Ashes

by Lauralana Dunne

  Phoenix shook her head. “No,” she disagreed, picking up the delicate shawl that Sophie had offered her earlier. She wrapped it around her bare shoulders and tied it loosely in the front. The end of it came down to the small of her back as she smiled at Sophie. “Now it’s perfect,” she insisted.

  Sophie returned her smile gladly.

  The four of them looked between themselves and Elise clapped with excitement. “Let’s do your hair!”

  The other two cheered and grabbed Phoenix’s arms. With Elise and Sophie on either side, and Rae at her back maneuvering her, Phoenix was seated on the plush chair before the shared vanity.

  Smiling, she sat still as her friends began to style her hair.

  ***

  The ballroom had been transformed. The decorations were so grand that Phoenix paused on the threshold and stared. Large colored streamers draped from the rafters, swooping from one end of the room to the other like deconstructed rainbows. They swayed with the movements of the guests milling about on the floor nearly a hundred feet below, shimmering gently in the light. The candles that dotted the walls were ornamental in relation to the large hearths that blazed around the room, their soft points of light breaking up the growing shadows that separated the massive works of art that hung between the colored glass windows that filtered in the sun’s waning light. It played across the hanging, multi-colored vials that were suspended from the rafters over the dance floor. Phoenix cast them an appreciative eye, calculating how they were to factor into her performance later.

  Rae gasped quietly next to her. Even Sophie - standing next to a wide-eyed Elise - looked impressed. A group of minstrels took up their instruments and began to play a lively melody to welcome everyone as they entered the room.

  “Isn’t this wonderful!” Rae beamed with excitement. “It’s so grand this year. Usually the King is quiet about his birthing day.”

  “He has more to be thankful for this year, I think,” Elise said, pushing Phoenix’s shoulder in a teasing manner, careful of Sophie’s shawl that was draped over her shoulders. Phoenix insisted on wearing it over the dress the King had gifted her.

  “Which I am certainly grateful for,” Sophie smiled coyly, linking arms with the two. She inclined her head to the side, and the girls looked over to see several boys who had stopped mid-conversation to stare at the four of them.

  They giggled and continued into the room.

  The atmosphere was joyous. Jesters juggled and performed backflips to the sound of impressed applause punctuated by the clinking of coins being thrown in their basket.

  Kit had appeared in their dorm room before the girls had left. Now, she stuck close to Phoenix, her tail wagging intermittently from excitement. She sniffed constantly, her round ears pricking forward or swivelling towards any sound that caught her attention. She punctuated each investigation with an excited bark.

  “Hush!” Phoenix laid a hand on the top of Kit’s head before she drew too much attention. Phoenix had forgotten herself in all of the excitement, but a sudden movement caught her eye as she felt a flutter against her temple. Far above the grand entranceway, high in the rafters, a figure slipped through the shadows easily as the inky darkness shifted around his body like liquid. She watched for a moment, her body tense, until the figure turned and a pair of eyes reflected the waning afternoon light as they scanned the room.

  “Rorin?” Phoenix whispered, her lips barely moving.

  “Hmm?” A distracted Rae asked her, turning her head to look at Phoenix. “Did you say something?”

  Phoenix shook her head in the negative, and Rae shrugged and turned her attention back to the crowd.

  Miss me? Rorin’s voice was an amused purr as he settled into a crouch on the rafter beam, looking the part of the mysterious spy peering out of the half-shadows. You really ought to learn to call without using your mouth. It can be… distracting.

  Phoenix gave the ceiling a glare and stuck out her tongue. She didn’t know if he could see it, but his far-seeing eyes must have noticed it as a moment later she Heard what she assumed was laughter. It started as a tickle in the base of her skull, then radiated outwards until the area behind her eyes felt fuzzy. She rubbed her nose with surprised delight, and couldn’t help but grin in response.

  The music changed into a lively tune and space was made on the floor for those who wanted to dance. Scullers drifted around the room with serving trays filled with finger foods and drinks. Rae, her eyes dancing with mischief, took a glass of wine from one and grinned at the other girls.

  Acrobats danced onto the large dais at the front of the room. They all wore painted masks and matching costumes, the garish color pairings popping against each other as they contorted in front of the audience. They gestured dramatically, communicating in short bursts of shouting, but spoke no words as they carried out their routine. Phoenix gasped with the audience as the show reached its finale: a tower of bodies that toppled one by one to twist in mid-air and tumble to their feet with a flourish and a bow. She clapped loudly when they finished.

  A trumpeting fanfare drew the crowd’s attention as the acrobats tumbled off the stage. A pompous looking page appeared at the top of the grand staircase - which was directly across from the main stage - causing everyone to turn around in order to see properly. Obviously delighted, he looked down through his pointed nose at the room below.

  “May I present,” he boomed to the crowd condescendingly, apparently enjoying the importance of his role for the evening, “our host and Royal Highness - His Majesty King Benedict of Angoria!”

  The brass played a loud introduction and the King appeared at the top of the staircase. Malcourt stood immediately to his right and Prince Hallan, a step back, hovered at his left.

  “Isn’t this exciting!” Elise gushed as the King descended the stairs.

  Phoenix nodded absently as her eyes flicked through the crowd to gauge their reactions. Nothing seemed out of place, until...

  Until a guard caught her eye. He stood in one of the entranceways, impassive as a boulder as his girth blocked the side corridor next to the staircase. He was unremarkable in the half-shadow, and Phoenix studied him for a moment trying to figure out what piqued her interest about him. There was something about the set in his shoulders that caused her to stare. All of the other guards were standing at attention, taking turns going between watching the crowd and watching the King. He, however, was not. The easy way he shifted from one foot to the other made Phoenix’s spine lock. A whisper of Power stirred in response.

  She took a few steps towards him and stood on the toes of her boots to get a better look. He watched the King with a bored expression, the lines etched into his face as though they were a permanent fixture. Perfectly practiced. As Phoenix watched, his expression of boredom transformed into cool detachment, but his eyes darted around him quickly in a vivid contradiction as he grabbed the knife in his belt.

  “The entrance way!” Phoenix cried, her voice lost against the cheering of the crowd. Frozen, with a sea of people between her and the King, she waited to see if she had been Heard.

  Next to her, Kit gave a hair-raising howl. Malcourt stiffened, his gaze snapping to where Phoenix pointed.

  Got it! Rorin said, peering downwards and pointing a talon at the shadows clinging to the wall above the guard’s head.

  It was as if the very wall shifted in response, and Phoenix gaped as a decorative stone statue came to life above the unsuspecting guard. The unknown gargoyle plummeted onto the man. The element of surprise worked, causing the man to stumble badly as the gargoyle’s talons gripped the front of the guard’s uniform, holding him like a ragdoll as powerful legs launched them down the side-corridor and out of sight around the edge of the doorway. Phoenix felt a pop and the two disappeared completely from sight.

  It all happened so quickly that Phoenix wondered if she had imagined the whole thing.

  He was in a guard’s uniform, Camden’s voice was tinged with outrage. Phoenix looked around before sh
e located him standing stiffly with a noble who was going out of his way to ignore him. Phoenix easily recognized Camden’s uncle from the look of disdain on his face.

  All the more reason to be vigilant, Master Malcourt replied grimly. He paused for a moment before adding, Good job, Phoenix.

  Slowly, still raised on her toes, she turned in a circle. Several stone statues were perched on ledges around the room, their colors blending in with the grey stone behind them. They remained motionless where they crouched, even the fabric of their clothing refused to move in the open air, but if Phoenix looked at any one of them for long enough she could catch them blinking from time to time.

  Did you think I was the only one here? Rorin asked mildly. Amusement colored his tone as he shifted back into the shadows.

  “I guess I never thought about it,” Phoenix admitted. The woman standing next to her - dressed in an outfit composed entirely of ruffles - stared at her openly as she talked to herself. Shifting her glance away uncomfortably, Phoenix walked ahead to lose herself in the crowd.

  Phoenix felt Rorin’s silent laughter following her.

  Malcourt leaned in to whisper something to the King, and King Benedict raised his hand to signal silence from the room.

  “My friends,” he said, his rich voice carrying easily. “I wish to thank you for joining me on my special day! It means so much - more than I could ever express. Now, please! Enjoy your evening! I know I certainly will!” He winked at the crowd comically, and delighted laughter erupted in the room.

  The party descended the stairs with the forgotten page at the top calling after them. “All who wish to seek an audience with the King privately are invited to line up outside his meeting room! He will begin seeing guests shortly!”

  Those who did not leave the ballroom immediately surged forward to greet the King in person. Phoenix could see that both Rorin and Master Malcourt had their focus on the immediate crowd, so she afforded herself the luxury of relaxing for a moment.

  “Well,” Rae said with a curious display of pride and satisfaction when her friends had caught up to her. “He certainly knows how to make an entrance!”

  “Yes, Rae,” Elise said, dryly. “You’re so lucky to be one of the treasured few who are permitted,” she stressed the word, “to cut the King’s vegetables.” Sophie snickered next to her and Rae shoved them both playfully.

  “Where shall we go next?” Sophie asked brightly. “Before Rae fills her cups, that is.”

  Rae made a face at the girl, and Phoenix was surprised to see that she was holding a mostly-empty cup.

  “I think outdoors would be best,” Phoenix said, eyeing the girl speculatively. “It would be embarrassing for us all should she start to smell of ale as well.”

  Rae gave Phoenix a look of outrage, and the other girls burst into laughter.

  “You’re right,” Elise said with a deadpan expression.

  “A complete embarrassment,” Sophie added seriously.

  Rae made an outraged noise and, laying her glass down with more force than was necessary, marched through the crowd towards the exit. The three girls laughed and followed behind her.

  The courtyard was filled with merchant stalls. Every space around the perimeter of the yard boasted different types of makeshift booths that had been erected within the past week. People walked between them promoting their wares, shouting out to grab the attention of the nearest guests as they walked past.

  Those with the coins to spend were milling about from shop to shop, while others were just chatting idly and enjoying the evening air. A faint breeze brought the smell of horses to them. Phoenix gave a small smile, but the other girls wrinkled their noses.

  “You’d think they’d keep the horses somewhere else,” Rae remarked, waving her hand in front of her face to push fresh air in front of her nose.

  “Ah!” a voice said. The girls turned to see a sandy-haired boy leaning against the castle wall. His eyes sparkled as he watched them, his pale gaze assessing them thoughtfully. He pushed himself off the wall and dipped into a gracious bow. “Lady Apprentice,” he greeted Phoenix gravely, his mouth quirking into an amused smile. Then he straightened and smiled slyly. “I barely noticed you. You clean up nice, you know.”

  “Thank you, Alexandri,” Phoenix said, with a note of pretended offense. He winked at her and she smiled. “Elise, Sophie, and Rae - Trader Alexandri,” Phoenix said, introducing them all to each other. “We met at the training drills the other morning.”

  Alexandri took Rae’s offered hand and brushed his lips against it. “My Lady,” he greeted her warmly.

  Rae blushed and opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out.

  “There’s a first,” Elise muttered under her breath, and Sophie used an elbow to jab her friend in the ribs.

  “Ow!” Elise hissed, somewhat loudly, and pressed a dramatic hand to her side.

  “May I show you around?” Alexandri asked them all, gesturing to the field. “I can show you all of the best stalls.”

  “And how many of them belong to your family, Alexandri?” Phoenix asked teasingly. Alexandri only winked in response.

  The girls agreed easily, so he straightened and marched them through the crowd. Judging by the looks he exchanged with many of the merchants, he did indeed bring them to the stalls of people that he knew, but her friends seemed enamoured by the items on display, so Phoenix smiled and said nothing. Even Kit showed interest at one of the stalls selling spiced meat tarts.

  Above the doorway, along the sides of the darkening castle walls, gargoyle statues seemed to arrive with the setting sun, their motionless forms pointedly keeping watch over the courtyard.

  The hair on the back of her neck prickled. Phoenix felt eyes upon her, and she pivoted slowly in an attempt to find the source of the gaze. She ended up turning in a complete circle, the curious looks of her friends waiting for her when she returned to her starting position, the four of them having stopped what they were doing to watch her when they noticed her strange behaviour.

  “I didn’t know you could dance,” Alexandri said comically.

  Phoenix scowled at him but said nothing.

  A familiar face over his shoulder caught her attention. It was the boy that she had met that morning in the halls, the one who had seemed so familiar, who was the source of the scrutiny. He stood only a few foot lengths away. He stared at her openly, his eyes wide in surprise and disbelief.

  Phoenix frowned. “Your friend is staring at me,” she told Alexandri, her voice colored with more annoyance than she intended.

  “He probably wants you to buy something,” he shrugged.

  She shook her head. “Not the trader. That one over there. He’s been following me.” She nodded towards the male and they turned their heads to look at him. The boy, realizing that he was the subject of their scrutiny, ducked his head and turned to talk to the man next to him. The man had his back turned so Phoenix couldn’t see his face, but she tried to make out any distinguishing features in case he had come here to be a threat to the King.

  “My friend?” Alexandri asked, confused. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

  Sophie furrowed her brow. “Then who is he?”

  “He was staring right at you, Phoenix,” Rae said.

  “Maybe he’s interested in meeting you,” Elise supplied.

  Alexandri looked suspicious. “I’m usually pretty good at reading people,” he said, “and I don’t think that that’s why he was looking at you, Phoenix. He was watching you.”

  “Well then” she said shrugging, trying to make light of the situation. “I guess we’ll just have to watch him back and see how he likes it.”

  “Someone should have taught him better manners,” Elise muttered.

  “It’s not like you did anything wrong,” Rae told her reassuringly.

  “I somehow doubt that,” a deep voice said. Captain Rolf was standing only a few foot lengths away with a hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He watched Phoe
nix through narrowed eyes.

  “I’ve been watching you, Apprentice,” he continued in his harsh voice. “You seem a bit nervous tonight - looking around a bit too much, if you ask me.”

  Alexandri raised a brow. “And why is it the Captain of the Guard is spending all his time watching a young girl instead of looking for any real threats?”

  “Watch your tone, Trader,” the Captain snarled, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t need some Bloodless boy telling me how to do my duty.”

  Alexandri’s face stiffened and he glared at the Captain. Several people around them had slowed down to watch the interaction between them.

  Rae glared at Captain Rolf’s smirk. “Why don’t you go and bully someone else!” she demanded hotly.

  “You forget your place, cook,” he retorted, emphasizing her title.

  “No. You forget your place,” Phoenix told him, her voice angry. They had the attention of the crowd, and she watched as Rolf’s face darkened by several shades of red.

  “How dare you!”

  “After all,” she continued, ignoring his outrage, “was it not one of your guards that was just taken into custody?”

  His expression turned to surprise and he looked at her suspiciously. Everyone else was staring at her in wonderment for her accusation. “How could you possibly-”

  “Thief!” someone cried out loudly in the crowd. “Thief!”

  Alexandri winced. “Uh-oh,” he said quietly under his breath.

  A murmur of surprise and shock rippled throughout the crowd. Phoenix looked quickly around but saw no one moving or running away. She saw all of the merchants lay their hands on their sword hilts and stand in front of their stalls defensively. The gargoyles hanging on to the stone scanned the yard, but none of them moved so Phoenix could only assume that they also could find no one.

  “Guard! Arrest th’ thief!” A man elbowed his way through the crowd to where Captain Rolf stood. Impetuously he looked up at the tall man. “This child stole from me an’ I demand justice!”

  Alexandri’s look of confusion shifted to panic as Captain Rolf shot his hand forward and grabbed the boy by his front collar. “With pleasure,” Captain Rolf said with a serpentine smile.