A Mother's Secrets

by Tuppence Van de Vaarst

  He smiled. “Thank you for that, Vinet.”

  They sat in comforting silence for a moment longer. Finally, Vinet smiled at him. “Let’s rejoin the others then, shall we?”

  Nazir nodded and rose to his feet. As he offered her his arm, she smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I needed that.”

  Her eyes widened as the reentered the ballroom. On the edge of the dance floor, away from most of the nobles, Saihid was dancing with a young noblewoman. Vinet’s breath caught. She could not say how she knew, but it was an instinctive knowledge so deep there was no denying it. It was the maiden who’d been at the masquerade, the one who’d spoken to Saihid then. The one who’d called her mother’s daughter. AeresThonEsia. And Pellalindra was glaring daggers at her.

  The maiden led Saihid to the edge of the room near Vinet as the music ended. “Bear not these burdens, sweet Saihid,” she said softly.

  Saihid bowed. “Thank you, Lady Hiliakae,” he said softly. “Please enjoy the rest of the evening.

  The maiden laughed. “Oh, I shall.”

  Vinet blinked. For a moment, the maiden had changed, into the face of the motherly figure she’d been in the Labyrinth. What was AeresThonEsia? Maiden, mother, crone? A swirl of fabrics distracted her, and when she glanced back, AeresThonEsia was gone. She swallowed.

  Pellalindra walked over to her. “Have you seen that woman before?” she asked.

  Vinet blinked. “Only once,” she said cautiously. “At your masquerade.” In that form, at least, she thought.

  Pellalindra shook her head. “I shall have to question Saihid about her later.”

  Humble fabric caught Vinet’s attention. The plain linen stood out among the fancy garb of all the guests. The older woman wearing it had brown hair mixed with gray, and was obviously pregnant. She made her way hesitantly towards Pellalindra.

  “My lord, my lady, my congratulations,” she said.

  Vinet blinked as Lord Auriel walked over. “Lady Kianna,” he said softly, bowing as he took her hand. “It is so good of you to come.”

  Vinet blinked. Lady Kianna was the wife of Lord General Torainn. She had not expected the woman, by all accounts distraught at the disappearance of her husband, to be there.

  From across the room, Vinet saw Conn and Maeve see Kianna and quickly walk over. “Lady Kianna!” Conn exclaimed.

  Kianna turned stiffly. “Hello again, Lord Conn. Is this your wife?”

  Again? Vinet glanced briefly at Conn. Then again, he’d considered Torainn a mentor. Of course, he would have met his wife.

  Conn nodded. “Lady Kianna, my wife, Lady Maeve.”

  “A pleasure.” Kianna seemed distracted. “I am sorry Torainn could not be here, but his duties kept him home. He would have loved to have met you again. And you, General Alexander,” she said, nodding at the older man’s approach.

  Vinet frowned. But Torainn was gone… Something was wrong with Lady Kianna.

  Conn gasped. “But…then Torainn is at home? He has returned?”

  Alexander seemed just as excited. “You have seen him?”

  Kianna shrank back from the excited men. “Why… why yes. He never left. Is it not he who shares my bed?” She glanced around, clearly distraught at the idea that Lord General Torainn had been gone.

  Conn blinked. “Do you not remember why I visited you in the capital, Lady Kianna?”

  “Are you sure you did not come to visit my husband?” Kianna’s voice was sharp. “No one ever comes to visit me!”

  Pellalindra cleared her throat and gave Conn a sharp look. “I am sure they do,” Lady Kianna,” she said firmly. “As you came to visit me today. I thank you for coming.” She smiled at the older woman and snagged a glass from a passing server. “Let us toast the sweet future, Lady Kianna.”

  General Alexander nodded. “To the future, to our children and grandchildren!” He nodded at Kianna. “Do you remember my eldest grandchild, Rian? She’s become quite the terror. Determined to wheedle a horse from me, because ‘real knights ride horses, granddad, not ponies!’ I am determined not to give into her yet.”

  Vinet smiled briefly but remained standing back. Something was dreadfully wrong. She could feel it. She squeezed down on Nazir’s hand.

  Lady Kianna smiled. “I remember. She was a sweet child.” She looked at Lord Auriel. “And how is your own daughter, my lord?”

  Vinet froze, as did the entire group of nobles. Pellalindra’s glass fell to the floor with a shatter. Instantly, a servant rushed over to clean it.

  Pellalindra stepped back. “Oh, I’m sorry, so clumsy of me!” She didn’t seem to care that some of the liquid had splashed on her gown. She turned to Lord Auriel. “Would you care to dance, my dear?”

  Lord Auriel’s expression was implacable. “That would be most pleasing.”

  Vinet took a deep breath as Lord Auriel whisked Pellalindra away. Lord Auriel had a daughter?

  Lady Kianna turned to her and smiled. “And who are you? I have not had the pleasure of meeting you before.”

  Vinet smiled and bobbed a light curtsy. “Lady Vinet of Ninaeva.” She hesitated. “I had the pleasure of meeting your husband in Venia a few months back. Did you ever join him there?”

  Lady Kianna shook her head and stepped closer to Vinet. “No, I do not travel,” she said. She smiled. “Not like yourself, I hear. Your life is full of adventures.” She reached out, her hand gently brushing Vinet’s own.

  Raging fire. Dark corridors. Bright meadows. The wind cutting through the willows around a clear lake.

  The streets of Venia.

  A dragon's laughter tearing through an ancient sky.

  A young woman sitting in a hovel, nursing a babe.

  A harsh war, the ground torn, the skies rent, bodies where trees once stood.

  A seeping darkness in her mind.

  The strength of will to draw herself out, barely.

  Vinet tore herself back to reality. Nazir was holding her, whispering soothingly. Conn and Maeve were staring in alarm. Alexander’s eyes were wide. Only Lady Kianna seemed utterly unaffected.

  Vinet stumbled away from Kianna, trying to process what she’d just seen. “I… excuse me,” she whispered.

  She glanced around desperately. She didn’t know where Kinaevan was. He hadn’t been in the gardens. Pellalindra and Lord Auriel were on the dance floor…

  “Vinet. You need air.” Nazir steadied her as she stumbled. She allowed him to support her as he led them to the gardens. The darkness was a blessed relief after the bright light of the ballroom.

  “I need my father,” she whispered. “Nazir, there’s something terribly wrong!”

  “I can’t leave you alone,” Nazir shook his head. “Vinet, you’re not well.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Gwyn strode through the darkness towards them.

  Vinet nearly collapsed in relief. “Gwyn. I need Kinaevan. I had a vision. Something is wrong with Lady Kianna.”

  Gwyn didn’t hesitate. “I’ll get him. Nazir, you take her someplace more secure than this. There’s a servant’s hallway off the ballroom. None of the nobles will think to eavesdrop there.”

  Before Vinet had a chance to answer, Gwyn had disappeared. Nazir took her arm and guided her back through the ballroom. The servants’ hallway was deserted. She went weak with relief as Lord Auriel and Kinaevan entered the room together, followed by Gwyn and Pellalindra. Kinaevan went straight for her and held her shoulders.

  “A vision?”

  She nodded.

  “Tell us,” Lord Auriel’s voice was calm, but commanding.

  She swallowed. “When Lady Kianna touched me. Fire. Dragons. War. Venia, meadows… and darkness.” She shuddered. The image of the woman with the child flashed through her mind. Why hadn’t she mentioned that? It could have been important.

  She looked up. Pellalindra was staring in shock. Lord Auriel and Kinaevan exchanged grim looks.

  “The same.” Lord Auriel said.

  “But not Venia and the meadow
s.” Kinaevan shook his head. “What have you been doing?” His voice was chiding, but gentle. “You must ground yourself, Vinet.” He took her hand. At his touch, the pain of the vision began to fade.

  She knew what that meant now, grounding. She hadn’t been looking through the trees. She took a deep, shuddering breath. “I didn’t mean to. This was completely unexpected.”

  “Does this mean… Kianna isn’t a danger?” The hope in Pellalindra’s voice was painful.

  Neither Lord Auriel nor Kinaevan confirmed her hope. “We must get her away from the others immediately. To the gardens.”

  Pellalindra’s reactions were a credit to her. Without any further questions, she left, presumably to carry out Lord Auriel’s instructions.

  Nazir’s silent presence was an eternal comfort. She grasped her father’s hand. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I didn’t expect that to happen.”

  He chuckled. “I never expect mine.”

  She looked up. Lord Auriel was staring at the wall, as if deep in thought. She cleared her throat. “I am sorry for disturbing your wedding, Lord Auriel,” she said.

  He shook himself. “No, no. It is better that you shared this vision. Now we can do what must be done.”

  “What must be done?” she whispered. She wanted to ask more questions, but she glanced between Lord Auriel and Kinaevan uncertainly. She still didn’t know how much Lord Auriel knew about Kinaevan, and definitely not how much he knew about her.

  Her father sighed, and Lord Auriel returned to staring. Suddenly he started, and without ceremony left the room.

  She turned her gaze to her father.

  “The great enemy must die,” he said softly.

  “Kianna?” Vinet whispered. “Kianna is the great enemy?” She couldn’t believe that. “The Great Burner?”

  “A host,” Kinaevan grasped her hand even tighter.

  Host. Her eyes widened. “The child?”

  “It seems the Lady was correct.”

  Vinet stumbled backward into Nazir’s arms. “What must be done… are they going to kill her?” she whispered.

  “To save thousands upon thousands of lives, of the existence of life on this earth, yes.”

  She swallowed, bile rising in her throat. Despite the conviction in her father’s words, all she could see was the swell of Kianna’s belly. “I think I might be sick,” she whispered.

  “I am sorry, my daughter. I was hoping I was mistaken, but with your vision…” he shook his head, staring morosely at the wall.

  She blinked and reached out a hesitant hand to his shoulder.

  He started. “I am sorry,” he whispered again. “There is always a great doubt whenever the Sight prevents the Great Burner’s return.”

  She felt her eyes start to sting and blinked rapidly. “Is it always an unborn child?” she whispered.

  He nodded slowly. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

  Vinet felt her own eyes sting, and she turned, burying her face in Nazir’s shoulder. He pulled her close to him.

  They stood there in silence for a moment. Then Kinaevan shifted. “Ground yourself, my child,” he said softly. “The world still turns.” He paused again. “Take care of my daughter.”

  “I will,” Nazir’s voice was firm and steady.

  “Good.”

  Vinet heard the door close as Kinaevan left.

  Nazir held her a moment longer. Finally, he pushed her away, holding her shoulder, and looked her in the eyes. “Let’s go,” he whispered. “You have faced enough today.”

  “They’re going to kill her,” Vinet whispered.

  She felt a tear on her cheek as Nazir nodded. “I know,” he said. “Come, Vinet. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 12: War

  Vinet hesitated at the door to the council session. Whatever was on today’s agenda, it was sure to be derailed. She could already hear the shouting.

  “Nervous?”

  She turned and raised an eyebrow at Kamian.

  He grinned. “I would be. Everyone’s going to be peppering you with questions as soon as you walk in there.”

  “You assume I have answers,” she muttered. She stared at the door. “And that they’re not too involved trying to kill each other.”

  Kamian laughed loudly. “Come now. You flee the wedding in a panic, and in the next half hour Lady Kianna is shot dead by Lord Auriel’s guards? And then you ride back to Ninaeva before anyone can question you? You are going to be in for the questioning of a lifetime!”

  Vinet glared at him. “Those who needed to know already know, Lord Kamian. I am not here to satisfy everyone’s idle curiosity.”

  He raised an eyebrow in surprise. She took advantage of his momentary silence to push open the door and walk into the council chamber.

  It was bedlam. Pellalindra and Conn were on their feet, shouting at each other. Alexander was on his feet as well, prepared to physically intervene if necessary. Dannan was watching with fascination, and Ellil just stared into the fire. The shouting did not lessen at all as Vinet entered the room.

  “Your precious husband killed my mentor’s wife!” Conn was shouting. “I don’t care about his excuses! There needs to be justice!”

  “Justice you will administer?” Pellalindra’s voice was scathing. “How can you administer justice when you are blinded by your own rage?”

  “That’s priceless from you,” Conn said. He was shaking. “Who is it who’s so blinded by affection that she defends her husband with every breath? Did he enchant you into this wedding? Is that why you’re so under his thumb?”

  “You dare?” Pellalindra seemed aghast. “I am Lady of the Council, and he is the Lord Steward of the realm! Are you accusing him of treason?”

  For a moment, Vinet thought that Conn was angry enough to make the accusation right there and then. He glared at Pellalindra for a long moment. “No, but I still think he owes us more than an explanation than we got! And there should have been proper justice involved, not an assassination in the dark!”

  A small, cynical voice in the back of Vinet’s head chided Conn for hypocrisy. No one knew who had given the order that had murdered his uncle and cousins in their feasting hall, but since the perpetrators had escaped, all the safe bets were on Conn himself.

  “What more justification do you need than that she was a danger to the kingdom?” Pellalindra asked.

  “That’s not good enough justification,” Dannan’s voice was low. “I agree with Lord Conn. We are the ruling council until the king decides otherwise. How are we to best protect the kingdom if the truth is hidden from us?”

  “I want the truth!” Conn yelled. “Are you so far gone as to trust the word of a near stranger? One who hasn’t told you the complete truth?”

  Pellalindra paled slightly, but held her ground. “He had already told me about his daughter,” she said steadily. “That was one of the reasons he knew that Lady Kianna was not who she said she was!”

  “She what?” Conn jerked back. “You speak nonsense, Pellalindra,” he snapped. “I’ve met the lady before; a kind, gentle soul, who wouldn’t harm a fly!”

  “It wasn’t her!” Pellalindra shouted.

  Vinet blinked. It hadn’t been Lady Kianna there? She sat down as unobtrusively as she could and thought hard. It either had been Lady Kianna, or a very good magical disguise. Or… Kinaevan had called her a host. Had the Great Burner been working through her? Had Lady Kianna already been dead? Or simply possessed? Could they have saved her?

  She looked down at the table. Could she have saved her? She had hidden one small part of her vision, even from her father. She hadn’t been certain why at the time, but she knew why she was keeping it. The mother and child, somewhere in a hovel in Venia. If she told her father, it would almost guarantee another assassination.

  “Lord Conn, Lady Pellalindra, please,” Alexander tried to intervene. “This is getting us nowhere. Please, calm down.”

  “Calm down?!”

  Vinet winced. That had been the wro
ng thing to say to Conn.

  “Calm down?!’’ Conn continued at the top of his lungs. “A pregnant woman is murdered in front of my eyes and you expect me to calm down?”

  Pellalindra gasped, and Vinet looked up sharply. Pellalindra had bent over and was clutching her stomach. Vinet was on her feet in an instant. Unheeding of anyone else in the room, she walked quickly to Pellalindra’s side and took her arm. She could feel the desperate strength in those fingers as Pellalindra clutched at Vinet. She was so pale.

  “I’m going to faint,” she whispered.

  “No, you’re not,” Vinet whispered back. “Come on. Out of here. One step at a time.”

  By some miracle, no one intercepted them as they walked to the door. Vaguely, she heard Alexander talking to Conn, but she kept her attention focused on Pellalindra. Her eyes widened as she pushed the door open to reveal Saihid. He stared at them both in concern.

  “Saihid,” Vinet snapped. She didn’t give him any time to think. “Take your lady to her bedchamber and call a healer.”

  “I’m fine…” Pellalindra protested weakly.

  Vinet grasped her hands. “You will be. But someone needs to make sure. And provide an official diagnosis for the announcement.”

  She met Pellalindra’s eyes, trying to communicate her meaning.

  Pellalindra’s eyes widened slightly, and she nodded in understanding. Vinet sighed in relief as Saihid took her arm and guided her down the hall.

  She turned back to the council chamber to find both Dannan and Ellil staring at her. Alexander was still trying to calm Conn. Kamian wasn’t helping. Now that Pellalindra was gone, he was making snide remarks to Conn.

  She cleared her throat. To her surprise, the argument stopped.

  “I suggest we all take a recess,” she said, surprised at how calm her voice sounded. “We’ll reconvene here in half an hour.”

  She didn’t wait for anyone to disagree and get wrapped up in an argument. She turned on her heel and walked out of the council chamber, walking quickly down the corridor to the palace gardens.

  She breathed a sigh of relief at the fresh air. It was still Manyu’s Time, but Mazda’s Rise could be felt. There was a tingle beneath the cold, the breath of fresh life.