlin asked that night as he lay in Trelaine's arms.
"It is not your gratitude I seek," Trelaine replied, "only your love. Long have I wanted to hold you and show you the love I have for you. I hesitated because of who I was, and who I have become. I was unsure that you would truly accept that I am pure Qell, joined now by those I was before. It was difficult for me to put behind myself those memories of Miralen that have haunted me for centuries. I was willing to repeat his act when Karandal and Fanna were in danger. But now Resnaron and Ilafrain remind me that Frayne and Nels ..."
His words were cut short as Devlin's lips met his and the High King of ten kingdoms, King of Elanen alone by his own choice, Qell Lord, lost himself in the body and love of the descendant of an exiled child and blood of former lovers.
Chapter Twenty One:
"I shan't marry him, Dari," Katya said as she cried on his shoulder. "They will not force me to for all that they betrothed me to him when I was thirteen years old. I will not marry a man I have never met. What if he is ugly with warts on his nose and his eyes are crossed?" For ten years Katya had confided in Dari, her adopted step-brother.
"Then do not marry him," Dari advised. "Trelaine is giving me the wildlife refuge as my province and I begin my journey there within the month. Come with me and we will choose our own husbands from the inhabitants of southern Elanen."
"I do not trust you," Katya replied smiling, "for you would choose the most desirable of the men and I would have to be content with warts."
"Perhaps we would find a man who would love both of us," Dari added.
Katya laughed and swung a pillow at him. "I will not marry the man who goes to your bed," she said. "You will sap his strength and there would be nothing left of him for me."
Dari of Pompeni had arrived in Aolane the last of his family and King of a land now covered by volcanic lava and ash. He had been raised as a royal prince and the High King had promised him a province when he attained manhood. The survivors among his people who had settled in Aolane were going with him to the animal sanctuary, themselves an endangered race for they were few.
He and Katya had become unexpected friends and confidants for Katya quickly discovered that he had a good heart, a level head, and an excellent eye for young men. They were more comfortable with each other than anyone else for they could be themselves when they were together.
"When is he coming?" Dari finally asked.
"He is to arrive tomorrow with his parents and one of the princes of Endril who was fostered at Enworthy."
"Katya," Dari finally said, taking her hands and forcing her to look at him, "perhaps he is not so bad.
Trelaine and Devlin would not choose a man who would not be good to you. He is descended from Karandal's sister, Selmaris."
"I know," she sighed, "but these are modern times and a girl should be allowed to choose her own husband even if she is both the King's step-daughter and step-sister."
. . .
"I do not understand her," Devlin said to Trelaine after Katya had announced her refusal to even meet young Frieden. "We have only her future happiness in mind and Frieden is a good choice for a girl who could once expect nothing more than a goatherder as a husband."
"The fault is mine," Trelaine responded. "I encouraged her independent spirit. I will not force the issue if she truly does not like him, but I will insist that she at least meet him out of courtesy and respect for his family."
So it was that Katya found herself standing on the steps leading to the entrance of the castle when her betrothed arrived with his family and entourage. For all of her refusals the day before, she understood her duty and had agreed to at least meet and spend a little time with him. Dari stood by her side in friendship and support.
"Oh, my dear, he is absolutely ravishing!" he remarked as the visitors dismounted. "If you are not interested, give me permission to whisk him away for hours of lascivious pleasure."
"Which do you mean?" she asked for she found herself looking at two very tall, handsome men barely in their twenties.
"That one," Dari said as he indicated the shorter of the two, an aristocratic looking blonde with cobalt blue eyes. Short and sturdy with curling black hair, Dari had always been attracted to blondes.
Trelaine indicated that he wanted her presence and Katya went to stand beside him. She had asked her maids to do their best to make her presentable for her usual choice was to wear her hair pulled back and loose fitting garments. Her light brown hair had been properly curled and tucked behind her ears, falling forward across her shoulders and framing her round face. Her deep rose dress added a hint of color to her face and brought out her light grey eyes.
"Allow me to present Katya," the High King said. "Katya, these are Duke Mihal and Dutchess Auren of Enworthy and their son Frieden."
Katya curtsied and whispered, "Honored," before she actually looked at Frieden. Her body froze and her heart stopped beating as bent his head to acknowledge her and gallantly kissed the back of her hand. He smiled and she saw perfect teeth and kindness in his dark green eyes.
"I am most pleased to finally make your acquaintance, Lady Katya," he said, passing his left hand through his dark brown hair. "Allow me to present my foster-brother, Prince Non, who comes with us from Endril to represent King Jodel on this occasion."
Non also bowed and kissed her hand and Katya noticed Dari inching closer. "It is an honor to meet all of you," she said. "Allow me the pleasure of introducing King Trelaine's adopted son, Dari."
Trelaine later wondered how Dari managed to keep his composure when introduced to Non because the lad had almost whimpered as Non shook his hand.
"What do you think?" Devlin asked him that night when the household was asleep and they were relaxing after making love. "Did we do the right thing for the children?"
"I think Katya and Frieden will soon realize that the match is perfect for both of them," Trelaine replied. "Did you see the look on Dari's face? I had not thought to match-make for him but when Jodel asked me if I could find a mate for Non, none but Dari came to mind. Dari is a king by bloodline and should have a prince as his lover."
"But you have never taken a prince as a lover," Devlin said.
"I was never raised as a prince in a royal household," Trelaine replied. "I was never a child. For these who have become my children I wanted to find those who will love and honor them. Dari is a king without a kingdom and he will never sire an heir. He is still due the honor of a royal consort, befitting of his heritage."
. . .
A picnic was planned for the next day and all of their closest friends were invited: Sondred and Belen, Frit and Gelemar, Dermont and his wife, Dulva and Kuyo. The castle garden was too small to accommodate the number so Trelaine arranged for it to be held in a small forest surrounding a meadow to the east of the fortress. Many of the children were of an age to be married or betrothed and the parents watched to see who would be most suitable to whom and decide if they should look elsewhere.
Katya sat on a blanket and listened to Frieden plead his case with her. He was as intelligent as he was handsome and whispered to her that he would never choose who his sons or daughters would marry. They lived in a modern world that now had reliable roads and aqueducts to bring the melting mountain snows to parched lands. As the youngest son he had no inheritance in Enworthy and hoped to find a position where he could be instrumental in helping to increase the output of crops to feed the growing populations, for all of the kingdoms faced the same concern.
They were interrupted when Trelaine walked to them and asked, "Have you seen Dari?"
"I believe I saw him heading in that direction," Frieden answered and indicated some oak trees.
Trelaine expressed his thanks and went in search of his adopted son for he wanted to make the formal announcement that the animal sanctuary was to be given to him. He quickly revised that plan when he saw Dari against an aging oak, Non's body pressed against him and the two engaged in a passionate kiss.
"This much is settled then," he thought. "Non will not return to Endril."
To be continued.
Comments to quasito_cat@hotmail.com