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Chapter 11- Spy vs. Spy

Dinner that evening was a subdued affair. Many of the Tortallans found excuses to be elsewhere. Elyra could not blame them. She would have stayed in her room quietly grieving with Meesha, but Tyrus had threatened both of their lives if she didn't go. She doubted if Numair Salmalin would be interested in an affair after the events of last night and she wasn't sure what to do with Meesha. She had told Tyrus as much, but he wouldn't be put off.

So she dressed herself and Meesha in fine clothing and headed down to dinner. She wasn't sure who would watch Meesha if Salmalin showed interest, but she knew she wouldn't be taking Tyrus up on his offer to babysit. He was more likely to use her daughter for target practice than to watch over her.

Luck had been with her so far in regard to the seating arrangements. This time the queen had not set place cards. Salmalin had chosen to sit with a group of friends which included Daine Sarrasri. Elyra had never properly thanked her for her part in saving Meesha's life, so she used it as an excuse to join them. The rest of the Islanders sat together on the other side of the room, giving her space to maneuver. So she and Meesha took seats side-by-side and tried to build a friendship.

"I never got to thank you properly last night," Elyra said turning to Daine. "I didn't immediately realize you were the eagle and then I found out about Shay…" her words dropped off and she struggled against her misery for a moment. "Anyway, thank you. It was amazing the way you went after her like that."

Daine looked like she was at a loss for words. But Numair squeezed the girl's shoulder and said, "She's very modest as well as courageous. It is kind of you to thank her." He looked at her with sympathetic eyes, "How are you really?"

Elyra swallowed hard. "I'm miserable. I know that decorum says you cannot love a servant like a sister, but I did. She was my confidant and closest friend for years. I could not have survived Michael's death without her," she paused, "And I don't know how to deal with hers." She felt a hand grip her own and turned to see Daine offering comfort. She had to fight not to give in to the howling grief that wanted to escape. She looked up to see several pairs of eyes focusing on her with compassion.

"Lass, decorum's overrated any way. Nothin's wrong with lovin' yer' friends no matter where they come from." The speaker was Baron George Cooper. He had been introduced earlier that day as the husband of the lady knight. She had thought at the time that his nose was a bit too large to be handsome and his speech was rough. But there was something of a twinkle in his eye that made him seem kind of sexy. She thought now that she could see why Alanna might have chosen this man.

Alanna added, "Hear, hear."

Elyra looked at her daughter. Meesha was staring at the table, picking at her food. "Baby, try to eat something if you can."

"Loss is hardest for the little ones," Alanna said. "Maybe we should put Meesha with the twins. They have a way of cheering those around them. It would do her good to forget for awhile."

Elyra could hardly believe her ears. "Would that be alright, really? I'd do anything to ease her heartache a little."

With a smile and a couple of kind words, Alanna coaxed the girl over to where the children were sitting. Elyra watched for a few minutes while the children huddled around her like she was made of glass. Only a short time passed before she was actually eating instead of picking at her food. There were no smiles yet, but the hope was there. Elyra turned back to Alanna with teary eyes, "Thank you."

Elyra's mind wandered back to the last conversation she had with Shay. Moments before the hurrok attack, the two had been talking about how kind the Tortallans were. Shay had suggested that maybe Elyra should go to them for help. It would be so easy to switch sides if Michael were not a factor. But he was. She didn't even know where he was being held, other than that it was back on the islands. That conversation was how Meesha and Shay had come to be separated. Shay and Elyra had parted, frantically searching for the child. Shay never knew the little girl was safe.

"It's strange," Elyra spoke up, "Since arriving at the Copper Isles I've heard stories of Tortall. Always I was told that you were a cruel people. I did not come here hopeful for peace at all. But you are nothing like what I expected. You are probably the most decent people I've ever met."

Several of the Tortallans smiled. "Our countries have not always been enemies," Numair explained. "When King Jonathan was coronated there was a plot to destroy him. The unfortunate truth of it is that Princess Josiane was part of that conspiracy and was killed in the battle. She was a second daughter of the monarch in the Copper Isles. Her actions destroyed the alliance between our countries. It seems impossible that the actions and misdeeds of one person could cause so many to suffer, and yet that is precisely what happened."

Elyra was stunned. "I've heard of Josiane. They tell us back home that she wanted to leave and you refused because she knew secrets. They say she was assassinated."

"Fascinating that the same history can be told in such differing ways," Numair remarked icily.

"Forgive my forwardness, but I must know. We have been taught that you used the dominion jewel to dominate the Bazhir of the desert. Is that also wrong?"

"Of course it's wrong," Alanna said a little too sharply. "King Jon and myself were adopted by the Bazhir. They are allies because of a bond not domination. History should tell you that we had an alliance with Bazhir for many, many years before the dominion jewel was in our possession. It was a shaky alliance until Jon became The Voice however. But our current alliance with them was already in place before I sought the jewel."

Elyra was shaken. It had been easy to decide to betray a people she believed to be evil, especially once Michael was taken. Now, she realized there were many lies here and she was one of them.

Elyra spent the rest of dinner learning history from the Tortallan point of view. When the evening came to a close, the queen offered to let Meesha stay in the nursery and Elyra readily agreed. She wanted Meesha as far away from the Islanders as possible.

Immediately upon returning to her own rooms she faced an interrogation. "How long does it take you to get into a man's bed?" Sir Myren screamed.

"Have you forgotten that two of his friends were killed yesterday?" she seethed.

"So comfort him."

Sir Thomas joined in this time. "I think it is clear that we need to find another way. Master Tyrus' plan is not working. Perhaps we need to ransom something for the jewel and forget the subterfuge. The royals have children."

Elyra's eyes shot open wide. "You would take one of their children, you bastard!"

"If it worked once, it will work again," Sir Myren growled with a satisfied smile.

Elyra went to her room and grabbed a shawl. When she returned, Myren grabbed her arm. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Maybe I need to show up at Master Salmalin's door. You want your damn focus item. I'll find a way. I assume a lock of hair will do or would you like a piece of jewelry?"

Tyrus said, "Whichever. Just make sure it has been in his possession for some time. I want to have full control of him by tomorrow afternoon."

"I'll be back in the morning. Don't wait up." When Tyrus lifted the warding, she swept out the door without noticing the small brown mouse that followed.

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Daine had just drifted off when her messenger climbed up to tell her what he had heard. With a painful gulp she tried to remember everything Numair had told her about a focus. She knew they were very dangerous because applications could include mind control. Numair could do a lot of damage if someone else were controlling his actions.

She threw on her clothes and raced out the door. She had never noticed before how far away his rooms seemed to be. She supposed it was because she was so worried.

She pounded on his door like her life depended on it. But it was only a moment until he opened it. His hair hung loose about his shoulders. He wore only a pair of breeches as if he had dressed hurriedly. There was a strange sensation in her stomach and she was momentarily tongue tied.

"Magelet, you have good timing," he said. He stood aside to let her in and then she saw who was sitting on his sofa – Elyra Kelton. She looked to Numair again with wide eyes, suddenly realizing that if he had dressed in a hurry then maybe Elyra had as well.

Enraged, Daine slipped into the form of a hyena and attacked.