Once upon a dreadful time

Mizon

Three and a half days after setting out from the Castle of the Seasons, Avelaine and her escort rode into Port Mizon. They had ridden in haste, remounts in tow, the journey taking but half the usual time. Rather than going to her estate, Avelaine headed for the docks. Stopping on a hill above, she saw Vicomte Chevell at the central pier poring over plans and speaking with a number of men. And beyond and anchored in the bay were perhaps a dozen large ships and numerous smaller ones.

“Merci, Malon, I’ll walk from here; my legs need the stretch after so much time in the saddle,” said Avelaine as she dismounted. “Take the men on to the manor and find food and drink and quarters for a good rest. You and they deserve a day or two with nought to do ere heading back to my father’s manse.”

The grizzled retainer frowned. “But, Lady Avelaine, how will you-?”

“Fear not, the vicomte will see me home.” Malon touched a hand to his brow, then wheeled his horse, as did his men, and, trailing remounts, they trotted away.

Down the slope headed Avelaine, yet ere she reached the bottom, one of the men with the vicomte said something to him and pointed. Chevell turned and shaded his eyes, and then broke into a lope toward her, and she ran down the hill toward him.

He caught her up and whirled her ’round, and rained her face with kisses. “Oh, Avelaine, I missed you so.” And after another kiss, this one long and breathtaking, she replied, “I missed you too, my love.”

He set her to her feet and said, “My eyes are hungry to look at you,” and he held her at arm’s length. ‘’Avelaine, you are so beautiful. Are you weary from the journey?” Avelaine laughed. “Do I look that haggard?”

“Non, my sweet. Did I not say you are beautiful?”

“You did, and I am somewhat tired, for the ride here was long.”

“Is the faire already- But wait, I thought this was the day it would close, yet you are here instead.”

Avelaine looked into the clear blue eyes of the somewhat stocky sea captain. “Indeed, the faire will be over as of this eve, but Valeray sent me away three days past, Love, and I’m glad he did.”

“Three days? But that means you must have raced all the way.”

“Oui. But for one night in my father’s manse, all we did was ride and camp and ride and camp until we got here. I am looking forward to a night in my own bed.” Chevell frowned. “Why did the king send you away?”

“Oh, Love, it was not in anger. But with Hradian having gotten the key to the Castle of Shadows, they thought it best.”

“Ah, I see. The Sprites brought word of the witch’s deed, yet they also brought word that Raseri and Rondalo are on the way to intercept her.”

“Oh, my, I had not heard that,” said Avelaine. “What wonderful news.”

“Wonderful if they stop her,” said Chevell, brushing a stray lock of his red hair from his brow.

Avelaine smiled at the gesture- So like him-then sobered and said, “If Raseri and Rondalo do not manage to intervene, 202 / DENNIS L. MCKIERNAN

then Valeray and his get are in special peril, for Hradian will seek vengeance for the deaths of her sisters, and Orbane, if he gets free, will want revenge for his imprisonment, a thing for which Valeray is most responsible, for ’twas he who stole the seals that locked the wizard away. And so, that’s one reason they sent me away.”

“One reason? There is another?”

Avelaine smiled and said, “They did not want our unborn to share this jeopardy.”

“Our unborn-? Avelaine, is it true?”

“Oui, my love. I am with child.”

Chevell shouted in joy and took her up to swing her about, but then gasped and set her down gently. “Oh, cherie, you rode at a gallop all the way here, and now I am manhandling you.

Will it hurt the-?”

Avelaine laughed. “Non, non, my captain. As I once heard someone else say, at this point I am just a little pregnant.” Chevell roared in laughter. “Who?”

“I believe it was Camille when we got back from the realm of the Changelings. Oh, cheri, you should see the child she and Alain have. Such a sweet little boy. I hope we are as fortunate.”

Chevell shook his head. “Boy or girl, it matters not, for we will love the child. And how could it not be sweet, coming from someone such as you.”

Laughing, hand in hand they walked down toward the central pier.

“There is one more reason I am here early,” said Avelaine.

“Oh, and what is that?”

“I came to realize that this endeavor you are about to undertake is not the lark you make it out to be. My love, you are sailing into perilous waters, and I would have every spare moment of your time ere you embark.”

Chevell did not reply, other than to squeeze her hand. Had he looked at her he would have seen eyes brimming with unshed tears.

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Speaking of your mission, how goes the fleet?”

Chevell made a wide, sweeping gesture toward the bay. “We have twelve ships of the line, with another five or six due to arrive any day now. Some we are fitting with new ballistas and the latest in fireballs. Some only need refurbishing. Some need new rigging, others new canvas, still others nought but fresh paint and a cleansing of barnacles. When we are finished we will have the finest armada in all of Faery. And all the captains are eager, for all would see the corsairs eliminated forever.

And up in the hills, King Avelar’s own warmaster is training a battalion of marines in ship-to-ship tactics and in grappling and boarding and fighting in close quarters and in conquering a fort.”

Chevell frowned and then added, “Yet, if Orbane gets free, he might take a hand in this battle, for in the last war, he tried to recruit the corsairs unto his side. This time he might succeed.”

Avelaine stopped in her tracks, and swung Chevell toward her. “Oh, cheri, if that happens, what will it mean?”

“There’s nought to say it will happen, but if it does, then things will be dire. ’Tis all the more reason we should set sail, and soon, and destroy the corsairs ere he can seduce them.” Avelaine hugged him fiercely, and he gently returned her embrace.