by Tony Roberts
Stana stared in fascination at the soldiers lining the last part of the roadway leading into the castle, all resplendent in their shining armour and holding gaily coloured pennants on poles.
Amne smiled at the greeting; at least father had managed to acknowledge her arrival. He could hardly send her back now. She got out once the wagons had stopped inside the courtyard, holding her swelling abdomen. It wouldn’t be much longer before everyone saw the bump. As long as father saw first, then it didn’t matter.
A smart, straight-nosed officer saluted and bowed. “Your highness, Captain Bevil of the Zofela Imperial Guard.”
“Ah, Vosgaris’ successor, eh?” Amne said, looking him up and down.
“Ma’am,” Bevil said in a non-committal manner.
Amne smiled, pleased it had hit a sensitive area. She would make sure she got to the heart of the matter, one way or the other. She saw her father standing at the top of a stone staircase that ended in a wide arched opening at the far end of the courtyard. He came down, escorted by two big looking guards. No sign of mother. Funny.
She held both her daughters by the shoulders, one on either side, and smiled as the emperor approached. On cue, she curtseyed as custom dictated, telling her girls to do the same. Behind her, all her entourage were bowing or curtseying as well.
Astiras stopped two paces away. “Hello Amne, I see you couldn’t follow my wishes – as usual.”
“I love you too, father. Here, these are your granddaughters, Kola, who is five, and Stana, three. Girls, this is your grandfather, the Emperor Astiras.”
Astiras looked at the two girls, looking at him wide-eyed and nervous. Astiras’ face broke into a smile. “Well, such beautiful girls, it’s lovely to meet you at last.”
Kola, well drilled by Amne, curtseyed again and looked extremely serious. “It is my pleasure, sire,” she said in an over-rehearsed manner. Stana put her hand to her mouth and clung to Amne tightly.
Astiras chuckled. “I think we should go into the kitchen – there may be one or two treats for the girls?”
Amne whispered to the girls who nodded, and together they all followed Astiras back towards the archway. “And where’s mother? I would have thought she would be here to greet us.”
“She is, ah, busy. You’ll meet her soon enough.”
Amne frowned at the tone in his voice. Not exactly warm, but not hostile. Somewhere in the middle. “You know, father, there have been things going on here I hear about, none of which I’m happy about.”
The emperor looked at her sharply. “Amne, don’t interfere. I’m not prepared to tolerate that. The empress has learned the hard way I make the rules, not her. I don’t want you to have to go through the same.”
“And what does that mean, father? What is wrong with you? You’re like you’ve stepped on a nail.”
“Later, Amne, when the girls are in bed.”
She had to accept that, even though she was bursting to know. There were, indeed, cakes in the kitchen and the girls were happy to eat a couple, then they settled down on the next floor up in the guest bedrooms. Amne and the two girls along with two servants had the best suite.
Having settled the girls in, Amne went for a walk, exploring the castle. It had changed a lot since she’d been there last. She eventually found the empress in the day chamber, checking over figures on a scroll. “Well, this is where you’re hiding, mother.”
“Oh, hello Amne,” Isbel said, leaning back and stretching her neck. “How was the journey? Are the girls fine? I must see them, you know.”
“So you shall. They’re in their room. Want to come?”
Isbel thought for a moment, then threw down the scroll. “Yes! To the pit with this paperwork. Your father has me going through so many documents these days I’ve hardly time to think!”
“Why’s that? Surely you have clerks and scribes to do that? What about your role as empress? You should have been with father greeting us.”
Isbel took Amne by the arm, something which both would not have thought possible even a year ago, and walked with her along the passageway. She brought Amne up to date with Astiras’ behaviour and the arrest of Pepil and the banishment of Vosgaris. “I really worry about his state of mind, Amne. Something’s happened to him in the past year or so and I don’t know what it is. All I know is he’s become such a brute and a tyrant. He doesn’t trust me out of his sight, although he’ll behave differently to me in your company.”
Amne looked Isbel square in the face. “So what happened with Vosgaris? Argan said something about you and he being accused of having an affair?”
Isbel squeezed Amne’s arm for a moment. “If Astiras found out you’d been having one with him, Vosgaris would be dragged back here and executed.”
Amne stopped and stared at Isbel. “Mother – what – are you saying?”
Isbel smiled and patted Amne’s arm. “Amne, in the past we’ve not seen eye to eye and argued too much. I thought you were far too flippant and flighty and not taking things seriously. I was also worried you were far too – friendly with the men. I know about you and Vosgaris. I got it out of him; he couldn’t conceal it from me. Don’t forget we women pick up things far better than men.”
Amne sighed and looked out of a nearby arrow slit. “Oh, dear demons of the underworld. Elas will go berserk.”
“Nobody will ever know, Amne.”
The princess looked at Isbel. “You’ve changed, mother. Before you would have been first in the queue to berate me. What has brought this about?”
Isbel smiled tiredly and patted Amne’s stomach. “So when’s the little one due?”
“Oh, I was going to tell father but – he’s not in the mood, is he? I think the new year or shortly afterwards. Things are better between Elas and me.”
“So I see,” Isbel said with a twinkle in her eye. “Amne – I’m sorry that there has been this rift between us. I want to make things up to you.”
Amne looked at Isbel, then smiled. “As long as you can suffer my sense of humour. I’m still flippant.”
“I’d prefer that these days to Astiras’ grumpiness. Oh he’s driving me mad. So, Vosgaris. Pepil apparently has been compiling this list of incidences where Vosgaris and I were alone together, going back nine years. It was enough for Astiras to have the chance to get his own back for me putting him through it about his dallying with Metila.”
“Oh, for Kastan’s sake – what does he think he’s doing? And he sent Vosgaris away because of these nasty comments? Phuh! Poor man, he must wonder what’s hit him!”
“And this coming after he lost his wife. Yes, I did comfort him in his grief, but we never did anything.”
“Well it’s not your style, mother. As you say, I would have – and in fact I did! Yes, I did, more than once. At least I can talk to you about it.”
Isbel stayed silent, and took Amne up another stone flight of stairs into a small turret, then through a wooden door out on to the ramparts. Guards stood some distance off, so the two women stood by the door and looked out over the countryside.
“Mother, is there something you’re not telling me? My antennae are twitching, just like yours do.”
Isbel’s lips trembled.
“Mother?” now Amne was concerned. She took hold of the empress’s arm and looked her in the face. “What is it?”
“Oh I can’t keep it in anymore!” she shuddered, tears forming in her eyes. “If Astiras finds out he’ll kill Vosgaris for sure.”
“What for – mother? Mother!” Amne straightened and stared incredulously at Isbel.
Isbel wiped her eyes. “I-I did it with him,” she said in a hushed voice. “Vosgaris.”
“Wh-what…. You? Dear gods above….”
Isbel sobbed, her hands to her face. In the near distance a guard turned, concerned but Amne waved him away. “I couldn’t help myself – it was after all these things had happened and Astiras turned on me for nothing. Poor Vosgaris – I felt so sorry for him and…and…oh no, I’ll be sent
to a temple!”
“Mother – mother! Look at me! Look – at – me.”
Isbel looked up, distraught. “You’ll be thinking now I’m just a hypocrite after all I’ve said to you.”
“No, mother, let’s forget about all that. The important thing is to keep this quiet. You know what it’s like in Court – they’ll report on the slightest thing and tittle-tattle about it like it’s the most important thing in the empire. You’ve told nobody about Vosgaris and me, so I’m definitely not saying a word to anyone!”
Isbel sobbed in relief. “Oh, Amne, Amne…” she flung her arms around the princess. Amne held Isbel tight for a moment, then pushed her back and looked at her. She smiled, shaking her head slowly.
“Well, this is a turn-up.” She took the empress by the arm and began walking along the battlements. “So – what was it like?”
“Oh,” Isbel made a half-sob, half-laughing noise. “Well, you know what he’s like.”
“Mmm, very good.”
“Oh yes he was!” The two giggled like two naughty children, heads close together. The first guard looked at the two, saluted, then walked on, wondering what the two were finding so amusing. Girl talk. He shook his head.
“Aren’t you jealous?” Isbel asked quietly. “I mean – I’ve taken over one of your men.”
“Mother, I’ve forgotten about all that man business. My treatment by Dragan changed all that. That, and something Lalaas said to me.” Amne looked thoughtfully over the countryside. “Mother – Dragan hurt me, but more than that, I realised I’d brought it on myself by having these affairs – and it led to an innocent man being killed.”
“Captain Telekan?”
Amne nodded. “I’ve been very badly behaved, and I know you tried to stop me but I wasn’t listening.” She turned to face the empress. “I can say sorry, but it doesn’t change what happened. It can’t change the past. I know we fell out terribly, and I am truly sorry that I caused you this distress. I see now what responsibilities our place and position demanded; I was too blinded with desire to see that.”
Isbel nodded. Amne gave her a rueful smile, and suddenly the two were embracing tightly, eyes shut, drawing from the other the reassurance and new-found friendship they felt. Amne smiled deeply, something deep within releasing itself, freeing something, a long-buried bad feeling, and she felt it dissipate.
Isbel held her step-daughter just as firmly. She needed her support; there was precious little else for her in Zofela. The realisation that Amne was her salvation was a total surprise, but she grasped the opportunity nonetheless. It gave her strength; she could feel the resolve flowing through her being. She broke the hug and looked at the smiling face of the princess, then tenderly, kissed her full on the lips.
Amne didn’t resist, but she looked in surprise as Isbel straightened. “What was that for? Not that I object – that was lovely.”
“There’s more to love than sex,” Isbel said cryptically. “You can love someone without needing anything like that.”
Amne nodded slowly. She took hold of Isbel’s arm again and they resumed their walk, pausing in their talk when a guard neared, and then passed. “I want you to meet my daughters, I want you to meet this one,” she touched her belly, “when he or she is born. I’ll send for you – father can eat his misery for all I care. You can spend time with us in Kastan. It’ll be a break for you away from the grumpy one.”
Isbel laughed, her mood lighter. “Thank you – I don’t know if I’ll be allowed, I mean, away from Astiras’ gaze?”
Amne slid a sneaky sideways glance at Isbel. “Vosgaris won’t be that far you know – maybe I could – ah – arrange a covert visit to the palace?”
“Oh, you naughty girl!” Isbel slapped Amne lightly on the shoulder. “Don’t tempt me!”
“Vosgaris with his arms round you, mother? Making love to you, the way he did before? Imagine waking up with him next to you, and you sliding onto him and…..”
“Amne – don’t! You’re making my legs feel weak. You’re truly wicked, aren’t you?”
“Oh yes, mother. I don’t mind acting as the matchmaker now I’ve stopped myself.”
“So you’re truly going to be faithful from now on? Not even one little wish?”
“Wish? Oh mother, if wishes came true I’d be swept off my feet by a certain man and carried off to some romantic moonlit beach on equineback and subjected to passion all night long.”
“Lalaas?”
“Oh, that’s obvious, isn’t it? That man is so – gorgeous. He said he’s saving himself for me, no matter if it takes decades. How wonderful is that? It may never happen, if Elas lives longer than Lalaas. No matter, I’ve vowed to both him and myself I’ll never be with another man except Elas, and should Elas go, then I’ll be with Lalaas for the rest of our lives, and to the pit with the consequences.”
“Oh, Amne – that’s beautiful. But you and I have duties and responsibilities. We both know we can’t carry on with carnal abandon. I must fortify myself and endure my own failing marriage. As much as I love the idea of having Vosgaris secretly visit me in the palace – no.”
Amne took Isbel’s face in her hands and stared at her closely. “You can write to me – I’ll only be at the end of the messenger’s route. Don’t feel you’re alone. You have your least favourite princess as your best friend now.” She smiled at her own joke.
Isbel smiled back, her eyes wet. “Oh Amne – you’re a life saver, you know that? I’m going to say something to you I thought I’d never say, and that’s I love you.”
“And mother, finally, belatedly, I can say the same to you. I love you too.” They kissed again and made their way back to the turret door, heads close, chatting away like two old friends catching up on gossip.
Dinner that evening was a strange affair. Astiras sat at the top of the table, his countenance severe, looking at Isbel and Amne on more than one occasion. The castellan was along one side together with Captain Bevil, and the Mazag ambassador Ganag Meri was opposite Amne. Amne’s two daughters were either side of her, so that Kola was in between Isbel and her mother. Isbel had been entranced by the two girls, and both had happily played with their grandmother once the initial wariness had passed. Sat in between Astiras and Captain Bevil was Istan, who was not happy at not being informed of Amne’s arrival, nor of even the existence of the two girls. The fact that he had not shown any inclination to listen in the past when he had been told was neither here nor there.
Frendicus was further down, conversing mostly with the castle temple cleric and a Court official who had been elevated to temporary major domo. Amne made sure the girls were happy in their seats, raised on cushions so they could reach their food. Stana was more of a hard task, and food was dropped frequently, but the princess was used to dealing with such matters and one of the serving staff provided a handy bowl to put dropped items in. Amne spent a fair amount of time wiping Stana’s face.
Kola was as a result tended to by Isbel, who was glad to foster attention upon someone who returned it equally. Istan scowled. His own mother was showing more affection to a stupid girl than to him, the Prince of the East. Another insult. He was just pleased things between his mother and father were showing signs of going from bad to worse. If he could get rid of his mother, that was one less stupid person to get in his way.
“Why did you ignore my command to remain in Turslenka, Amne? You do know there is a war going on here, don’t you?” Astiras said, breaking off a chunk of bread from his loaf.
“Of course, I’m not oblivious of events in the empire,” Amne said, making sure Stana’s napkin was tucked in securely. “But honestly, the way you went on it was like you were treating me as if I was made of glass. I survived that journey through this province before you made it safe, so this was nothing. Anyway, the war was south of here, nowhere near where I was.”
“Even so, an emperor’s command is law and you should learn to obey it.”
Amne smiled and popped a piece of bread into
her mouth and chewed slowly. Astiras shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. His daughter was looking as if she was going to defy him again, and this would not do. He would no longer allow his family to dictate to him as they had in the past. His headache that he tended to have more often these days was back, and getting worse. He took a draught from his goblet.
“You are my daughter and subject to my laws and therefore you will learn to obey me.”
“Not if they go against my family, father.”
Astiras’ face turned red. Isbel looked warningly at Amne, but the blonde-haired princess was not about to be intimidated.
“There are two ways in ruling, father; you can dictate thousands of laws to people, crushing them with petty rules that stifle them, or you can rule benignly, only passing those laws that are there to protect your people. Besides, I do not see any point in you interfering in the affairs of my girls. You hardly have taken any notice of them since they’ve been here, apart from when we arrived. Mother has, and as you know she and I are hardly on talking terms.” She looked at Isbel and her eye away from Astiras closed in a slow wink.
The empress looked away, but her left arm was out straight, behind Kola, and Amne’s fingers lightly brushed the empress’s.
“Will you treat my third child the same, father? Not even acknowledging it?”
“Third child?”
Amne patted her stomach. Istan looked at her and pulled a face. Another rival? This was getting too much. “Mother took the trouble to ask,” Amne was saying, “you didn’t seem interested.”
Astiras gave his daughter the benefit of an icy glare. “You’re presuming too much, Amne. You will have to show me more respect than you are doing this evening. I’m tired of your attitude.”
“Yes, father, the child is due around the turn of the year,” Amne said loudly. She looked away from him and helped a struggling Stana with some of her soup. Isbel put her napkin to her mouth, as much to hide the amusement than anything else. The others at the table were staring transfixed at the disrespect being shown their lord and master.
“Amne, you and I will have to have a serious talk. Enough of this.”