by K J Taylor
Laela shuddered. “Holy gods. .”
“I am glad that you are well again,” said Oeka. “Laela, terrible things have happened while you have been ill.”
“What terrible things. .?” Laela began, and stopped, as a horrendous noise split the air. She cringed and put her hands over her ears. Even Oeka tried to hide in fright.
Someone was screaming.
Laela’s heart pounded. “What the. .?”
Another awful cry drifted down the corridor into her room. Laela heard shouts and running feet, and glimpsed several people dashing past her doorway. She heard another scream after that, but this one was smothered into silence. That only made it worse.
Another memory came back to her, all too quickly. She dragged herself out of bed, swearing at the ache in her limbs but ignoring all her own discomfort now.
Oeka lifted her wings. “You must not-”
Laela turned on her. “Where’s Arenadd? What happened to him? For gods’ sakes, is he all right?”
“No,” the griffin said shortly. “The King is gravely wounded.”
“What d’yeh mean, wounded?” said Laela. In her head, she saw that terrible moment in the Temple. . but surely that had just been an hallucination.
“The Amoranis tried to assassinate him,” said Oeka. “The Emperor is denying that he had anything to do with it. Lord Duach thinks it must have been one of the priests, but they, too, are denying it. .”
“But nobody tried t’kill him,” Laela said blankly. “I never saw. .”
“You were so full of fungus-smoke, you would not have known your own name,” said Oeka.
“You were there,” said Laela. “What did yeh see?” She looked around for her clothes, found them, and clumsily started to put them on.
“I was not there,” said Oeka.
“What?”
“After you breathed in the smoke, you went mad,” said Oeka. “You began talking to the walls, laughing, and wandering about. . When I tried to bring you to your senses, you acted as if I were not there.” She paused, her tail twitching rapidly. “The smoke. . gathered itself around you. I could not go inside it. It was as if there were some force. . keeping all others away. The priest tried as well, but he could not touch you, either.”
Laela froze at that. “What d’yeh mean? How could smoke. .?”
“I do not know,” said Oeka. “The priest said it was the power of his god, keeping your meeting with him from being disturbed. I did not know what to do. . I was afraid for your life. So I left the Temple and flew as fast as I could to find help. I went to the Mighty Skandar himself, and begged him for his help.”
“Yeh went to. .?” Laela could hardly believe it. She tried to imagine the proud little griffin ever begging anyone to do anything, and failed.
“Skandar did not want to help,” said Oeka. “So he sent his human in his place.”
“He sent Arenadd into the Sun Temple?” said Laela. Very quickly, her disbelief turned to anger. “That son of a. .”
Without any warning, Oeka rose up, her feathers puffed out so that she appeared to double in size. “Do not speak that way about the Mighty Skandar!” she screeched.
Laela faltered and winced. “Arenadd got hurt in there,” she said. “Somehow. But it wasn’t no living man what did it.”
“Few would believe you,” said Oeka.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Laela. “I’ve got t’see him, an’ fast.”
“You have your own illness to concern yourself about,” Oeka said stiffly. “And the King is in good hands. The Emperor has sent his finest healers.”
“An’ how d’yeh know they ain’t gonna try an’ hurt him, too?” said Laela. “He needs me.”
She ignored anything else her partner said and left the room-unsteady on her feet but too determined to let it slow her down. Out in the corridor, there were dozens of people, all talking at once and getting in each other’s way. There were Amoranis there, of course, but there were Northerners, too-Laela saw most of the griffiners who had come with them on the ship.
Lord Duach, the most senior of them, looked the most upset. He was shouting something at an Amorani man, who looked as if he were doing his best to calm the angry Northerner down, and failing.
Laela marched toward him, pushing people out of the way. “Oi!” she shouted, ignoring the flare-up of pain that caused. Duach didn’t notice her, but she solved that by grabbing him by the arm. “Oi, I’m yellin’ at you!”
Duach turned irritably. “What. .? Oh! Lady Laela, I didn’t know ye were awake. .”
“Well, yeh know now,” said Laela. “What’s goin’ on? Where’s Arenadd?”
“In there,” said Duach, gesturing at the door next to the one that led into Laela’s room. “I can’t tell ye much else about what’s going on,” he added, glaring at the hapless Amorani he’d been yelling at.
Laela turned to the victim. “What’s happening?” she said, using griffish.
The man only looked back helplessly and said something in his own language.
Laela snapped. “What the. .? He doesn’t speak griffish, yeh thick-headed blackrobe! For gods’ sakes, someone go an’ find Lord Vander or someone else what can translate for us.”
Duach went red. “How dare ye. .?”
Laela reached over and grabbed him by the ear-lobe. “Listen t’me,” she hissed, “I dunno if yeh’ve noticed, but the King’s out of commission, an’ I’m the most senior official here. So I reckon if he’s not givin’ commands, then I’m the person yeh’ll be listenin’ to instead, got that? You”-she turned and pointed at Penllyn, one of the other Northerners who was there-“go an’ find Lord Vander, an’ make it snappy.”
Penllyn glanced at Duach and hurried away.
“Good,” said Laela. “Now, what’s goin’ on?”
It had gone very quiet in the hallway all of a sudden. Everyone was staring at her now. She ignored them.
Duach was clenching his teeth. “The Amoranis have betrayed us,” he said. “They tried to kill the King, and now they’re keeping him here and refusing to let any of us see him. And they tried to kill ye, too, while they were at it!” He tugged at his beard. “I told the King we shouldn’t come here, an’ now see what’s happened! These filthy sun worshippers have us at their mercy. Without the King. .”
Laela suddenly realised how frightened he looked. “Calm down,” she said. “He’s survived worse. What’s happened with the negotiations?”
“Nothing’s happened,” said Duach. “They’re saying that unless the King marries this princess of theirs, they won’t send any of the slaves home.”
A moment later, Vander arrived. Laela wanted to hug him when she saw him coming. “There yeh are,” she said. “Now listen, we need some help here.”
Vander watched her closely as she spoke, his dark eyes gleaming. “I’m at your command, my lady,” he said when she was done.
Part of Laela was screaming at her now, telling her this was impossible, that she couldn’t possibly be doing this. “I need yeh to translate for us,” she said, quite calmly. “We want t’find out what’s happened to the King an’ whether he’s all right, but the healers here don’t seem t’speak Cymrian. Can yeh do somethin’?”
Vander nodded. “Certainly, my lady.” He turned to the healer and spoke rapidly to him in Amorani. They carried on an animated conversation while Laela and the other Northerners looked on impatiently.
Finally, Vander turned to Laela. “The King was not attacked,” he said.
“So ye say-” Duach began.
“Shut up,” said Laela. “Vander, what’s this about? Why do they think he wasn’t attacked?”
Vander gestured at the healer. “He says that the King’s wound is not new, but an old one that re-opened suddenly. They have been trying to treat it, but it will not stop bleeding.”
“I knew it,” said Laela. She didn’t even think before she said it, but the instant the words were out of her mouth, she believed they were true. “The Amora
nis had nothin’ t’do with this,” she said, more loudly. “I was there. It was a ghost attacked the King, not a man.”
“My lady, ye were under the influence of a powerful drug,” said Duach. “Yer story can’t be relied on.”
“Maybe not, but I’m master of you now, an’ I say that’s what we believe,” said Laela.
“I don’t understand, though,” Penllyn interrupted. “Why would an old wound suddenly re-open like that, unless someone. .?”
“He went into the Sun Temple, yeh idiot!” Laela yelled. “That’s why! Don’t yeh get it? Don’t yeh understand why he’s been so sick? This is Gryphus’ land, Gryphus’ place. He’s not welcome here. But he came here anyway,” she added more quietly. “T’set our brothers an’ sisters free.”
“He is a noble man, my lady,” Vander said softly. “I have always thought so. I do not like to see him suffer this way.”
Laela shook her head. “There’s nothin’ for it,” she said. “We’ve got t’take him home. Now.”
“The King is in a very serious condition, my Lady,” said Vander. “It would do him no good to move him now.”
But Laela knew in her heart that she was right. “We’re takin’ him home,” she said. “If he stays here, he’ll never get better. In Malvern, he’ll heal.”
“I agree,” said Duach. “This journey was a mistake.”
“But the slaves,” said Penllyn. “And the Emperor. The negotiations aren’t finished yet.”
“Leave that t’me,” said Laela. She saw the doubtful looks she was getting and drew herself up with all the pride a griffiner should have. “I am the Master of Wisdom. My word is final. Now, go. I have t’see the King, an’ I’ll do that alone.”
That said, Laela turned her back on them all and strode into the room where Arenadd lay.
There wasn’t much she could do there. Her friend lay on a stone slab, with a sheet covering his lower half. He was as pale as a corpse, and his scars looked red and raw. In the middle of his chest the old wound left by Erian’s sword had indeed re-opened. It had been heavily bandaged, but Laela could see a thick line of blood soaking through them, following the length of the cut.
Arenadd was unconscious, breathing slowly. His face was lined with pain.
Laela touched his forehead and stiffened when she realised that his hair, once pure black, was now shot through with grey.
When she saw that, she knew her decision had been the right one.
“I’m sorry, Arenadd,” she whispered. “We’ve done everythin’ we could. Now it’s time t’go home. The North’ll miss those slaves, but it’ll miss you worse.”
Laela hurried out of the room and found the Northerners and Vander waiting, along with Oeka. They all looked at her expectantly.
“How is he, my lady?” Vander inquired.
“Comatose,” said Laela. “Again. But this time he ain’t gettin’ up anytime soon.” She thought quickly and pointed at Duach. “Right, here’s what yer gonna do. We’re takin’ him outta here an’ back onto the ship, an’ I’m gonna need someone t’keep watch over him. Skandar’s gotta be there, too-make sure he’s somewhere Skandar can get to him, ’cause I reckon that’ll help.”
Duach nodded very readily. “At once.”
“Good,” said Laela. “Once he’s on board, keep him out of the sun. Keep him cold-cold as yeh can. Use water, fan him-whatever yeh can think of. The heat’s makin’ it worse. An’. .”
“Yes, milady?” said Duach, now very attentive.
“Pray,” said Laela.
The Northerners there who knew her looked a little surprised. “Of course, milady,” Duach said politely.
“Do it,” Laela growled. “Trust me, if there’s anything up there at all, it’s watchin’ over him. You’re gonna make sure she doesn’t get distracted.”
“I will.” Duach glanced at his fellows. “Penllyn, ye can come with me.”
“Right.” Penllyn nodded.
“As for the rest of yeh,” Laela continued, “yer stayin’ here.”
“What do we do, then?” one of them asked.
“Same as what yeh were doin’ before,” said Laela. “Be guests. Polite ones.” They muttered at that, and Laela raised her voice. “Yeh just insulted our hosts pretty damned badly, in case yeh didn’t notice. Now go-make it up to ’em. Or else.”
“Or else what?” one Northerner said in a sulky undertone.
Laela leaned in threateningly. “Or else. Got it?”
“We’ll do as ye command, milady,” Duach said, covering the moment. “In the meantime, what will ye be doing?”
“Finishing what we started,” said Laela. “Vander?”
The diplomat straightened up. “Yes?”
“I gotta go talk to the Em-” Laela broke off, remembering herself. “I mean, I need t’go talk to the Emperor. Once I’ve been back t’my room an’ cleaned myself up. Could yeh let him know what’s happened an’ say I need to talk to him?”
Vander smiled to himself. “Of course.”
“Right.” Laela waved at the Northerners, unceremoniously shooing them away. “Get to it, you lot. I got work t’do.”
She walked off without waiting for a reply. For an instant, she thought she didn’t know the way, but then she saw Oeka strutting ahead-silently showing her where to go. Laela fell in beside her and let her partner lead the way out of the hospital and through the palace, where she entered her guest room very gladly.
As always, a collared figure was waiting for her with infinite patience.
Laela couldn’t help but smile. “Inva. By gods, I’m glad t’see. .” She trailed off. The shaved head had confused her for a moment, but now she saw that this was not Inva but some other female slave.
The newcomer bowed low. “Inva is not here any more. I am here to serve my lady now, and must be a better attendant. The gracious Emperor apologises for my predecessor.”
Laela gaped, and then shook herself. “What happened to Inva?”
The new slave stared politely at the floor. “Your previous attendant has been punished and will not be here to cause you trouble again, my lady.”
“Punished?” Laela exclaimed. “For what?”
“My predecessor allowed you to be harmed, my lady,” said the slave, still avoiding her eye. “This is punishable. She has been sent away and will not be allowed to serve fine nobles such as yourself again.”
“I-” Laela stopped abruptly, and gave in. There was no point in yelling at this poor woman, who was only doing as she’d been told-just as Inva had. This wasn’t the time or place to go on about it. Besides, there was work to do. “Right, then,” she resumed as smoothly as she could. “What’s your name? I’m Lady Laela.”
“I am called Telise, my lady.”
“Nice to meet yeh, Telise,” said Laela. “Now then, if yeh don’t mind, I’ve got a meetin’ with the Emperor, an’ I need some cleanin’ up.”
“At once, my lady.”
Laela’s mouth felt hideously dry from so much talking. Her headache had been growing steadily worse ever since she’d woken up as well, so now she submitted very gratefully to a cool bath with soothing oils, and the gentle attentions of Telise, who was at least as well trained as Inva had been.
Oeka stayed close by and groomed herself with the help of her own personal slave, who had apparently been allowed to stay. “You have done well,” she said.
Laela, half-asleep in the cool water, didn’t look up. “Can’t go home till we’ve sorted this out. Gotta do my job.”
“Your job was to advise the King,” said Oeka.
“Still is. But he told me I’m his second-in-command here, an’ that means I gotta take charge now. So that’s what I’m doin’. Simple. Besides, I ain’t leavin’ Inva an’ all her friends behind.”
“I am sure they will be grateful,” said Oeka through a yawn.
Laela mumbled something and dozed briefly while Telise massaged her head-which did a wonderful job of making the headache go away.
S
he woke up reluctantly and got out of the bath to accept yet another new outfit. Despite having spent so much time unconscious, she was dying for some more sleep, but she settled for a long drink of water and some exotic fruit while she waited for the Emperor to send for her.
It took longer than she had expected, and she nearly fell asleep again on her couch, but she came back to her senses when Telise answered the door, and then turned to say, “The Emperor sends for you and your sacred partner, my lady.”
Laela stood up automatically and walked out, with Oeka padding along beside her.
Outside, Vander was waiting, with Ymazu and a pair of powerful-looking guards. Laela glanced nervously at them, but they said nothing, and only stood silently on either side of the diplomats.
Vander bowed his head briefly. “My lady, the Emperor would like to see you.”
“Good,” said Laela. “Will yeh come with us, Vander?”
“We shall,” Vander said briefly. “Ymazu and I are expected to attend. Come, and we will show you the way.”
Laela nodded to Oeka, and the pair of them followed Vander and Ymazu. The guards silently fell in behind, uncomfortably close to Laela and Oeka. Clearly, the Emperor was taking no chances.
Vander and Ymazu led the way toward the centre of the palace, an area Laela hadn’t seen yet. At the end of their journey, the corridors, already open and airy with large glassless windows, opened out even further into a column-lined walkway. Beyond that was a large courtyard. The city outside had looked barren to Laela, but the courtyard was beautiful. It had been filled with plants, all lush and green. Vines covered the walls, festooned with bright red flowers. Water splashed into a shallow pool that was covered in lillies. Small, ornamental trees grew around the edges, filling the air with a pleasant, spicy aroma.
Despite the circumstances, Laela felt much calmer here. This, she decided, was the perfect place to negotiate. Peaceful, friendly, and elegant.
The Emperor was waiting by the pool, sitting cross-legged by the base of a tree. He was wearing the usual white kilt although this one was edged with bright red and decorated with gold beads. His bald head nearly shone in the sunlight.
He looked very relaxed, but despite that, there was another thing in the garden that added the faintest hint of a threat. This time, for the first time Laela had seen, the Emperor’s partner was there.