PART FIVE - THE MEMORY OF A FLAME chapter 17
SCELTOWOKEHERVERYEARLYONTHEMOFTHERITual.Shehadspentthenightalone,asroper,andhadmadestheeveningbeforeatthetemplesofAdaonandMorianboth.BrandinwascarefulnowtobeseenallritesandproprietiesofthePalm.Iemplesthepriestsandthepriestesseshadbeenalmostfawningintheirsolicitude.Inwhatshewasdoingthereowerforthemandtheyk.
Shedhadashortalesssleepandwheouchedherawake,gently,andwithamugofkhavalreadytohand,shefeltherlastdreamofthenightslippingawayfromher.Closinghereyes,onlyhalfscious,shetriedtochaseit,sensingthedreamregasifdowncorridorsofhermind.Shepursued,tryingtoreclaimanimagethatwouldholdit,andthen,justasitseemedabouttofadea,sheremembered.
Shesatupslowlyinbedandreachedforthekhav,cradlingitinbothhands,seekingwarmth.Notthattheroomwascold,butshehadnowrememberedwhatdayitwas,andtherewasachillinherheartthatwentbeyondforebodingandtouchedcertainty.
WhenDianorahadbeenaverysmallgirl—perhapsfiveyearsold,alittlelessthanthat—shehadhadadreamofdrowningonenight.Seawatersclosingoverherhead,andavisionofsomethingdark,ashape,finalandterrible,approagtodrawherdownintolightlessdepths.
Shehadeawakegaspingandscreaming,thrashingaboutinbed,uainofwheresheevenwas.
Andtheherhadbeenthere,holdingDianoratoherheart,murmuring,rogherbadforthuntilthefranticsobbingceased.WhenDianorahadfinallyliftedherheadfromhermothersbreast,shehadseenbydlelightthatherfatherwasthereaswell,holdingBaerdinhisarmsinthedoorway.
Herlittlebrotherhadbeengtoo,shesaw,shockedawakeinhisownroomacrossthehallbyherscreams.
HerfatherhadsmiledandcarriedBaerdovertoher,andthefourofthemhadsatthereinthemiddleofthenightonDianorasbedwhilethedlescastlightincirclesaroundthem,shapinganislandinthedark.
"Tellmeaboutit,"sherememberedherfathersaying.AfterwardhehadmadeshadowfiguresforthemwithhishandsonthewallandBaerd,soothedanddrowsy,hadfallenasleepagaininhislap."Tellmethedream,love.”
Tellmethedream,love.OnChiara,almostthirtyyearsafter,Dianorafeltanacheofloss,asifithadallbeenbutalittlewhileago.Days,weeks,notimeatall.Whenhadthosedlesinherroomlosttheirpowertoholdbackthedark?
Shehadtoldhermotherandfather,softlysoasnottowakeBaerd,someofthefearingbathestumblingwords.Thewatersclosingoverher,ashapeihsdrawingherdown.Sherememberedhermothermakingthesignagainstevil,tounbihofthedreamanddeflectitaway.
Them,beforeopeninghisstudioandbeginninghisdayswork,Saevarhadtakenbothhischildrenpasttheharborandthepalacegatesandsouthalongthebeadhehadbeguhemtoswiminashallowcoveshelteredfromthewavesawind.Dianorahadexpectedtobeafraidwhensherealizedwheretheyweregoing,butshewasneverreallyafraidofanythingwheherwaswithher,andsheandBaerdhadbothdiscovered,withwhoopsofdelight,thattheylovedthewater.
Sheremembered—se,thethingsoneremembered—thatBaerd,bendiheshallowsthatfirstm,hadcaughtasmalldartingfishbetweenhishands,andhadlookedup,eyesandmouthicallyroundwithsurpriseathisownachievement,andtheirfatherhadshoutedwithlaughterandpride.
EveryfinemthatsummerthethreeofthemhadgoheircovetoswimandbythetimeautumhitschillaherainsDianorafeltaseasyierasifitwereasedskintoher.
Once,sheremembered—andtherewasnosurprisetothismemorylingering—thePrincehimselfhadjoihemastheywalkedpastthepalace.Dismissinghisretinue,Valentinstrolledwiththethreeofthemtothecoveanddisrobedtopluotheseabesidetheirfather.Straightoutintothewaveshehadgone,longafterSaevarstopped,pasttheshelteringheadlandofthecoveandintothechoppywhitecapsofthesea.Theurnedaroundandeba,hissmilebrightasagods,hisbodyhardandlean,dropletsofwatersparklinginhisgoldenbeard.
Hewasabetterswimmerthaherwas,Dianoracouldseethatrightaway,evenasachild.Shealsoknew,somehow,thatitreallydidntmatter.HewasthePrince,heposedtobebetterateverything.
Herfatherremaihemostwonderfulmanintheworld,andnothingshecouldimaginelearningwasevergoingtogethat.
Nothingeverhad,shethought,shakingherheadslowlyinthesaishan,asiftodrawfreeoftheging,spiderywebsofmemory.Nothingeverhad.ThoughBrandin,inanother,betterworld,inhisimaginaryFinavir,perhaps...
Sherubbedhereyesandthenshookherheadagain,stillstrugglingtoeawake.Shewonderedsuddenlyifthetwoofthem,herfatherandtheKingofYgrath,hadseeneachother,hadactuallylookedeachotherihatterribledaybytheDeisa.
Whichwassuchahurtfulthoughtthatshewasafraidthatshemightbegintocry.Whichwouldnotdo.Nottoday.eveo—especiallynotScelto,whokoowell—mustbeallowedtoseeanythinginherforthefewhoursbutquietpride,aaintyofsuccess.
Thefewhours.Thelastfewhours.
Thehoursthatwouldleadhertothemarginoftheseaandthendownintothedarkgreenwaterswhichwerethevisionoftheriselkaspool.Leadhertowhereherpathcameclearatlastandthebeforetime,andnotwithoutacertainreliefbehefearandalltheloss,toanend.
Ithadunfoldedwithsuchdirectsimplicity,fromthemomentshehadstoodbythepoolintheKingsGardenandseenanimageofherselfamidthrongsofpeopleintheharbor,andthenaloneuer,drawntoeindarkhatwasnolongerasourceofchildhoodterrorbut,finally,ofrelease.
Thatsameday,inthelibrary,BrandinhadtoldherhewasabdiginYgrathinfavirald,butthatDoroteahiswifewasgoingtohavetodieforwhatshehaddone.Helivedhislifeintheeyesoftheworld,hesaid.Evenhadhewishedtospareher,hewouldhavenorealchoice.
Hedidntwishtospareher,Brandinsaid.
Thenhespokeofwhatelsehadetohimonhisridethatmthroughthepre-dawnmistsoftheIsland:avisionoftheKingdomoftheWesternPalm.Hewasgoingtomakethatvisionreal,hesaid.
ForthesakeofYgrathitself,andforthepeoplehereinhisprovinces.Andforhisownsoul.Andforher.
OnlythoseYgrathenswillingtobeepeopleofhisfourjoinedprovinceswouldbeallowedtostay,hesaid;allotherswerefreetosailhometoGirald.
Hewouldremain.NotjustforStevanandtheresponseshapedinhishearttohissoh,thoughthatwouldhold,thatwasstant;buttobuildaunitedrealmhere,abetterworldthanhehadknown.
Thatwouldhold,thatwasstant.
Dianorahadlisteohim,hadfelthertearsbeginningtofall,andhadmovedtolayherheadinhislapbesidethefire.Brandinheldher,movinghishandsthroughherdarkhair.
HewouldneedaQueen,hehadsaid.
Inavoiceshehadneverheardbefore;oneshehaddreamtofforsoloedtohavesonsand
daughtershereinthePalmnow,Brandinsaid.TainandbuilduponthepainofStevansloss,thatsomethingbrightandfairmightemergefromalltheyearsofsorrow.
Andthenhespokeoflove.Drawinghishalythroughherhairhespokeoflovingher.Ofhowthattruthhadfinallyehomeintohisheart.Once,shewouldhavethoughtitfarmorelikelythatshemightgraspandholdthemoonsthaneverhearhimspeaksuchwordstoher.
Shewept,uop,forinhiswordsitwasallgatheringnow,shecouldseehowitwasingtogether,andsuchclarityandprescewastoomuortalsoul.Forhermortalsoul.ThiswastheTriadswine,andtherewastoomuchbittersorrowatthebottomofthecup.Shehadseentheriselka,though,shekneasing,wherethepathwouldleadthemnow.Foronemoment,ahandfulofheartbeats,shewonderedwhatwouldhavehappenedhadhewhisperedthesesamewordstoherthenightbeforeinsteadofleavingheralohthefiresofmemory.Andthatthoughthurtasmuchasanythingeverhadinallherlife.
Letitgo!shewaosay,wantedsomuchtosaythatshebitherlipholdingbackthewords.Oh,mylove,letthespellgo.LetTiganaebadalltheworldsbrightnesswillreturn.
Shesaidnothing.Knowingthathecouldnotdoso,andknowing,forshewasnolongerachild,thatgracecouldnotbeebysoeasily.Notafteralltheseyears,notwithTiganaawiogetherandembeddedsodeepdowninBrandinsownpain.Notwithwhathehadalreadydooherhome.Notintheworldinwhichtheylived.
Besideswhidaboveeverythingelse,therewastheriselka,andherclearpathunfoldingwitheverywordwhisperedbythefire.Dianorafeltasifshekneweverythingthatwasgoingtobesaid,everythingthatwouldfollow.Andeachpassingmomentwasleadingthem—shecouldseeitasakindofshimmerintheroom—towardsthesea.
AlmostathirdoftheYgrathensstayed.Itwasmorethanhedexpected,Brandintoldher,standingonthebalyabovetheharbortwoweekslater,watgmostofhisflotillasailaway,backtotheirhome,towhathadbeenhishome.Hewasexilednow,byhisownwill,moretrulythanhehadeverbeenbefore.
HealsotoldherlaterthatsamedaythatDoroteawasdead.Shedidntaskhow,orhowheknew.Hissorcerywasstillthethingshedidnoteverwanttoface.
Shortlyafterthatcamebadtidingsthough.TheBarbadianswerebeginningtomovenorthtowardandthroughFerraut,allthreearmiesapparentlyheadingfortheborderofSenzio.Hehadnotexpectedthat,shesaw.Notnearlysosoon.ItwastoounlikecarefulAlberiovewithsuchdecisiveness.
"Somethinghashappehere.Somethingispushinghim,"Brandinsaid."AndIwishIknewwhatitwas.”
Hewasweakandvulnerablenow,thatwastheproblem.Heimeandtheyallk.WiththeYgrathenarmymostlygoneBrandinneededacetoshapeaructureoforderiernprovioturnthefirstgiddyeuphoriaofhisannouintothebondsandallegiahatwouldtrulyfeakingdom.Thatwouldlethimsummonanarmytofightinhisname,amongaqueredpeoplelatelysohard-oppressed.
Heime,desperately,andAlbericowasntgivingittohim.
"Youcouldsendus,"dEymonthecellorsaidonem,asthedimensionsofthecrisisbegantotakeshape."SendtheYgrathenswehaveleftandpositiontheshipsoffthecoastofSenzio.SeeifthatwillholdAlbericoforatime.”
Thecellorhadstayedwiththem.Therewasneveranyrealdoubtthathewould.Forallhistrauma—hehadlookedillandoldfordaysafterBrandinsannou—DianorakhatdEymoloyalty,hislove,thoughhewouldhaveshiedawkwardlyawayfromthatword,wasgiventothemanheservedandnottothenation.MovingthroughthosedaysalmosthedivisionsinherowsheenvieddEymonthatsimplicity.
ButBrandinflatlyrefusedtofollowhissuggestion.Sherememberedhisfaceasheexplained,
lookingupfromamapandstrewsofpapercoveredwithhethreeofthemtogetheraroundatableiing-roomofftheKingsbedchamber;Rhunanervous,preoccupiedfourthonacouchatthefarendoftheroom.TheKingoftheWesternPalmstillhadhisFool,thoughtheKingofYgrathwasnamedGiraldnow.
"Iakethemfightalone,"Brandinsaidquietly."NottocarrythefullburdenofdefendingpeopleIhavejustmadethemequalto.ThisotbeanYgrathenwar.Forohing,theyarenotenough,wewilllose.Butitismorethanthat.Ifwesendanarmyorafleetitmustbemadeupofallofushere,orthisKingdomwillbefinishedbeforeIstart.”
DEymonhadrisenfromthetable,agitated,visiblydisturbed."ThenImustsayagainwhatIhavesaidbefore:thisisfolly.ThethingtodoistogohomeanddealwithwhathashappenedinYgrath.Theyneedyouthere.”
"Notreally,dEymon.Iwillnotflattermyself.GiraldhasbeenrulingYgrathfortwentyyears.”
"Giraldisatraitorandshouldhavebeeedassuchwithhismother!”
Brandinlookedupathim,thegreyeyessuddenlychilly.
"Mustwerepeatthisdiscussion?DEymon,Iamhereforareasonandyouknowthatreason.Iotgobathat:itwouldcutagainsttheverycoreofwhatIam."Hisexpressionged."Nomaaywithme,butIamboundmyselftothispeninsulabyloveandgrief,andbymyownnature,andthosethreethingswillholdmehere.”
"TheLadyDianoracouldewithus!WithDoroteadeadyouwouldneedaQueeninYgrathandshewouldbe—”
"DEymonlHavedone."Thetonewasfinal,endingthediscussion.
Butthecellorwasabraveman."Mylord,"hepushedon,grim-faced,hisvoicelowandintense,"ifIotspeakofthisandyouwillnotsendourfleettofaceBarbadiorIknownothowtoadviseyou.
Theprovinceswillnotgotowarforyouyet,weknowthat.Itistoosoon.Theyimetoseeandtobelievethatyouareohem.”
"AndIhavenotime,"Brandinrepliedwithwhathadseemedanunnaturalcalmafterthesharptensionoftheexge."SoIhavetodoitimmediately.Advisemeonthat,cellor.HowdoIshowthem?Rightnow.HowdoImakethembelieveIamtrulyboundtothePalm?”
Sothereitwas,andDianorakhatthemomenthadetoheratlast.
Iotgobathat;itwouldcutagainsttheverycoreofwhatIam.Shehadneverreallynursedanyfantasiesofhiseverfreelyreleasingandunbindinghisspell.SheknewBrandintoowell.Hewasnotamanwhowentbackorreversedhimself.Inanything.Thecoreofwhathewas.Inloveandhateandinthedefiningshapeofhispride.
Shestoodup.Therewasanoddrushingsoundinherears,andifsheclosedhereyesshewascertainshewouldseeapathstretgaway,straightandclearasalineofmoonlightonthesea,verybrightbeforeher.Everythingwasleadihere,leadingallofthem.Hewasvulnerable,andexposed,andhewouldurnback.
TherewasanimageofTiganaflinherheartassherose.Evenhere,evennow,animageofherhome.Ihsoftheriselkaspooltherehadbeemanypeoplegatheredunderbannersofalltheprovincesasshewalkeddowntothesea.
Sheplacedherhandscarefullyonthebackofherchairandlookeddownathimwherehesat.Therewasgreyinhisbeard,more,itseemed,eachtimeshenoticedit,buthiseyeswereastheyhadalwaysbeen,andtherewasnofear,nodoubtiheylookedbackather.Shedrebreathandspokewordsthatseemedtohavebeeago,wordsthatseemedtohavesimplywaitedforthismomenttoarrive.
"Iwilldoitforyou,"shesaid."Iwillmakethembelieveinyou.IwilldDiveoftheGrand
DukesofChiaraasitusedtobedoheeveofwar.Youwillmarrytheseasofthepeninsula,andIwillbindyoutothePalmandtogoodfortuheeyesofallthepeoplewhenIbringyoubackthesea-ringfromthesea.”
Shekepthergazesteadyonhisown,darkandclearandcalm,asshespokeatlast,aftersomanyyears,thewordsthatsetheronthefinalpath.Thatsethim,setthemall,thelivingandthedead,thenameda,onthatpath.As,lovinghimwithasunderedheart,shelied.
Shefinishedherkhavandrosefrombed.Sceltohaddrawainsbadshecouldseesubeginningtolightenthedarksea.Theskywasclearoverheadandthebannersintheharborcouldjustbeseen,movinglazilyinthedawherewasalreadyahugecrowdgathered,hoursbeforetheceremonywastreatmanypeoplehadspentthenightintheharborsquare,tobesureofaplaearthepiertoseeherdive.Shethoughtshesawsomeoinyfigureatsuchadistance,liftahandtopointtoherwindowaeppedquicklyback.
Sceltohadalreadylaidouttheclothesshewouldwear,thegarmentsofritual.Darkgreenfoingdowerrobeandsandals,thehatwouldholdherhairandthesilkeuniwhichshewoulddive.Forafterwards,aftershecamebathesea,therewasanotherrobe,white,richlyembroideredwithgold.Forwheorepresent,tobethebrideefromtheseawithaginherhandfortheKing.
Aftershecameback.Ifshecameback.
Shewasalmostastoherowncalm.ItwaseasieractuallybecauseshehadntseenBrandinsinceearlythedaybefore,asroperfortherite.Easiertoo,becauseofhowbrilliantlyclearalltheimagesseemedtobe,howsmoothlytheyhadledherhere,asifshewaschoosingordegnothing,onlyfollowingacoursesetdownsomewhereelseandlongago.
Easier,finally,becauseshehadetouandandaccept,deeply,andwithcertitude,thatshehadbeenbornintoaworld,alife,thatwouldherbewhole.
Notever.ThiswasnotFinavir,oranysuchdreamplace.Thiswastheonlylife,theonlyworld,shewastobeallowed.AndinthatlifeBrandinofYgrathhadetothispeninsulatoshapearealmforhisson,andValentindiTiganahadkilledStevan,PrinceofYgrath.Thishadhappened,couldnotbeunmade.
Andbecauseofthatdeath,BrandinhadedownuponTiganaandherpeopleandtoroftheknownpastaillunfoldingpagesoftheworld.Andwasstayiosealthattruthforever—blankandabsolute—invengeanceforhisson.Thishadhappenedandening,andhadtobeunmade.
Soshehadeheretokillhim.Ihersnameahers,inBaerdsnameandherown,andforallthelostandruinedpeopleofherhome.ButonChiarashehaddiscovered,ingriefandpainandglory,thatislarulyaworldoftheirown,thatthingsgedthere.Shehadlearned,longago,thatshelovedhim.Andnow,ingloryandpainandwonder,hadbeeouandthathelovedher.Thishadallhappened,ariedtou,andhadfailed.
Herswasnotalifemeanttobemadewhole.Shecouldseeitnowsoclearly,andinthatclarity,thatfinaluanding,Dianorafoundthewellspringofhercalm.
Someliveswereunlucky.Somepeoplehadacetoshapetheirworld.Itseemed—whocouldhaveforetold?—thatboththesethirueofher.
OfDianoradiTiganabrenSaevar,asculptorsdaughter;adark-haireddark-eyedchild,gawkyandunlovelyinheryouth,seriousandgrave,thoughwithflashesofwitandtenderness,beautyingtoherlate,andwisdominglater,toomuchlater.ingonlynow.
Shetooknofood,thoughshedallowedherselfthekhav—alastcessiontoyearsofhabit.Shedidntthinkthatdoingsowouldviolateanyrituals.Shealsokdidntreallymatter.Sceltohelpedherdress,andthen,insilence,hecarefullygatheredandpinnedherhair,bindingitinthedarkgreehat
wouldholditbahereyeswhenshedived.
Whenhewasdonesheroseandsubmittedherself,asalwaysbefoingoutintotheworld,tohisscrutiny.Thesunnow;itslightfloodingtherohthedrawn-backcurtains.Iahegrowingnoisefromtheharborcouldbeheard.Theustbeverylargebynow,shethought;shedidntgobacktothewindowtolook.Shewouldseethemsoonenough.Therewasaqualityofanticipationtothesteadymurmurofsoundthatgaveevidence,moreclearlythananythingelse,ofthestakesbeingplayedforthism.
Apeninsula.Twodifferentdominionshere,ifitcametothat.PerhapseventheveryEmpireinBarbadior,withtheEmperorillanddyingaseveryoneknew.Athingmore,thoughonlyshekhis,andonlyshewouldeverknow:Tigana.Thefinal,secretlyingonthegamingtable,hiddehecardlaiddowninthenameoflove.
"WillIdo?"sheaskedScelto,hervoicedeterminedlycasual.
Hedidntfollowthatlead."Yhtenme,"hesaidquietly."Youlookasthoughyouarenoloirelyofthisworld.Asifyouhavealreadyleftusallbehind.”
Itwasunyhowhecouldreadher.Ithurttohavetodeceivehim,nottohavehimwithheronthislastthing,buttherewasnothinghecouldhavedone,noreasontogivehimgrief,andtherewererisksinthedoingso.
"Imnotatallsurethatsflattering,"shesaid,stilllightly,"butIwillattempttothinkofitthatway.”
Herefusedtosmile."IthinkyouknowhowlittleIlikethis,"hesaid.
"Scelto,AlberitirearmywillbeontheborderofSenziotwoweeksfromnow.Brandinhasnochoice.IftheywalkintoSenziotheywillnotstopthere.Thisishisverybestce,probablyhisonlyce,tolinkhimselftothePalmintime.Youknowallthis."Sheforcedherselftosoundalittleangry.
Itwastrue,itwasalltrue.Butwasthetruth.Theriselkawasthetruththism,thatandthedreamssheddreamtalonehereinthesaishanthroughalltheyears.
"Iknow,"Sceltosaid,clearlyunhappy."OfcourseIknow.AndnothingIthinkmattersatall.Itisjust...”
"Please!"shesaid,tostophimbeforehemadehercry."IdontthinkIdebatethiswithyounow,Scelto.Shallwego?"Oh,mydear,shewasthinking.Oh,Scelto,youwillu.
Hehadstopped,flingatherrebuke.Shesawhimswallowhard,hiseyeslowered.Afteramomenthelookedupagain.
"Fiveme,mylady,"hewhispered.Hesteppedforwardand,uedly,tookherhands,pressiohislips."ItisonlyforyouthatIspeak.Iamafraid.Pleasefive.”
"Ofcourse,"shesaid."Ofcourse.Thereisreallynothingtive,Scelto."Shesqueezedhishandstightly.
Butinherheartshewasbiddinghimfarewell,knowinotcry.Shelookedintohisho,gface,thetruestfriendshedhadforsomanyyears,theonlyrealfriendactually,sinceherchildhood,andshehopedagainsthopethatinthedaystoe,hewouldrememberthewayshehadgrippedhishandsandnotthecasual,carelesssoundofherwords.
"Letsgo,"shesaidagain,andturnedherfaceawayfromhim,tobeginthelongwalkthroughthepaladoutintothemandthendowntothesea.
TheRingDiveoftheGrandDukesofChiarahadbeedramatigleritualoftemporalpowerinthePeninsulaofthePalm.FromtheverybeginningoftheirdominionontheIsland,theleadersofChiarahadknownthattheirsrantedbyandsubjecttothewatersthatsurrouhem.
Theseaguardedthemahem.Itgavetheirships—alwaysthelargestarmadainthepeninsula—accesstotradeandplunder,anditedthemaboutandenclosedtheminaworldwithintheworld.Nowonder,asthetale-tellerssaid,nowowasontheIslandthatEannaandAdaonhadetogether
toengenderMorianandmaketheTriadplete.
Aworldwithinthewirdledbythesea.
ItwassaidtohavebeentheveryfirstoftheGrandDukeswhohadbeguntheceremonythatbecametheRingDive.Ithadbeendifferentinthoseearlydays.Notactuallyadive,forohing,onlyaringthrownasagiftintotheseainpropitiationandtokenofaowledgment,inthedayswhentheworldtursfacetowardthesunandthesailingseasonbeganinear.
Thenonespring,alongtimeafterthat,awomaotheseaaftertheriheGrandDukeofthattimecastitin.Somesaidlatershehadbeencrazedwithloveiouspossession,othersthatshewasonlyingandambitious.
Ihercase,shesurfacedfromthewatersoftheharborwiththeringbrightinherhand.
AndasthecrowdthathadgatheredtowatchtheGrandDukewedtheseashoutedandbabbledinwildfusionandwoheHighPriestofMorianinChiarasuddenlycriedaloud,inwordsthatwouldrundownthroughalltheyears,obelost:"Lookandsee!SeehowtheosaccepttheGrandDukeashusbandtothem!Howtheyofferbackthesea-ringasabridepiecetoalover!”
AndtheHighPriestmovedtotheveryendofthepierbesidetheDukeaohelpthewomanrisefromtheseaandsohesetinmotiohingthatfollowed.SaroheGrandDukewasbutohispowerandasyetunwed.Letizia,whohadeintothecityfromafarmiradaandhaddohisunpretedthing,wasyellow-hairedandelyandveryyoung.AndtheirpalmswerejoiogetherthenandthereoverthewaterbyMellidar,thatHighPriestofMorian,andSaronteplacedthesea-ringoiziasfinger.
TheywerewedatMidsummer.TherewaswarthatautumnagainstAsoliandAstibar,andyoungSarontediChiaratriumphedmagnifitlyinanavalbattleintheGulfofCorte,southoftheIsland.AvictorywhoseanniversaryChiarastillremembered.Andfromthattimeonward,thenewlyshapedritualoftheRingDivewasenshrinedforuseintimeofChiarasneed.
Thirtyyearslater,heendofSarontesln,iherecurringsquabblesforpreceamoriadsclergy,anewlyanointedHighPriestofEannarevealedthatLetiziahadbeennearkintoMellidar,thepriestofMorianwhohaddrawnherfromthewaterandbouheDuke.EannaspriestihepeopleoftheIslandtodrawtheirownclusionsabouttheschemesofMoriansclergyandtheirerivingforpreeminendpower.
Anumberofevents,hempleasant,hadunfoldedamoriadsservantsihsfollowingthatrevelation,buthesedisturbanceshadeotougthebrightnewsanctityoftheritualitself.Theceremonyhadtakenholdontheimaginationofthepeople.Itseemedtospeaktosomethihinthem,whetherofsacrifiage,ofler,or,intheend,ofsomedark,truebindingtothewatersofthesea.
SDiveoftheGrandDukesremained,longafterallthosefeudingclergyoftheTriadhadbeeotheirrest,theirnamesonlyhalf-remembered,andonlybecauseoftheirpartioryoftheDive.
Whathadfinallybroughtaotheceremony,inmuchmorerettimes,wasthedeathofOra,wifetoGrandDukeCazal,twohundredandfiftyyearsago.
Itwasnot,byanymeans,thefirstsuchdeath:thewomenwhovoluodivefrandDukesalwayshaditmadeabsolutelycleartothemthattheirliveswereworthinfinitelylessthantheringtheysoughttoreclaimfromthesea.ToebackwithouttherioneanexilefromtheIslandforlife,knownandmockedthroughoutthewholepeninsula.Theceremonyeatedwithanotherwoman,an,untilohethrswasfoundandclaimed.
Bytrast,thewomanwhocarriedasea-ringbacktothepierwasacclaimedastheluckofChiaraandherfortunewasmadeforlife.Wealthandhonor,anarrangedmarriageintonobility.MorethanonehadborneachildtrandDuke.TwohadfollowedLetiziatothesortsthrone.Girlsfrom
familiesoflittleprospectwerenotcharyaboutriskingtheirlivesforsuchaglittering,halluatoryfuture.
OradiChiarahadbe松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Shedhadashortalesssleepandwheouchedherawake,gently,andwithamugofkhavalreadytohand,shefeltherlastdreamofthenightslippingawayfromher.Closinghereyes,onlyhalfscious,shetriedtochaseit,sensingthedreamregasifdowncorridorsofhermind.Shepursued,tryingtoreclaimanimagethatwouldholdit,andthen,justasitseemedabouttofadea,sheremembered.
Shesatupslowlyinbedandreachedforthekhav,cradlingitinbothhands,seekingwarmth.Notthattheroomwascold,butshehadnowrememberedwhatdayitwas,andtherewasachillinherheartthatwentbeyondforebodingandtouchedcertainty.
WhenDianorahadbeenaverysmallgirl—perhapsfiveyearsold,alittlelessthanthat—shehadhadadreamofdrowningonenight.Seawatersclosingoverherhead,andavisionofsomethingdark,ashape,finalandterrible,approagtodrawherdownintolightlessdepths.
Shehadeawakegaspingandscreaming,thrashingaboutinbed,uainofwheresheevenwas.
Andtheherhadbeenthere,holdingDianoratoherheart,murmuring,rogherbadforthuntilthefranticsobbingceased.WhenDianorahadfinallyliftedherheadfromhermothersbreast,shehadseenbydlelightthatherfatherwasthereaswell,holdingBaerdinhisarmsinthedoorway.
Herlittlebrotherhadbeengtoo,shesaw,shockedawakeinhisownroomacrossthehallbyherscreams.
HerfatherhadsmiledandcarriedBaerdovertoher,andthefourofthemhadsatthereinthemiddleofthenightonDianorasbedwhilethedlescastlightincirclesaroundthem,shapinganislandinthedark.
"Tellmeaboutit,"sherememberedherfathersaying.AfterwardhehadmadeshadowfiguresforthemwithhishandsonthewallandBaerd,soothedanddrowsy,hadfallenasleepagaininhislap."Tellmethedream,love.”
Tellmethedream,love.OnChiara,almostthirtyyearsafter,Dianorafeltanacheofloss,asifithadallbeenbutalittlewhileago.Days,weeks,notimeatall.Whenhadthosedlesinherroomlosttheirpowertoholdbackthedark?
Shehadtoldhermotherandfather,softlysoasnottowakeBaerd,someofthefearingbathestumblingwords.Thewatersclosingoverher,ashapeihsdrawingherdown.Sherememberedhermothermakingthesignagainstevil,tounbihofthedreamanddeflectitaway.
Them,beforeopeninghisstudioandbeginninghisdayswork,Saevarhadtakenbothhischildrenpasttheharborandthepalacegatesandsouthalongthebeadhehadbeguhemtoswiminashallowcoveshelteredfromthewavesawind.Dianorahadexpectedtobeafraidwhensherealizedwheretheyweregoing,butshewasneverreallyafraidofanythingwheherwaswithher,andsheandBaerdhadbothdiscovered,withwhoopsofdelight,thattheylovedthewater.
Sheremembered—se,thethingsoneremembered—thatBaerd,bendiheshallowsthatfirstm,hadcaughtasmalldartingfishbetweenhishands,andhadlookedup,eyesandmouthicallyroundwithsurpriseathisownachievement,andtheirfatherhadshoutedwithlaughterandpride.
EveryfinemthatsummerthethreeofthemhadgoheircovetoswimandbythetimeautumhitschillaherainsDianorafeltaseasyierasifitwereasedskintoher.
Once,sheremembered—andtherewasnosurprisetothismemorylingering—thePrincehimselfhadjoihemastheywalkedpastthepalace.Dismissinghisretinue,Valentinstrolledwiththethreeofthemtothecoveanddisrobedtopluotheseabesidetheirfather.Straightoutintothewaveshehadgone,longafterSaevarstopped,pasttheshelteringheadlandofthecoveandintothechoppywhitecapsofthesea.Theurnedaroundandeba,hissmilebrightasagods,hisbodyhardandlean,dropletsofwatersparklinginhisgoldenbeard.
Hewasabetterswimmerthaherwas,Dianoracouldseethatrightaway,evenasachild.Shealsoknew,somehow,thatitreallydidntmatter.HewasthePrince,heposedtobebetterateverything.
Herfatherremaihemostwonderfulmanintheworld,andnothingshecouldimaginelearningwasevergoingtogethat.
Nothingeverhad,shethought,shakingherheadslowlyinthesaishan,asiftodrawfreeoftheging,spiderywebsofmemory.Nothingeverhad.ThoughBrandin,inanother,betterworld,inhisimaginaryFinavir,perhaps...
Sherubbedhereyesandthenshookherheadagain,stillstrugglingtoeawake.Shewonderedsuddenlyifthetwoofthem,herfatherandtheKingofYgrath,hadseeneachother,hadactuallylookedeachotherihatterribledaybytheDeisa.
Whichwassuchahurtfulthoughtthatshewasafraidthatshemightbegintocry.Whichwouldnotdo.Nottoday.eveo—especiallynotScelto,whokoowell—mustbeallowedtoseeanythinginherforthefewhoursbutquietpride,aaintyofsuccess.
Thefewhours.Thelastfewhours.
Thehoursthatwouldleadhertothemarginoftheseaandthendownintothedarkgreenwaterswhichwerethevisionoftheriselkaspool.Leadhertowhereherpathcameclearatlastandthebeforetime,andnotwithoutacertainreliefbehefearandalltheloss,toanend.
Ithadunfoldedwithsuchdirectsimplicity,fromthemomentshehadstoodbythepoolintheKingsGardenandseenanimageofherselfamidthrongsofpeopleintheharbor,andthenaloneuer,drawntoeindarkhatwasnolongerasourceofchildhoodterrorbut,finally,ofrelease.
Thatsameday,inthelibrary,BrandinhadtoldherhewasabdiginYgrathinfavirald,butthatDoroteahiswifewasgoingtohavetodieforwhatshehaddone.Helivedhislifeintheeyesoftheworld,hesaid.Evenhadhewishedtospareher,hewouldhavenorealchoice.
Hedidntwishtospareher,Brandinsaid.
Thenhespokeofwhatelsehadetohimonhisridethatmthroughthepre-dawnmistsoftheIsland:avisionoftheKingdomoftheWesternPalm.Hewasgoingtomakethatvisionreal,hesaid.
ForthesakeofYgrathitself,andforthepeoplehereinhisprovinces.Andforhisownsoul.Andforher.
OnlythoseYgrathenswillingtobeepeopleofhisfourjoinedprovinceswouldbeallowedtostay,hesaid;allotherswerefreetosailhometoGirald.
Hewouldremain.NotjustforStevanandtheresponseshapedinhishearttohissoh,thoughthatwouldhold,thatwasstant;buttobuildaunitedrealmhere,abetterworldthanhehadknown.
Thatwouldhold,thatwasstant.
Dianorahadlisteohim,hadfelthertearsbeginningtofall,andhadmovedtolayherheadinhislapbesidethefire.Brandinheldher,movinghishandsthroughherdarkhair.
HewouldneedaQueen,hehadsaid.
Inavoiceshehadneverheardbefore;oneshehaddreamtofforsoloedtohavesonsand
daughtershereinthePalmnow,Brandinsaid.TainandbuilduponthepainofStevansloss,thatsomethingbrightandfairmightemergefromalltheyearsofsorrow.
Andthenhespokeoflove.Drawinghishalythroughherhairhespokeoflovingher.Ofhowthattruthhadfinallyehomeintohisheart.Once,shewouldhavethoughtitfarmorelikelythatshemightgraspandholdthemoonsthaneverhearhimspeaksuchwordstoher.
Shewept,uop,forinhiswordsitwasallgatheringnow,shecouldseehowitwasingtogether,andsuchclarityandprescewastoomuortalsoul.Forhermortalsoul.ThiswastheTriadswine,andtherewastoomuchbittersorrowatthebottomofthecup.Shehadseentheriselka,though,shekneasing,wherethepathwouldleadthemnow.Foronemoment,ahandfulofheartbeats,shewonderedwhatwouldhavehappenedhadhewhisperedthesesamewordstoherthenightbeforeinsteadofleavingheralohthefiresofmemory.Andthatthoughthurtasmuchasanythingeverhadinallherlife.
Letitgo!shewaosay,wantedsomuchtosaythatshebitherlipholdingbackthewords.Oh,mylove,letthespellgo.LetTiganaebadalltheworldsbrightnesswillreturn.
Shesaidnothing.Knowingthathecouldnotdoso,andknowing,forshewasnolongerachild,thatgracecouldnotbeebysoeasily.Notafteralltheseyears,notwithTiganaawiogetherandembeddedsodeepdowninBrandinsownpain.Notwithwhathehadalreadydooherhome.Notintheworldinwhichtheylived.
Besideswhidaboveeverythingelse,therewastheriselka,andherclearpathunfoldingwitheverywordwhisperedbythefire.Dianorafeltasifshekneweverythingthatwasgoingtobesaid,everythingthatwouldfollow.Andeachpassingmomentwasleadingthem—shecouldseeitasakindofshimmerintheroom—towardsthesea.
AlmostathirdoftheYgrathensstayed.Itwasmorethanhedexpected,Brandintoldher,standingonthebalyabovetheharbortwoweekslater,watgmostofhisflotillasailaway,backtotheirhome,towhathadbeenhishome.Hewasexilednow,byhisownwill,moretrulythanhehadeverbeenbefore.
HealsotoldherlaterthatsamedaythatDoroteawasdead.Shedidntaskhow,orhowheknew.Hissorcerywasstillthethingshedidnoteverwanttoface.
Shortlyafterthatcamebadtidingsthough.TheBarbadianswerebeginningtomovenorthtowardandthroughFerraut,allthreearmiesapparentlyheadingfortheborderofSenzio.Hehadnotexpectedthat,shesaw.Notnearlysosoon.ItwastoounlikecarefulAlberiovewithsuchdecisiveness.
"Somethinghashappehere.Somethingispushinghim,"Brandinsaid."AndIwishIknewwhatitwas.”
Hewasweakandvulnerablenow,thatwastheproblem.Heimeandtheyallk.WiththeYgrathenarmymostlygoneBrandinneededacetoshapeaructureoforderiernprovioturnthefirstgiddyeuphoriaofhisannouintothebondsandallegiahatwouldtrulyfeakingdom.Thatwouldlethimsummonanarmytofightinhisname,amongaqueredpeoplelatelysohard-oppressed.
Heime,desperately,andAlbericowasntgivingittohim.
"Youcouldsendus,"dEymonthecellorsaidonem,asthedimensionsofthecrisisbegantotakeshape."SendtheYgrathenswehaveleftandpositiontheshipsoffthecoastofSenzio.SeeifthatwillholdAlbericoforatime.”
Thecellorhadstayedwiththem.Therewasneveranyrealdoubtthathewould.Forallhistrauma—hehadlookedillandoldfordaysafterBrandinsannou—DianorakhatdEymoloyalty,hislove,thoughhewouldhaveshiedawkwardlyawayfromthatword,wasgiventothemanheservedandnottothenation.MovingthroughthosedaysalmosthedivisionsinherowsheenvieddEymonthatsimplicity.
ButBrandinflatlyrefusedtofollowhissuggestion.Sherememberedhisfaceasheexplained,
lookingupfromamapandstrewsofpapercoveredwithhethreeofthemtogetheraroundatableiing-roomofftheKingsbedchamber;Rhunanervous,preoccupiedfourthonacouchatthefarendoftheroom.TheKingoftheWesternPalmstillhadhisFool,thoughtheKingofYgrathwasnamedGiraldnow.
"Iakethemfightalone,"Brandinsaidquietly."NottocarrythefullburdenofdefendingpeopleIhavejustmadethemequalto.ThisotbeanYgrathenwar.Forohing,theyarenotenough,wewilllose.Butitismorethanthat.Ifwesendanarmyorafleetitmustbemadeupofallofushere,orthisKingdomwillbefinishedbeforeIstart.”
DEymonhadrisenfromthetable,agitated,visiblydisturbed."ThenImustsayagainwhatIhavesaidbefore:thisisfolly.ThethingtodoistogohomeanddealwithwhathashappenedinYgrath.Theyneedyouthere.”
"Notreally,dEymon.Iwillnotflattermyself.GiraldhasbeenrulingYgrathfortwentyyears.”
"Giraldisatraitorandshouldhavebeeedassuchwithhismother!”
Brandinlookedupathim,thegreyeyessuddenlychilly.
"Mustwerepeatthisdiscussion?DEymon,Iamhereforareasonandyouknowthatreason.Iotgobathat:itwouldcutagainsttheverycoreofwhatIam."Hisexpressionged."Nomaaywithme,butIamboundmyselftothispeninsulabyloveandgrief,andbymyownnature,andthosethreethingswillholdmehere.”
"TheLadyDianoracouldewithus!WithDoroteadeadyouwouldneedaQueeninYgrathandshewouldbe—”
"DEymonlHavedone."Thetonewasfinal,endingthediscussion.
Butthecellorwasabraveman."Mylord,"hepushedon,grim-faced,hisvoicelowandintense,"ifIotspeakofthisandyouwillnotsendourfleettofaceBarbadiorIknownothowtoadviseyou.
Theprovinceswillnotgotowarforyouyet,weknowthat.Itistoosoon.Theyimetoseeandtobelievethatyouareohem.”
"AndIhavenotime,"Brandinrepliedwithwhathadseemedanunnaturalcalmafterthesharptensionoftheexge."SoIhavetodoitimmediately.Advisemeonthat,cellor.HowdoIshowthem?Rightnow.HowdoImakethembelieveIamtrulyboundtothePalm?”
Sothereitwas,andDianorakhatthemomenthadetoheratlast.
Iotgobathat;itwouldcutagainsttheverycoreofwhatIam.Shehadneverreallynursedanyfantasiesofhiseverfreelyreleasingandunbindinghisspell.SheknewBrandintoowell.Hewasnotamanwhowentbackorreversedhimself.Inanything.Thecoreofwhathewas.Inloveandhateandinthedefiningshapeofhispride.
Shestoodup.Therewasanoddrushingsoundinherears,andifsheclosedhereyesshewascertainshewouldseeapathstretgaway,straightandclearasalineofmoonlightonthesea,verybrightbeforeher.Everythingwasleadihere,leadingallofthem.Hewasvulnerable,andexposed,andhewouldurnback.
TherewasanimageofTiganaflinherheartassherose.Evenhere,evennow,animageofherhome.Ihsoftheriselkaspooltherehadbeemanypeoplegatheredunderbannersofalltheprovincesasshewalkeddowntothesea.
Sheplacedherhandscarefullyonthebackofherchairandlookeddownathimwherehesat.Therewasgreyinhisbeard,more,itseemed,eachtimeshenoticedit,buthiseyeswereastheyhadalwaysbeen,andtherewasnofear,nodoubtiheylookedbackather.Shedrebreathandspokewordsthatseemedtohavebeeago,wordsthatseemedtohavesimplywaitedforthismomenttoarrive.
"Iwilldoitforyou,"shesaid."Iwillmakethembelieveinyou.IwilldDiveoftheGrand
DukesofChiaraasitusedtobedoheeveofwar.Youwillmarrytheseasofthepeninsula,andIwillbindyoutothePalmandtogoodfortuheeyesofallthepeoplewhenIbringyoubackthesea-ringfromthesea.”
Shekepthergazesteadyonhisown,darkandclearandcalm,asshespokeatlast,aftersomanyyears,thewordsthatsetheronthefinalpath.Thatsethim,setthemall,thelivingandthedead,thenameda,onthatpath.As,lovinghimwithasunderedheart,shelied.
Shefinishedherkhavandrosefrombed.Sceltohaddrawainsbadshecouldseesubeginningtolightenthedarksea.Theskywasclearoverheadandthebannersintheharborcouldjustbeseen,movinglazilyinthedawherewasalreadyahugecrowdgathered,hoursbeforetheceremonywastreatmanypeoplehadspentthenightintheharborsquare,tobesureofaplaearthepiertoseeherdive.Shethoughtshesawsomeoinyfigureatsuchadistance,liftahandtopointtoherwindowaeppedquicklyback.
Sceltohadalreadylaidouttheclothesshewouldwear,thegarmentsofritual.Darkgreenfoingdowerrobeandsandals,thehatwouldholdherhairandthesilkeuniwhichshewoulddive.Forafterwards,aftershecamebathesea,therewasanotherrobe,white,richlyembroideredwithgold.Forwheorepresent,tobethebrideefromtheseawithaginherhandfortheKing.
Aftershecameback.Ifshecameback.
Shewasalmostastoherowncalm.ItwaseasieractuallybecauseshehadntseenBrandinsinceearlythedaybefore,asroperfortherite.Easiertoo,becauseofhowbrilliantlyclearalltheimagesseemedtobe,howsmoothlytheyhadledherhere,asifshewaschoosingordegnothing,onlyfollowingacoursesetdownsomewhereelseandlongago.
Easier,finally,becauseshehadetouandandaccept,deeply,andwithcertitude,thatshehadbeenbornintoaworld,alife,thatwouldherbewhole.
Notever.ThiswasnotFinavir,oranysuchdreamplace.Thiswastheonlylife,theonlyworld,shewastobeallowed.AndinthatlifeBrandinofYgrathhadetothispeninsulatoshapearealmforhisson,andValentindiTiganahadkilledStevan,PrinceofYgrath.Thishadhappened,couldnotbeunmade.
Andbecauseofthatdeath,BrandinhadedownuponTiganaandherpeopleandtoroftheknownpastaillunfoldingpagesoftheworld.Andwasstayiosealthattruthforever—blankandabsolute—invengeanceforhisson.Thishadhappenedandening,andhadtobeunmade.
Soshehadeheretokillhim.Ihersnameahers,inBaerdsnameandherown,andforallthelostandruinedpeopleofherhome.ButonChiarashehaddiscovered,ingriefandpainandglory,thatislarulyaworldoftheirown,thatthingsgedthere.Shehadlearned,longago,thatshelovedhim.Andnow,ingloryandpainandwonder,hadbeeouandthathelovedher.Thishadallhappened,ariedtou,andhadfailed.
Herswasnotalifemeanttobemadewhole.Shecouldseeitnowsoclearly,andinthatclarity,thatfinaluanding,Dianorafoundthewellspringofhercalm.
Someliveswereunlucky.Somepeoplehadacetoshapetheirworld.Itseemed—whocouldhaveforetold?—thatboththesethirueofher.
OfDianoradiTiganabrenSaevar,asculptorsdaughter;adark-haireddark-eyedchild,gawkyandunlovelyinheryouth,seriousandgrave,thoughwithflashesofwitandtenderness,beautyingtoherlate,andwisdominglater,toomuchlater.ingonlynow.
Shetooknofood,thoughshedallowedherselfthekhav—alastcessiontoyearsofhabit.Shedidntthinkthatdoingsowouldviolateanyrituals.Shealsokdidntreallymatter.Sceltohelpedherdress,andthen,insilence,hecarefullygatheredandpinnedherhair,bindingitinthedarkgreehat
wouldholditbahereyeswhenshedived.
Whenhewasdonesheroseandsubmittedherself,asalwaysbefoingoutintotheworld,tohisscrutiny.Thesunnow;itslightfloodingtherohthedrawn-backcurtains.Iahegrowingnoisefromtheharborcouldbeheard.Theustbeverylargebynow,shethought;shedidntgobacktothewindowtolook.Shewouldseethemsoonenough.Therewasaqualityofanticipationtothesteadymurmurofsoundthatgaveevidence,moreclearlythananythingelse,ofthestakesbeingplayedforthism.
Apeninsula.Twodifferentdominionshere,ifitcametothat.PerhapseventheveryEmpireinBarbadior,withtheEmperorillanddyingaseveryoneknew.Athingmore,thoughonlyshekhis,andonlyshewouldeverknow:Tigana.Thefinal,secretlyingonthegamingtable,hiddehecardlaiddowninthenameoflove.
"WillIdo?"sheaskedScelto,hervoicedeterminedlycasual.
Hedidntfollowthatlead."Yhtenme,"hesaidquietly."Youlookasthoughyouarenoloirelyofthisworld.Asifyouhavealreadyleftusallbehind.”
Itwasunyhowhecouldreadher.Ithurttohavetodeceivehim,nottohavehimwithheronthislastthing,buttherewasnothinghecouldhavedone,noreasontogivehimgrief,andtherewererisksinthedoingso.
"Imnotatallsurethatsflattering,"shesaid,stilllightly,"butIwillattempttothinkofitthatway.”
Herefusedtosmile."IthinkyouknowhowlittleIlikethis,"hesaid.
"Scelto,AlberitirearmywillbeontheborderofSenziotwoweeksfromnow.Brandinhasnochoice.IftheywalkintoSenziotheywillnotstopthere.Thisishisverybestce,probablyhisonlyce,tolinkhimselftothePalmintime.Youknowallthis."Sheforcedherselftosoundalittleangry.
Itwastrue,itwasalltrue.Butwasthetruth.Theriselkawasthetruththism,thatandthedreamssheddreamtalonehereinthesaishanthroughalltheyears.
"Iknow,"Sceltosaid,clearlyunhappy."OfcourseIknow.AndnothingIthinkmattersatall.Itisjust...”
"Please!"shesaid,tostophimbeforehemadehercry."IdontthinkIdebatethiswithyounow,Scelto.Shallwego?"Oh,mydear,shewasthinking.Oh,Scelto,youwillu.
Hehadstopped,flingatherrebuke.Shesawhimswallowhard,hiseyeslowered.Afteramomenthelookedupagain.
"Fiveme,mylady,"hewhispered.Hesteppedforwardand,uedly,tookherhands,pressiohislips."ItisonlyforyouthatIspeak.Iamafraid.Pleasefive.”
"Ofcourse,"shesaid."Ofcourse.Thereisreallynothingtive,Scelto."Shesqueezedhishandstightly.
Butinherheartshewasbiddinghimfarewell,knowinotcry.Shelookedintohisho,gface,thetruestfriendshedhadforsomanyyears,theonlyrealfriendactually,sinceherchildhood,andshehopedagainsthopethatinthedaystoe,hewouldrememberthewayshehadgrippedhishandsandnotthecasual,carelesssoundofherwords.
"Letsgo,"shesaidagain,andturnedherfaceawayfromhim,tobeginthelongwalkthroughthepaladoutintothemandthendowntothesea.
TheRingDiveoftheGrandDukesofChiarahadbeedramatigleritualoftemporalpowerinthePeninsulaofthePalm.FromtheverybeginningoftheirdominionontheIsland,theleadersofChiarahadknownthattheirsrantedbyandsubjecttothewatersthatsurrouhem.
Theseaguardedthemahem.Itgavetheirships—alwaysthelargestarmadainthepeninsula—accesstotradeandplunder,anditedthemaboutandenclosedtheminaworldwithintheworld.Nowonder,asthetale-tellerssaid,nowowasontheIslandthatEannaandAdaonhadetogether
toengenderMorianandmaketheTriadplete.
Aworldwithinthewirdledbythesea.
ItwassaidtohavebeentheveryfirstoftheGrandDukeswhohadbeguntheceremonythatbecametheRingDive.Ithadbeendifferentinthoseearlydays.Notactuallyadive,forohing,onlyaringthrownasagiftintotheseainpropitiationandtokenofaowledgment,inthedayswhentheworldtursfacetowardthesunandthesailingseasonbeganinear.
Thenonespring,alongtimeafterthat,awomaotheseaaftertheriheGrandDukeofthattimecastitin.Somesaidlatershehadbeencrazedwithloveiouspossession,othersthatshewasonlyingandambitious.
Ihercase,shesurfacedfromthewatersoftheharborwiththeringbrightinherhand.
AndasthecrowdthathadgatheredtowatchtheGrandDukewedtheseashoutedandbabbledinwildfusionandwoheHighPriestofMorianinChiarasuddenlycriedaloud,inwordsthatwouldrundownthroughalltheyears,obelost:"Lookandsee!SeehowtheosaccepttheGrandDukeashusbandtothem!Howtheyofferbackthesea-ringasabridepiecetoalover!”
AndtheHighPriestmovedtotheveryendofthepierbesidetheDukeaohelpthewomanrisefromtheseaandsohesetinmotiohingthatfollowed.SaroheGrandDukewasbutohispowerandasyetunwed.Letizia,whohadeintothecityfromafarmiradaandhaddohisunpretedthing,wasyellow-hairedandelyandveryyoung.AndtheirpalmswerejoiogetherthenandthereoverthewaterbyMellidar,thatHighPriestofMorian,andSaronteplacedthesea-ringoiziasfinger.
TheywerewedatMidsummer.TherewaswarthatautumnagainstAsoliandAstibar,andyoungSarontediChiaratriumphedmagnifitlyinanavalbattleintheGulfofCorte,southoftheIsland.AvictorywhoseanniversaryChiarastillremembered.Andfromthattimeonward,thenewlyshapedritualoftheRingDivewasenshrinedforuseintimeofChiarasneed.
Thirtyyearslater,heendofSarontesln,iherecurringsquabblesforpreceamoriadsclergy,anewlyanointedHighPriestofEannarevealedthatLetiziahadbeennearkintoMellidar,thepriestofMorianwhohaddrawnherfromthewaterandbouheDuke.EannaspriestihepeopleoftheIslandtodrawtheirownclusionsabouttheschemesofMoriansclergyandtheirerivingforpreeminendpower.
Anumberofevents,hempleasant,hadunfoldedamoriadsservantsihsfollowingthatrevelation,buthesedisturbanceshadeotougthebrightnewsanctityoftheritualitself.Theceremonyhadtakenholdontheimaginationofthepeople.Itseemedtospeaktosomethihinthem,whetherofsacrifiage,ofler,or,intheend,ofsomedark,truebindingtothewatersofthesea.
SDiveoftheGrandDukesremained,longafterallthosefeudingclergyoftheTriadhadbeeotheirrest,theirnamesonlyhalf-remembered,andonlybecauseoftheirpartioryoftheDive.
Whathadfinallybroughtaotheceremony,inmuchmorerettimes,wasthedeathofOra,wifetoGrandDukeCazal,twohundredandfiftyyearsago.
Itwasnot,byanymeans,thefirstsuchdeath:thewomenwhovoluodivefrandDukesalwayshaditmadeabsolutelycleartothemthattheirliveswereworthinfinitelylessthantheringtheysoughttoreclaimfromthesea.ToebackwithouttherioneanexilefromtheIslandforlife,knownandmockedthroughoutthewholepeninsula.Theceremonyeatedwithanotherwoman,an,untilohethrswasfoundandclaimed.
Bytrast,thewomanwhocarriedasea-ringbacktothepierwasacclaimedastheluckofChiaraandherfortunewasmadeforlife.Wealthandhonor,anarrangedmarriageintonobility.MorethanonehadborneachildtrandDuke.TwohadfollowedLetiziatothesortsthrone.Girlsfrom
familiesoflittleprospectwerenotcharyaboutriskingtheirlivesforsuchaglittering,halluatoryfuture.
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