Found Heritage

Chapter 11

The executions were done privately. Lyonette died by fast acting poison and Baudoin, ever the warrior and no coward, fell on his sword.

"I'm sorry, Morgan," Delaunay said. "The trial ruined the prospects of the party."

"The birthday part doesn't bother me." I put the book down. "I'm tired of hiding my name."

"I can arrange it. In the mean time... Phédre's going out. Go with her."

I didn't argue. With all the reading I had been doing, I needed the break. I joined Phédre and Guy, heading for the Cockerel. In the roughly two months I've lived in my birth nation, I learned that some things were considered to be superstitious.

"And pass on the curse?" Hyacinthe looked at Phédre, who had suggested to give his winnings away. "Do you think I have no more scruples than that?" He shook his head. "I can't use this for gain. I'll use it to make an offering to Azza and Elua. Come, let's see if there's any mounts at the stable."

The one tending the stables left dicing and jumped up with a smile. "Off to play lordling about town, Hyas? It's quieter than Cassiel's bedchamber around here."

Hyacinthe turned to me. "You do know how to ride, right?"

"Yeah." Granted it was once at a two week over-night camp. It was better than nothing.

Hyacinthe turned back to the youth. "Three quiet mounts. And a lady saddle for Phédre nó Delaunay." Hyacinthe took another look at me. Me wearing shorts, tennis shoes, and a tee. "And a man's saddle for Morgan Delaunay."

The boy did a double take. Obviously he didn't see Phédre or me standing there. Phédre wore a brown cloak and not her sangoire one. It turned out that Hyacinthe took care that his friends knew who Phédre and I were. It added to his prestige, and we were well guarded. I mounted easily enough and waited for Hyacinthe and Phédre. We headed into the City at a careful pace. I heard hooves behind us and I bet myself that it was Guy. We passed through largely empty streets. Which surprised me considering the numerous night clubs I saw on the way to the Temple of Azza. Though there were some small groups here and there. Some were wearing black armbands. They turned so their faces couldn't be seen. Hyacinthe asked Phédre if she grieved for Baudoin. I didn't pay much attention to that exchange. During that conversation, it went from Baudoin to Phédre's marque and her being vrajna; forbidden. Then Hyacinthe said something that caused Phédre to hurry off.

"We give each other what we can spare and what we can accept," I heard Hyacinthe say when he drew up alongside Phédre. "And that's as it ever has been between us. Friends?"

I drew up on the other side of Phédre, who said,"Friends. And you'll share the offerings by half, yes?"

So, that's how we arrived at Azza's Temple. I wasn't of his line seeing how I'm from Shemhazai's line thanks to my father. But a beating of an unknown source began in my ears. It was as if something, or someone, was trying to remind me of the other half of my lineage.

"Morgan." Hyacinth's voice broke into my thoughts. "Here. Some of the offerings." He handed me some of his winnings.

Thanks, Hyas." I accepted the money. Looking around the temple, I saw members of House Trevalion, with black arm bands, in attendance. Inside, candles were lite and flowers lined the walls. The priests and priestesses I saw wore orange-yellow tunics with a crimson half-cloak fastened with bronze brooches. I couldn't see their faces, hidden by a bronze mask of Azza. While I waited, I studied the statue of Azza. He held one hand open, palm up. The other held a sextant, for his gift to D'Angelines was knowledge. Once Phédre and Hyacinthe gave their offerings, I knelt and carefully tipped the incense into the fire. "Forgive me, Azza. I'm new in this country," I whispered. "Please grant me the knowledge to survive." I stood, gave the bowl to an acolyte and joined my sister and friend.

The temple of Elua was much quieter. I would have thought there would have been more people there considering Lyonette and Baudoin were scions of Elua. What took me by surprise was there wasn't a roof; just pillars that marked the four corners. Phédre later told me that it was tradition that the inner sanctum stand open beneath the sky, unpaved and free to grow wild. Oak trees that looked far older than the apple tree I climbed when I was a kid flanked the altar. The sky was beginning to deepen when we got there. A priestess, barefoot and robed in blue, came to remove our shoes. Having been raised to do things on my own, I undid my own and took them off. This time, Phédre shared and we were give scarlet anemones to lay on the altar.

The man in the statue had unbound hair and an eternal smile beamed down on us. Both hands were open, one in offering, the other bore the mark of Cassiel's blade. This time, I went first. I placed my anemone on the altar and bowed my head. I attempted to offer up a prayer, but no words came. In a minute, I moved so Hyacinthe could step forward. I don't know how long we were there, but on the way out, I heard Phédre thank Hyacinthe.

"You can count patrons by the score," he said. "I can bet there are few who can claim friendship of Delaunay's anguissette and daughter."

Phédre slapped Hyacinthe's shoulder, yet I could tell it was playful. We rode back to the Doorstep. In the short time we were out, I do believe that I gained some experience in horse back riding. We made wild dashes in an attempt to lose Guy, who wasn't within sight. Of course that's when we came onto the Shahrizai. In the market square, Hyacinthe saw them and checked his horse, hand sure on the reins. Phédre came up on one side and I on hers. The Shahrizai were gorgeous in their black and gold coats, voices singing, bound for Mount Nuit. The men, I noticed, wore their hair in small braids.

"Phédre nó Delaunay," Melisande called. "Well met. Will us come with us to Valerian House?"

I was positive that Phédre would have answered if Hyacinthe hadn't moved between them. "She is with me tonight."

Melisande laughed, and her kin with her. I knew no one in the group. "So, you're her little friend. The one they call Prince of Travelers. I've heard on good authority that you've never been outside the City. Still, if I cross your palm with gold, will you tell me of what will be?"

I glared at the Shahrizai when they laughed. Hyacinthe's back stiffen. "This I'll tell you, Star of the Evening," he said in a cold voice. He was using the dromonde. "That which yields is not always weak. Choose your victories wisely."

I looked at Melisande, now some how realizing that she was indeed dangerous.

"Something for nothing from a Tsingano? Marmion pay him so that there's no debt between us."

Alright, one name to match a younger brother or cousin. He dug into his purse and tossed a coin to Hyacinthe, who grabbed it midair. "My thanks, O Star of the Evening."

Melisande then looked to me and smiled. "And what of you, child? Will you join us?"

Something rose in me with the urge to go with them. But I was out with someone else. I shook my head. "No, Lady Melisande."

The party of Shahrizai continued on their way. Hyacinthe and Phédre spoke of Melisande and how she was interested in what Delaunay was doing.

"She's of Kushiel's line," Phédre said. "It's writ in her blood as much as mine is writ in my gaze."

"Only Kushielines do their grieving at Valerian," Hyacinthe said.

Guy showed up and we returned the horses to the stables. Once we returned home, Delaunay wasn't there. I headed for my room while Phédre moved about like being in a cage. I grabbed my laptop and cord before heading for the library. Apparently Alcuin learned that Phédre knew of his encounter with Bouarre at Baudoin's party. Alcuin had received word from him. I acted like I didn't knew as well.

"And you?" He turned to me. "Did you know?"

I nodded. "And I knew that Phédre knew."

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Phédre began.

"It doesn't matter." Alcuin seemed lost in thought. "Why now, I wonder? Does he have something less to fear now that House Trevalion has fallen? Or fears he outlived his use to the Stregazza?"

I plugged in the cord while Phédre sat opposite Alcuin. "He's seen peers of the realm point fingers at one of the Great Houses and lived to gain by it. He grew bold, and if the profit outweighs his fear, he'd do it publicly." Phédre shook her head. "He's sick with desire. and these events made him rash enough to seek a cure. Have a care with him."

"I will," he said, a hint of grimness in his voice. "This once and never again."

"Will you tell that to Father?" I asked, sitting in a chair, laptop on my lap.

Alcuin shook his head. "Not until it's done. The letter says Vitale agrees only to my request for the patron-gift. Let Delaunay believe it's an assignation like any other. He wouldn't let me go if he knew how I felt." He looked at me, dark eyes on me. It looked like there was something there, but I couldn't tell what. "Promise you won't say anything."

He was putting a lot of trust in me not to say anything to Delaunay. In the two months I had been there, I gained a father and adopted siblings. "Promise."

There were some days before Alcuin's final assignation. And apparently Delaunay had planned to have my coming out party to fall in that time. I was lounging in my room, chatting on MSN with Trevor when Delaunay came in. "Morgan, how would you feel about just having a coming out party?"

"Any time we, you, attempt this, some thing happens. Yes, I'd like it."

"Good, get ready. We leave in one hour."

He left the room and there was that moment where my mind processed what just happened and I moved suddenly to pull my forest green dress and changed. I came down to see the others already. We left the house with Guy and Joscelin.