Clara

by Suzanna J. Linton

“Thank you, Clara,” he said. “You helped beautifully. I would suggest practicing that technique every day so that you can do it without my assistance. Generals, prepare your men. We will meet the Tierans. When Asher's army arrives, he will not be able to stand against us.” He rapped his knuckles against the table. “Meeting adjourned.”

  Clara stared at the map, horror mounting in her throat as the men bowed and left. Looking up, she found herself alone with Marduk.

  “It seems we will be moving up that ball,” Marduk said. “That shouldn't be a problem, though, hmm?”

  She shook her head.

  He furrowed his brow. “Are you all right, my dear?”

  Clara forced a smile and nodded.

  “A little after effect from the vision, I suppose?”

  She nodded again.

  “Why don't you retire, then? I will call you if I have need of you again.”

  She nodded and curtsied. Just as she reached the door, Marduk said, “It will all turn out right in the end. Don't worry, Clara. The Academy is here. If a horde of wizards and magicians can't take down a rebel army, then I don't see how we're any use at all.”

  She turned slightly and nodded, smiling, though she felt sick to her stomach and barely looked around her on the way back to her chambers.

  Emmerich allowed himself to be tended and cared for by the Sisters. After a se'ennight of their care, the stitches were removed from his side, though they advised him to continue to rest. That night, he attempted his escape.

  He stole bread and water from the kitchen and slipped out the back gate of the garden. The district outside the city walls was the absolute poorest, so he was unsurprised to find drunks and prostitutes loitering in the street beyond. Stepping over a puddle of piss and excrement, he walked down the street.

  He got little over a yard down when one of the “drunks” suddenly stood, the ragged cloak falling away to reveal the scarlet tunic of the army.

  “Going somewhere?” the soldier asked.

  Emmerich stopped, weighing the odds, when a shuffle drew his attention. All of the people on the street were standing and watching. They weren't drunks and prostitutes. They were soldiers sent to guard the House.

  Emmerich looked back at the soldier facing him. “No,” he said. “I'm not going anywhere.”

  “Then I suggest you return to the Healing House.”

  He nodded and retraced his steps back into the house. Dropping the bread and water on the table, he turned to go to his room, only to find Sister Rose standing in the hallway.

  “I'm sorry,” she said, “but you can't leave until his Majesty sends for you.”

  “It doesn't bother you in the slightest what he's doing? What he's done to the people here? He's murdered and corrupted. He changes people's bodies to suit his own perverted ends. And this does not concern you?”

  “It isn't my place to be concerned.”

  “Not your place? How is it anything but your place? This is a House of Healing. It is your job to tend and care.” The blood fell from his face as an idea formed in his mind. “No.”

  “If you're thinking that we assist his Majesty in his experiments by finding him specimens with which to work, then you are correct.”

  “That's monstrous.”

  “His Majesty wants to create a better world.” Her face flushed and something akin to joy filled her eyes. “A world free of pain and anguish, in which people are free to be who and what they truly are within. His Majesty is offering that.”

  “We encountered those that he supposedly set free. They despised their existence and sought death.”

  She shook her head. “That is not true. We do such great good here, Emmerich. And we are proud to be a part of it. Now, I believe you need to return to bed. You do not look well.”

  He didn't argue. Breathing carefully around the agony in his side, he let the sister guide him back to bed, feeling as if the world was breaking up around him and everything was beyond his control.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Marduk entered the menagerie, Erin following close behind him. The animals in their cages watched him with wary eyes as he passed and the wizards tending to them bowed low. Though he smiled at the workers, Marduk spoke to no one as he went to the ironbound door, running his hand over the lock and muttering the words to open it.

  Marduk went to stand at the edge of the circle while Erin closed the door behind them.

  “Is everything ready?” Marduk asked.

  “The supplies have all arrived, your Majesty.”

  “And have the students completed the translation?”

  “Yes, your Majesty. Our scholars are checking it now but it appears to be accurate.”

  Marduk took a deep, shaky breath. “I've been looking forward to this day since I was an apprentice. And, now, it is nearly here.”

  “Your Majesty, if I may be so bold–”

  “You know I never discourage boldness, dear boy.”

  Erin smiled. “Yes. But why her, your Majesty? I've read and re-read the manuscripts but I still don't understand.”

  “The vessel is inconsequential. I could go pick up a gibbering idiot out of the gutter for all that it mattered. But she can pierce the veil of time at a level few entertain. It makes her more open to spirits and energy.”

  “So, it's preferring a jar with a wide mouth rather than a jar with a narrow mouth?”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes.” He began to walk the circle, looking at the chest.

  “When will the ceremony take place, your Majesty?”

  “Asher's army couldn't have picked a better time. It's given me an excuse to move up the ball. On that night, there will be a star alignment that will aid the ceremony.”

  “There's a rumor that the rebellion has something planned for that night.”

  “Let them plan. Let them scheme.” He returned to his starting point. “They have already lost.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The days leading up to the ball passed in a blur. The king decreed it would be a masquerade ball, so Clara found herself having to choose among a plethora of masks and costumes. She finally settled for a deep blue gown and a white mask painted with blue stars and adorned with blue feathers.

  She made no other contact with Jarrett beyond speaking with him about her daily routine. He never mentioned their trip to menagerie and she didn't let on to how many nightmares it had given her. Nightmares that made the dreams she had still on occasion, about Dwervin, and her first few months of slavery, look pleasant. It seemed as if every night, she awoke in a cold sweat.

  Clara also practiced the technique of using a map as a focus to hone her skills. She once spent an entire hour staring at a map of Tier, trying to foresee what the king there intended to do. But, it felt as if something blocked her, and she succeeded only in giving herself a colossal headache.

  And, always right before bed, Clara read aloud to herself in a soft voice. She wasn't sure if she was strengthening it or making it sure it didn't vanish from disuse. She wasn't sure why she hadn't revealed her ability to speak to Marduk. She only felt as if it would be a very bad idea.

  The day of the ball dawned bright and clear. Clara stood at her balcony, watching the activity of the city below. Word had come at midnight: to everyone's surprise, Asher's army was a day's ride away. Soldiers were scurrying to perfect the fortifications. No one had heard from the companies sent to engage the Tieran companies.

  “My lady.”

  She turned. Kat curtsied deeply.

  “His Majesty wishes to see you,” she said. “He is in the hall. May I show him in?”

  Clara nodded, following Kat as far as the couch and chairs in the sitting area. Marduk, in his red robes, strode into the room and took her hands.

  “You look lovely this morning,” he said, kissing her hands.

  Clara forced a smile and gestured, inviting him to sit. She sat in an armchair while he took the couch nearest her.

  “My lady,” he said, “I must kno
w if you've had any more visions?”

  She shook her head.

  “That is unfortunate. The generals weren't expecting Asher to arrive so very quickly. We can only assume he pushed his men especially hard.”

  Clara wrote on her slate, “What of the men from Tier?”

  “Still no word. I've had my Farseers search but King Precene has talented magic workers of his own. They've blocked my Farseers. They'll break through eventually but, for the moment, we are blind. This could also explain the speed of Asher's march. Precene may have aided him.” Marduk sighed. “There are those who wish for me to cancel the ball. Many courtiers have started to leave, though I assure them that they are safe.” He smiled. “You won't leave, will you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Do you think I should carry on with this ball business?”

  She thought for a moment and then wrote, “It would be good for morale.”

  “It would, wouldn't it? Well, then, I suppose it's settled. But, tomorrow the fighting will start, no doubt. Listen to Captain Jarrett. Do everything he instructs.”

  She nodded.

  “I must go and oversee the fortifications.” He stood and she followed suit. “Do you wish to know what I had done with Emmerich's remains? If you wished to pay your respects?”

  Clara nodded slowly.

  “I had him cremated. His ashes are in a niche in the Chapel of Penances. We inter all the prisoners there. Perhaps you should go there today?”

  She thought about it for a moment before nodding. It seemed appropriate.

  “I'll leave you now, then, my lady.”

  Clara nodded, staring off to the side as she considered his words. She barely noticed his leaving.

  “My lady?” asked Katerina. “Is there something I can get you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Would you like to go to the Chapel?”

  She hesitated and nodded.

  The Chapel of Penances sat on the far western end of the Palace. Tall double doors covered in silver plates depicting the creation of the world served as the chapel's entrance.

  “I'll wait out here for you, my lady,” Kat said.

  Clara nodded as a soldier pulled open a door for her. Two went ahead of her.

  The chapel was dim. Mosaics covered the marble floor. Glancing down, she thought she could make out depictions of souls on their way to the Heavenly Court for judgment. Above, angels and spirits danced amid a violent array of clouds with glimpses of something brighter and greater peeking through. Large windows faced the north, and the worshiper faced east as he entered.

  The altar and candles were shrouded in shadow, though several candles had been lit around the giant statue of the Mother holding up the Son. The Child's right hand was raised in blessing and in the left He held a palm branch. At the Great Lady's feet stood a pair of scales.

  Clara studied their benign faces for a moment before turning to her right, where countless urns sat in niche after niche from ceiling to floor. Emmerich's sat nearest to the door. A single candle burned in a sconce beside it, no doubt left by an attentive acolyte. She placed a rose in the waiting vase beneath the niche. With tentative fingers, she traced the curve of the alabaster urn.

  Her throat closed as the familiar anger burned in her heart. Glancing around, she saw the guards had withdrawn as far as they could, to give her privacy.

  Leaning forward, she whispered, “If I let Dwervin die, then what can be so hard about outright killing a man? I'll avenge you, Emmerich. I'm so sorry I left you. But I'm going to make it up to you. I swear it.” And she kissed the cold stone.

  Why, when he was gone from her forever, did she finally realize just what he had meant to her? This liar, this murderer, this man who had stolen her heart?

  “Are you ready?” Sister Rose asked.

  It was evening. The sky had turned into shades of blue, purple, and pink. Pink and white clouds streaked across the sky. Emmerich adjusted the belt over his elaborately embroidered tunic.

  Everything he wore was black, except for the bright gold embroidery depicting hearts worked into grape vines and leaves on his tunic. He picked up the black and gold full facemask and pulled it on.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “Good.” She led him out of the room in the main meeting room.

  A wizard awaited them. “Emmerich, my name is Erin. Please hold still.”

  He raised a hand and intoned words in a low voice. His hand glowed a soft shade of blue as Emmerich felt something lay across him. The hair stood on the back of his neck. The blue light faded and Erin lowered his hand.

  “The charm I have just laid will prevent you from speaking, in case you wish to try to warn Lady Clara. It will also keep you from removing your mask. This way, please.”

  As soon as Erin turned his back, Emmerich tried to remove his mask. Pain, white and blinding, exploded over him. He found himself, shaking and gasping, on the floor. Erin looked down at him with an amused expression.

  “Quite done testing the leash?” he asked. “Come along, or we will be late.”

  Emmerich stumbled to his feet and followed Erin outside to the carriage. With a jerk and a clatter, they began to go down the street.

  “His Majesty wishes for you to mingle in the crowd. Dance, if you wish. You may even approach Lady Clara. But that is all. You will be collected when the time is right.” Erin adjusted his own costume: a brilliant emerald and yellow tunic and trousers. He picked up an emerald and yellow mask. “Her ladyship will be in blue and white. Her mask is white with blue stars.”

  Emmerich smiled at hearing that. Clara had chosen his colors to wear. Could it be that she was still for them?

  Carriages were streaming into the Palace. They were allowed through the gates with minimal fuss but it still took time for the line to move them to the main gates. Footmen opened the carriage door and lowered the steps. They climbed out.

  “I will take you to the ballroom,” said Erin, “but then I must leave you.”

  He led Emmerich through the crowd. It had been a long time since he had last been to the Palace and he saw that little had changed. He even recognized many of the courtiers, lords, and ladies. The crowd wasn't as large as he expected. As he and Erin weaved through the people, he heard several speaking about the great army camped a day's ride away.

  Asher had finally come. It made sense, then, if many of the nobles had left. It was very arrogant for Marduk to be having the ball. Or brave, depending on how one looked at it.

  The ballroom was long and wide, lit with thousands of smokeless lanterns. A long row of enchanted chandeliers floated above the crowd. On one side was a row of floor to ceiling windows with doors interspersed between them, looking out onto a veranda and formal gardens lit with more lanterns. Erin gave Emmerich a mocking bow before disappearing into the crowd.

  Emmerich began to walk around the perimeter of the room, trying to ascertain what Marduk's aim was, bringing him here. Was he mocking him? Torturing him? He stopped beside a marble column, facing a sweeping staircase. He looked up at the top, and waited.

  “Aren't you excited?” asked Katerina, breathless. She wore a gorgeous white and pink gown. Her mask had a bird's bill and was decorated with pink and white plumes.

  Clara nodded, adjusting her mask yet again. They were walking to the anteroom behind the staircase down which she and Marduk would descend.

  Guards opened the doors to the anteroom. Marduk and Erin turned to her. They seemed to have been in deep discussion over something but the slightly anxious look on Marduk's face was wiped away on seeing her.

  “Clara,” he said, “you look like a vision.”

  Marduk looked like a nightmare. He wore a red and black tunic over black trousers and the red and black mask he held had fangs. Closer inspection revealed it to be a mockery of a lion's head. He couldn't have looked any more like a demon if he tried. He took her hand and kissed it.

  “Well, I suppose with you here, we can begin?”

  Er
in said, “All of the guests have arrived.” He quirked his lips a little as he said it and Clara wondered what was so amusing.

  “Then, shall we?” Marduk slipped on the mask and held out his arm. “I'm afraid we're going to be announced, which rather ruins the effect of the masks, but it doesn't ruin everyone else's fun, thankfully.”

  He led her out onto the landing, bringing her to the edge of the balcony. A herald blew a horn and cried, “Lords and ladies! His Royal Majesty and the Court Seer.”

  Everyone below knelt as they descended down the stairs. Clara looked over the crowd, her fingers twitching as she remembered the dagger she had secreted into her bodice. As her eyes swept over the people, they landed on a man half-hidden behind a pillar. He wore black and gold and did not kneel.

  Who could that be? she wondered.

  Chapter Forty

  When Clara descended the stairs, Emmerich's mouth went dry. He watched her, following at a discrete distance in the crowd, as Marduk paraded her from one end of the ballroom to the other, so people could bow and curtsy. When the music struck up, he danced the opening dance with her. Emmerich watched with clenched fists.

  After that, Marduk went to find other dance partners. A woman in pink and white joined Clara, speaking to her on occasion. A man asked Clara to dance and the woman urged her to take him up on the offer. She accepted and, after that, the offers came one after another.

  When the fifth or sixth man came, she shook her head, smiling and pointed to one of the chairs lining the wall. Curtsying, she went to sit while the woman attending her tried to fight her way to one of the punch bowls.

  Emmerich had been waiting for this moment, though, and secured a goblet quickly. He took it to her, handing it over with a gallant bow.

  Clara smiled from him and took it, nodding her thank you while avoiding his eyes. Emmerich bowed again and walked away, but he continued to watch her. The attendant appeared puzzled when she returned only to find her mistress with a goblet.