by J. A. Comley
“Sorry,” Naleiya said, her sharp eyes picking out the confusion and hurt in Starla’s. “Eltara was just—”
“Are you and Larkel serious?” Eltara cut in. “I mean, after you didn’t return last night, I guess the answer has to be yes.”
“If this is about Larkel’s past,” Starla said, meeting her gaze, “then I already know everything and love him just as fiercely as before.”
Naleiya gave Starla half a smile over Eltara’s head.
“No, that’s not really it, though I am glad he told you himself.”
“Then what?” Starla asked as Naleiya shook her head in warning.
Eltara weighed her for a long moment. “Your family... have you made any progress in finding out who they are?”
Starla shook her head. “Not yet. Larkel is taking my baby bracelet to the maker, to see if we can get a lead that way.”
Eltara’s eyes flickered towards the Tower Wall and the Market District beyond as if she could see the jeweller from here.
She opened her mouth, but Naleiya cut in. “I understand, Eltara, truly I do, but now is not the time.”
“And if I am right?”
Naleiya winced, and Starla bit back an angry remark.
“At least wait until my brother has done his sleuthing.”
“Fine.”
Starla watched Eltara move off down the path and sighed. “I don’t suppose you could explain that to me?”
Naleiya glanced down at her. “You remind her of someone. She thinks you may be related to an old friend of hers.”
Starla froze. “What?”
“Please, don’t take it to heart, not yet. Let us get today over with. Then we will take what Larkel has found out from the maker of your bracelet, and if it seems she is right, Eltara can tell you herself.”
Starla nodded, holding back her curiosity. Perhaps Naleiya was right. It was only a hunch, after all. It could be nothing more than the way Eben reminded her of Pierre, or how the Crown Prince seemed almost familiar.
Naleiya turned, and Starla followed automatically then felt her mouth go dry as they stepped into the cool embrace of the enormous, glass palace.
Before she could ask why they’d come here hours before the ball was due to start, High Queen Zerina stepped from a side door, trailed, as ever, by the High Priestess Venashia.
Starla bowed along with the other two as the monarch stopped before them.
“Welcome. I have everything prepared and ready in my suite.”
Starla murmured a greeting and then was pulled away by Naleiya, who told Zerina and Eltara to go on ahead.
“Father!”
Starla felt her muscles lock automatically, ice flooding her veins on the back of Larkel’s darkest memories.
The man who turned to Naleiya’s call was as unlike High Lord Jari as a man could get. Short and round, his greying, dark-blonde hair was in disarray and his arms filled to over-flowing with documents.
“Father?” Starla asked as the man approached them.
Naleiya caught the look in Starla’s eyes and winced. “He is my wife’s father.”
Wife? Starla felt the knee-jerk reaction fill her mind with momentary surprise, and then she smiled, letting the freedom of this world fill her mind instead.
“Glad you’re back safe.”
“Thanks. This is Starla. Starla, this is my father-in-law, Brulon. He’s Galatia’s best strategist.” She paused as Starla echoed a greeting. “Is my hard-working wife in the meeting already?”
“Actually she hasn’t arrived yet. But I’ll head in and keep things going.”
They watched him wander off, and Naleiya chuckled in a despairing kind of way.
“You’re married to someone in the guard?” Starla asked.
“Not just any someone.”
“Naleiya?”
They both turned, and Starla felt her mouth fall open as High Commander Medara D’Orderly pulled Naleiya into a bone-crushing hug, kissing her soundly.
“Good day, Miss Starla.”
Starla bowed, feeling her easy blush rise. “High Commander.”
“Starla would like to know if we could get a message to Officer Gruyard Thum concerning his wife and children,” Naleiya said before explaining where to find them.
The High Commander's eyebrows rose in surprise then an approving smile lit up her face as she turned her gaze to Starla. “Absolutely. Thank you for bringing me the information so quickly. I will see it sent out immediately. I know it will mean a lot to him,” she added softly, laying a hand on Starla’s shoulder. “Now, I must send this message and then get on to see the King.” She kissed her wife once more.
“You’d better be fast. Father has gone in to keep things going while they wait for you.”
Medara winced then laughed. “Indeed. There’s nothing quite like a lecture from Brulon D’Ordeley.”
“Thank you,” Starla called after the young commander as she left, barking for a soldier to relay her message.
Not that young, she reminded herself, smiling.
“Alright. Now that’s done, let’s not keep the others waiting. Zerina’s rooms are this way.”
***
Larkel was pacing in front of the throne room doors, his staff clicking out a staccato rhythm on the red- and gold-checkered tiles. When he had arrived there this morning, he had been informed that the Baron was holding a private audience with the King. He felt his anger flare again.
What lies was the Baron spreading now? He had already sent a message through Naleiya to tell Starla he would meet her at the ball as the Baron's audience dragged on. He ground his teeth together.
Suddenly, the door flew open and an enraged Baron emerged, anger twisting his face even as his eyes stayed devoid of feeling. He marched straight past Larkel without looking up, muttering profanities under his breath.
Larkel grinned at the Baron's retreating back, darted into the throne room, his mood greatly improved, and bowed deeply to the King and Prince.
“My King,” he bowed smoothly at the waist, “Prince Niden.”
“High Lord Larkel,” the King said, his voice hard. Larkel felt his good mood falter slightly. “The Baron came here greatly distressed. He informed us that you are keeping secrets from us, discoveries that your Order has made, discoveries you, personally, have made. He claims that your Order is divided, filled with spies. He says the disunity of the Makhi will cost us everything. It'll be like the Unseen Hand all over again, but worse with you as an enemy rather than Mukori.”
Larkel looked up when the King finished, prepared to clarify any “secrets” the Baron claimed he was keeping, but the King's kind, brown eyes held a spark of amusement.
“Of course, we all know why the Baron behaves that way,” Prince Niden said, a shadow passing momentarily over his face. He paused, seeming to shake off a dark memory.
The King returned his focus to Larkel, also seeming to push dark thoughts away. “Come. Give us your report, High Lord.”
“Yes, your majesty. I wished to bring the report in personally,” started Larkel as he relayed all the information Redkin had discovered.
“How is our seemingly human guest?” the King inquired after Larkel mentioned the Order's failed attempts to contact Gaby.
“Yes, Larkel, what has our visitor doing?” Niden added with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Larkel felt his mouth twitch up in a half-smile. Although Niden had lived mostly on Cosmaltia with his family, son to the King's youngest daughter, they had still become close friends. Too soon, he had become the only living heir to the Galatian throne, but he seemed to have a gift for keeping the darkness at bay, something Larkel both admired and envied.
“She is adjusting well. I believe she likes it very much here.” His tone gave away more than intended.
“Can't imagine why,” Crown Prince Niden laughed. “Charmed by the High Lord himself. I must say though, my friend, it is good to see you … happy.” He seemed to choose a more appropriate word.
His laugh faltered, Eltara’s voice echoing in his head again.
King Eldos was watching them seriously. “Larkel, you know that I have always trusted your judgement, just as I trusted your father's. But I worry that you are thinking only with your heart. Even if she is not a threat, she is still not one of us. Do not let your mind be clouded by emotion. We need you focused. Be careful with what you share with her.”
Larkel lowered his eyes to the floor and bowed his consent despite the fact that Starla already knew more about Galatian inner workings than most Galatians. He had broken many laws in his mind-links with her.
“One last thing.” The King seemed to consider his words before continuing, waiting for Larkel to look up. “Have you discovered the secret you said she was keeping? Or anything about her family, the reason she came here in the first place?”
Larkel thought of her baby bracelet in his pocket. Best to wait until he had some real answers before showing the King the bracelet.
“No, majesty. I am following a lead about her family. As to her secret, I assure you that she is no danger to us.”
“So you do have your suspicions then.” King Eldos paused and looked to the empty throne where his wife should be. “You know as well as I that anything important could tip the scales in this war. Secrets in times like these are not good companions.” He turned his eyes back to Larkel. “We need to know, Larkel, without a doubt. Get the answers, by request or force. Tonight. I expect a report after the Festival Bells,” the King replied, gravely, a note of authority ringing in his voice.
Larkel opened his mouth to protest at the deadline.
“That is my command, High Lord,” the King said, eyes hard. “If she is a friend to Galatia as you believe, then she will let you unbind the memories”
“Yes, my King.” Larkel bowed deeply. The King was right. They needed whatever information the Guardians had risked exile over. He only hoped Starla was willing to break her promise to Gaby, he had seen enough in her mind to know that the Sacrileons’ spell hadn’t faired any better than the one that had been meant to wipe her memory. She was the one keeping the secret, and he had no desire to force his way past her guard.
“See you at the festival,” Prince Niden called as Larkel backed out of the room, trying to infuse the suddenly tense atmosphere with a little cheer.
The High Lord looked up and managed a smile and a nod before he turned and left the throne room. He had to get the baby bracelet to the jewellers before tonight.
***
“I said no.”
Starla glanced between Eltara and Zerina. The High Queen had requested some opulent gowns brought out of storage for Starla to see if she could find one to wear to the ball. Eltara had taken one look at the dresses and slapped Starla’s had away, ordering them removed, shouting about how Zerina had no right to offer what was not hers.
“Eltara, calm down.”
“No, Naleiya. She isn’t going to wear Kara’s things. She can wear one of mine, okay? We’re about the same size too.”
Naleiya sighed, and Zerina frowned. “Very well.”
Starla shifted closer to Naleiya as the two other women moved off, Eltara heading home to collect more dresses and Zerina to order Kara’s ones packed away.
“Who is Kara?”
Naleiya took a steadying breath. “She was Crown Prince Niden’s older sister. She was also Eltara’s best friend.”
Starla swallowed hard. “She died?”
A dark look clouded Naleiya’s face. “Yes. Just one of many infected by the drodemion cursed smoke.”
Starla winced, banishing Larkel’s memories before they could take hold. “I am sorry.”
Naleiya nodded, then stood. “Right, let’s run through it again from the top. When do you descend the stair?”
Starla pushed her mind away from the pain and loss all these people bore and focused it on learning about Galatian protocol instead.
The rest of the day had flown by. Lunch had been an affair filled with laughter courtesy of Eben and Niden as they joined the ladies. Then it was back to learning dances and getting ready.
“Naleiya?” Starla called as the others debated hairstyles, neither sounding at all interested. To them, this was a means to keep the people from falling apart under the strain of war. There was no real reason to celebrate.
“Yes?”
“I have a question, but I need you to see what I mean. Can you enter my mind as Larkel does?”
Naleiya raised a delicate eyebrow but nodded. “I can.”
Starla waited until Naleiya's blue light formed inside her mind, her presence showing her to be kind, but unbending.
Here. Can you see or hear anything in this memory?
No. It has been concealed by magic.
I know. The Guardians cast the spell but I—
That is not Sacrileon magic, Starla. Their magic is purely elemental. While there are traces of that, this is bound to you. The only thing keeping it standing is your desire not to reveal the secret, to keep your word.
She pulled away and felt Naleiya dismantle the spell, taking her raging curiosity with her.
“Thank you.”
Naleiya gave her a long look then nodded, leaving her to get dressed.
Starla selected one of the dresses Eltara had brought. It was a halter neck, silver sheath that hugged every inch of her, with slits along each leg to along for freer walking. Over it was a midnight-blue overhang of lace which swayed as she moved. The Star was easily hidden by the design.
Not for much longer. Tonight I will tell Larkel everything.
***
“Are you ready?” Naleiya asked at her elbow as they entered the palace.
For most people, the Festival was being held in the Park and Merchant Districts, but all the nobles and officials would be at the Palace. Starla took a deep breath and followed her friends through the ornate door of jewel flowers caught in glass-carved vines.
The hallway was made of mirrors, some stencilled with pictures of very colourful-looking birds called halodins that had reminded her a little of peacocks when she had seen them in the aviary the other day. Their fan-like tails opened in a bright, colourful display. The most obvious difference between peacocks and these was that halodins had two heads, the other was that their displays were defensive and could cause temporary blindness.
Now she stood admiring her dress in an unadorned mirror. Its blue tint complemented her skin tone perfectly. Her golden curls seemed to shine with their own light against the dark fabric. A dozen midnight-blue, jewelled flowers held it all in place.
This dress had no pockets, sheathing her slim figure like a second skin. Starla ran her fingers along the halter, deftly checking that the Star was secure and hidden. Tonight, she would tell Larkel of its existence. She didn't know who Gaby would have trusted next, but she knew whom she trusted.
“And here I thought we would have a quiet night just celebrating with friends,” Naleiya sighed, her sheer-white robe flaring around a turquoise dress that had a slit baring her from sternum to navel.
Starla had learned, during her day of lessons, that Makhi had to wear their robes at all times, and that they were the only members of any society in Trianon allowed to wear them.
“What is going on?” Eltara asked, catching the acidic undertone to Naleiya's words.
High Queen Zerina stepped through a side door then, causing a ripple of bows to spread outwards.
She adjusted her elaborate golden crown and smoothed her gown, shifting her belt slightly as Naleiya sighed again, answering Eltara as Zerina joined them.
“It's the Baron and his followers. They're working the floor, trying to turn the court against Starla and my brother.”
“I knew that snake would be up to no good,” hissed Shaneulia, shaking her head in disgust as she stepped up behind her daughter. Then she started laughi
ng as she had to explain to the two non-humans what a snake was.
Starla looked up and down the hallway at all the glittering patrons, each cast back repeatedly in the mirrors' reflections. Men and woman entered the banquet via separate hallways, so she didn't expect to find the Baron himself. Instead, she looked for the faces of the group of people Larkel had seen in the garden of the Shanebury Inn. She recognised two women from the garden talking urgently with another two women.
As she watched, the four women exchanged a final nod then spread out along the corridor, engaging other nobles and guests in conversation. Starla felt her eyes narrow.
“Don't worry, Starla. We won't let them spoil your night,” Naleiya said, linking arms with her as they neared the top of the Grand Stair.
“Yes. The King is a good, wise man. He will not be swayed by this,” Zerina said, her husky voice making the last word sound like a curse.
Perhaps not the King, Starla hoped, but the other guests seemed to be falling for it. She sighed as an elderly noblewoman turned to look at her suspiciously.
Naleiya linked arms with Starla and stared at the Baron's gloating minions defiantly. Starla looked up at Zerina as the High Queen placed a hand on Starla's shoulder. The smile on her face looked dangerously like a snarl, her amber eyes bright. Eltara and her mother stepped up on her other side, and High Commander Medara came to stand beside her wife.
Starla smiled brightly as the show of solidarity caused some to change their minds and smile politely, soft greetings reaching them.
“See?” Naleiya said, winking.
Starla left the hallway of mirrors for the impossibly large plateau above the stairs where everyone waited until they were announced, by order of importance, men and woman still separated by an ornate golden fence.
Failing to spot the High Lord on the men's side, Starla turned to look at the banquet hall. She gasped in surprise. The entire courtyard was open to the air. The stars had come out and were shining fitfully overhead. The enormous outdoor courtyard was a perfect hexagon made of a softly glowing, gold stone. At each point of the hexagon stood a column taller than the walls of the surrounding palace. The columns were made of black glass and soared up in gravity-defying sweeps and spirals. Men and women of the Imperial Guard stood at intervals around the courtyard, their eyes alert.
