Chapter 13

A willowy blonde with blue eyes entered the hall just outside the menagerie. Numair grinned and walked over to her. They clasped hands. He kissed both her cheeks and they hugged.

"Arram, how are you?" she asked. Eliena took in the woman. Her face was heavily made-up, which had always turned Eliena off. She preferred her beauty to be natural. She had rich curves, accentuated by a northern-style soft blue dress, covered by a cream colored mage's robe.

"Better now that you're here," Numair replied. Eliena glanced at Daine and made a gagging motion. "I saw that, Eliena." Eliena smiled sweetly at her teacher and friend.

"Saw what?" she asked. Numair laughed.

"Arram, are you going to introduce me?" the woman asked, smiling at Daine and Eliena.

"Oh, of course!" Numair smiled at the woman. "Eliena, Daine, this is Varice Kingsford, an old friend. Varice, these are my students. This young lady is Veralidaine Sarrasri, and the jewel of our delegation, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Eliena of Conté, heiress to Tortall." Eliena glared at Numair, ticked that he had used the same term (jewel) that Ozorne had. Varice curtsied.

"Your Highness," she said. "I am honored." Eliena acknowledged her with an incline of her head.

"Likewise," she replied. She smiled. "Your dress is simply gorgeous."

Varice smiled. She obviously enjoyed talking about fashion. "As is yours!" Eliena had changed into a royal purple silk gown cut in her favorite style. "That cut is so flattering! And, great Mithros, look at your figure! I'm sure all the boys chase you." Eliena smiled. She liked this Varice person.

"Well, I try," she replied. The women laughed.

"Varice, I know how much you're enjoying this conversation, but there are others you should meet…" Varice put her hand on Eliena's forearm.

"We'll talk later, I promise," she whispered with a wink. Eliena nodded. Lindhall came to stand with the girls.

"Why don't I like her?" Daine wondered aloud.

"Because she's prettier than you?" Eliena suggested. Daine glared at her.

"Thank you, Eliena," she remarked. "That was so kind of you."

"Maybe you have a crush on Numair," Eliena offered. Daine shrugged. "Lindhall, who is she and why is she so close to Numair?" Lindhall smiled.

"Before Numair fled, he and Varice were lovers," Lindhall replied. "She hasn't married, and there have been some serious suitors after her."

"You think Numair would marry her now?" Eliena asked.

"Absolutely not," Thayet replied, entering the conversation. "Numair wouldn't do any such thing."

"Thayet's right," Daine put in.

Eliena shrugged. "Personally, I wouldn't mind having Varice around."

"You want someone to tell you what to wear is all," Thayet teased. Eliena grinned.

"Of course, Thayet. You know me."

"Shall we?" Lindhall asked, walking to the doors. "Lady Thayet?" He bowed. Thayet took Lindhall's arm. Numair and Lord Martin followed them. Duke Gareth, Kaddar, Varice, Gary, Eliena, and Daine were left. Kaddar turned to Eliena and bowed.

"Princess Eliena, would you do me the honor?" he asked, offering his arm.

"It would be a pleasure, Prince Kaddar," Eliena replied. She liked Ozorne's heir. He was kind, and (from what she saw) very handsome. And he knew what it was like to be the heir to a country. That was important. When she looked back, Varice was with Duke Gareth, leaving Daine with Gary. Eliena smiled. Daine always liked spending time with Eliena's cousin.

They meandered through the menagerie. Eliena hoped Daine was happy that the animals were in large enclosures, not small, cramped ones like Eliena's father had once had. They were nearing the end, when Daine gasped.

"What are those?" she asked in wonder. Eliena looked, and felt Kaddar stiffen.

"Oh, glory," Daine breathed.

"Great Merciful Mother," Eliena inhaled.

(EM, pg. 74) The area was less well kept than the others. A small pond lay near the wall, but much of the water in it had evaporated. The grass was brown-edged and lay in patches on bare, dusty-looking ground. The remains of shattered bones lay everywhere. In back, lying out of the sun in a shallow cave, were three shaggy, spotted brown bodies. (cut) The source of the shattered bones had to be those powerful jaws, equipped with strong teeth. The least of these creatures weighed more than she did. One their fours they were tallest and heaviest at the shoulder, their spotted fur covering slablike muscle. Their hindquarters were low and short, but strong. Small tail sported jaunty tufts at the end.

"Numair?" Eliena called. Numair appeared between her and Daine. "What are these?"

(EM, pg. 75) "Spotted hyenas. From the grass plains of Ekallatum, far to the south. Night hunters, for the most part—see the eyes? They have the strongest bite of any mortal predator—it crushes even the bones of water buffalo. Hyena packs are matriarchal—"

"They're what?" Eliena and Daine asked together.

"Matriarchal," Numair replied with a smile. "They are led by females—sisters, usually."

"Well, I'm sure mother would approve," Eliena remarked.

"I'm sure she would," Lord Martin sniffed. Eliena whipped around to face him, eyes blazing.

"Don't you dare comment on my mother that way," she snapped. "My mother deserves respect for what she did, Lord Martin. You should thank her. She and my father made your life at Persopolis easier by ridding the Black City of the Bazhir. Learn to watch your tongue in the presence of your princess, Lord Martin, or there will be dire consequences." Kaddar gaped at Eliena.

"When Eliena's mad, she gets like that," Daine whispered.

"I'll be sure to watch myself then," Kaddar replied. Daine smiled.

"That would be wise," Numair told him, dark eyes serious. "Because, if you hurt her, there will be many after you."

"Numair!" Thayet hissed.

Daine wondered why Numair had told Kaddar that. And she wondered even more why Kaddar looked so nervous…

Author's Note- now that I only have Alternate Princess to work on, I don't have to worry about writing two updates. Once this is finished, I'll post my REWORK of "The Unknown Heiress", with a new title and more developed storyline. Now, REVIEW!