by Cas Peace
Sullyan stood at ease and studied the Baron. She immediately noticed his pale grey eyes flicking nervously from her face to the sword at her back and guessed he had never seen a woman go armed before.
The little man cleared his throat before speaking. “I am Baron Gaslek, his Majesty’s secretary. I bid you welcome, Major Sullyan. To what do we owe this honor?”
His voice was light and ineffectual, yet she had to give him his due. Despite this unprecedented situation, he was faultlessly polite.
She smiled. “I seek an audience with his Majesty on urgent matters of state, and we would appreciate the chance to rest and refresh ourselves as we have travelled a long and weary way. But first, my Lord Baron, I must make a request.” She saw the little man’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “I wish to see Count Marik, who was summarily imprisoned by General Ephan. I must be convinced of his comfort and welfare before I can consider my own.”
He made a disparaging gesture. “I’m afraid that will not be possible, Lady. The Count is under the General’s authority. He commands the garrison here.”
Sullyan’s eyes hardened. She was weary and in pain, in no mood to be thwarted. She took a step toward the Baron, and although her hand never reached for her sword hilt, the little man glanced at the weapon. With the faint smile still on her lips, she murmured, “My Lord Baron, it is my intention to see the Count with or without your help. Notwithstanding General Ephan’s authority, the Count is still under my personal protection. Now, may I suggest that you arrange for us to be taken to where he is being held? If not, I will find my own way. And I think you would not want us wandering the Palace unescorted. That would not reflect well on the Hierarch’s hospitality.”
The thought of the two of them walking through the Palace, alone and armed, clearly unsettled the Baron. He decided to humor her, although his displeasure showed in his tone. “Very well, Lady. I will arrange for you to be escorted to the cells. But authority for you to see the Count will have to be gained from General Ephan.”
Sullyan smiled coldly. “I thank you, Baron.”
Swallowing nervously, he picked up a small gold bell and rang it with a practiced flick. Sullyan’s eyes never left his, and she saw a glint of moisture on the man’s upper lip. Robin was regarding him too, and she felt her Captain’s amusement at the Baron’s discomfiture.
A liveried servant arrived promptly and was given instructions to convey the two of them to the cells. Afterwards he was to take them to a suite of rooms where they could be comfortable. “I trust you will find the accommodation satisfactory, Lady,” said the Baron as they made to leave.
Sullyan turned a smile on him, prepared to be gracious now that she had what she wanted. “I have no doubt of it, my Lord. You have been most helpful. I am sure we will meet again.” Briefly, she gave him her fingers before sweeping from the room.
As the door closed, she was sure she heard the Baron sigh with relief.
This new servant took them through the Palace once again, a different route this time, and they came out under a colonnaded walkway leading to a low, functional building attached to the rear of the Palace. There were sentries patrolling here, all of whom stared narrowly at the two armed Albians as they were led to a pair of solid wooden doors. Guards stationed there stepped toward them, barring their entry.
The servant turned to Sullyan. “I’m sorry, Lady, but without General Ephan’s express command, you can’t enter here.”
She planted her feet, making it obvious she wasn’t going to leave. “Then I suggest his express command is obtained immediately.” The servant shrugged and turned to one of the guards who, noting the Major’s stern expression and alert attitude, decided to duck the arrow.
“Wait here,” he said, and strode off.
They stood in the frosty air for some minutes, the remaining guard watching Sullyan as closely as she watched him. The other man returned, bringing with him a senior officer in the now familiar uniform of the Hierarch’s personal guard.
Instantly, Sullyan shifted the focus of her attention to the newcomer. He was lithe and loose-limbed and walked with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Tall and spare, he moved with purpose. Yet it wasn’t his body which arrested her gaze, but his eyes. Dead white with slit pupils, they gave nothing away. They were a killer’s eyes, emotionless eyes, the eyes of an implacable warrior.
He came to a fluid halt before her and swept her casually with a flat gaze. She knew he had dismissed her as a woman and therefore powerless. Your first mistake, she thought grimly.
“I am Commander Vanyr of the Velletian Guard,” he announced. “What is your business here?” His insulting omission of her title, plus his curt tone and clipped speech, conveyed his annoyance.
She refused to be cowed by his menacing stance and answered in the same terse manner. “A simple enough request, Commander. I wish to satisfy myself as to the wellbeing of one who is under my personal protection.”
Unaccustomed to such boldness from a woman, the Commander allowed irritation to flash in his eyes. Yet she was an Ambassador, the Albian High King’s Envoy, and he grudgingly gave way.
“Very well ... Lady.” He gave the title a slight, disparaging emphasis. “But you will not enter the security building armed.”
He held out an imperious hand for their weapons, and it was with only the slightest hesitation that Sullyan unhooked the sword from her shoulder harness and passed it to him. Robin did likewise. The man seemed surprised to feel the weight of Sullyan’s weapon, almost as if he hadn’t expected it to be real. He handed their blades to one of the guards and turned on his heel to lead them into the building.
Bare and functional, this place would offer no distractions to those carrying out whatever security measures might be necessary, thought Sullyan. The taciturn Commander stalked past various rooms and offices, leading them deeper into the building. He finally halted outside a door with a single guard and motioned the man aside.
The door, which wasn’t locked, opened onto a small but pleasant room. It was warmed by a fire and lit by two tiny, barred windows set high into the walls. There was a table and chair, and a small settle drawn close to the fire. Another door led off into a sleeping room. The suite’s occupant, who had been lying listlessly on the settle, started to his feet as they entered. He looked a little strained around the eyes, but brightened when he saw who his visitor was.
Sullyan crossed the room and took his hands. “Are you well, Count? Have they treated you fairly?”
He glanced over her shoulder toward Vanyr, who stood brooding in the doorway. “I’m fine, Sullyan. I could do with something to eat and drink, though.”
She turned to the Commander and raised her brows. He stared back before saying, “It will be arranged.”
“I thank you, Commander.” She turned back to Marik. “I am truly sorry about this, Ty. It will be resolved once I have spoken with the Hierarch. Can you be patient until then?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” he muttered. “It’s only what I expected, and better than I deserve. I’ll be alright.”
He gave her a wan smile. She pursed her lips and squeezed his hand.
They collected their weapons from the guard by the outer door and walked away under Vanyr’s hard stare. The waiting servant led them to a sumptuous suite of rooms on the ground floor of the Palace. He bowed them into the suite, only leaving once he had seen that their packs had been brought up from the stables and their heavy riding cloaks had been brushed and hung to air.
With a sigh of relief, Sullyan removed her sword and placed it on the rack provided. She looked round with appreciative eyes. On a low table in the lavishly furnished living area sat a tray of various meats, bread, wine, and sweet rolls. There was a roaring fire in the hearth, and the heavy drapes at the two floor-to-ceiling windows had been closed against the early evening cold. Trimmed lamps flickered brightly along the walls.
She crossed to one of the doors that opened off the living area and discovered a sleepi
ng room, a vast bed occupying most of the floor space. Robin glanced in over her shoulder. “Looks comfortable,” he murmured. “Want to try it out?”
She grinned. “Later.” She crossed to the other door. “First I want to see ... ah, Robin, look at this!”
The second door opened to reveal the largest bathing room they had ever seen. The walls were completely covered in ceramic tiles of yellow and green, while the vast pool in the middle of the floor was lined with deep blue tiles that made the steaming water look especially appealing.
Robin whistled in amazement as he trailed his fingers in the water. “How do they keep it so hot?”
Sullyan was already removing her jacket. “I have heard of these, but never had the chance to try one. It is said that a thermal spring rises under the Palace, and I believe that the ancient Andaryan word ‘Vellet’ translates as ‘volcanic’. The hot water from the spring will be channeled into these pools through a system of baked clay pipes. This is why the majority of the Palace is built on one level.”
She let down the masses of her hair and Robin came over to help remove the rest of her clothing. He watched as she carefully slid her slender body into the water, the scars of Rykan’s abuse still visible on her creamy skin. It felt so good. She lay back, luxuriating in the sensual warmth. She could float full length in the enormous pool. Seeing the look on Robin’s face, she moved to the edge, languidly flicking water at him.
“Why not join me, Robin? Have you ever made love underwater?”
He needed no second invitation.
Eventually, warm, clean, and spent, they wrapped themselves in the heavy house robes provided and relaxed by the fire, now and again sampling the meats and bread left earlier. Sullyan would have given much for a cup of Bull’s strong fellan, and thoughts of her big, loyal friend dispelled the delicious languor brought on by the bath and Robin’s attentions.
It was fully dark outside and most of the food was gone by the time she heard the discreet tap on the door. Robin got up to answer it, revealing the stocky form of Baron Gaslek. Sullyan beckoned to him and the Baron entered nervously, his constantly moving eyes settling anywhere but on her. She was lounging casually on the settle, her damp hair spread to dry over her shoulders. Lazily, she watched the Baron, enjoying his discomfiture.
“Will you not sit, Baron?” She patted the settle beside her. Robin had to choke back laughter as the Baron struggled to politely refuse.
He had to look at her to deliver his message. As he drew himself up, gathering his dignity around him like an ill-fitting cloak, his ringed fingers fluttered at his sides like crippled butterflies. “My Lady,” he said, before clearing his throat. “My Lady Ambassador, I am charged to inform you that his Majesty sends his profoundest apologies. As I warned you, he is much too busy with matters pertaining to the war to see you. However, you are welcome to ....”
Sullyan rose with threatening grace and the Baron’s words trailed off. Her eyes were hard and she fixed them on him as she moved closer. He took an involuntary step back before managing to stop himself.
Sullyan knew how to exude menace, and the Baron certainly felt it. She could see the tremble of his body in the reflected light from his spectacles. When she spoke, her voice was deliberately low.
“I think, my Lord, that you cannot properly have conveyed my message to his Majesty.”
The Baron wrung his hands. “Yes, I ... yes I did, Lady. I told him you were here, but he is too busy. You must understand—”
“No, my Lord Baron, you must understand. You are to return to his Majesty with this message. Tell him that Major Sullyan, Ambassador and Artesan Master-elite, wishes an audience with him. Can you remember that?”
Her eyes bored into his. Faintly, he repeated, “Master-elite?”
She nodded, smiled, and stepped back, breaking the tension between them. He shook himself, fluttering his hands in confusion. “Yes, Lady, of course. I’ll go at once.” Bowing hastily, he left the room.
Robin closed the door and leaned on it. He was shaking with laughter, and Sullyan regarded him narrowly. She was expending power to hold at bay the nagging ache in her belly and could do without these obstacles to her plans.
“Men!” she snapped.
Within half an hour, the Baron was back. His manner was completely different. Gone was the fussy nervousness. He was deferential and polite. After conveying the Hierarch’s concern for their comfort and invitation to remain as long as they chose, he informed Sullyan that his Majesty would see her later that evening, once he had closed his business with his generals. The Baron then enquired after their needs, offering Sullyan the services of a maid, which she graciously refused. Her manner had also changed. She was every inch the lady with no sign of her earlier irritation. As the little man turned to go, however, the Major called him back.
“There is one small favor you could do for me, my Lord.”
He turned fawning eyes on her and bowed, eager to please someone whose rank commanded his sovereign’s respect. “Whatever you wish, Lady.”
“Will you personally see to Count Marik’s comfort? I am sure it would distress his Majesty to learn that one of my friends was being treated with less than due respect.”
She looked down at her hands as she spoke, yet still caught the Baron’s irritated expression. His voice was tight as he replied, “Of course, Lady. I’ll ask the General to move him to a more suitable suite.”
“I thank you, my Lord. I would deeply appreciate it.”
It was left to Robin to show the defeated man out. The Captain shook his head once the Baron had gone, and grinned at the Major. “You’re incorrigible.”
She didn’t reply.
* * * * *
A few hours passed before a page arrived to convey them into the Hierarch’s presence. Sullyan had dressed carefully in a plain and simple dove grey gown. She left most of her hair loose, only braiding part of it to keep it out of her face. The rest fanned out around her shoulders, tumbling down her back like a tawny cloak.
Robin had put on his dress uniform, and Sullyan coached him in the protocol of the meeting.
“We must remain kneeling in his presence until given permission to rise. Do not speak unless you are addressed, and be unfailingly polite whatever is said. Always remember, Robin, that not only is Timar Pharikian the supreme ruler of this realm, but he is also a Senior Master, and therefore doubly deserving of our respect.”
They followed the young page along the corridors, passing various members of Pharikian’s Court, a few of whom gave them cursory glances. Sullyan was amused to observe that she wasn’t attracting half as much negative attention dressed in women’s clothing as she had in her combat leathers. The absence of the sword, she thought, probably had much to do with that. There were a few groups of women, however, who gave her much more than a cursory glance, no doubt comparing her simple, elegant gown with their gaudy, ruffled plumage. Robin also drew a fair share of the ladies’ attention, due to his handsome face and slim, muscular body.
At the end of a long, ornate corridor, they finally came to a pair of massive gilded doors. Carved with fantastical designs of mythical beasts, the doors were guarded by two swordsmen of the Velletian Guard, both of whom held lances crossed before them. The young page stopped at the doors and announced, “Master-elite Lady Ambassador Major Sullyan, and Adept-elite Captain Robin Tamsen, invited to an audience with his Majesty.”
The guards stepped apart, opening the doors wide as they did so, revealing a cavernous, lavishly appointed formal audience chamber. Gilded bosses and painted timbers adorned the high vaulted ceiling, while two lines of intricately carved columns formed an aisle down the room’s center. On either side of the aisle, chairs sat against the white plaster walls, beneath the multicolored banners and crests of the Hierarch and his underlords. The floor was pink marble shot with gold, and a raised dais at the far end of the aisle bore an ornately carved and gilded throne, currently unoccupied.
The page ushered Sullyan and R
obin toward the end of the hall. When they reached the platform leading up to the dais, he instructed them to kneel upon a cushioned carpet and await the Hierarch’s arrival. Robin looked round the room with interest, but Sullyan kept her eyes downcast. She was struggling to maintain her composure, for the pain of Rykan’s poison was increasing once more. She used metaforce to try to bolster her flagging strength, but the pain refused to abate.
A blare of trumpets from outside the room caught her attention, and Baron Gaslek entered through double doors in the far wall to the right of the dais. As he came forward to stand beside the throne, he glanced down at Sullyan but didn’t speak. Behind him came four men, all attired in military uniform. They marched to the throne and ranged themselves around it. Their leader was Commander Vanyr, and he stared at the two Albians with undisguised dislike. Sullyan guessed he had heard of her request regarding Marik and was infuriated by her interference.
As soon as Gaslek and the honor guards were in place, the fanfare sounded again, longer and louder than before. Another man entered the room, preceded by two pages and followed by two more. Sullyan had seen him before and knew what to expect, but Robin gave a start of surprise when he saw that the Hierarch was old. Over seventy years of age, thought Sullyan, but he still moved with the fluid grace of a trained swordsman. His body was tall and spare, his brown skin weathered and lined with age. He had a lean, patrician face with a long, straight nose and generous mouth. His eyes were golden yellow and not as pale as most Andaryans’, and his shoulder-length hair was nearly white.
A long purple cloak of rich silk flowed around his legs as he walked. Under it, his belted robe was soft gold velvet. A thick chain of gold lay about his neck, and a large carved amethyst bearing the tangwyr crest of the House of Pharikian adorned a heavy gold ring on the third finger of his right hand. He strode to the throne and sat, the pages taking stations around him. When he was settled, the four guards stood at ease.