“Just go,” she whispered harshly to herself, wishing the pit in her stomach would go away. How was she supposed to focus on saving her parents when her mind was so scattered? This wasn’t the time to worry about whether or not her gown was expensive enough to meet the Emperor’s standards. She was there to be arrested. Her clothing was appropriate for what she had come to accomplish.
Inhaling a deep breath she forced herself to continue forward into the Great Hall, her eyes sweeping the room from one side to the other. She had no image to draw from which would tell her the identity of the Emperor. Although she knew his name, she had never seen him before. The only chance she had at picking him out in the crowd was that he was said to be somewhere near Therek. It seemed logical to assume that if she located Therek, the Emperor would be easy enough to pinpoint from there.
The task was easier to accomplish than she anticipated. A long table could be seen at the head of the room, facing toward the door to overlook the other seats positioned throughout the spacious area. A human male was seated at the center, his brown hair slicked back away from his face to reveal the rich tan of his complexion. A pair of deep black eyes stared out at Kaori, immediately drawn to her as she stepped further into the room. His wardrobe was unlike that of anyone else, a wide, gem-encrusted, silver crown fixed atop his head, the candles on the table reflecting their light off the smooth surface. At the sight of her, he leaned closer to the man at his right side, nudging him, a curious expression on his face.
There was no mistaking who the person was the man spoke with. She knew those eyes all too well, their azure glow settling on her in their usual stern manner. He looked vaguely surprised to see her, his chin lifting slightly, as if to acknowledge her entrance. Satisfied that she had been noticed, she pressed onward, pushing through the crowd to find her way closer to the head table. She didn’t care if it was inappropriate for her to address the Emperor without an introduction. Her business was too important. Proper etiquette would take too long.
Just as she reached the table the man rose to his feet, staring down at her in disapproval. “Since when did we start letting peasants into the palace?” he grumbled, waving his hand toward one of the guards positioned at the door. Kaori’s heart raced, realizing the precariousness of her situation.
“No, please… I beg you,” she exhaled, dropping to her knees in front of the elegant table. Before she could say anything more, a pair of strong hands grasped at her shoulders, pulling her gruffly to her feet. Frantic, her eyes shifted to the guard who had a hold of her, the expression on his face devoid of emotion or strain, easily keeping his grip despite her attempts to break free. “Your Majesty, please!”
Therek was on his feet, leaning forward to whisper into the Emperor’s ear. Almost instantly the Emperor brought his hand up, signaling the guard to stop. “Wait,” he announced loudly, tilting his head to hear what Therek spoke. After a moment he wrinkled his nose in disdain, waving for the guard to leave. “Never mind,” he frowned. “Release her – for now.”
Free of the guard’s strong arms, Kaori straightened the folds of her dress, aware of the eyes watching them from every corner of the room. Everyone had fallen silent, their attention gathered from the commotion. Proudly she lifted her chin. This wasn’t the time to let the Emperor see her falter. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she replied, courteous, dipping into a formal curtsy.
Clearly displeased, the Emperor lowered himself back onto his chair, reaching for the golden goblet beside his plate to take a sip of the wine contained within. “Do not thank me yet,” he stated coldly, placing the goblet onto the table once again. “I will not give audience during dinner. It seems Losuva failed to keep his pet on a proper leash this evening.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Therek cut in, casting Kaori a disapproving glance out of the corner of his eye. “I gave the lady directions to remain in her quarters until you were prepared to grant her an audience.”
“Then she isn’t much of a lady if she disobeyed your directives, now is she?” the Emperor sneered. “Get her out of my sight. I cannot look at such filth while I eat.”
“Of course, Sir.” Without further argument Therek stepped away from his seat, moving swiftly around the table to where Kaori stood. She tried to decipher the strange look in his eyes, fearing that he would be angry with her. He held the key to an audience with the Emperor. If he chose to deny her his assistance, her parents would never be released from captivity.
His hand was firm as he grabbed onto her arm, escorting her to a shadowed corner of the room. The other courtiers continued to watch them, hushed whispers already audible throughout the crowd. Let them talk; she thought to herself, dejected. What did it matter what they thought of her? Public image meant little to a woman destined for execution. “I am sorry,” she whispered, genuine in the sentiment as Therek released her, positioning himself between her and the prying eyes of the others.
“I thought I made it clear that you were to wait until an audience was arranged before throwing yourself at the Emperor.”
“Yes, but you said nothing about the fact that you would be dining at his side tonight.”
“That was my best opportunity to convince him to see you. Do you really think he will be amenable to your requests after the display you just put on?”
It was too difficult to stay mad at him. A tiny voice in the back of her mind constantly reminded her of the fact that Therek didn’t have to do anything for her. His parents weren’t the ones in prison. “I did not want to leave this burden entirely on your shoulders.”
“Well, you have succeeded in making the burden heavier. I suggest you stay here and keep to yourself until the Emperor has finished his dinner and indicates that he is prepared to see you. Do you understand?”
“Your Grace…”
“Do you understand?” His tone was more forceful than Kaori was used to. Still, he didn’t appear angered. Discontent, but not mad. Not wanting to upset him beyond that which she already had, Kaori nodded in agreement, afraid to argue any further. Satisfied with her submission Therek heaved a long, drawn-out breath. “Good,” he added softly, the lines on his face easing somewhat in their tension. “I will try to sway him into a more favorable mood. Just… try to do what I say, for once, and stay here.”
In a swift motion he turned away, leaving Kaori there in the shadows. The darkness wasn’t enough to conceal her from the courtiers, their stares burning into her as she tried to sink further against the heavy stone wall. There was no escaping them. The eyes were everywhere, judging her, criticizing her every move. Osrik was right. Maybe she shouldn’t have left them so abruptly. He and Salene had been the only friendly faces she’d seen since leaving her chambers. Even Therek’s eyes were less than welcoming.
Despondent, she folded her arms across her chest, pursing her lips in frustration. The Emperor would never take her seriously. Especially not with the way she looked currently. He thought her nothing more than a peasant. Her, the daughter of the respectable Count of Rothdara! It ate away at her inside. She was better than this. Born of noble blood. Why did appearances have to be so damned important to these egocentric humans?
She had to do something. The lives of her parents were dependent upon the Emperor’s opinion of her. If that meant she had to stoop to the same level as the courtiers, she had no choice. Her concern was in how she was going to change the impression she had already made. Salene. The name floated through her head, bringing with it the image of the woman’s face. She had looked almost desperate when she realized Kaori intended to approach the Emperor dressed as she was. Maybe she was the answer.
No. This was ridiculous. She barely knew Salene. The brief time they spent in each other’s company wasn’t enough to merit such a large favor. Besides, she most likely has already departed from the palace corridors.
Despite the arguments posed in her mind, Kaori was already away from the wall, slipping through the crowd toward the arched door. She couldn’t very well stand th
ere for the rest of the night. Her continued presence would only serve to further anger the Emperor. If there was any chance Salene was still nearby, Kaori had to try.
Happy to be out of view from the Emperor, Kaori’s breath came easier once back in the mild safety of the hallway. There were fewer courtiers here than in the Great Hall, making it somewhat easier to search the crowd for the familiar face she so desperately hoped to find. Although in her heart she resigned herself to the thought of failure, she was relieved to catch sight of Salene’s beautifully arranged blonde hair standing near the entrance to the dining area, her blue eyes meeting Kaori’s with a look of concern.
Kaori didn’t have time to enjoy the relief that filled her at the sight of the woman, her legs moving her closer as if they operated with a mind of their own. To her astonishment Salene made no attempt to move away, instead helping to cover the distance in only a few dainty strides. “I heard what happened,” Salene whispered, offering her hand to Kaori in consolation. “I told Buldan we never should have let you go in there.”
Kaori shook her head, confused by the interest this woman had in her business. Salene stood to gain nothing from Kaori’s success or failure. “I did not realize appearances were so important,” she frowned, tentatively accepting Salene’s outstretched hand. “The Emperor nearly had me thrown from the palace.”
“I told you he would,” Salene nodded, the tone of her voice too gentle for Kaori to take offense. It was true. Salene warned her and Kaori chose to disregard the counsel. She had every right to rub the error in Kaori’s face. “The Emperor is very particular when it comes to those who address him publicly. He has men in his employ who handle business with the lower classes. Many consider him more like a god than human; too sacred to be spoken to by the common folk.”
“If that is the case, then I will never achieve an audience with him.”
“Come now, it cannot be that bad,” Salene smiled. “We can go through your dresses and I will help you choose a gown which is more suited for court.”
“That is exactly the trouble,” Kaori’s shoulders slumped forward, dreading the words she was about to speak. It was embarrassing enough that she had been manhandled by the guards in front of the entire dining hall. Now she had to admit further inferiority in front of a woman she had only just met. “As I alluded to before, I was in such a rush to leave for Eykanua that I failed to bring another gown. This dress is all I have.”
“Oh, dear,” Salene covered her mouth with her hand, the motion delicate, indicative of her aristocratic upbringing. Cautious of the watchful eyes, she wrapped her arm around Kaori’s shoulders, drawing her in closer as if in preparation to tell some great secret. “Perhaps there is something I can do,” she said quietly, urging Kaori to move with her as she began a casual stroll through the crowd. “First, we need to get you away from these vultures. My quarters are not far.”
Kaori’s confusion continued to build with every word Salene spoke. There had to be something Salene wasn’t telling her. Some reason why she took such an interest in Kaori’s plight. But now wasn’t the time to ask questions. Salene was right about needing to get away from the crowd. There were too many people. It would be easier to think clearly once she was in the privacy of Salene’s quarters.
Obediently she followed Salene’s directions, weaving through the courtiers toward a narrow corridor which branched off the main hall, leading deeper into the more private chambers of the palace. On her guard, Salene kept a constant watch to make sure no one followed, her eyes darting up and down the hall before unlocking the heavy door to her chambers. Satisfied that they were alone, she pushed open the door, beckoning Kaori inside. “Come,” she said softly. “We do not have a great deal of time if your hope is to still seek an audience with the Emperor this evening.”
“I don’t understand,” Kaori sighed, moving into the room hastily, the sound of Salene’s footsteps echoing behind her as the door clicked shut, leaving them in the safety of the unfamiliar walls. “I do not want to sound ungrateful for your assistance, but I am confused as to why you are so willing to help.”
“It is not my willingness to help you so much as it is your parents,” Salene replied, nodding toward a cushioned chair situated in front of a large desk at the far wall. “Please, sit. I will explain after I find something for you to wear.”
The words struck Kaori, leaving her speechless. This woman knew something about her parents? Hopeful for any answer Salene could provide of her family’s safety, Kaori did as she was asked, positioning herself stiffly on the chair. Filled with nervous excitement she watched Salene move about the room, disappearing through another large door near the back. Detailed paintings hung from the walls, depicting several regal looking humans in old-fashioned attire, their features resembling those which Salene bore. Family, perhaps? Former Counts and Countesses of Argha. Their eyes stared out from the paintings as if judging what they saw, almost disapproving in their gaze. Unsettled by the sight, Kaori forced herself to look away.
Her hands were trembling by the time Salene appeared in the doorway, draping an elegant gown of burgundy silk across the back of a sofa positioned in the center of the spacious room. Kaori’s eyes were fixed on the garment Salene presented, awed by the intricacies of its design. Well beyond any of the finery she owned. The thought of even touching it made her fearful that the gown would be ruined. “I cannot wear that…”
“Nonsense,” Salene interjected, moving quickly to stand behind Kaori, her gloved fingers effortlessly unhooking the buttons along the back of Kaori’s dress. “It was a gift from a gentleman at court whom I absolutely detest. While it is near perfection in every way, I could never wear it simply on principle.”
There was little time to talk while Salene went to work removing the tattered dress Kaori had worn throughout her journey to Eykanua. It didn’t take long for the yards of fabric from the new gown to be pulled over Kaori’s head, falling into place along her body as though it had been designed specifically for her slender form. The laces of her corset were tightened, allowing the material to practically mold itself to the curve of her hips, accentuating her figure in a way Kaori doubted her mother would approve. A soft shimmer could be seen in the fabric, hanging in a waterfall of silk from her waist to the floor. The curve of the sweetheart neckline made her feminine attributes more prominent, contrasting the pale, smooth surface of Kaori’s skin. Sleeves were fashioned of a gentle lace dyed to match the rich burgundy, clinging gently around the shoulder.
Kaori was afraid to sit once the gown was in place, not wanting to risk wrinkling the fine fabric. Salene pressed downward on Kaori’s shoulder to guide her back onto the chair, hurrying around the room in search of something. “You spoke of my parents,” Kaori announced loudly, anxious to bring the conversation back to the topic she so desperately wanted to discuss. “What do you know of them? Do you know where I can find them?”
“I know very little of their whereabouts,” Salene replied, breathless from her hasty pace. “Rumors have been rampant since the Emperor ordered their arrest, but no one really knows exactly what charges will be brought against them.”
“What kind of rumors?” Kaori’s head reeled with questions. It was hard to stop herself from letting them all tumble forth at once. She would accomplish nothing if she couldn’t maintain composure.
Retrieving a brush from the desk, Salene fought with the tangles in Kaori’s hair, tugging roughly to smooth the silky strands. “Everyone says your parents are innocent. Word around the palace is that they have been detained for a crime committed by someone else. What I do not understand is why the Emperor would place two people on trial when they have done nothing wrong.”
“That is why I have come.”
“That is the other rumor I heard,” Salene nodded. “There are those within the Emperor’s court who sympathize for the plight of your parents. Unfortunately, there are even more who would rather see them executed simply because they are not human.”
“
Not human? Why would that matter?”
Salene gave a soft laugh, seeming surprised by the question. “Why would that matter?” she gazed at Kaori, a hint of sadness visible in the depths of her eyes. “It matters because many humans feel threatened by your people. They fear what you are capable of. Some believe the light which shines from your eyes is the work of the devil. That evil spirits live within your bodies.”
Kaori stared at Salene, aghast. This was ridiculous. Evil spirits? The devil? Had these people completely lost their minds? “That is preposterous,” she argued. “Our people have inhabited this land for centuries. We have never given reason for anyone to believe us evil.”
“I have heard the Emperor speak of it,” Salene frowned, giving another hard tug on Kaori’s hair. “It has been whispered about for years.”
“And what of you? Do you believe this?”
“Of course not,” Salene scoffed at the question. “When we heard the news that the Duke of Avishul had brought a young lady with him to argue the release of the prisoners, Lord Buldan and I were hopeful of your success.”
Salene’s fingers weaved through Kaori’s hair, lifting it off the base of her neck in thoughtful contemplation. Silence hung heavy between them while Kaori tried to comprehend what Salene said. It was too much to take in. The humans feared the Vor’shai. But why would the Emperor feed such outlandish stories to his people? “There are many Vor’shai who have stations within the Emperor’s court, including the Duke himself. If the courtiers really feel this way toward my people, it seems unusual that our races continue to live together in peace.”
“Not everyone is against the Vor’shai. I merely speak of the whispered opinions of a few. Your parents’ arrest, however, has been on the tongues of many. I have known the Count and Countess of Rothdara for years and they would never hurt anyone. This is why their supposed crime has struck me as odd.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 17