by T L Ford
"Thank you, Master." Angela completed the ritual. "I am at your service until then."
"Bring my present, My Dauphin!"
Jamil watched as Angela bowed awkwardly and went back to the entranceway. The man who'd announced her stepped out of her way deferentially. Angela returned with a large, material-covered tray, her bent knees and white-knuckled grip declaring its heavy weight.
Ever so carefully, Angela set the platter down on the floor at the audience line. "I have brought you the heads of those that were plotting against you, Master." She lifted off the material and handed it to someone unfortunate enough to be standing nearby. To that person, she commanded, "Take this and burn it."
"Yes, Dauphin." He left with the material immediately.
Jamil navigated to a position where he could see. There, on an ornate silver platter, set six blood-drained-pale heads, roughly severed under the chin, gazing upwards, expressions twisted in terror and desperation. Jamil swallowed bile. Three of them he'd seen only a few hours before leaving the inn. Angela Thomas, daughter of kind and honorable Jason and Amy Thomas, was as vile as any Guildmaster who'd ever darkened the land.
Guildmaster de Merryweather walked over to the platter and stared down a moment. "Yes, that is a gift worthy of my Dauphin. Take it over to that table. They will preside tonight at a celebration in your honor. Let everyone take the opportunity to come and see the fate of enemies of Merryweather."
"Yes, Master." She awkwardly curtsied again and lifted the platter over to the indicated table.
When she'd finished arranging it, the Guildmaster announced, "Music! The celebration for the Dauphin de Merryweather will last six days, one day for each traitor's heads."
A cheer went up and music started. Guildmembers surrounded Angela, welcoming her back and congratulating her, honoring her with wary respect. The Guildmaster watched proudly from his throne. Jamil wept inside and departed as soon as he felt it was safe to do so.
* * * * *
The Guildmaster saw Jamil leave and thought about the ship captain that inspired that man's loyalty. That had been a tremendously brave thing to ask for. Now, though, Jamil obviously thought Angela was beyond freedom from the Guild with her appointment, but Kevin knew otherwise. From his throne, he contemplated his unique gem as she circulated among the people always facing away from the table that held the silver tray.
When the party eventually dwindled off at the night's end, Guildmaster de Merryweather and Dauphin de Merryweather left by separate exits and regrouped in his chamber. Angela sat in the large padded chair, across from Kevin, who stretched out on his stomach on his bed, propped up facing her on his pillows. Angela told him everything that had happened to her on that horrible night and afterward. He comforted her where appropriate, cheered her successes, and offered wisdom when she doubted herself. He wasn't even surprised or particularly dismayed at her intimacy with De Loren, although in retrospect, he wished he had warned her about the man's reputation.
The next night, she had Kent, the man who'd announced her, bring her things from the inn. These, she turned over to the Guildmaster. He took the charts and poisons as tithe and let her keep the rest. Though he pointed out that these would be in the treasure room behind his, and she should take and use or spend anything she wanted. She thanked him and reiterated that she'd not abuse the privilege. He knew she wouldn't or he wouldn't have offered. They were developing a very non-traditional approach to the Guildmaster-Dauphin relationship: One loyal without geasing; One quite possibly resembling the love found between a daughter and a father.
* * * * *
Guildmaster de Merryweather did not send his Dauphin on the ship raid to clear out the water blockade. Technically, he should have. He sent his remaining Apprentice to lead the party instead. He should also have made his Dauphin dispose of the heads on the sixth day of the celebration. Instead, he had someone else do it after that first night.
Angela made her appearances all right - stood at his side through Court, did his bidding, and circulated among the people outside of Court. Her reputation was growing legendary, predictably. He even noticed that the residents seemed more wary and respectful of her than of him, a fact which made him proud. He kept his requests of her limited to bringing him a drink on occasion and to inspecting items brought to the audience line.
Maybe some privately thought he was scared of his Dauphin and didn't want to goad her. So long as this thought remained perfectly private, Kevin didn't care - it added to her aura which added to her protection.
In truth, he knew she needed time. She hadn't visited her old house. She hadn't spoken with her father's man, who was still staying at the inn and avoiding the den. She hadn't smiled, not for real. Aside from their private conversations, she was a shell of her former self, going through the motions but not actually there. He admired her acting ability and doubted anyone else noticed, but he knew she needed to grieve - her mother was her first loss and that always took a toll.
Now that Angela didn't have the consuming goal of returning and finding the traitors, the Guildmaster thought she was starting to notice the empty places in her life. She distanced herself from her old routine as much as possible. She kept night-hours. She moved into a large chamber fairly near his, and let Robbie Dale, one of the more affluent of the Guild, choose furnishings, and hired Kent Grey to see to the stocking and cleaning of it. Kent, the Guildmaster noted with amusement, merely took a large profit, and hired one of the younger new members to take care of the task.
The Guildmaster went to his treasury to think in absolute privacy, as he sometimes liked to do. He strolled through the assorted piles, pausing occasionally to rearrange something or dust it off. He came across the charts and poisons. Cautiously, he took out the Class A poison vial and held it up to the light. Guildmaster de Loren must have been sotted. He opened it and sniffed. Definitely Class A. Carefully and meticulously, he closed it again. This was a poison capable of taking out a powerful mage, or a Guildmaster and/or his Dauphin. Kevin didn't like having it this close. The risk was too great, the opportunity too inviting, despite the protections he had on his treasury. Maybe De Loren meant for her to use it on her Master?
But what to do with it? He couldn't just throw it out. There wasn't really anyone he wanted dead. Or was there? He had a Dauphin he could trust and send on the mission. And she needed time away to recover and grow into herself and her position.
It would be a risk; he might lose his Dauphin if he attempted it and not just to physical death. She might choose another life entirely, but it would give her a purpose again, a mission of sorts. A chance to make peace with her father. A chance to travel and see the world before being bound to this town and this catacomb for the rest of her life. A chance to learn some skills he couldn't teach her. But could she handle it? And what of this father of hers?
Guildmaster de Merryweather formed another strategy. This one he'd have to discuss with her father. Kevin hid the vial, buried it beneath other obviously valuable items that would distract anyone taking things from his treasury, if any fool could even figure out a way to get into the treasury in the first place. In the meantime, he had a Dauphin to train in magic scroll reading.
* * * * *
Angela settled into her role as Dauphin. During Court, she stood by her Master's side, or sat at his feet on the dais, and anticipated his needs. She made certain his clothes were mended, fit well, and befit a King, and that his chamber was spotless. She took over collecting the tithes and after some discussion with her Master, organizing the guildmembers' activities.
She made sure the Guild laws and forms were obeyed, and that the den and surrounding catacombs were clean. Outside of the nightly Court, she practiced her abilities with a vengeance, humbling anyone who watched. She did not see the sunlight for several months. Ships came and went, visiting thieves were received and messages sent. Corishm finally returned to Behr, whatever other business had kept him around was strictly between him and his Master.
When the Guildmaster learned that Angela's father's ship had finally arrived, he commanded her, "Go collect the docking fee from your father."
"I'd rather not talk with him. I'm sure Jamil will take care of telling him everything."
The Guildmaster ignored this. "And invite him to dinner at the Merryweather Garden, My Dauphin. Oh, and see that Mark Chambers and his family attend, too."
"So ordered, I go, Master." She ducked her head unhappily and left.
The Guildmaster smiled. His newest plan could finally be put into action.
She found Kent at a game of cards and callously forfeited him. Now that she was the Dauphin, she was required to have a bodyguard whenever she wasn't in the den.
The sunlight was overly bright and the clear blue sky heralded a gorgeous day. Angela groaned.
Beside her Kent, muttered, "Cheer up. We can get this done and be out of this blasted light before you know it."
"I'm sorry I cost you the game, Kent. I shouldn't have taken out my foul mood on you."
"It's fine, Milady. Being your bodyguard is an honor. Besides, it was your money anyway."
"I'll cover the bets."
"Not necessary. Let's be about this business, shall we?"
She grunted and led the way. The harbor was as colorful and lively as she remembered. Early morning fishers were just returning. The water sparkled as the sun danced off the waves. Her father's ship was lashed to the far end of their deepest dock. Seeing the harbormaster helping one of the fishers, she stopped.
"Has that ship at the end paid the docking fee yet?"
"Nay. I was told to wait if that one sailed in."
"This is the future Lady Merryweather," Kent piped up helpfully.
The harbormaster looked up. "Aren't you Amy's daughter?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry for your loss. She was a good woman."
"Thank you."
She nodded politely and walked on, unsettled. As they approached, she saw Jamil on deck, speaking with her father. She stopped at the boarding plank. While it appeared she was waiting to be acknowledged, in truth, she had no idea what she was going to say.
Jamil noticed her first, frowned, pointed her out, and retreated below deck. Her father walked over to the railing. "Coming up?"
"Stay here," she said to Kent, and with agile grace, she jogged up the plank. Kent followed like a badly trained dog.
"Captain," she said in greeting.
"You can call me Papa, you know," he chided lightly. "How are you, Angela?" He glanced warily at Kent.
She shrugged. After a brief, awkward silence, she said, "I've been sent to collect the docking fee."
"Jamil tells me that you've rededicated yourself to the local Guild."
"That's what he said?"
He nodded. "He wasn't very clear on what that meant, exactly. Want to explain?"
"No."
"She's taken a job with Lord Merryweather." Kent piped in yet again, earning a withering glare from Angela.
"He's the local Guildmaster, right?"
Angela nodded.
"You don't need to have a job if you don't want."
"He'd like to meet you," Angela said, shifting the subject.
"I have no desire whatsoever to go anywhere near him. He can rot for all I care. I do not keep company with thieves."
"I'm a thief."
"Only because of him. I doubt he's been truly honest with you about anything. I think you'll find if you open your eyes and pay attention that you have better options."
"The docking fee, Sir?" she repeated.
"For the coffers of the local Thieves' Guild?"
"It's split between there and the town's budget. It mostly goes toward upkeep of the docks. We added that rock sea wall last year because the weather was taking out our beach along the north side."
"And what did the Guild do with its half?"
"We paid for the labor, who were mostly guildmembers."
"Right. How do you sort out the lies from the truth?"
"Truth or not, I require the docking fee." She'd seen the Guild ledgers and knew precisely who had been paid to help move the rocks. Quite a few of the guildmembers had worked for free on account of not making their minimum revenue.
"Jayden!" he shouted.
After a moment, the First Mate peered out of the galley. "Captain?"
"Fetch the docking fee. Four silver."
"Aye, Captain."
They waited in silence for Jayden to reappear with coins. Angela took them.
"Milady," Jayden said as he handed her the coins, "It's good to see you. We've missed having you about."
"Only some of you have, apparently."
Jayden looked at her father and then Angela, and left with, "I'll just let you two talk."
After he was gone, Angela said, "I think we're done talking, don't you? However, Lord Merryweather would still like you to meet him at dinner tonight at the Merryweather Garden restaurant. It's over there, overlooking the inlet. Please arrive promptly an hour after sundown." She pointed, turned and walked down the plank.
Kent leaned over to the Captain and whispered, "That's not a request." He jogged after Angela.
* * * * *
Jayden watched them go and went over to his friend. The Captain was grasping the ship's rail, leaning on it for support. Jayden casually pretended to check that a nearby line was correctly fastened. "She can't very well choose a better life if you drive her away with your anti-Guild lecturing."
"How is she supposed to know how bad the Guild is if I don't tell her?"
"I don't know. Maybe explain it reasonably, without trying to dictate her actions?"
"Hmmm. Jamil just told me that he refuses to have anything else to do with her. He said," Jason sighed wearily, "That she was beyond redemption. I don't know what to do anymore. He was supposed to help her escape that mess."
"I find it hard to believe that Jamil would say that. He always thinks everyone has good in them. I'm sure he's just frustrated. She's probably a lot like you were at that age - very stubborn."
"Not this time. He said, and I quote, that 'She's not got any good left at all, if she ever had any.' He also said he never wants to discuss it again or he'll leave the ship and find a berth elsewhere."
"Nonsense."
In the end, it was Jayden who convinced Jason to go to the dinner. How could Jason Thomas counter the influence of Lord Merryweather if he didn't know what he was up against?
* * * * *
Her father was late. Everyone but Angela was already seated around the table in the small private room in the back of the Merryweather Garden restaurant. She was leaning against the wall by the door, with her arms crossed, for all the world looking like a bodyguard, which she technically was. Angela fervently hoped he'd show up soon so she wouldn't be forced to go fetch him.
Just as the conversation was turning toward some of the newest businesses in the town, her father arrived.
She straightened. "My Lords, this is my father, Captain Jason Thomas and his First Mate, Jayden Travill, of the Tempestas Vinco II, now anchored in our harbor," Angela introduced. "Captain, meet Lord Merryweather, and Lord Mark Chambers, our town governor, and his wife, Lady Sarah, and their young daughter, Lady Minnie, and Jack Dixon, our town judge, and I'm sure you've already met Oliver Elliot, our harbormaster, on your last visit." In other words, the decision-makers in town. To be invited to such a meeting was an honor. To be invited to such a meeting over an informal dinner, even more so.
"Thank you for inviting us," her father said graciously, moving to an empty seat. Jayden also sat. Angela moved to stand behind and just a bit to the left of her Master, causing her father's eyes to widen slightly. She wanted it to be absolutely clear whom she served. Her own chair remained empty.
"We're glad you could join us. I trust your sail here was uneventful?" Lord Chambers asked. He was still concerned about the blockade. He'd only been told about it after the Guild had taken care of the issue. The lack of s
hips for a time was abnormal but not unduly so. If it had continued longer, everyone would have been concerned.
"Yes. We had exceptionally fine weather and actually took less time than we expected," Jayden answered.
Jason Thomas was distracted sizing up Lord Merryweather. The scar across the man's chin was the only distinguishing feature on the older, average-looking man. He'd still have been able to pick the man out of a crowd though, because of the power and confidence he radiated. This was the man that was actively destroying his daughter. He visualized leaping across the table and killing the man, but regretfully realized he was not skilled enough.
Lord Merryweather smiled slightly as if he knew precisely what the Captain was thinking. Lord Chambers steered the conversation to trade routes and supplies. Jayden replied, and eventually, Jason Thomas joined the conversation.
Waitresses came in with drinks and appetizers. Angela inspected whatever was offered to her Master, sniffing it, before setting it at his place. Her father frowned.
Lady Minnie put in her young request for Jason Thomas to bring toys as cargo, earning fond smiles and an assurance of at least one or two exotic and special toys for her. As the meal progressed, the men discussed the business of trade while Angela remained statue-like except to see to her Master's needs.
After dinner was finished, Lord Chambers, his family, and the harbor master dutifully excused themselves without tarrying, allowing Lord Merryweather to begin his private meeting. Jayden also departed, resting his hand briefly on Jason's shoulder as if to give him fortification for the upcoming conversation.
Lord Merryweather turned to Angela who was still hovering over him. "Milady, go fetch those charts you brought me and then wait for us at the Inn."
Angela bowed unhappily. She really didn't want her Master and her Father talking. They might kill each other. She left.
* * * * *
"It appears we have a mutual interest," Lord Merryweather said after he felt she was out of hearing range.
"Is that what you call your slave?"
"I asked her to sit at the table. She declined."
"You didn't."
"I did. We have a silent language, spoken with hands. That performance of hers just now was just showing she didn't want to be here. In fact, she didn't want to talk with you at all."