DarkDwellers
created wondrous glass in the fires of Darkside’s volcanoes. The process, a
closely guarded secret, gave the crystal a luminescent sheen, which their
artisans then cut through to create fantastic designs.
“Yes.” With a lifted brow, I served myself wine.
“There are many advantages to an alliance with Darkside, and
Lord Storne’s reputation precedes him.”
“Mighty in battle and all of that?”
Geoman tapped his goblet against mine. The crystal rang, a
merry chime. “Your good health, beloved Queen.”
“Thank you. And to yours.”
“Apparently Darkside’s king is elderly, and not only did his
son, Prince Storne, lead his clan’s battles but conducted the complex diplomacy
that pacified many DarkDweller clans. Most saw the advantages of peace.”
“After Storne had won a battle or two?”
“Yes. He was reportedly most savage. His clan left no
survivors. Storne butchered them all.”
My goblet clattered as I set it back onto the sideboard
despite my efforts to hold it firm. “P-personally?”
“Personally.”
I stared at Geoman. “And that’s…good?”
“I share your suspicions of the Lightsiders. Worse, I also believe
they have weapons that far outstrip anything we have. We need someone like
Storne.” His mouth tightened. “We have allied with the Children of Light in the
past, but it has advantaged us not. They elect a different prince-scientist and
give us little of their technology. The truth is that they need Shadow and
Darkness more than we need them.”
“Yes, they need minerals and ice from the Darkside, and
everything must pass through the Shadowlands.” I pressed my fingers to my lips,
thinking. I looked at Geoman. “But what if I cannot control Storne? And
marriage to him will not solve the issues that the Children of Light present.”
“They will, in part. Unless their weapons are far superior
to ours, Lightside will hesitate to attack Shadow with Storne on the Golden
Throne and two armies, his and ours, defending us.”
An idea struck me. “What if I were to tell Kaldir that I
wish to see his realm before joining Shadow with Light? He could scarcely
refuse.”
Geoman twirled the stem of his wineglass through his
fingers. “You’re right. But what of Storne?”
I shrugged. “I want to see Darkside, also. I’ll treat them
both equally, ask for a tour of his dominion as well. In exchange I’ll offer to
show them around the Shadowlands.”
“A Royal Progress. Yes, there has not been one for many a
long year.”
“Not since I was small. Beryla had planned…” I stopped and
bit my lip. My sister had wanted to make a Progress after her marriage. We were
all going to travel with her and her husband, who would have been the crown prince.
I wondered who she would have selected. Kaldir? Frayn? Geoman? Storne? What
would our parents have advised?
Geoman’s hand covered mine. “I know what the crown princess
intended to do after her marriage.”
I cleared my throat. Even so, my voice came out husky. “The
time is overdue. We shall make a Royal Progress through our lands, then
continue to Lightside.”
“Then to the DarkDwellers’ realm. Audryn, you’re brilliant.”
“That’s why I’m queen,” I said smugly, while destroying the
effect with a wink.
He winked back. “Once we’re inside the Lightsiders’
citadels, we can pierce their secrets.”
“Precisely. We’ll bring such a huge entourage that they
won’t be able to keep track of everyone.”
“And if the DarkDwellers come with us, so much the better.
Storne is a master of warfare. If the Children of Light conceal any military
secrets, he will worry them forth.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Let’s keep this plot to ourselves for
now, shall we?”
“Agreed. A Royal Progress, with no underlying motive.”
* * * * *
At our morning conference, I convinced the Ten Ministers of
the viability of a Royal Progress without revealing my true purpose, then
broached the subject to Kaldir at
created wondrous glass in the fires of Darkside’s volcanoes. The process, a
closely guarded secret, gave the crystal a luminescent sheen, which their
artisans then cut through to create fantastic designs.
“Yes.” With a lifted brow, I served myself wine.
“There are many advantages to an alliance with Darkside, and
Lord Storne’s reputation precedes him.”
“Mighty in battle and all of that?”
Geoman tapped his goblet against mine. The crystal rang, a
merry chime. “Your good health, beloved Queen.”
“Thank you. And to yours.”
“Apparently Darkside’s king is elderly, and not only did his
son, Prince Storne, lead his clan’s battles but conducted the complex diplomacy
that pacified many DarkDweller clans. Most saw the advantages of peace.”
“After Storne had won a battle or two?”
“Yes. He was reportedly most savage. His clan left no
survivors. Storne butchered them all.”
My goblet clattered as I set it back onto the sideboard
despite my efforts to hold it firm. “P-personally?”
“Personally.”
I stared at Geoman. “And that’s…good?”
“I share your suspicions of the Lightsiders. Worse, I also believe
they have weapons that far outstrip anything we have. We need someone like
Storne.” His mouth tightened. “We have allied with the Children of Light in the
past, but it has advantaged us not. They elect a different prince-scientist and
give us little of their technology. The truth is that they need Shadow and
Darkness more than we need them.”
“Yes, they need minerals and ice from the Darkside, and
everything must pass through the Shadowlands.” I pressed my fingers to my lips,
thinking. I looked at Geoman. “But what if I cannot control Storne? And
marriage to him will not solve the issues that the Children of Light present.”
“They will, in part. Unless their weapons are far superior
to ours, Lightside will hesitate to attack Shadow with Storne on the Golden
Throne and two armies, his and ours, defending us.”
An idea struck me. “What if I were to tell Kaldir that I
wish to see his realm before joining Shadow with Light? He could scarcely
refuse.”
Geoman twirled the stem of his wineglass through his
fingers. “You’re right. But what of Storne?”
I shrugged. “I want to see Darkside, also. I’ll treat them
both equally, ask for a tour of his dominion as well. In exchange I’ll offer to
show them around the Shadowlands.”
“A Royal Progress. Yes, there has not been one for many a
long year.”
“Not since I was small. Beryla had planned…” I stopped and
bit my lip. My sister had wanted to make a Progress after her marriage. We were
all going to travel with her and her husband, who would have been the crown prince.
I wondered who she would have selected. Kaldir? Frayn? Geoman? Storne? What
would our parents have advised?
Geoman’s hand covered mine. “I know what the crown princess
intended to do after her marriage.”
I cleared my throat. Even so, my voice came out husky. “The
time is overdue. We shall make a Royal Progress through our lands, then
continue to Lightside.”
“Then to the DarkDwellers’ realm. Audryn, you’re brilliant.”
“That’s why I’m queen,” I said smugly, while destroying the
effect with a wink.
He winked back. “Once we’re inside the Lightsiders’
citadels, we can pierce their secrets.”
“Precisely. We’ll bring such a huge entourage that they
won’t be able to keep track of everyone.”
“And if the DarkDwellers come with us, so much the better.
Storne is a master of warfare. If the Children of Light conceal any military
secrets, he will worry them forth.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Let’s keep this plot to ourselves for
now, shall we?”
“Agreed. A Royal Progress, with no underlying motive.”
* * * * *
At our morning conference, I convinced the Ten Ministers of
the viability of a Royal Progress without revealing my true purpose, then
broached the subject to Kaldir at
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