“Did you enjoy your time with Sintori?” she asked them. “He’s ever so fascinating, isn’t he?” Gemari led the way back to the boy’s room, two guards bringing up the rear.
“Yes, my lady,” said Jack. He had picked up on the tact and etiquette of the Dwarvik culture better than his friends. It was the only advantage Jayson and Leo could think of for Jack spending so much time with Gemari. The constant giggling and fluttering eyes was worth their friend learning what to say and do. Jack had begun taking lead when speaking to the dwarves. Leo and Jayson were happy to remain silent and not worry about offending someone. Jack seemed to have a handle on it for them.
“Are you excited for the pre-banquet?” he asked the Princess.
Gemari cleared her throat. Oh, of course I am,” she replied rather unconvincingly. She stopped to bow to a group of men who walked past them in the corridor, then continued onward. “Though, one must admit, the monotony of these council meetings does grow tiresome.” She glanced over her shoulder at her guards and hushed her voice even further. “The endless speeches, knowing all the internal relationships… it can certainly drag on after some time.” she sighed and smiled sweetly up at Jack.
“Yeah, that sounds exciting,” mumbled Jayson. Leo paused and elbowed him in the ribs. “Dude! I just broke that, like, a month ago!”
Gemari giggled quietly behind her hand. When they had reached their rooms, the Princess held the door open for them and bowed as they walked past. They entered the common room area and found a fire had already been made for them in the little fire place along the outer wall. Three tunics had been laid out across the high backed chairs and sofa. Their sleeves were embellished with tiny jewels, and golden threads ran through the entire garment. Otherwise, they were plain, pale grey tunics similar to those the Dwarvik royalty wore.
“Between you and me,” Gemari whispered, and handed each boy an outfit, complete with belt, pants and shoes, “My sister would have been the better choice, but she was too old to be chosen” she sighed. She was even pretty when she looked miserable. “There are endless restrictions on everything I say and do. Ketari does not mind rules so much. I suppose I will learn to accept them in time. I have had to fight to convince the elders that Orctkar is only a friend. Our meetings are already frowned upon.”
She looked at the floor and played with the beads in her hair. She shook her head, and stood tall again, her smile wide. “But, there are already arrangements made for Orctkar to marry in three years’ time. She already has a Harasan, so the House is much respected. He should be able to find work easily, or continue into an apprenticeship.” Gemari paused and bit her lower lip. “I should not be saying these things to you. I am sorry. I love my people, and I will be proud to be Queen or Empress one day.”
“It’s alright,” said Leo, waving the hand the held his gem covered shoes. “We won’t tell anyone.” The entire affair had given him a difficult internal struggle these last few days. His desperate fight not to interfere in anything was becoming far more difficult to do the longer they spent in Chartile. And keeping his friend from courting the Princess seemed nearly impossible at this point.
“Thank you,” Gemari replied sweetly.
“Wait a minute,” said Jack, “Who’s this Orctkar?”
“Oh, I… I met Orctkar last year at a council meeting.” She looked at the floor shyly, nudging the corner of a rug with her toe. “He works for the kitchens. He was ever so kind to make me a lovely wild strawberry tea instead of the usual pearl wine. I met him afterward, and he showed me the kitchens, and cooked for me. We often meet in the kitchens. He is just a friend, though. We cannot be more than that. It is the law.”
“So, he’s not really your… uh, suitor or anything, right? Like, you guys aren’t… courting?” Jayson asked. He watched Jack fidget uncomfortable with the hem of his tunic.
“Oh, no! He is only a friend.” Gemari’s eyes widened in surprise. “Ketari thinks otherwise, but she can be too protective. She is my retainer, and I rather think she believes she is my personal body guard as well.” She giggled and crinkled her nose as she did so. Jack smiled and the strange tension in his neck and shoulders vanished. “Yes, I do believe Ketari would have made the better princess, but please do not mention I said such things.”
“What’s your sister think about that? Does she want to be the Princess instead?” asked Jack. Gemari’s eyes widened. She whipped around the check the closed door behind her before turning back to Jayson, Jack and Leo. “It’s okay,” Jack continued. “Maybe we can help.”
“Do you truly believe so?” asked Gemari.
“It’s worth a try. What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t get to be Princess anymore?” Jack paused a moment and swallowed. “Then you’re free to have a boyfriend, right?”
“Well, I suppose— but, no, no. I never should have said anything! Jack, please, I should not say such things. It is not proper of me. Promise me you won’t say anything.” Gemari buried her face in her hands and began to cry. Jayson ran to her side and awkwardly patted her back.
“Well, now you’ve done it, Jack,” said Jayson.
“Oh, no, it is not you. I— I’m not good at this, really I’m not. I’m always messing everything up,” said Gemari through little hiccups.
“Hey, join the club!” Jayson, threw his arm around her and hugged her. Gemari smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Ketari is both strong and gentle, and when she speaks, everyone listens. She has such a lovely voice. I was selected by the council and started my training as Princess when I was very young. I am sure with time I will learn to be better. And, Ketari will be there to help me.” Gemari nodded her head curtly, as if this were final. “Well, we should not keep the council waiting. They have all been ever so excited to meet you! Please, dress swiftly, and I will take you to the pre-banquet.”
The boys headed to one of the bedrooms on either side of the common area. Two beds sat side by side, and Jayson flopped down on his before bouncing up again. The other room across the common area was where Leo slept alone. Jack said he snored too loud.
“Jack, what are you thinking?” Leo asked, pulling off his shirt and tossing it to the corner. He was markedly less pudgy these days. The hunting treks through the mountains and fighting practice had left him with a shadow of defined muscle. Though it failed in comparison to his friends’ sleek physique, or even Dimitri’s muscular tone, it was the fittest he had ever looked.
“What?” asked Jack, pulling off his jeans. They had just gotten their regular clothes back from one of the Dwarvik washers, and were rather disappointed they could not wear them to the banquet. The cotton tunics were very itchy.
“We tried to stop Jayson from interfering when we first met Piper. Now you’re doing it. We can’t interfere! This isn’t our world! Did you think that maybe she’s just doing this so we’ll vote for her to be the next Queen?”
“Take that back!” Jack shouted. “Gemari would never do that! Have you stopped to think that we don’t know how long we’re gunna be stuck here? In case you haven’t noticed, we’re kind of important. We should start trying to use that to make this place better. We’re nobodies back home! We have a chance to do something here, even if it’s just for one person. Besides, it’s not like I can really date her. She might as well be happy with someone if we can get the laws changed.”
“It’s not just about one person, Jack, or even two,” said Jayson. He hiked up his trousers before realizing they were on backwards. “What if Ketari would be a horrible princess? She hasn’t been trained like Gemari has. What if the Queen or Empress dies and Ketari isn’t ready? All because you decided Gemari should have the right to date some guy, whose name I can’t even pronounce? This ain’t all peachy-keen just because we might be these king dudes.”
“We wouldn’t let this happen if it were one of our friends back home. Gemari is our friend. The laws here are totally bogus! Come on! You have to agree with me!” said Jack.
&nb
sp; “I do agree with you, man, but we don’t know enough about stuff here yet. Not without messing up the whole system.” Jayson stepped toward his friend, a sparkly shoe in one hand. He placed his other hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Look, maybe we can talk to Ketari and Nefiri. The Empress seems like she would at least listen to us. Deal?”
Jack sighed and nodded. He pulled his gem covered shoe on and opened the door.
“This Orctkar guy better be worth it,” Leo whispered under his breath.
The boys reentered the common area. They felt ridiculous with their sparkly shoes and belts fitted over their tunics. But they knew this was simple compared to the clothing of the middle class they had encountered on the days before. Some of the dresses they had seen when meeting with the middle class merchants must have weighed at least forty pounds with all the gemstones. Gemari clapped and giggled as Jack spun in a circle for her. Jayson and Leo rolled their eyes.
“Oh, you look wonderful,” she cooed. “All of you! Now, there are a few things I must instruct you in before we depart.”
“Great! More etiquette lessons!” Jayson rolled his eyes, and Jack glared at him.
“It’s just a few simple things. The pre-banquet is the social time before negotiations. There are to be no matters of state discussed at this time. Though they have been asked not to, some of the Elders may wish to bestow you with gifts and pearl wine. Talk of who you are has spread rampant throughout the mountain. Accept the gifts, but graciously turn down the wine. Those with a sharper mind accomplish more, especially at Council meetings. Avoid the lamb, unless you like raw meat, and remember to smile and bow. My teachers used to put goat’s lard on my teeth to remind me to smile. Luckily for you, I couldn’t find any today.” The boys blinked stone faced at Gemari until she began to giggle and laugh behind her hand. “I am only jesting.” She smiled and they laughed, relieved. At times they did not understand Gemari’s odd sense of humor. It was unnerving. “Well, shall we depart, then?” she asked.
They all nodded and headed for the door.
“May I escort you, my lady?” Jack asked holding out his arm for Gemari. Jayson covered his face in his hand. Gemari blushed crimson beneath her dark complexion and giggled.
“It is very thoughtful of you, Jack, but as Princess, I must walk alone.”
Jack nodded, and held the door for her instead. She smiled coyly at him as she exited, and Leo promptly smacked Jack on the back of the head as he walked past. At the entrance to the Emerald Quarter, two guards stood waiting. Gemari bowed to them and took the lead.
“The Crystal Quarter is reserved specifically for entertaining guests, and when the Council of Elders meets,” Gemari explained as they walked. She tried to catch Jack’s eye, but he stared at the ground, determined to ignore her.
“How many elders are there?” Leo asked, trying to break the awkward tension.
“There is one Elder for each Quarter, but as we have grown, so have the number of Quarters,” Gemari replied, and she began ticking the quarters off on her fingers. “At Mount Kelsii, there is the Emerald Quarter, the Ruby Quarter, the Amber Quarter, the Obsidian Quarter, the Topaz Quarter and the Sapphire Quarter. That is where the Queen and I reside, and the Empress, of course, when she is visiting. At the Tutarian Mountains there is the Amethyst Quarter, the Cobalt Quarter, the Moonstone Quarter, the Garnet Quarter, the Citrine Quarter, the Opal Quarter, the Carnelian Quarter, and the Diamond Quarter, where the Empress, Princess and Queen of the Tutarian Mountains live. Queen Isla and Princess Faeridae just arrived today.”
“So, the residents of each Quarter get to pick their elder?” Jayson asked. He already knew the answer, but was desperate to keep the conversation going in any direction other than one that involved more sickening moments between Jack and Gemari.
“Correct,” said Gemari. “The elders appoint our Empress, Queens, and Princesses. We are selected by the age of five to be trained. We leave our families to live with the Queen and Empress.”
They passed tunnel after tunnel, door after door. Each was beautifully decorated with faceted gems, or polished smooth to create murals that continued nearly an eighth of a mile. They passed one of these along the way, and Leo slowed to admire the craftsmanship. A golden fountain beneath a tree bearing golden apples. As he examined the detail, he discovered behind each fist-sized gem were smaller carved gems that portrayed a different scene. The technique was fascinating since the entire piece was completely flush with the wall. Leo ran his hand along the completely smooth surface and stopped. Jayson, Jack and Gemari were gone. They must have continued on without him. He listened carefully, hoping to hear their echoing voices or footfalls in the distance. The tunnel was as silent as stone.
Leo felt his heart begin race and his breath quicken. Now alone, he remembered he was miles beneath the earth, under thousands of tons of rock. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen the sky. Or felt the air against his face. His breath caught in his chest. He felt claustrophobic for the first time in his life. The stone walls seemed to close in around him.
“Don’t panic,” he whispered to himself. He tried to slow his breathing as he hurried in the direction they had been travelling. He came to a tunnel decorated with pearly white stone. Was this the way to The Crystal Quarter? Or perhaps this was the Moonstone Quarter. But The Moonstone Quarter had been at the Tutarian Mountains, right?
Leo couldn’t see the usual oil lamps or even torches. He wasn’t sure if the tunnel simply turned and he just couldn’t see it. He stood, debating whether to take the dark tunnel or continue the way he had been going. In the end, he chose to stay where there was light, and turned down the first tunnel with lamps he came to. He always said the horror movies had it all wrong. It was human instinct to stay in the light when people were scared. Not that he was scared.
He walked for what seemed like miles. The last lamp he had passed was at least five minutes back. The darkness was pressing in around him, and the air was becoming stuffy. Leo stopped and leaned against the rock wall to collect his thoughts. He could simply turn around. He knew the tunnel gave way to light again if he went back the way he came. He couldn’t understand why being alone seemed to bother him so. How he wished there was a fast way out!
A door clicked open on Leo’s right, and a sliver of light shown through. He could hear muffled voices just beyond. He breathed a sigh of relief, thankful he had finally found people. He cautiously stepped through the door, and stopped short. The door clicked closed behind him.
Leo had stopped at the top of what appeared to be an old mine— but a mine it was no more. The winding path that led to the heart of the mine once held a track with carts operated by magnetized hematite. Now, a fence stood between Leo and the straight, vertical drop below. Tiny homes dotted the outskirts of the path, and a make shift market square bustled at the center below.
He stood transfixed by his unexpected find. A firm hand gripped the back of his collar and threw him face first into the dirt floor.
“How did you get in here?” asked a gruff voice. Leo felt his arms pulled behind his back and pinned together.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” Leo tried to yell, but his cheek was still pressed hard into the dirt. He dared not struggle against his captor.
“Who are you? An elf-spy for Nefiri? Or maybe a rogue slave trying to run? Eh? Which is it? Spy or coward?”
“My name is Leonardo DeHaven. I’m a guest of Empress Nefiri. I was just trying to get to the pre-banquet. I got lost. I’m sorry.”
Rough hands pulled Leo to his feet, his arms still pinned to his back. “Honored guests of the Empress shall be granted the grandest holding cells. This way, my Lord.” Leo was pushed forward down the narrow path. Below, faces turned to watch his decent into what he knew could be nothing but trouble. For a fleeting moment, he had a pain of sympathy for Jayson and his run of bad luck.
Chapter Nine
The Pre-Banquet
Dimitri knocked softly on Piper’s door. “Enter,” he heard
her say. He pressed the latch on the door handle, and swung the door inward.
Piper’s room was small for The Sapphire Quarter, but one of the most luxurious. Tightly woven linen rugs adorned the floor in an array of blues and grays. The entire ceiling was a many colored mural of some of the greatest scenes in Chartilian and Dwarvik history. The chairs were carved of black walnut with deep blue cushions and embroidered with silver thread. Dimitri sat in one of these and watched as Piper finished tying her hair back with the help of Nefiri’s personal coiffeur. Together, they had tamed her curls into a twisted braid set with little green gems. It cascaded around the side of her neck and down her shoulder, setting off her sharp jawline. She turned to the man and bowed, offering him a silver coin. The man smiled, and turned to leave.
Piper’s dress was fashioned in the elven style and had been gifted to her from Valar. It was her mother’s, and hugged her delicate curves in just the right way. She shrugged and fidgeted with her braid until she nearly stabbed her finger with one of the tiny stones.
“Well?” Piper performed a quick pirouette. “Do I look alright? I have not worn such things since I was travelling with Gran, and they were never so luxurious as this.” The thought of her grandmother, however fleeting, immediately took what little confidence she had. She looked at the floor, still fidgeting with her fingernails. She closed her eyes, and willed herself not to cry.
Dimitri stood. He was almost afraid to touch her. “You look like a queen,” he whispered, and tilted her chin up to kiss her.
Piper pulled away quickly. “Please don’t say that.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. He placed his hands on her hips and turned her to face him again. Piper had told him what Nefiri and Valar had said to her the day she had woke from her poisoned sleep. Even now he could sense she struggled with her decision.
Chartile: Prophecy Page 9
