The man wordlessly looked at him with crazed, grey eyes. There were cuts on his face from the torture, but they were healing. It was hard to tell if he would be handsome without them. The robe hung loosely from his body from cowl to ankles.
It was then that Frath realized there was a sword across the man’s lap. Nearby shadows looked at it longingly. “That sword is the same as your tattoo. It is the tattoo, isn’t it?”
The man groaned as he sat up straight and half-drew the blade in a defensive gesture.
“Don’t draw it. You’re in no shape to defeat me even with a magical sword, which that obviously is.” Frath gestured for him to relax. “I’m not going to try to take it or hurt you. I went through too much to get you out of that cage.”
The man resheathed and relaxed some. He leaned forward to stare at Frath’s eyes. Then he looked at the statue of Distra and back again. It seemed he either wouldn’t or couldn’t talk.
“Yeah. She touched my mind pretty hard.” Frath shrugged. “She’s given me a place to think though, so I’m sure it all works out.”
The man just stared at him. His grip on the hilt of the sword didn’t lessen and Frath got the impression that the tortured man was dangerous despite his condition.
“Listen. I don’t know why she wanted me to save you, but she did. Now you’re alive and you have food.” Frath gestured at the bag as he stood. “There’s wine in there for you to drink too.” He turned to walk away, but stopped. “I don’t know who you are, but I murdered someone to save you. You owe me a favor and I’m going to collect it one of these days.”
The man didn’t answer. They stared at each other for minutes before Frath stomped down the aisle and out the doors. He went back to the manor and straight to his bed to get some sleep.
Chapter 26
Pallon Estate gently woke up Ebudae. It touched her mind and let her know people would be arriving soon. It was able to predict visitors to a degree, but couldn’t actually see the future.
She sat up and stretched. Early morning light peeked through partially closed curtains. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but would soon. Pelya was sprawled under the covers at the other side of the bed, which was big enough for five people. As Ebudae got up and headed to get into a dress, the estate informed her of its condition.
Three people had arrived the night before. They were all in the kitchen with Tina, preparing breakfast. It let her know that one was a seneschal who would run the staff. One was a cook and one was a maid. The estate considered them very odd, but they seemed competent and it did not believe they would pose danger to her. It also let her know that Frath had returned late and was asleep in his bed.
Ebudae chose one of her dresses for adventuring. It was black with metallic green runes embroidered in it. She had the feeling that it was not going to be a peaceful day. Pallon Estate agreed with her.
“I don’t want to get up.” Pelya grumbled from the bed.
Ebudae turned to see her sitting up. “So don’t. Everyone else will save the world without you today.” She smirked.
“Oh good.” Pelya flung herself back and pulled the covers over her head.
Ebudae giggled and began brushing her hair. It wasn’t too messy since Tina had washed and brushed it for her before bed. Pelya had braided hers again and wouldn’t have to do anything to it, which Ebudae considered cheating.
By the time Ebudae was done, Pelya had dragged herself out of bed and was getting her clothes on. “Last one downstairs is old,” Ebudae said and ran out of the room.
“Hey!” Pelya yelled. She was still pulling up her pants.
Even with the head start, Ebudae just barely made it downstairs first. Pelya leapt over handrails, cutting out dozens of steps while the wizardess dashed down the zigzag stairs. They playfully shoved each other at the bottom while making their way to the kitchen.
“What’s all the ruckus out here?” A tall, muscled woman stepped from the door to the kitchen and dining room into the grand hallway just before the girls got there. She was pulling her hair back into a ponytail. “Just who are you young ladies and what are you doing?”
The tone of the words angered Ebudae. Pallon Estate informed Ebudae that the woman was the seneschal, but she didn’t care. It took little magic to make her eyes flash and add volume to her voice. With a thought, Ebudae was able to tamp down on the candle flames as well. Holding herself up straight, she proclaimed, “I am Lady Ebudae Pallon. This is my estate and you will not question my movements or my ruckus.”
Pelya giggling behind her didn’t help the intimidation factor, but the woman who would be seneschal took a step back and bowed. “I beg pardon, Milady. Frath Jornin didn’t inform me that you’d be so young.”
“Yes, well I am.” Ebudae was slightly mollified. She released the effects and the candles, still lit from the night before. It wasn’t as dark with light filtering in through windows at the ends of the hall and through skylights in the ceiling far above. She flicked her fingers and extinguished the nearest flame. At the same time, she extinguished most others unless they might be necessary for the new staff to see by.
The seneschal saw the gesture and effect. Her jaw dropped and her light-brown eyes showed that she was duly impressed even though that wasn’t why Ebudae had done it.
“I smell food,” Ebudae said, sniffing at the air and leaning to the side in order to look around the woman. “Is it possible that breakfast is ready?”
She bowed again. “Yes, Milady. Bubbo is your cook. He has prepared an excellent meal.”
“Good, we’re hungry.” Ebudae moved toward the door.
The woman grabbed her arm. “There’s something you should know.”
Ebudae stared at the hand holding her. “Don’t ever touch me.” It disappeared in an instant as the woman pulled it away. Ebudae set her jaw and looked the seneschal in the eye. “I hate being touched. No one is to touch me. I don’t care what you think of that. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I just don’t care.” Her voice was rising in volume and the woman backed away.
“Ebudae, peace” Pelya said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She realized that Pelya was the one person the rule didn’t apply to. With a deep breath and closed eyes, Ebudae forced herself to relax. “I’m sorry. Just don’t touch me.” She opened her eyes again.
“Yes, Milady.” The seneschal bowed again.
“What is it that I should know?” Ebudae asked her.
“The cook’s sister, your new maid, has some sort of condition that causes her to swear violently. It’s not something she can control, but she is a hard worker.”
“I see. Thank you for informing me.”
“You’re welcome, Milady.” She bowed again.
Ebudae walked through the doorway, determined to get to the food. Pelya followed and the seneschal took up the rear.
The aromas wafting from the kitchen smelled even more heavenly than usual. A heavyset man was tending multiple pots over a stove and another over a fire. Bread fresh out of the oven was cooling on a table while Tina showed another woman how to set up trays for Ebudae and Pelya.
“It smells divine!” Pelya exclaimed, following her nose further into the kitchen.
The words caused the staff to jump. The portly man waved a spoon in greeting. “Ahh, you must be the lady of the house . . . two ladies of the house. Your food is almost ready. There was plenty in your pantries. This is the most wonderful kitchen I’ve worked in.” He took a quick breath before rushing on. “I’m Bubbo, this is my sister Poolu and you’ve met Kitta.” Bubbo wiggled the spoon at each, ending with the seneschal.
“Greetings to all of you and thank you for coming,” Ebudae replied. She gave them a small curtsey proper to guests rather than servants. In a way they were. “I am Lady Ebudae Pallon and this is my best friend Pelya Jornin.” She gestured to Pelya. “You are to treat her with the same respect and courtesy you treat me. Also, Tina is my personal servant and answers to me, no one else.” She made that point to
Kitta.
“Frath told me as much last night,” the seneschal replied.
“And what did he say about pay?”
“He didn’t know except for the fact that room and board were included,” Kitta answered.
“The servant’s quarters are excellent. I hope we may stay,” Bubbo said.
“Oh yes,” Poolu agreed. Then she let out a string of words that made the young ladies blush. Before she even finished, the embarrassed woman ran out of the room in tears.
“Please, Milady,” Bubbo pleaded, falling to his knees. “She can’t help it. The words and the tic come without control and have since she was young. She’ll work very hard. I promise.”
“You should keep her,” Pelya said. She had moved to the stove and was dipping a finger into one of the pots. “It’ll discourage all those noble biddies from fluttering about you all the time. Plus this food is amazing.”
Ebudae laughed at the image old ladies sitting around drinking tea with shocked faces while Poolu swore in front of them. “That would be perfect.” She gave the cook a rare smile. “You and your sister are welcome here. Especially since my friend is so keen on your cooking.” Pelya had grabbed a ladle and was blowing on a bite just before putting it in her mouth.
“Hey! Just because you’re a lady doesn’t mean you can come in my kitchen and sample the food before it’s ready!” Bubbo chased Pelya who kept blowing on the food in the ladle while running.
“Pelya’s not a lady. She’s a barbarian,” Ebudae clarified with a laugh.
The barbarian girl stopped and growled playfully at the cook who skidded to a halt. Then Pelya ran out the door toward the dining room.
“We’ll take breakfast in the dining room, Tina,” Ebudae said. The one eyed servant nodded and gave a rare smile of her own, obviously happy at not being the oddest member of the staff anymore.
Pallon Estate told Ebudae that a group of Guardmembers was coming up the street toward the gate. “I hope you have a lot of food, Bubbo, because we have guests.” She turned to the seneschal. “Kitta, would you please escort them into the dining room. Then have Poolu prepare the large meeting room with all the maps on the second floor. The curtains and shutters will need to be opened to let fresh air in.”
“Yes, Milady,” Kitta said with a bow. “How do you know we have guests?” Ebudae had already left the kitchen, so didn’t answer the question.
Ebudae and Pelya were well into their meal when Kitta showed the Guardmembers into the room. “Uncle Gilron!” Pelya exclaimed, jumping up to give the weaponmaster a hug. He smiled happily and lifted her off her feet.
Ebudae stood and greeted them. “Welcome to Pallon Manor. Please join us for breakfast if you will.”
They accepted the invitation and the dining room became noisy and active for the first time Ebudae could remember. Tina even threw open all the curtains to let in natural light.
***
A while later, they were all in the high-ceilinged meeting room. Tables were against walls surrounding a darkly polished central table with cushioned chairs. A fireplace was in the center of the left wall and an enormous tapestry of the continent on the other wall. Ebudae didn’t know when the tapestry had been made, but it had countries on it that hadn’t existed in a century.
Kitta had helped Poolu clean the room and Ebudae was impressed by the fact that there wasn’t a speck of dust to be found even in such a short time. Arched, stained glass windows across from the door were open to let in fresh air along with the sound of songbirds in the willows.
Ebudae was sitting at the end of the center table with her back to the window. To her left, Pelya was sitting on the table, something Ebudae’s grandmother never would have allowed. Frath was leaning on the table by her and Commander Coodmur was sitting in a chair next to him. Sir Imbra stood on Ebudae’s right. He and the thin, blonde priestess, Appana, who had healed Ebudae in the ruins days ago, had arrived after everyone was finished with breakfast. Scattered around the room were some lieutenants, sergeants, corporals and a few privates. Grinkin was there too, but Clutz and Florsy were missing.
Captain Alice Zephan stood next to the weaponmaster’s chair and gazed over a map of the Merchant District. “We have extensive evidence, but not enough to destroy the organization and that’s what it’s going to take to make Pelya safe. Master Thanzin keeps his office here in the Merchant District at the Blavoci Estate,” She stabbed a finger on a spot about ten streets away from the Pallon Estate, “but it’s heavily guarded. If we attack, there’ll be a fight and whoever’s inside will probably have an escape route. At the very least, they’ll destroy the evidence and probably kill Clutz and Florsy.”
“We have to save them. Please,” Grinkin pleaded. He was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. The three Guardsmen had found a shack on the edge of Blavoci’s estate that connected to the grounds. They broke in and made their way to the main building where they were surrounded. It was too many for them to take on so they did their best to make a strategic retreat. From Grinkin’s account, Clutz was knocked unconscious. Florsy tried to rescue him, but was severely injured in the leg. Policy in the City Guard was that one person must always escape to report. It was drilled into every member endlessly. Grinkin was the only one who had made it out.
We have every intention of rescuing them, Private,” the captain assured him. “Now please shut up and stop that infernal pacing or I’ll throw you out the window.” Grinkin stopped and stared at her morosely. She ignored him in order to concentrate on the map. “A coordinated attack against all of their holdings is ready. I’m very impressed with everyone’s fast work on this. But we need to get Thanzin and we need to capture any evidence he may have in that estate. Master Blavoci is not in Dralin right now, so we won’t be able to touch him and it doesn’t appear as though he’s even aware of the situation.”
“This is a lot of effort to go through for the safety of one young woman.” Appana leaned on a staff taller than her. It was white and had golden sun emblems up its length. There was a large crystal at the center of another golden sun on top. Ebudae could see runes inscribed into the shaft. Appana raised an eyebrow when everyone in the room looked at her with challenge in their eyes.
Commander Coodmur leaned forward and cleared his throat. “It’s for the safety of two young women.” He gestured at Ebudae. “As far as Pelya goes, she is the Dralin City Guard. Any threat to her is a threat to all of us. She didn’t ask for that honor, nor does she feel comfortable with all the trouble we’re going to, but those are the facts of the matter.”
“It’s also not just about Pelya,” a young lieutenant at the other end of the table said. He had curly brown hair and grey eyes. “Captain Pumosa has been investigating Master Blavoci’s actions throughout Dralin. This slaving and confiscating of property has been going on for a decade now, but we’ve never been able to get enough on him to shut the operation down.”
“Pumosa’s squads already know where all of Blavoci’s holdings are, which is why everything is ready to go so quickly,” Captain Zephan added. “So as Lieutenant Abereen says: we’re doing this for Pelya, but we’re also doing our duty to make this city a little safer.”
“I apologize for my previous statement then,” the priestess replied with a slight bow. “Thank you for explaining further.”
“It’s understandable,” Captain Zephan assured her. “I’m glad to have the two of you on our side. Do either of you have any suggestions?”
“I am here to keep Sir Imbra alive and assist with any healing that may be needed,” the priestess replied.
Sir Imbra stepped forward. “My suggestion is to hit lots of people very hard with this big metal stick that I have.” He pointed at his greatsword. “I’ve found it to be an effective strategy.”
The priestess rolled her eyes while everyone else laughed.
Pelya gave Ebudae a glance. They both knew something that would help. Ebudae took advantage of a break in the conversation to speak. “I know how to ge
t in there. It should catch them by surprise, but there will probably be fighting.”
All eyes were on her. Captain Zephan spoke respectfully. “A reasonable amount of fighting is acceptable. Foolish risk of life isn’t. I’d like to know what your suggestion is.”
“There is an entrance to his estate through the ruins under Dralin. Pelya and I know exactly where it is,” Ebudae said.
“Now that’s very interesting,” Commander Coodmur said. “I’ve heard about ruins under the city, but have never been in them, plus it was in the reports about rescuing the slaves.” He narrowed his eyes and waggled a finger at the girls. “I don’t like that the two of you have been in them.”
“Nor do I,” Captain Zephan agreed with a frown. “It sounds as if you know them well.”
“Parts of them, yes,” Ebudae admitted. “Especially the parts leading from under my estate to Master Blavoci’s estate.”
Captain Zephan thought about that for a moment while the weaponmaster leaned back and chuckled.
“I can vouch for the fact that both young women are extremely brave and capable,” Sir Imbra stated. “I also know the ruins rather well, though not this section. The suggestion is an excellent one. I’m ready to get started.” He grinned a little too enthusiastically and began bouncing up and down in anticipation.
Captain Zephan’s eyes widened and she made a calming motion. “Relax for now. Let’s make sure everyone has the same plan and then we’ll get started.” The knight’s bouncing lessened, but it didn’t go away.
“There are magically warded doors,” Pelya said. “We’ve never gone too close, but we know the signs.”
“And exactly how do you know the signs?” Lieutenant Abereen asked.
“There are magical wards around the premises, on the door and on the building,” Ebudae answered.
“And how would you know that?” the lieutenant persisted.
Pallon Estate took the initiative that time. The fireplace had been cold up until then, but suddenly a black and white fire appeared in it. All of the lanterns and candles in the room were lit simultaneously with the same fire. The estate suggested that Ebudae say something impressive.
Ebudae Page 29
