“Harnlyn, my mother asked to see them some time ago. She does not like to be kept waiting,” Urerla said softly.
“I would be failing in my duty if I took these… abominations in front of my lady, Laurice,” Harnlyn snapped.
“They are not abominations, they are Avatars,” Urerla said, smiling at Eleanor.
“Same thing!” Harnlyn squeaked.
“Who told you we were abominations?” Eleanor asked, watching a guilty look cross Harnlyn’s face.
Harish, I know that word. Did he just call us abominations? Freddie asked in surprise.
Yes he did, which is a little odd, don’t you think?
Very, where did he hear it from?
I’m not sure, I asked him and he just looked guilty.
Could Harnlyn be working with Daratus? ‘Abomination’ was a Protector insult. It was a worrying development.
“I like them, Harnlyn, and I think my mother will, too,” Urerla said, looking irritated by the withering look Harnlyn flashed at her.
“Take them to the audience chamber,” Harnlyn snapped, not looking overly happy about his decision. Eleanor was dragged forward and towards a door on the other side of the garden. Freddie was dragged similarly behind her.
Should we be putting up a fight? Freddie asked.
No, not yet, we’re going to see Laurice. Let’s find out what she has to say before we burn our bridges totally.
Eleanor tried to pay attention to where they were being taken, but the building was like a rabbit warren and was even harder to navigate than the Dwarves’ mountain. The hands gripping her arms were digging in painfully and it was distracting. Furthermore, the man holding her was doing so at a height that was comfortable for him, which meant Eleanor was forced to walk on tiptoe or risk getting pulled off her feet. After quite a few twists and turns, they entered a large, light, airy room. Still only a single storey high, Eleanor looked up to see that the ceiling was missing; she could see the cloudy sky through it. However, the room did not look like it ever got wet. A retractable roof? Clever. The small frame of remaining ceiling had been decorated to match the walls and floor with different sized squares of bright, bold colours. Red, green, blue, yellow; it should have looked gaudy, but for some reason it actually looked very sophisticated and regal. In the middle of the room was the only furniture – a simple wooden chair on a raised wooden platform – and in front of it Eleanor could see Will, Amelia, Conlan and Merl standing calmly within a circle of armed, mean-looking guards. Men and women stood around in small groups, talking in low voices, and every so often their black eyes would stray to the middle of the room as the result of either interest or suspicion. Eleanor and Freddie were dragged over to their friends. The circle of guards parted and they were shoved forward. Eleanor struggled to keep her feet. Falling forward, a body stepped in front of her, stopping her headlong dive for the floor as she fell against it. Standing up again, she raised her eyes to find Merl looking at her, a friendly smile on his face.
“Thank you,” she said, returning his smile.
He nodded. “You are most welcome.”
“Did you have fun with Urerla?” Will asked Freddie, a mischievous smirk on his face. Eleanor turned and saw Freddie’s face flush with embarrassment.
“Did she do that to you, too?” he asked Conlan, ignoring Will.
Conlan chuckled. “She tried.”
“What did he say?” Merl asked, watching the conversation. Conlan translated for him, which prompted Merl to ask what Urerla had tried to do. As quickly as she could, Eleanor told Merl, Conlan and Will what had happened to her and Freddie, also explaining about Osser and the memory that had returned. She had just got to the bit where Nials had dragged her backwards through the door, when Harnlyn marched towards them from the back of the room. The guards parted as he approached and he grabbed Eleanor by the collar.
“You will not speak,” he ordered in a harsh tone that was ruined by his high-pitched, squeaky voice.
Eleanor giggled. “You want to bet?” she countered, using a low growl through some of the Dwarfish to add a hint of a just how absurd she found the man.
“We are trying to make them our allies, remember?” The snarl Conlan gave to the word ‘remember’ made it a harsh rebuke.
“This man is an idiot,” Eleanor said, turning her head to look at Conlan and trying to convey with her eyes that he could be working with Daratus, the subtext to her comment implying he was far worse than an idiot. Conlan’s eyes became fractionally wider and he lifted his gaze to scrutinise Harnlyn’s livid, speechless fury. Eleanor heard sniggers and whispers from their immediate vicinity; she was not the only one who thought Harnlyn was a moron. Daratus should choose his accomplices better, unless Harnlyn had been chosen for the very fact that he was an idiot who would get caught, thus moving suspicion away from another, more devious enemy. Eleanor was so involved in her churning thoughts that she did not notice Conlan had moved to stand next to her until he spoke.
“I regret not teaching my Avatar more respect. She will apologise,” he said quietly.
Harnlyn finally found his voice. “She insulted me and I will not let that pass. She will be punished,” he spluttered, but despite the words and the implications, his ridiculous voice still made Eleanor want to laugh.
Conlan sighed. “I cannot allow you to do that.”
“Then you insult me, too!” Harnlyn’s indignant squeak was made even more laughable after Conlan’s beautiful, deep voice.
“That was not my intention,” Conlan said softly, a thin layer of civility over a deep layer of menace.
What’s going on? Freddie suddenly piped up in Eleanor’s head, making her jump. Harnlyn eyed her suspiciously.
Long story. Basically, I just insulted Harnlyn and he wants to punish me, Eleanor replied, doing her best to retain her calm.
Harnlyn shook her again. “An insult of this nature demands ten cuts,” he insisted, his voice moving to an even higher pitch as a result of his anger and obvious anxious stress.
Conlan’s not going to agree, is he? Freddie said as his concern hit her.
I’ve got no idea… I don’t know if the current situation is going to give him the option to stop it.
Not wanting to ruin Conlan’s chances of an alliance just to protect her, Eleanor forced herself to cower, shake slightly and beg.
“Please, please do not hurt me. I am sorry – really, really sorry.”
Running the memories of Conlan rejecting her through her head again, she felt tears building and lifted her watery eyes to Harnlyn, giving him a moment to see her terror before she spoke again.
“I was wrong to insult you. I was just frightened and stupid and said the first thing that came into my head. Why would you want to hurt someone as insignificant and small as me? Surely you have better things to do than punish a rude child?” she sniffled as the tears fell, wondering if she had taken it too far. Would Harnlyn see through her rather crass manipulation?
“She hardly seems worth it,” said one of the guards behind them.
“Yeah, let her go, Harnlyn, she is just a child and you have frightened her enough,” agreed another. Harnlyn looked at the faces around him and then back to Eleanor, dull hatred in his eyes. He let go of her collar. She staggered back and was caught by one of the guards behind her, who then pushed her back to her feet.
Did you just beg for mercy? Freddie asked.
Eleanor sighed. Yes I did, was it convincing?
Definitely – and I didn’t understand a word of it.
Wonderful, she said flatly.
Harnlyn continued to stare malignantly at Eleanor before storming off out of the room. Conlan gave Eleanor a hard, disapproving look.
“He may be idiot enough to believe your act, but I’m not. This isn’t over, Eleanor, we’ll be discussing it further,” he murmured in English.
“He called us abominations, Conlan, a Protector insult. He’s not just an idiot, he’s not to be trusted,” Eleanor said. Conlan nodded, but
he did not speak further. They lapsed into silence, waiting. Freddie even stopped talking in her head, although he did not remove his energy string.
The cloud cover above them had begun to dissipate and the afternoon light faded into evening before Laurice finally made her entrance. Eleanor’s shoulders and arms were beginning to throb unpleasantly from being tied behind her back most of the day; it made her feel crabby and miserable. Blood had soaked the cuffs of her shirt and jacket from her failed attempts to loosen the ropes and relieve the strain. She regretted taking her leather cuff off, as at least one of her wrists would have been protected. Nobody else was complaining though, and Eleanor knew that Freddie was in a more damaged state than she was. A door at the back of the room was slammed open, and through some unseen signal the idle chatter that had filled the room ceased immediately.
Finally! I was beginning to think the stupid woman would never get here, Freddie said loudly in her head, making Eleanor jump. Next to her, Conlan saw the movement, or perhaps felt her surprise, and turned to look at her. Eleanor shrugged and Conlan gave her an irritated, disapproving glare before looking back at the woman who was walking towards them. Urerla was a stunning woman, but in comparison to her mother she was an imperfect copy. Laurice was tall, lithe and muscular, her black skin somehow luminous. She wore tight trousers and a rough shirt over long, toned legs and a large bust. There was a heavy gold link belt around her curvaceous hips; it was similar to Urerla’s, but her belt held considerably more charms and precious stones, meaning it made more of a noise as she walked. Eleanor realised this was what had caused the silence to spread through the room – they had heard her coming. Laurice’s perfectly proportioned body moved with a delicate grace that belied its strength, and her hips swayed in the same way Urerla’s did.
Is that how women are meant to walk? Eleanor asked, noticing that Freddie, Conlan, Will and Merl all had their attention on Laurice, their eyes following her every movement.
Freddie laughed. That’s how some women are meant to walk, but if you or Amelia started walking around like that we’d never get anything done!
Why not? Eleanor asked, slightly nonplussed.
Because it would be far too distracting. It’s bad enough when you wear those tight short-sleeved shirts Callie gave you!
What’s wrong with my shirts?
Eleanor, they show every curve of your perfect little body, just like a second skin, and it’s very hard to concentrate on anything other than you when you’re wearing one.
Is that ALL men think about? Eleanor asked irritably.
Freddie laughed again. Pretty much, but we’d think about it a lot less if women stopped putting temptation in front of us.
My mother was right! Eleanor muttered darkly.
Freddie’s laughter was still ringing in her head as Laurice reached her chair and sat down. She crossed her legs gracefully and stared down at them. There were small laughter lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth that gave her the appearance of age, but she certainly did not look old enough to be Urerla’s mother. She also had the raised dots of ritual scaring under her eyes; hers too were more elaborate than the ones Eleanor had seen in the general population. Maybe it’s so the royal family can be identified? Does that mean Yatt was a member of the royal family? Laurice’s black eyes showed the same intelligence as Urerla’s, but they also held something else – a knowing, the impression of life experience; this was not a woman who would be easily fooled.
“Which one of you is Conlan Baydon?” she asked in a voice that sounded like a chiming bell, her eyes scanning across their faces.
“I am,” Conlan said, stepping forward as far as their circle of guards would allow.
“I have heard some strange things about you and your Avatars. I am interested in hearing the truth,” Laurice said, the underlying Dwarfish stating he had better tell the truth, or she was going to make him suffer.
“As I am interested in speaking it,” Conlan assured her.
“Is it true that one of your Avatars destroyed my favourite tree in my private garden?” she asked mildly. Conlan’s eyes immediately flicked to Eleanor.
Shrugging sheepishly, she nodded.
“Apparently it is,” he said, giving Eleanor a disgusted look before turning back to Laurice as she spoke again.
“Is it true that this same Avatar was rude to Nials, my most trusted horseman, when she first met him?”
“Yes, she was rude, but in fairness she was trying to protect her friend by getting Nials to remove a knife from his throat,” Conlan answered. Laurice raised an eyebrow at Conlan’s defence of Eleanor’s actions, but she did not comment; instead, she moved on to her next accusation.
“And is it true that this same Avatar also insulted Harnlyn, the captain of my house guard?” Laurice asked, her tone still deceptively mild.
“Yes, this is true, although the Avatar has apologised to Harnlyn and will be apologising for the loss of your tree,” Conlan said. His voice was calm and steady, but Eleanor could see his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He was furious.
“You do not seem to have much control over your creations,” Laurice observed. Conlan did not respond, just held Laurice’s look until she spoke again. “It would seem your Avatar requires a lesson in respect,” she said, standing. “Nials, bring Conlan Baydon and the wayward Avatar to my chambers and we will deal with this now. Lock the others back up.”
Eleanor glanced at Conlan, she could feel his apprehension. Nials came from the back of the room, a stern look on his face, the circle of guards parted and he took Eleanor’s arm, pulling her forward. Conlan followed.
What’s going on? Freddie asked.
I think I’m in trouble. The tree I exploded was Laurice’s favourite; she’s going to punish me, Eleanor said. Even in her head, her voice sounded frightened and small.
Conlan won’t let them hurt you, Freddie assured her.
Right now I think he’d be cheering them on. I think he’s rather angry with me.
What should I do? Freddie asked. Eleanor felt his concern again.
I don’t think there is anything you can do right now, but would you please leave my head? If they’re going to do something unpleasant, I’d rather you didn’t have to suffer it with me.
Are you sure? I don’t mind, and maybe I could help.
Eleanor shuddered at the thought of losing control and screaming or crying with Freddie in her head. It would be a horrid thing to do to him.
No, really, I’ll be better off on my own.
OK, but only if you’re sure, Freddie replied, sounding hurt.
With her attention on what Freddie had been saying, Eleanor had not noticed the twists and turns they were taking, and she was surprised when Nials opened a large ornate wooden door onto what looked like someone’s office. In front of them, across the room, stood a massive wooden desk, paper, books and writing instruments scattered messily across it, the chair behind it facing a large open window that looked out over the garden Eleanor had been in earlier. She could see people cleaning up the mess she had made of the tree. In the middle of the room, within the boarder of a rich, colourful rug, were two overstuffed sofas that looked as if they were rarely used. They faced each other, a low table in between. Along the back wall of the room were bookcases, filled to overflowing with books, papers and charts. There did not seem to be any order to it. In the corner of the room was an ‘A’ frame of polished wood, on which sat the most beautiful saddle Eleanor had ever seen. It was made of a snake-like leather, it had an almost metallic green colour to it and the stirrups and edges were adorned with small red gems that sparkled even in the fading evening light. Hanging on the wall, next to the saddle, was a painting so large that the bottom of the frame was inches from the floor, while the top actually touched the ceiling. The painting was the remarkably life-like image of a horse – a beautiful horse – its pure black coat shining over its defined, strong, muscled body, elegant grace with an air of noble, equine intelligence. It stood to
attention, one front hoof lifted as if he was ready to spring out of the painting. Impressed, Eleanor walked towards the image and studied it slowly so that she would always remember it.
“That is Meran, my husband’s horse,” Laurice said. Eleanor jumped at her voice and turned to see the woman enter the room and close the door behind her.
“I am sorry I destroyed your favourite tree and insulted your people,” Eleanor said quickly before Laurice could speak and say something irreversible like ‘chop off her head!’ “I speak and act without thinking,” Eleanor continued. “But I really do not want that to reflect badly on Conlan, as it is not his fault I have no self-discipline.” Expecting violence or at the very least someone to yell at her, Eleanor was surprised when Laurice laughed, a wonderful, full, rich sound of pure amusement.
“Child, do I look like someone who cares very much about trees or the fragile pride of men?” she asked, smiling at her. Confused, Eleanor looked the woman up and down and immediately noted the strength and confidence in her face and body and the intelligence in her eyes.
“No, you do not strike me as someone who cares about those things, so why are we here?” she asked bluntly.
“Eleanor, that was rude,” Conlan chastised quietly, looking just as confused as she was.
Laurice gave him a scornful look. “Do not stifle her spirit; you will have need of it if you truly wish to be king. She has a disconcerting ability to see to the heart of people, which is a useful thing to know if you wish to rule. She certainly recognised Harnlyn for the fool he is,” she said, turning to Nials. “Untie them, please, I do not believe them to be a threat. And can we have some light in here?”
Nials nodded and took a knife from his belt. Stepping behind Conlan he cut through his restraints, doing the same for Eleanor. She gasped at the sharp pain that ran through her shoulders as her arms moved from her previously locked position. Moving away from them, he began lighting the lanterns that were placed around the room.
Laurice scrutinised Eleanor for a long time before she spoke.
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