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The Prince stared at the king’s audacity, at his interference with Pry-rian custo of Comoros to decide the balance of political poithin Pry-Ree But the Prince ise enough to realize that if he refused the request, his ould be returned to her prison at Pent Tower
"The nobles of Pry-Ree will balk at this arrange his best to keep the ee it?" the king replied s and earnest "What other choice do you have?"
"Indeed," the Prince replied flatly He saw the situation as it really was With only one king to rule the entire kingdom, it would under, others would expect greater favors and privileges It would also ht to rule would be tempted to do aith the Prince So dost itself
"Shall we ready the ceree, of course, the secret o down,you our answer?" the prince asked
The king looked startled and then shrugged "We will await you without then Come, Aldermaston Let us retire to another chamber"
The door shut softly behind them
There was a pause, abetween theirl was on her knees in front of hiive me, my lord I have been a burden to you I did not know my cousin would place those demands on you I knew none of it I adom If we must delay, I will bear it If we must part…"
The Prince knelt in front of her and took her hands, sh his tears "No Hush your fears…I will not be parted from you so soon" He squeezed her hands and stared deep into her eyes "You will not spend another day in a Cohtful queen I will pay whatever ransom to secure you"
She seemed not to comprehend his words Tears fell from her lashes, but her look was confusion "How can this be? I knoho I am My father wasMy mother and I have been outcasts in Dahomey since that ti you no wealth, no lands, no position And because I a’s eno to my father I am a burden to you in every possible way If it would help your kingdom to send me back to Pent Tower, I will face it Think of your people, ets his will concerning Pry-Ree"
Very slowly, deliberately, the Prince kissed her hand He stood and pulled her up with him "You areA prize worth any wait It is not because of lands or coins or promises that I desired to h he was my ally and my friend" He escorted her to theand parted the curtain "Do you see the mountains? Those are the Myniths of Pry-Ree They are treacherous to cross Wedged deep inside is another Abbey – a small Abbey known as Tintern That is where I passed the is It is not the size of the Abbey that th of conviction When I spoke to your father of , you were but thirteen I knew that you were not ready then, for you were too young Since the troubles of your family, I have watched and observed you fro, which I possess" He pressed her hands in between his own "It was not by chance that you traveled by ship to Pry-Ree and were captured You are a maston, Elle If I had communicated the Abbey where to meet me, you could have crossed the Apse Veil iround – do you understand? The Medium must prove us before it trusts us It must prove us that ill be faithful, no reatest sacrifices are the greatest powers of the Medium unleashed" He paused and carefully brushed a strand of hair fro to wait to have someone like you Someone who has passed every test, has re trapped in the toould have broken the spirit of others, but it did not break yours You were fir in your eyes Your desire was never for yourself Sweet lady, you are my equal in every way that matters most That is who I wanted to il, it is done You have sacrificed enough for now Of this I am certain – you will not leave this place with anyone other than myself We will cross the Myniths, you and I There are trees taller than any you can iine Giant husks of trees that are fallen and burned out by fire There are waterfalls beyond i There were fords and coves where the waves obey any who hold the rank of ether There is much I have to share with you"