<html> <body> Metamor Keep: Divine Travails of Rats by Charles Matthias and Ryx Pars VI: Acceptio (l) Wednesday, June 23, 724 CR, Evening 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” Sig opened his jaws wide in a toothy grin. “I will tell you when you return, Charlie!” 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.” 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.” 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?” 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...” “I'm sorry, Erick,” Charlie interjected softly while his brother stammered. Erick looked up at that, whiskers and ears flatting back briefly. “I'm sorry too,” he offered at length. 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. 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. “How was the... talk with Father?” Erick asked at length after taking a slow sip of his wine. 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.” 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!” 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!” “Ouch! There's always your lovely zebra. She seems fond of you.” 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?” 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.” “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.” 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.” 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!” 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!” They both laughed, sloshing wine from their goblets in their enthusiasm. 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. 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. 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! “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!” 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. 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. 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?” 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.” 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. 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. 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?” “Perhaps,” Charlie said with a nod and a smile. “So, would you like to accompany us to Vysehrad next Summer?” Erick spluttered into his wine. “Wha... what? Me?” “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.” 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!” “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!” 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. “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. “Very impressive, your grace,” Erick beamed, his whiskers twitching in excitement even as his tail thumped back and forth behind him. “Well, it will be a very long journey to Vysehrad and so...” “Yes, Bryn,” Charlie assured him. “I will be at your side.” 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...” 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.” 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?” “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. Charlie leaned closer and spoke into the horse's ear. “Do you love this princess, Bryn?” 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!” Charlie tipped back his head and laughed. ---------- May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love, Charles Matthias </body> </html>