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When Farrara came out of Reverie, Belmaid was already sitting across from him, waiting expectantly.
He heaved a sigh, offering her a wry smile. Whether she was actively their queen or not, Belmaid still very much conducted herself like royalty. That included seeking out her subjects - or fellow knights - when she had something to say, and making herself heard. Farrara had a feeling he knew what she had on her mind.
Sure enough, “I will not be going east.”
Farrara couldn’t say he was surprised, but he was still disappointed. He’d announced his intentions of charting a new Telling to the Court the previous night. He’d known that some members of the Court would disagree. That didn’t mean he liked to hear it. He bowed his head respectfully.
“As is your right,” he said simply. He had no urge to argue with Belmaid, or with any other members of the Court who wished to stay behind.
“Do not misunderstand me,” Belmaid continued, leveling Farrara with a significant look. “I have given your words significant thought. I am technically the sole monarch of the House of Ballads at this moment, in the absence of a Wencen, which has never happened in the entire history of the House. As much as it pains me, as much as I fear it, I cannot deny reality any longer. A new Telling is being written, whether I participate in it or not. I am not going east because I am needed here, to rule over the House and be our voice in Titarion’s court.”
That…was certainly not a response Farrara had anticipated. “...Ah.”
Belmaid offered him a smile. It was faint, and still tinged with uncertainty, but it was there. “I wish you luck, Sir Farrara,” she murmured, and then rose and walked away without another word.
“The same to you,” Farrara said quietly.
Oleyn was the next to approach Farrara. He was unsure why it was him they came to with their decisions, and not Hallam. All he’d done was made it clear what his decision was. Hallam was the one who truly needed to know.
Oleyn offered him a friendly nod. “Farrara. How has your day been?”
“Well enough,” he replied, nodding in return. “Short, but well enough. I spoke to Belmaid earlier.”
“So did I,” Oleyn said. “I will stay with her, I think. Regardless of my thoughts on…all of this, she will need support. Sagrell already has you, and I have no doubt that Airmer and Creth will stick close to each other. Belmaid had Wencen, but no longer. I will stay by her side as her knight-hand.”
Farrara smiled. “Good. That’s good. I have a feeling she’s going to face significant resistance at Titarion’s court. She’ll need someone there who’s firmly on her side.”
They chatted back and forth for a few minutes more, and then Oleyn wandered away to find Belmaid. Farrara found himself pitying Titarion’s court. They’d never know what hit them.
It was no surprise that Airmer and Creth approached Farrara at the same time. Creth looked graver than usual - even Airmer looked uncharacteristically somber.
They’d found him later in the day, close to Reverie. Most of the House was already settled for the night, but Farrara sat wide awake in the Oratory. His mind had begun spinning as the day wound to an end, trying to simply comprehend the enormity of the journey before him. He hadn’t been able to calm his racing thoughts enough to slip into Reverie, which he was thankful for when Airmer and Creth arrived.
He felt confident he knew what they wished to talk about, considering Belmaid and Oleyn’s announcements. What he didn’t know was what choice they had made, though they’d undoubtedly both made the same one.
Farrara watched them expectantly as they stopped several feet in front of him. His fellow knights glanced briefly at each other, and then back to Farrara.
“We’re going with you,” Airmer said firmly.
“Part of the way, at least,” Creth added.
Airmer nodded, continuing before Farrara could interject. “It’s terrifying, don’t get me wrong…but there isn’t much room for denial, is there? Creth and I have no reason to stay here. Our Ballads are unlikely to repeat again, if what we suspect is true. There is no pressing need for warriors in Dalentarth, not anymore. You and Sagrell certainly seem to be heading into the thick of it, on the other hand.”
Farrara stared at them for a long moment, dumbfounded, and then a smile spread across his face. “You’re both more than welcome to join us. Let’s try this. I have a feeling that it will be a Ballad to remember, my friends.”
“I’m counting on it,” Airmer said, his tone light but his expression serious. “I only hope we aren’t asked to repeat this one. I have no desire for the Tuatha to remain in this world.”
“On the contrary,” Creth added. A rare, grim smile spread across his dour face. “I look forward to removing as many of them as possible.”