Chapter 3

Testing the Waters

Every time Erlend went to a wedding, he would compare it to both of his own. This one was somewhere in between.

His son Sigurd had grown up to be a warrior, but prodding him to talk to a lady was like moving a mountain. However, if anyone could talk the boy into something, it was his mother. Sigrid goaded him eventually to walk up to the altar, convincing him it was for the best.

"Erlend." His wife approached him, with a goblet of Garlescan wine in her paws. "It's quite touching, seeing Sigurd married."

"I don't really know if it's the right decision," mused the otterlord. "I married for love, and it isn't really fitting to prevent my children from doing the same." He put a paw up to his head. "It's Lorelei all over again."

"The Shellhearts aren't that bad." said Sigrid. Like most Travrikans, she spoke as if she sang, in a manner that Erlend could not replicate even after his studies of the language.

"I suppose they aren't," said Erlend. "But again, neither are you."

For Erlend, the wedding feast was the only part of a wedding worth going to. Good food, better wine and a chance to speak to old friends. The best part, of course, was that he did not have to pay - King Gudmund decided to be generous for once.

Sigurd walked up to Erlend. "Father, I would like a private word with you."

"Yes, son," replied Erlend. The otterlord looked at the bride, still in deep conversation with her sisters-in-law at a nearby table. "She probably won't hear us."

"I don't think I'm able to be a good husband to Avelyn. As you know, I'm not good at a lot of things," said Sigurd, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, boy." The otterlord patted his son's shoulder. "You'll get to understand her by living with her for a period of time. Love comes later."

"Funny, coming from you. When was the last time you've talked to Kio's mother? Ten seasons ago?"

"Eleven," answered Erlend. And she can wait."

"But I can't. I did my duty and I have to live with Avelyn for the rest of your life, and I can't run forever."

"You can run now." Erlend replied almost without thinking. "You don't have to love her if you don't want to. Taking another wife is an option."

"But that's-"

"A Travrikan thing, I know. I doubt Avelyn's family would approve of that decision."

"Lord Erlend!" A deep voice rang out from the back of the room. "Welcome back to Tarelis." Father and son turned their heads upward as a tall otter smiled at them both.

"It is good to see you, Lord Alef," said Erlend.

"I've always wanted to speak to you, Lord Erlend!" exclaimed Alef. "I've always heard tales about your bravery fighting for the Empire. How you saved Emperor Kiordan's tail at Albero, all the dealings with the Southswarders, and-."

"I could tell you all of them tomorrow if you like," said Erlend mechanically. "I'm quite tired."

"Thank you very much." The young lord turned to Sigurd. "How's my sister?" asked Alef.

"Avelyn is doing well." Sigurd was just as mechanical. "I hope my sister will get along with her.."

"They're going to be as close as sisters by blood." Alef waved his paws. "My brother Alken, being the excellent judge of character he is, thinks that you're going to be a wonderful husband and a goodbeast with a noble heart."

Sigurd nodded. "The same can be said for him."

Erlend turned to Alken Shellheart, still in deep conversation with his wife Jehanne in a dim corner of the room. For Alken, and only Alken, 'the love comes later' was not a lie.

"I'm quite sure you can try to outdo him later in the night, Lord Sigurd," said Alef. "Although he's a hopeless romantic and all that, you must be the better dancer. We're too tall for that."

A booming voice erupted from behind the three otters. "I suppose you are."

Erlend bowed to the second newcomer. King Gudmund of Tarelis was as imposing as a mouse could be, but the art of merrymaking was out of his grasp.

"No need to greet me. How did you find your bride, Sigurd Streambattle?" asked the mouseking.

"She is a good match," replied Sigurd.

Erlend gave his son a little nudge. "My boy's a bit nervous, but he'll get over it, " he said.

"Ah," said Alef, rolling his eyes. "Just like-" Erlend gave the young lord a stern stare, and Alef's tail twitched. "I shall see myself out." Alef hastened to his brother's side with surprising speed.

"Don't worry about him," said Gudmund, reaching for his own goblet and drinking deep. "He will understand when I let him get married in a few seasons."

Sigurd nodded. "Hopefully he'll understand its significance."

"He will sooner or later," said Sigurd. "I did when I was about his age."

"Then what about your twin?" The mouseking asked. "Your sister would be married sooner or later."

"The Raskians broke her betrothal." Erlend groaned. "And I am stuck once more."

"I am sure that the situation will soon improve for you," Gudmund nodded, then quickly went to fetch a word with Alef Shellheart.

Sigurd tapped Erlend on the shoulder. "How did you fall in love with Mother?"

"Why ask?"

"It's…" The younger otter rubbed his head. "It's just that happiness starts somewhere, before or after marriage. And I want to know when."

"It all started back in Kaldos, when-" Erlend caught himself. "But you know that. Your mother taught me how to play 'Fox and Geese', and we went from strangers to friends to more than that."

"That would be the secret of romance then." Sigurd smiled. "Board games."

"And food." Erlend smiled at the memory of candied chestnuts. "The more the merrier."

The door to the chamber opened, and a squirrel-herald stumbled through. "Your Majesty, we have an uninvited guest!"

"What?" barked Gudmund while Erlend groaned. Another brown-furred otter sauntered into the room, green eyes gleaming and a grin etched on his muzzle.

He had arrived.

"Oh, it seems that all of you are in the process of enjoying yourselves. Wonderful!" The newcomer clapped his paws. "Why the stern look, brother?"

"Because you were not invited, Lamont," said Erlend, sighing.

"Not invited! Ha!" Lamont Streambattle giggled like a barely-grown pup in front of the entire Tarellian court. He continued, "I'm where I want to be, invitations be damned."

"Then why-"

"Am I here?" Lamont stopped his chuckling and simply smiled. "It's just that we haven't talked for… let's see. Two seasons?"

King Gudmund raised his voice. "The journey from Floret must have taken you days," he said sternly. "You must realise somewhere during your voyage that we could have simply arrested once your two footpaws reach our shores."

"Oh no," replied Lamont. "I come as an emissary. The laws you had sworn to protect and uphold prevent you from laying your paws on me."

"Very well," said the mouseking. "You may stay, but just because you are the uncle of the groom. Do not outstay your welcome, or you shall pay the price."

"Thank you, your Highness." Lamont bowed to the king in his usual exaggerated fashion.

Erlend crossed his paws. "If you are an emissary of sorts, then what is your message?"

"Southsward has no desire for war, but if Tarelis continues to push for it-"

"Then you'll react and return the favour in kind." Erlend sighed. "You know, it's getting a bit cliche, seeing you say that every time."

"I say these things for a reason, Erlend." Lamont's smile faded for a second before growing to full bloom. "But first, let the celebrations resume!"

The room breathed a collective sigh of relief as the partying resumed, while Lamont moved closer to Erlend.

"Apologies for the interruption." The elder otter, reached for the nearest goblet. "To be honest was quite fun, but I have got to work on my timing."

Erlend rolled his eyes. "At least you have not uttered a single Oldspeak quote."

"Can't risk it, brother." Lamont sighed, drinking deep. "I know I'm annoying, but I know you know too. I have every reason to return with my head attached to my body. What wedding present did you give the Shellhearts?"

"Books." answered Erlend. "Alkan will love all those prints."

"Books!" Lamont almost spit out what was left of the wine in his mouth. "A nice present to be sure. Can't buy much else?"

Erlend groaned. Unlike his brother, he was not in any mood to joke around. "Financial troubles don't solve themselves. Taking away Hildrinn from me hurt more than any sword-blow."

"It was never my decision!" Lamont's obnoxious smile finally faded. "That was King Willem."

"And you were the only other beast to benefit from it."

"But your money troubles were never my fault!"

"Well how would you explain-"

"Could you two just remain silent for a few moments?" Sigrid decided to step in. "You've bickered for more than four decades now! Could you stop for a day or two?"

"Sigurd would not want me to throw a fit here. Fine." Erlend took a deep breath. "At least I brought gifts."

"Who said I didn't? Sigurd shall have a season's supply of the best wine the world has to offer. It will take quite a while to get them off the ship, but they're coming here barrel by barrel."

"That's nice, I guess," replied Erlend. "Haven't drunk in ages."

"Couldn't afford good wine?"

"No."

"Ah well." Lamont turned to Sigrid. "You and your husband will have quite a bit of fun," said the otterlord. "And hangovers. Mostly hangovers."

"I know how they feel, thank you very much." Sigrid smiled. Decades may have passed, but her smile was exactly the same way as Erlend remembered it to be.

"You're welcome." Lamont smiled the way Erlend remembered it to be as well - less glad and more mocking and condescending. "Could I have a word with my brother?"

"Don't get into an argument again." She turned away, walking to join her son, who was struggling with a conversation.

"There are rumours about you in Southsward, Erlend," said Lamont quietly.

Erlend frowned. "There always are rumours."

"This one's about us not sharing a father. Another baseless accusation."

"King Willem's out to get me. He's bound to fling every claim, founded or not, to discredit me and take Kaldos for his own." Erlend snorted. "I bet he's going to 'prove' that my Kio was sired by somebeast else soon."

Lamont shook his head. "He's your boy through and through. He's the only beast meeker than you, after all. Still, it's quite bold of you to assume Young Kiordan's safe."

"He's at Redwall," Erlend retorted. "You can't touch him! You won't."

"Not anymore. He's coming to Floret on 'your' orders. It only took a letter and a messenger to bring him out of his little bubble and start performing his lordly duties," said Lamont smugly. "For the right kingdom, that is. And do you know what the best part is?" He pointed a claw at Erlend. "You can't do anything to stop us."

Erlend felt his blood go cold. "The cub's supposed to stay there for the next decade and not get in your way! We talked about this! If you lay a paw on him-"

"I will make sure that your boy's unharmed. He's my kin, after all. Still, you should not have made your seal so easily replicable. You should think twice before you act against Southsward, brother. Lest you regret it."