“Sindelar petitioned King Tyrmandos to allow the former King and his wife to be brought to Dal Ryeas for burial. Because Philos still had many followers, the King allowed Killia to bring her family home. I think the King reasoned that the murder-suicide by Philos would convince the people that they were better off with Pyramus’ sane rule rather than mad Tadiak's.

“Instead, all they saw was a beautiful, brave young woman bearing the grief of her father’s madness and deeds stalwartly. They saw her alone, frightened at coming to the planet she thought she should rule. In that one clever public relations ploy, Sindelar made the people forget the reigns of terror under Tadiak and of Pyramus's justice by creating a living martyr. The Olenteas lords fell right into his trap and joined him to assist Killia’s bid for power.

“Olenteas always has two lords who must be in accord for major policy changes. Usually, it takes forever to get them to agree to anything. Still, this time they fell all over themselves, coming up with plans to lull Pyramus into a false sense of security while secretly plotting the return of Tadiak. They had already sent Prince Ertlan’s son, Alaeric, and Prince Kir’san’s daughter, Laurenthalia, as pledges of their faith to King Tyrmandos for fostering to further their bid for power. It was not much of a stretch for them to plan to use these two in their nefarious plans for domination. They could rule Tadiaks once Killia regained the throne.”

Diana looked at Lauren with realization but said nothing.

“We were ten or so when we arrived at the capital city, Tadia. King Tyrmandos took us in with open arms and showered us with love and attention. He sent us to school with his own children, Prince Tarq and Princess Tayaela. Tarq and Alaeric were inseparable, and Tayaela became my best friend.

“When Tyrmandos died, we mourned him more than we would have our own fathers. We had pledged everything to Pyramus, never realizing that our families were secretly in Killia’s camp. Under the guise of friendship and loyalty, the insidious Olenteas lords were plotting with Sindelar to use their own children as decoys. They arranged our marriages to Tyrmandos’ children without blinking an eye.

Lauren shrugged. “I mean, we always knew that this was what the fostering arrangement was for, so when Tyrmandos announced our double engagement, no one was surprised. To be honest, Alaeric and I did not really trust our father’s motives. Every time we went back to the mountains to visit, conversations dried up, and furtive looks were cast in our direction. We knew something was up, but no one was talking. And we were always happy to go back to Tadia.

“Alaeric and Tayaela were married almost as soon as the engagements were announced. For Tarq and me, it was nearly a year planning the wedding, what with all the fuss and circumstance. I really hated that and envied Alaeric and Tayaela’s simple ceremony. But I had no say in the matter, except to delay the day when I lost all privacy and became Tarq’s queen.

“We finally settled on a date, and Clan Olenteas and Clan Pyramus poured into the city from their own seats. Tadia filled, overflowing with my father’s and Uncle Ertlan’s followers. And all of them were itching for a fight. One week before the wedding, the King’s First Minister, the enchantress Carr, discovered our parents’ plans to use the wedding as a cover for a counter-revolution to restore Tadiak to power. She brought indisputable evidence given to her at great risk by her own half-sister of the plot. As I understand it, she also told the King that she suspected I was involved since I so conveniently kept putting off the wedding.”

Lauren's voice became grim. “On the morning of the wedding, the pre-planned violence erupted, but the King’s troops were ready for the revolutionists and suppressed the coup almost at once, with minimal bloodshed. The guardsmen captured all of the conspirators. Only Sindelar and Killia, who were invited to the wedding in a graceful gesture of peace, escaped. But he left my father and uncle behind to face the King’s wrath.

“King Tarq released the common soldiers with an admonition not to meddle in royal politics again and sent them home. The Tal stripped those enchanters who participated in the rebellion of their magic powers. Then they were assigned to do useful work among the needy of Tadia’s neighborhoods under the supervision of the High Priestess of the Twins. My father and uncle were sentenced to an indefinite imprisonment period in the Crimson Tower in the Wastelands.

“Then, it was my turn. Try as we might, even swearing on the Tal, and by the gods, Alaeric and I were unable to convince the King’s ministers that I was innocent. They kept telling me that by my silence, if not my active participation, I had betrayed the King and the Kingdom. Every time I thought that my father was unhappy with the King, I guess I was supposed to tell on him. I had no evidence but vague suspicions, and for that, I was supposed to report on my father and uncle.

‘Since Alaeric was already married to Tayaela, he was above suspicion. He had fought for the King while I was getting dressed for my alleged wedding. They held that against me as well. They always neglected the fact that I delayed the wedding as incontrovertible proof of my allegiance to the conspiracy and not merely cold feet.

“Carr felt that my continued presence in Tadia and even on Dal Ryeas would only invite more trouble. She convinced the other ministers that I was dangerous, and they pressured the King to send me away. Carr thought that even if I were an innocent victim, I would harbor grudges and become a new focal point for revolution. She considered Killia enough of a focal point in her estimation. Even though Princess Tayaela begged for clemency and the King was obviously reluctant to carry out the ministers’ sentence, Carr prevailed. She wanted to have me exiled, and that was that.

“Her evidence was compelling, if absolutely false, and I was to appear before the court for sentencing. There was nothing the King could do. Considering the precarious state of the nation, King Tarq could only comply with his councilors. He had to put the best interests of the Kingdom above his own desires...”

For a long time, Lauren was silent. Diana, unable to meet her eyes, looked down at Alaeric’s recumbent form. She realized that he was awake and listening to Lauren’s story. She wondered how long he had been listening.

Lauren continued, not realizing he was awake. “I remember it as if it were yesterday and not five years ago. I was brought to the throne room on a bitter winter day. The snow outside the windows created bizarre shadows from the shape of the pennons reflecting on the floor. All the court assembled to hear the King’s decree. Tayaela and Tarq were not in the room yet when I was brought in, but Carr was. She was standing next to the throne and appeared to the entire world as calm and collected.

“I noticed that her hands were clutching at her skirt in nervous anticipation. Alaeric was standing on the other side of the throne next to Tayaela’s chair, confident that I would be freed from blame and suspicion. I found myself looking at his rock-steady face for reassurance.

“I can still hear the herald striking the floor three times with his staff. The whispering and betting became hushed as the King and Tayaela entered through a small door behind the throne. Usually, a tapestry of Queen Rikara creating the clans hides this door. I still dream of them standing there. They were dressed in black, except for the silver circlet binding back the King’s hair. Tarq seated his sister on a chair next to the throne. She resolutely was refusing to look at Alaeric.

“Then the King turned and looked at me. I could tell he had been weeping. Without prompting and with a clattering of the chains that echoed, I was pushed to my knees before him.

“Angrily, Tarq motioned for me to rise. ‘She is as much a victim of this vile plot as I am. Unchain her at once,’ he demanded. The guard quickly removed the chains. I thought he would go against the clans and ignore their decision, but the King, if nothing else, was the representative of the law, and if he broke it for his own personal gain, he would be no better than the tyrants who were trying to overthrow him.

“I can close my eyes and still see that scene. Tarq was trying to save my feelings by appearing calm and remote, but I could feel his heart breaking nonetheless. I knew what he had to do, but I knew that it would be agonizing for him to do it. I see him standing there, unrelenting in the white winter light, tall and rigidly correct as if any slight relaxation would cause his collapse.

“Sometimes, in my dreams, I see his blue eyes scanning the room, seeking an ally and the only one he can find is me. I felt the tension in him; I saw the muscles straining the coat. I mourned his face, once open and boyish, now closed and grim. I want to cry at the change in him, but I know it would do no good. They would think I cried for myself, and I would not let them see me weep. That’s Killia’s trick, not mine. So I drew my overweening Olenteas pride around me like a cloak and listened with dread to the voice I loved most in the world announce my sentence.

‘Know now that my minister, Carr, will read the decree of exile for Princess Laurenthalia of Clan Olenteas. The decree is, as is the custom of the land, a proclamation by the Council of Clans and carried out by the power of the Tal. The wishes of the King have no moment in this decision.’

"And then Carr read my fate. I was to walk among the edgeworlds and be exiled from the realm of Dal Ryeas until the King, with the advice of his council, rescinded this decree. Then she announced that Alaeric, husband to Princess Tayaela, Prince of the Clan Olenteas and War Leader of the crown, had chosen to accompany me for five years or until I was recalled to Dal Ryeas.

“I-I almost lost control at that moment. However, Alaeric came to stand beside me and has since supported me throughout this ordeal." She smiled bitterly, "At least we won on one count. Carr aimed to humiliate me by sending me off alone into exile as an example to others. She did not expect Alaeric's noble gesture.

Diana interrupted gently, "So you and Alaeric are really cousins."

"Yes, although we had grown up together, we were not as close as we could have been. When we arrived at court, he was swept up into Tarq’s sphere, and I was close to Tayaela. Then he fell in love with Tayaela, and I fell in love with Tarq. But my heart burst with love for them at that moment for their sacrifice. I knew then that I could never repay them for all the time they would lose if they were ever reunited.

“Even though I was in my own personal hell, I realized Tarq was watching me. For a long silent moment, our eyes met and held. I guess we were trying to memorize each other since who knew when and if I could ever return. I suppose he is married now and has children, but for that moment, we were alone in a room filled with strangers trying to imprint our love on each other for all time.

“Anyway...the guards escorted Tayaela to Alaeric’s side, and we all went behind the throne to the small room to say our goodbyes. Tarq led me to an alcove until all was ready. He did not speak since Carr, who was reluctant to allow the King a moment alone with me, accompanied us with a guard. There was nothing he could say. Alaeric and Tayaela embraced passionately, and we all pretended not to watch. As they emerged, I heard her say. ‘I’ll keep working on getting this rescinded. Then I’ll come to find you.’ He kissed her again with a longing that made everyone cringe at the thought of their separation.

“Then, Tarq claimed my attention. He ignored all the others and took my hand. Carr looked angry but said nothing. He kissed my hand and then drew me into a strong embrace. He had the guard hand me a package. ‘These are some crystals and a reader. They will help you in your resettlement. Use them sparingly since you will not be able to get new ones if they break. They are story ones and some letters from me and …’ His voice trailed off. He kissed me again and whispered, ‘I love you, and as soon as I can, I’ll bring you home.’

“I took the book and crystals but found myself unable to reply. Although the intellectual part of me knew that what was happening was according to law, the emotional part of me hated the situation and Tarq for letting it happen.

“I stood mute. I wanted to answer, but I was frightened and resentful. So I let Tarq go without a word. Carr stepped forward, bade us farewell, and invoked the blessings of the Creator and our local gods Saevirg and Sarama. Then she opened the predetermined path, but with so many random twists and turns upon it; no one could follow it without the Tal or the rebels, and sent us along it until we landed on Earth, such a backward place with too few options. But I guess that is Carr’s revenge. Since she was against Alaeric’s voluntary exile, she chose a place where we would have to start from scratch.

“Our skills were limited on your edgeworld. However, there were other exiles from Dal Ryeas there to assist us in learning the edgeworld's ways. Carr also did not know about my pathfinding ability, so she is unaware that I could always send Alaeric home, even if no one else could find us. She also did not know that my father, even from his prison, got word to me where the other exiles were on Earth who came here from when Leas took the throne from Philos.

“We found them, and they helped us to adjust. We were fairly content on Earth, although Alaeric here,” she looked down at her cousin, smiling faintly at her, and ruffled his hair, “was ready to go home to Tayaela the minute his five years were up.”

“What makes you think I would leave you alone in exile?” Alaeric frowned, finally speaking.

“Tayaela.” Lauren smiled at him. “Besides, I can function on my own now. Just keep sending me the artwork for the shop.”

“Oh, do not be such a hard-ass. I have heard you crying for Tarq in the middle of the night.” Alaeric struggled to sit up.

“My feelings for Tarq are my business,” Lauren snapped. “It does not change my exile. You are free to return whenever you want. Now drop the subject.”

“Alright, alright,” Alaeric smiled and tried to stretch. Clearly, his arm was feeling better. “Besides, even though I try to understand his actions, I still have difficulty accepting why he did it. Sometimes I can almost comprehend them.”

“Do you really? Then explain them to me,” a voice said from behind them.