Isolde

Chapter 19 - Important Arrivals

It seemed as if nothing had been achieved. Both nations had lost many men and despite a truce having been settled, it felt like a loss to both sides. Whilst it may end the fighting and unite the two nations, it wouldn't settle the age old argument of which was the true ruler.

Tigressa and Frelian both now languished in their palace's on opposite sides of the chasm, neither able to do anything but wait. Frelian contemplated how he was to get out of this agreed marriage to Bilette without admitting he was already married, and Tigressa was struggling to come to terms with the fact that she would soon only be queen mother and her son in law was to be from Rilia.

One morning, Isolde burst into the palace demanding to talk to the king in a matter of urgency. Frelian nodded as Isolde was admitted into the throne room to address her secret husband in front of him and his guards. "Your majesty, the Inovine are here." she panted

"They are!" Frelian exclaimed "So they were coming after all."

"Yes your majesty. They left immediately after receiving your letter but were held up by storms. Now they have arrived and sent forth a messenger to ask where they might land."

Frelian thought for a minute. The battle was all but over yet he tried to contemplate a way he could use these Inovine men to his advantage. But if he was going to use them they'd need to dock without being noticed by the Turige. They'd have to dock in one of the outer ports that wasn't near the chasm, it would mean a longer journey to reach the palace but it was the only way they'd be undetected. "Tell the messenger they may dock on any port that isn't visible from the chasm. I will arrange transportation to get them to the palace from there."

"Very good your majesty," Isolde bowed and then left. She was enjoying her new post as a commander as it gave her something to focus on whilst she couldn't be with Frelian. She worried deeply about how her husband was going to evade this new marriage and grieved for there was nothing she could do. She hoped the Inovine would be of use or at least that Alouette's company would be a comfort to her at this time. She prayed Alouette would forgive her for not telling her of the marriage so they could be friends once more as she needed a friend desperately.

Meanwhile, Turige had an arrival too. The Princess Bilette's ship had just landed in a chasm port near the opening to the sea. It was all but obscured from vision from the Rilian due to a high cliff and some trees. Tigressa rode to greet her daughter personally at the port.

"My darling Bilette" she called from the dock as her daughter disbanded the ship.

"Mother" Bilette responded dryly.

"How was Quarine my love?"

Bilette once again answered harshly "Quarine was lovely, I was very sad to leave for I was enjoying the Empress' company. I hope you have a good reason for calling me back. And I hope it won't take long because i'd very much like to return."

Tigressa took her daughters hands and tried to be sympathetic "Bilette, I'm afraid you won't be returning to Quarine. I called you home to be married."

"Married!"

"Yes married. You are to be married to Frelian Alvaro of Rilia."

"You expect me to marry a man I've never met! And a Rillian at that!", Bilette pulled her hands from her mothers and stepped back. She commanded that no more of her belongings should be unloaded for she was returning to Quarine immediately. Then turning to her mother she hissed "How could you mother, we agreed I was to marry a man I chose."

"I know my love but since you've been gone a lot has happened and you are our only chance of peace from the Rilians now. I had no choice."

Bilette looked unimpressed and tapped her foot irritably. She was waiting for her mother to offer an acceptable explanation.