The Black Morass

by Gerald Lambert

  about the dinner tonight. Same time as usual, and formal."

  "Obviously it's formal. Did they say that it was raining, too?" Taya said sarcastically, and Kell tsked at her.

  "No, they didn't. Be nice. On another topic, we've only had word from Kyra once, and that was to say that our friend was fine, just that his fever had kicked up a bit and she wanted

  to know if we'd heard from you. This was an hour or two ago."

  "Thanks, Kell. Come on, troop, let's go see what's going on. I'll make sure that Sade and Larton are here to swift shifts with you two. You're coming with me tonight."

  "Really?" Raneck said, slightly shocked. "Since when have you let me go to a party and not guard the darned door?"

  "Since tonight." Taya shot back, and opened the door, and Zen said quietly,

  "Now you can take Kyra on a date! She will be shocked."

  "Ohhh shut up, Zen." Raneck growled, causing everyone to laugh. They hurried to Taya's room and slipped quietly in to find Shalla and Kyra sitting across from each other,

  concentrating on a game, and Izaak and Mari arm wrestling. The street kid was almost winning when his attention was broken by them walking in the door.

  "Aha!" Mari cried, and Izaak groaned.

  "Come on! Rematch!"

  "No way, kiddo. Winner of the last game was over all winner. That was the deal."

  "But they walked in the door! That's hardly fair!"

  Mari grinned and ruffled his hair, then greeted Taya.

  "Great timing, you guys. I was about to get beaten by a kid!"

  "How did the day go?" Shalla asked, standing up.

  "Let's just say it is going to be an interesting week." Zen said, and Shalla rolled her eyes.

  "Isn't it always around here?"

  "Hey, Taya, can I ask you something?" Izaak cut in, jumping in front of Taya, and she looked down at him with raised eyebrows.

  "I don't know… can you?"

  "Can I stay here in the castle with you guys? I want to be a Hljodhr!"

  The room went dead silent except for the sound of breathing, and Taya looked slowly at Mari and then Shalla.

  "Why?" Taya asked softly, and Izaak looked confused.

  "Because… well, you're awesome, and you care about people… and I've never really had anyone who cared about me. And you're not like what I thought a princess would be like,

  Taya. I can see why all the Hljodhr Evarinya stay with you. They're your family. And you're saving a person that you don't even know. Why would I want to go back to the streets?

  I'm just another nobody there. You all treat me as if I'm somebody."

  It took Taya a minute to reply. She hadn't really thought about Izaak. He'd been randomly thrown into the picture because of Zen, but he was a good kid, and likeable, and now that

  she thought about it she couldn't stand to see him back on the streets. That was out of the question. But to keep him around, all the time?

  "We would never send you back if you didn't want to go, Izaak. As for you second question, at this time you are too young to officially be a Hljodhr Evarinya. But, I am certain there

  is something we can find for you to do that is more agreeable to all of us. And if you haven't changed your mind by the time you're old enough and we all still get along, we will see

  about you being a Hljodhr." Taya looked around at the others, who all nodded slightly in agreement. Izaak nodded too.

  "Fair enough." He said, and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Taya."

  Taya couldn't help but smile. "You're welcome, Izaak." She then turned to Kyra.

  "Kyra my dear, you are going on a date tonight. Raneck is taking you to a formal dinner."

  "Wonderful!... But then who will watch him?" Kyra motioned to the young man on the bed.

  "I will." Shalla piped in. "I do not have anything else to do this evening. Izaak can watch him with me."

  "I've been called to help with the dinner," Mari said almost sadly. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

  "That's alright, Mari. Alright guys," Taya looked at the three men. "Off you go. You have to get ready too. And make sure Sade and Larton get to the front doors."

  Murtagh nodded. "Oh the joy I am feeling in my heart at the idea of a formal dinner."

  "Stop complaining! Get on with you."

  "Would you like an escort?" Murtagh asked as he, Zen and Weston were shooed towards the door. Taya stared at him blankly. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll meet you in the receiving

  hall."

  "Good. See you there." Taya went and sat down beside their patient and checked him over. His fever was very slight, and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. The ladies had just

  recently changed his bandages and poultices, so there wasn't anything for Taya to do except sit and watch him, and wonder. After a little while Mari and Izaak left, Mari to go to the

  kitchens and Izaak to go to his room for something, which left Shalla, Kyra and Taya alone.

  "Alright, my dear princess and dear friend," Shalla said seriously to the other two, "it's time for you to get ready for this important formal dinner. I am at your service."

  Taya smiled. "If you insist."

  An hour later both Kyra and Taya were ready.

  Kyra was dressed in a long blue and gold gown with low silver sandals and a silver tiered necklace that was clasped at her throat. Her strawberry blond hair was long with a silver

  headband pulling the hair out of her eyes, and there was a little extra color to her face.

  Taya was wearing a floor length, Vneck emerald dress, the front of which was adorned with sequins in a vine pattern that twisted to the side and down to the hem of the dress. The

  sleeves went to the elbow and then split so the fabric flowed at her side. She wore black boots, and her long copper hair was half pulled up by a green and purple hair clip and

  resting on her head was a jeweled circlet of silver, and her necklace and earrings were matching green teardrop gems that sparkled brightly.

  "If I do say so myself," Shalla said, looking them over with obvious pride, "you two look stunning."

  "Thank you, Shalla. You did a wonderful job helping with the selections." Taya looked at herself in the mirror, and shrugged.

  Good enough. She thought, and while Shalla fussed with putting a feather in Kyra's hair Taya went and sat beside her patient again and felt his forehead.

  "Get better." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

  "Don't worry, Taya. If he shudders, or thrashes, or anything I will send one of the guys running to drag you back here." Shalla said, coming up beside her. "But I think he will be

  fine. He has the best caregivers in Alagaesia. Now, you two get going or you'll be late, and we can't have that."

  Taya sighed heavily, and stood. Kyra handed her cloak to her, and they quickly left, nearly running to the door, where they found Sade Feist, Larton Zax, and Xackzan.

  "Hey, Xack, good timing!" Taya half hugged him, and he chuckled.

  "My my, don't you two look beautiful. Raneck will be right along, he had to run and get something. I think the others will meet us at the dinner."

  As he said this, Raneck appeared through the door, changed from his all black clothes to a maroon shirt and grey cloak, with black pants and boots. He had a little box with a bow

  in his hand, and after he'd stopped to stare in awe at the two women, he handed the box to Kyra with an excited smile.

  "For you, darling." He said, and Kyra untied the bow and lifted the lid, and gasped.

  "Raneck!" She cried, holding up a pair of dazzling turquoise earrings. "They're wonderful!"

  "I'm glad you like them. I thought they fit the occasion."

  "They do. They are lovely but," Taya agreed, "come on, we have to get going!"

  With that they hurried off. They passed a few people, mostly servants, but a few lords and ladies as well, but they didn't even pause and so made it to the receiving hall with plenty

  of time to spare. There were a c
ouple of the usual guests waiting there, who greeted Taya cordially. They had not long to wait before Murtagh appeared and hurried to Taya's side.

  "I am not late." He stated seriously, and Taya smiled.

  "No, you're not. We are now agreeably on time. Shall we?"

  "Zen and Weston aren't far behind me. Do you want to wait for them?"

  "No, they can blend in with the crowd better if they don't enter with us."

  "Alright then."

  Taya nodded to the herald at the door to the great hall, and she slipped her arm through Murtagh's as the herald bowed, opened the door, and a trumpet gave a clear, ringing

  sound.

  "Princess Taya, daughter of the king!"

  Everyone in the hall stood and watched her enter, something which Taya thought absolutely disconcerting, but as usual she kept her composure and a slight smile. Behind her came

  Kyra, Raneck and Xackzan, and the other guests, but all attention was on her, especially the eyes of the new guests.

  Her gaze swept over Deyana and her family and then she locked gazes with Larel Katzia, and was caught by his stormy blue/grey eyes. His expression was one of recognition and

  surprise, but it was very subtle.

  Then they were past him and they stopped before Galbatorix and bowed.

  "Taya, Murtagh." Galbatorix greeted them, and Taya replied as cordially as she could,

  "Father." They turned, and Taya noticed absently that Kyra and Raneck had blended in with the crowd. Xackzan, as her bodyguard, was now beside her. As was customary, the new

  guests came forward to be introduced to her. First were the Bretton's, Lord Nezir looking rather uncomfortable as he stood before her and bowed low.

  "Princess, I am Lord Nezir Bretton. This is my wife, Emrita and my son and daughter Tanan and Deyana. We thank you for your gracious invitation."

  Taya smiled and bowed her head. "It is my pleasure to be acquainted with you, Lord Bretton. I hope you enjoy your stay."

  "Thank you." She noticed that he flinched. Oh, he knew who their escort had been earlier, and undoubtedly his daughter's words and manner were ringing in his ears.

  As Deyana Bretton moved past her, Taya said very softly,

  "Smart mouthed servant, indeed, Miss Bretton."

  The young lady suddenly shivered as she looked into Taya's green eyes, and somehow she managed to incline her head before she hurried away. Taya couldn't tell if she was scared

  stiff or indescribably angry. Probably a little bit of both.

  "Milady," Her attention was drawn to Lord Katzia standing before her, his son's on either side of him looking very handsome. She was struck again by Calveen Katzia's manner, and

  her smile suddenly became far more pleasant.

  "Lord Calveen Katzia at your service, Milady, and these are my son's, Sharac and Larel. You were most kind to escort us and welcome us to Uru'baen this afternoon."

  "It was my pleasure, Lord Katzia. I welcome you once again to my home." She noticed that Sharac Katzia had not looked away from her and she mentally sighed. She knew that

  look, and the feeling of discomfort started creeping up on her.

  "Thank you, Milady." Lord Katzia bowed with a flourish, and they moved away towards the table, and then the trumpet sounded again, this time to announce dinner. Galbatorix sat

  at the head of the long table, Lord Katzia and Lord Bretton at his right and left, and then Taya and Murtagh across from each other. Sharac and Larel Katzia sat beside Murtagh, and

  Taya found herself sitting beside Lady Bretton and her children. When the food had been served, Taya began a conversation with the lady, who at first was hesitant to talk, but

  slowly warmed up to her and became an animated conversationalist. Across from her, Murtagh was slyly fending off Sharac Katzia's questions and trying to make himself seem like

  a very dull person. Tanan Bretton tried to make himself apart of his mother's conversation, but an annoyed look from Taya silenced him. Deyana tried and failed to get Larel Katzia

  to even blink at her, although he politely answered her questions when he had no choice if he was to be civil.

  Sharac finally gave up on Murtagh and turned to her and Lady Bretton, although the gist of his attempts of talking with Murtagh was that it was clear that he thought because Murtagh had escorted Taya in that he knew her quite well and was someone very important and Sharac should get to know him.

  Taya smiled to herself. Easier thought of than done.

  Periodically Taya would look at Larel Katzia, but he was always looking down the table or concentrating on his food. When the two Lords were not talking with the king they were

  talking to her, and Taya found that both men didn't seem to like the other very much. The king was the perfect mediator. Not that they argued or came close to blows, there was

  just a potent, underlying feeling of dislike between them. Taya wondered if the whole thing couldn't get any more complicated.

  Dinner seemed to pass slowly, but then before she knew it the musicians struck a chord, announcing that dinner was over and the dancing and festivities were beginning. The table

  was soon deserted, and Taya found herself in a conversation between Nezir and another lord from Uru'baen. Their topic was military, and Taya suddenly wondered why in the world

  these two men were talking about the military. Neither of them had experience and they were both considered politicians. Their conversation was so biased Taya almost felt sick.

  She quickly excused herself and looked for Murtagh, feeling the rhythm of the music and hoping to convince him to dance. Instead, she came face to face with Sharac, and almost

  turned and walked the other way. He bowed, and she returned the gesture, her mind working quickly.

  "Princess, I am honored to have this chance to meet you. I have heard so much about you, and could not wait to come to Uru'baen." His smile was genuine, but Taya was

  exasperated by his words.

  "Really? What have you heard of me? I had not thought there was anything positive about me being talked about… and very few people know I exist." She was suddenly suspicious,

  but Sharac explained.

  "You were in Dras'leona with your father, and you healed a young woman there. That action was not lost on some, and while only a couple people knew who you really were, I was

  able to find out from them and I was struck by what you did."

  "You saw me there?" This was certainly a surprise to her. Why was she trying to avoid this young man who was very good at flattering her? Oh, right. Murtagh. Dancing. How would

  she get rid him?

  "I did." Sharac looked around, and then back at her. "Would you like"

  Taya's eyes suddenly caught on a black shadow moving towards her and her glass of punch suddenly slipped from her hand, and she cried out ever so slightly and jumped back as

  the glass broke on the floor and the very little bit of punch splattered on the floor. Within a minute servants swarmed her and Taya had to shoo them off of her, and for a second

  Sharac was separated from her. When he got back to her she smiled shyly.

  "Oops." She said, and Murtagh suddenly appeared at her side.

  "Princess, are you alright?" He asked softly, and she nodded and waved a hand.

  "Clumsy me, that's all. I lost my grip."

  "Good, for a minute I was worried." Murtagh looked at Sharac and apologized,

  "Sorry to intrude." He held out his hand to Taya, who took it. "A dance, princess?"

  "Certainly, good sir. I am sure we will run into each other again, Sharac."

  And they were gone, leaving the guest to meet someone else. Murtagh guided her to the other side of the dance floor, and when they were settled in a nice spot he asked with a

  slight grin,

  "Did you lose your grip on purpose, Taya?"

  "I had to at least give you a chance." Taya said with emphasis. "Did you know, Murtagh, that when you wear all black around me t
hat you look an awful lot like a Hljodhr Evarinya?"

  "No, the thought had not occurred to me. Poor Sharac Katzia. He looked a little lost when I stole you away from him."

  "You really do, which helps keep your true identity safe. I'm sure you thought of that. He seems to be a fan of mine, which did surprise me greatly. I am sure for courtesy's sake I

  will have to dance with him this evening."

  "I admit, I had thought of that. I prefer it when people do not run away from me screaming when they see me. So why did you give me a chance to get to you before he asked

  you?"

  "And I wonder why they do that to you and not to me, hmm. Really, it hardly makes sense. He almost did, silly. And a girl has to do what she has to do when she wants

  something."

  "I believe I have an answer to that, but this is hardly the right place to discuss such a topic. So you dropped your glass? I believe I owe you some punch."

  "Come now, you can't leave me hanging like that. What else was I supposed to do? The idea of pretending to swoon did occur, but that seemed a little too much."

  "Fine. My father's evil impression on people was rather more potent and visible than yours. Your father is all powerful and so people fear him and his rule is strong. But my father

  struck fear into people's hearts mostly by example, and he did not hold anything back. There, happy? I don't think you would have gotten your dance if you had carried out that

  idea. The glass was very clever."

  Taya narrowed her eyes at him, but his explanation did make a little bit of sense. And he'd had years to think about people's reactions to him.

  "I can't argue with that, not right now. I'll get back to you later. I agree, I would not have gotten my dance. So, now what?"

  The dance ended just then, and Murtagh shrugged. "Now I go get you a glass of punch. I will be right back."

  "Alright, but remember, I don't have another glass to accidentally drop if someone else comes along."

  Murtagh laughed, and Taya stepped to the edge of the floor, and was confronted by Deyana Bretton, of all people. They stared at each other for a long minute, and then Deyana