by Janeal Falor
The room is much better appointed than I expected from the inn. This must be their best room, or they made it nicer because they knew I was coming, which would be kind of them.
A huge bed takes up most of one wall. Across from it, next to where I’m sitting, is a couch with a small table to the side of it, sitting in front of an unlit fire. In the corner is a dressing screen, which I assume is hiding the bath. On the other wall, there’s a large window with a vanity close by.
“Do you want to bathe before the water gets cold?” Inkga asks.
“You two should go first. I don’t mind cold water.” It’s all I had growing up. Though I’ve enjoyed being spoiled by warm water more recently.
“Forgive me, but I believe that would be inappropriate.” Inkga moves around the room, gathering things needed for a bath, like soap and clothes, and putting them behind the dressing screen.
“Julina?” I ask.
“After you, Your Majesty. Besides, I should get someone else to stand guard while I bathe.”
I wave away her concern. “I can guard myself. We’re safe enough here.” Guards must be posted outside the door. The window is the only concern. While it’s possible for someone to come in that way, it probably won’t happen. I'm sure guards are posted there as well. Either way, I’m prepared for it anyway.
But if both girls are going to refuse a bath before me, I’d better hurry to save them some warm water. “Fine. I’ll go first, but know I’m not doing it willingly. And Julina, I will be considered the guard while you get rid of your travel dust.”
She has the gall to roll her eyes. I like her better for it.
After a quick bath, Inkga has me change into a dress that has more leeway than the last one—but is still a dress. It’s a dark blue with a slash showing white in the skirt and more slashes in the arms. The important part is the amount of daggers I can stash on my person, hidden from sight. It’s perfect.
While I’m getting my blades arranged, Inkga cleans up. When it’s Julina’s turn, she insists we need another guard, but I veto her position. While she washes, Inkga does my hair in fancy knots.
When Julina emerges from the other side of the dressing screen wearing her uniform, I say, “See? Nothing bad happened to me. I wasn’t attacked, though I could have handled it.”
“The point is you shouldn’t have to handle it.” She adds, “Your Majesty.”
“Maybe.” It’s the best I can do at conceding.
“Are you ready?” Inkga asks me.
I’d rather stay here and work on my fighting skills. But I did already put on a dress. “I suppose.”
The guards around my door surround me as best they can as I exit my room. When we get out of the inn, the rest of the guards are ready. It would be better if they found their rooms and cleaned up as well, but they still look travel-worn. I guess I can’t control everything, but I wish things weren’t so much about me, even if I understand why they are.
Opla waits for us in the middle of the road. We move forward as one body, and my entourage parts as we reach her.
“Are you ready for celebration?” she asks after a curtsy.
No. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Wonderful. The citizens are most anxious to meet with you.”
We travel down the street. The farther we go, the louder it gets—the sound of a crowd having the time of their lives. There are so many people that they drift off into the distance. My guards keep close, surrounding me and Opla.
As we reach the crowd, the noise decreases until the only sound is the faint commotion of children and mothers shushing them. The crowd bows low. I call out, “Please rise.”
The people get to their feet. They’re still abnormally silent, making me tense and wanting to grab my daggers. I reach up to make sure my poison pouch is around my neck under my clothes. Not that either that or my blades would do me any good if the crowd attacked. Even my guards couldn’t protect me from all of them.
I glance at faces as we walk by. Some are solemn, but others are eager. There’s a mother pointing me out to her children. A man with a little boy on his shoulders. A young man, not much older than me, watching with eager eyes.
What must all these people think of me?
We come to a long table facing outward to the crowd, with no one behind it. Opla motions for me to go to it first. With guards in tow, I go around and stand behind the middle seat. Opla and others I’m not familiar with stand behind the seats beside me.
Should I sit? Is that what they’re waiting for, or is it something else I’m unaware of? I’m about to sit when movement to the right catches my eye. I glance over, hands on the hilts of my daggers, and realize it’s Inkga. I relax and take in what she’s carrying.
A tray with the Mortum Tura on it. I didn’t realize we brought it with us, but it makes sense. The way it makes me glow will confirm to them that I am their ruler. That I belong in my place.
Inkga holds out the tray. I take the chalice and bring it to my lips, but then I hesitate. The First Queen said the more I drank, the more powerful I’d become. The pressure of the cup is soft against my bottom lip.
I feel the First Queen’s presence, faint but steady. Every eye is on me. I don’t know why I can’t bring myself to drink. I can’t make the crowd wait any longer. I lift the chalice, drinking the sweet liquid. Once I’m done, I set it back on the tray.
The crowd watches me with widening eyes. They drop to the ground, bowing lower than they did before. Everyone at the table gets down on their knees as well.
I know what they see, even if I can’t myself. I remember the time I drank it in the room with mirrors and saw myself glowing. That’s what is before them now.
I take a moment to collect myself. There’s much I could do with this type of power over the people. The First Queen’s presence wanes until I can no longer feel it. What I want to do with the power is help the people. To make things better for them, not rule over them.
“Rise.” My voice carries through the stillness despite the vast gathering.
The crowd rises. They look at me, their mouths wide with wonder. I wonder how long I’ll glow for.
Opla motions her hand to me. “Citizens, meet Queen Ryn, your newest ruler. She has come to join with us in these festivities.” She glances at me as if she expects me to say something.
What would be the proper words to speak at such a time? I draw on all my time spent with the ladies-in-waiting. “Thank you for meeting with me this day. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to celebrate and enjoy the good things your community has to offer.”
I take a seat, and thankfully, the others at the table follow suit. Food is set in front of me first and then in front of the others. I hurry to take a bite so the others don’t wait for me. The food is sweet with a hint of herbs.
Sound fills the space as people start talking again and gazes are shifted away from me. I want to relax my shoulders. Curl in on myself. Instead, I hold my form and take another bite.
Opla introduces me to others at the table, who all smile and nod politely.
The people in the crowd head to tables I didn’t notice before, laden with food. They must have a lot of farms nearby that do well for so much food to be found in one place. The noise grows as chatter, laughter, and squeals of delight fill the air.
The conversation around me is more subdued; hardly anyone says anything. The evening wears on, the sun streaking bright colors across the sky as it goes down. It’s then I notice an anomaly in the crowd.
The innkeeper’s wife is here, staring at me. It wouldn't bother me since there are many people watching me, but she never looks away. Neither does she look happy. A chill on the back of my neck says something isn't as it should be.
I discreetly point her out to Julina, who says, “Maybe she’s making sure she’s ready for when you come back to the inn, but we’ll keep an eye on her.”
Julina whispers to a few other guards, but I’m restless. It’s probably being the ce
nter of attention for this long.
The food gives way to dancing and merriment. No one asks me to join in, and though I think about it, I refrain. Last time I danced in a crowd, Daros was spotted. I doubt he would be again, but the thought holds me back.
Another thing to consider is that I can’t touch anyone. This dance is a little different than in Indell. Partners are mostly apart from each other but sometimes come together to hold hands and swing in a circle. If I wanted to dance, I wouldn’t have to hold anyone, but I don’t want to interrupt.
“What do you think of the dancing?” Opla breaks the silence at our table.
“It’s charming,” I say.
“They don’t often have reason to dance. I think it’s good for them.”
“As do I.”
We talk about the city, how the farms are thriving, but the food mostly stays here, not being traded with other towns because of taxes. I didn't realize taxes for trade between cities was so bad. At some point, rulers have deiced that it's better to overcharge the people in everything, rather than trying to get them to be productive and make a better life that way. Not that we can do without taxes all together, but there needs to be some type of happy balance that works for everyone.
Opla goes back to being quiet, and the night wears on. Once darkness creeps in fully, torches are brought out to light up the area.
Finally, it’s time to go back to the inn. I have much to occupy my thoughts.
Chapter 20
The night air is stifling, despite me not being under any blankets. The bed is lumpy and makes me want to sleep on the floor, but at least it’s not as bad as at the last inn. It may be uneven, but it’s soft. I roll over once again, trying to get comfortable. I need a fresh breeze.
I slip out of bed, bare feet rubbing against the smooth wood. I grab a dagger from under my pillow and check for my poison pouch out of habit. Though I’m only going to the window, it feels wrong to go without being prepared. I all too often remember when I first came to the palace and went to the queen’s bathing rooms without weapons and was almost choked to death.
Best not repeat that.
I skim across the floor, keeping my footsteps silent. The moonlight streams in, brightening the room with its cool beam. The darkness is familiar but still eerie.
Inkga is in a makeshift bed on the couch, but Julina insisted on sleeping under the window again. I’m not certain I can open it without waking her. Depends on how light of a sleeper she is and how noisy the window is.
Back at the palace, I make sure to keep my window oiled, but here is another story. The servants should do it, and they try, but I like to keep it well-oiled myself. I plant my feet next to Julina’s stomach and lean forward to open the window, hoping for some cool night air. I get the window up an inch before Julina is moving.
I block her sword with my dagger without thinking what I’m doing. I stop myself from going further and injuring her, though my muscles want to.
“Ryn?” Julina’s voice is a sleepy whisper, belying the pressure of her blade against mine.
“It’s me. Just wanted some fresh air.”
She lowers her sword back at her side. “You scared the life out of me. I thought you were an attacker. Next time, ask me to open the window.”
“I didn’t want to wake you up.”
“Look how well that turned out,” she grumbles and then adds, sounding much more awake, “Your Majesty.”
“None of that nonsense. No one who cares is around.”
She sits up, stretches, and stands before opening the window. It gives a squeak. I glance at Inkga, who jumps to her feet, eyes wide.
“Sorry,” Julina says. “It’s just us, opening the window.”
And everyone is up. Great.
She pushes the window up the rest of the way, and the window floods the room with noise. So much for sneaking around. This window is going to wake up everyone in the place. At least the guards outside my door should already be awake since they’re on watch.
“Are you ready to go back to bed, Ryn?” Inkga asks.
“I’m not tired. You two sleep. I’m going to exercise.” As much as I can in this room. I doubt Julina will let me escape out the window in an unfamiliar place. I could make her, but I’m not in the mood to push my status.
“I feel wide awake,” she says. “How about I get us some tea?”
I shrug. “If you’d like.”
“Julina, you want something?”
“No tea. Maybe a treat, if they have some.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right back.”
“Take one of the guards with you.” Can’t be too careful.
She gives me a look that says I’m being overprotective. I don’t care, as long as she stays safe. She leaves the room, a mumble of voices coming from the hallway.
I get down on the floor and start doing push-ups. I do thirty, switch to crunches, and do another thirty. By the time Inkga returns, I’ve done several sets, and I’m hotter than I was before. I’m going to need another bath at this rate.
“I’ve got tea and lemonade. The woman helping me said you might like something cool, though I brought the chamomile too. There are pastries for you, Julina.”
“Lemonade sounds great.” I get off the floor and grab a full cup off of Inkga’s tray.
Both she and Julina grab pastries. I raise the cup to my nose and smell it out of habit before taking a sip. There’s a bitter taste, faint but there, and it’s more than that of a lemon. I spit it out, spraying Julina and Inkga.
They stare at me, aghast.
Instead of apologizing, I say, “Poison.”
Julina drops her pastry on the floor. “Do you need an antidote? Did much get in you?”
“I’m fine. I’m immune to this type.” Which means it probably wasn’t Daros behind the attack. Unless he’s sending some type of warning. “Still didn’t want to risk it. Sorry about spraying you both.”
“Forget it.” Inkga mops up the spill with a handkerchief.
“We need to find out who did this.” Julina storms to the door and talks to the guards outside the room. She turns back to us. “Inkga, go with Piru. He’ll follow with the same guards that took you to the kitchen and you can identify the woman who helped you get this.”
Inkga goes, face pale but head held high.
Several more guards enter my room. I go to my stash of weapons, put on a belt on over my nightdress, and add as many blades as I can to my person in this state of dress. When I turn around, the guards are watching me, only Julina keeping her expression neutral. Everyone else looks everything from shocked to maybe a little scared.
“What? Never seen a woman with daggers before?” I spit out.
When no one speaks, Julina comes to the rescue. “Just not that many on a queen.”
“Best to be prepared.”
She nods.
The rest of the wait is tense, but silent.
A man’s scream pierces the air. I dart toward the door, but my guards are faster.
“Let us check it out, Your Majesty,” the one closest to me says.
“Hurry.” The only reply I can think of. I could force my way through—they’re not allowed to touch me, and it would be the perfect excuse to make it happen—but I refrain.
The scream sounds again, painful and biting.
Three of the guards storm out into the hallway. I follow after them, Julina close on my heels, telling me to come back. I ignore her. At least I let the others go ahead of me. I won’t sit idly by if I can help, though.
The scream comes a third time, several doors down from mine, away from the stairs. The guards ahead of me get there and try the door knob. “Locked,” one of them says.
I growl.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty.” Julina digs through her pockets.
I squeeze to the side, out of her way. Others are coming out into the hall now. Carver, Inyi, and Kada stare at me with wide eyes. Before they can say anything, a guard shoos them back into their room
s.
Julina pulls a lock-picking set out of her pocket. I’m jealous. Daros always kept mine, except for certain jobs, and I never had it replaced.
It takes her a good minute to unlock the door, in which time another yell comes from the room. She pulls her sword out, nods to the other guards, and opens the door. What she sees brings a pained expression to her face, but she puts her sword in its sheath.
Confused, I press forward, and the guards move out of my way, some deeper into the room and others in the hallway.
When I see what caused the noise, my heart drops.
Nash.
More nightmares.
More pain.
An anguish I can’t take away. I didn't recognize his screams due to how brutal they sounded. At least I can wake him up. And not like last time, when someone almost got hurt. I grab a pitcher of water that’s sitting by the wash basin and throw it on him.
He bolts upward, chest heaving, water dripping down his face. His hands clench as his gaze darts around the room. His eyes are wild. Frantic.
My heart gives a painful twist. I want to go to him, but I can’t. Not with everyone watching. I shouldn't be here, risking his life. I keep my expression neutral, voice firm. “Nash. You’re at the inn, in Pulfa. You’re safe.”
The wild look leaves his eyes, but his fists stay clenched.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
He gives a curt nod.
“If you need anything, let one of the guards or servants know.” I don’t wait for an answer before heading out of the room. If I want to keep him safe, his room is the last place I should be in the middle of the night.
I go back to my quarters, trying to push Nash from my mind. Of course, he won’t go. He sits there, just as much as he sat in his bed, looking scared. Like a caged, beaten animal.
I clench my jaw.
The guards follow me in, except for a few who stay out in the hall. I move toward the window.
Julina stops me. “Please stay away from the window until we can assess the threat, Your Majesty.”
“Fine.” The word comes out harsher than I meant, but I don’t take it back.