Chapter 14: The Dragon Queen
2222222222
The sky over Rin was bright and clear, say for a wisp of cloud here and there. Far away on the other side of the Silver Sea, the great city of Habaharan was covered by storm clouds, and torrential rain was pouring. No two places could have been more different from each other.
Zeel thought blankly of this, and of all the other ways the two places were so different, as she watched the rain through the one window of the cell she had spent the night in. She had much to think about; but the past few days had worn her out. She was running out of the energy to think of everything. And she was running out of the time to do it.
Things had gone poorly for her from the moment she had arrived in the city. At least they had, as far as she was concerned…
2222222222
The last thing she had seen was her husband falling unconscious on their back doorstep, as one of her captors hit him over the head. She had cried out in anger and alarm, only for another strong hand to be clapped over her mouth. The next thing she had known was the world suddenly dissolving around her, and a sense of nothingness surrounding her. But that nothingness had a feeling of raw, alien energy that felt strangely familiar, yet terribly wrong somehow.
And then there they were, someplace… Else. There had been brilliant firelight all around her, and a strong smell of spices and burning incense. She had been dizzier than she could ever recall being in her life before, and the overwhelming light and smell had been nearly painful to her. She had fallen on her hands and knees, wishing that she could breathe the fresh, sweet air of her home, instead of the thick, spicy air of this place.
All around her, it had seemed that her captors were in the same state. She had heard them groaning in similar discomfort, and had vaguely seen most of them falling over with her. They had hardly seemed threatening anymore.
"Oh my gracious," said a voice beside her. "My dear, are you well?"
The voice had sounded gentle and kind, but Zeel had heard falseness behind it. With it had come the touch of a soft but mighty hand on her shoulder, steadying her and trying to help her up. Her head had been spinning so she thought she might be sick; but she had been too curious not to force her head up. She had to see who was speaking to her.
She had found herself looking into the face of a beautiful Zebak woman. Brilliant red eyes had shone on either side of her mark, alight with curiosity and concern. Kneeling on the floor, her rich gown surrounded her like a flame-colored sea, scarlet and black, copper and gold. Her black hair had shone like fine silk in the firelight; and it must have been very long, because it had been curled and plaited elaborately round her head, and adorned with pins of pearl. The woman appeared completely perfect I every way. And she had radiated with a force that Zeel had known at once for the deep magic it was.
She had found herself facing Zadina, queen of the Zebak, Titan of Fire.
The reason behind all this nonsense had suddenly become clear. Zeel had wanted to say something very disrespectful; but she was still too shocked and too dizzy to speak at all. Seeing this, and making a show of being concerned, the queen had put her arms around her and slowly helped her to her feet.
"I see, so much excitement," the queen had cooed in her ear, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You must be absolutely exhausted. I had a feeling you might be. I've taken the liberty of having quarters prepared for you, so you can rest. Oh, we simply have so much to discuss, when you are feeling better. I can hardly wait."
Before she could protest or demand an explanation, Zeel had found herself being led down a maze of well-lit hallways, with the queen chatting casually beside her. The woman had gone on speaking as if they were good friends and did this often; but Zeel had still been too confused to pay attention to what was said. In the back of her mind, she had been trying to memorize the twists and turns of the hallways, looking for landmarks she might use to find her way back to where she had started.
She had quickly seen that it was no use. All the hallways looked the same to her, though the queen obviously knew them well. The walls alternated between panels of solid, polished steel and solid, smooth marble. The marble panels all had heavy doors of carved wood bound in iron. The steel panels all had fixtures with burning oil lamps. Other than this, there had been nothing to see, and no way to tell one hallway apart from the next.
It is a perfect prison, she had thought grimly. I will never find my way out by myself. And without a doubt, it has been planned this way. I am trapped, and alone.
After walking for several minutes, the queen had finally come to a stop before one of the marble panels, whose great wooden door had been guarded by a sentinel in a gray uniform. Seeing them approach, the sentinel had bowed stiffly in greeting and opened the door for them. The queen had taken little notice of it; she paid the man so little attention, the door might as well have opened of its own accord. But Zeel had noticed how the man had tactfully avoided looking at her. She hadn't been sure how to feel about that, or what it might have meant.
"I do apologize for the modesty of your accommodations," the queen had remarked a bit fretfully. "We prepared them as quickly as we could, to be ready for your arrival. I hope you don't mind it."
Zeel would not have called her accommodations modest by anyone's standards. The room she had been led to had been palatial, and richly furnished. There had been a brightly colored rug that had covered most of the floor, a low table of mahogany surrounded by plush sitting chairs, and tapestries and mirrors hung on every wall. There had even been a fireplace, already lit and blazing cheerfully to welcome her. Another carved door nearby had seemed to show that this was merely the first of a few rooms, all apparently arranged for her in great haste.
The queen had led her to the second door, only to confirm her suspicion. That door had opened to reveal a bedchamber even grander than the parlor had been. The bed alone had to have been worth more than her house was; the frame had seemed to also be of mahogany, intricately carved with birds and swirling designs. It had been covered with more pillows than she had ever seen in one place, all of them overly stuffed and covered in velvet of many colors. An equally over-stuffed quilt had already been turned down for her, perhaps just to show off the gleaming, silken sheets underneath it. And the bed had been so big! She could have shared it comfortably with two or three other people.
There had also been a glorious vanity which seemed to have been made of solid gold with a sparkling mirror, and a much larger mirror and a lattice screen beside it. And there had been an impressive but empty bookcase which would have made her husband seethe with jealousy. Yet for all that, hardly any space had been filled in the large room. There had been other doors, as well; but it had been impossible to tell where they led to.
Zeel had surveyed all this finery with wide eyes, unable to really believe that it had been meant for her and her alone. The queen had shaken her head and clicked her tongue in disapproval.
"It isn't much, I know," she had said. "Normally, such a thing would never do for an esteemed guest such as yourself. When you are more settled, we will set to making it right, I promise. Oh, but as I said, you must be exhausted. Here, let us have you into a proper dressing gown and into bed, so you can rest."
The door had an iron hook on it, where a delicate nightgown of soft blue had hung daintily on a hanger. The queen had clearly meant for her to wear it, and had probably expected her to put it on without question. Zeel had glanced from it to the plain linen shift she had already been wearing, unable to see the sense in changing from one nightdress to another in the middle of the night. For everything that had happened to her so far, it had completely baffled her—enough so to help her find her voice.
"Thank you, but this one suits me perfect well," she had mumbled.
"Nonsense," the queen had answered, unmoved to hear her speaking at last. "One can't possibly have a good night's sleep in rags like those. Now come along, it will hardly take a moment."
Zeel had self-consciously hugged herself. Her shift certainly did seem plain, compared to the finery around her; but it had been a birthday present, and nearly new. She had loved it, and it had been one of the only pieces of home she'd had left. She'd had to suppose that after a life spent living so richly, the queen wouldn't know the difference.
But it had been clear that she would have no peace until she had changed. So she had grudgingly taken the blue nightgown and trudged behind the lattice screen.
And it had annoyed her to admit that the soft, silky gown was, indeed, far more comfortable than her shift. Still, as she had emerged from behind the screen, she had kept her shift clutched close. It had been so familiar and so comforting, she had refused part with it. She had supposed that she would hold it close as she slept, as a frightened child might hold a beloved toy.
Seeing her changed, the queen had smiled pleasantly and come to stand beside her. "Now, then, is that not better?" she had asked, gripping her by the shoulders and turning her to face the large mirror. "Oh, and that color does suit you beautifully. Far more than that thing you were wearing, don't you agree?"
Zeel hadn't liked it, but she had found no choice but to agree. The cloth had so fine she could barely feel it; and she had always liked this color blue. It was a rare color to find in Rin, but it went well with her eyes. If she had owned such a garment in Rin, it would have caused a scandal. Even the Travelers might have been alarmed to hear of her spending money on such a dress, meant only for sleeping in. Of course, she hadn't bought it all; it had been rather graciously presented to her, as a gift.
But she had felt that she had been forced to accept it, even though she hadn't wanted it. All she had done was stare at her very pretty reflection, marveling at how different she suddenly looked.
Satisfied, the queen had led her back to the bed and hurried her into it.
"And see how soft the sheets are," she had pointed out. "It will be as if you were sleeping on a cloud. You have never known such a thing, I shouldn't wonder. Comfort is a thing those folk in the west have no regard for. This must be a pleasant change for you."
"I would hardly say it is pleasant," Zeel had mumbled, rubbing the bedsheet between her finger and thumb. It had been as smooth as soft butter, and should have been very pleasant, but only felt alien to her.
A look of impatience had flashed across the queen's face, only to be replaced by a rather patronizing smile.
"That is the exhaustion speaking, I suspect. Do not worry, my dear, it will pass with the morning. When you wake, I will have arranged a few maids to attend you. They will assist you in any way you ask them to. They will be bringing you breakfast and clothes, and anything else you need. And if you require assistance before then, the guard will remain outside your door at all times. You will be well taken care of, my dear, I promise."
The queen had meant to sound considerate, even doting, of course; but Zeel had heard what she had really meant. She was to be watched every moment, and not trusted to be alone for any reason. She was, indeed, being held prisoner. Her prison had been more like a palace, but it was to be more secure and more complete than iron bars ever could be.
And the warden was a Titan—the most cunning and cruel of all the Titans there were. Disobedience and rebellion would be punished without mercy. She was to have no choice but to do as she was told to do immediately. The queen had been pretending to be patient, but there had been no way of knowing when she would grow tired of that mask, and decide to be herself.
I am trapped, indeed.
"Please, my dear, lay down and rest," the queen had insisted, helping her recline into the mountain of pillows. "We have a big day ahead of us, and we all need our strength. As I also said, we have a great deal to discuss in the morning. Ah, just think of all the things we have to share with one another! I believe you and I will get along quite well, Zeel Moakel. Just you wait and see."
"What did you call me?"
"Never mind that for now. Just sleep, and dream sweetly."
Zeel would have liked to wonder more about that. The queen hadn't called her once by name before. And what had she meant, calling her Moakel? What did that mean?
But the bed had been so very comfortable, and she had been so very tired. In spite of all that she had been faced with, she had fallen right into one of the deepest and best sleeps of her life.
2222222222
It had been impossible to tell what time it was when she finally woke. Zeel had opened her eyes to find that the lights had been put out, and that her chamber was nearly pitch black. For a long, horrible moment, she hadn't been quite sure where she was. She hadn't woken in her own bed, this much had been certain.
And then she had remembered what had happened—her abduction in the night, the maze of hallways, the queen's voice chiding in her ear, the blue nightgown—and that horrible moment had become even worse. She had sat up straight in shock, and a storm of emotion had surged through her like a gale. The terror and sorrow she felt were great, and she had thought that she might begin to weep in hopelessness.
Except a different emotion quickly rose to take their place, and that emotion was anger. It had grown quickly to simmering outrage, and it had dried up the tears that had threatened her. It had replaced that feeling of hopelessness with determination.
"She will not get away with this," she had muttered to herself, clutching the silken sheets in her fists. "I will simply have to be smarter than she is. I will get home, somehow. I just need to figure out how to do it…"
Before she had been able to think much more of this, there had been a knock on the bedroom door. It had been so unexpected, she had jumped in surprise.
"Lady Moakel?" came an unfamiliar female voice. "Are you awake?"
There had been that word again, the last thing Zeel had really thought about before falling asleep. Still wondering what it meant, she had cleared her throat and smoothed her curls back, wanting to look more presentable for whoever was at the door.
"I am, you may come in," she called back.
The door had opened and a woman had walked in carrying a candle, followed by two others. Zeel hadn't been able to see them very well; but she had unsurprised to see by the candlelight that their faces were marked. The woman with the candle had given a polite curtsey, prompting her companions to do the same.
"Greetings, my lady," she had said. "I am Nia; this is Jess and Toma. We have been assigned to attend you, while you wish it."
Oh, yes. The queen had mentioned that she would be sending maids in the morning. Zeel hadn't quite believed it at the time. It had been hard to imagine needing assistance with anything. Yet here they were, prepared to do whatever she told them to do. She hadn't been sure how to respond to them at first. Feeling that she had been silent for too long, she had offered them a smile and nodded in greeting.
"Good morning," she had said. "I thank you for your assistance."
"Of course," Nia had answered plainly, setting the candle down on the vanity and moving to one of the tapestries on the wall. It had turned out that Zeel had only mistaken it for such; it had proved to be a thick, embroidered curtain. Nia had crisply pulled it aside and let in a stream of blinding sunlight. Zeel had blinked and shielded her eyes, surprised at its brightness.
"What time is it?" she had asked.
"Just past ten o'clock in the morning," Nia had answered, as if it made no difference. Zeel had been startled, and slightly ashamed of herself.
"However have I slept so late?" she had grumbled, rubbing her eyes.
All at once, the two other women had looked a bit frightened. Now that she could see them, it had been clear that really, Jess and Toma could hardly be called women. They couldn't have been much older than Alanis and Leah.
"We should have come to see to you earlier, we know," Jess had quavered. "But with all that has happened, we felt it wrong to disturb you. Please forgive us, miss, we won't let it happen again, we promise."
"No, no, it's really alright," Zeel had insisted in a more gentle voice, wondering why the girls had been so frightened. "You were right, I suppose I did need the rest, after all."
Nia had given the girls an imploring look and shook her head. "Now see, you've gone and upset the lady," she had scolded. "Jess, make ready that tray; lady Moakel will be famished by now. And Toma, bring in that trunk of clothes. We have much to do, if she is to meet with the queen."
Looking glad to be gone for a moment, the two girls had curtsied again and scurried to do their bidding. Then Nia had turned back to Zeel, and began pulling the bedsheet away.
"You will forgive them, I hope," the woman had said, helping her to her feet. "They are newly acquired, and still learning the ways of palace life. They will grow used to it in time, as you will. Now, just let me fetch your dressing robe, and let us get you to your breakfast."
"Oh, that is hardly necessary. I'm fine."
"I really must insist, lady Moakel," Nia had answered, crossing the room to one of the closed doors.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
Nia had glanced over her shoulder in what seemed to be faint amusement. "As I said, you will grow used to it."
She had slid that door open on an invisible track to reveal a large closet, empty except for a robe of scarlet velvet. Nia had taken it out and dusted it off a bit, before returning and holding it open, waiting expectantly for Zeel to put it on.
"Come along, then," she had said when Zeel had hesitated.
"I'm really to eat in this?" Zeel had asked, reluctantly letting Nia help her into it.
"Certainly."
"What if I spill something on it? It will be ruined!"
"Then we will find you a new one, and it will be over and behind us. Now please, I beg you to come along and eat. We are losing time, and her majesty is not a patient woman."
Zeel had sighed in defeat, wondering at how her supposed servants were bossing her around.
In the parlor, Jess had standing beside one of the sitting chairs, with a covered silver tray and a beautiful teapot waiting on the low table. Toma had been hauling a brass-bound trunk toward the bedchamber, with the assistance of the guard from the night before.
"What's in that trunk?" Zeel had asked.
"Your wardrobe, for now," Nia had answered. "Her majesty had a few courtiers loan you some things, until you've been fitted for proper clothes. She was only able to guess at your sizes, and begs your pardon. We, too, hope you don't mind."
Zeel had sighed again and pulled her robe closer around herself. "I honestly don't know if I care. It's probably more clothing than I've owned in my life before."
Nia had cleared her throat nervously and ushered Zeel into her chair. "It's quite gracious of her, you know," the woman had insisted with a warning edge in her voice. "She wouldn't do this for just anyone, lady Moakel. It would be wise of you to show your gratitude."
"But I'm not grateful, not in the slightest! I've been kidnapped, and now I'm being held against my will."
Nia had pressed her lips together in a firm line. "You are fortunate to be held in the palace, then. You might have been held in the dungeons, instead. Think on that for a moment, while I pour your tea."
Zeel had thought about that for moment, indeed. It hadn't really occurred to her that she was in a palace; but now that she realized it, it boggled her mind. The quarters she had been granted were already so extravagant. How much more so were the chambers of the queen, herself? And how many other grand rooms must there have been? And how many people, too? She hadn't been able to guess at the real size of the building she was in; but she had suddenly imagined that she had only seen a small corner of it so far.
And Nia's comment about the dungeons had filled her dread. The woman had been right. There were far worse places to be held captive. While thinking of this, she had absentmindedly reached for her cup of tea—only for Jess to suddenly swoop down and hand it to her personally.
"Cream and sugar, my lady?" the girl had asked, as if in apology for not acting first. It had bothered Zeel for a second, before she had remembered that Jess had only been doing her job. Instead of becoming cross, Zeel had given the girl a smile.
"I would prefer honey, if you have it."
"Certainly," Jess had answered happily, pleased be of help. "I have it here, on the tray. Allow me, miss."
The girl had uncovered the tray, and Zeel had received another confusing surprise. By now, of course she had known better than to expect a simple bowl of porridge and berries, which had been her usual breakfast for many years. But she hadn't expected so many different foods in one place, or so much of it all for one morning meal. There had been beautifully poached eggs, slices of smoked meat, and fragrant toasted bread on the main plate, all carefully arranged by an expert hand. On another plate there had been slices of fresh fruits she had never seen before. There had also been dainty little saucers of jam, honey, butter, cream and sugar, just enough for the whole meal to be enjoyed. It had smelled wonderful, but it had been almost too beautiful to eat.
"Why, there is enough here to feed my whole family," she had exclaimed. "Who do they expect to eat all this?"
"You, I believe," Jess had answered sincerely.
"Have any of you eaten yet?"
"Oh, we eat in the kitchens, miss. I suppose Zalben hasn't eaten, though. He's been on guard outside your door all night."
"Then bring him back here and I will share some of this with him. He must be at least as hungry as I am, and I could never finish all this by myself."
Jess had gasped, as if Zeel had cursed. Nia had cleared her throat again and held her hands severely behind her back. "That will be quite enough, lady Moakel. He will eat when it is his time. He is of Central Control, and can stand to wait another hour or two."
Zeel had scoffed in disbelief. "That isn't right. If he has been so dutiful, he ought to be repaid."
"And he will be. Please, I beg you, just enjoy your meal, and stop worrying over us. It isn't your place."
"But it is! If you are to be my servants, then I have a duty, myself, to care for you in your turn. How could it be otherwise?"
No longer able to help herself, Nia had pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "Surely you have noticed by now, that things here are done very differently than you are used to. You must accept this, and allow it. You are a very special guest in the palace, indeed; but you will not be able to change the way it is run. I trust you will stop fighting us over it, and let us attend you as the fine lady you are to become."
Zeel hadn't liked it, but she had seen that arguing with Nia was pointless. She had slouched sullenly in her chair while Jess had prepared her tea. When the girl nervously handed the cup to her, she had taken it with a smile.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, Jess," she had said in a kinder voice. "I didn't mean to be so sharp. This is all just… It hasn't been easy. I'm far from home, and my family, and everything I have ever known, in a place that I've honestly had many nightmares about. Forgive me if I seem impatient."
Jess had returned the smile and bowed her head. "If you don't mind my saying so, miss, I understand the feeling."
"Of course I don't mind it," Zeel had answered, ignoring the reproachful look Nia shot at the girl. Apparently, being personable to the servants was either unheard of or very dangerous here. She had sipped her tea, trying to draw solace from its warmth, and happened to glance at her hands. That had been where her next nasty shock had come from. And it had come so suddenly and painfully that she had nearly spilled her cup.
"My wedding ring is gone!" she had cried, jumping up in alarm. Her hand had instinctively flown to her neck, which was also bare. "And my necklace, too! Oh, where could they be? I have to find them!"
Ignoring Jess' gasping and Nia's protesting, she had darted back into the bedchamber and thrown herself onto the bed, throwing aside pillows and rummaging through the tangled sheets in a haze of panic. Her shift had also vanished mysteriously, and the loss was agonizingly crushing.
On the other side of the room, Toma and Zalben the guard had stopped unloading the trunk to watch her in fascination, unsure how to help her. Nia had come in after her, and pried her with some difficulty from the bed.
"If you please, try to calm yourself," she had begged. "If you will tell us what exactly you have lost, I'm sure we can find it."
"My wedding ring and necklace," Zeel had repeated, trying to lower her voice and speak calmly. "A band of gold with four jewels—a ruby, a sapphire, an emerald, and a diamond, in that order—and a cord of plaited yellow silk with a reed pipe. My husband made them for me, with his own hands! Nia, I have to find them!"
"Again, I say, calm yourself. Deep breaths, my lady, deep breaths. If they are in this room, we will find them. The girls and I will tear the room apart, if we must. And if we still can't find your things, Zalben will report a theft, and it will be dealt with orderly. There is no need for hysterics."
Zeel had wanted to snap that there was every need for hysterics. The only things she had left of her home had been taken from her while she slept. Of course she had been wearing them when she had fallen asleep, she had been sure of it. They had been treasures beyond price, and someone had stolen them. To be sold? To be paraded around is if they belonged to someone else? To be destroyed entirely? Who even knew? The very idea had filled her with rage and grief.
"Come back into the parlor and drink your tea, my lady," Nia had said gently, leading her back to her chair. "You will feel better, then. Jess, come in here, please. Toma, stop what you are doing, and help Jess find lady Moakel's things. They have been lost in the sheets, no doubt, or else fallen under the bed somewhere. Perhaps the queen herself removed them, and placed them safely in one of the vanity drawers, or some other obvious place. But do not stop your search until that ring and necklace have been found. Clearly the lady is upset over their loss. You don't want her filing a complaint, do you?"
At the mention of complaints, both the girls had gasped in fear and began pulling the sheets away in a fever of haste. If Zeel hadn't known better, she would have said that the girls were more panicked over her lost things than she had been, herself.
When Zeel was seated again and Nia begged her to eat, she had shaken her head. She had been hungry before, but now she could hardly look at her food. She had felt positively sick.
"Might I sit with you, my lady?" Nia had asked after a moment.
"Yes, of course. You hardly have to ask."
Nia had scoffed lightly at that, and had sat primly in the chair across from her, smoothing her skirt and apron neatly. "I believe you will find that I do have to ask. With any other courtier, it would be unheard of."
"Well I believe you will find that I am not any other courtier. I am Zeel of the Plains; adopted daughter of the Travelers; wife of Rowan, Titan of Earth; mother of Star—the genius, thank you very much. I am a hero. I am a legend. And I am no one's property to be ordered about."
Nia had looked alarmed, herself. "Impressive," she had said stiffly. "I would advise you to keep all that to yourself. There is much more I ought to advise, while I'm at it. Unless you wish a terrible fate on this family of yours, you would do well to hear it."
And so Zeel have been given a long list of customs she had not been prepared for, which she was expected to observe without question, along with an equally long list of things about her life she would be wise to not mention.
Most people in the palace had already been aware of where she had been all this time; but they were not aware that she was married. The few who did know it would act as if it had never happened to be known at all. Such a union would never be acknowledged by the Dragon Queen, and bringing it up would only lead to trouble.
While she was at it, she wasn't to mention Rowan at all, especially not by name. Aside from being one her hated hallowed brother, he was one of Zadina's least favorite people in the world. Speaking his name in her presence had been punished with death in the past; those who dared to mention Mithren or Doss by name had fared little better. Speaking of them at all, even in passing, was generally frowned upon, unless it was in malice and disrespect. This actually pleased the queen greatly, when she was in the right mood, but was not worth the risk.
She had also been told very firmly—nearly ordered—not to mention her daughter again. Zadina seemed unaware so far that Star even existed, and that was a miracle of its own. The Titans of Fire had always believed the Zebak to be a pure and perfect race, descended directly from a mighty Dragon; that strongly magical blood was not to be shared with others. Half-bred children had always been seen as the most wretched of abominations, and were to be destroyed immediately upon being found. Preferably by fire, Nia had explained without feeling.
Slavery the like of which she had only heard terrible tales of was everywhere. Having no enslaved foreigners to make the city run properly, the last few Titans had resorted to enslaving their own people. Nia had chuckled ruefully when Zeel had implied that she, Jess, Toma, and Zalben were merely hired servants, chosen for their skills and paid for their work. Nia had shaken her head and replied that she had been a slave all her life, and had never known freedom, and wouldn't have known freedom even if she had ever lived outside the palace. If she hadn't been sold to work here, she would have been sold to work somewhere else, she had said with a faint shrug. She was paid for her work by being allowed to live, and always had been.
Zeel had shivered at this, remembering the last awful time she had been here, and seen her own people toiling in the city's fields. It had never crossed her mind that those people might be slaves; and apparently, it had never occurred to Shaaran and Norris, either. They would have mentioned it long ago.
She had also learned the true story behind Central Control, and how it had been formed, and that not all the guards were as cruel as she had always been told. Common guards such as Zalben were remarkably normal people, forced to carry out terrible deeds against their wills. They were often threatened with their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, to make them obey orders. Nia had held little doubt that this had been the case with the men and women who had taken Zeel in the first place. Nia had insisted she try to be understanding and not wish them ill will, just because of their uniforms.
"Many of those gray jackets and black boots hide good hearts," she had said, almost sympathetically. "You will see them peeking through from time to time, in good men like Zalben. It is a blessing, many of us say."
As a courtier, Zeel was to observe all of this with disinterest, as the rest of her people had come to. In this place, one either owned other people, or was owned by someone else. At least, Nia had offered, she had found herself largely on the owning end of the deal, and it was hardly a bad position to be in. Zeel hadn't agreed with that; being expected to own these people had been revolting. She had also been expected to deal harshly with them if they disappointed her in anyway, even if they fleetingly annoyed her. So it had been no wonder that Jess and Toma had been unable to relax, or that the threat of complaints had terrified them so badly.
"Yes, I must say, the turnover rate is remarkable," Nia had grudgingly agreed. "But that is the way of it, I suppose. This city has run on the backs of slaves like us for as long as our people can remember. Before it was your man's people, it was surely someone else. I can't say if we know how to do things differently. So perhaps it's just as well. When you have known no other life, it isn't such a bother."
To Zeel, who had known nothing but peace and freedom all her life, it sounded horrific. It had made her feel all sort of feelings, and think all sorts of thoughts. She couldn't imagine being so used to such a thing that it no longer felt or thought anything of it.
And I am expected to go about acting as though I don't, she had told herself grimly. I shall just have to pretend for a while, then. Zadina is at home enough wearing a mask to fool me. Well, two can play at that game.
Another memory had come to her, of how she had once painted lamp grease down her face and fooled several of her cunning people perfectly. She had done it in a moment's panic, expecting that her disguise would be seen through right away; but no one had questioned her for even a second. It had been so much easier than it ought to have been.
She had passed it off as dumb luck, and then later as the will of Fate. Now she had begun to hope Zadina and her men were simply so vain that fooling them was just that easy. If so, she could do it again, just as easily.
But remember, it was a slip of the tongue that foiled you before, she had told herself. If you had only guarded yourself better, you would have gotten away with that charade. This time has to be different. You must face it: you are a slave for now, and aren't allowed a second chance. You must pull it off this time. Your life and so much more depends on it.
A pause had settled between the two women. Zeel had sipped her tea, lost in thought; Nia had gazed with regret at the breakfast tray, which had gone cold. Wanting to do something helpful, Zeel had reached for a piece of toast and nibbled it slowly. She still hadn't found her appetite, but had known how little good it would do to go hungry. Besides, she hadn't been able to stand the thought of wasting so much food.
After a moment, Toma had crept into the parlor, wringing her hands nervously.
"I'm sorry, Nia, but Jess and I have searched the whole room. Even with Zalben's help, we haven't found anything like what the lady said. There isn't anything in the room we didn't put there ourselves yesterday."
Nia had rubbed her chin in puzzlement and glanced nervously at Zeel. Willing herself not to panic again, Zeel had merely sighed sadly and focused all the harder on her tea.
"Shall we send Zalben to report this?" Toma had asked.
"…No, don't," Nia had answered slowly. "Normally, I would have it done at once; but it may be best to keep this incident between the five of us, after all. Lady Moakel will only be pestered by inspectors and the like until the matter is resolved, and I doubt if she could handle so much stress right now. Not to mention what her majesty will do when she hears that her new favorite has been robbed. Yes, let us not speak of it again. I will see to it myself."
"Alone, ma'am?"
"As I said, Toma, it is perhaps better this way. I will see to it quietly and calmly, as I see to everything. Tell Jess and Zalben not to speak of it to anyone. Tell them to pretend it never happened, and take that message to your own heart. Lady Moakel, you agree, do you not?"
Zeel hadn't agreed, and had wondered what on earth Nia had been thinking of so carefully. But there had been a grave, silent look in the woman's face, begging her to just go along with her idea. So Zeel had nodded in vague agreement, and Nia had smiled in grim satisfaction.
"Very well, then, that has been decided," the woman had proclaimed, standing up and brushing her skirt back into place. "With that matter behind us, let us see to having the lady dressed and ready to meet her majesty."
She had pulled a tarnished watch from her apron pocket and shook her head disdainfully at it. "We will have to rush, I'm afraid. We're running behind now. Zalben, return to your post, young man; there is women's work to be done around here."
2222222222
Zeel had only been told all along that she was to meet Zadina, and so she had expected that they would be meeting alone. Her surprise had been unpleasant, then, when her maids had led her to a large music room filled with finely dressed people. Every one of them had been occupied with some kind of instrument, practicing and playing from books on iron stands.
But Zadina had stood out from the rest, of course. Rather than busying her lofty hands with an instrument, she had just been lounging on a couch, obviously waiting for Zeel to arrive. Seeing that her waiting was finally over, the queen had risen to her feet and held her arms open in welcome.
"There you are at last, my dear," the queen had said grandly, far too thrilled to see her. "We had wondered what was keeping you. The court has been dying to meet you."
On the contrary, the court had looked a bit displeased by her arrival. Most of them had stared rudely at her, and many of the women had looked disdainful. One of them had even wrinkled her nose at her. She had wondered if it was because they thought she had no place there without a mark of her own, or if they were jealous of the attention Zadina had showered on her. The queen had crossed the room and snatched her hands in her own, as if they were long-reunited family.
"Welcome, welcome, Zeel Moakel, welcome home," Zadina had sung, grinning almost honestly. She had put her arm her around her and pulled her farther into the room, grandly sweeping her hand over the crowd. "Meet your fellow courtiers, dear. Don't be shy, now, say hello to your new family."
The idea of these people being her new family had made her stomach churn, but she had kept the feeling well hidden. She had dipped as graceful a curtsey as she could, and did her best to smile. Perhaps she would be surprised by these people.
"Hello. It is lovely to meet you all," she had lied. "I thank you for having me."
She had been answered with cold silence.
"Oh, really," Zadina had scoffed at her court. "This is our lost one, returned to us at long last. How can you welcome her home like this? Don't be rude, now, welcome her!"
This time there had been a few mumbled hellos, and a few people had even bothered to wave passively. It was a better greeting than before. Zeel had decided to accept it for the moment.
"Never mind them," Zadina had insisted, leading Zeel back to her couch. "Some people are just so wary of change, you know? They will warm to you soon enough, I am sure. Tell me, Zeel do you play?"
"An instrument? Well, give me a reed pipe and I'll play you anything you like."
"A reed pipe? Why, how quaint," Zadina had laughed, stopping before a young man playing a magnificent silver flute and holding out her hand. "Give me that, Xander."
The young man had stared at her in surprise, but had handed over his instrument without hesitation. Zadina had looked it over briefly before handing it to Zeel.
"I'm quite sure this will suffice," the queen had said carelessly, returning to her couch. "Now play for us. Show us your skill. You must be quite good."
Zeel had stared doubtfully at the flute, not quite sure where to begin with it. It had been beautiful, and Xander had played it well; but it had been absolutely nothing like a reed pipe. It had been much longer, covered in small valves, and solid silver. It had looked more like some kind of strange machine than a musical instrument.
"You will forgive me, your majesty," she had laughed nervously, "but I have no idea how to play this. I've never seen one in my life."
The whole court had begun laughing behind their hands, entertained by her ignorance. Zadina had shrugged, as if she hadn't cared.
"I don't see the difference. You blow into one end, and music comes out the other end. How difficult can it be?"
"There is a large difference, actually…"
Zeel had wished right away that she could take that comment back. She had meant only to be helpful, but had realized too late that the Dragon Queen wouldn't like to be corrected in front of her entire court. And so her relief had been great when the queen only smiled and laughed lightly.
"I suppose you must be right. You must know far more about it than I do," she had said pleasantly. Around them, the courtiers had all begun exchanging unsure looks, likely wondering where all this sweetness was coming from. So, Zadina had worn her mask well enough to fool the people who knew her best; but she hadn't fooled Zeel.
They are surprised to see her this way, she had considered. They are more used to someone else. Someone as cold and heartless as they are. She is doing her best to lower my guard, convince me that I can trust her.
She wants something from me. Why else would she be trying so hard to reel me in?
Zadina had risen from her couch and moved back to Zeel's side, drawing her close. "Well, this has been fun, hasn't it?" she had said boredly. "Oh, I had hoped for better… But no matter. You have met the court, and the court has met you, and that is the important thing. Now return that thing to its owner, and do come with me. Lots to discuss, don't you remember?"
As she had been led away yet again, Zeel had handed the flute back to Xander, who had snatched it from her hand and shot her one of the nastiest looks she had ever received. For the first time, she had been thrilled to be led somewhere. Anywhere would have been better.
"Do you play?" she had asked the queen once they had left the room.
"Me? Oh, heavens, no," Zadina had answered, sounding appalled. "It is more than enough to enjoy other people playing for me. I have far more important things to do with my time."
Zeel had grimaced. "I should think that if there is time to breathe, there is time for music."
Zadina had laughed again. "My goodness, whatever have those people in the west done to you? Oh, but you are charming. Such a refreshing change. Oh, I am enjoying you. Why did I not have this done sooner?"
Zadina had sounded very pleased with herself, but Zeel had begun to feel increasingly uncomfortable. She had felt again an impulse to speak unwisely, but had forced herself to just smile at every offensive remark the queen made.
She had known that she needed to be as far on the queen's sweeter side as she could get. There had been another shoe waiting to drop, she had just known it. And she had felt a sinking feeling that it was about to drop on top of her head.
2222222222
Afterthoughts…
2222222222
This chapter will be continuing into another chapter. I had finally condensed some ideas into a single chapter, only for it to end up exploding out of control. I even edited out a bunch of stuff, and it was still so big! I found myself at my usual 8K, and only about halfway through with what Zeel has been up to. I won't make you read another 8K at one sitting, so Zeel will also take up chapter 15. Consider your scene set, and get ready for more insanity. ;D