Chapter 3: Why Me III

After the calm of the apple tree, the kitchens were a mass of frantic activity. Aliah stopped a serving boy to ask for food to be taken to her daughter's room, before heading upstairs via the servants' passages to the first floor, where most of the work managing the realm took place.

She ducked her head into Dominic's office to find him finishing up with a messenger. He waved for her to wait. 'You might be interested in these,' he said as the man closed the door behind himself. 'They're the latest updates from Duke Hubert.'

Aliah picked up the documents and perched on the edge of a chair as she read. As Duke of the Western Realm, Dominic's brother was a strong supporter of the crown, as well as caring diligently for his subjects. Of late, his dispatches had been increasingly full of details of unrest on the borders to the Unknown Lands, and today's were no different.

'He still doesn't want us to do anything?' Aliah glanced up in time to catch Dominic shake his head. 'He's being ridiculous. This is the third attack on a patrol since his initial reports of people settling in the Ariel Mountains.' She dropped the papers on Dominic's desk. 'We should send a guard troop regardless of what Hubert advises.'

'Is that wise? I mean, our barons don't look kindly on the crown throwing its might around, and Hubert is no different, even if he is my brother.'

Aliah reached for her plait and tugged it gently. 'The safety of the realm and the people of Aria must come first,' she insisted.

Dominic frowned. He was close to his twin brother and always felt conflicted when, as his king, he had to go against him. 'I think we should wait before acting. I'd like to hear how his delegation is received and consider the settler's response to it.'

'Won't waiting put our border settlements more at risk?' Aliah asked.

'I don't believe so. Also, I would like to find out more about what's going on in the Unknown Lands, what's making people flee for their lives, before we go stomping in with hobnail boots.'

Aliah's thoughts finally caught up with her husband's. 'Ah, so you're thinking about the news Seamus sent in his latest reports from Sanctuary. Do you think these two problems might be linked?'

Dominic smiled at her. 'I do indeed. The edge of Sanctuary's holdings is not far from the Unknown Lands, and I'm worried there's something going on there that is causing people to flee for their lives.'

'I always thought it stupid to call somewhere the Unknown Lands,' Aliah commented. 'They have always discouraged visitors, even traders, and they've never attempted to make contact with any of their neighbours. Their isolationist approach means when something like this happens, the surrounding countries become suspicious. The lack of official channels for communication means we have gone straight to border skirmishes rather than discussing the issues and agreeing on a solution.'

'The inhabitants of Sanctuary originated from the area, as did most of the population on Hand, so we're not totally in the dark about the people fleeing over the mountains,' Dominic reminded her. 'Even I've read a little of their history. In fact, I believe records in Sanctuary name the region as Talagria.'

'You've been speaking with Seamus,' Aliah accused, unsure why she was annoyed her husband had kept their conversation from her. Sure, she and Seamus had joined forces to save Aria as The Wizard and The Warrior. And yes, he was like a brother to her, but he was also Dominic's friend.

'A couple of times. Between us, we have enough strength to mind speak for short periods. I asked him to find out what he could from records in the Sanctuary archives. You're not angry, are you?' Dominic's voice sounded uncertain, which it only did when he thought Aliah was winding up into one of her rants.

As a young girl, she had allowed her passions to rule her better judgement, especially when she believed others didn't respect her opinion. As an adult, she tried to control her outbursts. Now, they mostly only happened with her husband, and only in periods of intense stress. Instead of flying off the handle, Aliah reached forward and took her husband's hand. 'No, I'm not. Although I am a little taken by surprise,' she said. 'Normally, we'd talk these things through together, but thank you for taking this off my plate.'

Dominic gently squeezed her fingers. 'You were so preoccupied with the trade representatives from Carsten, not to mention our daughter's headstrong behaviour, so I thought I would handle this myself - check out what was happening before I brought it to your attention.'

'And now you believe there's something more here; otherwise, you wouldn't be speaking to me about it now.'

A grimace passed over her husband's face, quickly replaced by a wry smile. 'Unfortunately, I do. I need a longer conversation with Seamus to confirm my suspicions - '

'And you can't mind speak for long without me,' Aliah finished for him.

'Now that I have a more complete picture of activity in the borderlands, I want to talk with Seamus to clarify some details, and the sooner the better.'

Aliah closed her eyes, picturing the rest of her day: afternoon tea with Mina, before changing for dinner with the Carstenites. She would be weary after attending the state function, but if the dinner finished early, she might be able to squeeze it in later this evening. 'After the meal tonight?' she offered.

'You won't be too tired? These formal things can be so wearying.' Dominic's concern was heart-warming.

'Yes, they are, but perhaps we can arrange for a messenger to interrupt us during dessert - one able to act suitably worried. Then we'll have an excuse to leave a little early to attend to an urgent matter.'

'I do love the way your mind works.' Dominic's eyes sparkled.

'Now, if I am to have any time free tonight, I must go and spend a few candle marks with our wayward daughter.' Aliah rose.

'How's it going, dare I ask?'

'Mmm...,' Aliah said as she opened the door. 'Let's say it is a work in progress. I must hurry. I need to find something in our rooms before I meet with her.'