“It is astounding. That glow is… intoxicating.”
She put her hand over it. “Don’t stare into it too long. It can become addictive.”
“Interesting,” Cadrin said.
“How is Narelle?” Farius asked.
“She is visiting a friend. I expect her return soon. Brom, please bring some Elvemon tea for our guests?” He turned to her. “A taste of home?”
“I never expected to find Elvemon this far from the woods,” she said. “Thank you.”
Brom promptly returned with a tea service. Farius and Cadrin took the leather chairs while the others sat on stools near the fire.
“Now, I am sure you are aware that there has been a… change in our city. A small force from Selandis has arrived and is patrolling Lahara.”
“You did not try to stop them?” Farius asked.
“Lahara has no standing army, and we had no warning. Surprisingly, they have been fairly benign.”
“They display Vorea’s banner as though she owns the city,” Farius said.
“Their commander, Drox, assured me they are here to protect Lahara.”
“Protect it from what?” she asked.
“He wasn’t specific.”
“My friend, I fear you are being too accommodating. You do not believe him, do you?”
“No, of course not. But for the moment, I have little choice but to oblige them. He has several hundred men at most. The council and I are still in full control. More than can be said of Selandis. It has crumbled under her fist.”
Farius took a deep breath. “She has Maeva.”
“I am sorry, Farius. Maeva is strong. If anyone can escape Vorea’s grasp, it is her.”
“I will save her,” Niv said. “And with the help of the amulet, I can put a stop to Vorea’s tyranny. But we need your help.”
Cadrin took a sip of his tea. “Niv’leana, you have the strength of your mother and father. Vorea would be a fool to underestimate you.”
“She may have been born to us, but she was raised by Cherin and Ren, two of the most kind, intelligent people I know. They deserve most of the credit.”
She appreciated Farius’s humility. “Despite the power in my lineage, I fear no ancestry is strong enough to face Vorea alone. That is why we came to you for help.”
“I cannot raise an army to defend my city, let alone challenge Vorea,” Cadrin admitted. “However, I will aid you however I can.”
“Anything you can do will be most helpful,” she said.
“Have you contacted the Den’tari?” Cadrin asked. “They are in far better position to help than us.”
“No,” Farius replied. “We barely made it here in this horrible weather.”
“I can supply you with fresh horses and provisions. I know they are not generally receptive to guests, but if you could make them see what’s at stake, they may help.”
“Perhaps,” Farius said. “We will require every advantage we can get.”
“You must stay for a few days to recuperate from your journey,” Cadrin said. “Some warm food and fresh clothes will do you good.”
“Thank you for your offer, Cadrin,” she said. “The situation is dire, but our harrowing journey has drained us.”
“The wear on your souls is evident in your faces,” Cadrin said. “Except Farius, of course. My friend, you never look tired. How do you do it?”
“I am not at liberty to say.”
Cadrin grinned. “One of these days I’ll get you to laugh.”
Farius looked shocked. He froze for a moment, and then the color drained from his face. Despair washed over his countenance. He leaned over and put his head in his hands.
She rushed to him and put her hand on his back. “What’s wrong?”
He took a while to regain his composure. “I can no longer feel your mother’s presence.”
Chapter 30
Niv took her father’s hand. “Vorea could be blocking your connection.”
Shareis knelt beside Farius. “She is right. This could mean many things, druid. Do not jump to conclusions.”
Farius stared into the fire. “I know you are right. But I have never been without our telepathic bond. It is… unsettling.”
“You need rest, my friend,” Cadrin said. He called for Brom. “Please prepare rooms for Farius and his companions.”
Brom bowed. “Yes, sir.”
After a short while, Brom returned and led them to their rooms. Niv sat on the edge of her bed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. It was comfortable, yet quiet. The bulk of her childhood was spent in solitude, reading, writing, and using her imagination. Several weeks of travel with friends had broken her shell and kindled her desire for companionship. The experience of silence was distressing.
A knock at the door rustled her from her introspection. “Your bath is drawn, my lady,” an older maid announced.
The woman led her to another room with two large metal tubs. Frasie splashed in one of them.
“Come on Nivvy, get naked and enjoy the suds!”
“I can’t wait.”
She disrobed and climbed into the other tub. She eased into the warm, soapy water, allowing its penetrating heat to wrestle away the dirt and soothe her sore muscles.
Frasie dunked her head. A few bubbles emerged, and then a mass of soaked red hair emerged from the suds. Her curls disappeared under the weight of the water. Frasie blew away a bubble that had lodged itself near her lips. “Doesn’t this feel great?”
She leaned her head back against the rim of the tub and allowed her body to float. “Absolutely.”
“Apparently, they can only bathe two people at a time in this house,” Frasie said.
“Is that a problem?” she asked. “Back home, we only pulled out the washtub once a week.”
Frasie swished her hands through the water. “No, it’s fine, but… Aiden and Shareis will be next. I don’t want them bathing together.”
“You’re forgetting Farius,” she said. “Besides, they wouldn’t draw baths for opposite sexes. I’m sure Shareis will bathe alone.”
“They’d better!” Frasie said. “I don’t need any competition.”
“Relax, Frasie. You’re worrying about nothing.”
She allowed her head to completely submerge. The warm water lulled her into a deep state of relaxation. When she raised her head, she noticed Frasie had moved to the other side of her tub near her. “What’s wrong?”
“I was getting worried, Nivvy. I was talking to you and then all the sudden all I could see was your boobs. You were underwater too long.”
She chuckled. “I’m fine.” She ran her fingers through her soaked hair. “It just feels so good to be getting clean.”
Frasie looked down at the tub. “My water is filthy! I can’t believe I was carrying around all this dirt. Aiden will think I’m some kind of weird, grungy woman.”
“Weird, maybe. But we were all grungy. Well, all except Shareis.”
“Shareis?”
“Yes. Her hands were pristine. Not a speck of dirt under her fingernails.”
Frasie shrugged. “I didn’t notice. I never bothered to look at her hands. You two have become good friends, haven’t you?”
“Yes, we have. It’s strange, because not too long ago I wanted to kill her. If it wasn’t for you and Aiden, I just might have.”
“I like her,” Frasie said. “But she doesn’t laugh enough. I have barely seen her smile.”
“It isn’t her way,” she replied. “She has a certain economy with words and expression. The same goes for Farius, and you like him.”
Frasie grinned. “He’s an owl. What’s not to like?”
Frasie climbed out of the tub. “I’m done. You wanna know how I know?” She walked to Niv and produced her thumb. “I’m all pruny. My mom said that means it’s time to get out of the tub.”
Frasie donned a clean slip. “The maid said we have a fresh dress to wear, courtesy of Narelle. I can’t wait. Mine was nasty! And she also said
they were making a dinner in our honor. Real, cooked food, Nivvy!”
“I look forward to both.”
“Aren’t you getting out?” Frasie asked.
She produced her thumb. “Not pruny enough.”
“Enjoy, Nivvy! I’m going to check out my new clothes. See you at dinner!”
She leaned back and closed her eyes, further partaking in the luxury of her bath. When she’d had enough, she stood and did a final rinse to ensure all the soap was out of her long hair. Just as she left the tub, Shareis and the maid entered the room.
She quickly tried to get back in the tub but slipped. Shareis rushed to help.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she said.
Shareis stared at her. It was only for a moment, but it felt like an eternity. Shareis’s pupils were dilated and her gaze transfixed. An unmistakable glimmer sparkled in Shareis’s eye.
Niv hurriedly covered herself.
Shareis looked away. “I’m sorry.”
She turned and wiggled into her slip. “No, it’s fine.”
She heard no response. When she turned, there was no sign of Shareis. The maid handed her a towel. “Everything alright, my lady?”
She tried to form several replies, none of which were audible.
“Your friend paraded through the hallway in nothing but her skivvies. Hope no menfolk noticed. Would you like me to bring your dress?”
Her skin was flushed from embarrassment. “Yes, please, if you don’t mind.”
Chapter 31
Niv stared at the new dress. Attached was a note penned in pristinely elegant handwriting.
Niv’leana,
Please accept this gift as a token of my support for both you and your parents. Though we haven’t met, Cadrin has told me you inherited the beauty of your mother. I think this dress will flatter you well, and I sincerely hope it is to your liking. I look forward to meeting you at dinner.
Sincerely, Narelle
She held the clover green dress and examined it. A line of beautiful chain embroidery danced across the graceful sweetheart neckline. The collars and hem featured the same pattern. Her freshly cleaned boots sat neatly on the floor. She put on the dress and laced her boots, then went to her room and sat at the side of the bed. Her feet dangled as she stewed over what had happened with Shareis.
She felt exposed yet had no idea why. Shareis was a woman and had likely seen other women nude before without a second thought. She didn’t care that the maid had seen her naked and wouldn’t have minded if a perfect female stranger like Narelle caught a glimpse of her. Her and Frasie used to swim without a stitch of clothing in the creek, yet with Shareis, her nudity was different.
Frasie burst in the room wearing a beautiful purple dress. “Look at my new… oh, Nivvy, your dress is beautiful, too!” She spun around, allowing the skirt to flair. “I’ve never owned anything as lovely as this!”
“It goes well with your hair,” she observed.
Frasie examined her embroidered neckline. “That is such detailed work. These must have cost a fortune.”
“I’ve never seen you excited about wearing a dress,” she said.
Frasie grinned. “I’ve never had someone interested in me like Aiden, either.”
“Good point.”
“I can’t wait to see the look on his face.”
“He’ll love it,” she replied. “We’ll have to thank Narelle.”
Frasie stared at her for a moment, then walked to the bed and took her hands. “I can tell something is bothering you, Nivvy.”
She sighed. “You’d think I was insane if I told you.”
Frasie sat next to her. “Have I ever judged you?”
She searched her memory. “No.”
“Then give me a chance to help.”
“Shareis walked in when I was getting out of the tub.”
Frasie patiently waited. “And?”
“And she saw me naked.”
Frasie stared off into the distance, then looked back at her. “And?”
She sighed. “It was uncomfortable.”
“The maid saw you naked, too,” Frasie said.
“Yes, I know. I thought the same thing.”
“Be glad it wasn’t Aiden,” Frasie said. “If he had seen my nude, pruny body I think I would have just had to die right then and there.”
“You ran through the hallway with nothing but your slip,” she said.
“Well, yea, but I didn’t see anyone. Besides, I was covered. Nivvy, what’s wrong with her seeing you? I mean, we’re all girls.”
She arrived at a realization as she spoke. “I feel the same way you would have if Aiden had seen you undressed.”
“Embarrassed?” Frasie asked.
“Yes… but… she stared at me. And then she left.”
Frasie shrugged. “Maybe she liked what she saw.”
That thought made her uncomfortable.
“We don’t know much about Proctors,” Frasie said. “Maybe they prefer women. I hadn’t really thought about it, you know?”
“I guess.”
“Let’s say she is attracted to you. Does that bother you?”
“Well, I… no.”
“Alright, so let’s get this straight, Nivvy. Shareis saw you naked. And if she is into you, it doesn’t matter to you. Is that about it?”
“I suppose, yes.”
“Then there isn’t really a problem. If she wants you, just tell her you’re not into girls.”
“Sound advice,” she said.
Frasie patted her on the back. “That’s what you have me for. Now I’m starved.” She took her hand and tugged towards the door. “Come on, let’s take our beautiful selves to the dining room!”
Cadrin and Narelle waited for them in the main dining hall. Narelle was an attractive, middle-aged woman with long, curly black hair and chestnut eyes. She stood almost as tall as her husband.
“You two ladies look absolutely stunning,” Cadrin said.
“Thank you,” they both replied.
“Narelle, we really appreciate the new dresses,” she said.
“Oh, think nothing of it. I wanted you both to have something fresh and new to wear this evening.”
Frasie rubbed her palms against her skirt. “They are simply elegant.” She fidgeted as she rambled. “Though I don’t want to travel in it. I hope you aren’t offended. It’s too nice. I’m afraid I’ll get it dirty, tear it, or something else awful. I want to keep it in perfect condition, you know?”
Narelle smiled. “Don’t worry, Frasie, we’ll have your travel clothes laundered as well.”
Niv put a calming hand on Frasie’s shoulder. “Thank you so much.”
Aiden and Farius joined them. Farius wore his original outfit, but his hair was washed and neatly combed. Aiden wore a new white shirt and brown pants. Aiden stared at Frasie in amazement.
Aiden approached and took Frasie’s hand. “You look...”
Frasie’s smile extended from ear to ear. “You look...”
“You both look fantastic,” Niv said.
Aiden grinned. “Thank you, Niv. You look wonderful as well.”
Farius smiled. “If only your mother could see you now.”
Her father’s warm smile meant a lot to her. She could see the love and pride in his eyes.
Cadrin gestured to the banquet. “Surely you all must be hungry.”
Frasie rubbed her stomach. “I could eat this whole table.”
Aiden seated Frasie, while Farius seated her. She appreciated the gesture. She looked to the doorway. “We’re missing Shareis.”
“Oh dear,” Narelle said. “Brom, will you check on—"
Before she could finish, Shareis entered the hall. She wore a different leather dress. The long, dark gray garment featured a low-cut v-neckline and was fitted at the waist. The bottom flared out into a-line skirt. Her polished boots and silver charm necklaces shined in the light of the fireplace and chandelier.
Niv stood and greeted her. “I was be
ginning to worry you weren’t coming to dinner.”
Shareis pulled her chair out from the table. “I’m not in a habit of missing meals.” She sat and turned to Narelle. “Thank you, Narelle, for the new dress, and your hospitality.”
“Cadrin told me you were a Proctor,” Narelle replied. “I know your dress is highly personal, so I was hesitant to pick something for you.”
“This is precisely what I would have picked for myself.”
“Excellent. Please, enjoy the food. I had our chef prepare an assortment of favorites.”
A glazed ham, turkey, and numerous side dishes graced the long dining table.
“How long will you be able to stay?” Narelle asked.
“We should leave for the Den’tari foothills tomorrow,” Farius said.
“All of you?” Cadrin asked.
“Niv and I will go,” Farius answered without looking up from his bowl of soup.
“Are these Den’tari dangerous?” Aiden asked.
She expected Farius to answer. When he didn’t, Shareis replied. “Not at all. They are reclusive, but they won’t harm us.”
She looked to Shareis. “You know the Den’tari?”
“Somewhat. They are quite tolerant of Proctors.”
“Aiden and I can explore the town,” Frasie said.
“What would you like to do?” she asked Shareis.
“I will go where I am needed most.”
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She appreciated Shareis’s dedication to their cause, but the thought of separating from her was uncomfortable.
“We can settle all of this later,” she said. “For now, let’s enjoy this wonderful meal.”
After they finished eating, she repeated her thanks to Narelle and Cadrin for all their help. Aiden and Frasie left to take an evening tour of the city, while Farius and Cadrin retired to the study. She and Shareis remained in the hall, warming themselves by the fireplace.
“I am sorry for what happened earlier,” Shareis said.
She shook her head. “There’s no reason to apologize.”
“You were clearly uncomfortable.”
“Just embarrassed.”
“I like your new dress,” Shareis said.
She smiled. “I do, too. Narelle has wonderful taste.”
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