Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 20:30:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Corrinne S <quasito_cat@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dark Wishes Installment 10: Part Two Chapters 13-15

Note: This is a gay themed fantasy novel about kings
and magic, love and war.  Although I will often allude
to sexual encounters, there are no scenes of sexual
acts for this is, by and large, a love story.  This
author claims exclusive copyright to the characters,
settings, and plot

Dark Wishes

Part Two: Karandal

Chapter Thirteen

     Karandal woke just after the first rays of the
early sun shone through the windows.  Trelaine was
still asleep, their bodies intertwined.  Karandal
opened his eyes and could see Olan moving quietly
about the room.  He eased himself carefully from his
lover's embrace and slipped on a warm gown.

     "How are you this morning, Olan?" he asked,
crossing to stand near the heat of the fireplace.

     "Fine and fit as can be, M'Lord.  I see the young
King slept well."

     "Thank all good fortune for that.  I was afraid
he might not after yesterday."

     "I spent time in the archives last night, M'Lord,
and chanced across some of Menfred's writings from
around the time His Majesty was summoned."  Olan
busied himself preparing Karandal a cup of hot mulled
tea as he spoke.  "It seems that the old man expected
His Grace to feel a great surge of memory yesterday,
it being a time he would be closest to the old Qell
Kings."

     "And why would that be?" Karandal asked.

     "Because yesterday marked one year since Menfred
summoned him," Llewelyn said as he entered the
chamber.  "I remember that day well.  Thank you,
Olan," the King said as the guard handed him a hot
cup.  "I was desperate.  Menfred believed that the
spirits of the Qell, so long dormant in death, were
rising to claim the lands that were once theirs and
exact revenge for their deaths.  The dark side of
them, he thought, and told me that to summon the
purest of their spirits would aid us.  There you see,"
he gestured toward the bed where Trelaine still slept,
"the result of his summoning.  He came to us from
nothing, with nothing, as the tower bells marked the
end of one day and beginning of the next.  He stood
before us trembling in the cold and his nakedness.  I
wrapped my own cloak around him and stared into his
eyes for the first time.  Egraine was there and knows
the effect of those molten, silver orbs."

     Llewelyn took a long drink of tea before he
continued.  "`This is what you give me?' I asked
Menfred.  `I beg for help and you bring forth this
witless creature?'"  He glanced at Trelaine, who was
beginning to stir.  "Little did I know what magic he
placed in my hand that night, nor how powerful that
magic could be."

     Because he knew that his King loved Trelaine
dearly, Karandal sat his cup aside and said, "He works
magic sometimes.  Last night he granted me a wish even
though he said wishes are dangerous things."

     "I know he lets his magic flow, Karandal.  You
saw it on the battlefield.  We've both seen it comfort
the sick and dying, and protect those around him.
Wishes are different.  Trelaine fears them.  If what
Menfred told me is correct, then last night was the
closest to his summoning.  His memories may have been
stronger but his powers were at their weakest.  If he
granted you a wish, it could only cause good to you
and no harm to others."

     Llewelyn and Olan prepared to leave at the sound
of Trelaine yawning and calling, "Karandal?"

     "He loves you dearly," Llewelyn told his Duke.
"Teach him; guide him.  Menfred told me just before
his death that he had lacked the power to summon what
he wanted.  We do not know if all the evil of the Qell
was defeated in that last battle.  Some of it may
linger in your lover.  Bind him with that love, but
not too tightly.  I have come to place much faith in
you.  I believe that you are the key to this Qell Lord
being what the others were not."  He dipped his head
at Karandal, acknowledgement of the faith he placed in
his ability, and left the room.

     The two young lovers spent a pleasant day in each
other's company.  They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast
as Olan and Octo stood guard outside their door,
discouraging visitors.  Remembering his wish that this
day be a happy one, Karandal steered their
conversation to the coming planting and harvest
seasons.

     When they had eaten their fill and dressed, they
walked to the lowest level of the great fortress of
Chamel and spent several hours going through the
records of the Qell.  Not finding anything of value to
Trelaine, they retired to the cool quiet of the
garden.  Resting in the chill air, they fed
breadcrumbs to the doves, dear to Trelaine's heart.
And when they grew cold they returned to the apartment
lent to them and made love to each other.

     "Your wish was good, my love," Trelaine whispered
as they lay in the pleasant aftermath.  "I slept
peacefully with no nightmares and we have been very
happy this day."

     Karandal replied with a lingering kiss, "I will
not make wishes again, Trelaine, and thus cause you to
grant them."

     Their quiet conversation was interrupted when
Olan knocked softly on the door.  "My Lords," he said,
"King Llewelyn requests you dine with him this
evening."

     Once again their servants helped them dress and
they followed the guards to Llewelyn's private
apartment.  Queen Bolyn greeted them and led them to
comfortable chairs.

     "Please excuse me," she said.  "I must leave for
a moment.  Prince Riedel must be put down to sleep for
the night."  With a curtsy to Trelaine she left them
to tend to her young son, Lllewelyn's heir.

     The King joined them shortly.  "The men should
begin to arrive tomorrow," he said, "and we will speak
of them and war no more this evening.  Tonight we
visit as old friends and speak of things more pleasant
to all of us."

     The Queen rejoined them and servants brought
platters heaped with food.  All was quiet as they ate,
and they gathered around the large fireplace for
warmth when they were finished.  A knock on the door
and Llewelyn's guards admitted harpers who quickly set
up their harps and guitars across the room.  As the
men drank ale and Bolyn sipped a cup of tea, the
harpers began to play softly and sing the many old
ballads of Endril and Elanen.

     The King danced with his wife and bid his friends
do also.  Karandal, who was a graceful dancer,
acquitted himself well with Bolyn.  Trelaine claimed
no knowledge of dancing but the Queen convinced him
and he joined her in a simple one.  As they danced,
some distant memory returned to Trelaine which led to
applause by all present when they were finished.

     "You dance quite well," Llewelyn said with a
smile.  "I must watch to see that you do not steal my
lady wife from me."

     Trelaine laughed at the remark and returned,
"Better I should watch that your lady does not steal
my lover."

     The evening passed in good camaraderie.  When the
hour grew late and the Queen suggested they should put
the day behind them, Llewelyn rose and cleared his
throat.  "My Lady, my friends," he said to include the
guards and servants who were in the room, "I lift my
glass in love and friendship to give you Trelaine,
King of Elanen and High King -- since he is the only
living Qell.  He has been our dear friend for one
year, the length of his life.  For his loyalty, his
passion, and his compassion, I am most profoundly
grateful."

     Turning to face Trelaine he added, "Dear friend,
for I bear you the deepest love, I will tell you that
when Menfred brought you to us one year past I was
filled with great misgivings.  But you have proven to
be more than I asked of him.  I requested a savior and
have a good friend.  And through your foresight, I
have another man to count as a loyal friend also."
Llewelyn indicated Karandal and lifted his glass
again.

     Bolyn stood and took a glass of wine herself.
"To Trelaine!" she shouted and those around them
returned, "Hear! Hear!"

Chapter Fourteen

     The next day dawned warmer yet with a whisper of
spring in the air.  The men who had been summoned were
beginning to arrive and a city of tents began to
appear around Chamel.  Llewelyn's quartermaster sorted
them out with areas assigned to each and sent stable
boys to tend the horses.

     Llewelyn assembled his lords again: Kerdin,
Montar, Karandal, along with the now proclaimed High
King.  "I trust that each of you knows his duty, but
we will go over the plans once again," Llewelyn said
to them.  "Kerdin, your men have their equipment to
dismantle the bridges?"

     Kerdin was about to answer when the door to the
great council chamber burst open and a man dashed
across the room to kneel in front of Llewelyn.  His
boots and clothing were spattered with mud.  Gasping
for breath he said, "Your Majesty, a terrible thing
has happened."  He stopped for another breath.

     "Here, man," Llewelyn said, drawing him to his
feet.  "Sit here.  Someone fetch ale!" he shouted.

     Karandal, who was the closest, brought a mug of
ale and handed it to the stranger.  Somewhere, from
behind the sorrow Karandal saw in those eyes, was a
flicker of gratitude.

     Llewelyn allowed him time to finish half of the
ale before saying, "Slowly now.  Your name?"

     "Ichor, Sire, from Glencoe Village."  His
breathing had slowed but there was an insurmountable
weariness about him.

     "Glencoe is four days ride from here," Llewelyn
said

     "Yes, Majesty.  I made it in two.  I ran my horse
near to death to reach you with all speed."  It was
obvious to all present that Ichor had no pleasant news
to impart.

     "Tell us then," Llewelyn said, "what happened?"

     Ichor took another deep breath and his words came
out between sobs.  "There has been a massacre,
Majesty.  Glencoe Village is gone!  All are dead and
the village put to the torch!"  Ichor could go no
further for the immensity of it overwhelmed him.

     The others present began to murmur among
themselves: "What? Glencoe?"  "Who has done this?"
"On with it, man; tell us all."

     Llewelyn raised his hand and silenced his men.  A
timid voice, one of the serving girls, whispered, "I
have family in Glencoe Village."

     Ichor shook his head.  "Had, lass.  All are
dead."

     "How happens that you are here?" Trelaine asked
gently.

     "We fought as best we could, M'Lord, but we are ...
were ... only shepherds.  I was wounded and left for
dead."

Only then did any of them notice the blood on the
man's tunic and the left arm that hung uselessly at
his side.

     "Who did this?" Llewelyn asked.

     "I know not, Majesty.  They were strangers to us.
 They approached us in a storm and begged shelter.
Then they rose against us in the night."

     "Palen," Llewelyn called to a page, "take this
man to the healers and then see that he is bathed and
fed.  Give him a room in which to rest."  To Ichor he
added, "Rest, friend.  You have done well to reach us
with this news.  We will decide a course of action."

     Panen led the weary man toward the door.
Trelaine reached out with his mind and gave strength
to Ichor's wounded body and soul.  As the lords
gathered around their King and demanded action against
whichever enemy had done this, Trelaine withdrew
across the room by himself.  Within moments the others
noticed an eerie glow and turned toward Trelaine.  The
Qell was encased in a silver shimmer that grew in
intensity until it filled the room.  Even Llewelyn was
filled with an unknown fear at the anger that emanated
from Trelaine.  A cold wind swept through the room
scattering maps in its wake and chilling the bones of
the men present.  The servants knelt, clasped their
talismans, and wept.  The windows suddenly burst open
and the wind rushed out.

     No one moved or spoke.  Before a man could count
to ten the wind rushed back in and swirled around
Trelaine.  In a voice that none had heard before he
screamed, "NO!  You cannot win!  I will fight you and
prevail!  You cannot hide from me!"  The silver around
Trelaine turned to white as his anger grew.  "Murder
of innocents, you will answer to me!"

     Everything suddenly returned to normal and
Karandal stood in shock as he looked at the man who
was so gentle a lover and now so terrible in rage.

     Trelaine opened his eyes and looked around.  The
white of his eyes were gone, replaced by so deep a red
that it must have been the very fires of hell.
Continuing to speak in a strange and terrifying voice
he said, "Continue, good King, with your council.
There is a thing I must do and none can come with me."


hapter Fifteen

     The afternoon wore on as the King and his lords
returned to their discussion of the nomads.  Assured
that each knew their plan well for the deployment of
their forces, Llewelyn dismissed all save Karandal.

     With the departure of the others, Llewelyn drew
Karandal to the fireplace and offered him ale.
"Drink, my friend, for what happened here today is
sure to have caused you great concern."

     "I did not know him," Karandal replied shakily.
"He would not even look at me before he left."

     "I think he wished to spare your soul.  That
which stood before us today was not the Trelaine we
have come to know and love.  What we saw today was the
full might of a Qell Lord.  We shall, all of us, wait
for our friend to return.  Fear not, Karandal.  He
loves you and would do nothing to cause harm to you or
those you love."

     Dismissed, Karandal returned to their apartment
to wait.  Night fell and he had servants light candles
until the room was filled with their glow.  He turned
away the evening meal for his stomach revolted at the
thought of food.  Alone, he paced the room touching at
such things of Trelain's that lay about: a glove, a
cloak, a favored cup.  His body worn from strain,
Karandal allowed the servants to undress him and lay
on the bed where, only the night before, Trelaine had
offered him gentle love.

     He was still awake when he heard a noise.
Glancing across the room he saw the weary form of his
lover standing by the fireplace.  Karandal rose and
slipped on a gown before carefully approaching
Trelaine.

     "Are you well?" he asked.

    "No," was the tired reply.  "My heart is full of
pain.  Sit, and I will tell what I have just told King
Llewelyn."

     Olan and Octo had entered the room and Olan
quickly fetched his King a cup of hot tea.  Octo sent
the curious house servants on their way.

     "Thank you, Olan," Trelaine replied as he
accepted the cup and sat down.  "I knew Glencoe
Village long ago and counted the ancestors of her
innocent dead among my friends.  The old master of
Glencoe had two sons, one of whom he favored above the
other, Dresel his name was.  Dresl was a quiet boy,
obedient and loyal.  His older brother, Timmanen, grew
jealous of their father's love.  Timmanen was a bully,
evil at heart and worthless.  One night, in a fit of
anger, he killed Dresl.  Their father banished
Timmanen forever and he sought refuge among the wild
tribes in the mountains above Glencoe.  There has been
bad blood between the villagers and the tribes since.
Three nights ago, at the urging of one of Timmanen's
many times grandsons, several of the tribesmen
committed the atrocity in Glencoe."

     Trelaine shuddered.  "I have dealt with those
responsible.  They will cause Llewelyn no more trouble
in that part of the kingdom.  It was unrelated to the
troubles along the eastern border of Endril."

     A great weariness overwhelmed him as he stood.
Olan rushed to take the cup before it could slide from
his hand.  Karandal summoned the personal servants to
set up a bath, and quickly for Trelaine could go no
more.

     Bathed, Trelaine was led to bed.  Olan checked
the candles and replaced those which were burning
down.  Octo, now fearful for his own lord's life, told
all that he would stand guard himself outside the door
this night.  Olan agreed to join him, thus
strengthening the guard.

     Karandal sat on the side of the bed gazing down
at his lover.  "Is there more I can do for you?" he
asked.

     A desperate voice answered, "There is naught any
can do for me.  I fear I will become lost in what I
once was.  I did not know to what heights I could grow
or what power I could yield."

     Karandal leaned over and touched his fingers to
his love's face, a face now worn with pain and fear.
"Let me give you strength and anchor you to me."

     "Would you lie in my arms after what you saw
today?  Knowing now what I can become?"

     "You will never harm me, Trelaine.  I do not
understand what happened today in the council chamber,
save that you are Qell.  But I do not doubt your love
for me, or your loyalty to my King.  You are more than
my lover.  You are a good man who would not willingly
cause harm to any and seek revenge only upon those who
would harm whom you love."

     Trelaine gazed at Karandal with eyes that had
turned dull and sorrowful.  "If I ask a thing of you,
would you do it for me?"

     "I would."

     "No matter the cost?"

     "Ask what you will of me."

     "I have within me the power to give you control
over what I wish for.  You can say yea or nay and I
would have to abide by your decision.  Are you strong
enough?  Can you take that power over me?  Will you
deny me when I rage at you and demand wishes if you
know they will cause harm?"

     Karandal thought very hard.  Could he refuse that
which he had seen in the council chamber?  It was a
measure of Trelaine's love for him, and trust in him,
that he would be asked to hold a part of that magic in
his hands.

     "Yes," he replied.

     Trelaine began to relax.  "Good," he said and,
"thank you.  I have set you a difficult task but I
cannot trust myself now where wishes are concerned.
What was done today would have been better done by
sword and not my wish.  I am weary to my soul."

     Karandal took his lover into his arms and held
him, hoping to ease that which troubled his mind.  He
cradled Trelaine's head against his shoulder and gave
what peace he could.

     "I asked Llewelyn to send aid to the women and
children of the tribesmen," Trelaine whispered.


     Karandal did not ask what Trelaine had done.  He
was not sure he wanted to know.  But as they drifted
into an uneasy sleep, Karandal felt the impression of
men who had been turned to glass and shattered by a
single breath.

To be continued.

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