by Scott Rhine
“What possible—”
“Mrs. Togg.”
Pale, Anna collapsed back onto the bed. “Small Voice promised.”
While she was still reeling from the second blow, Lady Evershade said, “Finally, your honest Pagaose wanted you sedated so you wouldn’t talk to the northerners.”
“Why?”
The noblewoman leaned forward to whisper, “So you wouldn’t know that he ordered Baran Togg to his death. Don’t you think it suspicious that everyone else pulled back and survived? Everyone who participated got titles and a party from Pagaose. You’re a practical woman; what do all these things add up to?”
Anna grabbed her cloak, left her dance ticket on the unmade bed, and ran out of the room.
Lady Evershade took the ticket and replaced it with a copy of the charges against Anna. With water from the wash basin, she decorated the document with mock tears. She changed into her orange-brown dress and went to the kitchen. She told the staff, “Lady Anna is awake and well. She’s asked me to find another room in my capacity as chaperone. Would you mind collecting the empty porridge bowl when she’s finished, dear?” She placed one of the flowers from the breakfast arrangement behind her ear as an accent. The day was starting out perfectly.
****
When Pagaose heard about Anna’s mysterious disappearance, he ordered the servants to scour the palace grounds to find her. Lady Evershade searched the palace walls adjoining the Pleasure Dome for secret passages. She found one in the farthest bedroom in the women’s wing. Then she informed the chamberlain, “As his majesty’s chaperone, I should have a room between the girls and temptation. This room here.”
“Very good, madam. The maid will freshen the linens and clean.”
“I’ll have a few more items brought from my home until the Dance concludes.”
She raced to her cousin, Lord Pangborn.
Pangborn noted, “You’re wearing your gloating dress.”
“One down, three to go,” she said with a smile. “Anna left him.”
“Where is she?”
“At the brewery. Don’t let her be harmed physically, but an indignant crowd unrelated to us should pelt her with derision and spoiled fruit.”
He bowed. “Anything else to thin the herd of dancers?”
“I could handle these girls in my nightgown, but there is a problem I need your network of reactionaries to deal with.”
“What bug would you have me drop in the council’s ear this time?”
“The truth: a foreign power is trying to seduce the emperor into giving away half our lands—Queen Sarajah has been dallying with Pagaose at night. This Tashi is a beard, a loyal former student. The witch is aiming for our throne.”
“What can we do about it? She never leaves the palace grounds.”
“There are secret ways in and out of her quarters. I followed one from my room to the outer wall. I marked the spot with a passion flower.”
Chapter 24 – Temples and Prices
The emperor did not want to go to the dress fitting. “Anna might come back at any time.”
“You gave your word,” said Lady Evershade. She wore a fox stole with nine tails on each side and swatted one playfully in his direction. As a concession to him, she wore tan evening gloves to avoid skin contact. “Are you going to hold back your coronation, your friends’ departure, and the invasion for her temperamental fits?”
“No.”
“If she’s not located by nightfall, I’ll locate her for you. For now, respect the fact that she is a grown woman—by all accounts a married one—who does not want to be found. You understand that she may be hiding in shame?”
“Yes.”
The noblewoman raised her voice so the whole entourage could hear. “Come along. We’re stopping at the coronation hall first to get you all in the mood.”
She took his arm and led the girls and guards down to the aristocrats’ marina. He enjoyed walking through the richer part of the city. The small trees along the road were hand-sculpted and the flowers radiant with color. The lady’s company was pleasant as well; she answered his every question with enthusiasm and candor.
“Who lives in that house?” he asked.
“Lord Mansard’s gardeners. He’s so old he rarely makes it off his island, but he can’t stand if the grass is one bit too tall.”
“Why are you in such a good mood?”
She smiled, lowering her eyes. “His majesty has graced my daughter with her first fox. That’s an enormous coup for one her age.”
He blinked for a moment. “The ex-zookeeper’s pet?”
“Thou knowest perfectly well. It’s a darling creature. All the other girls were green with envy. Of course, she hasn’t the time to care for it, so it’s made a bed in my room now.”
He leaned close and inquired, “Why is this so significant?”
“Sire, well-born women in the islands do not fight in the traditional manner, but we do have our spats. There are well-defined rules to what may or may not be done. You must always stop the punishment when your opponent begs mercy. To signify surrender, you send a foxtail. When sent from a man, the connotation is that you have conquered his heart as well. His majesty sent an entire fox, one that rolls over and shows his belly so sweetly.”
Pagaose stopped in his tracks. The train of servants and soldiers bumped into one another trying to halt in time. “In truth, this is slightly more than I wished to imply. I aimed for simple favor and to delight the young lady.”
“You have, sire.”
He stared at the foxtails on her stole. “If I might ask, your ladyship: did you earn all those foxtails in the aforementioned manner?”
“Don’t be silly, sire,” she soothed. He relaxed for a moment. “This is only the female coat—the tokens from women whom I’ve bested. I could never wear the men’s coat in public without causing a scandal.”
He turned his head to the daughter, hoping for a contradiction. The girl sighed. “There were so indecently many Father grew cross and forbade her to wear it in public. Nonetheless, she wears the dress to crow to all seven circles of nobility whenever she earns a new one. It’s shameless. The women’s coat is just flagrant enough that no one crosses our family anymore.”
What manner of woman have I brought into my home to help me? he thought, as he forced out a polite laugh. “Must be heavy, carrying all that hate.”
“No, sire. The soft feel of victory keeps me quite warm.”
The front of the reception hall was enormous: three stories of cedar, and more glass than Pagaose had ever seen.
Attendants in red-and-gold livery to match the emperor opened the doors for his entourage. Inside, the first room was impossibly large with polished-marble floors, spiral staircases, and more light than any other building on the island. “This could be a cathedral,” Pagaose muttered.
“The Yacht Club is—for people who worship success and money,” Nightglow whispered.
“Amen,” said the mother as she led them onward, proudly displaying the main chamber. “This is normally used for society weddings and dances. The dining hall adjoins. The tailors, furriers, and jewelers we’ll need have shops in the alley behind.”
“Sounds expensive,” said Pagaose, wondering how much of the zoo sales this was going to cost.
“The Council will reimburse us. I’m handling the details. Relax,” she insisted, squeezing his arm.
“Couldn’t we use the amphitheater?”
“If you want wet seats and the decorations to blow away. Besides, these are the only people on Center who can give you something decent on such a short timetable. If you want the support of the nobles, you have to give them a good show, food, and a way to divide up to talk viciously about the people who aren’t in the room.”
He looked to Niftkin, who rolled his eyes and nodded.
When Sir Rensalier greeted them at the door, the emperor recognized him immediately. The portly merchant had a baby face and a perpetual smile. He was always dressed for
a wedding or funeral.
Pagaose had already been measured by the man’s tailors, so all he had to do was pick fabrics and pose. Nearly every time someone brought a fabric for him or the dancers, Lady Evershade would shake her head, finding something wrong with it. After an hour, he was allowed to choose between three fabrics when she was unable to make up her mind.
Everyone held their breath for a moment until he pointed to the one in the middle. Then every salesperson and lackey in the building praised his excellent taste. “Now the dancers,” Lady Evershade decreed.
He sat in a free chair and snacked on small cakes and tea, resigned to his fate. He sighed when the plate was empty.
In the silk-padded seat beside him, Bovinia said, “Tell me about it. I’ve been done for an hour. I’m too small for the grown-up dresses and too wide for the flower girls. There’s only one decent choice in the place and it squeezes my breasts like twin calves coming out the birthing canal.”
Pagaose winced. Realizing this was his chance to get to know one of his candidates, he said, “Do you have any non-farm, non-food hobbies?”
“Reading and checkers, I guess.”
“Perhaps they have a board around; we could play.”
“Nah, I checked.”
The emperor licked his lips and whispered, “One of the advantages of being me is that I can bring things into existence at my word.”
“What?”
“Sir Rensalier, could the girls come out into that marble hall to show me their choices?”
“Of course, sire. I own both properties—the whole block, in fact. Feel free to wander into any shop, and we can follow.”
“Excellent. Niftkin, gather a few of those shop boys with the black caps. Offer them a few coppers for their time.”
“What for, sire?” the guard asked.
“The coronation hall has checkerboard floors. My date this afternoon wants to play. Your men are red and the boys are black. We’re going to play in the foyer.”
Bovinia clapped her hands and cheered, running into the foyer.
“Please, sire,” begged the guard, wishing to avoid the indignity.
“The child’s father, the Mandibosian Ambassador, will be feeding our whole island soon. All he asks in return is that we show his pride and joy a good time. If I can endure this, so can you.”
****
A storm was brewing, and Pinetto was on his way to the check on the Mallard.
Still in her short dress and oilskin, Komiko complained, “I’m late for my fitting.” Her ankle-high boots were not suitable for puddles.
The wizard said, “You wanted me to figure out all this class stuff before I slept, but if I want to sail out of here on Waterday, that ship needs to be ready.” His hand tingled, and he kept looking at the sky nervously.
“We could celebrate in your cabin; we had over a hundred people sign up.”
“We can’t teach that many people the techniques at once.”
“So we make really hard homework and weed out. We’ll be the most elite, most sought-after college ever.”
Pinetto shook his head. Clustered on the dock was the same gang of heckling toughs they’d lost on the beach the day before.
“There’s the emperor’s whoremonger and his assistant.”
The wizard said, “She’s a powerful witch. I’d watch your language.”
Komiko learned over to him. “Wake up, boss. He insulted you, not me. From his cloak, he’s actually a senior graduate student. Be careful.”
Rubbing his forehead, Pinetto said, “Step aside, boy. I’m running late. I doubt your dean would appreciate your picking a fight with one of his peers.”
A lord in high-wizard robes emerged from a palanquin. “Retract that insult; I’m no peer of yours.”
“Lord Burningsand,” Komiko said, bowing. “Wards and summoning theory,” she stage whispered.
“Your emperor says differently,” said Pinetto calmly.
“Another whoremonger,” spat the noble.
“I’ll give him your regards. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a ship to check on.” Pinetto kept walking.
“Do you share that whore, Anna Togg? Do all you in the palace pass her around after you’ve had enough of her brew so that she looks female?”
Pinetto stopped and closed his eyes, holding back the discharge that numbed his hands. “Sir, I misunderstand you. Please clarify.”
Lord Burningsand went into graphic detail about the imagined acts, then added, “I hear the emperor puts an apple in her mouth so he doesn’t have to listen to her squeals.”
“Komiko, can I legally kill him now?”
“On the dueling grounds,” she explained. “They’re just outside the city.”
To the lord, he said, “Are you ready to die, or do you wish to kiss the Lady Anna’s feet to beg forgiveness?”
The dean laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait until the rain passes? We’ll have a better audience then.”
He could feel the rain approaching, the potential difference between the clouds and the ground. “Sir, you repulse me more with every word. I’ve killed many men in the rain. It helps wash away the stains sooner. Komiko, inform the emperor he needs to name a new dean.”
“You’ll need a second,” she insisted.
“No, but I want friendly witnesses when he explodes.”
Komiko squirmed a little in excitement. “Don’t start without me!” She ran for the dress shop.
****
Lady Evershade found the Mandibosian Ambassador’s daughter playing human checkers with the emperor. Everyone else cheered as the girl beat the man who the college recently dubbed a master of military strategy.
Pagaose turned to his guard and whispered, “Every woman is beautiful in the right light.”
“I could see Lady Anna being a mother figure and these virtues making her a mother to her empire, but her?”
“I can see her years from now as she gets taller. Her figure and humor will make her a wonderful companion. Her intelligence will guide her future husband away from many mistakes, and she will turn whatever he entrusts to her into enormous riches.”
“Until then, sire?”
“Listen. Child, would you perform for the others that song you sang for me earlier?”
The girl obeyed. The acoustics of the great hall carried her clear voice to every corner. Her words were sweet, encouraging, and enchanting. The men smiled.
Seething, Lady Evershade whispered to Rensalier, “Do you still have that alcohol that’s so pure it has little taste?”
“Aye, but never for the customers. They can’t handle it.”
“Put a flask of it on my bill and in my bag.”
“As you wish, lady. Your 10 percent kickback will more than cover the cost.”
When Nightglow appeared in the archway, she told her daughter, “Move to the music and spin on the marble in front of his highness as fast and gracefully as you can.”
The girl nodded and obeyed. In front of where he was seated, she pirouetted. As Nightglow did so, her dress rose, giving his highness and his head guard a flash of her bare legs and frilly silkies.
“Very nice,” blurted Niftkin.
The emperor nodded in agreement. “The blue of the fabric brings out her eyes.”
“Y-yes.”
Lady Evershade smiled as she scolded, “Dear, I told you that the floors were too slick for that!”
Rensalier laughed. “Accidental?”
“The Dance is about showing the girls’ assets. No rules were broken,” insisted the mother.
Ember went next, standing on the same spot in front of the emperor. The athletic girl leaned forward onto her hands, and then did a perfect handstand. Her silkies were cut so as to display an admirable portion of her firm behind.
Pagaose cleared his throat and applauded, as did all the spectators. The girl bent backward in an incredible arch to regain her feet again. This prompted more applause and whistles.
“Here’s
to fine assets,” joked Rensalier.
Komiko skidded to a halt on the marble, out of breath.
“You’re unforgivably late, young woman,” said Lady Evershade. “What’s your excuse?”
“Wizard duel . . . Lord Pinetto. Now.”
The room cleared of everyone except Rensalier and Lady Evershade.
After the emperor was gone, the clothier presented Lady Evershade with the bill. She put her hand to her chest, finding it difficult to breathe. “This bill is years more than I thought it would be.”
“It’s all itemized, madam. Five dresses at ten weeks each, the emperor’s outfit with ermine trim, crown, rental of the club, deposit, security personnel, decorating fees . . . the usual.”
“I thought the dresses would be free,” she said, fanning herself with her foxtails.
“I did that for the Dance, but I have no more fabric coming in till after this blasted war.”
“I could arrange a royal concession?” He shook his head. “A better price on my cosmetics? My fur?”
The merchant touched her face. “This Pagaose must mean a lot to you for you to offer. I’ll take your 10 percent off the bill; the alcohol I give for free. You’re going to need it. I need the money in advance. The Council has decreed only critical outlays will be paid until the resolution of this war. This will mean lean times for you, too. With no boats in and out, you will have no ingredients. No parties will mean less demand for makeup.”
“I am ruined,” she said.
“You can recover most of your expenses. There is a practice in my business of having nobles pay for the honor of sitting closest to the event; the ceremony and dinner are separate.”
“Is this legal?”
Rensalier waggled his hand. “I hide it by having them pay extra for dresses, food, even rare coins.”
Lady Evershade bit her lip and scanned the list of charges. “Take the crown off; we have our own. As for the rest, I recently came into possession of a very tastefully decorated cottage filled with fine art. I don’t have time to sell it off individually, but you may find a newlywed couple for the home and sell the art off over time.”
