~* The waters of the seas

           Are troubled as by storm.

    The tempest strips the trees

           And does not leave them warm. *

                           - C.H. Sorely

* * * * * * * * * *

“I’m beginning to be rather glad I bumped into you after all,” Caleth smirked, as Leia emerged through the end of the maze and he stumbled out behind her.

“Yes, you would have been lost to the world, trapped in the Illyria labyrinth like the fearsome Minotaur, until Theseus came to slay you and rescue the fair maiden. Except here we have a distinct lack of fair maidens trapped in the maze,” she retorted.

He looked affronted. “Who says I couldn’t be the fair maiden? I would much rather be rescued than slain, thank you.”

Leia laughed. “Well then, come along, my fair damsel, for your dreams have come true and you have been rescued. My family should be waiting in the Hall.”

He threw her a sidelong glance. “Alright, but don’t think I won’t have questions for you later. And I’m expecting answers.”

To this, Leia just shrugged, warding off his scrutiny for the time being, and leading them back towards the house. They didn’t travel the way she had come before – after all, she had used the kitchen, and to bring the Prince of Myaengaer into Illyria Manor through the kitchen would be universally frowned upon.

And unhelpful in shaking my less-than-ladylike reputation, she thought dryly. Most of the villagers were friendly, warm souls but Amareth, like any other village, had its share of traditionalists.

These types felt that it was rather inappropriate for a young lady of any rank to learn academics, literature and politics, or to run wild in the “enchanted forest.” Their eyebrows raised and noses crinkled further when they talked of the magic associated with the family.

Leia, however, didn’t care a fig what they thought. She was as comfortable in the depths of the forest as at a formal dining table, thanks to her strict etiquette training, and she was sure that her family would be the perfect hosts for this royal entourage.

“Your manor is very beautiful,” commented Caleth, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them as they walked.

Leia felt a swell of pride bubble into her chest. To her, there could be nothing more enchanting or comfortable than her rambling home. She smiled as she placed her hand on the rough, grey stone of the nearby wall, tendrils of the lush ivy that had slowly crept down it tickling her fingers.

“There couldn’t be a more special place in any land to me. I love everything about it here.”

“In that case, I must arrange a tour. You wouldn’t happen to work here, would you?”

Leia laughed, thinking of how he had mistaken her for a servant at first.

"I think I can help you. I’m in very close with the family.” She sent him a cheeky wink.

Caleth broke into a sudden, sincere grin, and Leia had the distinct impression that this was a rare expression on a too-often-serious face. It was quite like the sunlight bursting through the dark clouds and warming everything it fell upon, and Leia found that she was rather fond of the way his eyes crinkled around the corners and lit up from within. She smiled back, suddenly a little shy. This surprised her, since she had always been self-assured and spirited, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

She didn’t have to worry about making a reply, however, because just then they were approached by a somewhat breathless-sounding man in the uniform of the Royal Guard. He looked relieved as he called out to Caleth.

 “Your Majesty, there you are!” Leia recognized the voice that had sought out Caleth while they were in the maze. “Thank god man, we were thinking of sending out a search party. The Illyria are all waiting for you so you’d better make an appearance soon.” His manner was respectful, but his words and the twinkle in his eyes were humorous, and implied a daring that came from friendship.

“Ah, Ethain. I don’t think that’s any way to speak to your Prince now, is it?” Caleth raised his eyebrow with a smirk tilting on the corners of his lips and a matching twinkle in his eyes, as Ethain caught sight of Leia and flushed slightly. Caleth’s smirk deepened. Leia noted that he had managed to smoothly distract from any questions as to what he had been doing.

“Quite right, Your Highness. I do beg your pardon.” Ethain bowed to both Caleth and Leia, but she thought she could still detect a vein of friendly amusement beneath his formality.

Caleth chuckled, dropping the act and clapping a hand on the other man’s shoulder.

“Ethain, my friend, this is Lady Leia Illyria, Duchess of Amareth, who has kindly consented to take us to her family. Lady Leia, this is Ethain Colthair, Knight of the Royal Guard and my second-in-command.”

Leia gave Ethain a warm smile and curtseyed prettily, extending him her hand. He clasped it in his own and bowed deeply over it.

“The pleasure is all mine, my lady,” he said suavely, his eyes flitting up to meet hers with a cheeky grin.

“You flatter me, good knight,” Leia answered demurely, yet with an equally cheeky grin.

Caleth stepped forward brusquely.

“Well, since we’re done introductions, we’d better not keep your family waiting any longer, my lady,” he declared rather shortly, and started off abruptly towards the house. He took a few brisk steps before coming to a halt, seemingly realizing that only Leia knew where they were going.

He turned back to face Leia and Ethain, who had dropped her hand.

“Lady Leia, if you would be so kind?” He motioned for Leia to go ahead of him. She shot him an amused look over his suddenly darkened mood.

“Of course, Your Highness. Right this way.” As they walked towards the house once more, a sudden stab of fear rippled through her with the realization that Nyx and Eos had been near them when they left the maze. She glanced back behind her casually, trying not to catch Ethain’s attention. They were nowhere to be found.

 She breathed a silent sigh of relief. Of course they had had the sense to vanish in their curious Phantasii way, but she felt that they weren’t far off. She reached out with her mind.

 Nyx? Eos? Are you nearby?

She noticed Caleth glance her way sharply, and she remembered with a jolt that he was privy to their link. Since there wasn’t much she could do about it, she ignored him for now. She felt a reassuring buzz that brought with it the answer.

We’re keeping watch out of sight, came Nyx’s smooth tone.

Yeah, I don’t like the way that smarmy one is looking at you, Leia. Can I eat him? Eos asked eagerly.

Leia chuckled softly, but Nyx cut back in before she could answer.

Shut up, Eos, you idiot.

Good thinking on disappearing. Thanks for watching out, but I think I should be just fine. And no, Eos, you can’t eat anyone, but I bet Cook might have something in the kitchen if you head over there once we’ve gone inside, Leia answered.

Oh boy-

Are you sure you don’t need us? Nyx interrupted over Eos’s exclamation.

I’m sure.

Well then, I suppose we could make our way to the kitchen.

Nyx’s voice dripped with dignity, but Leia was sure the panther was secretly just as excited as her exuberant brother at the thought of what Cook might have to offer.

Satisfied, she turned her attention back to the men she accompanied. Ethain seemed unaware of her mental distraction, but when her eyes met Caleth’s, he gave her a subtle nod of approval.

They had now reached the entrance to the manor house, and Leia pushed open the ornately carved doors, admiring as always the intricate patterns etched like wisps of smoke into the oak. The handle to the door was actually a panel in the shape of a tree, fitted snugly amongst the carvings. To open it, Leia had run her finger smoothly down the trunk and pressed the hollow set into its center. It was a good thing that the butler was almost always on hand to receive guests, because it nearly invariably stupefied newcomers.

Stetson, the butler, was standing patiently on the other side. He bowed as the group approached.

“The warmest of welcomes, Your Highness, to Illyria Manor. We hope your stay here will be most enjoyable. My lady,” he turned to Leia with his customary twinkle, “they are waiting in the Great Hall.”

“Thank you Stetson, we will join them now,” Leia smiled at the kind elderly butler.

“Very good, my lady.” He bowed again to Caleth and Ethain, who smiled and returned the gesture, before heading off down the corridor behind Leia.

They soon reached the more simply carved doors of the Hall. Leia pushed them open and as they entered, she felt a tingle rush up her spine with the anticipation of discovering just why Caleth was there.

* * * * * * * *

The Great Hall astounded most who had never seen it before with its sheer size and grandness. In fact, several guests had privately reflected that it was almost impossible that such open space was contained in the center of the manor house, but that it must simply be an illusion – a trick of the eyes and the mind. This would settle their own minds, and they would move on from pondering their dilemma to enjoying their surroundings.

Rich wooden panels gleamed along every wall, covered now and then with splendidly embroidered tapestries and beautifully wrought light fixtures. The floor was a softer, paler wood, which was surprisingly and pleasantly springy to the step and was also covered here and there with lush woven rugs. In the center of one wall there was an enormous open stone fireplace, with a carved phoenix rising over its mouth.

Although this was an impressive feature, it was the wall directly opposite the entrance to the hall that, once noticed, captured the attention and held it transfixed.

A magnificent carved tree snaked its way from floor to ceiling, seeming to undulate over the panels it was set on. It was crafted from some kind of luminescent wood which appeared, puzzlingly, to glow softly from within, accentuating every etched detail of its trunk and winding branches. The leaves were made out of amber and emerald stones, cast into the wood, which gleamed in the glow of the fireplace, somehow giving off the impression that they were dancing in an imperceptible wind.

The entire effect was wholly and altogether spellbinding - even for Leia, who still often gazed at it, mesmerized in its lustrous embrace.

She broke her eyes away and glanced at the two men. With another swell of pride, she noticed that they were both staring admiringly across from them.

When she looked closer, however, she saw that while Ethain merely looked a little stunned and largely impressed, Caleth stood rigid, unwaveringly locked on the tree. He looked truly transfixed, and completely inaccessible, the light in his eyes shining from far away.

Intrigued, but a little alarmed, she reached out and hesitantly placed her hand on his arm. He jumped at her touch, as if jolted back into the moment.

“That’s Petraeai, the Illyria oak. It’s our emblem, and we like to think of it as our ancestral protector,” she explained softly to Caleth and, to a lesser extent, Ethain.

“It’s rather splendid,” Ethain smiled.

“It’s very powerful,” murmured Caleth, his eyes finally flicking back to meet Leia’s. They held hers for what felt like a very long moment, until a voice from across the hall broke it.

“Prince Caleth, what a welcome surprise,” called the Grand Duke. Leia saw her family gathered near the roaring fire, where plush armchairs sat invitingly next to the flickering flames. She also noted that the rest of the Royal Guard had made their way in, and she counted about a dozen or so men assembled with her family.

“I see Leia has shown you to us,” Gwyneth remarked as the trio joined the party.

He knows, Leia sent to her mother mentally, aware that she would read the thought. Gwyneth gave her an understanding look, which Leia knew meant they would talk later, before continuing. “It’s been so very long since we’ve seen you. What a fine young man you’ve grown into! And how is your family? We have missed them very much over the years.”

Caleth smiled, all traces of his trance vanished. “They are all doing wonderfully, thank you, Lady Gwyneth. My parents are managing as ever and thankfully there has been this steady peace to keep us relatively untroubled. Calia has finished her tutelage, and has taken up archery quite seriously. She is rather marvellous at it.”

“Ah yes,” beamed Darius, “we did hear the announcement about her. Please accept our congratulations; what a wonderful addition to the family.”

“Thank you, Lord Darius. I’ll make sure to share that,” smiled Caleth once more.

Leia snapped to attention at this. Calia? Who is Calia? Caleth hadn’t ever mentioned her. Leia found herself suddenly and strangely irked as she considered this and wondered just who this mysterious girl was to him. Nobody seemed likely to explain, as the topic changed to reintroductions for Caleth, Rosai and Elias, and she felt that it would be somewhat inappropriate to interrupt and ask. She would have to find out later, somehow.

As she tuned back into the conversation, it seemed that it had finally settled upon the reason for Caleth’s visit. She perked up.

“As lovely as it is to see your family again, I’m sure you’re wondering why we are here now.” Leia smiled at his directness. Her family would appreciate that. He went on. “A short time ago, my father’s guard captured a rider moving fast on the road to Amareth.”

“A rider?” interrupted Elias in his usual slightly impetuous manner. “What kind of rider? Why was he captured?”

“I’m sure Caleth is going to answer those questions, darling,” said Gwyneth, gently but reproachfully. Elias stepped back and grinned sheepishly, indicating for Caleth to go on.

“As of the time I left, we hadn’t discovered his motives or intentions fully, but what they found on him convinced my father that I needed to leave to come to you immediately. On the rider’s cloak, they found the insignia of the Shadow Army.”

Leia’s sharp intake of breath was echoed from her surrounding family. Gwyneth and Darius stiffened, and glanced meaningfully at each other.

“Until we find out more about this rider, we don’t know that it is anything more than a rogue lunatic, or that it is anything to be seriously alarmed about. However, my father has been hearing rather ominous stories of new activity over the Baroume Mountains, and the odd whisper that Heolstor has been resurrected. You know better than I that that, if true, would be seriously disturbing. He thought that you should know first, since the rider seemed to be heading your way.”

He let this new information sink in, and a loaded silence filled the empty space, which suddenly seemed enormous.

Then, suddenly, her mother broke the silence.

“Leia, Rosai and Elias, why don’t you take Caleth and his party on a tour of the manor?”

Her head whirled, and she wasn’t sure what to think about first. Why on Earth would her mother bring up a tour now? They were being dismissed, that was for sure, but Leia wanted to be part of the conversation. Her mind flew again to Caleth’s revelation. Heolstor? The fabled leader of evil, back and possibly restarting his machine of war? It was unthinkable; impossible; terrifying. Myaengaer had grown accustomed to only minor border disputes with Cornwall, in the two hundred years since his defeat, and she wondered if Myaengaer and Dumnonia would even be ready to react, should this threat turn out to be real.