Chapter 8
Helsop
Electra, Isa and Laleh were on their way to the forest with a picnic basket and empty bags to search for wild herbs when Dagon rode up at a gallop.
"Fernland's royal carriage is climbing the plateau," he said. "Are you expecting visitors?"
Electra shook her head. "No. I've had no message from my parents."
Dagon patted his horse's neck to settle him. "I'm on my way to the guard station at the border to find out who is coming through. Are you headed for the forest?"
Electra nodded. "I suppose we had best return to the school if we're to have visitors." She looked at Isa and Laleh. "I am sorry. I was looking forward to this hunt in the forest."
Laleh shrugged and Isa looked curiously in the direction of the guard station. "Perhaps they are bringing another student?"
Electra was doubtful. "To be transported in the royal carriage, she would have to be a very important person."
Isa beckoned Laleh with a wave of her hand. "Come with me. We will lay out some herbs for potions." She glanced at Electra. "Call us if you need us."
Electra headed back to the school as Dagon urged his horse forward with his knees. "I'll bring whoever it is to the school."
Electra just had time to clear the dining table of dried herbs when the carriage stopped at the school's entrance. She ran to open the door and could not have been more surprised when her brother, Avor, stepped out, followed by Bataar and his wife, Odval.
"Avor!" She hugged her brother. She was at a loss for words and could not believe her brother had come to Helsop for a visit. Avor had been to Helsop before. As a prisoner of war. His capture had been the most humiliating moment of his life. Because he had sneaked into King Geoffrey's army against his father's orders, and worse, had been captured by Dagon's soldiers, he had put Fernland in an untenable position. King Geoffrey had no choice but to accept all of Dagon's conditions in exchange for Avor's release. At the time, Avor would have gladly killed Dagon, given the opportunity. Over many months his anger had diminished somewhat, Electra thought. After all, he did tolerate Dagon's occasional visits to Fernland, but Electra was still amazed that he would return to the scene of his worst nightmare.
Avor did indeed look a little unhappy to be in Helsop, but he returned his sister's hug. "Odval wants to enroll in your school," he stated in a neutral tone, as another girl, about Odval's age, stepped out of the carriage. "This is Magsa, Odval's translator," he continued.
"Please come in, all of you." Electra held the door open as her guests entered. Her mind was racing. Odval wanted to enroll in her school? The last time she had seen Odval was many months ago in Taz. Odval had asked Electra for a fertility charm. Electra looked at Odval's slim waistline and could see the charm had not worked.
When all were seated, Electra spread out the contents of the picnic basket she had packed to take into the forest and invited everyone to help themselves to a snack.
Dagon followed the guests into the school and sat down at the end of the table where he could watch as the others sorted through the contents of the picnic basket. He said nothing, but watched Avor and Bataar carefully. He was no doubt as surprised to see Avor here as Electra was. Bataar was universally received with suspicion by virtue of being from Barburee and in addition, being the favored son of the Great Khan, feared by all the world.
Electra looked at Odval, then her glance slid over to Magsa, since Odval spoke no English. "Odval wants to enroll in the School of Medicine?"
Hearing the question spoken aloud still made the question seem absurd. Bataar was Barburee royalty. His wife would never be expected to work in any health care position. Her job was to produce heirs to the Barburee lineage. Then, suddenly it made sense to Electra. Odval had not produced an heir as yet. Odval believed Electra was some kind of sorceress, despite Electra's protests to the contrary. Odval herself had tried to poison Electra, fearing she might become Bataar's second wife and Electra had survived, thus proving she must have some kind of magic powers. Odval was here to learn enough magic to secure an heir to Barburee.
Magsa spoke to Odval in the Taz language, then translated her mistress's answer. "Yes. Odval stay, learn some little medicine."
Electra wondered if Bataar knew why his wife wanted to become a student. She tried to catch his eye but he seemed engrossed in his perusal of the picnic lunch.
"Bataar, you must be here for the buzkashi exhibition game?"
Bataar acknowledged the question with a sideways nod of his head which could mean either yes or no in his culture.
Electra tried again. "Will you be coming back to collect Odval after the match?"
"You come, watch buzkashi match?" Bataar asked instead of answering her question.
Electra sighed. It was never easy to get a straight forward answer from Bataar. He reminded her of a dangerous cat, with his easy muscular grace of movement and his evasive personality.
"I do not know if I will be attending the match. I have responsibilities here with the school. This is the time for enrollment of new students, as you know."
Bataar gave the same sideways nod and reached into his tunic. He dropped several gold coins on the table. "For tuition," he said.
Electra was shocked. That many gold coins would cover years of tuition.
"That is too much," she objected.
Bataar shrugged and stood up. "We go now."
"But you have only just arrived."
Avor stood up as well. "We have to return quickly. We have visitors arriving to attend the buzkashi match. We will need the carriage to pick them up from King's Lake."
Electra felt reluctant to allow them to leave without Odval. She searched for something to say that might delay their departure.
"We have some news—Dagon and I," she said, glancing at Dagon.
Avor looked at Dagon briefly and the hostility that lurked behind his eyes shone through.
"We have set a date for our wedding," Electra said.
"You have." Avor's comment sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Yes, either my eighteenth birthday or the completion of our castle—whichever comes first."
"And you would like me to relay this news to Mother and Father?" Avor's tone was cool but not sarcastic.
"I suppose they would want to know," Electra said with a hopeful smile.
"I suppose." Avor took a deep breath and seemed to come to terms with the situation. "It seems congratulations are in order."
Electra gave Avor a quick hug. "Thank you."
Avor nodded to Dagon but made no attempt to offer a handshake. He did deign to stop long enough to admire the view of the glacier and take in the rock wall and fireplace in the kitchen area. "Nice job on the school."
"Thank you," Dagon said.
Electra walked with Avor and Bataar to the door and waved goodbye as the carriage rolled away. She returned to find Odval still sitting at the table with tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. Electra suddenly realized that Bataar had left without saying goodbye to his wife. Was that normal in the Barburee culture? Perhaps. Was Odval afraid to be left here at the mercy of a sorceress? Was this schooling Bataar's idea? Any of these were possibilities.
Electra glanced quickly at Dagon to see if he had noticed Odval's tears. He gave a slight shrug. He had noticed.
"Odval," Electra said gently, "Come, let me show you where you will be staying."
Magsa translated her words and the two girls stood up to follow Electra to their rooms.
Princess Electra Book 4 School of Medicine Page 8