by Renee Travis
Nanna grabbed the amulet off the table, “it is a pity you had to use this so soon, they take forever to create,” she stroked the polished black stone longingly.
Placing it around my neck I hugged my aunt, “it will be fine, you’ll see.”
“Contact me by mirror when you get settled,” she whispered, kissing my cheek.
I grabbed Nam’s hand and placed the other on Lahar’s head. I said the Word and we were whisked off.
Chapter 11
The Aduran Estate was even lovelier than I remembered. A huge marbled house with dark columns, large windows, covered in deep green ivy and grounds that would put the Adura garden at the castle to shame. There were Dark Pines, other trees, grass thick and luxurious, and as I took a deep breath, I could smell a dozen different Adura flowers.
The house was a bustle of activity; there were Kassaptu everywhere, doing everything from cleaning to gardening. They all nodded or bowed to me as we walked up the gravel drive to the large onyx front door. I recognized some of the staff, but others were new.
“Why did mother and father hire so many people?” I asked Nam as we stepped inside. Even more staff was running around like crazy. I’d never been inside so I was amazed at the dark splendor before me. We entered a foyer with white walls and black stone tiles.
“This is a large estate, not as big as the castle but it does require a decent staff to run, Princess,” A matronly woman came through a small brown door, wiping her hands on a pristine white apron that covered a black tunic, skirt and a dark green corset. Her deep chestnut hair was pulled into a bun and her skin was ghostly white and her eyes the same blue green as Aduran “day.”
“I am Asarlubi, your housekeeper, but you may call me Sarlu.” She nodded her head, smiling; she wasn’t quite pretty, or ugly, she was actually a little scary.
“Your magic?” I questioned. I always enjoy knowing what the people around me can do.
“Ah yes, well, I have a basic affinity for all magic, though household spells and I get along better than most.” She led us through an arch that brought us to a large living room and I made a note to buy some more comfortable furniture, I’m not so much for antiques.
“So why don’t you work in the Castle or for a wealthy family?” I was confused; someone like Sarlu should have been snatched up by now.
“My magic, like myself, does not conform. I go where I feel needed; someplace my magic feels at home.” For a moment something almost sinister slid behind her eyes, something my magic felt was kindred.
“You mean someplace you and your magic’s weird tastes will be left alone and ignored.” Nam hit the nail on the head
Placing my hands on my hips I glanced around at some of the maids, “you will not hunt here.” I told her in a firm voice. She was not as powerful as I, not even close, but she was more powerful than most of the staff, I could feel it. These were my people and I would protect them. I genuinely liked Sarlu, but she was one of the few Kassaptu that took to their darkness in a way that could be hazardous to others.
She looked shocked and I could not tell if it was because I knew what she was or because I had offended her, “of course not Princess. I would never insult my home in that manner.”
“All right, as long as we understand each other.” But now I was frowning a bit, something else for me to worry about. Sarlu continued like we’d never side tracked.
“You have a butler, cook, cook’s helper, a valet, several gardeners and maids as well.” We stopped in front of a huge fire place. She was still talking, but most of it went over my head. I had a suspicion I may have to do some research about running my own home.
“I am in charge of the house hold duties so whatever you desire to be done you have only to let me know, each week I will also request a menu from you. If you do not care, I will create it myself.”
“Wow, mother really outdid herself in setting me up.” I admired.
“Your mother?” Sarlu snorted. “She sent ten staff members. It was your aunt who hired me to take care of the rest.”
“Oh, well, that makes much more sense.” My aunt was awesome, but part of me wished my mother had taken care of me like she said she would.
“Every member of this staff is under your employment and loyal to you and you alone Princess,” Sarlu said, in a way that made me realize she was referring to the revolution.
“Ones I did not find trustworthy were sent back to the Castle.” Sarlu began to walk again and we followed, she showed us the kitchen/pantry and introduced us to the kitchen staff, then the dining room, library, first floor bathroom and conservatory.
“I do not have time to give a proper tour, there is so much to do to finish this place, it was left in much disarray.” Sarlu seemed angry and I couldn’t blame her, my parents, just proving yet again, they didn’t care about Adura.
“The second floor has the bedrooms, third floor has attic and servants’ quarters. There is also a small tool shed, swimming pool, greenhouse, a guest cottage and servants’ quarters on the property.” Sarlu seem to study me for a moment.
“Do I need permission to use the estate account to hire additional staff, groceries or supplies?” she asked.
“No. I will trust you and the butler to handle the household affairs without me butting in.” I laughed, I was thankful I wouldn’t have to worry about that sort of thing.
“Sarlu, do you know what I do about money?” I felt dumb asking, but it wasn’t something I had ever worried about before.
“You have an account to draw from with your aunt and uncle’s bank. Your parents put quite a lot of money into it. Unless you decide to start throwing it away, you should never want for anything. You can speak to your accountant if you’d like. He does not live on the grounds, but in the next city over.” Sarlu answered my questions and then with a curt nod left the room.
I turned to Nam, overwhelmed, “Do you think I’m going to need to worry about her?” I didn’t want her to know we were talking about her.
“Nah, I think she won’t do anything funny this close to you or where she sleeps.” Namtar shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, what am I supposed to do now? The Three wanted me here and here I am.” I spun around, gesturing at everything.
“I think we should just get settled in,” Nam told me, patting Lahar’s head, “I’m going to see about setting him up some place to sleep, why don’t you go explore?”
I smiled at this; I did so love new places. We parted ways; Nam to go outside and me up the stairs. The Estate was dark and cool, just the way I liked my buildings.
There was a haunted feel to the place as I climbed the stairs and searched through the bedrooms on the second floor. I wondered if I would find actual ghosts in my new home. There were none at the Castle, and aside from the P.O.T., I hadn’t really had a chance to interact with spirits very much.
The decor on the second floor was much more my taste; dark red, orange, black, some deep purples and greens. There were tapestries, candelabras, stained glass windows and everything in deep mahogany wood. I found carvings of ivy, moths and hounds in the fixtures, looking worn, and made a mental note to have my staff polish anything of the Three I found.
In my room there was a vanity, a four poster bed and a large wardrobe filled with my clothes. Looking around the room I was pleased to notice all my things had arrived and been unpacked, aside from what the Adureeds were bringing.
I can’t believe you haven’t noticed me, and who is the mutt downstairs? As Puabi’s voice spilled into my mind, I looked over to see her staring at me from a golden perch, upside down, wings hugging herself.
“Oh! Puabi, when did you get here?”
Just an hour or so before you. I was alerted to your change of habitat… My little bat sounded a bit pissy with me.
“I’m sorry. Things just happened so fast.” I sat on the bed, nearest her, enjoying the sensation of relaxation.
Nergal is anxious for you to come to Bet Pagri. He did not like that your let
ter said it would take so long. He was excited by all of your news. He told me to tell you to be careful and he missed you. Barf.
I was a little disappointed that he hadn’t written me another letter, but what else was there to say? We hadn’t known each other long enough for him to give me proclamations of love, and honestly, that might creep me out a bit.
“Well, once I get everything taken care of we’ll go see him.” Even to myself I didn’t sound that excited. There was trouble in Bet Pagri and I kind of wanted some down time.
Now, who is the mutt downstairs? I didn’t say you could get a dog.
Raising an eyebrow at her I scratched the top of her small head. “His name is Lahar and you’ll be nice. He saved me.”
I didn’t say I wouldn’t be nice… I am ALWAYS nice.
“Now, what can you tell me about Bet Pagri?” I had been meaning to ask her, but we never seemed to be together long enough for me to do so.
Ummm… well…. They kind of forbade me to tell you…BUT there is a sickness that is not sick! She seemed flustered and upset.
“Okay, don’t worry… A sickness that is not sick huh? Well, we’ll-“At that moment we were interrupted by a scream. I bolted up and was out of my door without a thought. I ran down the stairs pulling my magic together like a dark cloak, prepared to literally; defend my new home from enemies. What I found was much, much worse. Sarlu and several other members of my staff were gathered off the back porch surrounding something.
Sarlu looked at me, eyes saddened and my heart jumped into my throat as they parted and I saw Nam crumpled on the ground, not moving, seemingly not breathing. Lahar was next to him licking his face.
I threw myself on the ground next to him, ignoring the pain as my bare knees connected with the stone walkway.
“Nam!” I shook him, but he didn’t respond to me.
“I heard him yell,” one maid said.
“I looked over and he just collapsed,” explained another worker.
Pulling his head into my lap, I rocked him back and forth, tears starting to fall from my eyes onto his skin. This could not be happening.
Are you a death goddess or not? Use your magic! Puabi’s voice settled in my mind, I couldn’t see her but I knew she must be close.
Sucking air between my teeth, I motioned for everyone to give me some space. Placing my hands on either side of Nam’s face I forced black streaks of magic into him, lighting up his skin like an evil night light. I reached into the beyond, thinking I just needed to pull him back from the inside of the gates of the Underworld.
Wait Eshie! I see him! He’s not dead, he’s here! My magic screeched to a halt and I quickly pulled it back. Looking down at Nam I saw his skin was now covered in veins a sickly green. Hope and fear blossomed in my chest and I pressed my ear to his heart.
Holding up a hand for silence I went still, barely breathing, slowing my own heart, to listen. My lips curled just a little as I heard his heart beat, slow and very quiet, but it was there.
Biting my lip I looked at his skin again, “shit, poison.” Looking around I tried to find what would have worked this quickly and on someone like Nam, who created and breathed illness like air. It could not have been magic; our defenses would have kicked in.
Sarlu knelt next to me and took Nam as I stood. Eyes searching, I found it. There were maroon bushes lining the path, trimmed round, about two feet high and one wide, normal Adura Shrubs, beautiful and basically normal, decoration. But I saw that every other bush wasn’t maroon but dark red, almost the same, less purple and the leaves weren’t flat round and glossy but jagged. I walked over to the maroon plant and bent down, being careful not to touch it. At the end of the each jagged leaf was a tiny point, blade sharp.
“Who decided that planting Knife Shrubs so close to where people live was a good idea?” I asked, voice void of emotion. Everyone started to murmur and then a man stepped up to me.
“I am the head Gardner, Princess. There should not have been Knife Shrubs anywhere on these grounds. It is true they grow in this area but I had them all cleaned out.”
“Do another search, start here,” I demanded, watching as they put on protective gear and began to remove the offending foliage. Knife Shrubs were poisonous. One had to wear certain clothes with spells to avoid the blade-like leaves cutting and leaving their toxin in you. There were several native plants that before building or inhabiting an area you made sure were cleared out. Knife Shrubs were a major one. They only grew in Aritu Forest and some of the surrounding areas.
“What is the antidote for their poison?” I had no idea.
“We don’t have any. I have yet to employ a midwife or healer.” Sarlu sounded ashamed.
“That’s not your fault.” Looking down at Nam I knew he needed help and fast.
Bet Pagri will have some, they are a day and a half ride from here. Puabi sounded like a little girl, scared.
“It’s too far, Nam won’t last that long.” I shook my head, thoughts racing.
“I heard you can shadow walk,” Sarlu mentioned.
“I can.” It was like a light bulb went off, “of course I can!” Shadow walking was fast. Nam and I hadn’t used to it travel because it could be dangerous, and we wouldn’t have been able to take our things or any animals. Shadow walking took concentration.
“You go, we’ll take care of Namtar,” Sarlu said. She stood and with a couple of brisk words several members of my staff were lifting Nam and taking him inside.
“Puabi, you can see him? Can you talk to him too?” I asked.
Yes, he’s kind of out of it.
“Tell him to hold on. You’ll need to stay here and keep an eye on things.”
Well of course, no one else is as qualified to take care of Nam. I felt more than saw her leave the area.
Looking down at Lahar I gazed into his solemn eyes, “you have to stay here too. Protect everyone till I come back, okay?” I watched with an ache in my chest as he followed everyone inside, leaving me alone on the path. I made my way to the front of the estate; I didn’t want to enter the shadows with the groundskeepers around.
Putting my hands out in front of me, I summoned shadows. Red and black light spilled out around me, whipping my hair away from my back, trying to pull it from under my crown, wind plastered my skirts to my legs as icy cold crawled up from the ground and touched me, almost intimately. My eyesight dimmed and when it came back into focus everything around me was black, the kind of black that is alive and you just know, no light will ever penetrate.
I raised my hand and demanded illumination, the same red glow I had used what were only days before appeared, eager to please.
“Light my path to Bet Pagri.”
Seeing something in my peripheral vision I threw out my other hand.
“Freeze,” lifting my voice I yelled into the darkness, a darkness that was suddenly lit by a dozen eyes, glittering at me, like stars with pupils.
“I am Princess Ereshkigal, death and destruction follows in my wake. I seek safe passage through the shadows. Do not tempt me, I will have no problem destroying anything that comes too close, and I know how to make a mean Shade Cape.” What was watching me slithered back into the dark. Anyone who ever tells you shadows aren’t alive is lying through their teeth. Shades make up shadows; they just can’t touch you in the real world.
The Shades knew me; a few years back Nam and I had been attacked by a small group. You do not want to know how we slaughtered them. Needless to say there was a corner of the Castle Cemetery never in shadow and I had a cape at the back of my closet I was saving for a rainy day when I wanted to be invisible without the trouble of actually using magic. Unfortunately a cape like that only worked once.
I began to move; Shadow walking is not like normal walking, you are literally jumping from shadow to shadow. I could go to any shadow any place, anywhere and what would have taken days took about an hour. I reached Bet Pagri, but could not get inside the gates, they must have wards.
I par
ted the darkness around me like water and stepped out into the star light. I shivered a little, shaking off the gloom of the Shadow Lands and made my way to the gate.
Chapter 12
“Who goes there?!”
I lifted my head to the guard who was patrolling. Bet Pagri was surrounded by huge stone walls, twenty feet high, I was standing in front of the gate, massive, black and made of iron, with spikes at the top, quite vicious, I liked it.
“I need to speak to Prince Nergal,” I called back. He was fairly high above me in the gate keepers’ tower. He would be able to see far and wide and probably had control of opening the doors to visitors.
“And you would be?” There was a little humor in his voice.
“Princess Ereshkigal.”
“Right,” he chortled, then he disappeared. I waited, impatiently for a few moments. I heard an odd clanking noise and the gate opened a bit, enough to let one person walk out.
“Ekur!” I exclaimed running to greet him. He looked surprised, but hugged me back.
“Princess, when the guard came, Nergal and I couldn’t believe it. He sent me to make sure it was true.” He stood away from me and frowned, “I do not mean to insult, but you look horrible.”
I blushed a little, I had been in my clothes since the party, at least six hours. As my mind took in this news, I embarrassed myself further by yawning.
“I have been busy. I need your help. Nam has been poisoned by a Knife Shrub planted on my property. I have no healer,” I was babbling.
Ekur grabbed my hand and began to pull me inside, hurriedly. I barely had time to look around. Bet Pagri looked like a huge rambling mismatched castle, beautiful. I saw a lot of black and orange, the main décor consisted of bats, moths, ivy, and hounds. We wove through cobblestone paths lined with plants and I remembered I had brought Nergal a gift, but it was with the Adureeds.
Ducking through an arched entryway we went up some stairs and came into a large room. There was a huge fire place and several settees, lounging on one was Nergal. He came to attention seeing me and was by my side in seconds, grabbing me from Ekur.
