The color of Divinity I - The delusion of reality

The color of Divinity
By Ellnyon

Notes and warnings

Wishing everyone a prosperous 2008!

Again, thanks to everyone reading, especially my reviewers. Review replies are in the end of the chapter.

Enjoy your reading.

Part I
Chapter 7

In the royal palace’s Outer Courtyard’s feverish activity of knights trying on recently sharpened weapons and servants readying horses and carriages, a single man stood silent and perfectly still, leaning against a stone pillar. His arms were crossed and a glare was directed to the archway exit of the palace. He had been like that since the monks of the Maguenta’s Temple had rung the bells three times, announcing the three in the afternoon. Ten minutes ago.

King Fenaleos noticed this and smiled interested, excusing himself from his advisors. He was too excited to listen to their Politics or tend to their affairs anyway. Waving and smiling to the knights who saluted him, he crossed the court in order to reach the glaring Eth.

The palace’s Outer Courtyard was an area of flat ground outside the palace itself. It was partially enclosed by the palace’s marble wall on the back and a stronger, crenelated stone wall in the front, whose opening was a big wooden drawbridge leading to the second level of N’Alaera’s capitol city. The marble walls opened to the palace’s Inner Courtyard through a tall, marble archway with no doors, wide enough for a large carriage to pass. This Inner Courtyard was very different from the Outer Courtyard both in aspect and function. It was mainly a large garden with bushes, flowers and grass displayed into a planned pattern. In the middle of said garden, a long concrete path that forcefully stopped at the colossal staircase leading to the palace’s entrance, presented itself. Its single purpose was leading carriages in and out, to leave or pick-up guests invited to the palace. The Outer Courtyard was nothing more than a gateway to the city to the high class nobles. The front wall connected with the massive rampart protecting the capitol, and the moat below the drawbridge was a natural lesser tributary of the Maguerer. On the both sides of this outer court, however, smaller walls, openings and doors existed between several stone pillars. These entrances lead to the stables, residences of the servants working in the palace, barracks, armoury, cellars, granaries, towers, walls and various other defence posts and utility rooms. They were reserved to the workers and common soldiers.

Fenaleos had wanted to go pick-up Meanea and his entourage at the Inner Courtyard but the Ethen had refused, saying he would feel like just a guest, something he wouldn’t be for much longer. The king didn’t think about the blond as a guest either and he could relate to Meanea’s efforts in ‘blending in’. Even though he knew and Meanea did too, probably, that it would take a long way before people started treating him like anything but a beautiful foreigner. Although they seemed to love Meanea already, N’Alaera’s people were not used to have a Vice-King but a Queen.

And so, they were waiting for the Ethen at the Outer Courtyard where many knights trained and made the last preparations for the Tournament taking place in Endnar’s Arena, later in the day. Even his son Edyane would compete, to the king’s worry. The tournament was not deadly. Nevertheless, many knights still sustained serious injuries in the end, and Fenaleos couldn’t help but be concerned for his son’s well-being. He knew of Edyane’s amazing ability, of course. However, that didn’t stop Fenaleos from being a father. Still, there was little he could do. His son would not listen to him. Edyane was a great warrior, one of the best in the country. What wasn’t a surprise, since he did come from a lineage of strong warrior kings and there were few things in this world he couldn’t turn out good at, if he set his mind into it. The problem was that the prince was aware of that. He was a very arrogant, determined and stubborn young man. What, at the present time, was not exactly a good thing. Not to the king anyway. Fenaleos was not a great warrior. His diplomatic skills exceeded by far his fighting ones and since a very young age, the kind-hearted man knew for a fact that he would never do well in military affairs. To his own father’s dismay. Still, that hadn’t stopped him from being a decent ruler until now. He had advisors for such subjects, his own son included. And he had never had to worry about a large scale war. Just a few small disputes here and there between landlords. These were peaceful times, and even though many monks said there were dark clouds coming from the south, the king would not believe until he saw something concrete. The Maguenta’s Temple had always needed its heroes, but they mattered little to the people, especially if they were made of papyrus, parchment, ink and words. They consequently mattered little to their ruler as well. So let the Priests say it was time a Maguenta’s Heir arrived. They had been saying that for ten years already.

What really worried Fenaleos, returning to the matter at hand, was that the Eths were a race, whose most important elements were often the best warriors. They frequently judged a man for his abilities in battle. He had a huge problem if Meanea thought like that as well, because the Ethen was already enchanted with Edyane as it was. To see him as a hero, too, would be the end of the King’s hopes. Especially when Edyane did nothing to hide his infatuation with the blond Ethen. And that was a proof of how frail, young and incautious his son still was, behind his tough and charming exterior. Like his character, also his feelings needed to grow a little more. Because Fenaleos doubted Meanea was Edyane’s lifetime love, now. Maybe in the future his infatuation would grow into love, but right now, it was just that: an obsession. Meanea was different, though. The Ethen had been forced to grow up too fast. The sudden deaths of his parents and intended, a young brother and two cousins to raise, the prospect of a life far away from home… Meanea would find Edyane’s carelessly behaviour refreshing, not to mention his body’s appealing. Not having any more responsibilities or difficult decisions to make for the benefit of others or due to conventions’ sake would make even the king think twice.

Fenaleos had fallen in love for the responsible and caring Meanea, the one altruistic enough to think of others before thinking of himself. But the Ethen was so young and beautiful. And the king didn’t have the audacity to deny him his dreams, if he wanted to share his life with a handsome young man. He cared too much for the both of them. And jealousies aside, that was a decision Meanea had to make alone. He trusted the Ethen to tell him, if that time came. It had been their deal: never to hide anything from the other. And Fenaleos would support him, of course, even when his heart was shattered and bleeding, again. After all, there would be a Council to convince and perhaps even a new successor to choose for N’Alaera. He would keep himself busy. That was his nature. Kind-heartened to a fault. His advisors always said it would be his downfall.

For now, he would pretend he didn’t see what was happening around him. For now, he would live the wonderful illusion of having a beautiful Ethen as a Promised one and the cutest Eth child as an adopted son.

Which led him to happiest thoughts. After the ‘event’ at the pier the day before, who was surprisingly doing quite well with N’Alaera’s people was little Iadden. Perhaps because he had such a spontaneous, forward and uncommon character or maybe because of the situation itself, the fact was that every person he encountered asked for the boy in genuine concern. Even commoners. The child was seriously gaining the people’s affection and respect faster than his brother. And Fenaleos understood them quite well. He too had fallen in love with Iadden first. If only the man he was walking towards didn’t reproach the lovely child so much…

“Good afternoon, Sir Athios.” He greeted. The tall man’s dark, sharp eyes left his focusing point and turned to him at the greeting. Recognizing the king, Athios immediately straightened and bowed.

“Your majesty. How can I be of service?” he asked in a low and calm baritone, speaking the human words with ease. The brown haired king smiled politely.

“Have you concluded the inspections on the palace and city?” The captain of short black hair nodded with a placid expression. His eyes seemed to say ‘would I be here, if I hadn’t?’, though.

“Yes, your majesty.” Was the only thing he voiced. Fenaleos nodded, unaffected by the icy manners. From a whole month of negotiations with the Eths, he kind of had gotten used to it.

“Do you think many alterations will have to be implemented? You know that you do have the authority to change or add anything you want. You just have to tell any of my advisors or myself. We’ll be glad to comply. It is my wish that Milessin Meanea and his family feel and be as safe as possible. He told me there was no one they trusted more than you.” Athios nodded, apparently satisfied with the commentary, and spared a quick glance to the whole courtyard. Obviously not finding what he had been looking for, he went back to being extremely irritated. Nonetheless, he turned his attention to the amused king again. From what he knew of the black haired man only one person made him show that kind of emotion.

“I don’t find the need to make any adjustments, for now. Your guards and knights are well-trained; the security scheme seems thoroughly followed and is suitable from what I’ve seen of the palace and city’s defences. If a time comes when I find something inappropriate, I’ll be sure to communicate my thoughts to you.” The king interpreted the tall captain’s words as a compliment and thanked him. He felt extremely privileged by the man’s comment. From what he had heard, getting praise from the tall Eth was very hard. He was, like most of the Eths, a direct person. They only said what needed to be said. And they did not flatter often.

Athios had slightly bowed, acknowledging the king’s thanks and was currently glaring at the archway, again. Fenaleos didn’t feel like going back to the boring affairs he had to deal with his advisors and decided to find out more about the interesting man before him and his connections to the Guinare family. He had been told many good things about the Eth captain by Meanea and the Council back in Meya. He wanted to find out what kind of man was given such confidence by his lords.

“So, have you been around Lessin Meanea and little Iadden for a long time?” The man looked at him again, frowning at the mention of Iadden. Fenaleos had the distinct impression Sir Athios was a very reserved man, possibly even colder than most of his peers, after all: an impatient man of few words. And that he, Fenaleos was annoying him a lot, too. Perhaps the man was only tolerating him because he was Meanea’s Promised one and well…the king.

“Since Lessin Meanea and Lord Iadden were born.” He put a particular emphasis on the word ‘Lord’. The king only smiled simply, amused at the Eth’s behaviour. A nine year old child was a child, not a lord, yet.

“Oh, so you’ve been tutoring and protecting them for that long…It’s no wonder they trust you so much.” He said matter-of-factly. Athios shrugged.

“I protect them both, but I only teach Lord Iadden. Lessin Meanea’s an Ethen. He has other type of tutoring. Lessin Sanari’s the one who’s mostly responsible for him.” The king blinked. So that’s how it was. That answered the fact why the captain was so dear to Iadden even when he spent all his free time reprimanding the boy.

“Of course. Forgive me. I’m still a little ignorant about the small details. You must like Iadden a lot. Such a curious and brave child.” He asked. Athios shrugged again.

“I did not marry nor do I have any family left. And I educated him. If I may be that bold, Lord Iadden is like a son to me.” He said in a simple and sincere manner. Except something in the Eth’s dark eyes that moment told the king that Iadden was much more than what the man had minimally put into words. The small boy was too important, he loved him more than anyone else in the world and he saw the king as a threat to Iadden’s proper instruction.

Perhaps he thought that Fenaleos would spoil the child too much, ruining all his hard work in trying to make of Iadden a perfect Eth lord. Well, the Eth was probably right about part of that: the king certainly believed that kid deserved to be spoilt a little more, but the brown haired man wasn’t going to disrespect or intrude in the captain’s teachings.

However, Fenaleos believed that also a deeper, hidden thought bothered the warrior and further aggravated his dislike for N’Alaera’s king. Was it possible that Athios sensed Fenaleos intended to substitute him in his role as a father to the child? Was he afraid the boy no longer needed him? Well, if that was the case, according to the king, the Eth was wrong. Still, it was heart-warming that a powerful guard like that grown man would be troubled with a little boy’s feelings. Iadden would always need the captain’s strange but honest affection and his vigilant eyes. Because the boy liked and trusted his tutor, too. The king was certain Iadden would require the captain’s services even when he got older and returned to Meya. He betted it would probably be Meanea who would have to do without the loyal guard.

“You’ve done a very good job raising him. He’s a lovely child.” Unaware of the king’s thoughts, Athios huffed and pointedly looked to the empty archway.

“He’s a pest!” He replied. The king laughed.

“He’s lively and has a strong character. Believe me, those are good things. You should be proud of him and yourself.” Athios looked at the shorter man for a moment, sighed, and then looked away again.

“Don’t get me wrong, milord. I am proud of him: he’s immensely strong and intelligent. But he’s still a pest.” He said truthfully and matter-of-factly. The king chuckled again and shook his head. Athios was a strict man, and the way he talked…well, was as if Iadden was a burden in his life. But Fenaleos could see right through him. He was used to it, his job demanding it. And the way the captain’s eyes shone when Iadden was mentioned was conclusive. He might believe that child a nuisance, but he loved him all the same. It was paternal love. The king recognized it because he too suffered from the same ‘disease’. That Eth, whose heart was apparently of stone, melted completely when Iadden was involved. Like his, concerning Edyane. Reprimanding Iadden was just the way Athios had found to show his care for the boy. It wasn’t quite working but the little Eth loved the guard as well, anyway, so no harm was done. And there were no doubts that Athios would first die a tortuous death than let anything happen to his small lord.

As if on cue, a small dark haired child sprinted through the archway and Athios straightened, sighing.

‘Finally!’ he whispered, angry.

The boy stopped a few steps ahead from the archway’s shadow and searched the whole court, his silky short hair bouncing from side to side. When his masked face spotted them, the boy straightened and hurried to their side. Two knights smiled and saluted him as he passed. Iadden waved and bowed at the same time he ran. He stopped with his feet together and bowed, deeply.

“Sir Athios. Your majesty.”

“Hello Iadden.” The king said fondly.

“You’re late!” was Athios’ harsh line. The boy cringed.

“I’m sorry. I was helping Midaen’niel and Nareill get ready and lost track of the time.” He said out of breath. Athios’ sharp eyes turned quickly to a grey-clad man leaning against a carriage, a few feet away. A tall Eth guard the king had no idea how he had missed before the captain looked at him. The man nodded almost imperceptibly and Athios looked at the boy again. With his back to the leaning guard, Iadden apparently didn’t notice the exchange.

“Don’t they have servants for that?” The captain asked, shaking his head. It was good that it seemed like a rhetorical question because Iadden scratched his head and gave no reply. “Don’t let it happen again.” Athios admonished a few seconds later. The boy nodded, glad he had escaped the habitual punishment. “Lessin Meanea and your cousins, where are they then?” The captain asked.

“They were almost finished when I left. They must be appearing any minute, now.” The king nodded at the same time Athios did and kneeled before the boy.

“Today we have the best knights in the tournament. And the Endnar’s Arena will be full, so probably there will be also many vendors. You like sweet things, don’t you?” Iadden nodded, interested, already sensing a treat in the air but trying not to show too much excitement. It wasn’t quite working. He was such an easy to please child. How could anyone find him anything but adorable, Fenaleos did not know. The boy was always so polite and proper.

“Then I’ll buy you ‘Gallinoys’. They are fruit candy with caramel and dark sugar. It’s a traditional sweet from N’Alaera but everybody loves them. I bet you will, too.” Iadden nodded, grateful and a happy aura surrounded him. The boy turned to his tutor.

“Can I have them, Sir Athios?” The stern black haired Eth looked as if he was about to deny the request, but perhaps sensing the king’s awaiting glare, he relinquished. One candy wouldn’t do that much damage, Athios supposed.

“Just one or two. No more.” He replied. The child nodded happily. He was so rarely allowed to have sweets.

“Thank you, sir Athios, your majesty.” Athios sighed, not sure he had made the right thing. The boy had been late and everything. It was entirely that king’s fault. Said king was currently smiling down at the boy.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Iadden turned then to see two knights mockingly sparring and the king pulled the boy to himself, putting his hands on the child’s shoulders. Athios’ disapproving look towards the king met Fenaleos’ happy smile. The captain glared at the brown haired ruler, but remained silent. Fenaleos’ smile grew wider and he leaned down to land a kiss on Iadden’s sweet-smelling head. The king didn’t even notice Athios huffing on his left, because Iadden had angled his head up and for a split second, Fenaleos could see the most beautiful, large and shining aquamarine eyes widened further in surprise, and two small flushed cheeks. The king smiled fondly and ruffled the lovely boy’s silken hair.

And then Meanea entered the courtyard and everything sopped, as usual.

TBC…

Ending Notes: ‘blabla’ - spoken in Eth’s language

loolz: Thank you for your review and comment. I’m very flattered you like my story that much and I hope you keep thinking that way. About the updates, I’ll do my best to keep them as frequent as possible. And you’re absolutely right: Iadden and Edyane still have to grow up and understand what love really is. Between the two, the one who gets more confused and anguished will definitely be Iadden. Edyane is the definition of a law-breaker while Iadden’s too hung up on what is right and what is wrong to realize that sometimes it’s not what others think that matters…

Ao: As long as you read and review, I don’t actually mind the length of the review, so you have nothing to apologize for :). I thank you for reviewing, hope you continue reading, liking my story and characters and telling me want you think.

Child of the Darkened Moon: Thanks for your review. Well, as you probably noticed, I don’t have perfect characters in this fic, mainly because no one behaves correctly or is perfect all the time. Even when you try to do what you think is right; you can end up hurting someone. And not necessarily bad people, either. So even my good characters have flaws and doubts. I do have a soft spot for Iadden and Edyane’s characters. I love to write them. And I like Midaen’niel and Quera so much they’re the only characters out of the main love story to have their own little love conflicts. And they are very important to the plot, exactly because they are the voices of wisdom. Andro is cool and loyal, no doubt. The whisperers and Nlie’sieri are bad guys: I don’t like them either. Fenaleos is vital to the story, but I can’t say he’s my favourite. I’ll keep the suspense about Meanea and the dark-haired Ethen is not the kind of guy everyone’s expecting…I hope.

bambi4real: Thanks for the review and best of luck in 2008 to you too! Well, Midaen’niel is 12 years old, he is still a child. He speaks like an adult mainly due to his powers. He had to grow faster in order to understand and deal with the visions he has. Almost no one knows about his powers and of the ones who do, only Iadden and Lessin Sanari really believe he has them. With time Sanari taught Niel that behaving like the other Ethen children was the best thing to do and that’s why he’s described like a child by everyone and Meanea would never suspect him. His powers are going to make a huge difference in the story…