Chapter 5, finally. Are you not all extremely proud of me? I know I'm about a month later than I promised to be, but you know how school is. :o) This is a very in-between chapter again. The next chapter should be quicker (I say that all the time, don't I?) So R and R, and I'll write very diligently.




'Be not alarmed, my dear Sparhawk, on receiving this missive from my 'grave'. After the attack on our dear Ortzel and the attempt on Bergsten's life, I realised that Chyrellos would no longer be a safe place to be. I sent word to Stragen, and he took a detour from his way to Emsat to help me. He and Melidere helped to arrange my death, and I am writing to reassure you that I am alive and well in Emsat. I am currently posing as Lady Allora, a lady-in-waiting to Melidere.

'As Always, Your Ehlana

'Allow me a few more months without you, dearest. Stragen found my hair necessary for authenticity.
Ehlana gnawed the end of her quill. Who should she entrust the letter to? Tel and Stragen were busy uncovering the stories and facts behind Lienze, and Melidere was similarly occupied. She frowned, not wanting to disturb those three, then remembered the Child Goddess.
***
"What is it?" Sparhawk asked his daughter, concerned. "One minute you were playing with Rollo, the next you were asleep. It'll be very hard to explain a comatose seven-year-old. Is it Ehlana?"

"Yes," the girl replied, and Sparhawk felt his heart leap to his throat.

"Well, what is it?" he shook his daughter roughly. "Is she alright? Is she..." he stopped as Danae handed him a letter.

Sparhawk devoured the message from his wife.

"Why was she wearing a black wig?" Aphrael asked curiously. Sparhawk handed his daughter the letter.

"Oh," she covered a laugh. "We'd best give her time for her hair to grow. And we'd better tell the others..." she stopped suddenly. "Someone's coming."
***
Talen was on his way to the Palace when he was pulled over by an old beggar woman into her house.

"Master Talen!" she gestured for him to come closer. "Are you on your way to the Palace? To see Prince Sparhawk, perhaps?"

"Why, yes," Talen was bemused. She usually scolded him, whereas she looked extremely scared now. "What's the matter, Ina?"

Ina gestured for her son to get up. "Arein, tell Talen about it."

Arein, guard at the Palace, stood up and puffed his chest self-importantly. "Well, a runner entered at around a few hours ago. He said that he had news of Queen Ehlana, and knowing how the Prince felt about his wife, I thought it'd be wise to let him through after checking for weapons."

"And?" Talen asked impatiently.

"The Queen has been assassinated!" Arein whispered to the young man. "Dead! And all the while, the Prince and his daughter looked like they were trying not to laugh! Talen, I think we're dealing with a madman here..."

The boy felt worried. "Don't' be ridiculous, Arein," he said roughly, turning to go. "This is Sparhawk we're talking about here. He's like the tide. Sure to come, sure to go. You probably read him wrong. Or something."
***
"Sparhawk," Talen greeted the older man cautiously. "Are you going mad?"

Sparhawk blinked. "I don't think so," he said slowly. "But if you're talking about the whole Ehlana affair, she isn't dead."

The boy stared at him compassionately. "I know this is hard for you, and all, but you have to live life, man..."

After Sparhawk showed Talen the letter from Ehlana, Talen felt extremely foolish. "We won't talk about this anymore, will we?" he said dangerously.

"If you don't want us to," Danae said sweetly, coming through the door. The young man looked trapped. "Mmrr's disappeared again. Will you help me find her?" she asked innocently.
***
Platime frowned. "Should we send men to capture Lienze? She's heading to Demos, and she'll give a speech in three days time there."

"Three days?" Bevier repeated, and shook his head. "If we send men, she'll hear of it long before she gets within a hundred leagues of Demos. Plus, her entourage is said to be three hundred strong, all well-equipped."

"Thanks to Krager," Naween said laconically. "I suggest for us to just travel to Demos and know what we're up against. Are you able to mobilize men at Demos, Sparhawk?"

"No, but there is always the Pandion Motherhouse," he said positively.

"No," Kalten spoke up. "Sparhawk can't come. The entire city knows if he sneezes, and now that the Queen is dead - yes, I know she isn't, but that's what all Elenia thinks - Sparhawk should not put even a toe out of his chambers."

"You know, sometimes you can be really clever, Kalten," Talen said admiringly.

Sparhawk scowled. "Surely you are not going to let Kalten lead the Pandions?"

"Bad idea, Sparhawk, very bad," Bevier agreed. "Let's get Khalad. He's a knight now, isn't he?"

"Not yet," Sparhawk shook his head. "I was going to knight him this winter because he had to take care of the harvest."

"Berit, my lords?" Alean asked quietly, but the men had learnt to listen for Alean's quiet suggestions.

Kalten groaned and put his head in his hands. "I knew that she'd regret marrying me," he said mournfully. "Alean, if you want, I'll go to Chyrellos, and..."

Everyone ignored Kalten as Alean reassured her husband and explained her idea.

"He's at the Chapterhouse, isn't he?" Talen said finally. "We can fetch him on our way to Demos. So it'll be me, Bevier, and Berit to listen to this Lienze?"

Platime nodded. "I am not coming, even for my Queen," he said fervently. "A bumpy and fast ride to Demos is more than my bones can handle. I suppose this means I have to take care of things again?"

"Yes," Naween hid a smile. "And Talen, I'm coming as well."

"But-" Bevier started to object, then realised that he had no authority to. "Well, I meant," he flustered.

"I want to see Lienze. I... knew her. Or thought I did, a long time ago."




And that's it! Do please C and C - and I'll keep writing.