Crossed Swords: A Tale of Maid Cordelia

Ch 15: The Die is Cast

Each on their mounts, and side-by-side, Cordelia and Lord Planya rode through the forest, back to the main square of the Grand Estates. There, the staff of the House of Myrrh was already setting up the platforms where the palace guard would stand and salute Cordelia, who would receive the radas from Dame Esa herself – the radas, the ceremony of investing the new knight with her sword and shield, of dubbing her Dame or Lord, and of delivering the ritual slap, which is rendered as a tap on the cheek, to remind the new knight that responsibility is the watchword of freedom.

From deep within the woods, Cordelia felt a fresh breeze arise along the waters of Lake Mere, and she urged Lord Planya to follow her to its edge. The waves lapped at the shore and caressed the earth; the horses drank.

"I think," said Lord Planya, "that this was a victory worth the effort. All the tribes on the other side of Snow's White Breath now have enough land to graze their cattle and sheep."

Cordelia agreed. "With the creation of Lake Sere," she said, " – for that is what I have named the new lake – they have a flow of water that will last for generations."

Lord Planya's face had a questioning look, and Cordelia answered it.

"I call it Lake Sere, for sere, in the language of the Wretched Tribes, means made for us by friends, and that is a fitting tribute that will seal this victory." With these words, Cordelia felt a satisfaction that had eluded her through all the time she had prepared for the knightly quest. They were the first she had spoken in three days, and relief flooded through her; she was able once again to share her thoughts freely and out loud. "This is a mission we have all accomplished: meeting the needs of the Wretched Tribes would have been a hard struggle without your help, Lord Planya. In fact, it would have been useless, for Dosalbo's magic would have overcome us."

They were riding in the forest again, and Lord Planya, too, shared his thoughts openly. "The League meant no harm," he said. "They wanted simply what they needed, and they were led astray by a vain magician. Now that he has been vanquished, they are free to reunite with their tribesmen, and be wretched no more."

They approached the edge of the forest, and full daylight shone in the clear sky. Cordelia dismounted; her father and sisters were there to greet her, and she ran to their arms.

How proud Pierce and Fira felt that morning! They held onto Cordelia's robes so fiercely as they greeted her, that Cordelia felt the warmth of their grasp even through her rough tunic. She kissed them both a hundred times before they parted from her, and as she looked up, she saw the one whose life she cherished the most. "Father," she said, and Farrant embraced her and wept silent tears. "You, my child, are the strength of my age and the delight of my life," he said, "for you have made your dreams come true." Wander, the faithful squire, peered out at Cordelia from behind Vechya, whose reins he had already taken, and Cordelia embraced him as well. The Knights Valiant, who had assembled in a circle around them all, clapped their hands in unflagging rhythmic praise. Only Lord Veva glanced aside, bound in chains, his shame preventing him from sharing in the victory. As Lord Pascal strode forward in his black robes, Veva averted his eyes, and Pascal ignored him.

"You are blest today, Maid Cordelia, for you have gained entrance to the Cordon of Knights, and a prominent place in its Assembly," he said. His face, no longer lined with fear and anxiety, beamed instead with confidence and pride. "The threat has been removed, and you have achieved knighthood with extraordinary accomplishment." He turned to his right, for from the corner of his eye he spied Lord Planya, still reserved in his affection for Cordelia. "You planned this well, Azure Knight," he said; "come forward and take your place here with Dame Cordelia."

It was now mid-day, and Wander brought Vechya, refreshed and groomed, to Cordelia, who took his reins with pride. "Vechya must take the honor too," she said. "I am sure Dame Esa will agree." At these words, Dame Calyx, of the House of Chase, arrived, with a cohort of knights, to escort Cordelia to Dame Esa and to bear witness to Lord Veva's fate. "Dame Esa stands there with your father and with Lord Bearance, head of the Assembly," she said to Cordelia, "for they are planning your ceremony of entrance to the Cordon. Even so, a decision must be rendered concerning Lord Veva and the entire House of Tarrow. His scarlet pennon flew at Dosalbo's camp; in doubt now is whether it will ever again be allowed to fly over the Estates."