“Duzna Ninianee,” exclaimed the Housekeeper-General as she approached. “Thanks to all the maitsee, you are back safely. I was worried that something dreadful had befallen you.”
“I am back safely, yes,” said Ninianee. “And in need of a bath and a change of clothes.”
“Most certainly. I will order both at once,” General Rocazin declared. “You’ve been sorely missed.”
“I am sorry. My sister should have let you know what – “
”That is part of the trouble. Your sister is away from the Castle, searching for your father, who left here in the night. Mirkal Kloveon is with her, which is something to be glad of. But there are still guests in the house.” General Rocazin stopped to rap the paving stones with her staff, summoning a page, issuing her orders crisply as soon as Rigoj arrived. “Tell Ver that hot water is needed in the bath-house at once, for Duzna Ninianee. And send out two of the serving women, to help her make ready for the afternoon meal.”
The page respected the two women and withdrew, his eyes huge in his youthful face, excitement in every quality of movement he made.
“What do you mean, my sister is searching for my father?” Ninianee asked as soon as the page had turned his back.
“Your father went away on a mission of his own before the evening’s entertainment began last night, and your sister went looking for him this morning; he failed to come back last night.” General Rocazin said, making the remark emphatic. “So she went with Kloveon of Fauthsku this morning, in spite of the other guests.”
“Kloveon went with her? She accepted his company?” Ninianee asked, frowning. “Kloveon?”
“He offered to be her escort, and would not be denied,” said General Rocazin. “With so many guests in the castle, guards could not be spared.”
“And there will be more this evening,” said Ninianee.
“What do you mean?” General Rocazin asked as they reached the entrance to the kitchen garden.
“Maeshar of Otsinmohr found me; he loaned me his mare, and said he and his guests would come in an hour or so to claim the horse. They’ll have to be entertained, and fed. They may want beds for the night as well.” Ninianee looked about. “What have we to offer them by way of amusements?” she asked.
“If your sister were here, I could tell you,” said the General. “As it is, I suppose we could send Burinar to Valdihovee to bring back the entertainers from last night, and to search for some new performers who might be willing to provide something by way of music or drama for after dinner. There must be some mimes we could summon, or musicians. I’ll ask Doms Guyon what he would recommend – he seems to know all the entertainers in Valdihovee. That way, none of the guests need see the same things twice.”
“That may be necessary, seeking out help in Valdihovee,” said Ninianee, looking toward the rear of the keep. “I wish we were not so much surrounded by uncertainties; we are at a great disadvantage on their account. I cannot help but wonder if it is Yulko Bihn’s doing, that we should have so many difficulties to address at once.”
“As to that, he would not admit it if he had done all of it,” said General Rocazin.
“Not to us, in any case,” said Ninianee. “Well, I will hurry with bathing. I’ll need a proper guin and gaunel brought to me; I’ll want them shortly so I will be able to greet Maeshar and his hunting party as they deserve.” She hoped that they would make good time, for this third night of the full moon would be the last time she would Change for another twenty-seven days, and she had to be certain that her transformation went unnoticed.
“Yes, Duzna Ninianee,” said the General. “And I’ll dispatch Burinar to Valdihovee.”
Reluctantly, Ninianee recalled what Erianthee had said to her the day before, and added, “Ask Burinar to find Doms Guyon; he can prove useful tonight if Erianthee doesn’t return.”
“You will act for your father if she isn’t here? One of you ought to preside for him,” General Rocazin ventured.
“No, not I; not tonight, I fear,” said Ninianee quietly. “That’s one reason I would like to summon Doms Guyon.” She trusted she would not have to spend much time in his company, for she found his eyes too keen and his senses too acute for her to be comfortable. His interest in her had become an encroachment on her secret life, and she hated having to risk more exposure to him. “He is a capable entertainer, and his rank is sufficiently high to allow him to serve as my deputy if I am unable to remain at the High Table through the whole of the evening.” She noticed that her foot was bleeding again. “If you would be good enough, ask Zenoch Mai to perform a healing spell for the cuts I’ve sustained.”
“If you wish it,” said General Rocazin. “About Doms Guyon, that is. The healing is another matter altogether. I’ll send word to Zenoch Mai at once.”
“Thank you, General,” said Ninianee, and stepped away from the Housekeeper-General toward the bath-house; smoke was just starting to rise from the chimney, and she wanted to make the most of the newly heated water.
“Shall I dispatch a rider to find your sister?” General Rocazin called after her.
“If she is still missing when I am dressed, then yes. Have Nejoch ready a horse, just in case,” Ninianee said, keeping steadily on her way along the edge of the garden toward the thick-walled bath-house and relief from her night as a Challim-doe in the forest.
5. Guests
By the time Ninianee emerged from the bath-house in an elegant gaunel of bronze-colored velvet over a guin of pale-gold wisp-cotton, she was met with the news that the guards had caught sight of Erianthee and Kloveon approaching on Duz Kinzyrach’s Road, and that they should arrive in an hour or a bit more. She was relieved to hear this, for she didn’t want to face the last night of her monthly transformation alone among the many guests of the Castle. She felt her anticipated burden fall away, and rubbing a drying cloth through the curling riot of her hair, Ninianee smiled, trying to give the appearance of confidence. “Thank you, Giuynee,” she said to the waiting-woman whom General Rocazin had assigned to her three weeks ago as part of the usual household rotation. “I will prepare to meet them in the Great Hall.”
“I’ll tell Ver that she and the Mirkal will arrive shortly, and General Rocazin – I’ll tell her, too,” said Giuynee.
“That’s much appreciated,” said Ninianee, and started for the main entrance to the keep, walking quickly so no one would be inclined to stop her. “One more night, and no more Challim-doe,” she whispered to herself. “Just one last night.” Until, she thought, next month when the Change would return. And who could say what creature she would Change to then?
The youngest of the pages came running up to her, his face flushed and his dolamine sash in disarray. He respected her, and flung himself into delivering his message. “Hoftstan Ruch asks you to meet him at once in the Great Hall, Duzna. He said it is urgent, or he would not ask it of you.”
“Then I will hurry,” said Ninianee, and moved more swiftly, passing through the main doors into the keep in a rush, so that she was a bit flushed as she came up to Hoftstan Ruch. “You sent me word that you needed to see me?” She touched her hair in a last effort to tidy it.
“That I did,” he said as he worked with two servants and his oldest son, Kazhtal, to widen the stage they had set up for the previous evening. “I have been told that we are to entertain Maeshar of Otsinmohr this afternoon, along with an undisclosed number of his guests.”
“That’s true, unfortunately,” said Ninianee. “I’m sorry; it’s my fault that we are in this predicament.” She cleared her throat and stood somewhat straighter. “I’ll do whatever I can to make this easier.”
“Except remain in the keep all evening,” said Hoftstan Ruch with a knowing nod. “Not that I blame you for preferring the mountains to Maeshar’s company.”
Kazhtal held up an iron wrench. “The bolts are fixed in this section.”
“Very good,” Hoftstan approved. “And done with muscles, not magic, so it will be harder to interfere w
ith. By the way, I went out to check the wall repair, and it’s been tampered with. I’ll have to put a metal bar in it.”
“Do you anticipate some interference?” Ninianee asked, thinking of Yulko Bihn.
“Who knows?” Hoftstan answered, aware that they shared the same suspicions. “Someone is tampering with the repairs, and could compromise these structures, but if he does, it would mean having to defend himself in court if we should apprehend him doing his work. I’ve put a capture-spell on the site that should reveal the culprit’s identity if more damage is done tonight. Still, I’d rather avoid all trouble we can. Better to be prepared than to be unpleasantly surprised. Were we not to have more company, the task would be easier. With such men as Maeshar likes to surround himself, I would be a fool not to realize that more mischief is possible.” He picked up a mallet and held it aloft. “No one has to renew a spell for this to work, and any spell attempting to undo the bolts will be noticed. Terichovee will put the spell-hounds on patrol during the entertainments.”
“Fine precautions,” said Ninianee.
“Also, I gather from what I was told that Doms Guyon will be here in a short while,” Hoftstan went on with a quick glance at Ninianee. “I understand he is to be welcomed. Do you wish me to keep him occupied, or shall I present him to you?” The very bluntness of the question made it less troubling than a more tactful inquiry would have been.
“So long as you present him before sundown; I can deal with him until then.” Her face softened. “He isn’t a monster, Hoftstan, and surely I am not the greatest disappointment in his life, that I must not receive him or show him proper courtesy. Just do not let him – or any of Maeshar’s friends – into the outer gardens at any time this evening,” said Ninianee, knowing it would be unwise for her to try to leave the vicinity of the Castle tonight. “Tell him it is for their safety that we do this, that so many illustrious guests could well attract unwanted attention, and that therefore hospitality requires us to keep them within the safety of the castle walls.” Her decision was spontaneous – Challim deer were common in the outer gardens, and she would not attract any significant attention to herself by remaining there. “Tell the guards not to shoot any of the animals inside the outer wall tonight; not deer, not redcoons, not Roba elk, not moon-hounds. Never mind that Ver wants venison, deer and elk, for the guests, and that moon-hounds are pests. All animals are sacrosanct until dawn.”
“That I will – not that any of them will bother while there is entertainment to be had; even if a deer is killed this afternoon, it will not be ready to cook until tomorrow, in any case, what with bleeding and hanging,” said Hoftstan. “It gives me yet another excuse to keep away from Magsto Bihn and that young woman he has with him. Agnith spare me her company!” His features were set in an expression of annoyed disgust.
In spite of herself, Ninianee almost smiled. “Is she still pursuing you?”
Hoftstan glanced uneasily at his son. “Yes, she is. I have tried to avoid being alone with her. She has already told me she has no regard for my wife or my family, that her desire supersedes their claims on me.”
“That isn’t to her credit,” said Kazhtal said suddenly. “My father is a loyal man, true to my mother and our family.”
“No,” Ninianee agreed. “It isn’t to her credit.”
“I have done nothing to deserve this attraction she claims to have for me,” Hoftstan declared in a voice of ill-usage. “It’s been Bonti’s Luck for me with her since she and Magsto Bihn arrived. And I have done nothing to encourage her interest. Nothing!”
“No, you haven’t,” said Ninianee.
“And Magsto Bihn seems to encourage her,” Hoftstan added indignantly.
“He would do,” said Ninianee quietly. “He ever seeks for ways to embarrass Duz Nimuar and Vildecaz.”
“And what do you say to that?” Kazhtal demanded, rounding on Ninianee with an emotion close to menace. “You have the duty to preserve all those loyal to you. Will you not command her to desist?”
“If it were possible, I would do it, for the sake of your family,” Ninianee said, continuing with more formality than was her usual custom, “But Yulko Bihn is a man of high position and she is under his protection. With my father away from the Castle, it makes the circumstances more awkward, for nothing either I or my sister might do would have any immediate influence with Yulko Bihn, and certainly less with his companion.”
Hoftstan nodded. “Yes. That is so, Duzna.”
“At least Kloveon of Fauthsku has been here – Bihn cannot be too blatant in his mischief with the Imperial Courier also a guest under our Papa’s roof.” Ninianee was aware of how difficult his presence was for her sister, but for now she refused to be troubled by such considerations.
“Your entertainers have helped, too; they have provided distraction and observation at the same time,” said Hoftstan, as if to lessen the impact of his son’s near-accusations. “Your father cannot protest the quality of the amusements you have provided.”
Ninianee sighed. “Let us hope that holds true for this afternoon.”
“What holds true? Is there more upset to contend with?” The voice was Erianthee’s, and it carried through the Great Hall as if she were addressing the Porzalk Emperor’s Court.
Hoftstan turned to respect her, and then Kloveon, who was immediately behind her. “You are a most welcome sight, Duzna Erianthee.”
“No more so than you,” said Erianthee, coming into the Great Hall speedily and rushing toward her sister.
Ninianee went to embrace her. “I am glad you’re back,” she said, then faltered as her expression clouded. “Papa?”
“At the Library of Duz Kinzyrach,” said Erianthee. “He is supposed to return by nightfall.”
“What did he say?” Ninianee asked.
Erianthee faltered. “I didn’t actually speak with him; he was asleep, the Provost Magsto said, and that he had worked all through the night.”
Ninianee paled. “You never saw him?”
“No,” said Erianthee, her own concerns returning at full force.
“Then how can you be certain – “ Ninianee began, then cut herself short.
“It would have been very wrong for the Provost Magsto to lie to us about his patron,” said Kloveon from where he waited in the doorway.
Erianthee nodded. “But we were assured that if he isn’t bound for home shortly, that a messenger would inform us of that fact.”
“Which we will already know by his absence,” said Ninianee sharply, then turned to Erianthee with an expression of chagrin. “Not to speak against your errand, for what could the two of you do by yourselves but accept the Provost’s assurances? He has no reason to lie to you, but I am troubled to learn that our father should have gone so far, without word to any of us. You have done everything that could be required, so you are without fault,” she added, and gave a small respect to Kloveon. “And nothing could be held against you, for escorting her.”
“I didn’t assume you meant anything to my discredit, or to Erianthee’s,” said Kloveon, coming into the Great Hall, and respecting Ninianee.
As much as she wanted to give a sharp rejoinder, Ninianee kept silent, and turned her attention to Erianthee, encouraging her by saying, “Eri?”
“I do hope Papa’s all right,” Erianthee whispered. “He hasn’t been himself since yesterday, has he, Nin?”
“It’s not easy to know with Papa, but I think you’re right,” said Ninianee. “Ever since he’s been engrossed in Agnith’s Treasure, he’s been odder than usual.”
“Yes; I agree,” said Hoftstan, making no apology for interjecting his opinion. “What is it about Agnith’s Treasure that concerns him so much, and so suddenly?”
“If we knew what the Treasure was, we might be able to determine the reason for his interest,” said Ninianee.
Kloveon glanced up at the face of Womotomaj. “Did he leave any offerings to any of the gods and goddesses?”
Erianthee shook her head. “
I don’t know. He usually leaves a vial of wine for Tsumohr, who is Vildecaz’s god of scholarship, and a sprig of Challim heather for Dandolmaz, the Capricious. I didn’t think to ask if he did this time.”
“Neither did I,” Ninianee admitted in stricken accents. She clapped her hands as if to condemn herself for this lapse. “Where is Neilach Drux?” She had not seen her father’s valet for two days, she realized as she spoke his name. “Hoftstan, have you seen him?”
“Not today. I did speak with him last night, shortly after the Duz left on his . . . mission.” Hoftstan made a gesture of apology. “I would have thought of it sooner if I hadn’t been so – “
”Hounded?” Ninianee suggested, a lift to one eyebrow. “You have had more pressing things to occupy your thoughts. So have the rest of us. We’ve all had much on our minds.”
“I’ll go find him, Duzna,” Kazhtal volunteered, respecting both Ninianee and Erianthee as he spoke. Without waiting for a formal charge, he hastened out of the Great Hall.
“We should have thought of that,” said Erianthee to Ninianee.
Whatever Ninianee might have answered was lost as the trumpets sounded the greeting to guests, announcing the arrival of Maeshar and his company of huntsmen.
Erianthee paled. “I have to change my clothes. At once. Maeshar will count my appearance against me.” She started from the Great Hall, then stopped and turned back to her sister. “Can you manage without me, Nin? I shan’t be very long, I promise.”
“I will give her my company until the welcoming is over,” Kloveon promised Erianthee; only when she nodded her thanks did he turn to Ninianee, “That is, if you don’t mind?”
“On the contrary – I’m pleased to have a man of your rank, Mirkal, to remind Maeshar – Goriach that he is – what his place is in this Castle; I am glad of your presence, given how things stand at present,” said Ninianee, making this a brusque compliment. She turned to Hoftstan. “If you will have Ver send up mead and wine for the greeting?”
The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise Page 10