Two days after his first official Ring meeting, Kedan sat on the sofa in Keene manor after lunch. He was all alone which was a rarity in the manor when he was not in his room. Kedan knew Ansel was out training his guards this afternoon. He wasn’t sure where Max and Issa disappeared too, but they were both carrying a large number of books when they walked through the parlor after lunch. Griffa and Talon were taking a walk together outside, talking of whom to add on the Ring from the Valley.

Kedan sat on the sofa holding a book and not reading. When it was quiet, his mind tended to drift to Aurumist and his son. He wondered how the child was doing. What did the boy look like? Did he have Teryn’s eyes or his own. Kedan tried not to think of Teryn often. He was still confused on his feelings for her.

He had spent so much of his young life with Teryn, it was hard to completely dismiss her from his mind She had been his lover, then his wife, and now the mother of his child. She had lied to him and enthralled him, but Kedan still had memories of loving her. He still had moments where he thought he might still be in love with her. How could he ever be sure? He couldn’t ever really know what was the truth and what was just a spell with Teryn.

Kedan was still married to her. She was still his wife, but Kedan wasn’t sure he ever really wanted to see her again. He wanted to see his child badly. He wished he could think of a way to bring his child here to Abscon. He knew that would probably mean Teryn would have to come with the child, and Kedan would make sure she was safe and provided for. He didn’t think he could ever live with her as man and wife again, but he did not want her to suffer.

Kedan wondered if Teryn and his mother were still helping Golnar with his plans. He wondered if his child was included in those plans. Kedan shuddered to think of his child growing up in the palace of Aurumist under Golnar’s guidance. He hoped that Griffa would win the throne before long, and he could be reunited with his son. Kedan didn’t think he would mind living in Aurumist if Griffa was the queen.

Talon and Griffa walked into the parlor interrupting Kedan’s thoughts. Griffa sat next to Kedan on the sofa and gave him a small smile.

“Did you have a pleasant walk?” asked Kedan.

“No, not at all,” said Griffa. “Talon refused to be serious when helping me pick folk for my Ring.”

“That is not true at all,” said Talon. “I was very serious at first. I do think we should ask Clara Vin from the Valley to join the Ring.”

“Yes, but what did you try to get me to do after that?” asked Griffa giving Talon a frown.

“I just said it would be funny to see how he would react, I didn’t say you should actually do it,” said Talon sitting down in a chair close to Griffa.

“What did Talon want you to do?” asked Kedan.

“He wanted me to tell Ansel I was thinking of asking Marcus Quick to join my Ring. Which I would never do. I don’t blame Marcus for my accident, not really, but he is the last person I want on my Ring. He is nice enough, but I’m not sure how much wisdom he would add,” said Griffa.

“I know you would never do it, but just tell Ansel you are thinking about it. I bet his face changes color five times,” said Talon laughing.

“Why do you like aggravating him so?” asked Griffa. “The poor man worries enough as it is. He already has to deal with me daily.”

Talon rolled his eyes, “Fine, don’t let me have my fun.”

“What have you been up to this afternoon, Kedan?” asked Griffa

“I tried to read, but I just ended up thinking about my child instead. I don’t even know his name,” said Kedan sadly.

Griffa gave him a sympathetic look. She grabbed Kedan’s hand. “I’m sorry, Kedan. I wish there was some way to help you. One day, you will see your son. I will find a way.”

“Until then, we need to find something to do to keep your mind off of things,” said Talon.

“I know what we could do,” said Griffa excitedly. She jumped up and ran out of the room.

“Where did she go?” asked Kedan. Talon just shrugged.

Griffa came back in holding two swords. “I said we should match soon, and I have no plans today. The weather is perfect. Let’s go out onto the back lawn, and you can show me your skills with a sword.”

Kedan gave Griffa a dubious look. “I don’t know. I am not sure Ansel would like you sword fighting.”

“You think Ansel has any control over me? We will be safe. Talon can put up a safety ward for us when we get outside. Besides, I can hold my own I believe,” said Griffa.

Talon stood up. “Come on, Kedan. When Griffa has her mind on something, you won’t be able to change it.”

Kedan stood up. “You are sure you feel up to this, Griffa? You are healed?”

“I have felt much better this week. I need some exercise. I will stop when I get tired. Come on, I’m the queen and it is my command,” said Griffa giving Kedan a very pretty smile.

“Alright, but promise me you will stop if you begin to hurt or feel tired.”

“Sure,” said Griffa. “Let’s go.” She walked out the back door with Talon behind her. Kedan followed.

He met Griffa on the back lawn. She gave him one of the swords with a smile. “I know these aren’t the finest quality, but they should work fine for what we are going to do.”

Kedan moved his sword around to get the feel for it as Talon sat on the ground to watch.

“Talon, will you put up a safety ward?” asked Griffa.

“As you command, my queen,” said Talon. He raised his hand.

Griffa walked over close to Kedan and swung her sword at his arm. The sword stopped a hair from his arm.

“No matter where you strike at me or I at you, we will not truly hit one another. You can’t hurt me no matter how hard you try with the safety charm on, so don’t hold back,” said Griffa as she turned from him and walked away. She got about six feet away and turned towards Kedan with a saucy smile. “I know I won’t.”

“Are you both ready?” asked Talon. Kedan saw Griffa nod, and he nodded as well. “Very well, swords ready, and begin.”

Griffa circled around Kedan with her sword ready. It became very clear to Kedan, very early in their duel, that Griffa was a very skilled with a sword. Her movements were smooth. She wasn’t overly predictable. What she lacked in power, she made up for in speed and flexibility. She would have landed two hits without the safety charms, before Kedan decided he should try a little harder.

“Griffa, I don’t think you are as fast as you used to be,” said Talon as Kedan just missed landing a blow

“Why don’t you come up here and fight me next then?” asked Griffa as she circled around Kedan.

“I’d rather sit her and watch you bend like that, if you don’t mind,” said Talon brazenly as Griffa avoided Kedan’s blow by bending down.

They dueled for at least twenty minutes. Kedan was sweating by the time he ended the duel by disarming Griffa. Griffa sat down on the grass and wiped her forehead. “Well done, Kedan. You are quite skilled.”

Kedan sat down next to her, putting both swords to his side. “Thank you, but I imagine you would beat me easily if you used magic.”

“We weren’t having a magical duel where we?” asked Griffa. “You do have skill, Kedan. You should be proud.”

“What good does it do me in this world? I would like to be able to help and fight, but how can I against magical spells and curses.”

Griffa gave Kedan a look as Talon moved to sit closer to them. “You know you aren’t less than us just because you can’t use magic, right?” asked Griffa.

Kedan shrugged. “I don’t know. What good would I be in a fight? At the palace all I could do was follow Ansel around and stay out of the way.”

“It would have been hard for Ansel to escape while dragging me around. I don’t think I would be back here in Abscon without you,” said Griffa.

“Still, what good will I be in the coming war?” asked Kedan.

Griffa scooted close to Kedan. She turned to him. I discovered something while I was in Aurumist. I don’t know how. I’m not even sure if I remember where I learned this, but I think all of us have magic in us somewhere, whether we can wield it or not. The gods created us all using magic, so it should settle somewhere in all of us.”

Griffa looked at Kedan. “Close your eyes, Kedan. Close your eyes, and listen.”

“What are you doing, Griffa?” asked Talon.

“Just watch and listen. Be quiet for once in your life,” said Griffa.

Kedan closed his eyes. He listened to the sounds of the day around him.

“What do you hear?” asked Griffa softly

“I hear birds. I hear the wind blowing the leaves in the tree. I hear you breathing.”

“And in all those things there is magic,” said Griffa. “Now I’m going to touch you. I will not hurt you, or do anything to spell or curse you in anyway. I just want to see if you can feel my magic respond to yours.”

Kedan felt Griffa put her hand on his chest. He could hear her breath close to his ear. He could smell her interesting scent. He couldn’t place it, but it was comforting.”

“Now, somewhere inside you is magic left over from when you were made by the gods. You may not be able to use it, but I believe you can still feel it if you look hard enough.”

Kedan felt a warmth come from Griffa’s hand. He felt safe and relaxed. He felt the warmth growing as if it was trying to look inside of him, like it was seeking something. Griffa moved her hand slightly, and she sighed.

“It is there, Kedan. There is magic there. It may take a time for you to realize it, but it’s there.”

Griffa removed her hand, and Kedan opened his eyes. She was looking at him with a kind smile.

“I can show you how to defend yourself against magic if you would like. It won’t be easy, but you can learn how to see spells and curses. I can even give you something to defend yourself. If you want to take the time, I will help you.”

“Yes,” said Kedan softly looking at Griffa. He knew she hadn’t performed any spells on him, but he felt a little in her power.

“Good,” said Griffa. She moved back slightly and stood up. “Now, my protector is home, and I think he is wondering what we are doing out here.”

Griffa offered Kedan a hand, and he took it. Talon stood up and offered Griffa his arm. Kedan watched them walk into the house together. He shook his head to clear it, and then followed them inside.

Later that evening, after dinner, Kedan was reading in the parlor with Talon, Ansel, and Griffa. Ansel was sitting on the sofa reading, and Griffa was leaning against Ansel with her own book. Talon sat near them drinking a glass of wine and holding a book. Kedan looked up from his book to see Talon staring at Griffa and Ansel.

At one point, Griffa laid her head in Ansel’s lap. Ansel held his book with one hand and placed his other on Griffa’s waist. He made lazy circles with his fingers against the bodice of her dress while reading his book. Kedan watched Talon as he watched Griffa and Ansel. Talon had an interesting look on his face. Eventually Kedan could see that Griffa had fallen asleep. Her book had fallen to the floor. He knew she hadn’t been sleeping well.

“Ansel,” said Talon quietly. He motioned to Griffa.

Ansel looked down and smiled. He put his book down on the table next to him and carefully got up, using his hands to cradle Griffa’s head. He laid her head down softly and then bent down and scooped her up off the couch. She made a soft noise, but did not seem to wake. Ansel nodded to them both and then left the room with Griffa in his arms.

Talon watched them go and then took a sip of wine. He picked up his book.

“Talon, can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer,” said Kedan

Talon put down his book and looked at Kedan. “Go on.” Talon took a drink of his wine.

“Are you in love with Griffa?”

“What?” asked Talon choking on his wine a bit.

“Do you love Griffa?”

“Of course, I love Griffa. I love her very much. I can’t think of anyone still living I might love more. I can’t imagine anyone not knowing Griffa. I mean really knowing the true Griffa, and not loving her.”

“Do you regret her then? Do you wish you had found a way to keep her two years ago?”

“I never had Griffa. I tried to get her to marry me, but she wouldn’t take me seriously. I made some mistakes when I was younger. She didn’t feel the same way about me that I felt about her. She loved Ansel by the time I asked her. I think she loved him before that. She just didn’t know it. I won’t say I don’t regret her, but she is where she needs to be. She needs Ansel, and he needs her. I do love her though. I think I always will. I would do just about anything she asked of me. You will see what I mean once you get to know her better.”

“I think I’m already starting to understand,” said Kedan with a small smile.