by L. L. McNeil
Varkain strength and customs are a fading shadow in Linaria, and our influence dwindles even in Val Sharis. We’ll need all the strength and resources we can get if Aciel is as serious a threat as he seems. You know firsthand how formidable he is.’
Moroda thought back to the fear she had felt aboard the warship. Jato was strong, that much was clear. But she didn’t like Jato in the same way she didn’t like street thugs. Aciel was something else. ‘I feel for your sister. No mother and not being able to see your father.’
‘Ancestral laws ought to be changed.’ He said, folding his arms.
‘Ancestral laws should indeed be changed.’ Kohl added, having listened in on part of their conversation.
Sapora turned and smiled a little at the Arillian. ‘You’d make a fine Varkain, Kohl.’
‘I’m sure you’d make a fine Arillian also.’ Kohl replied. ‘When you have to sneak up on dragons, or at least trail them undetected, you learn a few things. I hear there is to be a ball tonight—the palace servants are asking your orders?’
Sapora glanced behind the Arillian to see the raven wringing his hands and pacing the floor. The smile fell from Sapora’s lips. ‘Koraki. I really should have him removed from service. Go. Enjoy the palace and city. Rest while you can. The ball will begin in a few hours. I will have more information regarding the Arillian by morning.’ He swept past Kohl and Moroda to the raven.
‘I can’t believe we didn’t realise he was a prince for so long.’ Moroda said, watching Sapora order the raven about.
‘He fits the role as well as he does skulking around in the shadows scaring people,’ Amarah said, twirling her scythe.
Another pair of the Royal Guard marched past. ‘Sure, they look busy. But are they actually doing anything?’ Morgen scowled. ‘They’re just prancing about!’
‘Envious?’ Eryn asked, an eyebrow raised.
‘Not at all.’
‘Let’s get some rest. I’m quite looking forward to a proper meal and the ball,’ Moroda said, turning the conversation away from Morgen’s insecurities. ‘Coming Morgen, Kohl, Amarah?’
‘I shall accompany you to rest, but I shan’t partake in the ball. With Linaria in this state, I do not think the presence of an Arillian would be much accepted.’ Kohl said.
‘But Sapora said—’ Eryn began.
‘Sapora is one person. He does not speak for everyone in the palace, nor the city.’
‘Can I help you?’
Moroda jumped as another Ittallan approached. He wore loose robes and a black sash, but was older than the raven and portly, with brown eyes, a thick brown beard and several wide, gold chains around his broad neck. He carried several leaves of parchment under his arm and furrowed his brow as he looked down at them.
‘Elafion. You received the message?’ Sapora called, walking back to the group.
‘Hmph. I had hoped Topeko had arrived, but it’s you, prince. I understand you’ve decided to call a meeting of the Council? At this hour?’ The man replied. Moroda saw him look down his nose at Sapora, decidedly unimpressed. He carried himself with an air of righteous self-importance. Moroda’s stomach twinged as she recalled similar behaviour from other Goldstones in Niversai. His words about Topeko gave her pause, though. Was it the scholar he spoke of?
‘Correct. Once Princess Isa returns, we shall begin.’ Sapora said.
Elafion sighed; an exaggerated action that reminded Moroda of a petulant child denied a sweet. ‘Many of us have just had supper and we now have a ball to get together last minute. If we’d notice of your arrival, perhaps we could have done something.’
‘We begin when the princess returns,’ Sapora repeated, his voice cold.
‘Sapora, we can’t just drop everything when you decide to show up unannounced.’
‘Must I remind you to whom your allegiance lies? Do not forget yourself, fodder, else you’ll lose your head, not just your tongue.’
Elafion stiffened, but didn’t say anything.
‘I expect the others to be ready. While we’re waiting, why don’t you show my honoured guests to the east wing where their rooms are prepared.’
‘Sapora! I am the head of the Council of Val Sharis! I have—’
‘You have been ordered by your prince. I will see you in the Council Tower shortly.’ Sapora turned to Moroda and the others. ‘Elafion shall take you to the guest suites.’
‘And my payment?’ Amarah turned to Sapora, ignoring Elafion and the others.
‘Yes, yes. Come. I will have your thirst satiated.’
Elafion trembled where he stood, heaving and reshuffling his papers as Sapora and Amarah continued down the corridor. ‘Well come on, come on, then. The prince has spoken.’ He snorted, turning around, his robes billowing as he marched back down the corridor.
Moroda wondered why he did not hide his distaste of Sapora, but had little time to worry—she had to jog to keep up with Elafion’s wide strides. They turned a corner to a large entranceway. Stairs led down and up, and Moroda glanced both ways, trying to get her bearings in the unfamiliar surroundings, but Elafion led them up the wide, curved stairway. Oak and marble interlaced, and the floor was covered by thick, red carpet, jewels lining the edges.
‘You spoke of Topeko? Do you mean the scholar from Berel?’ Moroda asked, but Elafion did not reply, too intent on charging down the corridors.
She and Eryn glanced at each other, and Moroda shook her head. Clearly she was too low class for the Ittallan to bother speaking with.
‘I trust you’re attending tonight’s entertainment?’ Elafion huffed as they passed through a large foyer. ‘The ballroom is here, if you are. Don’t be late.’ He hurried up the wide steps, giving none of them time to even glance through the door.
Moroda glanced to her left and right; Eryn hurried along as quickly as she could, but Morgen lagged behind. Kohl moved quickly, though she suspected he used his wings to take longer strides when they weren’t looking.
Elafion stopped abruptly at another wide corridor. ‘Well I don’t know what rooms you’ve been given but the guest suites are all along here, right up to the far balcony at the end.’ He waved his hand vaguely. ‘Use the bells if you need anything and the servants will help. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a meeting to attend.’ He snorted again and whirled around, gold chains jingling as he stomped back down the stairs and out of sight.
‘He seems most vexed,’ Eryn said, one arm on the wall as she tried to catch her breath. ‘We might as well have run the whole way!’
‘From the looks of things, I don’t think anyone expected Sapora’s return,’ Kohl said, cool and calm as ever. ‘The reactions seem either to be fear or irritation.’
‘I’m not surprised. Sapora ordered someone on the Val Sharis Council to guide us to our rooms. That’s a real kick to his pride,’ Moroda said. ‘Plenty of guards about, he could’ve asked one of them…’
‘Sapora likes to throw his weight around. He always has! Look at how he is with Amarah, or Anahrik. Especially when he’s insulted!’ Eryn replied. ‘But enough of him, let’s go and sit down. We wanted to rest?’
‘I cannot say I blame him,’ Kohl said, as they entered a large sitting room. Gold once again lined the ceiling and windows, and the dark wood furniture was ornately gilded with the precious metal. A small silver bell sat on a small table beside the door, as Elafion had said, and a lit fireplace dominated the wall to their left. Morgen went over to the large arched window and peered out, while Moroda and Eryn sat by the fire, looking at Kohl.
‘He is a mixed blood, and the Ittallan are a proud race, almost as proud as the Varkain. I imagine he has a lot to prove. His knowledge. His strength. His competence. The best way he knows how is with poorly veiled threats and actual attacks.’ Kohl said.
‘I’d never thought that before,’ Moroda said.
‘But he’s their prince? Surely it wouldn’t matter?’ Eryn asked.
‘It shouldn’t, but it does. Sapora will have a hard rule ahead of him. In
the middle of an Arillian war, with his own people mistrusting him. I do feel for the prince.’
‘Orders are orders. Doesn’t matter if you agree with them or not, or who gave them.’ Morgen said, still peering out of the window. The last traces of sunlight disappeared, blanketing the city in darkness.
‘Maybe in Corhaven. The Ittallan and especially the Varkain do things differently. They are two races connected by ancient history, and the Ittallan try to distance themselves more with each season. Sapora will continue his father’s work of trying to undo that to strengthen himself.’
‘How can you be so sure?’ Eryn asked.
‘Sapora keeps talking about taking his throne. And now, instead of being respectful of the Ittallan, he’s immediately trying to put his mark down. Although he helped you when we crossed the sea, Moroda, you should still be wary of him. There’s a reason non-Varkain do not travel to Sereth. I do not think we ought to stay in the palace too long. We ought to look for the dragon now, while we have a head start over Aciel.’
Morgen turned from the window to look at her, and Moroda suddenly became aware of all eyes on her. Sapora had saved her life on the airship. Amarah, had, too. There was little love for the Varkain among the people of Linaria, but she was sure it was misplaced. For all the atrocities she’d known Sapora to commit, he’d never harmed her. But Kohl’s words on finding a dragon sooner rather than later held truth. She remembered her promise to her sister. It was an easy decision. ‘I need to read more about the sphere. I need rest, too. We know Taban Yul is safe for the moment. Let’s stay here for tonight, at least. Is that okay, Ryn?’
Eryn’s smile told her she was happy with her decision. ‘The ball will be a welcome relief from flying and eating rations! I can’t remember the last time we were able to relax and have a proper meal.’
‘Best keep watch, then. Just in case.’ Kohl said, frowning. ‘You both deserve a break and to enjoy yourselves. I can get some new armour while I’m here, too,’ Morgen said. ‘Kohl and I will keep watch tonight.’
‘Thank you, Morgen,’ Eryn said.
‘We’ll see if Sapora is true to his word about having more information in the morning,’ Moroda said, yawning. ‘For now, let’s try to enjoy the evening. Dragon’s above, it’s been a long time since we enjoyed anything.’
*
Once his business with the raven was finished, Sapora exited the palace through a grand set of double-doors at the end of the hall, trailed by Amarah. They stood at the top of an enormous flight of solid white marble stairs which led down to wide, golden gates, and the city beyond. Stationary guards stood posted at either side of the doors, halfway up the stairs and six of them were stood by the gate. The city beyond expanded as a mirage of colour, sound and movement, even as the darkness of the evening took hold.
‘My prince, refreshments will be ready for you in the West Hall when you are ready.’ The raven shuffled over, still wringing his hands.
‘Good. That will be all.’ Sapora said, dismissing him while keeping his attention on Amarah. He did not bother to offer the Ittallan even a cursory glance, and Amarah tilted her head as she watched the servant slink off.
A roaring hiss drew their attention. Glancing upwards, they spied a large, red-gold cat crouched on the wide marble wall which framed the top of the palace doors. Bright amber eyes glinted in the darkness, and it bared its sharp, white fangs at them. The fur of the cat was short and wiry, with dark brown, almost black markings dotted about its ears, back, tail and hindquarters. Crouching, it hissed again, then leapt almost ten feet vertically into the air and descended with claws drawn.
Amarah instinctively leaped back to avoid a collision with the feline, but Sapora held his ground, his knees slightly bent.
Cursing her luck, Amarah clutched her scythe in preparation, but before she could act, a flash of light emanated from the cat as it transformed before her.
‘Princess Isa, I have missed you.’ Sapora said, his lips turned slightly upwards as he embraced a young woman. She had the same amber eyes as the cat, and wore her brunette hair tied high in four thick braids. Jewelled drop earrings shimmered from her ears, and bracelets and anklets chimed as she moved.
‘Sapora! I’m so glad you’re here! I knew you’d come back before your coronation!’ Isa gasped, clutching him in a tight hug.
‘You have grown so much since I saw you last.’ Sapora said, letting go and taking a step back. ‘I apologise for not keeping in contact for so long. I have been on errantry.’
Isa nodded. ‘I know. Well travelled?’ She turned her attention on Amarah, who stood to the side, slightly bewildered. ‘Who is this?’
‘Ah yes,’ Sapora said, retuning his attention to the sky pirate. ‘Sister, this is Amarah. She is captain of the airship I have been travelling on. We owe her some coin for the trip.’
Isa blinked, suspicion gone. ‘Thank you, Amarah. I’ll see to it you’re paid well for helping my brother. Will you be joining us at the ball tonight?’
‘Not my kind of thing,’ Amarah said, chewing on her lip as she leant on her scythe.
‘Oh please. Do come along, you’ll be my special guest,’ Isa said, stepping forward and grabbing Amarah’s hands. ‘If you’ve not packed for the occasion, you’re welcome to anything from my wardrobe—or a servant can go into the city for you.’ Isa released Amarah’s hands and paced around, never still.
‘Well, if you put it like that… how many people will be there?’ Amarah asked. Sapora narrowed his eyes, he could see her mind working out how to turn it to her advantage.
‘The ballroom will be full. The whole Council will be there, too, and half the Ittallan nobility, I should think.’ Isa danced around on her tiptoes. ‘Please, take this.’ She reached into her pocket and withdrew a small round onyx stone. The crest of her family was etched into the surface, and she handed it to Amarah. ‘With this, everything will be paid for by the crown. You’ll have no problems in the city getting whatever you need for tonight. There’s not much time.’
‘You are too kind,’ Amarah said as sweetly as possible. She licked her lips and smirked at the Varkain. ‘Sapora, Isa, I shall see you this evening.’ She bowed her head, reminiscent of the Samolen, before sauntering down the stairs and into Val Sharis.
‘One must hope she does not bleed us completely dry. I should have told you she’s a thief. Was that wise, dear sister?’
‘Of course not. We’ve more pressing issues than one woman’s greed. I know what is going on in Linaria. Aciel causing trouble and gaining followers,’ Isa said. She stopped her pacing for half a heartbeat. ‘I was hoping you’d get here before he started to do any real damage. I heard you were in Corhaven. I don’t suppose you came across him?’
Sapora shook his head. ‘The takeover is real. Morgen, the young man I arrived with, is in the Imperial Guard, stationed in Niversai. It seems Aciel swooped in, helped himself to their King’s crystals, brainwashed half the army and left with near two hundred soldiers in a single afternoon.’
‘No!’
‘Indeed. It is not just Arillians we need to be concerned about—it is any person weak enough to succumb to his compulsion.’
‘Compulsion?’
‘He has the ability to brainwash, control, hypnotise. Moroda succumbed to it on the trip, but fought through it a little. He is slaying dragons and stealing their power to boost his own, through their crystals. It is how this has come about so quickly. I fear he will make his move before any of us are ready, sister.’ Sapora said. His pupils narrowed again. ‘I will not have my power stolen.’
‘We must convene the Council at once.’ Isa said. ‘I detest every one of them, but they have influence and they have contacts. We can prepare the city immediately.’
‘I have already requested it. I’ll do away with it when I am in power. Don’t worry about that.’ He turned away from Taban Yul and walked back into the palace, Isa in tow. ‘Who do we have on the Council now?’
‘Keros and Elafion still lead. The
re’s a peacock and a swan, too. The old vixen. The raven.’ Isa counted them on her fingers. They turned a corner and made their way up a flight of stairs.
‘Fodder.’
Isa sighed as the two continued down the elaborate hallway, both floor and ceiling heavily gilded. ‘The peacock is relatively new. Only been on the Council half a year or so. He replaced Sierra.’
‘The lynx?’
‘Yes. I miss Sierra. She was one of the few who didn’t hate me.’
‘Well I can imagine why that was,’ Sapora said. ‘Honestly, this Ittallan thought process must be done away with. I don’t understand it at all. Palom and Anahrik seem to get along well enough; one is a tiger, the other a falcon.’
‘Really? Surely they’d have nothing to say to each other?’ ‘They are trading partners. Palom is a weaponsmith, Anahrik works in silver. They combined their talent for more profit. A little brain but too much brawn.’
‘It was quite the menagerie you were roaming with.’ Isa giggled, flicking her hair.
‘I should have known you’d be watching.’ Sapora hissed. ‘I hardly believe it myself… travelling with such riff-raff. From Corhaven, too.’
Isa paused in front of a lone member of the Royal Guard stood to attention in front of a heavy oak door. ‘The Council shall convene now.’
‘Yes, Isa.’ He darted away from his position. ‘I do not like how they refer to you as Isa, like you are some common cat.’ Sapora watched the soldier disappear as they entered the door to the library.
‘I’m bastard-born. If it weren’t for the threat of you visiting, I’m sure I would be out on the streets like a common cat.’
‘I shall put a stop to it at once. You will be their queen before winter is over, it’s about time they learned some respect.’