Forged in Fire - (Part 5 of the Ignaius-Saga)

Dreadful Morning

For perhaps the first time since the king's arrival, the castle slept quietly that night. There were no agitated patrols or hushed whispers of developing plots held in the shadows. Most people were relieved that war was not so imminent and that they no longer had to choose between House Alturus and the crown - fearing that they would make the wrong choice and be executed for treason.

Of course, not everyone could savor that relief. Alexton and his wife grieved for their lost child and worried about the implications of what was to come. Core wrestled with the burden of being the only reasonable one in his family at the moment. Variel suffered in the mire of his depression and loneliness that he could not banish. A handful of prisoners awaited further questioning and the fate that awaited them afterward.

Outside the castle walls, the camp wasn't entirely calm, either. Word of what had happened the previous night was spreading like - fittingly - wildfire. Those within the castle had not seen the unreal feats performed by the youngest son of their Lord, but many in the camp had. Soldiers with horrific burns told of how the boy's skin had been wreathed in flame. Dragoons who had ridden behind him told of how the sky itself had burst into flame to reveal and scorch their enemies. Many were awed, and others remarked that the king's 'boy whore' couldn't possibly have done such miraculous things, that they all must be mistaken.

Still, most slept better than they had in weeks, even with the new excitement. First thing in the morning, preparations were underway for the funeral, which was to be held in the vast courtyard of Stoneshield Keep. Tables were moved from the Great Hall to afford seating for everyone that would be attending, and servants and cooks were in a frenzy to prepare a hearty feast. Meanwhile, the bodies of Sejan and Vance were prepared for the burning, each carefully cleaned and wrapped. The relative quiet from the night before had very quickly dissolved into a mad dash to get everything ready.

First thing in the king's morning, Tanier went to see Variel. He had to. He had promised he would see him and most likely wouldn't be in a state to do so after the feast. Also he did not want the boy to be unprepared and did not know, if anyone else would take care of this, neither did he want to delegate this task, it was too personal. So he shortly knocked at Variel's door and went inside. He was not dressed for the funeral yet.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Variel was already out of bed. He had not yet washed or dressed, but he was sitting at his table with a cup of tea and a plate of food, at which he was picking. In truth, it was the knowledge that the king could appear at any moment that had made him get up and do something. His own will was not yet driving him to survive, so he had to rely on the king's desire.

He looked up from the apple he was slicing when he heard the door open. Despite everything, his heart fluttered. It was perhaps a sign that he wasn't quite as miserable. "Good morning, sire," he greeted the older man politely while setting down his knife.

Tanier walked over to Variel and placed a kiss on his head, then sat down at the table. He did not want to interrupt the breakfast, so he got himself a cup of tea as well.

"I am happy to see you eating," he said. "I hope you got some sleep tonight?"

Variel was in the process of slowly eating an apple slice, so it took him a little while to answer. "I... slept some," he muttered, then decided to just be honest. "Not well, but that is nothing new." He took a sip of his tea and then motioned toward the bowl of fruit. "You may have some if you'd like," he offered, and though it seemed like he was trying to divert the conversation away from anything substantial, his next question subverted that expectation as well.

"Have... you had a chance to speak with my mother and father...? Has there been a-any change...?"

"Not really," Tanier answered, while he also took an apple. Instead of cutting it, he took a hearty bite out of it and was still chewing, when he continued.