She meant Miranda, he knew -- she could mean no one else. "I believe she is still in the dungeons, Admiral," he said. "For spying."
Anala smiled, but looked no less angry. "That wasnae sa hard, was it. Back ta yer reading," she added, and left.
Lares sighed and sat back down, feeling more alone than ever.
Miranda
The dungeons were incredibly cold and lonely. At least at first she'd had the comfort of knowing others were suffering as much as she, but then the other two prisoners had escaped with the use of some strange magek, and she'd been left alone -- aside from the guards. No visitors. Few meals.
More than ever in her short time in Athering, Miranda wanted her mom.
Her father loved her, she knew, but had wild mood swings and was completely unpredictable. Her mother had far fewer, and passed only into depression -- never into the rages her father would sometimes fly into for no reason at all. She'd always been able to go to Hope for a kind word or loving touch.
She sniffled and pulled her blanket closer. She'd not felt her mother's presence for a while -- not since she'd felt as if a wave had crashed down on her. She hoped her mother wasn't angry with her. That would be horrible.
There was the noise of a door opening, and Miranda looked up to see someone coming down towards her cell.
As the figure drew closer she recognised Admiral Anala, gone though her hair was.
"What do you want?" she asked sulkily, not wanting to be nice to one who was friends with Lares. That meanie.
"Ta talk," the woman said, and crouched in front of Miranda's cell so they were eye to eye. "Ye can't be comfortable in 'ere."
Miranda sniffed imperiously. "Why would you care? You're not my family."
Anala had a look on her face that seemed like pity. "Ach, child. Ye dinnae ken?"
Miranda felt a stone drop into her gut. "Ken what?"
"Yer father took siege o' the castle o'er a sevenday ago," Anala said, and Miranda felt hope rush through her.
She came closer. "My father's here?"
"Big man, do I have tha right o' it? Looks like ye?" Miranda nodded eagerly. "Ach, ye poor child."
"What? Why?" What was going on?
Anala scratched her chin before speaking. "Well, ye see, tha Empress thought 'e might be missing ye something fierce. Sa she offered ye up, unhurt, fer 'im ta leave tha city."
Doubt was creeping in, but Miranda was not so quick to capitulate. "And he said yes, right? You've come to take me to him?"
Anala shook her head sadly. "Nae. 'e said 'e wasnae ere fer ye; an sa the Empress said she'd 'ave ye executed. 'Go ahead,' yer father said."
Miranda shook her head, unwilling to believe it. "No. You're lying."
"Afraid not, child."
"No!" she yelled at the admiral, and went to sit on her cot, wrapping herself up in her blanket. She didn't hear Anala leave through her sobs.
Yarrow
Lord Exsil Vis had been very pleased by the information she'd given him.
She'd not told him the details, of course, but she assured him that she'd lead him into the castle herself once he proved himself trustworthy.
"And how do I do that, my dear?" he asked. At least he's stopped calling me 'girl', she thought.
"Call my regiment into camp with your army. If there are no...incidents, then I'll help you."
His smile grew sharp. "If there were any...incidents, there'd be naught you could do about it."
Her gaze didn't waver from his face. "Never underestimate a cornered bellica, my lord."
"I never have," he said, and she remembered with a chill how her mother had died. "Jason!" he barked to one of his officers then, and Yarrow fought the impulse to jump. "Get Bellica Yarrow's regiment in town. Make sure the men know that they are our allies and not to be harmed." Lord Exsil Vis' eyes never left Yarrow's face. "Does that suit?"
"Yes, my lord. Thank you." She smiled, trying to calm the wild beating of her heart.
"Good. Now let us discuss timing."
Yarrow suggested they wait four days, ostensibly to weaken the castle further in the siege, but really she wanted time to prepare herself and to try and get messages to certain people. Exsil Vis wanted to attack right away. She got him to agree to wait until after midnight on the 16th, to give her women a chance to rest from their long time on the road.
Soon after they were finished making plans and Lord Exsil Vis had told her to enjoy the hospitality of his camp, her regiment rode into town. She made eye contact with Jules from across the camp, and his brief glance told her that her women knew what to do.
Thank the Goddesses.
Lord Exsil Vis was shouting at someone to set a table for Yarrow and her officers; she didn't show it, but the smell of roasting meat nauseated her. Her eyes scanned the camp, and again were drawn back to the large tent at the end, which she was sure was a seraglio. I wonder if anyone useful is in it.
Exsil Vis' voice and an arm around her shoulders brought her back to herself. "I've cleared a tent for you to bunk in, my dear," and he pointed to a tent smaller than his but larger than the others, not too far away. "Your men will have to bunk down with mine, but their leader should have her own tent, eh?"
"Thank you, my lord," she said pleasantly even as she was inwardly frowning at the strange turn of phrase. But accurate, I suppose -- there truly are no women in his army.
Glancing back to her regiment and the women in it, she saw how Lord Exsil Vis' men reacted to the female presence. And she thought of the seraglio.
Two days. That's it.
Two days. And then the real battle begins.
Zardria
She never thought she'd be happy to hear of her sister's return to Atherton, but life was just full of surprises these days.
She'd only admitted as much to Caelum, of course, and even then had intimated she'd still kill Yarrow when it was all over.
"If you feel that's wisest," he said.
"This coming from the man who became my Consort just to save her life, when we both know I disgust you?" she spat.
"You don't disgust me --"
"I know you still love her, Caelum." She turned away from him. She hadn't meant for her voice to sound so hurt. What did it matter to her? He was a pawn! Nothing more.
She wished she could believe her own thoughts.
His hand was on her arm and now his thumb lightly stroked her skin. "And if I do?" he asked, his voice gentle. "What of it? It doesn't change how I feel about you."
She turned her head to regard him sharply. "Of course it does. How could you possibly love twins who hate each other?"
He smiled patiently. "I'm a masochist."
She broke away from him with a sound of disgust and paced the room, refusing to look at him. He didn't try to follow her this time, for which she was grateful.
Needing to expel energy somehow and not wanting to yell at him -- not overmuch -- she talked about their situation. "Anala told me she was able to get a messenger out of the city. There are three regiments heading back from their extended tour in Harbourtown. With any luck the messenger wasn't killed, and the regiments will arrive in time to support Yarrow's obvious plan to strike. Wish I knew when," she sighed. "But I'm sure we'll rout the invaders."
"And then?" he prompted when she fell silent. "If you kill Lord Exsil Vis, Voco will be yours again. What will you do about the island?"
She stopped pacing, wondering how much she should trust him with. He probably knows all this already. And I'm already doomed, so what does it matter? In a moment of melancholy she decided to tell him. "You were aware that Anala is his daughter, yes?"
"Vaguely."
She knew he was hedging, but she let it be. "Well. She's a good admiral. I daresay she'll be a good Lady Exsil Vis."
"I'm sure she won't like that," he said, but it wasn't a challenge. She didn't reply. "And what about Yarrow?"
Her mouth hardened into a line.
"That depends entirely on her."
~
That night, when they went to bed, she didn't let him touch her, for she was not yet over her anger. Yet for some reason, she kept him sleeping in her chambers. After she'd thought him asleep, she felt him move closer and put his arm around her.
"I do love you, Zee," he whispered in her ear, "whether you ever believe me or not."
She said nothing. She couldn't speak over the lump in her throat.
Magea Rosa
She was coming across the regiments' camp when Ghia's voice broke into her thoughts.
Rosa -- Yarrow's returned with her regiment and has infiltrated the enemy camp! The girl's voice was full of unbridled joy. How far away are the regiments?
Rosa calculated quickly. I can make them arrive in about two days, mayhap a bit longer.
Good. I'll try to get the message to Yarrow. Stay safe, she said, and the contact was broken.
Rosa looked towards the camp, and started to Change.
It was one of the skills she'd learned in the Sarian School that she used rarely. She hated to do it. It was incredibly painful to perform and maintain, and was a tremendous drain on her powers. Bellica Agate and the others would never listen to a talking tree -- so it must be done.
She had to go by feel, possessing no mirror, and so was sure her new form was not the epitome of beauty. When have I ever been that? she thought with a small smile. Her features sufficiently distorted and possessing working vocal chords, Rosa bent down and picked up the letter from Anala, then ran into camp.
"Bellica Agate!" the tall, lithe young messenger with a ruddy complexion and green-black hair shouted, and immediately a woman responded, coming to face her.
"Aye -- what is it, girl?" the bellica asked, other officers coming to surround her. Rosa passed Agate the letter from Anala.
"Atherton under siege from Vocan forces, Ma'am," she said, only half-pretending to be out of breath. Walking in Terran form had sent knives of pain up her legs, and now her torso cramped.
The woman frowned, as much at Rosa's report as her accent. "We've just come from Harbourtown and no Vocan army has overtaken us."
"They rode up through the Three Sisters and took the city from the south, Ma'am," she said, her voice grim. "I saw it myself."
Agate looked less than convinced, but opened the letter from Anala and read it anyway. "Story checks out," she said to her officers, "and it bears the Admiral's seal." She looked upon Rosa with a bit more compassion. "Rest in our camp tonight, girl. You look tired."
Rosa shook her head, the pain of holding Terran form almost more than she could bear. "Admiral Anala said to make all haste, Ma'am, so I go on to warn Harbourtown of possible attack from sea," she said, lying expertly.
The bellica sighed and looked over her troops. "We're over-tired, but we'll leave before dawn. Good luck on your journey."
Rosa saluted and ran off, stopping beside the road when she was out of sight. With a shudder she shifted back to her natural form, and then turned her attention on the troops. She gave the horses and women renewed energy to the point of restlessness and the speed of huan. When she saw they decided to pack up and leave that night, she let herself fall asleep beside the road, utterly exhausted, and hoped no one would happen by and wonder why a tree that grew only in the north had sprouted up overnight.
Yarrow
Dinner with Lord Exsil Vis and his men was an interesting experience.
No worse in manners than most courtiers, which was not saying much , he had members of the seraglio serve their wine and food. For that was what it was, he'd confirmed shortly into their meal with a comment and a wink to her. She'd replied in kind and taken a sip of her wine to cover her disgust -- a sip she didn't swallow, but spit out discreetly. As much to keep my head clear as....
Her thoughts trailed off as she recognised Jester among the serving wenches. The girl looked surly as usual but was attending to her duties with speed; Yarrow was sure it had to do with the bruises on her face and arms.
She did not let Exsil Vis see what she thought, but instead kept her eyes heavy with lust as she gazed upon the young girl from Aeril. He caught her look and smiled.
"You like the difficult ones, I see," he said.
"She's given you trouble?" she said, careful to keep her voice neutral.
Lord Exsil Vis chuckled. "The first night she nigh clawed my face off. But I taught her a lesson, and let my men help. You only truly learn something by teaching it, I'm sure you know." She made herself return his smile, though she felt she might throw up. "Man who captured her and her friend said they're from inside the castle -- some lesser nobility, apparently trying to sneak away for some reason."
Yarrow nodded, immediately leaping on the story and confirming it. "Aye, I'd seen her a time or two. Bitch refused me."
"Well, my dear," Lord Exsil Vis said, his smile giving Yarrow the chills. "I daresay she'll have trouble refusing you now." He ordered his men to bring Jester to Yarrow's tent, then, and make sure she didn't escape. "You may enjoy her after your meal, my dear. You see. I am good to my allies."
Yarrow nodded, a facsimile of a bow. "You are too generous to me, my lord. Thank you."
She finished her meal with a feigned ravenousness, though in truth her stomach roiled and threatened to expel itself through her mouth, and headed to her tent as soon as she was done, amid calls and whoops of laughter from Lord Exsil Vis' men.
As soon as the flap closed behind her, Jester leapt at the bellica, hands like claws going for the bellica's eyes. Yarrow was ready for the girl and grabbed her wrists; when Jester tried to kick her in the stomach she wrestled the younger woman to the ground and straddled her.
"Traitor!" Jester spat at her.
Yarrow blinked, but did not free Jester's hands to wipe the spit from her face. "Would you calm down?" Yarrow said quietly. "Jester!" she shook the girl. "Look at me." Slowly Jester complied, suspicion still in her eyes. "I need your help, okay?"
Jester viewed her dubiously. "You're allied with Lord Exsil Vis."
"Mind telling me what choice you thought I had?" Yarrow asked with a glare.
Jester didn't have an answer for her, but still she protested. "You're going to use me as he did."
"What? No," Yarrow said, trying to be reassuring though she was completely frustrated. "What gave you that idea?"
Jester looked pointedly at Yarrow's hands, still on her wrists, and to where the bellica straddled her waist and pinned her to the ground.
Yarrow snarled, barely keeping her temper in check. "You attacked me, if you'll recall, you little cat. If I let you up, will you attack me again?" Jester thought about it for a second, then shook her head. "Well then." Yarrow got up herself and helped Jester to her feet. She stood ready, but Jester stayed true and did not attack her. Only now did she take the chance to wipe the girl's expectorant from her face. Her face cleaner, she asked how Jester had escaped from the dungeons.
"Good thing James is with you," Yarrow said when Jester had finished her story. "I'd worried about him. How many priestesses in the seraglio?" she asked as she pulled off her jerkin and mail, trying to get more comfortable.
"About fifteen, I think. All dedicated to Desirelle -- they said they gave themselves up so the rest of the Temple would stay safe."
Yarrow was pacing, thinking what to do. "Ok. We can use that. I've heard the priestesses have a special sort of training, so here's what I want you to do." No sooner had she finished giving Jester her instructions there came a yell from the entrance to her tent.
"Eh, Yarrow. How does she fare?" It was Lord Exsil Vis.
"Strip," Yarrow mouthed to Jester, and gestured for the girl to get on the cot. She undid the laces to her linen shirt and waited a full three seconds before going to open the tent flap.
"She's a bit inexperienced, but I'm quickly remedying that," she drawled languorously as she leaned against the door-pole.
Lord Exsil Vis glanced inside, and Yarrow hoped Jester was naked enough for him to believe.
Apparently it
suited. He leered at both of them. "Are you going to share her with your men?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Eh Jules!" she shouted across the camp. The major looked up. "You want a go on her after I'm through?"
He laughed and waved his hand. "Your seconds are never usable, Yarrow."
She looked back at the Vocan. "Guess I'm keeping her to myself. For tonight, at least," she added with a smile.
He laughed and walked away.
She dropped the tent flap and breathed a sigh of relief. Turning to face Jester, she saw the girl staring at her. At her belly. It showed more than she thought it did without her mail and jerkin on, and she hoped no one outside had noticed.
She crossed the tent and knelt before the girl who now had tears in her eyes as she realised what Yarrow risked. "That's the other thing I need you to help me with, Jester. Stay the night with me and help me cover this up."
Jester nodded gravely. "I'm sorry, Yarrow."
"No, I'm sorry I didn't stay and do what I said I'd do," Yarrow said, feeling the weight of all the wrong choices she'd made. She forced herself to smile at Jester. "But we're going to get through this, okay? Just pretend for tonight. You know what to do when you get back to the seraglio."
Jester nodded again, then suddenly clutched her head, her face contorted in pain. "What's wrong?" Yarrow asked, her heart leaping into her throat.
"A...sudden, sharp pain. Like a headache, but not dull," she said, looking confused. "Then...I swear I just heard Ghia's voice in my head."
Tears sprung to Yarrow's eyes and she let out a single, happy sob. "My cousin lives. Oh Goddess -- she lives?"
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