Uniloma wanted no more to do with her dubious passenger once they had cleared customs. Dumped with her bag on the dockside, Tashi hesitated as to her next step. There was no barge waiting to meet her, no guard of honor.
The porters jostled her, the sailors ignored her, and the street vendors took one look at her frayed shirt and Southerner robes and left her alone. Tashi realized she did not know how to get from the port to the palace. In the past she had always been carried in state, having to make no decisions herself.
The palace shone above her, walls golden in the setting sun. Its green curved roof, decorated with dragon and lion gargoyles, glowed like polished jade. Down here in the dirt of the harborside, it seemed impossibly far away, like an enchanted palace from legend. Tashi understood why Uniloma refused to believe that a flesh-and-blood girl could be the same creature as the untouchable Fourth Crown Princess. Stripped of her trappings of rank, she was an unimpressive creature.
Well, thought Tashi, shouldering her pack, it's about time the rulers of the Blue Crescent Islands got a bit closer to their people. I sat on the Throne of Nature: I've just become more natural, that's all.
She set off up the hill following the line of the canal.
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In the twilight, the big bronze gate of the palace loomed above Tashi, oppressive and closed.
What now? she wondered. How do people get in to see us if they need to?
She had never asked herself this before, accepting that there was a line of officials between her and the public who filtered out the timewasters and the frivolous, in fact dealing with everything but the most crucial business.
She knocked on the door.
A little window jerked open and a man put his face to the grille. "Palace hours are between nine and six. Come back tomorrow." He slammed it shut.
Tashi knocked again.
The man reappeared. "Are you deaf? We are closed to the public."
Tashi jammed her fingers in the gap, yelping as he tried to squeeze it shut.
"You must listen to me. I am Princess Taoshira, the Fourth Crown Princess, and I'm going to sit here until you let me in--or summon someone to check my claim." Tashi removed her bruised fingers and the doorkeeper banged the portal shut.
Bells in the palace began to ring: it was the time of the evening service.
Disheartened by this final obstacle, Tashi slumped down against the door and began to pray. She heard the grille open again but carried on.
An hour passed. Two soldiers came out of the palace.
"You've got to move," the woman officer said, poking Tashi with a pike. "You can't sit here all night."
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"I'll sit here until someone comes to find out if I'm telling the truth," Tashi replied defiantly.
The officer gave a tired groan. "And that is?"
"That I am Taoshira, Fourth Crown Princess."
"Good try love, but if you want a free bed for the night I'd set your sights a bit lower." The officer chuckled. "I don't want any unpleasantness, just move along."
"You'll have to arrest me if you want me to move," Tashi said steadily,
"because I have no other way of proving my claim but to wait until someone in the palace comes. Send for the Mistress of the Royal Chamber, or any of her assistants, but please do not mistake me: I am neither mad nor a fake.
Just well travelled."
She closed her eyes and leant back against the bronze panels of the gate, wondering what the guards would decide.
"Wait here," the officer said, motioning to her colleague, and disappeared back inside. She returned five minutes later with the Under Mistress. Tashi could hear her apologizing for the inconvenience as she guided the lady to the gate.
"It's probably nothing--just a silly girl playing a joke on us--but I thought it best to ask you."
Finally, her luck had changed for the better. Tashi opened her eyes, looked up and smiled at the elaborately gowned palace servant.
"Hello, Fa Rinira."
For the first time in her life, the Under Mistress screamed.
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The Crown Princesses called an emergency meeting as the palace
simmered with the astounding news. The Fourth Crown Princess, last heard of in Gerfal, had turned up like a beggar at the gate. Rumors had placed her in Fergox's prison, a convert to the worship of Holin, dead, lost in Brigard; but no one had expected her to find her own way home. On the urging of Korbin, the Third Crown Princess, a month ago they had even begun
deliberations on how to replace a princess who was only missing and not deceased, thinking this would call for a new ritual and a vote. Now all this was thrown into confusion.
Tashi sat in the Hall of the Floating Lily waiting for her sisters to assemble.
Her throne was in Gerfal, so she made do with a wooden stool. The throne had never been very comfortable in any case. She could sense people coming to look at her, peeking out behind the pillars. By the standards of the court, the mood was tempestuous. Fans were flapping nervously; brows furrowed.
The three Crown Princesses came in together. Tashi guessed they had been in the antechamber, conferring as to how to handle her return. She rose and bowed, proud to be standing before them in her travelling robes and Ramil's shirt, wanting them to see her as she was after the journey they had sent her on.
"Fourth Crown Princess, we rejoice to see you back among us," said Marisa, the First Princess, though her
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eyes were full of doubt and tone far from welcoming. "We expected you to return married with your husband, but you stand before us alone. How is this possible?"
Tashi looked to her ally, Safilen, the Second Princess, and saw that her eyes were glistening. Had she been crying? With joy or sorrow to see her back? Korbin was her usual inscrutable self.
"The Goddess chose another path for me to the one we elected," Tashi said quietly. "Tested by many trials, the alliance stands. I have come to ask that we defend our friends, the Gerfalians. The man responsible for my
abduction, insulting our entire nation in doing so, stands at the borders of King Lagan's land. I move that we send our fleet to Gerfal's aid."
The Third Crown Princess raised a finger. "It is too soon to talk of such things when we do not understand what has happened to you. You are not married to the Gerfalian Prince?"
"No."
"The Gerfalians let you be taken by Fergox Spearthrower?"
"They failed to prevent it, yes. Prince Ramil was also abducted."
"And are the rumors true that you wavered in your faith before the whole of Fergox's court?"
Tashi felt the question like a blade at her throat but had no intention of pretending she was better than she was, whatever the consequences. Her journey had stripped her of the desire for such artifice.
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"I did."
The hisses of collective censure buzzed in the room, but Tashi felt she was beyond shame now. The events in Fergox's court seemed to involve a different person.
Korbin regarded her coldly. "You are not worthy to stand here."
"Then I kneel." Tashi sank to her knees. "I have never been worthy; I have been taught this by bitter experience. I am a goat girl from the smallest island made princess through bribery and corruption. But I say to you, sister, that none of us are worthy of the Goddess. She chooses the most unexpected instruments to do her work--even warlords, even goat girls."
Tashi turned to Safilen and saw that she was nodding.
"I know it is not our way to show emotion and I am showing my feelings now, but you sent me on this journey and should not blame me that I come back changed. I cannot pretend that none of this matters to me or hide my feelings from you all. You should at least listen to what I have learned as, believe me, I have suffered to gain this knowledge."
She paused, waiting for permission to carry on with her plea.
The First Crown Princess inclined her head. "Continue, sister."
Tashi knotted he
r fingers together in her lap. "I have learned that the Goddess wants us to risk ourselves in her service. Her love is not just for the Islands but for the Easterners too. If we do not help defend these people, 324
we will condemn them to Fergox's rule. I have seen it and it is founded on rottenness and cruelty. If we do nothing, we also condemn ourselves. Fergox will turn his eye on us and destroy our culture, just as he tried to destroy me."
Tashi stopped, her throat too tight to continue. She felt angry with the Princesses sitting there so calmly when she was living through such a maelstrom inside.
In the silent cloisters, water tinkled from a fountain into a pool, the ripples rocking the lilies.
I'm like the fountain, merely rocking them in their complacency, Tashi thought bleakly, gripping her knees to stop herself from clenching her fists.
Marisa spoke: "We know that our safety and that of Gerfal are connected, but we must be able to trust them as an ally before committing our navy. That was the reason for the marriage, an unbreakable bond between our two nations. Yet this did not take place and you sent word that you were returning unmarried. Why should we trust them now?"
Tashi held up open hands in despair. Her passion was not swaying them and she was running out of reasons. "Because the King is a worthy man--
because his son risked his life to get me home--because, despite what I said a few months ago, Ramil and I are pledged to each other." She raised her eyes to meet the First Crown Princess defiantly. "Because I, Taoshira, the Fourth Crown Princess, trust them."
Marisa nodded, giving nothing away. "Then, sisters, let us vote. Shall we send our fleet to the aid of Gerfal?
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Cast your color to the floor: on my right for yes, on my left for no."
Tashi reached for her voting sticks but, of course, she had no throne and she had transferred her rights to the Second Princess. Korbin saw the gesture.
"We have not said the ritual to return Taoshira her vote in matters of state; neither has the question of her fitness to rule been satisfactorily resolved,"
Korbin announced. "There should at least be an inquiry into her conduct at Fergox's court. She will have to abstain if we make the decision now."
"Do you still wish us to proceed, Taoshira?" Marisa asked.
Tashi looked down at the lily mosaic, seeing the lines rather than the whole picture. She remembered the body of the priest sprawled in front of her in the temple and the shame of her time in the hands of the priests of Holin. She had no idea how merciful or understanding her sisters would be when she told the detail of that story.
"I wish for no delay," she declared. "I trust my sisters to make the right decision." She looked meaningfully at Safilen, the only one so far not to have spoken.
A bell rang. The First Crown Princess closed her eyes and cast her vote to the right.
"I say we should send our navy."
The bell rang again and the Third Princess threw her stick to the left.
"I say we should defend our home waters, not leave ourselves exposed to the Pirate Fleet."
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The Second Crown Princess held two sticks in her hand. She kept her eyes open as she cast her votes, looking unflinchingly at Tashi.
"I say that sound policy points to helping our allies; our sister's love for these people confirms it."
Orange and green sticks tumbled down to join the white of the First Princess.
"Then it is decided. The fleet will be despatched immediately," announced the First Princess.
Tashi sank down, the tension gone from her body. She had done it: she had fulfilled her promise to Ramil.
If Korbin was disappointed, she hid her dismay well. She rose. "It will be my task, as the one responsible for the dispensing of justice, to undertake the inquiry into the recent conduct of Taoshira. We must discover if she has broken any of her vows and investigate the validity of her election."
"It is your right, sister," said the First Princess gravely.
Safilen frowned.
"Then Taoshira of Kai must be confined for a period of reflection and examination in the Goddess's Enclosure while I complete the investigation,"
Korbin continued.
Tashi had been expecting something like this, but confinement to the Enclosure was an unheard of step. Only maidens and single men dedicated to a lifelong silent worship of the Goddess were allowed there. It was the most sacred place in the temple complex within the palace walls. To send her there without being one of the devotees was to isolate her completely.
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"But why treat our sister with such harshness?" objected Safilen, anger flashing in her eyes. "What has she done to be kept imprisoned? For that is what you are proposing, is it not?"
"I do not know what she has done. It is the purpose of the inquiry to find out. I am merely thinking of the security of the Islands," the Third Princess said calmly.
"I think my honored sister doubts my loyalty," Tashi said in a weary tone.
"She is wondering if Fergox has made me into his creature. I will submit to the inquiry. I ask nothing for myself now that my mission to aid Gerfal is accomplished."
"Then lead our sister to the Enclosure and see she is suitably accommodated," Marisa instructed Korbin. "We will hear the results of your investigation at the New Moon."
The meeting broke up. Numbly, Tashi followed the dark robes of the Third Princess along the corridors. She could hear the bustle of messengers running through the courtyards, the murmur of people spreading the news about the decision to send the fleet and the disgrace of the youngest princess. It was a bitter homecoming. Palace servants peered at her from behind doors, speculating as to what taint she brought with her: loss of faith, deceit, treason? Tashi knew in her heart of hearts that she no longer belonged here. She had grown too rebellious for her role in the state administration. They might judge her guilty and cast her out, but even if she regained her position, she would only break the system of government like an
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ill-fitting cog in a machine. Perhaps the Third Princess sensed this and knew the real danger.
Korbin stopped at the door leading into the Silent Courtyard.
"Please do not mistake me, Taoshira," the Princess said stiffly. "I am driven by no personal animosity towards you and think only of our nation."
"I understand." Tashi bowed.
"I will attend on you tomorrow to begin our inquiry. Use the time to pray and reflect on your errors if you have committed any."
"Many. All the time," Tashi admitted with a slight smile. "But then don't we all?"
She stepped through the gateway, not looking back.
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Chapter 17
In the slave market shed, Melletin spread a map of Tigral out on a table.
"We're here," he said pointing to the port district. "When the troops attack they are likely to try to surround us and wear us down with crossbows and archers posted on these vantage points." He indicated the tall houses up the hill with roofs overlooking the square.
Ramil sat cross-legged on a crate, his commanders around him.
"Well, we've known all along we can't stay here. If I were them, I'd also attack from the sea, opening up a fourth front. We'll be squeezed to death if we try to defend this place. What would be the most defensible spot in Tigral?"
"That'd be the palace--it's got walls all the way around it," said a local man.
"Then I suggest we move headquarters to more comfortable
accommodations," Ramil said with a grin.
"But, brother," said one of the Brigardians, "we can't just go marching up there and knock on the door!"
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"Oh, I wasn't thinking of knocking. Remember, my friends, Fergox has sent his army to the border; the garrison here will be at its lowest for years. The city authorities will be demanding their assistance to crush us rebellious slaves. What I had in mind was something to force their hand and empty the palace of the fighting men. If we cou
ld bait them to attack us at the market, we could take advantage of their distraction and some of us can use it to enter the palace."
Melletin rubbed his chin. "But that would be suicidal for those left down in the market. Why not divide our forces and start lots of minor disturbances all over the lower city? Let's get the authorities chasing their tails. We can then, on an agreed signal, melt away and all make our way to the palace."
"I like it." Ramil rubbed his hands together. "Now I know why my father has counsellors--to do the thinking for him."
"I'm thinking like a bandit, Prince, not a counsellor," Melletin explained.
"But the success of this particular bit of banditry would depend on the discipline of our troops," Ramil pointed out. "It would be a disaster if they disappeared and never showed up again. I don't fancy trying to hold the palace on my own."
"Some of them will desert," said a commander from among the galley slaves,
"but the majority will stay with us--at least as long as they think you offer them a better future."
Future? Ramil hadn't been thinking that far ahead,
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but the men needed to know he would see this through to the end. It was his duty to do so. He couldn't expect them to risk their lives as he did in the hopes of helping a distant Gerfal.
"You can tell them that if, with their aid and if God wills, we win the city, there will be no slavery, but neither will there be a bloody revenge. I'm not here to reverse matters so that slaves become masters and masters slaves. I'm here to rewrite the rules completely."
The galley man displayed the sores on his ankles where his chains had eaten into his flesh. "No man should be a slave. I hope, young Prince, you live to bring in your new order."
"So do I, my friend, so do I."
Preparations were set in motion to split Ramil's army into divisions charged with causing trouble in the different quarters of the city. Melletin and his Brigardians volunteered to take on the toughest assignment, the fort down at the harbor. Yelena and her volunteers chose the food markets. Gordoc said he would stay with Ramil and a party of a hundred hand-picked men who were going straight for the palace.