She didn’t feel ready.
“Certainly, my Lady, I’ll make sure to get the best ones in.
Forgive me for saying so, but you look rather distressed. Can I bring you a glass of sparkle?” Dinah asked.
“Oh my dear, what on Earth would I do without you? Yes please,” Gloria said, collapsing onto a couch.
A second later, there was a knock on the door. This time it was Brightstar, her Master of House.
“My Lady, I had the Mayor’s Suite in the Conference Wing prepared for Lord Bowman’s arrival. He should be here in an hour. He has sent a letter,” he said, and handed her an envelope.
‘Oh no, I had completely forgotten. Of course the Mayor will come; he is a member of my Royal Council,’ Gloria sighed, and started reading the letter.
My Empress,
Please forgive me for requesting a short meeting for this afternoon, but I think it is vital for us to meet before Your first Royal Council meeting.
Would four o’clock suit Your Majesty?
I hope it’s late enough so I don’t interrupt Your lunch-time, and early enough for me not to interfere with Your dinner plans.
Thank You in advance.
Yours sincerely,
Tolzan Bowman
At four o’clock Gloria was pacing up and down in her Grand Salon. She was prepared for a piercing-eyed troglodyte.
She was extremely surprised when she saw the tall, ash blonde, impeccably dressed man, who bowed deeply and kissed her hand. He could have passed for an Azurian, a Lazulian or a Lectrickan; anything really, but a Pyonian.
“Empress, I cannot express my gratitude for receiving me today.
I know that usually there is no excuse for intruding on one’s privacy on a Moonday. I promise you, that it won’t happen in the future. I won’t take up much of your time. I took the liberty of compiling a booklet about Pyonia for you.
I am aware that you are a very educated woman, but there might be a few bits of information that you might not be familiar with. I hope that you don’t take this as an insult,” he said.
“No, by the Gods, no. I will take any help that I can get. I cannot tell you, Mayor, how nervous I am about tomorrow. And even more about Sageday. I’m not sure I’m ready for this,” Gloria blurted, quite surprising herself that she was willing to show weakness towards one of her subjects.
“Empress, there is no need for that. I will be there with you tomorrow. Should you be unsure about anything, please pass the topic over to me. Nobody will think less of you.”
“Thank you so much, Lord Bowman. I feel like I’m spending my last day before my execution. I’m not sure, but I can imagine that some Pyonians would like to see me at the gallows,” Gloria smiled.
“Please, don’t even say that. You must know, you are already very popular in Pyonia.”
“Yes, it seemed like that. I wasn’t sure whether it was my imagination, but I surely had the impression after my coronation. You didn’t happen to have anything to do with it?” Gloria looked at Tolzan.
“As a Governor, I want to make sure that both the ruler and the people of our country are happy. I took the liberty to arrange a modest campaign in your favour, but please, don’t worry about the costs, it didn’t affect our budget.”
“You don’t mean to say that you have financed it yourself?” Gloria looked at him with horror.
“It’s not worth mentioning.
Please let me explain the contents of the booklet.
You will find a historic overview at the beginning, followed by the social section, and finally, there are the financial reports of the last fifty years,” Tolzan said, leaning closer to Gloria while he leafed over the book.
She inhaled his scent that was undoubtedly an excruciatingly expensive Roditeean fragrance.
‘How much easier would it be, if Mordan was like this man? He must know everything about Pyonia, he’s my age, he’s educated and polite, he’s confident, and by the Gods, he’s so bloody handsome,’ Gloria thought, realising that she had no idea what the Mayor was saying.
“Oh my, what kind of a host am I? Can I offer you a drink, Mayor?” Gloria tried to remedy her lack of concentration.
“No, thank you, Empress, I have robbed you long enough of your precious time on a Moonday.
Before I take my leave, please allow me to tell you, that you were exceptionally regal and dignified during your coronation. Watching you, made me proud to be the Governor of your country,” Tolzan said.
Gloria flushed.
“Thank you… You were there? Why didn’t you let me know? Why didn’t you stay here?”
“I couldn’t start our acquaintance by disrupting your Days of Mourning.
Empress, I thank you for your time.
It is an honour to serve you, and I hope that I will never cause you any disappointment. We shall meet tomorrow, but should you have any questions or requests, please don’t hesitate to seek me out, no matter what time of day or night,” Tolzan bowed, kissed Gloria’s hand and left.
Royal Palace of Warhorn, Realm’s Heart Island
“Surrender, Evil Queen, for my forces have crushed your pitiful army,” Prince Ramstone Warhorn’s wooden sword’s blunt point was pressed against Ariessa’s neck.
“Geroffme, Ram,” she tried to kick him off her bed, even though she was - for once, - happy to see him.
Her nine year old brother’s fierce way of waking her disrupted a recurring dream that she had had for weeks.
The dream that made her relive every single second of her night of shame.
She closed her eyes to shake herself free from the memories, but they seemed to redouble themselves, making her remember even more vividly, even though she was awake now.
***
It was the night of the Windscale Ball.
Ariessa would have sooner died than admit it, but she was looking forward to the event. What’s more; she was looking forward to attending it with Octarian.
It took her hours to get ready.
Something she never thought she would do.
Usually, she had her lady in waiting select something for her to wear.
That multiplied her humiliation when she received Emperor Lexandros’ message about Octarian being late.
Her anger mounted by the second as she sat around, looking at the clock, dressed and made up, like some Roditeean courtesan.
It was unavoidable; after a while she jumped up and had a servant get the Covaxian Royal Barge ready.
She didn’t need anybody to accompany her to a bloody ball.
She cursed herself for not having gone with her father.
Once at the ball, she bore down on Wolly, sharing her sentiments about Octarian. She almost calmed down, when a servant approached her with a letter.
Princess,
If You want to know why Prince Sunflare stood you up, meet me at the Forlorn Lover’s Fountain
Her anger flared up again.
Secret messages and lies.
Things she couldn’t stand.
By then she realised that she had used poor Wolly as a punching bag. She apologised to both the Prince, and his fiancée, and stormed towards the palace grounds.
The Windscale Gardens were the epitome of landscaping; a masterful mixture of topiaries, mazes, musical fountains and pavilions. Being a Royal and a regular guest, Ariessa knew she had to go to one of the back corners of the grounds to meet the secretive informant. She tried not to disturb the couples engaged in romantic activities while approaching her destination.
Once there, she spotted a man hovering near the fountain, but making sure to keep out of the illumination of it.
“Princess,” he took a bow when he noticed Ariessa.
“Speak. I don’t have much time for the likes of you.”
“Are you aware that Prince Octarian Sunflare is the lover of Gloria Summerwind?”
Ariessa flushed with embarrassment.
She wasn’t aware of the fact, but she had hea
rd the rumours. Then again, according to all the gossip, Octarian had been the lover of so many Ladies that even a ninety year old wouldn’t have had the time to achieve that feat.
“The reason he failed to accompany you to the ball, was that he attempted to stop Duchess Summerwind’s engagement.
He only started courting you because his brother and your father pressurised him into it. You mean nothing to him,” the man whispered.
“Get out of my sight. Under my dress, I have a revolver strapped to my thigh, and I won’t hesitate to use it.”
“I’m merely the messenger, Princess.”
“You should read the small print of your job description then.”
The man vanished among the bushes.
Ariessa sank onto the edge of the fountain. She sensed movement from somewhere nearby.
“Whoever you are, don’t test my patience.”
A man appeared with hands raised.
“I mean no harm, my Lady… or Princess.
I can’t deny it; I overheard your conversation. I didn’t mean to, but by the time I wanted to make myself noticed, you had already started talking.”
“You don’t know who I am?”
“I don’t. I’m not from the Capital. All I heard was that you are a Princess. A Princess in distress. And by the sound of it armed and dangerous,” he smiled at her, stepping into the light.
He was handsome and well-dressed. Ariessa had no reason to doubt that he was one of guests.
“Who are you?”
“I’m a guest, abandoned by the friends who brought me here.”
“Hmmm.”
“Princess, forgive my boldness, but you look like you need to talk to someone,” he looked at her sympathetically.
“You might be right, but unfortunately I can’t think of anyone.”
“Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger than to friends. Forgive me for the platitude, but it has a lot of truth to it.”
Ariessa looked at him. She felt an unusual warmth spreading through her.
He was very handsome, and his eyes radiated so much honesty that she couldn’t help but trust him.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“If you did, I wouldn’t be a stranger any longer. Just call me the Traveller.
Is there any reason for you to stay here?”
She shook her head.
“Have you ever been on board a Metal Swan?”
“Noooooooooooooo. You have one?” Momentarily, Ariessa forgot about her woes. He nodded.
“Do you trust me enough to take a ride in it?”
She thought for a moment, and then nodded.
The Swan was much bigger than she had expected. The Traveller extended his hand to help her hop on board.
“Would a Canal-cruise around the Capital be fit for a Princess?”
She nodded. He opened the door of the cabin at the front of the vehicle, and said some words to the person inside.
While Ariessa took in every single detail in awe, the Swan started rumbling, and then it set off. The Traveller opened the door of the cabin in the back. She took a peek inside, and saw plush sofas and a cabinet. The cabin’s walls were made of glass, offering an unobstructed view of their surroundings. The Canal’s water was sploshing around them silently, while they passed the illuminated buildings of the city. Ariessa felt like in a dream.
“We better take a seat inside. It’s too chilly on deck,” the Traveller said, taking two glasses and a bottle from the cabinet.
“Thank you, I don’t drink. I don’t like how it affects my physical condition,” Ariessa said.
“Not even this?”
“By the Gods. Is this Roditeean Sparkle? My father would never buy it. He says it costs as much as several horses.”
“I take it as a yes then,” the Traveller filled the glasses and sat down.
Ariessa sipped on her drink.
She didn’t really want to talk about Octarian anymore.
“You know, we don’t have to talk about what happened earlier. Maybe it’s best just to forget about it,” the Traveller said silently.
“Hmmm. Denial. Is that the answer?”
“It works for some.”
“Not for me. I prefer to deal with things that have to be dealt with.”
“Maybe it’s just rumours.”
“I’ve heard them.”
“Maybe it used to be true, and he stopped seeing her once he started courting you.”
“Why did he need to go to that engagement?”
“Is it not an important family affair?”
“He couldn’t care less about those things. He always gets out of them.”
“It must have been important to him.”
“Why didn’t he want me there?”
“Are you engaged to him?”
“No. Still. That’s only one thing. Now that I think of it, it all makes sense.
My father and his brother made a deal. They traded me like a horse. A Royal marriage; that’s all they care about.”
She looked at him. Suddenly it hit her; it was all true.
She could feel it.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling; it was a certainty.
Tears of humiliation stung her eyes.
What a fool she was.
Thinking, that someone like Octarian would have feelings for her.
Let alone love her.
Suddenly anger replaced humiliation.
She wanted to punish him. And her father.
She looked at the Traveller with determination.
Ariessa was woken by shouts and drunken singing.
For a second, she didn’t know where she was. A single oil lamp was burning in the cabin.
She was alone.
She hurriedly got dressed.
Through the window she could see that the Swan was docked in front of the Academy. Students were making their way back to their dormitories, most of them staggering into the building with the help of Academy servants.
To make sure she got all her belongings, she took a quick glance around the cabin.
She saw a letter on a side table.
Princess,
We shall meet again soon.
Please, don’t forget me.
The Traveller
***
Ram clambered off the bed.
“Race me, I’ll get my falcon ready,” he commanded.
“Later. I need to go to church.”
“Again? Why d’you go there every day? What have you done?”
“Nothing. Now, off with you.”
While she was getting ready, she discovered that while she was still a fallen woman, at least she wasn’t a fallen woman with child.
The relief made her almost delirious with happiness.
After she returned from the Temple of the Warrior, where she had made a substantial donation, she was determined to fulfil the promise she had made to her God. She took a pen, and started writing.
Dear Octarian,
Please let me know if and when You could meet me for a chat.
Love,
Ari
She felt that she could breathe freely again. She smiled.
Suddenly, the image of the Traveller surfaced in her mind.
Along with vivid memories of their night together.
The longing she had felt for him was worse than physical pain.
She stood up and started pacing around her room, trying to steady her breathing.
She wanted to scream.
She knew she had to forget about him.
How, she had no idea.
Swiftarrow Manor, Moorfield, Pyonia
The carriage stopped at the top of the driveway, right in front of the building.
“I’ll wait here,” Noerelle said.
Tolzan shrugged.
“I don’t think there’s any point in arguing about the matter,” he said.
“No, dear cousin, there’s really not. Why? Do you care either w
ay?” she asked.
“Not really. We’re on the same side. For now. And once we’re finished, I won’t care.”
“Oooh, poor Tolzan. I feel so sorry for you. Don’t you envy me for that? Oh, silly me; envy is a feeling as well,” she laughed.
“Envy you? For the endless need to get approval from just about anybody? Just because you didn’t get hugged enough by your parents?
Or is it because they paid your uncle and his wife to adopt you?
Poor, rich Noerelle.
Once I figure out how to do empathy, I will make some time to feel sorry for you. Isn’t that the reason why you want to get the Ritual? Having someone who has no choice but to approve of you?”
“Ouch. How catty of you. Does that mean that I have managed to get an emotion out of you?”
“I wish.”
Tolzan got out.
The grounds of the manor were dark and silent. The door was opened by Fenweed, the Master of House. He bowed to Tolzan, and retreated.
Tolzan ascended the noisily creaking stairway.
He entered a room, and locked the door behind himself.
He went up to an alcove with a statue in front of it.
He pushed a spot on the wall, and the life-size figure slid to the side, revealing an opening.
Tolzan stepped through, and descended a spiral staircase.
As soon as he had reached the bottom, he could make out their voices already. Trying to inhale as little as possible of the cold, damp air, he entered the Meeting Hall.
The torches of the hall only illuminated the middle of the room; the members of the Council were seated in the shadows.
Three men and two women looked at him; he couldn’t see their faces, but he knew exactly who they were. He went up to the table and took his seat.
“So, it is done. Pyonia has been given to foreigners again. Empress Gloria has been crowned, and Prince Mordan will be King. The Plan is moving forward flawlessly. Sixth One, let us hear your report,” the elderly man, who sat on one end of the table, turned to Tolzan.
“Yes, First One, Empress Gloria has been crowned, but she’s not certain whether to make Prince Mordan the King of Pyonia. As to the Plan; it’s mostly moving forward, but not flawlessly.”