“Will you go?” She asked, only her head above water. They were in very deep.
“I’m not sure I will have a choice,” Gwaynn answered, facing her. They were only a few feet apart, but she would not go closer.
“I hear it is a beautiful island, gardens everywhere,” she added quietly. Gwaynn had no answer for that and began to move toward the beach.
“Gwaynn,” Vio said.
“Yes,” he answered without turning, still moving slowly away from her.
“Gwaynn,” she said again. This time he stopped and turned back to her, noticing a hint of panic in her voice.
“The…the other night,” she began and he noticed that her face was growing red, “the night of the storm. I…I saw you here on the beach with that girl.”
Gwaynn said nothing, but he felt his face grow hot as well. He looked at Vio, who stared back, her dark eyes growing impossibly large.
“Do you love her?” Vio asked, barely above a whisper.
Gwaynn frowned, having never actually thought about it. “I like Mille,” he answered and Vio scowled at her name. “You’d like her too.”
“I’m sure,” Vio answered, gathered her courage and moved a bit closer.
“Do you love her?” Vio asked once more.
Gwaynn rubbed his face. “No,” he answered finally. “I like Mille, but I cannot become too involved with anyone.
Now Vio frowned, her heart soared with the first part of his answer and fell with the last.
“But why? I will not be on Noble Island forever,” Vio answered then blushed even harder as she realized just what her statement revealed.
Gwaynn smiled at her, truly touched, but shook his head. “No, I am a danger to anyone close to me, plus I have other things to do. Perhaps the Council is right; maybe it is time for me to go.”
“But Gwaynn…” Vio began.
“Prince Gwaynn Massi,” Gwaynn interrupted, unsure of why he told her, knowing it was stupid and dangerous. He could not help himself, but somehow he knew that she would never betray him. “That’s who I am. My family is dead. I will be dead too, if my enemies ever find out who I am and where I am.”
Vio was shocked into silence and looked at him in horror; suddenly she burst into tears and fled from him.
“Vio,” he shouted, trying to follow, but she waved him off and literally ran from the beach naked, gathering her clothes as she went.
ǂ
Tar Kostek came to collect Gwaynn just after he’d finished pushing his mid-day meal around on his plate. He came on horseback and Gwaynn was surprised to find that Lane had saddled up Prolly for Gwaynn to ride. They were on their way to Herra, the largest town on Noble, located near the center of the island. It was where the Council convened.
“It’s only a bit over ten miles,” Master Kostek said with a slight smile. “You could run it easily, but horses will be a bit more dignified.
Gwaynn nodded and swung up easily onto the horse. He’d not been on one for a long time but like nearly all royalty, he was a very accomplished rider. He turned the horse and was about to spur her into a trot when Mille rushed outside, followed closely by Deirdre and Karin. They all waved goodbye and Gwaynn waved in return then without looking back he headed off after his Master.
Despite the circumstances, Gwaynn found that he enjoyed the trip and even smiled as they entered Herra, which was located on the slopes of a pair of rolling hills. The immense Grand Hall was perched on the summit of the highest hill and was visible for many miles. It was heavily columned and made completely of white granite, which gleamed brightly against the dark blue of the sky.
As they made their way across the Parm River, Gwaynn noticed many small galleys docked along its banks. The low quarter, around the river, was the shopping district and at the moment it was very crowded and noisy. They rode through without stopping, though Gwaynn turned this way and that, looking at the brightly clothed shoppers. They made their way up and up, past more shops and then later a housing district. The higher they went the larger the buildings became. Near the top most were all made of white granite.
No one was waiting outside the Grand Hall when they arrived but two boys quickly appeared to lead their horses off. Gwaynn nodded at them but said nothing, and followed Kostek up the stairs without a word. On either side of the stairs was a large statue of a Weapons Masters, each in a classic fighting stance. The stone Master on the right sported a pair of kali, and the one on the left a long sword. Gwaynn was studying the artwork as he climbed, so he failed to notice that Tar Amon and Tar Endid were waiting for them at the top of the steps.
“The Council is waiting in the Sparring Hall,” Tar Amon said, placing a hand on Gwaynn’s shoulder.
“You are the High Tar,” Gwaynn stated, just a little accusatorily.
Amon nodded. “Yes, but it is the Council as a whole that will make this decision.”
“The decision has not been made then?” Gwaynn asked.
Amon smiled slightly. “The final decision has not been made as yet. First they would like to see you fight. But be aware that not all on the Council are privy of your true lineage.”Amon answered.
Gwaynn nodded, not truly understanding. How could they make a decision if they were not aware of who he was, and why was a decision even coming before the Council if that were the case?
Amon saw the boy’s confusion and berated himself for not better explaining the situation earlier.
“Only a few on the Council know the entire story, but the High Traveler and the Master Scholar both now know your true name. The Master Scholar, Putal, would like you to spend time on his island, though he does not fully realize the danger that would put his people in. He is not convinced that the High King is attempting to shift the balance of power, and feels that if the King was involved in the downfall of the Massi it was done so out of weakness and love. He believes that if the High King became aware of your continued existence he may yet return you to the throne of Massi and thus end the danger to the land. The Council is here to decide whether or not to grant his request that you be sent to Lato.”
Gwaynn nodded as if understanding, though he had a feeling he was missing something vital, but he asked no more questions as they crossed the portico and went through a set of large, heavily carved mahogany doors.
They immediately entered into a long hallway, which ran to the right and left, but they crossed this and went through another set of carved wooden doors. This pair opened into a very large room with a ceiling several stories high.
Gwaynn looked up at the rectangular ceiling far above and saw that it was painted royal blue with a gleaming gold sword running through the middle, the symbol of the Weapons Masters. There was also a balcony directly above, where a large number of people stood staring down at him. As they made their way farther into the room, Gwaynn’s attention was diverted to the large white marble dais that dominated the eastern end of the room. On the dais sat seven men and three women, all were elderly in Gwaynn’s estimation. He noticed that the seat directly in the center was unoccupied and wondered about it briefly. Behind the Council was a set of risers where another twenty to thirty people sat, most of them were much younger than the group that sat before them.
Tar Kostek placed a hand on Gwaynn’s shoulder easing him to a halt, while Tar Amon continued up and took the seat in the center of the Council. Gwaynn raised an eyebrow. Once in his place, Tar Amon banged a gavel to get everyone’s attention.
“Gwaynn, you have been called before the Council to determine whether we shall grant the request of Master Scholar Putal that you be put under his care for the remainder of your youth.”
Someone coughed from behind and above Gwaynn, but otherwise everything was quiet.