Flight of the Five Swans
Fate Chapter 31

Raia

Raia spentthe rest of the afternoon in the Ithcarian palace gardens with both Ayden andher sisters as company. Following theinitial joy of their reunion, the swan princesses returned to the pond, andRaia retreated to sit on a nearby bench overlooking the water. There, she silently watched her sistersswimming and diving happily for a couple minutes, before taking out herknitting. Ayden took the spot beside heron the bench, and the two sat in a comfortable silence that was now becomingfamiliar after the days spent walking together on the road.

Eventually,however, Raia found her progress in knitting impeded by the introduction ofconversation between Ayden and herself—for the first time, a two-sided conversation. Her new chalk and slate made a difference infinally providing each of them with a way to ask—and answer—questions that theywere burning to ask the other, though both steered clear of any kind of queriesthat might resemble an interrogation. Rather, their conversation began by identifying the many different plantspecies that were found in the Ithcarian gardens—a topic that always held adistinct interest for Raia. From there,their subjects jumped to music and art, and eventually to recounting amusing anecdotesfrom their respective childhoods; Raia was careful not to reveal anything too specific when writing down storiesfrom her own youth. And while she felt adistinct guilt at the impetus their conversation presented to her knitting, shecould not regret the conversation itself. In truth, Raia reveled in the opportunity to communicate once more withanother person—even if she waslimited to writing rather than speaking.

Ayden did not ask her for her realname again—though Raia was sure that he wished to—and she was glad ofthis. She felt that it might just havebeen harder to refuse Ayden’s request than it had been to sidestep the king’sdemand. Despite his title and his status,King Naaman was still a complete stranger to her—not to mention a possibleenemy. Ayden was neither.

The sun had just begun to set when theirtête-à-tête was interrupted by a messenger sent to replace them. Raia recognized the man as the same personwho had handed her the slate and chalk from the king. Ayden also seemed to know the man well. He jumped to his feet at the sight of theservant, and greeted him by name.

“Jhonatan!”he said, and Raia was alarmed to hear a hint of trepidation in his voice. “Is something wrong?”

Jhonatanbowed to the Ithcarian prince. “Not at all,Your Highness.” He said, shaking his head in response to Ayden’s question. “I have merely been sent by your mother torequest your presence—and that of your guest’s—in the queen’s chambers beforedinner. She wishes to welcome the newarrival personally to the palace.” Here,Jhonatan acknowledged Raia’s presence with a bow, a slight hint of curiosity inhis gaze.

Raia turned startled eyes onAyden. When he had spoken of his motherbefore, she had gotten the impression from the sadness in his voice thatAyden’s mother had died in his childhood, as hers had. Evidently, this was not the case.

Aydenhesitated in his response. “Motherseemed quite tired when I left her before…” His statement was phrased more likea question. Hearing the worry evident inhis voice, Raia felt a stab of comprehension, confirmed almost immediately byJhonatan’s response.

Jhonatanstraightened his shoulders. “She hasinstructed me to inform you that the physician has already come and gone, andthat she is expecting the two of you momentarily.”

Raia sawAyden’s eyes narrow. “That doesn’tanswer my question.” He said, his tone a bit suspicious.

“As yousay.” Jhonatan bowed once more. “But thequeen has also asked me to tell you that if you and your guest do not come to her, then she will come to you.”

“Fine.” Ayden sounded resigned, though Raia detecteda hint of amusement in his voice as well. “Tell Mother she wins. We willcome straightaway.”

He glancedapologetically at Raia as Jhonatan took his leave to deliver the message backto the queen. Raia felt a laugh bubblein her chest, and she put her hand over her mouth to prevent the sound frombursting out. She found herself almostlooking forward to meeting the Ithcarian queen. On top of her own curiosity at meeting Ayden’s mother, Raia alsosuspected from the sound of thisconversation that the woman in question was surely a force to be reckoned with.

Seeing thehumor in her eyes, Ayden shook his head. “You can laugh.” He warned her,his voice playful once more. “But Iassure you, you don’t know who you’re dealing with. Mother always seems to be two stepsahead. She’s excellent at chess, I can tellyou that.”

Raiaglanced back over her shoulder once more at the pond, where her sisters swamobliviously. She felt a sting ofsadness. Cliodne was the chess-master of the sisters, though she wouldcertainly not be up to defeating anyone at the game in her current state.

Ayden led the way down the gardenpaths back towards the palace. Raiafollowed, tucking her knitting back into her pouch, but keeping the new slateand chalk ready in her hands. She had afeeling she was going to be subject to yet another interrogation, this time bythe mother, rather than the father.

The door to the queen’s chamber wasimmense, made of a polished dark wood that echoed dully when Ayden knocked onit. Raia felt a tad nervous as sheentered behind him through the doorway. Her nerves dissipated immediately, however, upon seeing the figure ofthe Ithcarian queen sitting upright in her bed. Just as King Naaman had not been as Raia had pictured for an Ithcarianruler, so the queen did not exactly fulfill Raia’s expectations, either. She was not an altogether imposing figuresitting in her bed, but the expression in her eyes negated any seemingimpression of frailty. The woman wasdark—dark-haired, dark-skinned, and dark-eyed. Her features were as delicate as her son’s were strong. She had large eyes and finely shaped brows,which were furrowed slightly in an expression that Raia suspected indicatedthat the queen was in a great deal of pain. Despite this, the woman’s full lips were already pulled upwards in awelcoming smile that was entirely genuine.

Raia liked her instantly.

“Come closer child, so I can seeyou!” the queen said, beckoning with her hand for Raia to approach thebed. Ayden nudged her forward frombehind, but Raia needed no such prompting. She felt no hesitation whatsoever in approaching the bedriddenqueen. She pulled up one of thehard-backed chairs to the side of the bed and sat down gracefully, sensing thequeen’s gaze all the while.

Ayden kissed his mother on theforehead in greeting before likewise pulling up a chair on the opposite side ofthe bed from where Raia sat. Still, thequeen did not look away from Raia. Raiafelt as though the older woman was appraising her from head to toe, and shestruggled to keep her face calm and devoid of any of the anxiousness that shemight be feeling.

Finally, the queen smiled,seemingly satisfied with what she had seen in Raia’s eyes and expression.

“Oh, you’re a good one, I cantell.” She said, patting Raia’s handlightly with her own. Raia smiled at thewords, gratified by the compliment.

“I am Melani, queen of Ithcar. And I believe you are already acquainted withmy son.” The queen gestured towardsAyden, and Raia spared him a quick glance before turning her attention oncemore to his mother.

The queen gestured at the slate andchalk in Raia’s hands. “I am glad that Naaman found you a way tocommunicate. It must be difficult enoughcoming to a new place, without being able to talk about it!”

Raia nodded mutely, fiddling withthe chalk. The queen continued, hervoice gentle. “Now, I won’t keep youlong, as I’m sure that you must be hungry after your journey. I’m not able to join you, of course.” Shegestured to her bed with a wry expression on her face. “But I wanted to be sureto meet my son’s new…friend…soonerrather than later.”

Her gazeflashed towards Ayden for a moment, and Raia glanced his way as well. She was a mite surprised to see that his facewas slightly red as though from embarrassment. Raia felt her own face heat in response. Then the queen was addressing her again, and she met the older woman’sgaze once more.

“Now Aydenhas told me that he calls you by the name Svana, because of the lovely birdsthat accompany you. But I would like toask you, my dear, by what name youprefer I call you?”

Raia smiledslightly. She had been expecting thequestion. She bent her head, andscrawled her response onto the slate.

Svana is fine.

QueenMelani read the words, and then glanced once more at her son. Ayden shrugged his shoulders, and Raia couldhave sworn that the queen’s expression turned almost stern, as though Ayden hadsomehow disappointed her in some way. But the older woman’s smile was as warm as ever when she turned back toRaia.

“Then Svanait shall be.” Queen Melani said, the white of her teeth contrasting sharplyagainst the dark brown of her skin. Hersmile was lovely, and the warmth in her expression and tone brought to mindmemories of Raia’s own mother, who had died so long ago.

Then aspasm of pain flashed across the queen’s face, and she gasped in response. Ayden shot to his feet and leaned over hismother, his expression worried. Raiafroze, uncertain what to do. But QueenMelani recovered quickly from her pain, as though she were accustomed to suchfeelings. She waved away her son’sattempts to help her.

“It’snothing, Ayden.” She scolded, her voice almost impatient. “The kitchen is just a bit late with mytonic, that’s all.”

The worriedlook in Ayden’s eyes did not dissipate, and despite having only just met thequeen herself, Raia shared his anxiety. The two remained by the queen’s bedside until her tonic arrived. As Queen Melani drank deeply from the goblethanded her by the servant, Raia caught the distinctive smell of valerian rootas one of the ingredients used in the liquid. Her fears were confirmed.

Raia andAyden took their leave once the queen’s eyes began drooping from the effects ofthe tonic. Raia did not notice thestares of passing servants as she followed Ayden through the castle towards thedining room where—she assumed—they would be supping that evening. Though her feet moved automatically beneathher, her mind remained centered on the room that they had just left, as well asits occupant. She did not know thedetails of the queen’s ailment, but it was more than evident that the olderwoman experienced moments of intense pain. The mere use of valerian root in her nightly tonic proved that. Sympathy welled up in her chest, and she feltan overwhelming desire to help the situation as best she could.

Raia pursed her lipsthoughtfully. ‘I wonder if they’ve triedbutterbur root instead.’ She made amental to search the gardens on the morrow for the pale pink blooms. Ithcarian or not, if Raia could help thequeen, then she would.