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Metamor Keep: Divine Travails of Rats<br>
by Charles Matthias and Ryx<br><br>
Pars VI: Acceptio<br><br>
(l)<br><br>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"><i>Wednesday, June 23, 724 CR,
Evening<br><br>
<br>
</i>It was a little over an hour later that all of the nobility finally
succeeded in their passage through Keeptowne and into the Keep itself.
The procession was for the most part decorous with the pomp of blaring
trumpets and waving banners. The young children did their best to show
the dignity of their houses, but there were always a few who yearned to
run ahead or hide among the statuary or tapestries. <br><br>
They paused briefly to dismount when they reached the Keep proper,
Charlie giving Maysin another hug around the neck before taking his place
with the Sutt household. Since his House had already been announced and
occupied the High Table with the Duke and their visitors the delay was
but moments compared to the wait many had to endure as they reached the
Great Hall and each house was announced by crier and invited in. Duke
Thomas kept the formality for the sake of each house that they might have
their moment to be recognized; each was proud of their name and it was
best to show them that honor. But by the time each house entered, their
youngest children were bundles of uncontrollable energy that finally
found release. One section of the hall had been set aside for their play
and they happily took advantage of it, even if at first they mostly
played only with their own siblings.<br><br>
It took perhaps a half hour before the room was thronged with nobles and
their children of all ages. Servitors brought refreshments, though after
the feasting they had all done on the tourney field there was nothing
heavy served, merely bits of fruit, cheese, or meat along with wine or
juice. Charlie and Bryn sampled a little of each as they watched the
other families enter the hall, chatting with their friend Sigismund who
had stationed himself to serve them, rather than delegating that task to
another of the numerous pages. The young alligator was still heady with
the magecraft and he gushed excitedly about the entire affair even as his
father, the Steward, watched with pride.<br><br>
Despite the noise from the playing children echoing in the heights of the
hall, clusters of nobles gathered to chat and discuss. Charlie knew that
much of it was gossip about who was in favor in which court, and he was
certain that his antics in the last two days were part of that gossip.
But he did not lie to himself; the majority was certain to be about Bryn
and the foreign princess who even now was enjoying the company of the
Duchess. For his part, Bryn was doing his best to pay it no
heed.<br><br>
As Charlie scanned the crowds gathered he felt a small pain in his heart.
He turned back to long-eared horse and alligator and dipped his head in
an apologetic bow. “Sig, I'm sorry, but there's somebody I need to speak
with. You can tell me all I missed in a little bit.”<br><br>
Sig opened his jaws wide in a toothy grin. “I will tell you when you
return, Charlie!”<br><br>
He laughed and slipped away from his friends. He took two goblets of wine
from a passing servitor and then waded into the throng. Charlie wound
past several minor nobles, some beastly and others human, until he
reached a fellow rat standing at the edge of the crowd watching the
children scamper about. He stepped alongside and offered a goblet. “You
look like you could enjoy something to drink, Erick.”<br><br>
His brother and litter-mate turned, eyes flashing down to the goblet and
then back up before stretching a clumsy hand to grasp it. “Oh, um,
Charlie,” The young rat offered pensively, staring at the cup. “Thank
you.”<br><br>
Charlie sipped the wine and smiled as he watched the Duke's young son
Philip trying to stomp across the room with four little rats hanging on
his arms and legs. “Did you enjoy the mage's spectacle?”<br><br>
Erick's ears and whiskers lifted. He sniffed the goblet but did not
drink, shooting a glance toward the knot of people clustered around the
mage's table where Murikeer and his wife, Kozaithy, held the center of
attention with the visiting Magyar adept. “It was very impressive! They
really outdid themselves this year. Having all the bells in the valley
sound at once... that will long be remembered.” He took a sip of the wine
and frowned, eyes focused on the goblet. “Charlie, I...”<br><br>
“I'm sorry, Erick,” Charlie interjected softly while his brother
stammered.<br><br>
Erick looked up at that, whiskers and ears flatting back briefly. “I'm
sorry too,” he offered at length.<br><br>
They sipped the wine, neither saying anything as they watched their
younger siblings finally drag Philip to the ground where they proceeded
to tickle the horse's sides, keeping well clear of his hooves as he
kicked and brayed. A dozen paces to their left Bryn shouted encouragement
to his younger brother. On their other side, Peter, Timothy and the other
Matthias children squeaked their approval for all to hear, louder almost
than the score of other children joining in their fun. Nobles and
aristocrats from around the valley laughed at their antics with the
delight only parents could feel.<br><br>
Nor was the melee restricted to horses and rats. At seeing the approval
of their parents most of the rest of the youngest children of the
valley's nobility rushed into the fracas to either help the Duke's second
son struggle from beneath the weight of scampering rodents or to hang
from his arms like the rats had. Soon the hall was so full of young
voices, both human and beastly, that it was hard to hear aught else.
Charlie cast a glance at Duke Thomas who stood with the foreign King at
the high end of the hall beaming at the spectacle.<br><br>
“How was the... talk with Father?” Erick asked at length after taking a
slow sip of his wine.<br><br>
He turned back to Erick and shrugged his shoulders. “Perplexing. You know
how his stories can be.” At that Erick nodded with understanding eyes.
“But it did help me see, at least on his account, just how wrong I had
been. If not for my Gift, we'd be competing, you and I, to see who would
lead the Matthias house.” He chuffed ruefully. “I've seen many brothers,
from peasant to royal, at extreme odds when they sought to be the head of
their houses. Acrimony is the often sad result, if not worse still.”
Reaching out he tapped the rim of his goblet against the one his brother
held. “In that, I guess I should be pleased that we are brothers in
different families.”<br><br>
The thought made Erick blink in surprise and then he laughed, covering it
with another drink of wine. “I hadn't thought of that. And it might be
you who was betrothed to Lenora and not I!”<br><br>
He laughed and patted his brother on the back. “Master Julian's comely
daughter would be a much better wife than some of the girls my father has
introduced me too. One of them screamed in terror on meeting
me!”<br><br>
“Ouch! There's always your lovely zebra. She seems fond of you.”<br><br>
Charlie grunted and glared at his brother, chiding, “I told you yesterday
that she already has a suitor. Although...” he shook his head before
saying something ill about the lass who'd offered her service as steed
and who cherished the role for his sake. “She is a fine lass who will
become an even more fine woman and for the sacrifice of her service,
unique only to Metamor, I am in her debt. But enough of that. I
understand you will not be returning to the Narrows until
Friday?”<br><br>
Erick favored him a lopsided grin, evidently enjoying his brother's
chagrin. “Aye, tomorrow will be nothing but chaos on the streets. Father
very much wishes to avoid that, so we shall wait for the exodus to die
down before returning home.”<br><br>
“Care to join me for a bit of exploration?” Charlie suggested. “I know
where Master Julian and Master Goldmark keep a secret stash of wines
amongst many other interesting secrets! I can even take you in to see
Long House if you'd like.”<br><br>
His brother stood taller and his ears lifted in excitement. “You could?
Oh I'd love to, Charlie. I bet it would take days to see
everything.”<br><br>
Charlie's ears pricked up and he shook his head slowly. “In the Long
House, itself? Hours, perhaps.” He leaned back to look up at a raucous
tumult above, where a half dozen winged Keepers were cavorting among the
witchlights among the rafters with the more arboreal of the visiting
children. “To see is but brief. To listen to the histories of what you
see, however; months if not years. Misha and many of the older Longs have
stories to tell that would rival our father's. Perhaps I can convince him
to let you spend some time here with me. I could even let you enjoy
training sessions with Vidika!”<br><br>
Now his brother's eyes went wide. “That little devil!” Erick winced with
a flat-eared frown. “Oh I can feel bruises already from the mere
suggestion!”<br><br>
They both laughed, sloshing wine from their goblets in their enthusiasm.
<br><br>
And then a booming voice carried over even the tumult of the children
playing. Enhanced by magic, it was clear to all even through the thick
Steppelander accent. Charlie and Erick turned toward the high end of the
hall where King Pelaeth stood with his arms outstretched and his younger
sister at his side. His dark-hair had both refinement and a wild energy
as if it were a horse's mane in mid-gallop. His eyes swept the assembled
Keepers and yet were fixed upon the ducal heir who stood a short distance
from him beside Thomas and Alberta. The words would be meant for
Charlie's closest friend and yet witnessed by all.<br><br>
Incongruously it was Sigismund who stood slightly behind king and
princess, one hand held forth yellow palm up while his powerful muzzle
was dipped and eyes closed in concentration. Clearly it was the young
mage and steward in training who supplied the magic that made the
visiting king's voice fill the hall. <br><br>
Pelaeth swept one hand wide to encompass the hall. “Thou hast a mighty
land and a mighty people. Tested by wars and by a curse that has sundered
thee from thy own race, thou hast thrived! Thou hast triumphed! Thy
enemies have been thwarted and the kingdoms that rose against thee now
beg of thee for thy plenitude! Thou art warriors true! Thou art a great
people!<br><br>
“And thou hast shown great honor in welcoming my house to thy
celebration. Thou hast shown great honor in welcoming the riders of the
Steppe and one of the greatest of mages of the Magyars into thy
contests.” With his other hand he drew the long silver and black blade
from its scabbard – the only weapon allowed in the Great Hall apart from
those born by the Duke, his family, and their many guards – and lifted it
high over his head that all could see. “Thou didst show great honor in
allowing my sword to stand in the contest; and a man given the guise of a
rat defeated me! I am in awe of thy prowess, thy generosity, thy honor,
and thy spirit! Would that I too couldst accept thy curse to bring such
virtue back to my kingdom!”<br><br>
There was a roar of approval from the gathered crowd at those words.
Charlie and Erick hooted and stomped their feet in approval with all the
rest. But Charlie's eye was focused on his friend Bryn who did not move,
but stood tall and proud, ears lifted, ready for the words that were to
come.<br><br>
King Pelaeth did not make him wait. “I doth find thee and thy kingdom,
good Duke, to be worthy of Vysehrad! If it is thy noble son's desire to
seek my sister's hand in marriage, only one thing would I ask of him. If
he dost seek her hand, then he wilt journey next Summer to my kingdom and
win her heart for himself.” The crowd murmured in wonder at the
suggestion. It was at least a two to three month's journey to the city of
Cheskych in Vysehrad for the vastness of the Steppe with all its dangers
and deprivations had to be crossed.<br><br>
Pelaeth lowered the blade and held it before him with both hands so that
the point was only inches from the marble floor. “What dost thee say,
good Thomas Bryn Hassan. Wilt thou come to the Vysehrad to seek my
sister's hand?”<br><br>
Bryn stepped away from his family and crossed the distance to where
Pelaeth and Brygitta waited. He lifted his head and in as loud voice as
he could muster, Bryn answered, “Your Majesty, you have shown us great
honor by coming to our land and joining us in contest of sword and
sorcery. And you show my family great honor by the offer you make to me.
I accept your offer, your Majesty. I will come to the land of Vysehrad
and the ancient city of Cheskysh to seek Princess Brygitta's hand and to
win her heart.”<br><br>
The crowd erupted in a roar of approval. Pelaeth and grabbed Bryn by the
shoulders and gave him a hug that looked likely to break a normal man's
back. Brygitta bowed her head respectfully toward her equine suitor and
once he was free of the King's embrace returned the bow. Duchess Alberta
beamed with unalloyed pride and even Duke Thomas appeared pleased with
the offer.<br><br>
Charlie cast a glance at his family and saw his sister Suria scowling,
ears back, jowls quivering as her eyes shot daggers at the princess. He
sighed and shook his head. <br><br>
As the roar died down, Erick nudged him in the side, “Well, well, well!
It looks like yon ducal heir has finally found love, eh
brother?”<br><br>
“Perhaps,” Charlie said with a nod and a smile. “So, would you like to
accompany us to Vysehrad next Summer?”<br><br>
Erick spluttered into his wine. “Wha... what? Me?”<br><br>
“Do you think Bryn will go alone? Of course not. He'll have mages,
soldiers and retainers aplenty on the journey, as well as many friends to
advise and encourage him. He will ask me and I will go. And I will need
mages, soldiers, and retainers aplenty! We must pass through lands that
are not friendly to Keepers and who knows what other dangers we may face.
Bryn would never object to you joining my company. And if you want to
invite Sir Bertram I'd be happy to have him along as well.”<br><br>
His brother Erick stared at him open mouthed and wide-eyed. And then in
the happiest laugh he'd ever heard from his brother, Erick flung his arms
around his middle and hugged him tight, even as all the wine from his
goblet sloshed across the floor. “I will go! I will go! Thank you,
Charlie! What an adventure it will be!”<br><br>
“That it will!” Charlie hugged him right back, excited beyond measure at
the prospect of a long journey with his brother at his side. “Come, let
us go see yon ducal heir – oh, here he comes anyway!”<br><br>
They both turned to find Bryn slipping through the crowd of nobility, all
of whom made him stop to offer their congratulations and best wishes on
his journey. Bryn thanked them even as his eyes kept turning to the pair
of rats. Charlie and Erick saved him the trouble of fighting through the
crowd by forcing their way to his side.<br><br>
“Ah, Charlie, Erick, how did you like that little show?” Bryn's deep
voice was buried in the tumult of the celebration to such a degree that,
even with their keen ears, the rats had to lean close to hear
him.<br><br>
“Very impressive, your grace,” Erick beamed, his whiskers twitching in
excitement even as his tail thumped back and forth behind him.<br><br>
“Well, it will be a very long journey to Vysehrad and so...”<br><br>
“Yes, Bryn,” Charlie assured him. “I will be at your side.”<br><br>
Bryn laughed and pulled him tight with one powerful arm, snatching Erick
close with the other. “I knew you would!” Dipping his muzzle slightly to
look down at them he raised an eyebrow. “What of...”<br><br>
Charlie caught the question before it was asked. “And Erick, yes, I have
asked and he accepted. Now we need only convince Father to allow
it.”<br><br>
Bryn patted the shorter rat on the shoulder. “Excellent! You've a good
arm, Erick. We'll be delighted to have you.” His expressive equine lips
drew back in a grin. “After all, the good Baron would not refuse a
request of his liege now would he?”<br><br>
“No, that I doubt,” Erick agreed with an effusive bob of his head. “I
will not disappoint you, your grace!” With a brief salute of his empty
goblet Erick withdrew to convey the request to their sire.<br><br>
Charlie leaned closer and spoke into the horse's ear. “Do you love this
princess, Bryn?”<br><br>
Bryn grimaced and cast a quick glance back over his shoulder. “She is
pleasant and fetching and she seems to have a good soul. I cannot know if
I love her after just two days, but... what an adventure to find out!” He
leaned in a little closer and in a whisper added, “Besides, Mother would
have skewered me if I hadn't said yes!”<br><br>
Charlie tipped back his head and laughed.<br><br>
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May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,<br><br>
Charles Matthias </body>
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