Under Wraps

Princess Syndi returns to Westmark after her adventure, determined to conceal it from her parents.

69.

Under Wraps

 

It had been the most exciting, and most exhausting week of Syndi’s 98 years of life.    Since The Phoenix and Autumn Maid had landed at the Fallow River battle site, she had managed to conceal herself from her parents.   Thankfully, Muld had asked that they all stay on the Autumn Maid and assist with scouting on the fleeing Imperial troops.   That had kept them busy and her far away from her parents, who had stayed most of the week in King’s Reach, to help out there.

When Duke Eleazar and Duchess Aurei had decided to return to Westmark early, they took the Autumn Maid, but fortunately her parents had followed on The Phoenix, which left several hours after the smaller airship.

Muld’s crew had remained aboard, and Matron Alleania, Archmage Drake, Reverend Mother Zeatt and Sir Alvis had sailed with the Dullerms.   

 

The Archmage had lost all of his memories of his life before returning to Synomenia.    He knew he was Drake and had been a wizard, but knew only those spells that he had cast since his return. 

He stood unsure of himself and very bewildered, but Alleania protectively watched over him.   He seemed very grateful for this and had slowly grown more comfortable as the days had passed.   

As the Dullerms and their family had disembarked, Syndi had quickly gathered up her things and was about to hurry back to the Ducal Keep before The Phoenix arrived.   But just as she was about to disembark, Muld called to her and she paused.

“I wanted to thank you for joining us.” He said to her with his shy smile.

“Thanks for allowing me to go.”  

“Did you enjoy it?   I broke my promise to you; I told you that you’d not be casting any spells, and then I taught you the levitation spell.”

“It was a thrill to learn to cast and it was the most excitement I have ever had.”

“Syndi, I noticed that when we arrived at the Fallow River, you seemed very withdrawn and almost nervous.   I just wanted to make sure that you are alright."

“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks.”

“So… are you still interested in Practical Magic?   I heard that Alleania asked you if you would be interested in learning the magic of a Sorceress.”

“Yeah… I was going to tell you.”

“Well, don’t worry, because Sorcery compliments practical magic very well.    There is some overlap between the two arts.   I would encourage you to pursue both.”

“Well… we’ll see.   I have to figure out a way to stay here without making my parents upset.”

Muld’s eyes twinkled slightly as if she had said something to him that had triggered something in his mind.

“Are your parents back in Westmark?”

“They will be soon… they marched with the army to the Fallow River.”

“In the company of the Losasidhe King and Queen?”

“Yes.”  Syndi squirmed slightly at his acute questioning, “They serve them.”

“You managed not to run into them, then?”

“Yes, but it wasn’t easy.”

“Will you tell them about your adventure now that it is over?”

“Yes… when I find enough courage.   I really should go, okay?   I will let you know what happens as soon as I can.   I really appreciate you allowing me to join your team, Muld.”

“Well, you are still part of that team, alright?    Don’t forget that.   If your parents throw a fit over what you tell them, you will still have a job with my guild… when I get it started.    But maybe they will see the light, once you tell them.   Good luck to you.”

“Thanks, I’ll need it.”   She hurried off the airship and Muld watched her go, with a thoughtful look on his face.

 

***

 

Syndi was greatly relieved to have had time to get situated in the ducal tower guest room.    Still, she hoped her parents did not question her too much, for she had not yet figured out how to tell them that she wanted to stay behind in Westmark and learn magic.

 

Two hours after The Autumn Maid had docked in Westmark, the Phoenix arrived.   Syndi heard the great arcane engines and with some apprehension, prepared for her parent’s arrival.

They came immediately to their quarters and she heard her mother call out for her as they entered.

“Here, mother.” She replied, preparing for the question and answer session that she knew would certainly follow.  

Her mother came in, looking tired, and immediately hugged her.

 

Before asking Syndi about her activities, the Queen recounted all that had transpired in the past week.   Her father just reclined on a sofa and listened, knowing it was unwise to interject.

“-and did you have the Burning Tree dream?”   Her mother finally asked her a question, after nearly an hour of telling her things that Syndi already knew.

“The Dream?   Oh, yeah, several days ago.   I think every Elf had it, though I have heard that some dreamt it at different times.”

“Do you know what that means, nin yenda?!” Her mother asked her excitedly, “Immortality!   The Great Tree has been destroyed, but Yesh has blessed all the Elven races with endless youth!    Is that not wonderful?”

“Yes, it is.”   She responded, but she didn’t give the proper degree of excitement and her mother looked at her, concerned.

“Nin yenda, are you not well?   This news is of monumental importance and you seem so unaffected by it.”

Syndi shrugged, “Perhaps it is because we all live so long anyway that it doesn’t seem so exciting, as I’m still just a young woman.”

Queen Synthaeia snickered, “You are just a child, nin yenda!   But you are learning!”

The condescending attitude infuriated the girl, but she held her tongue.

“So, what have you kept busy with?”   Her mother asked as she now joined the King on the sofa.

“Oh…this and that, I guess.   You know, just the usual stuff.” 

“That’s nice dear.    We’re glad you kept yourself entertained.”

 

Syndi bit her lip to keep from snapping back.   After a moment she decided to try to steer the conversation into more neutral waters.

“Have you heard yet?   There is to be a wedding this evening.   Lady Amala is marrying Carn.”

Synthaeia gasped, sitting up on the sofa, “She’s marrying a Bugbear?!”

Syndi calmed her mother by telling her the tale about Carn’s restoration, which she had only learned this morning from a ducal servant.

“Carnithum Lealomyhll, in the flesh!”   The Queen said in wonderment when Syndi finished sharing the information, “Unbelievable!   He was the giver of song to the Faesidhe, and now he has returned in person!    How amazing!   How fortunate for Amala, to have snared such a husband.    Too bad you did not have a clue to his identity, or perhaps it could have been you who would be marrying the Great Bard.”

Syndi shook her head in consternation, but did not dare say anything.   Of course her mother immediately had to begin thinking about a ‘proper’ dress for the wedding and a hundred other details to be worked out with extreme urgency.

She knew she would be so preoccupied with her appearance (as well as making sure Syndi’s appearance was equally as perfect) that she would not ask any more questions about her week.   She relaxed some and watched with amusement, as her mother worked herself up into frenzy over such trivial things.

 

***

Two hours later they were both ‘acceptable’ by Queen Synthaeia’s standards.    They were far from ‘perfect’, but due to the time constraints, they had ‘made do’ with what they had to work with.

King Eiolmoel just dressed in his royal garments without much fuss and patiently waited for them to finish.

 

Syndi found herself in a ball gown that seemed - to her at least- to be a bit too much for what she had been told would be a simple ceremony.   The emerald green and gold dress had travelled with the considerable baggage train from the Losasidhe Kingdom.   Now her mother had found a reason for her to wear it.  

Syndi was laced in her corset so tightly that she feared a sneeze might either crack several of her ribs, or else snap the strong cords that cut off most of the air into her lungs.

Thankfully her mother didn’t think a young woman should wear make-up, but she did mess with her hair until it was swooped up in a fancy coiffure. 

Syndi had no idea how she was going to manage to breathe when they were seated in the church, but she had no time to dwell on that, for as soon as her mother had finished the last touches on her hair, they hurried over to the church, to be fashionably early and to be seated in one of the small church’s best sections.

 

As soon as they entered, Syndi suddenly realized that Muld and the others would see her walking in with the Losasidhe King and Queen.    Then they’d quickly figure out who she was!   

Glancing around helplessly, she found no good excuse to escape and decided to just look the other way and appear unfamiliar with them.   Perhaps her fancy dress and hairstyle would fool them.   This was her only hope as she tried her best to stay low-key.

 

Yet as soon as they entered the church, a herald loudly announced them and a trumpet blasted a few notes, just so everyone who missed the herald’s call would be sure to turn to see them waltz into the building.

Syndi kept her face in her hands and lurked behind her mother (who almost floated into the church, loving every admiring eye of her regal beauty).

As they were visiting royalty, they were escorted to a pew facing the altar from one side.    To Syndi’s horror, nearly everyone in the church would be able to see them sitting there.

Syndi hoped that they would not seat anyone near them that knew her from the Autumn Maid.  For a while she got her wish, as any that were Amala’s family were being seated in the pews closest to the altar.

But then her luck ran out.    To her distress she saw a group composed of all of those who had sailed with them on the Autumn Maid, minus Mutt and Allea, being led in her direction.    She held her breath as the usher walked to the side where they were seated, and then pointed to the pew behind the Losasidhe royals.

There was no escape now, for her parents were turning to speak to the crew members, whom they felt camaraderie with, after their parts in the victories.

“Hello, Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty, Princess Syndi.” Mage Keith greeted them each in turn as he moved toward the other end of the pew.    It was as if he hadn’t known who she was!   

Then Tadd did the same thing, greeting her respectfully, but without any recognition showing.    Rick, Jevon, Darv and Beyon, even the Inion Sidhe lady, Elina, spoke the same greetings.

Last down the row came Muld himself.   Her mother frowned just slightly, but quickly regained her composure and smiled again, for he was highly celebrated right now for his amazing deeds.

“Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty, Princess Syndi.”   Muld greeted, with a bow, and she thought she saw a slight wink at her from him, but she couldn’t give any indication that she knew him well, so she just turned back, as the wedding would soon start.

Reviews

[Elina]

"Her mother came in; looking tired and immediately hugged her." The semicolon should be a comma and then you'll want to add a comma after "tired."
"Before asking her about her activities..." Maybe change the first "her" to "Syndi" for clarification.
"...knowing it was unwise to interject anything." You can probably leave "anything" out.
"...loving every admiring eye to see her regal beauty." This sounds a bit odd and could use a little re-wording.
"

[Eddie Davis]

Thank you, Elina, you are an amazing proofreader.