Tales of Regventus : Adalwen
Chapter 20

Ansel stood outside on the back lawn of Keene Manor. He watched as Griffa worked with Max on summoning items. It was the second day after the ball, and Ansel was standing back while Griffa worked one on one with Max. Ansel knew he was in an irritable mood, and he would not do well focusing on teaching Max.

He felt bad thinking over his conversation with Griffa the night of the festival. He never should have talked marriage with her. He never meant to insinuate that her only qualities were her family name and connections. Ansel could name a litany of things that made Griffa an extraordinary woman. He wasn’t sure why he had told her she needed to marry at all. The last thing he wanted to think about was Griffa marrying anybody.

Talon still being a guest in the house didn’t help Ansel’s mood. Talon was a distraction for Max. Ansel knew Talon could be charming and funny, and Max seemed to enjoy Talon’s company. Max sat by Talon at mealtimes. He laughed at his jokes, and he stayed up too late listening to Talon’s stories. Talon monopolized Griffa’s time as well. He flirted with her shamelessly. Talon was to leave tomorrow morning, and Ansel could not wait.

He heard footsteps behind him, and he turned to replace Talon coming to stand by his side.

“Good morning, Ansel,” greeted Talon as he approached.

“Talon,” replied Ansel nodding.

“I’m surprised to see Griffa up so early. She was up rather late with me,” yawned Talon as he stretched.

Ansel felt his whole body tense as he looked at Talon out of the corner of his eyes.

“We were up late talking,” said Talon. “I’ve been trying to convince her to take her proper place in the Ring. “

Ansel let out a breath. “What did she say to that?”

“She’s says she not ready and other nonsense. If we want a chance against the powers in Aurumist, we will need Griffa to be who she was meant to be. The Ring needs her.”

Ansel knew Talon was correct. Griffa would be a strong leader to the Ring, but Ansel didn’t want her to take her place. He worried for her safety. He wasn’t sure how much he really trusted the Ring. Ansel and Talon were quiet as they watched Griffa raise her hand. Her staff she had left on the front portico came zooming around the house and into her hand. She turned and smiled at Max.

“You just have to know what you want to come to you and concentrate,” said Griffa to Max. “Remember your magic responds to you, and if you are not confident and clear, it will not know what to do.”

Ansel watched as Griffa positioned Max’s hand. She poked his back to make him stand up straight.

“What should I summon?” asked Max.

Griffa looked to be in thought for a moment and then turned to Max and smiled. She whispered in his ear. Max looked at her with a dubious look, but Griffa nodded and laughed. Max closed his eyes, and they were all quiet for a moment. Max opened his eyes and slouched

“It’s alright, Max,” said Griffa. “It’s like everything else we have done. It takes practice. Now try again.”

Max once again closed his eyes and held up his hand.

“Imagine what you want to come to you, Max,” said Griffa quietly. A few minutes went by, and Max opened his eyes, disappointed again.

“Don’t give up,” said Griffa quickly. “Here let me help you. Close your eyes and envision what you want.”

Griffa stood very close to Max. She placed her hand on his shoulder and stared at Ansel with a small smile. After a moment, Ansel’s hat flew off his head. It went straight to Griffa’s free hand, and she placed it in Max’s hand as he opened his eyes.

“There you are,” said Griffa laughing.

Talon sighed next to Ansel. “She’s a lovely woman, isn’t she?” Talon walked down to Griffa and Max joining in Griffa’s laughter.

Ansel slowly walked down to join the others. Griffa looked at him as he walked. She took Ansel’s hat out of Max’s hand. She closed her eyes for a second and let the hat go. It flew to Ansel who caught it and placed it back on his head. She gave him a little curtsy, and Ansel felt a small smile appear on his face. He hated to agree with Talon on anything, but she was rather lovely.

“What else have you been working on, Max?” asked Talon as Ansel walked up to join them.

“Lately, summoning breezes and working with water. I’m not very good, though.”

“It takes time, Max,” said Griffa encouragingly. “Maybe Talon can help. He’s a mage and very good with elements.”

Talon started talking with Max as Griffa came to stand next to Ansel.

“Are you feeling better? You didn’t seem very happy at breakfast,” said Griffa quietly.

“I haven’t slept well the past few nights,” answered Ansel watching Talon work with Max.

“I can give you something to help you sleep if you need it. I keep sleeping powders in the house, or I can brew you an elixir if you prefer,” whispered Griffa with concern.

Ansel smiled down at Griffa. “I’ll keep it in mind. I have a feeling I’ll be sleeping better soon,” said Ansel as he cut his eyes to Talon.

“Why does he bother you? He’s a good man, Ansel.”

“He doesn’t bother me. You know how I am around people I don’t know well.”

“Look,” said Griffa pointing at Max who was manipulating water in a circle with Talon’s help.

Ansel nodded as Griffa walked closer to Max and Talon, congratulating Max on his progress. Ansel had no real reason to dislike Talon, except one, and Ansel wasn’t ready to admit that reason to himself.

They finished training for the morning and ate lunch together. After lunch they all went outside again to work with Max. As Griffa was preparing to work with Max on summoning objects again, Jonthon came outside to tell Griffa that Marcus Quick had come to visit her. Griffa sighed and nodded. She followed Jonthon back into the house as Ansel watched her go.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, Ansel,” said Talon.

“What?” asked Ansel, turning to Talon.

“I wouldn’t worry about Griffa and Marcus. She has no real interest in him.”

“If she did, it wouldn’t be a bad match. There would be no reason to oppose it,” said Ansel staring at Talon.

“Would there not?” asked Talon. “You’re ridiculous sometimes. You know that, don’t you?” He turned and walked closer to Max. “I will help you, Max.”

Ansel wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean, and he didn’t think he really wanted to know. He focused on watching Max’s progress with Talon. Eventually, Griffa rejoined them on the lawn. With Talon’s help, she was able to get Max to summon things on his own. By dinner, Max seemed very happy with his day’s work, and Ansel couldn’t disagree with the results.

After dinner, Max received a letter from his friend in Clarton. He excused himself to read it and to write her back. Ansel joined Griffa and Talon in the parlor. Talon was sitting on the sofa very close to Griffa. She was reading a book, leaning slightly on Talon as he sipped a glass of wine.

“Griffa?” said Talon.

“Yes?” replied Griffa not looking up from her book.

“Have you thought of my offer for you to come with me back to the Valley for a while?”

Ansel looked sharply at Griffa. He had not heard this. He hoped Griffa was not actually thinking of going to the Valley with Talon.

“I told you I couldn’t go,” Griffa said casually with her eyes on her book. “I need to stay here with Max.”

“But Max has Ansel, and he is his protector. It’s his job to prepare the king, isn’t it? You could take a few weeks away with me,” said Talon. He cut his eyes to look at Ansel.

“I think I’ll pass this time. I told Ansel I would help him with Max. I told them they could stay here in Keene Manor, and it would be rude to leave them here alone.”

“Maybe you could come at mid-winter or just after, like you did two years ago. You remember that time, don’t you?” Talon continued to stare at Ansel as he let his arm fall over Griffa’s shoulder.

“I do,” answered Griffa as she gave a very small smile.

“I think that might have been one my favorite memories,” said Talon smiling at Ansel. “You came just in time for the mid-winter ball, and you opened the dance with my father. He adored you. Then we snuck away to your house.” Talon pulled Griffa closer to him.

“Yes,” said Griffa quickly and loudly. “My memory is excellent.”

Talon smiled wider at Ansel and dropped a quick kiss on Griffa’s head. “Of course it is, my brilliant girl.”

Ansel worked to keep his breath even. He didn’t know what Talon was trying to do, but he would not rise to his bait.

Talon bent close to Griffa and whispered in her ear. His hand moved up and lightly caressed her neck. She looked up from her book and glanced at Talon, a small smile on her lips, her face going red. Talon quickly kissed her cheek. They were so familiar with each other, and Ansel did not like it.

“I mean it,” said Talon quietly as he kissed Griffa’ s cheek again. “All you have to do is ask.”

Griffa sat up. “I’m tired. I think I’m going to go to bed. I’ll see you off in the morning, Talon.”

She stood up with her book and dusted her skirt. Talon stood up as well. He took Griffa’s hand and kissed it..

“Good night, Griffa. Please at least consider what we talked about the other night. You can come to me at any time.”

She nodded, squeezed his hand, and turned to leave the room.

“Griffa,” said Ansel quickly.

“Yes,” she answered turning to look at him.

Ansel got up and walked over to her. “Were you not going to wish me goodnight?”

Griffa smiled up at him and took his hand. “Good night, Ansel. I hope you sleep better tonight. If you need anything, please let me know.”

Ansel nodded and gave her hand a squeeze. He looked down at her as she stared up at him. He finally let her hand go, and she turned and left the room. Ansel moved back to his chair and sat down.

“Would you like a drink, Ansel?” asked Talon holding up a pitcher of wine. Ansel nodded in response., and Talon handed him a cup of wine.

“You know, Ansel, I think you will be glad to see the back of me,” said Talon sitting down in a chair close to Ansel.

“I don’t know why you think that. You have been very helpful with Max, and I am glad the Valley is taking an interest in him,” replied Ansel taking a sip of his wine.

Talon took a drink at wine and seem to be considering what to say. “You know I care deeply for Griffa. I know you do as well. You have watched over her all these years.”

Ansel nodded and took a drink of his wine.

“What if I told you I asked her to marry me? What would you say to that?”

Ansel froze in the middle of taking a sip of his wine and looked up at Talon.

“What did she say?” asked Ansel in a whisper.

“She said no. She said she wasn’t in love with me, and that I’m not in love with her. I’m afraid she is wrong about me. It’s impossible to know Griffa and not Iove her. I have known her very well and for a long time. I tried to argue with her, but when she has her mind made up there is no changing it.”

Ansel took a breath a drank his wine. He looked at Talon. “I suppose it would have been an excellent match. A Wendell finally marrying a Keene. Both her father and yours would have welcomed it.”

Talon grinned “My father would have loved her as his daughter, but I’m not sure Renweard would have approved of me.”

“If Griffa told him she loved you, he wouldn’t have denied her. He wouldn’t deny her anything she really wanted.”

“She doesn’t want me. She says we would not work together. While, I’m still convinced we could have had a very happy marriage, I will probably replace out later, she is right. She usually is,” said Talon refilling his glass.

Ansel nodded, not sure what to say. He was still reeling that Talon should actually bring up marriage to Griffa. Ansel could not imagine what it would be like to watch Talon marry Griffa. He didn’t know what he would do if he had to see Griffa as Talon’s wife for the rest of his life.

“She mentioned that you said she should marry soon. Did you have anyone in mind for her?”

“I shouldn’t have said that to her. I was tired, and it came out wrong. Griffa is young. She does not need to settle for anyone. She should wait until she replaces someone who deserves her, someone she loves.”

“Yes,” said Talon carefully. “I imagine when she replaces the one she loves, that will be it forever. She is stubborn. I only hope that whoever it is actually does deserve her.” Talon stared at Ansel with intensity. “I wouldn’t stand for someone breaking her heart.”

Ansel stared back at Talon. “Neither would I.”