She patted her updo, reminded of the outfit she was wearing. He held the front door open for her and lead her around the building.
She saw the horses before she saw the carriage. Large, muscular, and brown dappled with white, they whinnied as if in exclamation of their power. Their wings were folded at their sides, and one bent its head down to drink from a water basin. A brown-haired man in a dress tunic pointed them to the carriage. Inside was furnished with comfortable pillows and red velvet.
"It's a smooth ride," Alikos told her. "These mares were trained well."
She had only ever heard good things about these flights. "That's what they say."
He smiled. Minutes passed, and the carriage moved forwards slowly until they felt the wheels lift from the ground. Jaklyn watched everything become smaller through the window as they rose.
"Fiona was right," Alikos said. He had been watching her. "You are beautiful."
They were among the firsts guests to arrive at the palace. They entered the ballroom as the servants were finishing their preparations for the night. The room was already decorated; it had been decked out in the crown's turquoise and silver colors. Down the center, a long, silver, velvet runner led guests to the throne, behind which a massive banner displayed the royal coat of arms. On one side of this runner, servants were filling up tables with flowers, fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats. The other side was designated for dancing, and closer to the throne, Jaklyn could tell that an orchestra was arranging its chairs and instruments. Minndi walked in, already dressed in a massive, corseted, turquoise dress, shortly followed by a group of eight servants carrying what looked like a quartz sculpture.
"Put it over there," she directed them, pointing to a location on the dancing-side of the runners. With a groan, they set it down and moved it until it was at the exact spot she had requested. She looked at it for a moment, had them move it three inches to the left, and sent them to get the next bit of decor.
"Ice?" Alikos asked.
"Yep. Magicked so it doesn't melt throughout the night. Lovely, isn't it?" she asked. He nodded. She sighed. "Follow me. I have some things to explain to you."
They obeyed. She led them to an off-white sitting room and motioned to them to sit on a couch. Once settled into her arm chair, she began.
"As you both may know, we are not on good terms with Sralossa." They nodded. "Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain control tonight. We must appear to be stronger than the group they have sent. If we do not, it is entirely possible that things may become dangerous for us soon.
"Furthermore, you must know the Sralossans may think I am responsible for the murder of a member of the royal family. For this reason, you are not to mention my marriage to this Sralossan under any circumstance. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Minndi. But, pardon me, I have a question," Jaklyn began. The empress raised one of her eyebrows at this, but remained silent. "Are you responsible for his murder?"
"It is plausible," she said. "However, it is also plausible that this Sralossan was responsible for the death of my mother and father, and perhaps even a child."
Jaklyn noted the ambiguity of the empress's answer.
“Forgive my curiosity. Are you stating that there was, in fact, a third body found?"
"I'm stating that there may have been a third body found. I was not in the country at the time of their deaths, so I am unsure what happened. Were I in the country, I expect I may have been killed as well."
"Right. Thank you."
"It is nothing. It would be lowly of me not to answer your questions at least as far as I am comfortable, as you are here as a representative for me."
Jaklyn bit her tongue and examined her shoes.
"Do we know anything about the particular company that the Sralossan queen is bringing with her tonight?" Alikos asked. "Anyone specific we should keep an eye on?"
"Nothing," Minndi said, "We have no information on who's coming other than the queen. If the rumors are true, then I suggest you keep your eye on everyone but the queen."
"Why?"
"It's said that she can convince almost anyone of almost anything if they stay around her long enough."
A knock on the door preceded a servant's entry into the room. "Minndi, the guests of honor have arrived. Shall we show them to their assigned chambers?"
"Oh, let me take care of this." She stood, gathering her massive skirt in her hands to avoid tripping on it. "Excuse me, please," she said with a slight curtsy to Alikos and Jaklyn, and she was gone.
"That's interesting," Alikos commented lightly.
"Which part?"
"All of it. Vague answers, conversation restrictions, and the rumors about Summere."
"Summere?"
"The Sralossan queen."
"Right."
"I wonder what kind of magic that could be... Mind magic, perhaps."
Jaklyn hadn't considered that they might bring mages. She swallowed.
"Don't worry, Lyn. I'll make sure you don't get hurt." Alikos smiled with half of his mouth. "Besides, too many people will be looking at you for an attacker to get away with it."
She felt her cheeks heat. Her eyes traveled to his face for a split second of eye contact, and she looked away.
You're beautiful, she thought she heard him whisper.
"What?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"Did you say something?"
"No, I didn't."
He was telling the truth. Crap, she thought before they were whisked away to welcome the guests into the ballroom.
It did not take long for the room to be filled with a vast array of people. Women floated past in massive dresses, men leading or following them in their own formal attire. The Tyikian guards all wore what Alikos had arrived in: silver chest plates underneath turquoise jackets and black breeches.
The Sralossans were easy to pick out in this crowd. As all the visitors were working for the crown, every one of them wore the rich blue and copper colors of the nation. From her corner of the room, Jaklyn watched as they danced in steps she didn't know. She sipped a glistening red liquid from a cup and listened as the orchestra started up a lighthearted tune.
One of the Sralossans approached her. He wore a peculiar, long overcoat and had brown hair that framed his face. His age showed around his eyes; Jaklyn would have guessed him to be in his mid-thirties. They seemed seedy, but his smile was warm. She disliked him immediately.
"You have got to be the most gorgeous lady in the room, m'lady." He bowed parallel to the floor. "May I ask your name?"
"Jak," she responded. Then, reminding herself that she was representing the Tyikian crown, she added, "And yourself, sir?"
He chortled. "Roan, madam. Now that we are acquainted, would you accompany me for a song? I would be most delighted."
"I would, sir, but I don't have the slightest notion how to dance in the proper forms, and I think it'd be better to spare your feet the damage." She thought that sounded noble enough.
"My feet will fare just fine either way, but it would be much more pleasant were you involved," he insisted.
"Well... alright." She made a move to join him, and the music halted. Everyone searched for the source of the interruption, and a moment passed before they noticed that Minndi had risen to her feet from her throne. She stared at the door on the other end of the ballroom and nodded to a servant standing there.
The servant stood onto a pedestal. His voice, aided by a charm, proclaimed, "I present to you Her Majesty, the Queen Summere of Sralossa."
The doors on the far side of the room opened to awaiting eyes. In an enormous, pale blue dress with bright blue and copper embellishments stood the most beautiful woman Jaklyn had ever seen. She had long, flowing, silvery blonde hair cascading from a crown encrusted with sapphires. Her face was strong, angular, but also gentle. She stood tall, her shoulders back and confident, yet she did not hesitate to look down if it meant making warm eye contact with either Tyikians or Sralossans as she
glided across the silver runner toward the throne. Her smile was captivating, and those who looked into them would later speak of the entrancing nature of her amber eyes. She allowed several people to kiss her hand as she walked until she finally came to a stop before Minndi.
"Your Majesty," she whispered, allowing herself to touch the ground in the deepest curtsy that seemed manageable. She stayed for a long moment before Minndi spoke.
Minndi made a harsh face before her words came, but the words held no sign of the loathing Jaklyn was sure came with such an expression. "Welcome to Tyiku, Your Highness. Let us know if there is any manner in which we can assist you in enjoying yourselves."
"I thank you, Your Majesty," Summere said, curtseying. "You are most gracious."
Minndi waved two fingers in a sign of dismissal. She sat once more, and Jaklyn almost thought she could feel the disdain flowing off of the empress. The music started up once more, and one by one couples began moving again.
"Shall we?" Roan held out his hand. Jaklyn followed him onto the floor, unsure of what to do and settling on awkwardly following his lead. He walked her through the steps and smiled a lot as he tried to make light conversation. She did her best to respond courteously but couldn't shake the feeling that he was mocking her internally. It was a relief when the song ended and she could excuse herself, though he put on a show of great regret before kissing her hand and allowing her to leave.
She returned to her beverage and side of the room to continue observing the other ball-goers. A woman in blue was chatting with a Tyikian guard to her left, and she wondered where Alikos was. Roan had attached himself to Minndi. Above all, she couldn't help but notice Summere as she made her way across the room with a different guy on her arm for every song. Eventually Alikos joined their ranks, and at the sight of them, Jaklyn's stomach turned just a little. Hadn't Minndi warned them not to spend too much time with her? Hadn't she mentioned that Summere had a way of convincing almost anyone of almost anything?
Jaklyn danced with a few more men, some of whom found her inability to dance endearing, some of whom found it vexing. The time seemed to pass reasonably well until she was dancing with a chivalrous brunette Tyikian guard. He acted as if her failure at movement was one of the most adorable things in the world and had made it his mission to instruct her in the art of dance.
"And back, and around, and in," he whispered as she spun into him. She laughed a little. It was such a preposterous thing to do for fun, and yet here she was...
I wonder if she's here with anyone... No, I really must stay away, Sralossan scum... Oh, the grapes look amazing, it's been years since my estate had them... I wonder how hard she'll be to get to my chambers tonight.. Why must I dance with him? He's so dreadful...
Jaklyn heard voices like whispers coming from everyone around her. She hastened away with a muttered apology from her partner, whose mind blared confusion but whose face was nothing but glowing with charm. Back with her drink, she felt the room's din overwhelm her until out of the mess she heard a single voice think of the blade in his pocket and the empress's neck being sliced open.
Here she comes, thought the voice. Jaklyn started moving, disappearing into the mass of people. Three, two... she could feel him pulling it out of its sheath under his long coat, raising it.
One. She jumped at him, and until she was on the ground, she didn't notice that it was Roan she had brought to the floor.
She tried to stand, but her skirt was tangled with Roan's legs. She looked around and found Minndi's eyes looking at her with anger. Around her, people were slowly noticing the commotion, and strong arms lifted her to her feet. Moments passed. Minndi clenched her jaw. After another long minute in which everyone else made noise, she whispered, "How dare you?"
Jaklyn swallowed. Roan had not yet gotten up out of shock. She pulled his coat aside, revealing a foot-long blade close to his hand. "He was going to kill you."
Minndi blanched. She whispered something to the nearest guards, who ran off to follow orders. The nobles and Sralossans were trying to leave as soon as possible, and the Tyikian soldiers were barricading the doors and detaining everyone wearing blue. Jaklyn stood still, thankful that the whispers were gone and pondering over their origins. Minndi retreated to her throne and watched the chaos.
Eventually, the movement stopped. One by one the Sralossans were taken to some other spot in the palace, and the Tyikians were cleared to go back to their homes as soon as they pleased. Everyone cleared out of the room but the soldiers, Jaklyn, Minndi, and Summere herself.
Soldiers held the queen in front of the throne, but she put up no fight. She looked to the ground in silence. Minndi glared at her.
She fell to her knees. Those holding her exchanged expressions and followed suit to keep a grip on her. Only when she had lowered herself did she look up to the empress.
"Your Highness," she began. Minndi didn't correct her. "I am truly sorry for the crime my advisor has committed against you, and I beg that you allow me to repay the debt I owe you for the incident."
"The debt is higher than your desolate wasteland can afford, Summere." Minndi could see tears running down Summere's face. "But if you would like, we can discuss these matters further over a cup of tea. In the meantime, it will not bother you if my mind mage ensures you truly have no part in this plan, correct?"
"Of course, Your Highness." Her voice was soft and like a charming bell, but it floated to Jaklyn's ears like wind. It matched her astounding beauty perfectly.
"Release her, my soldiers. Show her to her chambers. After she’s settled, you are all dismissed." They escorted her to the far end of the room. When she finally exited, Minndi turned her attention to Alikos and Jaklyn. "Jaklyn is to stay at the Phoenix residence until I personally give her leave. Alikos, I will send a letter with my instructions governing the arrangement tomorrow morning. If Jaklyn leaves the residence unaccompanied without my approval, she is hereby committing treason. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Minndi."
"Go. The rest of you, too," she told the guards. "Servants, I want this place immaculate by morning."
Alikos moved to escort Jaklyn out. "Shall we take the carriage back or walk back?" he asked, an attempt at humor.
Jaklyn yawned. "Carriage. I don't have the energy to walk."
He opened the door for her. "Hey, Lyn? Are you alright?"
"I don't know, Alikos. I don't know. I have a lot to think about."
"It'll be okay. I promise I won't let anything happen to you."
"Alikos?"
"Yes?"
"I think we've got a long road ahead of us. I think things have just begun."
Chapter 5
Minndi did not send the letter the following day. Alikos sent his phoenix to the palace on the thought that the letter had gotten lost somewhere, but the bird returned shortly after with his note still attached to its leg. He continued this every day for a week, and after that he resolved that, if they did not hear from Minndi after another week, they would march to the palace themselves to get the information she had to share.
In the meantime, Jaklyn had other issues. If anything she knew about the way magic worked was correct, then what had happened with the whispered thoughts at the ball was only the beginning of a long line of events that would worsen with time.
The fact of the matter was that something had to be done. Most of the tales parents told their children warned of the danger of uncontrolled magic taking up residence within you until your existence became nothing more than that of a vessel for its games. People had brought things such as fires, plagues, and heavy winds to towns, made lakes and rivers flow over and freeze, shape-shifted themselves irreversibly... every type of magic brought its own dangers.
So it was vital that Jaklyn got a handle on hers.
She figured she would have to sneak out. It was the only option if her dealings were to be kept to herself. Magicians rarely, if ever, made house calls. If she was lucky, she thought she might be able to ma
ke an appointment, sneak out, and return without Alikos noticing her absence.
No chance, she thought as he checked in on her as he so often did. But maybe I can get out without him noticing at first... Then he won't be able to follow me and I can just apologize when I return...
She asked Alikos to borrow his phoenix and wrote to a magician she'd once been told of, asking for an appointment. His response came promptly, urging her to come in at her leisure, that very afternoon if she so desired.
Alikos watched her with interest as they tied her response to his bird's foot.
"Who are you speaking with?" he asked her.
She thought quickly. "My teacher," she stated. "He's offered to allow me to do my work here and send it off to him for corrections."
"Oh, um, okay." He paused for a minute. "What kinds of things do they teach you in that school?"
Jaklyn stared. She'd forgotten how hard he tried to make conversation out of nearly everything.
"Math, some history, basic politics, fundamentals of magic... just the basic educational stuff."
"Just basics?"
"For the most part, yeah."
"Hm. Maybe I can convince Minndi to have a tutor of the palace assigned to you..."
"That would be nice, I guess? Is it worth it?"
"Of course it's worth it. You should be as knowledgeable as possible if you are to assist the crown, shouldn't you?"
"I suppose," Jaklyn mused. "it'd be easier if I knew exactly how I'm supposed to be helping them, though."
Alikos was silent. "I wish I could tell you."
"Treason, right?"
He shook his head. "I still don't know. We haven't gotten word back from the palace."
"Don't worry about it, then. It's Minndi's fault."
He looked bothered. "I don't know what to think about her. I can't blame her, though. Not with the chaos at the ball and the attempted murder..."
Jaklyn nodded.
A moment passed. "Alikos?" she asked.
"Yes?"
She realized she wouldn't have the courage to sneak out, not when his reputation hung on her actions. "Could you take me somewhere tomorrow? I... there's an old friend I'd like to visit."
The Traitor of Tyiku Page 4
