“Well, we'll have to see what we can do. Have you seen Sarah and Callia around?”
“I think they're in the state room interrogating people politely about Gos.”
“Good, when you've told the captain we're heading into the dock, tell Sarah and Callia I want a report from them. I have a feeling we don't have long before we need to head back to King's Ford.”
“Something in the wind?”
“War.”
Harry nodded and went to carry messages. Lizzy leant against the rail around the deck, watching the coast, “Please still be alive Gos, please.”
“Talking to yourself again?”
“Why, dear cousin, of course, it's the only way to get a decent conversation, or so I've found.”
“When are we putting ashore, I want to sleep in a real bed.”
“Soon, I've sent Harry to the captain,” Lizzy patted Alex's hand, “Do me a favour, round up everyone else so I can say thank you and throw our guests overboard?”
“Not literally I hope? This shirt cost far too much for it to be drenched.” A young man, slightly shorter than Lizzy, with red hair cut in the manner of the Belenosians – short all over – was plucking at his green silk shirt. They hadn't been introduced, however the young man was being steered by Sarah.
“Ah, Lizzy, this is Gos's assistant, Felix Redfern.”
“You suit your name sir.”
“The whole family do, unfortunately, and we burn so easily. I'd have much preferred a place in Camar.”
“I'm sure. Now, what have you to tell me Sarah?”
“Nothing much new, Mr Redfern has confirmed Calia's observations.”
“When?”
“Two days ago, Gos, Lord Val I mean was still alive, that I could tell. Of course I couldn't get too close.”
“Yes, you wouldn't want to spoil a shirt.”
Redfern lost his smile.
“I've done my best Your Highness. We lost all track of Gos from the inn, only when Alex sent me the message three days ago was I able to find the villa and establish Gos's status.”
“Fine, fine, I'm sure you've done your best.” Lizzy turned to Sarah, “Did you get all the information you need?”
“Yes, we'll go in tomorrow night, while you and Charley are at the Court. It'll be dark moon, which'll help.”
“And Redfern?”
“Oh, he's staying in the Embassy cells until we know what's what.”
“I say, that's a bit rough.”
“Be quiet Redfern. If you weren't involved you might just get a promotion out of this.”
“I, oh, alright. I'll stay under lock and key while you go and rescue my friend.”
“Stop whining or I'll have you locked up in the bilges while we wait for Lord Val to return.” Sarah growled.
“Sarah.” Lizzy warned as Redfern started to look stubborn, “There's no need for unpleasantness, is there? Ah look, Alex has got everyone's attention.”
Sarah ushered Calia and Redfern down on to the main deck, taking her place behind Lizzy once again. She had been busy about her work for the Office, but was relieved to see that the young men had managed to keep Lizzy safe in her absence. She didn't think anyone would try anything in such a crowd and so close to the Imperial capital but she never could be too certain. She looked over the water to the still lurking Sumoasti barge as Lizzy thanked their guests for their welcome and told people to push off, politely.
Chapter 28
Lizzy collapsed in her bed, too exhausted to care about taking shoes and clothes off. She fell asleep fully dressed and slept into the next day. A knock at the door woke her around midday, their first in Belenos.
“Come on Lizzy, Grandmamma and I have already been dress shopping. I had to guess your sizes, but I think I did alright.”
“I have court dresses; Caro made me some before we left.”
“They'll be too heavy for the fête tomorrow or the ball the day after, but I suppose they'll do for tonight. I'll have the slaves heat the bath house for you.”
“I, oh all right.”
Lizzy slumped back on to her bed, accepting defeat. Lizzy was slightly uneasy about something, but she couldn't place it. Yes, she was worried about Gos and this evening's rescue attempt, and about meeting the Empress, but once she'd sorted those to one side in her mind she couldn't fix on what else was causing her uneasiness. She tried to forget about it and prepare for the day ahead.
The bath house was a novel experience. Slaves carrying clean robes and towels led the way to the bath house which adjoined the main house, a rectangular, two storey villa with an internal courtyard. The bath house was joined to the house by a corridor warmed by underfloor heating. This too was a novelty. Lizzy felt the heat rise through the soles of her slippers as she walked the hallway. She crinkled her toes in them and savoured the new sensation. A slave bowed and pushed open the door to the bath house, steam billowing out of the changing room into the hallway.
“You can leave now.” Lizzy instructed the slaves as she sat down on a carved wooden bench in the changing room. The steam had settled; she could make her way through the complex alone. Beyond a red painted door, she could hear Charley talking to Sarah. She bent to take of her slippers and stood to remove her robe only to find a slave taking them from her hands.
“I said you were to leave. I can manage alone.”
The slaves bowed and shuffled out as Lizzy continued to strip off her underwear. She poked her head through the door.
“Charley, where do I put my clothes?”
“On the shelf, the slaves will take the laundry away. Have they brought you clean towels and a robe?”
“Yes, they've left them here with me.” Lizzy picked the clean items up and put them on a shelf next to her 'dirty' clothes.
“Bring a towel in with you.”
“Right. Be there in a second.” Lizzy took the largest towel from the pile; she wrapped it around herself and walked through the red door.
“There you are Lizzy. Dump your towel on your slave and get in.”
The bath was a square, about ten yards by ten yards, with steps leading into the water and carved stones niches around the edge to act as seating. Sarah was swimming about in the water while Charley sat back enjoying a face massage.
“I've dismissed my slaves. I don't feel comfortable around them.”
“Darling, slavery is normal here. You’ll get used to it.”
“Charley you might be used to it but I never will be. I don't understand how you can accept the idea of people as property.”
“Oh Lizzy, you're not working now, try to relax.”
“I can't; something is wrong.”
“Lots of things are wrong, right now; which particular wrong are you worrying about?”
“I don't know Sarah; I just have a feeling.”
“Don't let Grandmamma hear you say that; she's already convinced you're a Seer.”
“What nonsense, there's no such thing.”
“Not at home maybe, but other nations believe in such things. Did you never study the religions of the Empire Lizzy?”
“No Sarah, uncle thought we'd be fine knowing what people in the Isles believed since we were more likely to be dealing with other Islanders.”
“He should have done a better job of your education.”
“You've been in charge of my education for six years.”
“Yes, well, I didn't know he'd missed out something did I?”
They lapsed into silence, enjoying the warmth of the bath and the clean, damp air. After so long aboard a cramped ship with only sea water to wash in, it was a blessing to splash about in hot water with soap to wash with. Even Lizzy gave in eventually and accepted a facial massage.
“We should cool down now, or we'll be all red for the introduction.”
“And I need to be leaving.”
“Of course, take care Sarah.”
“I will. Don't worry, we'll bring him back.”
“I know.”
S
arah walked up the steps out of the bath and accepted a towel. Lizzy and Charley followed her but when she turned left to return to the changing room, they turned right, into a cooler room, where they lay on cushioned beds while receiving a massage, and listening to musicians playing Belenosian water music. Lizzy drifted off to sleep.
A simultaneous pain in her head and stomach brought Lizzy to wakefulness as she screamed in agony. She sat bolt upright on the couch, knocking the bowl of massage oil on to the floor smashing it and sending the oil rolling across the floor. She sat stiff, panting as the pain receded then collapsed once more back down on to the padded bed.
“Lizzy! What's wrong? Stupid slave, you hurt my friend.”
“No, no she didn't, it was, I don't know what it was.”
“Do you need a doctor?” Without waiting for a reply Charley looked around and found the frightened slave quickly clearing the broken bowl and oil from the floor, “You go to my grandmother, tell her the princess is sick.”
“Charley it's nothing, I'm sure. Maybe I'm just overheated?”
“Well, let’s get cooled down. We'll hit the plunge bath then get dressed. The garden is usually cool in the late afternoon. You,” She pointed at another slave, “go back to the changing room and get clean towels and our robes.”
Charley helped Lizzy off her couch and into the cool room. Compared to the other two rooms it was freezing, although the water in the pool was only a few degrees lower.
“We have Ice brought from the far north every winter and keep it underground. Grandmama likes to drop a lump in the plunge pool every day during summer.”
Charley climbed in quickly, dunked her head under the water and then climbed back out again.
“Your turn. You can't stay intoo long or your body doesn't like it.”
“It can't be any colder than swimming in the sea at home.”
“No, not really, but after being in the hot rooms it feels colder. Go on, our towels and robes are here.”
Lizzy stepped in boldly but yelped as the water felt colder than she expected. Charley laughed. Lizzy stuck her tongue out at her and dived in, taking the last four steps in one go and ducking straight under. She burst above the surface a few seconds later and shook her head before climbing the steps out again.
“That was refreshing. I feel quite well now.” There was some residual pain in her stomach but it seemed to be receding quickly. Her feeling of unease seemed to be fading with it. Maybe she was becoming accustomed to slaves after all. She shook her head, no it couldn't possibly have been that. She still found the submissive shuffling of the silent slaves disturbing.
Chapter 29
Despite her reassurance that she now felt perfectly fine, Charley and her grandmother continued to fret around Lizzy.
“Are you sure? We can always send our apologies and go tomorrow night?”
“No, no Lady De Narvel, it wouldn't be good manners, and I'm quite alright.”
The three women were waiting for their carriage to the palace for Lizzy's introduction to the Empress; Lizzy was dressed in the height of traditional Albonii fashion, and sweating copiously. She hoped the empress wouldn't notice.
“Lizzy, you've pulled your blouse all out of shape.”
“Have I? I'm too hot.”
“Next time you will be able to wear something more suitable, but my dear Princess, you must wear your own people's fashions this evening. The Empress is quite keen to learn of the manners of the less advanced nations.”
“I see.”
“Lizzy.”
Lizzy turned to Charley, her grimace quickly replaced with a false, bright smile.
“Ah, here's the carriage.” Lady De Narvel smiled at the younger women and seemed oblivious to the insult she'd given as she chattered away, sharing court gossip.
Lizzy climbed into the carriage, pushing back the soft, rippling silk curtains that hung from a light wooden frame. The vehicle seemed to provide little protection from the elements; the roof and walls were of the same silk as the curtain she'd just pushed through. The seats were of wood and covered in a plethora of cushions. She arranged her skirts awkwardly and found they took up an entire bench. Charley and her grandmother were forced to sit together on the opposite seat.
“These skirts are ridiculous; I can't imagine how inconvenient they must have been when mother was a girl at court.”
“My mother told me they used to see if they could block the halls with their big hooped skirts.”
“I've seen portraits of Grandmama in the Royal Gallery, she looked really bored. I'm glad we don't have to wear the big figure eights anymore; these hoop skirts are nuisance enough.”
“Your Queen, I am told by my friend the Sumoasti ambassador, favours a return to formal court garments.”
“That bitch would.”
“Lizzy, I know you don't get on.”
“She tried to kill me, several times.”
“Yes, well, I suppose so, anyway, you really shouldn't insult the Queen.”
“Charlotta is quite correct, if such comments were to get back to Tarjan.”
“It wouldn't make much difference. When, if, she returns, father won't let her get away with any nonsense, not now, not with everything we know she's done.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, you know, inciting treason, attempted murder, that sort of thing.” Whatever else the bitch had done was a state secret until the Duke and her father said otherwise.
“I see, and nothing else?”
“Not that I know of.” Lizzy was beginning to feel suspicious, Lady De Narvel was asking some very pointed questions. Was she working for Tarjan? Or the Empress? It would suit either of the two Courts to prise information from Lizzy. She'd ask Sarah as soon as her friends returned with Gos.
The coach bounced along the road and soon passed through the Night Gate into the palace grounds. The palace sat on a hill above the city, and overlooking the bay. The bouncing of the carriage over the cobbles jolted Lizzy from her worries as she looked up.
“Oh, how uncomfortable these cobbles are, I have no idea why the late-Emperor had them laid.”
“For the same reason he had the summer palace built in the Lower Strigona style, he liked it.”
“Strange man. But I suppose it does look rather elegant from a distance. But oh these cobbles!”
“Don't Belenosian carriages have springs?” Lizzy asked with a shark's smile, “But perhaps that's something only we less advanced Islanders would need?”
The carriage drew to a holt and the curtains were draw back by waiting slaves. Lizzy stood, swinging her skirts and climbed down from the carriage.
“Gosh, it's nice to be out of that silk tent, Charley. I have to say, this palace in quite impressive, definitely in the Strigonan style.” Lizzy smiled back at her friend as she too stepped down on to the cobbles, followed by Lady De Narvel, who had a curdled smile wrinkling her paste.
The older woman stepped around them and with a wave said, “Come along girls, we can't keep the Empress waiting you know.”
Charley took Lizzy's arm as they followed her grandmother into the palace.
“What did you say that for?” Charley whispered hoarsely.
“Tit for tat.”
“It wasn't nice. She is putting us all up.”
“I'll go back to the ship then; it might be safer anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I don't think I should have come to Belenos.”
“But we spent so long planning it.”
“I know, but something isn't right and I don’t feel good.”
Lady De Narvel turned back to look at them, having heard the last few words.
“Are you quite well, Princess Elizabeth?”
“Yes, quite ma'am.”
“Are you sure, you look quite pale, it must be nerves. Of course, it's nerves, everyone is nervous when they first meet the Empress.”
“I assure you I am quite calm; please, don't let’s be late to meet the Empress.
”
“Of course. This way.”
A slave led them through a series of corridors that turned unexpectedly every few yards. It was a maze of short corridors and outer halls, all filled with visiting aristocrats and neighbouring royals. Lizzy recognised a few faces, diplomats and visitors to her father's court in the past. Each bowed or curtsied before returning to their conversations. Eventually Lizzy realised that the further in they got the more important the people. In the first hall, she had seen merchants from Calman and the Essenmouth region of the Empire among wealthy citizens of the imperial capital, in the next lesser nobles of Belenos. Lady De Narvel nodded to a few friends and explained that she couldn't stop; she had to take her Alboni visitor to the Heart of the Palace. The nobles looked Lizzy over quickly before dismissing her.
In the next hall were high ranking nobles and diplomats; Lizzy saw Ambassador Conort among them and waved him over. Their two parties met at the entrance to the next corridor.
“Your Highness?” The ambassador asked with a bow.
“Accompany me Ambassador. I really could do with your experienced advice.”
“It will be my great pleasure Your Highness.”
Charley relinquished Lizzy's arm to the ambassador and joined her grandmother.
“How delightful to see you again Lady De Narvel, are you well?”
“Thank you, Ambassador, I am. And you?”
“Well enough. Excuse me one moment.” He turned to his aide, “Do join us Forier, my dear fellow.”
“Of course sir. Your Highness.” The young man bowed to Lizzy and joined them. They walked in amiable silence for a few moments before the younger man asked, “Is Sir Henry not joining us?”
“Not this evening, the boys went exploring down the coast earlier, they must have found something interesting or I'm sure they'd have returned to join us.”
“Oh, I do hope they're safe; after young Gos Val disappeared I've been quite reluctant to let any of my people go out of the city.”
“I'm sure they'll be quite safe sir, the Duke's sons are competent soldiers, as are Lord Henry and Sir Phil.”
Hidden Fire (The FIRE series Book 1) Page 15