by T. G. Ayer
The general shook his head. “I fear you are mistaken. I do not wish you to be delayed. I have sent word to Her Majesty, and I am awaiting her response.”
Just as he exhaled, another page rushed into the room with a small envelope. The general ripped it open and got to his feet. He gave me a short bow. “Please come with me.”
I hitched my bags back onto my shoulders and followed him. He led me outside and up the hill, and I noticed the weather had warmed a little. Twenty minutes later, most of which comprised of walking up a slight incline along serpentine roads that led up the side of the mountain, we arrived at the palace gates.
The view from here was breathtaking. One could see across the planes, all the way to the nearest end of the Black Mountains. The rustling of the guard’s armor brought my attention back to the iron gates, constructed with metal shaped into scales and layered to look like dragonskin, and to the palace beyond. Up close the building was incredible. Midnight towers rose above us, black obsidian glass and obsidian molded together to create something out of a fairytale, complete with towers and turrets and parapets.
At every corner, I was further impressed at the beauty of this realm. It was such a pity that so few people knew it existed, and even fewer people had the opportunity to visit here.
Travel across the planes was not common.
But if we were able to police the travelers, perhaps visiting other planes would become commonplace. It would certainly boost the economies of many planes. It worked in the Earth World, and I didn’t see why it couldn’t do the same for worlds across the Veil.
The great doors opened with a similar mechanical creaking as the doors to the city, and the general waved me into a large entry hall. The black and white marble tiles shimmered in the yellow light cast by dozens of torches dotting the walls.
The hall was straight out of an old English castle, complete with rich wall-hangings and tapestries, hand-carved furniture that looked like it belonged in an antique shop, all heavy hardwood legs.
The general strode up the stairs without a word, leaving me to pace. Not that pacing in such a room could be deemed a mediocre task.
Right now, despite the generosity of the elders, all I wanted to do was race around the castle, find Sienna and take her back to her brother.
I paced more.
A few minutes later the general returned, gave me a stiff nod, then walked past me and straight out the door. I scowled.
What was I expected to do now?
Footsteps echoed along the corridor to the left, and a woman hurried into the reception hall, shadowed twenty feet off by a pair of guards.
She stopped in front of me and extended a hand. “Hello. I’m Sienna.”
Chapter 35
Sienna Westin strode toward me, her eyes bright and welcoming as she grasped my hand.
Gone were the purple hair and goth attire. Instead she wore a beautiful dress. Pieces of black kid-leather, in the shape of dragon scales were sewn together to create a dress that began as a corset, molded to her body and hips, then fell to the ground.
The corset was tight and hugged her waist, making her bust appear more impressive than it really was. Beneath, she wore a silk blouse, the sleeves of which were flared like a tulip, and were at least four feet long. They trailed the floor as she clasped her arms in front of her.
The hem of each sleeve was embroidered with hundreds of little black beads. Clothing like that made me rethink my love for pants and serviceable shirts. I couldn’t deny that I was quite partial to her corset and blouse.
“Welcome to Dyr,” Sienna said, her voice ringing around the hall. Although her eyes were shining and her lips were smiling, there was an edge of wariness in her expression. And, recognition.
She opened her mouth, her expression implying that she was going to confirm meeting me on Sand Beach but I shook my head. Just the tiniest movement but it was enough. She stiffened, taking a small step back.
She didn’t trust me. Not yet.
Not that I expected her to, so soon. “I will be attending you while you conduct your business within the city. Her Majesty, Queen Lyra will receive you in due course. If you will please follow me.”
I was shocked beyond words. The last thing I had expected was to be gifted with the very person that I come here to rescue. It seemed too good to be true.
My wariness levels just hit the roof.
“I’m Kailin Odel. Good to meet you.” We shook hands, and I noticed the firmness of hers. She was confident and sure of herself. Certainly no mousy handmaiden.
Odd that Darcy had reported otherwise.
Is this her public persona? Quite likely, considering what Logan, and Darcy, would see was how she really thought and felt. Not what she showed the outside world.
But, it was good to see that she was well. My only concern was where her loyalties would lie.
“Do you know anything about the city?” she asked as she began to walk toward a grand marble staircase. The fabric of her gown whispered as she walked.
I gave a mental shake of my head, and tried to focus on her words. “No. Unfortunately, I was only given the most recent history of the country. And a cursory version at that.”
She smiled. “Then we will have to ensure that we correct that. We’d like to know that the emissary of the Elders will return with information to satisfy the Supreme High Council.”
I frowned as she led me up the left side of a gigantic double stairwell, complete with marble balustrades and carpeted risers.
“What do you mean?” I didn’t lower my voice despite the guards that followed.
“All it means, is that it has been five years since the last envoy passed into the Light. The rift between the Drakyr and the Elders has not been easy to endure.”
I wondered what that meant, considering five years ago she would have only been a teenager. But perhaps she’d been privy to royal politics from a young age.
“It’s why I’ve been sent. To attempt to repair it.”
“You are not here to find out what happened to the last envoy?” She was asking another question altogether.
I shook my head and gave her an encouraging smile. “That’s not part of my role. At least, not at this time. All I was requested to do was to open discussions with the queen in order to facilitate a boost to your economy.”
I wondered whether I should be discussing such things with Sienna, but I wanted her to see that I was on her side. That I wasn’t the enemy.
When I glanced over at her she was looking at me, admiration and something else in her expression.
At the top she strode straight down the central corridor and I marveled at the stonework, the carvings along the floor and around the doors. Intricate and convoluted, probably harking to the history of Drakys, the continuous pattern reminding me of Viking tree designs. We stopped at the very end, at another pair of giant double doors watched over by twin guards. Everything within the palace was huge, wide enough to accommodate ten people abreast, tall enough that even a giant would pass through without stooping.
The construction of the palace was more in keeping with the size of the builders, in dragon form.
Would the Queen welcome me in her dragon form?
There was no time to wonder, as Sienna neared the door and the guards automatically turned and opened them. She led me into another enormous room. Three walls were covered in some type of brocade fabric, and the one to our left was a single floor-to-ceiling window.
Despite the incredible view, the room was imposing and serious, if ostentatious, likely a meeting room or one in which royal dinner parties were held. The center of the room was dominated by a gigantic table that would seat at least forty people.
At the head of the table sat a small woman, her hair honey-blonde, eyes a pale gold. Queen Lyra didn’t rise as I walked toward her. The part of me that wanted to believe that Sienna was the rightful queen bristled at the Queen Regent, feeling she didn’t have the right to such airs and graces if she was
sitting on a throne that didn’t belong to her.
But then, wouldn’t she need to appear strong and imposing so she wouldn’t end up being someone else’s puppet?
She regarded me with a tilt of her head, the arrogance clear, scanning me from head to toe.
I hadn’t arrived to meet her in full Alpha Walker formal dress, and the worst part was I had a set that I could have brought with me had I had the presence of mind to.
Then again I didn’t think that she would be too impressed with the long white Roman gown and the gold-plated body armor. It paled in comparison to hers.
Queen Lyra was dressed as a queen, similar to Sienna, but more elaborate. Her blouse was made of blood-red fabric and adorned with gold beading. She wore a black crystal crown, flecked with gems.
The queen sure knew how to enjoy the privileges of being Regent.
She waved me to a chair, I took it obediently. No sense in pissing off the person that I’d come to a treaty with. Lyra held a piece of paper in her hand; my confirmation from the Elders.
I dropped the rucksack and satchel on the floor beside me and crossed my legs daintily. I didn’t look all that impressive bundled up for a mountain climb, and wished that I’d been given time to change.
I stiffened my spine and met the Queen’s eyes. “Thank you very much for agreeing to hear me.”
Queen Lyra smiled, her mouth moving into a thin line. “It does not appear that I have much choice.”
“Why is that?” I genuinely wanted to know and she could tell.
“Because it is not something to ignore . . . this request from the Elders.” Her voice was bitter, edged with anger.
“I don’t see why not,” I said, giving a slight frown. “You have the upper hand.”
“How do you assume that?”
I leaned forward slightly. “Our last envoy died on your lands. Five years later, we still have no idea how he died, or who the perpetrators were. What we know is he came home in pieces.” The blood drained from her face.
Now why would she be affected so deeply? Curious.
I continued. “All communication ended from your side, and it was clear to the Elders that you refused to help in the investigation. It wouldn’t be so different right now if you refused to listen to what I have to say.”
The room was silent as she sat there staring at me. Had I managed to stump her with my big mouth?
“On the other hand, the Elders were also open to considering another possibility.”
“And what is that?” The color was slowly returning to her cheeks now that the subject had changed.
“The possibility that you and your people had no part in the envoy’s murder. That perhaps it was just an accident. Or he’d been involved in something nefarious and gotten himself killed. They are well aware that there are a number of possibilities around his death. The only negative thing in the investigation is that we received no information from your side. If you’d been more open and accommodating to the investigation, things would have been cleared up a long time ago.”
Her jaw tightened, a look of desperation flickering in her eyes. This woman was a bundle of contradictions.
Sienna shifted to the queen’s side. “What happened five years ago was regretful. The court and Queen Lyra have decided it is time things were put to rights.”
The queen gave a tight nod, although the expression in her eyes did not change. She looked like a woman who had suffered a great loss. But surely she’d have recovered from the death of her sister and her family so long ago?
Sienna said, “We are happy to accept you as the envoy, and hear what you have to say. But we’re unable to provide further information regarding the death of your predecessor, as our own investigation has not been fruitful.”
I shook my head, unsure if I’d heard right. “The reason why you didn’t comply, and help with the investigation, was your people had no idea how he died or why?”
Sienna nodded. The queen inclined her head the tiniest fraction.
“Then why didn’t you just tell the Elders that? Surely you would have known the Elders wouldn’t assume you were complicit in his death?” I asked, shaking my head. “They would have understood. Sent their own team to investigate.”
The queen shrugged, but her eyes were moist now. Sienna said, “We regret the decision that was made at the time. The council felt that the safety of the kingdom had been threatened. That the actions of the army and the queen would have been questioned. We understand how such a standpoint would have been seen as being defensive, even appearing as guilty. Which is why we want to comply, and help you in every way that you may require.”
I nodded and sent them both a reassuring smile. “As I said, I’m not here to clarify what happened to my predecessor. In fact, I’m not here in the same capacity at all. My role here is to meet, and discuss mining opportunities, and methods in which to boost your economy. Helping you will help us,” I said with what I hoped was a friendly smile. “Those are, of course, the words and sentiments of our Elders.”
Sienna smiled, and glanced over at Her Majesty. The Queen’s wintry expression gave away little. The woman was hard, and emanated a low throb of anger and resentment, and pain. She was about to say something when the inner door of the great room opened and a man strolled in.
The dark-haired man wore an ice-white knee-length coat that glowed with a blue tinge even in the pink light that drifted in from the window. The garment was fashioned with the dragon scales pieces, and remained open, diamond buttons glinting beneath. A diamond clasp glittered on his right lapel, adding to the glamor.
Under the coat he wore slim black pants that molded to his well-muscled thighs, and a generously cut white shirt that resembled Sienna’s silk blouse. I wondered whether he too had gemstones on the sleeves.
I wouldn’t be surprised.
Inching forward, Sienna waved a hand at him. “This is Commander Andyr Dar-ys, Royal Solicitor. In your land I assume he would be considered a lawyer of sorts.”
Andyr’s eyes narrowed at Sienna’s words, and I didn’t miss the coldness in her tone. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she didn’t like him.
He gave her a seductive yet indulgent smile, which felt wrong on so many levels, then walked over to me, holding out his hand. The closer he got to me, the more uncomfortable I became. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. But I forced myself to remain still and take his hand.
I had to be civil, perform every action as it was expected, within keeping of the expectations of the people of this court.
When his skin touched mine, goosebumps rippled across my arms. There was something very wrong about this man. I frowned, studying the beautiful lines of his face, the hooded eyes so gray they almost appeared white. Then I quickly smoothed my features. There was something so familiar about him.
But it wouldn’t make sense to alert him to my awareness, or my suspicions. I plastered a genial smile on my face and hoped it appeared genuine and I shook his hand firmly, but not too firmly.
“Truly good to meet you. I believe legal representation would be very helpful in these negotiations.” That was going to be as close to flattery as I would ever get with him.
This man brushed me up the wrong way, my gut told me he represented some form of danger. I drew my panther sense of smell to the surface and scented him.
He did smell familiar, as if I’d been around him before. But I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Familiar. And dangerous.
Chapter 36
He let go of my hand and then walked to the opposite chair. A guard scurried forward and pulled it out for him. The flustered man hurried back to his post against the wall beside the closed door.
Once seated, Andyr pulled his chair closer and rested his elbows on the table, performing the same steepled finger motion that Horner had in his office not too long ago.
“So what is it the Elders wish to propose?” he asked, the smile on his face neutral as he watched me.
/> There was an arrogance in his expression, his bearing conveyed that he thought he knew more than I did, and that he had the upper hand.
I smiled pleasantly, ever the diplomat. “The Elders wish to reinstate the mining agreement, and renew trading for Erulite.”
“I wondered how long it would take for them to demand this again,” said the Queen bitterly.
I couldn’t help the frown that appeared on my forehead. “Do you not want to boost your economy with the mining trade?” I asked, watching her expression.
She gave a tiny shake of her head and took a breath. “That’s not what I mean.”
Andyr leaned closer. “You must excuse our Queen. The murder, and the accusations involving the death of your predecessor, affected her greatly.” They exchanged looks, the queen’s slightly embarrassed, Andyr’s slightly arrogant.
What in Ailuros’ name is going on here?
“But I do hope that we can move past that,” he said, giving her a cynical look.
“Move past it?” she asked, leaning forward until her ribs touched the table. Her cheeks blazed red, her golden eyes swelled. “The man was murdered, and we were blamed. He’d become part of this court. A friend, even. And we’d been accused of killing him, been given no recourse to defend ourselves.”
“But I don’t think that that’s exactly what happened,” I said without hesitating.
I reached over into the satchel and withdrew the leather folder. From inside, I retrieved a stack of paperwork. It was a full description of everything that the Elders had been informed of, with regard to the envoy’s death.
Reid Barton, a Fire Mage, had been sent to Drakys to look after the mine, because his power allowed him to provide safety for the miners. It didn’t hurt that his fire magic would allow him to fit in with the people of the land. I’d skimmed the details, and noticed how sparse they were.
