Andrast

Ander shifted in the long black cloak. Across from him, Jacyn cleared his throat."Sit still. You must remain stioc. The Parliament will look for any reason to deny you. You must be strong. Especially since you are to be escorting the Lady Rachel."

Lady Rachel was the Prime Minister's daughter. She had volunteered for the diplomatic mission because it would show solidity, and thier support for Andrast. Ander couldn't believe they would let her go to a city at war.

Then, an aide walked into the lobby."Lords, the Parliament will see you now." He held the door, and they walkied into the cavernous Parliament Hall.

The Parliament was in full session. All twenty Lords sat in thier gilt seats, with the various other govenors, magistrates, and ministers. The Prime Minister sat in the center of the array. He sat behind a large desk on a raised platform, with two lords seated beside him on either side. He sat in a high backed chair, wearing the robes of his office. They were long and luxurious, a deep red, bordered in green and blue, with the symbol of Parliament stitched in gold across his chest and back.

The entire Parliament stared at them as they entered. Ander's wings itched, and he longed to just run out of the huge Palace, and take to the open sky. But he knew he had to stay. With a barely audible sigh, he sat in one of several chairs facing the Parliament. Since he was considered of equal rank with all those present, he did not bow. Niether did Jacyn, who sat next to him.

The man seated to the right of the Prime Minister, a man Ander recognized as the Speaker of the House, cleared his throat, and announced,"Welcome to the Parliament, Masters. We will now discuss the next item of bussiness, the diplomatic mission to Andrast, made by Lady Rachel, and Master Ander. This is correct?"

Jacyn did not move."It is." Was all he said.

The Speaker nodded, and said,"There have been three complaints filed to the Parliament by prominent members of the Parlaiment. We will hear them, then vote upon the matter." He shuffeled around the papers on his desk, and continued."The first complaint has been filed by the Lord Joshua of Fillholme." He named the southern city with an almost reverance. It was the third largest in the entire country."He claims that the voyage and mission can not be carried out by the Lady."

Ander almost sighed again. He remembered Jacyn telling him all about the members of Parliament. Lord Joshua had a notorious romance with Lady Rachel, although she was only seventeen. Jacyn nodded politely."Complaint noted. Continue."

The Speaker shuffeled some more, then said,"The second complaint was filed by Lady Yozelle, of Queen's City. She cliams that only one of the Masters on the Council of Five may escort one so important as the Lady Rachel."

Jacyn still did not rise. Ander wondered when he would. The Parliament was insulting the Order."Complaint noted. Continue."

This time, there was a murmur through the Parliament. A woman rose, and shouted,"Permission to speak, Prime Minister?"

The Prime Minister nodded."Permission granted, Lady Yozelle."

The Lady was dressed extravagantly. She wore a long gown, and was festooned with jewelry. She was wearing too much makeup, and with Ander's sensitive Prodigeous senses, he could smell her perfume from where she sat in the fifth row up. She used far too much.

"This is an insult! How dare this commoner speak to us this way? I think that the Masters have grown over thier bounds." She sat with a huff and a self satisfied, smug little smile.

Jacyn did not react."The next complaint, Speaker."

Lady Yozelle's smile turned to a furious glare, but she dared not interrupt. The Speaker nodded, and said,"The last complaint was filed by the Lord Gilbert of Tehican. He claims that it is unsafe for the Lady to be in either of thier noble cities."

At last, Jacyn got to his feet. Ander did not, showing indifference. Jacyn said nothing for a moment, then he said,"I will first adress these complaints. The Order of Masters does not allow complaints, nor does it care for them. All are waved aside. And as for you, Lady Yozelle, you have insulted a Master. You are under arrest, and will have your titles and wealth striped from you. That will be all. Master Ander will meet Lady Rachel in the courtyard, and they will complete thier mission."He turned on his heel, and walked out of the Parliament Hall. Ander got lazily to his feet and followed.

They didn't stop until they arrived at the courtyard. They found the lady's escort already waiting, and all of the men bowed when they entered. They were outfitted in the livery of the nation of Endon, ruled by the Parliament. They bowed a second time as Lady Rachel walked in, already escorted by two maids. They had been talking before they entered, but they quieted when they saw the two intimidating black figures. The maids bowed to Ander and Jacyn, then turned to thier mounts.

A soldier moved to help Lady Rachel into her saddle, but she ignored him, vaulting into the saddle herself. The movement betrayed years in the saddle.

Jacyn stepped forward."Before you leave, I have orders from the Council of Five. These rules I give you are not to be broken. Do so, and Master Ander will punish you as he sees fit. Rule one, no one will approuch either Lady Rachel or Master Ander without the permission of Master Ander. Rule two, all of you will obey Master Ander as you would your commanding officer. Failure to observe either of these rules is punishable by death.

"Rule three, you will address Master Ander as Master, or sir. Nothing else. Am I clear?"

Several of the men grumbled at being treated like children. Master Jacyn looked at them from under his cloak."You will answer every question from either Master Ander or Lady Rachel clearly and truthfully, understood?"

This time, a loud chorus of,"Yes sir!" Rang through the courtyard. Jacyn nodded, and turned to Ander."Good fortune, Ander." He spoke telipathically, and Ander replied in kind,"And you as well, Master."

When Ander returned, he found everyone in the saddle, the maids sitting side-saddle, thier shirts arranged daintily. They were obviously trying to set an example for the lady, but she ignored them, sitting in the saddle like a man, her skirts fanning on either side.

The guard captain nodded to Ander, and said,"If you are ready, Master, we will depart."

Ander nodded curtly, and vualted into the saddle of the horse he'd been given. He nodded to the captain, and he shouted,"Stations!"

The men arranged themselves so that three rode in front, and another three behind. The lady rode in the middle, on either side rode her maids, while Ander rode directly to her left. They rode at a liesurely pace, and Ander heard the lady sigh in frustration at thier deliberate slowness. She was obviously annoyed that they were treating her so protectively.

They only rode for a few hours when they came to the first checkpoint. It was a large clearing in the forest, with a spring bubbling out of a circle of rocks, and another circle for a fire. The men dismounted, and three of them set about gathering wood for a fire. Two more began setting up the lady's tent. The last came forward to aid the lady in dismounting.

Ander remembered Jacyn's orders. Let none approuch the lady, no matter thier intent, without his permission. The guard seemed to not notice him, perhaps deliberately. Ander moved so fast, magic fueling his speed, that the guard had no time to react. One second, he was walking towards the lady, the next, a formidible black figure barred his path.

Ander didn't speak, just stood between the man and the lady. The other guards drifted over to watch. The guard hesitated, then said,"I am to assist her Grace, Master."

Ander answered in a flat tone."You will not approuch the lady without asking me first. You will not forget this again, because if you do, I will be forced to punish you. And anyone else who disobeys me. I am in charge here, and you will do as I tell you. Am I clear?"

One of the other guards snorted."Thinks he can order us around. Stuck up Masters, think they're better than everyone else. Just because of thier 'magic'. I'd believe my six year old daughter has more magic than the lot of them. Ever seen one use it? Teach him a lesson, Gramson."

The guard, Gramson, grinned, and took a confident step forward. Ander did the same, so that they were barely two feet apart. The other guards laughed."Thinks he's better than us, you see? Well, he'll learn. Why don't you help him, Gramson?"

Gramson sneered, and went to shove Ander. Ander decided that the charade was over. He whipped out a knife, kicked Gramson in the side of his leg, right at the knee. Gramson's leg buckled, and Ander siezed his arm, pulling him around, and pressing the knife blade to the man's throat. This was over in less than two seconds. The guard's grins hadn't even faded yet.

Slowly, they back away. Gramson had gone still, and was breathing heavily. Ander spoke, loud and clear."Mabye I wasn't clear. I said I was in charge, and I meant it. The next man who disobeys me, dies. No matter how badly. If you so much as sneeze when I tell you not to, you die. Now, get back on your horses."

The guard captain unfroze."Sir? We've got orders from the Prime Minister himself to stop at every checkpoint for the night."

Ander nodded."And I told you to move on. We will arrive when I say, not the Prime Minister. If we go on at this rate, we'll get there in two weeks. We will arrive in four days."

The guards looked more mutinous at this. They had been expecting to travel lightly, since the Lady Rachel was along. They didn't want to go any faster than they had expected.

The guard captain looked like he wanted to object. Ander spoke before he could."Lady Rachel. Do you wish to stop now, or shall we press on?"

The lady grinned. She had no doubt wanted to step ut thier pace, but her father had ordered these men to travel lightly. Ander had given her an opportunity to make up her own mind."I am of the opinion that we should arrive as soon as possible, Master Ander."

Ander tried not to react to the way he felt as she said his name. He jumped back into the saddle, and the guards grudgingly repacked everything. They moved on, riding at a blistering pace. At each checkpoint they passed, the guards expected the 'stuck up Master' to order a halt. Ander didn't. He waited for them to stop expecting it. It was almost dark when he finally stopped them. He ordered two men to water the horses, another two to start the fire, and the last two he ordered to set the lady's tent. The two maids dismounted, and Ander said,"You two may attend your lady."

Ander himself assisted the men with the fire. They appeared dubious, as if expecting him to start it with magic. He didn't. While he'd traveled with Jacyn, it had been his duty to start the fires, and Brand's to gather the wood.

Ander pulled steel and flint from his robe, and struck it a few times, rearranged the tinder, then stuck it again. The fire caught, and he blew on it for a few seconds, then he left the men to get it burning well.

The others had completed thier tasks. The men watering the horses had tethered them to a rope streched between two trees, and had then pulled out packets of meat. One of them pulled a pot from his saddlebags, and then filled it with water. He put several peices of dried meat into this, then a few sprinkles of salt, then set it over the fire.

The maids had ushered the lady into her tent, and had returned while she ate. They sat with the guards, and Ander went to the tent."My lady?"

There was a pause, then Rachel's voice said,"Yes, Master?"

Ander paused himself, then asked,"May I enter?"

There was movement within, then she answered,"Yes, Master."

Ander entered the tent. It had been furnished with a folding cot, which had been on the last horse, the pack horse. There was a folding chair, in which Rachel was sitting, and a small folding table as well. A meal of pasties, white bread, and fruit was laid out, half eaten. Lady Rachel was reading a book, and wearing what looked to be a night dress. She was as beautiful as ever, and Ander caught his breath before saying,"With your permission, My lady, I will sleep in here at night. It will be safer for you, and will allow me to do my duty as your protector."

Rachel smiled, and said."Of course, Master Ander. I will feel safer with you so close." She dropped her eyes again to her book, and Ander felt it safe to eat. He reached into his robes again, and pulled out a small packed that was filled with jerky. He pulled some out, and removed his hood.

He wsa fully aware of Rachel's eyes on him, but he did his best to ignore her. He ate, keeping his eyes of the far wall. When he was done, he replaced the packed in his robes, and pulled his hood back up.

Only then did Rachel speak. There was suprise in her voice."You are rather young to be a Master, Ander." She marked her place with a stip of silk, and placed the book on the table.

Ander did not respond for a moment, then said,"The ways of our Order are our own, lady." He spread his blanket out near the entrance of the tent, then said,"I'm going to place certain enchantments around this tent. Anyone who comes within three feet of it will be rendered unconcious until the sunlight touches them."

Rachel nodded, her eyes wide. Ander composed his thoughts, considered the spell, and sang softly. He looked over while he was singing, and saw Rachel swaying back and forth to the unpredictable melody. He felt a feeling of content spread over him, and knew the spell was active. He lay back on his blanket, and said,"Good night, lady."

She responded, and went to her own cot. She was still, and her breathing became even. He waited for a few more minutes, then sang again, casting a spell that would wake him in anyone came within five feet of the tent. No harm in being cautious. Only then did he fall asleep.

He was woken only once during the night. He cast another spell to ascretain who was caught in his trap, found it was one of the guards, and left him there. He had gone back to sleep.

He woke again about ten minutes till full sunrise. He made sure he was decent for a Master, then went outside. As he had suspected, all of the guards were clustered around another of thier number. It was the youngest of the guards, lying unconcious. The captain looked at Ander and said,"What happened?"

Ander did not answer, only waiting. At last, the sun was up, and it's light fell on the hapless guard. He stirred, then pushed himself imto a sitting position. He looked around, dazed, and asked,"What's going on? Why ain't I in bed?"

Ander smiled in his hood."This is what happens to anyone who tries to outsmart me. You tried to sneak into the lady's tent last night. When you got too close, you were struck unconcious. I had cast powerful protective enchantments around the lady's tent. You are lucky it wasn't a spell that would kill. Next time, it will be. The next time, anyone who gets too close to this tent after sunset will die instantly."

The men stared at him with looks of awe. Ander cleared his throat."As soon as the lady wakes and is prepared, we leave. Prepare to depart." He didn't wait for them to move, he turned and disappeared into the tent. He once again concentrated, and sang. He canceled the spell, and the one to wake him. It would tire him to keep it active.

He turned to find the lady watching him. She didn't speak, and he turned and walked out of the tent. The men had already packed away thier blankets, and saddled the horses. The ladt emerged a few minutes later, now dressed in light pants and a loose shirt. Her maids eyed her with disapproval, but didn't dare to speak. The lady took her mount by the reins, and mounted with the same ease she had shown before.

Ander mounted, and then ordered them to move out. They rode slightly less hard than the day before, and arrived at another checkpoint in a gfew hours. None of the guards even glanced at it. Ander admired thier wisdom.

They passed another four checkpoints before he was satisfied, then they again dismounted. Ander gave the same orders as before, but helped with the horses this time. He helped unsaddled them, then led two to the creek that ran through the clearing. After they had drunk thier fill, he tethered them to another rope, and went to the lady's tent again.

Again, he knocked. The lady asked who it was, and he answer,"Master Ander." She replied,"Enter, Master."

He did, and again found her sitting at her table, a half eaten ,eal before her. She was again perusing her book, and she set it down to finish her meal.

Ander took out his own food, removed his hood, and ate, still aware of her eyes following his every move. He again replaced his hood when he'd finished, and then said,"I will be placing another enchantment tonight, my lady. If you will excuse me," He closed his eyes, and devised a spell that would cause unbearable pain if anyone came close to the tent. When he was sure it was right, he sang. He felt the lady stop moving, and waited until he was done with his spell before looking at her.

She was looking at him, specutively. She hesitated, then said, "Ander? Will you sing to me?"

Ander stared at her in suprise."Sing?"

"Isn't that what you were just doing? Singing?"

Ander floundered for a moment, then said,"No. I was using magic. I can't sing otherwise."

She looked into his eyes, pleading with her own."Please?"

Ander hesitated for a moment longer, then composed a spell for contentment. He paused again, studying her, then sang softly. He saw the spell take effect, and still sang, knowing it would calm her, and make her drowsy. He wove that into the spell, and it became a sort of lullaby, unbearably sweet, and powerful. Her eyes began to close, and he stopped abruptly.

She looked somewhat confused, then said,"That was . . . beautiful, Ander. If you'll excuse me, I will retire." She turned away, and sat on her cot, still looking bewildered, and slightly hurt. Ander didn't stop to ponder her reaction, but instead wrapped himself in his blanket, and fell asleep.

Ander woke much the same as the day before. He walked outside, and found most of the guards bent over another man. This one wasn't a guard, but seemed to be in pain.

Ander acted quickly. The sun would be up any second. He thought hard, then sang, weaving a net of magic around the man. He stopped moving, for he'd been rocking back and forth. The sun touched him, and he calmed down. Then he looked up at the tall Master, and tried to move again. He couldn't.

And waved at two of the guards."Haul him to his feet. I want to question him." They hesitated, then did as he asked. Ander removed the spell from the man's mouth, and asked,"Who are you?"

The man spat at his feet. He stared into the shadows under Ander's hood, and said,"Wouldn't you like to know, 'Master'?"

Ander frowned. He thought for a second, then sang, casting a spell that would tell him whenever someone was lying to him. He repeated his question.

The man smiled."I was just goin' to the market in Andrast, Master. No shame in that, is there. He seemed to be trying to move his hand. Ander went still."Are you a magic user?" He would have known without the lying spell that the whole market bit was a sham.

The man had also gone pale. He cleared his throat a few times, then cried, No, Master! I'm no magic user!" Once again, the man was lying.

Ander knew he couldn't let the man live. He though quickly for a way to kill him mercifully, but came up with only stopping his heart. Which would actually be quite painful.

Ander sang, the sound sharp and loud. Then it strangled down to a hiss. The man gasped, and his eyes went wide. He tried to form a spell that would save himself, but he couldn't move his hands. He went limp.

Ander felt disgusted with himself."Drop him. He's dead."

The guards dropped him quickly. They then made a sign against evil. Ander ignored them, then said,"Search him. There may be something that will tell me who he is."

"You mean there may be something to tell us who he is, I hope Master?" Rachel had emerged from the tent. She was dressed as she had been the day before, in loose pants and shirt. She walked over, and asked,"What did he want, Master Ander?"

Ander did not turn. He had the memory of last night in his mind."He may have been sent to do anything, lady. He was a magic user, and a threat. I have taken care of him."

Rachel stepped into his line of sight, forcing him to look at her."I would have liked to question him, Master."

Ander was sharp, and stern."A magic user is nothing to trifle with, Lady Rachel. He could have escaped, and then killed us all. Magic is something you do not understand, so do not interfere in my task. You may prepare to depart, my lady."

She was cool. She nodded briskly in his direction after a few seconds of cold glaring. She called to her maids, and mounted her horse. Ander nodded to the corpse."Get rid of it, then rejoin us. We leave in five minutes." He went and gathered his things, his blanket, really, then mounted his own horse.

The men worked in a frenzy to clear the camp. The tent was down, the corpse taken care of, and the men ready in less than five minutes. Ander nodded in recognition, then thye set out again. They moved faster than they had so far, Ander wanting get the lady as far as possible from assassins.

When they stopped that night, Ander cast a spell to disable anyone who tried to enter the camp. During the day, the forest had given way to vast plains. They hadn't really met many other travelers. The Prime Minister had chosen a little used trail.

The men set up camp, and Ander decided to go flying. He knew it was reckless and foolish, but he couldn't resist the temptation. He went to the lady's tent, and entered without knocking. She was eating, and she looked up in suprise as he entered. He didn't give her a chance to speak, but said,"I'm going to go scout out our road. I will return just after dark. I will be placing a spell of protection around you. Any who attempt to enter this tent will be driven mad until I return." He turned on his heel, and walked back out. He cast the spell, a curious sound as he sang.

Then he turned to so the guard captain. He nodded in greeting, then said,"I am going to scout outt our road. Don't try to enter the lady's tent. You'll regret it." He then turned and walked briskly off in the direction of the forest. He heard the guard call after him, but he ignored him, now walking through the first of the trees.

He shed his robe, and spread his wings, enjoying the nice feeling of stretching them. He looked up, and jumped, aiming for a hole in the canopy.

He shot out into the air. He wheeled through the sky, keeping the camp out of sight. He then got back to bussiness. At least, he got to his escuse for being up here at all. He flew over the road, and saw thier destination. Andrast. It was on the horizon.

He flew back to his roeb, and pulled the heavy cloak back on. He walked back to the camp, remembering at the last instant the spell he'd cast to keep people out. He cancelled it, then went silently to the lady's tent. He cancelled that spell as well. He knocked this time, and she gave him permission to enter. He did so, and found her still at her table, reading. He spread his blanket, and sat on it. He sang, and the spell to drive anyone who got close to the tent mad was reactivated. He looked over at the lady, and as usual, she was staring at him, a dreamy look in her eyes. He realized tht she must really like the sound of his singing.

Ander pulled out his food, and ate, then stowed it away again. He was about to lay down when Rachel said again,"Ander? Will you sing me to sleep?"

Ander again stared at her, incredulous. He was about to refuse, but she looked so beautiful, so sad, that he couldn't. He thought for a seocond, then said,"Get in bed, then."

She did, seeming as suprised as he was. She lay down, and Ander sang the same sweet lullaby he'd sung the night before, a spell to make her fall asleep.

She sighed in contentment, then dropped peacefully off to sleep. Ander waited for a second, his brow creased in a frown. It didn't seem right to use magic this way. He waited until he was sure she was asleep, then he wrapped himself in his blanket, falling asleep quickly.

In the morning, he waited until the lady woke, and then said,"Lady Rachel, I require your experience. I will wait outside until you are presentable." He exited the tent, this time finding no one had tried to get into the tent. He waited, and then the lady said,"Master Ander, you may enter."

Ander did, suprised to find her wearing a floor length gown instead of her riding clothes. She had put her hair up in an elegant whirl, and had donned a necklace and earings. She was sitting in her chair.

Ander stood opposite her."How will I be expected to act, my lady? What would be considered appropriate?"

She smiled."As a Master in Andrast? They will expect nothing from you. Act as you like, Master Ander. They will accept it. I take it we are very close to the city?"

Ander nodded."We are. We will arrive today. There is one other thing, my lady. As I am a Master, your references to me as Master Ander must cease. It will do harm for others to see such familiarity." He adopted a stiff formal tone. She copied him, and said,"Very well, Master. That will be all?"

Ander nodded."Prepare yourself, my lady. We leave in five minutes." He left the tent, and found the guards already packed, and waiting for the lady to vacate her tent. She did, and they attacked it with a fervor. They were traveling in minutes.

The city's gates were very impressive, although they were damaged. They rode past the guards, who stared at the lady, but dared say notyhing because of the forbidding Master who rode beside her. Ander sighed, an inaudible sound. He was starting to hate all this superiourity.

They rode leisurely through the city, until they arrived at the lord's palace. It had a small estate around it, large green lawns, and flowerbeds fit for a king. They were stopped briefly at the gate, then let through. Ander dismounted, and nodded to the maids. A man came forward to take the lady's horse, and Ander stepped into his way. The man looked suprised. He went to step around Ander, but Ander shook his head."You will not approuch the lady."

Lady Rachel had dismounted."Please, Master, I think I can look after myself now."

Ander didn't turn."I am charged with your safety, Lady Rachel. In this you must obey me. You two." He indicated two of thier escort."Take the lady's hose to the stables. You." This, at the man who'd tried to take the horse."Will escort us to the Lord Filmore."

The man sputtered."I am but a stable hand, my Lord. I am not allowed into the palace."

Ander took a step forward."I told you to take us to the Lord. You are with me. You are to do as I say."

The man went slightly pale, but whined,"The Lord's orders are-"

Ander lost his temper, or at least, he seemed to."I gave you an order! You will do as I say, even if I told you to kill your lord! Now, go!"

The man stumbled in his haste to do as Ander ordered. He led them inside, and through the large entry hall. They went to a large set of handsome mohagany doors, and then bowed, gesturing to the door. Ander allowed the lady to lead the way, and followed barely a step behind her.

There were three men in the large study. The one sitting in the chair looked old and overwheight, barely a threat. The lady curtsied, and Ander stood completely still. The man looked up, and said in a rude voice,"Who is this that does not show his lord proper homage?"

Ander took a step forward."You are not a lord." His lying spell had alerted him at once. The lord wasn't this old man. He looked around."Lord Filmore, enough games. Let this begin."

The old man looked terrified, but a younger man, in his late thirties, laughed.'I think I like this Master. Get out of my chair, Festari." He strode over and took his chair. He studied them all with obvious interest, especially Ander. He didn't speak for a moment, then said,"We will begin negotiations tommorow. Tonight, you will be given every comfort. My lady, I have arranged for six servants for you, and the same for you, my lord Master.

"You will both have quarters furnished for your status, and your guards will have guest quarters here as well. Until they are well rested, I will assign you ten new guards. Is that satisfactory?" He seemed to feel important, and obviously thought that they were impressed.

Lady Rachel nodded courteously."I am honored that you would spare much needed men for me, my lord. I am sure we will be very comfortable."

Ander stepped forward again."I will be accompanying the lady wherever she goes. I do not believe these guards necesary, but if it makes you feel that the lady will be safe, I will also go along with your wishes. But all of your men must swear thier loyalty to me. They must obey me before even you."

One of the other men in the room stepped forward at this."How dare you insult the Lord Filmore!" He raised his fist to hit Ander, but Ander didn't give him the opportunity. He whipped out his knife, and stabbed the man in the arm, and kicked him aside. The other, older man, gasped at this, and pulled a short sword. Ander lost patience. He sang, quick and sharp, and the man fell to his knees, grasping his ears in agony.

Only Lord Filmore didn't move. He sat there with a slight smile on his face."I hope you haven't damaged them in the long term, Master. Of course we shall go along with your wishes."

Ander nodded and sheathed his knife. Rachel smiled nervously."Until tommorow, my lord?"

Filmore nodded, still smiling."Yes indeed, Lady Rachel." He rose, and bowed. Rachel bowed in return, but Ander remained rigid. A maid entered, and said,"I am to escort the lady to her chambers. If I may, lady?"

Rachel nodded, and walked out behind the maid. Ander followed barely a step behind. The others were behind them, and Ander said,"Find yourselves a place to stay. I will send a man to wake you in the morning. If you do not recieve the summons, meet us in the lords office."

They nodded, and dispersed. Ander followed the lady, and they arrived at a handsome door, guarded by two heavily armed men. They stopped them until the lady told them who she was, then allowed her through. Then, when Ander started to follow, one said,"You are not allowed inside the lady's chamber, Master." He laid a hand on his sword hilt.

Ander continued as he hadn't heard. The man drew his sword, and Ander stopped, appraising the man. He quickly composed a spell, and sang one note. The man cried out, and was thrown ten feet down the corridor. The other man paled, and said,"You may enter, my lord."

Ander nodded, and walked into the suite. It had four rooms. A parlor, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a dining room. He could hear Lady Rachel in the bathroom, with the maid, and he sat stiffly in one of the chairs in the parlor. He waited, and eventually a servant entered with a tray of food for the lady. He looked suprised to find Ander there, but set the food on the dining table.

The lady emerged, now dressed in a different dress, this one a deep red, wearing cloth slippers. She waited, and the maid entered, and helped her into a chair at the head of the table. Then the maid set about dividing the food between them, and bowed, retreating to the corner.

The lady picked up her fork, but Ander said,"No. Do not eat yet." He waved the maid forward."You will taste the food before the lady eats."

The maid looked shocked at the way he had told Rachel what to do, but she sampled the food from all of the dishes, even Ander's. She then retreated to a corner, and Ander waited, then cast a spell. He sang softly, and detected no hint of poison. He sat, and nodded to Rachel. She smiled, and said,"Well thought, Master."

Ander ignored her, now concentrating on eating. They ate in silence, and Ander then left the table, returning to his chair. The lady finished, then said,"I bid you good night, Master." She beckoned the maid, and they went to the bedroom. Ander waited until the maid re-emerged, then reached out with his mind, trying to touch Lady Rachel's.

He felt her, and she started. He spoke in her mind."I will put enchantments around your rooms, Lady. No one will be able to enter your bedroom without being incapacitated."

She couldn't answer, but she did start humming to herself. He took that as a yes, and sang, weaving the spells into place. When they were, he cast another spell to wake him at dawn, and took a couch for his bed.

No one had tried to enter the lady's chamber when Ander woke the next morning. The two guards were different. They informed him that there had been those who wished entry, but they had turned these people away. Ander nodded and went back inside.

The lady was awake, and sitting in bed when he entered. She smiled at him, but couldn't see his face under the hood. She reached out and pulled a bellpull, summoning a maid.

The woman arrived shortly, and Ander excused himself, and waited. Less than ten minutes later, Lady Rachel emerged, wearing a long black satin dress. Her hair was loose, but brushed back. She wore a silver diadem to restrain it and show her rank. She nodded to Ander, and they left the lady's quarters. The two guards immediatly took up a position behind them, and the miad escorted them to the audience chamber of Lord Filmore.

They stopped outside the chamber, a courtesy. Then they were called inside. The guards pulled open the huge maple double doors, and they entered.

The room had probably been designed as a banquet hall. Now it held only four pieces of furniture. They were all as luxurious as any in the Parliament Palace, but perhaps not as well taken care of. A large dest sat at the far end, before a huge fireplace. A fire crackled there, and in the large chair sat Lord Filmore.

The lord smiled at them, and said,"Please, my lord and lady, take a seat." He gestured at two other armchairs placed before the desk. They took thier seats, Ander sinking into his chair like he was slouching, the lady sitting primly in hers.

Lord Filmore looked at a sheet of paper on his desk, and said,"This says that there were complaints against your coming, my lady. Surely none would deny your father, the Prime Minister?"

Rachel smiled politely."My father himself id not approve of my coming, Lord Filmore." She spoke as if conveying an embarrasing secret. She laughed airily, and went on,"But, really, it seemed only proper to handle this matter with finesse, and to bestow my own presence in the negotiations."

Filmore laughed with her, and said,"Well spoken, lady. Very well, shall we get on to bussiness? I assume by your presence that the Parliament frowns upon my war with Tehican?"

Lady Rachel frowned thoughtfully."It goes deeper than that, Lord Filmore."

Filmore laughed."Please, call me Jonathan." He leaned back."How does it go deeper, lady? War is war, whether I will it differently or not."

Rachel smiled enchantingly."Jonathan. War kills people. War hurts nations, and it serves only to inflame egos and fatten provinces. Although I am sympathetic to your cause, I must do my duty to the Parliament."

Ander spoke for the first time."The Order frowns upon war, Lord Filmore. War prevents us from doing our duty. Like anything that stands in our way, it shall be removed."

Rachel shot him a look that was probably meant to admonish him, but he knew his duty. He wanted to keep Jonathan Filmore intimidated as long as possible without using magic.

Jonathan smiled indulgently at him, then turned to Rachel."I am pleased to hear of you sympathy, Lady Rachel. Perhaps you would be my spokesperson on the Parliament?"

Rachel sighed."Of course, I would love to, but why would I side with you, Jonathan? The Parliament is already considering siding with Lord Gilbert. If I were to back you, I would need more of an incentive."

Jonathan smiled."Of course. And you, Master? Will you side with me in this bloody war against Gilbert?"

Ander knew that the Masters didn't interfere in the provincial wars. They were beneath them. Jonathan knew this as well. Ander did not deign to respond, instead leaning back and putting his black booted feet up on Jonathan's desk.

Jonathan went slightly pink, but covered that by saying,"Perhaps you would like a respite, my lady? We have the most exquisite bath house this side of the sea. Would you like to visit it later, with my stunning wife?"

Rachel laughed again."Why, Jonathan, you are not married!"

Jonathan got a wierd look in his eyes when she said that."No." He said sadly."I am not. I was betrothed some months ago, when my father passed, but tragedy snatched my lovely bride away."

Ander took his feet down."Yes. I heard of this. Though I myself care not for your feelings, there is a lady present. How did your betrothed die, Lord Filmore?"

Jonathan got sad."Why, she took her own life on the eve of our wedding. She poisoned her wine that night. A dreadful thing, you can be sure. I heard her family was mostly struck ill, and her parents died of grief."

Ander frowned under his hood. Jonathan had lied. His wife to be hadn't taken her own life, and her parents hadn't died of grief. He now understood the power of a spell to detect lying. He wondered if it were a good thing. He decided to unnerve Jonathan even more.

"Do not lie to me, Lord Filmore." He said in a soft, amused voice."I do not appreciate such things. Masters do not tolerate lying."

Jonathan looked only slightly confused, and mabye a little angry."Lie, Master? Surely not! I would never lie to one such as you!"

Ander shook his head."But you seem to keep doing so. I am not impressed, Filmore. Perhaps I would like to call this meeting to an end, until tommorow."

Jonathan went red."That's Lord Filmore, Master."

Ander didn't look up."Not for much longer, I fear, if you lie to the lady as you have done today." He stood. Jonathan did likewaise, although reluctance colored his movements. The lady rose last, and curtsied to Filmore, then said,"I will retire, Lord. I would like to meet you at the bath house later, alone."

Ander looked up sharply."That is out of the question, Lady Rachel.I will be present." Jonathan went red again, but Rachel laughed."Of course, Master. But you do not count, for you are privy to all of my secrets." She smiled enchantingly at Fiomore, then swept gracefully from the room. Ander nodded to Jonathan, then left as well. He caught up with the lady after a few yards, and walked beside her to her quarters.

Ander inquired after thier original escorts, and a maid went to summon them. Less than two minutes later, she was back, breathing heavily, and pale. She curtsied to Ander, and said in one breath,"They are all dead, Lord! They were all stabbed in thier sleep! Thier chambers were not guarded like your own!"

Ander took her shoulders, said,"Sit." Ander went into the lady's room. She was taking the diadem from her tresses, and looked up as he entered. Ander didn't give her a chance to speak, instead saying,"I am going to talk with our host. Your escort was killed last night. Stay here. If anyone comes near you, they will die." He sang, wrapping the lady in a web of magic, before he swept quickly from the room.

He surged past the guards, and caught Jonathan as he was leaving his audience chamber. He walked past his guards like they weren't there, and said,"I want an explanation, now."

Jonathan looked only suprised."Whatever do you mean, Lord?"

Ander lost patience. He grabbed the lord by the front of his tunic, and slammed him into the wall. The guards cried out and came farward, but Ander sang, flinging them down the hall like leaves in a gale. He glared at Lord Filmore, and hissed,"The lady's guards were killed last night. What do you know of it?"

Jonathan looked only slightly scared, and more than slightly angry."I knew nothing of this until this instant, Master. You will forgive me for-"

"Liar!" Ander snarled. He threw Jonathan across the hall, where he slammed against the opposite wall. He fell to the floor, and then Ander was hauling him to his feet."Answer me now, and answer me true, or I will have to executed for this crime!"

Jonathan went pale, then stammered out,"I knew there was a plot to kill your guards. I didn't know who it was, but I did know of it. I thought it would strengthen my position if Gilbert's men were discovered attempting to assassinate the lady. I never intended-" But Ander had thrown him again, now sprinting for the lady's chamber.

He barely arrived in time. He burst through the door, and saw nothing out of the ordinary, other than the maid seemingly in quiet conversation with Rachel. Then he felt his spell to protect her was cancelled. He felt the wrongness, like he was suddenly without air underwater. He leapt forward, and saw the knife in the maid's hand.

Ander sang. He sang hard and cold. The maid dropped her knife, and fell writhing to the floor. He still sang, sending waves of agony into the maids body.

Then, she was on her feet, the knife in her hand. He felt again like he was drowning in wrongness, and knew his spell had been negated. He sang again, and this time, he saw the maid's hand go to her necklace before his spell was cancelled. She leapt at him, and he whipped out his long knife. She laughed in glee, and Ander sang again, a sharp cutting noise. The maid's necklace fell from her, and landed a few feet away. She went pale, and tried to run at the window. Ander sang again, starting to feel the stress of using too much magic.

The maid fell like invisible bonds had appeared around her ankles. She was suddenly bound and gagged.

Ander stumbed against the couch, and managed to say,"The necklace . . . ." Before everything went dark.