Update: 15/04/05: Wow, I just finished reading this chapter over and I see how many times I've slipped up with mistakes ; My apologies. Now it's all fixed for everyone to enjoy )
Chapter One: Silver and Cold
Kethry seemed to stare off into space as Yamitana, her brother's beloved stallion, pranced nervously in the market of Tortall's capital. She didn't bother to move her head as people swarmed around Yamitana to see his silent rider. "Shove off now, there's no need for all this!" Kethry's chaperone hissed at the crowd and she smirked behind her long, silver bangs. So, word of Cassia has spread, she thought to herself as she viewed the world from behind her overly long bangs. Everyone has gathered to see Lord Kelvirton's beautiful and extremely free daughter, she mused and chuckled to herself as she continued with her role as the 'blind little sister'. It was her best-kept secret.
Kethry had been born a healthy baby girl with a cap of blonde hair and blue eyes, the beauty of the household, though she skulked around corners, invisible to those around her. She had wanted to be a spy so badly, and when they moved to the Yamani Islands she thought she might have her chance with the elite there. But it was not to be. Her curiosity had gotten her into trouble with a powerful, magical device. The magic from the object had channelled itself through her, bleaching her hair and eyes silver. Her expression did not change for all the pain the memories brought her. It had been her own fault. She glanced around silently, wondering at the crowd. So what if she was supposedly blind? If only they knew the truth.
After the accident she had been completely blind for a time, and the doctors of the Yamani Royalty had announced that she would be blind forever. She had not shed a tear while her family wept for their little beauty gone freak. One reason she had let her bangs grown so much. If they didn't want to see her 'ugliness' then they wouldn't have to. She grimaced and shook her head silently as she urged her horse on. Her sisters were all blonde haired and blue eyed as she had once been, and buxom beauties to boot.
A sudden shriek pierced the air as her older sister's horse reared away from the crowds. Cassia shrieked again and Kethry rolled her eyes heavenward, as if praying for the strength and patience to deal with her dainty, and outrageously vain sister. She discreetly sent a few silver strands of magic to control the horse's mind and calmed it. "Cassia, control your horse, please," she called, staring straight ahead of her. Cassia glared at her and sniffed.
"Well, at least I don't scare my horse off like you did," she retorted haughtily. Kethry stiffened, then told herself to calm down. Her birthday present had been a silly creature anyway. One look at it's quiet and imposing master made it shy away from it's new mistress and she had dismissed it with a flick of her fingers. Unfortunately, her temper had gotten the better of her and she lost control of some of her magic. The ice gift she possessed had struck the horse and ropes, making it rear and break away. They found it drowned in the river a day later with Stormwings feasting upon it.
"It's your own fault that your horse is acting like that anyway. You're the one who wanted to make this sort of entrance in the middle of one of Tortall's busiest holidays," Kethry replied coldly and her sister flipped her off. She smirked and shook her head slightly.
A whistle of appreciation came from the crowd and she glanced around discreetly for the culprit. A boy of about eighteen stood out in the crowd, staring at her. Her silver eyes glinted behind her bangs and he winked at her before dashing off through the crowd. She was a bit flustered but shook it off and imagined herself encased in ice once more. This was her best defence as her own spy. She had created it right after the accident.
After the accident her family had treated her as a freak. Her face had seemed as if it would be horribly scarred, but time had healed it seamlessly and she looked just as much herself as she had before, but her family did not know this either. She had decided never to cut her bangs, unless they cam down past her nose, and even then she would only cut them so they were just above her nose, still covering her supposedly scarred face and abnormal silver eyes.
The procession of carts and horses her sister had convinced her father to send along with the both of them began to move again and within half an hour they were within the palace walls itself.
"Kethry! Help me with this corset!" Cassia cried and Kethry sighed, laying down her weapons and hiding them.
"Don't you have maidservants to help you?" she called back, heading for her sister's rooms.
"But they haven't the strength that you possess!" Cassia whined, as her maids fussed over her hair and cosmetics.
"So I'm just here to make sure you have the hourglass figure you want…" she muttered, taking the corset strings in hand and tightening them until her sister gasped, then tied them deftly. "There, now, don't bother me again until you are ready for the ball." She saw her sister nod and waited for the verbal response like a good little blind girl. Cassia's hands flew to her hair and she gave her verbal affirmative.
"You are going to wear a dress, aren't you? Not one of those horrible yukatas from the Yamanis I hope," her sister remarked absently.
"I have a dress, and shall wear it, if only to please you sister." Kethry grimaced and drew out her black silk dress from the wardrobe on the other side of the room. No less than five maids rushed to aide her and she shooed them away, taking the dress to her own rooms and dressing herself, hiding her weapons in the fold of her dress.
She went back to pass her sister's inspection. Cassia clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Why don't we cut your bangs?" she asked, lifting them gently and Kethry caught her wrist and moved it away from her forehead as her sister pouted. "At least let me do something with the rest of your hair." She beckoned a maid over and requested a brush. The maid got it quickly and they both sat on the bed, Cassia brushing her younger sister's knee length silver hair. "You know, your face has healed up so nicely, your eyes are still a bit unnerving but who cares, you could be beautiful again," she nattered in her sister's ear.
"I like the way I am, I'm comfortable this way," was Kethry's reply.
"But it's so unnatural to have bangs that long… It's not proper for a lady to hide herself like you do, Keth," Cassia pestered.
"And it's just fine to throw yourself at men, tumbling them at will?" Kethry replied.Cassia flushed then changed the subject.
"How would you like your hair?"
"Just braid it please, and nothing elaborate, just a braid." Keth could sense her sister pouting again as she ran her fingers through the silver hair, parting it three ways.
"When are you going to get a more colourful wardrobe?" Cassia continued.
"I can't see it, so what does it matter?"
"But black looks so drab, darling."
"I don't care, I like it."
"But it's been years since Moret died," Cassia said firmly. Kethry stiffened for the second time that day. Her brother, Moret, Had died saving her from the magical blast, and it was his horse that she rode so lovingly now. She ignored the grief that tried to drown her every time she thought of her beloved brother. She stayed silent and Cassia sighed. "Despite what you may think, I love you, and I just want you to have a happy life."
"Oh, so it's go nothing to do with the fact that father has promised to buy you anything you want if you find me a husband," she said quietly and there was a quick intake of breath behind her. "I know the family thinks me a burden and wants me away, and I shall leave soon enough. When I turn seventeen I'm out of your hair. Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
She stood and took over the braiding herself, doing it neatly as always and tying it with a bit of black ribbon. Around her neck hung a piece of her brother's shield, the only remnant of him that she had. She clasped the warm metal between her fingers and strode out of the room, slipping on her dancing slippers and waiting patiently by the door with a black silk shawl hanging from her elbows and around her back as she clasped her Yamani fan in her hand. Her head bowed reverently to complete the act, she waited for her sister who scoffed at her shawl and said nothing more to her as they left for the ball.
Kethry stared around her as they entered the ballroom. Many people were milling about, for it was the ball honouring the Moongoddess and her maids. It was also the announcement of the prince's betrothal to the raka princess of the Copper Isles. The enamoured couple sat on the right hand side of the king and queen of the Copper Isles, who regarded their antics with knowing smiles. Kethry's heavy fan weighed down her arm but she ignored its weight. Inside the fan were slender, double sided blades. By flicking her hand a certain way she could release the knives in the fan and use it as a weapon. She had learned weapon making from her old nurse and her husband, the both of whom delighted in their young charge's enthusiasm for espionage and weaponry.
A boy about three years younger than her bumped into her gently and looked frightened as her fan dropped with a dull thud. He went to pick it up but she held up her hand to stop him and, in one graceful movement borne from practice, crouched to pick it up and rose to smile at him. He stammered an apology and stared at her. "W-would you like a drink, madam?" He asked, gaining his composure. She nodded and held out her hand for one. "Yes please." He stared at her hand and people turned to look, some whispering. Another page quickly rushed to his friend's aide and she waited patiently for the glass to be placed in her hand. She smiled and curtsied, moving away from them, sipping on her drink. She smirked to herself as she heard the page's gasp as the other boy informed him that she was blind. Ah, if only they really knew, but then she wouldn't get as much information as she was able to.
She quickly removed herself to the gardens, away from the crowds of people pressing against her. Emerging into the cool night air made her bare arms prickle with goosebumps and she looked around inconspicuously looked around for a bench. She was delighted to find a maze and entered it before her sister came to find out what she was doing. She found herself in the maze's centre soon enough, only to find a young man there sitting on a bench dejectedly and staring into the pool swarming with koi in the centre of the little clearing. She stared at him a moment, not really surprised but took a few steps forward. He noticed her and stood up. She heard the rustling of his clothing audibly enough and feigned surprise. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't know anyone was here. I didn't see you…" He nodded and smiled.
"No apologies needed, I'm afraid it's darker than usual in this garden tonight," he replied amiably, taking in her appearance.
A young girl of sixteen, about five foot eleven, naturally pale with silver hair running down her back in a single plait. Her bangs were overly long and he thought he knew now why she hadn't seen him. Her body wasn't willowy, as was the fashion, but slightly muscular and curvaceous. Her feminine curves were subtle, but enough to make a man's head turn. The black dress she wore didn't hug her curves, choosing to flow over them like water.
"Err… It must be for you," she replied. Her voice was soft and he wanted to hear more of it, if her voice was this good just talking he wondered how well she could sing. He shrugged and then went over her words in his head.
"What do you mean-? Oh, madam, please forgive me, I'm so stupid. You are Lady Kethry, are you not? In your loveliness I forgot that you are blind…"
Kethry rolled her eyes in irritation. "No apologies needed sir, may I ask why you are here and not at the ball?" He seemed nice, and was probably a lady-killer, with his blue eyes and black hair. His body was thin yet just as muscular as her own. He wore a blue tunic over a white shirt and blue hose.
"I'm afraid that I have become lost, milady. Would you care to escort me out?" He held out his hand, moved closer and took her hand, settling it on her arm. She nodded and laid her left hand on the hedge wall of the maze.
"Logic states that if you keep your left hand on the wall you shall soon find yourself out of the maze, Lord…?" He shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I've been stupid and rude, the name is Noin, and I'm no lord. I oversee all of the bards in the palace." She faked a smile and rolled her eyes to herself. Some one's into self pity, she thought to herself silently.
A bush rustled nearby and he raised a brow. "Two lovers perhaps?" he asked, grinning. She giggled as was expected and listened closer then froze. Her hearing picked up the cocking of a crossbow mechanism and she pulled him to the ground just in time to avoid a fatal bolt. She put her hand into her waistband and pulled out a small throwing dagger with a metal finger loop on the tip of a wrapped hilt. She looped her finger into it now and flung it with accuracy into the hedge. Hearing a grunt she smirked silently and urged the bard on his way.
"Get the Guard, now, I'll take care of the intruder for now." Noin nodded fearfully and ran off. She went to the bush and froze some of the branches so they became brittle and easy to break. Kicking a hole through the now frozen hedge she stepped through and looked to her culprit.
The boy's hair was coal black and his green eyes sparkled as he glared at her. His face would have been considered handsome, if not for all the mud covering it. He was tall and lanky, taller than her by about six inches, but he seemed to move with grace as he sat up and drew the knife from his shoulder. It had struck him in the shoulder, and with his clothes plastered to him with mud and blood she could see he was muscular but bony.
He stood silently and his green eyes glimmered with recognition and his face broke out in a grin. "It's you! You're quite the shot for a blind girl! You know the Circle could really use a girl of your talent. What else can you do?" he asked eagerly, ignoring the pain in his arm. She stepped back, startled and looked around for a way of escape. He caught her glances and gained a look of accusation. "You're not really blind are you?" She stared at him, truly scared for the first time in her life. My secret's out, she thought fearfully. He took a long step forward and caught her by the shoulders. She tried to break away from his powerful grip but her held her firmly. Lifting her bangs with one hand he brushed them aside, looking into her eyes. "You can see me, I can tell-" he was flung back suddenly by a burst of power as she stumbled backwards, landing on the damp grass.
Time seemed to stop. The sounds of the garden faded and she glanced around her, reaching for one of her odd daggers. A mellow and soothing voice enveloped her, reassuring her, trying to get her to relax. "Who are you?" she challenged.
"You've known me all your life, worshipped me with your songs, Kethry," the voice echoed. Mist formed before her and she stared into it, hard, brushing her bangs out of the way of her sight. A formidable figure stepped out of the swirling mist, bells on its robes chiming musically. She stood shakily and bowed as she recognised the figure.
"Mikal, god of music," she said breathlessly, curtseying deeply. He stepped closer and cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to look up at him. His skin was brown and his hair long and black. Beads and feathers were braided into his hair in some places, bells hanging off the end of each braid. Music followed his every movement as the silk robe he wore whispered against his skin.
"My servant, Kethry, how you have grown. So beautiful, yet you hide it?" He smiled at her warmly. Most girls would have fainted at this form of tenderness by now, but Kethry was unamused.
"I am your servant, but not your plaything," she informed him bluntly, her face void of emotion. He smiled and drew back.
"Ever the cold one, I see."
"That's the kind of magic I was given, it's the kind of mask I shall don," she replied with a shrug. "Why are you in this realm?"
"Ah, the question of a lifetime. Tortall is in trouble, and I needed a proper vessel. You know how fragile most mortals are. Plus I need someone who can both play and sing, nightengale, to break the Ring." He smiled at her softly and she raised an eyebrow.
"And you expect a blind lady of the court to do this"
"Ah, but you aren't really blind, now are you?" he replied, smiling. She rolled her eyes and he chuckled. "You are quite resiliant, nightengale, another reason that I chose you. You know my origins." She nodded and recited his parentage to him.
"You were born of Minda the goddess of love and Kalick, god of temptation. But how do you get music into all that?" she asked, curious. He grimaced slightly.
"I was forced to play the piano as a child. Turned out I was good at it, although I still prefer my lute." He smiled tenderly down at the lute in his hands. "The higher gods enjoyed my music and seeing as there wasn't a patron god of music…. Well I was given the position." He smiled at her and she shook her head slightly.
"Your music drives poor girls mad," she informed him, glancing over to the boy she had 'knifed'. He raised an eyebrow at the god in front of her then stood, brushing himself off.
"Yes well…. That's not why I'm here," Mikal said with a sigh and shook his head, the beads and bells in his hair chiming together pleasently. "There is evil flowing into my beautiful world of music. Bards are using their talents and magic with music to corrupt the innocent." She held up a hand.
"And you want me to do what about this? I only have ice magic."
"Weave it in with your music, I'll give you the power, no problem. Please do this for me. If you don't Alcar will take over my realm of music making, turning music into a power struggle instead of an enjoyable experience."
"And remind me why I should do this for you?"
"If you don't Tortall will fall, its foundations are being chipped at as we speak. Kethry, I need you to do this for me. I'll give you anything you want in return. Please."
"Anything?"
"Anything," he confirmed, his expression serious. She sighed and nodded, waving him away.
"I'll deal with it for now, don't worry. But I am going to need some spies…?" she suggested, her voice inquiring. He thought for a moment and disappeared. "Hey! Get back here!" she cried out. The boy on the ground in front of her shook his head and eyed her speculatively.
"So, someone you know?" he asked, rubbing his shoulder. She glanced at him.
"Where do you play a part in all this?" she asked curiously.
"Ah, I work for spymaster George, I heard you need spies? Small? Can't be seen?" he grinned, his face lighting up.
"Why are you so ready to help me out?" she asked suspiciously.
"Because we're in the same boat. You know that guy whose arm you were hanging off of?"
"I wasn't hanging off his arm. I have an appearance to keep up you know. He wanted attention and-" she broke off as the sound of clanking armour surrounded them.
"The guard," he muttered and grabbed her by the hand, finding the trapdoor under a bench. They both slid into it silently and rushed down the tunnel. "Here, my rooms should be around… here!" Kethry looked up to kind a trapdoor above her head. She pushed on it and it gave after a few shoves. Climbing out she looked around her room. The boy followed her quickly, surprise written all over his face.
"You're good, really good."
"Whatever… look, what's your name?"
"The name's Arram."
