Ashes

by Lauralana Dunne

  “Thank you,” Tessa said when Phoenix gave a resigned sigh and flipped her waist apron around to the cleaner side. Tessa poured another decanter of wine and wiped it carefully before handing it to Phoenix. “Wipe after you pour, dear. It’ll do no good to stain anyone’s clothing.”

  Tessa turned her attention to the other workers. “Don’t the rest of you have something to do?”

  Immediately the kitchens resumed their normal level of activity.

  Tessa turned back to Phoenix with a smile. “There’s two refilling tables on either side of the hall for when you run out. Walk carefully, but quickly. It’s important you don’t keep anyone waiting.”

  Phoenix squared her shoulders and exited the kitchens to the short hallway that took her into the dining hall.

  The doorboy nodded to her and helped her through the entranceway to the hall. Phoenix was immediately assaulted by the cloud of noise that had been blocked by the heavy wooden doors. The diners were talking loudly and laughing throughout the room. Most had taken their seats, but Phoenix could see a few of the late arrivals - mostly the younger ones - trying to slip towards their tables as inconspicuous as possible.

  Phoenix had only taken a few steps when a noble gave her an impetuous wave. With a resigned sigh, she walked to him as quickly as possible.

  “Now, my dear,” the nobleman was saying to the young lady seated next to him, only a few years older than herself. “You said that you are unattached? However can that be for one so beautiful as you? ...What is it that you said your father does?” He smiled at her admiringly, his eyes shrewd. He tapped his glass in a command to Phoenix, then proceeded to take no notice of her as she filled it for him.

  “Oh, no,” the girl protested with a smile, tossing her head as he slid the wine glass towards her. “I positively couldn’t!”

  “Nonsense,” he said dismissively, snapping his fingers for his own glass to be filled. “I insist! We will toast to the health and title of your father.”

  The girl blushed and clinked her glass against his.

  Phoenix wiped the decanter and moved on.

  The striking of the gong signaled the start of the main meal, and Phoenix struggled to fill the empty glasses presented to her before the scullers beat her to filling their plates.

  When she came to the Head Table she was delighted to find that King Benedict presided at the center of the table. Prince Hallan sat to his left, and a beautiful blonde noblewoman, presumably of high stature, sat next to his left. She was doing her best to trap his attention, but he barely seemed to notice her as the brilliant green of his eyes followed Phoenix’s every move.

  The woman frowned and, feeling scorned, followed his gaze to see what she was competing with. With a sneer of annoyance, she gave a curt signal for Phoenix to fill their glasses.

  Phoenix blushed and hurried to do so.

  The noblewoman turned back to Prince Hallan. “So hard to find good help these days, is it not, Your Highness?” She leaned closer to him, all but purring as she spoke.

  The Prince didn’t appear to notice. “Apprentice Phoenix,” he greeted her, his voice a deep murmur. “How delightful to see you again. Whatever are you doing serving tonight?” His eyes twinkled at her and she could feel her blush deepen.

  “Helping out, Your Highness,” she said, holding the edge of her apron out to bob in a graceless curtsy. She caught her balance in time before she spilled any wine. “I was helping Tessa in the kitchens. I was only supposed to cook. I’m not a server. But there was an accident. Everyone’s fine, but...” she trailed off awkwardly, wondering why she was telling him about it.

  “But you decided to go beyond your duty.” A smile played across his lips. “Admirable.”

  The woman turned a venomous glare in Phoenix’s direction. “Your Highness is the one who is admirable - taking the time to converse with such lesser folk.”

  Phoenix stiffened at her words.

  “Not at all, Lady Marianne,” the Prince rebuked her mildly. “Phoenix here is in a class of her own. She is lesser to no one.” He gave Phoenix a smile filled with such warmth that her breath caught in her throat. Her knees felt weak, and Phoenix had to tighten her grip on the wine pitcher in order to ensure that she did not drop it.

  Lady Marianne appraised her, looking unimpressed. “Really?” she asked with obvious disbelief.

  King Benedict noticed her before anyone could respond. “Phoenix! There you are, dear child,” he greeted her.

  “Your Majesty,” she responded gratefully.

  He beckoned for her to come closer, so she smiled at the Prince and his companion and walked to the King’s other side, firmly putting him and the Prince between her and Lady Marianne.

  She was happy to see him in such good health. He leaned heavily on the arms of his chair, and he was able to sit upright with the help of a large cushion, but his face was lively and full of energy. He had even put on weight.

  “Joyous early birthing day, Your Majesty,” she said, offering to pour him a glass of wine.

  He laughed and waved the drink away with a grand flourish. “Thank you, my dear. But why are you serving?” He took her hand and squeezed it warmly. “You should be celebrating! All of this is possible because of you, you know.”

  “Apprentice Phoenix knows the value of a hard day’s work, Your Majesty,” a deep voice interjected. Master Malcourt had appeared from behind them and, with a deep bow to the King, seated himself in the chair at his right.

  Phoenix was amused by his choice of clothing. The Master wore majestic robes - the wealth of which rivalled the clothing of the King - that were dyed a deep purple, as well as thick gold rings on both hands, each one polished to absolute perfection. His usually unruly hair had been slicked back so that nothing was out of place, and even his ever-present facial hair had been shaved away to smooth skin. Phoenix had never seen him so grand. If it weren’t for the twinkling of his blue eyes, she might not have recognized him.

  Master Malcourt inclined his head towards her. The guests come in part for the show, he told her soundlessly, his silent voice dry.

  Phoenix bowed to him to hide her smile. “Master,” she greeted him formally. She made sure that her expression was schooled properly before she came back up.

  “Actually, Your Majesty,” Malcourt continued. “I think it would be in all of our best interests if Phoenix were to serve us tonight. With your permission, of course. It seems to me that there would be a lot less fuss if she were to take care of our food personally.”

  His words were simple enough, but he gave her a meaningful look that confused her.

  “Ah,” the King said, with shrewd understanding. “Of course. Whatever you think is best, Tolen.” He gave Phoenix’s hand another squeeze and dismissed the sculler that was on his way to serve them.

  The sculler, confused, shot Phoenix an angry glare that made her wince.

  Malcourt took the wine pitcher from her and slipped her a small disc. “For your troubles,” he said, loudly enough for anyone who was listening to overhear. Use this to check the food. Find what I can’t detect. If you see something, make sure no one touches it, Malcourt told her, his attention still fixed on pouring himself a glass of wine.

  Phoenix bowed deeply in silent acknowledgement before she hurried to the kitchens.

  Tessa frowned when Phoenix returned to the kitchens. “What’s wrong? Marcus said you took his serving duties. Why aren’t you serving wine?”

  Phoenix shrugged a shoulder “I’m to serve the Head Table. By request of King Benedict, I mean.” She looked at the Kitchenmaster sheepishly before admitting: “I didn’t get a chance to serve wine to the Masters’ Table...”

  Tessa sighed. “Chloe,” she singled out a sculler cleaning one of the prep tables. “If you please...”

  The girl nodded quickly and rushed out into the hall.

  Phoenix grabbed a platter and walked quickly to the ovens to select fresh bread rolls.

  “The Head Table’s food is over the
re,” Tessa called after her, pointing to a table with platters of the best cuts of meat.

  Phoenix eyed them carefully, taking a few steps forward. How did Master Malcourt want her to check them? She opened her hand and looked at the strange disc he’d passed her. She held it up to the light to inspect, but could find nothing of interest on the surface of the smooth glass. Phoenix let her hand get hot, probing it with her Power to see if anything happened. Nothing did.

  “What are you doing with that looking glass?” a voice next to her elbow asked. Phoenix nearly jumped at the sound of Rae’s voice.

  “You know what this is?”

  Rae gave her a long look. “Obviously. It’s a looking lens. Elise uses them all the time to read small parchment print.”

  Phoenix frowned. “Parchment print?” That didn’t help her. Unless… She held the lens up to her eye. Malcourt had to remain inconspicuous. He had to look like he was in the dark, at least in front of all the guests, so that he could draw out the assassin. He had already cast detection spells on the King, but if there was something that he didn’t ward against…

  Phoenix turned her attention to the food that was set aside for the Head Table. There, scattered across the platters, hidden drops of liquid shimmered a sickly red against the plated food.

  She dropped the lens, and the glowing layer disappeared from sight, invisible to the naked eye.

  Rae watched her lift the lens to her eye again, scanning the entire area before putting it away. “What is it?”

  “It’s getting cold is what it is,” Tessa replied. She took a step forward, reaching for the platter closest to her.

  Phoenix grabbed Tessa’s outstretched arm without thinking, stopping her in her tracks. She could feel the tension of the grip, how Tessa snapped her attention to where Phoenix’s fingers dug into her flesh, to the focus ring that was prominently displayed on her finger.

  The woman stilled. Her breath came fast in the terrible silence that followed, but Tessa made no move to break away from Phoenix’s grip.

  “Phoenix,” Rae began, remaining motionless. Phoenix hated the sound of her name on her friend’s lips, as though Rae were taming a wild animal, or calming a temperamental child.

  Phoenix slid her gaze calmly to Tessa’s wide-eyed stare. “Don’t. Touch. Anything,” she breathed.

  Tessa made no move other than to nod her head once.

  Phoenix snatched her hand back with an apology. She hid her wince when Tessa lifted her free arm up to the light, as if inspecting it for damage, then seemed to think better of it and looked at Phoenix expectantly.

  Did you find something? Master Malcourt’s voice felt like a lifeline in the tension of the room.

  “Yes,” Phoenix answered out loud, unable to speak silently so that only her Master could hear her. Despite her affinity for Hearing, she was still unable to get past the roadblock of Calling without speaking.

  Tessa shot her a look for her cryptic response. Rae shrieked and ducked as a large set of wings sailed past her head. Pip flapped several times to position herself on a chair back, chirping with annoyance at the errand Malcourt had sent her on.

  Both women jerked when the owl settled her gaze on the platters that Phoenix pointed to. If the owl’s sharp beak wasn’t reason enough not to cross her, the way in which she continuously lifted her taloned feet to adjust her position would certainly deter anyone from getting too close.

  Phoenix walked to the spit and grabbed a knife. She began to cut thick slices from an untouched haunch that had just finished cooking. “The Head Table doesn’t want those ones,” she told Tessa apologetically, hacking somewhat stylishly into the meat.

  Tessa watched Phoenix thoughtfully. “Oh?”

  When Phoenix nodded without any further explanation, Tessa wordlessly took the knife from Phoenix to slice the meat properly. Rae gave Pip a wide berth and hurried to dish up fresh vegetables to go with it.

  “Rae,” Tessa said to the girl, once they had assembled new dishes for the Head Table, “who was using that table?”

  Rae’s doe eyes looked thoughtfully at the table that Pip now guarded. “I can find out,” she offered.

  When Tessa nodded, Phoenix hoisted the new trays onto her forearms and tucked a finger beneath them. “They need to wash their hands,” she cautioned the pair. “They can’t touch anyone. Or anything.” She didn’t know what was used on the food, but she didn’t want to risk anyone else getting sick.

  Tessa paled and nodded as Phoenix and Rae pushed their way back into the Hall. They shared a look before disappearing in different directions, Rae to round up the workers and Phoenix to serve the Head Table.

  She bypassed the Lords who were calling for food and more wine. She ignored the scullers who offered their assistance with what she was carrying - even if she sorely needed their help to carry such a heavy weight.

  The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, distracting her. Turning, she could see Captain Rolf glaring at her from across the room. His thick arms were crossed in front of his chest, and he was watching her so closely that Phoenix resisted the urge to offer him one of the serving platters to carry.

  Lady Marianne was grudgingly listening to an elderly Lord sitting at her right ramble on about fishing twine while Prince Hallan spoke with the King. By her sullen expression, Phoenix could only surmise that the Prince had continued to spurn her overt advances, and that she was less than pleased at being forced to hear about the large fish which escaped the Lord’s net.

  Master Malcourt nodded for her to serve everyone, but otherwise he was tied up speaking with an animated Lady that was talking with him eagerly. He listened courteously, but his eyes constantly scanned the room.

  When she had finished, she and Malcourt shared a brief look that had her taking her position behind him. If he was unable to monitor everything then she would stay and help him.

  She was sent back to the kitchens now and then to get more food and drink, refilling the untouched wine pitcher was her first task, but otherwise she found it relaxing to be able to watch the room without getting caught up in it.

  Seated almost directly in front of her in the centre of the hall was Camden. Phoenix’s eyes rested on him momentarily, assuming that he had been placed there strategically in order to watch the room, but his eyes were downcast and he was picking at the food on his plate. The man next to him, who Phoenix could identify as a Lord from his finery, snapped at Camden, and Camden straightened immediately in his chair. A boy, the Lord’s son, by the look of it, glared at Camden from the other side of his father.

  Camden was sitting with his uncle.

  Phoenix’s frown towards the two went unnoticed.

  Camden looked across the room and their gazes locked. Even at this distance she could see the stormy grey of his eyes. Forgetting her earlier anger, Phoenix offered him a smile and splayed her fingers in greeting. His eyes lightened and his whole demeanor changed. He raised his hand quickly in response.

  The juniors were the first to leave. They were herded back to their dorms by their Masters before the rest of the guests started to leave. Phoenix noticed Mistress Ruby in a doorway. She marched primly into the room and led a thin-lipped Brianna back to the tables to sit next to Jenny. A moment later, a scowling Alan came back into the hall from the same exit.

  Phoenix hid a grin behind her hand knowing how upset they would be by such an injustice.

  Jenny whispered something to Brianna and both girls turned to look directly at Phoenix. The expression on Brianna’s face was nasty, but it brightened into a wicked smile as Jenny said something in her ear. Both girls burst out laughing, and Phoenix felt an uneasy feeling grow in her stomach.

  The uneasiness was interrupted when Mistress Ruby clapped her hands and herded the girls back to the dorms.

  It was at least a half-hour before others started to leave. The lower tables and the Masters’ Table were the first to clear out, leaving many of the nobles and royals remaining to talk to one another. Phoenix shifted her
stance every few moments to try to give her feet a rest. She tried her best not to do it too often, but she was tired and her legs were starting to hurt.

  Master Malcourt noticed and came to her rescue. “Thank you for serving, Phoenix,” he murmured. “Please take the platters back to the kitchens and tell Tessa that I will visit her later; then the rest of the evening is your own.”

  Phoenix bowed gratefully and gathered the dishes. As she was leaving, Prince Hallan reached out to rest a hand lightly on her arm. “Marvellous job tonight, Apprentice Phoenix. It’s not often I come across a girl with such a wide array of talents such as yourself.”

  Lady Marianne sniffed audibly next to him.

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Phoenix stammered. She could feel warmth through her sleeve where the Prince touched her.

  “Let me know when you’re free so you can come by again,” he invited with a murmur. “I don’t get to see you nearly as much as I’d like.”

  Malcourt frowned and looked between her and the Prince. Blushing, Phoenix bowed as the Prince released her arm, and she hurried back to the kitchens and away from the eyes that she felt burrowing into her back.

  The quiet inside the kitchens was surprising and delightful. The remaining scullers were seated and talking quietly amongst themselves, the leftovers from the feast spread out across several tables, piled high next to clean plates and dishes: all of the leftovers except the ones by Pip, who was making sure the table remained untouched under her watchful eye.

  Phoenix scraped the untouched portions onto the sharing platters and brought the dirty dishes to the washing station.

  “Phew!” the washer said, using a soapy arm to wipe her brow. It was Rae, dressed in wet washers’ clothes, scrubbing the dirty dishes with clean water.

  Phoenix just blinked at her. “You’re still here?” she asked, incredulously.

  Rae made a face. “My old uniform got so dirty that Tessa suggested that I do something that would keep me clean.” She grinned when Phoenix burst out laughing, grateful for the girl’s ability to brighten her mood. “Anyway! That’s enough of being clean for one night, if you ask me. I’m famished!”