Filgot lept off the wagon at the gate of House Tarvakian. A sense of peace ran filled his mind - the end of the journey and the welcome warmth of memories. Cavid Allyander paid the driver more than the trip was worth. The extra was a reward for the kindness of describing all the new wonders he had seen. Filgot saw only home in the buildings and markets they had passed, though the structures seemed to be painted with brighter colors that emanated from Cavid's wide-eyed expressions and awe-sprung comments.

"I am to do the talking," Cavid reminded Filgot, and not for the first time. Kelton had given him the duty, and Cavid took it to heart. After Cavid's bout with seasickness, Filgot would hold his tongue. There had to be some recompense for spending so many days hanging over the side of the ship. Green was not a good color for Cavid.

"This meeting is yours," Filgot assured him. Cavid thought himself an emissary of sorts, carrying the words of the King and Queen. Filgot was sure it was Juno's kiss on his forehead before departure that made the boy's head grow so large. Still, it would be hard to be silent. There was so much to tell.

Filgot pulled a knotted cord that hung along the side of the solid iron-banded gate. A bell with deep resonance sounded. He smiled, for it was a new addition and better than pounding on the hardwood.

"The house is closed this day," a voice from behind the gate said. Before Filgot could respond, Cavid did.

"I come with a message from my King and Queen," he announced. Filgot grinned privately at the authority in Cavid's voice. So impressed with himself, yet not thinking to mention which King and Queen.

"There was no..." the guard began.

"He speaks true, Bollvier," Filgot called out, recognizing the guard's voice.

"Filgot?" Bollvier asked though he had already begun lifting the bar.

"I was to speak," Cavid whispered.

Filgot smiled. "It is a guard, one well known to me. Your words are for Heralic Tarvakian."

"Aye," Cavid said, realizing that he agreed.

"Filgot," Bollvier said, his smile breaking through a beard he had not possessed when Filgot left so long ago. "And...who is this?" He narrowed the opening in the gate.

"Cavid Allyander," Cavid replied proudly.

"He knows of the house," Filgot said, "and brings words that will put a smile on its owner." That earned him a stern look from Cavid. Even hints were not allowed.

Bollvier opened the gate and hustled the two in. "It is good to see you breathing," he said to Filgot. "I had heard of a falling out, though it was hushed up. In truth, we all thought you gone, never to return."

"I shall tell you all of it," Filgot began, then looked at Cavid. "After this man delivers his message, and not before." Cavid nodded.

"Will he see you?" Bollvier asked, still leaning toward the falling out.

"Aye," Filgot said. "You will find him most receptive."

Heralic Tarvakian sighed as he read the proposal. "You are correct, Vasco. This is not what was agreed to."

"It is a trivial change, but it portends changes to come," Vasco said. "I think it is the idea of the change itself that is important."

"Aye," Heralic agreed. "Another wording, another delay. Mayhap, dealing with House Lancore is not worth the effort."

"A friend of the Queen," Vasco reminded Heralic, not that he needed the prod. He had been able to shift the Queen in many things, in a sense, soften her initial edicts. She enjoyed projecting influence, and she thought it a trivial thing for Heralic to conform. Give a little, Heralic told himself as he nodded his agreement. Hopefully, the King would disembark from his ship soon.

"Scribe a new agreement where they hold the risk until the wool arrives here," Hearlic said. "I will talk with the Queen about the delay. Forewarning is better than letting Lancore speak first." A knock on the door created a pleasant diversion from unprofitable politics.

"Enter," Heralic called. It was Bollvier, and he had gate duty. It was odd for him to be at the door since the house was closed. Perhaps it was not a pleasant diversion.

"There two to see you, sir," Bollvier said, his words somewhat reluctant. "I was told you would be pleased." Heralic did not like visitors when the house was closed. It made the ruse of being a vicious owner more difficult, not to mention the workers running about, looking for their collars.

"Who?" Heralic asked, far stronger than he intended. A minor issue would have been better; something simple to shift his mind from the politics was all he was looking for.

"It is Filgot, sir," Bollvier replied. "And another who brings a message from the King."

"Filgot!" Heralic said as he stood. Far better than any issue. His smile relieved Bollvier's worried expression. "Well, send him in, Bollvier. And I thank you for seeing past the rules in this."

"Aye, sir," Bollvier said proudly. He stepped aside and allowed Filgot to enter with a poorly dressed young man at his side. An odd pair. Filgot all smiles, and the newcomer wide-eyed and looking about as if he had never seen a home before.

"Filgot," Vasco called. "It is good to see your face."

"We had been imagining the worst, and here you are looking unscathed," Heralic said. A far better distraction he could not have hoped for. "How fairs our Kelton?"

"It is good to be back, sir," Filgot said. The young man nudged him. "As for news, it is not my duty." He encouraged the boy to move forward. With exaggerated pomp, he added. "Heralic Tarvakian, I present Cavid Allyander."

"It is an honor, sir," Cavid said with a bow.

"Mine as well, Cavid," Heralic said with a matching bow. "I am told you carry a message from the King."

"Aye," Cavid said, and his eyes drifted again, settling upon the hearth. His mouth opened in surprise, and he pointed. "It...it is done with dots."

"Aye," Heralic said, pleased that the portrait was noticed. It always amazed the beholder at first glance. "It is my first wife - it was skillfully done from memory."

"It is beautiful," Cavid said, then thought better of his statement. "She is beautiful." He looked back as if he had made some grave error.

"I thank you kindly," Heralic said. It had been a long time since he had met someone so confused with his place in the world. A joy, really - too much order disturbs the chaos.

"I can read," Cavid said with some pride and without context. "My King taught me some, and I scribed it across the land. I know more of it now, and I learn fast." Heralic saw it as some kind of misguided attempt to impress.

"The King taught you what?" Heralic asked. The King taught many things, usually to those on the wrong side of his arguments, but skills were not among them.

"His name in symbols," Cavid replied. "He did not know my purpose, but I spread it and taught others so all would know he was home. He did not believe he was the Answer, but I knew it." Insanity was Heralic's first thought. He looked at Filgot, who only smiled, and then shrugged as if he lacked all control.

"I am missing something here," Heralic said. "Mayhap, your message from the King will clear things up."

"It is from the Queen and King," Cavid said. A strange order of titles. "They wish me to extend their sorrows for not returning to your house. They desire your forgiveness and promise to visit once the kingdom has settled." Insanity was proving more correct with each word.

"I am at a loss here," Heralic said, looking at a grinning Filgot. Perhaps it was some ill-conceived jest. "Is there some issue with the Kingdom? I am unaware of any plans for a royal visit, nor would they require my forgiveness if they were altered." Filgot's face straightened with concern.

"Has not the Prince spoken with you, with Alliette?" Filgot asked.

"Nay," Heralic replied.

"The King's ship docked two weeks ago," Vasco said. "The Prince rode off in haste, and the King remained aboard as far as we can tell."

"I did not know that the Queen had even spoken with the King," Heralic added. "She seemed to be content to wield the crown, and he, content to extend his leave."

Filgot laughed, which seemed to annoy Cavid. "Mayhap, you start again," Filgot said to Cavid. "Tell them the names of who you speak for." Filgot stepped back with a glee in his eyes.

Cavid turned to Heralic, seemingly perturbed as if his next words were obvious. "I speak for Queen Juno, first of her name, and her King, Kelton Gossamer Tarvakian Gregory."

"All-Father," Vasco said with a mountain of wonder.

Heralic fell back into his seat. "A king," he said, primarily to himself. "I envisioned many things, but a king." Then he let a smile grow. "And he claims my name." A chuckle escaped. "Who could have talked him into such duty? I would have guessed he would have run from such a thing."

"He refused at first," Cavid said. "It was his by right of blood. Now it is his love's crown. It is in our Queen's name that he acts."

Heralic looked at Filgot. "His by blood?"

"Aye, son of a king," Filgot said. "It was a surprise to all, though Yanda found it fitting."

Heralic laughed when an idea came to him. "They tricked him." Vasco smiled in agreement.

"It was not a trick," Cavid insisted. "He is the Answer, the leader of the great war."

"Of course," Heralic said, straightening his face. A little diplomacy was in order. "It was not my intent to make light of your King. A better man could not have been chosen for the crown, and I am sure your Queen is of equal standing. Kelton...King Kelton...had spoken highly of her." It was hard to put the word 'king' next to 'Kelton' without smiling.

"Aye," Cavid agreed with the strength of devotion. Then his face softened a bit, and his cheeks flushed. "Aye," he repeated with less intensity. "My King has spoken highly of you as well, sir. I am told you are who I need to speak with on trade. Mayhap, he thought, I could be taught by you."

"Ahh, your King desires a favor," Heralic asked. There was no chance he would say no, but the day had become joyous, and there was still more play in it. He could see the drive in Cavid, yet it was so raw. Probably the same spark Kelton saw in the boy.

"I have payment, sir," Cavid said, fishing inside his tunic. "It is from my father, who trusts our King as well. The King...he promised...well...said that tying our house to yours would bring great profits. You see, we have tea - it is excellent, I assure you - and if you are to show me how trade is made, my father offers land and what it grows." He held forth a parchment, which Heralic took and unrolled on the table.

"You scribed this?" Heralic asked. It was of a formal nature, as well done as any he had seen.

"Nay," Cavid said. "It is the King's hand. It is a portion of our land, a hill on the west side of our holdings. It is yours if you agree, and we - well, my family - will grow on it for you. We will take 6 of 10 of the harvest until you man it yourself. I am told it is a good share, 4 in 10. Forty barrels were taken from the hill this winter - strong land." He looked at Filgot. "They rode in the hold with us." Filgot affirmed the assessment with a nod. "It will sell well, of that I am sure," Cavid said.

"Allyander?" Heralic said, remembering Cavid's name. "I was sent some tea, South Allyander if memory serves."

"You know of it," Cavid said. His face lit up.

"You have brought forty barrels?"

"Aye," Cavid said. "With some risk, for I promised a sale to pay for the haul. My King said it would not be a problem...he thought...you...well."

Heralic smiled and raised his hand to slow Cavid's fumbling words. "Vasco, send some men to the port and unload this tea. Pay whatever fee is necessary and store it in our south warehouse." He looked at Cavid. "Forty barrels?"

"Aye," Cavid said. "Should I not go with him," he added, referring to Vasco.

"Next time," Heralic said.

"Who is the captain," Vasco asked.

"Shonar Valin," Filgot replied. "First position on the east dock." Vasco nodded and headed out the door.

"Your training starts now," Heralic said to Cavid. "To begin with, I will demand 1 in 10, not 4. Your family's care and labor are worth more than you know. I prefer partners who have a strong interest in my interest. If that interest is weak, in a drought, say, then they will struggle to haul water to save their plants and ignore mine. Hard work deserves good coin." He indicated the seat next to him. Cavid took it. "You see, 1 in 10 will actually get my house more tea in the long run. Forty barrels, you say?" The amount was staggering. He would have trained Cavid on Kelton's word alone, but a tea farm was just too great a gift to return.

"Aye," Cavid said, this time with some reservation. "Is that too many? Our land produces far more."

"In the weeks to come," Heralic said, placing his hand upon Cavid's shoulder. "We will make your family coin enough to build a home such as this if that is their desire. You see, your tea is like gold itself here. It will be highly prized - a simple taste, and they beg us for it."

Cavid smiled, his eyes glowing with excitement. "What is 'weeks'?" Heralic laughed.

"Father," Zello called as he burst through the door. Behind him was Alliette. They looked in a state of urgency. "A runner has..." He stalled as he noticed the visitors. "Filgot!"

"Filgot," Alliette repeated and moved toward him.

"This is my son, Zello, and his wife Alliette," Heralic said. Cavid rose swiftly from his chair as if Heralic was of no more interest.

"Your Majesties," Cavid said with a bow that was deep and practiced. "I have been given words for you as well."

"What?" Heralic said with some confusion. More so that Filgot was bending at the waist as well. Alliette stalled her attempt at an embrace of Filgot.

"Who is this who mistakes us for my parents?" Alliette asked. She sounded less than pleased to have such years added to her. There was also a queer look in her eye, for Filgot rose from his bow with a confident grin.

"There is more?" Heralic asked Filgot.

"Much more," Filgot replied. "Kelton has changed the world."

"What are you talking about?" Zello asked. "And what of Kelton? We have been worried. There has been no word about either of you."

"They are my words to say," Cavid warned Filgot.

"Gently," Filgot said to Cavid. "I believe you now dance upon the Prince's words."

"That is who is on his way," Zello said. "A runner was sent to say the family must gather. Eveyin is seeking Bellina - they should be here soon."

Alliette put her hands upon her hips. "What words do you have for my father?" Alliette demanded of Cavid.

"None. I did meet your father in passing, though we traded no words," Cavid said with trepidation. "My words are for you, your Majesty."

"Cavid..." Filgot warned. Cavid nodded that he understood whatever Filgot was going to say - he did not.

"I speak for Queen Juno, first of her name, and her King, Kelton Gossamer Tarvakian Gregory," Cavid said to Alliette.

Alliette stepped back and examined Filgot. Filgot affirmed with a look.

"He took a crown and our name," Zello said to his father with a prideful smile. The idea did not seem to surprise him as it had Heralic.

"My title is Highness," Alliette corrected. Her words were precise - her royal voice. "I ask again, what is your name?"

"Cavid," Cavid looked at Filgot, who only shrugged. "Cavid Allyander, your Majesty." The honorific was whispered. There was some fear behind it, though Heralic suspected it was Cavid uncomfortably balancing a strange situation.

Heralic stood. "Kelton wears a crown, and I am now a tea farmer." He smiled to lower the stress in the room. Something was happening, and he suspected it was out of prescribed order. "Can we not just celebrate the return of Filgot and hear his story?"

"You were told my title is Highness," Alliette corrected Cavid again. This time it was said with more compassion. Alliette moved forward, her eyes fixed on Cavid. "Where did you see my father?"

"Aragonia, your Ma...Highness," Cavid replied. Alliette smiled, the disarming one she used to cajole people into revealing more than intended. A waste, Heralic thought, for Cavid was an open book.

"What is he doing on the Dark Isle?" Alliette asked. Cavid looked at Filgot, who again shrugged, though compassion was in his eyes.

"He is in Aragonia, your Highness," Cavid replied. "I do not know this Dark Isle."

"Aragonia, then," Alliette said. Her face softened - she had begun to realize that there was no animosity or jest in the boy. He was out of his element and nothing more.

"He lives there - a guest of my Queen," Cavid said. "It was done for the Treaty of Queens. I am to convey to you..."

"Queens? Which Queens?" Alliette asked. She was gathering information in bits like eating a large meal. It was as if she did not want it all at once.

"Daughter, mayhap, it would be better to wait for your brother," Heralic said. Something monumental had changed. The whole idea of the King in Aragonia changed everything. Alliette raised her palm - it had been a long time since she had done that to him. It was a command for silence from one of the royal family.

"Which Queens?" Alliette repeated.

"Queen Juno, the Queen of Sorinnia - I can only remember part of her name," Cavid said, then swallowed hard. "And you, your Majesty." Alliette's eyes snapped toward Filgot. He bowed, this time with no humor. Alliette staggered backward, and all regalness drained from her bones as the room filled with shocked silence.

"Did we miss something?" Bellina asked as she and Evelin entered the room.

Alliette sat on the chair, attempting to strike the same pose her mother would assume. It was uncomfortable because it was her mother's, yet comforting because it was a guide. Without it, her hands would not know what to do, and her sudden shaky self-confidence would be displayed to all.

Zello leaned into her ear. "You seemed worried, my Queen," There was humor in the words as if he thought it all a joyous thing. Even his grin had that rosy outlook he always projected.

"As you should be, my King," Alliette whispered back. Zello's grin straightened to gone as the ramifications of the words filtered into his thoughts. The weight of it all shifted some - strange how a shared burden felt lighter though none of it lessened. She took his hand below the table and squeezed. He returned the affection in kind, and his optimistic smile returned. A knock at the door broke the connection.

"Enter," Alliette said.

Bollvier appeared, his expression one of confusion, for it was usually Heralic Tarvakian who allowed entry in the meeting room, at least when he was present. "The Prince, sir," he announced to Heralic and opened the door wide.

Alliette's brother strolled in with a smile that shrank when he saw the arrayed faces. Alliette rose, and the room followed suit. The Prince moved toward the center, his confident stature intact. Behind him was Captain Noris Vagor, the Prince's counsel. Behind them, four guards appeared, two posted outside the door, the other two on the inside.

The Prince looked at the faces and sighed when he saw Filgot. "It seems my surprise has come too late." He bowed deeply. "My loyalty, and that of the army, are yours, my Queen." Captain Noris bent deeply at the waist as well.