ChapterFour

Power&Words

Darrow's POV

Darrow crossed and uncrossed his long legs impatiently; he was anxious to be getting on. Even one of the hegesi whined forlornly every so often. The sandstorm had been pummeling the large tent for nearly an hour. The large part of men had traveled for four days without even a hint of wind. Now on the fifth day, when they were so close to their destination, the sands had come upon them.

The courtiers were busying themselves with a game of fan bones on one side of the tent, while the sorcerers huddled in a far end of the tent quietly meditating. Darrow chuckled quietly at the sight. Here he was, Lord of the Black Palace, effectively the ruler of all Merithurous and he still didn't seem to fit in. Many of the sorcerers still looked at him with a grudging respect, while the courtiers stared with unmasked envy. As the sands continued to pelt the stretched skin of the tent, Darrow's mind drifted to Calwyn.

He had faith in her, he would not have left her in charge had he not believed in her. Still he worried that the council would give her trouble in his absence. He had hoped giving her a taste of power would strengthen her belief in herself. He had endured the animosity of others at the black palace for as long as her could remember. The snide comments and vicious stares hardly bothered him anymore. It was the life of a chanter after all. Power, he had only recently discovered, also opened the door to harsh crisis. The harsh comments of his opposition surprised him at first, but he did not take their words to heart. Calwyn, however did. She had a soft heart, and the cutting words of those who opposed her affected her deeply. He remembered the day he had announced to the grand council that Calwyn would serve in his absence. He was not surprised when the large hall erupted into chaos. A chorus of angry shouts rose up from both rebels and sorcerers alike.

"But she is a woman!" one shouted.

"He cannot do this! Can he do this?" called another in disbelief.

Darrow stood resolute, arms crossed at his chest as the noise in the hall gradually fell from a deafening roar to discontented murmurs.

"I have made my decision," He said sternly. "Calwyn has proven herself to me to be capable of this task, I trust her fully to carry out my duties in my absence. I expect that she will be shown the same-

"Aye, she's proven herself," called out one bold rebel. "Was it her mind, or what's hidden underneath those pretty robes that qualified her? Perhaps we should all be permitted a night in your bed so we can prove ourselves." He cried sourly.

The chamber erupted once again in shocked gasps at the soldier's brazenness, while others quietly grumbled in agreement. At once, the faces that filled the crowd turned to gauge their ruler's reaction. Darrow's face remained unchanged but his gray eyes held a hint of humor.

"Unfortunately for you brother, I've no interest in bearded men, I fear that suggestion would be quite ineffective." he said in his dry voice.

For the first time during that long day the tension had ceased and the crowd of men allowed themselves to laugh heartily. Even the black clad sorcerers could not keep the corners of their lips from turning up.

Darrow had looked to Calwyn, but she had not joined in the laughter. Her face was flushed pink and she became intent on staring at her feet, no doubt terribly embarrassed. Darrow paid no mind the gossip of the black palace, he did not care what anyone thought of him personally, or his relationship with Calwyn. What concern of theirs was it? He took their words lightly, the same way he wore his power.

Calwyn took none of it lightly. She had refused to share his quarters when they arrived at the palace, though she was there nearly every night. She even insisted on addressing him as "my Lord" in front of the council. Anytime someone challenged her authority or views she would falter.

"You are the Singer, the Singer cannot cower like a frightened child each time she is challenged." He had told her later that night.

"I'm no child," she said indignantly, and he felt her body tense in his arms.

"Then don't behave as such.

Angrily, Calwyn moved to pull away, but his arms were stronger. He touched her cheek gently.

"I say this for your benefit. You are a woman now. You are no longer the girl I met three years ago. They will have you believe you are incapable because you are a woman, but your mind is sharp and your views are valid. What you say matters, and when you speak the people will listen. You will make them listen. But first, you must have the courage to open your mouth."

Her dark eyes softened and her lips found his.

That had been nearly a week ago, and now sitting in the large tent he hoped she had remembered his words. She was the Singer, he knew that she was only just beginning to understand what that meant, but if she was going to become who she was meant to be, she could not let her voice be silenced by doubt or opposition. As he had learned when he became Lord, the life of those in power was not an easy one, each day was a mere battle in a lifelong war.