The Druid Queen - Douglas Niles [20]
"The treaty that made it possible for his son to help us," Robyn pointed out. The northmen and Ffolk had been mortal enemies for many centuries until the signing of that historic pact. The peace, arranged by High King Kendrick and the kings of the north, had been reaffirmed during the recent troubles. Also, although Alicia had not been aware of this, the prospect of a unifying marriage had been considered and anticipated by both peoples.
"Indeed," Tristan reminisced. "It was King Olafsson who suggested the place for the ceremony. He thought that the image of the Icepeak above, with the surrounding groves of the Grampalt Highlands, made the proper setting for a peace between two such diverse populations."
"The Icepeak… that's the highest mountain in the isles, isn't it?" Alicia asked.
"So high that its summit remains shrouded by ice and snow the full year around," Robyn confirmed.
"I remember often enough sailing through the strait on the voyages from Callidyrr to Corwell," Alicia observed. "A few times the weather was clear enough that we could see the mountain. I remember the first time I saw it. Never did I think that any piece of the world could soar so high into the air!"
"There are summits on the mainland that are higher," the king allowed. "But none within the Moonshaes that even comes close."
The king was silent for a moment, then looked at Alicia with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "And now the son of Svenyird Olafsson is smitten with my daughter! What a way to seal the peace, eh, my queen?"
"Father!" objected the princess as her mother smiled.
Tristan held up his hand in a gesture of peace. "You didn't imagine it was a secret, did you? Besides, it's time you gave some thought to a husband. He'll marry onto the throne of the High King, remember."
"I believe Alicia knows her own mind-well enough for now, in any event," interjected Robyn, coming to her daughter's rescue. Thankfully the princess made haste with the rest of her breakfast, mumbling some excuse about her horses as she rose from the table and all but raced for the doors.
* * * * *
An acolyte awakened Keane as the first rays of sunlight began to lighten the eastern horizon. He met the Exalted Inquisitor in the plaza, where they shared a quick breakfast of fruit and wine. By the time pale blue stretched across the full arc of the sky, the cleric announced that he was ready to depart.
Bishou Harmanius arrived then with a long, narrow roll of silk. Keane discerned that the fabric was merely a wrapping, protecting a straight object some five feet long. The inquisitor took no note of his underling's arrival.
"What shall I do?" inquired Keane, still mystified as to Hyath's intended mode of transport.
"All questions are answered for the patient man," intoned the inquisitor. "For now, just wait there."
Dressed in splendid white robes etched in trim of gold and silver thread, the inquisitor struck a grand pose, closing his eyes and clasping his hands reverently over his solid stomach.
The words of his prayer mingled into a low chant, in a language that Keane did not recognize. The cleric spoke for more than a minute, his tone modulating from harsh to mild, flowing up and down the scale almost as if he sang.
Abruptly Keane detected a brightening in the air before the cleric. Slowly the illumination grew more distinct, taking on a shape and solidity where before had been only the clear morning air. Soon a spinning wheel of fire resolved itself from the arcane pyrotechnics, crackling and hissing, casting showers of sparks to the paving stones of the courtyard. The shape expanded, and gradually Keane made out two blazing figures-like horses, but made from light and fire. Above the flaming wheel, he saw a platform, well shielded and quite wide enough to carry several riders.
It was the