Shades of Night: the anthology
a lord's confession and some romance
In the spirit of trying new things and based upon the prompt by S.E. Reid, I’ve decided to take a crack at romance.
I know! Non-Suff content, can you believe it? (IYKYN, but IYDN click here)
Due to time constraints, I am not able to come up with characters and stories from scratch, however, I have a plethora of material to work with from things I do have written.
I don’t hate romance, but it’s not something I gravitate toward. It makes me uncomfortable in a lot of ways and for a lot of reasons. That said, I do enjoy a good Austen movie night (I stand by my belief that the 1995 television adaptation of Pride & Prejudice is the superior version and Colin Firth is Mr. Darcey).
At the moment—not really at the moment, but in the last 10 months—I have tried to write something romantic and lighthearted. There’s some material in my archives. I had to sit on my hands not to release things that I planned for spring 2024, but this prompt has revived my passion for that particular project. Let’s get through winter before we dive into spring!
We’re getting off topic.
This is a tale that occurs many years before our heroes Adrienne and Leander are married, before the Pythonesses of the Crow arrive, and before Byzmor makes his wicked march against the City of Cidaen.
Without further ado, enjoy!
Cidaen
Six years before the fall of Rodorhíep
The air was warm and sweet. Silver platters of candied nuts sat upon a low table, accompanied by pots of coffee.
Three young ladies gathered on the plush and scarlet carpet. Their pale limbs stood in contrast to the fine and feathered robes they wore, dyed deeply with the best of materials. All were noble in stature and splendid in feature. The three were renowned throughout all of Rodorhíep for their beauty, bearing faces like a fresh spring morning.
Together, chattering and whispering, they decorated each other’s illustrious black hair with trinkets and jewels. Ladies Nena and Nefina were sisters, Lady Adrienne their dearest friend.
Pausing the ministrations of her ivory comb, Lady Adrianne addressed Lady Nena. “Will you see the men off?”
Nena wrinkled her brow. “No. Those Holtians and their wind-bags give my head such pain.”
“Oughtn’t you go, Adrienne?” asked Nena. “If I understand correctly some congratulations are in order.”
Lady Adrienne smooth and skilled hand, she began to plait Lady Nena’s ebony hair. “Congratulations?” echoed Adrienne with wrinkled brow.
“Yes, indeed. Prince Cassius has asked for your hand, no?”
Adrienne paused her task. “That is true,” she admitted.
There was silence, Adrienne feeling her companion’s gaze upon her in the reflection of the nearby looking glass.
“Perhaps it is not the elder brother, but surely…” prompted Nena before trailing off.
As Adrienne bowed her head, the golden bells that hung from her circlet tinkled. “I have refused him,” she whispered.
Lounging on a set of pillows, Nefina laughed. She did not hear the conversation about marriage. “I overheard a Holtian soldier complain about Elderian Chants,” she said.
Adrienne was glad for the change of subject and Nena was wise enough not to comment.
“Don’t tell me it surprises you that they have not the palette for choral music?” asked Nena.
A knock came upon the oaken door, interrupting the girls.
“Enter!” called Adrienne.
A knave peered around the corner, waving a scroll in his hand. “A letter for you, my lady.”
Adrienne rose and crossed the room, bare feet padding over woollen carpet, and accepted the scroll of parchment.
“And they smell,” grumbled Nefina, continuing on about the Holtian soldiers. “You’d think they would send cleaner men when asking King Cyprian for aid. No respect for the pomp and circumstance of our station. Elven bone beneath our very feet and they remain boorish.” She shook her head in disapproval.
“I overheard young Ellie say she found them handsome,” said Nena with a scoff.
Nefina giggled. “Handsome? Ha! Why, they are as tufty and bristled as boars. Never mind what Ellie says. She is not yet sixteen. One could not tell the difference between a Holtian and a giant.”
“As if you’ve ever seen one,” teased Nena.
“They border the Fringe, dear Nefina. I’m sure they have more important things to worry about than soap,” said Adrienne as she unfolded the letter.
Though it was not her intention, Lady Adrienne’s comment was received as if it had been given in jest. The two girls laughed.
“Well, their musical display left much to be desired,” said Nena. “And I suppose they believe their iron ore was of good quality. Perhaps up north it is. If their fire-beaters possess any skill why do they wend every year to King Cyprian’s golden hall to beg for battle-gear?”
The conversation faded from Adrienne’s attention as she began to read the words before her. There was no introduction, no address but there was none needed. At once, Adrienne recognised the strong script and the tilted hand.
The more she read, the more Adrienne’s ivory features paled. She began to pace. “Oh, Elder One!” she cried.
The other two stopped their conversation, startled by the outburst.
Adrienne stood in the middle of her room, the pages in a shaking grip.
“By the heavens, dear Adrienne,” began Nena, “Whatever is the matter—”
A trumpet blared, the sign of Cidaen’s city gates opening.
“I have to go!”
Adrienne nearly tripped over the fur rug in her haste. She did not hear the cries of the girls reminding her to don her boots.
Barefoot, Adrienne flew astride Fidem, her black stallion, down the mountain. The words of the letter echoed in her mind, the voice of their author urging her onward.
It is against reason that I write this letter, Lady Adrienne.
Word has reached me of your engagement. If it be true, well may you wear him, the youngest son of our good King. If it be true, read no further.
I admit that the pain at the reception of such an account is what moved me to action. By my agony I am untethered, by my agony free to hope.
This I must tell you, though it is almost certainly already known. For how can it have been in silence that these last years I have admired you? The world is my witness. All have heard the sweetness of your laughter in my song and have witnessed your loveliness reflected in my eyes.
Know that I love you, dear Adrienne.
There, the truth is said.
If you have accepted Prince Cassius’s proposal, then I beg you to bless me with lack of response. I shall earn myself a song in battle amongst my mother’s people. Let me go to my grave happy with hope.
Yet, dearest Adrienne, if my heart can be trusted, allow me a glimpse of you at the Northern gates on the day our armies depart. If you are there, I shall understand. I know that I will not return unless it is for you that I do.
Eternally yours,
Leander
Adrienne rode Fidem into the crowd until she could no longer.
Holtian bagpipes thundered, drowning all hope of calling out for Leander. The squares and streets were packed with people waving goodbye. It was a massive procession, Princes Cyprian II and Cassius amongst the soldiers. They headed a line of Rodorians, joining their allies as they marched in time to their drums.Northward they went; children of battle charging to Ardan to meet the Fringe beasts in battle.
In the snow-bent sunlight, Adrienne could not make out which man was Leander.
She urged Fidem about and forced him up the steps of the rampart, ignoring shouts of indignation.
“Clear the way! Clear the way!” Adrienne cried.
At the highest point, she peered out at the line of men below. Upon her reddened cheeks the mountain laid a northern kiss, Adrienne’s hair whipped like a banner in the wild air, and her robes scarlet billowed against an eagle’s perfect sky.
“Dear Elder One,” she prayed. “If he is the one for me, let him look back. Let him know that I am here!”
The seconds passed.
Far below, someone paused and turned his face toward her.
Tears sparkled in her eyes. Holding fast to the letter, Adrienne raised her fist.
For more of this world, follow along in the nearly completed anthology!
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The “Shades of Night” Anthology:
Last Words of Ælfric, Brother of the King
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You never disappoint, M.E.!
Awww! Such a sweet ending! And the conversation-based worldbuilding was very smoothly done!