Summer Jams 4: Enda - Part II

“Ready?” Ilyana sat on the edge of a steamy pool that had water sourced from a small geyser several paces away.  In the night, with just a few light crystals illuminating the edges of the pool, they could barely see her.

“Can you read the hourglass in this light?” Albert asked with uncertainty in his voice.

“Yes, yes, don’t worry.  I’m sitting next to a light crystal.” Ilyana assured him and held out a little hourglass she would use to time the others.

“All right, I’m trusting you,” Albert said from where he was crouched neck deep in water by the edge of the pool.  He and JP were poised and ready to jump out and get into the cold pool several paces away.

In order not to scare them with the temperature of the cold pool, Tori didn’t let them dip their hands into it to check.

“Remember,” Sonia told her brother.  “If you cry out within the first minute, you owe me money.”

JP gave her a sneer.  “Don’t forget, if I don’t, you owe me money.”

“No whimpers, no yelps.  If we hear so much as a gasp, you lose,” Tori said from where she was floating with a wood and cork tube under her arms.  JP gave her a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Don’t worry.  You won’t hear a sound.”

“All right!”  Ilyana lifted the hourglass.  “As soon as you’re in the water, I’ll turn the hourglass.  Ready....”  The two grasped the edge of the pool in preparation to pull themselves out.  “Set...go!”

A splash was heard as the two pulled themselves out and carefully scrambled across the rough ground of packed gravel to get to the cold pool.  The cold pool was much smaller than the geyser pool.  It was a man-made circular pool cooled with crystals that could sit about eight people around its perimeter.  It wasn’t too deep and a full-grown adult would need to crouch down to submerge their entire body.

When Heidrun sank into it, she didn’t show any sign of discomfort and Tori wasn’t sure if this was because she was simply used to it or didn’t want to scare the two.

“Aaaah!”

“Why is it so cold!?”

“My body’s numb!  My body’s numb!”

“If it’s numb, why are you still screaming about how cold it is?” Ilyana said above Sonia and Ewan’s laughter from where they were watching.  Constantine’s lips were tight, as if trying to hold back his laughs as they watched JP and Albert flop around, chest deep in the cold pool they’d jumped feet first into.

“Don’t splash me!  It’s cold!”

“I’m not splashing you on purpose!”

“This is going exactly how I imagined it,” Tori said as she watched the two pull themselves out of the cold pool and rush back to the geyser without any shame of defeat.  “How long did they last?”

Ilyana lifted the hourglass and squinted.  “Ten seconds.”

Tori slowly shook her head.  Another splash was heard as the two jumped back into the geyser pool and seemed to immediately melt into it.  Sonia, also on a wood and cork tube, lazily floated by her brother.

“I expect that money tomorrow morning.”

“Shut up.”

“It’s really good when you’re sore, though,” Ewan said as he floated over to the other two.  “It helps loosen your muscles.”

“I can see how this would help you,” JP replied with a dull look.  “But we don’t need it.”

“Doesn’t the hot water feel good afterwards, though?” Constantine asked.

Two pairs of eyes looked at him accusingly.  “Did you know?” Albert asked.  Constantine’s eyes darted to the side.

“I’ve tried it somewhere a few times....”

“Constantine!” Albert choked out, betrayed.

“It’s a cold pool,” Tori reiterated.  “What did you expect?”

“Not ice-cold water!”

“It’s not ice cold,” Heidrun’s voice came from further back.  They couldn’t see her through the steam, but could hear her voice.  “There is another pool closer to the sauna that is an ice bath.”

Tori could almost see the horror on Albert and JP’s faces.  “People from marches really are different....” Albert muttered.

Ilyana pulled herself up from the geyser and walked to the cold pool, silently sinking into it.  Aside from her first grimace at the sudden shock of cold, she didn’t complain.   Albert and JP watched her with horror.

“Ilyana, are you cold blooded?” JP demanded with a flustered frown.

“This isn’t as cold as snow,” Ilyana told them as she turned in the pool and smiled.  “It’s fine.”

“You monster....” Albert whispered in disbelief.

Ilyana giggled and sank until she was neck deep in the chill water.  Tori counted in her head and Ilyana stepped out after about a minute.  Her skin was pale and she shivered a bit as she walked back to the geyser and stepped in.  “Ah....that feels nice.”

They heard Heidrun laugh as she emerged from the steam.  “Very well done, Ilyana!  Ewan, when you’re back, we’ll make one more stop here so you can relax after your training mission.”

“Great!  Thank you!” Ewan beamed.  He looked at the others, ecstatic.  “I don’t know about you all, but I’m having a great time on this trip.”

They stayed in the geyser for another hour or so, with Heidrun and Ilyana occasionally telling them to get out of the water to regulate their temperature in the chill air before returning.  Henrik had been quiet most of the night, which was odd, as usually he’d stop Ewan from causing trouble.  As they all returned to the carriage, their attention turned to him.

“Henrik, are you all right?” Constantine asked.  Ilyana craned her neck and seemed to look Henrik up and down.  He was seated on the edge of the back seat, leaning against the wall with a dazed look on his flushed face.

She frowned.  “Did you stay too long in the hot water?  I told you to occasionally get out, or you’ll get lightheaded.”

“No...no, I”m fine....” Henrik trailed off.

The others exchanged looks.   Sonia gave him a worried expression.  “Henrik, are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” he said, blinking as he looked towards them.

“You haven’t scolded Ewan since we got into the geyser,” JP told them with a slight frown.  “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing....”

Ewan’s face fell.  He leaned forward.  “Henrik, whatever it is, don’t be afraid to tell us.  We’ve seen you at your worst,” he said.  “Like when you wet yourself-”

“Stop!  Stop!  Don’t!” Henrik sat up straight at once, waving his hands and shot him a glare.  “I thought we decided not to speak of that ever again!”

Ewan quickly bit his lips and nodded his head with fervor.

“You seem oddly distracted,” Constantine told him in an effort to placate Henrik.  “That’s why we’re a bit concerned.  You didn’t say much when we were at the geyser either, so we’re wondering if perhaps you were overheated or if you caught a chill today.”

“I didn’t overheat or catch a chill,” Henrik replied.  Several eyes burned into him and he took a deep breath.  “Um...about tomorrow,” Henrik said in a careful voice.  His eyes drifted out the window in a daze.  “I may miss the planned dinner.”

Tori frowned at once.  “Are you sure you’re not sick?”

“No, I’m not.  It’s just...”  Henrik’s pale cheeks flushed and he couldn’t seem to meet their gazes.  “Heidrun asked if I’d like to accompany her tomorrow night.”

Albert let out a gasp.  “You have a date!”

“It’s not a date-”

“Are others going?” Sonia asked.

“Well, no-”

“Then it’s a date.”

“It’s an outing!” Henrik’s voice rose and he met their knowing eyes.  “Stop looking at me like that.”

“All right, but tell us,” Ilyana said with a flick of her hand.  “What exactly will you be doing on this outing?”

“We’re just going to look around the town and eat dinner at a restaurant by the sea,” Henrik said with a shrug.

“Alone?” JP asked, raising a brow.

Henrik’s lips pulled into a tight line.  “It doesn’t seem necessary to bring knights with us-”

“It’s a date.”  Several voices chorused at once and Henrik’s face heated up.  He lifted his hands and covered his face with them.

“This isn’t a date!”

“Henrik.”  Ewan patted his shoulder thoughtfully.  “Take your time to get to know her.  Don’t rush into a relationship.  You’re still young.  Just because Heidrun is beautiful and a talented medic from a powerful family doesn’t mean you have to do whatever she wants.  If you feel pressured and unable to manage the situation due to rank, Tori will step in.”

Tori squinted.  She would if asked, but why did Ewan have to volunteer her.

“I didn’t say that I didn’t like her,” Henrik said in a droll voice.  “In fact, I don’t know how I feel.  I’m just surprised that she invited me out.”

“And she definitely invited you out alone?” Sonia asked.  Henrik nodded.  He ran a hand down his face and looked at the group.

“This has never happened to me before.”

Tori tilted her head to the side.  “What do you mean?  Many people have asked you out alone before.”

Henrik shook his head.  “That’s different.  That’s for business.”

Tori shook her head in return.  “No, we had several business partners’ children show you interest and ask you out under the guise of business and you usually say you can make an appointment.”

Henrik’s eyes glazed over.  “What.”

“You really never noticed?” Ilyana asked.  “When we worked at the merchant guild, a lot of daughters of merchants came by to see you.  You just never paid attention.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he choked out.

Ilyana shrugged.  “You didn’t seem interested.”

Henrik let out a groan.  “I can’t believe this...what do I do?  How do I impress a noble woman?”

“I don’t think that’s very necessary considering she was the one who asked you out,” Sonia replied.  “Just relax and act normal.”

“But not toonormal,” Ilyana added with a slight cringe.  “I don’t know if she’ll be bored by your trade regulation rants.”

“They’re not rants, they’re well-founded opinions - you know what, never mind that.  What should I talk to her about?” Henrik flushed.

“Your childhood, what you like to do outside of business....” JP trailed off and his eyes slowly narrowed.  “There isn’t much, is there?”

Henrik shot him a glare.  “I have interests and hobbies!”

The carriage was so quiet, they could hear the creaking as they followed the road back to Tromsha.  Tori almost felt pity for him.

She finally decided to speak up when no one else offered any assistance.  “Tell her about yourself and listen to her when she tells you about herself.  See if you have any common interests.  If she’s particularly excited about something, pay attention.  Maybe you will be interested, too.  If you find similar interests, you can talk about those.  The purpose of a first date is to find out more about the other person and get a feel on whether or not you would like to see them again and spend more time with them.”

“Go on...” Albert said as he scribbled something into a notebook.

Tori rolled her eyes.  “I’m just saying, try to get to know her and see if you’re interested.  If so, then you can go out with her again.  If not, you gave it a go and you can politely tell her you enjoyed your time, but don’t think you are compatible.”

Henrik seemed to mull over her words.  “I never paid much attention...but how did Prince Piers-”

“Please don’t use myself and Piers as an example.  We’re abnormal and you all know it,” she said in a firm voice.

“That’s true, but should I do anything special?  Flowers?  If she asked me out, should I bring her flowers?” Henrik asked.  He squinted.  “Where would I get flowers here?  All the flowers we’ve seen are wildflowers in patches.”

“And some are poisonous,” Ewan piped.

“Yes, and some are...what?” Henrik paled.

“Perhaps you can buy her a trinket while you’re in town?  To commemorate the outing?” Constantine offered.

“Oh...that’s good....” Albert nodded and wrote some more.

“And if you enjoyed your time together, why don’t you write her a small letter the next day?” Ilyana added.  “Mommy has a collection of all of the love letters Daddy gave her.  It’s very sweet.”

Henrik held up his hands.  “I think it’s a bit too early to write her love letters.”

“Just see how the evening goes first.  And it doesn’t have to be a very emotional letter,” Sonia said.  “For example, Claire’s are very warm, mentioning what she really enjoyed on our last outing and how she hopes to see me again soon.  It’s usually very short, but thoughtful.”

Henrik nodded.  “All right...I can do that....”

“Henrik, don’t worry so much,” Constantine said with a warm smile.  “Just go on your outing and see how it goes.  You’re not going to be bound to marriage after one evening out.”

Henrik took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You’re right...I’m overthinking it.  I should just...act natural.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

“I’ve known him since we were in diapers, and that is the most unnatural walk I’ve ever seen him do,” Sonia said in a dull voice as they looked out the window of the restaurant, across the narrow street.  On the other side of the busy commercial district of Enda was a shop selling small leather, antler, and fur goods that were produced in Nord.

Henrik was holding up some unidentifiable item of what they presumed to be deer or elk antler while Heidrun stood beside him, explaining it.  They were close and Heidrun looked calm.

“He’s gripping that antler carving so tight, it’s going to break,” JP said.

Ilyana craned her neck.  “You can see that far?”

“I can see him avoiding eye contact with Heidrun and focusing everything on that antler,” JP replied with a slight shake of his head.

Tori lifted her smoked salmon on a piece of bread up to her lips and took a bite.  She looked out the window as she chewed.  Part of her knew that watching Henrik on his ‘outing’ with Heidrun was unnecessary and an invasion of privacy, but how did they know that Henrik and Heidrun would pass by the restaurant famous in the city for its smoked and cured meats where they happened to be having dinner?

She swallowed her food and scribbled her thoughts into her little notebook.  “I was thinking about selling the meat and spreads, with local bread, as a set, but now I’m wondering if it’s better to sell them individually so as to allow customers to pick and choose.”

“I think selling them individually will be best, as well.  You can always do sets of the most popular pairings,” Constantine replied.  Tori nodded and pointed at him with acknowledgement before writing more notes.

“Good.  Good.  That’s necessary.”

“Now he’s staring at her!” Albert gasped.  Tori’s head shot up towards the window.

Heidrun was speaking to one of the merchants and a few steps away, Henrik was looking at her with a glassy expression, still holding on to the antler item.

“We really shouldn’t be watching him....” Tori said it, but didn’t turn away.

JP raised a brow. “You’re the one who pointed them out first.”

“That’s because I’m closest to the window and saw them when they arrived,” Tori replied.  “I didn’t mean to sit here, waiting for them - he’s trying to pay for something!”

She leaned forward and the group seemed to turn their attention towards the window.  Heidrun appeared surprised as Henrik seemed to insert himself into the conversation and make awkward hand movements pointing towards the item in Heidrun’s hand.  They couldn’t see what it was from where they were, but it wasn’t very large.

Henrik’s face was flushed and the group was quiet, with only the sound of crunching from crackers as they watched with gusto.

“He seems very polite,” a woman’s thoughtful voice said behind them.

“A bit skinny, though, don’t you think?” a man said with some concern.

Tori tried not to cringe.  Henrik was tall, but quite slim.  He wasn’t a physical fighter, either, so it was likely of some concern for a march family.  Lord Nordursin and his wife, who were hosting them at dinner, looked over Henrik with critical eyes.

Heidrun was the only one of her siblings not yet married, and was the youngest.  It made sense that her parents would be cautious about who she became romantically involved with.

“Henrik mainly does office work, so he doesn’t do much physical labor, my lord,” JP told them.  Tori wasn’t sure if that was encouraging or not.  “He’s very diligent and has an excellent reputation amongst his merchant peers.”

“The Horizon Merchant’s Guild is eyeing him for a future leadership position,” Ilyana said with some encouragement.  “He doesn’t want to take such a position until he completes his education at Université, though.”

Heidrun’s parents looked impressed and Lord Nordursin stroked his chin.  “You say he has quite a promising future.”

“Yes, yes!” Ilyana nodded.  “Tori and I collaborate closely with him as a partner of Lions Gate.”

“We really couldn’t have gotten to where we are now without Henrik’s expertise in navigating legal business matters,” Tori told them.  “He’s very dependable.”

The older couple glanced at each other.  “It is still too early to tell.  We’ll let Heidrun decide,” Lady Nordursin replied with a smile.

Tori relaxed a little bit.  At the very least, it sounded as if they didn’t object to their daughter’s interest in a relationship with Henrik.

“She grabbed his arm!” Sonia’s voice drew their attention back.

Tori whipped her head back to the window.  Sure enough, Heidrun had grasped Henrik’s right arm and pulled him close to her, squeezing his arm against her as she beamed.  Henrik appeared frozen, while his face was red and his left hand giving some coins to the shop keep.

They were also about the same height, but with Henrik standing there, tense, it looked as if Heidrun was overpowering him.  She lifted up the small trinket, took one gleeful look at it, and then put it into her bag.

“It’s going well,” Sonia said with an affirmative nod.  She pursed her lips.  “He should move a little, though.”

“Is it just me, or does he look terrified?” Albert asked, squinting.

“This is his first date.  It is normal that he is wracked with anxiety,” Constantine replied.

Sonia gasped and tore her gaze away from the window.  She shrank back.  “They’re coming this way!”

“Look natural!” Albert shot up from his seat.

Constantine lifted his hand to pull him back down.  Their table, including the Nordursins, went quiet and they put all their attention into the smoked meats.

Tori’s back was to the entrance of the restaurant and it took all her willpower not to casually glance over.  Across from her, Sonia and JP were also appearing to desperately try to keep from looking up.

“Mom?  Dad?” Heidrun’s surprised voice came out and, to their credit, the Nordursins looked up as if they hadn’t been watching their daughter on a date.

“Heidrun.”  Her mother gave her a warm smile.  “I didn’t know you were stopping here for dinner.”

“Shall we request two additional chairs for you?” Lord Nordursin asked with a placid expression.

They were better at remaining calm than her parents, Tori noted.  Even the mention of Piers' name made her father’s face darken.

Heidrun looked surprised to see her parents. “I thought you were taking everyone to the seafood shop tonight.”  She blinked and partially stepped in front of Henrik, as if to shield him from her parents.

“No, that’s tomorrow.  The big fishing ships are arriving from deepwater tomorrow, so the seafood will be fresher,” her father said.  He craned his neck.  “Mr. Skuldsen, good evening.”

A crunch left Tori’s mouth as she bit into another cracker with seasoned smoked salmon.  Henrik shifted awkwardly in his place, but swallowed hard and lifted his head to politely greet them.

“Lord and Lady Nordursin, good evening,” Henrik said.

Good, his voice didn’t break.  Tori gave a small nod of approval.  Henrik’s eyes glanced over to them and he paled.

Tori lifted a hand.  “Hey.”  She could almost sense his desperation to be swallowed by the earth.  “So...how’s your outing?”

The corner of Henrik’s eye twitched. “It’s going well.”

They all became quiet.  Tori wasn’t sure what else to say that wouldn’t increase the awkwardness of the situation and she didn’t think anyone else did, either.  Her friends were watching the two newcomers with expectant eyes and the Nordursins had faint looks of interest and excitement on their faces as they studied Henrik.

If it were her, Tori would’ve made her escape.  Her eyes darted towards the door.  If Henrik noticed, he seemed to get the hint.

“It looks like all of you are almost done with your meal, so we don’t want to hold you back. Umm...perhaps there is another restaurant?” Henrik looked from the door and back towards Heidrun with some hope and she quickly nodded her head.

“Yes!  I just thought of another place that we haven’t been, yet.  You know, my cousin has a store near here that specializes in local stews and yogurt.”  Heidrun gushed out and let out a nervous laugh.  “It’s a bit cold today.  Why don’t we go to the store and warm up?” Heidrun gave Henrik’s’ arm a small, reaffirming tug.  “What do you think?”

“That sounds great!”

“Grand!  Let’s go!”

The would-be couple turned around just a few paces from the entrance they’d just walked in from and headed out.  A collective breath seemed to leave the table.

“That was awkward....” JP said.

“More for Henrik than us,” Sonia added.  She paused.  “Though I can’t help but be a bit disappointed that we won’t get to continue watching.”

Lady Nordursin looked just as disappointed and Tori sighed.  “I’m sure they’ll be fine.  Look, they’re already having the same thought: to go to a different restaurant.”

“I think they just wanted to avoid the awkwardness,” Constantine said with a slight cringe.

“This is a good sign,” Lord Nordursin said with a firm voice.  “I am sure as he has yet to finish school that their courtship will be slow, so they will have more time to get to know one another.”

“This is the first time our Heidrun has shown an interest in someone,” Lady Nordursin gushed, a bit excited.

Tori smiled and nodded, having full confidence in Henrik.  “I’m sure that no matter what happens, they will maintain a good relationship.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

The ‘bruises’ on Henrik’s neck were barely hidden by the collar of his light coat and hair.  Tori wouldn’t have noticed, if it weren’t for the fact that Henrik rarely put his hair down.  If he’d had left it in his usual messy bun, then she wouldn’t have noticed that he was trying to hide the marks.

From how he fidgeted in his seat that morning and avoided eye contact, it seemed that he noticed that they noticed.

Tori estimated that his markings had likely been from the night before, when he and Heidrun had their third ‘outing’ in a row.  The polite thing to do would’ve been to pretend that they didn’t notice the small splotches of dark skin on his pale neck, just beneath his jaw.  For the most part, they were doing well in pretending they didn’t see anything.

Except that Ewan had returned from his training exercise.  His curious eyes hadn’t left Henrik’s neck since they came down for breakfast.

“She really left a mark on you.”

The fork in Henrik’s hand slipped from his fingers and he almost choked on his food.  Constantine quickly slapped his back to try to relieve him as everyone else gave Ewan exasperated looks.

JP rubbed his head.  “Ewan...you’re not supposed to point it out.”

“Oh!” Ewan perked up.  He looked at Henrik, apologetic. “Sorry!  I mean, you’re doing a good job of hiding her kiss or bite marks.”  Tori ran a hand down her face.  “I didn’t notice immediately.”

Sonia slowly shook her head as Henrik reached for his coffee to try to quell his discomfort.  He slammed his mug down and shot Ewan an irritated look, though his face was flushed red.  “Do you need to bring it up?”

Ewan seemed to think for a moment.  “No,” he decided.  “But congratulations.”

This time, JP and Albert nearly choked on their food as they nearly started laughing.

“All right!”  Ilyana slammed her pale hands on the table as she shot up and loomed across.  “Since it’s out there, I need to know!”

“Ilyana....” Constantine winced and tried to calm her.  “I don’t think-”

“Is this relationship more than friendship now?  Are you officially courting her?” Ilyana asked with fervor.  “When is the wedding?”

Sonia gently pulled Ilyana back down onto the chair next to her. “Calm down, they’ve known each other less than a week.”

“Admittedly, I’m curious, too,” JP said.  He looked around. “Isn’t everyone?”

Reluctantly, Tori nodded her head.  “They’ve only gone on three outings, so I assumed they were still in the getting to know each other stages.”

“We are.  We talked...a lot,” Henrik said, poking at his breakfast as his face seemed to redden further somehow.

Albert smirked.  “Yes...talked.”

Constantine elbowed him and gave Henrik a placating look.  “You don’t have to tell us anything if you don’t feel comfortable-”

“I think I made a mistake.”  Henrik lowered his utensils back onto the table.  He lifted his hands and covered his face, suddenly defeated.  “I haven’t seen her since she dropped me off last night.”

Tori raised her eyes.  “Isn’t that normal?  Heidrun doesn’t live in Tromsha.  If she’s not with her unit, she lives at home with her parents down the hill.”

“But she usually calls me!” Henrik told her with wide, worried eyes.

Tori almost didn’t hold back her surprise. They already had a habit of talking to each other daily?  After three days of going out?  Wow, they’re moving faster than I thought.

“Why didn’t she call you?” Constantine asked with a furrowed brow.  Henrik appeared helpless as he looked at the wooden table surface.

“I don’t know.  I thought everything was going well,” he said.  He went quiet, as if replaying the night before in his head to try to make sense of the situation.  He lifted his head and looked towards Tori.  “What do I do?”

Across from him, Tori furrowed her brows.  “Why are you asking me?”

“You must know what to do,” Albert answered for Henrik, who nodded.  “You and Prince Piers don’t seem to have any issue like this.”

“Piers and I communicate very well, and consistently - also, it is different from this,” Tori replied in a dull voice.  “Regardless, communication is very important.  Misunderstandings can happen without either of you realizing it, so if she doesn't call you, you can try calling her.”

Henrik’s face paled.  “She did not answer when I called.”

The table was quiet.  Tori pursed her lips.  Ewan scratched his head.  “Maybe she had training?  You know how much time members of marches spend training.”

“Yes!  That should be it!” Ilyana agreed with him at once and around the table, the others nodded in hopes of calming their friend down.

Tori looked back at her breakfast and ate her eggs quietly.  Heidrun was supposed to be their host for the duration of their stay, so she wasn’t supposed to have any training scheduled until after they left the next morning.  Of course, Tori couldn’t rule out that Heidrun was given a sudden assignment or had to take care of an emergency.

Still, she didn’t tell the others.

“If she’s not answering your call, you can still write her a letter and send it to her,” Tori said.  “A letter will also give you time and allowance to organize your thoughts better, whereas, you may say something you’ll regret or don’t mean to say when speaking to her in person or through the comcry.”

Henrik looked across the table at her.  “Does that really work?”

Sonia sipped her coffee and nodded.  “I think it does.  Claire says that she gets tongue tied sometimes and writing letters to me allows her thoughts to be conveyed clearer.”

“Does Prince Piers send you letters?” JP asked Tori.

She nodded.  “Yes, there are various reports and updates to some projects and assignments we’ve been working on that require more detail to be reviewed....”  She trailed off as her friends gave her confused, if not pitying looks.  “Ah...you mean informal, personal letters.  Then no.  We talk once a day.  That’s why I returned to the room so late last night; we were having our nightly call.”

“You’re right.  We shouldn’t ask you for advice on this,” Henrik said with disappointment.  Tori frowned a bit.

“Piers and I aside, I highly suggest you go over what happened last night and then write her letter to clarify anything you may have said or done that may have caused her to want to distance herself from you, should that be the case,” Tori told him in a firm voice.

Henrik drew his head back.  “You think so, too?”

“I’m just saying that it’s a possibility.  You said so yourself that you may have made a mistake which resulted in her not calling you this morning.”  Tori reached for her iced coffee and had a long drink.

Henrik knit his brows together and frowned.  “But I’m not sure what I did that may have caused this.”

“We don’t leave until tomorrow, Henrik,” Tori told him.  “Take your time and focus on conveying how you feel about her.”

The entire day, Henrik had some paper and a pencil with him and Tori would see him occasionally write something down, but stop and violently scratch over what he wrote with a look of frustration on his face.  A few times, she caught him pacing and muttering, but couldn’t hear what he was saying. He’d been distracted the whole day.

“Perhaps one of them was too aggressive in their courtship and when one stopped it, the other was insulted or felt as if they were rejected,” Piers’ voice said from the comcry.   Tori sat at the end of one of the halls, by a narrow window that looked out towards the water.  It was well past midnight, but it was still bright outside.

She leaned back against the thick walls of the fortress and curled her legs up so she fit neatly in the window crevice.  A quilt with little slits for her arms was wrapped and buttoned closed around her to keep the wind out.  She’d also placed a charm across from her to keep their conversation private and not disturb others.

“They seemed really interested in each other and they clearly had shown some physical affection, so I can only imagine that’s a possibility,” Tori replied.  “I hope it gets cleared up.  He looks so frustrated and confused.”

“I did not foresee Henrik having a tryst during the journey,” Piers said.  “Axton also said that it was a surprise.”

“It was a surprise to all of us and Henrik,” Tori told him.  “The sudden change must’ve struck him deeply.  No wonder he’s so confused right now.”

“As his friend, you must do your best to support him.”

“I know that.”

“I am also supporting Axton.”

Tori’s eyes widened a bit and she brought her comcry closer to her lips.  “Did your mother find someone for him?”

“She submitted five young noblewomen she has been impressed with and asked me to discuss them with Axton before she arranges a meeting.”  Piers didn’t sound at all impressed or excited.  It was as if doing so were another task he had to do.

Tori wrinkled her nose.  “Well, is there anyone promising?”

“I am not interested in any of them.”

“Yes, I know that, Piers.  I mean promising for Axton.  Do you think any of them are compatible?”

There was silence on the other end and Tori could almost see his mind working to make an assessment.  “I discussed with Axton and am waiting for his confirmation.”

Tori beamed.  “You’re a good friend, Piers.” She heard him let out a small hum.

“Tori?”  A voice came from the hall and she turned her attention out, sticking her head out of the enclave she had curled herself up in to speak outside the silence charm barrier.

“It’s getting late, Henrik.  Are you still awake?” she asked.  She was one to talk.

Henrik appeared to be in sleep clothes, but under his coat.  He approached her with some hesitation, his eyes flickering towards the comcry in her hand.  “Are you speaking to His Highness?”

Tori nodded.  “Our nightly chats.”

Henrik stopped a few paces away and took a deep breath.  “May I have a word with him?”

Tori’s brows shot up.  She looked at Henrik with surprise and then back at her comcry before turning to Henrik again.  “You want to talk to Piers?”

“I thought that perhaps he may have some advice,” Henrik replied.  She gathered that, but couldn’t help but stress.

“Piers?”

“I can speak to him.  I am very knowledgeable.”  Piers spoke from the comcry.  Tori squinted and wasn’t sure if she was in disbelief or annoyed at his sheer confidence.  Or both.

“Oh...all right....”  Unsure what else to do, Tori slid off the enclave and placed her comcry where she sat, motioning for Henrik to take her place.  “A charm is activated, so it’ll be private.”

“Thanks, Tori.”  Henrik gave her a nod and sat on the enclave as she walked a few paces.  She could see his mouth move, but couldn’t hear what he was saying, so she walked up and down the hall, waiting for his man-to-man conversation with Piers to finish.

Every so often she glanced back.  Henrik seemed rather excitable and nodded his head every so often.

What secrets does Piers know?  And since when did he become some sort of expert?  Tori narrowed her eyes.  He better not be sharing anything private with Henrik.

After some time, Henrik slid down from the enclave.  “Thank you, Your Highness.”  For some reason, he bowed at the comcry before turning towards Tori.  “Thanks, Tori.  I know what to write now.”

“Sure....”  Tori gave him a small nod.  “I’m glad talking to him helped.” Henrik walked down the hall, back towards his room and Tori climbed back into the enclave.  She gathered her comcry close to her and almost whispered accusingly.  “What did you tell him?”

“To assure Lady Heidrun that when he pushed her away and asked her to slow down, it was not a rejection of her, but a request to give him time, as it was him who was overwhelmed and did not want to make hasty decisions that could negatively impact their relationship.  It is normal for him to feel overwhelmed in his situation, but as he does not dislike her, he should confirm his interest in her, citing what attracts him about her and how her presence makes him feel, and express interest pursuing a relationship, though they are living apart,” Piers told her.

Tori blinked.  “Did he tell you everything?”

“I cannot give advice without knowing the situation thoroughly,” Piers replied, as if it were obvious.  Tori lifted the corner of her lip.  “He did not say it was in confidence, so I can tell you what happened.”

“No need.  I think I can gather what happened from what you told him,” Tori replied.  “I’m not surprised considering it's the first time he’d been pursued so aggressively.” She slumped back against the wall.  “Though, I have to admit, I’m surprised he came to you.”

“I am knowledgeable.”  He answered so seriously, she was sure he wasn’t joking.  Tori stared at the comcry, unsure of how to respond.  “Communication is very important and it seems there was a misunderstanding.  It is best to clarify at once.”

“Huh....”  Tori narrowed her eyes.  “It’s just....”

“Tori,” Piers’ low voice had a hint of amusement that she almost didn’t catch.  “When have I displeased you?”

She was sure there was a time.  After all, he sometimes did and said things that exasperated her, but when he put it like that, she was rendered speechless.  She lifted her hand and fanned her heated face a bit.

“For someone who avoided social situations for the majority of his life, it seems you are quite knowledgeable.”

“I learned.”  For you, seemed to be a silent addition.  Tori touched her flushed face with her cool palm.

“All right, it’s getting late!” she said.  “I’m going to go to bed.”

“Yes, you must rest since you leave in the morning.  I am already in bed, as well.”  The image of Piers in his deep purple silk sleep wear tucked into a large, four poster bed with a matching eye mask resting on his head made her giggle.  “Sleep well, Tori.”

“You, too.  I’ll call you when we reach Austur Port.  Don’t overwork yourself.”

“I won’t.  I miss you.”

She chuckled.  “Yes, Piers.  I miss you, too.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

Compared to the day before, Henrik looked much more relaxed.  His hair was back in his messy man-bun and his bite marks remained well hidden beneath the collar of his coat.  Tori wanted to ask if he’d written to Heidrun what Piers recommended, but held back so as not to make him uncomfortable.

However, from the looks of his refreshed face, he’d gotten something off his chest.

“I sent her a letter.”  He brought it up to them without prompt as they finished their breakfast before heading to the dock.

Tori and her other friends looked up from their meals.  “Good,” JP said with an approving nod.  “You were up late last night writing.  I hope it was worth it.”

“I did my best,” Henrik said.  “That’s all Prince Piers said I can do.”

Aside from Tori, JP, and Ewan, the others looked surprised.  “You called Prince Piers?” Sonia asked, leaning forward.  “What did he tell you to write?”

Henrik flushed.  “Just to communicate better.”

Sonia huffed.  “That tells us nothing.”

“Leave him alone,” Tori said, though she knew if she didn’t know the details, she’d also pry for more information.  “He looks better today, so whatever he wrote must’ve been satisfactory.”

“I hope so,” Henrik said.  “I sent it out to her before I went to bed.”

Tori jerked her head back.  Henrik really was putting in all his effort.  Commendable.  I hope it works out.

“Do you think she’ll reply?” JP asked.

Henrik tensed and lowered his eyes.  “I hope so.  She registered her comcry with mine.”

Ewan patted his shoulder.  “I’m sure she’ll call, Henrik.”

Tori hoped she would as well.  After breakfast, they gathered their things and met Marquess Salka and Lord and Lady Nordursin in the courtyard with the awaiting carriages.  Heidrun was nowhere to be seen and Tori tried not to dwell on the disappointed look on Henrik’s face.

“Thank you for your hospitality these last few days, my lady.”  Tori bowed to the Marquess.  “I had a wonderful time and learned a lot.  You were right about the need for more crystal technology here.  Once you settle on a pair of crystal masters to send, we’ll await them at Anahata Island.”

The Marquess looked pleased and nodded, taking Tori’s hand.  “It was a pleasure having you.  It is good for you to travel around the empire and observe the needs of your people.  I will be in touch regarding the crystal masters.”

Tori moved on to her brother’s in-laws and confirmed the return date of For Whom the Sun Rises, so that they could be picked up to be taken to Tres Arcos.  Her brother had confirmed that a carriage would be sent to pick them up at the port and that he would personally meet them and escort them to Presidio.

Tori then got on to the carriage for the ride back to the naval dock.  Across from her, Henrik sat quietly against the side, his comcry in his hand.  He seemed to try not to stare at it and engage in conversation with the others, but couldn’t help but have his eyes drawn back to the device.

The further they got from Tromsha; the more disappointed Henrik looked.  It must’ve felt as if they arrived at the dock far too soon.

Heidrun had not called him.

“Just to confirm; does everyone have everything they brought out?” Tori asked as she stood by the entrance of the gangplank and looked at each of her friends like a mother checking her children.  A chorus of confirmations came her way.  “Okay, let’s board.  We have a short trip ahead of us.”

She motioned her hand towards the ramp and her friends got into a single file line to embark.  Around them, the busy naval dock at knights, both imperial and escorting Nord knights, around them.  Other ships were being loaded with supplies and sailors were coming and going.

The familiar crashing sounds of waves filled the air with the creaking of wooden ships and the boisterous atmosphere of people at work.

Once the last of her friends stepped on to the gangway plan, Tori followed.  She didn’t make it two steps up before she heard a woman’s voice shouting.  “Henrik!”

Her head perked up, though the name the woman was calling wasn’t hers.  Like a scene from a movie....  Tori turned around and stepped back off the plank as she saw the tall blonde woman in the distance with one arm in the air and waving around a few sheets of paper with creases on them.

“Henrik!”

“Heidrun?”  Henrik whirled around, stopping in the middle of the gangway.  In front of him, Ewan turned around and looked towards the dock, where Heidrun was weaving through the dockworkers to get to them.

Ewan grabbed Henrik’s bag and took it from his arms.  “She’s calling you!”

“Yes, I know that, but-”

“Henrik, don’t just stand there!  Go!” Sonia reached past Ewan and gave him a small shove with her arm.

Prompted by his friends, Henrik squeezed past Constantine to come down the ramp.  Tori stood to the side, watching as he came down.  He seemed both surprised and happy to see her, but at the same time, uncertain.  The knights circling the entrance to the gangway moved aside to let Henrik through to Heidrun as she shoved the letters into her outer tunic.

“Heidrun-”

His voice stopped at once as a pair of pale hands grasped the sides of his face and the Nord medic sealed her lips over his.

Tori’s eyes widened and she heard a collective gasp come from all directions.  All eyes around them must’ve been on Henrik and Heidrun.  The stunned young man stood in place, his eyes wide and his arms hanging uselessly at his side.  He was frozen up to the moment that she released him.

Heidrun’s big blue eyes looked at him.  “I got your letter!”

“I...I gathered....”  Henrik sounded breathless as he remained standing, stunned.

“I also want to see you again!” Heidrun replied, unable to contact her excitement.  “I will call you often and come see you in Horizon and Viclya when I can if you’re willing to wait.”

Henrik’s head bobbed up and down.  “I’m willing!  Very willing!”

Heidrun’s face seemed to light up even more.  “Then, I’ll see you soon?”

Henrik nodded dumbly.  “Soon....”  Heidrun giggled, blushing.  Her eyes lowered and looked at their connected hands.  Henrik followed her gaze.  “I’m sorry I didn’t explain myself properly.  Communication is important.”

“It’s all right.  You explained everything,” Heidrun said.  “I’m glad you wrote to me.”

“I’ll write more.”

Nice....Tori nodded from the side.  She glanced back at the ship and saw her friends standing by the side, on deck, watching with interest.  She smiled a bit and looked back at Henrik and Heidrun.  She hated to be the one to kill the mood, but they had to leave.  She let out a small cough and stepped forward.  “Henrik.  Heidrun,” she said with a slight smile.  “We have to get going.”

“Yes!  Of course!”  Heidrun laughed and flushed.  She released Henrik to embrace Tori.  “Have a safe journey!”

“Thank you.  When you’re coming to Viclya, let us know and we’ll prepare for you.”  She released Heidrun and turned back, raising a brow at Henrik whose eyes were fixed on Heidrun with a dumb look.  She rolled her eyes.  “Henrik.”

He blinked and jerked his head back.  His face was red as he looked away, sheepish, and backed onto the gangway ramp, though his gaze returned to Heidrun.

His eyes didn’t leave the coast of Enda until For Whom the Sun Rises sailed far enough away, that the dock was no longer visible.

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

He looked over his letter and narrowed his eyes with disgust.  Tori would not be moved by such words.

“If you’re just going to glare at the paper, then why are you trying to write her a love letter?” Axton sat at a smaller desk next to his and glanced up from the folios laying across the surface.

“It is not a love letter,” Piers replied with a slight glare.  “It is a personal letter.”

The corner of Axton’s lip twitched.  “A personal letter?  What does it say?”

“It asks how she is, informs her that I am well, and that I long for her company,” Piers replied.  “The days are long and uneventful without her and I wish for her to be at my side, if only for a short while.”

Axton’s eyes narrowed.  “That’s a love letter.”

“There is no mention of ‘love’ in the letter.”

“There doesn’t need to be.”  Axton snorted and shook his head.  “I can’t believe Henrik asked you for advice.”

“Why is that difficult to believe?” Piers lowered his pen and frowned.  “Of the two of us and his male friends, I am the only one who is not alone.”

“Does Tori know you are not alone?”

“Tori is aware.”

“You’re bragging.”

“She is someone to brag about.”

Axton sneered with disgust and looked back at the papers in front of him.  “I can’t speak to you right now.”

Piers brought his pen back to the paper.  He paused and narrowed his eyes.  “Heidrun kissed Henrik.”

“Good for him.”

“Tori has not kissed me.”

“Tori is like a sister to me and you are like a brother; I do not want to hear this.”

“She hugs me often, though.”

Axton slammed his hand on the desk.  “Piers!”

“Are you not jealous?” Piers asked in a calm voice.  “You should review the young ladies Mother recommended.”

“Is this what it’s all about?” Axton let out a heavy sigh and turned towards him.  “I’m a bit busy right now.”

“I think it would be good for you to meet them before we leave.”

Axton opened his mouth, but paused.  His eyes narrowed as he frowned.  “What do you mean ‘leave”?  We’re not going anywhere.”  Piers didn’t answer immediately and Axton’s gaze hardened . “Piers.  We’re not goinganywhere.”

Piers lowered his eyes.  “Father is being forced to return in a few weeks from his extended holiday in Viclya with Mother.  We will leave the moment their carriage steps through the palace gates.”

Axton raised his hands and pulled at his hair.  “What are you talking about?  Where are we going?  Why are we leaving?”

“I have not yet been to my family’s ancestral fortification.”  He could feel Axton’s heavy, scrutinizing eyes on him.

After a few seconds, Axton’s shoulders dropped and his face fell.  “Piers.  Are you going to meet Tori at Buchenburg?”

Piers folded the piece of paper he’d been writing on and then tossed it into a small bin of trash paper.

“We prefer our communication in person.”