The Glass Girl

by Kim Alexander

  “Me? Did you say reward me?” All their talk of the weather must be the reason he felt suddenly cold. “How?”

  “Well, I hate to spoil a surprise, but it was my idea anyway. Congratulations, Ambassador.”

  “Ambassador to where?” Then he understood. “No.” He took a step back and paused to apologize to the courtier he knocked into. “No. That's ridiculous.”

  Her smile never moved. “There are eyes on us.” He rearranged his expression and she continued. “It's perfect, you mean. Who knows them better than you do?” Her look grew serious. “It's a great honor. You must see that. You will accept.”

  “It's…it's a fake position. It's a joke. There's no embassy on either side. No way back and forth. They don't want me. No, I'm sorry.” Go back there and face Lelet? He’d barely gotten used to the idea of never seeing her again. But he could already see the river unwinding through the cool green hills, and his heart was already saying, Go.

  “All those things will happen, sooner or later. More than likely sooner. Until then, act as if it's an honorary post, to thank you for holding the Seat.” Her gaze darted back towards Araan. “You must accept, Rhuun. Promise me.”

  “Fine. I'll accept.” She allowed him to see the relief on her face. A reward, as if she were actually pleased with him. He decided to see if she could be flustered. “Would you like to hear about anything other than the weather? My father, for instance?”

  “Yes, it was very clever of you to appear where Ilaan and I sent you. Not so clever getting caught in the Veil, though. Where is he, anyway? Ilaan, I mean. Not like him to miss a party.”

  It was foolish of him to even try. “He's not here,” he said. “Perhaps you'd like to hear about Malloy some other time.”

  She cleared her throat. “He is well?”

  “I wouldn't say that. He's perhaps the oldest person I've ever met. He's quite frail. And yet I can't help but think he's still got most of his wits.” He thought he might try again, to rattle her. “He didn't have his hand on the Weapon, you know.”

  “I . . . he what?” A crease on her brow, that was something.

  “He said he had nothing to do with it, didn't even know what it was. He would have tried to stop them if he could have. He asked after you.”

  Her composure was regained, her brow smooth. “How nice.” Her eye had drifted towards the round-faced man, who made some small motion. She nodded. “We'll talk soon. And wear something nice when Araan makes the appointment. You look a mess.”

  Back in his office, he sat behind his fine desk, then got up and drifted to his bookshelves where he picked up and then replaced one of Coll’s old books. He went to the tall windows and opened and closed the long drapes, and finally found himself back in his chair. A mess. Well, she’s not wrong, he thought, considering his sleeves. He’d pulled them out of shape, and one was slightly longer than the other, as one of his wrists was in worse condition.

  Was it even worth pondering what his mother was up to? He thought he might have stirred some sand into her water, but who could tell? And what ought he to do next, until this mythical position as ambassador arrived? What exactly did an ambassador do, anyway? He thought he might ask Zaii if he knew.

  “Ah, you’re here, good.” He looked up to see Hollen leaning on the edge of his desk. “This won’t take long.”

  As always, something about the man made him clench his fists, but he made sure to hide them at his sides. Show nothing; his mother had taught him that. “Did you need something? I mean, we have a new king, but I can assure you it won’t affect your position--”

  “Yes, that’s it, actually. My position.” Did he mistake himself, or was there a strange, sneering emphasis on the final word? “I won’t need it anymore.” He laughed to himself. “Zaii can spread his own rumors from now on.”

  “I see. You understand one is generally released from service to the High Seat.”

  “Maybe in your mother’s time.” Hollen shrugged. “Anyway, I’m doing well at the aeronasium, and I need my days for practice. So, I just wanted to let you know.”

  He thinks he’s doing me a favor. Or, no. He wants to make sure I know my position means nothing to him. “Well, I won’t try to stop you.”

  “Heh, good. That’s good. Oh, there is one more thing. I would like to be promoted to a larger house. A nicer one.” He paused. “Niico’s old house, for instance.”

  Rhuun laughed. “You expect me to give you Niico’s house?”

  Hollen smiled, as if they were sharing a joke among friends. “I suppose not. Ilaan wouldn’t be too keen on that idea.” Rhuun flinched at the name, but Hollen continued. “And anyway, it doesn’t face the mountains. But one of the ones on the square, close to the palace, of course.”

  Rhuun took a breath. “I believe they are all occupied.”

  “Well, talk to your uncle, then.” He straightened, rubbed his hands together, ready to leave. “So, you’ll see to it?”

  Be calm at your center, Rhuun reminded himself. Show nothing. And the easiest way to show nothing was to feel nothing. Well, he could act like he felt nothing, anyway.

  “Certainly not. Why would I? Even if you weren’t leaving my service?”

  Hollen rolled his eyes. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to sort your sand, but here we are. If you don’t promote me, I’ll tell everyone what really happened, that day at the Seat. You recall the story I spread? I told everyone from the Quarter to the Arch; ‘The prince filled the Counselor with fear, and he fled with the child.’ They fled in fear all right, but not from you.”

  Rhuun was on his feet. “Consider your words, Hollen.”

  “I am,” the other man hissed. “I have been. You had the jewel of Eriis, and you threw her away for some flat-handed human trash.”

  “The jewel?” Rhuun blinked. “You’re speaking of Aelle? She doesn’t need you to defend her. And as far as Maaya, you will not speak at all.”

  “She was your only weapon, and you couldn’t control her.”

  Rhuun leaned over the desk. Even with it between them, he towered over Hollen. “You will not speak of her.”

  Hollen stepped back. “Oh, and you’ll stop me?” He shook his head. “Talk to your uncle.” He turned to go.

  “You have not been dismissed,” Rhuun said. But Hollen just put up his hand as he walked out, brushing past the house guard, who re-shut the door once he was gone. At least they hadn’t had an audience.

  Rhuun sat back down, and unclenched his fists. He attempted to slow his breathing. No one wanted to see an angry face, his mother made that abundantly clear when he was a child. Show nothing. Feel nothing. He looked around his office.

  I’m not the king. I’m not the ambassador. I’m not the lover of Lelet. I’m not the friend of Ilaan. So, what am I now?

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Eriis

  Hellne led her companion out of the atrium and down the long hallway to her newly reopened receiving room. Once Diia had served them sarave and lunch, she was dismissed

  “You did well, Your Grace,” he said. He stretched and gave his shoulders a deep shrug and replaced the anonymous face with his own. “That's better,” said The Zaal. He set down his fork. “A fine performance, honestly. All eyes were on you. Your people do love their queen. And their new king. Soon I can start moving my things back to the tower room, even wear my own face again. I'll have to talk with Araan about the current tenants. They'll have to go.”

  “You and my brother suddenly seem as close as two mice in a hole. I don't recall your history of friendship. Can you remind me?”

  He smiled. “If I recall, you were occupied with other things while Araan and I were planning a future for Eriis. Our plans included quite a bit less human involvement than yours.”

  He is lying, she told herself. He never showed his face above the ground, that much I know for certain. She blinked and let the color rush to her cheeks. Let him think he landed a blow.

  He leaned back in his chair. “Speaking of, will
he accept the position, do you think?”

  She continued to look flustered, even ashamed, but added a note of resistance. “Rhuun will do as I say,” she said. “And will you?”

  “Sending him away wasn't part of our arrangement. It's true I have less need of him than before. But whether he stays here and reminds the city of your indiscretions or goes to Mistra and never comes back is all the same to me. If you think to move against me I can get what I require no matter where you try and hide him.”

  “How could I move against you? With you being such a good friend to my brother, what difference would it make?”

  Less need? It was the first thing he'd said that took her by surprise. It was only because the Zaal needed her son—or what flowed in his veins—that she'd agreed to any of his demands. And now he had less need? Had he managed to find another source? She remembered the day she'd taken the maps and fled the city, thinking she'd found an ally against Yuenne, and sighed. The Zaal was as dangerous as Yuenne had ever been. And what about Malloy, and the Weapon? Had Rhuun been telling the truth? She'd never known him to lie. That was more than a wrong decision, that was her life spent flying backwards. While Malloy's complicity in the war wasn't his only crime, it was his only crime against Eriis.

  “Well, it doesn't matter what you do.” he said. She hadn't expected him to answer her question, but he was positively cheerful in his disregard. “Now that you've been reunited with your dear brother, you have what you've always wanted. I hope the quiet life of a retired monarch comes to suit you.” He smiled pleasantly. “You wouldn’t be Queen mother. What do they call the sister of the king?”

  He was far too comfortable, she thought. It was tempting to toss the sand in the air and demand he tell her what the creature wearing her brother’s face really was, but she’d played enough hands of Galiina’s Bluff to know not to show her cards. Better to bide one’s time. The trouble was, she wasn’t sure how much time she had.

  “Well then, I suppose I’ll see you at dinner this evening,” she said, dismissing him. “My brother and his lady I’m sure will want to reminisce about old times. Their time in the Veil has left them a bit foggy on the details, and they do so appreciate being reminded. So many memories, I wonder how you’ll manage to insert yourself into them.”

  He went pale. That would have to do for now, petty satisfaction though it was. Let him believe it was he who drew her eye, not Araan. He cleared his throat and, as he took his leave to go, said, “I'm sure I don't know what you mean. Perhaps all that time on the sand has affected your wits. Does Araan—excuse me, His Grace, if you prefer—have you shared your observations about me with him? I thought not. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see about a house.”

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Eriis

  It was commonly known, if not commonly discussed, that where a person lived depended on the whim of the High Seat. That’s how it always had been, with friends and followers moved closer to the High Seat, and those out of favor finding themselves hard against the city wall. If you’d really put your foot through some royal’s plans, or frowned when you should have smiled, you might even count the folk in the Quarter as your neighbors. Since the Weapon, the likeliness of being relocated fell dramatically, both because there were many vacant homes in all kinds of neighborhoods and because Hellne (and briefly, Rhuun) were not considered fickle in their choice of companions.

  With the ascent of Araan, that appeared not to be the case. He had new friends, and one in particular needed a house. Rhuun heard it from Zaii, who heard it from Calaa, who apparently witnessed it firsthand; the Zaal was back, and he wanted Yuenne’s old house. While Hollen was a minor player and despite his bluster could be put off—temporarily--the Zaal was a different matter.

  Rhuun hurried to the High Seat and found his uncle in conversation with Thaali and a handful of functionaries. He took a shaky breath, relieved the Zaal was not among them. He’d only seen the mage in his worst dreams and wasn’t looking forward to meeting him again in person. When he’d been noticed, the courtiers nodded politely and went on their way, leaving him alone with the royal couple.

  Not for the first time, Araan appeared to forget it was up to him to speak first, and there was a short silence while the three regarded each other.

  Finally, Araan said, “Nice day, isn’t it? Dusty, though.” He narrowed his eyes. “Are you well?”

  “Yes, certainly, Uncle. Thank you for asking. I am well.”

  “He’s having nightmares,” said Thaali. “Aren’t you? Bloody ones.”

  “How…how did you know that?” Rhuun stammered. Could her time in the Veil have given her the ability to look into his private thoughts? He’d have to talk to Coll. Then he took a breath. “I have read that dreams are the mind setting aside things it doesn’t need anymore. So yes, I am unburdening myself of useless memories. You are perceptive, madam.”

  She smiled like she’d won a prize, and started to speak, but Araan put a hand on her arm.

  “What brings you to this place today?”

  “A rumor, Uncle. I understand the, uh, the Zaal is taking over the Counselor Yuenne’s old home.”

  Araan nodded. “A fact. He asked and I agreed. He needs space for his projects, and the Counselor has no more need of it.” He looked at Rhuun, curious. “Certainly, Yuenne was no friend of yours, or your mother. Or my court,” Thaali leaned over and whispered in Araan’s ear. “Rest him now, right. Why is this of concern to you?”

  “His daughter is my friend. And her mother is blameless. I ask you to reconsider. There are plenty of other houses, even houses closer to the palace.”

  “No.” Araan’s expression never changed. “Already done. The Zaal is in my service, and those two ladies are not.” Now he frowned. “Isn’t that proper?”

  “I suppose, but—”

  “Then you have what you came for. Your rumor is confirmed, your request is denied.” He nodded, looking pleased with himself, and turned his attention to Thaali. “What would you like to do next?”

  She showed her teeth. “You know.” Araan laughed and whispered something back to her, stroking the back of her hand with his finger. She made a noise, low in her throat. They had forgotten him entirely.

  Whatever this is about, I shouldn’t be seeing it. Rhuun backed away the proper distance before turning and making a quick exit. Had their time in the Veil stripped them of their wits? Had it done the same to him, unknowingly? The idea of his displaying such lascivious behavior made him deeply uncomfortable.

  He was still going over the things he’d said and done after leaving the Veil as he walked towards Yuenne’s old house. It was a long time ago, but he had, he thought, perfect recall of every stupid thing he’d ever done. He was thinking of how he’d tried to intimidate Lelet (and of course, failed) when they’d first met, and remembering her righteous indignation, her luminous anger made the street in front of him fall away. That was probably the reason he nearly walked into the Zaal.

  He took a stumbling step back. “You…no…” but no other words came out.

  The man tossed his green-trimmed hood back and gave Rhuun a polite smile. “Been a while. I never got the chance to tell you: your time on the High Seat, well done.” As if he hadn’t held the blade. As if those months of isolation and torture never happened. “All that human nonsense, good to see you’ve put it behind you. Settled down. It’ll be a lucky girl who winds up by your side.” And with a nod, the Zaal turned to be on his way,

  “How can you show your face?” Rhuun’s throat ached with the effort of speech. The mage turned back.

  “Why shouldn’t I? It wasn’t me who destroyed the Raasth. It wasn’t me who accidentally sent the Counselor and that child to the Crosswinds. I didn’t try and keep your uncle from claiming the Seat or interfere with your comings and goings through The Door.”

  “Niico,” said Rhuun. “I saw what you did.”

  “Oh, that.” The Zaal pursed his lips and nodded sadly. “Unfortunate. But if you s
aw anything, you saw it was at Yuenne’s request. And he was within his rights to seek redress from a criminal. Unless your mother changed the laws? No? And our Counselor has gone on to walk the dark path, rest him now, so honestly, I don’t see why you’re so…put out.”

  “Why are you taking his house?”

  The Zaal sighed. “Not that I need to explain myself to you, but I like it, I want it, and it serves my purpose. The current residents will be provided for, as Araan provides for all his people. So, unless there’s something else you’d like to discuss…?”

  The knife. The bowl. Fear. Helplessness. Pain. He opened his mouth, but the Zaal had already gone on his way. The street was a white blur. He couldn’t catch his breath; he knew people were looking at him even though he couldn’t see them. It was only the memory of a thousand other walks that propelled him in the right direction.

  “Rhuun? What’s wrong?” He looked towards the sound of Siia’s voice from where he must have collapsed against the wall inside her front gate. She helped him to his feet and pulled him into the house. “Here. Sit. I’ll make you some water.” He allowed himself to be steered towards the couch in the front room, and once sitting he rested his brow on his knees. Slowly, his vision returned, and his heart began something like a normal rhythm.

  Siia sat by his side and passed him a cup of water.

  “Let me know if it’s cold enough. Honestly, I’m rather proud of myself. I’ve had to remember how to make all sorts of things since we let the help go. It’s just me and Aelle now, well, you know that. She’s not here, though. She’s getting our new house ready, and I’m just going through old things…” It was kind of her to chatter away while he struggled to regain his composure.

  He raised his head and took the water. “It’s fine, thank you. I’m sorry to intrude…like this. I don’t know what happened.”