"The Betrayal of Amaranthe Chapter 2A" by Mercedes A Boggs

Chapter 2

Arathyn sat at a small wooden table drinking bitter winter ale and regarding the person sitting across from him as they spoke.  The younger elf’s hair looked as though he had ridden through a wind storm the way it stood like black tendrils on his head.  From under the locks that fell into his face despite his attempts to push it back, unusual eyes glimmered with a mischievous twinkle.  It had been months since Arathyn had last seen him, but the sight of the elven sorcerer was a comforting one. 

Arathyn set his tankard on the table as the mage sat in silence contemplating his request.  “Falin, I’m asking this as a favor.  You’re the only one I trust in this backwards village to accompany her back to Amaranthe.  It isn’t just by happenstance that you’re here.  Ullr must have put you here for that purpose,” he reasoned with his less than cooperative friend.

Falin gave him an unconvinced look raising his eyebrows skeptically.  “It is purely by chance that we meet here in this town.  That is the way of things.  The gods do not have our every moved mapped out; if they did I‘d swear I was being punished.”  He added the last bit beneath his breath as he began with their usual theosophical debate.  “Anyway, I am not a nursemaid, Arathyn, not even as a favor for you,” he replied slouching further into his chair.  “Why should I be saddled with her?  Who is she that she needs protection?”

“She is a close friend of my family’s.  We grew up together.  Her father and mine are very dear friends, but I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you.  You know I would not ask this of you if it weren’t of the utmost importance,” Arathyn said exasperated. 

“What could she possibly encounter that would require the aid of a mere apprentice?” He stressed his last words resentfully.  “She is after all a ranger and well-suited to the forest, is she not?”

“Normally, I would agree with you; but the lands are not what they once were,” Arathyn said thoughtfully.  “Small groups of Ba’dul are managing to slip through our border defenses.  We believe they are hiding out in the forest, marshalling their forces until there are enough of them to make a strong collected attack on Amaranthe.  They are becoming audacious.  They’ve begun randomly attacking bands of travelers.  She is not strong enough to travel alone, not after the last battle she was in; and despite the fact that Ahriman still calls you his apprentice, we both know your capabilities, Falin; so that excuse won’t work with me.”

Ana had been awakened by the voices in the next room.  One she didn’t recognize, but the other was all too familiar.  It was Arathyn of Amaranthe, a righteous paladin of the crown, the youngest ever to lead the King’s Knights of the First Order, and her intended betrothed.  He was serving currently under Prince Jealdrakus in the king’s absence.

“Why can’t you travel with her, Arathyn,” the silkily lilting brogue of Falin’s voice once more interrupted Ana’s thoughts.

“I would, but I am to return to the border of the Midlands as soon as I report to the prince who’s visiting Pararath in the northwest.”

Falin sat quietly a bit longer before relenting with a huff.  “Fine.”

“You have my eternal thanks, Falin.”  Arathyn stood taking his helmet in hand.

“Yes, just what I needed, your eternal thanks¼I can die happily now,” he returned sarcastically.

                Arathyn smiled broadly and chuckled.  “Well, do it after you‘ve completed this task for me.”  He turned and began to stride towards the door.

“Where are you going?”  Falin asked in alarm interrupting Arathyn’s steady gait.  “Aren’t you going to look in on her?  Is she a leper?”  Suspicion edged his voice

“No, of course not.  I looked in on her this morning; her recovery seemed to be progressing well.  Now that I know she’ll pull through, I’m confident that you can handle everything from here.”  He smiled again and left the small sitting room.

Ana heard Arathyn’s footsteps fade from the hall, and her heart sank.  In the six months since the prince had arranged for their marriage, she had seen Arathyn just once.  Although she knew he was fond of her, she did not delude herself into believing it to be love.  Arathyn was more interested in her skills as a scout for his army than any romantic notion.

Ana’s body seemed to groan as she sat up from the soft bed removing the hand-quilted cotton blanket that covered her.  The room she found herself in was quaint and wood-brown.  A worn, walnut dresser stood against the far wall, a small brown table, just big enough for two, sat near the doorway, the brown walnut bed rested beneath a maple-framed window, whose panes of glass were warped with time.  Even the walls, ceiling, and floor were matching brown wood.  Only the white linen on the bed, the lace curtains over the window, and a small piece of lace that decorated the dresser broke the monotony of the room.

Ana spotted her equipment beneath the table and stood to retrieve it.  Her long, white, cotton chemise trailed gracefully behind her as she crossed the room.  She knelt down to retrieve a small mirror she had stored in her backpack, and loose ringlets of hair fell across her face and around her shoulders as she rummaged through her cluttered pack.  A small gasp escaped her lips as she saw her reflection in the mirror.  Though fading, blue-green bruises marred her honeyed complexion circling both eyes like unsightly spectacles.  She tentatively touched her face, afraid that she may worsen the damage done.

As she reached to touch the large bump on her head, the door to her room flung open.  Ana looked up, startled, dropping her mirror, which shattered against the hardwood floor.  She looked down at the glittering shards allowing her hair to hide her battered face.

“Ah¼I¼I’m sorry,” Falin said stooping to help her clean up the mess.   “I was coming to check on you.  I didn’t think you’d be awake.  Please excuse me.”  Falin looked up from the task to regard Ana.  Her dark chestnut hair fell in ringlets obscuring her face and her hand shook slightly as she collected the broken mirror.  Battered from the attack she endured, her beauty shone through the bruises and cuts unhampered.

“It was just a mirror,” Ana answered slowly raising her head to look at him.  Falin’s breath caught in his chest as her vibrant eyes peered questioningly up at him.  Even the rich green of their own elven forests could not compare with the green of her eyes.  Ana, too, reacted to the image of the elf that kneeled before her.  Her lips parted in silent awe.  The eyes that met her gaze were unlike any she had ever seen.  Beneath thick lashes, the color of night itself, shone two golden orbs.  Ana became self-conscious as she realized Falin was staring at her.  “I know,” Ana began with an uncomfortable laugh.  “It’s probably best the mirror broke.  I must be a terrible sight.”

Falin became aware of his mouth hanging slightly open and closed it into a smile.  “No¼” he replied breathlessly shaking his head in disagreement.  “Angels would tear off their wings in frustration at not being able to attain even half of your beauty.  I didn’t believe the gods could create such perfection until now.” 

Ana blushed looking away.  His charm was a seamless extension of his exotic pulchritude.  “You are too kind, My lord.”

A hardy laugh emanated from Falin.  “My lord,” he smiled.  “I don’t think anyone’s ever called me that.”  Falin’s smile twinkled.  Jet black hair stood untamed on his head; dark locks fell in his face partially obscuring his shimmering metallic eyes. 

“You were talking with Arathyn as an equal, so I assumed that to be the correct way to address you.”

“Perhaps,” he shrugged non-committally, “call me Falin.”  He stood and bowed.

“I am¼”

“The Lady Anastriana Galanodel, daughter of the king’s own ranger, Lord Galen Galanodel.”

“Ana will do.”  She smiled as she began to stand up.  Falin helped her to her feet noting as she wavered a bit in her step.  “You seem to know a lot about me, Falin, yet I know nothing of you.”

“I’m a friend of Arathyn’s; and, sadly, I don’t know that much about you.  Arathyn spoke more of your father, but I would like to learn more as we travel to Amaranthe.”

The mention of the palatial city reminded Ana of her journey.  She had no idea where she was; and worse, she had no idea as to the whereabouts of her companions. 

“The party I was traveling with,” she asked with concern.  “Do you know if they are they safe?”

“Yes, I believed they are.”

Ana breathed a sigh of relief.  “Thank Silvanus.”

“It seems that they should thank you from what Arathyn tells me.  You‘re quite a skilled fighter, aren‘t you?”  Falin quipped.

“Do you doubt the power of my god?”  she asked with indignation.

“No, I just think credit should be given where it’s due, Ana.  It was your sacrifice that ensured their safe travel.”

“Silvanus granted me the courage and strength to do what was required of me.  I could not have done it without his guidance.”

“Don’t be silly.  Whatever skills you possess, you’ve earned.”

“You’re very bold;” Ana frowned, “insulting someone’s beliefs the first time you meet them.”

“I intended no offense.  It was meant as a compliment to your skill.”

“You should take care with your words, Falin, lest you anger the wrong person.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”  Thinking it better not to argue, Falin simply smiled.  “We should leave for Amaranthe as soon as you’re able, Ana.”

“I don’t need you to travel with me.  I’m quite capable, despite what Arathyn has said; and I know you don’t want to accompany me.”

“I told Arathyn I would, so I will. It’s that simple.   Anyway, I’m sure the journey will be enjoyable.”  He smiled.

“Well, if you’re determined,”

“I am.”

“If I rest today, I should be ready to travel by morning.” 

“Very well,” Falin said bowing slightly and kissing Ana on the hand, “at sunrise then.”

Ana blushed involuntarily at Falin’s gesture as she watched him leave.

Still feeling fatigued, Ana spent the remainder of the day in her room resting.  She sorted through her backpack full of tokens from her past adventures.  Maps with tattered edges were piled at one end of the bed while odd gems and other knickknacks were placed at the other.  She looked fondly on the tangible memories that lay before her before slowly repacking them with a semblance of order.  She had lost track of time when she noticed the darkening sky outside her window.  A knock on her door interrupted her packing. 

“M’lady, if you have not yet supped tonight, please accept my invitation to dine,” a familiar voice called.

“Elan,” she called excitedly.  She had wondered about his fate and that of the travelers since she regained consciousness.  Though Falin had said they had made it safely, hearing his voice for herself was heartening.

She quickly swung open her door.  Elan stood there giving her a look of utter dismay, which faded quickly to heartache as he gazed upon her bruised face.  “Merciful gods, Ana, what did they do to you?”  He set the plates full of food from the tavern down the hall on the edge of the cluttered table and gently took her face within his trembling hands.

“I’m okay,” Ana responding comfortingly placing her hands over his.  “Really.  It looks much worse than it is.”

“Never again will I desert you; order or not.”  His words were stern, but his eyes betrayed him reflecting his joyous relief.  Ana smiled at him as he tried his best to appear angry with her.  “It isn’t funny, Ana,” he continued.  “You could have been killed, and I would have had to live the rest of my life with that guilt.”

“It’s nice to know that it was truly my well-being that had you concerned, Elan,” she replied playfully as she cleared the rest of the small table in the corner.

“You know I was concerned.” He turned to look at Ana who could not remove the smirk from her face.  “But if I said it was for you, it would only go to that stubborn head of yours.”

“Well, whatever the reason, I’m happy you’re here.”  She gave him a warm hug.  “I was worried terribly about you and the others.”

“Everyone is fine, albeit a bit shaken.  You provided enough of a diversion for us to make it safely into the forest.  I led them here the next morning, but not before returning to look for you.”

                “I should be reprimanding you,” Ana said.  “You disobeyed an order.  You were supposed to go directly to the nearest town.”

“I would disobey you a thousand times over if it would keep you out of harm‘s way,” he said pulling a chair out for her.  “By Mithras, Ana, you don’t know how much you frightened me.  When I went back to the site, there were blood-soaked bodies everywhere, and you were nowhere to be found.  I...” His voice failed him and he momentarily looked away.   “I thought they had killed you and carried you off somewhere.”  His fear echoed in his eyes.

“I’m fine, Elan.”

“But you wouldn’t have been if Sir Arathyn hadn’t’ve come along.  I would have been far too late.”

“So it was Arathyn who brought me here,” she said piecing together the events of that night.

“Ana, you can’t keep taking chances like this.  I’ll admit that you’re good at what you do, but you can’t do it all alone.  It’s too dangerous out there these days.”

“I’m not alone.  I have you,” she smiled.

“Even that may not be enough now,” Elan said.

Ana sat at the table and began eating changing the subject to avoid any further reproval.  “Are you traveling with me to Amaranthe?”  she asked him as they ate.

Elan knew Ana too well to think he could continue his conversation if she wanted to end it, so without another word about it he sat at the table to eat.  “No, I will take the rest of the group from here to Lynara with Miryam, but I will meet you there.  I am leaving Elaendra here for you to ride.  That mare is unmanageable without you.”

“I will go with you.” 

“I talked to Sir Arathyn earlier.  He told me the condition he found you in and that you’re still weak.  You should continue on to Amaranthe.  I can handle the group.”

“So Arathyn makes decision for me now,” she asked indignantly.

“He’s just looking out for you, Ana, as am I.”

“All of these people looking out for me, I hardly get a chance to do it myself.”

“I don’t want to argue, Ana.”  Ana turned from him to look out the window concealing her anger.  Elan sighed.   “So,” he began cautiously praying to any god that would listen that he would not misstep with his words, “who are you traveling with to Amaranthe.”

“Falin,” she answered casually.

“Who is Falin?  Is he safe to travel with?”

“I’ve only just met him, but I heard him speaking with Arathyn as though they were close friends.”  She turned back to face Elan.

“Well, if Arathyn knows him,” he paused, “and if you feel safe traveling with him,” he added prudently, “then I trust him as well.”  He stood picking up his plate.

 Ana smiled at Elan’s attempt at diplomacy.  “Are you leaving already?”  she asked looking down at her picked over dinner.

“Yes, you need rest, and I need to be up early tomorrow.”  He looked down at her plate as well.  “You haven’t eaten much, Ana.”

“No appetite,” she shrugged.

“Well, try to eat something tomorrow.  You need to regain your strength; I’ll not be picking up your slack when we’re out on the trail again.”  He smiled though concern flickered in his eyes.

“I’ll try.  Thank you for dinner and your concern, Elan.  Despite my behavior, I do appreciate it.” Ana stood and embraced Elan warmly.  “Silvanus guide you.”

“You too, Ana.”  With a gentle bow of his head, Elan left the room.

Ana watched the door close behind him and climbed tiredly into bed.