yes Mol might just be ideal for that purpose.
Looking up as she realised no one had said a word she turned her attention to Mol, time for her to assume the role she been elected to,
"Mol, I have a request here from the king for another Bard to replace our late sister Xeexa, I think you would be ideal for the mission", Mol was shocked to the core, "me!, at the palace!, oh no!", she hadn't intended to say that but the panic she still felt was getting to her.
Sera held up a hand, "don't worry I don't propose to send you there as the Bard advisor, I think Illia would be ideal for that, instead I thought you could stay in the role you've been in for the past few weeks, that of servant, it would give you ample time to get the lye of the land and see if the Unnamed ones servants have had any influence on the activities at court.
I for one would like to know who let the creatures know who responsible for Xeexa's death what route she would be taking, We look after our own", that last part said in almost a growl, from the look on the other's faces Mol could tell that Xeexa must have been well liked and no few of them would like to meet out justice to whoever betrayed her.
Mol just had one question, "how is Angee getting on?", she still worried about her friend , and information wasn't exactly free to the servants, only what they overheard in passing really.
Sera explained what was going on in Irek , and Mol frowned, "maybe we should go there first and see if we can help?". That wasn't exactly what she wanted as an ideal, the court of the King needed a good look at, but she could understand Mol's concern, "alright then, but try to wrap things up as quickly as possible and get to the capital with all haste , now as I have other things to do go in peace my daughters", as they all stood up to go they turned as the Mother Abbess spoke, "Illia could you remain for some final things I need to say."
After everyone had left them alone Sera looked Illia directly in the eyes. This is a difficult mission for you daughter, I know never having or working with a bronze Bard may seem strange, and although you are senior to her in years, she has senses which are ideal for detecting things we'd miss, so if she says something, don't dismiss it out of hand", Illia just looked impassive "yes mother", and standing up again she left.
Allia was sore all over, her captors had not treated her kindly, although she thought they would have been rougher, apart from a few mild beatings nothing like she'd always imagined what would happen if she fell into unfriendly hands . She was very thirsty, they had fed her but the food was all salty so she'd stopped eating most of it, only having a mouthful now and then to ease the gnawing hunger.
The heat in the room was high too, for this looked like a rising cupboard where bakers put bread to rise before baking, she was not too sure as the only light was the tiny crack under the door, or the little light that got in when they threw her food in.
The room was beginning to smell now, the combination of heat, food and body waste was making it horribly uncomfortable, suddenly the door burst open and two men in livery came in and grabbed her while she was still blinking from the bright light.
They dragged her roughly to a large opulent room and chained her to a chair in front of an ornate wooden desk, she could not see who was sat behind the desk and the person was sat in a high backed chair with her back to her, she sat there in silence waiting for something to happen when the person in the chair turned around, she gasped as the woman sat there smiled "hello, dear sister."
Angee strapped her sword on, she wore a heavy travel cloak that when pulled together hid her uniform, she wasn't going to be caught in any situation where the lack of a uniform may land her in trouble with the authorities. Picking up a dagger she'd got from the temple armory she left her room shoving the dagger in her belt, Angeless was waiting just outside "are you ready?", Angee gave a mock bow, "lead the way" a grin cracking her face.
They weaved through different streets and alleys until Angeless stopped at a door, "we're here, be careful of him, he's dangerous", Angee didn't need any warning though, a man like this was not to be taken lightly, following Angeless in, they entered the room, Angee saw a man behind a desk, he looked up. "Ah you're here, you've brought the gold I trust?", Angee didn't mince words, "gold for information, information first."
A fleeting expression of annoyance crossed the mans face, "show me your gold and I'll give you what you want."
Angee's face and tone held a touch of sarcasm, "sure, and I trust you to give me that information once the gold is in your hands, in fact" she realised what she was sensing , "those men you've got outside waiting to rush in and jump us, I really don't think that would be a good idea", as she threw back her cloak and showed the sword in her hand the uniform underneath revealed what she was.
"In fact it could be a fatal mistake on your part, yes, terminal to your health". Autor was sweating now, he'd leaned back in his chair and was sweating profusely, which wasn't surprising considering the three foot steel sword at his throat, Angee smiled sweetly, "now I know there won't be any unpleasantness, will there?". Autor nodded, he knew not to mess with this person.
"Alright, there's a house in Middle Park, they've had some, ah, shall we say strange requests."
Angee was curious, "what sort of requests?".
"Well, items", for some reason Autor didn't want to elaborate. "come on out with it what sort of items?", Angee was losing her patience with this odious man.
"Please you have to understand, it's my business to acquire unusual things, these people wanted various devices or a leather nature, some torturers tools too, as well as a steady supply of people", he looked at the floor as he made the last admission.
Angee grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt, "you mean you've been kidnapping people for them to use?", her anger barely under control,
"how many?". Autor shrugged, Angee shook him, "HOW MANY!" Autor flinched at the loud,harsh tone, "twenty or so" he mumbled.
Angee threw him backwards her whole posture radiating the fury she felt, she knew better though that to give him what he deserved as she might survive an encounter with his thugs but her young companion wouldn't.
She dumped the gold out of her cloak on the table and looked him directly in the eyes, "here's your blood money, but if I hear of you supplying any more victims for these people, you'll be the next victim."
She fondled the hilt of her sword as she said that. Autor had seemed to recover some of his old bluster,"you can't threaten me like that!". Angee merely smiled, "threaten?, oh no, it wasn't a threat", and turning she ushered her friend out of the building.
Angeless was visibly shaking as they walked down the street, Angee put an arm on her shoulder and she jumped making a little squeak as she did, "calm down, it's over, and if I have my way he'll be out of business before too long". Angeless smiled seeming to calm slightly.
"Well, that would be good, there are a lot of thieves in this town,but he gives it bad name", Angee had to suppress a laugh at the sanctimonious tone from her young friend.
Twenty two
Mol sat waiting on the horse she'd ridden before, she didn't know why but she felt really comfortable on this horse, it wasn't that she'd done any riding before but this horse seemed made for her, a wicker from the horse surprised her, he tossed his head at the same time and Mol had the uneasy feeling this horse knew what she was thinking.
Illia rode towards her on her Bard mount. "Shall we get on our way?" she enquired.
Mol guided the horse to match Illia's gentle pace, the past few days had seen a downpour, but it was merely overcast today, although the lane was a virtual bog.
They rode in an awkward silence, Mol not sure what to say, and Illia slightly uneasy, they stopped just after they'd turned onto a larger road, one that could handle the big wagons the farmers use, and there wasn't as much mud here, the local lord obviously kept it in good order to keep the local economy running in all weathers.
Traffic was light at this time of year, so the riding would be easy going, many people had no reason for
long distance journeys around this time, it was as if the countryside was dormant waiting for spring to arrive.
Mol saw to a light lunch, knowing they didn't want anything heavy sitting in their stomach's, handing a plate of bread and cheese to Illia Mol sat opposite her, "have you been to court before?". There, an opening gesture she thought.
Illia looked at her with a curious look on her face, Mol felt herself being sized up, "no, I haven't but Xeexa who was in this appointment before I was sent me letters as we were good friends."
She continued to eat for a while in silence and the meal for all it's small amount sat heavily with Mol, she knew they needed to work together to sort out how they were going to handle their mission.
They rode on again, the lack of conversation beginning to irritate Mol, she was normally a placid person, but as she rode she realised while a subservient attitude was called for as her role as a servant she did not have to be so with a fellow Bard when on their own, she smiled to herself when she thought of it, yes, her, Mol a Bard, who would have thought!.
Turning her thoughts back to the problem at hand she knew a bit of forthright talking was called for.
"We need to sort out what we're going to do when we get to court" holding her hand up to indicate they should stop.
Illia merely looked puzzled, ' damn ' Mol thought, "look, we have hardly said a word to each other since we set out, I know I am something new, but all you have to remember is I AM a Bard, and in private I expect to be treated so."
Illia seemed to be getting annoyed, "I like that, me a senior sister and you not even going through a novitiate."
Mol interrupted her," I'd also like to remind you I am the only Bronze Bard so that make me a senior sister too."
It didn't look like that had occurred to Illia, and the ride continued in silence, although Illia wasn't really concentrating on where she was riding, more lost in thought than anything else.
After a while she turned to Mol, "I apologise, I swore at one time I would never get as hidebound as some people I've met, it seems it's crept up on me." A cheeky look cracking her usual stern face.
"Have you any ideas about how we bring off the mission?".
Mol had very definite ideas. "Yes, I think it should be Mistress and servant, there's never been a servant accompanying a Bard before, but I think that can be explained away with the death of Xeexa,security is being tightened."
Mol could sense the reluctance in her sister.
"I know Bards have a tough reputation, but can you think of any other way to explain my presence?". Illia couldn't and with a mute shake of her head showed so.
* * *
Allia wondered if she was seeing things, "Kimih?" a question hung in the air. "Why dear,dear sister ", the woman in black said, walking seductively over to where her sister sat.
"What? no hug for your little sister?", and leaning over Mistress Kimih hugged Allia, licking the side of her neck making Allia cringe.
It wasn't just what her sister was doing that made her sick, it was the sense of pure evil she felt as if she'd been touched by something that needed washing off as quickly as possible.
That thought was interrupted by the back of Kimih's hand across her cheek.
"Now dear, dear sister" she said in a silken voice that dripped malice. "I want to know about your friends, especially the white Bard."
Allia realised this creature was not her sister, only a physical reminder of what she looked like. "I'll tell you nothing!" putting as much emphasis as possible into the words, this brought another slap across the face, but Allia realised she'd needled this woman.
Angee was back in the temple, sat around a wooden table with Bria, they knew the house they suspected Allia was being held in,but, how to effect her rescue.
"I think we should get help from Ruth and Vere"
a voice surprised them at the door, "help with what?".
Angee gestured they should sit down, once they'd helped themselves to a drink of wine from the jug on the table Angee explained, "so you see, we have fairly good suspicions that Allia is been held at that house."
It was Ruth as usual who spoke, "a frontal assault is out of the question without troops, and if we asked the city for help we'd be forever explaining why and by the time they agreed, the news would have leaked back to the ones we want and Allia would be dead or somewhere else."
It was Bria who made Angee jump as she wasn't used to hearing her speak, silently Angee was pleased her friend was finding some self confidence, she missed the start of what Bria said with the musing and shook herself , " ... would be to enter the house at night by stealth and find our sister and get out quickly."
No one could find fault with that so they got down to planning how to accomplish it.
Angeless had been waiting outside, she didn't like going into any temple or church as it made her feel uneasy, like the time she'd been caught as a little child by the baker stealing a cake, the look he gave her and the smack still made her wince.
Looking up she saw Angee come down the steps from the temple, the light was beginning to fade and there were less people about, Angee beckoned Angeless over and spoke on a conspiratory tone with her.
"Can you watch the house for us?, we're going to rescue our sister later tonight but we'll need to know if there's any comings and goings."
Angeless was only to pleased to help, anything to leave the temple, and she didn't want to give Angee the chance to offer her a meal she scooted off before Angee could say another word.
Allia came round still strapped to the chair, it was dark now and she must have passed out after the last beating from that woman, she refused to think of her as her sister, that creature only bore a physical resemblance, nothing more.
The leather thongs were biting into her wrists, that plus all the bruises and cuts from the beatings made Allia very tired, she wasn't sure in fact if she didn't have some broken ribs, that woman had taken care not to do too much damage. 'I suppose they want to prolong it as much as possible' she thought while a gasp escaped her lips from a sudden spasm of pain.
Allia prayed to the goddess, and it seemed to her it felt slightly easier, exhausted she slept.
The expressions were grim while they got ready to mount the rescue, all four of them had got dressed in uniforms that had a slight variation in design on the ones Angee and her friends had worn before.
Angee queried this with Ruth, "don't ask me" a mischievous smile on her face, ask Vere.
Angee turned to Vere with a question hanging in the air, "well, among my hobbies I thought I'd try re designing our uniforms, the regular ones while good still have a problem when engaged in full combat, restricted arm movement on an upswing."
Angee thought back to the time when they had faced the evil servants in her village, she knew what Vere was getting at.
"As you see " Vere continued, "the arms are slightly wider at the shoulder allowing the movement sought."
Angee who had dressed by now pulled her sword, the stone pulsing a brilliant white, banishing the shadows created by the torches.
She swung the sword in an exact duplicate move of the one she had thought about she could feel the difference, "nice, very nice."
The others had finished dressing now, Ruth and Vere were both secreting knives and other small implements about their person, without another word they left the temple and walked into the night.
Ruth led them through side streets and back alleys virtually deserted at this time of night, tension was high and the odd stray noise made Angee jump. It seemed like they had been walking forever, suddenly a squad of the town watch came around a corner, "halt!", two swords whipped out of their sheaths, a mixture of white and green light, Ruth threw them a look that spoke volumes, they felt a bit sheepish but didn't put their swords away as the watch had now drawn theirs.
"Drop your weapons." Ruth took one pace forward, " I think not."
Flinging back the hood of her cloak and freeing her arms her uniform was visible
in the torch light, the others followed suit. "Oh, ah, sorry, we have to be on the look out for thieves and lawbreakers " the nervous sergeant in charge of the patrol said .
Angee could tell he did not want to argue with one Bard, let alone four, and he quickly blustered at his men to straighten up as they marched past them on good order.
Bria's chuckle echoed the one Angee felt, Ruth glared at both of them, "I don't know what you have to laugh about."
Bria looked on the floor, Angee could see a smirk which almost made her burst out laughing. Ruth gestured to hurry up quickly getting ahead with Vere leaving Angee and Bria to catch up.
"I hope we don't turn like that."
Angee was surprised at Bria's statement. "What do you mean?". Bria pointed at Ruth and Vere, "Them!".
Angee knew what Bria meant, for all they were Bards they were still almost children and the two senior sisters in front of them seemed to exude no joy or friendship.
They slowed as they reached the street on which the house was located, the avenue of trees was interspersed with torches making the trees cast Erie shadows on the light winds.
Angee pointed, that's the house over there,with the man stood in front.
Ruth nodded and whispered, wait here, she moved off along the trees, keeping in the shadows, the sound of trees rustling covered any noise she may have made but Angee suspected she made none.
They had kept out of sight incase the man saw them, but a muffled groan caused them to look down the avenue, Ruth was just disposing of the guard.
Vere, noticed something and a hand whipped out from under her cloak in blur, a flash of silver flew along the tree line and suddenly a man fell out of a tree Angee realised he had just been about to fire a light crossbow at Ruth, her estimation of Vere's abilities doubled.
The house was brightly lit as they looked through the gate, Ruth beckoned.
A Change For the Light Page 15