“I know the road, and the canyon is the right place to do it, but there isn’t that kind of money around, so your ‘what if’ game is meaningless,” Perry answered. “Stick to being a soldier. You’re dismissed,” he told Alec.
The sun had set, and the passages around the castle were dimly lit by torches as Alec left the office. He stopped at a corner and debated what to do. He had to go to Vincennes to recover the gold that sat in the banks there, he knew, and he had to deliver it to Menard as fast as possible. The banks in Vincennes were already closed for the night, but there was no reason for him to wait until morning to return; he could leave now, spend the night in Vincennes, then withdraw the money at the earliest moment. With that decision clear in his mind, Alec began the series of jumps his Traveler powers needed to manage his return to Vincennes.
Chapter 3 – A Jagine in the Palace
Minutes later Alec was back in the apartment he shared with Bethany and Rahm. Bethany was alone, sitting at the table, contemplatively eating a bowl of soup, when Alec appeared before her, causing her to shriek.
“Alec? Welcome home! I’m so glad you’re back,” she shrieked loudly as she raced around the table and leaped into his arms. They exchanged a hearty hug.
“How have you been? I’m so glad you’re back; it will be a relief to have you back in the court; you can’t imagine how pompous and overbearing Stocker is without you around to scare him. When were you called back?” Bethany asked.
“I haven’t been called back,” Alec admitted, watching her face sag at the admission. “The countess of Krimshelm needs a lot of money to pay her troops. I was going to give her a big share of the money we took from Krimshelm, since it was hers to begin with. So I came back to go to the bank tomorrow; I wanted to see some friendly faces for a change, so I came back tonight.”
“So the Princess didn’t recall you? You’re not officially welcome back?” Bethany clarified. “I wish you were. I knew I hadn’t heard you were returning, but I hoped maybe I missed it somehow.”
“How is she doing?” Alec asked. It was the only question that mattered to him, and it showed in his face.
“She’s doing well as the Princess. She takes charge and gives sensible orders and usually cuts off the longwinded bores before they waste the whole day talking. Everything she’s been through has changed her; you’ve changed her by acting decisively when you had to, and by showing her you could avoid action when you needed to – she told me that herself. She grows better as a ruler all the time,” Bethany said, as they both sat down at the table. “But as a person, I know she misses you. Even though she has been lauded by the court for your departure from the city, she misses you in her heart. You should go see her tonight after everyone else is gone. Rahm is on guard duty tonight; you could get in without a problem.”
Alec closed his eyes, tempted by the idea, a germ of which had been rooted in his mind when he decided to return to Vincennes. He knew though that he had left Vincennes resolved to go away and stay away; he’d understood the reasoning of his banishment to Krimshelm, but his feelings had been bruised nonetheless. Going away had seemed like it might allow him to grow used to his estrangement.
But now, hearing Bethany talk about Caitlen had forced him to face the reality of how much he missed being with the girl, missed seeing her walk, her face, her unconscious habit of running her fingers through her hair when she was trying to concentrate, even watching her handle the mechanics of governing. There was a way to visit her he realized, one that would minimize the damage she would face if his visit was known. “What would people say if the Princess took a Jagine to her room with her?” he delicately asked Bethany.
She looked at him, her head tilted, studying him. “I think most would say good for her, a few would say it’s about time, and a few would say it’s a terrible thing,” she answered at length.
Alec closed his eyes and focused his Healing energy inward, recreating the blue pigment he had used while running away with Caitlen in the beginning of the winter.
Bethany clapped her hands. “That is so fun to watch! It’s perfect! Let me escort you to the palace to present you to the Princess!” she insisted, and so they walked together through the streets of Vincennes, people looking at Bethany appraisingly as she was accompanied by a Jag. They were admitted to the palace that Caitlen had insisted on re-occupying, and Bethany showed Alec the way to the private wing, where the scars of the occupation were being covered and hidden by paint and repairs.
“Just down this hall,” Bethany gestured, and as they turned a corner they saw Rahm and a companion not far away, standing outside a large door, while in front of the two Guards Caitlen stood holding hands and chatting with a handsome stranger who Alec did not know.
Before either Bethany or Alec could digest the situation, Caitlen caught sight of them, her attention drawn like everyone else’s to the bright blue hue of Alec’s skin. “Bethany? What are you up to?” she asked, motioning the two of them to approach.
“We’re just passing by,” Bethany said, as Alec tugged on her hand to pull her away from the awkward scene.
“Come here!” Caitlen called. “Bring your friend! We want to see what you’re up to,” she said with a cheerfulness that sounded forced to Alec’s ears.
He and Bethany exchanged glances, then both sighed as they walked to see the princess.
“This is the chief of your bodyguards, isn’t it?” the stranger asked Caitlen, motioning towards Bethany.
“This is,” Caitlen concurred. “And there’s hardly anyone I’d trust more to protect me than Bethany. Bethany, this is the Viscount Whilky, from Wellings,” the princess made the introduction. “He’s been at court for a few days now, here to discuss how his county can contribute to our work.
“And who’s your friend?” Whilky asked. “Shouldn’t he have bowed to the Princess by now, or do his talents exempt him from good manners?” the man asked with an air of superiority.
With gritted teeth, Alec bowed slightly, jealous and offended that the nobleman was here in the private wing.
“We’ll be leaving now. We were just taking a tour of the palace,” Bethany said, and she started to drag Alec away.
“Won’t he even talk?” Whilky asked. “Let’s have some entertainment for the princess. Make him sing a song for us!”
Alec was looking at the man through slitted eye lids, close to letting his frustration and disappointment emerge in violent action against the arrogant nobleman. With another deep breath he focused on his Spiritual power, seeking serenity.
“No, he won’t sing,” Bethany shot back, nearly as upset as Alec by the situation. “His accent is too strong to really do our songs very well,” she shot a triumphant glance at Caitlen, then felt awful, as she saw the realization dawn on the princess’s face of who the Jagine with the accent really was. Caitlen’s polite smile was replaced by a look of stricken panic.
“Your highness, would you like to have my Jag tonight?” Bethany asked, impulsively seeking to fix the blunders that were piling up in the marble hall.
“What?” Whilky sputtered. “She doesn’t need a Jag tonight,” he insisted.
“I’m sorry Whilky, but I think I do want to try the Jag this evening. I’ve never really had one before,” the princess apologized to the nobleman. “Can we have breakfast tomorrow to wrap everything up? Bethany, would you escort the Viscount to his suite?” the princess dropped the nobleman’s hand, and stretched her finger toward Alec.
Alec refused to take her hand. Instead, after a moment of hesitation, he brusquely shot past her, opened her bedroom door, and disappeared inside the room. As Bethany started to take Whilky by the arm to lead him away, Caitlen abruptly rushed into the room as well, shutting the door behind her so that the two of them were alone.
“Alec? Is it you? Oh, this is the best thing I’ve known since you left,” she rushed over to hold him, and Alec heard her in his mind as they made contact. Oh my love, you are what I’ve needed. I’ve wanted to see y
ou and talk to you and touch you; every hour you’ve been gone I’ve thought of you.
“I’m only here for a few hours,” Alec said out loud. “The Countess of Krimshelm needs money to pay her troops, so I came to take some from the bank for her. And then I came to see you because I missed you. I haven’t had a handy member of the nobility to entertain me in the evenings,” he told her jealously.
Alec felt a subtle popping sensation in the back of his head, and a moment later he realized it was an indication that Caitlen had used the ingenaire power. In the meantime she stepped back and looked at Alec. “I’m just listening to his pompous speeches so that he’ll provide troops and support for our army. You don’t need to be jealous,” she held out her hand to him. “Let’s not fight tonight. If you’ve only got a few hours here, let’s make the most of it.”
Torn by conflicting desires, Alec raised his hand, and grasped hers. Without using his powers, he sensed her affection and desire for him. “Do you feel anything?” she asked. “I’ve been trying ever since you left to find the powers you gave me. I’ve practiced every night. Right now I can tell you feel unhappy about seeing Whilky with me, but you know I never intended to do anything but boost his ego.” Look into me, Alec, she added, see the truth of my faithfulness.
Alec pulled her against his body, feeling suddenly awash with guilt over his jealousy; he knew he could trust her. No, I don’t need to examine you Caitlen; I felt you use the power. I will trust you because I love you. I never thought about how odd it would be to love another Spiritual ingenaire, with the ability to probe hearts and souls!
Are you regretting what you did for me? she asked archly.
If you are happy, I have no regrets. Alec’s hands slid up her spine to the back of her head, and tilted her face upward, so that he could kiss her. “Let me go get comfortable,” she said softly when the kiss ended. “Go over there,” she motioned towards the bed, as she disappeared into a dressing room.
Much later they lay in bed beside one another, Caitlen’s fingers woven into Alec’s hair. Thank you Bethany. Everything is fine, Alec sent a sleepy message to his friend.
“I heard that,” Caitlen mumbled. “I hope you haven’t been narrating everything that happened here.”
“I hope she’s asleep and didn’t hear even that comment,” Alec replied blissfully.
“You haven’t’ told her anything else tonight, have you?” Caitlen pressed.
“No, oh no,” Alec blushed, mortified by the thought.
“That’s good. The guards know so much about my life as it is, I want this to stay private at least,” the girl spoke wistfully.
“So there were many people who could do the things you do where you came from?” Caitlen asked. “What was it like to have all those powers in society? You mentioned loving a Spiritual ingenaire before. Were there more of them, or more like you?”
“I focused on my Healer powers and my Warrior powers back then. I never really knew much about the Spiritual ingenairii,” Alec reflected. “I knew one or two, one as a good friend,” he paused as he recollected Kinsey. “But I never thought about how their sensory abilities would expose so much of their partner’s heart. It could be frightening for an ordinary person.”
“So you’ve spoiled me from loving anyone but you?” Caitlen asked. “And here I thought you really were being so noble, trying to give me all these memories and values and abilities for my own sake,” she teased him. “I have tried so hard to send my feelings to you; have you never heard a thing? And why haven’t you told me anything in all this time?”
“I have never heard a thing from you,” Alec confirmed. “And it just seemed empty to send you one way messages about life in Krimshelm.”
“It wouldn’t be empty for me!” she protested. “I wanted to hear your voice in my head so much! Promise me you’ll send me more messages,” she insisted, not long before they both fell asleep.
“Good morning, your highness,” Alec heard a voice, and realized there was a dim light in the room. He raised his head and saw a servant holding a candle. “Good morning, sir,” she said with aplomb, as Alec nudged Caitlen.
The princess groaned. “It can’t be time to get up; you kept me up too late last night,” she reached over to stroke Alec’s hair, before she slowly rose from bed and padded to the dressing room.
“Would you like something for breakfast sir?” the maid asked politely.
“I’d forgotten the good things about living in a palace,” Alec murmured. “I’ll have whatever reasonable breakfast the princess is having,” he replied.
An hour later breakfast was eaten, the princess was dressed, and she was prepared to leave the suite. “It’s been most enjoyable having you here,” she said aloud as her chamberlain waited. I miss you so much. Can’t you come back every night? She added through the hands they held.
Perhaps; I have to help them in Krimshelm. A great battle is coming soon. When the war is won in Krimshelm, I will be able to return. Will your court be ready to receive me? he asked.
That is a delicate question; we’ll see what can be done, she acknowledged. But I know that it will not keep us apart. I will work on sending you my love; please send me messages. Come if you can tonight.
As she left, Alec saw Bethany glance in the door and wink at him.
He got dressed, still bemused by his night with Caitlen, then slipped out of the palace, catching knowing grins and nods of heads that told him the presence of a Jag in the Princess’s suite was no secret, and he ruminated as he walked away from the palace and found a secluded spot to change his color back to his own. The society of Vincennes seemed so contradictory, to place such limits on the role of women in society, yet it condoned the existence of men who were Jags, and women were freely allowed to partake of their services.
And still foreigners were so widely discriminated against, so shunned and disdained.
He reached the bank and waited for the doors to open, then was the first person served, and the size of his withdrawal raised eyebrows. Alec decided to take back one thousand golds as a first gift to Menard, a demonstration of his ability to provide considerable sums of funds. But it would be a bulky, heavy load, one that would create some awkward movements for him.
Alec asked to borrow a cart to take the gold outside, and as he went around the corner, he unloaded the cart, then began to hang the small heavy bags on his shoulders, on his sword belt, and in his hands. With that he began to translocate himself over the stages of the journey to return to Krimshelm.
Minutes later he was in a small closet near Menard’s office. He unloaded all but one bag of gold, and carried that one to the major domo’s office. When he knocked on the door, a muffled voice replied “not now,” after which Alec ignored the command, opened the door, and dropped the bag on the desk where Menard was scribbling on a paper.
“I said ‘not now’!” Menard exploded. “Even for a heroic foreigner, that means ‘not now’.”
“Look in the bag. I’ll be back with more,” Alec replied and slipped back to the closet to bring two more bags.
“Where did you get this? You’ve got more?” Menard asked in astonishment as he opened the bag and saw its glittering contents.
“I’ll be back,” Alec replied, and after two more trips, Menard’s desk was covered in the strong leather bags that held riches he hadn’t dreamed of seeing.
“Where did this come from?” Menard asked. “Where’s the rest of it? This was the earl’s own money; it’s the treasury that was stolen!”
“I can’t get it all, but I’ll bring a great deal more back if you pledge to use it to pay the army and hire the soldiers you need to fight the Conglomerate,” Alec promised. “How I got it is a mystery we don’t need to address today.”
Menard looked at Alec with a long, hard stare. “How much can you bring, and how fast?”
“Will you use it for the army?” Alec pressed.
“What else is there?” Menard asked.
“I don’t know
, but you didn’t answer my question,” Alec suddenly felt a strange sense that the major domo could not be trusted.
“Your insolence is going to have you imprisoned until you return our money to us,” Menard replied, rising to his feet. “It appears that you are the thief who stole the money, and you are going to suffer consequences.”
Alec used his Spiritual energy to sense the emotion of the man who stood across from him. Menard radiated greed and treachery, and suddenly Alec had a flash of intuition. “You were the one who tried to steal it in the first place! And now you’re going to steal it again. You’ll sell the Countess out to make yourself rich and powerful!”
“That’s enough,” Menard shouted back. “Guards!” he yelled loudly, then yelled again.
“Who else is in this conspiracy with you?” Alec asked. He heard boots in the hallway. “Who was helping you rob the Earl?”
“This man must go to the prison cells immediately,” Menard told the guards who entered the office. “He’s a thief!”
“Take a look at the money on his desk,” Alec told the guards. “All of that is meant to be used to pay the back wages you are owed. If you don’t receive your pay, tell everyone who had it last,” he said. He had decided to go along with imprisonment briefly, to see what he could arrange before he resorted to using his powers.
“Take him to the cells, then report directly back here,” Menard ordered.
Alec was silently taken deep under the castle, where a jailer locked him in a cell as the two escorts left the dungeon. “I want to see Major Perry,” Alec told the jailer.
“Good luck,” the jailer responded. “You’ll see who you see if anyone comes down to see you.”
“Send for Hankins or Moines,” Alec said. “It’s important that I see someone. I think Menard is going to steal the gold that’s meant for your payroll.”
“You can rest your feet, and your jaws. I’m not sending for anyone. So be quiet,” the jailer replied, annoyed.
“If that’s the way you want it,” Alec told him, ready to take further steps.
Ajacii and Demons: The Ingenairii Series Page 4