Disclaimer: I own the plot, though I apologize if it's been done before. Everything relating to Tamora Pierces novels, obviously, belongs to her. (This fic was inspired by the second episode of the first season of Hercules, the Legendary Journeys, and I don't know who that belongs to, but its not me.)
AN: Hi everyone!
Sorry for the long wait. I kind of got tangled up in a combination of school work, non-academic work at school, work outside of school, family, friends and all of the other stuff the real world can throw at us. I also spent the last few weeks looking for a school I'd like to transfer to for next year (as I'm starting to really hate the one I'm at), and managed to find one. I've almost finished the application process, and am hoping for the best on that.
Either way, I also ran into a bit of writers' block. In the future, if you'd like to help me overcome such obstacles, please join my yahoo group for my stories, called Jess Storm. The URL is listed on my bio and is also my home page link.
Also, I already sent out a warning on the QotA mailing list that I will be closing it, and that anyone who wished receive updates and the like on chapter progress and advanced (uneditted) copies of new chapters should also join the Jess Storm. As soon as this chapter is posted I will close the group.
To everyone that has read the uneditted chapter I posted on the mailing list a week or so ago, in the revision process I do occassionally rewrite scenes, change details and so on and so forth. There weren't any major changes this time around, but I did change a few things.
Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!
Queen of the Amazons
Chapter 5: Trials and Errors
By Jess S
"Announce your name and titles for the Court," Kalasin commanded from her place at the Amazon Queen's side.
After a moment's silence Elise complied, "I am Elise, born to the patron's land of Tortall, Commander of the Amazon Elite, Security Advisor to the Amazon Queen, trialed Red Robe Mage and Leader of the Lacaena Movement." Once finished she nodded to her second-in-command to follow suit as she knelt before her Queen's throne.
"Keldra Shelling, born to the patron's land of Tortall, Captain of the High Guard of Astulea, Red Robe Mage pending trials, Second-In-Command of the Lacaena," the tall brunette with falcon mask complied, also kneeling before the Queen's throne.
"Denise Shadonn," compared to her predecessor, the gentle, slightly hesitant note in the dark-haired, gray-eyed woman's voice was catching. "Healer. Amazonian Youth Instructor in use of the Great Mother's Gift for Healing. Third-In-Command of the Lacaena Movement."
The redhead that knelt at Whiting's side didn't appear to be anywhere near as nervous, her green eyes snapping with defiance as she formally introduced herself, "Vivien Hunter, born to the patron's land of Galla, Amazonian Youth Instructor, Fourth-In-Command of the Lacaena."
"Minako Iseasa, born to the Copper Isles of the Patron's World," the dark-haired, dark-eyed woman that knelt at Hunter's side actually looked more defiant than her superior, kneeling a little later than was appropriate, her chin a little too high and her eyes expressing hot ire at the insult she perceived the trial to be. "Member of the Exterior Guard of Agerlea, Fifth-In-Command of the Lacaena."
The blonde to Iseasa's left also knelt at her side, her hazel eyes nervous as she gazed at the golden mask that hid their Queen's visage from them. "Annette Whiting, born to the patron's land of Carthak, Accredited Healer of the Carthaki Universities, Sixth-In-Command of the Lacaena."
For several moments after these introduction silence reigned around the throne room as the Amazon Queen studied her sisters. She could clearly see that several of the Amazon's were worried at this summons, and Elise's nerves seemed to have grown since the time they'd last spoke, while two of the Amazon's before her somehow found the court call insulting. After a few more moments of silent study and contemplation she nodded slightly to Kalasin.
"I am Kalasin, born to the patron's land of Sarrain, estranged wife of the Warlord Adigun jin Wilma, self-exiled queen of the Patron's World, Royal Representative of the K'mir people, First Advisor to the Amazon Queen, Stewardess of the Capital, and administrator of this Court Session."
Her daughter followed suit from her seat off to the side of the Royal Dais. "I am Thayet jin Wilma, born to the patron's land of Sarrain, self-exiled princess of the Patron's World, Second Representative of K'mir people, Second Advisor to the Amazon Queen, and acting scribe of this Court Session."
Alanna was silent for another long moment before completing the opening ceremony. "I am Alanna, born to the patron's land of Tortall, self-exiled Lady of Tortallian nobility, popularly elected Lioness and Champion of the Amazon's, divinely nominated by the Great Mother Goddess and unanimously approved by the Amazon people as first Queen of the Amazons." Unlike the others she did not remove her mask, something that she almost always did for court sessions, instead she merely raised it for the scribe to visually confirm her identity, before setting it back down before her face again. "Scribe will note that this Court Session is closed to all outside parties pending potential need for witnesses, and has begun just after the seventh bell."
"So noted," Thayet replied, even as she continued to write on the scroll that was stretched out on the pedestal before her.
After waiting a moment to see if any of the Lacaena leaders would give in to the foolish impulse to demand knowledge of why they were here, Alanna sighed. "Some disturbing rumors have reached me recently, my sisters."
"Rumors, My Queen?" Elise asked after a moment's silence, not looking at any of her subordinates and instead keeping her eyes focused on her liege-lady and long-time friend.
"Yes," Alanna nodded slowly, keeping her tone carefully calm as she continued. "Apparently the representatives of the patron's land of Tortall were made aware of our existence by the men of Waterside."
"We suspected this already, My Queen," Elise offered into Alanna's pause, her gaze still searching. "If only because that is the direction their party was coming from and the nearest patron's village in between our borders and the capital of Tortall."
"Yes," the Lioness nodded again; continuing in the same slow, steadily calm tone. "But there observations of the town were somewhat disturbing."
"Because the women that refused to leave are dead?" Hunter inquired; green eyes darkening further with suppressed fury.
"They may very well be, for the Tortallian representatives saw none. But we expected that. As they chose to ignore my warnings and refused to either come with us or leave for a more hospital environment in the patron's world, that is not our affair." Alanna shook her head. "What troubles me are the young boys they saw there."
Absolute silence reigned around the room once again, before Elise ventured a remark. "Some of the sisters from Waterside only returned their sons to their fathers in recent years--"
"Yes, but nonetheless, none of those children would be under two years old. They saw an infant there, and the agents that Iris sent to investigate found that there were a total of seven boys there that were born within the last year, two of them within the last month, and more than a dozen boys that are under three years old." When none of the Lacaena said anything she shook her head. "You all agreed that my ruling was crystal clear, and would be enforced. There should be no children under the age of three in that particular village because none of the sisters within your party that came from that village could possibly have given birth to a son sired by those men within the last four years. The last Amazon to come from Waterside did so four-and-a-half years ago!"
"My Queen--"
"No, Elise! There is no excuse for the abandonment of two-dozen boys. Boys who many of the K'mir families would have been happy to adopt should the mothers not want them, but also boys who would not exist if not for the practices of your party!"
All of the Lacaena stiffened in response.
"Did you really think I wasn't aware of those practices? Why do you think your party has been reminded repeatedly over the last three years that any sons born to our sisters were part of our nation unless I ruled otherwise?"
"My Queen--"
"Special circumstances are, of course, taken into consideration. I allowed Janna to take her son to her grandfather in Galla, did I not? But she was raped. Her case is the only one I have heard within the last year! And the men of Waterside could not possibly have sired so many sons without the consent of the mothers, there are no warriors left in Waterside!"
"They weren't supposed to be sons!" Guardswoman Iseasa burst out suddenly, bringing another silence to the room.
"What Minako means--"
Alanna cut her Security Advisor off in a quiet, deceptively calm tone. "That is the crux of the matter, isn't it?" She raised a hand to forestall Elise's explanation. "I know about the raids, Elise. I have been ignoring them under the assumption that my sisters possessed enough morality, enough honor, to be above reproach. Now I am forced to question that assumption. I considered the raids training exercises with some of the more radical members of your group pushing the rules we have around such exercises."
"Al-- My Queen," Elise shook her head. "The Lacaena have not encouraged those practices since you forbade them some years past. I swear it!"
"Oh no?" Alanna inquired quietly, her tone suddenly weary. "Then you will consent to assignment of a commission to check the validity of your account?"
"Wha--But, My Queen," Elise shook her head, "We--"
"Why should we?" Iseasa snapped out her question once more, her dark eyes flashing.
Alanna turned her head slightly, focusing the full weight of her stare on the angry Amazon, but said nothing.
"Why should you what?" Kalasin inquired, trying to keep the session moving.
"Consent to an examination commission! We are loyal!"
"Then you have nothing to fear from the commission." Kalasin pointed out reasonably.
"We shouldn't have to! We have done nothing wrong!"
"Oh no? Then where did those boys come from?"
"They are not Amazon! They have no place here!"
"Because they are male?" Alanna raised a hand again to silence the angry woman, shaking her head sadly. "I am suddenly reminded of why I left the patron's world. Years ago my twin brother, who I'd always trusted and loved above all others, told me that ladies had no place learning to be warriors. That they couldn't, and that the tales I'd always loved to hear as a little girl, of the warrior women that were honored by history, were merely myths with little base in fact... In the months that followed the old women at the convent told me that over and over again. While teaching me how to earn my proper place in society. Scolding me when I asked questions. Striking me or locking me up in my room when I rebelled... You were there, Elise. You remember."
The blonde gave a small nod, her eyes bright.
"Little by little my heart broke, my hope dimmed, and I started to give up, to give in... Then I had a dream." There was a smile in her voice now, "I saw myself in golden armor, crossing swords with a knight, and besting him. I saw other warrior women around me. And a voice told me that this was possible. A voice that was gentle and terrible: filled with awesome power. I had found hope again." She shook her head. "You thought I was crazy at first, Elise. You were just about to leave for the palace to meet your betrothed. You only hung out with me, an eleven-year-old girl-child, because you'd once had similar hopes to the ones I expressed when I first came to the convent. You said I was crazy, that it wasn't possible. Yet you followed me..."
"Yes..."
"Why?"
"Wh-What do you mean?" Elise shook her head. "It was what I'd always wanted! This is what I always wanted!"
"This wasn't what we planned at first."
"The plans we had were the best we could hope for at that time! The closest we could imagine to this!"
Alanna nodded. "So you could follow me then, a crazy little girl-child running away into the mountains under the orders of a voice she heard in her dreams, but you can't follow now? When I am your liege-lady, the Queen you all swore total allegiance to? The Amazon Queen, guided by the Goddess herself, with the backing of thousands of Amazon sisters?"
"W-We follow you, My Queen!" Elise objected, shaking her head as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"On the orders you agree with, but not the ones you don't?" Alanna shook her head. "It doesn't work that way! I heard your case on the sons of Amazons; I heard it all for weeks, you remember? I heard everything from both sides of the argument. I heard every angle the mortal mind can conceive! Then I consulted my advisors, yourself included. I consulted the Great Mother herself. And then I made my decision, I gave my ruling on the case, the law was written and it was done. This should have ended there."
"But--"
"But it didn't, did it?" Alanna shook her head. "You just snuck around behind my back, or encouraged your followers to do so. One of my most trusted friends and advisors..."
"Alanna... My Queen... I..."
The Queen of the Amazons shook her head, raising her hand again. "Will you consent to the examination of the Lacaena ranks?"
"But--"
"Either the commission finds the traitors in your midst and they are tried for treason, or I place all six of you on trial, Iudicium trial, for treason, and outlaw the Lacaena party entirely. Those are your two choices. I can offer no others."
"Betray our sisters or loose everything?!" Iseasa demanded, her voice almost shrill. "That's no choice at all!"
"Perhaps not, but I can offer nothing more. At this point in time my authority cannot be in question."
"But--"
"That is not up for debate, Iseasa!" Alanna snapped, shaking her head. "The Patron's World knows of our existence. We may be going to war soon, or we may not. I would prefer not. But either way, I must be the Queen of the Amazons, and nothing less. Or all will be for not." After several moments of silence she shook her head. "So make your decision. We will adjourn for now, rooms have been readied for you in the far wing, and a meeting room as well, you may send for anything you need, within reason of course, through High Mistress Iris, but must remain in the section of the wing that had been prepared for you. You will be under guard, and may not use magical or physical means to leave or speak to those outside the section about this court session, as it is still closed. If you wish to contact anyone, you may write a brief note and High Mistress Iris will ensure its safe delivery. We will meet again with the bell after dawn. Then you will tell me whether or not you will consent to the investigation."
Though she had been sitting on her throne, which she had insisted be designed for comfort more than beauty -- though sometimes she thinks Kalasin went out of her way to make it both -- she was still stiff. Though she had been sitting stiffly on said throne, she was just as stiff as the Amazons that struggled to rise from the floor. She'd never allowed them to rise, as an expression of her anger and disappointment.
Nonetheless, as she watched her sisters leave for a supper that she was sure would go almost utterly untouched -- just like she knew her own almost certainly would -- she wanted nothing more than to run to her chambers and cry herself to sleep.
But she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a queen, and had to play the part. No matter how painful that role became.
In his youth his parents had always encouraged the idea of training his mind and his Gift at the Imperial University of the Carthaki Empire, from there, they imagined he should become a great mage and serve in the Imperial Court. That idea had seemed rather far fetched before he met and befriended the young prince Ozorne that would one day become the Imperial Heir, and eventually the Emperor.
Ozorne had encouraged his studies and aspirations to serve in the Imperial Court. In his youth, the Imperial had been a very good friend. But then he gained power.
When he was named the Imperial Prince, after the previous one had been assassinated, he'd begun to change. He became secretive, volatile and very, very paranoid.
Arram Draper hadn't liked to spend much time in his presence after that, and had thus become one of the many focuses of his paranoia. It wasn't until they'd had their first argument, this one about the existence and treatment of slaves in the Empire, that he'd actually begun to fear the other mage.
They had argued on many issues of morality and ethics, until they were eventually no longer friends, and Arram really had to wonder if they ever had been.
Then the Emperor had died. And ten days later he was to be arrested for treason, and would have been too, if some of his friends at the University hadn't sent a warning to him while he'd been out on an excavation a few days ride from the Imperial capital. Thanks to their warning he was able to escape death at the stake, as burning was still a common manner of execution for mages in the Empire and would undoubtedly have been his fate had he returned to the University.
He had spent some time in poverty in various ports, seeking safe passage but never really seeming to find it. It had come as quite a shock when he'd run into one of the ladies he'd seen at the Imperial Court over the years, dressed as a commoner as well and inviting him to board a ship for Tortall. He hadn't known anything about their destination or the fact the entire group was made up of women, but he had run into too many close calls in the previous days and he was sick of living on the streets, using parlor tricks to get enough money to buy just enough food to live on. So he had accepted...
Thalami wasn't what he was expecting. If he were honest with himself he wasn't sure what he had been expecting exactly... but he wasn't expecting the Amazons and certainly not their Queen. After the betrayal of his first royal supposed-friend, he had been wary to trust again, but the opportunities she offered him here were too much to refuse.
Why leave the safety of the one land in the Mortal Realm that the Empire stood no chance of touching anytime soon when he would be allowed to remain here, study his magic and help others with it, with the only catches being reasonable and for his own well being?
He could study and teach magic here, so long as he opened his mind to the more practical applications of magic. Said practical applications that would have made his flight from Imperial persecution and survival on the streets so much easier had he been remotely aware of them.
All Amazon citizens were trained in combat to the mastery of at least one, preferably two, weapons. Again, painful though the training had been, he could only benefit from it in the long run. After all the training the Amazons had put him through his old friends at the University probably wouldn't recognize him today, only a little over three years since Ozorne became the Emperor Mage of Carthak.
The final rule was, of course, that he had to abide by Amazon laws. Well, why not? Slavery was outlawed here, and the nation was so young that many of its laws were still in the making, a making he could take part in and improve. He was more than happy to swear himself to the Amazon laws, and to the shock and surprise of many Amazons, he was more than happy to swear his allegiance to their Queen as well.
He had expected, upon meeting the sentries that welcomed the Carthaki party to their lands that their Queen would be no different from any of the other royals he'd known in his short lifetime; cold, distant, and power mad.
Alanna wasn't power mad; if anything she feared her own immense power. She was the most powerful mage he'd ever met; for though his natural Gift might be equal to her own, with the backing of the Queen of the Gods and the Dominion Jewel, she was by far the strongest mage in the Mortal Realm. The setup the Goddess had provided the Amazons with, surrounded on all sides by great natural barriers already predisposed to serve as the bases of powerful magical shields meant that no threat from 'The Patron's World' as the Amazons called it, stood any real chance of reaching the Amazon peoples directly, and even if they were able get in it certainly wouldn't be without Alanna knowing.
Power aside though, Alanna was one of the most honest, compassionate and truly noble people he had ever meant. After knowing her for only a few days, learning only a few practical applications of magic from her, he could see that. It would always be both an honor and a delight to serve her, even if it meant putting up with the more radical Amazons like the Lacaena, who didn't think he should be there. His sworn allegiance to their Queen had earned him enough respect to make them endurable.
What's more, though he would never be an Amazon because of his gender, he was nonetheless a member of the Amazon Court. Every other aspect of the Amazon traditions suited him perfectly; equality (or nearer to it than any other mortal nation boasted), freedom, independence, and the chance to change the world around him, made it worth surviving the treachery of the ruler of the Carthaki Empire and swearing himself to the ruler of a land far different from his the land of his birth.
Alanna's suggestion that he create a new name for himself had puzzled him at first, but he'd come to understand its significance. A new name, a new home, a new life, free from the past of Arram Draper in every way possible; so he'd sworn his allegiance to the Amazon Queen twice, once as Arram Draper, and again after he'd officially changed his name to Numair Salmalín.
Now he was returning to Thalami, capital city of Agerlea and his home, in response to a strangely sudden summons. Usually Alanna left him free to explore the borders at his leisure. Although his exploratory examination of the mystic points the Great Mother Goddess herself had initially set around Agerlea was more to satisfy academic curiosity and magely aspirations than national need, the fact that the Queen herself wished to know more of the power points from field tests as well as he did should have assured that his explorations would go uninterrupted. Thus he had thought when he'd left the capital some short weeks earlier that he would have time in plenty to work, while his guards, specially selected for their skill, good humor, and lack of connections to the radical Lacaena, conducted official surveys of the border terrain to report back to their Queen upon returning.
But little over a week past, he had received a Royal summons while at the farthest border point from their capital, to return to the capital with all haste. Which could only mean one thing... the Patron's world or members thereof had invaded Agerlea, and his new home would soon be making a stand for itself in the old world of men, chivalry and chauvinism.
He might hope for better news, but he certainly did not expect it. And he would do as he had originally sworn; he would stand by his Queen and his new people till death. They had given him refuge, and he would not sacrifice his safe haven or theirs for anything.
He had no reason to. With his mother living in Thalami, and all his other relatives long dead in Carthak, all his family was here. He had no need of more money. Nowhere could offer more opportunities for him as a mage. Honor demanded that he defend it. He had left some friends behind in Carthak, but those that lived weren't likely to ever see him again, and if they came here to force him to decide between new friends and old then they couldn't really be his friends. Though he had never closely followed any of the divine powers, the Queen of the Gods herself was the active Patroness of the Amazon nations, which meant no religious sects could say anything against them...
Some might be able to present other potential reasons, but he couldn't think of any. And he had sworn himself to Agerlea and Queen Alanna in good faith and heart. This was his home now, these were his people, and he would stand by them forever.
'I'm glad to hear that, my friend.'
Numair started, quickly rubbing his hand soothingly down his horse's neck in apology when it whinnied in protest, and shaking his head at the questioning looks his guards sent him, nodding towards the near city. 'Alanna? What are you doing in my head? Why are you listening to my thoughts? I thought--'
'I wanted to know where you were. And you were practically projecting your thoughts, my friend.' The Amazon Queen told him shortly, her mental tone somewhat teasing, though clearly weary. 'You needn't worry, Numair. None doubt your honor or heart. How could they? You have done everything possible to earn our trust since you arrived, including allowing me to examine your unguarded mind. We have no reason to doubt you.'
'Lady Elise might think differently,' the Carthaki-born mage pointed out, even as he noticed his guards closing in more tightly around him the further they entered the inner city in the waning twilight. It wasn't hard to see why, as the reason alarmed him too. He'd already found his proof that whatever was going on was obviously very big. He'd never seen so many contingents of guards on patrol along the edges of the city, the markets, and within the inner city itself. As they neared the Palace he could even see guards covering every available entrance and vantage point there, and he was sure they were many more he couldn't see. 'What's going on?'
'Elise might think differently, yes, but a good ruler listens to more than one advisor, including their heart, and even Elise has grown to trust you.'
Numair snorted, 'She does not like me.' He sent back, even as he noted the even more alarming fact that there were entirely too many Lacaena loyalists within the Capital's walls to count. He could not always identify the Lacaena's less-than-gentle ladies on sight, but his bodyguards could, and they were certain of it. Thus the reason they'd suddenly become very protective within the very city that should be their safest haven. 'Alanna, what is going on?'
A mental chuckle rolled into his head, 'No, on principle she doesn't like you, you're right. As the Leader of the Lacaena she cannot like a man. But as a member of the Royal Court she can trust another that has always worked for the benefit of the Crown and the People, asking only for a safe haven, and later the rescue of your mother from the Carthaki Empire.'
After a moment Numair sighed, shaking his head as he rolled his eyes in annoyance. He had obviously been recalled to the Capital during turbulent times, which would hopefully be explained to him soon. Preferably before the tense situation imploded into something far worse. 'But that's not why you called me back.'
'No.'
'Is it the Initial Patron's Protocol?'
'The first summons was, at present we're in the second, non-aggressive Patron's Protocol.'
The younger mage blinked in surprise. 'Why didn't you tell me sooner? If you'd called me this way or by fire instead of sending a messenger on horseback I could have been here to help days ago.'
'It wasn't necessary, and I really didn't have the time.' His Queen told him, and he could picture her shaking her head. 'I was concentrating on helping the sentries track and capture all of the men. The last group came in from Tortall the day before yesterday.'
Numair kept the part of his brain that was automatically unshielded blank for several moments as he quickly though this through, before realization struck. 'And your brother was with them?'
'Yes.'
'Are you alright?'
'I'm fine. And yes, I did talk to him, over tea with his knight master and Duke Gareth.'
The Carthaki mage smirked; ignoring the slightly exasperated looks the captain of his guard was sending him as he continued the telepathic conversation without enlightening her of any of it. 'And you therefore didn't really talk about anything important because the calming draught you slipped into his tea and your own kept the both of you too calm to do or say anything rash in front of the Prince of Tortall and the Duke of Naxen.'
'Essentially, yes. But I don't have time for that right now...or for this!' she growled, suddenly realizing how long their conversation had been going as his party entered the Palace, having entered Astulea while they'd conversed. 'I just wanted to give you a heads up. We're on the second protocol and everything seems to be going fine. I'm having trouble with the Lacaena, and don't have time to explain it, and I'm sure one of your spies hereabouts will bring you up to date soon enough. We have some first protocol problems on the border still, but--'
'They are not spies.'
'They collect information and report it to you, spy work.'
'They keep me up to date on the latest gossip, they don't go looking for anything beyond that.'
'I didn't say there was anything wrong with it... I told you I don't have time for this! I have to get back to Court!'
'Right, trouble with the Patron's world, protocols are active. Trouble with the Lacaena, my friends will probably update me on both. Anything else?'
'Yes, Isis is expecting you. She has someone waiting to meet with you in your sitting room.'
'Who?'
'An old friend. Have fun!'
'What--?' he growled when he sensed her severe the faint connection, before her power quickly moved past him to strengthen the wards and spells she had laid across her lands and the city years before. 'Alanna!'
"Is everything all right, sir?"
"Everything's fine, Ava," Numair replied with a sigh, offering the dark-haired Captain a quick smile. "The Queen's a bit busy at the moment."
"Of course, sir." The Amazon guard officer nodded. She then gestured to several members of the guard that were leaving the Palace courtyard, having already seen to their horses and undoubtedly on their way home to rest. "I took the liberty of dismissing the exteriors. Will you need the interior guard for the rest of the day?"
"No," the mage shook his head. "The Queen said I'm to meet an old friend and the problem with the Patron's world is under control." He nodded to the members of his inner guard, which were five of the twelve Amazons that were always assigned to him as a protection detail. "Have a nice evening."
Four of the Amazons nodded and smiled, before also turning to leave after saying goodbye to their horses, who were being brushed down be stable hands.
"I meant you too, you know," Numair told the head of his guard as he nodded to the stable hand that took his horse from him.
"It's my duty to protect you."
"I'll be perfectly safe in the Palace."
The dark haired Amazon looked uncomfortable, glancing around before shaking her head. "Perhaps not."
"Why?" Numair frowned, also looking around to see what was bothering her. Ava had very good instincts and he'd learned to trust the warrior instincts as well as the warrior woman herself.
"There are many Lacaena in the city today. Many have a negative aura."
The black robe mage had noticed several more than usual, though auras weren't his forte. Even then, he probably hadn't seen as many as his guards and his guard captain had. Most Lacaena didn't dress all that differently from other Amazons, so he could usually only identify them as Lacaena: one, from previous meetings, two, from the dirty looks they sent his way, or three, if the tattoo that marked them as Lacaena was showing, which was unusual.
But Ava was trained for this, and she used her Gift for very few things. She could heal small wounds, cast minor illusions, shields, utilize a few offensive spells and she could read personal auras very easily. She also had the Gift of Sight, which was why her instincts were rarely wrong.
After a few minutes of thought, Numair nodded, "Very well. Her Majesty told me that Iris has an old friend waiting for me in my informal office."
"Very good, sir." The Amazon nodded, before following her ward into the Palace.
"It's strange," Gary commented as he and many of the other Tortallian nobles present sat around a table, watching Sir Myles of Olau and Squire Thom match wits on a chessboard.
"What?" Prince Jonathon asked, frowning as he looked the game his cousin was staring so intently at over again, before turning his attention back to the other knight. "It looks like a perfectly ordinary game to me."
"Not the game, Jon." Gary shook his head, sighing, "Not expecting anything of them today. Not hearing from them. I was beginning to expect something important to happen every day, even though we haven't been here that long."
"They're busy." Thom pointed out, scowling as his history teacher took one of his black knights with a white bishop. "You remember what Mistress Iris said."
"How could we forget?" Raoul smirked.
"Yes, but that just makes it all the more interesting!" Gary insisted, shaking his head again. "I mean, we're right in the middle of history here, and we have no idea what's going on!"
"Such is often the case, young Gareth," Sir Myles informed the other knight, his face bland as he waited for his younger opponent to make a move. "History is certainly clear in hindsight, far more so than it could ever be to those who are living it. If the Amazon society succeeds, which would almost certainly mean joining with or at least being recognized by the outside world, this will definitely be a key moment in their history. If not, it won't really matter."
"I doubt that this society could fail all together either way," Duke Gareth remarked, shaking his head when the other Tortallians looked at him curiously. "They've certainly flourished thus far. They have well protected land, thousands of immigrants coming in, attracted to the very thing that sets their nation apart, and the backing of the Queen of the Gods. Failing all together should be difficult, and if it lasts more then one generation, it will certainly be worth covering in future history classes."
Sir Myles chuckled, "I plan on covering it with my newest students either way. It should prove to be quite an eye-opener."
"That it should," the Duke nodded.
"All of history-in-the-making and whatnot to the side, though," Jonathon remarked, shaking his head. "This is just for the morning, right? Mistress Iris said that Queen Alanna plans on welcoming a large new group and we were invited to the celebration. I, for one, plan on attending." At the general consensus that came from this, he smirked, nudging Raoul of Goldenlake with his elbow and a smirk, "Who knows? You might like their balls."
"Mistress Iris did not say anything about balls," Raoul objected.
"No, she did not," Sir Myles agreed, his tone overtly mild. "And either way, it really would be better to go into the celebration with no expectations to be pleased or disappointed, and an open mind."
"What else could the 'celebration' be?" Prince Jonathon asked, a small frown upsetting his handsome features.
"The kind of balls you are thinking of are tied directly into our culture, chivalry and everything else that defines what the Amazon's call 'The Patron's World," the older knight replied. "As such, it would be rather strange for them to have celebrations in quite the same way."
"Especially since men haven't been allowed in the inner city until fairly recently." Gareth the Younger put in, nodding in agreement.
"What do you mean?"
The Duke of Naxen's son rolled his eyes at his cousin and prince's question. "The Lacaena Moments beliefs have a strong foothold in the Amazon society. They're directly linked to why many women decide to become Amazons, and as such held a great deal of sway in the past, according to Mistress Iris."
"When did she tell you that?" Raoul asked, his expression of mild confusion and curiosity.
"When she brought the second batch of afternoon tea, most of you were napping, absent or oblivious for other reasons," Gary replied, shaking his head. "The Lacaena's power and influence have apparently weakened in recent years, enough for some of the rulings and laws they enforced to be overturned, and to be presented with the present dilemma they're facing, but they are still an integral aspect of Amazon society."
"Fascinating," The Amazon Queen's twin brother offered, more than a little annoyance in his tone even as he moved another chess piece and then awaited his opponent's response, one eye and one ear on the game and the other pair on the conversation that was taking place around him.
Prince Jonathon frowned at his squire, "I know you're still a bit upset, Thom, but you really should keep a more open mind. No matter what else happens in our lives, we're all going to be remembered throughout history for how we act here and now, and you certainly won't be overlooked."
"Because my sister ran away from civilization, turning her back on her family and people."
"She ran away from a society she did not feel was just or livable, and she formed an entirely new society around the ideals she felt would make a worthwhile society. It's how nations and legends are born, young squire," Duke Gareth offered the agitated youth calmly. "And make no mistake, you sister is well on her way to become a world renowned living legend in her own right, one which the world is not likely to forget. You should be proud of her."
"But she--"
"Would never have been happy as a Lady-in-training at the Mother of the Mountains Convent, a Lady of the Court, a Bride of Tortall or any other position we could have offered her were she to have remained at the convent. Perhaps with time that will change, especially with the popularity of the Amazons only growing with each passing day, and at that rate when their nation are still almost entirely a secret. But it wouldn't have changed in time for your generation."
Seeing his squire's resolve slowly crumbling, the Prince of Tortall grasped Thom's should gently, "Be proud of her, Thom. She saw a chance to improve her life and took it, leaving a path for thousands of others to follow her on. If you really love your sister or care about her even half as much as the grief her assumed loss led you to portray showed, you will be both proud of her, and happy for her."
Kalasin sighed as she watcher her Queen and daughter in all but blood stare distractedly at her plate, paying no mind to the food that graced it and the fork that was in her hand, moving said food about unconsciously. "You need to eat, Alanna. Who knows how long the rest of the trial will take? You have to keep your strength up."
Alanna sighed, shaking her head. "I know, Kalasin."
"Then eat your supper so that we can look over Iris's report and get ready for bed."
"Knowing and doing are two different things." The younger Amazon murmured, setting her fork down to reach for the steaming cup of a calming herbal infusion that was supposed to sooth her mind and make it easier for her to sleep on nights such as this. After taking several small, soothing sips, she set the cup down with a sigh. "Either way, I don't expect to get much sleep until this is all over and done with."
"That may be," Kalasin allowed with a nod, "But that doesn't mean you should try to depress yourself further. As a Queen you simply cannot do that."
Alanna sighed, shaking her head. "What am I to do, Kally?"
"You can only proceed as you have thus far."
"But what if they don't consent to an investigation?"
"Are you actually afraid they'll be foolish enough to call your bluff?" Thayet asked, a regal eyebrow raised.
"No," Alanna shook her head again, frowning. "I'm worried that they might think I am bluffing. I'm not. If they force me to, I'll put them on trial for treason. And it will have to be an Iudicium trial." She sighed. "I just hope they're smart enough to realize the implications of forcing me to open the first Iudicium trial, against them and therefore the Lacaena Movement as a whole while we are also opening negotiations with the Patrons world."
"I don't believe it's intelligence we should hope they have, sister, but wisdom," Thayet pointed out patiently, even as she picked up the teapot that held more of the healer's subscribed nighttime herbal brew to pour into her foster sister's cup. "You have wisdom, or at least common sense, aplenty, alongside your intelligence and compassion. They are all part of what make you a great Queen, even at such a young an age. But intelligence without wisdom and compassion can lead to things like treason, assassinations and the like."
Alanna offered a small laugh, shaking her head for a third time. "Perhaps. But that may be too much too hope for at the moment."
"Why?" Kalasin asked, the small frown she bore nearly identical to the one that her daughter's face wore.
"Do you not remember the origins of the Lacaena? Yes, the individual members find common roots in hating the Patron's world that many of them suffered abuse from in the past, but one of their original beliefs that caught many followers earlier on, even those who do not hate all men, was their belief in total equality. Democracy, I believe they call it."
"They cannot object to your rulings on that regard, Alanna. You became Queen through the very process of voting they were so proud of creating. You were elected by an overwhelming majority, most of the Lacaena among it." Thayet pointed out, her confusion clear on her face.
"Yes, I was," Alanna smiled, shaking her head. "I was elected to be the first Queen of the Amazons by ninety-five percent of the population that was our nation four years ago. But since then our population has nearly tripled. Has the number of people that would vote against me tripled too?"
"If it has, they would still be a very small minority, Alanna," Thayet shook her head, "still only one out of every twenty Amazons at most."
"But Amazon sisters and Lacaena nonetheless."
"Potential assassins, spies and traitors, too," Kalasin pointed out with a sigh.
Alanna also sighed again, "There's always that possibility, unfortunately." Then she shook her head. "But you forget, the Lacaena are still governed internally by a representative democracy, the six leaders we may be putting on trial were elected by the members of the Movement to lead them."
After a moment of thought, both K'mir-born Amazons shook their heads in confusion, while Kalasin summed their confusion up in words. "I still don't understand your meaning, Alanna."
"They will put their decision to a vote, " Alanna sighed. "They will decide whether to face Iudicium trial for their Movement or to allow their ranks to be put under intensive investigation and a number of their most loyal followers banished, by voting." She shook her head, her purple eyes dark with worry and weariness. "And I fear that four of the six being wise enough to see how foolish forcing an Iudicium trial would be, is too much to hope for." She glanced over towards the full-length mirror that hung on the inner wall of her boudoir and watched as the many spells that allowed it to serve one of its primary purposes activated in a colorful display of Gifts across the surface as her Spy Mistress stepped through. "Iris, good evening."
"Good evening, My Queen," the Carthaki-born Amazon bowed respectfully, before moving to take the seat her Queen gestured to.
"Do I want to hear your report?" Alanna asked warily, as she took a few more sips of her herbal drink and nodded her thanks to Thayet when her K'mir-born foster-sister poured a cup for the Spy Mistress of Agerlea.
Iris laughed, her gray eyes expressing some amusement even as her face showed just how worn out she was, "Probably not, My Queen. But I don't believe there's any way around it."
"No," Alanna nodded in tired agreement, "I don't suppose there is. But tell me this first, in your professional opinion how likely is it that the Lacaena will choose to open their ranks to the investigation willingly?"
The Spy Mistress frowned thoughtfully, taking a few sips of her herbal beverage as she thought, before replying carefully. "As you know, the Lacaena operate as a Representative Democracy, though they try to make it as close to a pure democracy as they can, by allowing elections to be called as often as once every six weeks, with a call to vote being signed by a minimum of three hundred members, and regular elections once every three months if votes are not called. The current leaders of the movements are Lady Elise, Keldra Shelling, Denise Shadonn, Vivien Hunter, Minako Iseasa, and Annette Whiting. Shellings and Shadonn are the more moderate members of the Council, more loyal to the Crown and the Amazon Nation as a whole then the Lacaena Movement, they will almost certainly vote to allow the inspection. Hunter and Iseasa are radicals, completely loyal to the Lacaena above all else, and probably willing to go to any and all ends for their 'loyal sisters,' they will vote against you on principle, protecting those loyal to them. Whiting is the regular wild card, both moderate and extreme on certain issues, loyal to both causes and generally hoping to find a balance between the two, you are forcing her to decide between the two for the first time, so we don't know which side she might choose." The Spy Mistress sighed, taking another sip of her drink before continuing. "I have no idea where Lady Elise's judgment will fall. As a friend and a member of your Royal Court, she is loyal to you, but she is also the Leader and Founder of Lacaena. Like Whiting, she usually seeks balance between the two, but this time she cannot. Unlike Whiting, though, she is a noble by birth, and may feel she is obligated to protect her followers according to her noble heritage."
After several moments of speculative silence, Alanna sighed, and then nodded. "So we really don't know, do we? There's a chance they'll do the right thing, four to two in favor the investigation, but it could also be the opposite, or a tie."
"If they tie, their internal rules demand loyalty to the Crown. A tie would mean they have to give in, wouldn't it?" Thayet asked, frowning.
Iris shook her head after a moment's thought. "If the tie is caused by Lady Elise, yes, she would undoubtedly use her position to call their own rulings into play. However, if Lady Elise votes against the investigation and the tie is caused by Whiting, she could insist the vote be taken to the Movement. If you were to allow that, she might try to pick a fair and random number of Lacaena members, perhaps by magic. Or she might select those whose opinion on the matter she is certain matches hers."
"Either way," Kalasin pointed out, "Taking the vote outside of the Court would open the session to public dispute."
"Yes, it would," Iris agreed. "And we have no real way of knowing where the public would side on this, My Queen. You are a beloved ruler, elected by the vast majority, but this issue lies at the very heart of Amazonian beliefs. And the Patron's World is already at the forefront of many minds, as a threat." She was silent for several moments, apparently hesitant to continue, but did after a little thought. "I do not like to suggest this, Your Majesty, but in the interest of Agerlea's future security, I must."
"No," Alanna shook her head. When the Carthaki-born Spy-Mistress frowned at her, she shook her head again, more firmly. "I know what you're going to say, Iris. And you're right, it's something you should suggest but not something I'm willing to consider."
"As the Queen of Agerlea and the Amazon nation, you must, My Queen." Iris insisted, here eyes imploring. "People have always noted the similarities between you and Elise. Your more moderate view on men is the main difference that everyone sees, but not the only one. Either way, it is a major reason the majority of the population elected you as our Queen. That you were the Great Mother's choice certainly gave you a great deal of favor, but the Gods live in a different realm and are not usually part of everyday moral life. It is your moderation, your willingness, nay, desire to negotiate, that the people chose. We are willing to enter a war with the Patron's World, but we do not necessarily want it."
"The situation--"
"Actual negotiations have not really begun, My Queen. The delegates of the Paton's World are still only just beginning to adjust. Most still do not even have a true grasp on just how much of a force to be reckoned with we are. Some do, but not yet enough to enter true negotiations. Not enough that we know we can send these men, currently our prisoners, back to their nations with treaties and words of diplomacy and know that they will argue for them." The Spy-Mistress shook her head, her gray eyes dark. "You must consider the ramifications of the Lacaena Leaders making the wrong choice, and what that could mean for our future. And you must then consider the various methods of ensuring that they do not make the wrong choice."
"What are you two talking about?" Thayet demanded when the Carthaki-born Amazon finished, confusion clear on her classical face.
"Assassination," Kalasin told her daughter, her eyes just as dark as those of the other two Amazons, quickly matched by Thayet's own darkening, though clearly shocked gaze. "They're talking about ensuring that the vote comes out in our favor by sending Iseasa or Hunter into the Black Gods hands."
"That's horrible!" Thayet protested, shock and disgust combating for expression on her face.
"It is," Iris agreed quietly, sighing before she continued. "But it is also necessary." She met her Queen's eyes once again. "You must at least consider it, My Queen."
Alanna frowned, "Well, since you brought it up, I obviously have. But I will not consider it any further than that. I will not kill one of our sisters simply because she disagrees with me. That would mark the beginning of our nation as no different from any other, and possibly just as corrupt in the long run." She shook her head, "I will not allow that."
Iris sighed again, though this one sounded more annoyed than sad. "You must truly consider it, My Queen. There are many ways you and Elise are alike, but is it not in how you discharge a duty where the key difference lies? She has always let her heart rule her head, her passion before her politic need... If you shrink before this duty now, Alanna, before your duty to your people, then indeed you risk the accusation that you are alike in that both of you are just not equal to the task you have sworn yourself to."
Alanna was quiet for several moments, fully aware of the stares of her three companions as she considered the comment, before shaking her head. "I have considered it, Iris. It is wrong. I have never believed anything truly good can come from a morally wrong deed, and assassination of political rivals is one of the things I have deliberately structured our laws to make near impossible legally, if you do recall."
"Yes, My Queen, but there are ways around the laws. You would not be ordering the execution of rival, you would be ordering the execution of a traitor and a threat to the Amazon people."
"Because she disagrees with me."
"And therefore all of the Amazons who elected you as their Queen."
"As Kalasin, Thayet and I have already discussed, that majority is probably ten percent less than what it was when I was elected."
"Ten percent less than ninety-five percent is eighty-five percent, Alanna, and still a very clear majority."
"But the majority is not necessarily always right, Iris."
"It is more likely to be right than a minority, or at least better for more people than a minority view."
"That does not give me the right to kill the leader of a minority organization."
"But--"
"No, Iris. That is my final decision." The Queen of the Amazons ruled, though the finality in her tone made the added clarification rather unnecessary. "Now, what else have you to report?"
Lindhall Reed hadn't known what to expect of the Amazon lands. He knew he was not the first Carthaki mage to flee from the new Emperors temper and jealousy to the new nation, but having lived so long a loyal Carthaki, comfortable with the lifestyle afforded a University Master and the customs required of one, how was that to change now?
And he was almost certain Arram was here as well. At least, some of the Amazon guards that had questioned him had certainly reacted at his name. Not drastically, no, but noticeably. Now he was waiting for another questioner, though he'd been more than a little surprised when the Captain that had left him here, under guard had indicated that the next interrogator would be male. It seemed rather contradictory to what he'd heard and seen of the Amazons thus far.
He frowned when he saw one of the two guards near the entrance start slightly, before nodding. He knew that the Amazon's had some way of communicating magically, but had yet to discover what it was. "Is there something wrong, Mistress?"
"No," the guardswoman told him, once again a stationary statue by the door, only her mouth moving as she answered, almost everything else entirely frozen in neutrality, though her watchful eyes never stopped scanning for danger. "Your interviewer will be arriving soon."
"I'm glad to hear that, thank you, Mistress." The mage replied, suppressing a deeper frown as he rose from the fairly comfortable chair he'd been sitting in on and off for most of the day since they'd brought him here. Though he was technically a prisoner here, he was allowed to read some of the books in the bookcases around the room, consume the food and drink they'd brought for a late lunch and afternoon tea. At the same time, he was allowed solitude only to relieve himself within the bathing chamber, where he found his magic was still suppressed rather well. He did hope that he would get a chance to meet the mage that designed that trick, as the ingenuity of it alone amazed him. Shaking his head, Lindhall moved over to the tea set that still sat by the fireplace, obviously still charmed to remain steaming hot, and prepared a third cup for himself even as he continued to speculate on his current predicament and the potential futures it might offer him.
Just as he had reclaimed one of the seats facing the roaring fireplace, a knock at the door drew his attention, while one of the guards turned to answer it. He half-expected to see the maid that had brought his lunch and afternoon tea with an early dinner that he was too nervous to eat, but he certainly wasn't expecting the man that was immediately allowed into the room.
"Arram!" Lindhall half-cried, half-gasped in surprise as the tall, dark mage entered the room, followed by an Amazon that obviously held higher rank than his guards, if the deference they showed her were any indicator.
"Lindhall," the black-robed mage replied, nodding with a distinctly dignified air. "It's been a while," he commented, even as he made his way over to the rising newcomer and shook his hand once he'd set down his teacup.
"It certainly has," Lindhall agreed, shaking his head in amazement as he observed some of the obvious changes in the young man that had once been among his greatest pupils. Dressed in what was obviously traveling attire, his robe indicated only by the black ribbons that were pinned to his shoulders, his presence seemed to command attention even as all of the light shining around him was absorbed by long, darkly glistening black hair that was held back by a ribbon, potions and spells, his dark skin and generally dark attire, and the eyes that once seemed to be over-bright with purely academic dreams now shown with something that he couldn't quite place. "You look well."
"I am, thank you," Arram nodded, releasing his former teacher's hand and nodding to the seat the older mage had vacated before claiming one to the side of it and accepting the steaming cup of tea that the Amazon who'd entered with him presented him with. "Thank you, Ava." He nodded to the other guards around the room, "Thank you, guardswomen, you may leave us now."
"Yes, Master Salmalín," the dark-haired 'Ava,' replied before moving towards the door and nodding to the other Amazons around the room. "I want a pair outside this door, the rest of you are dismissed." Once the other Amazons had left, two of them stationing themselves outside the door, she closed it and stationed herself to the side that the door would open towards.
Noticing but ignoring the amused look the younger mage sent the Amazon's way, Lindhall inquired, "Salmalín?"
"Yes," the black robe mage nodded, "that's my name now. Master Mage Numair Salmalín, if you recall I did earn the rank."
"Yes, I do," Lindhall nodded, frowning. "But why the change of name? I would understand if you had taken a new name in a country the Emperor could find you in, but I doubt he'd ever be able to touch you here."
"No, he wouldn't." 'Numair' confirmed, taking a sip of his tea before he continued. "The Queen suggested I change my name, I think to give me a complete new start; a new home, a new people, a new name, everything."
"The Amazon Queen?"
"Yes." Numair smiled slightly, raising an eyebrow. "I assume you've heard of her?"
"Somewhat, yes." The red-robed mage nodded, "her followers seem to almost worship her."
Now Numair laughed, "Some of them do, I suppose. All of them see her as a Godsend, at the very least."
"Why?"
"She's a great ruler, Lindhall, one of a kind." The younger mage smiled, shaking his head. "I never thought I'd see the like, but she was chosen, as she says to serve, as the first Queen of the Amazons because of who she is. A true queen: strong, charming, intelligent, and just with an innate sense of leadership."
"You hold her in high regard," Lindhall commented, noting the obvious even as he carefully studied his former students face.
Numair nodded, offering another small smile, "She is my Queen."
"Your Queen?" Lindhall shook his head, frowning. "I would have thought that after Ozorne's treachery you'd never be willing to swear yourself to another monarch."
Numair smirked, "I thought so to, but you really have to meet her to understand." He finished off his tea and set the cup down on the table. "Have you eaten supper yet?"
"No," Lindhall replied, also finishing his tea and following the younger mage's lead as he rose.
"Then we both need to eat soon, so follow me," Numair directed, moving towards the door, and saying in response to the inquisitive look on 'Ava's' face that, "he's clear. I'll vouch for him."
After a moment the Amazon nodded, opening the door and stepping outside. "Thank you for your time, sisters. Please report to High Mistress Iris that Master Reed has been cleared by Master Salmalín."
"Yes, Ma'am," both Amazons replied before turning and moving down the hallway at a brisk pace.
Ava turned to the two men then, stepping out of they way so that Numair could lead the way to wherever he planned to eat supper, "Where to, sir?"
Numair frowned, before nodding decisively, "I think we'll dine in the café by the library tonight," he turned to his newly reacquainted friend and offered another small smile, "I'm afraid that the Queen is rather busy at the moment, so you probably won't be able to meet her anytime soon, though she may have some time tomorrow." He continued as he began to lead his friend down the hall, with the Captain of his guard a short distance behind them. "After we eat, Mistress Iris will have probably assigned a guard to you for your own safety and her peace of mind, she'll take you to your quarters and it's likely that you'll be under guard tonight, but we should be able to meet for breakfast or lunch tomorrow."
"I'll have different rooms from the ones I was staying in?"
"Yes, those were my chambers." Numair confirmed, still walking swiftly down the hall. "In the mean time, do you have any questions I can answer for you?"
"You aren't going to ask why I'm here?"
"No, I was the first male refugee to arrive from Carthak under political persecution, but there have been others since. The Queen doesn't hold Ozorne in very high esteem, and is mostly willing to grant sanctuary to anyone who asks, so long as they can prove they aren't here as a threat to the Amazon nation. I don't need to know, but if you want to talk about that, I'm happy to listen."
"Not really," after a moment's thought, Lindhall shook his head and asked, "Is it always like this around here?"
Numair frowned, shaking his head, "No, a number of complications have arisen lately, so it's much more tense than it usually is around here..."
Captain Ava Verty shook her head slightly, suppressing a sigh as she followed her charge and his guest through the palace halls.
"What do you think's happening, Jon?"
The Crown Prince of Tortall frowned as he turned to his squire, hearing the worry on the redhead's face echoed in his voice. "I don't know, Thom. You know how Court meetings can be; sometimes everything is just dragged out. They'd probably tell us if anything major actually happened."
The Lord of Trebond nodded, before sighing. "I can't seem to stop worrying, though."
"Of course you can't, lad," Duke Gareth entered the conversation gently as he handed the soon-to-be-knight a cup of the steaming tea the maids had brought with the breakfast trays. "Whatever happens with the Lacaena is going to affect all of us, and your twin sister is caught up in the middle of all of it. It's only natural that'd you'd be all the more worried."
"But I'm angry with her!" Thom protested, shaking his head in confusion. "Even though she invited me up for tea, she didn't answer any questions, didn't apologize, didn't... didn't..."
"She's still your sister, Squire Thom, but she's also the Queen of the Amazons. At this point in time, she can't separate the two even remotely."
Before the squire could protest, Sir Myles cut in, "She has no choice, Thom. And you can't help but worry for her."
"Why won't they tell us anything?!"
His former history teacher and chess opponent shrugged, shaking his head. "Mistress Iris said that the Court session is closed to the public, for fairly obvious reasons. They're not actually in trial yet, so there's nothing much that they can or should tell us."
"What about the new arrivals she was talking about?" Thom asked, frowning as he tried to get a hold of his emotions and think more clearly, suppressing the concern and anger. "From the Yamini Isles, I think? Wasn't there supposed to be a celebration for them today?"
"The day's only just begun, lad," Sir Myles replied, taking a bite of the warm, buttered and fruit-covered toast he'd selected for himself from the trays.
"And we haven't seen Mistress Iris, yet," Gary pointed out.
"So?" Thom frowned.
The Duke of Naxen's son shrugged, "She's obviously in charge, Thom. The others aren't supposed to offer much information or even really communicate with us, I think, they just look after us. I'm not sure what rank she holds around here, but Mistress Iris is the one with some degree of power. And therefore the only one of the 'maids' looking after us that can tell us anything."
"That's an interesting observation, Sir Gareth." Iris's quiet voice cut across the room, drawing their attention to where she stood at the entrance, a slight smile on her face.
Gary raised an eyebrow in response, also offering a small smile, "It's the truth."
"Perhaps," the Amazon allowed, before opening her attention to the rest of the room. "My Queen invites all of you to attend the welcoming feast to be held for our news sisters from the Yamini Isles this evening. Your escort will arrive shortly after the sixteenth bell, and all who wish to attend are welcome."
"You aren't afraid we'll try to escape?" the Healer representing Galla asked.
"The ballroom and dining hall this is to be held in with be heavily warded," Iris replied, her tone wholly impassive. "And there will be many guards on duty there, as well as throughout the Palace and city for the next few days. Should anyone attempt to escape, they will be summarily recaptured, and will spend the rest of their visit in the dungeons' chamber that you all occupied previously, and their nation will be closed from negotiations with the Queen. The same will be true if anyone is foolish enough to think themselves capable of overpowering the guards physically or the mages magically." After a moment of silence, she raised an eyebrow. "Are there any other questions?"
"No, Mistress Iris," Duke Gareth replied quickly, before any of the other men could risk irritating the Amazons more. "Not on the feast, we appreciate the invitation, and I would certainly like to attends, as I'm sure many of my companions will. But, if I may ask, how is your Queen's meeting going with the Lacaena? Some of us are worried."
Iris frowned, glancing around the room, her eyes resting on Thom for a moment before moving back to the Champion of Tortall. "I'm really not at liberty to discuss any of the particulars, Your Grace. But everything is going as well as can be expected. This morning's meeting will decide who the defendants at the eventual trial will be, but whatever choice the Lacaena's Leaders make, the Queen will undoubtedly postpone the trial itself for some time, and be open to negotiations on the morrow."
"That's good to hear," the Duke smiled, nodding his thanks. "Is there anything expected of us before the sixteenth bell? It's some ways off."
"No, though Elle and Bella will be happy to provide you with various research materials if you would like to begin preparing for negotiations today."
"We would appreciate that, thank you."
"Very well then, your Grace." Iris bowed slightly, "They will return with them as soon as possible. If there is nothing else, I really must be going."
"No, thank you. Till tonight?"
"Till tonight." Iris nodded, before turning on her heel and leaving the room at a rapid walk, the two guards that had come in with her just behind her.
"We have heard the arguments for segregation of the sexes and isolationism before, Elise." Alanna cut into the Lacaena Leader's speech. "That is not what today's meeting is about."
"But--"
"No. You are here to answer the question I posed to the six of you last night. Will you, or will you not consent to the examination of your Movement?"
"Alanna--"
"Yes or no?"
A heavy silence hung around the room before Elise finally sighed, closing her eyes as she replied, "Yes, we will."
Alanna did not allow her relief to show, even as she heard Thayet and Kalasin sigh on either side of her. "Very good then, you're free to go as soon as you have been introduced to your escorts. Iris will be assigning half a dozen guards to all of you, there must be at least one with you at all times, you are not allowed to ask them to leave or give you privacy, and should you try to loose them, you will be found and immediately afforded accommodations in the dungeons." She looked at each of them, analyzing their faces carefully before asking, "Is that clear?" At the six affirmatives she received in response, she nodded before saying, "Then you may go, Iris will introduce you to your guards in the Entrance Hall. Do not leave without them."
Alanna watched as the six Amazons left, waiting until her guards closed the doors to the throne room behind them to release her suppressed sigh.
After several moments of silence, Kalasin spoke. "Well, that went better than we expected."
"Hmm," Alanna nodded, a small frown on her face.
"What is it?" Thayet asked, frowning at said frown.
"I'm not sure," Alanna replied, shaking her head. "This just doesn't feel right."
"Your Majesty?"
Alanna turned her attention to the guardswoman that had spoken, who was currently holding the door to the Entrance Hall partially open and bowing towards her. "Yes, Irene?"
"High Mistress Iris to see you, My Queen."
Alanna nodded, gesturing for the door to be opened, "Let her in." When her Spy Mistress entered she raised an eyebrow at her, "Well?"
"Twelve of the thirty-six guards I assigned to the group are also agents who will be reporting regularly. They will be the ones with them during the daytime, resting at night unless one of the other guards alerts them to movement." The Carthaki-born Amazon shook her head, sighing, "I'd like to think that they're just going to allow this to happen in good faith, My Queen. But it is unlikely."
"Who are you worried about?"
"The vote was five to one," Iris replied, shaking her head. "Four to two I'd be happy with, but I do not like the idea that Hunter just gave in. It really isn't like her."
"So she may be a threat?"
"Regrettably, yes, My Queen..."
End of Chapter 5: Trials and Errors
Translations:
Thalami - abode of women
Agerlea - Land of the Lionesses
Astu-lea city of lioness
Astu-leanenae city of the lionesses
Lacaenapex crowned women (Lacaena - technically Spartan women)
Thalamus/Thalami A woman's dwelling
Agerlea Territory of the Lionesses
ager agri m. land , territory
hosticus -a -um foreign; but usually of the enemy , hostile; n. as subst. enemy territory. territorium -i n. land belonging to a town , district, territory.
Iudicium judgment/decision/opinion/trial (Latin) (Pronounced: Ay-oo-dice-ay-um)
Side Notes/Credits:
- 'The patron's world' -- taken from a reference in "Trinity" made be "Wonder Woman"
- I'm just using Latin as the language of the "Old Ones" -- writers license, and the fact that we don't really know much about them... Though I haven't read the newest of Tamora Pierce's Tortall series, so...maybe there is more in the canon? If so, please let me know.
- celeres/Celeres -um m.early name for Roman nobles , esp. the bodyguard of the kings - Other than that, I'm making this up; "The Celerum" are the essentially the best of the Royal Guard, the Queens personal assistants and bodyguards, who also act as her ladies-in-waiting or handmaidens. A "celeres" is a person who is a member of the "Celerum."
Author's End Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Reviews would be appreciated, but are obviously not required. As an incentive to review: I tend to move faster on stories if I get a lot of reviews. I know you had to wait a long time for this chapter, but I guarantee it would have been much, much longer if not for the reviews to this story I was receive constantly each week since the last update. So, if you want me to update, add your voice to the crowd.
Although I'd honestly prefer if you offered some constructive criticism and ideas too...
What do you think of the politics and philosophies involved in the story? How are the characters doing? What do you think will happen next? What would you like to see happen next? What do you not want to see? The more I see of that kind of criticism, the more likely it is that the story will hold my interest enough for me to make sure I work on it between the classes I've started for this semester and all of the homework they entail.
Bye for now!
Jess S
Next Chapter: Parties & Problems