Chapter Thirteen: HAPPILY EVER AFTER

A buffet had been set in the conservatory. The stained-glass garden doors were flung wide to let in the late afternoon sunshine. The lowering sun painted the horizon with glaring brilliance; even the sky was celebrating the day's victory. Rigel enjoyed the breeze that cooled his face as he gazed at the golden lace edging the clouds. The tangy scent of jasmine brushed his mind as it drifted toward him, and he scanned the ornate garden outside the room in a distracted attempt to locate its source. He took a bite of the fruit salad balanced on his knee, and chewed slowly, letting the juice trickle down his tired throat.

People drifted in and out of the room, most of whom he had never seen before. Aury rattled off an unending list of names and titles as the faces passed through, gathering plates of food and scraps of lighthearted conversation. Each stranger invariably approached the Princess to express relief that she was home safe, and to clap Rigel on his shoulder in thankful congratulations. All the names were jumbled together in the back of the stable boy's mind, and he was certain he wouldn't recall a single one if he happened to meet that person again.

"How do you remember them all?" It was Altair, sitting to Aury's left, that asked the question. "I could never put names to all those faces."

Aury laughed and shrugged. "Just one of those things they train us to do around here. Politics." She spooned a heap of chocolate custard into her mouth and a blissful expression passed over her face as she savored its smooth richness. "I am so hungry. I can't seem to get enough to eat."

Rigel chuckled and reached out with his napkin to wipe a smear of pudding from the corner of her mouth. "You came home dehydrated and weak; your body's trying to build its strength back up."

"It's going to build a couple extra layers of fat if I'm not careful, too." She scraped her bowl clean and licked the last drop of chocolate off the spoon.

"You could stand it," he teased, and dodged the foot that flew in his direction. "I'm so glad you're feeling better." His voice softened with the sentiment, and the smile he sent her way revealed the soul-deep relief he felt over having his bond-friend home and safe.

Clairvoyant approached them. He juggled a plate heaped with good things to eat and a cup that almost overflowed with fruit punch. His eyes fell upon the collection of empties scattered around Auria. "Must be the poison," he said. "I'm going through that, too, Princess."

"Well, at least I have a couple of good excuses if anybody asks why I've been such a pig lately."

A shadow blocked the light that streamed through the garden doors. The King and Queen of Chimopotamia entered the conservatory, followed by several of their daughters. Chartreuse bounced to Altair's side and helped herself to a forkful of his dinner. The twins went for the buffet tables to search the platters for favorite tidbits. Venus, Aury's oldest sister, nodded toward Rigel with a smile and followed her two siblings at a more dignified pace. Yrren and Aleia approached the group gathered around Rigel and Aury. The King lowered himself into a chair directly across from the boy, his face lined with weariness. Aleia perched on the cushioned bench next to Auria and gave her youngest daughter an affectionate hug.

"I see you're enjoying the food, Aury," she teased as the Princess lifted her drink.

The child's emerald eyes twinkled at her across the rim of the cup. Aury swallowed and replied, "Rigel says my body is trying to build its strength back up."

"Rigel is more diplomatic than I'd have given him credit for." The Queen sent a wink in the boy's direction. He felt the color creep into his face, and he grinned a sheepish grin.

Clarion entered the room and approached the little group. Regret floated like a cloud around him, and he looked more ancient than ever. The wizard shuffled to a chair and sat. His weary gaze roved from face to face as if searching for blame.

Rigel's heart leapt in sympathy when he saw the old mage, and realized what the betrayal by his kin must have put him through.

"Master." Clairvoyant spoke softly. "Can I get you something to eat?"

"Not just yet, son," Clarion answered, and the strength and clarity of his voice surprised Rigel. "I have a story to tell, if all are willing to listen."

Faces turned toward the magician, and voices drifted into respectful silence. Venus and the twins approached quietly, eager to hear what the mage had to say. They settled into chairs and on the floor, their plates in their laps.

The wizard took a deep, exhausted breath. "The spells are woven, the sentences carried out. I have discovered some of what Poseidon has been doing--where he has gone, and where he acquired the powers he has displayed in the past few days. I thought you all might like to know."

Yrren nodded and reached a hand to the arm of the old sorcerer. "Of course we would. Go on." His expression was intent, eager to hear the details of the madman's attempt to destroy his realm.

Rigel's parents entered the room with hesitant steps. Clarion waited respectfully while Queen Aleia called them over and invited them to sit among the group.

The old mage stretched, cleared his throat, and began. "You all know that Poseidon is my sister's son. The boy was born with a good amount of power, but nothing exceptional. He is my only kin; about that he was truthful. My work has consumed my time and my powers, and I have left no direct descendants. By birthright, I suppose Poseidon could have claim to my position as Palace Mage. But he did not inherit the magic needed to fill that position. I knew that from the onset. My sister did as well. The boy was never considered for such inheritance, and was raised as a normal child in a normal household. I had no idea he even desired my heritage . . . that he ever gave it a thought.

"When Clairvoyant came into this world, the age-old question of who was destined to replace me was answered. The day his parents approached the palace with this child they could neither control nor understand, there was no doubt in my mind as to who he was. We took him in, and it has been my privilege from that point on to train the most amazing power anyone in Chimopotamia has ever encountered."

The teen in question colored slightly and averted his eyes. He pretended to turn his attentions to his dessert. Aury sent him a teasing wink, and Rigel grinned proudly.

"There was only Clairvoyant. I never gave Poseidon a thought. I enjoyed his occasional visits and treated him with the fondness of an uncle for his only nephew. He showed no signs of ambition. I gave no consideration to the possibility that the core of the man's heart might be black."

The wizard smoothed his snowy beard with a shaking hand and sighed. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. The struggle to accept the betrayal by his kin could be heard in the forced tones of his voice.

"It seems that for all these years he has held resentment inside him--dark jealousies that have grown and festered and consumed him in their secret fires. Quiet plots have been laying themselves in the back of Poseidon's mind since his childhood. Never did I suspect that my nephew was a master of deceit. For that I am ashamed and I apologize. It is my duty to the throne to be aware of such threats. I allowed blood relations to cloud my visions."

"No, Clarion," Yrren said quietly. "None of this is your fault. No one considered such a thing. We all were fooled by Poseidon, my friend. He lulled all of us into complacency."

"Not all of us." Clairvoyant's soft-spoken words commanded instant attention. The King and Clarion turned questioning looks upon him. Voy nodded toward Rigel, who shifted uncomfortably in his chair as one by one the listeners followed the teen's indications. "Rigel didn't trust him from the start."

King Yrren looked from the young mage to Rigel and back, then lowered his gaze to his hands. He coughed to clear his throat. "Now why does that not surprise me?"

The midnight-blue depths of Clairvoyant's eyes glowed with respect as they fixed on the stable boy. "Remind me to listen more carefully when that one speaks from now on."

"All of us, Clairvoyant," the King agreed. "Especially where my daughter is concerned." He turned to the Master Wizard. "Clarion, please go on."

"Poseidon has spent years searching for a way to accelerate his powers so that he might gain control of the situation. At first his purpose was to prove his abilities, and gain my respect. But as Clairvoyant's reputation spread throughout the kingdom and beyond, he realized that there was no possibility of attaining a position as my heir. From that point on his mind and his ambitions twisted. If he could not take what was `rightfully his', he would be sure to take his revenge. He would find the thing that would wound the kingdom of Chimopotamia in the depths of its heart. Of course the Princess Auria became the victim of his plans.

"Poseidon's search for the power to attain his goals led him further and further from the light. He turned to evil ways, black magics, fast routes to power by crossing over the line of decency. His quest led him to the realm of the chimera and to the powers of shape-shifting. He managed to join with the dark soul of one of the beasts. United, their powers multiplied--grew colder and more corrupt. The chimeran soul and Poseidon's gradually became one entity-- complete in its evil.

"Poseidon knew the powers inherent in the young Princess. He knew the magic that was wielded by Clairvoyant, the royal family, myself. He worked for years developing the venom that would effectively dull those magics and render Auria into such deep unconsciousness that she could not use her powers to save herself--not use her mind to contact any of us. He watched her. He followed her to learn her schedule, and to find the times when she was most vulnerable. The children saw his essence twice--the shadow in the stableyard. He even mastered his powers of deceit and mind control to the point that he could influence you, Your Highness. The only thing Poseidon did not take fully into account. . . " The sorcerer's pale blue gaze fell on the stable boy. "Was Rigel."

Aleia spoke, her voice filled with affection and wonder. "Poseidon's oversight seems to have been our salvation."

Clarion nodded. "Yes, my Queen. But this oversight was not limited to him. He knew of the bond between the children. He even used the King's discomfort with that bond as a wedge to work his darkness into His Majesty's mind. He knew that he had to physically separate the children in order to get close enough to make an attempt for the Princess. What led to Poseidon's failure was the same thing that surprised all of us. No one had any idea of the full extent of their union until Rigel inadvertently revealed that he and the Princess Dreamshare. And none of us had even guessed at the depth and strength of magic hiding in this young man's soul."

King Yrren's thought-filled gaze rested upon Aury's slender hand, clasped protectively in the grip of the young hero who had saved her life. The monarch closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, an amused sparkle lit their violet depths. He shrugged his shoulders, grinned broadly, and winked directly at Rigel. A deep, psychic voice touched the boy's thoughts, and Rigel's jaw dropped.

"I still don't approve, young man. I probably never will. But I realize you're right--the bond between you and my daughter is beyond anyone's control. Let's take it from here step by step and try not to clash. But don't you try anything unexpected."

Aury's giggle betrayed the fact that she had listened in. Rigel gave her small fingers a squeeze. "This doesn't mean it's going to be easy, starshine." Rigel sent his thoughts into her mind, and felt his own relief and joy mirrored inside her. "But maybe it means we've cleared one jump in the course."

She smiled and caressed his spirit with a sparkling touch of magic. "A big jump, Rigel . . . a big jump."

Aleia turned to Altair, who was watching the laughing bond-friends with curiosity. "Your mother tells me you're a musician, young man." Her sudden change of subject brought all attention around to her, and Altair blinked in surprise.

"Yes, Ma'am."

The Queen nodded toward a corner of the room. A sunken area, accessed by several shallow steps, held a variety of musical items. Stands to hold sheet music were stacked neatly in a corner, and there was room to seat a small complement of musicians. A magnificent grand piano nestled in the center of the hollow. "Do you play piano?"

Altair's face flushed in embarrassment. "I, um. . . . " He faltered under the keen gaze of the Queen of Chimopotamia.

Zale eyed his pale son and teased, "You won't make music much of a career if you're afraid to play in front of people, son."

"But the King and Queen." Altair's answering whisper cracked under the pressure, and his color deepened at the sound of Aleia's laughter.

"Play for us, Altair. That is a royal order." She rose from her seat and grabbed his hand. The royal lady pulled the youngster to his feet, steered him toward the piano and gave him a shove. By the time he reached the instrument, her playful teasing had brightened his blush to scarlet.

Altair settled upon the polished bench before the elegant instrument. He tested the ivory keys. Soft strains came to life and floated around the room on a cloud of emotion. The notes evolved into something more forceful.

Rigel recognized the moving sounds of the ballad that had troubled his brother, and was pleased to hear the bothersome bridge blend smoothly with the rest of the piece. The emotions the melody wove were echoed on the faces in the room, and the youth could feel his own heart beating in time with the romance of the rhythm.

Every voice had gone silent, every mind held captive by the pale youth's musical spell. Altair was oblivious to the reaction of his audience. His music mesmerized him, demanded the full attention of his body, mind, and spirit. When the boy had finished playing, the magic of the music slowly let him go, and he turned to the Queen of Chimopotamia.

"I hope you liked it." His tones revealed the underlying hope of acceptance.

Her smile beamed across the room. "It was wonderful, Altair. When your mother told me you played, she didn't do your talents justice. The piece was original. I could feel its composer's soul drifting through the air with its melody. But I think it has words, does it not?"

The color crept back into the boy's face. "Well, it didn't until a few minutes ago . . . but, yes. They came to me as I played it."

Yrren spoke up, and respect for the young musician colored his words. "Well, then, young man, you'll have to play it again. And this time we'll have the privilege of enjoying your singing voice as well."

Mischief sparked on the boy's face and he turned to lock eyes with his brother. Rigel's curiosity rose to the surface when he saw his twin's expression. "I'll be happy to, Sire." Altair grinned, and his long fingers began to caress the keyboard once again.

Aury's grip on Rigel's hand tightened as the words flowed forth from Altair's soul. His rich tenor voice pleased the listeners, and brought smiles to their faces. Rigel's heart swelled with emotion as Altair's words pierced its pulsing core. The attention of the audience shifted from pale twin to dark, and a warm flush spread over the boy's face.

He turned to the Princess. Aury was smiling softly, her concentration rivetted to the boy at the piano. As his mind caressed her, her thoughts reached out to Rigel and wrapped his spirit in a tender embrace. Rigel found he could not look away from her enchanting face.

Altair's lyrics were about him--about his bond with the Princess of Chimopotamia. The boy sang of two souls joined together by destiny--a magical ballad of love and wonder and a union that could not be broken. Excitement quickened Rigel's pulse as he thought back on Clairvoyant's prophecy:

"Centuries from now Chimopotamian school children will be singing ballads about the Princess Auria and her handsome horseman."

The memory of the magical words drifted through his mind in time to the rhythm of Altair's song. He had not considered the possibility that those ballads would be written by his own brother. The thought made Rigel wonder what other parts Altair might play in the history of this magical Kingdom called Chimopotamia.

Rigel felt the gentle tightening of Aury's slender fingers, and he centered his gaze on her eyes. A smile glistened in their emerald depths, and they sent the love that overwhelmed her directly into his heart. Their minds locked, and promises of forever passed between the bondchildren as the moving strains of the ballad warmed their united spirits.

Altair's crystal voice filled the room with powerful emotions as he sang:

"The stars shall sing the story of the Princess and her Knight; soul in soul together they will ride. Down through time, forever, on the moonlight and the magic; the Horseman with his Lady at his side."