by Robin Roseau
"Actually, we do, Lady Yallameenara. We will explain everything. You will learn her words. And she will speak to you, and you will tell us what she says."
"I'm not helping you," I said. "I will never help any of you. If she tells us it will be a harsh winter, and seven years of drought to follow, I will tell you the winter will be brief, and the harvests rich. If she tells me your enemies attack from the west, I will send you to the east. If she tells me of a plot to kill your king, I will tell you she sees him having a long, rich life. You must know this."
"I guess we'll see," she said calmly. She seemed fond of that phrase. "Lady Yallameenara, I know you do not believe me, but you will, in time. The Goddess will speak through you, and she will give you her magic. You will heal the sick, strengthen the harvest, and drive away the fears of the dark."
"Not happening."
"We will give you anything you ask. You may have me, or anyone else you see that you want. These two would give themselves to you, if you ask them. You may have gems and gold, but I do not believe these have value to you. You may have books, all you desire, and music. You will have tutors, if you wish them, and may learn anything and everything. And the Goddess will speak to you."
"Do you really think I want you after your lies?"
"Lady Yallameenara, I am also a priestess of Yahamala, but you are to become the high priestess. All of us live to serve your needs."
I shook my head. Insane. They were all insane.
I stopped talking. I wasn't as wise in the way of the world as the people who had surrounded me for the previous five years, but I wasn't an idiot, either. There was something I knew.
You couldn't argue with a zealot.
And they were zealots. They were clearly zealots, and arguing with them wouldn't get me anywhere. They were convinced of their position, and their Goddess herself probably couldn't sway their opinions.
But I didn't think the king and queen would be such zealots, and maybe they would listen to reason.
The maids were gifted. They washed me, but they did more than wash me. They soothed me with gentle hands, with gentle brushes, with softly scented waters and kneaded muscles. I let them do anything they wanted, and I thought Larien might not be lying about that. I thought if I had asked for more, they would have offered more.
But of course, I didn't ask, and they didn't touch in any manner I found offensive.
I eventually closed my eyes. Oh, I remained angry, but I'd worn myself ragged on the trip, and this was the first time I'd let myself relax, physically. I didn't sleep, but I may have dozed, I don't know.
Then Larien spoke. "Lady Yallameenara."
I opened my eyes and turned my head. She was watching me. She didn't say anything further, but I nodded. "Turn around," I ordered her.
"Will you let me look at you?"
"Turn around!"
She turned her back, and then the maids helped me to rise.
They used more water, clean water, to rinse the soap from me, and then they helped me from the tub. I stood as they dried me. And then they wrapped me in a warm robe and escorted me into the main room.
They took care of everything, moving me as needed to pull the clothing into place, then setting me in a chair while they dried and attended to my hair. It typically required little more than a simple brushing, and I thought they might be disappointed they couldn't really do more.
Then one spoke, and Larien translated. "Do you wish makeup?"
"No."
"It might make you feel more confident."
"There's nothing wrong with my confidence," I said.
"Are you sure this is how you wish to visit with the king and queen?" she asked. "We have gowns."
"I am not putting on a show for the people who have done this to me," I said. "I have no intention of offering any more respect than is due, and you can imagine how much I feel is due. Am I going to be beaten?"
"No."
I guess we'd see.
The maids fussed a little more then pulled me to my feet. I looked down at my appearance. I looked rather dashing, actually, although I was surprised Larien was letting me dress in this fashion, and even more surprised it included boots. I wondered whom I might get a chance to kick with them.
They turned me to her, and, from a distance, she looked me over. Then she smiled and nodded.
Larien spoke, and one of the maids stepped away. I heard the door, and then approaching footsteps. The second maid moved away, but not without first caressing my arm once more and speaking quiet words.
Two of the guards stepped to my sides, not yet touching me, and the squad leader moved to stand in front of me. She spoke Altearan, and Larien answered her, then switched to Framaran. "Do you offer parole for good behavior?"
"No."
"Please, Lady Yallameenara. We are deep inside our borders. By your small, agile horse, it is three or four days to Framara, but you couldn't make it out of the palace, much less find your way south. It costs you nothing to cooperate, and we both know you are not a fighter. You have your words, and without Zana here, they are your only weapons."
"Tell that to the marks I left on Muranna," I said.
"If you do not offer parole, you know what will happen. Is that how you wish to be presented to the king and queen?"
"I cooperated with the maids for the simple reason that I wanted to be clean," I said, "and because I believed when you said they are innocent of all this. You are not innocent. These soldiers are not innocent. Your king and queen are not innocent. You have engaged in deceit and treachery, conspiring against me, whom you said you were growing to love, and against my queen. I would not hurt the innocent, and while I hold no illusions of my ability to win my freedom, I offer no parole."
"So be it," she said. She spoke in Altearan, and I didn't fight when the guards tied my wrists and hobbled my ankles.
But I looked at the squad leader. "By your actions, you have declared war on Framara. Larien, make sure she understands me."
Larien translated, and the squad leader shook her head. "No. No war."
"By your actions," I said. "You have declared war on me."
"Lady Yallameenara, don't," said Larien. "Please don't."
"Translate."
"No."
"Translate!"
"You are the voice of our Goddess! You would curse her? She didn't do this to you. If you want to curse anyone, fine. Curse me. Curse Muranna."
I thought about it. "Fine. Translate these words, or I will find a way to make myself understood." I turned back towards the squad leader. "My name is Lady Yallameenara of Framara." I paused, and those words Larien translated. "I am the foster daughter to Queen Ralalta of Framara." Pause. "Framara and Alteara have been friends for two centuries."
"Lady Yallameenara."
"Translate, or I swear, I will be screaming every curse I can envision as you drag me wherever you drag me."
She spoke in Altearan. If she translated honestly, I could not have said.
"Queen Ralalta believes I have become a traitor. Queen Ralalta believes I have betrayed her. She took me into her home. She called me daughter." Then I turned to Larien. "She told me she would officially adopt me, if you needed a greater title than I already carried."
Her eyes grew wide at that, but she nodded.
"Translate that," I said and waited. I turned back to the squad leader. "That woman now believes I have betrayed her. A woman I love like a mother believes I betrayed her. Princess Juleena, who I love with my entire heart, believes I have betrayed her, as well."
"Lady Yallameenara."
"Translate the words!" I said. "These people should know what they have done to me. This isn't just about where you are making me live. This isn't about whether I have my beloved horse or am surrounded by the people who love me. This is about what you have let Queen Ralalta and Princess Juleena believe about me! I can never forgive any of you for that. Never."
She spoke quietly, and I thought perhaps she translated accuratel
y, more or less, as the squad leader, both of the guards, and even the two maids looked uncomfortable. When she was finished, the squad leader spoke briefly. Larien translated.
"She is happy you have returned to us and quite sorry for this part."
"Ask her this. How many people would die if Ralalta knew the truth?"
Larien spoke, and then the squad leader answered in Framaran. "No one. No war."
I turned to Larien. "Lieutenant Keelara is good. She'll find out I was taken aboard an Altearan ship. Everyone will believe I agreed to this, but they will also know the Altearans conspired to take me away. There will be a price."
"Yes," Larien said. "We know. We will pay the price."
"You are all insane," I said. "Maybe your king will listen to reason."
* * * *
We picked up a significant honor guard outside the room. I traveled in the center with a guard on either arm. The squad leader was in front of me and Larien behind.
Due to the hobbles on my ankles, I could not stride normally, and so we did not move quickly. They did not rush me, and my guards were not cruel in how they held me. But I went where they wanted, and there wasn't a thing I could do about that.
I fumed the entire way.
The palace wasn't identical to the one in Marport. The artwork was an entirely different style, and I suppose to a discerning eye, the architecture was as well. But it was similar enough. I recognized when we arrived at the doors of what would certainly be a throne room or similar space.
We came to a stop. From behind me, Larien asked, "Will you offer sufficient parole to walk alone? I believe you will cut a more imposing figure than if you require a guard on each arm."
I looked over my shoulder at her. I don't know what she saw in my expression, but she said gently, "You will want for nothing."
"Did you hear what I said five minutes ago? And you know me. Do you think I care about things? That is Muranna."
"But you care about helping people," she said. "Imagine how much you will be able to help now."
"Except you're insane! I'm not this person you think I am."
"You are," she said. "I know you are."
"Insane."
"You will believe eventually. Will you give sufficient parole that I may lead you inside?"
"No," I said. "I will lead. I couldn't cause any real damage tied like this, and I don't think you're offering to untie me."
"Not without a full parole. You will lead, but you will go where I direct you to go."
I thought about it. "Within the confines of the room we are about to enter, I agree to that much parole, at least until you order me into a cage or some symbol of obeisance."
"Thank you," she said. She spoke a few words, and the guards slowly released me, making sure I was steady before fully stepping away.
"Lady Yallameenara, you would make an even more imposing figure if you offered sufficient parole I could untie you."
"I was a fool to trust any of you," I said.
"You weren't."
"Evidence proves I was," I said. "You would be an equal fool."
"So be it."
She nodded, and ahead of us, the doors opened. There was noise from within, then utter silence.
"You will see where to go," she said. "Stop when I direct."
I nodded, and then I stepped forward, Larien two paces at my back, none of the guards following me.
But then I came to a stop.
It was a very large room, long and narrow, with a tall ceiling and a surrounding balcony supported by pillars. And it was decorated extensively as one might expect of such a room.
But that was not what gave me pause.
The room was full of people, absolutely full, and every single one was turned to face me. Not a single one spoke.
The doors we had passed through were at one end of the long room, exactly in the center. As I stood, the people parted, stepping left and right to offer clear passage between them.
The far end of the room was raised with several stone steps one could traverse. Through a trick of lighting the raised area gleamed. There were guards, of course, but three people who were clearly not guards.
Muranna was one of them. The other two were older, much older. As I stepped into the room, they were seated on thrones, but as I stood, looking around, they both rose while watching me.
I looked over my shoulder. "What is she doing here?" I hissed.
"She will give evidence to your position here," Larien said. "Perhaps you will curse her."
"I do not believe my curses carry weight," I said. "I should have given parole. I wouldn't have kept it, of course, but maybe I could have landed a few more blows."
"Everyone is waiting, Lady Yallameenara."
I turned back, took a deep breath, and then stepped forward.
It was a long walk, and the crowd was hushed. But as I passed, they dropped to their knees, one row at a time as I reached them. They dropped to their knees and bowed their heads.
To me.
I faltered at first. But then I muttered, "Insane," and kept going.
"Stop before the stairs," Larien said very quietly, following two steps behind me.
I stopped and turned around. "They're bowing to you, not me."
"No. To you."
"Insane. You know this is insane."
She gestured. "Not much further."
I completed the walk, and when I was done, everyone was on his knees, even the king and queen.
I looked behind me, and Larien was also kneeling to me, her head also bowed.
"You may stay there if you wish," I said. Then, protocol be damned, I carefully climbed the steps and came to a stop, two paces before the king and queen. Neither of them rose.
But I lifted my voice. I'd been in court enough to know how, although it took conscious effort for me, and I still wasn't as good as Ralalta. "The woman I know as Larien. You will translate my words and do so honestly. I am sure there are others here who speak Framaran, and I won't know if you speak falsely, but you will, and they will."
"I will translate honestly," she said, not moving.
"Oh, get up," I said. "No one is going to hear you from down there. And speak up so everyone can hear you."
She rose and moved closer, but didn't climb the steps.
"Tell them what I said."
She spoke for a moment or two, and she knew how to project as well. Then I turned back to the king and queen, their heads still bowed.
"Ridiculous," I said. "Insane. I am just a girl of the horse people." I spun around as best I could with my ankles hobbled. "Translate that honestly!" I screamed. "I am only a girl of the horse people. Nothing more."
Larien spoke, and I waited for her to finish.
"Did you add words?" I asked. "Did you tell them I am wrong?"
"As you are the voice of the Goddess," she said, "Today I am your voice. You may not believe me, Lady Yallameenara, but it would be heresy to translate your words dishonestly. I believe that, even if you don't."
"Fine," I said. "Enough in here will understand if you lie."
I turned back to the king and queen. "Ridiculous. Get up."
Larien didn't speak, but when they rose anyway, I knew they understood me. But they didn't speak. Instead, they studied me, and I studied them.
They were older than Ralalta, but not decrepit. Their eyes were bright, and in the past, I'd heard Ralalta and others speak with respect.
I moved closer to the man. "You are King Tradódid." He inclined his head. "Did I say it properly?"
"As properly as you can with your accent," he said.
"Fine." I moved to the woman. "Queen Mesenorié." She inclined her head. "Said properly?" Another nod.
I looked around. Everyone else was still kneeling. "Ridiculous," I said. "Tell them to stand, or whatever they do when court is in session."
Larien translated, but it was a word and gesture from the queen before they began to rise, the ones in front soonest. I turned around. Muranna h
adn't risen. She continued to kneel from her place to the side, a short distance from the queen's throne.
"You can stay there or not," I said. "I couldn't care less. Betrayer."
I turned back to the king and queen. "Which of you ordered this?"
"We rule together," said the queen. "Neither of us more than the other."
"I demand you return me home."
"You are home," said the king.
"Do not play word games with me!" I thundered. "My home is the palace in Marport, if Queen Ralalta would have me back." I softened, only slightly. "You will return me home with a delegation explaining in great detail I did not commit treason, and with gifts of apology to soften the queen's ire."
"No," said the queen. "We will not. You may have nearly anything else, but you will remain here."
"We can argue all day and night," said the king. "Your anger is understood. We will not relent."
"You're all insane!" I screamed. "I am not a high priestess. I am not who you think I am. I am simply a girl of The Hippa, a girl of the horse people, taken to ensure a peace treaty. That is all I am."
"You are far more than that," said the queen.
"No. Mother never said anything about any of this. Not once."
"We can prove it," said the queen.
I folded my arms. "Let me see this proof."
"Muranna," said the king. "May she rise?"
"I do not rule here," I said.
"Muranna," said the king again, and the woman rose. I turned and glared at her. She didn't meet my gaze.
"Do you know what you've done to me?" I asked.
"Yes."
"How could you?"
"Because we are not insane," she said. "By your own words, Yalla-"
"I am Lady Yallameena!" I said. "To you and to everyone else within the borders of this country. Do not use a name I reserve only to my true friends."
She lowered her eyes for a moment, and then nodded.
"Explain to her," said the queen. "Explain to everyone."
Muranna stepped forward, turned partly to me and partly to the audience. And then she spoke, first in Framaran, a sentence or two at a time, and then in Altearan.
