Chapter 5
My second night in the Opal Palace had left me wondering. The first thing I wondered was where Glinda had gone after dinner. She just upped and left, saying she would see me in the morning. It was okay with me, it meant I didn’t have to listen to her talk, but it also meant I was on my own with Sayer. Again. Which I kind of didn’t have a problem with, since I was actually starting to like him.
I noticed two things after she left. The first was that he relaxed and changed his behavior toward me as soon as she was gone. Which was odd. He was her most trusted… well, anyone really as far as I could tell. He was at her side every time I saw her, and she obviously trusted him to come all the way to Kansas to find me and bring me back here. I would have expected him to be fawning over her at every turn, especially in her absence, but the opposite was true and I was intrigued. He seemed to be filling his duty reluctantly, and merely following Glinda’s dictates. With all formality dropped, he loosened the tie at his neck, sat at the table, poured us both a glass of wine, and talked to me like I was an old friend rather than a new acquaintance.
The second was that he was looking at me. It wasn’t the sort of looking I was used to. There was no leer in his expression. No lust in his eyes. When he spoke to me, he maintained eye contact, not breast contact, and kept the conversation light, but listened like he actually wanted to hear what I said. What was worrying me was that I didn’t mind. Any of it. In fact, I liked it. That was probably bad.
With that at the forefront of my mind, I made my excuses and took myself to my room long before sunset, opting to leave my bedroom curtains open and just lay there, pondering how the hell I was supposed to get out of here. It was clear they believed they needed me. It was obvious Glinda wasn’t letting me go without argument, and if I were being honest, it was nice being here and glimpsing the world my great grandma wrote about. Even though I had, technically, been kidnapped, I kind of felt bad about wanting to leave, but the whole ‘chosen one,’ thing was… well, a bit far-fetched. Yes, I knew the story backward and forward. Yes, I had seen the power they spoke of with my own eyes, but the idea that I’d inherited some sort of power was too much, especially the quantity of power they alluded to. It just wasn’t believable. The little trick with the changing shoes wasn’t enough to convince me. I don’t know what would, but that wasn’t it. Beautiful waterfalls, ridiculous looking trees, and pretty birdsong weren’t either. Like I’d said, the place was known for being smoke and mirrors. I didn’t have any reason to trust these people. Least of all Glinda. She was too nice and too quick to leave. While I much preferred Sayer’s company, I couldn’t help but wonder what that was about?
Thinking for a moment, I drew a few conclusions. I’d been around the block a few times, I knew people. I dealt with the good, the bad, and the downright ugly on the daily, but the one thing I knew for sure was to never trust the overly sweetness some people portrayed.
That crap doesn’t exist. People aren’t that nice all the time, and she’d proved it. Her mask had slipped, just the once I admit, but I’d caught some small nuances too, and it was enough to prove her persona was an act. Just as she’d said, we changed according to where we were and who we’re with. I expected subtle differences, just like I was seeing with Sayer, but not a full personality transplant.
Was that why she kept her time spent with me brief? What else was she hiding?
Call me nosy, but that was another reason for me to stick around. Something wasn’t sitting right, and I wanted to know what that was.
I stripped down to my underwear and climbed into bed. With the windows wide open, I could hear the birds and smell the many different colored flowers out in the gardens. But they weren’t like our flowers. They smelled sweeter. They relaxed me. And even though the sun hadn’t set, I found it easy to fall asleep.
With the curtains open, I woke up ridiculously early. I made effective use of the time by taking a shower, and digging in the depths of that awful dressing room for something I could wear without looking like I’d strolled out of a bridal shop. I burst out laughing at the god-awful gingham dress I found. No. That wasn’t happening. Not in a million years. When the various items on the hanging rails failed me, I started digging in the huge drawers lining the back wall. Nothing. Giving up, I went back into the bedroom and picked up my pants. I was studying them when there was a gentle tap on the door and it opened.
“I’m not—” Sayer was already in the room and I was standing there in just my bra and panties.
He walked toward me with something draped over one arm, ignoring my near nakedness, and smiled. “Good morning, Ella. I took the liberty of obtaining clean clothing that is probably more to your taste. They should fit.”
“Thank you…” I took them from him cautiously, chastising myself for forgetting he’d offered to get me anything I needed and wondering why he wasn’t ogling. They always ogled. Unless he was doing it so subtly I hadn’t noticed, but honestly that wasn’t possible. I knew guys. I was used to them looking, so I knew how to spot it. He wasn’t.
The disappointment came as a surprise. Had I misconstrued his comments about not liking blondes? I hoped not.
He was still smiling when he turned away and moved toward the window. I dashed into the dressing room, leaving the door open a bit so I could hear him, and pulled the clean clothes on. Leggings and a baggy tee, almost identical to the ones I’d arrived in. They were perfect. “Where did you get them from?” I asked, when I went back into the bedroom carrying my silver sneakers in my hand.
“I asked the lady for them when you retired. They were waiting outside your door just now. Are you ready for breakfast?”
“Not yet… don’t wait for me. I’ll find my way down,” I told him, searching the room for something to untangle my hair.
“There’s no rush,” he said, picking up a brush on the vanity like he had read my mind. “Are you looking for this?”
He held it out toward me and I took it. As I brushed through my long hair, I was conscious of him looking at me. Definitely looking this time. I tried to ignore the little flip my stomach did and tipped my head over, pulling my damp hair into a ponytail and securing it with the hair tie I kept on my wrist while I’d showered. When I straightened, I realized he was still watching, but with his eyebrows pulled in slightly. I wasn’t sure what that expression was, but the smile that followed filled me with confidence. “Okay, now I’m ready.”
He escorted me to the veranda again, where Glinda was waiting.
“Good morning, Glinda,” I greeted, taking my seat and pulling it in myself before Sayer could come and assist me.
Sitting at the table with her hands in her lap, back straight, shoulders squared, and a forced smile gracing her pink lips, Glinda was wearing a pale pink gown that glittered in the morning sunlight. Her yellow hair was flowing around her shoulders, secured with a little tiara that seemed to be set with pearls and opals. She looked like a cupcake. “Ellana. I trust you slept well?”
“I did, thanks. And I had some time to think.”
I wasn’t sure, because Sayer drew my eyes away from her by pouring me a cup of fruit tea, but I was certain I saw a flicker of annoyance again. Raising her teacup, she asked, “Really? What about, my dear?”
Trying not to cringe at her sickly-sweet tone, I took a sip of tea and picked up what I assumed was a buttered crumpet. I had never had one, but I’d seen pictures of them, and while the little holes in the thing looked like dozens of tiny eyeholes, I took a bite anyway. “Yeah,” I replied around a mouthful of what turned out to be a delicious bready treat. I finished my bite, then continued, “I know these shoes do much more than change their own appearance. My grandma didn’t get much use out of them while she was here, but it’s looking like I’m going to have to get a handle on them if I’m going to stick around.”
She placed her cup back on its saucer so gently it didn’t make a sound and smiled. “Oh Ellana, thank you for coming to that decision. But of course. The slippe
rs are just the beginning. Yesterday, I told you how to change their appearance. Today we shall introduce you to defenses.”
That surprised me. “Defenses? Why would I need defenses?”
She looked at me as though I was stupid. “To protect yourself. My sister is quiet for the moment, but she will attack again soon. Until you take the Ruby Fortress, we are at an incredible disadvantage. Of course, when you do take it, you must be capable of defending it while we plan our next move.”
Her voice had raised several octaves, becoming shrill, and she looked a bit distressed. The last thing I needed was for her to dissolve into tears. I glanced over my shoulder to Sayer, who had taken up position just inside the open veranda doors, but he didn’t seem to be paying any attention. “Okay. That’s good.” I don’t know why I said that. It wasn’t good. But hell, if she cried, I’d be likely to slap her out of her hysterics and that probably wouldn’t go down too well. “Is it the same theory as making sneakers?”
She switched from distressed to delighted in a blink. How she went from being afraid and glazed eyes to smiling and eyes shining with glee was impressive. And weird. “Yes. Indeed, yes, the slippers are controlled using the same theory.” She was nodding so enthusiastically I thought her silly tiara was going to fall off her head. “Anything you require they will deliver with a click of your heels, a blink of your eyes, and a thought. You must be specific though. For instance, if you were to defend this table from Sayer, you would think of the table being behind a barrier that would keep Sayer away. Try it.”
I felt ridiculous, but I followed her instructions and when she saw me squeeze my eyes closed, she ordered, “Sayer. Approach.”
He walked toward us confidently enough, and I thought he would make it to me when he stopped dead. Glinda clapped her hands and giggled like a small child who had just received a treat. “I see this is going to be very easy for you, Ellana. You should practice this morning with Sayer while I make arrangements.”
Sayer inclined his head toward me, and I noticed his lips twitch up in the corners before he stepped back. “Arrangements?” I echoed, turning back to face her.
“Now that you have agreed to help us, I must prepare for you to retake the Ruby Fortress. The fortress brings an ally aerial force to counter Tatiana’s. The first step toward winning this war.”
Hearing her say that was crazy. It just didn’t fit with her image at all. War talk made me think of army generals or knights on horseback, not, well, her. Not to mention all that talk made me edgy. I didn’t like violence of any kind, and had to work hard to hide my surprise at how eager Glinda seemed to rain down violence on her sister. It wasn’t the time to reveal that to her, though, and I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded my head and sipped my tea as she rose to her feet. “Shall we meet for lunch?” she chirped.
Trying not to give anything away, and since I wasn’t ready to answer her questions, let alone plan my next meal, I muttered, “Umm. Yeah, if you want.”
“Wonderful. Sayer will keep you company. While you—”
She turned slowly on the spot, dress rustling. I couldn’t see what she was looking at, but whatever it was came from the north.
Sayer had joined her, his shoulders back, looking out in the same direction as Glinda. “Lady?”
“Ellana, would you mind practicing your defenses now?” Glinda squeaked, before turning and rushing indoors.
Sayer remained where he was, and I looked up at the spot Glinda had vacated. “What the—”
I didn’t get to finish what I was saying as a flock of birds swooped over my head.
“They’re fleeing,” he murmured watching them fly. “Probably trying to escape Lioneag. Griffon, I believe they are known as in your world. Or dragons, ell, wyrms we call them. The speed they’re flying at suggests Lioneag. Tati must have sent them…”
I didn’t bother saying anything. As far as I’d seen, there were only the three of us here. Glinda had vanished, again, I didn’t know what good a steward was going to be in these circumstances, and all I had was a pair of magic shoes and the ability to protect the breakfast table. I didn’t argue when he gripped my upper arm and dragged me into the palace, slamming the doors behind us.
Chapter 6
We rushed up the staircase that led to my room, but instead of turning right we took a left. I hadn't been over to this side of the palace before, so I let him guide me by my arm. His grip was uncomfortable, but despite my tug to pull it away, he wasn’t letting go so I went with it.
“Stay out here,” he ordered, placing me in a couch in the hallway. “The doors will lock when I go inside. Do not move from this spot until I come back for you, do you understand?”
I wanted to ask where he was going. I wanted to ask why I wasn’t defending the palace like Glinda had said I should. I wanted to ask if he was going to be all right, but I couldn’t seem to speak. I was terrified. I managed to nod my head and sit down on the couch he steered me toward, looking up at him as his hand released my arm to take my hand.
“Just stay hidden. If she knows you’re here then she’ll head straight for the fortress.”
Finally finding my voice, I inquired, “What are you going to do?”
“Help,” he answered, looking into my eyes. “Please, Ella.”
He dropped my hand and strode into the room to my right, leaving me alone. I sat, listening, but couldn’t hear anything. The hall was eerily silent, and I wondered what could be going on outside. There wasn’t a single sound from the room Sayer had gone into, presumably to join Glinda. I passed the time by looking up at the opal ceiling, trying to relax, but it was close to impossible.
After a few minutes, I got up and went downstairs, and back to the sitting room that lead out to the veranda then looked out of the window. The scene that greeted me was incredible and had I been anywhere else, I’d have called bullshit on it, but there was no mistaking what I saw. Griffons. They had the bodies and back legs of lions, with the heads, wings, shoulders, front legs, and talons of eagles. I gaped out of the window, my eyes flicking from the talons to the razor curved beaks of the ones closest. Strangely, they were just hovering level with the upper floor windows, and it wasn’t until I concentrated on the creature at the very front of the assembled force when I realized someone was riding it. I could see their boots, trimmed with what looked to be plate armor, but I couldn’t hear a word of what was being said. The flying things didn’t look like they were going to attack the palace, which was good, but some did have black orbs clutched in their massive claws.
I scanned them, taking in their unusual colors. They ranged from white to black. Black was the prominent color, but most had a primary color mixed in, creating an ombré effect through their feathered manes. All except one, whose feathers were black and tipped with red, and that one had noticed me. It didn’t seem alarmed, merely curious, and it changed direction to look directly at me.
It tilted its head and the light caught its eyes. They were gold. Not yellow or amber, but gold, and they seemed friendly. I don’t know how I knew that, I’d never been an animal person, but it just seemed kind.
I didn’t expect it to land right on the veranda, but it did. And it didn’t break eye contact with me, keeping me rooted to the spot. The creature studied me at a distance, tilting its head from one side to the other as though it recognized me.
The flap of more wings broke the bizarre encounter, as another of the massive creatures joined my new acquaintance. Then the strangest thing happened, before the other bird could look in my direction, it started wolfing down food from the breakfast table. I ducked behind one of the hideous white drapes at the window, hoping I was out of sight, and squeezed my eyes shut.
Sayer had told me to stay put. I’d gone against his order and now I was in a very tricky situation because of it. I didn’t know how long the exchange going on out there would continue and I wasn’t sure I could get out of this room unseen. Not without crawling out on hands and knees anyway.
I
didn’t spend long weighing my options. Sayer had been concerned, and while Glinda didn’t seem too worried, I’d rather not piss her off. I imagined if she started shouting, glassware would shatter. My only option was to crawl back out into the hallway and get back up those stairs before Sayer and Glinda discovered I’d been seen. Sliding to my knees, I began making my way out of the room.
I made it back with seconds to spare. As soon as my butt hit the seat, the door opened. Glinda swept out rubbing her temples. I stood up immediately, hoping she wouldn’t notice I was a bit out of breath after running up those stairs, and looked past her for Sayer.
“That was unnecessarily stressful,” she lamented with a sigh. “Thankfully she has no idea of your presence here, but time is short.”
“How did she even get in here? I thought you had defenses in place?” I asked, only glancing back at her when Sayer stepped out of the room.
“Her weapons pierced the protective barrier I keep over my borders. It will take some time to repair, but that gives you the perfect opportunity to slip out. She will have her spies watching me, not the road.”
I raised my eyebrows. “The road? As in—”
“The yellow brick road—as was, yes,” Sayer clarified. I wondered what ‘as was’ meant. “I will prepare for your journey.”
“Whoa, wait,” I interjected, stepping back and raising both hands. “You’re sending me out there on my own?”
“Of course not, silly girl,” Glinda chided. For the first time she sounded testy, her tone taking on a deeper, scolding quality, but she caught herself immediately, softening her voice and reaching for my hands. “Sayer will escort you to the Ruby Fortress. Once inside, you will have complete control and you can place your fortifications while he returns to me.”
“Fortifications?”
“Yes,” she responded with an impatient sigh. “The fortress lies largely unprotected. The army that protected the fortress in my sister’s lifetime remained, and while they do not answer to the steward of the Ruby Fortress, they respect him. He is neutral, or at least he does not ally with either my sister or myself, and should automatically serve you. He can help you with control of the forces there.”
The Ruby Fortress (Kingdoms Of Oz Book 1) Page 4
