Chapter 9

Linith weddings were traditionally held just before dusk in the bride’s family residence. Once the ceremony was finished, it was followed by a banquet. Griffith and Roslind had decided to hold their wedding at Aven to be married in what would become their new home. They had decided on a garden wedding, and it was a very small group of people in attendance. Yu-Jun had offered to host a big party the next time they were in Altrane.

Roslind had a silver cornet on her head with tiny bells that jingled lightly as she walked. She was dressed in a very light blue gown with silver embroidery, and the lamp light reflected off her dress every time she moved. Griffith’s mother had taken them into the family’s jewellery vaults, and Roslind had found a ring that she loved. Griffith had offered to buy her something new, but she liked the one she had picked knowing that one of Griffith’s ancestors had worn it.

The back terrace of Aven held tables covered in white linen cloths with a centrepiece of tall and small candles and green ferns and flowers. In the centre of the garden was a wire arch that had been decorated with flowers and candles. Large hanging and standing lanterns provided some romantic light, and a small group of musicians were playing softly in the background.

Griffith watched Roslind make her way down the terrace and across the grassed area to stand in front of him.

‘You look like a vision,’ he told her as he held her hand. He felt his heart racing.

Their hands were tied together in red ribbon. After they committed their lives to each other, Griffith leaned forward to kiss Roslind’s forehead.

Six months later, Roslind was in her sitting room at her desk, looking over Aven’s record book. They were in good order, but she knew that there was some room for review and improvement more aligned with her personal taste. She had organised her initial meetings with the key staff members, which she felt had gone well. She was finding her feet at Aven and settling into her role. It was a little isolating, but she knew that she would make friends with some of the women whose husbands were either assigned to Aven barracks or were instructors at the Academy. She had yet to go into Pendtref, but Griffith was going to take her there soon.

‘My lady.’

‘Come in,’ Roslind called

The housekeeper bowed. ‘Are you happy with the menus for next week? Are there any changes? Also, the estate manager is here to meet with you.’

‘Ah, bring him in when we are finished. The duke and duchess will be at Tenby next week and advised they will come for dinner Friday and stay for a few days. They may bring some friends.’ Roslind smiled at the housekeeper—the duchess often invited people to come with them from Altrane to visit Tenby and Aven.

The next two hours were spent going over the estate management. Roslind had been shocked when she had first begun—it wasn’t just the estates of Aven, Tenby and Altrane. The was the shipping business, the tenants and the retail stores; it was a vast business that looked like it just kept growing. But what surprised and delighted her was the resources spent on the people of Aven, educating the children and providing medical care to the people.

‘Thank you so much, Mr Halen. I feel like I am getting better at this as we seem to be getting through it quicker.’

‘I think you are doing very well, my lady. The Ryeland business is a vast one.’

‘Please call me Roslind; you call Griffith by his first name. Will you be staying overnight, or do you need to head off again?’

‘I need to see Griffith before I go, there are a few things I need to run by him for Alamein, Roslind. And please, call me Everett.’

After dinner, Griffith and Roslind made their way out to the garden. He could already see the changes that Roslind was beginning to implement. There was still the large, grassed area next to the terrace, and it looked like Roslind was building a central courtyard with three outdoor rooms interconnecting from the central one that joined to the back walls of Aven. The outline of the various winding paths had begun; Griffith was interested in seeing the final product.

‘This will be the bamboo garden. I can’t wait to put the plants in. I think I will have a winding water feature and a large pergola. All the paths will be lit, so you can use it both day and night.’ She sighed with happiness.

‘I will admit I am enjoying watching the gardens come to life,’ he told her.

‘You want to help me plant?’

‘I said watching, not doing.’ He grinned at her, pulling her in for a hug.

They stood standing in the dark just holding each other.

‘After my parents come to visit, I think we should take a little trip. I need to show you something. We’ll be gone for a couple of weeks, but I’ll ask that you pack light because it will just be you and I on horses,’ Griffith said.

They left under the cover of darkness heading into the mountains. They climbed for days, stopping each night. Roslind didn’t think there was a path they were following, to her it seemed they were just moving through the forest, rocks and hills, but Griffith seemed to know the way. He wouldn’t tell her where they were going. He just kept saying she would see when they got there.

‘Griffith, where are we?’

‘We will crest the Geomeunsan mountain range soon. Is the altitude affecting you?’ he asked her in concern.

‘No, I am fine.’

They had been leading their horses through a narrow path between two rock walls. It wasn’t a tunnel, as way above her she caught a glimpse of light, but she couldn’t see any ahead.

‘Just up here the path opens. If you don’t like heights, don’t look down. Just keep walking and follow me.’

Roslind wasn’t scared of heights, but when the path opened up, all she could see was sky. She knew they had to be very high up given the amount of time they had been climbing. She paused at the opening, taking a moment to look around. It was such a clear bright day that she could see the ocean far off in the distance. Griffith had taken the path to the left, so she patted her horse’s nose and clicked softly, tugging the reins to follow him. The path was frightening; one move could send you tumbling down the sheer rock face. She was happy when the path turned inwards to another one enclosed by rocks. Some of the ground was muddy as there were small trickles of water forming puddles on the ground. A clear space opened up, and Roslind brought her horse to a stop next to Griffith’s.

‘What I am about to tell you is only known to a few people outside of Tettenburg. My family is from a long line of warriors known as the maengleohan. In the past, they were fierce warriors, feared in battle. My family has retained the teachings and training. It is part of the reason I was so successful in my military career. What you are about to see is Tettenburg. My family are responsible for it; it is the King’s secret. He wanted something for the safety of Dernancourt because he believes that there is a threat. This place needs to remain secret, and it needs to be self-sufficient. While it may not have seemed like it, these signs are carved into the three pathways up the mountain.’ He held out a token with a square with a circle in the middle surrounded by four arches that were engraved with dragons and flowers on a patterned background.

She looked at him in shock.

‘Come,’ he said as he pulled his horse through the small opening.