Work Text:
“Pheris, what have you done with Ion?”
Pheris was serving lunch to the king and Baron Anacritus. Without Teleus, who had accompanied the other monarchs on the Sapphire, Anacritus had not found managing the army’s camps easy, even with the much reduced numbers of soldiers, and now they were settled for the duration while the new fortifications were built the king had invited him to a more relaxed lunch, hoping, as he said to Ion, to soothe his ruffled feathers.
He went to see the cooks, your Majesty. About three hours previously, in fact.
“Very well. In that case when you’ve finished go and ask Kamet to join us.”
Anacritus looked at Pheris, who had braced himself carefully to fill the king’s glass with water.
“I can spare my man if you need someone. Ion can’t do everything.”
Pheris paused a second before moving on to fetch the amphora of wine. Sensing that the boy might be offended, Anacritus added hastily “although I’m sure this young man does his best. But you won’t be keeping him much longer, will you?”
“Certainly while we’re here,” said the king. “I’m not sending him off with the returning troops, and I can’t think of any other way to get him back to the capital.”
“No, no, I meant that now his, ah, status has changed, you might be thinking of his future.”
The king looked at him narrowly. “His future is with me until I decide otherwise. At least until he is old enough to run a barony.”
“Certainly. Well, the offer stands if you need it.”
“Thank you, Baron,” said the king, who disliked Anacritus’ smarmy attendant intensely.
Pheris eased his way out as quietly as he could and made his way to the tent he shared with Ion.
I’m going for Kamet. I told the king you are eating lunch.
“Mmm?” Ion looked up from the letter he was reading for perhaps the twentieth time. “Yes, Pheris, I’ll be along in a minute.”
Pheris shook his head pityingly and departed.
******
The letter had arrived at Nedus with the returning Sapphire. There were many letters, not all of which would reach their intended recipient, for there was still fighting with the Mede rearguard, and therefore still men dying. The Sapphire’s lieutenant handed over the package to Ion, who quickly abstracted the letters addressed to the king and the single message for himself, conscious of the press of men around him, before giving the bundle to Anacritus’ attendant, who took the Baron’s mail and finally passed the remainder to the commanders for distribution to the men who stood waiting eagerly. Not all of them would be able to read their correspondence, of course; their literate comrades would be in great demand.
Ion slipped the letter into his pocket, wondering how long it would be before he could get away to read it.
******
Ion had disliked the makeshift nature of the army’s camps as they pursued the Mede, even while accepting the necessity, and had initially argued that the arrangement of the king’s tent should be altered, now that they were established here for some time.
“One of us should sleep here, in your tent. In the palace - ” In the palace an attendant slept at the king’s door in case of need.
“But we’re not in the palace, are we? The guards will be sufficient. Such is the nature of tents, Ion, that they will hear my lightest call and should it prove necessary they can summon one of you, assuming you didn’t also hear, since your tent is next to mine. I’d rather you kept an eye on the boy.”
“I don’t think he’s sleeping much, your Majesty.”
“And by implication neither are you. I suspect many people in this camp are in the same situation. Get some lethium if you need it, if the surgeons have any to spare. Or Pheris may have some.”
Ion frowned, remembering how Pheris had used the lethium he carried for his infirmity, though the king hadn’t put any particular emphasis on the point.
“And will you take it too?” he said.
The king scowled. “We’ll see. If I keep the whole camp awake with screaming nightmares I might think about it. And Ion, Anacritus has offered the services of his own attendant, the appalling Georgis. Perhaps we should consider it.”
“Your Majesty must be joking.” Ion appeared genuinely shocked. “Unless – I know it’s not what you’re used to. If you are dissatisfied with our services – or you don’t feel you can trust Pheris – or - ”
“Ion, you idiot. I’m not proposing to force Georgis on you. I merely mention it because there are now just the two of you, and I am aware that Pheris can hardly be a great help.”
“He’s young, and of course there are things he can’t do, but he’s useful enough. He’s intelligent, he listens, he does what he’s told and doesn’t argue.”
“He’s way ahead of Polemus there, then.” Polemus had survived, being one of those attendants who had chosen to fight alongside his family rather than stay with the king. It was true there were others Ion missed more.
“Your Majesty.” Ion spoke more calmly. “The work here is not difficult, with no formal functions. In the circumstances I would prefer to continue with the present arrangement.”
“All right, if you’re sure. And keep Pheris busy, keep his mind occupied. The same goes for you.”
“I don't think it will be a problem,” said Ion with a smile, thinking of all the tasks waiting for him.
******
My darling Ion,
I can’t express how happy I was to have your letter and know for certain that you are well. I miss you so much. It’s difficult to put in a letter, but I am so very sorry about all the friends you lost. I hope you don’t get too despondent. I suspect you may be too busy.
The queen’s attendants are all back now, and I hear one or two of the king’s attendants have returned, those that left the king to join their families I mean, though I haven’t seen them myself so I can’t tell you who they are. My brother is back too. I don’t know if you know he was injured? but it wasn’t too serious and he looks quite dashing with the scar on his cheek. He tells some tall tales of the fighting, but I’ll wait to hear the truth from you. Were there really elephants?
Not long now, surely. The queen is well and seems very busy in spite of her condition. Everyone talks about the new peace and the Charter, and everyone has an opinion, of course: court doesn’t change! But things are slowly returning to normal and there’s less unrest now that trading ships are beginning to come into the harbour again and the markets are getting supplies, though prices are still high.
I told your mother that I was writing and she sends all her love. She didn’t want anyone to write on her behalf, but I know she will be very happy to have you back. She doesn’t really understand why you can’t just come home. I think she was expecting you on the Sapphire. But I know what you said about the king staying away from the peace talks and I think I do understand it, especially with all the debate that’s going on at court now. And of course I know you would never avoid your duty, even if the king would let you go.
Did I mention that I miss you? I think of you camping with the army and try to imagine if you manage to be as elegant as ever. It can’t be easy. But of course you have to keep the king looking, well, kingly, so I expect you have to look as smart as you can. Hopefully some day soon I’ll be able to look after you myself.
Now, Ion, I know what you’ll say, but I’ve made up my mind. We both want to marry. My parents are happy with the match and they like you, you know. So does my brother. My ridiculous sisters have always said you’re the handsomest of all the attendants (they’re not wrong though). I like your mother and I think she approves of me. The only obstacle is this absurd concern of yours about what happened with the King of Sounis and the Mede Ambassador. I know you don’t feel it’s absurd, but Ion, it’s a long time ago now. From everything you’ve told me, I truly don’t believe the king is holding a grudge. (Though he is a noted grudge-holder by all accounts.)
Anyway, I know that nothing I say will convince you he will keep you on if you marry me. So the only way is for you to ASK HIM, Ion. Please. I know it’s hard and there’s a small possibility it will end badly, but we can’t go on like this.
As for me, I’ve been to the temple to pray for our happiness. And I was very brave and enquired about announcing a wedding at very short notice. Apparently it’s quite a usual thing to do at the moment, with so many men returning from the war. We could be married the very day you return if we wanted.
Be brave too, Ion!
Your loving Zenia