by Nira Steele
“Do not concern yourself my dear. My daughter is prone to over-reacting,” she said smoothly.
Pressing her lips together Andie tried not to look too concerned.
“I’ll apply some ointment to this and cover it for the evening,” Willa murmured as she continued inspecting Andie’s arm.
Smiling weakly, Andie sucked in a shallow breath through her nose. She had the distinct feeling there was an awful lot going on here. Despite her exhaustion she could not help but wonder who these people were. Why were they dressed like this? Was it some kind of a cult?
Andie decided it was probably best not to dwell on it right now. Trying to distract herself she began examining the room. Then she noticed it – a vast window right behind her chair. Twisting her neck she released a gasp when she saw the stars outside. Those featureless corridors had completely convinced her she was underground.
Then her eyes shot wide as the top of a towering cumulonimbus cloud floated into view.
✽✽✽
Andie stifled a nervous cough.
She had almost choked when she saw the high altitude cloud outside the window. How high up in the mountains was she now? Too shocked to speak, she sat quietly and let Willa tend to her wounds.
When she was finally capable of asking, she found herself being abruptly bundled out of the house. Terenus had returned quite quickly from wherever he had just been. The moment he stepped inside he announced Andie had been summoned to the Office of the Magister Officiorum.
Shrouded in a grey hooded cloak she was immediately escorted there. It was a slow trip as Andie was having trouble walking now. Willa and Tessa supported her arms as Terenus led the way.
They tried their best to move Andie discreetly through the long white corridors. It was impossible to avoid one encounter on their journey however. As they approached a wide junction they stumbled across a group of people.
Thankfully they were all engrossed in an animated debate. Andie ducked her head as they moved around the group, suspecting they would notice a stranger. Whilst she did not look at them closely she did manage to get a general impression. What she noticed – well it made her mind boggle.
The first thing she picked up on was the language they were speaking. It wasn’t English but it had elements of words she knew. It most definitely sounded like a Mediterranean dialect.
Her second observation was the beautiful long gowns of the women. They weren’t just lovely, these dresses were exquisite. Quite similar to what Willa was wearing right now. The majority of them had long hair the colour of pale gold. A couple had brownish blonde tresses but it was still silky and gorgeous. It was almost ridiculous how perfect their hair was.
The men had similarly flawless locks to the women they were accompanying. Some had equally long hair fastened back with metal hair clasps. They wore robes and well cut tunics which matched perfectly with their boots.
What was going on here? Had Andie stepped into some kind of weird fairy tale?
She tried to calm herself down but she was finding the bizarre environment unsettling. Andie could feel her blood pressure climbing as her skin broke out into a sweat.
After a few minutes they arrived at a vast door set into the wall. Terenus placed one hand upon a smooth orb glowing dully just next to it. As the huge panel slid open he moved inside. Andie shuffled through the dimly lit doorway with her escorts by her side.
She now found herself standing in a forbidding place. This waiting room had a grim claustrophobic quality to it, rather like an elaborate jail cell.
The entire space was lined with dark wooden panels. They ran right up the walls and onto the ceiling. Each piece contained an image she could not make out clearly in the lamplight. She wasn’t keen to examine them more closely as they all seemed to be rather violent. The parquetry images contained tiny humans being tormented by large winged creatures.
A line of high chairs ran along one wall, swathed in carvings of sinewy beasts. On the opposite side sat a huge dark shelf laden with books and thick bound tomes.
This place felt extremely old and vaguely sinister. It seemed to be having a disturbing effect on her companions as well. Willa stared mutely at her husband, watching him move towards a large interior door. The heavy iron brackets groaned deeply as he slowly began to open it. Then he nodded once before slipping away, disappearing into a dark room.
The three women sat down quietly and gave each other fervent glances. Goodness only knew what awaited them behind that old door.
Eventually it creaked open again and Terenus appeared in the entranceway. Nodding just once he quietly beckoned them inside. Tessa helped Andie to her feet, levering her gently from her chair. Then she curved her mouth into a tense little smile as she whispered some words of comfort.
“Everything will be fine,” she tried to assure Andie. But her large violet eyes still carried a wide vague stare.
Andie pulled her cloak tightly across her chest.
Silently they moved through the door. As Andie’s eyes adjusted to the dimness she stifled a tiny gasp. The walls were covered in huge framed paintings running right around the room. They ranged from portraits to epic battles, completely overwhelming her for a moment.
Blinking, Andie gave her head a little shake. Flicking her eyes upwards she gazed at the high vaulted ceiling. She followed the tiny lines of painted stars as they disappeared into the shadows far above. Encircling the roof was a row of shields hanging just below the cornices. Their age-stained frontages contained a language she had seen many times before.
It was Latin - Andie recognised those old Roman letters as soon as she saw them.
Dropping her eyes she saw a large wooden desk in the centre of the room. Flanked by piles of ancient tomes, she almost missed the elderly man seated behind it.
From where Andie was standing he looked practically medieval. His hair was completely white, including his beard which draped down under his desk. At first he ignored them as he continued scribbling something. He was writing hastily on a large piece of parchment covering most his desk. Then he abruptly ceased the movement of his pen and emitted a single line.
“Good evening to you all.”
There it was again, the strange rolling accent. Willa and Tessa inclined their heads towards him while performing gracious little bows.
“Thaddeus,” Willa purred in response.
Then the old Magister did something rather odd. Making a short sniff, he stuffed his pen into the strands of his beard. Lifting his head he addressed them in much warmer tones.
“So I take it this is the young woman you saved. What was her name again?”
“She is called Andie,” Terenus responded levelly.
Thaddeus leaned forward over his desk to examine her. Furrowing his white bushy brows, he then posed a rather awkward question.
“Bit of an odd name for a girl isn’t it?”
The room went deathly silent.
“It’s a nickname. I’ve had it for ages,” Andie muttered in response. Silently she prayed nobody asked for her real name. Pulling her cloak even tighter Andie began hunching her shoulders. Then the sound of creaking hinges filled the air.
Suddenly her escorts disappeared. Momentarily panicking Andie thought they had actually vanished. Her eyes shot wide before she realised where they were.
They were kneeling beside her. Mildly surprised, Andie wondered whether she should be joining them on the floor. Trying not to groan she began bending her aching knees. Then she realised everyone was facing the door.
There was a tall man standing just inside the entrance. The first thing she noticed about him was his long white robe. Made of some kind of gauzy fabric, it hung in soft folds which trailed behind him over the floor. The long ruched sleeves and extensive hemline glinted brightly with metallic embroidery.
Then Andie looked up into his face. His countenance was astounding - like looking at a beautifully rendered drawing. A trail of snow white hair fell down his back, reaching well beyond his
waist. As his pale blue eyes gazed down into hers Andie gaped up in awestruck silence.
“Good evening everyone.” His rich deep voice filled the room.
Everyone on the floor murmured together, “Greetings your Lordship.”
Andie just stood there with her mouth hanging open. Then Thaddeus’s voice rang out from behind her, almost making her jump with surprise.
“This is unexpected my Lordship. Have you come to see our guest?”
“I have,” the Lord responded, sliding his eyes away from Andie. Smoothly he glided towards the old Magister.
Her escorts calmly resumed their positions as if nothing particular had happened. Then Terenus made a statement which was obviously directed at the nobleman.
“This is the young woman my daughter rescued. She is carrying the Eye stone of the Mercator Domina.”
“Do you know how she acquired it?” the Lord asked.
As everyone’s eyes turned towards Andie she almost melted into the floor. By this stage she was far too stunned to come up with a good excuse for her behaviour. The half-baked garbage whizzing through her head was worse than the actual truth. Preparing herself for their inevitable judgement, she dropped her eyes to the floor.
“I found it in my aunt’s house,” she murmured.
“Would her name be Dawn Madgerton?” Magister Thaddeus asked.
“Yes,” Andie replied quietly, more than a little surprised.
“There you have it,” Thaddeus declared. Leaning back in his chair he smiled wryly. “It would appear the Mercator Domina has a rather mischievous niece.”
Andie began to blush furiously. She wasn’t sure what he was calling her aunt but she definitely understood the rest.
Then the Lord made a tiny huff.
“This does not explain her presence in the forest,” he stated in smooth deep tones.
Andie could practically hear the crickets chirping now. If she answered him truthfully they would all think she was deranged. Wincing fiercely she scoured her mind for a vaguely acceptable excuse. Perhaps she could say she was collecting wildflowers….
“She was following the creature,” Tessa blurted out. “She had been chasing it until she collapsed.”
Andie’s jaw nearly hit the floor. Well at least she had been spared from admitting it.
“Fascinating,” the Lord murmured, crossing his arms over his chest.
Glancing up Andie chanced a look at the ridiculously good-looking man. He seemed rather amused by Tessa’s sudden disclosure. Andie could see the hint of a smirk playing across his lips.
Shuffling in place she hovered between annoyance and mortification. What was up with this guy? Did he think this was some kind of a game?
Thaddeus watched on as Andie did her little dance, quietly pursing his lips in thought. Retrieving his pen from his beard he then brushed the feathered end across his chin.
“The Eye stone would have allowed her to see the creature,” he began to think out loud. “Still, it is rather strange she chose to follow it. Do you think we should -?”
“I think we have heard enough,” the Lord interjected. “This business is done for now. Shall we entrust her to Terenus’s care for the evening?”
“If he is agreeable?” Thaddeus asked with raised eyebrows.
“I am,” Terenus stated promptly in response.
“Excellent! You may all go home then,” Thaddeus declared with a toothy grin. With a quick flourish of his pen he sent them on their way.
Tessa and her parents bowed deeply before heading for the door. Andie managed a stiff little bend before quickly turning to follow them. Once they were outside in the waiting room, Terenus closed the door behind them.
“Thank goodness,” Willa spoke breathily, placing a hand against her chest. “It went better than I was expecting.”
“It did, although I was a bit doubtful at the start,” Terenus agreed.
Andie felt a small trembling hand grasp hers. It was Tessa of course, her big doe eyes glistening with relief.
“I nearly died when Lord Laurentius appeared. I thought we were doomed for sure.”
Willa gave her daughter a little frown.
“Fortunately you were mistaken but we should not be discussing it here. Let us return home so we may recover ourselves.”
“Agreed,” Terenus added with a little nod. He then moved towards the exit with his wife in tow.
Tessa wrapped an arm around Andie’s waist.
“Lean on me,” she said quietly. “We can take our time getting home.”
Andie gratefully leaned onto Tessa’s little shoulders. As they shuffled forwards she tugged her hood down over her face.
She could not believe what had just happened. Who on earth were these people? White haired Lords and strange Latin words were definitely not your typical fare. Andie recognised one of the terms the old Magister had used. Tessa had said exactly the same thing earlier this evening. Andie was pretty sure Mercator meant merchant but why were they calling her aunt that?
Silently she mused as they shuffled along the corridors.
✽✽✽
Slowly Andie blinked into consciousness. She felt so warm and comfortable, much too comfortable to move.
Softly she sighed as she closed her eyes again. No need to get up yet, she was the only one here today. It really was quite glorious having her aunt’s place to herself. She could sleep in for as long as she liked without any complaints.
Then a strange smell started to register in her brain. As her eyes shot open a delicate silver sconce came into focus.
“Oh shit no,” Andie muttered.
Pressing her hands to her face she let out a long slow groan. She lay there for several minutes as her mind adjusted to reality. Once things had settled back in she started looking around the room. Turning her head she peeked out from between her fingers.
Andie seemed to be in some sort of a bedroom. It was a well decorated space, complete with a huge carved dresser and a number of furnishings. The familiar white floor was there, now covered by two large spiral patterned rugs. A well-padded chair sat directly in front of her littered with a collection of books and cups. The small table beside it held several objects including a large mug filled with a steaming brew.
Watching the little wisps rising from the cup Andie contemplated her options. Then a face appeared at the bedroom door, an angelic façade she recognised immediately.
“You’re awake!” Tessa gushed with a grin of glee. “You were sleeping so soundly I decided to let you be. Mother’s special brews always work so well. I thought it best to let you wake up naturally.”
Andie sat up slowly and blinked into the sunlight.
“Thanks. I forgot where I actually was,” she responded thickly.
Glancing around she tried to recollect her thoughts. Things had gotten pretty hazy after she returned to Tessa’s home. She remembered consuming some kind of pastry with a delicious savoury filling. It really was quite amazing - perhaps she had eaten more than one?
Shortly afterwards she was given a warm hot drink. It was some kind of brew with a scrumptious chocolaty flavour. Why did everything taste fantastic when you were completely famished?
There had also been some kind of a serious discussion. It was important but she could not recall any of the details now. Then she remembered it was something about communicating with the outside world. She wasn’t allowed to, or maybe they had said it wasn’t possible? Apparently she had become incredibly drowsy during it.
Then it dawned on her.
“You drugged me!” Andie gasped.
“No, it was my mother,” Tessa replied with a smirk. Moving to the padded chair she began clearing it. “She did it for your own good you know. You were asking about too many things.”
Frowning, Andie gave her a blurry stare. Tessa released a sigh as she started collecting her debris from the chair.
“Look, I’m sorry but it’s far too dangerous to answer your questions. Do you remember what happened last
night?”
Andie pressed her lips together. She began recalling the meeting in Thaddeus’s office, the sensation of fear and dull pain mixing in with fatigue. Then she remembered the white haired Lord appearing and her escorts dropping to their knees….
“I’m too curious for my own good,” Andie admitted quietly.
“I’m the same but it gets me into trouble,” Tessa revealed. “I’d love to tell you all sorts of things but I’m just not allowed to.” Then she paused for a moment and sighed heavily. “Which is why this is going to be difficult.”
Andie watched as Tessa settled into the comfy chair. She was avoiding Andie’s gaze as she picked up the steaming mug. Rubbing a finger over her chin, Andie could not help noticing Tessa was still wearing her grey leather outfit.
“Have you slept at all?” she asked quietly.
“A little bit. I’ve had a few things to do,” Tessa responded. Taking a sip of her drink she gazed out through the bedroom window. “You’ve been offered a task which I cannot explain,” she stated simply.
Andie followed her eyes to the clear glass panel.
“What do you mean?” she asked quietly.
“We have something we would like you to try.”
“So I’m not going straight home then?” Andie asked. Frowning, she slid her legs out of the bed.
“You can if you want to but the choice is yours.”
“Oh, okay.” It seemed like quite a bit had happened while she was sleeping. Rubbing her face Andie took a moment to get her head around Tessa’s offer. “Is it going to be dangerous?” she mumbled through her hands.
“You will be completely safe.”
Nodding slightly Andie dropped her head. Well she certainly had not been expecting anything like this. Surveying the folds of her borrowed night dress, Andie weighed up her options.
The entire evening had been nerve wracking but she had not come to any harm. If she thought more carefully about it, she had actually been treated quite well. After the interview with the old Magister she had been given a nice meal and a comfortable bed.
