Betrayal

by Lara Morgan

  Nilah was standing in the middle of her sitting room being fussed over by three women fitting her into a dress. She scowled and beckoned her over. ‘Come, stand next to me so they can measure you for some new dresses.’

  ‘What?’ Shaan stopped where she was.

  ‘Don’t gape like a flatna fish. Take off those awful clothes. If you’re going to be my assistant you have to look like a lady of the palace, not some fisherwoman.’

  ‘I’d prefer to buy my own,’ Shaan said.

  ‘I’m sure, but you don’t have a choice. The gods know what you’d buy — more trousers no doubt. Ow!’ She slapped one of the women’s hands as a needle pricked her. ‘You can’t go around the palace dressed like that. Ellie,’ she pushed one of the women off her, ‘help her.’

  ‘Back off,’ Shaan said as the woman started toward her and she stopped, looking from her back to Nilah warily.

  ‘Don’t be difficult, Shaan. I’ve a meeting with the councillors after noon today and you’re coming with me.’

  ‘Already?’

  ‘Why not? Everyone in the palace already knows I’ve taken on one of the Fallen’s descendants as my assistant, so we may as well have you out in the open.’

  ‘Word travels fast,’ Shaan said, and Nilah smiled.

  ‘If I want it to, plus Morfessa can’t be there for some reason he couldn’t explain and I need a set of ears, other than my foot kissers, to listen to what the councillors are really saying.’

  Shaan wondered at Morfessa’s absence; did it have anything to do with Rorc’s plan to go to the Clans? Nilah glared at her and she held up her hands.

  ‘All right.’ She stripped down to her undergarments. At least it would be good to get the salty clothes off.

  The dressmaking took two hours, during which Shaan became increasingly impatient. She had never had any desire for fine dresses or fancy hair ointments, and to have to stand there and be turned this way and that as she was pinned, prodded and generally made to feel like a muthu being measured for a cart harness left her in a foul mood. But even after all that the dresses still had to be sewn, so for the meeting they put her in one of Nilah’s old and hastily altered gowns: a long dress with a light, sweeping skirt and tight bodice. Shaan insisted she keep her knife, strapping it to her thigh under the flowing material.

  Hair brushed and smelling like a flower garden, they were escorted by four guards to the circular council hall in the central courtyard.

  The council meeting ran for nearly three hours and by the end Shaan was exhausted. There had been little food and she’d had to stand behind Nilah’s chair most of the time. Her legs and back were aching and she followed Nilah slowly as they walked back to the Guardian’s apartments.

  Nilah’s face was set in a mask of indifference, but Shaan thought it was a look she was trying hard to maintain. Lorgon and the rest of the council’s treatment of her had been patronising at best. They had barely listened to her. All the talk had centred around punishing the Free Lands diplomat accused of murdering Nilah’s mother and the alleged attacks by Free Lands mercenaries on traders’ caravans. There had been hardly any talk of Azoth, and when Nilah had mentioned him she had been easily manipulated back to worrying over the Free Lands. Lorgon especially had been responsible for that. Shaan had found it hard at one point to decide whether she would rather kick him in the face or shake Nilah until she found some sense. That she couldn’t see how Lorgon led her around by the nose like some tame muthu was hard to believe. Or maybe she did know it but didn’t know how to stop it. Or didn’t have the courage.

  ‘Would you like me to send for some food?’ Shaan asked as they entered Nilah’s sitting room.

  ‘I’m not hungry.’ Nilah sat on the couch.

  ‘Wine, then?’ Shaan poured her a glass, but Nilah made no attempt to pick it up.

  Her brow furrowed as she stared out of the window and paid no attention to her assistant.

  Shaan gave up. ‘I’ll go back to my room,’ she said, and began to go toward the door.

  ‘They have no respect for me,’ Nilah said. Shaan stopped. Nilah’s gaze was bleak and weary. ‘They never have. Do you see the way Lorgon speaks to me? He would not have dared speak so to my mother. And it is worse now Morfessa is absent so often. What did you think of them? Tell me your impressions.’

  Shaan hesitated and Nilah said, ‘Don’t worry about offending me.’

  Shaan rested a hand on her hip. ‘I think Lorgon considers you a foolish child and there seem to be three others there who agree with him. The other five are either undecided or too weak to stand up to him. He assumes too much and you let him.’ She paused as Nilah frowned.

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘I also think you explain things to him when you don’t need to. You should have refused to explain anything and told him to sit down.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Nilah said, ‘but don’t tell me what I should have done. I asked for your opinion, not your advice. I have Morfessa for that.’

  ‘Well, he wasn’t there,’ Shaan said, and the young woman narrowed her eyes.

  ‘You can go now. I’ll call if you’re needed again.’ She walked to the window and turned her back on her. ‘Ask someone to send me some food on your way out.’

  Shaan looked at the girl’s back for a moment then left the apartment. If this was how things were going to be then she could really see no reason to stay. She walked out past Nilah’s guards, back into the central courtyard and through a gate overseen by one barely awake sentry.

  The room she had been given was in a long building in a courtyard at the rear of the palace that was separated from the Guardian’s villa and gardens by a high, thick wall. There was also a bath house and storehouse in the courtyard and behind it an orchard planted against the palace’s outer wall. Shaan could see the orchard from her window and she sat on the bed and stared out at it and the darkening sky, feeling restless. Her head was too full, aching with everything that had happened that day. She felt weary to the bone but could not rest. She’d met her mother. Mailun was real and yet it seemed impossible. She was filled with so many emotions. Frustration, anger, relief, confusion. She didn’t know what she needed a mother for now anyway. What were they supposed to do? They were strangers and she had Tuon and Tallis.

  She got up and went to the door. She needed air. She went into the orchard and wandered among the trees. The ground was soggy underfoot and the air unsettled, smelling of damp and spent blossom. She walked to and fro, deep in thought, the skirt of her dress becoming wetter and wetter, and almost didn’t hear Balkis when he called her name.

  She stopped, startled, and turned to see him walking toward her, stooping to avoid the low branches of the trees. Her heart leaped and thudded hard in her chest. She’d forgotten he would be coming. Stepping out into the narrow path between the groves she watched him approach.

  ‘How did you find me?’ she said when he reached her.

  He smiled. ‘It took me a while; they told me they thought you would be in with the Guardian still. She was not in a good mood when I stopped to ask.’

  ‘I’m surprised you got past the door,’ Shaan said. ‘She had a meeting with the council.’

  He nodded. ‘That explains a lot.’ His gaze went to her clothes. ‘Nice dress.’ He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking.

  ‘Nilah’s idea.’ She batted at the skirt. ‘She says I have to be properly attired for the palace and council meetings.’

  ‘And how did you find it?’

  She shrugged. ‘A bunch of overfed merchants, most of them with little idea about what really goes on outside the palace.’

  ‘How did I know you would say that?’ He looked amused.

  ‘Maybe because it’s true.’

  He gestured toward the path. ‘Walk?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  He stepped back to let her go between two close-growing branches first and then they walked side by side between the fragrant trees. It felt strange to be strolling beside him in the ga
rden of the Guardian’s palace. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked.

  ‘Nothing.’

  He chuckled softly. ‘You think this is strange,’ he said, ‘meeting like this.’

  ‘I thought somewhere else would be better.’

  He watched his boots strike through the wet grass. ‘What do you suggest? Should we meet in the central courtyard where others are present? Would that make you feel safer?’

  ‘Safer from who?’ Shaan said. ‘You or other people?’

  He glanced sideways at her with a smile and leaned toward her to push aside a low-hanging branch. ‘If you want my help with palace affairs, we can’t meet in public; there are too many ears listening. I’m sure the council wouldn’t like to hear you discussing private meeting matters with me.’

  ‘I suppose not.’

  His hand lightly touched the small of her back as she went ahead and Shaan had the faintest feeling she was being carefully corralled, but wasn’t sure how to stop it.

  ‘So,’ he said, beside her again, ‘what went on in your first meeting?’

  ‘From what I saw our Guardian has little to no control over her council and that fat one, Lorgon, wants to keep it that way.’

  ‘Sounds like Lorgon.’ His voice was dry with dislike.

  ‘You know him?’

  He smiled without humour. ‘You could say that. Our families have no love for each other. Councillor Festus Lorgon and his kin have few interests beyond power and wealth.’

  Shaan sensed there was more to the enmity than different interests, but Balkis didn’t elaborate. Thunder rumbled somewhere overhead and they both paused. Shaan’s hair lifted as a cool breeze stirred then disappeared and she saw a flash of lightning cut the sky over the hills. A storm was brewing inland.

  She took in a long breath of the suddenly cooler air. ‘I love this weather,’ she said without thinking. ‘That moment before a storm breaks.’

  Balkis stood very close to her. ‘So do I. It’s the anticipation. All that energy in the air, waiting.’ She looked up at him. All around was a brooding stillness and thick clouds had reduced the light to an evening softness. His blue eyes were darker in the dimming light and she felt a breathless tremor shiver between them. The moment lasted a heartbeat, a lifetime, then thunder sounded again. They both turned and began to walk back toward the shelter of the palace.

  ‘So, what was the meeting for?’ Balkis said after a step as if nothing had happened. ‘Did they talk about the Free Lands diplomat?’

  She took a surreptitious breath then said, ‘They decided to execute him.’

  ‘Execute?’ He stopped. ‘But they haven’t held a trial.’

  ‘And I don’t think they plan to.’

  His expression was troubled. ‘Didn’t the Guardian try to stop it?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m not sure she wanted to. She let Lorgon make practically all the decisions.’

  Balkis frowned. ‘Rorc will not be pleased to hear this.’ Almost absent-mindedly he put an arm around her shoulders and drew her to walk on again, then let it fall. ‘What else did they decide on? Did they mention the Fallen at all?’

  ‘Hardly, and then only as if he’s a distant threat.’

  ‘This is Lorgon’s ambition.’ Balkis frowned. ‘He’s greedy. He wants a war with the Free Lands so he can regain control of the mines on the other side of the Goran Ranges. That’s what this is all about. His family used to own them and wants them back.’

  ‘Three of the other councillors applauded him every time he opened his mouth,’ Shaan said.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘I’m not sure of their names.’

  ‘Find out. If you’re going to council meetings you’re of an interest to them and no doubt, being so close to the Guardian, they’ll try to manipulate you.’

  ‘They can try,’ she said.

  ‘The palace is a very different place from the streets, Shaan. You can’t trust anything said here because there will always be a reason behind it.’

  ‘Sounds just like the streets to me.’

  ‘Maybe, but here differences can’t be settled in a knife fight. You’re more likely to find yourself manipulated into a berth on the next ship to the Floating Isles. Slow, agonising deaths are more the court’s speed than quick bloody ones.’

  ‘Unless you’re the Guardian,’ Shaan replied.

  Balkis didn’t answer that and they walked some more in silence. Then he said, ‘With things as they are it would be very helpful for the Commander to know exactly what is going on in the council meetings.’

  ‘You mean you want me to be your spy?’

  ‘Something like that.’

  ‘Tallis told me Rorc would ask you to talk to me about this.’

  ‘Did he? Well, don’t you think it’s a good idea? Lorgon is the Nine’s representative and Rorc doesn’t believe he tells him exactly what goes on in the council meetings. In fact, he’s sure he doesn’t.’

  ‘So he thinks I would be the perfect person to tell him what Lorgon doesn’t,’ Shaan said. ‘Is this an order from the Faithful?’

  ‘Well, I wouldn’t consider it a request,’ Balkis said. ‘But don’t worry. The Faithful look after their own.’

  ‘I’ve heard,’ Shaan replied, and he looked at her sideways.

  ‘Working for the Faithful is an honour and I’ll be here if you need me.’

  ‘I suppose I shouldn’t worry then.’

  They reached the door and he paused with his hand on the latch. ‘I didn’t say that. Apart from what Rorc is asking, you need to be careful, Shaan. The Guardian’s decision to place you here isn’t a popular one. Already I’ve heard rumours that you won’t last long. Few like knowing a descendant of the Fallen has the Guardian’s ear.’

  ‘Yes, they despise and fear me for what I am,’ she said, ‘yet refuse to acknowledge how dangerous Azoth is. They’ll still be debating it when he brings his army to slaughter them.’ Her fingers tingled and an ache started to thud across the back of her skull.

  ‘Not everyone despises you,’ he said. ‘To many of the people in the city you and Tallis have become almost gods yourselves. The story of your abduction and how he saved you has become a legend in the streets. Those who believe most strongly in the old gods see you as heroes. Some even believe you and Tallis are the only ones who can stop Azoth now the serpents are gone.’

  Heroes? Shaan shook her head and looked away. Those damned market tales. She had accessed the Birthstone and brought back a god; she was hardly a hero.

  ‘If there’s a way to stop Azoth, I don’t know what it is,’ she said. ‘Not yet, anyway.’

  ‘Maybe Rorc can unite the Clans and together we can stop him. And then there’s Tallis.’

  ‘He’s not as strong as he thinks,’ Shaan said, suddenly afraid for him. ‘Not as strong as Azoth.’

  ‘Not yet.’ Balkis leaned on the door. ‘Has he decided to go with Rorc?’

  ‘Not yet,’ she echoed.

  ‘Shaan?’ He took hold of her arm. ‘You’re not thinking of going, are you?’

  She pulled out of his grip. ‘If I do it’s up to me, Balkis. You’re not my keeper.’

  Annoyance drew lines in his face. ‘It could be dangerous,’ he said. ‘The Clans are warlike, they’re —’

  ‘My people as well,’ she said. ‘I was born there, don’t forget that.’

  He paused and the anger in his eyes became something else. ‘How can I? You’re becoming more like your brother every day. Sometimes, your eyes look darker than before. More like —’ He stopped and she felt a flicker of anger as she guessed why.

  ‘More like Azoth’s?’ she said.

  ‘But not like him,’ he said quickly, ‘you’re not like him, Shaan.’ A hand strayed to her wrist but she pulled away.

  ‘I’m tired,’ she spoke coldly. ‘I have to go back inside, Nilah might be looking for me.’

  But he didn’t move. ‘I don’t think of you that way,’ he said. ‘You know that.’ He stepped closer and put a
hand on her shoulder and slowly ran his fingers down until they clasped her own. ‘I care for you, Shaan; what do I have to do to prove it?’

  Her blood was pumping too fast through her veins, with anger and with something else, but she was tired, too tired.

  ‘Open the door, please, Balkis.’ She didn’t step away but she also didn’t return the pressure of his hand. She felt as if she were strung as tight as wire. He dropped his hand and opened the door.

  ‘After you,’ he said, and she went through, feeling him following close behind. When he closed the door she was unable to see him properly in the sudden dimness of the corridor.

  ‘Do you want me to come back tomorrow?’ he said quietly.

  No, she wanted to say, but also yes and stay with me now. Instead she said, ‘It depends on what Nilah has planned.’

  He half smiled. ‘Send me a message if you need me then,’ he said. ‘I’ll be in the yards.’ He turned and walked away and she watched him until he was out of sight.

  Chapter 13

  Shaan was in bed when the knock came at her door. Rolling over, bleary from sleep, she hauled herself up and threw a robe over her nakedness. A servant stood outside.

  ‘Sorry,’ she whispered, ‘the Guardian sent me. She wants you.’

  ‘Now?’ Shaan stared at her.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘All right. Tell her I’m coming.’ Shaan shut the door. It was the middle of the night; what could Nilah want? She dressed and went barefooted to the Guardian’s apartment.

  ‘What took you so long?’ Nilah was drinking, her cheeks pink, her hair a tangled mess.

  ‘I was asleep,’ Shaan said. ‘What’s the matter?’

  But Nilah didn’t answer right away. She took another sip of wine and began to pace. Shaan sat down on one of the couches and tried to focus.

  ‘Shaan, I’m going to have to do something,’ Nilah said, her eyes over-bright. ‘I’ve got to make a decision, bring back the council’s faith in me.’

  ‘Right now?’

  Nilah narrowed her eyes. ‘Obviously not right now. Tomorrow, I’m going to call a meeting, make an announcement.’