Kalin's Story
"Kieris."
Kieris Alayrin glanced up from his book. It was an old history, detailing the various monarchs from the First War. While most would have found it's archaic language hideously dull and discouraging, Kieris had been reading all morning. It beat fencing practice, which is where his father had hoped to find him.
"Yes, Father?" he asked, carefully marking his page and closing the book. He knew better than to keep reading while talking with his father, who took his reading as a personal affront. He brushed a strand of slightly too-long hair out of his eyes and bit back a sigh. His father was constantly reminding him he needed to cut it, but somehow, it always slipped his mind.
"You've been reading again."
High Lord Alayrin was broad shouldered and thickly muscled; he carried a sword with him everywhere. The only thing he cared to study was military tactics. On the other hand, his eldest son was quiet and, while not precisely shy, definitely introverted. He was bookish and studious; his tutor loved him and his former sword instructor had taken an almost psychotic joy in bloodying him.
"Yes, Father." He'd learned long ago that there was no point in arguing that reading would make him a better eventual High Lord; his father didn't agree with Such Nonsense.
Lord Alayrin conveyed his disgust through a derogatory snort, then walked farther into the library. Kieris stood, as politeness demanded. "Your birthday is in a month." Kieris didn't answer, wondering where this was going. "You'll be twenty years old, Kieris."
"I... I know, Father."
"You need to get married."
Kieris' emotions very rarely registered on his face, and this was no exception. He was fairly proud that his jaw didn't drop. He hadn't had any idea what his father would want to talk to him about (except perhaps another lecture about the values of tournaments and why in Ocando's Heaven wasn't he entering any?) but would never have guessed it would be anything like this.
"Who the Lady is will be your choice, of course. Pending my approval." Kieris nodded, still not sure what to say. "You have a 'til two weeks past your birthday to chose someone."
Then Lord Alayrin turned and left the library again. Kieris sunk back into his chair, surprised. He reached for his book but didn't open it, just rest his hand on the cover and tried to ignore the shock running through him.
[OPENING CREDITS]
Episode 9: At The Dance
Taylin collapsed into the chair he'd occupied earlier. Kalin was sleeping and he had no urge to wake the boy, but something about his presence was calming. He needed to calm down and to think.
Why did I do that? he asked himself, gazing out the window blankly. He tried to tell himself he'd leapt to Serissa's defense because it was the right thing to do, but couldn't quite believe it. He'd done it for Kalin.
The thought unnerved him a little. He'd know who Kalin's mother was for about a month, and had somehow managed to accept the boy almost as his own son. He wanted nothing more than to see him happy; happy, safe and free. And Serissa being hurt certainly hurt Kalin, and so he'd stopped it. Serissa's impending marriage to Soran hurt Kalin, so he'd stopped it.
Where will I end this? he wondered. I can't free him, not after what happened last night. I won't aid in a slave's escape, I can't. But.... He cast a glance at the now one handed boy and looked away quickly. Elthis will kill him. And I can't let that happen, either.
He sighed. Elthis really isn't going to be happy with me. For some reason, he's fond of Soran; he really wanted that wedding to take place. He was willing to see Serissa marry below her station for it, and if he was that set on it, there isn't much I can do to compensate for this....
He let the phrase "marry below her station" float through his mind for a second. The only way Elthis would accept this willingly (he'd have to accept the order from a High Lord, but he wouldn't like it) would be if he got something out of it. Something important.
The Aleann family was fairly well off; they were fairly high within the Nobility, but there were still a handful of families that outranked them. If I could find a match for Serissa who was marrying up—up a lot—Elthis would accept that. He wants rank, he always has. So now the question becomes who?
Taylin would have been just as happy to unite Serissa and Kalin, but that was impossible, so he began to create a list of requirements Serissa's new suitor would have to meet. He'd have to be high ranking—very much so. He'd have to be kind; a gentleman who would treat Serissa well enough that she'd be happy. Maybe not in love, but certainly happy.
He'd have to be an Heir; preferably a Warrior, but that wasn't likely. Most of the higher ranking families only had second and third sons who became Warriors, as the Heir was too important to risk in battle. He crossed that off his mental list.
Handsome would be nice, though again, not necessary. Serissa wasn't the sort who judged by looks, but Taylin wanted her to be happy, and that meant not running in fright from whoever it was the first time she saw him. And he'd have to be close to her age.
With a list set, he began to sift through possibilities. He might as well start at the top of the Nobility; the four High Families. His was one, and while he had a few nephews (and might be able to pacify Elthis with the argument that he wanted to unite their families) he didn't think any of them were right for her. She knew them already, and there had never been any spark between them.
There are the Dalasans; they have sons, I think. He tried to recall, then shook his head. The Heir is too old, he's nearly thirty. The Kalisses only have daughters, their oldest is a few years older than Serissa. I'm sure her father has a list of viable candidates, but I doubt he'd share. Though Liran did mention he had hopes for—who was it?—someone, last I saw.
And then he remembered, and smiled. Kieris Alayrin. The fourth High Family had a son who was nineteen years old, and if Taylin's memory served (he hadn't seen the boy in several years) he was polite and intelligent. His father was much like Elthis, although not a Warrior; the two of them would probably get along.
And if Serissa married a High Lord.... Taylin smiled. There was hope for this plan yet.
Dear Lord Sanasset,
You are cordially invited to the Annual Council of Lords, to be held at the Castle Alayrin. The occasion of this meeting happily corresponds with the occasion of the High Lord Alayrin's eldest son and Heir's twentieth birthday. A ball will be held in honor Lord Kieris at that time.
You are invited to bring those guests that you see fit. Please send a response at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Lirth Dlathas
Steward to High Lord Ilan Alayrin
Dear Mister Dlathas,
I am pleased to be able to attend both the Annual Council of Lords as well as the ball in honor of Lord Kieris' coming of age. To the first, I bring myself and attendants; to the second, I hope to be joined by Lord Elthis Aleann and his daughter, Lady Serissa, and what attendants they deem necessary.
Please extend my regards to your Lord, I look forward to seeing him again.
By my Hand,
High Lord Taylin Sanasset
But Taylin was the High Lord, and there was nothing Elthis could do about it. When he'd been offered the compensation of a possible pairing between Serissa and the Alayrin family, he'd agreed easily. And although Taylin knew Elthis was still offended and annoyed, it had been enough to pacify them and keep their friendship from being totally shot.
In the interest of Serissa's future with Kieris and his own future friendship with Elthis, he started a second letter.
Dear Lord Alayrin,
I can't believe Kieris is twenty. It makes me feel incredibly old... But that, obviously, isn't the whole reason I'm writing. I'm stuck in a delicate position; I have no interest in remarrying and have no Heir.
Don't let that ever happen to Kieris. The boy... man now, I realize.... needs to marry, and soon. That much is a given, and you've probably already spoken to him about this.
I'm writing specifically to see if you have any girls in mind. I've never tried to play matchmaker for anyone before, but if what I remember of Kieris is correct and any indication of the man he's become, I do know a Lady who would suit him well.
Her name is Serissa Aleann; her father is one of my brother Warriors and a good man. The two of them will be accompanying me to Kieris' ball, should you and your son wish to meet them. I hope you will, and I hope you will consider what I have said.
By my Hand,
High Lord Taylin Sanasset
That would, hopefully, begin things.
"Kalin."
The slave had been dutifully cleaning one of the long hallway floors; one of the jobs he could do one handed. He couldn't work in the field, and as soon as the Healer had declared he was well enough to be off bed rest, Elthis had put him to work in the House.
It was a strange situation for Kalin. On the one hand, housework was easier and he got to see Serissa. On the other, Elthis was always there, watching. The Lord had made it clear he was waiting for Kalin to make a single mistake, no matter how minor, to give him an excuse to finish what he'd started with his hand. Elthis wanted Kalin dead, and they both knew it. So while in the House, Kalin certainly couldn't take advantage of the situation.
He glanced up from his work, to see Taylin watching him from the end of the hallway. It was dimly lit and shadowy; all he could really see was the silhouette of Taylin's frame, but that was enough. He recognized the figure—Taylin had taken to lurking in his presence—and the voice.
"Yes, my Lord?" he asked politely.
"I have to leave in a few days. I'm going to be gone for awhile... Riss and her father will join me a few days later."
Kalin nodded, not sure what he was supposed to say or how he was supposed to react. "I just wanted to tell you to behave yourself. I can only help you while I'm here. So don't get killed before Elthis leaves, all right?"
"I'll work on it," Kalin muttered.
"I'd try and find a way to bring you with me, but I doubt Elthis is letting you out of his sight, let alone out of the House."
"No kidding." Kalin cast a glance at his stump, wondering how long he could last. He remembered the last time he'd tried to go loyal all too clearly; the incident with the wine had turned out badly, to say the least. Then, his life hadn't been on the line, and besides, without Serissa, he wouldn't have cared. But now he had her back, and—he couldn't bite back the grin that always came to his face when he thought about it—Soran Candis didn't.
Thanks to Taylin. Taylin, who had demanded the Healer care for him; Taylin, who lurked in his presence and gave cryptic advice. Who had practically urged him to run away... Kalin didn't consider himself to be suspicious by nature, just practical. He understood how the world worked in the harshest sense; slaves were the least important people and the High Lord was like royalty. There was no explanation for Taylin's odd behavior, and even though Kalin was just as glad for it, he didn't quite trust it.
"Also..." Taylin said hesitantly. "I hate to have to tell you this, but you deserve to know. Riss doesn't know yet, either. She... Her father and I are negotiating with a man named Ilan Alayrin. Do you know who he is?"
"No. Should I?"
"Probably. He's the High Lord in the Southwest. His oldest son is named Kieris, and... Kieris is a good kid. He's kind and gentle, and he's smart and... Well, he can take care of Riss and give her the kind of life she deserves."
Kalin started to answer and stopped. Taylin waited anxiously for some response. "Oh," was all Kalin said.
"We... We have to do this, Kalin, it's for her sake. Kieris would treat her well. He'd make her happy.... Well, not as happy as you might. But she'll be content, don't you see? It's impossible to fix things the way the two of you want. But this way she'll be safe and taken care of."
"I know."
Taylin wasn't quite sure what he'd been expecting, probably anger. Kalin was a rebel and spirited, and he wanted to be with Serissa. Of course he'd be angry to find out that, yet again, her fate was being taken out of her hands and away from him, to some stranger he'd never met. But he didn't sound angry, he sounded... Melancholy? More than that. Tired. Almost... Almost broken.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to... It's best for her."
"I know." Kalin gave the High Lord a look he couldn't interpret at all. "Excuse me. I have to finish this."
"Oh. Right..." Taylin hesitated, then beat a hasty retreat, wondering if Kalin really did understand.
[EYECATCH]
Serissa threw one last glance over her luggage and sighed, sitting on her bed. Kalin had slipped in to her room to say good bye before she went to sleep and he made his way back to the slave huts. "Thank you," she said softly, as he joined her on the bed.
"For what?"
"The past two and half weeks. You've made it." She smiled, but it wasn't very happy. "You didn't do a single thing my father could object to."
"I know. Goddess, was I tempted a few times—a lot of times. But..." Kalin shrugged. "It wasn't worth it. I have too much to live for." He caught her eye, and one of her hands with his own. "I have you, love."
"I know," she whispered. "But you promised..."
"I did. And don't worry. I've been watching for... The chance." He let her hand go and turned away from her a little bit. He didn't want to think about what would happen once he escaped. There were a lot of possibilites: he could escape and be caught, then killed; he could escape but be stuck on the island, and have no where to go; he could escape and somehow get home. The third choice was so unlikely it barely existed, but he had to hope for it, since he couldn't hope for life with Serissa.
They both knew it, but it had never felt real until Kalin lost his hand. Serissa was going to get married, probably to this Kieris man, and have a family, and live a comfortable life. Kalin would disappear into the night and she'd never see him again.
It was almost too much to bear.
"While we're gone... Look, Kalin, you should... I mean, there won't be any Warriors here while Father and I are gone, and...." She bit back tears.
I'm not going to cry, if I cry, he'll stay. He'll stay because he knows I want him here, and he's sweet enough to sacrifice his life for me to be happy. But I can make sacrifices too, and I won't see him die. Not for me, not for any reason.
"Yeah." He nodded, unable to look over at her, but a sudden resolution came over to him. "No."
"Kalin—"
"Serissa, I can't—"
"You promised, and it's for your own good!"
"I know and I know, but listen to me!" he said, almost yelling. That surprised both of them; he'd never yelled at her before, except for the fight that had almost destroyed them. She fell silent, partly from the shock. "Listen," he said again, calmer. "I'm sorry. But look, you're probably going to marry whoever this Kieris man is, and I have to see him. To make sure he'll take care of you."
"I'll be fine," she tried, but he shook his head, and now he did catch her eye.
"If I can't marry you, I'm going to make damn sure that whoever does is good enough for you. That he'll love you and take care of you, and that he'll never hurt you."
She smiled, because she could feel love under all of his determination. This time, it was a real smile. "Fine," she agreed. "But what if he's not what you want? What will you do?"
"Kill him in his sleep and wait to judge whoever your next suitor is." He said it in all seriousness, but he was smiling too. "Trust me, Serissa. I'm going to make sure that you'll be happy, and not the Goddess Herself is going to stop me."
She didn't know what to say to that, so instead of speaking, she kissed him, and let him feel everything she felt.
"Well?" Kieris asked anxiously. His little sister, Lisandra, smiled impishly. She'd been chosen to officially greet all of Kieris' guests, before he'd even seen them... Not that he knew who most of them were; but he wanted to know what to expect when he found out officially.
"Lady Hanalla is the prettiest," Lis supplied after thinking for a minute.
"That isn't what I wanted you to find out," he muttered.
"You're certainly in a rotten mood," she observed.
"You would be too!" he squawked. "One of these Ladies I've never even met is going to marry me. I have to figure out which one, and I have to do it soon, and I don't even get to meet them until tomorrow!"
"Oh, stop panicking," Lis giggled.
"...And then, what if I ask, and whoever she is says no? I have to know who else is... I mean, Lis—"
"Kieris, no one would say no. And miss a chance to marry a future High Lord? They all know you have to pick one, they gossiped about it all through lunch." She made a face that clearly indicated how she felt about the gossip.
"All of them?" he asked in dismay.
"Yeah.... No," she corrected herself. "One was really quiet. She barely spoke to anyone at all."
"Good for her," Kieris muttered.
"She was really pretty, too."
"But who was nice? Who reads a lot? Who—"
"Kieris, none of them read at all, ever. They're the flightiest lot of peacocks I've ever met," she said bluntly. "One's as good as another, just ask whoever is prettiest. Which is Lady Hanalla."
"Lis, I can't just..." He sighed and slumped into a comfortable chair. "What am I going to do? Didn't you find out anything else?"
"Of course I did. I found out that Hanalla really wants to get married, but Lady Liera has the biggest dowry. Well, maybe not; Lady Serissa has Lord Taylin speaking on her behalf. He might chip in on her dowry."
"Really?" Kieris asked.
"So it's the money, not the looks," Lis sighed. "Kieris, you're already one of the wealthiest people on the Island—"
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Of course I know." She shrugged. "Taylin is hoping you'll fall for Lady Serissa because of something about an arrangement her father had made that he stopped. Something about Soran Candis."
"What?"
"That's why Taylin didn't bring it up with you. He knows about the time Soran almost killed you."
Kieris sighed. "He didn't 'almost kill' me, he..." He shrugged. "Not that it's any of your business."
Lis smiled. She barely remembered when her older brother had been beaten up by one of the minor Lords' sons; Kieris had been twelve, and she was only seven. She did know that, not surprisingly, Kieris was particularly bitter towards Soran Candis.
"Well, I don't really know. But from what I gather, Serissa was supposed to marry Soran, but he did something to make Lord Taylin mad at him. Taylin forced Serissa's father to break off their engagement, and her father was annoyed... So to make up for it, Taylin is hoping that you'll fall for her."
"Hmmm," Kieris murmured. "Taylin seems to be a good man."
"Father certainly thinks so," Lis said, half agreeing. Lisandra didn't get along with her father much better than Kieris himself did, and liked him even less. The Lord was far too different from his son for them to get along well, although Kieris respected his father a great deal. The two of them rarely agreed on political matters, but they both were fairly good judges of character. They didn't usually make friends who were at all similar, but ultimately agreed on who made for good company and who didn't.
"I should just let Father choose," Kieris sighed eventually. "It's going to be a political thing anyway."
"You're a better politician than Father," Lis disagreed. "And anyway, he'd approve of all of those Ladies. I'm just saying... Lady Hanalla is the prettiest, but Lady Serissa was the one who seemed least like an idiot. Innocent, maybe, but not a feather-brain."
Serissa felt rather out of place at the dinner which preceded Kieris' ball. Though her father was well known, she'd never really been exposed to society herself, and she was certain that the other Ladies thought she was a simple country girl. She felt like one, next to all of the other Ladies.
They had all been introduced as they sat down, and now Lord Alayrin and his son Kieris were finally joining everyone in the room. The steward proclaimed their names proudly and they entered the great hall, decked out in as much finery as they could possibly wear. The great hall itself was intimidating enough; four tables filled it. Kieris' family and the other High Lords who were present sat at a table at the front. Families were arranged according to rank. The third table held all of the unmarried girls who were there to attempt to get Kieris to fall in love with them. Serissa sat among them, glancing around and wishing she saw a familiar face nearby.
The closest she could see was Taylin; her father was at one of the other two tables somewhere. She looked up at him, he caught her eye and smiled. She spared a look down the High Table and noticed Kieris looked rather uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on him as he sat.
Serissa watched him take his seat, smiling nervously and exchanging polite conversation with the Nobles around him. He glanced around the Ladies' table as he spoke, carefully looking over every Lady. She glanced away quickly as soon as his gaze fell upon her, and felt herself blushing.
He didn't linger on her any longer than anyone else, but he didn't skip over her, either. She decided that was a... a sign. She wanted to say a good sign, and certainly her father would think so, but somehow she felt that by trying to impress him so he would select her she was betraying Kalin.
But still, better Kieris than Soran Candis. Even Kalin agreed with that.
Dinner was long and tedious. There were several courses but Serissa barely ate, she just sat quietly and watched Kieris. He seemed to become more comfortable as the meal progressed, and even began to flirt with the Ladies who he was able to speak to without yelling down the table.
She felt awkward at the table, but didn't want to see the meal end. When it did the ball began, and that was even worse. Serissa hung back from the crowd of those looking for dance partners. Part of her wished someone would ask her, but mostly she was scared.
"Lady Serissa Aleann...?" came an unfamiliar voice from next to her, several dances into the party. She turned to see who it was, and saw a Lord who looked somewhat familiar but whose name she didn't know.
"Y-yes," she stuttered.
"Might I have this next dance?"
She blinked at him, startled, and nodded. The current song came to an end and he took her hand and lead her on to the dance floor. "So you're Serissa. I've heard a great deal about you."
"You... You have?" she asked, wondering who this was but too embarrassed to ask.
"Yes, my younger brother thought you were quite...." he trailed off, searching for a word. "...Quite delicate," he finally settled on.
Younger brother? she thought, glancing up into the taller man's face—and she suddenly stopped dancing, panicked. That was why he'd look so familiar, he looked almost like Soran. This had to be one of his older brothers...
"At least, until you started acting as if you were somehow above him," the man continued, his voice taking on a nastier note. He jerked her back into motion, and she tried to shrink away from his grasp. He gripped her tightly and prevented it. "Now tell me, Lady, why you would do that."
"I—I never meant, I... He..." she stammered. "I..."
"You what?"
"She acted above him because she is above him," came a third voice. Both Serissa and Soran's brother looked up to see who this was, and she bit back a gasp. Kieris Alayrin was standing there, arms crossed. He put a hand on her shoulder and she stopped dancing again, but this time the Nobleman was unable to force her to start again.
He looked deadly serious, with eyes that were penetrating. He wasn't quite as tall as the man Serissa had been dancing with, but he carried himself much taller, and even though he'd seemed nervous before, at the dinner, here he looked completely confident.
"...Isn't that right, Talar?" He smiled, though it wasn't very pleasantly.
The man—Talar, apparently—gave Kieris a dirty look. "If my Lord says so."
"I do," Kieris stated. "Why don't you find another dance partner, Talar? You're not nearly gentle enough for someone as delicate as Lady Aleann."
"As your Lordship commands," Talar spat, dropped Serissa's arms and stalked away.
She started in shock at Kieris, as he offered her his arm. She accepted and they began to dance. He lead gently, and watched her face for a few seconds before volunteering, "I apologize for listening in, Lady Aleann. However, the Candis family has a certain... reputation. I hope he wasn't upsetting you."
"No!" she said a bit too quickly, startled. "I mean, he was... His brother and I..."
"I'm aware," Kieris said pleasantly. "My deepest commiserations that you had to spend so much time with that... Man." He mad 'man' sound like a dirty word.
"I... Thank you, my Lord."
"Call me Kieris." He yawned. "This party is incredibly dull. Oh well, only three hours left..." he shrugged. The dance was ending. "Maybe we'll dance again later?"
"If... If you wish," she agreed.
"I definitely do. Until then, Lady." He dropped her arms, bowed, and stepped away.
She stared after him, startled and confused.