“It's just rang seven bells, Your Majesties. Would you like your breakfast now?"
I was still too groggy, so May answered, “Yes, Waldinor. The Prince will surely have his usual. I'll have a biscuit with lemon curd, an orange, and some green tea."
“Extra coffee," I mumbled.
“And extra coffee for the Prince, if you please."
“Yes, Ma'am!"
He clomped back down the stairs and I sat up with my back against the headboard.
“I think I actually slept well. I was just dreaming too much about you and tonight."
“Come on, Dear. Let's get dressed. We've all day to agonize over what's coming. No need in getting a head start.”
"I'm sorry, My Love. I just want it to be over. You know you're much stronger dealing with these things than I am.”
"And yet it's me facing his blade. I quite often don't understand you Tendil. I want to. I think Elves and Humans are just put together differently.”
"No. There are plenty of Humans like you in that regard. Fearless, cold, steady, unemotional. Before you say anything, I don't mean it like that. You can turn it on and off. That's something most Humans can't do. You have a true dual nature.”
"That's from our many hours of meditation, Dearest. We learn what to hold and what to let go.
You know, there's a thought. Maybe you can get together with the Abbot and learn a few meditation techniques. Learn how to take at least a little control of your mind. It runs wild as it is. Not that that's always a bad thing. You think on your feet and react very well.”
"Thank you, Love. I don't get too many compliments like that. I'm usually made to feel like a dullard."
“That's me trying to be funny and you being too sensitive, My Heart. The very air that I breathe. My soul companion, lover, mate." And she began snickering at her own humor as she was wont to do.
“Well, the good thing for me is that I can feel your love emanating from your heart. I'll know it if that ever stops.”
"That's terribly creepy, Dear.” She laughed, kissed me deeply, and sprang out of bed to get dressed — as I must do. What to wear to a duel. I guess my armor, just as if I was going to battle.
We took our breakfast on the veranda that morning. The air was already warm and sticky but there was a light breeze coming out of the West that offered a little relief.
"Why are we out here, Darling?”
"I don't want it to sound fatalistic, but I just felt like taking in my subjects this morning. It could be my last time.”
“For the love of élois, May! Don't talk like that!"
“I should hide my feelings then? Lie to you?"
“What? No. No, I'm sorry, My Love. I'm just so terrified of losing you. I'm neglecting to consider how you feel. Don't ever lie or hide your feelings from me. Please."
“I need to have my armor polished and my sword sharpened today. I think I shall wear a helmet tonight as well. I know he'll have his.
That's one area in which the evil have a decided advantage over us. They can wear armor that seems much more menacing, like his helmet with the horns and the copper armor. Mine can be decorative but in a pretty way. It's not very threatening.”
"Maybe he has a wisteria allergy and it will unleash some horrid childhood memories of runny noses and itchy eyes.”
She rolled her eyes. “Have Waldinor fetch my armor and sword and take them to the smith. Tell them to make it quick. I want them back no later than two bells.”
"Yes, Dear. No, wait, I'll take them down. Waldinor would need the help of two other valets to carry all of that. I'll be back shortly.”
I had a little trick up my sleeve for my warrior queen. When I found Old Joakin I told him the standard — clean, shine and oil the armor, sharpen her enormous blade, and make something very special as fast as possible.
Joakin already had pieces in stock that could be assembled for what I wanted, a visored bascinet. He already had her head measurements. She already had a nice helmet as a matter of fact. But we were adding wings — beautiful raven-style wings made of silver to adorn the thing. A good Paladin needn't be a plain Paladin. She would steal Shardish’s, “Wrath's,” thunder this evening, giving her an intimidation factor like his armor gave him.
I also enquired as to any magical armor or elements he might have. She already had the ogre gauntlets, but I was looking for any edge I could give her.
“I may have just the thing, Your Majesty. A rare artifact that will cost you dearly but may offer an insurmountable advantage to its wearer."
He disappeared to a curtained room in the back of the shop and emerged several minutes later with a small mahogany box with golden hinges and lock.
Opening the thing, he exposed a fantastic amethyst brooch in a platinum setting of ivy wrapped around the gem. The thing was the size of a royal.
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“This is the Purple Sun of Phelimir. It's a brooch made to be worn on an article of clothing, but I can affix it to Queen May's armor without difficulty. The thing is ancient. Over 1,500 years old. It belonged to the brother of King Hembrick’s father — May’s great uncle I believe."
“What does the thing do, Joakin? Its provenance is interesting but I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Yes, Your Majesty, apologies. It creates a thing called a around its wearer. A sort of anti-magic field that can help its wearer avoid the effects of certain magics. It allows its wearer better concentration and focus, increasing the effectiveness of their strikes, and, when its wearer is wounded, it makes the wounds begin to heal themselves with unnatural speed. Truly it's a great treasure. Since it's for May, I won't charge you. She likely should have gained it by inheritance anyway.”
"And how did you come by it, Joakin?”
"The great uncle's son, a cousin of May's, had many problems with gambling, drugs, and drink. He sold it to me at one of his lower points to pay off a courtesan. I'm ashamed to have taken advantage of the situation, but someone was going to. Better me than the Syndicate.”
“I'm not here to judge you, Good Sir. Anything that will help my wife in battle is welcome, no matter its origins. I greatly appreciate your help.
Now, I need all of this taken care of and then delivered by two bells. I know that's a huge demand, but this must take precedence over anything else you're doing, understood?"
“That won't be a problem, My Prince. Everything will be exactly as you wish it to be. Your wife is my queen. That's all need be said.”
When I got back to the rooms, May was not there.
"Waldinor, where is the Queen?”
"Soon after you left, Your Majesty, she said she was going to the chapel to be alone with élois for a time. She said she wouldn't be long.”
Ah, that made sense. She would be seeking guidance for the duel this evening. Whether she would merely be communing with the spirit of the god or actually meeting with him I didn't know. And I didn't know if it mattered.
I went back out on the veranda to watch the world of the Gray Elves below, going about their daily routines. None of them knew anything about what was going on. They were blissfully ignorant of the fact that their world hung in the balance — that their monarch would be facing death squarely in the face in a matter of hours.
They could perhaps feel something amiss, something slightly out of phase. But they wouldn't properly attribute it to the influence of the Black King or Carca. They would wonder if there weren't some bad weather coming despite the hot, sunny skies, or wonder if their breakfasts weren't digesting properly.
When May came back, she said that she had indeed sat with the god for a time. He had given her his blessing and she gave off a barely tangible shimmering glow. That might be as powerful as the broach I had obtained for her.
“It's terrible talking with him, Dear. Every few moments he would wince in pain or be momentarily distracted. He's still battling the Black King. Only a fraction of him was here with me. But he understood the importance of the battle I face this evening and wanted to help how he could.”
“We could have worse allies. Do you think the Black King or Carca do the same for their Pretenders?"
“I'm certain they do, My Prince. But it's not given in the spirit with which élois gives it. It comes from a dark place."
“Do you really believe that makes such a difference, My Queen? I mean, in the grand scheme, isn't all magic equal?"
“Maybe, Love. I really can't say. But that's what faith is — not knowing but still believing. I choose to believe because it makes the world make better sense to me."
“Well, now that I've met gods and now that I, myself, am a god, I have no reason to doubt anymore do I?"
She offered me the most beautiful smile.
"No, Love. You don't. You know there are many things greater than you, than this world, our plane. Those things work differently than that to which we are accustomed. I don't pretend to understand it. I just have to take the word of those that say that they do. People like Father Vastila and Mother Felistia.
Speaking of them, we should start getting ready. Their Ascension will be at noon.”
The Ascension of the Holies went off precisely as planned. Once completed, Janiver took the two of them to stretch their legs a little on the Ethereal Plane and May and I went back to our rooms.
When we arrived, we saw that Joakin had already delivered several packages containing May's armor. While May began unpacking her things, I sent Waldinor for some cheese, bread, fruit, and tea.
I had already spotted the box that held the Royal Helmet and put it to the side so that she would open it last.
“Darling, there's been a large amethyst brooch added to my breastplate. Do you know about that?"
"Yes, Dear, that's the one and only Purple Sun of Phelimir, an artifact that belonged to a great uncle of yours.”
"And what exactly does this Purple Sun thing do?”
"Well, let's see. It gives you some mild magical resistance, greatly improves your focus, and helps wounds to heal much quicker than normal. I won't go into how Joakin had it. It's beautiful though, isn't it?”
"Yes it is. And it fits together so well with the wisteria motif. What of that last box over there that you've been keeping out of my reach?”
"That's your new helmet, May. Try it on.”
"But I didn't order a new helmet.”
"No, but I did. Just try it on. If you don't like it, I'll go back and get your old one.”
As she opened the box, her eyes grew as big as saucers. Joakin had done a masterful job on the wings. They were as large as a raven's and finely detailed. He must have had all of his workers on that one project to have the helmet ready in time.
As she held the thing, running her fingers across the details of the feathers on the wings, she began to cry.
“Oh, Love, have I done something to hurt you? I'll take it back and get your old one immediately."
“No, you silly man. I'm crying because it's perfect. I think this is the most thoughtful gift I've ever received. It just makes me so happy, my emotions boil over."
“Well there will be more than one well-dressed Paladin at the Daggers this evening. I couldn't have you going out there being envious of that villain.”
"Oh, Tendil. Honestly, this is the best present ever.”
"Well, try it on, Love. Let's see how it looks.”
She went to the full length mirror and put the thing on her head. It was lined with wool stuffed soft leather, making it as functional as it was pretty.
"Oh my!” Her muffled voice came from the helmet's visor. "Darling, it looks incredible. This is absolutely perfect. It's as menacing as it is beautiful.”
"We only have a few hours before sundown, Darling. What's your usual routine before something like this?”
Taking off her helmet, she answered "I don't have a routine, Love. This is my first duel. People don't challenge royalty to duels. It's considered poor form.”
"I was only a little worried before, but now you tell me you've never dueled? Well what are you supposed to do?”
"I'm not sure, to be honest. I mean, I've fought in battles, but that's been from horseback. I think you've seen most of the times I've fought dismounted.”
"Should you be sparring or something?”
"No, Love. I should be with you. Right now my one desire is to lay next to you in bed and listen to you breathe. That will remind me why I fight this evening.
But no fooling around. Making love to you would make my body too relaxed when it's needed against Shardish. I need to be wound tight like a spring when we two meet.”
"Whatever you wish, My Queen. You know what you need. I'm just anxious.”
"That's a negative energy. Just love me for a few hours. Give me your positive energy, okay?”
"I can do that.”