by Eve Langlais
The guard pointed to each one in turn. “Library. Art. Relics.”
“What’s the fourth one?” Agathe asked, noticing he’d ignored it.
“Conservatory.”
“Like a garden?” Hiix asked with interest.
“Used to be. It’s dead now.” The most the guard had said since he’d fetched them. “When done, return to the entrance and someone will escort you back to your rooms.”
“No need to bother. I’m sure you soldiers have more important things to do. We can find our rooms on our own,” Agathe offered breezily.
The soldier eyed her and let his expression detail his thoughts on her offer before he turned on his heel and left them.
“Isn’t he just a lovely lad?” Hiix muttered.
Venna, on the other hand, didn’t care. She’d already aimed for the library, where they joined her at a more leisurely pace. They met Herral, the man in charge of it, and a good thing they had his help, as it turned out to be grander than expected.
Floor-to-ceiling bookcases rose more than one level. The middle of the room held a few long tables and chairs, most of them being used by scholars, their heads bent over books. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t only men studying.
Seeing the amount of material, a spark of hope lit inside Agathe. Perhaps something had been missed.
“Oh my, this is exciting.” Venna practically had vapors as she chattered to Herral about where to start.
Hiix snorted. “I don’t know about you, but I’m more interested in the art. Pictures are worth more to me than words.” Hiix didn’t like to admit that her reading skills were limited.
Agathe could decipher many texts but found herself too restless to sit and browse. She followed Hiix to the gallery where the art proved fanciful in nature. Many of the paintings with their vivid depictions reminded her of the map she’d seen in that old room in the catacombs under the Abbae. Vistas that didn’t resemble the King’s Valley at all. Bodies of water with massive sailing ships, so big people appeared as mere specks riding in them. The lakes could never hold anything that size.
The strangest ones, though, were of a lush land with massive, jutting monoliths so tall they pierced the clouds in the sky. As if an artist had reversed the Abyss with the King’s Valley. Quite the imagination.
There were no pictures of people. Not a single one. But there were a few sculptures of fanciful creatures she’d never before seen nor imagined, such as the horse with a horn on its head and another rather corpulent creature with a long snout and big, floppy ears.
While Hiix perused the art more closely, Agathe wandered next door to the relic room that mostly contained fancy cups and jewelry. It even had a massive mirror with an ornate frame. Its opaque surface reminded her of the broken one Belle had found at the Abbae. Agathe reached out fingers but hesitated. She withdrew them without touching.
The next exhibit was a ring and a matching necklace set with dull stones. Boring. Most of the items were useless, more ornate than practical. She exited the room and eyed the library with all the books.
She really should be helping, but curiosity drew her to explore the final room, the conservatory, which held no live plants or illuminated lamps as promised. It didn’t stop her from stepping inside, the light from the atrium enough to make her away around without running into anything.
At the far end, against the wall, she discovered another dry fountain faced by a stone bench. A good spot to sit and stare at the statue in the middle of the empty basin. An actual statue of a person. It reminded her of the Goddess in some respects, as it had a commanding air, a sword in one hand and a skull in the other. Modeled after who? Agathe wondered. Certainly not the King.
The style reminded her of the only statue of the Goddess she’d ever seen, a part of a stone garden in the Eighth. She’d held a similar pose but with a broken arm and a chipped robe.
As Agathe stared at the stony visage, she couldn’t help but think something was off about it. Standing, she stepped into the basin and ran her fingers over the stone. Smooth. Cold. The craftsmanship was incredible.
Did it hide something? She put her hands on the surface and blacked out.
Chapter Forty-Two
Agathe blinked awake and could have groaned at the stiffness in her body. The bench she lay on didn’t make the greatest bed.
Why am I sleeping here? She didn’t remember lying down. The last thing she recalled was sitting and staring at the statue. It remained as before, holding its sword.
She rose, and her body creaked. How long had she been asleep? Exiting the conservatory, she peeked into the relic room and gallery before the library, only to find them all empty. With a frown, she went to find a soldier by the entrance to the atrium.
“Where is everyone?” Agathe asked.
“Gone to dinner. Would you like to join them?”
“Dinner?” But that was hours away. “What time is it?”
“Almost sundown. Are you hungry?”
She had difficulty grasping the fact that she’d slept the day away. Unheard of. Unless she’d been drugged. “I think I need to go to my room.” Because she suddenly felt queasy.
She barely lifted her head as they quickly made their way to her room, where she eyed the water jug suspiciously and paced until she heard noise next door. Only then did she barge into Hiix’s quarters.
“There you are!” her Soraer exclaimed. “We wondered where you’d gotten to.”
Venna, drinking from a cup and reading a book, barely offered her a glance. “Where have you been? You missed dinner.”
“Why didn’t you come find me?” she asked.
“We looked, but you were nowhere to be found.”
“Did you not check the conservatory?”
Hiix wrinkled her nose. “We did, but not for long. That place is creepy.”
“I was napping on the bench,” she admitted.
Hiix shook her head. “No, you weren’t. And since when do you nap?”
Venna snickered. “Guess old age is catching up to you.”
“It was weird. I woke up on that bench by the fountain. Maybe you saw a different one.”
“That’s the only one in there. So, where did you really go?”
Well. Wasn’t that an interesting question? One with no answer yet. So, she lied. “I went exploring and got lost. Good thing I wasn’t caught.”
“Idiot! We just got here,” Hiix exclaimed.
“Leave her alone,” Venna huffed. “Are you hungry? We brought up some snacks.”
Her tummy rumbled, and she sat in a chair to dig into the bowl of baked and flavored nuts that crunched with a salty tang. The fruit provided a sweet and juicy aftertaste.
As she ate, Venna kept reading while Hiix rattled on about the defense in the Citadel. Archers, and oil that could make the walls slick and easy to set on fire.
Agathe half listened as she tried to wrap her mind around the hours she’d lost. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she stood. “I’m going to lie down.”
Venna paused in her reading long enough to ask, “Are you okay, Agathe? You’re acting oddly.”
Odd was her Soraers not panicking more when she hadn’t appeared for dinner. “Just tired. Old age. It’s catching up to me,” she said with a weak smile. In her case, given what’d happened to her in the past, faster than most.
“A good night’s sleep in a bed is just what you need.”
But, apparently, it would have to wait because she opened her bedroom door and came face-to-face with Maric, wearing a glower. “Where have you been?”
“I was in Hiix’s room.”
“All afternoon? You missed dinner.”
“I had a nap and didn’t wake in time. What can I say? I had a busy night. Guess my body needed the rest.”
“When you didn’t show for dinner, Xaav went looking for you. You weren’t in the Hall of Learning, and yet, according to all the guards, you never left it.”
“I had a long nap in the conservatory.”
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“That room isn’t fit to be used.”
“Tell that to the comfortable bench. I had a great sleep,” she lied. As if she’d admit to lost time. “So, if you’re done haranguing me—”
“I am not haranguing but showing concern for a guest.”
“Duly noted. You may leave now.”
“You’re sure you want me to leave?”
“Yes.”
He stood there, saying nothing.
Agathe quirked a brow. “Was there something else, General Knight?”
“You need to be careful.”
“Aren’t I always?”
His laughter barked. “Since when?”
“If you ask me, being cautious is overrated. Those who wait are most likely the first to die.”
Maric arched a brow. “Is this a complaint about the citizens and the fact that they’ve yet to form a militia?”
A scowl tugged her lips. “Xaav tattled.”
“He says you think everyone should be up at dawn learning to fight. So, I will ask you, who will teach them? Where will they get weapons?”
“What will they do when the monsters keep coming? Who will bury them when no one is left?” she countered.
“If no one is left, then it won’t matter.”
“Why aren’t you doing something to prevent it?” she huffed, angry at him and the mismanagement she perceived.
“It would be giving them false hope. Because the truth of the matter is, the Valley is doomed.”
“That seems rather fatalistic coming from you.”
“Things set in motion a long time ago have come to fruition. It’s too late to change the course of the future.”
“Our ancestors turned the tide once before.”
“They did,” he agreed. “Because of the Blessed. Without them, there is nothing to hold back the mist.”
“Then find another way. A better one.”
“There is none.” His harsh claim. “Do you think we haven’t looked? Tried?” His expression turned icy.
“Maybe it’s time to try something new. A way that doesn’t have a King justifying sacrificing the Blessed.”
“They agree when they take the oath at the festival.”
“They have no idea what they’re really signing up for. The King is lying to them and should be stopped.”
“You’re speaking of treason.”
“I’m advocating for the Blessed, who are the ones suffering.”
“Be careful to whom you relate these kinds of statements.”
“Are you trying to censor my speech?”
“Just warning you that your opinion might not fall in line with that of the King’s loyal subjects.”
“Maybe I just see things more clearly.”
“Or you’ve let emotion cloud you.”
“How is it that everyone loves the King?” She couldn’t help her annoyed pitch. “Do you kill anyone who speaks negatively of him?”
“Is it so hard to believe he’s not a bad person?”
“Yes.”
“And as his soldier, do you think I am a horrible person, too?” Maric asked.
“Yes.” Not the entire truth. Maric appeared to have many redeeming qualities, even his damned loyalty was commendable.
His jaw tensed. “Well, then. Since I’m such an irritant, I guess I won’t bother you further.”
“Good.”
He whirled around and stomped off, only to pause and rapidly spin back around. “Catch.”
She reached out and caught something firm. A peek showed a plum, a tasty fruit she rarely got a chance to eat.
Before she could say, “thank you,” he was gone. Their meeting was terse, unlike the night before. However, it did result in one good thing.
A goal. Find out what exactly happened with the Blessed once they got inside the Citadel. She knew nothing once they got past the gate. Such as, how did they lose their purple eyes?
Tomorrow, she’d go looking for answers—and avoid conservatories with statues.
Chapter Forty-Three
The night passed without incident. The breakfast provided was hot and filling. Their guide was more than happy to escort them to the Hall of Learning, their rooms, the courtyard—under surveillance. In other words, public areas.
Forget wandering around on her own. The moment Agathe opened her door, she saw the silver glint of armor. Heard a creak of metal. Knew she’d be stuck with a shadow that wouldn’t let her explore anywhere interesting.
How could she sneak off to be alone?
The answer was…she couldn’t. Not without a distraction. For that, she needed help.
She exited her room, ignoring the soldier, and knocked on Hiix’s door. It opened right away, and she noticed her Soraer not dressed for bed. It caused her to arch a brow. “Going somewhere?”
Her Soraer stammered and blushed. “No. Just not ready for sleep yet.”
“You combed out your hair.”
The remark brought a scowl to Hiix’s lips. “If you must know, I am expecting a visit from Baer.”
“Is that wise?”
“I’d say it is, or have you not noticed we’re currently locked inside a castle? It might be useful to have a friend or two.”
“These people aren’t our friends. If they knew—”
“But they don’t. And they won’t.”
“You’re awfully interested in Baer.”
“Not to the point I’ve forgotten I’m a Soraer of the Shield.”
“Good.”
“Why are you still dressed?” Her Soraer pointed.
“I want to go exploring, but the King’s men won’t let me.”
“You want a distraction?” Hiix caught on quickly.
“Got an idea?”
“Don’t I always? Return to your room and be ready.”
The moment, when it arrived, involved Hiix screeching about a mouse. The Maeder opened her door and hollered, “Get it! Quick. Before it bites me!”
The soldier left his post and entered the room long enough for Agathe to bolt.
She’d worry later about how to get back to her room undetected. Now that she was free to roam, she had to pay attention. She also needed a disguise, which was why she shadowed a servant who was sweeping the halls. Sure enough, she led Agathe to a storage room with buckets and a broom, even some spare clothes and aprons.
Broom in hand, it proved a lot easier to wander around, head ducked and not meeting anyone’s eyes. She swept away, glad no one actually paid attention to the fact that she lacked a bin for the dust.
It proved a little too easy to move around, there being fewer soldiers than expected. It was a known fact that boys usually outnumbered the girls at the festivals.
She’d begun by searching the wing she was in with her Soraers, heading upstairs first and finding hall after empty hall and bedrooms, some with sitting areas. She discovered the Citadel was divided into a three-piece pie. The section she was in had only up or down as options. There was no way to search the entire floor. Although, she was convinced there had to be secret passages between them.
Three levels above, she came across a room full of dusty furniture fit for a nursery. A shiver wracked her, and she hurriedly escaped.
She couldn’t go any higher, so she went down, moving quickly, wondering if Maric and his spies had noticed her missing yet.
There were more people around, mostly servants going about their day. They chatted amongst each other, relaxed, content. Seemingly happy even though they’d been sold to the King as chattel.
Perhaps for many, this life appealed. Luxury and no real hardship, only the loss of some magic they never knew they had—and possibly couldn’t use.
Trying to go past the ground floor level proved tricky, Agathe quickly realized. All the stairwells were guarded. Could she possibly brazen her way past the men?
Perhaps, but more likely she’d be detained, questioned, and then Maric would arrive. She’d lie, but he’d know she had been spying.
&nb
sp; Then what? She’d screw them out of a chance to make a real difference. Especially since she remained more conflicted than ever about the King’s fate. What if he didn’t have a choice?
Ditching the broom, she found a hall that didn’t lead her back to where she expected. Rather it spilled into a massive corridor with alcoves containing suits of armor that gave her a start until she realized they were decoration and not actual soldiers.
A distant noise had Agathe ducking behind the last suit of armor before the arch to a new room. Just in time. A woman carrying a tray came into sight at the far end of the hall. A snood hid her hair, and yet her neckline was wide enough to bare her shoulders. Someone kept pace by her side, wearing a floor-length hooded cloak.
As they neared the end of the hall, she heard the woman say, “Don’t you worry. I’ve got this. Be ready.”
“I will.” The voice… It sounded familiar.
They turned the corner, and Agathe quickly followed, hugging the edge to listen. A quick peek showed an expanded space with columns and a long-dry fountain in the middle, with a stone bench around it. The person in the hooded cloak crouched out of sight as the servant with her tray weaved around the dead fountain and headed for a pair of silver-clad soldiers standing watch by a door. What did they guard?
“Korvin!” the servant cooed.
“Anla, what a surprise to see you,” replied one of the guards. “I thought you were assigned laundry duty.”
“I was, but I convinced that prat Nenny to switch with me. I heard you were working and thought you might like some company.”
Korvin’s friend wasn’t happy about her appearance. “She’s not supposed to be here.”
“Going to tattle, Bergh?” Korvin sneered, his impressive mustache adding to the effect.
“Now, boys. No fighting. Only pleasure. Would it help if I said I brought a little something to warm the belly?” She waggled the tray.
“That does help a lot. And I’ve got a big something to thank you with,” leered Korvin.
“We’re gonna get in trouble.” Bergh still wasn’t convinced.
The rule-breaking guard had a response for that, too. “Only if we get caught. Give Anla a try. Believe me, she’s worth it.”