by C. R. Daems
"You're very direct, Nisha. It's refreshing," Vidya said. Just then, the young man returned with a container of porridge, which could feed several people, seven different cheeses, a jug of water, and a loaf of bread. It was a terrible waste.
"Mistress Mala said if you would tell me how you like your porridge and which cheeses you like, she will make sure it's prepared the way you like it," he said after placing everything in front of me. I tasted the porridge and cheeses before answering.
"Tell Mistress Mala, her porridge is delicious and the cheeses excellent. My only request is to limit my servings to one bowl of porridge, one or two slices of cheese, and two slices of bread."
"You're going to make us all look bad—being honest, limiting what you're served, eating a simple diet, and your direct approach." Suetta laughed while looking at her mother. "Mother's teaching me how to run a castle, in preparation for my eventual marriage to some nobleman. She never mentioned those things."
"Qi'Nisha's refreshing, but I doubt your future husband or his retainers would enjoy any of those things." Vidya gave a small smile. After we finished, I wrapped a few slices of cheese and bread in a napkin and placed them inside my shirt for later—probably lunch.
Minister Mirza was kind enough to continue the tour and, afterward, turned me over to Lieutenant Irmak. She made sure I met everyone, watched each training session, and saw every room in the building. She turned out to have a good sense of humor, and my face ached from laughing. Only at the end did she get serious.
"Qi'Nisha, why didn't you let the duke have me whipped?"
"First, it wasn't that I didn't let him. He's still the duke. I just let him know what I observed. You're loyal and want to protect him. In our different ways, we'll both try to protect him."
CHAPTER THREE
Inari castle: A contentious meeting of the Dukes
Under normal conditions, the trip to Inari would have taken two to three days depending upon the weather and who was in the party. Since only cavalry were accompanying the duke, he decided to make it in one. I chose not to attend the family breakfast and instead had Crina bring me breakfast in my room, with extra bread and cheese for the trip.
While I sat meditating, Crina returned and entered without knocking. Seeing me sitting on the floor, she froze and stood trembling, until I smiled and waved her over to me. I shared some of my breakfast with her, hoping to get her to relax, and concluded a servant's life was very stressful. People expected perfection and could be cruel when they didn't get it. But what option did servants have? They needed money to survive and had no other skills.
When I entered the courtyard, the duke stood talking to Sir Harkin, Lieutenant Mastal sat on a gold-colored stallion at the head of a troop of twenty mounted soldiers, and a stable boy stood holding Windrunner's reins. As I walked toward the boy, Windrunner turned and lowered his head. I put my head against his, which had become our method of greeting. The duke was right. Windrunner did seem meant for me, and I felt honored by his affection. I took a minute making myself feel light before swinging into the saddle. The duke mounted at the same time and nudged his horse over to me.
"Ride alongside me." He turned his horse, and we rode at a walk out of the castle gate and into the city. By the time we reached the outer wall, the gates were open, and we nudged our mounts into a canter. As the time and leagues flew by, the only sound was the cadence of hooves hitting the dirt road. Harkin called a halt when the horses began to tire. As I dismounted, Mastal swung down next to Windrunner.
"I see Harkin wasn't exaggerating. Watching you and Windrunner, he looked to be running without a rider, and now you two don't look like you need a rest. Father was right. You two were made for each other."
Before I could reply, Sandar interrupted. "Qi'Nisha, Mastal, Harkin, a conference." He turned and walked out of hearing range of the soldiers and stopped in the shade of a large, broad-leafed tree.
"I don't know what will happen at the upcoming meeting. The timing of the desert tribes' attack couldn't have been worse. We're now without a king and have no good way to select another since they've stolen the Royal Scepter from the temple. Duke Wenrich of Iovis Province called for this meeting. He's the closest to the two major corridors connecting the kingdom of Rhybac to the Sands, so he is the most at risk of attack. Nevertheless, Rhybac will be in turmoil until we have a king."
"It should be a very interesting meeting," Harkin said. Silence followed, and everyone began munching on slices of cheese and trail bread, which had been prepared for the trip. I got up and wandered over to Windrunner and shared an apple the cook had sent along with my bread and cheese. Before long, we mounted and rode until Harkin called for another rest.
After a two-hour rest, we were off again just as the sun began to set over the mountains. We arrived at the gates of Inari late that night, and after a brief check at the outer wall, the wooden gate creaked open. The check at the castle gates took longer.
"Welcome to Inari, Duke Sandar," a short, stout lieutenant said as the duke dismounted. "I apologize for the delay, but everyone is nervous since the attack."
"I understand. Have any of the other dukes arrived?"
"Duke Wenrich has been here for a week and Duke Janko three days. I expect Dukes Tebos and Fabiao tomorrow. I've space prepared for your troops. Corporal Winmark will take care of stabling their horses and showing them to their quarters." He pointed to a middle-aged man talking to Mastal. "Your lieutenant has been provided space in the officers' quarters."
As they talked, an elderly man strode across the courtyard, formally dressed in black pants, blue shirt, and short black jacket with a green and gold sash running from his shoulder to his waist—Zeno's colors.
"Welcome, Duke Sandar. I'm Minister Ankur. Quarters have been made ready for you, and we can make arrangement for your...servant in the staff's quarters, unless you want her with you," he said, nodding toward me.
"Qi'Nisha's my advisor. I want her in a room close to me," Sandar said. "She's not a servant."
Ankur shrugged. "I'm sorry, but there are no empty rooms. The dukes and other nobility gathered for this meeting have taken all the available space. I can give…her a room in the administrative wing. That's the best I can do."
I put a hand on Sandar's arm. "Your Grace, it's a trivial matter. One of the servants can notify me when you need me," I interjected before Sandar could make a scene over an issue he wouldn't win. I let a small amount of Qi leak into his arm, hoping he took that as his Qi'advisor's suggestion. He did.
"You'll have Lieutenant Mastal, my son, and qi'Nisha notified when meals for me are served and have seats available next to me."
Ankur had little choice but to comply without openly insulting the duke. Until a new king was appointed, he had no one to support him. "Yes, Your Grace." He waved to a young lad waiting nearby. "Take her to administrator Lingina's old room and get her anything she needs." He remained determined not to recognize me as the duke's Qi'advisor.
I looked to Sandar and shook my head. He remained quiet, although the muscles of his jaw twitched with fury.
A young boy nervously led me to a building adjoining the main castle and up one flight of stairs to a small room reserved for minor administrators. The boy watched me as we entered, looking as if he expected a tongue-lashing, even though the room assignment wasn't his fault. I felt sorry for him and the Crinas of the kingdom. Servants were easier to take out your frustration on than ministers and nobles.
"Thank you. This is perfectly adequate."
He relaxed and left quietly, closing the door behind him. It had been a long day, and I quickly undressed and fell into bed.
* * *
I woke early and sat meditating, reviewing the past few days. They had been interesting and educational. I had a lot to learn if I were going to be a good Qi'advisor to Sandar. My age would continue to be a problem, the full extent of which I hadn't anticipated at the Qi'temple. Again, I'd have to resolve the issue before the duke's pride resulted in
an incident, one that could adversely impact him, his family, Ferox Province, and possibly the Kingdom of Rhybac. I'd need another Irmak, although I doubted his or her motives would result from loyalty to Sandar. Having sorted out the issues, my mind became quiet, and I sat in perfect balance. A knock at the door drew me to the present. "Come," I said.
The same young lad opened the door. He stopped, eyes big as Windrunner's, but recovered after a minute when the expected shouting didn't materialize.
"Mistress, the breakfast meal is being served downstairs. I can show you, if you like."
"That would be most kind…?"
"Kamal, Mistress."
"Can you tell me a bit about the dining arrangements at the castle?"
"Yes, Mistress. There are four areas: one for nobility, one for the soldiers, one for administrators, and one for the general staff. They are each in separate buildings." He counted them off on his fingers as he talked. He then led me down some steps and through a corridor to a large open room, which appeared to be for the administrators judging from their more formal dress. I got a variety of stares as I stood in the doorway deciding where to sit. The area had five long tables: three had all men, one all women, and the other both men and women. I chose the mixed group. When I sat, everyone looked in my direction. I smiled.
"I'm with Duke Sandar's party." I intentionally left off my name and title. They dismissed me and the discussion continued as if I weren't there. They either assumed I was of little importance or considered Sandar an insignificant player.
"I wonder if they plan to join forces and invade the Sands. We could get rid of the tribes forever," one young man said with a wave of his hand. Easy for him to say, since I'd bet he wouldn't be going with the soldiers.
"Maybe. But I'll bet they will want to pick a king first. That should be an interesting session," a young woman said.
A gray-haired woman snorted. "I'd like to be in the room while they're doing that."
"If they pick one, it'll be Duke Wenrich. He's already toured the castle like it was his. I think Minister Ankur thinks so too, because he's been following him like a puppy," an elderly man said while glancing around the room.
Most of the food on the table didn't appeal to me, and I limited my selections to two slices of bread, a couple of potato patties, and water. When I finished, I headed for the buildings that housed the soldiers. Inside the door, a grizzly senior sergeant met me.
"You don't look like a soldier. Are you lost?" He grinned.
"I'm looking for Lieutenant Mastal, Sergeant."
"You must be the young woman who rode in with Duke Sandar's party. I heard he claimed you're his advisor…Qi'advisor. Most think your something else," he said, making eye contact. I nodded.
"Concubine, doxy, or camp follower?"
"You don't seem concerned."
"Why should I? If someone calls you a drunkard or captain or private, does that change what you are? So, what matters what I call you or you call me? It's the people who must deal with someone with such poor judgment who should be concerned."
"Why?" he asked, leaning slightly toward me.
"Would you want to be led into battle by such a man?"
He laughed good naturedly. "You have a point. Would I not also be a fool to take a person's word for what they are?"
"Definitely. Actions not words determine the truth. I'll make you a wager, Sergeant...?"
"Dinesh."
"I'll wager you a copper Duke Sandar will be proven correct before we leave the castle."
"If you're so sure, why not a gold?"
"The wager is for one person to admit the other was right. The money isn't important."
"Based on what you said before, why would you wish to wager on what you're called when you don't care?" He grinned. "Or do you?"
"That isn't important to me, but the duke's reputation is."
He snorted. "I accept...?"
"Nisha, for now."
"Well, Nisha. Let me take you to Lieutenant Mastal." Dinesh led me into an adjacent building and down a hallway to a small dining hall, where Mastal sat drinking a hot mug of kaffa. His breakfast plate had only scraps remaining.
"I was just about to go looking for you."
"Lieutenant, would you assemble your troops for a meeting? It's important."
"Yes, qi'Nisha." He turned to Dinesh, who was staring at me, his forehead furrowed in concentration. "Sergeant Dinesh, can you arrange for a room for us?"
Dinesh nodded, still staring at me, turned, and left with a frown on his face.
"Would you like something to eat or drink while we wait?"
"No, I just finished eating."
Mastal quickly finished his kaffa and we left. He found Sergeant Urias and most of his men in the training area. By the time Urias had located the others, Dinesh had returned and led us to an empty room in the larger building. I waited for everyone to get settled before I spoke.
"There's a lot of talk circulating around the castle as to whether I'm a concubine or doxy. I doubt anyone thinks I'm a Qi'advisor. Does anyone here doubt it?"
A young private looked at Mastal for permission, then stepped forward at the lieutenant's nod.
"No, qi'Nisha. Even if we hadn't seen you beat Lieutenant Irmak in a fair fight, she said anyone who didn't call you Qi would have to explain to her why. None of us are that stupid." He gave me a huge toothy grin.
"You will, therefore, want to defend me, if for no other reason than calling me a concubine or doxy is calling the duke a liar. Please don't. It'll cause more trouble and solve nothing. I ask you to trust me. It's my problem to solve," I said and surveyed the room, meeting each individual's eyes and finally Mastal's. He stared at me for a moment before nodding.
"I think Irmak would be very unhappy if we didn't." He gave a small snort.
"Walk with me, Lieutenant. I'd like to tour the soldiers' area." He hesitated before leading me into the training yard. As we entered, a senior sergeant from Eolus Province approached us.
"Sergeant Dinesh said you bet him a copper that Duke Sandar will be proven correct before you leave the castle. I'd like to take that bet. Perhaps it would include a kiss."
"A copper to acknowledge the right or wrong of it. A small apology, from me or from you, for having listened to rumors without having any facts."
"A personal apology, face to face?"
"Most definitely."
"I accept. I'm Sergeant Nuray from Eolus," he said, looking somewhat disappointed.
Just then another senior sergeant stomped toward us. "She's a camp follower brought to keep the troops amused."
Mastal began to move toward him until I put my hand on his arm.
"And why does that thought anger you, Sergeant...?"
"Because your duke's a liar. I'm Sergeant Lazar with Duke Wenrich, who's an honest man, unlike your duke."
Mastal's face flushed with anger, and he took a step forward but stopped when I grabbed his arm, turning him toward me, and mouthed, "Trust me." I turned back to Lazar.
"I don't know Duke Wenrich or Duke Sandar well enough to contradict you, but I do know what I am, and I'm willing to bet you a copper that I will prove you wrong."
His face twisted in fury, but he knew he couldn't hit me without looking a coward and possibly being brought up on charges.
"I don't bet with tramps. You're protected now, but when Duke Wenrich is king..." He stopped abruptly, turned, and stomped away. Over the next hour, I got additional copper bets with the senior sergeants of Hala and Castor Provinces. Others wanted to bet with me, but I said they could watch me apologize to their sergeants if I lost. That seemed to appease them, particularly since a copper wager wasn't exciting.
"I don't know what you're doing, Nisha. But now that I've calmed down, I think it's going to be interesting. By the way, dinner tonight is at six."
Having little to do, I went to the stables. One of the stable boys retrieved Windrunner's tack and saddled him for me. I then walked him to the training area and
gave him some light exercise. I got lots of stares, but no one bothered me. After he was unsaddled, I rubbed him down and returned to my room and washed. Near sunset, there was a knock at the door.
"Come," I said. The boy who had been looking after me opened the door.
"Mistress, the dinner will be starting in fifteen minutes. It's in the main building. I'll take you there if you want."
"Yes, I would appreciate that, Kamal," I said and followed him down to the main floor, through a corridor, and into the newer part of the castle and a large room with a long table that looked to be set for fifty or more diners.
When I entered the room, people were milling about in small groups. Looking around, I saw Sandar standing with Mastal and another man. When I got closer, Sandar stopped talking and turned in my direction.
"Duke Tebos, I'd like you to meet qi'Nisha, my new Qi'advisor."
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace," I said, giving him a small bow of my head.
He watched me closely before responding. "I don't doubt my friend Sandar, but I can understand the reluctance of some to believe one so young is a Qi'advisor." He never took his eyes off me as he spoke.
"I am young. That is truth, but assuming anything from that might be folly."
"It's a failing of those of us who are not Qi." Tebos smiled.
By some unknown signal, everyone began taking his or her assigned seat. I followed Sandar and Mastal to mine. It surprised me that Duke Wenrich's seat was at the head of the table, where the king would normally sit. We were seated near Wenrich. Sandar's chair sat to his immediate left, then me, and Mastal. After everyone was seated, Wenrich came wandering in with another duke. When he reached his seat, he looked at Sandar and sneered.
"Well, Sandar, we don't mind that you brought your concubine along, but she has no place here with ladies," he said. I rose before Sandar could and put my hand on his shoulder, stopping him from rising.
Gathering my Qi, I took a breath and created a shield of Qi. "Duke Wenrich, you display a degree of ignorance when you assume something without a single fact to support it, and arrogance if you think saying it requires everyone else to believe it—"
