"I could say that you're the King's busybody daughter. Can't you use magic to find out what sort of drug is in his blood stream?"
"I could…"
"It would save a lot of trouble."
"Fine, I'll do it, but only because you're not being helpful." Taya stood back up and went to sit beside their patient, and she put her hand over the bandage that was wrapped around
the bruise and closed her eyes.
"You know Shalla, she's pretty tired. This might take too much out of her." Kyra said quietly, but Shalla replied with faith,
"Taya's stronger than we give her credit for sometimes. She can do it easily, especially if it means finding out what else is the matter with him."
Taya tuned them out, and then there was complete silence for a long few minutes. Then Taya stiffened.
"What is it?" Shalla asked her softly.
"Salcosa."
"Oh, that's not good at all." Shalla slumped back on the couch, and Kyra looked in growing apprehension between the two of them.
"What's Salcosa?" She asked timidly.
Taya stood and crossed her arms, staring at the ceiling.
"Salcosa is a mixed drug. Not only does it attack the muscles in your body and cause your nerves to spasm, it keeps its victim conscious, at least until the main ingredients
breakdown in the blood stream, and then the victim is supposed to slip immediately into unconsciousness, and IF he or she wakes up again, they momentarily forget all that's
happened. I don't know if there are any lasting effects, because I just learned about it a few weeks ago. There's… there's a very high possibility that he went through all of this, or most of this, conscious."
"Oh… my…" Kyra stared at the floor, grasping the horrible thought.
Shalla stood. "I'll go to the infirmary and see if there is something that can counter its effects, unless you don't think that's a good idea because it could hinder his immune system
from fighting it."
"No, that would be good. We might not use it, but it would be good to have just in case."
"Alright, I'll be back, but I don't know when." Shalla hurried out the door, and they heard he speak to someone, and there was a knock on the door and Murtagh entered with Mari
and Izaak. The three looked immediately to the still form lying on Taya's bed, and then they looked at Taya.
"How is he?" Murtagh asked first.
Taya sighed heavily. "Good and bad, more bad than good. He was in terrible condition and in all honesty he shouldn't be alive, but he is. But I just found out that he was drugged.
Shalla's going to see if she can't find an antidote in the infirmary."
Murtagh nodded, catching her avoiding explaining the drug itself. "I'm glad to hear that he's still alive. I came back to see if you can spare an hour to satisfy the wolves before they
come tearing in here. The 'she's ill' excuse is only making them angrier… although, you don't really look too good."
"I don't feel too good, either." Taya half smiled and then sighed. "If Mari and Izaak stay with Kyra and watch out for him, then I'll feel a little bit better about leaving. I'll send one of
the guys in here just in case something happens, and then he can alert me."
"We'll stay, Taya." Mari bowed her head once, and Izaak nodded his head vigorously.
"Good. I think this won't take very long. The hurry is probably just Sen. The King doesn't usually care too much how long it takes me, as long as I get there. You could probably
start a fire in the fireplace, if you wanted too. Unless it's just me thinking it's chilly in here."
"No, it's not just you." Mari said, and she walked over to the fire, Izaak following closely behind like a shadow. "Go on, Taya. The sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back."
Taya grabbed her cloak, and with Murtagh they left her room. Once they were away from the door, he asked quietly,
"What drug did Sen use?"
"Salcosa."
"Oh Taya." He said, and then fell silent. He'd learned about the drug at the same time she had, and they'd both been horrified. Now it was worse, but Taya was glad she knew what
it was.
"He's a strong person." Murtagh commented. "I can't even imagine what he went through. If he survives, and doesn't take a turn for the worse, we should probably save his horse at
least. Someone will claim it soon. It's a magnificent animal, a big black stallion with one white sock on its left hind leg."
"Do you know what his name is?"
"The horse or the person?"
"The person."
"Actually, no. It's as if it was a secret. I don't know the other trainee's names are either, but there is a certain mystery about this kid."
"We should find his sword too, at that."
"So, to satisfy the wolves and a treasure hunt?"
"As long as it doesn't take too long, Murtagh."
"I can continue looking if we haven't found everything by the time you need to get back. The horse and the sword are easy. You should probably ask the King personally for the
horse."
"That's not a bad idea; I think I'll do that. That way no one can dispute my claim."
They reached the doors to her wing, and Zen stepped up beside her, with Westen close beside him. Looming behind them was another Hljodhr Evarinya, a man named Xackzan. He
was from the desert, from the Nomadi, and not only was he large in stature, but he was 6'6".
"He'll live for now." Taya said before they could ask. "But we found he'd been drugged with Salcosa, so Shalla's gone to find an antidote. I'll go see the King now, to stop Sen from
hounding us, and then we are going to claim a horse and other personal items of our friend."
"So, he's our friend now instead of our charge?" Zen asked with a stoic expression. Taya shook her head sadly.
"He's my friend, at least. He has no choice in the matter. And I thought that I was your 'charge'."
Zen made a face, causing them all to laugh.
"Come on, guys. Let's get going so she can get back." Murtagh motioned Taya forward, and Zen stayed behind while Westen and Xackzan fell in beside them. Taya stopped
however, and turned back to Zen.
"I need you to go back to my room and stay there, just in case something happens while I'm gone so you can relay it to me. Just don't cause too much trouble."
"I'll try not to, Taya."
"I'm sure." At that she turned and started walking again, and the two guards on the other side of the door, Kell Arder and Sade Feist, her first bodyguards, had heard the whole
exchange and so didn't ask any questions but merely saluted jauntily.
Halfway to the king's throne room Murtagh cleared his throat. "Actually, I think I'm going to go search for the sword right now. No, I'm not abandoning you, Taya, I promise. I get
this feeling though that to get it I'll have to get there before someone else does. It's part of the mystery."
"Alright, hurry back."
"You do the same." Murtagh turned down one of the corridors and disappeared, leaving Taya, Westen and Xackzan to walk to the throne room alone. They didn't talk about their
other 'charge', but about other things, completely random things. They passed a number of people, mostly servants, and they all moved out of the way for the trio.
When they approached the throne room, three of the king's guards intercepted them.
"His Majesty is awaiting your presence in his library, Princess."
Taya frowned, and then shrugged. "Alright, thank you." They changed direction and kept going. Luckily the King's library wasn't much farther than the throne room, but Taya
wondered at this. Not that the King was always in the throne room, but he usually was, especially when he wanted to see her.
When they reached the library, there were only two guards stationed there, and they knocked on the door, and it opened. Taya glided into the massive library, which adjoined to the mai
n personal wing, which was the King's. She stopped by the polished oval in the center of the room, and bowed her head to the King, who was sitting opposite her in a highbacked
chair, his chin resting on his hand, watching her coolly with dark eyes. She'd become used to the cold stare from those haunting eyes, but for some reason she was always
reminded of her mother when she looked into them. When she was little he would stare at her mother the same way he was looking at her now, so maybe that was why. And her mother was always tall and strong and never bent under his gaze, so she would not.
"Hello, daughter." He greeted softly, and she suppressed a shiver.
"Father. You wished to see me?"
"I did. You were a while in coming. But, I see that you do not look well this evening."
"I do not feel well, sir."
"Hmm." He looked thoughtful. "For once it seems your bodyguards told the truth."
Taya narrowed her eyes and replied coolly. "They've never lied."
He raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps I will have to reconsider my opinion of them. But that is not why I asked you to come here. It was for a much more important matter that I wished
to speak with you about."
"I will listen, but I'd like to ask you something first."
The King sighed, but with a wave of his hand he allowed her to continue.
"There is a black horse in the stables, a large charger. I was wondering who had a claim on him."
The King frowned, and then his expression softened, if it could.
"Actually, if you are speaking of the horse I think you are it's the black horse with one white sock on its left hind leg?"
Taya nodded, mentally thanking Murtagh for his description of the horse.
"Hmm. That particular horse's owner came to a very unfortunate demise not very long ago. Are you interested in him?"
"I am."
"You already have two black horses, Taya. Do you need another?"
"Actually, I think I do. I have something particular in mind for this horse."
"Then it is yours. Is that all?"
"I believe so, for the moment."
"Good. At the beginning of the coming week we will be hosting a few guests for a time, for a week or so. Lord Calveen Katzia and his two sons, Sharac and Larel, come from
Dras'leona and provide a great deal to the army. Lord Nezir Bretton and his wife Emrita, with their son Tanan and their daughter Deyana come from Belatona. This is only partly a
business trip. I would like for you to see that they are welcomes properly. They have been told of your presence, and I am expecting you to greet them and see them settled in."
"I shall do my best. When exactly do they arrive?"
"They arrive the day after tomorrow."
"Oh… I guess I lost track of what day it is. Hopefully that doesn't happen again anytime soon."
Galbatorix narrowed his eyes at her. "It had better not. I do not think I would be very happy with you."
"I will not forget. Is there anything else you need from me?"
"No, I do not think so, Taya. You may go now."
Taya bowed her head, and with Westen and Xackzan turned to exit, and then she paused.
"Actually, father, would you call off Sen? His hounding is exhausting, and I have absolutely no peace when you send him to tell me something."
Surprisingly, the King chuckled. "I suppose I should shorten his leash a bit. Today has been a very unusual day. Consider it done."
"Thank you." She emphasized, and then they left the room. After a few minutes of silence, Taya said,
"Let's go to the stables and check out this new horse of mine."
"Wait, you've never seen it?" Westen asked in surprise.
"No, Murtagh told me what it looked like as we were walking to the main doors."
"Well. Will we meet him there?"
"If he found the sword, then yes."
"Good. And by the way, you and Galbatorix acted astoundingly civil towards one another. I'm surprised, considering the events of today." Westen glanced sideways at her as he
spoke, probably trying to read her expression.
Taya huffed a little. "If I'd been anything else that meeting would not have been as short as it was. I was sorely tempted, but I knew it was better to be 'astoundingly civil'. Maybe it
will throw him off track and he won't ask any questions later on. I want there to be no clues as to what is going on behind his back. There are some things he does not need to
know."
Westen smirked, and nodded.
"Do you think he will really tell Sen not to bother you?" Xackzan asked quietly, and his deep voice rather soothed her.
"I think he will, with guests arriving soon. Galbatorix doesn't need me harassed, especially when he knows that I will retaliate…" She smiled wickedly. "Like last time."
Both men laughed. "Very true, very true."
They stepped outside, and were greeted by dark rain clouds, and hardly any light. Without pausing they hurried as fast as they could to the stables, feeling a few large raindrops hit
them.
"Murtagh?" Taya called once they'd entered the stable, and her friend appeared from a stall halfway down, and he was carrying a second sword.
"You found it!" She exclaimed happily, and he nodded.
"Barely. I was not the only one admiring, or rather, seeking it. One of the guards came in a little after I'd found it and was practically tearing the place a part. It's a magnificent
weapon. What about the horse?"
"Mine now."
"Good, because Sen of all people was in here looking at him, and I would have hated to have seen that horse in his possession. The horse's name is Adnarim."
Taya followed him to the stall he'd come out of, and was greeted by a large, soft black nose, intelligent dark eyes and a massive body of a horse.
"Oh my, he is gorgeous." She breathed, entering the stall and running a hand down the horse's neck and shoulder. The horse turned his head to look at her, and she laughed softly,
touching him on the nose.
"I might not give him back." She said jokingly, and then exited the stall, and with Murtagh's direction she found the horse's tack and moved it over to her section of the saddle
room. She wrote a note and placed it on the groom's board by the door, and it clearly stated that the black horse Adnarim, with the white sock on its left hind leg, was now hers by
order of the King.
"Now, if anyone wants to argue, they know where to go." She said simply, and Murtagh handed her the sword he'd saved. She raised her eyebrows, and gripped the handle. It was
a hand and a half sword and a tad big for her, but the grip was firm and she liked the feel of it. Along the crossguard was some writing, but it was too dark to read. The sheath
was black leather, welloiled and in wonderful condition, as was the belt. She slowly unsheathed the sword, and they all admired the shining, grooved blade. Again there was
writing, in the groove, but they didn't read it. They heard a door slam at the other end of the barn, and Taya sheathed the sword and they all quickly left the stable. It was barely
light enough for them to see, and lanterns had already been lit in the courtyard and along the walls, even with the threat of rain. It still only sprinkled on them, and so instead of
taking the way through the castle they cut around and through Taya's garden.
"So, what are you thinking about, Taya?" Westen asked as the ducked under the garden's covered walkway.
"I'm thinking sleep." She said determinedly. "It has been quite an irregular day, so I believe I can safely say that I am exhausted and not sound like I'm whining."
"You don't sound like you're whining. You're stating a fact." Westen replied with a grin.
They reached Taya's hallway, and she motioned at the two bodyguards
"Murtagh can walk me to my room from here. You two get to the front doors and tell the other we are back, and
do the night rotation. You, Westen, and Zen if he has behaved can
take the night off."
"Thanks, Taya."
They parted ways, and Murtagh said,
"I'll see what I can find out about our mysterious friend, but one of the Hljodhr Evarinya might have more luck. You would have said something by now if the King had mentioned
him."
"All the King said was that he'd come to a very unfortunate demise not too long ago. I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks there is much more to him."
"Everyone thinks that, Taya. At least, all of us." He smirked at her. "You really put yourself forward today, Taya. It was a real risk, what you did in order to save him."
Taya sighed heavily. "Hopefully it isn't for naught."
Murtagh shrugged. "I doubt it will be. Hey, do you think Kyra won't jump down my throat when she sees me?"
Kyra wasn't Murtagh's biggest fan, although it was hard to understand why. Taya had never directly asked her because Kyra kept her dislike quiet and loathed him from a distance.
It was almost as if sometimes she was trying to protect Taya from him, but separating them was impossible. Their friendship and mutual understanding was too strong, and so Kyra
had backed off and treated Murtagh as if he wasn't there.
"I don't know. She didn't act funny earlier, but she was so preoccupied I bet she hardly noticed you. I guess we shall see what she does."
"You'd think she'd get used to me being around."
"Kyra? Never."
They both laughed, and knocked on her door before entering. Taya raised her eyebrows at the little group sitting on her two couches. Raneck Katifa, one of the Hljodhr Evarinya,
was sitting beside Kyra, who was sitting beside Mari. Izaak was sprawled on the floor, and Zen and Shalla were on the opposite couch. Everyone was looking at the door when they
walked in, and Taya, since she was looking for it, saw Kyra's very slightly annoyed expression when she saw Murtagh.
"Well, hello Raneck! Fancy seeing you here. If you're here, then who's watching the front door?"
Raneck shrugged. "Kell and Sade. I figured they could handle it. Besides, I'm not on duty tonight."
"Hmm…"
"Don't look at me like that! I wasn't going to let Zen stay alone with these girls, are you kidding?"
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