by D. H. Aire
She rose hissing.
“Erk.” Clump, clump, “ahhhh.” Thump.
“You need to be more careful,” a soft male said.
Fri’il lowered her second throwing dagger. “Ruke?”
He came partly out of the shadow. “There was one other, but he won’t be troubling anyone.”
“Uh, was he after the Empress?”
“No, the chap seemed only to be spying, then seemed rather perturbed and drew a bane knife… You know how rare they are?”
“They’re forbidden.”
Ruke nodded, “Which is why I took him out before he could hurt the couple inside.”
“Who were?”
“Rather distracted… It was Archmage Talik and his new wife.”
“You know, I’ll have to have a chat with the guard captain about all the assassins we have around here.”
“Um, turns out the fellow was the guard captain. That means that Lord Thomi’s in charge of security now.” The band struck up a new tune, marking the top of the hour. “Oh, I’d best be going, ladies.”
Fri’il watched him go with an ease she envied. “I’m definitely out of practice. Join us inside, Raven? We’re, uh, playing poker.”
The wolfenbeast shook her head and watched Fri’il prove she was not really out of practice as she quickly climbed down and back inside as a dwarf on guard duty cried out, “Here’s another one, Spiro!”
#
“Ruke! Where have you been?” Mahr cried, seeing him enjoying a platter of food and watching the dancers performing for the remaining guests.
“Why, I was hungry.”
She glared at him. “Where have you been?”
“I had some work to do.”
“Work? Master Terhun claimed he didn’t know where you were.”
“That’s true enough. The Highmage asked me to look into something for him.”
“When? He’s been rather busy.”
“Well, if you must know, yesterday, when I had to report to Master Terhun.”
She shook her head, knowing she had a small army of Cathartans watching. “Care for some of this pie? It’s delicious.”
“Ruke, you can’t keep doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“We’re sworn to you. We need to protect you.”
“Mahr, I don’t need protecting.”
“The Mother Shaman has foreseen… that you need us.”
He leaned forward and grasped her hands, “Mahr, I only need you.”
She blinked, “Promise me.”
“I can’t. I’ve obligations… and you can’t exactly stop me.”
De’ohr came up behind him. “No, apparently we can’t, young man.” She pulled up a chair and sat down next to them. “I thought we had an agreement.”
“We do, Mother Shaman… but when someone is trying to kill Lord Je’orj, I’ve work to do.”
“We are not without our resources,” De’ohr replied.
“Mother Shaman, I’ve no doubt that my being missing proved useful.”
De’ohr shook her head, “That it has.”
“So what have you learned about Count Tristan?”
“What?”
“He’s prowling around, looking quite unhappy.”
Mahr shook her head, “You can’t have been following him.”
“Amazing what you see when you’re trying not to be,” he replied, smiling.
With a sigh, De’ohr said, “Ruke, you and Mahr should enjoy yourselves tonight. Eat hearty, dance, we’ve a guest room for you both.”
The Cathartans around them smiled. Ruke smiled back, “As long as Mahr and I are alone I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time.”
De’ohr frowned. “Enjoy… your evening.”
#
The warder watched the Cathartans as the old prelate came up to him. “Have you see Master Donnialt?”
He shook his cowled head.
“Must be here somewhere, representing the Academy’s interests. Oh, congratulations, by the way.”
The cowled head canted.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
“What?” the warder squeaked.
“Every warder guarding that dais got married… Hmm, actually, all of you may have, elvin rule of synchronicity or whatever they call it through your linking wards.”
Chapter 16 - The Morning After
His scryers listened for any reports from the capital. Lord Tane woke. “No further word?”
“Lord Westerleaf is in the dungeon with Lord Hayden. If there was another assassination attempt they are keeping it quiet, Milord.”
“If Tristan had succeeded, we would know it… He’s failed me. The fool!”
“But, Milord,” his scryer said, “there’s been no word of his arrest.”
“There wouldn’t be. Not until that fool Empress finishes torturing him to make him implicate me!”
#
The ship came into the capital harbor with the bespelled tide. The captain presented his manifest to the harbormaster as a warder mage looked on from the Seventh Tier wall. The captain swallowed, “I’d heard the warders have returned.”
The harbormaster glanced back at the wall. “There are ogres in the city, too. Lots of changes since the rebellion, the Empress is not one to brook… any further disturbances.”
Dwarves began carrying out the cargo.
The captain and his crew ignored those that never returned from the warehouse. They had been well paid to ignore dwarves.
#
Ruke had watched the sunrise as Mahr slept contentedly at his side. He wanted to smile. Ander had definitely ruined it for her, though somehow he did not think Mahr appreciated that. No, she was rather, intent.
He glanced at her face, so serene and beautiful in sleep. He could have been anyone, he knew. Anyone that fate said would leave her with a male child, queen of a Cathartan fiefdom. Yet, she was beautiful. Just not as beautiful, inside and out as his Ander.
He slowly smiled. He would do anything to protect her. Even leave this little viper with child.
#
“Find him!” Lord Lyai ordered.
The poisonous fruit had come from Tane.
Master Terhun shook his head, “Tristan took training as an herbalist. It was for but a year in his youth.”
Thomi was asleep in Walsh’s arms on the floor, having worked through much of the night. The servants were careful not to disturb them as the Lyai continued to investigate that which Herald Varian would have delayed until it was too late.
Now ogres, Legionnaires, and the dwarven contingent of the palace guard were taking up the search for Count Tristan.
#
Talik, the Faeryn archmage of Lyai, felt her hand on his cheek. He opened his eyes, “Good morning.”
“I would not say that.”
“Why is that, my dear?”
“By now my kin will have heard of… our wedding.”
“None were in attendance yesterday?”
“Not for me they weren’t. I was merely a pawn… a sacrifice, now, married to you. I wasn’t supposed to survive.”
“Fleural, I know… this has been difficult.”
“Difficult? I nearly killed you last night.”
“Well, you didn’t.”
“You don’t understand… They wanted me to kill my husband last night and you were not my intended victim…”
“What?”
She sighed, “I’m not who they claimed me to be. They… broke me, made me a weapon.”
Talik frowned, “Well, then, any plans to try again?”
“I’ve yielded you my true name. My true name binds me now and frees me at the same time. I am no longer their tool. I am feeling hale, mind and body, and with our child flowering inside me? I only want to break the bastard family who raised me for this.”
“And who would that be?”
“The Llewellyn, who will do their best to kill us both now.”
Talik chuckled, “I’m used to that, m
y dear.” He suddenly frowned, “Uh, why did you need to kill Senason’s younger brother?”
“He would never betray the Empress. He’s too idealistic.”
Talik sat up, “From everything I’ve heard, Senason was, if a bit conservative, a fine lord.”
“That’s what he wanted everyone to think. He had made a deal with… some of his supporters.”
“Like Llewellyn.”
“Worse than Llewellyn. Believe me, they twist people…” There were tears in her eyes.
“Faeryn taught,” he said, taking her into his arms, “that no one can make us forget who we are forever.”
#
There was a knock at the door. Fronkwin finished his caf and went to the door. He peered out and saw a dwarf in the dim garb of Tane. He frowned, opening the door for yet another refugee, another distant family member to feed, apparently.
“Yes.”
“Elder,” the dwarf rasped. “It is time. You must redeem him.”
Fronkwin went pale. “Come in… quickly.”
#
“They’re beautiful,” one of the girls said, looking out the window, as the unicorn stirred.
Casber awoke from his slumber beside the unicorn’s flank. “What?”
“They’re as big as the mare!”
The unicorn’s eyes opened wide, her head turned, Where did they come from?
Casber said, “Who?”
She rose to her feet, Them.
#
George was shaken awake, and his eyes widened as his pillow shifted. “Uh, morning, Cle’or.”
Cle’or rolled over and gave his a quick kiss.
Se’and said, “Lonny’s gone.”
Staff flashed a scan of the area across his thoughts. “She didn’t go with the Empress?”
Shaking her head, Se’and said, “No… She left a little while ago. I didn’t even remember Lonny until a moment ago.”
“Battle steeds can do that to a person,” George muttered and suddenly slapped Cle’or’s hand. “What do you think you’re doing? This is serious.”
“Sorry, I was reaching for my dagger.”
He slapped her hand again. “Cle’or.”
“I thought I won that in the game.”
“Cle, Lonny’s gone.”
“Believe me, Lonny’s fine. She may be a sore loser, though. What I want to know is who taught her how to play poker. She nearly beat me.”
Se’and shrugged, “Fine, Cle… I’ll look for her myself.”
“What’s going on out there?” Fri’il called out from the suite’s bathroom, returning with a newly diapered Ri’ori.
“Lonny’s gone.”
“Who?”
Cle’or laughed, “She’s fine wherever she’s gone off to.”
#
“Where are all the steeds going?”
“Alrex’s house.”
“You’re sure?”
“More than four hundred steeds gathering there is difficult to miss.”
“Four… there can’t be so many!”
“Mother Shaman, they are attracting a great deal of attention.”
#
The retainer stared. “I can’t feed this many.”
Lawson said, staring at a black stallion. “Lady, this one looks like that friend of yours.”
The unicorn shook her head. That one had not exactly been a friend and had been on his way out of the Empire as fast as he could go.
Greth came down the stairs. “Sleeping in a bed felt good.”
The retainer stared, “You slept in Alrex’s room.”
“I’m sorry; he didn’t seem to be using it.”
The old man shook his head, then the front door opened and a practically naked elfblood woman wearing only Cathartan black livery and a sword, her long mane of hair streaming behind her, entered the house unannounced.
The unicorn’s eyes widened. You!
“I can’t say it’s a pleasure seeing you again, either,” Lonny said.
There was a thud. Lawson rushed to the old retainer’s side and knelt, “He’s fainted.”
#
The Empress bathed as her ogress bodyguard looked on. “Majesty, you look radiant this morning.”
“Mallory, you can forget the false words this morning.”
“Your Majesty?”
“That did not go as… I expected.”
“Majesty, do not tell me you regret marrying him.”
“No, I regret marrying them.”
The ogress schooled her expression, “Marrying them?”
“I’m going from being raised an only child to someone with a very large family… one that taught me to play poker last night.”
“Poker?” Mallory chuckled. “You played cards last night?”
“Yes, after they taught me, we played for, um, hours…”
“But, you play poker.”
“Yes, and I should have won… but they cheat better than I do. That’s what worries me.”
“Your Majesty, I think you’re worrying for no reason. They’re on your side in the game that matters.”
“Oh, I know that… but, somehow the three of them, the Cathartans, cheat with a trust that cost me. They won the jewels I lent them!”
“What of Lord Je’orj?”
The Empress blushed. “He wasn’t exactly playing…”
#
Esperanza stared into the still water of the pool. “Well, Terhun, they’ve all gone to Alrex’s.”
“Fine… I’ll take some Legionnaires and see what that’s all about,” Terhun said.
“No, it’s Carwina’s house. Escort her and… her husband there, then get them back here for the luncheon. The Empress is going to have hundreds of guests she needs Lord Je’orj to meet.”
“Lady Lyai, have I told you how happy I am to be of service?”
“Said the spy to the elflady with the looking glass. Go, but leave Verny or that poor boy, Clawd, you seem to be training.”
“Will do,” Terhun replied.
#
“My house?” Carwina said.
“The steeds seem particularly interested in something there,” Terhun replied. “I’ve a carriage waiting… and an escort, of Legionnaires and Cathartans, Milady. If you’ll accompany us, Balfour…”
“Me’oh?”
“I’m not leaving Rachiel behind, though, I won’t mind allowing my kinswomen handling our security.”
#
A crowd was gathering behind the odd sight of so many rather large horses gathering at the late Highmage’s courtyard and in the street beyond. Many were wondering if this was part of the festivities for the day.
One fellow thought this a marvelous opportunity to “borrow” a horse. The mount in question turned to look at him. The fellow frowned, uncertain where he was or why he was there. He walked off, feeling lost.
The battle steed went back to looking at the house.
A Cathartan watched from across the street. She was soon joined by others who had followed the procession of steeds upTier. “See anything?”
“Someone rather large has peered out that window there,” she replied.
“I think it’s time we offered a morning greeting, don’t you think?” another said, hand on her sword hilt.
“Wait, here come some more Sisters… Who’s that?” one said, seeing a barefoot woman with flowing hair, wearing Cathartan livery, strapped at the waist, but nothing else.
“Lady Babylon? What’s she doing here?”
The steeds unconsciously parted, creating a living corridor to the house’s front door. They followed as the corridor began to close around them, shoving their way through the mass of horseflesh, which besides their great height, had softer flanks than any horses they were familiar.
“Lady Babylon?”
She turned, “Do not interfere and all will be… well.”
#
En’sta had her arms around Lawson’s neck. “Come on, girls… I’ve prepared breakfast.”
The sev
en-year-old imperiously urged, “You heard Papa Lawson.”
“Um, En’sta, don’t call me Papa.”
She nuzzled close, tears welling, “Well, you’re as close as I’ll ever have now.”
“You made her cry!” eight-year-old Vi’ya said angrily, which is when the front door opened and…
“En’sta!” a black liveried woman cried, drawing her sword as Lonny walked past and went into the room on the right without a word.
“Vi’ya, we thought you dead!”
The girls gaped.
“Momma?”
“Auntie Le’ann?”
“Put En’sta down this instant, whatever you are!”
The girls cried out rushing to interpose themselves between Lawson and the women, “No! He saved us!” Nessa and Yal’ene cried rushing out of the room on the right.
Lawson set the seven-year-old down, “It was not I alone, who aided them.”
En’sta wiped tears from her eyes, “Momma, Lawson’s our friend.”
She lowered her sword and the girls rushed forward into their arms.
“Uh, what are you?” one of the Cathartans asked.
“Uh, Auntie, he’s a troll,” one of the girl squeaked.
“But there are no such things as trolls.”
“See, Lawson, we told you!”
“So you did,” he smiled.
#
Lonny entered as the room and closed the door behind the two older girls. The unicorn turned about to face her. “Uh, hi,” Casber said.
“You brought this boy?”
The unicorn nodded.
Lonny faced him and bowed, “Milord, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Huh?”
#
Greth cleared his throat. The Cathartans turned as out of the shadows a much larger troll bestirred himself. “Pardon me; I just didn’t want to frighten anyone.”
They stared at him.
“Um, this is Greth. He’s a full size troll as opposed to our friend, Lawson,” Nessa said.
“But don’t remark about Lawson being a bit short,” En’sta half-whispered. “You’ll hurt his feelings.”
“You really are trolls…” one Cathartan rasped.
“Uh, breakfast is getting cold, girls,” Lawson said. “Ladies, would you care to join them?”