“A century?” Sarai repeated with wide eyes.
“In any event, while I could be discreet in an investigation if it were necessary, I think I can serve the three of you best in a security capacity. In the short time I have been here in Malan, I find myself greatly enamored of its beauty and its people. I was hoping that I might find some gainful service to house T’Evagduran.”
“I can vouch for her capabilities,” Janai said. “I have seen her in action and she is a marvel. In fact, I already have her partially employed as a magic instructor.”
“A magic instructor?” Ryelle responded with a frown. “Sister, you don’t know magic—at least I have heard you swear that you do not.”
“It’s a new hobby,” Janai answered with a roll of her eyes.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Bannor said. “I would feel safer if Senalloy were watching over you three. She really does know what she’s about, and her fighting and magic skills are—” He paused. “Significant.”
Sarai’s eyes narrowed. “Bannor, did you plan this?”
His brow furrowed. “Plan? Star, you and the baby need to stay safe. I can’t always be with you. Senalloy would make a great escort for you.”
“I—” Sarai started to object, then stopped. Her eyes narrowed. “All right, we can see about putting her on staff. On one condition.”
Even though his wife-to-be was smiling, he felt a cold shiver. “Condition?”
“Yes,” Sarai said, chin lowering and violet eyes fixing on him. “I’ll accept this fifty times overkill bodyguard that you somehow persuaded if you promise to stop dragging your feet on the wedding ceremony preparations.”
He threw back his head in pain. “Even the pipes?” He groaned.
“Especially the pipes.”
“Star…”
“Don’t ‘Star’ me, deal or not?”
He groaned again.
“I have not accepted this,” Ryelle said glancing at Senalloy. “We do not know this woman whatever her capabilities.” She turned to Janai. “I cannot believe you could be so trusting. Even if she did pass Mother’s sooth magic and means us no harm…”
“What assurances would you like, Arminwen?” Senalloy asked. “I really would be grateful for a chance to make a place in Malan.”
“I—” Ryelle was obviously at a loss for words.
“Yes, Sister,” Janai asked. “What could she do to earn our trust? She already saved my life and Daena’s yesterday. Daena is a pretty good guard for me, Sarai has Bannor, what do you have but a few of the elite guard?”
Ryelle drew a breath. “My security is not the issue under discussion, but putting trust in outsiders before we know anything about them.”
“Bannor,” Sarai asked. “Do you trust her? Do you have any reservations about Senalloy?”
He glanced at Sarai and then to the Baronian woman. Senalloy raised her chin. He had sensed so much from her. Reservations? Did she mean anyone here harm. No. Was she dedicated enough to risk her life if necessary? No, not yet, she didn’t have any attachment to anyone here save Corim and Dulcere. She did have a sincere appreciation and desire to be a part of Malan. She was so strong that the unknown life or death risk didn’t factor in. She had a desire to impress the Queen and the princesses in order to secure a place for herself and Corim. She would do a good job to serve that end if nothing else.
“The Garmtur shows nothing bad about her, except maybe her temper.” He looked at Sarai. “Of course, that could be said about more than one person in this room.”
“If Bannor says she’s trustworthy, I trust his judgment,” Sarai said.
“Sister?” Ryelle said with wide eyes. “You would just accept the assessment of this babe of a human?”
The eldest sister’s tone and the remark about his being a babe rankled a bit but Bannor held his tongue. To a thousand summer old elf, he was indeed a babe.
“Babes or not,” Daena said sitting up. “We have senses that humans and elves don’t; Bannor especially.”
Ryelle turned to Euriel. “What say you, Baroness? Do you know Senalloy?”
Euriel pressed her lips together. She drew a breath, patted Wren on the shoulder and pushed herself up off the divan. “Not yet I don’t,” she said. She strode across the circle to where Senalloy lounged.
The Baronian’s face turned serious and she rose as Euriel approached. The silver-haired woman towered over the daughter of Idun. Of course, no one who knew Euriel would ever be foolish enough to judge her on size alone.
The Aesir held her hand out. Senalloy tilted her head with curious expression. She locked thumbs with Euriel. Their hands locked together, and a jolt of tension surged through the arms of both women.
Senalloy’s eyes narrowed and the color in her hand bleached out. Her jaw tightened and she shook her head and grinned as the much smaller woman began to force her arm back.
A sparks flickered around their clasped hands as each lady stared into the eyes of the other unblinking. It seemed to last while, their arms shaking under the resistance, muscles creaking with the pressure. Finally, they broke apart with a rasp of magic.
Senalloy drew a breath, silvery eyebrow raised in surprise. She nodded to Euriel. Euriel nodded back.
The Aesir woman looked back to Ryelle. “You can trust her. She will serve your needs and far beyond.”
Ryelle’s brow furrowed. “You arm wrestle with her, and that makes her trustworthy?”
“I have the instincts of the Aesir, Arminwen. You asked and I have judged. One warrior knows the hand of another, and honor has distinct and unmistakable flavor. If she gives her word,” Euriel turned and focused narrowed eyes on Senalloy. “She will keep it. Guard well, because like myself she does not give her word easily.”
Senalloy pursed her lips, obviously not quite sure what to make of the powerful little woman. Staring into Euriel’s eyes, a smile slowly spread across her features. She held out a hand palm up and grinned. Euriel grinned back and slapped her hand down on top of it.
“I promise to serve the T’Evagduran family in good faith,” Senalloy said. “As long as the house treats me in good faith.”
Ryelle looked to Janai who nodded. She turned to Sarai.
The princess raised her chin. “Bannor knows my condition. I will only accept if he promises.”
He gritted his teeth.
“Don’t make faces, my One.” She brushed back her silvery hair, violet eyes glinting. “I shouldn’t have to coerce you in the first place.”
He let out a breath. “All right, I promise.”
“Good,” Sarai said with a nod. “Then I approve of accepting Senalloy as a guardian in the house.”
The Baronian woman pressed her hands together and dipped her head. “Arminwen, you won’t regret this decision. I guarantee there will be enemies who will though, and that is a promise…”
* * *
Chapter Thirteen
Hunting a Conspiracy
« ^ »
Whatever else she might be, Senalloy was born with a warrior’s spirit. It is tempered with a woman’s heart armored in steel, a dichotomy that is hard to balance but something all warriors who are women tend to share. It is difficult to wage war and nurture at the same time…
—Euriel Idun-daughter-Kergatha,
Mistress of the 12 armies of Cosmodarus
Not long after the decision to swear Senalloy to the defense of the princesses, breakfast was brought out and the group adjourned to the long banquet table. Perhaps he was biased, but Bannor felt that of the three sisters, the cooks who worked for his wife-to-be were the best. The fact that Janai had tried to hire away members of Sarai’s cooking staff seemed to support his opinion. This morning’s breakfast was a fine example of the culinary artistry they practiced. All down the length of the scroll-worked and carved table the guests were humming and murmuring with satisfaction. Bannor didn’t know the names of half the things being served. He did recognize the fancy eggs folded together with cheese and spicy v
egetables. There were several kinds of fresh bread, carved fruits, and a few baked dishes that were some kind of pastry with vegetables, meats, and cheese inside. It all smelled excellent and tasted better.
“That’s one thing I really miss,” Wren was saying next to Radian. “Vera’s cooking. The cooks here at the citadel,” she took a bite and rolled her eyes. “Mmmm, are awesome. Vera, though, she just had a special magic that I haven’t experienced anywhere else; even the chefs that work for Nonna Idun.”
Radian waved his fork. “We are blessed to have her. We have you to thank for her still being with us.”
“It’s what friends do,” Wren answered with a nod.
Ziedra leaned her head to one side. “Where is it written about friends leaving each other behind?”
Wren winced. “Zee—I apologized.”
“Oh—right.” The woman sniffed. “The memory is still a little sore.”
“I could tell.” As if to change the subject, Wren looked toward Senalloy. “Lady Senalloy, so, I know you’re capable but how are you going to protect three people at once?”
The Baronian looked up from the plate she seemed totally engrossed in. She waved a dismissing hand. “Not really a problem. I can physically be where the risk is greatest, and monitor the other two. Telepathy and teleportation make a lot possible.”
“Teleportation does not work in the citadel,” Ryelle said from further down the table. “There are magical shields to prevent it.”
Senalloy tilted her head to one side. “Those shields are porous. Daena goes right through them. I don’t foresee having any more difficulty than she does.”
The eldest sister frowned. “Daena goes through them? You mean she teleports?”
Senalloy’s brow furrowed. “Yes, she teleported out and returned last night around the time Dulcere was in the audience with your mother.”
Janai winced. She became very busy with the glass of juice, sipping from it.
Daena’s cheeks colored and she turned her attention on her food.
“Teleporting?” Ryelle asked archly. “How interesting.” She nodded. “I had no idea you would be so valuable so soon, Senalloy. Thank you.” She drew a breath. “Since you will be working with us, in the future please tell me whenever members of the royal family decide to leave the citadel after curfew.”
Senalloy sucked her lower lip glancing at Janai and Daena. “Uh, as you wish.”
Janai straightened. “Sen—no—that won’t be necessary—really.”
“Oh, yes it is,” Ryelle said, shaking a finger. “If that’s all she does, she will be worth every copper we pay her. I always suspected you would get Daena to help you misbehave. I had no idea it was so flagrant. The curfew is for all of us, for all our security. The two of you are not exempt.” She looked back to Senalloy, amber eyes flashing. “In fact, if they misbehave like that in the future—you have my permission to drag them back by the ear if necessary. They must have either Mother or Father’s permission to leave the citadel.”
“Rye, that is for wartime! Not now.”
“Yes, in times of peace, it is a courtesy and not a requirement,” the first princess nodded. “However, since you lack courtesy. For you, it has become a requirement.”
Janai gripped the table. “You can’t do that!”
“Yes, she can.” Sarai chimed in with a wide grin. “Have you forgotten? She’s the queen regent. Her power is equal to mother’s in matters of administration.”
Bannor could see that Janai was already regretting endorsing having Senalloy sign on. The Baronian woman had obviously not known about the secrets that the second princess was keeping. Sarai on the other hand was openly showing how much she enjoyed seeing her sister get caught.
“My apologies,” Senalloy said toward Janai. “I did not—”
“Don’t apologize,” Ryelle said with a sniff. “If you are going to be in charge of our security, it will be your job to curb our bad habits.” She frowned at Janai.
Janai scowled back. “I’m going to protest this enforced curfew with Mother.”
Ryelle raised her chin. “Excellent idea, Sister, take your protest to Mother straight away…”
“Please,” Bannor said. “I thought we were going to focus on the best way to find the people who broke into the citadel.”
The eldest sister turned her gaze on him. “I still believe such an investigation has more potential for harm than good.”
“Let Daena, Wren, and Ziedra investigate, Rye,” Euriel urged. “I know Ziedra at least knows how to be discreet so as not to get caught or recognized.”
Wren shot her mother a frown.
Ziedra grinned.
“They can do it,” Sarai said with a nod. “Wren is very sneaky, and apparently, Daena is more stealthy than any of us knew.”
Wren turned her frown on Sarai. “Well, it shouldn’t be hard, we just need some evidence to bring back to Bannor.”
“I can make formal inquiries with Matradomma,” Laramis said. “I will see if I can learn what has already been discovered.”
“If you can, then it will be more than I learned,” Ryelle said in a growling tone.
“You are a suspect,” Euriel said. “We all are.”
“Perhaps this is too mundane a line of reasoning,” Corim said from down the table by Dulcere. “Arminwen Ryelle, does your family have enemies that might be bold enough to do this? Someone who might feel you are weak at this time?”
“There are a few noble houses,” Ryelle answered with a shake of her head.
“House Dal’Shallan hates father passionately,” Janai offered. “But Lord Girnan doesn’t have the backbone to act so directly.”
Dulcere who had been quiet through most of the morning since the confrontation with Kalindinai straightened up. She pressed her hands together.
Janai raised her chin. “Something I’m doing? I don’t think so.”
“There are no agents in Coormeer annoyed with your land acquisitions and bullying?” Ryelle said.
Janai’s eyes widened and she stared at Ryelle, then glared at Bannor.
He shook his head.
Her brow furrowed.
“Sister, don’t look surprised. You aren’t the only one with spies, and I am not without my methods. So, Arwen Dulcere’s question is a valid one, have you made enemies?”
Janai scowled. “Perhaps. They would need a long reach indeed to affect us here though.”
“Arminwen, do any of these people have connections, access to the kind of magic necessary to break into the citadel?” Radian asked. “That is the key thing. Anger and a desire for paybacks is one thing. The capabilities to get inside the citadel’s magical defenses are rare—I would venture that there are less than a score of mages in all of Sharikaar who could do it. Your mother is an extremely formidable mage. Just the thought of potentially confronting her would stop most plots.”
Bannor frowned. “Maybe we have the right party, but the wrong person.”
Sarai looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“Daena, didn’t you stay in the citadel for a scoreday while Janai was having her quarters redone?”
The girl pressed her lips together. “Yes.”
“That is a thought,” Ryelle agreed. “Those quarters are fairly close to where these people were sighted.”
“But she’s been staying with me in Griffin hall for a score-day.”
“She still has things back in gold hall,” Bannor countered. “I’ve seen her go back to those quarters to change. An outsider might not know that she didn’t sleep there.”
“An outsider wouldn’t know about Daena’s true nature either,” Sarai said with a nod. She turned to her sister. “Janai, perhaps it’s some would-be apprentice of yours, jealous of you taking on Daena as your ward prodigal.”
The seco
nd princess wore a serious expression. Sarai had spoken with a half-joking tone, but the frown on Janai’s face said she didn’t think it was funny.
Sarai saw the change in her sister’s face. “That’s not really possible is it?”
The older sister ran a hand through her hair, amber eyes narrowing. “It’s a possibility I’d rather not consider.”
“Actually, I think Bannor has the right target,” Wren said. “It’s who and why that’s the most important. Koass told us—warned us really. Think about it. He had Tal drag Daena back just bells before this happened. The eternals probably knew it would happen.”
“Hey, that’s right,” Bannor agreed. “Koass said the monitoring was not just for their piece of mind. It was to keep the Daena out of the hands of someone more—ambitious.” He narrowed his eyes, and looked to Wren. “He added, that Aarlen wasn’t the only one with sweet promises. He looked right at you when he said that—like you had done something wrong too.”
Wren drew a breath and winced. “Well, there was an incident. There was a time when I was like Daena.”
Daena savant focused on Wren. “What?”
“It’s kind of complicated,” Ziedra added.
“Extremely complicated,” Euriel said.
“In truth,” Wren’s father spoke up. “Part of Hecate’s vendetta against you Bannor was actually revenge for a defeat fetched on her by Wren several summers ago.”
“Huh?” Now, he was confused. Hecate had been after him specifically. She had said so. She had wanted Tan’Acho, and planned on reaching it by joining with him. “No, she was crazy, she just wanted my power. She didn’t realize we couldn’t merge.”
Wren shook her head. “No, actually you could have merged. She just didn’t know how Starholme worked. She saw me merge with a beta form that wasn’t my own, and probably figured she could make the same thing happen. Maybe hoped that since you were a higher order savant that you could open Starholme. Like you said, she was crazy.”
“You’ve done this all, haven’t you?” Daena said, staring at Wren with wide glowing eyes.
The blonde savant drew a breath. “Oh yeah. I know what a first one can do. I’ve held the sword of Shiva in my hand, Mon’istiaga. A blade designed to destroy worlds. I killed eight avatars with it. All that power and it wasn’t even near to their worst weapon. Not by far.”
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