“I found her in the south wine cellar,” Ansel intervened. “She seemed to have gotten herself locked in somehow. It was quite muddy in there as a cask was leaking. All’s well, Lali. If you could help her clean up, I’d like to show her the grounds. I’ll wait.”
I mouthed a thank you to him.
“Certainly, Lord Ansel. As you wish. Please have some cakes. Begging your pardon, my lord, if I had known you were going to be here I would have brought more — the raisin ones that you like so much — and another cup, and wine from the cellar, not watered. I can run and get more if it please you, Lord.”
“Thank you, Lali. I’m fine. I can share Amáne’s cup. Watered wine will do. Just see if you can make her presentable quickly, please.” He smiled and winked. She blushed, curtsying several times as she steered me into the bathing room.
Closing the door behind her, she grabbed a linen, soaked it in the basin and began scrubbing me as she bantered on. “Make you presentable? Well that makes my job very easy indeed, as even in sack cloth, you would look presentable. You are that beautiful.”
I closed my eyes and silently bore her compliments. She went on to ask what fragrance I wore that was so delightfully spicy. I didn’t answer, which didn’t seem to bother her, She’d already moved on to another topic.
Noticing my red eyes when she finished cleaning my face, she handed me a linen soaked in an infusion of marigold herb. She instructed me to hold it over my eyes. They were soothed immediately. She then directed her efforts to my hair and my gown.
Unaccustomed to being waited on, I kept trying to help her. She repeatedly brushed my hands away, finally admonishing, “Mistress Amáne, will you let me do my job? Lord Ansel has personally asked me to clean you up. I take his request to heart. It is my duty to oblige. Now keep your hands away and stay still so I can do as he has asked.”
I gave up and obeyed her instructions. I did nothing but hold the marigold-infused linen over my eyes.
At last she stood back and admired her accomplishment. “Now you are fit to accompany Lord Ansel.” She beamed. “Yes, his eyes do shine when he says your name — but his face glows when he’s in your presence. I have never seen him so happy and I’ve worked in his household since he was a young boy.”
This was not what I needed to hear right now, but I managed a smile.
Then with incredible insight, she looked into my eyes and said, “I know you will, in due time, make the right decision.” My heart fluttered. I inhaled sharply, unable to respond.
She took my hand and led me back into the room, pulling me in front of Ansel. She was right, his face did glow when he looked at me. I blushed and couldn’t meet his eyes. I looked down as Lali delighted in his approval.
“Lali, I marvel at your skills. You’ve made her even more ravishing.” He was taunting me, but he knew he was safe from my wrath in front of Lali. We had an agreement that he would not offer me compliments, but since he broke his end of the of the deal, there was no call for me to keep mine. With a glare in his direction, I crossed one leg behind me in a deep curtsy.
“Thank you, my lord.” I said with great emphasis, knowing he would be just as irritated. I straightened up and flashed him a ‘pleased-with-myself’ smile.
“Touché,” he said with a slight tilt of his head.
Lali just looked from him to me. She opened her mouth to comment, but was cut short by a knock on the door.
“Amáne. It’s the Healer and Gallen. Are you in there?”
Lali rushed to the door and opened it. “Lady Healer, Sir Gallen, please enter. I’m so pleased to see you again today.” She backed up gesturing for them to enter.
“Oh dear,” Lali looked at me and lamented, “I had no idea your chambers would be so popular.” She dragged a chair from the far wall over to the table, and Gallen pulled the large chair in the corner. “Please excuse me,” she said, “I must get more cakes and wine.”
Thinking it was probably better than to try and stop her, I nodded my assent, as she rushed out of the room. I then turned to the Healer and Gallen and hugged them warmly.
“I’m sorry, Healer, I didn’t intend to wait so long since my arrival to find you.”
“It’s okay, Amáne, I’ve spoken with Calder and Avano and I’m aware of the reason for your delay.” She threw a disapproving look at Ansel who had stood up to greet them.
He looked down, genuinely contrite. “Yes ... well, poor decision and poor timing on my part ... once again. I’ve already apologized profusely and she may forgive me eventually. I hope you weren’t too harsh on Calder and Avano. I’ll take full responsibility.”
At least this time his poor decision was not something that was detrimental to the throne, or to his life, I thought. Naturally, the Healer would forgive him immediately. She turned to me and read my face. Assured that I was fine, the Healer shook her head, but then smiled her forgiveness.
We sat at the table nibbling at the cakes while I told them about my encounter with Kalonice. They were not surprised at my account, as her reputation for trouble was already known to them.
Ansel changed the subject. He asked me to open my gift. Lali had placed it back upon my bed. It was a large package wrapped in a soft red fabric. I untied the ribbons and unrolled the fabric to reveal a beautiful gown in Serislan silk.
It was a rich green silk brocade overskirt, with slashing on the sleeves that were ornately decorated with ribbons and various jewels. The neckline and bodice were also adorned with jewels. It had a light green underskirt that complemented the dark green. The gown was a work of art.
I was speechless. I held it up to myself with my mouth open, looking from Ansel to the Healer to Gallen. The three of them enjoyed my various facial contortions.
“I ... ah ... Ansel ... what were you thinking? It’s exquisite, but I don’t want to be a showcase like I was at the Life Celebration Gathering. This is much too extravagant for me.”
“Nonsense!” They all said at the same time.
“Amáne,” said the Healer, “It is beautiful, but it’s not too much. You have no idea of the rivalry you will be witnessing tomorrow night. Every lady will be trying to outdo the others. They will be wearing all their finest to show off their wealth.”
“But I have no wealth.”
“You’re here as my guest, Amáne. Think of it as showing off my wealth — please — it’s my birthday, after all.” It was not within my power to resist those green eyes. “Open the other bag,” he said, thrilled with my reaction to his gift.
I picked up a red velvet pouch that accompanied the gown. It weighed heavy in my hand. I nervously loosened the drawstring. Wrapped in a piece of silk was a magnificent necklace and matching earrings. Pearls and large green stones, cut to sparkle like nothing I’d ever seen. Emeralds. Completing the set was a circlet — which is worn around the head. A smaller emerald pendant dangled, designed to hang on the forehead.
I forgot to breathe.
“It was my mother’s,” Ansel said, “— my real mother.”
“Queen Fiala?” My hands began to tremble. I quickly put the jewelry back in the bag and handed it to Ansel. “No, I will not accept this, Ansel. I — don’t know what to say. With all due respect, thank you, but how could I ever wear this? It’s not my place. Besides, I would probably lose it or break it or ...”
I looked at the Healer for help and I saw sadness in her eyes. Surely it was for her relative that now rested with her ancestors. Queen Fiala was the Healer’s sister’s great granddaughter. She was killed with her husband, King Emeric of the House of Drekinn, when the royal apartments at Castle Teravinea were destroyed by an explosion and fire. The work of King Galtero.
The Healer met my eyes and gave a nod to go ahead and accept the jewelry. She was apparently already aware that Ansel wanted me to have it.
“I can’t ... would you agree to just let me wear it tomorrow to please you? But then I ask that you take it back and keep it in a safe place. I have no use for any such extravagance
in Dorsal. I’ll wear it again at your coronation or your next birthday, or whenever you want me to, but please don’t make me keep it as mine.”
“Such the negotiator,” Ansel laughed. “I suppose I’ll have to concede to your agreement, for now.”
I walked over, put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, “Thank you for such beautiful gifts. You’re too generous. I don’t deserve it, but I appreciate all of it.”
I wiped a tear off my face. I carefully laid the gown back on the bed just as Lali rushed into the room bringing a large tray with more cups, wine and cakes with raisins. She eyed the gown approvingly, then proceeded to fuss over us as we caught each other up on our trips. Being mindful, of course, of what we allowed Lali to hear.
Lali showed me where she had put my satchel before she excused herself to another errand and left the room.
A wave of panic coursed through me when I recalled how rough I’d been with my bags when I first arrived. What if my angry actions had broken the goblet that I agonized over for so long — after it had actually survived the destruction of my mother’s studio? I would be devastated if that were the case. I pulled it out and felt through the fabric that surrounded it. I breathed a sigh of relief that I’d wrapped it securely for the flight. It appeared to have survived even my fury. I recited a small song of thanks in my head.
Perching on the edge of the chair nearest Ansel, I handed him my package. It was my turn to be excited as I watched him open his gift. He studied the wrapping to decide how he wanted to remove it. Finally, he pulled his dagger and carefully cut the ribbon holding the fabric. The wrap fell to the table, revealing my goblet.
He inhaled sharply. “Now I’m the one that must say to you that you shouldn’t have gotten me something so costly. Amáne, I can’t let you spend this kind of money on me.”
I laughed, “I didn’t spend any money on it, Ansel. I made it.”
I enjoyed the incredulous look on his boyish face. His green eyes opened wide as he tilted his head in wonder. He set the goblet on the table and leaned back to admire it.
“Look at the jewels in the dragons’ eyes.” He whispered in admiration.
“I got that idea from you, when you made me my walking stick.”
“And this dragon with the golden eyes looks like Eshshah. Who’s her friend?”
I shrugged. “I just wanted to put two dragons on it.”
He leaned toward me and gave me a kiss on both cheeks. He hesitated, his eyes on my lips, but fortunately he didn’t go there. Of course, the color rose in my face.
“Thank you, Amáne. It’s beautiful. I love the fact that you made this for me. You have a great talent with clay.”
“It’s in my blood. I enjoyed making it for you.”
“Let’s see if this art piece is as functional as it is beautiful.” He winked at me, knowing I would recognize those were the same words I’d used when he gave me the walking stick.
Pouring some wine into our cups and then his goblet, he held it up and proposed a toast. We all raised our cups to health, happiness and the throne.
Ansel took me on a tour of his estate, as promised. He described the activities and events planned for the guests the next day. He teased that I should enter the sword fighting competition and put all the men to shame. Truth was, none of the dragon riders would be competing. They kept a low profile and made it a point to direct no attention toward themselves. Some riders are still known for who they were when their dragons lived. But in these days not many were remembered and that was how they wished it to remain — at least until Ansel could assume his throne.
We rode to the field at the Arevale Outpost so I could see Eshshah. I missed her physical touch. It didn’t feel right that she was stuck at the outpost and couldn’t join me at the manor. I longed for the day when our secret would be loosed.
I kissed Eshshah goodbye. Ansel and I rode back toward the manor where he showed me the beautiful gardens and explained his new venture into sericulture — silk farming. He took pride in his new endeavor. Because of his enthusiastic explanations, I found the process of making silk fascinating. Except I did become a bit squeamish when he showed me the silkworm larvae feeding on mulberry leaves. Unlike my acquaintance, Fiona, I’d never had any interest in silk, but I could now appreciate the fabric and the beautiful silk products that Serislan is known for.
That afternoon more than made up for the horrible start of my day. There was so much to draw my attention away from my problems. I had the opportunity to relax and take in the charms of the estate, and for that matter, the charms of my host. Though my emotions were pulling me in every direction, he made no attempts to test my resolve. I could tell he tried to make up for the prank he had pulled on me.
Later that night, I went with the other riders back to the Arevale field so they could meet Eshshah. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking as I watched them greet my dragon. Some touched her gently, some hugged her and some just stood in front of her and drank in her beauty, each lost in their own memories. Eshshah hummed with satisfaction at their compliments.
Lali woke me early on the day of the ball, as I had requested. The banquet would take place in the early part of the evening, followed by the ball.
The Healer decided she wanted to go into the township of Trivingar and speak again with the local herbalist. They had become acquainted earlier in the week and she wished to visit once more to continue their exchange in the healing arts.
I had no interest in the other activities at the manor. I didn’t know how to play Pall Mall, a game where you hit a ball with a mallet through two iron arches. Nor was I interested in tennis, where you hit a ball with a racket over a net. Some of the guests were going hawking, which did interest me, but I was too shy to want to mingle with anyone. There was also the chance of accidentally running into Kalonice. I chose to accompany the Healer. On our way back, we swung by to visit Eshshah in the field. This was the first occasion that had ever required our separation for any amount of time. It helped relieve some of my anxiety, even though the visit was brief.
Lali had implored me to be back to my chambers no later than noon so she could dress me for the evening festivities. Truthfully, why she thought she needed so much time to get me ready, I had no idea. How long could it take to throw on the green silk gown and brush and braid my hair? But, I gave her my word that I would return in plenty of time. I found her pacing the floor when I returned to my chambers, even though I was sure I hadn’t delayed.
Before the door had closed behind me, she began, “Mistress Amáne, I’ve drawn your bath, please go straight in and I’ll be there momentarily.”
I lay back, languishing in the hot aromatic water, when Lali came in to help me. In a panic I realized that my linking marks were exposed. I quickly moved my left arm across my chest to put my hand over Eshshah’s linking mark, and crossed my ankles to hide my other mark. I feigned modesty and finally convinced her to leave the room.
A bit offended, she said, “It’s not like you have anything that I’ve not already seen. It’s to your advantage that you let me do my job and make you ready for Lord Ansel’s banquet, but suit yourself. Just make sure you rinse your hair well, or I’ll send you straight back in there and I’ll do it for you.” I felt badly for her, but I couldn’t let her see my marks.
“Mistress Amáne, do you need help getting out?”
It was hard to leave the bath, it felt so warm, and Trivingar was much colder than Dorsal. But I took the hint and exited as quickly as I could. Drying myself, I slipped on my long sleeve chemise and left the warm steamy room.
Lali was on me immediately. She ushered me to a chair at the vanity, and taking a towel to my hair, she rubbed and blotted it until it was nearly dry.
I soon learned why she wanted me there early. It actually took quite a while to dress me. She pulled and pinched and took extra stitches where she deemed necessary — fluffing and preening until my gown was perfect.
Once satisf
ied, she again sat me on a stool — arranging my gown to avoid wrinkles — and turned her attentions back to my hair. Pulling it back smoothly, she gathered it into a queue. She pinned a small embroidered cap bedecked with pearls and jewels to the back of my head. Using the ribbons coming off of the cap, she wove them around my hair, creating a long tail down my back. All the while she continued her conversation, which mostly consisted of telling me how her family had been with Ansel’s foster parents since before she was born. Her father a groom, and her mother was Lady Cybel, Ansel’s foster mother’s, waiting gentlewoman.
A knock at the door, stopped her dialog.
“Amáne,” called the Healer, “Gallen and I swung by to escort you to the feast. Are you ready?”
Lali had a handful of my hair and could not let go at that moment to unlatch the door. “Lady Healer, forgive me but I’m not finished with Amáne and have my hands full at the moment. If it please you, go ahead, and I’ll personally show her to the hall.”
“Thank you, Lali, please let her know we’ll be down the stairs and to the left once she enters the hall, then up toward the high table. We’ll watch for her.”
“I’ll be there soon, Healer,” I said.
Lali tied the final ribbon in my hair and put several more pins in my cap. I thought to myself that it would never come off, even in a Valaira. Finally, she seemed satisfied with the results.
Opening a drawer in the vanity, she said, “Now, to your make-up”
“No. I don’t wear make-up,” I protested.
Lali rolled her eyes as I once more resisted her efforts. “Mistress Amáne, I’ve prided myself in preparing a lady for a ball since you were a baby, and it is unbecoming to my dignity to do any less than I can for you. And if you won’t accept it, then I must do it for Lord Ansel.”
I knew then why Ansel had assigned her to attend me. I would be hard-pressed to decide who was the more stubborn, Eulalia or myself. She assuredly was the only woman on his staff that could, as she put it, ‘handle me.’
Amáne of Teravinea - The Prophecy (The Teravinea Series Book 2) Page 9
