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The return to Ylandre was uneventful, but not the entry into the capital. Shock and apprehension were the initial reactions of the city sentries and travelers on the wide avenue to the capital upon laying their eyes on a whole company of Ziani cavalry armed to the teeth making its way to Rikara at a brisk pace. But a good look at the Deira who rode at the fore—two bearing field bandages that suggested injuries sustained in a battle, one so frail he was cradled in the arms of a companion and a fourth trussed up like a game bird ready for the spit—quickly allayed apprehension. The sentries sent a message posthaste to the Hospitaller medical center.
The tumult returned however when the Ardan arrived at the hospital accompanied by several of his Council members and a goodly number of Foreign Affairs folk. The latter converged on the room where Ambassador Leyhar was quartered while the former set to interviewing Jareth, Yandro and Leyhar’s aide and secretary.
The latter two recounted the events leading to their abduction and imprisonment in Laetro. They’d been shocked when they learned Xeren was still alive and now desired to unravel the scheme that had brought Ylandre and Teraz to the brink of war.
Contrary to the Terazians’ claim that the ambassador had invited Xeren to his residence, it was Xeren who requested they meet at the town house. The secretary managed to repeat the missive’s contents verbatim, while the aide described the messenger. The latter had rather impolitely declined to lower his hood, but the aide remembered his face nonetheless because of the rose-wine stain that covered the whole of his left cheek down to his jaw.
“The Chief Counsellor bears a similar birthmark!” Yandro softly exclaimed.
“Yes,” Jareth confirmed. “It isn’t something one can miss. Did you ever meet Kilion’s head advisor?” he asked..
“Nay, Your Excellency,” the aide replied. “He was never present when we had an audience with Prince Kilion.”
“Nor was he there when we first presented ourselves at court,” the secretary added. “We did find it odd, but Leyhar-dyhar thought it might be due to hostility toward Ylandrins. Prince Kilion’s other advisors treated us with much suspicion too. It was plain as day they weren’t pleased to have us in Teraz.”
“Yet they followed protocol and were present when required,” Rohyr pointed out. “It’s obvious he didn’t want to be known to you in case he needed to approach you unrecognized. Which he did when he acted as Xeren’s messenger.”
“That explains his fear when Lord Jareth urged Kilion to investigate further,” Yandro said.
Jareth nodded. “We weren’t mistaken that he was involved somehow.”
After threshing out the disputed articles to what the ambassador had believed to be Xeren’s satisfaction, the latter had invited Leyhar out for an early evening coach ride to the nearby Arfalos River. He’d explained it was the river crustaceans’ breeding season during which the creatures glowed brightly to attract mates. It was something visitors to the city did not want to miss.
Intrigued by so strange a phenomenon, the ambassador accepted. To their surprise, Xeren had insisted his aide and secretary join them. In hindsight, it appeared he had done so to ensure there would be no witnesses to the actual circumstances of their departure from the house.
It was late when they rode to the river. There was a narrow, somewhat winding road to the left of the entrance to the bridge that led down to the riverbank and it was this route they had taken. There had been no others about, which had puzzled them given Xeren’s claim that visitors flocked to the river to view the phenomenon he’d touted.
When they got off the coach, they noted the thick shrubbery along the banks, which made it difficult to cross to them. And then, when they neared the edge, Ambassador Leyhar had noticed the swift current and asked Xeren how the crustaceans could possibly remain in one place, let alone mate.
Before Xeren could answer, they’d been set upon by what appeared to be brigands. The ambassador and his companions had been bound and gagged and thrown onto steeds concealed by the shrubbery. But before they were taken away, they’d seen Xeren surrounded, slain, and his body thrown into the river.
Close questioning revealed that several of the assailants had obscured their view and prevented them from seeing the actual killing or the disposal of Xeren’s body in detail. Come to think of it, they’d found it strange that Xeren had not cried out despite not being gagged. And his guards and the coach driver were not slain in the attack either. They had simply been knocked unconscious as far as they could recall.
It was now apparent the ambush had been staged thusly so that should the Ylandrins escape or be used as bargaining chips, they would not know the truth behind their abduction and therefore be unable to expose Xeren’s ruse.
“Their scheme relied quite a bit on factors beyond their control. Too much for my liking and it was rather theatrical in its execution,” Yovan commented with a reproving shake of his head. “I would have thought of something simpler and more subtle. Therefore, less prone to error or discovery.”
“I’m sure you would, Uncle,” Rohyr said with a grin. “Thank Veres, you’re my Chief Counsellor.”
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Bearing less serious injury than Jareth, Yandro was quickly patched up and thus managed a visit to Ambassador Leyhar. He found he had to make his way through the small throng of visitors outside the Deir’s room.
He was taken aback when said visitors, all senior Ministry folk or veteran diplomats, detained him briefly in order to convey their praise and thanks over his part in Leyhar’s rescue. More than one voiced the hope his actions would be recognized and properly recompensed. Yandro was quite dazed with disbelief by the time the last of them spoke to him.
Dylen Essendri met him at the door. Rohyr’s half-brother was as handsome as the Ardan and possessed the same presence that drew people’s eyes almost inexorably. But he was more approachable than Rohyr and therefore easier to talk to even at first encounter. He smiled warmly at Yandro.
“I was about to go and see how you fared,” he said. “I trust Jareth is well?”
“Save for an injury to his leg, he is well. And my wound has been seen to, Dyhar,” Yandro hastened to add when Dylen frowned upon spotting his bloodstained sleeve. “We came out of this relatively unscathed. I think Leyhar-dyhar suffered far more.”
Dylen glanced back over his shoulder. “The healers say he will recover, thank Veres, but he should get bed rest for a fortnight at least. Come in, Riodan will want to thank you.” He regarded the steadily growing crowd. “And I’d best keep this mob under control lest the hospital staff throws them all out.”
Yandro chuckled at the irreverent reference to what was essentially the cream of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s crop. He waited for Dylen to step outside to face his law-father’s visitors before entering the room.
He smiled when he espied Leyhar’s spouse and son at either side of the diplomat’s bed, fussing over him though he was currently fast asleep. But before he could retreat, Riodan looked up and saw him.
Riodan hastened to him and swept him into a heartfelt hug.
“Our deepest gratitude to you, Yan!” Riodan softly exclaimed. “How can we ever repay you for helping bring Aba back to us? Ask anything and if it is within our power, we will give it.”
Yandro felt his cheeks warm up at the fervent show of thankfulness. But he grinned nonetheless and shook his head as Riodan released him.
“You’ve done as much, Your Excellency,” he pointed out. “And paid dearly for your success. I think you agree, it comes with the territory.”
“But I was fighting for my heart’s desire,” Riodan replied, his gaze going to Dylen who stood just outside the door. “Whereas my sire is merely your colleague. My reward was wholly worth the price I paid. I hardly think you can say the same for yourself.”
“If the wages of my efforts include a higher standing in the corps and more respect from my colleagues, I think it worthwhile,” Yandro said with a small smile.
Riodan regarded him with a slightly startled look. “I didn’t consider your difficulties given how you got your start,” he murmured. “But if so, it gladdens me you’ve reaped such a reward.” He paused. “As I’m sure Jareth would say as well.”
Yandro stared at him, nonplussed. “Jareth?” he repeated. “I mean Ambassador Hadrana? Why did you mention him, Dyhar?”
“Oh, dispense with the honorifics,” Riodan said with a dismissive wave of his hand when Yandro started to protest. “You’re a friend and should be treated thusly regardless of who are about. As for Jareth, it’s quite obvious how taken he is with you. So it stands to reason this virtual guarantee of your elevation pleases him greatly.”
All that truly registered was the suggestion that Jareth had been obvious enough in his interactions with Yandro for others to notice their mutual attraction.
“He is?” he said a little breathlessly.
Riodan grinned. “Taken with you or pleased with your success?”
“I—” Yandro felt his cheeks heat up further. “I know he’s always pleased when I do well. But that he didn’t take pains to conceal his regard for me...” He felt suddenly bashful and his eloquence abandoned him accordingly. “I mean, he’s shown me that-that he does, er, feel some... an attraction of sorts, but that others should notice... or that he didn’t... care to hide it...”
Riodan’s smile turned positively wolfish. “Everyone knows Jareth’s appetite for the pleasures of the flesh is prodigious,” he said, eschewing subtlety in favor of candor. “But few realize just how selective he is when it comes to this.” He briefly touched his fist to his left breast. “I’ve watched him these many years and I can say with all confidence, I believe you’ve ignited something no other Deir he’s bedded has managed to.”
“You know for certes we’ve—” Yandro caught himself and looked away, his face now flaming. Heyas! His own discretion seemed to have deserted him in the face of Riodan’s bluntness.
“Given the veritable glow in his eyes whenever he’d depart the Ministry premises with you?” Riodan said with a smirk. “Not to mention the impatience with which he’d take leave of other company in favor of yours. It was blatantly apparent what the two of you were about.”
“Oh Veres,” Yandro mumbled. “Does everyone know?”
“Suspect or expect, probably. It’s the general assumption that Jareth beds his aides as a matter of course. But know for certes? One would have to observe him closely to see your affair is no trifling matter to him. That it is no affair at all, but the first step in courtship.”
“Courtship?”
Yandro knew his eyes had widened impossibly judging from Riodan’s amusement. “If you know him as well as you say you do, it should have been apparent from the start.”
“Oh... Holy saints, I thought he was only—” Yandro shook his head. “It seems we’re in need of a good long talk.”
“And soonest it appears,” Riodan remarked. “Tell me, how do two articulate diplomats manage not to adequately communicate with each other?”
The gibe left Yandro sighing in chagrin. “Veres only knows. Perhaps when the heart is involved, one’s ability to think clearly is impaired.”
Riodan chuckled. “Yes, that seems a common ailment amongst the lovesick. Myself included. If I may suggest though, go further than mere talk. Why not communicate with the gifts you possess? That would preclude further misconceptions about each other.”
Yandro sighed. “Jareth keeps his feelings sealed up so tight, I can only sense them if he permits it.”
“Hmm, likely his way of protecting himself.” At Yandro’s puzzled frown, Riodan pointed out, “Surely you’ve seen how fervently his favor is sought by those who see him as a means to fulfill their ambitions. Imagine were he to reveal himself to someone he cares for and have it used for purposes other than requital of his feelings. It would be a blow not just to his pride, but also to his heart. I think you’ve noticed by now how wary the Essendris can be when it comes to matters of love.”
“Then why did he tell Gawy—”
Yandro halted as he realized the deeper meaning behind Riodan’s words. It was not trust or the lack of it that played into Jareth’s reticence with him and openness with Gawyn. If he understood Riodan correctly, it was fear of rejection or abandonment that kept Jareth from opening himself completely to Yandro. Because he cared for him in a different way than he did for Gawyn.
Were Gawyn to betray Jareth’s trust or leave him on account of the things he’d revealed about himself, it would not matter. Whereas if it were Yandro... What was it Jareth said to him in Laetro?
You can hurt me, as no other can. You can break my heart. You can break me.
Perhaps Riodan perceived that he’d realized something significant. He nodded and said, “It’s quite a journey, loving an Essendri, isn’t it? But it’s well worth the trouble, I promise you.” He glanced back. “I think Ama wishes to express his thanks as well.”
He made way for his father as the latter joined them.
By the time Yandro returned to Jareth’s room, he was redder than he’d ever been. Not only had Riodan’s father thanked him profusely, he’d also assured him that he would urge his spouse to press for Yandro’s quick elevation to the senior ranks of the Ministry. Riodan had added his support for that move.
This reminded him of Jareth’s request to Rohyr not to remove Yandro from his side. The thought that it might have been an indication of Jareth’s intent to woo him made his heart sing. But it also led him to ponder how deep his doubts ran that he had at once construed Jareth’s possible attempts at courtship for mere propositions and then perceived his concealment of his feelings for a lack of them.
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Mindful of the need to maintain secrecy regarding the templars’ identities, Jareth did not speak in detail of what he’d had to do to delay the pursuing Terazians. Not in the presence of others who were not of the brotherhood. He did give Rohyr a glimpse of what had happened along with a promise to later recount everything to him in private. Tenryon however insisted on the full story as soon as they were alone and Jareth knew better than to put his brother off.
Tenryon did not say a word until he finished. Only the occasional frown, smirk, or raised eyebrow conveyed what he thought about Jareth’s latest adventure.
“So you unleashed power only the templars are known to possess,” he said afterward.
Jareth shrugged. “I had no choice if I hoped to stall them long enough for you to get to us.”
“And gave them reason to suspect you to be one of the brotherhood,” Tenryon commented.
“Perhaps,” Jareth admitted. “But you’re known to be head of the templars of Ylandre and the preeminent one in the North Continent. It’s more likely they’ll think me more gifted than most because of our kinship. Besides, I doubt the common folk have more than an inkling of what separates templars from adepts.”
“True. But I’d rather not give anyone cause to wonder if the Royal House harbors one of our numbers.”
“Rohyr’s talent is oft ascribed to the Essendri potential, which scope few truly understand,” Jareth said. “I doubt anyone will connect him to us.”
“Save Yandro perhaps now that he kens what you are,” Tenryon pointed out. “He’s not only intelligent, but astute. I wouldn’t put it past him to look beyond rumor and reputation and guess at the truth.”
“He likely will, won’t he?” Jareth said, unable to keep his pride over his lover out of his voice. “But even if he does, he’ll keep it secret. Yandro is loyal to Rohyr almost to a fault. He won’t ever wittingly cause him harm.”
“Or you.” Tenryon smiled. “How you of all folk managed to gain the devotion of one such as he is beyond me.”
Jareth stilled. He looked at his brother uncertainly. “I ask that myself constantly,” he murmured.
“Worried, Jath? Are you lacking confidence in yourself for once?” Tenryon shook his head. “He’s truly special to have tamed you so well.”
“Would that I could say the same of him,” Jareth said. “For the first time in all my lives, I’m afraid. What if he now deems me not worth the trouble he’s put up with since we first met?”
“He admitted to loving you when you charged him thusly.”
“Nay, he only didn’t deny that he did.”
“And that frightens you.”
“Yes!” Jareth sat back and sighed. “Yes. Terrifies me, truth be told. If he retreats from me... If he turns his back on what we have—had—I don’t know if I have it in me to bear his loss, Ten. I truly don’t.”
Tenryon drew him into a brief hug. “You’re seeing barriers were there are none as yet. Don’t you think if he’d ever thought his devotion to you not worth his while, he would have left your side long ago?”
Jareth stared at him. After a moment, he pressed his face into Tenryon’s shoulder, as he had done in their childhood days when seeking reassurance.
“Oh Veres, I hope you’re right,” he muttered.