by Guy Antibes
“It is contraband, after all,” Oscar said, “but it is pretty. I can make a variant of that style and sell quite a few in Dorkansee if a few people see it on Lin.”
“You can make jewelry too?”
“I still dabble in it. Lin has me make some items for her from time to time.”
“A butler of many talents.”
“It makes my boring life less boring,” Oscar said, smiling.
Jack didn’t believe him. He thought Oscar probably made his life more than interesting enough.
“Let’s go to the Alderach Temple,” Jack said. “I like to look inside houses of worship.”
Oscar shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.”
They looked for the temple and went inside. It wasn’t that much bigger than the one in Raker Falls, and that disappointed Jack. Another church, white with spikes and angles, was a few buildings down.
“Let’s go in there,” Jack said.
They stood in front of the church. Across the arched doorway read “Church of Yvessa.”
Jack smiled. He wanted to get a feeling for the goddess of Antibeaux before he set foot in her domain. They walked in. Everything was white. In the center of the building under and skylight stood Yvessa’s statue. The goddess stood on a sculpture of sorts representing shards of ice shooting up from the floor.
The goddess’s face was angular and severe, with slanted eyes and white hair. She looked fierce. He didn’t expect such an unfriendly face in a temple.
“You are dissatisfied?” a voice said in Jack’s mind.
He looked around him, and everything was frozen in time except for him.
“Why would I be dissatisfied?” Jack asked. “This is my first visit to your domain. I will be traveling all the way to Bristone. Will you allow us to do that?”
“I am tempted not to, Jack Winder.”
Jack sighed. Every god knew his name.
“You carry a priestess’s robe pin in your hand.”
Jack held up his recent purchase. “This? Was it stolen from one of your churches?”
“It was,” Yvessa said, as the statue turned from sculpture to flesh.
Jack took a better look at the real goddess. Her hair was no longer white, but the strands were clear, giving her hair a metallic look. The sharp features were different from the statue, but they were just as severe. “Do you want it back?” Jack asked.
“You would willingly give it up?”
“Should I?” Jack asked, picking up on her comment. He wondered if handing it over to her meant something that he didn’t know.
“Then don’t,” Yvessa said.
“Do you know where Adoree’s Mask is?”
Yvessa’s eyes narrowed. Jack could feel the anger emanating from the goddess.
“It is for you to find out. I may answer that question, but not now.”
“One more question that you can answer, can one of our party wear the robe pin to the ball tonight? Will she be attacked or something?”
“It can be worn in Boxwood, but if anyone tries to wear it without my permission in Antibeaux, they will have to bear the consequences. Be warned. I will barely tolerate your presence in my domain.”
Jack could see the statue’s hair return to white. Everyone moved, and his audience with the goddess of ice was over.
“We can leave?” Oscar said. “This place is a little too foreign to me.”
Jack laughed, although he didn’t feel like laughing. “We are heading into the country where you will see a lot of these churches.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to enter them.”
“Perhaps you will change your mind when we get to know the Antibeaux people better.” Jack hoped he would get to know Yvessa better or at least be able to get her to accept him just as Takia did.
~
“You don’t mind me wearing this?” Penny asked Jack. He had brought the jeweled pin to her room while Sera adjusted the hem on Penny’s gown.
Jack sighed. “I told you the story. If we are to create controversy, this is one way to do it. You won’t be able to wear it in Antibeaux. Yvessa made that clear enough. I don’t want you to fight a goddess.”
“I’m not capable, you mean?” Penny asked.
“I don’t want to fight a goddess,” Jack said. “It’s one thing to attack a possessed body. We’ve shown what can be done, but an actual goddess?” Jack shook his head. “I have a feeling that Yvessa won’t be helping us.”
“Your story gave me the shivers,” Penny said. She moved to Jack and put her arms around his waist.
“Hey!” Sera said. “You two are scaring me enough as it is. Penny, stay still and don’t move. I’m almost done with the hem.”
Penny shrugged. “At least the pin goes with my dress.”
“And a lovely dress it is,” Jack said. “I’ll be going now that I have helped adorn the Lady Penneta.”
He left her room, frowning. Jack really didn’t want Penny to put herself in unnecessary danger, but after talking to Lin, Lorton, and Penny, they all thought it was worth the risk.
Jack put on the dress outfit that he had in his bags. He frowned as he looked at his reflection in the window. He pushed his blondish hair around to minimize Takia’s lock, as he called the strand of white hair. He didn’t want to go to the ball, adopting the same attitude as Lorton, but there would be Antibeaux people that needed to see them in a social framework to solidify their roles.
He decided to get Fasher’s opinion.
Fasher?
I am here, enjoying a wonderful dinner with Corina. You are in Boxwood? Fasher asked.
Our last night here and the ball. I have a question. I bought a stolen jeweled pin from a shop in Boxwood. Yvessa appeared and was unhappy that I had done so. It is what her priestesses wear on their robes. We have decided to have Penny wear the pin in Boxwood and not use it in Antibeaux after Yvessa’s warning. What do you think?
Fasher paused for a moment. Your purpose is to stir up some interest?
That is correct, Jack said.
There is a risk in everything you do and say once you enter Antibeaux, but in Boxwood, I agree with your decision. Do not give Yvessa an excuse to stop your errand. Tell me all about your visitation in detail.
Jack could picture Fasher putting his hand to his chin and nodding as Jack related the uncomfortable meeting with the goddess of ice. He asked a few clarifying questions as he had before when he asked about Jack’s encounters with deity.
You know, of course, that she could only meet with you because you were in her church.
I figured that out, Jack said.
Don’t count on changing her mind about you, like you did with Takia. Yvessa has a bite that doesn’t go away. Be careful. I keep saying that for a reason. Penny and you both bear some protection from your alliances with Eldora and Takia, but remember, the closer you are to Yvessa’s holy ground, the more the magic from your goddess friends will be impaired. Your own magic will remain as it is. I’m not sure if that goes for Penny. That is all the advice I have for you. Let me enjoy my dinner.
Jack could sense the amusement in Fasher’s voice.
Thank you. Jack cut off the communication.
He sat down and wondered if they should continue. He had thought the Masukaian errand was dangerous until he talked to Yvessa. He took a deep breath and put his boots on, still with a healing rod in one and an energy rod in the other.
He stood when there was a knock on the door. He opened it and let Lorton in. He wore an outfit that almost looked like a uniform. Lorton wore a sword, but then he was a bodyguard.
“Are you ready?” Lorton said. “Stay away from the ale. We are attending the ball to gather information.”
“I know,” Jack said. “You look the part, but do I?”
“If the part is one of a dandified new lord, you do. Tonight is all fluff and feathers. Save the adventure stories for another time.”
Jack nodded. “Shall we go?”
Lorton laughed.
“We shall. You and I will sit in the lobby until the women are good and ready. I doubt if Lin will want to show up at the ball until it is half over.”
They didn’t wait for near as long as Jack expected and walked as a group through the pleasant night air to the site of the ball two blocks away. Sera drifted to the back and walked with Lorton. It seemed like a parade with Lin and Penny in front, followed by Jack, followed by the other two walking the streets of Boxwood, and Jack decided no one would notice them by the time they stood in line to get into the ballroom.
They walked in a group to the person introducing the dancers. Lin handed the man a card.
“Lady Kanlinn Marker of the First Ring of Dorkansee, Lady Penneta Ephram of Raker Falls, Lord Jack Winder of Raker Falls, and their servants.”
A few people turned to look at them as they gave bows to the room and stepped down the three steps to the dance floor.
“You didn’t even merit your own name,” Jack said.
“As planned,” Lorton said. “Most balls in the First Ring do not permit servants, but Boxwood is a backwater kind of place. There are few enough nobles as it is in this town. A grand ball needs people.” He gave Jack a half smile as they followed the three women across the room to a spot Lin had decided would be their base.
“Refreshments, please,” Lin said imperiously.
Jack moved to go, but Lorton held him back. “Servants fetch the punch, Jack.”
“What do we do now?” Jack asked Lin.
“Dance with me once we have sipped some punch, then Penny. You will find that some men will introduce themselves to you. Be friendly, and they will invite you to dance with their wives or daughters. You are handsome enough that you won’t have to worry about approaching strangers.”
Jack doubted things would work out that way, but after smashing Lin’s toes sufficiently, he danced with Penny using his nightingale walk to prevent the same damage to Penny’s feet. A few men did saunter over to engage Jack in conversation. Some did so to manage an introduction to Lin or to Penny, but Jack found himself dancing with a formidable matron.
“How did you ever meet Lady Kanlinn of the First Ring being from Raker Falls? I have heard of the village once or twice.”
“Lady Penneta and I learned some wizarding skills from the local healing wizard. She decided to get some training in Dorkansee, where she grew up. I happened to meet Lady Kanlinn there, and she invited me to winter with her in Bristone in Antibeaux. We head north tomorrow.”
“I see. It gets cold in Bristone, very cold.”
Jack smiled. “I suppose that is why they call it winter.” He said breezily. “Lady Kanlinn is always seeking novelty. I suppose that is why I am here, an item of novelty.”
“A handsome example, I may say,” the woman giggled. “Why does Lady Penneta wear white hair?”
“She acquired it in Lajia under unusual means.”
“Oh,” the woman said, “she is a world traveler.”
Jack nodded. “And what is Boxwood like?” Jack asked.
The rest of the dance was a bit boring, but the woman thanked Jack for the experience and hustled over to a few of her friends to spread the news about the visitors. He noticed that all of them were kept busy dancing with many partners.
Jack turned around after a tap on his shoulders.
“Jack?” Deera Young asked.
“That is what I answer to,” Jack said.
Deera giggled, but he imagined she would do the same if he had told her the sky was blue.
After fending off Dee’s advances during the dance, Jack sought out Penny and Lin, holding court in exactly the same place Lin had initially established as their headquarters for the ball.
“She clung to you rather tightly,” Penny said. Sera giggled behind her.
“I think Dee likes me,” Jack said with a smile.
“For the evening,” Sera said, emerging from her servant’s persona. “She has a weakness for men.”
“I think seeking out men is not a weakness but a strong point,” Jack said. “It makes her easier to disregard.” He said that for Penny’s benefit.
“I’m not easy to disregard?” Penny asked.
“No, you are not. I have always known where you stand.”
“Have I ever changed my standing spot?” Penny said.
“You have, and that has made it even more difficult to disregard you.”
Sera giggled behind them. “You—"
A woman in white approached them. “You are from some village to the south?” she said bluntly.
“Raker Falls,” Penny said.
“Why are you wearing a sacred pin?” the woman demanded.
“I bought it for her yesterday,” Jack said. “It looks rather pretty with her dress, does it not?” He tried to say airily, but the woman’s anger made it difficult for Jack to smile.
“It has been stolen from one of the priestesses of Yvessa’s church. I will take it now.”
Jack moved in front of Penny. “That wouldn’t be polite in Boxwood, don’t you agree? We will have a talk with a priestess when we have gone deeper into Antibeaux and return the pin if we must. Would that satisfy you?”
The woman seemed to calm down a little. “Not wearing it would satisfy me. You will find that the White Way Society will not look kindly on your action tonight.”
“And is that society something we should be wary of?” Lin said, returning from the dance floor.
“Lady Kanlinn,” the Antibeaux woman said with a curtsey. “I merely remarked that the pin is a religious item and should be returned.”
“We are in agreement then,” Lin said. “We will return it in Antibeaux to a house of worship. May you enlighten us as to what makes this pin so important?”
“The central gem is a diamond and represents the purity of our goddess. The others have meaning to the priestess’s chapter. I can’t speak for those. You will notice the design of the pin unique with scrollwork depicting wintery vines.”
“Thank you for your interpretation,” Jack said. “Are you traveling back to Bristone soon?”
The woman huffed. “I live in Chancey. Unlike you, I will be wintering in Boxwood, where my husband conducts business.”
“It was our pleasure to meet you. You must know I am Lady Kanlinn Marker, and my companions are Lady Ephram and Lord Winder.”
The woman said, “I am Dame Ratitoux.”
They exchanged bows and curtseys, and the woman retreated, looking back at them only once.
“That is more like it!” Lin said. “There is nothing so invigorating as a threat. The White Way Society won’t like the pin. I’m sure the WWS will be sad Penny doesn’t wear it anymore, but it served its purpose tonight. The muzzle is off the dog, isn’t it?”
“As long as we don’t get bit,” Penny said.
A man walked up to Jack. “You are Lord Winder? I am Lord Floury from Bristone. This is my daughter Annette.” He turned to his daughter. “Curtsey, Annette.”
The girl did as her father asked. She didn’t look particularly happy, but she did manage a curtsey and a half-hearted smile.
Lord Floury smiled. “I am, on behalf of my daughter, asking you to dance. Would you? Accepting would be an honor in my behalf.”
“I accept,” Jack said, looking at the young woman, a little younger than Penny. He bowed to Lord Floury and stepped forward, holding out his forearm as he had been taught and had practiced enough times during the ball and escorted Annette onto the dance floor.
“You don’t look like you are happy to be here,” Jack said as they began to dance. She was as bad as Jack, so he used his nightingale dancing technique to save his toes.
“I’m not. My father wants me married off and wanted me to learn social graces away from Bristone so I wouldn’t embarrass myself.”
“You look more than old enough to have done a bit of learning ahead of time.”
Annette shrugged as she danced. “My mother died when
I was four, and I took after my brother. He is in the Royal Guard attached to Princess Glorie, the queen’s sister. My father is a member of the Royalists.”
“I would guess if he is in the Royal Guard,” Jack said.
“It isn’t like that. There are four factions: Royalist, the APS, the WWS, and the Double P.”
“Is that a P and then a P?” Jack asked.
Annette giggled. “It is, and you can obviously see why. It stands for the People’s Party, but they are anything but.”
Jack finally was able to give the girl a genuine smile. “The WWS is the White Way Society?”
“It is, and the APS is the Antibeaux Preservation Society. They are continually fighting each other. It is a rather complicated mess. My father noticed that Dame Ratitoux marched over and railed at you, so he thought he could kill two birds with one introduction.”
Jack noticed that Lord Floury had stayed to talk to Lin and Penny as they twirled around the dance floor. “Is there someone you like in Bristone?” Jack asked.
Annette blushed. “There is. That is why I resent having to travel all the way to Boxwood. Father wants a Corandian for a son-in-law, and I don’t.”
Jack nodded. The girl was reminding him of the old Penny. “When are you heading back to Bristone?”
“In a few days,” Annette said. “This ball is the last social event of consequence until later in the fall. It is my father’s final attempt, but he won’t win.”
“Win as in finding you a mate?”
Annette nodded. “You are nice enough, but nothing like my Terry.”
“Your Terry. Is he a member of the Royal Guard?”
Annette looked shocked. “How did you know?”
“Just a guess,” Jack said, and it was just a guess, but a good one. “He is a friend of your brothers?”
“He is not noble,” Annette said.
“Perhaps you will introduce Lady Kanlinn’s bodyguard and me when we are in Bristone. Both of us are interested in weapons and such things.”
Annette brightened. “Oh, let us know when you have arrived.”
“I may very well do that,” Jack said.
The dance ended. Lord Floury stepped across the floor to them. “Lady Kanlinn has suggested we travel with them to Bristone. Can you be ready by noon tomorrow?” Lord Floury asked his daughter.