Chapter 3-Control

(Meliara's POV)

I stood there at the entrance of his study, panting from having run the distance from my rooms to his in such a heavy costume. Azmus was exhausted from well-exhuastion.

Shevraeth looked up at us with a bland expression, but I knew his mind must be racing trying to connect the dots. I noticed he was sitting on a dining chair and not a desk chair. Odd.

He rose slowly, and I noted with some confusion he only wore a glove on his right hand, but not his left. Apparently very distracted. He motioned for the equerry to depart, "Ready my grey within the hour." He said as the young man departed with a bow.

"Where are my manners? Please sit down." He said quietly motioning in the direction of the table and chairs. A serving girl appeared as soon as we were seated with listerblossom tea, I self-consciously brushed a strand of stray hair out of my face.

It was nearly red change, an ungodly hour of the day. I gulped, not knowing how to open the conversation. Azmus rescued both of us from our thoughts,

"Sir, as you may know the Countess has employed me to answer certain delicate questions she needs answered." He paused to take a deep draught from his mug and continued, "I have enlightened her as to my gatherings and she wishes for you to know what I have discovered as well." He paused waiting for a response.

Shevraeth reached idly about his desk for something, while still facing us. "I'm to understand then that the Merindars do not have the same tastes in government as you Countess?" he said silkily. I could not decide if his change in tone was for Azmus's benefit or because he truly still did not know where I stood-or both.

It angered me that he could not see this as my attempt to finish our bridge.

"The Merindars have a penchant for using their friends and allies as pawns. I do not think they would make good rulers, not to mention they are duplicitous beyond compare." I felt satisfied in my ability to restrain my rising temper and answer his question.

My face felt red nonetheless, and I tried to drink my tea to cover it.

Azmus looked back at me, and then at the Marquis in front realizing he was stuck in our crossfire, as he turned back to look at me again I thought I saw realization dawn on his face.

Realization of what?

"Sire," he began again, "if you will permit I have ridden days without stop to tell this tale to the right ears."

Shevraeth nodded, "I apologize there is much on my mind, you have my full attention," he replied smoothly as he replaced the glove to his left hand.

So Azmus relayed all he had just told me, leaving nothing out, even the kinthus.

The Marquis sat back with a sigh for a moment before jumping up with lightening reflexes, "I thank you Mister-"

"I am merely your servant." Azmus smiled at me conspiratorially, then bowed, grasping my arm he whispered to me as he walked out, "It is time for you to solve your mystery." Then he was gone. Mystery?

Shevraeth walked quickly to a door from which he withdrew a set of riding boots and his infamous black cape. "So what is your plan?" I asked.

He turned around while slipping on his boot. "I am off to deal with the Merindars, the mother's plan is still in place, the better question is what is your plan?" he turned to face me while adjusting his cape. He looks like a king. How could I have ever considered the Marquise?

"Well someone needs to warn the Hill-folk!" I protested drawing my arms around myself, feeling suddenly cold.

"You may have a riding, I shall send one to meet you at the location of your choice, you are going to Tlanth correct?"

"Well Mora had suggested a quicker path would be to go to Orbanith." He looked confused for a split second, then his lips turned up in a small smile.

"Then we shall ride together for a time unless you object?" he suggested

My stomach flipped. Then I was puzzled, "Surely even the Marquis of Shevraeth isn't crazy enough to go riding off in his costume?"

He cursed, something I had never heard him do in all of our time together, and threw off his hat, rubbing his temples. "Forgive me, it has been a long day, I shall meet you in the stables before a quarter of the time-change has past"

For once the impenetrable Marquis had lost his cool reserve. He opened his gray eyes looked at me. "Neither of us can ride like this." He said simply

I could not move, he was staring directly at me with eyes the color of snowfall in twilight. So beautiful it was breathtaking and hypnotic. Perhaps Flauvic was not the only one to study magic. My thoughts flew by like sparrows on the fringes of a storm.

He looked about to say something, but we were interrupted.

Suddenly the door slammed open, and he turned away quickly to face our visitor. A nervous-looking equerry who must have been alarmed at interrupting his master at whatever he had been doing.

"My apologies Sire, but you said to notify you the instant the outrider arrived." He then bowed and was about to leave before Shevraeth stopped him.

"Send the rider here immediately and see to it that they are readying two horses down in the stables, the Countess and I shall depart together." His voice brooked no questions, and if the equerry had been surprised at all he dared not show it, quickly bowing again and exiting from whence he came.

Shevraeth did not face me again, choosing instead to face the fireplace as he spoke, "It would be advisable if you were to change into better clothes for the ride, do not worry I shall provide for everything else." With that he whirled around, and made for a door at the opposite end of the room, shutting it behind himself.

I had been dismissed.

A/N: Alright, as of right now I have 1 review for 3 chapters-I know people are reading this, so please review and tell me what you think!