A Reign of Steel

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Alistair walked side-by-side with Erec’s mother, their arms locked, Erec’s mother smiling as they wound their way along the copper-lined walkways on the edge of the cliffs. Alistair had been overcome by how kind his mother had been to him, so gracious, taking her in as if she were her own daughter. Alistair had never met her mother, and had always wanted a mother in her life—and in the short time she’d spent with Erec’s mom, she already realized how great it could be. A part of her felt complete that had not before.

As they walked, a dozen attendants following them, fanning the Queen, they reached the edge of a plateau, demarcated by a high copper railing, and Alistair looked out, awestruck at the view. It was as if the whole world were spread out below them. In the valleys below Alistair saw thousands of dwellings, most shining with copper roofs, like a thousand points of light reflecting the sun. The islands were so fertile, despite their mountainous terrain, vineyards planted on cliffs, on hills, orchards of overripe fruit blossoming everywhere, adding color to the skyline, clinging to life on the steep terrain. The smell of their pungent flowers hung heavy in the air.

“It is one of the high points of the island,” Erec’s mother said softly beside her, looking out herself. “From up here you can see the entire capital, and even the villages hugging the shoreline. You can also see parts of the Tatrazen, where the great fog lingers in the valley.”

Alistair followed her finger and saw, down below, beautiful villages built along the shoreline, hovering over the white sands, green and blue waters crashing against them. A mist hung over the islands, and the air was the freshest she’d ever breathed, filled with the smell of ocean and orange blossoms. The sun shone so strongly here, she felt its caress, its rays warming her whole body.

Alistair felt tucked in here, deeply at rest in this place. She was surprised. She had expected to feel disoriented in the new terrain, to miss the Ring; yet for some reason, here in the Southern Isles she felt more at home than she’d ever had.

“Your island is beautiful,” Alistair said. “Thank you for your graciousness.”

Erec’s mother smiled wide and wrapped an arm around Alistair’s shoulder, hugging her.

“You are Erec’s beloved,” she said, “which means you are a daughter to me. I will always love you, as he loves you. You can come to me with anything.”

Alistair smiled, feeling so good to be embraced by a mother for the first time in her life. She felt loved here, and her love for Erec, if possible, felt even stronger.

“Are you ready for the sacred water?” she asked.

Alistair looked at her, puzzled.

“What is that?” she asked.

Her mother pointed.

Alistair turned and saw, near the edge of the cliff, a wide hole in the smooth marble, in which was a bubbling spring, steam rising from it. Inside it sat Erec’s sister, Dauphine, her back to them, her head resting against the stone and her arms spread out as she looked out over the endless vistas of the island.

“It is the custom of the women here to immerse themselves weekly in the waters. They are very relaxing, and they are said to have purifying elements. A bride will always immerse herself the day before her wedding. It is said to bring good luck.”

Alistair looked at her, wide-eyed, wondering if she heard correctly.

His mother nodded back.

“That’s right. Tomorrow you will be wed.”

Alistair’s heart suddenly started to pound.

“Tomorrow!?” Alistair said, flummoxed. “But I haven’t even had time to…I haven’t even prepared…”

His mother smiled and held out a hand.

“Do not worry,” she said. “Your dresses have been prepared. There is a wide selection for you to choose from, as well as the finest royal jewels in our vault. Our people have been preparing for this for moons. It will be the most spectacular wedding you’ve ever seen.”

Alistair was flabbergasted. On the one hand, she was delighted to actually be getting married to Erec; but then again, she had no idea this was coming so soon, and she hadn’t even had time to mentally prepare for the biggest day of her life.

“But why so sudden?” Alistair asked. “Shouldn’t I have helped to prepare?”

Erec’s mother shook her head.

“We here on the Southern Islands have superstitions around weddings. We believe they must take place immediately. It is our custom that when a bride is proposed to, she is wed immediately. We are a people that does not delay, that follows through instantly with what we pledge. It is one of many customs and peculiarities you’ll come to learn about us. I hope it does not offend you?”

Alistair smiled wide as she thought it all over. They were indeed an unusual people, yet she didn’t mind their customs; she thought they were quirky, and she liked them. And the idea of getting married to Erec immediately filled her heart with love. She was also so grateful to them for all the preparation they had taken.

Alistair shook her head.

“On the contrary,” she replied. “I will be delighted to marry your son. Even if it took place at this very moment.”

His mother smiled back, and she turned and began to lead Alistair over to the hot springs.

“Dauphine,” his mother called out sharply, a harshness to her tone that Alistair had not expected. “Turn to us. Rise and greet your sister-in-law.”

Dauphine scoffed, keeping her back to them, still ignoring them.

“Dauphine, did you hear me?” his mother pressed.

Gradually, Dauphine rose from the waters. She was entirely naked, and she stood and turned, facing them, expressionless. Alistair blushed and looked away. Dauphine stood there and stared her down coldly.

“Consider yourself greeted,” she said, and then she turned and sat back down in the water.

Alistair wondered, once again, what Dauphine’s problems were; she seemed like a troubled person. Either that, or she just truly hated Alistair.

Attendants rushed forward and helped the Queen and Alistair undress, giving them robes as they led them to the springs.

As Alistair stepped down the stone steps into the hot water, it felt so good, the warm water bubbling all over her, filled with a lotion she did not recognize, soaking into her muscles, making her feel completely relaxed. Alistair looked out over the endless landscape, perched as they were at the edge of a cliff, the soft breezes caressing her, and she felt as if she were floating in heaven.

“Dauphine,” her mother said, “be gracious to our new guest. In but hours, she will be your Queen.”

“She will not be my Queen,” Dauphine said, forceful.

“She will,” his mother insisted. “She is Erec’s bride. If you have any love for him, you will be gracious to her.”

Dauphine closed her eyes and shook her head.

Alistair sat there, feeling uncomfortable, feeling as if she were the cause of all this upset, her relaxation disappearing.

“You disgrace your family to treat her so rudely,” his mother pressed. “And you should not be sitting in the center chair. That is reserved for the bride.”

Dauphine opened her eyes, stormy, and glared at her mother.

“She has a tongue. She can speak for herself.”

Alistair blushed, not wanting to be caught between the two of them, not a confrontational person. Alistair realized how much Dauphine hated her and she did not understand why.

“You may sit wherever you choose,” Alistair said. “I wish no special seat for myself.”

“There, Mother. We have spoken,” Dauphine snapped. “Is that enough for you?”

His mother shook her head, fuming.

“Your father would be ashamed of you.”

Dauphine sighed, stood abruptly, and stormed out of the hot springs, the water splashing. She hurried up the steps, naked, brushing off the robe the attendants wanted to give her, and stormed away from the plateau.

“Dauphine, get back here!” her mother called.

But she quickly disappeared from view.

His mother blushed as she looked at Alistair.

“Please forgive her rudeness. It is not indicative of our people. I’m afraid I did not raise her as harshly as I should have.”

Alistair shook her head.

“Please, don’t apologize.”

“It is just that she is very attached to Erec. She always has been. And she hasn’t seen him in so many years.”

“Please, don’t apologize for her. You have been a most gracious host, and I am honored to have you as a mother-in-law.”

His mother smiled, sadly, and then the two sat back and closed their eyes.

Suddenly, just as Alistair was beginning to relax in the silence, all throughout the land there came the sound of bells tolling. This was followed by a huge cheer below.

The noise rose, louder and louder, and Alistair opened her eyes in alarm.

“What is happening?” she asked, wondering how many more strange customs these people had. It sounded like a great celebration.

Erec’s mother opened her eyes and smiled wide. She laughed and held up her hands to the sky.

“Those are death bells,” she explained. “My husband, he is dead!”

She laughed and laughed, clearly filled with delight.

Alistair looked at her, uncomprehending.

“Then why is everyone celebrating?” she asked. “Why are you smiling?”

His mother sighed and looked at her.

“In the Southern Isles, death is not something to be mourned. It is to be celebrated. We are forbidden to mourn death here. Instead, we celebrate the life. In fact, for us, it is the greatest cause of all to celebrate.”

The bells tolled and tolled, and as the cheers rose to a fever pitch, Alistair realized how foreign this place was, and how much indeed she had left to learn about this nation.