A platform had been erected near the Solstice tree. Charlotte spotted Keir near the base of the platform arguing with Prince Idris.
“They know you’re here. They’ve seen you. You don’t have to say much,” said Keir. “‘Merry Solstice and a Happy New Year.’ It isn’t complicated.”
“I still don’t see why you can’t do it. It’s going to be your land.”
“No, it’s all going to beyourland—”
“Would you both quit your bickering? I’m the one doing most of the talking,” said Gwenla. “Unless one of you would rather?”
“No, no, by all means,” said Keir, bowing slightly to the dwarf. Neither Alison nor Rinka spoke up to take the honors from Gwenla either.
“Finnli, get down!” Gwenla shouted. Finnli had begun to climb up the platform, and he was making his way towards the Solstice tree.
“But the ornament was crooked—”
“Later,” said Gwenla. “It’ll do for now. I don’t want you up there without a ladder.”
“Reminds me of someone,” Keir whispered to Charlotte. She had been something of a tree climber herself, once.
“Charlotte, would you mind watching him while I’m on stage?”
Charlotte was surprised. She was frequently in charge of the resident cats, but a whole dwarf? She’d never done much child-minding when she lived with the korrigans.
“I want someone who has a chance of getting him down if he manages to get up there,” said Gwenla, gesturing at the tree.
“Alright, I guess—” said Charlotte, but Gwenla was already gone.
“It’s impressive how she manages that,” said Alison. “She gives you a task, and before you’ve had a chance to argue, she’s vanished.”
“Truly an inspiration,” said Rinka.
“She’d better be back soon,” said Idris. “It’s almost time to begin.”
“Oh, humbug, you old misery guts. Some people like Winter Solstice,” said Rinka, elbowing him in the side.
“Miss Charlotte.” Finnli was tugging on the sleeve of Charlotte’s work dress. She realized she should have gone home and changed for the occasion, but if she left now, she might miss it. Plus, she’d have a seven-year-old boy in tow.
“Yes, Finnli?”
“Can we go talk to Mr. Blair?”
Finnli pointed to a figure standing off on his own under an archway that led down to the river. “He looks lonely over there.”
Charlotte felt for Julian in spite of everything. He had been gone for a long time, just as she had, and it could be tough to fit in again in a small village after an absence. It wasn’t that the villagers weren’t friendly, but people tended to get set into their ways, into their routines of who they spoke to and spent time with. She’d managed to reintegrate herself with frequent appearances down at the inn, but she hadn’t seen Julian try the same approach. In fact, she hadn’t seen him outside of his shop at all.
That wasn’t altogether surprising. He’d have to be working long hours in the back after closing to keep up with the demands their competition had brought. But still, Charlotte felt sad to see him on his own.
But just as she’d decided to go over and speak to him, Keir took the stage.
“We’ll go once it’s over,” she whispered to Finnli as the crowd quieted down.
“Welcome to the first annual lighting of the Solstice tree here in Herot’s Hollow,” said Keir. “I’m Dr. Keir Ainsley, the Marquess of Caernock, and I welcome you all to our village. I hope you’ll stay and enjoy the Solstice festivities. Now allow me to introduce our most honored guest, his royal highness, Prince Idris of Loegria and Wilderise!”
Keir bowed to Prince Idris. Charlotte tried to reconcile the man before her, the dragon prince of Loegria, an imposing,devastatingly handsome man in the finest suit she’d ever seen, with the stories Keir had told her of what a ridiculous buffoon he could be.
“Thank you, thank you,” said Idris, waving to the crowd as they applauded with that closed hand wave the royals always preferred. This was meant to be her brother’s best man? “As you know, my father King Derkomai has a great interest in developing Wilderise and bringing this magnificent land into the modern age.”
“Gods save the king!” someone shouted in the crowd.
