Chương 292: 2.4

Jewel's mood was darkened by thoughts of war. But the morning was putting in a tremendous effort to drown her gloom in spring beauty. The day's walk began with early light shining between the eastern mountains of the vault. Cutting golden warmth across Viznove's hills and forests like a path leading her back to Rochford. On her right the Vah glittered like gold under the radiance of late spring sun. Her party chattered happily in the good weather.

And Jewel, or rather Gem was obligated to contribute, but even with a whole separate self to try and focus on lighter conversation she could not keep most of her attention off the impending doom for her land and people." His second child is due as of the last letter."" I still think that's so strange, why would a woman have a child born any time of year but right before the harvest?"" Gem, most people are not born all at the same time of year. That's a Provincial thing."

Paul's words mingled with her own and the rhythms and subtle music of Viznove. At first it was the sounds of Kaeketeh just waking with the dawn. But as they left the wide expanse of fields and orchards around the city the forests and smaller hamlets surrounded to fill the air with a different kind of life. The woods and water all sang with joy and fresh growth. Burgeoning with the song of frogspawn and fish beneath the surface of the river and along the little inlets and creeks that fed the Vah.

Jewel could hear the voices of hatchling birds in nests both along the banks where tall grass grew and in the branches and hollows of trees on her left. They saw more mule trains hauling barges heavy with barrels and bundles. All heading upriver on the far bank west of them. Most of those goods were meant for the teeming masses of Kaeketeh's thousands. Muriel called attention to the great white birds Jewel had once not recognized for their lack in Rochford and still thought absurd.

The animal of Thurzó of Arva's heraldry. Swans. Their bulbous bodies and serpentine necks were so strange. Like someone had taken a wyrm and attached it to an oversized chicken. Then put it on the water of all things!" Hmmm, we should arrange a hunt for them. The meat is very sweet and succulent. I think you would like it." She nodded to him with Gem's head. Jewel would trust Dariusz on stocking the larder of her vassals' kitchens. He had never steered her wrong when suggesting new dishes.

Even if she had first relented at Paul's insistence there were some noble fare worth eating. The beauty of her lands seemed to feed the grim worries in her flame. Stolen novel; please report. All around her the signs of prosperity shone under the sun. She had seen how Kaeketeh grew staggeringly full with people and how devastated a single battle could render a village years past. Viznove had thrived in peace for decades now.

But for one single short war in her youth there had not been any major conflict for its people. And that would change for what?

"Word is Lord Timotej is now planning a hunt for a wild boar to honor your arrival. Apparently he hopes to make a gift of Kraoska out of it." Paul's words drew her back to the march. She offered her husband a smile.

"Well that should be most welcome. It is a Pity that lord Kraok himself could not join us on the tour. But I'd never call a man away when his wife was expecting." Paul hummed a moment but shook his head.

"Better he isn't, the hunt is apparently to be a proper Gryphon Rider affair. With Lord Ladislav joining as well. Would be a dishonor to the boarslayer to merely be among the party to collect and prep the kill." Jewel hummed and nodded at that.

"So long as they don't ask me to bring the beast down by melee or flame I have no problems. I've no desire to wrestle another pig in the mud." Her scales trembled at the memory from her childhood. The sudden twisting impact. The burning in her lungs as her throat failed to pull air. The way her heart had slowed and her mind muddled ever dimmer and slower. She probably would not be so easily bested as she was then. An unbloodied child was not a trained war serpent. But why risk it? Then the thought struck her.

This Wolf Prince was hardly any older than she had been then.... That was it!

"Paul!" Her tone drew the rest of the party to jerk and stare at her.

"Yes, my wife?" Jewel's thoughts were suddenly filled with all the things she had to learn as a child. All the struggles of her early years. All the little pains and difficulties that had plagued her growing up. A lady of Rochford, but also a dragon.

"Paul, when we reach Dewglen manor I need to send an immediate message to Kaeketeh. There are things to set in motion. For the peace of Viznove." Her Husband raised his brows at that but nodded.

"I'll make sure that the harbinger informs them so we give no insult." Which was always a funny turn of phrase, the harbinger was going to be Paul himself. At least in her own lands no one was better a match for seeing to the business of her arrival. Jewel was confident her husband could sense her urgency. But they would need to find a private moment to discuss the specifics before their arrival tomorrow. The frame of a plan was there, but details needed to be worked out.

Magarska may have a Wyrm, but this Prince was still a child. At that age Jewel had nearly been slain by an overly large pig. She had not even figured out spinning! Surely the poor girl was suffering just as her elder had. Alone but for her family. That was how Jewel could forge a lasting peace between Magarska and The Realm. Just like how Bethica had been a confidant for Jewel and a voice that could relate to being mistaken for a beast. So could Jewel offer to tutor and train Magarska's Wolf Prince.

She just needed to see the overtures were made before someone did something foolish. With the assurance that she had a path forward to avert war Jewel found she could raise her head high and enjoy the late-spring into early-summer weather. There was a way to preserve the peace Jewel could do this!