The water poured down in sheets. It washed away the snow and turned the streets to mud. Rumbles of thunder shook the roofs of Stagfell already assaulted by the pelting rain. It was hard not to imagine this as not the work of some sorcery Balian reflected as he looked out from a doorway into Redemptio Keep's courtyard. The doors to the stable were his objective across the yard turned lake. He raised the hood of his cloak and splashed his boots out into the deluge.
Balian, fourth son of the Northstar, was skilled in all forms of martial weapons. He could maneuver a charger as if the animal were an extension of himself. More recently Balian had polished his skill in the art of diplomacy and even learned the language of the Fey. However, nothing in all his studies and experience had prepared him for the task that now lay before him. Uncertainty lurked around the fringes of his mind as he stood before the stable door. He took a deep breath and entered.
His nose was greeted by the familiar smells of fresh straw, manure, and horse sweat. The mixture made an aroma that he knew all his life. From his days at the Northstar Keep as a page and then a squire, to his exile out into the Stolen Lands at Oleg's stable as well as the stable he stood in now at Stagfell. Balian took a moment to take comfort in all the memories and steel himself for what he must do. What little courage he gathered was lost when he saw movement at the back of the stable.
The roar of the rain above was deafening, but Balian could barely hear Svetlana Leveton humming to herself. Her back was to him as she brushed her mare. The mare had given birth to a foal just after her return from the trading post three months prior. The scene reminded Balian of the first time Svetlana revealed her secrets to him over a year ago.
***
"Surtova." Svetlana spoke in a quiet voice. Suddenly -- the curve of her face, her mannerisms, her walk, the curl of her R's that she let slip every so often. All of it snapped into place for Balian. That something familiar that had been bothering him ever since he met the girl. Svetlana lowered her head and leaned against the mare in defeat.
"I pray that you will not tell others my dear Balian. Please." She looked up with tears and pleading eyes. "I don't know how, but you always seemed to know me. Even when covered in filth out here on the frontier." Svetlana wiped away at her tears as she composed herself with a small lift of her chin.
"My father is Domani Surtova, Uncle to King Noleski Surtova. My mother was a common woman, a gifted rider and horse breeder. My father made sure I had a proper upbringing until my mother passed. Then, when Lady Surtova discovered me, it was all my friends at the stables could do to hide me away. I was ten and left alone on the street. I- I ended up in a brothel." Svetlana looked away in shame.
Svetlana found it difficult to speak but began telling Balian of her time in Restov, surviving on the street. She broke down at that point, crying on Balian's shoulder. He learned between muted sobs that at the brothel she had a son but that he was taken from her only to learn later that the boy died from cholera. She never told Oleg any of this.
Balian listened in shock at her story. He knew the relations between House Surtova and Orlovsky are icy. House Orlovsky only acknowledges Surtova as Lord Regent after the disappearance of House Rogarvia, the true rulers of Brevoy.
Nevertheless Balian, in a traditional Brevonian show of fealty, dropped to his knees and drew his sword, placing the hilt towards her hands and the point of the blade at his own breast. "Your secret is safe and my sword is yours my Lady, the true heir of the Greenbelt. These lands should be yours to rule, even if you do so by a different name. What would you have me do?"
Her eyes wide in shock, Svetlana shook her head numbly at Balian's words.
"No, no! I am no ruler, I- I am hardly more than a stable girl." Her voice trembled. Looking down at Balian she took a deep breath and calmed. Her eyes softened. Carefully she moved the sword away from Balian's chest. Falling to her knees she clasped Balian's hands.
"House Orlovsky is right. My uncle has not the right to rule! Neither do I Balian. Men such as yourself who earn their place with courage and sacrifice have the right to rule. You who would put others before you, even unto death. I have seen you do so time and again." She placed a soft hand on Balian's cheek.
"If you would do as I ask. Please tell no one, my sweet Balian. I cannot bear to even think of it, it hurts me so. When I came here I wanted to die. Oleg saved me. But you Balian, you have brought me back to life! Seeing you, the way you ride and protect others." Svetalana was startled by a noise in the stables as workmen approached.
Balian, aware of the approaching workers, rose and squeezed her hand before he released it and began brushing the horse. "You will discover that you are stronger than you ever thought. My oath is not easily given and never forgotten. You are safe my Lady," he whispered.
***
Sensing his presence, Svetlana stopped brushing and turned around. Although she carried herself as if nothing was wrong, Balian could see her eyes were heavy with worry. She knew that Balian just finished a meeting with the Baron that would decide the fates of several nobles on the ruling council.
No use in tarrying, Balian attempted to bolster himself, when in doubt, charge.
"My Lady, the Baron has made his decisions and decreed that several of the ruling nobles are to wed. I regret to inform you..."
Svetlana frowned at the cold formality in Balian's voice as he continued.
"...that for the time being the Baron will not reinstate you in your position of councilor, but do not fret, there are two important tasks to keep you occupied."
Balian waved his hand about the stable and towards the new foal. "The breeding of a strong stock of war horses is essential for the kingdom's survival and depends on your knowledge and experience. There is also the monumental task...," Balian felt as if a stone lodged itself in his throat. He kneeled and took both her hands within his, "...of planning our wedding if you would honor me."
Svetlana's eyes shone as stars as her worries melted away. "Yes!" was all she managed to exclaim as she grabbed Balian's rain-soaked cloak and pulled him down into the fresh straw.
