Page 114 of Pretense

“Deal.” For the first time, a grin crossed Julien’s face, framed by his rugged beard.

“One problem.” Rharreth cleared his throat, glancing between them before settling his gaze on Averett. “I don’t have a sister. Or even a distant female cousin.”

Melantha faced Rharreth, something almost like a smirk playing around her mouth, as she spoke in Escarlish. “You have a shield sister. As I have learned, your shield band is bound by blood, even if it is not the blood of family. I am sure Vriska would love to be considered for this marriage alliance.”

Rharreth grimaced, sharing a look with Melantha.

Behind them, one of the male troll warriors who had come with Rharreth started, which meant he must have understood the Escarlish being spoken even if the rest did not. With wide eyes, the troll leaned closer to the warrior next to him and started whispering. Farrendel vaguely recognized them, though he did not recall their names.

Rharreth glanced over his shoulder at the two whispering troll warriors, an expression mirroring Melantha’s smirk crossing his face. “Or some of the members of my shield band have sisters who could also be considered.”

That made the troll who understood Escarlish choke, then cough, before he crossed his arms and glared at Rharreth.

“Exactly.” Averett continued as if he had not noticed the discomfort of the trolls behind Rharreth. “The fact that you don’t have a female blood relative gives us the freedom of options. My only requirements are that she comes from a family that proved their undying loyalty to you during the recent coup and that she is willing.”

“And of the right age.” Julien shrugged when Rharreth and Averett glanced at him. “I’m assuming someone of a compatible age is a given, but I thought I should add it, just to be sure.”

“Yes, and that too.” Averett’s smile was genuine now. As if Julien’s joking about this had been the last reassurance he had needed to know that his brother was willingly volunteering for this.

It had helped the twisting in Farrendel’s chest. Surely if he and Essie could make things work, then Essie’s good-natured brother definitely could.

Rharreth’s slow nod turned more decided, as if he was mulling over Averett’s words and found them acceptable. “Yes, that could work. We can negotiate the exact wording in the treaty to allow for more choices, as well as time for them to meet and know each other before the marriage is required by the treaty. I have no desire to rush this any more than you do. If you are satisfied with that, then I am.”

“I am as well.” Averett held out his hand. When Rharreth just stared down at it, Averett waggled his fingers. “In Escarland, we shake hands to signify that a bargain has been struck. It proves that a man’s word has been given and will be carried out as promised.”

Rharreth took Averett’s hand and shook once, firmly.

Farrendel eyed them. It really was a kind of all-purpose human gesture, meaning everything from greeting to a promise. Not very sanitary, but Rharreth seemed far less concerned about that than Farrendel had when he endured a handshake.

“Since that is settled, we can proceed with magically reinforcing the border.” Averett waved toward the stone, glancing between Rharreth and Farrendel. “Do you have to go down there?”

Farrendel glanced at Rharreth, sharing a look with him. “I think it would be easiest if I could stand on the border, as I did in Kostaria.”

Rharreth nodded. “I believe I will have to touch that stone to find the other ones and guide Laesornysh’s magic.”

“I was afraid of that.” Averett grimaced as he pointed at the tower on the far side. “I don’t know how the Mongavarians are going to react to a group of us walking over there, especially once you start wielding your powers. They may think they are under attack and decide to fight back. The cannon they have stationed there will reach the border.”

“I will protect your backs.” Weylind swept a critical eye across the space in front of them. “There are plenty of trees and vegetation for me to draw upon. I can hold back their small force for as long as you will need, if it comes to that.”

“Thank you.” Averett swept a glance over their group. “To all of you. Both allies and soon-to-be allies. I thank you for your willingness to use your magic to protect a kingdom that isn’t your own.”

Farrendel shrugged and reached for the crackle of his magic that simmered inside his chest. “I will gladly expend my magic like this if it means I do not have to expend it later fighting a war.”

Weylind nodded, mouth set into a tight, grim line.

Rharreth glanced at the trolls guarding his back. “Some in my kingdom might disagree with me, but Kostaria has experienced enough war recently.”

At a slight shift from Ryfon, Weylind turned to him and Brina. “The two of you will stay here.”

Their faces fell, almost in unison.

Averett strode toward them, halting next to Ryfon. “I’m staying behind as well. Without magic, I would just be a hindrance. But we’ll still have no problem seeing what is happening. If anything, we’ll have a better view up here, since we will be able to see the whole landscape.”

Their expressions brightened, as if they felt less left out now that the Escarlish king was also staying behind with them. Averett and Julien led the way off to the side before the four of them lined up like spectators waiting to watch a practice bout.

“We should keep our numbers as small as possible.” Lines formed around Weylind’s mouth as he regarded the stone set all by itself a quarter mile away. Now that Averett and Julien had stepped away, he had switched to elvish, something all the guards, both elf and troll, would understand. “It will be fewer people to have to protect and less chaotic if we should have to retreat quickly.”

“Agreed. One guard each. The rest can wait here, ready to respond if needed.” Rharreth turned to Melantha, still standing quiet and alert next to him.

---