by Edun, Terah
Ciardis hurried to obey his command, jumping up into the lady’s carriage. It abruptly lurched forward, and she fell onto her hands and knees. Lady Serena’s laughter echoed in the close interior. “My dear,” she said lightly as she reached down to pull Ciardis up by her hand, “We have so much to work on.”
Ciardis settled in on the bench across from her and watched as the snowy, forested vale went by. The carriage glided across the packed snow on huge steel blades. Occasionally she glanced over at Lady Serena who, true to her name, was serene and composed as she sat reading a small book.
Ciardis was careful to keep her face turned towards the window while she secretly wiped a tear from her left eye. Firmly reminding herself of her great luck, Ciardis was determined to think of this as adventure…a grand new life even. She was happy to get away from a dead end life in a village that was too small. But maybe, whispered some little corner of her mind, just maybe, I’ll miss that village. After all, it’s the only home I’ve ever known. Will they even like me in the city? Will I be the country fool – pitied by the other trainees?
Lady Serena’s voice startled her out of her thoughts. “Now, first things first. What is your full name?”
“Ciardis Rafaela Vane, Lady Serena,” Ciardis replied.
“Vane, Vaneis. A very similar variation – most likely truncated.” the older woman said thoughtfully. “So you were named for your place of birth?”
“Yes, mistress, I suppose I was.”
“And your heritage?” asked Serena.
Ciardis looked closely at the lady to see if she was mocking her. As an afterthought, Lady Serena added, “You can call me Serena in private.”
At last, Ciardis replied, simply, “Orphan.”
“Yes, yes, I know that,” came Serena’s exasperated reply, “but what about your parents’ backgrounds?”
Ciardis shrugged. “I didn’t know my father, and my mother died when I was two. She was gypsy. I went to live with a local family that didn’t have children but once they starting birthing their own kids they decided didn’t need another mouth to feed. The mother and father, the Kiltrens, sent met to the washer station until I was old enough to have a room of my own at the inn.”
“Hmm. Well, with a last name like Vane, you’re probably baseborn,” said Lady Serena without a hint of regret. The carriage shook as it struggled over the harsh and bumpy terrain, tossing them about. Once the carriage shook so badly that the tilted angle sent Ciardis and Serena flying into the side of the carriage wall. By the time they had righted themselves, Ciardis had stifled her anger and gotten her face under control.
Nothing Serena had said was untrue or anything she hadn’t heard before. Taunts from village children could be cruel. “Little bastard baseborn”, they had used to call her. Sometimes they would even change their schoolyard rhymes to mock her when she passed, staggering under the loads of laundry for the day. Once she was alone and away from prying eyes she had cried herself to sleep almost every night. The barbs had hurt then, and the words still hurt now.
Eyeing her, Lady Serena said, “Happens to the best of us.” Before Ciardis could digest that, she continued, “Look, Ciardis, being a companion is about more than mastering the art of the instrument, the tone of your voice, and the pleasure your body can bring to another – visually or otherwise. Companions are more than jewels on a patron’s arm…they are useful. All companions perform services for their patrons. For instance, I am a projecting companion. Projecting is my magical talent. Anything my patron, Lord Cannon, wishes to see, whether practical or whimsical, I can bring forth.”
Serena opened her palm. Slowly a bright blue energy began to build – swirling up from the lines in her hand to become a miniature blue tornadoe of light the size of a kitten. It solidified quickly after re-structuring itself from a blog into a smaller version of Serena. The minituare began to waltz in the palm of Lady Serena’s hand while Ciardis watched in delight. Serena said, “I can make this any size I want.” She waved her hand at the bench, and suddenly the miniature jumped from its place on her palm and there was a full-sized version sitting primly next to Ciardis in the next second.
The full-sized vision of Serena winked at Ciardis and then dissipated just as quickly as it had appeared. Proudly Serena said, “I am also ranked as a Master Tactician. You can’t become a military officer through magic alone, but because of my memorization skills and ability to project training modules, I have excelled at training Lord Cannon’s soldiers in military tactics.”
“But…but I don’t have any magic,” Ciardis said shamefully.
“Yes, and that will make your life more difficult,” Serena said bluntly. “There are companions with no magic, but their mundane skills are without peer. Kira, the assassin companion, is so skilled in the art of the knife that she has killed three princes at the request of her lord. And Miranda, the artist companion, builds automatons so lifelike that they’re used to attract customers in all the shops of her lady’s business ventures.”
As Ciardis shifted uncomfortably, Lady Serena said, “The question is, what can you do?” As Ciardis opened her mouth to reply, Serena cut her off with a wave of her hand. “And do not mention soaps.”
It was going to be long ride to the court of Sandrin.
Chapter 3
In fact, it took just six agonizing days to reach Lineaus, the way station outside the capital city. Sandrin sat on a bright bay of the same name, a sparkling port city guarded by the Lords of the Windswept Isles.
As they walked around the town, Lady Serena pointed to places they could go for what she called Ciardis’s “wardrobe intervention.” “In that building there,” she said while pointing out the red structure with beautiful inlaid glass on their right, “is the place with the best mud facial this side of the Ameles Forest.” Ciardis glanced quickly at the shop front as they passed.
“And this dress shop,” said Serena, “is where we’ll get some attire to make you look more appropriate for an appearance before the Guild Council. We can’t have you looking like a ragamuffin, now can we?”
Ciardis tugged anxiously at the heavy brown overskirt that she wore. It was true that what she was wearing was rather threadbare…and ugly. She voiced only her primary concern, though. “Milady, I don’t have the coin for the likes of this.”
“Oh heavens, dear,” said Serena, “I know you don’t. As your sponsor in this venture, I will provide for your lodging and attire. At least until you have been reviewed by the Companions Guild for potential trainee status.”
Over the next several hours, Ciardis was prodded and measured.
When Serena asked, “Are your undergarments linen or silk?” Ciardis gave her a look like a deer facing the glow of a bright lantern in the dark forest. She didn’t want to answer because she wasn’t wearing any aside from the woolen pants she wore to keep her legs warm under the skirt.
Reading her expression, Serena tersely ordered five pairs from the salon owner and snippily informed Ciardis that she would be enrolled in an intense class on “personal hygiene maintenance,” whatever that was, as soon as she had settled in as a trainee.
The measurements continued while Serena sipped tea and ate biscuits contently in the corner. Occasionally, Serena would interrupt the silence with lightning fast decisions on the cut of cloth and fit of the dresses Ciardis was trying on. Eventually Serena began to confer with the salon assistant on the best fabric and dyes to compliment what she referred to as Ciardis’s “decidedly brownish” hair.
“Tell me, Ciardis,” Serena said over the shop assistant’s head, “Your skin is chafed—I assume due to your duties and the cold temperatures of a winter in the vale. But what’s your skin like in the summer?”
Relieved to hear a question that she could answer, Ciardis hurriedly said, “Quite tough, ma’am. At least, compared to those in the vale. I eve
n got calluses when I wrung out the clothes in the river.”
Serena grimaced. That was not the answer she had been looking for.
Serena tapped her fan in irritation. “This could complicate your debut.”
Turning to the shopkeeper, she explained, “We’ll stick with the current attire, including long sleeves to mask the rough patches on her skin. I’ll send orders for more garments in the spring after we’ve started you on a strict moisturizing regimen.”
He nodded in acknowledgement from the counter where he was tallying up the cost of all the gowns Serena was purchasing. The shopkeeper’s assistant never raised her head from where she was focused at Ciardis’s waist stitching a small piece of gold cloth with a flower design to improve the overall look.
Serena continued, “And if the Council of the Companions Guild judge you worthy as a companion trainee, as they surely will, all your needs will be seen to before the Patron Hunt.”
“Patron Hunt?” asked Ciardis, feeling a bit dazed at everything, as the sour-faced shopkeeper’s assistant held up the third swatch of dark blue up against her skin in as many seconds. The assistant looked to Serena and the shopkeeper for the decision. Ciardis had learned a few dresses back to not even bother voicing her desires in this venture. It never ended well.
Serena indicated her approval with a subtle nod. “Yes, this color made into a simple frock will do nicely.” She turned to the shopkeeper and said, “Oh, she’ll also need a few accessories—scarves, pins, and a cloak, as well as some light weaver’s dresses for her tutorials.”
“Aye, milady.”
Serena turned her attention back to Ciardis. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes. In three months’ time, you will be presented at the Patron Hunt, a gala that lasts for two days and three nights. At the end, you must be claimed by a patron.”
Ciardis bit her lip and nodded as if she understood, though she really didn’t understand anything at all. They left with three packs of dresses wrapped in paper and a promise from the shopkeeper that the rest would make its way to the Companions Guild before two nights had passed.
Once they got settled in the carriage, they proceeded eastwards, toward the ocean. Soon, Ciardis could hear the squawk of water birds as they dove along the quays, their wings outspread. She wondered if she might catch a glimpse of the royal palace. Surely it was grand enough to be seen from atop the gates.
They rounded a bend, and there it was: a huge, sprawling palace of sparkling pink marble blocks, spires, and turrets, stretching as far as Ciardis could see. She giggled nervously as her gaze looked over the castle and then she took a moment to look at the white beach with beautiful turquoise waters that lay off to her right.
Ciardis was startled out of her exploration at the sharp poke of Serena’s finger on her shoulder. She admonished Ciardis, “Do not ever let me hear that noise coming out of your mouth again.” She shuddered delicately. “Companions do not giggle.”
“Yes, milady,” Ciardis whispered.
Their carriage pulled up to the gates and entered a wide courtyard decorated with fountains spraying water from spouts every which way. The manicured lawn spread before her with elaborately shaped trees and green grass that would leave farmer’s with envy back home As it eased to a halt, Serena said grandly, “Welcome, my dear, to the Companions Guild.”
They stepped out into the courtyard, and Ciardis reveled in the smell of fresh salt air. “This is not a royal palace?” she inquired after a long moment.
Serena responded negatively. “Well, don’t dawdle,” she soon called out as she began to rush into the cavernous entryway. Ciardis was almost left behind, and she hurried to grab their purchases from the top of the steerage.
“Of course I can see why you might mistake it for a royal palace,” Serena said when Ciardis had caught up, and for a second, the girl had no idea what she meant. Then she continued, “This castle was built decades ago for Queen Margeis, you see. She was the first companion—and only companion, thus far—to rise to royal consort. The Queen bequeathed the castle and a tidy sum of money to a group of wealthy Companions after she passed to the heavens for the training and establishment of a guild—” She broke off.
“Sarah!” squealed Serena as she stared up the stairs to a woman perched being a desk on the balcony a story above. The woman stood up abruptly and looked over the staircase railing next to her at Serena’s cry. Serena rushed up a small staircase to the imposing white desk which stood parallel to it. Sarah, the bespectacled woman with blue-streaked hair piled on top of her head, came out from behind the desk she attended to greet Serena. Ciardis took in the scene with a little smirk, thinking, Companions don’t giggle…and yet they can squeal?
Serena, noticing that Ciardis was again lagging behind, motioned for her to join them. “Sarah, may I present the Companions Guild’s newest recruit: Ciardis Vane.”
Sarah’s lips curled in amusement as she took in Ciardis, who was lugging multiple packages and her belongings from Vaneis up the winding stairs. “Gypsy stock, I see,” Sarah murmured, then leaned forward to whisper into Serena’s ear, “And she’s just barely the newest recruit. Another recruit checked in just hours before – although Ciardis can of course take the title for now.” The blue-haired woman leaned back with a smug look.
Serena’s gasp was audible from where Ciardis stood on the landing. Ciardis could barely hear them and she had no idea what the gasp was about. Sarah continued with a sarcastic roll of her eyes because she hated Vana just as much as Serena did, “Our beloved Lady Vana rolled in this morning with a Chimaeran girl!”
“What!” Serena said, shocked. “Chimaeran? Impossible!” She was clearly distressed.
“It’s true!” Sarah hastily explained, “She was apparently just passing by the Summer Isles and happened upon this young girl.”
“She was ‘just passing by’ the Summer Isles?” echoed Serena. She then said something quite unladylike. “No one just ‘passes by’ the Summer Isles. The number of pirates in that region alone requires an armed escort of at least three destroyers to ward them off!” Serena paced in front of the desk. “That…that…harridan did this just to spite me! I know she did!”
Ciardis looked at her askance as Serena had basically just questioned the woman’s heritage…all for what?
“Oh, dear, hush now. You’re frightening the new recruit,” Sarah said soothingly.
Serena grimaced and sighed. “Well, there’s nothing to be done about it now. Ciardis, meet Sarah, the Head Archivist for the Guild. She registers each and every recruit, trainee, and full companion, along with their past and present domiciles, annual salary, and their magical and/or mundane talents. She’ll fit you in to the roster.” She gestured for Ciardis to step forward. “Your training begins tonight. There’s much to learn.”
From that moment on, Ciardis’s day was a whirlwind of constant movement. Sarah took her in hand and quickly explained the bureaucracy and regulations of living in the Companions Guild. “First of all, you need to know that the Companions Guild is run by the Companions Council. The council consists of seven individuals, five female and two male, all of whom are active companions with well-established patrons.”
Male companions? I didn’t know about those. I wonder if they’re for women, or maybe even for men, Ciardis thought with shock.
As they walked along the hallway Ciardis took in the beautiful gardens through the colonnade. Sarah continued, “The Guild keeps detailed records of each of the companions who are bound to a patron, they are known as patron companions. These patron companions are able to provide the Companions Guild with political and financial support for council ventures in various ways. You never know who will come in handy. Who your patron is,” she said as they walked across a wide, tiled hallway, “will determine who you are.”
She took a set of keys from her belt and slipped one into t
he large metal lock of the left hardwood door before them. As the doors swung open, Ciardis saw a long hallway filled with door after door, presumably rooms or exits to other hallways.
“There are twenty-six rooms here,” said Sarah. “Enough for each recruit on the roster. Of course, we hope all of our recruits go on to the next step in the process and become full-fledged trainees. The decision of the Companions Council will decide that though.”
Ciardis nodded. “Of course.”
They stopped in the middle of the hallway, at Room Five B. “This is your room,” Sarah said. “The east side of the hallway is reserved for companion recruits and trainees without magic, like yourself. The A rooms, on the est, are reserved for those with magical talents.”
Ciardis’s eyes widened with shock, and she stuttered, “B-but Serena said there were only magical companions.”
“I’m sure she said no such thing,” Sarah said flatly. “She might have implied that magical Companions succeed most often, and she’s right. Patrons prefer Companions who are useful. But that’s not to say that there isn’t the occasional Patron—particularly those with no gifts of their own—who prefer a Companion who can maintain the books, organize the household, or even school their children.”
In her thoughts Ciardis highlighted on, “maintain the books, organize, school.”
“That’s not a companion, that’s a wife,” muttered Ciardis.
“What?” Sarah asked sharply as she unlocked the door.
“Nothing,” said Ciardis hastily. “Just talking to myself.”
Ciardis walked into her new quarters behind Sarah, taking in the layout with wide eyes. This room was bigger than the kitchen at the inn in Vaneis! There was a four-poster bed, an armoire, a desk, a storage nook, and—at this point, she gasped aloud—an attached bathroom. Sarah followed her as she wandered around in amazement, touching objects and gazing at them with wonder.