101, A decision

Ayya had been called to Tariana’s office. It was the middle of the day, and Ayya hoped nothing was wrong. When she walked into the office, Tariana was standing by the window, Ayya’s father was nowhere in sight.

“Ayya, come in and have a seat,” Tariana said, turning around to look at her. Ayya took her usual seat as Tariana didn’t sit behind her desk, but sat down on the chair next to Ayya. It made Ayya nervous. Something was going on and she braced herself for the worst. 

“Don’t look so worried, my friend. I don’t have bad news,” Tariana told her with a smile. “Unless you count the ever-increasing acceptance letters to your wedding invitation as bad news. All of our allies will be attending, if not the raining ruler then an ambassador. Your new friend, king Richard, will attend alongside his queen,” Tariana told her. 

“Really? His queen didn’t seem like someone that would make such a trip,” Ayya said. 

“Well, apparently your wedding is interesting enough. Cetu will need to erect twice as many tents as the clan uses. He will be so happy,” Tariana said. 

“I still think it’s hard to believe the amount of people we invited,” Ayya said. After discussing it they had invited all allies, the rest of the Che’hul chiefs, the council, Ayya’s and Tenac’s mentors, the usual family and friends, Ayya had even sent an invitation to Anna and her family just to inform her when the wedding was held, high-ranking member of the church and some high-ranking members of the aari and grey riders. In the end, the list had been daunting. 

“Everyone is interested in an event like this. You are a contender for my position. And that is why I have asked you here,” Tariana told her. Ayya nodded and waited for her to continue. “Mikhalie came to see me today, she have been thinking and has decided to withdraw as a contender,” Tariana continued. Ayya looked at her. She had a hard time processing what her friend was saying.

“Why would she do something like that?” Ayya finally asked. Tariana laughed and looked at Ayya with warmth.

“Because it was the best thing to do. It shows she has a good understanding of things. No matter what she did, she would never be able to win,” Tariana told Ayya.

“Why not? She is a good aari.”

“She is, but you are unique. I have told you this before, but I will tell you again. I have always known there was something special about you, and seeing you come into yourself these years has been an honour. To me, there has never been another option. But you still needed to convince the council. Before your journey, you had a lot of the council convinced as well. But now? Now no one doubts that you will be the next Lady. And I will finally be able to call you my daughter,” Tariana explained. Ayya felt her cheeks heat from the praise. “The question is, do you want the responsibility?” Tariana asked. Ayya would have asked for a day to think about it, to be able to discuss it with Tenac. But his insistence that she would be the next Lady made her feel secure he would stand beside her. 

“I accept,” she said. Tariana smiled. 

“Splendid. Let’s plan the announcement. I think it’s best to get it over with as soon as possible. I think you, Tenac and Jason could use some peace and quiet after the wedding,” Tariana suggested. Ayya nodded. It sounded like a good idea. “From now on, you will spend most of your time shadowing me. You can keep your office for now, but we will make sure to move in an extra desk in here as well,” Tariana told her. 

“I look forward to it,” Ayya said. “You remember I need to finish work a little early today?” she asked.

“I remember, you and Tenac are going over to talk to the teacher today,” Tariana said. “Is Jason looking forward to starting school?”

“He likes the idea of making new friends. But he is still nervous about the language.”

“He is getting good at Salmisara. He has nothing to worry about,” Tariana said.

“I know. I think it will get better when he starts, and he gets into it so he doesn’t think about it,” Ayya said. 

“He will be fine. He is an amazing little boy, just like his mother. I see much of you in him,” Tariana said. 

“We share the background, but I swear he is a copy of Tenac. If we hadn’t forbidden him to go to the stables alone, he would be living in the box with Niwil,” Ayya said and chuckled. 

“Yes, I remember how difficult it was to keep my son away from the stable. On the other hand, it was easy to find him when he vanished,” Tariana told her. “How are things going with the house?”

“It is coming along quite well. Dad and Tenac fixed the chimney in the kitchen during the weekend and Tenac, Jason and I have been painting the rooms. Mom and I have a plan for the gardens and Tenac think the house will be finished for us to move furniture into the week before the wedding,” Ayya said. “Thank you again for all the furniture.”

“Don’t mention it. I can’t remember when I had so much fun as when I went with you and let Jason pick out the furniture for his room.”

“He loved the bed we ordered. He can’t stop talking about the head posts with horses’ heads carved into them,” Ayya told her.

“He is destined to be a rider and a clan man isn’t he?” Tariana said with a laugh.

“It feels like he belongs here, like this is the life he is supposed to have,” Ayya admitted.

“Just like you.”

“Just like me,” Ayya agreed. 

A couple of hours later, Ayya and Tenac were walking to the school. Spring had arrived and the little snow that had fallen was now melted and Ayya felt like nature mirrored her own feeling of a new beginning. 

“You’re quiet today. Has something happened?” Tenac asked. 

“I spoke to your mother today,” she said. “Mikhalie has withdrawn from being a candidate.” Tenac stopped and turned to her. He drew her in and kissed her.

“I never doubted it,” he told her. “There was really the only way forward for her,” he added. Ayya shook her head.

“That’s what your mother said.” 

“Great minds,” he told her and kissed her again. “We will stop by that teashop you like on our way home and buy treats for everyone to eat after dinner,” he added.

“My mother will have baked a cake,” Ayya said. 

“How would she know?”

“My dad knows. I suspect he would have sent a message to her. It’s how it usually goes.” 

“What should we get then?” he asked. “We need to celebrate.” Ayya smiled at him.

“How about we go to the marketplace and see if they have some exotic fruits? There should be oranges available still,” she suggested. 

“That is a good idea,” he agreed. 

They spent almost an hour with the teacher. They talked about Jason’s background, what needs he had, about his personality and how his life looked now. Ayya liked the teacher. She was around Ayya’s age and was calm and organised, but had easy to smile and laugh. Ayya felt safe with leaving Jason in her hands. 

“She was nice,” Ayya said as she and Tenac were walking through the market. 

“She was. Jason will like her,” Tenac agreed. They found oranges and a pineapple they bought and started on their way home. 

“Can you believe it’s only two weeks until the wedding?” Ayya asked. Time had moved fast.

“Can’t come fast enough,” Tenac said and looked at her. Ayya smiled and blushed. 

“I agree,” she said. “The guests will start to arrive next week.”

“Will you and Jason be okay to spend a week in your apartment?” he asked. 

“We will. It’s better that uncle Torbren and his wife get to sleep in my parents’ guestroom,” she said. She had a feeling she and Jason would have a quieter time in her apartment than in her parents’ home while her aunt and uncle were in town. 

“Okay then,” he said. They walked into her parents’ house. Over the weeks since they got back home, Tenac had spent all the evenings he was able to with them. Ayya had been right in suspecting her father of spreading the news. She had barely stepped inside before Jason threw himself at her.

“Congratulations, mom!” he shouted as he hugged her waist. Ayya smiled and hugged him back.

“Thank you, Jason.”

“Bettina has made a cake with strawberry jam,” he informed them. Even if Jason had started calling Ayya and Tenac, mom and dad, he still called his grandparents by name.

“That sounds amazing. We have some fruit with us we can eat tonight,” Tenac told him and showed him the oranges and pineapple. Jason had never seen a pineapple before and got excited. 

“Congratulations, I knew you could do it,” Ayya’s mother said and gave her a hug. 

“Thanks, mom,” Ayya said, and then she was pulled into a hug by her father.

“I’m proud of you, little one,” he said.

“Thanks, dad,” she said and hugged him back.