Flight of the Five Swans

Fate Chapter 31

Raia spent the rest of the afternoon in the Ithcarian palace gardens with both Ayden and her sisters as company. Following the initial joy of their reunion, the swan princesses returned to the pond, and Raia retreated to sit on a nearby bench overlooking the water. There, she silently watched her sisters swimming and diving happily for a couple minutes, before taking out her knitting. Ayden took the spot beside her on the bench, and the two sat in a comfortable silence that was now becoming familiar after the days spent walking together on the road.

Eventually, however, Raia found her progress in knitting impeded by the introduction of conversation between Ayden and herself—for the first time, a two-sided conversation. Her new chalk and slate made a difference in finally providing each of them with a way to ask—and answer—questions that they were burning to ask the other, though both steered clear of any kind of queries that might resemble an interrogation. Rather, their conversation began by identifying the many different plant species that were found in the Ithcarian gardens—a topic that always held a distinct interest for Raia. From there, their subjects jumped to music and art, and eventually to recounting amusing anecdotes from their respective childhoods; Raia was careful not to reveal anything too specific when writing down stories from her own youth. And while she felt a distinct guilt at the impetus their conversation presented to her knitting, she could not regret the conversation itself. In truth, Raia reveled in the opportunity to communicate once more with another person—even if she was limited to writing rather than speaking.

Ayden did not ask her for her real name again—though Raia was sure that he wished to—and she was glad of this. She felt that it might just have been harder to refuse Ayden's request than it had been to sidestep the king's demand. Despite his title and his status, King Naaman was still a complete stranger to her—not to mention a possible enemy. Ayden was neither.

The sun had just begun to set when their tête-à-tête was interrupted by a messenger sent to find them. Raia recognized the man as the same person who had handed her the slate and chalk from the king. Ayden also seemed to know the man well. He jumped to his feet at the sight of the servant, and greeted him by name.

"Jhonatan!" he said, and Raia was alarmed to hear a hint of trepidation in his voice. "Is something wrong?"

Jhonatan bowed to the Ithcarian prince. "Not at all, Your Highness." He said, shaking his head in response to Ayden's question. "I have merely been sent by your mother to request your presence—and that of your guest's—in the queen's chambers before dinner. She wishes to welcome the new arrival personally to the palace." Here, Jhonatan acknowledged Raia's presence with a bow, a slight hint of curiosity in his gaze.

Raia turned startled eyes on Ayden. When he had spoken of his mother before, she had gotten the impression from the sadness in his voice that Ayden's mother had died in his childhood, as hers had. Evidently, this was not the case.

Ayden hesitated in his response. "Mother seemed quite tired when I left her before..." His statement was phrased more like a question. Hearing the worry evident in his voice, Raia felt a stab of comprehension, confirmed almost immediately by Jhonatan's response.

Jhonatan straightened his shoulders. "She has instructed me to inform you that the physician has already come and gone, and that she is expecting the two of you momentarily."

Raia saw Ayden's eyes narrow. "That doesn't answer my question." He said, his tone a bit suspicious.

"As you say." Jhonatan bowed once more. "But the queen has also asked me to tell you that if you and your guest do not come to her, then she will come to you."