The Flames of Deception - A Horizon of Storms: Book 1

by AJ Martin

  Chalize nodded. “They are formidable creatures,” he said with pride.

  “If I may intervene, might I suggest perhaps the princess would care to be shown to her chambers?” Silar said. “You must be exhausted after your experience?”

  Josephine nodded, trying to hide her annoyance that the man had interrupted her steering of the conversation. “Yes, I am rather tired.”

  Chalize stood. “Of course you are. Where are my manners?” He held out a hand to the princess and helped her up. “We will continue our conversation at dinner tonight, when you are refreshed.”

  Josephine nodded. “Thank you emperor for all the kindness you are showing. I will not forget it.”

  “It is a pleasure, princess.” Chalize leaned down and kissed her hand. “May this be the beginning of a new era of relations between us.”

  Josephine nodded and reaffirmed his wishes. Then Chalize beckoned for Sobril to attend them and they departed the room for their chambers.

  “What did you think?” he asked Silar when the door closed behind them.

  “An interesting woman. With an interesting story to tell.”

  “You do not believe her?” he asked.

  “There seems too much convenience for a princess alone to have survived such a vicious attack by the creature,” Silar replied, his face grim. “Would she not try to return home, rather than seek shelter here?”

  “It is much farther to Aralia than our borders. If the creature forced them east, then they may have had no choice,” the emperor rebutted.

  “True. But still, I would tread carefully with her, My Lord.”

  Chalize smiled. “As I intend to.” He paused thoughtfully. “Indeed.”

  “My Lord? You seem… distracted?”

  He smiled at the man. “It is nothing. Just the thoughts of a man over the beauty of a woman.”

  “Princess Josephine?” Silar exclaimed, looking shocked.

  “Oh Silar, do not tell me that you don’t have attractive women in Mahalia? You have eyes, after all. Or are you a eunuch?” he ridiculed.

  Silar tried to smile, but mostly failed. “Hardly, My Lord. It is just the girl looked quite dishevelled to me,” he replied.

  Chalize shrugged. “She is perhaps a little rugged, but that is to be expected after such a journey. Underneath though, the beauty is obvious. She holds true to the stories about her.”

  “I have never been keen on the looks of the western people,” Silar advised. “Their cultures are infamous for deception. They have the look of liars to me.”

  Chalize raised a brow. “I had no idea you were so averse to them,” he commented. “In any case, you needn’t worry. I may have the eye for a beautiful woman, but I am not foolish enough to be drawn in by looks alone.” He smiled. “Though your concern is flattering.” he walked to the balcony and peered out. “How are the preparations going?” he asked.

  “Very well. I believe we may almost be in a position to start marching into Olindia.”

  “Good. I want my armies deployed as soon as possible. If this is as historic an opportunity to expand my reach as you claim, then I want to seize it before the tides change.”

  Sobril took Josephine and Thadius along vast corridors to their two rooms, side-by side in a secluded spot high up in the palace’s west quadrant. They were lavishly decorated like the rest of the building and a platter of fruits and a glass canteen of water had been placed on a table in each room. A change of clothes was also lined up on their beds. Josephine was given a beautifully exotic patola cloth gown, and Thadius a green, silken Aslemerian robe. Thadius left her, still somewhat hesitantly and went to his rooms, leaving her for the first time in what felt like a very long time to herself.

  She changed into her new clothing and breathed in the scent of the freshly laundered gown. It was quite tight but surprisingly comfortable if she could ignore the high neckline. She was used to wearing clothes that accentuated the bust: the fashion in Rina. They were a good deal more modest in Aslemer, it seemed.

  Gratefully, she sat and nibbled at the grapes from the platter, the juices spilling out onto her chin. After filling her stomach, she fell back onto the large bed and let herself bounce about a moment on the tightly - stuffed feather mattress. At last things seemed to be going better. She had established a healthy first meeting with the emperor. Although in truth, she was less than trusting of him. His was a face that did not inspire confidence. Still, he held the power in these parts, and he had the mages she needed to tackle Sikaris. If she were to convince him to give them over to fighting the dragon, she would have to remain polite and work on him carefully.

  A Sinking Feeling

  169th Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)

  Thadius pulled the thin wooden door of his chamber closed behind him and wandered down the outer corridor in his bamboo sandals. A week’s rest had made all the difference to his leg and it no longer ached as much as before. He stuck his thumbs in between his belt and his trousers and whistled as he slowly walked down the corridor. He hadn’t been out for days and even then he had restricted his movements as much as he could, to let his leg get some rest. He passed Josephine’s room and paused a moment. Should he knock? No, perhaps he would leave her alone today. She seemed to be enjoying having some privacy and time to herself. Besides, he had called in on her yesterday evening briefly and she seemed happy enough in her own company.

  As it happened, Ank’ Shara wasn’t turning out to be as bad as he had thought it would be. True, it was much hotter than he was used to and everything down to the smallest detail did seem completely foreign to him, but after the last few weeks he was grateful for a change of pace, even if he knew that it would be short - lived.

  He walked down the corridor for several minutes, taking in the foreign - looking decorations surrounding him. He passed a beautiful, delicately designed window, which he had since learned from a servant was of the style called mashrabiya shanashil - an ancient Aslemerian word coined for the projecting oriel windows of the palace - and peered out through its covering. A brilliantly radiant sun gleamed over a small, idyllic, landscaped garden. He breathed in the sweet smelling aroma from the flowers beneath him. He wondered if he might be able to find his way down there. It looked secluded and he could do with a little time basking in the sunlight after being cooped up around his rooms for several days.

  He sauntered happily down the corridor, gliding past a giant willow - patterned vase propped in the corner and made his way left along another lengthy corridor, this one with no windows but illuminated with flaming torches. After turning this way and that a while, he stopped and tried to retrace his steps in his head to try and get a bearing on where exactly he was now. The place was a bit of a maze, which, considering he was used the labyrinthine nature of Rina was no idle statement. He set off again slowly and after another few minutes came across a curving walkway. He rounded a corner at the end and nearly collided with an Aslemerian guard who stood blocking the way.

  “Oh!” he exclaimed, taken by surprise. “Excuse me,” he apologised. “I think I might be lost. I noticed a garden from a window-” he waved his hand in the general direction of where he had come from. “I think it must be that way. Could you show me how I get there?”

  “That garden is in a part of the palace in which you are not allowed,” the guard said.

  Thadius nodded. “I see. Perhaps then you could show me to another garden?”

  “My apologies, but I have been ordered not to let anyone outside,” he said.

  “Is there a problem?” Thadius frowned. He suddenly had a sneaking suspicion that his pleasant day was about to come crashing down around him.

  “I have been told it is for reasons of security.” The guard smiled. “I am sure it is for your safety.”

  “Security? Has something happened outside?” Thadius asked. “Is it the dragon?” He asked anxiously.

  “Not that I am aware of,” the guard replied. “I am afraid I know little else to do with it. But I h
ave my orders.” He smiled awkwardly. “Please sir, would you stand aside and go back to your room? You will be safe there.”

  Nodding disdainfully, but thanking the guard, Thadius turned and made his way back where he had come from, which took just as long if not longer as he grew lost in thought. Why wouldn’t they let him past? Security? Was that to protect them or… to keep them confined?

  He passed Josephine’s quarters, then stopped and doubled back, knocked on her door and then hearing a muffled “yes?” from beyond, entered.

  “Thadius!” Josephine greeted him warmly. She jumped up and embraced him happily in a hug.

  “I am sorry to disturb you, princess,” said Thadius, and closed the door behind him.

  “Oh, it is alright. To be honest, I was starting to grow a little bored on my own in this room.”

  Thadius nodded. “Me too. I was a little restless, so I thought I would go for a walk.”

  She beckoned for him to sit. “How is your leg?”

  “Better, thank you. Not walking on it for a few days seems to have given it some time to heal. And the poultice the maids have provided me has helped to calm the swelling.”

  “Good,” she said, nodding. “I was growing worried for you.”

  Thadius chuckled. “It will take more than a bruised and battered leg to finish me off princess.” Then his smile faded and he grew silent.

  “What is it?” Josephine asked. “You seem… anxious?”

  “It is nothing. Really,” he advised.

  “You are a terrible liar,” Josephine replied. “After all we have been through, I hope you know you can tell me anything?”

  He smiled. “Of course I do.”

  “Then indulge me,” she smiled.

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, or over - reacting.” he sniffed. “I know I am prone to that, especially on this journey of ours. I worry you might think that I can’t tell what’s right or wrong any more.”

  “I would never think you crazy Thadius,” she gestured. “Taico Grimm was crazy! But you are a long way from that kind of madness, my good knight.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Very well your highness.” He rubbed his shoulder awkwardly. “I… I think something might be going on here in Ank’ Shara. Something that the emperor does not want us to find out about.”

  “Such as?” Josephine asked.

  Thadius shook his head. “I don’t know. But something is wrong here. I tried to go for a walk outside, but the guard wouldn’t let me pass.”

  “Did he tell you why?” she asked.

  “Security,” he scoffed.

  Josephine nodded. “I see.” She stood up and turned to the window. The sun was beaming in through the opening and casting its warm light on the flagstones.

  “It might just be me. It probably is me being over - cautious. The emperor has been good to you - to both of us - since we have arrived. This is the first time I haven’t felt welcome in the last few days.”

  “Frankly Thadius, I find it hard to trust anyone anymore for long. My nerves are frayed. How can we truly be sure who is deceiving who?” she asked, and smiled knowingly. “The emperor has been good to us, but that could change very quickly, should he desire it. I am under no illusion that we are truly safe here for long.” She sighed. “And I trust your judgement. If you feel something is wrong, then it most probably is.”

  He nodded. “I was just starting to think that things were going better. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

  “We need to uncover what is going on here,” Josephine said, turning back to him. “Before we are the ones on the receiving end of whatever it is that they have planned.”

  “But how do we go about doing that when we can’t get past those guards?” Thadius asked.

  “I haven’t been quite as restricted in my movements,” Josephine advised. “Though, I have not tried to go outside. I have spent a great deal of my time in my chambers, or else with the emperor.” She pondered a moment. “I have another meeting with Chalize tomorrow,” she said. “I will talk with him about this. Subtly.”

  “And you think if you ask him he will tell you the truth?” Thadius asked sceptically.

  “Perhaps not. But I might be able to find something out.” She shrugged. “As long as that Silar isn’t peering over his shoulder at me, scrutinising my every move.” She shivered. “There is something about that man that disturbs me.”

  “He does have an aura about him,” Thadius agreed. “I don’t think he likes you. At the meal the first night we were here, he was practically challenging your every word.”

  Josephine nodded. “I had noticed. But I tried to ignore it to make headway with the emperor. For all the good it did.”

  “Oh I don’t know. He seemed more relaxed around you than when we first arrived,” Thadius said. “Perhaps too relaxed,” he added.

  “Meaning?” she questioned.

  Thadius scoffed. “Princess, I know you know what I’m talking of. When he saw you at the meal he was entranced by you!”

  Josephine’s cheeked flushed a little. “I was aware that he kept staring,” she said.

  “And well he should have,” Thadius smiled and nodded. “You looked radiant, princess.”

  She smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I must have looked a completely different woman than when we first arrived here, after wandering across Olindia caked in mud and wearing the same clothes day in and out for weeks!”

  Thadius grinned. “Well here you are, back to looking yourself. Has he been as accommodating when you’ve seen him again?”

  Josephine nodded. “Quite so, though in truth, he has always tried to steer the conversation to his own tastes.” She shook her head. “And he is a little too familiar for my liking.”

  Thadius bristled. “How do you mean? He hasn’t-”

  “No, no!” She raised a hand. “Nothing like that. But he has been laying on the charm as if he were luring a snake from its basket.”

  Thadius’s eyes narrowed. “Just as long as he doesn’t take advantage of you princess.”

  “I don’t think he would dare,” Josephine responded. “He would risk too much.” She smiled. “I can handle his advances, Thadius. Don’t you worry.”

  Thadius sat back again. “I always worry about you princess.” He exhaled audibly. “As long as you can handle him. Maybe another meeting like that and he will grow to trust you and then you will find something more out.”

  Josephine nodded hesitantly. “I would rather not resort to flirting and fluttering my eyelashes at the man to extract information,” she said. “Having said that, if it works, which, I am sad to say it seems to…” She shook her head and raised a hand to the air. “We have to remember why we are here Thadius. This is not a royal visit! I can’t spend my time enjoying myself when people are dying out there! We need his help to stop Sikaris.” She swallowed. “What would Matthias do in my shoes?”

  “He would lie and scheme to get what he wanted,” Thadius smirked.

  Josephine nodded, returning his smile. “Perhaps. Then surely I must be willing to do the same, if we are to succeed. If I have to I will kiss the man, if he will give me what I want afterwards!”

  “I fear from what you’ve said that a kiss is not all he has in mind,” Thadius replied. “Right now, the emperor holds all the cards princess. I fear he knows it too. As much as we need to be quick, we have to be careful,” Thadius warned.

  “I will be. But I think we need to take more risks if we are to move forward.” She placed a hand on his arm. “I am so glad you are here Thadius. I couldn’t keep going without your counsel.”

  “I’m just doing my duty, princess. You know that I am always here for you.”

  She sat back down opposite him. “Oh my. How far we have come, you and I. But we have much farther to go yet. We will find a way out of this situation I have placed us in. Whatever the emperor is up to, it can’t be as bad as the threat of the dragon.”

  A Risk Too Far

  170t
h Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)

  Josephine raised her glass of wine and toasted it against Chalize’s own glass. The dining room in which they sat alone was illuminated with at least a hundred candles, reflecting off the heavily gilded ornaments and canvas frames that smothered the room in their gaudy glow. The table was bedecked with food: thick noodles with vegetables and meats in rich, unusual tasting sauces; rice spiced with what smelt like cinnamon, and a whole fish, grilled and covered in slices of orange and lemon.

  “I am pleased we have had this chance to speak again,” the emperor said to her and supped at his wine.

  “I am glad too,” Josephine smiled. She was wearing a deep red dress than exposed her bosom and a purple sash tied around her waist. Her hair was fastened back with a jewelled clasp, given to her by the emperor two nights previously. “I have been growing a little lonely the last day or so without your company.”

  Chalize bowed. “My apologies. I have been quite busy. I had matters of state to attend to that could not wait. What a terrible host I have been.”

  Josephine shook her head “Not at all. I understand completely.”

  “No, it is not acceptable at all. Besides, it is not often I have guests as intriguing as you.”

  Josephine looked confusedly at him. “Intriguing? Oh emperor, there is very little about me that would interest you!” she chuckled.

  “On the contrary,” he advised. “You are an entrancing woman, Josephine.” He smiled at her.

  Josephine looked from him to her plate and carefully arranged some of the vegetables on her fork. “That is kind of you to say, emperor, but should you get to know me better I am afraid I would disappoint you with how ordinary I really am.”

  “I do not think there is anything ordinary about you princess.” He smiled, his eyes large and glistening as he stared at her.