Crown of Renewal(62)

“And the Lady had taught you how to do whatever it is?”

“No,” Kieri said. “My mother wished me to have the elvenhome talent, and the Lady—did not. They quarreled, over that and other things. I discovered the talent last summer in the very place my mother died and I was taken.”

“You found that place?”

“Yes, by accident or the gods’ design.” Kieri took another pastry; he was suddenly ravenous. Through a mouthful, he said, “You did know that Arian’s father was a western elf, and his father the elf-lord somewhere near Kolobia?”

“No!” Paks stared. “I knew such an elf had come to the Marshal-General and ordered her to remove the enchanted magelords from the hall there, but she did not know how. The iynisin who captured me had once been captive in solid rock, but the elf told the Marshal-General they escaped because of the magelords coming to Kolobia, mostly Luap. When whoever enchanted the magelords was done, the elves thought the chamber sealed—but it opened again when the expedition I was on went there to search for the place. We were able to use the elven transfer patterns, and that let the iynisin free again.” She stopped for a moment, her brow furrowed. “Do you mean the elf who came to the Marshal-General is actually Queen Arian’s grandfather?”

“Yes. There’s a very long, tangled tale involving my grandmother and her grandfather—not a tale to tell on a happy occasion, as there was no happy outcome. But he came to me and told me that I am the one who must remove the magelords, supposedly because the elves can tell that the magery used to enchant them contained elven, magelord, and Old Human components. How I am to do that, I have no idea. I’d studied elven magery before the Lady was killed, and Dorrin Verrakai has agreed I have some magelord talent, but … I don’t even know what spells were used.” He shook his head, running his hands through his hair. “Arian’s grandfather—privately we call him Grandda Elf, though I suspect he would not like that—agreed I should not do any great magicks around her while she was expecting or while they were too young. He did not define ‘too young,’ and I hope he doesn’t come back for years and gives us some peace.”

“But more and more iynisin are emerging,” Paks said. “Something must be done.”

“We had them here; that’s how the Lady died,” Kieri said, nodding. “I agree it’s important to do something, but first I must learn how. Without endangering Arian or the babies. And while doing everything else I need to do as king of Lyonya.”

“When I was a girl in Three Firs—” Paks began.

Kieri interrupted. “Have you ever gone back to see your family, Paks? I know you wanted to.”

“I did want to. Sometimes now I want to. But … I don’t know why, but I know I mustn’t go until I’m told to go.” She looked sad for a moment, then brightened. “It’s for their safety, I think. My being there would bring trouble to them.”

“You started to say something else,” Kieri said.

“Oh. Yes. Well, when I was a girl in Three Firs and heard the old tales about kings and queens and elves and witches and such things, I thought kings sat on a golden throne and did nothing all day but give orders.”

“What did you think of that?”

“It sounded boring. Sit all day and tell people what to do? I would rather do things myself. You do, don’t you?”

“Indeed. Ride, fence in the salle, hold Council with the Siers … though that is sitting and talking, I admit.”

“Sir king?” That was one of the Queen’s Squires at the door.

“Yes—is Arian all right?”

“Oh, yes. She wants you to bring the guest up to see the babies.”

Paks greeted Arian and looked closely at the two sleeping babies. “They’re twins, but they’re not alike.”

“No. The dark-haired one’s the boy. We named him Falkieri, for Kieri’s father, and Dameroth, for my father. The girl’s name is Estil for Estil Halveric and Merrandlyn for my mother and Kieri’s—the names combine well.”

“Will they have Kieri’s talent?”

“Perhaps,” Arian said. “We hope so.”

“Though I don’t think the western elves have that hope,” Kieri said. “Perhaps they’ll get used to it.” He touched Arian’s cheek. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“That’s what everyone says. And I’m wide awake. The midwife and Estil Halveric tiptoed away thinking I was asleep … but I’m not.” She looked at Paks. “Did you come just to see the babies?”