"This gathering is one that enables the attendees to display to each other their power, wealth and importance." I tried to explain. "It is not a competition to find the most sexually attractive. If it was, you would win hands down."
Chessina gave me a sultry smile and wriggled again. I did my best to keep my physical reaction under control and continued.
"Wearing a gown like that would be considered by the female attendees a blatant attempt to seduce their husbands," I said. "That would make you enemies who would also blame me for bringing you here."
"What's a husband, master?" Asked Chessina.
Of course, I doubt that formal relationships would be a thing among demons.
"A husband and the female equivalent, a wife, have a relationship that is formalised by a contract and is called marriage," I answered. This might take a while, "Bluntly the husband agrees to care and provide for the wife in exchange for exclusive use of her womb to produce his offspring. This care to last for the rest of her life even when she can no longer produce offspring."
"That must be part of mortal aging," Said Chessina, a look of understanding on her face.
"It is, and sexual attractiveness also decreases with age," I continued, "So the women who are less attractive than you, which means all of them, fear that their husbands might repudiate them to try to get you."
"Oh, I think I understand, master," said Chessina, giving me a smile for my acknowledgement of her primacy of attractiveness.
"The husbands would also see that dress as a blatant attempt to seduce them," I said, "And would consider that as you were trying to attach yourself to them, that you have little power and influence and could be ignored. That impression would attach itself to me as well. So please change that dress back to what it was. Until we get back home, of course."
"All right, master," Chessina said, and did so.
I breathed an inward sigh of relief. I could see I would have to add mortal studies to her curriculum.
oOo
Chessina shooed out the barber and hairdressers that had been provided to render our appearance acceptable to the royal eyes. Our grooming spells, particularly Chessina's were equal or superior to their efforts and much less bother. To pass the time I gave Chessina more lessons ... in magic, really, some people. Finally, Dragovar came to rescue us from the tyranny of tedium and present us to their Majesties’.
We exited a side-door of the Royal Tower of Wizardry and entered a side-door of the Royal Palace. I did my best to memorise the way we went in case I needed to either come this way again, perhaps covertly, or get out of the palace quickly. As I looked about memorising turnings, I could see Chessina doing likewise, we grinned at each other.
At length we came to the part of the palace I assumed was traversed by royalty. I thought this as the décor was more impressive and there were servants at every intersection. I wondered idly what they did when they felt a call of nature.
At the end of another corridor, yes I wondered how many the place had too, there was a very large doorway with a guard of honour and servants whose only job seemed to be to open doors. As we approached the doors were opened for us and as we traversed the portal someone just the other side of the door announced in a carrying voice,
"The Royal Wizard Dragovar and the Towermaster Castamir and apprentice."
I turned to the person who made the announcement,
"Her name is Chessina, she has one you know," I said with some asperity.
"T . . . Towermaster Castamir and his apprentice Chessina." He announced again.
"Thank you," I said, giving the announcer a nod.
My intervention turned all eyes towards us, which may not have been the best idea, but I had had enough of Chessina being treated as an unimportant afterthought. We had entered a very large room at one side near the end. At the near end was a canopied dais with a pair of thrones, while the rest of the room to the far end was decorated with costly tapestries and paintings. The room was lit by several glowing chandeliers which a muttered analytica spell told me had lux aeternem cast on them. The room held a small throng of people expensively attired, elaborately coiffured and extensively bejewelled. They stared at me. I stared back.
Three young people, two young men and a young woman dressed more plainly than the others in the room approached and stood behind Dragovar, hovering protectively. His apprentices I presumed.
"Towermaster Castamir, Apprentice Chessina, may I present my apprentices, Ceslin, Riccar and Tasayne," said Dragovar.
The look Tasayne gave Dragovar, was strongly reminiscent of the one Chessina gives me, the one that says 'mine'.
At this point a well but soberly dressed man came out of a door placed discreetly by the side of the dais and strode forward, carrying a staff. Yes, I checked, it did have magic, but only minor, wizards are cautious.
"That's Ondomarion, the Royal Chamberlain," muttered Dragovar.
"Nobles and gentles all, Their Majesties King Beremar and Queen Silavelle," he declaimed, his voice though not loud reached every part of the room. Probably the magic of the staff he carried. At this announcement their Majesties entered and processed along the room to their thrones at a measured pace, and as they came near everyone in the room bowed or curtsied. It was difficult to see much of the actual people inside the court costume and under the crowns of the monarchs. As the royal couple neared us we bowed and curtsied in our turns, Chessina alone doing that elegant little gesture of hers, part bow and part curtsey. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched how low Dragovar bowed and bowed just a little lower myself. The king and queen seated themselves on their thrones and we all stood up again. Now that I was closer to the king and queen I could see that at first glance they seemed just another ordinary middle-aged couple. Both of them were carrying a little too much weight and their faces were becoming lined although one could see that there were laughter lines among them. Their eyes however proclaimed that they were much more than ordinary. Both the king's bright blue and the queen's green eyes seemed to be wells full of wisdom and experience.
"Her majesty and I welcome you all to this court," said the king. "It is good to see our loyal subjects once again, and to welcome those who are at court for the first time."
The king looked at Chessina and I as he said this, his voice carrying in a similar way to the chamberlain's. I wondered if the thrones had similar magic to his staff. I hadn't checked the thrones for magic, that was a slip, I told myself. It would not be politic to check now, a wizard muttering to himself and gesturing towards the king and queen could very easily be misinterpreted.
"Your majesties, may I present Castamir, Wizard of the Tower, and his apprentice Chessina," Dragovar said, ushering us forward to the dais. I bowed and Chessina did her little gesture.
"What an unusual courtesy. It is however, very elegant." said Queen Silavelle.
"Chessina comes originally from . . . a far place, your majesty," I said quickly. "There it is a gesture of great respect."
"Indeed yes, your majesty, it is what I have been trained to for many years," said Chessina. "No disrespect was intended."
"Then no offence is taken. It is good to meet the new Towermaster and his apprentice, we were much saddened by the death of Harmon," said King Beremar. "We will speak again, but now we must greet our other guests."
Thus dismissed, Dragovar, Chessina and myself, made our gestures of respect and withdrew backwards. As we turned towards the rest of the room, I was slapped in the face. This was not the first time I had been slapped in the face, but it was the most unexpected. I was confronted by a youthful blonde woman dressed in elaborate court costume whose face was suffused with rage. She reminded me of someone. As this female was about to deliver a slap with her other hand, Chessina stepped up and slapped her. Chessina's slap had more power and was delivered with better technique than the blonde's slap and pushed my assailant sideways.
"Towermaster Castamir, may I present Her Grace Duchess Renilla of Osierleet," said Dragovar urban
ely. "I think she already knows who you are."
Ah, that's who she reminded me of, Pennover.
"You swine, you've destroyed my son," screeched Renilla.
"Madam, your son still lives. That fact is entirely due to the intervention of your brother-in-law," I said. "If it had been up to me, your son's corpse would be fertilising my roses."
"Why did you do this terrible thing to him?" Renilla screamed the question.
"He threatened the life of a ten-year-old girl, and the lives of the rest of the villagers," I said coldly.
"What matter, they were just peasants, Pennover was my son," Renilla yelled, beside herself.
"I observe Your Grace, that not only do you not possess the slightest vestige of noblesse oblige, you have no common humanity either," I made my voice carry. "However, you would do well to remember that those peasants whom you so despise, are under my protection, and an attack on them is an attack on me. Not nice to have met you."
"We perceive, Duke Brandell, that the Duchess is overexcited," said Queen Silavelle. "It would be best if she retired now to get over her tantrum."
"Will you be able to see the duchess to her chambers, Duke Brandell?" asked the king, with an edge to his voice, "Or will you require some of Our Royal Guard to assist her?"
"No thank you, your Majesty. That will not be necessary," said Duke Brandell, his face burning with embarrassment.
The duke grabbed his duchess firmly by the arm, and dragged her, still screaming, from the room. Indeed, I could hear her a good way down the corridor. The rest of the people watched this in stunned silence. It took a little while for the buzz of conversation to return and we were the recipients of many covert and open glances.
"Well hit Chessina, thank you," I said.
I turned to Dragovar and continued,
"I take it that is not usual for a first appearance at Court?"
oOo
Dragovar spent the next hours introducing me to various notables. Chessina was introduced as well, but in truth it was me they wanted to see and get the measure of. Most of the period passed in a blur of faces and names but Chessina, wonderful girl, seemed undaunted by the number of people and was able to remember almost all of them. Only two meetings stood out in my mind. The first of these was with Sigeralv the Dwarven ambassador from King Thoragar.
"I was sorry to hear of the death of Harmon," said Sigaralv. "And so was the King. He hopes that you will be able to visit him and that we may continue our friendship with the Wizard of the Tower."
"Thank you. I hope to be able to visit soon," I replied. "I enjoyed the visits I had with Harmon, and I could see the deep respect in which he was held."
The other memorable meeting was with Baroness Beretrulle. She greeted me cordially and then turned to Chessina.
"Would you teach me how to do that greeting of yours?" the baroness asked. "I would be able to do it wearing leggings while still looking elegant. Sometimes I feel that a bow is out of place."
"I would be very happy to do so," replied Chessina, "You, I feel, would be able to pull it off."
The gathering was convivial but I knew that Renilla would do something more. I wondered what it would be.
Chapter 12
It seemed that what Renilla wanted to do was apologise. Shortly after we had returned to our suite in Dragovar's tower one of the servants announced a messenger from Duchess Renilla. A young man wearing the livery of the Duchy of Osierleet entered. He bowed to us and passed over a sealed letter.
"Her Grace the Duchess of Osierleet sends you this message, noble wizard," he announced. "I am to wait for a reply."
"Thank you, you may wait in the ante-chamber," I said.
I muttered a detection spell and found no traps on the letter, muttered another and found no poison. Gingerly, I opened it and read the contents aloud.
My Dear Castamir,
"Now I don't believe that for one moment," I said, "I know she wants to kill me, she slapped my face in front of the whole court, and now I am 'her dear Castamir?'"
"I don't trust her either, master," said Chessina.
While I am heartbroken at your treatment of my beloved son I was wrong to treat you so in front of their majesties. My husband has explained to me how much in error I was. I wish therefore, to apologise to you most earnestly and in the manner that you deserve.
"I don't like that phrase at all master, it sounds most ominous," said Chessina.
"I agree with you. I think that as far as Renilla is concerned, the only thing I deserve is a shallow grave," I said.
I would be humbly grateful, lord wizard,
"Humble? Her? In a pig's eye," I muttered.
if you would come to my chambers where I may tender you my appropriate fulsome apology.
In contrition,
Renilla, Duchess Osierleet
Please follow the bearer of this message, he will lead you to me.
"She's larding it on with a trowel," I observed.
"Do you think she means to attack you, master?" asked Chessina.
"Honestly, yes," I answered, "I think that Renilla, like her son Pennover, when flouted reacts without thought of consequences. Her desire for revenge overshadowing all else."
"Are we going to go, master?" Chessina asked, looking concerned.
"Yes. I'm sure she is going to attack us," I replied, "And I want to confront her now, before she has time to concoct a more elaborate plan. We have some protection from physical attack. I will cast lesser sphere of protection on us both to give us some protection from magic. I must leave word to Dragovar."
I cast magical message on the doorpost and instructed it.
"When Dragovar the Royal Wizard enters give this message, 'Renilla says she wishes to apologise, we have gone to her, after taking precautions, Castamir.'"
"Now, let me cast the spheres," I said.
After doing so I looked at Chessina.
"I should be quite tired after casting such spells but I'm not. The Towermaster's staff must be helping me," I said. "Which being so, I shall also cast silent whispers. This enables us to speak softly one to another without being overheard. It lasts for some time."
"Useful, master," said Chessina.
"Do you have your dagger?" I asked.
"Naturally, master," said Chessina with some irritation.
We entered the ante chamber, the messenger looking up as we entered.
"We shall meet with your mistress, lead on," I said.
The messenger bowed and set off. As we followed him I used the staff and cast a spell to show magics on him, his head glowed faintly. Using the whispers I spoke to Chessina.
"The messenger is under some form of charm," I informed her.
"I'm good with charms, master. Do you want me to try to dispel it?" Chessina asked.
"No, not unless he threatens us," I replied. "He might not know where to take us otherwise."
We continued down passages which I was sure didn't lead to the part of the palace where the high nobility had their quarters. This was only reinforced when we went down into the basement area.
"Does Renilla think we're stupid, master, bringing us here?" Chessina whispered.
"Probably judging us by her son," I whispered back.
As we approached a sturdy door at the end of an ill lit corridor, Chessina stiffened.
"Master, someone is summoning a demon," she whispered, "I can feel the spell."
I didn't want this boy caught in the crossfire and cast sleep on him. He slumped bonelessly to the ground. I had to do something about this demon, whatever it was. If we ran the demon would simply rampage about the palace and kill everything it came across. I had to kill it, or rather destroy its material body, or banish it. Killing it might prove difficult. My most potent offensive spells produced either a powerful electrical discharge, to which demons were almost invulnerable, or created a ball of fire. Not only did demons have some immunity to fire, casting that spell here would cook me and the sleeping boy in the back blast. B
anishing it would have to be. Banishing a demon one hasn't summoned oneself isn't easy, everything would depend on the power of the demon Renilla had summoned. If only I could weaken the demon somehow, that would make it easier. The words! The demonic words Chessina had taught me.
"Chessina, I'm going to try to banish the demon," I said to her in a whisper, "We must use the words you taught me for pleasure and pain to try to weaken it, use pain first. I'm going to open the door with a spell."
"I'm ready, master," Chessina whispered back.
I pointed my staff at the door and cast open, the crystal head of the staff glowed a dull red. The result startled me, I had expected the door to open, not be blown off its hinges into the room. Chessina and I sprung into the doorway, that would give us some protection from being flanked. The room was quite large but low ceilinged and well-lit with a lux spell of some sort. Renilla was there together with a circle of other women, all as it sometimes called, skyclad. Why do those performing dark magic always want to do it naked, it's not necessary, or in most cases, pretty. In the centre, within the summoning circle was the demon, still wreathed in the dissipating magical auras of the summoning spell.
The demon was very human-like which was bad news. As a rule of thumb the more human-like a demon is, the more powerful it is. The demon was hairless with faintly scaled skin. It was male, grossly so and it smiled, revealing numerous needle-like teeth.
"Kill them!" screeched Renilla.
"Certainly," purred the demon, "After that I have . . . plans for you all." He leered at them as he spoke, and one hand moved southward. Before he could leave the circle both Chessina and I acted.
"Schedriza!” Pain! we shouted.
The demon stumbled to his knees.
"Schedraza!” Pleasure! we shouted again.
He writhed and moaned. His physical reaction was obscene.
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